When you were young, did your Barbie doll have half a dozen different wedding dresses? Did you make three of them yourself? Did you beg for a Ken doll just so you could dress him in a tuxedo and stand him up next to Barbie? Did you issue written invitations to your teddy bears and other dolls? Did you have checklists for everything? If any of these things is true, you are a candidate to be a wedding planner.

I’ve always thought that wedding planners just evolved. You know, you help a friend with their wedding, do a good job, word gets around and the next thing you know, you’re a wedding planner.

While this may still be a valid career path for some, these days there are actual wedding planner schools available for those who love weddings and want to make their living making bridal dreams come true. In fact, being able to point to your wedding planner diploma can go a long way toward making your customers more comfortable with your abilities.

I began my research by sifting through the internet. I found quite a few articles and websites with information about getting started, as well as schools that offer wedding and event planner training programs. One research tool that I found is becomeaweddingplanner.org. This website lists a variety of options for getting a sheepskin in your chosen career. In fact, it has almost all of the information that I had already gathered by my own search. It seems to include the whole nine yards (I just couldn’t resist throwing in one more wedding dress making reference). Gosh, I could have saved a lot of time by going here first.

So, if you have ever thought about taking up this kind of work, check out BecomeAWeddingPlanner.org. I’d love to know how that works out for you, so if you try it, drop a comment here at TotallyWeddings.net, and let me know if it was worth a look.

Birdcage Veils

Birdcage Veil

Wedding fashions change so quickly! I sat down before my trusty keyboard to jot down a few notes about a trend I’d noticed: Over the last six months, everywhere I look, I’ve been seeing brides opt for birdcage veils. This is a trend I personally love! Birdcage veils always make me think of Audrey Hepburn at her most elegant. They’re fun, unique, a little bit retro, show off your hair and flatter your face. What’s not to love?

It turns out the “unique” part is the problem. With birdcage veils cropping up everywhere, they’re not quite as unique as they once were. Although birdcage veils are still fun, flattering and all the rest, if you’re looking for something that sets your wedding on the leading edge of trendy-chic, long veils are now the latest thing.

Long Veils

Chapel Wedding Veil

Kate Middleton started the the long veil’s return to popularity with her hip-length veil. Since then longer veils have been popping up everywhere, and they don’t stop at the hip. Chapel length veils, such as the one pictured here, are making a resurgence, too.

Brides say that longer veils make them feel more feminine and romantic. They also look opulent without necessarily adding a lot to the cost of the wedding. I can see why some brides would be drawn to longer veils!

Being Trendy

With fashions changing so drastically, so quickly, what’s a bride to do? Bottom line: Bridal fashion experts agree that your preferences should take the forefront. In fact, the most surprising wedding fashion trend this year is that grooms are chiming in with their opinions (gasp)! Rather than go chasing after fashion, set a trend yourself. Decide which looks make you say “ahh”, then try a few on to see which one is most flattering to you and your dress.

So, what will be the next big trend in bridal veils? Have you seen something that deserves a little press? Drop me a comment and share your ideas with other brides.

Photo credits:
the530bride.wordpress.com
coralsbridal.com

Snooki's Engagement Ring

Bridal Snooki

Now that a pregnant Snooki has gotten her engagement ring from LaValle, what kind of wedding dress does she plan to wear?

Word has it that the couple plan to wait until the baby is born, so Snooki can wear something tight. She jokes about wearing an animal print, but I’m betting she’ll go with something a little more traditional, to please her family. Not too traditional, though. She has a reputation to maintain!

Are there any Snooki fans out there who’d like to guess what style she’ll choose?

Online shopping has taken America by storm. Even with the extra shipping costs, there are a lot of great bargains to be had online. The reason for this is basic economics. If the seller isn’t paying for a physical store, those costs don’t have to be calculated in to the selling price. So…lower prices are possible.

The big question is: When you’re shopping for something as personal and special as a wedding dress, can you be comfortable with an online experience? Does paying one-third the price for a gorgeous dress outweigh the pleasure of feeling the fabric and looking at your reflection?

This isn’t rhetorical. I really want to know your thoughts on the subject. Please respond by clicking on the comment link below and leave your comments in the comment section. Thank you!

Wedding Dress Bargain Hunting

For a thrifty bride, it doesn’t make sense to rely solely on bridal shops for their wedding dress. Because of overhead, staff and a relative lack of competition, bridal shops tend to be pretty pricey. The real wedding gown bargains can be found on the internet and in second-hand bridal stores. This video gives examples of the amazing dresses that are available online. Fear of getting a gown that doesn’t fit is the one factor that keeps many brides from taking this option.

Alteration to the Rescue

Most wedding gowns are designed to be altered. They have wide seam allowances and have fairly straightforward side seams that allow for sizing up or down two dress sizes. If you’re a decent seamstress yourself, you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars by buying a second-hand wedding gown and making the alterations yourself.

Or Let a Professional Handle It

Since sewing is a lost art these days, you may need to call on a seamstress. If you can’t find one in the yellow pages or on try Angie’s List, ask at your local bridal shop. They often keep a list of local seamstresses who work on their gowns. If possible, get a few names so you can compare costs.

Budget Bottom Line

When you shop for a dress, consider the cost of alteration in the bottom line price. If you’ve already found a seamstress to work with, ask her what her price range is. Costs vary according to location and complexity of the alteration. In my area, you should plan at least $30 for a simple alteration, up to $120 for major changes. This can still be a significant savings if you’re buying a $2,000 dress for $300.

Photo Credits
superstock.co.uk