Causal Weddings the Latest Trend for Brides

So, you are now engaged to be married. What kind of wedding are you going to have? The latest trend is for couples to go with more causal weddings then full productions. You may have decided that a more causal wedding is what you want to do, though the question is now what?

With young couples's busy schedules, causal weddings are a great idea. With the price a big production wedding can be a strain on new couples getting started in life. Causal wedding allow for a memorable and classy wedding which will still be day to remember.

Invitations

With today's basic graphic computer people can now make classic looking wedding invitations without shelling out the expense. Pick the paper you would like from the store and most basic software packages that comes with your computer has programs for designing invitations and making them personal to you.

Wedding Dress

The latest trend is classy and sexy wedding dresses without long trains. A causal wedding dress still can be just as beautiful with sexy v-necks and open backs. Online allows brides to get wedding dress at low prices.

Bridesmaids Dresses

What to make your bridesmaids love you more than ever. Instead of bright colored dress that they will never wear again nor want to, pick a dress from one of your favorite clothing stores. A classy summer dress can look beautiful and used again.

Flowers

Everyone stills wants flowers at your wedding. It is important to find the right amount of flowers based on the location for your weddings. Many people spend too much time thinking about the flowers which they will never remember in the end.

Reception

The reception is a time for your guest to visit and interact. Often weddings bring people together who haven't seen each other for some time. Most intimate places like a friends or family member's backyard or a personal friend's quite location allows your guest to interact. Many standard locations for weddings place everyone in special seats in a large room and lose the intimacy that your causal wedding can provide.

Music

With everyone having an IPOD or MP3 player, you would be surprised what a DJ your friends and family can be. Set your music player to a set schedule of songs and no one has to worry about the music all night. Working together with friends and family you can compile every song that you would want.

---

Bridal Online Store has the latest trends in casual wedding dresses and all your wedding dress selections.

Top 6 Ideas to Pick the Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your entire life. The dress that you wear needs to symbolize how important this day is. It is vital that the dress you pick brings out the best in your beauty on your special day.

Everyone wants to look their best on their Wedding Day. Taking the time to find the right dress is essential. One great aspect now you can get great wedding dresses online which allow you to instantly pick all the right features for your perfect bridal gown. Listed below are the Top 6 Items to consider when making your decision on the right wedding dress for you.

Top 6 Decisions on Selecting the Perfect Wedding Dress

Picking the Right Color:

The color you pick is based on the color of your own skin; dark-skinned brunettes look best in ivory or beige wedding dresses, and light-skinned blondes look their best in a white pastel or pure white dress.

Chose the Right Length:

The type of wedding event you're putting on will affect your bridal gown's length. Full-length dresses are designed for formal weddings. At more informal weddings, which are normally smaller in size and production (most on second and greater weddings) the bride can look good in a knee-length gown/skirt. The skirt should cover the knees and drape at least one inch below the top of the kneecap. Ankle-length bridal gown is acceptable too, and it can be very classy, sexy, fashionable, and romantic.

What is the Right Silhouette:

The "silhouette" is known as the shape of the gown and how it fits your body. Common styles include the Princess and A-line, ball gown (mostly commonly called the Cinderella gown), sheaths, a mermaid shape, an empire silhouette, or a two-piece.

How Long Should the Train be:

The best trains are typically long ones, that can be detachable so that it won't get stepped on, ripped, or otherwise ruined during the reception.

Picking the Perfect Mood:

The mood of your bridal gown can be Romantic, Modern, Traditional, or Classic.

Get the Right Size:

Just like with other clothing options, when it comes to choosing a wedding gown, size is important. For brides petite to large, the size of a wedding dress is ordered based on measurements of bust, waist, hips and height. The right size makes every person feel beautiful on their special day.

---

Bridal Online Store has the highest fashion at the best prices on wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, and more.

Informal Wedding Dress

There are so many reasons for a bride to choose an informal wedding dress for her own special day, the day she weds the man she loves.

• Personal choice
You might be having a life-style which is casual and informal. You and your partner may view the formal wedding gowns and elaborate venue as stuffy and old fashioned, and may want to avoid it.

• You are having a low key wedding
A simple garden or back-yard wedding, or even a beach wedding is an informal setting and you would not like to wear a formal and expensive wedding gown in such a setting.

• The cost factor
Formal wedding gowns are elegant and lovely but they are expensive. When two people are starting their life together, they just might opt for a casual wedding dress and spend the money saved on something more practical like remodeling their home, purchase of a new home or even furnishings.

• Shortage of time
You met your Mr. Right a few days ago and the wedding is in a fortnight. You have a million things to do, and not enough time to devote to getting your wedding dress designed for you from scratch. The best thing in such a situation is to shop for a informal wedding dress.

• A second wedding
You have already had one wedding where you were the bride with the most beautiful dress and now, at your second shot at marriage, you want a low key affair and want to do away with the formality.

Whatever may be your reason for choosing an informal wedding dress, the good news is that you have many options to choose from, and plenty of opportunity to show-case your own individual style and taste. These days’ informal wedding gowns come in a variety of styles which are so rich that they add to the glamour of the occasion.

Informal wedding dresses are becoming very popular and are available in a wide range of styles and colors. In fact you can browse around the stores and get yourself a classy and unique wedding dress that showcases your own beauty and style. Most of them are short of length, perhaps just up to the knees, but some are slightly longer. They do not have a train, and as a matter of fact casual weddings do not need the formal accessories like trains and veils. If you would like to have a train, a detachable train can be added to the informal wedding dress.

Some things to be considered while selecting your informal bridal dress

The main things to be considered would be your budget, fashions prevalent at the time of your wedding and your wedding venue. Of course other things, like the weather and the mind-set of your invitees also play a major role in influencing your selection.

By and large even the die-hard traditionalists have come around and do not quibble about informal wedding dresses. One of the major factors in bringing about this change in opinion is that informal wedding dresses these days are very fashionable and classy.

Material has a big role to play in this. You should select the material of your dress with great care. High quality material gives a very good finish to the dress as well as lends a touch of class and glamour. Your best choice in materials would be silk, organza, chiffon, some cotton-rayon blends in non-traditional colors like egg shell white, pale blue, blush pink, cream and sea green would add brightness and color to your special occasion.

Select your jewelry and accessories with care as they will enhance your looks and bring out the beauty of your dress. Pay great attention to your footwear, your gloves and other accessories. The over all effect should be striking and make you look your best.

Wedding Thoughts

When I looked at my betrothed moments before we were wed, I saw a man. thirty minutes later, when I looked at my husband, I saw a future.

How to Do Wedding Invitations and Guest Lists

The wedding invitation is your guests' introduction to your wedding, and you want them to be perfect. From heavy white paper with silk ribbon trim to playful palm trees and coconuts, your invitations set the tone and communicate the theme for your big day. They are a symbol of your wedding's degree of formality and a keepsake for your guests.

The guest list affects many of the wedding decisions the engaged couple will make, including the selections for wedding stationery. So, before any of the invitations, stationery, and so on can be purchased, the guest list should be set and the total number of guests determined.

Here are three steps to making a guest list:

*If you know that you will have a generous budget, the guest count can be set first, and then the budget determined accordingly. However, if you think that funds will be tight, you should set the budget first, and then determine how many guests can be invited.

*Divide the guest list into five categories: the bride's list; the groom's list; a list of common friends; the groom's parents' list; and the bride's parents' list.

*Begin removing names until you reach your target number.

Use the Guest List Worksheet to help organize your efforts.

Once the guest list has been finalized, its time to think about wedding stationary. You will need quite an assortment of printed items for the wedding. Most printers provide wedding packages. However, depending on which printer you choose, the items included in the wedding stationery package will vary. The package you select should have everything you want -- and nothing you don't need. Use the Invitations Checklist to keep track of all the necessary information.

Some of the more common wedding items are:

The Wedding Invitation

You can usually spot a wedding invitation in the mail a mile away -- it has a "LOVE" stamp in the corner and is bursting at the seams. The reason the envelope is so jam-packed is that a wedding invitation is actually a set of items.

*The Ceremony Invitation and Envelope: The invitation announces the tone of the wedding and thus can take on any number of styles -- from traditional to unique. The wedding invitation itself traditionally comes from the bride's parents, but it can also come from the bride and groom. The tone or style of the invitation should reflect the tone or style of the wedding.

There are several different invitation styles, from traditional to contemporary. All are perfectly acceptable. You both will, however, need to set a style before hiring a printer, since different shops have different printing capabilities. There are lots of places to look for style inspiration. You could look at friends' invitations, for example. You should also visit at least two printers and look at their sample books so that you can get an idea of what's available.

*The Reception Invitation: The reception invitation can have three formats: It can be included on the same invitation as the ceremony information; it can be a separate invitation or card; or, if a guest is only invited to the reception, it can be used in place of the ceremony invitation. If the reception invitation is separate, however, the card style should match that of the ceremony invitation.

*The Response Card(s) and Envelope: The response card addresses the ceremony, the reception, or both. If the reception information is on the same invitation as the ceremony information, a single response card can be used. Otherwise, separate response cards should be used for the ceremony and the reception. Response cards should have a line for the guest name(s), the number of people attending, and, for reception responses, the menu choices (if needed). You should also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in which the response card can be returned. The card should also have a final response date -- generally two to four weeks before the wedding.

Other Printed Items

If you know in advance the other printed items you would like at your wedding, ask the printer you've selected for your invitations to add in these items at a discount. This will not only save you money but will also ensure that each printed piece matches the style of the others.

*Maps: It is increasingly common to include a map to the ceremony site and the reception site with the invitation. This could be a computer-generated map or one that you draw yourself. Just make sure that all of your lines and directions are clear before you give it to the printer. Also include a phone number for the destination. That way, the guest can call if they get lost.

*Pew cards: If you plan a large wedding ceremony and want to make sure certain guests have reserved seats, insert a pew card into the invitation. When guests present this card to an usher, they will be seated accordingly. The pew card includes the guest name(s), the ceremony location, and the pew number and its section (the bride's side or the groom's side).

As an alternative, the card can say simply "Within the Ribbon", to indicate that the guest can sit anywhere within a designated area marked by a ribbon. This is often done where the ceremony will not be held in a church, but you still want special guests to sit in a certain area.

*Wedding programs: The wedding program names the bride and groom, the officient, all members of the wedding party, and any readers and soloists. It also lists the ceremony events, including all songs, prayers, and scriptures to be read. Ushers distribute the programs as well as seat the guests. Either your officient or your church, synagogue, or temple coordinator can supply previous wedding programs for samples. You could also check with friends and your printer to see other examples.

*Place cards, matchbooks, napkins, etc.: You can include printed items -- such as napkins and matchbooks -- at the reception tables and scattered around the site, such as at the bar or the appetizer table. These printed pieces can include your names only; your names and wedding date; or the names, date, and a symbol, such as wedding bells. They are generally printed in a color that coordinates with your reception colors.

*Thank-You cards: Since you both will be writing many thank you cards during the coming months, it's nice to have appropriate thank you stationery printed. These cards are small (generally folded and four inches by five inches) and are usually made of rich white or ivory paper. They have "Thank You," the bride's and groom's names, or their initials printed on the front.

*Wedding announcements: A formal wedding announcement is mailed the day after the wedding to family and friends who couldn't be invited to the event. An announcement can also go to local newspapers and magazines. A newspaper or magazine wedding announcement is worded much like the engagement announcement.

*At-Home cards: This card is sometimes included with the invitation or the wedding announcement. It tells whether the bride will be using her married or maiden last name and where the couple will live.

Proof the Proof

Whatever stationary package you decide on, the printer will provide you with sample for your approval. Can you imagine anything more embarrassing than misspelling your future mother-in-law's name on the invitation? To avoid mistakes, enlist proofing help from at least three people -- preferably a mix of people from both sides. In addition, read each line in the invitation proof backward, from right to left. This forces you both to isolate each word. If you both question any name, circle it and phone someone to check the spelling. Use a dictionary to check other questionable words. As for dates, times, and sites, after you've double-checked this information, go back and check it all again. (And a third check wouldn't hurt, either!)

Addressing Invitations

Traditionally wedding invitations have required two envelopes - an inner envelope that contains the actual invitations and inserts and an outer envelope to hold the inner envelope. While many brides continue to follow this rule, it is perfectly acceptable to omit the inner envelope. If present, the inner envelope only bears the names of the guests. No address is necessary. No abbreviations are made on outer envelopes. Words naming roads such as Street and the names of states should be written out. Wedding invitations are always addressed to both members of a married couple. Invitations to an unmarried couple should be addressed to Mr. John Doe and Ms. Elizabeth Smith. A child over the age of 18 can receive a separate invitation, or may be included on the parents' invitation. An invitations to both parents and child should be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. John Doe and Tony. If you are allowing single guests to bring dates, the proper thing to do is to simply write your friend's name on the outer envelope and add the ...and Guest part to the inner envelope. For unmarried couples living together, the envelopes should be addressed to both of them even if you are really only friends with one. Formal titles, such as Doctor or Reverend, should be used, where appropriate, and should be spelled out. While it is certainly easier and cheaper to use computer-generated labels, your invitations really should be hand-addressed.

Return Address

You need to include a return address on your wedding invitations. For one thing it allows the guest to know where to send the wedding gift. In addition, it lets the postal service know where to return it if it is undeliverable for some reason.

The return address is usually printed on the back flap of the envelope.

Stuffing the Envelopes

The invitation and additional inserts should be placed in the inner envelope with the invitation facing the back of the inner envelope so that it's the first thing the guest sees when opening the inner envelope. Reception cards, response cards, direction cards and any other item should be inserted into the envelope in the order you want guests to see them. The front of the inner envelope should face the back of the outer envelope so that the guest will see their names on the front of the inner envelope when opening the outer envelope.

Other Things to Remember

*Order only one invitation per married couple.

*Order a few additional invitations for last minute guests and keepsakes.

*Check all spelling, dates, times and addresses, and then check them AGAIN.

*The Post Office has special stamps to compliment your wedding invitation.

*Have post office weigh one invitation to ensure one stamp is sufficient postage. Ask your printer for a sample of your invitation, including all envelopes, enclosures, and pieces of tissue paper that will be part of your final invitation. These samples can be blank, since normal printing doesn't add weight.

*Place stamps on the response envelopes.

*Make sure the inner and outer envelope names match.

*Invitations should be mailed 4 - 6 weeks before your wedding.

Bridal Wedding Planning Schedule

Complete Wedding Schedule

Below is a list of everything you will need to do to make your wedding a complete
success, along with a time line when each task should be done. . Tasks in pink
are for the bride, and tasks in blue are for the groom. Tasks in black can be
done by either the bride or groom, preferably by both together (especially the 10-
12 month tasks).

10 - 12 months before the wedding
• Announce your engagement to family and friends
• Arrange for both families to meet if they haven't already done so
• Have an engagement party (optional)
• Decide on the style and size of the wedding
o Traditional or casual
o Religious or non-religious
o Decide whether to include ethnic traditions
• Set your wedding budget
• Start creating your guest list
• Set the wedding day and time
• Choose and book your wedding officiant
• Choose your maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen
• Choose and book your ceremony and reception locations
• Purchase wedding insurance (optional)
• Interview caterers and taste samples
• Interview florists
• Interview and audition musicians, bands, and/or DJs
• Interview photographers and/or videographers and review their portfolios

7 - 9 months before the wedding
• Shop for and order your wedding dress
• Shop for and order/purchase bridal accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry, etc.)
• Shop for and order bridesmaids dresses (should include bridesmaids, if
possible)
• Select caterer and sign contract

7 - 9 months before the wedding (continued)
• Select florist and sign contract
• Select musicians, band and/or DJ and sign contract
• Select photographer and/or videographer and sign contract
• Start planning your honeymoon
• Finalize the guest list
• Start making wedding favors (if you're making your own)
• If you're having an outdoor wedding , reserve rental equipment (such as
tents, chairs, etc.)
• Meet with bakers and sample wedding cakes
• Start looking at wedding invitations
• Start thinking about the wording of your wedding invitations
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner

4 - 6 months before the wedding
• Join one or more bridal registries
• Select the baker for your wedding cake and sign contract
• Order your wedding invitations
• Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
• Contact out-of-town guests about the wedding (prior to sending out
invitations)
• Finalize dinner menu with caterer
• Select flower girl's dress and pass details on to the parents
• Purchase wedding guest favors
• Book the limousine or other wedding day transportation
• Book the rehearsal dinner site
• Book a calligrapher (if you're using one)
• Start looking at tuxedos or other formal wear
• Book the honeymoon
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night
• Book a photo session for engagement announcement in local newspapers
• Start thinking about wedding ceremony decorations
• Buy bridal lingerie in time for first dress fitting

2 - 3 months before the wedding
• Give the photographer your list of photos you want taken
• Purchase your wedding rings
• Purchase maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids gifts
• Purchase best man and groomsmen gifts
• Purchase the groom's gift
• Purchase the bride's gifts
• Finalize tuxedo/formal attire and pass on rental/purchase details to
groomsmen
• Finalize ring bearer attire and pass details on to the parents
• Send engagement announcement in local newspapers
• Schedule your dress fittings
• Make sure your maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids have purchased
their accessories
• Book your hair and makeup appointments
• If you're changing your name, complete the proper documents
• If your state requires it, have blood tests done
• Talk to your maid/matron of honor about a bridal shower
• Address and send out wedding invitations (invitations should be mailed at
2-month mark)
• Purchase your accessories including shoes, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc.
• Start writing wedding vows, especially if writing your own
• Decide on whether to light a unity candle or honor past loved ones during
the ceremony
• Start working on wedding program

1 month before the wedding
• Order liquor and wine, if not provided by the caterer
• Confirm parking at the ceremony and reception locations
• Get your marriage license
• Finalize wedding vows
• Have your final dress fittings
• Finalize and print wedding program

1 month before the wedding (continued)
• Finalize your music list with musicians, band and/or DJ
• Buy a guest book and pen
• Contact any guests who haven't replied to the invitation
• Write speeches for rehearsal and wedding dinners
• Attend your bridal shower
• Sent out thank-you cards for bridal shower gifts
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations, if necessary
• Do trial-runs of your hair and makeup
• Start working on the ceremony and reception seating plans
• Confirm honeymoon details and reservations
• Have your bachelor party
• Have your bachelorette party
1-2 weeks before the wedding
• Finalize seating plan and write place cards
• Create a seating chart to hang in the reception site
• Break in your wedding shoes by wearing them around the house
• Pick up your wedding dress
• Pick up wedding rings and check that the inscriptions are correct
• Pick up "something old”, “something new”, “something borrowed” and
“something blue"
• Purchase a garter
• Plan your wedding day itinerary
• Plan your receiving line
• Leave your honeymoon travel plans and itinerary with a family member
• Confirm headcount with caterer, baker and liquor/wine provider
• Confirm details musicians, band, photographer, limousine, florist and any
other vendors
• Confirm ceremony details with officiant
Day before the wedding
• Get manicure and pedicure
• Pick up your tuxedo
• Decorate the ceremony and reception locations (if possible)
• Drop off wedding favors, guest book and seating chart at reception site
• Rehearse the ceremony with the officiant and wedding party
• Give your wedding party their gifts
• Enjoy the rehearsal dinner
• Get a good night's sleep!

Day of the wedding
• Take a relaxing bath or shower and enjoy the moment of solitude
• Have breakfast; you'll need your energy
• Give your partner their wedding gift
• Get dressed
• Relax and enjoy the day!

4 Tips for Saving Money on Your Wedding Online

Four Ways you can use the internet to save money on your wedding.

Wedding Planning Tips

• Purchase expenisve items like wedding dress online. Make sure it is an American company like Bridalonlinestore.com.
• You make your wedding gifts unique by finding things not easily found locally. Most website will negotiate if you are going to buy a bunch of any item.
• You can online services or your own blog for people rsvp and save money on paper and postage. People can also post their wedding photos to flick.com.
  
• Realize that lavish doesn't make a great wedding. Making a great environment for friends and family is what matters and you don't have to worry if you pay less for your wedding.