Attire close-up -- the women

What you wear on your wedding day should make you feel fantastic. More and more brides are expressing themselves with not only what they choose to wear but how they dress their groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids and flower girl.

There are a few things I learned while planning my wedding that I'd like to pass on to you. First, don't think that on your wedding day you have to look a certain way because that's what you see in a magazine or your mother said so! Be sure to pick a dress that suits your style. You should simply be a more dressed up version of yourself! If you're comfortable and confident that that will make you glow and look beautiful.



I bought my Romona Keveza gown (it's actually two pieces) from her Legends Collection at Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier in NYC. It was a fantastic experience, from my first appointment, to the day I picked my dress up before my wedding. My sales girl Anju was fantastic -- supportive but not pushy in any way. I'd highly recommend making this one of your first stops while searching for a dress in New York.



When it came time to finding a dress for my bridesmaids I started looking very early (like 10-11 months early). I didn't want my friends to have to break the bank to participate in my wedding and bridesmaid dresses can be outrageously priced! I went to Ann Taylor to look at their celebrations collection with my BM who lives in the city and we found a dress we loved -- and score team bridesmaids -- it was on sale for $99!! This made my day. I love how our florist was inspired by the roses on their dresses for their bouquets with lavender freesia, purple delphinium, and creamy white roses.



And last but not least, our flower girl. This sweet little girl (who just turned eight a few weeks ago) is very special to me. I also didn't want to put any financial stress on her parents so I showed her mother the Ann Taylor Flower Girl Dress for inspiration because I didn't want her to have to spend $128 on a dress she'd outgrow so quickly. She ended up getting her dress on sale around Easter time -- so savvy. The one thing I did ask is that she get her the brown sash so she'd compliment the bridesmaids dresses.

Click to enlarge images

Up next...Attire close-up -- the men!

Second dress fitting...

I had my second dress fitting on Wednesday morning with Melissa at Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier. We're almost there! She still has to shave down a little fabric under my right arm so my arm falls naturally over it and isn't uncomfortable. She's also going to shorten the lining which is causing the hem to flip out a little instead of stand straight and bow under a little like it should be. It's so nice not to have to worry about a bustle!



I wore my hair up in a bun to see what it would look like with the dress and veil as I'm thinking about an updo now as I was so unhappy with my half-up/half-down hair trial in Vermont.

Here is my new inspiration -- Kkatherine Heigl from the Emmys! She looks stunning and I love that it's inspired by the 40's but she doesn't look like she's playing dress up with pin curls and bright red lipstick. There is some interest to the wave in the front and the side bun looks so pretty.




And here is my hair with my veil just thrown up in a quick bun to see what it would look like from behind.




Thoughts on the new inspiration??

My first fitting!

Yesterday afternoon I went to Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier in NYC for my first dress fitting. My sweet sales girl Anju was there with me and made me feel so comfortable as always. It was such a great feeling to have MY dress on in my size. It needs a few minor alterations to the bodice but the skirt is perfect.

My dress is a Romona Keveza from her Legends Collection. I brought my shoes (Cynthia Rowley's Trilogy), my veil (from Rose's Bridal) and my earrings that I'll be wearing to get the feeling of the whole look. So without further ado -- here are the photos from the first fitting session.

My dress hanging (it's a top and a skirt)



The front of the dress with the shoes, veil and earrings



The back of the dress (with my fitter Melissa in the shot). This is my favorite shot because you get the back with the veil, and the front and side in both mirrors.



Close up of the back. I had the buttons arrive separately because they were heavy enough to pull the zipper cover (not sure if this has a name) open so you could see the zipper. I didn't want that, so we decided to have them put the buttons back on, as it's a nice detail, on the other side to obscure the zipper. No one will know but me, the seamstress and now all of you! In the picture there are a few pinned so you can see what it will look like.



And for those of you who are interested, here are pictures of the earrings and shoes:





The earrings were a college graduation gift from my grandmother (who passed away a week before my graduation) and the shoes are Cynthia Rowley Trilogy from www.zappos.com. Note the signature blue soles. So my earrings and my shoes are my "something blue."

So, what do you think ladies? Anyone else a short dress bride? If so was it your first or second wedding? I know the short trend is very popular among subsequent marriages, but I wasn't sure about a first (and last) time bride like me!