Wedding Planning Articles
Apparel, Jewelry & Accessories
...."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. These Bridal Shops pride themselves on their high quality service, extensive selection and prices that are consistently below LA or Bay Area stores for identical gowns.
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!
The 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.
Bridal Jewelry
Beyond the engagement and wedding rings, think about what type of jewelry that you and your Bridesmaids will wear. Earrings and necklaces are the most common wedding jewelry that you will want to select. In selecting your jewelry, consider the neckline of your dress and how your hair will be done. Certain styles of jewelry work better with the large amount of the skin that will be visible with a combination of an up-do and a strapless bridal gown, while other styles must be considered with long loose flowing hair or a higher neckline.
Then there is the bridesmaids jewelry. Do you want all of your girls to wear coordinating jewelry or have each wear pieces unique to them. Some Brides leave this detail to the last minute and then have to settle on something less than what they envisioned. So be sure to take time to thoroughly think your jewelry choices early and then give yourself plenty of time to shop for the perfect pieces!