Bella’s Bridal & Formal
Cordially Invites You
to the
Essense of Australia
2012 Trunk Show
Call (205) 403-7977 for an Appointment!
Selecting bridesmaid dresses, where do I start ?
When choosing a dress, it is the bride’s privilege to select the color and type of fabric of the bridesmaids’ dresses. It should complement the bride’s gown, but it should also be comfortable and attractive for the attendants. Consideration should be given to the bridesmaids’ style, color preferences, their figure types as well as their budgets.
The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding bridesmaid dresses. We also recommend thumbing through the more popular wedding magazines, such as The Knot magazine. It is recommended that the bride go shopping with one or two of her bridesmaids and see what styles they like. Once you narrow it down, you can then get input from your other bridesmaids if you desire.
What are the latest trends in bridesmaid dresses?
Styles – A-line dresses which look great on all different body shapes and sizes are very popular. The hottest styles right now are two-tone, two-piece floor length styles, mostly sleeveless. Also very popular are column style dresses, floor length, halter top or straps criss-crossing over the back and sleeveless. Another big trend is having a shawl accompany the dress, particularly the barer styles.
Colors – Platinum is very in style at the moment, as well as the paler colors, pale yellows, sand, and taupe. There is also a trend toward burgundy and hunter for Fall weddings too. Black is always in style and always a popular choice among both brides and their bridesmaids. In addition, many of the designers today are also using better quality fabrics like dupioni silk, silk chiffon and satin, velvet and crepe.
Combinations – Another trend is to choose a manufacturer that offers different styles in the same fabric and color and letting each bridesmaid chose the style they look best in. You could apply some simple rules – no dress above the knee, or no strapless dress (or whatever look you want for your wedding). Another popular and pretty trend, especially for spring and summer weddings, is a “color run”. That means that each bridesmaid wears a different color of the same dress.
Although today there is less tradition around colors, styles and seasons, it is always wise to use common sense. For example, it would not be wise to choose a short cut and strapless bridesmaid dress during the winter, while a heavy material during the summer in an outdoor ceremony.
I’ve found the bridesmaid dress I want, what should I do next?
The first thing you want to do is to have all of the bridesmaids professionally measured. This way you can cross reference them with the size chart for the manufacturer you have selected in order to ensure you order the size that is closest to their figure. Each designer uses a different size chart so you won’t be able to assume that a size 8 from manufacturer “A” will fit the same way a size 8 does from manufacturer “B”.
How far in advance of the wedding should I order the dresses?
Manufacturers are constantly adding and discontinuing styles. As a result, it is strongly recommended that you order your dresses as soon as you have made a decision on the dress you want. Different manufacturers have different lead times (3 months is most common). You will also want to leave enough time for alterations – usually at least 3 weeks before the wedding if not sooner.
You should order all your bridesmaid dresses at the same time as fabric dye-lots can vary. If you don’t order the dresses one at a time, the dresses might not all be from the same dye-lot so they might not all be the exact same color.
Source: The Knot
Bella’s Bridal and Formal is excited to present a new arrival from Essense of Australia (style no. D1266). This beautiful lace gown with a sweetheart neckline, Dolce satin accents, and crystal buttons is perfect for a formal wedding.
It is not too early to start looking for your prom dress. Bella’s Bridal understands prom is very special! It only happens once or twice in your life. This is why it is so important to find the perfect gown for the big event! Bella’s Bridal has hundreds of gowns in stock for you to choose from including styles by Tony Bowls, Riva, LaFemme, Night Moves, Sherri Hill and more. Our consultants are trained and ready to style you from head to toe to ensure your prom is a magical night and you look your best!
The holiday season gives us the opportunity to extend our thanks to those who helped make the past year so successful. Customers like you make our job a pleasure. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes in the New Year!
Thank you to all of our brides, bridesmaids, mothers, prom, homecoming, beauty walk, and pageant girls who have made the first year in our new location special! We are looking forward to a great 2012!
Bella’s is excited to say our new stock of beauty walk, prom dresses, and jewelry have arrived. Purchase your gown early since we register dresses–one style per school.
In Hispanic culture, when a girl turns 15, a celebration is held called the quinceanera, symbolizing the girl’s passage to womanhood. While a quinceanera has religious and historical origins, in modern American society, it has evolved to a large social affair for presenting a young woman to society for the first time. The quinceanera is an important event similar to a sweet sixteen party, meant to honor the girl and surround her with family and friends.
The quinceanera holds religious and cultural significance to people in Central America and South America, and Hispanic Catholics in the United States. The main event of a quinceanera is a religious Mass, with readings from the Bible and the Eucharist, as in other Masses. During the prayers in this Mass, the young woman makes a commitment to follow the teachings and lessons of God and the Blessed Virgin throughout her entire life. The honoree is accompanied by 14 young women (making the total number 15) as well as her own escort. Dress styles have evolved over time, but the honoree will wear something that distinguishes her from the rest, whether a traditional wedding-type dress or a ball gown. She also wears a headpiece. During the Mass, her grandparents give the girl a crown and remove the headpiece. The crown symbolizes a princess, and during the Mass she is given a cross that signifies she is ready to become an adult.
Although the history is unclear, some historians believe that Spanish conquistadors introduced the quinceanera to the Meso-American tribes. However, there was also an Aztec coming-of-age ceremony, which would have occurred before the conquistadors arrived. The Spanish explorers most likely would have altered the celebration to fit their Christian beliefs. Since then, the practice has been passed through generations and cultures.
Many young women choose to have a reception with all of their family and friends. When the young woman enters the reception she wears flat shoes, which will be replaced with high heels by her father, another symbol of her entrance to womanhood. During the reception there is a banquet and a dance. In Mexico, girls are not supposed to dance in public if they are younger than 15, so this signifies the first time they are permitted to do so. The young woman dances with her godfathers and other father figures to a special song, which is traditionally a waltz. She receives a variety of gifts, including earrings that remind her to listen to God and a bracelet symbolic of the circle of life.
The young woman receives her last childhood toy, usually a porcelain doll. This doll is often wearing a dress identical to the girl’s dress. The doll holds ribbons with the girl’s name and the date of the quinceanera written on them, which are given as party souvenirs. Occasionally, the doll is given as a gift to a younger girl in the family, but often the doll is kept as a memento from the party.
Bella’s has a large selection of quinceanera dresses in solids and prints. Let us make your daughter’s quinceanera a day she will cherish forever.
