WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING A BRIDAL GOWN

The first thing you should do before actually heading to the bridal shop is get an idea about which style of wedding gown you prefer. You will need to get familiar with wedding gown terminology and styles. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started on the road to wedding day bliss.

LENGTH

• Street length - Hem falls just past the knee.

• Intermission (or Tea) length - Hem falls between the knees and ankle.

• Ballet length - Hem falls just to the ankles.

• Floor Length - Hem barely touches the floor on all sides.

SLEEVES

• 3/4 sleeves - End between the elbow and wrist.

• Bell - Long sleeves, flare out toward the wrist creating a bell shape.

• Cap - Rounded sleeves, just covering shoulders.

• Fitted point - Long, fitted sleeves that come to a point over the hand.

• Juliet - Long, fitted sleeves with puffy shoulders.

• Long sleeves - Extend to the wrist and are normally form-fitting.

• Off-the-shoulder Sleeves - Cover the upper part of the arm but leave the tops of shoulders exposed.

• Poet - Long sleeves, fitted to the elbow then flared.

• Pouf - Short sleeves, gathered to create a puffy look.

• Short sleeves - About the length of T-shirt sleeves.

• Sleeveless - Strapless with no sleeves.

• Spaghetti - Thin spaghetti straps with no sleeves.

NECKLINE

• Bateau - Close to straight across from the tip of the shoulder. Gives plenty of coverage.

• Halter - Wraps around the back of the neck to create deep armholes. Often also a backless style, which is very sexy.

• High - Covers most of the neck. Creates a formal, somewhat stiff look.

• Jewel - Similar to that of a T-shirt. Creates a bustier look.

• Off-The-Shoulder - As the name indicates, the top of the shoulders are bare. Showcases your collarbone and shoulders.

• Portrait - A very wide scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other.

• Scoop - Classic U-shaped neckline. Can be cut low for a sexier look.

• Square - Squared neckline, often associated with empire gowns.

• Strapless - Normally straight across. Not recommended for women with small busts.

• Sweetheart - Shaped like the top half of a heart. Emphasizes the cleavage.

• V-Neck - Dips in the front into a V-shape. Can be very deep.

BODICE

The bodice refers to the portion of the dress between the neckline and skirt.

• Corset - A form fitting bodice with boning and lace-up closures.

• Halter - Sleeveless bodice that wraps around you neck, normally backless.

• Midriff - Fits very closely around the mid-section, accentuating your waist.

• Surplice - Sections of fabric cross wrap in the front or back.

• Tank - Sleeveless with wide armholes like tank top.

TRAIN

• Sweep - 8" to 12" in length, just a few inches longer than the gown.

• Court - Extends about 3 feet from the waist.

• Chapel - Extends about 4 feet from the waist.

• Cathedral - Extends about 6 to 9 feet from the waist.

• Royal - Extends more than 9 feet from the waist.

VEIL

• Birdcage - Falls right below the chin, usually attached to a headpiece.

• Flyaway - Falls to the shoulder.

• Blusher - Worn over your face, about 28" long.

• Elbow - Falls to the elbow or waist.

• Fingertip - Falls to the finger tips or just below the waist.

• Ballet - Falls to the ankles.

• Chapel - Falls slightly longer than floor length.

• Cathedral - 9 feet or longer.

WEDDING GOWNS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

Every wedding gown isn't for every bride. The key is to find a gown that flatters your figure, while downplaying the areas that aren't so perfect. Whether you are short, tall, thin or curvy, you can still be a beautiful bride. We went to Alfred Angelo head designer Michael Shettel for tips on how to find the perfect wedding gown for your body type.

Alfred Angelo really believes the bride is a variety of people, and we consider the all encompassing "American" woman when designing. From different body shapes, heights, backgrounds and sizes. We design a variety of styles, but ultimately want to highlight and accentuate a woman's body so she feels her best on her big day. We want to make all childhood dress up fantasies a reality, no matter what size and shape the bride has grown into.

"Keep and open mind when shopping for your dream dress"

Since finding a gown is so emotionally charged, I absolutely advise brides to keep an open mind when shopping for their gown. When a woman begins her search for her gown, most have their "dream dress" in mind, and they've thought of this for some time. My best advice to brides when I work with them is to try on the "dream dress", but also try on several other silhouettes -- step outside the box. I advise this because trying on several varying styles will really help the bride see what style is most flattering on her. This is your big day, when all eyes will be on you. Instead of hiding what you have, show it off!  It's your time to shine. Embrace the beauty that you are!

1. Pear or hourglass shapes: I created and introduced new mermaid and trumpet shaped gowns this season to really flatter the figure, in addition to the classic strapless, A-line shapes we are known for. These give women with curves (pear or hourglass) another option to celebrate their bodies.
2. Apple shapes: For brides who carry a little extra weight in the middle, empire or A-line is always a good choice. It helps bring the attention upward, and smooth out the middle. Wrap styles are also good to help trim the mid-section if the bride happens to not want to go with an empire, flowing style.
3. Athletic figures: Boyish shaped brides do well with gowns that really accentuate the waist and give them shape. Brides with broad shoulders can benefit from off the shoulder v-neck and cap sleeve styles. The v-neck helps create a new focal point-the decollatage, and the cap sleeve softens the shoulders. Halter styles can also be a good choice, but they should complement the collar bone.

SELECTING YOUR WEDDING GOWN

Spend some time researching on wedding websites and looking through bridal magazines to get an idea of what type of gowns you like before making an appointment at the bridal shop.

Choose two or three salons in your area in order to find the best one for you.  If you find the gowns are out of your price range, the customer service is poor, or just don't get a good vibe from the salon, it's time to move on.

Your bridal gown may be one of your biggest wedding purchases. Therefore, you should take your time and make sure you are totally satisfied before making your final choice.

Bring your sister, mother or girlfriends with you while shopping for your wedding dress. They'll be able to help you get in and out of the gowns (some gowns are very heavy!), and of course, give their opinion on your selections.

3 Tips for simplifying the wedding registry process

Let’s face it: Planning your wedding is stressful. Even when creating your registry, the endless gift possibilities can be just as overwhelming as they are exciting. Here are a few tips to help you maintain a stress-free and enjoyable registry.

Create an online registry
Registering online is convenient for you and your guests. If you really want that in-store registry experience, find a registry with online and in-store options. Some registry sites offers a Sync & Display feature where members can import their in-store registries from select stores onto their universal registry, which then updates whenever a gift is purchased online or in-store.

Register Together

In the past, wedding registries were primarily created by the bride, but today many include gadgets and power tools along with linens and china. With a universal registry, you can add from the bride and groom’s favorite stores, so take advantage of this. The registry is a chance for a couple to plan their married life together, so it’s best when both parties contribute.

Don’t be afraid to ask for cash

Asking for money is realistic, not taboo! Sites offers a Cash Gift option where you can name your fund ‘Dream Honeymoon,’ ‘Home Furnishing Fund,’ or whatever you'd like. Guests are much more likely to give cash when they know that their contribution is going towards something meaningful.

PICK THE PERFECT BRIDAL GOWN SILHOUETTE

Congratulations, you are getting married! In all the excitement and stress of planning your wedding over the next few months, one of the most important things you will purchase is your wedding gown.

SILHOUETTE

A-line

The A-line or princess dress has no marked waist and the vertical seams flow from the shoulders down to a flared skirt, creating a "A" shape. If you carry your weight in the middle, this silhouette is a nice choice.

Ball gown

These gowns normally quite formal, reminding you of Cinderella. The bodice is fitted with a very full skirt. Ball gowns can be long-sleeved, sleeveless or anywhere in between. The full skirt of a ball gown can hide large hips and thighs.

Empire

Empire gowns have a raised waistline that starts right under the bust, flowing to a skirt that skims over the hips then flairs slightly to the floor. This romantic silhouette is flattering to most body types and is particularly flattering to small breasted women.

Mermaid

As the name indicates, the mermaid dress is contoured against the body then the gown flows out beginning around the knees. This is the sexiest of the styles. If you confident in your body, a mermaid dress can show off your curves.

Sheath

The sheath or column dress has a slim shape that follows close to the line of the body. The straight design doesn't allow for many body flaws. The long lines of a sheath gown can elongate the look of your body. Therefore this type of dress can work well for short brides.

How to manage your registry

Check on your registry

Creating a registry doesn’t guarantee that your gifts will always be in stock. In the event that an item is out of stock, you may want to add it from another retailer or choose a new gift. It is also good to make sure that different price points are still represented on your registry.

Announce your registry

Don’t put all this effort into your registry and forget to tell people about it! If you’re uncomfortable spreading the information yourself, MyRegistry.com offers a great option for one of your bridesmaids to send out customized E-Cards on your behalf.

Send your thank you notes in a timely manner

Don’t forget to thank your guests for their generosity! A month after the wedding or honeymoon is recommended, even sooner for gifts that were received before the event. MyRegistry.com simplifies the thank you note process by saving the purchaser’s information and the item they bought off your registry.

Continue your registry even after the weddingJust because your event is over doesn’t mean it’s time to delete your registry. Keep a wish list for every gift-giving occasion, from birthdays to anniversaries to the holiday season — and someday down the line, a baby shower!

Get the perfect wedding dress on a shoestring budget

Many women spend a good chunk of their lives dreaming of the beautiful frock we will wear on our wedding day, almost to the exclusion of thinking about anything else in that little fantasy. It is possible, if not downright easy, to find a gorgeous gown for far less than the astronomical prices charged by bridal salons.

There are lots of alternative options to get a beautiful gown -- even a designer gown -- at a far lower price than at a bridal salon. eBay, Craigslist and secondhand stores all have beautiful designer gowns at a fraction of the cost.

Many bridesmaid dresses are available in white or ivory and cost a fraction of what bridal gowns do -- check out Watters and Watters and Jim Hjelm Occasions for some beautiful budget-friendly designs.

Don't buy an expensive veil. You would be spending upwards of $200 for fabric that really only costs a few dollars per yard. Buy the fabric and have one made -- you'll save hundreds of dollars. Or skip the veil and wear a beautiful jeweled comb or flowers in your hair. 

WEDDING RECEPTION ON A BUDGET

Your reception will probably be the most expensive chunk of your day, barring your honeymoon. To cut costs, consider these tweaks.

Have your wedding on a Friday or Sunday.  Hold anything but a dinner party -- brunch, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, dessert/champagne and cake, even a lunch garden picnic will all save you tons of cash over a full dinner. Still want an evening meal? Go for a buffet with chicken, pasta and in-season produce instead of beef. You'll save the cost of extra waiters and expensive ingredients.

MUSIC

Have an iPod or iPhone? Then you have your DJ. Playlist weddings are becoming increasingly popular, because couples can choose exactly the music they want to hear, no matter how obscure or alternative it may be.

Load up playlists for each portion of your wedding: pre-ceremony, ceremony, cocktail hour, special dances, dinner, dancing, etc. Ask a member of your wedding party to act as MC for special announcements. With live DJs asking upwards of $500 for four hours, and bands costing in the thousands, using an iPod can save you a pretty penny, and be completely personalized.

Really love the idea of live music? Hire musicians from a local music school to play at your ceremony. They are just as skilled and far less expensive.

FLOWERS

Wedding flowers can easily run you in the thousands. To cut costs, make sure you order only blooms that are in-season. Order loose stems and make the arrangements yourself. This is not nearly as difficult as it sounds!  You can also order your flowers online for a fraction of the cost of a traditional florist. ProFlowers.com, Wedding Floral Distributors and FiftyFlowers.com are popular and reputable choices.

You might also try ordering flowers without mentioning they're for a wedding, because sometimes the simple mention of matrimony can bump the price up a couple notches. Just say you're buying flowers for a party.

What you can skip and cannot skimp on for your wedding

You don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful, meaningful wedding day. Here's how to save cash without looking cheap!

YOU CAN SKIP...
Favors: Most guests toss wedding favors anyway. If you really want to leave something, bake yummy treats yourself, or make a small donation to a favorite charity in memory of a cherished relative, placing a card at each setting explaining the gift.

Save-the-dates: Save the date cards are an unnecessary expense, unless you're having a destination wedding, requiring people to make travel arrangements well in advance.

Video: Chances are you will only watch a wedding video once or twice, yet spend thousands on its production. Add this money into your still photography budget instead.

DON'T SKIMP ON

Photography: Hire the absolute best photographer that you can afford. If you try to cut corners here, you are guaranteed to regret it each and every time you -- and your loved ones -- look at your wedding photos. A great photographer is one of the most important investments you can make. Remember, you are asking them to record a piece of family history -- one that will last for generations to come.

Drinks: It is a personal choice to serve alcohol or not, but if you do, do not have a cash bar. If you had a dinner party at your home, you wouldn't charge your guests for each glass of wine. To save money, offer only beer and wine, a signature cocktail or champagne punch. There is no need to provide an entire liquor store. Also be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.

BOTTOM LINE

Saving money does not have to mean skimping on style. With a little imagination and creativity, you can have a gorgeous wedding on a shoestring budget. That way, instead of spending so much cash on that one single day, you instead have it available to use for the rest of your married life. Smart, no?