Wedding Dress Shopping Rules

You’re getting married and you’re ready to find a dress! We get it. It’s not easy choosing that ever-important white gown, yet it’s easy to fall prey to some of the faux pas that I’ll be outlining in this very post. Keep away from these while shopping for the perfect gown and you’ll have a stress-free shopping experience. Check them out below and let me know if they help you while you’re shopping for your wedding dress!

Looking Too Early- Try to avoid finding your dress too early after the engagement. Give yourself at least 12 months before you seek out your dress. Your interests, along with the look and feel of your wedding could change. Avoid added stress and find a dress you love closer to your wedding date.

Trying On Too Many Dresses- It’s a proven fact that too many options make us unhappy and make it more difficult for us to make a decision. I know there are millions of wedding dress stores in this world, but try to keep your search down to three stores at most. If you’ve already got a look in mind, try to find it instead of trying on every dress out there. Make your search easier so you can say yes to the dress!

Avoid Huge Sales- Just because it’s a cheap designer gown on discount doesn’t mean that you love it. In fact, avoid steep discounts altogether as they could easily sway you into picking out a dress you don’t really love. I’m all for a deal but only if you’re 1000% in love with the dress, otherwise put the dress back on the hanger and walk away.

Bringing The Whole Family- Your wedding, let alone shopping for the perfect dress, is hard enough without hearing input from the entire peanut gallery. Keep your family and your friends at home. They’ll see the dress along with everyone else at the wedding. Bring some trusted friends or your sister, whose opinion your trust, rather then everyone you know.

 Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: L.R.)

Bachelorette Party Destinations

SO, your best friend is getting married and it’s your job to plan the ultimate bachelorette party, right? There’s nothing quite as fun as planning the bachelorette party of your friend’s dreams – and why not make it a destination while you’re at it? When it comes to that last bash as a single lady, the bachelorette party is it, and making sure you get the chance to dance your booty off, shop till you drop and indulge in some delicious food and drinks is just the icing on the cake of hanging all weekend with your besties. Keep reading for a look at some awesome bachelorette party destinations and have the time of your life!

Miami Beach: Want to have a little fun in the sun, get your tan on and enjoy checking out all the sights beautiful Miami has to offer? Miami beach offers beautiful people, delicious drinks, wonderful food and some of the world’s hottest night clubs. Hit the beach during the day and shake your booty all night long at exclusive dance clubs that will not disappoint.

Las Vegas! Bachelorette party mecca, Vegas is certainly known as a playground for bachelor and bachelorette parties. If you’re looking for total glamour, the best food and drinks, night clubs of your dreams and even the chance to get your gamble on – then, Vegas baby!

New Orleans: Looking for the music lover’s destination dream come true? NOLA is where it’s at ladies! With music venues on every street corner – and even music in the street – be prepared to dance, dance, dance on this bachelorette party! Don’t forget to check out the gorgeous architecture and delicious food and drinks while you’re at it! 

Have you ever been to any of these destinations? I don´t !  Wouldn’t they all make the perfect spot for the ultimate bachelorette party?

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

Gift Ideas - Bridesmaids

One of the best parts of getting married is getting to choose the special ladies in your life to walk down the aisle with you. Your bridal party consists of lifelong friends, sisters, sisters-in-laws, cousins, college roommates…you name it. All your favorite women who have touched your life in some way will now stand by your side as you say “I do.” Once everything is settled – flowers, dresses, shoes and showers, it’s your chance to show your wedding party how much you love and appreciate all they have done. Choosing bridesmaids gifts should be lots of fun with individualized attention that leaves no one out. Check out these ideas for the best bridesmaids gifts around and give your girls something they’ll cherish forever...

Elegant and classic : monogrammed notecards  

A soft and stunning  cashmere wrap

Perfect Pearl earrings 

A time-tested  tote-bag  – excellent for lugging around all their wedding gear

  

A gorgeous and ultra-feminine robe  

Have you ever received a bridesmaid gift that you just loved and have cherished for years? What made it so special? xo

Keep wedding

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R. + Skyla Walton)

FINDING THE PERFECT WEDDING DRESS

Finally, your guy (or gal!) has popped the question and you’re getting ready to plan the wedding of your dreams. Whether you’re on a tight budget or the money is no object, there’s one thing that’s on every bride’s mind: finding the perfect wedding dress. From totally glam to bohemian chic, whatever your style or body type, the perfect wedding dress is out there, it’s all a matter of knowing what to look for. But before you get too caught up in the planning, take some time for yourself (this is your day, after all!) to find the perfect dress that makes you feel like a queen.

• Know your budget and stick to it. Having a good grasp on your budget is half the battle when shopping for a wedding dress. The cost of dresses is so vast, it’s easy to get caught up and fall in love with something you absolutely cannot afford. Know and understand your financial limitations.

• Know your body type. Are you more pear shaped and curvy or tall and super thin? Different dress styles work better with different body shapes, just like jeans and swim suits. Finding the silhouette that makes the most of your shape is the first step to finding the dress of your dreams. Maybe go a-line with a full skirt if you’re heavier on the bottom or try a simple silk sheath if you’re long and narrow. Find what works best for you.

• Don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because you don’t love it on the hanger, doesn’t mean you won’t love it when you put it on. Try on as many dresses as you want – the dress of your dreams may not look like much when it’s hanging on a rack, but may surprise you once you have it on. Same goes for colors and fabrics. Dresses take on new life once they’re on your body – so go for it and think outside the box.

• Have a friend or family member take photos of you while you’re trying on dresses. Going back later and seeing yourself in photos will help give you the perfect image of how you look in each dress. Sometimes it can be tough to get the whole picture just by looking in the mirror.

• Don’t worry about trends. Think about the long term look of your wedding gown – you’re going to be looking at those photos for many, many years. Sticking to something classic and timeless will mean no regrets about the style twenty years down the road.

Are you currently on the hunt for the wedding dress of your dreams? What’s your favorite place for wedding dress inspiration? xo

Keep Styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(Credit: L.R.)

BRIDESMAIDS

Jennifer Lawrence  is used to stealing the spotlight on red carpets and at awards shows. But for her brother's wedding last autumn, she was happy to let the bride have her moment.

The 23-year-old actress was one of 10 beautiful bridesmaids  in the Kentucky wedding, which took place in October 2013. The gorgeous nuptials are featured on the cover of the new issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.

In the stunning cover shot, Jennifer and the other smiling bridesmaids crowd around the blushing bride, Carson Massler. All 10 ladies are wearing lovely J.Crew dresses in the same champagne colour - though they chose varying styles. Jennifer's strapless version is the J.Crew 

What color dress should your bridesmaids wear?? Let me know!! xo

Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: MarieClaire)

THE PERFECT ENGAGEMENT RING

It’s pretty incredible when you find your soul mate and when you finally know it’s time to get engaged. Picking the right engagement ring is one of the most fun parts of the process. From big and sparkly to small and classic, the right engagement ring will fit perfectly with your personality. You’re going to wear it for the rest of your life, right? So why not pick one (or drop hints about the one) you love. Check out these tips for picking the right engagement ring – and feel free to share these tips with your significant other! xo

• Set a budget (and be realistic!) – being ring poor won’t feel too good.
• Drop hints so that your significant other knows your ring size. You definitely want a perfect fit.
• Look at your friends rings to get an idea of what you might like.
• Be clear about what you like – you’ll be wearing this for the rest of your life.
• Think about the type of metal you love – yellow, rose, white gold – platinum or even silver.
• Get a basic education about diamonds – know what color grade and cut grade you can afford.
• Think outside of the box – there’s so many unique rings out there – you can certainly find the perfect one.

Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

WEDDING CHECK LIST

Believe it or not, it’s almost here… your wedding day is this weekend! All the details -from flowers to bridesmaid gifts – have been figured out and planned for, so what do you do now? From here on out, it’s time to focus on you, your love and how to look and feel your best on your wedding day. From moisturizing to teeth whitening, take a look at these tips for what to do the week before your wedding to look (and feel!) your absolute best!

1. Go in for waxing or threading treatments (like eyebrows and lip)
2. Amp up your exercise routine! This will help you look and feel your best
3. Exfoliate! Keep the radiance alive when it comes to your skin
4. Get those pearly whites looking great with an off-the-shelf teeth whitening kit
5. Get a good, old fashioned facial. Keep your skin glowing and looking great
6. Skip out on alcohol and salt
7. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
8. Skip out on hair color. All color treatments should be completed a couple of weeks before the big day
9. Get your glow going with a spray tan
10. Enjoy a relaxing mani/pedi (You can do this right before the big day!)

Got any ideas for what to do the week before your wedding?

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)