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We're Moving!

We have almost finished our new Wedding Fashion blog, which will offer loads more features and a new, cleaner layout. Pop over and check us out! Just excuse the mess while we 'clean house' and get things just the way we want them.

http://weddingfashionfiles.com/

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Make Mine Vintage

One of the current wedding trends I absolutely adore is the return of vintage dresses and themes to our "oh so modern" society. I think I was born much too late; I am always drawn to clothing, artwork, books, collectibles and everything else vintage. Even my closest friends, who are considerably older than I, tease me that they are part of my admiration for all things vintage. Whether people believe it or not, I'm an old soul in a lot of ways. I suppose this is the reason I am loving this comeback so much.

Today I have managed to get myself tangled in the webs of a site devoted to vintage wedding attire and my severe case of lust for times long passed has taken a turn for the worse. It is too early to determine exactly how much longer I have unless I am treated for this affliction soon (and aggressively). I have not been able to tear myself away from Vintage Wedding all afternoon. As a matter of fact, I am still browsing the site and some of their equally interesting links as I write this.

The clothing on this site ranges from under garments and accessories to dresses, as well as suits for men. Mind you, these are not replicas (unless otherwise noted), but actual vintage items. Some of the gowns and such have never even been worn, while others need minor repair or cleaning. If you are considering going with a vintage theme, it may be worth taking a look.

While replicas may be easier to find and involve less work (in the case of repair, it may be challenging to locate suitable materials, for example), if you are an old soul like me, you really may get a kick out of being married in actual vintage apparel.

I am sure by now it is no secret how I feel. I love the vintage trend; from the attire, to the added touches. Vintage favors, music, decor and anything else you can think of will all add to your vintage wedding theme. I may be biased, but I do not think you can ever have too much of a good thing.....as long as that "thing" is vintage!

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Wooden Wedding and Engagement Rings

I must admit as a lover of all things that glitter and sparkle (I think I was a magpie in a previous life!) I was not sure what to make of wooden wedding and engagement rings. But after looking at wooden jewellery sites on the internet, I have discovered that they are not what I imaged them to be.

I was expecting something quite wide, thick and not very feminine. Yes, there are designs, exactly like in gold and silver rings, that are a wide band style, for those women who can pull off chunkier jewellery or for men. But there are also delicate designs; beautifully carved, some out of two different types of wood and even some with silver inlays. You can also have a diamond set into a design, for those wanting a more unusual engagement ring.

So why would you choose a ring made from wood? For some their choice will be an environmental one, as normally the wood used, is salvaged wood, and the ring is more eco-friendly than a metal one.

But for others it will be because of what this material symbolises. Wood, as we all know comes from trees, and is a living matter. Wood has been on its own life journey. It changes and grows, trees expand and contract, when their environment alters. Which are all of the things that we have to learn to do, in order to build and grow our own relationships.

With the exchanging of wooden rings, you are symbolising the giving of life, your life, to each other, and pledging to grow and shape together in your new life together.

Find wooden rings as sites such as Simply Wood Rings.

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The Jesus Peiro 2009 Collection

A finish that has been compared to haute couture, is how Jesus Peiro wedding dresses have been described. And this reputation is certainly one on which the company, founded in 1988 in Spain, have built on. The Jesus Peiro brand, pride themselves on setting trends and on satisfying today’s discerning bride.

Their 2009 collection offers elegant gowns of extremely high quality, which will certainly give you the 'wow' from your guests that every bride dreams of.

The collection features dresses tailored in a variety of materials, lace features on a number of the designs mirroring the continued love of vintage this season. I have picked out some of my favourites from the collection.

Dress 9027 is a graceful halter neck gown, with small beautifully crafted buttons, running down the back of the dress, which finishes in a flowing skirt. Other than the buttons at the back, the gown is completely unadorned but this simplicity allows each bride to personalise their look with accessories of their choice.

Staying with clean designs, gown 9053 offers the bride an empire style dress, with a strapless neckline and slim ribbon of material on which a diamante brooch is fixed just under the bust. The skirt falls elegantly to the floor with a train at the back.

If you love lace dresses, number 9098 is particularly pretty, it features a full lace halter neck dress, together with layers of net making up the train at the back of the gown.

But my personal favourite is gown 9076, which has high slash neckline but a deep plunging ‘V’ at the back, it is decorated with a sash at the waist again with an unadorned skirt, which finishes in a small train.

If you would like to view their collection for yourself a list of stockists can be found on their website www.jesuspeiro.com

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Mow the Lawn

...usually something you'd ask your other half to do at the weekend? Not anymore!

Check out this kooky new film from Wilkinson Sword featuring a bunch of glamorous girls getting busy mowing their lawns, trimming their bushes and having a general 'tidy up' in their gardens...!

This film has been released to celebrate the launch of the NEW Quattro for Women Bikini razor,, which also helps women have a bit of a 'tidy up', thanks to its unique capabilities to both trim and shave the bikini area. This 2-in-1 beauty innovation boasts a waterproof trimmer at one end and a high tech, four-blade razor at the other.

Click on the link below to see how much fun it can be to have a spruce up when things get a little rough around the edges. It may inspire you to ’mow your lawn ', and it will definitely leave you humming the catchy theme song.

Enjoy! And look out for the cat, who also gets a bit of attention.....

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Carrie's wedding dress goes on sale

One of the most memoriable parts of last years "Sex and the City" movie for most, was that Vivienne Westwood wedding dress.

The internet shopping mecca website, Net-a-Porter have recently added the gown to their Wedding Boutique and it sold out almost instantly. The champagne silk satin dress has a sweetheart neckline and full puff skirt.

So if you too fancy an injection of Carrie Bradshaw on your wedding day, you will have to go on the waiting list and expect to part with about £7000.

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Berketex Bride Easter Offer

If your going to be shopping for your wedding dress over Easter, why not have a look in your nearest Berketex Brides store.

Up until Saturday 11 April Berketex Brides are offering either a free bridesmaid dress with the purchase of a full price Bridal Gown or £200 worth of accessories with the purchase of a full price Bridal Gown.

To find your nearest store and for more information on these offers, visit http://www.berketexbride.com/

Happy shopping!

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A pair of Gina Shoes to be won!

The gorgeous shoe and handbag designers Gina, run competitions for the registered users of their site every 3 months. This time they are giving their users the chance to win a pair of shoes or handbag worth £450.

They've just launched their Spring/Summer 09 collection and they also have a Bridal range to tempt you. So there will be plenty to choose from should you win.

All you have to do is go to www.gina.com , click on the Competitions tab and answer the question. Remember you have to be a registered user, but registering is easy and will only take you a couple of minutes.

Good Luck!
P.S. If one of our readers wins, please let us know what you choose!

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4 Ways to Make a Statement with Your Wedding Dress

Guest Post by Shirley Tan, AmericanBridal.com

When you turn that age where everyone is getting married, you start to notice that most gals turn out to look like the typical cookie-cutter bride in her white ball gown. If you’re the type of girl who wants to stand out and show your individuality on your special day, follow these tips:

Indulge in Color

White is definitely not flattering for all skin tones (especially women with light skin) and it is not the most complimentary color for darker skin tones. The white wedding dress was meant to symbolize virginity and purity, but now that times have changed, dresses should reflect our newfound strength and power with vibrant, bold colors. Choose lively yellows and shocking reds, or if you want to take it down a notch, look for less vibrant colors like maroon and navy blue.

Original Headpieces

There are many veil alternatives on the market today, so no need to go traditional on this one ladies. Place baby’s breath flowers in your up do to create a breathtaking, natural look. For a more romantic look, invest in one medium sized colored silk flower of your choice, I recommend a rose paired with small white flowers, and place it to the side of your swept up hair. If you are a free spirited gal, try placing a large daisy in your hair. Whatever kind of girl you are, there’s always a flower that matches your personality. If you do want to go more towards the traditional side, I recommend buying a veil, sans netting, that drips with ruby and silver balls or crystals.

Accessorize to the Max

If you’ve decided to go the more traditional route with yur dress, then it’s time to glam yourself up with some accessories. A cost effective way to look even more stunning is purchasing a dainty velvet ribbon to tie neatly around your neck; you’ll surely create a statement with this look. Depending on what type of dress you have, buying a long pearl necklace would also look amazing, and add some drama to your ensemble. This look goes especially well with a plain wedding dress that does not flair out at the bottom- think simple. For funkier brides, try a diamond upper arm bracelet to look fabulous.

Shoes Please!

If you have chosen to stick with the standard white wedding dress, then spice it up a bit with some colorful shoes. Who wants to wear white from head to toe. A lot of bridal shoes can be dyed any color you like, so you can be as creative as you want.

No matter what route you decide to take (traditional or non) it’s important to feel like an enhanced version of yourself on your special day. So, if that means going bold, then by all means go daring, you deserve it.

Shirley is the President/CEO of AmericanBridal.com. Her company is a major leader in the wedding favors industry and her website contains many useful resources for brides planning their wedding.

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Hate it : Bandages and Bows

A bride should be the center of attention on her wedding day; an image of elegance and a sight to behold. Her dress should flatter her figure and highlight her best features. I can not help but wonder what was on the minds of the designers when they concocted some of these "things" I can only call atrocities against both fashion and weddings!

Remember The Sound of Music and Gone with the Wind? Simply because those drapes made good ensembles in the movies, does not mean a bride should look like she ripped her grandmother's curtains down at the last minute to create her wedding dress.

In particular, I can't help but picture a bride in this dress having to swim her way to the Altar with her Little Mermaid tail. I have to say I have no love for what I refer to as The Curtain Mermaid gown.

Not to keep referencing movies, but can you say "Mummy"? This dress may be great for a fancy formal event, but if a bride were to walk down the aisle in this creation, her guests may be wondering if she is happy to be getting married or if she thought she was dressing for preservation in a casket. I am unable to give this a thumbs up in the bridal gown category simply because the dress screams "bandages" from head to toe.

I have to say no to the feather boa look of this Burlesque Dancer get-up. Again, the dress may have it's place in fashion, but it certainly has no place on a bride! I think the seams would reject the idea, but unless the bride is having a very unconventional wedding and arriving beside her groom via pole....these feathers are an emphatic "NO" for a wedding gown.

Some of these dresses will leave the bride standing in the shadow of her beautifully wrapped gifts; or even worse...blending right on in with them. Maybe I'm an old-fashioned girl, but I still think it best to show a touch of class and be sure your guests are gasping at your elegance rather than your lack of fashion sense.

Editor's note:
Don't hold back, tell us what you really think! I have to say that I largely agree here. Brides appear 'all wrapped up', in the 2010 collection previews I have seen so far, with miles of wrapped tulle, chiffon and satin appearing in dresses from all designers. It may not be difficult to get a budget version of these designer gowns. I recommend checking out the Toilet Paper Wedding Gown contest and then grabbing a few hundred rolls of Andrex!

What do you think about the new 'wrap' gowns?

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Design Your Own Tartan

Internet firm Scotweb, will soon be launching a new and exciting product onto the market, "Design Your Own Tartan"

Scotweb's new product will allow you to go online and using their patented technology, design your own tartan pattern in a range of colours. Your designs can then be saved and even shared with others in their online gallery. So you can get the opinion of other members of your wedding party before ordering. Your tartan design can then be made into kilts, skirts, scarves, ties and even household goods.

Before they launch this new product to the general public, Scotweb have given people within the industry a chance to have a go at their new venture. So after having a play around, I must say it is a fairly simple tool to use, although Scotweb do want feedback, so they can keep on improving the system. It was fun playing with different colours, to see which worked best as the base colour and then what other colours complimented it.

So if you fancy combining your two families tartan for your wedding or fancy designing something unique to you, keep an eye on Scotweb's website for the launch.

www.scotweb.co.uk

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Flowergirl Dresses

Are you searching for pretty flower girl dresses or page boy outfits, then Little Eglantine could have what your looking for.

We all know how stylish the French are, well now you can have some of the French style at your own wedding.

Stephanie Staub is a French designer of extremely pretty flower girl dresses and page boy outfits. Her Summer 2009 flower girl collection had some really attractive designs, made from beautiful fabrics. You can choose from embroidered or plain taffeta both in a range of colours.
Stephanie has given us a lot to choose from but I have managed to narrow my favourites down to five:

Firstly "Marie" a pretty blue and white dress with a blue sash which crosses over attractively at the back.

Second there's "Purple Isobel", a white dress with pink and purple flowers and rather sweet "flounce" sleeves.

Next, "Camille" a cream taffeta dress, decorated with different coloured dragonflies.

Then, "Blue Anais" a white dress with blue flowers, whose skirt is made up of two layers, the bottom one is longer than the top and is a co-ordinating blue, giving a two tone effect.

Lastly, "Alexandra", I know we are now meant to be in Spring but I couldn't help mentioning "Alexandra" for those of you who maybe looking for dresses for a Winter wedding. Alexandra is made out of a gorgeous "night blue" taffeta with long sleeves, trimmed with white fur. The bottom of the skirt is also trimmed with white fur. The colour of the dress, along with the adorable white fur trim, make this dress my favourite.

But which one will you choose, decide at www.littleeglantine.com

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Gorgeous Pashmina's

Sunrise Pashmina are a company based in Nepal who produce hand-loomed pashmina shawls using high quality yarn. Their shawls come in a range of colours and you can even choose styles with pretty beading or embroidery on.
So if you fancy treating yourself, bridemaids or female members of your wedding party to one of their gorgeous shawls for your big day, take a look at their website.

www.sunrise-pashmina.com
They are also offering all our readers, a 5% discount on your purchase, when you quote the code 55weddingguide, happy shopping!

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Be Your Own Designer

If you are tired of traipsing through endless bridal boutiques searching for just the right gown for your bridesmaids then StyleShake is set to offer you sweet relief.

Regardless of your bridesmaids size or sense of style, they are sure to have something to suit, since each of their items is designed by you and then tailor made to order.

They offer a range of beautiful fabrics, including organic silk, cotton or linen – forget man made fabrics that get too hot or cause irritation! Each fabric also comes in a variety of colours from pale pastels to the summer’s hot gem shades as well as classic black and the ever popular burgandy.

Choosing from dresses or separates lets you co ordinate your wedding look while still offering bridesmaids an outfit that will both fit and flatter them.

Create various looks to share and compare with your girls, and then be wowed by the low cost of the final outfit!

Offering five star service with free tailoring, inspirational blog articles, and great customer service, we say ‘Well Done!’ to StyleShake.

Design your own bridesmaid dress today.

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Bid on Madonna's Tiara

If you are a big Madonna fan then you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to wear her tiara on your wedding day. The award winning gold and diamond Versace tiara will be auctioned on Bidz.com on the 23rd of March, to raise money for the Aid for AIDS charity.

Opening bid? $699,999

No offence to Madonna or Versace, but I have seen nicer tiaras for a fraction of the price!

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A Fantasy Bride

Rivendell Bridal is the place to go for gorgeous medieval and fantasy bridal gowns. Emily Jane, Rivendell Bridal’s talented designer, hand works each dress so that it is perfectly fitted to the client. Working from her UK design studio and shop, Emily Jane welcomes brides from all over the world who are hoping to create the perfect “castle in the sky” wedding.

Emily Jane is a master dress designer and dress maker. To ensure that each of her creations drapes perfectly, looks great on, and fits like a glove she uses modern couture design techniques for each gown.

Your entire experience at Rivendell Bridal will be like stepping back in time. You will receive expert, personalized service from Emily Jane and her team. Your dress will be made especially for you. Emily Jane will even give brides hair and makeup tips for their big day.

The dresses at Rivendell Bridal evoke the Britain and Ireland of long ago, as well as the grace and beauty of the Elves. With names like Guinevere, Avani, Bespoke, and Celtic Star you will feel like a true princess in a Rivendell gown.

The Guinevere gown is very popular with young brides. This gown is made using cream silk and is elegant in its simplicity. The gown has a fitted bodice outlined in silver and black embroidery, long bell sleeves, and a flowing skirt that sweeps the floor.

Another popular dress is the Titania. This lovely dress has a flouncy skirt built from layers and layers of silk taffeta. The layers are randomly gathered by small bows giving the skirt a flattering bell shape.

Emily Jane also offers other medieval and fantasy style items at Rivendell Bridal. To complement her creations she carries a line of capes, shoes, handbags, bouquets, and tiaras.

One bride accurately described Emily Jane and her experience with Rivendell Bridal as nothing short of a miracle. According to Lisa Randall, “This woman is a miracle worker - from the moment I first spoke to her she just understood what I wanted I can truly say that my dress was perfect even more than I could have ever imagined. Everyone commented on how pretty it was and my new husband loved it! I am so grateful to you, I found the whole dress shop process really painful and dealing with you was a total pleasure.”

www.rivendellbridal.com

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Styleboard March 2009 - Green Weddings

As vintage and romance ensconce the wedding industry, the colour of weddings is being tinged green. Going green can also mean a softer, more natural look for your wedding style with sustainable fabrics, found objects and inspiration from nature.

Credits: (Clockwise from top left)

Eco Chic Weddings by Emily Anderson. This book gives some great advice and tips on how brides can have a beautiful wedding without harming the environment.

Add a touch of natural beauty to your wedding look by weaving some flowers into your hair. Image from Wedding Flowers Idea Blog.

I love this unusual, contemporary Bamboo wedding cake by Lava Cakes.

Stunning, flowing green bridesmaids dress from PromDress4Less. I am a fan of these guys, as they tailor make each gown to your own measurements, but offer all of their designs at amazingly low prices.

Bridal Hair Vine from Chimerique Jewellery. Exquisite hair decoration for brides made with woven silver wire and freshwater pearls.

Feature image:
Stunning silk wrapped posy of green orchids by Chicago Flowers.

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Win a Wedding Dress

Confetti.co.uk have a great wedding competition running at the moment for one lucky bride to win a fabulous designer wedding gown from Constantina Bridal.

The collection, by designer Enzoani is a stunning and eclectic mix of designs with a heavy Vintage influence. The gowns are stacked with details, from layered fabrics to exquisite details, exaggerated silhouettes and stylish draping.


Get full details of how to enter this wedding competition now.

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Stylish Wedding Flip Flops

Finding wedding shoes for a hot, destination wedding at the beach can leave you with some tricky choices. Do you get the cute heels that will leave you with that sinking feeling, or buy the plain white flip flops that seep the glamour factor out of your wedding outift?

Tracey Asai Designs have a nice compromise. Their range of bridal flip flops are both practical and comfortable while being decorated and designed to co ordinate with a traditional bridal look.

I like their stylish and inexpensive flip flops with beaded pearl detail, and might just have to pick up a pair of the Maribou feather flip flops for a touch of playful fifties glamour this summer.

Explore their range of wedding flip flops that are "worthy of being worn under your very expensive, very beautiful wedding gown?"

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