Silk chiffon dress by Rina di Montella

Designers are more aware then ever before that the mother of the bride wants to look downright gorgeous on her daughter’s big day.

Here are a few examples of smashing, stunning and breathtaking mother of the bride dresses that any mom at any age, would love love love to wear!

Mother of the Bride dress by Jordan

Light mother of the bride dress by Jordan

Dress by Peter Soronen

Mother of the bride dresses by Amsale

Mother of the Bride Dresses for an Afternoon Wedding

The following video has lots of great tips for choosing the  right dress, as well as a few charming designs for mother of the bride /mother of the groom dresses.

The mother of the bride can be a graceful and stylish hostess at your wedding in these beautiful designs. Give your mom premission to shine on this special day for both of you!

What's Your Bridal Style?

Planning a wedding that both bride and groom will be thrilled with takes time, effort and a clear idea of what both people like and love about their lives. Where do you begin? Are you confused about where to start your wedding planning?

Not sure whether an outdoor casual wedding is more your style then a formal evening affair? Roses or wildflowers for the bouquets?  Traditional vows or your own words?

Co-authors Casey Cooper and Sharon Naylor have figured it all out for you. In their book What’s Your Bridal Style they offer advice, tips and a lengthy questionnaire to help you determine which direction to head in with your planning. By determining your unique style – individually and as a couple – you can make choices for your wedding that will make you both happy !

Best part about it? You can to work together as a couple to answer the questions. It will help you get to know each other even better, and hopefully add a  little bit of fun to the often stressful wedding planning schedule!

Take a look at the video below to understand how the ideas in  What’s Your Bridal Style? can be put in to action:

Take a little time to shut out all of the outside influences and really discover what you want your wedding day to be like.  You may have to make a few compromises along the way, but having a vision and a plan is essential to making your wedding dreams a reality.

And really now, it should be fun!

If you are concerned about your carbon footprint, you will love having the option to buy eco-friendly wedding rings!

Recycling old gold and having it remade into the ring of your dreams is entirely possible. If you are looking for unique, one of a kind wedding rings, then an eco-friendly design may prove to be the perfect solution.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings from GreenKarat.com

Know Your Options!

Utilizing the online registry at mygreenkarat you can ask your friends and family to contribute a gift of their old gold on your behalf. This is a beautiful way to have their support, something of them intertwined with the most symbolic ring you will ever wear. Your rings will be embedded with the love and support of your friends and family.

Ecologically responsible jewelry is the commitment that GreenKarat makes to you. They recycle and reuse your gold. They offer beautiful designs, both traditional and modern, as well as custom design services.

Recycled Gold Band from greenkarat.com

Additionally, this is a great option for old jewelry that is never worn or out of style. Instead of buying something new, recycle your old pieces of gold and gems into something new.

A few years back my own delicate engagement ring broke (luckily I found the diamond) and I have yet to have it reset because I wanted a new design. I love this option for remaking my old ring. It will still be the same materials, the same sentimental value attached to it, just set in a new way.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings from TouchWoodRings.com

Need a few additional options? TouchWoodRings creates beautiful custom wedding bands made from your choice of beautiful woods.

Eco-friendly wedding rings and socially responsible jewelry is a simple way to use your buying power to effect an industry that damages the earth and endangers people all over the world. It may seem like a small step, but partnered with others, it can really add up.

Your wedding rings symbolize your love and commitment to each other. Why not let them make a statement about your commitment to the planet by choosing eco-friendly wedding rings?

Vera Wang Bridal Shoes

Shoes should be a top priority for the bride. Shoes may not been seen but they will definitely be felt. Too tight or too large of a heel can create a disaster day rather than the wedding day of your dreams.

It is extremely important to have a comfortable pair of shoes on your wedding day as you will be on your feet for most if not all of the day. Weddings usually last for several hours when you include the photographs and reception not to mention dancing. You want to be able to enjoy your day in comfort. If the choice of wedding shoes is the wrong one the bride will not be able to hide her feelings. She may get upset and then makeup may be ruined or the pictures may not have her best smile because she is uncomfortable in her shoes.

Several factors come into play when choosing the perfect wedding shoes. The style, shape and color of the shoe should be considered. The bride should also take into account if her shoes will be showing or if they will be covered by her dress. Below are a few tips that will help the bride to be to choose the right shoes for the wedding:

If ordering your wedding shoes online do so a few months in advance of the wedding.  You want to ensure that fit, style and comfort are all what you want, and should you need to make any returns you need to have the time to do so before the wedding day.

Be certain the pair of shoes you decide on are complimentary to your dress. You don’t want the shoes to clash, so make certain they will go with the overall look and theme of your dress, hair, and makeup. Good looking shoes will help the bride feel at ease and have fun without worrying.

A good tip to remember is to add extra cushioning to the shoes. Invest in a good pair of pads to cushion your feet. The extra padding will help the bride be more comfortable throughout the proceedings. The heel height should also be considered. If the bride to be is not comfortable in stiletto heels then she should not wear them.

Height.  Whilst ability to walk on heels is vital, so to is the height of the shoe.  In the photos and video does the bride want to look taller than she would normally? Shorter?  Think about things like the height of the groom, bridesmaids etc.

While strappy shoes are fun, they can also cause blistering and pain, so try to avoid them if possible as wedding shoes. Also, be aware of the fabric of the shoe. Certain material can be rather ridgid and won’t allow the foot to stretch or feel comortable. You want to find material that allows the bride’s foot to move and to bend without feeling too constricted.

As you can see a shoe is an important part of the wedding.  Getting the right look, height, colour, and feel can really impact the brides enjoyment.  So make sure that you look around and choose a beautiful AND comfortable shoe.

Aside from making sure everything is set for the reception and your guests, you definitely want to make sure you look your best on this day as well. Looking as beautiful as you can for your new groom and your guests is important, and you want to leave this day with a long lasting positive memory. The wedding dress choice is extremely important as well, and you certainly want to consider what to choose for your hairstyle.

Keep in mind the formality of your wedding when choosing your wedding hairstyle anf look for a style that will compliment the shape of your face. For example, round faces often suit different hairstyles than more square lines, and you have to find a style that compliments your facial shape. The style of dress might also help define the style of your hair. You can choose hair jewelery to match details of your dress, and remember to consider a necklace or earrings, to complete it all. There is a wide range of jewelery available to be used in the style of your choice.

To choose a hairstyle for your wedding day, use all the resources available to browse the best one. The Internet is one, as are bridal magazines and books. You can find many dedicated wedding hairstyle websites, and browse the pictures there for inspiration. Do your research to pick the best wedding hairstyle for not only you as the bride, but for your bridesmaids as well.

Some themes for wedding hairstyles include classic or romantic styles, or you can do something a little more unconventional. Some more modern wedding hairstyles offer a queen or princess styled look. The length of your hair will definitely play a part. For people with longer hair, a nice look is to pin your hair half up, and allow some curls to cascade over your shoulder. A sleek look would be to part the hair in the middle or on the side, and slick it back into a bun or loosely pull it back. A French twist is another lovely look that stands the test of time. For women with shorter hair, good accessories can add a new dimension to the look, and hair extensions can give you more body.

Carefully choose a stylist who is experienced in creating wedding hairstyles. Have them do a few trial styles for you so you will know exactly what to expect on your wedding day.   It’s important to give them a picture of the dress and show them any accessories, so they can help put the whole picture together. Most hair stylists are happy to discuss different looks with you and try a few out to see what the final choice will be. Your stylist can also give advice on wedding hairstyles for the bridal party as well.

As you can see, wedding hairstyle possibilities are too many to name. It will be fun to try things out, and please do enjoy it. One thing to keep in mind is that you are the bride, it is your day, and you have to feel comfortable with your wedding hairstyle. It is you who has the final say, so make sure you choose a hairstyle you are completely happy with. Have a lovely wedding!