It’s always helpful to go shopping somewhere that you can try on dresses first. Shopping in person gives you an idea of what silhouettes flatter your figure, what silhouettes you should avoid, the fabrics and styles that speak to you, and how bridal gown sizing may differ from your normal, everyday clothes. While you’re at a bridal store trying on gowns, it doesn’t hurt to inquire about special sales, clearance racks, and sample sales.

www.target.com/c/tevolio-brand-shop

Target recently debuted its line of wedding wear by Tevolio including 4 wedding dresses offered in porcelain white or antique ivory in sizes 2-28. The price tags range from $99.99 to $129.99.  Other budget-friendly options include shopping online from  department stores like JCPenney or Sears or at bridal-store chain David’s Bridal. You can often find bargains on the David’s Bridal website or at the semi-annual clearance sale. Even warehouse giant Costco has trunk shows around the country where they sell bridal gowns.

www.preownedweddingdresses.com

There’s always the option of finding a used dress online from eBay or on Craigslist. However, there are several websites that specialize in selling used wedding wear. Pre-ownedweddingdresses.com has been up and running for more than 9 years selling wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and accessories. Oncewed.com is a similar site as is www.tradesy.com, formerly the Recycled Bride. Tradesy.com also offers wedding decorations and invitations. One major concern with buying online is the fit. Each site provides the seller’s input of the label size and street size for the dress, but it’s always good to have tried that specific style and manufacturer on in person. It is important to know from the seller and take into consideration any alternations that were made to the dress. Oftentimes these sites have dresses that are still new with the tags on!

Finding a dress on a budget may take some extra time, but think of all the money that can be saved in the long run! Happy dress shopping and bargain hunting! Just remember – you don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks on your wedding day!

by Charissa Hipp, blissBride.NET blogger

cake by Cake Walk; photo by Chris Jackson

Some couples may find the process of deciding on a wedding cake rather daunting, especially if their taste buds aren’t quite aligned. The best part is, each tier of the cake can be a different flavor to suit everyone’s taste!  When you begin the process of trying to create your perfect wedding cake, keep in mind that it’s important to select a baker and decide on a cake approximately 4-6 months before your wedding.

The best way to begin the cake selection process is to look for inspiration in wedding magazines or online. Get an idea of what you want your cake to look like. Then it’s time to meet with potential bakers and taste their cakes. When you arrange for cake tastings, take photographs of your ideas along with you. Most bakers will also have a portfolio to look through with their own creations from previous jobs. Take along color swatches or some of your decorations to convey your wedding theme and colors. When you go to each cake tasting it’s also helpful to bring along your reception menu to ensure that the cake balances out the meal and any other sweets. You’ll also need to make the baker aware of any food allergy concerns.

Left-Right, Top-Bottom: all photos are CC images from Flickr courtesy of ewen and donabel; snowpea&bokchoi; mags; Sean Davis; crayonmonkey

Before going to any cake tastings, it’s important to have a budget in mind and be honest and up front with your baker. You should check ahead of time to see whether your caterer or venue charges a cake cutting fee if you use an outside vendor or baker. Often times there is a charge and you don’t want to be surprised by this later on in the process.

You’ll want to discuss your preference for any kind of cake topper or non-edible decorations for the cake like fresh flowers. Some couples skip the cake topper all together while others have custom ones made. It’s a matter of personal preference but is an important element of the overall cake.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure your baker delivers. The last thing you want to have to deal with on your wedding day is the stress of taking the cake to your reception venue. Leave the transportation to the professionals!

CC image courtesy of Ralph Daily on Flickr

Once you decide on a baker and what your cake will look and taste like, your baker should create a contract with a sketch of the cake, the cake flavor, details about any filling or decoration, the shape, icing selection, colors, and the number of people the cake will feed. The contract should also include details like the date of your wedding, the reception location, and the time for delivery, as well as deposit and payment information.

by Charissa Hipp, blissBride.NET blogger

This wedding invitation from Anna’s Paperworks was made specifically for our Spring Bridal preview.

Selecting wedding invitations can be incredibly overwhelming. The first decision to be made is whether to purchase them online, from a local retailer, or to make them yourself. The major consideration when deciding whether to make them or purchase them is the time involved. If you are crafty and can enlist the help of parents, siblings, and friends or if you have plenty of time before they need to be sent out, the do-it-yourself route may be an option for you. Just remember that planning a wedding can be very time consuming and making the invitations can add a lot of extra work. Consider the number of invites you need, the cost of materials, and the time involved to create what you want and assemble everything.

Both the bride and groom should be involved in deciding what the invitations will look like. The invitations officially announce the wedding and inform your guests what they should expect at the ceremony – whether traditional or modern, casual or formal. Consider the invitations a preview of what your wedding will be like.

If you need ideas and inspiration for your invitations there are endless examples online. Check out wedding sites and Pinterest to get ideas for the look of your invites as well as the wording. Local retailers often have sample books to look through so you can get ideas. Regardless of whether you are buying or making your invitations, think about the readability of fonts and colors.

The envelopes are an important part of the wedding invitation equation. When selecting your invitations consider the envelope size and the cost to mail them. Make sure you have your invitation weighed at the post office to see if it has proper postage. Also check to see if your invitations will require hand cancellation. Some couples decide to hire a calligrapher to address the envelopes. When you order your invitations, always ask for extra envelopes just in case any mistakes are made.

If you decide to purchase invitations online, see if the retailer will send you samples ahead of time to give you an idea of quality and paper types. Most of the time these are available free of charge or for a minimal fee.

Finally, the most important tip is proofreading. Make sure all names and dates are spelled correctly. It would be upsetting and embarrassing if there was a mistake.

by Charissa Hipp, blissBride.NET blogger

Warner Bros. Pictures

Fashion is at the heart of the Gatsby era – from flapper dresses, fringes, and furs to dazzling headpieces adorning bobbed hair. The film is inspiring a throwback to 20s fashion. Timed to coincide with the release of the movie, Tiffany & Co. created Jazz Age Glamour, a line of ultra-glamorous jewelry that includes a brooch, a headpiece, a necklace, and rings. “The Great Gatsby” is even being channeled into the wedding world. We’ve created our own Pinterest board to showcase Great Gatsby Themed Wedding inspiration. You’ll find great Art Deco-inspired invitations and cakes, lace and rhinestone headpieces, long strands of pearls, and plenty of glitz and glam!

blissBride.NET Pinterest Board

by Charissa Hipp
blissBride.NET blogger

Musket Ridge Golf Club is giving away another September 11 wedding to a deserving military or first responder couple in their third Love & Liberty Wedding Giveaway. This awesome contest awards one couple a free wedding at Catoctin Hall at Musket Ridge on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, in appreciation for their service to our country.

The contest is open to all active members of the U.S. Military, veterans of the past 12 years, or active first responders. Couples can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party and must explain why they deserve a free wedding in 50 words or less. Entries must be submitted by June 14.

So why does Musket Ridge donate a wedding and seated dinner reception for 150 guests? Well, it opened its doors in September 2001 and the anniversary of that fateful September 11 has always weighed heavy on the hearts of the staff and management. The golf club uses the day to honor our military and first responders and offers this giveaway as a gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform as well as first responders. Musket Ridge works with area wedding vendors who donate services like makeup application and photography. What an awesome way of paying it forward!

Last year’s beautiful wedding was donated to Jacqueline Albright and Justin Boone. Jacqueline is an Air Force flight nurse who has served in Afghanistan and is a critical care nurse at Loudon Hospital. Justin is a Patrol Deputy in Loudon County and a Marine Corps veteran who completed three tours of duty in Southeast Asia.

Click here to find out more about the Love & Liberty Giveaway or to enter. You can see photos from the three previous Love & Liberty Giveaway weddings on Facebook.