Wedding Dress Styles: Part II

The Empire Dress

An empire dress is defined by the raised waistline that sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the dress flows down to the hem. This style is usually paired with a square neckline and wide set straps or sleeves. Like the A-line, the empire style is very versatile and can accommodate a wide range of formality. The dress can be full length, tea length, or cocktail length.

Structure: 

Since the empire dress is primarily defined by the placement of the waistline, there are many other design options that contribute to the overall look of the dress. Sleeve length on an empire dress can range from long, bell sleeves (perfect for a Renaissance wedding), to a sleek, sleeveless design (perfect for an outdoor summer affair). Skirt style is another important variable on the empire cut, as it can flow freely or contour to your body, depending on the silhouette you want to create.

Fabrics: 

Lighter fabrics work best on empire dresses because they allow for the most movement and flow from the waistline. Layering silk chiffon over a base fabric will create a romantic effect, especially if the layers are tiered or arranged in a petal style that gently overlaps in the front (floral inspiration anyone?). Lace is another great choice for this style because it adds texture and detail to an otherwise simple design. The empire dress is also perfect for contrasting two fabrics, such as pairing a detailed  bodice with a simple skirt.

Gown Enhancers:

Added accents and fabric embellishments, such as capped sleeves or delicate bead work, will help to draw attention to your chest and neckline, and therefore create the illusion of a fuller bust. Most brides do tend to veer away from additions to the gown with this style because the dress itself is meant to be more simplistic. 

Body Types:

While the empire dress fits well on most body types, it is especially suited for those brides with a smaller bust since it draws attention to the neckline and creates definition. Oddly enough, this cut can also work to conceal a large bust by controlling and minimizing the size of your breasts due to the traditionally square neckline. The design of the empire dress is also ideal for covering other body features such as a long torso, short legs, or a pear shaped figure. Since the dress flows from the bust line, it can easily leave these areas undefined. The structure of the empire dress is also perfect for pregnant brides since the fluidity of the dress can accommodate a growing belly!

Happy researching!

xoxo

Katherine

Wedding Dress Styles: Part I

The A-Line/Princess Dress

The A-line dress is probably the most classic style of wedding gown. When you think wedding dress, Most people will picture an A-Line gown. It is fitted around the bodice and then flows out to the ground, resembling the outline of an uppercase A (hence the name A-Line.) The dress flows fluidly from the bust to the hem with an unbroken line, giving it a classic serenity. Due to its classiness and simple style, the A-line dress is appropriate for any occasion, from a quiet backyard gathering, to a traditional church ceremony.

Structure: 

The A-line is the ultimate versatile shape since it can accommodate many different structural elements, including horizontal seams that help define your waistline, or a separate bodice and skirt that feature contrasting fabrics. The look of the A-line dress is also dependant upon length, which can range from above the knee for a fun and flirty bride, to a full-length dress that flows into a chapel-length train for the more traditional bride.The princess cut is the most dramatic variation of the A-line dress. This style emphasizes the clean lines of the A-line. The princess style provides elongating lines that create a slimming effect since your eye focuses on the length created by the longer seams.

Fabrics: 

The A-line style can support many different fabric choices depending on the look you want. If you would prefer to wear a simple look, free flowing silks like charmeuse are the best option because they allow the dress to hang naturally and create a soft feminine silhouette. If you want to go for a more structured appearance, you will want a heavier fabric that can maintain shape, such as silk or satin. This same effect can also be achieved with the use of organza, or other supporting fabrics, that can be layered to create a full skirt. (Very princess-like!)

Gown Enhancers:

You can also affect the look of the A-line dress depending upon the added embellishments you choose. Lace overlays or bead work can make a simple A-line dress appear more formal, while a touch of color provided by a ribbon or bow can make a stylish statement and add to your color pallet. 

Body Types:

The A-line dress is flattering on almost all body types. The long lines of the princess cut dress can create the illusion of height on a shorter body, as well as slim down a rounded figure. The full skirt of the A-line can also hide a larger lower body, or create the illusion of curves on a narrow frame. Since the A-line dress is so versatile, simple modifications to the neckline, waistline, or fabric can accentuate your best features and hide those you're not so fond of.

Happy Researching!

xoxo

Katherine

Intro to Wedding Dresses

Choosing your dress is often the single most looked forward to event for every bride! Choosing its style is a very important factor in moving forward with your wedding vision. Wedding dresses cover the style spectrum from simple and sleek, to grand and elaborate. No matter what your personal style is, there is a dress for you! You want to make your entrance memorable. It is the first impression guests get of the wedding celebration, not to mention the first image your new "groomie" has of you as you start your new married life together!

The next few posts I will write will focus on the five basic wedding dress styles: A-line/ Princess, Ball Gown, Column, Empire, and Mermaid/Fishtail. 

I hope that by blogging about these different styles, I can help provide all you new brides out there with the proper amount of information you need to find that one special dress that was "made" just for you! I will discuss the dresses lengths, fabric choices, necklines, and sleeve lengths that are best suited for each dress style. 

Helpful Tip: Do Your Research!!!

When you do your research, you don't ever go into a bridal salon without a full "brain tank" of knowledge. You will be surprised how much time you will be saving yourself (and your salon clerk) by knowing the type or types of dresses you want to try on. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.You will never know what you look like in certain styles if you never try them on. Who knows, the style that you think would look the worst on your body just might just be the one you end up choosing!

xoxo

Katherine

Choosing Your Wedding Colors

Having specific wedding colors can help provide your big day with a sense of visual unity. Choosing your wedding colors may seem a bit daunting, especially if you aren’t particularly visually oriented or your partner is color-blind and absolutely no help. Never fear! It’s really quite easy.

Most people base their wedding colors on a favorite shade or favorite flower. You’ll want to choose one primary and one or two accents. Start off by seeing if there are any predetermining factors.

• Does either the reception or ceremony site have strong colors?
• Are you set on having a particular flower?
• Have you already chosen your bridesmaid dresses?

If so, you’re halfway to finding your wedding colors! If not, start by thinking about the season when your ceremony will take place. Spring and summer affairs usually include pastels or bright colors. Winter suggests deep purples, burgundies, grey-greens, and silvers. Fall brings harvest tones - oranges, reds, and yellows- to the table. 

What to avoid:

• Too much black: While sophisticated, it can end up looking like a funeral, rather than a celebration. If you love black, balance it out with a bright color, or lots of crisp white.

•  Losing your personality: Don’t just do pastels because I've suggested it above. Think about what you wear normally in your clothing and the shades you've used to decorate your home. These are probably colors you are comfortable around already.

•  Picking too many wedding colors: Two are perfect, and three will still work, but any more than three wedding colors will end up looking hectic and strange. The purposes of wedding colors are to tie everything together, and the best way to do this is to have everything in one or two shades.

If you have a favorite shade, but don’t know what else will go with it, try consulting a simple color wheel. Artists and designers have used this tool for years as a design principle… they’re also pretty fun to look at!

•  Consider going monochromatic (aka many shades of one color). A bride I worked with used blue for her ceremony by the sea. Each bridesmaid had a different shade of blue for her dress, and the bouquets include irises, lilies, and delphinium, along with several white varieties of flowers.

• Consider having related tones, ones adjacent to each other on the color wheel. A bride I’m assisting now has green bridesmaid dresses with blue sashes. You might also consider green and yellow, or red, purple and blue.

•  Consider having complementary shades, located opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, lavender and pale yellow, or forest green and burgundy.

•  If you really love one hue in particular, you might want to highlight it among neutrals. So, bridesmaid dresses might be cream with purple sashes, groomsmen might wear off-white tuxedos with purple boutonnieres, and bouquets might be stephanotis, white roses, and lavender sweet pea.

Once you have some idea of your wedding colors, everything starts to really fall in place.

Happy color choosing!

Xoxo

Katherine

Presents For Your Ladies

Every bride looks forward to the day she can make those special phone calls or text a message to those few ladies whose friendship she treasures: her bridesmaids! To thank them for being a big part of your life, as well as your big day, its tradition to give them something special to commemorate the day. Here are a few suggestions on what the ladies love!

• Jewelry is always appreciated and you don't have to break the bank to give a perfect present.  Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even rings are great ideas. You can easily buy lots of gorgeous crystal or beaded bracelets that will fit everyone. Here's a small hint:  if you have them all shipped together, you'll not only save on shipping, but your time running all over searching for individual perfect gifts is cut in half!

• Any spa obsessed friends? Pampering products are always a huge hit. Give the girls a spa in a bag! Get a nice toiletry case and fill then with different soothing products. If all your ladies are staying in a hotel, they'll be thrilled to have extra products (especially ones that are bigger than the tiny ones provided by hotels). Alternately, you could even consider giving them fluffy monogrammed robes. 

• Gift certificates to a spa are also nice. Your bridesmaids can go at a given time together, or even consider a girls weekend to the area spa. Its always great to be pampered, especially if you have your girlfriends to share it with! 

• Monogrammed candles are always lovely! They come in all types of containers and colors. You can choose a monogram for each of the girls to make the gift truly personal.

• Purses, cosmetic cases, and personalized totes all make great gifts! Either have them uniformly personalized, or consider giving one that fits with each girls personality. Fill them with travel sized products of all kinds, or consider using a theme that goes with your wedding (example: beach wedding = monogrammed towels and sunglasses).

• You could give them tickets to a concert or other local venue! Try to get tickets that are good for a wide number of dates, so each girl can choose when she'd like to go. Theater tickets are usually good for the run of the show.  

• Edible gifts are all the rage at the moment. You can get anything from chocolates and candies, to lollipops in the shape of bridal attire. There is really no end to the treats that are available by any high end or gourmet sweet shop. You can also find them online at multiple sites. 

• Since your bridesmaids will be on their feet all day, why not give them personalized flip flops or flats? They can slip out of their heels and into comfy shoes for dancing the night away! Every polished toe will be thanking you!

It's up to you to decide how much you want to spend. If your budget is tight, you can always make something and wrap it in fancy packaging. Remember, it is your token of thanks from the heart that really gives the favor all of its meaning. No favor should be a cause of stress for you or your soon to be married partner in crime. Think simple, and have fun!

xoxo 

Katherine

Got Interns?

Got "Intern"? 

Cause We Do!

Paisley Events is proud to present our new

intern: Emily DeMarco!

Emily is a Junior at The College of Charleston in South Carolina. She is a Business Administration major and has a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. By working with us this summer, she hopes to gain experience in the wedding and event planning industry. She is a CT native and loves to plan just as much as we do! We are so proud to have her with us!

The BBQ Reception

Hello!

Last Friday I had the great pleasure of FINALLY meeting with my June couple Sarah & Jared! They are possibly the most down to earth couple I have ever had the pleasure to work with. For their wedding we are working on a beach wedding with....wait for it... A BBQ RECEPTION!

Lately, more and more couples are opting for backyard style receptions. And why not? Not only does it allow for a more comfortable setting, but its a kick back to the fun in the sun that we all experience every so often on a good warm summer's night. Couples who chose to have a smaller intimate reception are generally low key and very family oriented. A common misconception associated with backyard receptions is that they are only for a couple who really has no budget, but this isn't the case at all! These easy going, free flying couples simply want to have fun!

The restaurant that Sarah and Jared are using is owned by a friend of theirs. His restaurant, Flaggstead Smokehouse, is located in Farmingville, CT. They have the best BBQ I have ever ever ever tasted! They have done catering for years and have catered to many many wedding receptions. Their restaurant has a big BBQ feel to it. The meats are cooked and smoked to perfection and the potato salad is to die for! The food tasting was the perfect preview to just how good the reception food will be.

Sarah and Jared chose to have mac n cheese, stuffed peppers, and nachos for their appetizers, sweet corn, salad, and BBQ beans for their sides, and chicken, sausage and smoked brisket for their main course choices! They are opting for a buffet style and are keeping their options low key.

I am looking forward to the decor portion of this wedding almost as much as the food. There is so much that you can do! You can choose beach table style seating, or go old school with benches and long tables. If you don't want to keep with the red gingham table cloth and red solo cup look of your classic American picnic, you can dress it up with your wedding colors and keep napkins with heavy duty paper for those messy fingers! The choices and possibilities are endless!


xoxo

Katherine