Memories Bridal & Evening Wear
Bridal Prom/Pageant Tuxedos About Us Trusted Affiliates FAQ's Contact Us
 

Michigan Bride: Bridal Lingerie and Undergarments

Every bride wants to look fit and fabulous on their wedding day.  It is not all about the dress you know; part of the credit has to go to what is supporting you!  Choosing the right lingerie that is beautiful, supportive, and comfortable is exceptionally important on your big day!

First and foremost is the most obvious item: choose what fits you best!  Being sure to select a bra that offers both support and comfort is important.  After you have managed to find that, check out the styles.  Comfortable bras come in a wide variety of styles, and picking one that is suitable for both before, during and after the wedding is important.  Try sticking to brand names you know and trust.

If your dress has a low or wide cut neckline, it is best to choose a strapless bra or at least one with removable straps.  If you are a full-figured or busty woman, be sure to choose a bra with underwire support.

To remove any curves you may find yourself wishing you did not have, there are options!  Lycra or spandex slimmer undergarments are the modern version of a corset and will keep you looking slim and trim.  Be sure that it is comfortable enough for you to wear for extensive periods of time, and take it with you to fittings so you can choose a dress that fits you proper with it on.

For your panties, be sure they are comfortable and sexy.  Wearing them in combination with pantyhose is a great choice if you want to look even slimmer.  In line with this, be sure to choose a sexy garter belt if you are daring enough.  When you do choose one, be sure that no lines show and it will not snap during movement or dancing.

Do not stick to one set of lingerie once you have seen it.  Try on a myriad of different styles under your dress.  Your bra should remain comfortable and stay in place all the time, and your panties shouldn’t bother you!  Once you have chosen the set, put the entire outfit on and move around like crazy!  If you are comfortable, stay in place, and find yourself giddy with delight you have found your set for the big day!

Michigan Bride: Veils and Bridal Headpieces

When the big day comes, every person in the room anticipates seeing the bride.  The perfect dress, hair, shoes, and makeup are just pieces of what makes the bride look as if she stepped right out of a bridal magazine.  Every girls dream is to make heads turn and people stare in awe.  Well, there are several ways you can go about doing these things once you get your dress.  The dress is to awe, and the accessories are to make the audience gasp with delight.  One of the most highly debated pieces of wedding fashion is the veil and headpiece.

First you should make sure your dress is chosen.  You cannot pick a veil and headpiece without the dress to base it off of.  If you can, bring your dress to try the pieces together.  You need to have the best sense possible for how the entire feel of the outfit is going to be.  You will never know what can and cannot work until you have put the entire outfit together.

Always consider the pricing.  You can find what you want within your price range.  You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars for a veil.  Choose what is best for you, what fits into your budget proper, and then select based on those options.  If you feel you should splurge a little bit, go ahead!  It is your wedding day after all!

Decide on the basic style of the headpiece you want.  Do you want a comb, tiara, crown, headband, or a back piece?  With all of these options its best to know what you wish to look like.  Trendy and popular styles include a tiara while a more classic look is based off of a headband.  Decide on the look you wish to portray and ask a consultant to help you with the choices.

Take your time!  After all, good things come to those who wait.  Be patient and make sure you have plenty of time to spend during the “hunt.”  Bring along a friend or family member for a second set of eyes and a helpful opinion.  You are definitely on your way to choosing the right bridal headpiece to compliment your look on your wedding day.

Michigan Bride: Trends in Wedding Gown Color

All women know that their main focus of their wedding is going to be the wedding gown.  From head to toe they must be the model of perfection, and choosing the style, patterns, embellishments, and color of the gown must complete a look of class, elegance, and sheer beauty.  Every bride wants heads to turn and eyes to pop when they see her in the gown.  So, what is one of the best ways to do this?  Awe your guests with the trendiest and stylish wedding gown you can get your hands on!

Before you can even begin choosing the gown, you need to have an idea about what you want.  Do you have a theme for your wedding? Many times the style and color of your dress should be coordinated with the overall feel and theme of the wedding.  Whether you choose to go about this road or not, you need to be sure whatever style and color you pick is flattering for your body type.  For the color of your gown, be sure to choose something that is fitting to you personally.  Do you have a secret dream about being a princess, or how about something with a more oriental influence?  Choose a color that fits your dreams of the wedding and no one else’s.  It is your day after all!

Some of the more recent trends in way of color for wedding gowns include bright colors from pink, green, and blue to deeper more lush colors like blood red and black.  While many people think that black is strictly for times of mourning, it is quickly taking over the wedding circuit by storm.  Black is both flattering and slimming, as well as eye catching.  Think about how you want the feel of your wedding to be, what colors look best on you, and go from there.  If you feel confused, check out a few bridal magazines or contact a bridal salon representative for some pointers.

With just a little bit of inspiration and some quick searching, you can have the most hip, trendy, and fashionable wedding gown available!

Michigan Bride: Origins of Bridal Traditions

From start to finish, every part of a wedding is practically swimming in a vast ocean of history.  The religious beliefs, ancestry, and cultural foundations of weddings have shaped marriages for many centuries.  Before one can truly appreciate the intensity of the event, they must know a bit about the rich history surrounding weddings and marriage.

The first marriage rights which have been recorded are those of man and women along with their respect for a higher power.  We all know the story of how Eve was created for Adam to satiate his need for companionship.  Those first marriage rights have set the foundation for thousands of years and happy couples to follow in footsteps.

Another well-known tradition is the bachelor dinner or more commonly known as the bachelor party.  This celebration is for the groom, where there is food and wine.  This particular tradition originated in Sparta, where the men of the military would feast and drink to each other on the night before a comrades wedding.  Today the date of the bachelor party is still close to that of the wedding, and is known as the groom’s “last taste of freedom.”  They are often rowdy, boisterous, and aid the groom in calming his pre-wedding nerves.

One of the most anticipated moments of a wedding, the wedding itself! In the past, these events were considered for the family and community, and the couple only needed to state their consent to take the other as a partner; having a witness was not always necessary.  Italian weddings are separated into three parts: the families of both parties drawing up the papers, the betrothal, and the removal of the bride to the groom’s home.  There are thousands of histories in regards to the wedding itself.  Modern day weddings take bits and pieces of traditions and incorporate them.  From the phrase “something old something new, something borrowed, something blue, and silver sixpence in her shoe,” to the giving away of the bride, you can find old traditions laced throughout.

No matter the tradition, it surely can be traced back hundreds of years. While planning your wedding, make it a point to learn about each tradition you incorporate and the meaning behind it.  Perhaps you can add a unique tradition, adding your own personal flare to the wedding itself.

Michigan Brides: Adding Personal Touches to Your Wedding

When planning your wedding you do not want to simply pull the look from a magazine, slap it in to reality, and call it a day.  Each couple wants to put their own personal twist on the wedding, and there are plenty of ways to go about doing so.  Sharing this special moment with your partner, as well as your guests, is very important.  In order to add a bit of yourself to the event, you need to uncover that what is personal to you, and use those to add a bit of intimacy and individuality to the big day.

As a couple, you should first figure what your interests as a couple are.  Do you both have hobbies that you share?  What are some of the most important moments throughout your relationship?  Think of things you both enjoy doing, or fond memories that you have.  Often times coming up with what people think of when they picture the both of you together helps in this process.

The small details in your wedding often times provide the biggest impact.  Things that are small can easily be changes or personalized.  Things such as the programs for the ceremony, having a signature drink, or personalized party favors often add small and significant details to the wedding.  Contemplate unique ways to personalize these items.  Do you want a similar scheme for color?  Would you prefer to tell the story of how you met somehow?  Whether you choose a simple item to personalize by engraving it, or going a step further and providing personalized champagne, there are plenty of ways to add your own personal flare to your wedding.

Even the simplest personalized touches can provide the biggest impact for your guests.  From the toasts, to the menus, and other places the guest will notice, you can add your personalities as you see fit.  Be sure that the meaning behind these is easy for your guests to understand, or provide a back story to the item sometime throughout the reception.  No matter what you choose to do, there are thousands of ways to personalize any and all aspects of your wedding.

Michigan Bride: Celebrity Bridal Trends

From coast to coast, celebrities inspire some of the most fashionable and sought after wedding trends available.  From their gowns to their after parties, celebrities seem to have it all.  Just because you are not a celebrity does not mean you do not deserve a wedding like that!  Your wedding is to be a celebration of love, happiness and commitment.  Start putting together the pretty, plaster on that beautiful smile, and style your wedding like some of the hottest celebrities around; this will keep your friends and family talking for years to come!

One of the most classic looks for celebrity brides is vintage.  Television icon Michelle Williams prefers a stunning vintage look, and her gown is definitely nothing short of perfect.  These modest and gorgeous lace gowns from designers such as Manuel Mota provide the bride with a timeless look of ease and elegance.  The fitted conservative style with capped sleeves and beads is hot and in this season.  If you enjoy a vintage look, be on the lookout for this dress!

Other celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon tend to keep their look classic.  Her gown is simple and stunning.  From head to toe she is the picture of perfection with a sleek black and white dress and the old-school ponytail.  If you do not want to wear black on your wedding day, opting for this dress in a full while would provide just as dramatic and elegant an affect.  Adding a trumpet flair at the bottom will provide your gown with volume and style all at once.

If you prefer more of an ethereal look, Natalie Portman is the one to watch!  A tip of the shoulder gown made of soft and shimmery materials will give your dress a flowing look and remain the picture of class.  Any bride is sure to love this style, as it is flattering and feminine.  The soft fabrics allow for ease of movement and accent features in a lovely manner.

Celebrities all over inspire bridal fashion of all kinds.  If you have a favorite celebrity, you can often base your dress around some of the favorites you have seen them in!  Browse through a few of your favorite magazines, choose a dress, and see if you can find its bridal gown look alike!

Michigan Bride: Outdoor Weddings

One of the biggest challenges for engaged couples, choosing the venue for their wedding.  With so many different places booked years in advance, or the costs being astronomical, it just is not practical at times.  Brides that find themselves confronted with issues like this should take into consideration an outside venue.  There are many different benefits to holding a wedding outside, and should definitely remain an option in the early stages of the planning process.

First, nature can provide the proper atmosphere for wedding.  Many couples with natural themed weddings find using mountains or beach settings set provide of the most fantastic, romantic, and inspiring venues on the market.  Many couples choose a beach wedding as these are informal weddings, are often relaxed, and the themes are exceptionally aesthetically pleasing.

Of course, in combination with the first point, the scenery is a huge benefit to the venue choice.  The photographs produced from beaches, mountains, or even gardens are often the envy of many newly engaged couples or already married couples!  The photographs alone are enough to inspire any couple to choose an outdoor venue.

Surprisingly enough another reason to have an outdoor wedding is the guests.  If the venue is outdoors, the guests are more likely to be comfortable and excited to participate in the event.  The crisp air, the beautiful scenery, and the comfort of nature open up your guests in many ways.  Conversation will flow, and everybody will feel at ease in the setting.

Decorating is much easier!  Because of the natural beauty all around you, there is less you need to do to create that beautiful atmosphere you crave.  While there will be certain bits of work you may need to change up in the venue, it generally is one of the easiest venues to work with.  Surely you will have the grass mowed, raked, and be sure flowers are in place.  Other than this, the overall decorating hassle is minimal.  You may want to consider items such as string lights, a trellis, or even farolitas.

With all of these benefits, it is no wonder couples all over are choosing outdoor venues for their weddings.  Be sure to not rule it out in your early stages of planning, you just may miss out on a fantastic venue.

Michigan Bride: Timing – Why Should I Buy My Gown Early?

Now you find yourself engaged and looking to buy your wedding gown!  It is the dream of every bride to look the part of a princess on her big day, and one of the most commonly asked questions is when the dress should be purchased.  It is very important to find your dress early on, but not too early.  Trends change, and you want to be sure you are not wearing a two year old dress!  While it may look pretty, you still want to be on the hip side!

A good rule of thumb is to purchase your dress anywhere from 7 to 9 months before the wedding.  The newest dresses available for the year arrive between November and December.  Knowing this is exceptionally important to get the latest style and color!  Before you go out and purchase your dress, you should take your time and thumb through some of your favorite bridal magazines to get an idea for the style you want, as well as what kind of wedding you are looking to have.  Be sure to have fun while you do this, as the task is meant for fun!  Try on all different kinds of dresses, as not every dress will look perfect on you.

One of the biggest reasons to purchase your dress ahead of time is because of the alterations that often need to be made.  When you arrive at the bridal salon, the dresses kept in stock are for the store and trying on only.  The common signs of wearing show on these dresses, and the shop will order a brand new dress once you have made a decision on what is best for you.  Never get attached to your choices too quickly, as there may be an even better dress in your future!  When trying these on, be sure to go in a minimum of four months in advance.

Factoring in a bit of extra time for dresses relieves some of the pressure of finding the perfect dress.  With the thousands of styles and designs, it is almost impossible to pick a dress right away.  Take your time to find what works best for you and your budget.  This is the biggest day of your life, do not rush things!

Michigan Bride: Bridesmaid Trends

At times bridesmaids often panic when the time comes to see their dresses.  Too often in the history of weddings have brides chosen identical and unflattering patterns or colors.  The key to choosing some of the hottest trends in bridesmaid dresses, coordination.  You do not need matching, identical dresses for the big day.  Unlike tuxedos, dresses are not always flattering on the same people.  By sticking to a coordinating frame of mind, instead of identical pieces, you and your bridesmaids will be much happier.

Colors are currently shifting in way of bridesmaid trends.  The best way to choose a color is the theme of your wedding.  A black dress is currently the most coveted as it is a flattering color on just about every person who puts it on.  Select a color and then let your bridesmaids pick the dress they want.  We all are shaped differently, so not every style will look flattering on each girl.  Choosing a trendy color like black and allowing them to choose their own style will make you one of the most loved brides ever!

You want the dresses to be wearable again!  Placing your girls in unflattering ruffles, hemlines, and showy embellishments might put them off from ever wearing the dress again.  Tailor fitting the dress to the personality of your girls is highly popular.  This way your girls enjoy the dresses the day of the wedding, and feel as if they can wear the dress to other occasions that are practical; some of the most up and coming designers are making their bridesmaid dresses look more like evening wear rather than the “typical” bridesmaid dress.

From the shoes to the accessories, accents on the outfit are important.  Recent runaway shows have provided excellent bridesmaid fashion statements in way of gold and silver metallic footwear.  The great thing about this footwear, it goes with just about any color and they can be worn again!  In regard to the accessories, you should allow your girls to pick their own jewelry but suggest the types you’d like to see.  Thumb through some bridal magazines to see other trends including tennis bracelets, dainty necklace charms, and chandelier earrings.

With all of the ever shifting trends, keeping up with what’s new and “in” can be quite the task.  Read up frequently on shoes, hairstyles, and pay attention to your bridesmaids’ individual personalities.  Pick the trends accordingly and you will have beautiful, happy, and glowing bridesmaids.

Michigan Bride: Wedding Budget

So you’re engaged?  That’s wonderful news!  Congratulations are in order and now it is time to start on the fun part: planning your wedding!  Well, dear friend, you will find it difficult to accomplish anything without a budget!  That’s right, even on the big day you need a budget, but that is no problem!  You can secure any and everything you want with any kind of budget.  Just because you don’t have an endless supply of finances does not mean you cannot have the wedding you have always dreamed of.

Of course, first on the list is to identify who is paying for the budget.  While tradition states the parents of the bride must pay for the entire event, this is relatively untrue for the couples of today.  If you are able to fund the entire wedding yourself, fantastic!  If you are looking for a bit of support from both families, it is important to have a conversation about it.  Bring forth questions that you may not know the answers to, and the families will add their support where and whenever they find necessary.  Several options for their contributions may include specific dollar amounts, specific items they wish to pay for, or you and your fiancé can set a specific budget and have it split evenly.

Now the tricky part, how much are you actually going to need?  Depending on just how extravagant you want your wedding to be, a great figure to start from is roughly $100 per guest at the wedding.  This will provide approximately $50 for catering while the other half goes towards the remaining expenses including flowers, attire, and anything else you choose to have.  If you have a small guest list, this figure does not quite work out, but it is a great starting point.

A wedding is not always about spending.  You can save money as well!  For instance, if you chose to have the ceremony and reception at the same location, you can cut back on transportation costs.  Ask around for great locations, catering services, and florists.  Your married friends are bound to have fantastic suggestions.  Shop around and you will be surprised at just how much money you can save.