Design Your Own Wedding Gown!

Do you not have the slightest clue what kind of wedding gown you are looking for? Or maybe you've tried on a MILLION different dresses, and nothing is quite perfect? Here’s an opportunity to piece together your own wedding dress from your favorite style of sleeves, neckline, silhouette (skirt) and gloves.

Take a trip to www.weddingdresscreator.com/wedding_dress_creator.php and have a blast trying all the different options until it all comes together in the perfect gown. There’s a mannequin just waiting to model your choices for you. First, pick your hair color and complexion from the palettes provided. Then begin your designing process!

The first category features several necklines: asymmetric, bateau, halter top, jewel, off-the-shoulder, portrait, Queen Anne, scoop, square, strapless, sweetheart and v-neck. If you’re curious about the bateau and jewel necklines, they’re there for you to “try on.”

Silhouette, or skirt, styles include a-line, ball gown, dropped, empire, mermaid and sheath. Of course, all the elements of the gown are presented to you in white, but you can choose from an expansive palette to change the background accent color, so you can see how your dress will look with the color scheme of your wedding.

From there, you choose a sleeve from bell, cap, fitted, leg o’mutton, pedal and puffed, unless you want a sleeveless style, like a halter top or strapless. I was quite curious about the leg o’mutton, which turns out to be a much more elegant sleeve style than the name implies. Those of you planning a fairy-tale wedding or a vintage wedding just may prefer this sleeve, which appears to work with several neckline and silhouette styles. As you’ll discover, this Web site can be hours of useful fun!

Once you are finished, just print out your one-of-a-kind design and bring it on into A Bride's Design where we can customize that dress specifically for you and make your dreams alive! 

Call (440) 835-3655 to make an appointment today!

Featured on Style Me Pretty today!

SO excited...

We got the most incredible news today!!! Our styled shoot was selected to be featured on biggest and best wedding blog, Style Me Pretty:) It is an extremely competitive selection process as they literally get thousands of submissions a day. We are over the moon excited!

Photos by:Lauren Gabrielle Photography 
Location: Syrian Cultural Garden 
Styling:  A Charming Fête 
Wedding Dress: A Bride’s Design  
Hair/Makeup: Rania’s Hair Salon & Spa 

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/12/19/handcrafted-mosaic-inspiration-shoot-from-lauren-gabrielle-photography/

We Won!

Thanks to all of our LOVING customers, friends and family that selected A Bride’s Design as the BEST in this year's Cleveland Fox 8 Hotlist! We are thrilled, inspired, excited, flattered - you name it!!! By the dedication of our loyal customers, Thank you all so much for helping make A Bride’s Design your favorite bridal boutique!

Ask the Expert!: Bridal FAQs

Check out these answers to frequently asked wedding dress and alteration questions answered by our very own expert... Laura!

1. When should I get my dress altered?

About two months prior to your wedding date is best. This period of time is perfect for 2-3 fittings, and at this point weight fluctuation is minimal so the bride avoids a re-alteration.

2. Should I leave my dress in the dress bag or let it breathe?

It is best to leave the dress in its bag in a dark room until a few days before the wedding. After your final fitting, when the dress has been pressed, it should be hung up outside of the bag so it doesn't wrinkle and crease.

3. Should I order a size bigger than my normal dress size?

No. Every size chart runs differently. It is best to purchase based on your measurements. If there are inconsistencies, you should generally choose the dress that fits your largest measurement. However, this depends somewhat on the style of gown. An a-line dress for instance, is more forgiving in the hips. Therefore if your hip measurement doesn't exactly correspond, the dress will likely still fit if the other measurements are true to size.

An Outdoor Wedding Survival Guide

"[The] original hippie children...

did things the flower children were doing later- outdoor weddings."

-Vivian Mathers

The outdoor weddings of today have come along way from the hippie nuptials of the 70's that bring to mind the flowing peasant dresses and daisy-chain crowns of yesteryear. But whether your wedding is a simple backyard affair, or an elaborate garden gala, here are some tips to consider when planning your own outdoor event!

1. RESEARCH- A seemingly obvious point to consider is the date and time of your event. The perfect outdoor wedding is dependent on the weather. And while the luxury of perfect weather cannot be planned, it is a good idea to consult a farmer's almanac or a similar record of average temperatures and rainfall while you are planning. Often, these resources are more reliable than your own memory of the season, and can also bring a little peace of mind. Time of day is also a consideration, especially if your venue has little shade. Be sure to visit your location at the time you plan to hold your ceremony to observe the direction and brightness of the sun.


2. BACKUP PLAN- When all your research proves to be in vain, you will need a backup plan. Whether you have a tent rental on hold in preparation for rain, or budget to purchase some last minute outdoor heaters in case of sudden cold, a backup plan will allow you (and those close to you) to relax... if even just a little. :)


3. CONSIDER YOUR GUESTS- It's your day, but comfortable guests are central to a memorable and enjoyable wedding celebration. A great way to make sure your guests comfortable at your outdoor celebration is with your wedding favors. Favors such as personalized bottled water, or paper fans are perfect for a warm-weather wedding, while providing inexpensive shawls or throws for cooler weather is also thoughtful. Another consideration for warmer weather is making sure there are readily-available drinks, and opportunities for your guests to sit before, during, and after the ceremony.


4. BREATHE EASY- While all these preparation can certainly help to make an outdoor wedding go more smoothly, there are some things that cannot be planned... even by the most determined bride-to-be. The magic of the perfect outdoor wedding comes with certain unavoidable risks. Plan to the best of your ability, and then breathe. It will make the wedding planning process, and ultimately the wedding itself far more enjoyable.


Image: theknot.com

A Different Kind of Bridal Bouquet

In ancient Rome, brides carried bunches of herbs in lieu of flowers to symbolize fidelity and to scare off evil spirits. While this superstitious function has been abandoned, herbs are making a comeback as a vintage-feeling, aromatic companion to the bridal bouquet. Herbs, like flowers carry special meanings. Some wedding-appropriate herbs include lavender (best wishes), rosemary (remembrance, true love), and marjoram (joyful living). Check out these ideas to incorporate this ancient bridal tradition into your own big day.

Image 1: A lavender bouquet, theknot.com

Image 2: A bouquet of thyme, rosemary, and sage mixed with hyacinth and lily of the valley, marthastewartweddings.com

Image 3: A bouquet of mixed herbs and mums, creditcrunchbride.wordpress.com

Ideas We Love: Boutonnieres With Flair

Check out these interesting takes on the age-old boutonniere tradition! With materials ranging from fabric and buttons to feathers and cacti, these arrangements show that a boutonniere doesn't have to just be a simple space filler, but can be a unique expression of a couple's personality, and the theme of their wedding.

Images: theknot.com