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Wedding Apparel
and Accessories
…How to Choose That Special Look
Finding the wedding gown, accessories, and jewelry for your wedding
ensemble doesn't have to be difficult! The Central Coast has many
great Bridal Shops that have all the latest fashions in wedding
gowns and bridesmaid's dresses.
A good place to shop for mother of the bride outfits are the local
upscale clothing shops. These stores, located in all corners of
the county, carry a wide selection of special occasion dresses that
are perfect for all of the parties associated with your wedding.
Your groom can find his tux at an upscale menswear store, a tuxedo
shop, or at most of the local bridal stores. At most of these shops,
your dad and other male wedding guests can also find their new suit!
Bride's Ensemble
Start your wedding ensemble search (bridal gown, veil, accessories,
jewelry) up to nine months before the wedding. This should be a
fun and exciting experience. Share it with parents and friends for
invaluable insights and shared moments! Know the particulars of
your ceremony - formal, informal, outdoor, indoor, traditional,
renaissance, etc.
The professionals at the bridal shops will provide you with everything
you'll need to choose the gown appropriate for your ceremony. Select
fabrics that are comfortable to wear and appropriate for the time
of year. Here on the Central Coast we are blessed with having the
luxury of choosing year-round fabrics.
Know your budget and share this information with your sales associate.
When purchasing a gown off the rack, get a written quote for any
alterations - a $500 gown may end up costing $800 once alterations
are completed.
When ordering your gown, get a written description including fabric,
lace types, neckline, waist, height, sleeves, price and alteration
costs - this is your best protection and it will bring up any questions
that you may not have thought to ask. Order your gown in the size
you are on the day you place the order - not the size you hope to
be on your wedding day. Order early to allow time for alterations.
After the wedding, have your gown professionally cleaned and preserved.
This heirlooming process protects the gown for decades in a dust
proof box. This way, your gown may be resurrected for a future family
bride or maybe as a special surprise for guests when you renew your
vows!
Men's Formalwear
Men's formalwear can be found in most of the bridal shops where
you are shopping for your gown. Additionally, there are a number
of men's formalwear shops in the Central Coast. The groom and groomsmen's
tux, shoes, and accessories are generally rented and rates are quite
reasonable.
Take advantage of the sales associates experience - ask questions,
look at various styles, and discuss the style and location of the
ceremony with this professional. Together you will easily determine
the best menswear style for your particular ceremony.
As with wedding gowns, a tux that looks great on the model in a
photo may not be the best style or cut for your groom. So try them
on when selecting. Then, to identify any needed adjustments or missing
accessories, try them on again when picking them up the day before
the wedding.
Wedding Rings
The wedding ring is the most powerful symbol of the marriage union.
As is the love between the bride and groom, the wedding ring is
continuous, never-ending, without beginning or end. The ring's composition
is also symbolic. Wedding rings are generally made of nearly indestructible
materials: gold, platinum, titanium, diamonds. This durability is
symbolic of your enduring commitment. Placement of the wedding ring,
on the third finger of the left hand, is symbolic since it was once
believed to contain an artery with a direct connection to the heart!
Long ago it was said that a gold ring should be given to the bride,
signifying the groom's personal financial sacrifice for her hand.
This tradition of spending a significant amount on the engagement
and wedding rings continues into our modern times. The current standard
for ring cost is equivalent to two months of the groom's salary.
This is s substantial investment, so educate yourself and choose
wisely.
Wedding Bands. In its
simplicity, the plain, classically designed half round wedding band
is symbolic of the essence of love in its purest form. For those
who appreciate the pure nature of this ring or for those who find
jewelry uncomfortable, this ring is a classic. This band may be
of yellow gold, white gold, multi-toned gold, platinum, or titanium.
Titanium is an affordable, very light and durable option that is
becoming more popular. Decorative bands are also an option, with
a variety of patterns in a brushed, matte, or polished finish.
Diamond Rings. Because
diamond is the hardest mineral found in nature, it is symbolic of
the unbreakable bond of marriage. Variations of the Tiffany-style
diamond engagement ring with a large diamond center stone is the
most popular option. The engagement ring and the wedding band can
be purchased separately or as a matching set.
Diamonds are evaluated and valued using "The Four C's":
color, cut, clarity, and carat. While for many of us girls, carat
size seems most important, "cut" is actually the most
important attribute in determining a diamond's value. Cut should
not be confused with shape (diamond shapes are round, oval, marquise,
pear, heart, emerald, princess, trilliant, and radiant). Cut deals
with proportion and finish. The brilliant beauty of a high quality
diamond is highly dependent on the cutter's ability to maximize
the display of the diamond's inherent properties. Read more about
the four "C's" at www.DiamondBuyingGuide.com.
Diamonds are found in all colors; however, diamonds are most often
near colorless to very light yellow. Diamonds are graded for color
from D (the absence of color) to Z (fancy yellow color) by being
compared to a set of master stones.
Most diamonds have flaws. The level of flaws in the diamond is
described by its clarity. Clarity grades range from F (flawless)
to Included 3 (flaws visible to the naked eye). Flaws are not visible
to the naked eye in clarity grades F through SI (slightly included).
Therefore, there is no difference to the naked eye in the diamond's
appearance. However, since diamond cost is set at the microscopic
level, there are significant price differences between an F and
an SI diamond.
A carat is the unit of measure used to weigh a diamond. One carat
is equal to 200 milligrams. The carat size you choose for your ring
is usually determined based on budget. You can spend the same dollar
amount on a ½ carat diamond as on a 2 carat diamond…it
all depends on the quality of the stone. You will need to strike
a balance between size and quality
that works for your taste and budget.
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