Do You Have To Wear White To Your Bridal Shower?

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: do you have to wear white to your bridal shower? While your wedding day is the most important day of all, the build-up to the wedding should also be fun and memorable. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with the people you love, and share your excitement about the upcoming big day.

The best place to do this is your bridal shower! Not every bride decides to have a bridal shower but it can be a lovely day full of love and celebrations with your family and gal pals. But what should you be wearing? Does it have to be white? Should it be white? Should it be a dress, or can you wear anything at all? Let’s take a closer look.

What Does Bride Wear to a Bridal Shower?

Traditionally, the bride-to-be will wear a bridal shower dress. However, it certainly doesn’t have to be a dress! If you’re not one for dresses, or you prefer rocking a romper or a trouser suit – do whatever feels most natural to you. Some people relish being center of attention, while others don’t. Some important points to remember when choosing your outfit are:

  • Where is the event? If your bridal shower is in a barn, it may not be best to go wearing stiletto heels and a bright white maxi dress. A pair of cowboy boots and short dress may suit better for that type of bridal shower! However, once you know where the event is taking place, plan your outfit with the venue in mind
  • Give Clues. A cute way to give your nearest and dearest an insight into your wedding day outfit is to incorporate it into your bridal shower outfit. Are you wearing lace? Choose a lacy dress. Are you opting for satin? Wear a satin dress. It will be something to talk about on your wedding day when your outfit is finally revealed
  • Activities. If you’re sitting eating afternoon tea, you can wear anything! But if you’ve got an active bridal shower planned, be sure not to wear clothes you can’t move about freely in. Your host may want it to be a surprise, but just ask what kind of clothes you should be wearing so you don’t damage your best dress
  • New. It doesn’t have to a new dress. If you have an outfit already in your closet that you think will work well, there’s no obligation to buy something new. Just wear whatever clothes you feel most comfortable in. If you go for comfort over glam, that’s no problem at all!

Can You Wear White to a Bridal Shower?

If you’re asking this question as a bride – of course! If you’re asking this question as a guest – absolutely not. Unless the bride has specifically asked for all the shower guests to wear white, this color should be avoided at all costs by guests.

If you’re a bride, white is actually the most common color to wear at your bridal shower. Being a bride gives you a free pass to wear white any time of year, right up until your wedding day. You’ll likely only get to do this once, so make the most of it! It doesn’t have to be a white dress, it can be a white anything! Dress, skirt, romper, jumpsuit, blazer suit – go wild with white!

It’s important to note that “white” includes ivory, off-white, champagne, etc. It all comes under the same umbrella of bridal white.

Do You Have to Wear White to Your Bridal Shower?

The answer is quite simple: absolutely not! You can wear whatever color you’re most happy in. However, it’s seen as tradition to wear white at your bridal shower. While it may not be classed as bad luck to not wear white, wearing white makes you the center of attention. Which most brides are more than happy with surrounding their wedding!

If you’re the only one wearing white, it makes you stand out and easiest to spot at moments such as taking photos. If you like all eyes being on you, definitely utilize wearing white.

However, if you want to detract attention, or simply don’t like wearing white – you are under no obligation to do so. If the color scheme for the wedding is pink and white, why not wear something pink? Or if you still want the attention but aren’t keen on white, ask your guests not to wear the color dress you’ve chosen. It’s the lead-up to your special day, so they’ll likely be more than happy to oblige.

If you’re not choosing to wear white on your wedding day, it may be nice to choose a bridal shower dress the color of your wedding dress. That way it’ll be a continuation on your big day.

If you are looking for white dresses for your wedding, Emmaline Bride has some gorgeous options, in a range of prices. Whether you want something simple or more extravagant, they’ve got you covered.

Read more about Red String Of Fate Wedding Ceremony.

Conclusion

Whatever you decide to wear, be sure to choose something that feels right for you. If you wouldn’t be seen dead wearing a dress – don’t opt for one just because you feel like you should! You do not want to be looking back at your bridal shower photos in years to come and not even be able to recognize yourself. As long as you feel happy in what you’ve chosen, that’s the most important point. Whether it’s white or not isn’t a deal-breaker!

What outfit did you wear for your bridal shower? Did you choose something white? Did you choose a traditional white bridal shower dress? Or something completely different? Whatever you wore/are planning to wear, feel free to leave any answers in the comments below. I would love to know your choices – and I’m sure many other future brides would too!

Read more about Songs Bride Sings To Groom At Wedding

Alternatives To You May Kiss The Bride

Today, we’re going to be looking at alternatives to you may kiss the bride. It’s a classic phrase that you’ll hear at almost every wedding – but it seems almost outdated now! While some couples may opt to have the traditional phrase, it’s completely understandable if you don’t.

The phrase doesn’t take gay male couples into consideration, or non-binary couples. Or even couples that simply don’t want to stick to tradition or you may not even be a big lover of PDA and want to avoid the kiss altogether! However you identify as a couple, your day should feel as natural and tailor-made to you both as possible. So do whatever you feel comfortable with – no matter what tradition says! Let’s look at some other phrases you can use for your big day.

What Alternatives are There to You May Kiss the Bride?

Depending on where you’re having your wedding, you can change the wording to almost anything you’d like (as long as it’s respectful!). If you’re already written your own vows, or know your officiant, this will make the process a lot easier, but most venues will be happy to oblige to any personal requests you make.

1. “Your New Journey Together Has Now Begun”

Whether you’re wanting to have the traditional kiss at the end of the ceremony or not, this is a great option. You can share a kiss, a cuddle, or even turn to your wedding guests and cheer! This wording is the perfect way to symbolize the new path you have chosen to take together and is a very touching way of wording it.

The pressure to kiss is also alleviated so whether you aren’t a fan of PDA or are simply more reserved about kissing, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.

2. “We Can Now Toast to the New Couple”

A trend that is becoming increasingly popular is having a drink at the end of the ceremony. Not only is the moment most definitely worthy of a toast, but it’s also a huge relief when the ceremony is over, so a small break to relax and celebrate the moment may be what you need.

Again, it takes away any pressure to kiss and instead lets all of your guests celebrate you both, and your new journey together – whilst enjoying a drink!

3. “Think Now’s the Time For That Kiss”

If you do still want to incorporate the kiss, but want the traditional wording taken away, this is a great choice. What’s great about this one is that it’s funny, will make your guests laugh – and instantly relax you and your partner. Once those words have been said, you’ll also know it’s the end of the ceremony. Some couples worry they may not know when it’s over!

4. “Let’s Applaud Your New Marriage”

Clapping has always been the best way to celebrate any huge moments in your life – graduation, awards, so why not your wedding? It’s a moment that should be celebrated and will be something fun for your guests to do. It can even lead on to clapping along to your exit music. If you’re looking for cheesy for your wedding, this may be the best option for you!

5. You May Now Kiss Your New Lifelong Partner

If you still want your ceremony to be as traditional as possible, but you aren’t a “bride/groom”, this is a good choice. It’s as close to the classic line as it can be, while giving it the modern aspect it certainly needs. I think You May Now Kiss the Bride is not a very progressive statement to still be the “norm” at the end of the ceremony.

6. Nothing at All

While this may seem like a strange choice, it’s one of the most popular choices. Be sure to ask your officiant beforehand at which point the ceremony ends, so you know when to make your exit. If you’re choosing this way, it may be best to share a kiss. But you certainly don’t have to! You could even turn to your guests and say, “we did it!” or anything of your choosing to mark the end of your ceremony.

Read more about Do You Have To Wear White To Your Bridal Shower?

You May Kiss the Bride Alternatives

If you’re looking for a range of funny alternatives, or want to see what other couples used on their big day, The Knot has some great forums in which other couples have shared their choices. Some of their choices include:

  • You may seal this union with a kiss
  • “Name” and “Name” – you may now kiss each other
  • You may now seal your promise with a kiss
  • You may now take your partner’s hand (a good way to avoid the public kiss!)
  • Seal the deal so we can start the reception
  • “Go on and kiss the girl” (in the style of The Little Mermaid)

Conclusion

And now comes to the end of our alternatives. How to kiss the bride/groom is completely down to you (if you decide to kiss). It can be a peck, or dipped kiss to display your love to all of your wedding guests. “Kiss the Bride” weddings may be old school, but if it feels right for you, do it!

The most important point to remember about your wedding day is that it’s yours. If you want the world to know you’re in love with a movie-worthy kiss – go for it! If you want to knock back a glass of champagne to calm your nerves – do it! If you want to walk down the aisle holding hands – do it!

Whatever you decide to do or say, your guests will just be happy to be sharing one of the most important days of your life with you. What are you using for your wedding day? Or if you’re already married – what did you use? Please feel free to leave any answers in the comments below. You may be helping out future couples with their own wedding.

Read more about Alternatives To You May Kiss The Bride

Songs For Parents At Weddings

Today, we’re going to be looking at songs for parents at weddings. If you have a good relationship with your parent(s), you’ll want to include them in your big day, in the most memorable way possible. Whether they get their own entrance song at the ceremony, or you opt for the traditional father/daughter dance at the reception – there’s lots of ways to make them feel special.

But which songs will work best? We’re going to covering it all today! From the start of your wedding day, through to the end. Whether you want something sentimental, or something that will leave your guests laughing for the rest of the night, we have something for everyone.

Songs for Parents Entrance at Wedding Ceremony

Your parents may want to make a grand entrance to your wedding – and that is completely understandable, considering they’ve likely played a huge role in your lives. Whether you’re looking for a parent’s entrance song, or grandparent’s or any other significant adult in your life, here are some great options (funny, romantic or otherwise):

  • It Takes Two – Robe Base & DJ EZ Rock
  • All the Small Things – Blink 182
  • Get the Party Started – Pink
  • This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
  • Walk This Way – Aerosmith
  • Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
  • Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
  • I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
  • Can You Feel the Love Tonight? – Elton John
  • I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown

The options above are more generic, so if you’re looking for something more personal, you could use your parent’s wedding song or a song that is significant to them. They may already have a choice in mind!

If your parents are walking down the aisle individually, or only one parent is attending your wedding, here’s some alternative options:

  • Mama Said – The Shirelles (mother choice)
  • Pretty Woman – Van Halen (mother choice)
  • Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison (mother choice)
  • Soul Man – Blues Brothers (father choice)
  • Papa was a Rolling Stone – The Temptations (father choice)

Parents Dance Wedding Songs

Once the ceremony is over, and the speeches are done – the next big moment for your parents will be the reception. Some couples like to dedicate a song to their parents, in which the parents take to the floor and have a dance themselves. Your parents will likely be overjoyed on your wedding day, and wanting to show off how happy they are for you. Many of the songs above would work well for this too. Some other options include:

  • God Only Knows – John Legend
  • Wind Beneath my Wings – Bette Midler
  • Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
  • My Girl – The Temptations
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
  • Forever Young – Rod Stewart

An option that would work well for this dance, is your parent’s wedding song. This would be extremely personal and special for both you and your parents. It would remind them of their wedding day while being a huge part of yours.

Father/Daughter Dance Songs

One of the most traditional dances at a wedding is the dance between a father and daughter. If you don’t have this on your big day, try not to feel too disheartened – I didn’t have one. However, if you opt for this dance, there are many beautiful (and more light-hearted) choices. Some of these include:

  • You Are so Beautiful – Joe Cocker
  • Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
  • The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
  • Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
  • Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
  • You are the Sunshine of my Life – Stevie Wonder
  • Lean on Me – Bill Withers
  • Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
  • Hero – Mariah Carey
  • Your Song – Elton John

Mother/Daughter Dance Songs

Something less traditional, but becoming increasingly popular is the dance between a mother and daughter. This is what I opted for on my wedding day, as my mom has always been the most important person in my life. The song I chose was The Best Day by Taylor Swift. It was a really personal song to us, and one I had sung to her for many years. I even changed the list line of the song to, “I had the best day with you, on my wedding day”. This made it really intimate and personal.

Some popular choices for mother/daughter dances are:

  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
  • Mom – Meghan Trainor
  • Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift
  • You are My Sunshine – Kina Grannis
  • You Make My Dreams Come True – Halle & Oates
  • I Turn to You – Christina Aguilera
  • God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
  • There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
  • You are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
  • Mama – The Spice Girls

Conclusion

To conclude, I hope this article has helped you to find some songs for parents at weddings. Brides have a great selection of 60 Must Play Songs About Parents at weddings. Some of the options in the article can be used for any part of your big day, so it’s a good article to read once you’re finished here!

It’s important to note that your parents may have passed, or you may not have a good relationship with them. Many of these songs will work for grandparents, aunties, uncles, godmothers, godfathers – whoever has been there for you throughout your life.

Whether you want a song that shows their unconditional love or something that will leave the wedding guests with tears of laughter, there are so many great options to choose from, to leave a lasting memory in everyone’s minds, and hearts. Sentimental and memorable is what I would opt for. My wedding dance with my mother is something I’ll treasure forever, and was one of my favorite memories from my wedding.

Did you include your parents in the ceremony and reception, with entrance songs and dances? What song choices did you opt for? I would love to know song choices that made them feel special or received the most laughs. You may be helping out future couples, so please feel free to leave any answers in the comments below.

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Cheap Tall Vases For Wedding Receptions

Today, we’re going to be looking at cheap tall vases for wedding receptions. Glass wedding centerpieces look stunning at your wedding, but finding affordable ones can be tricky. Let’s look at how you can afford these elegant centerpieces on a budget.

You’re likely going to need quite a few tall glass vases for wedding centerpieces on your big day. Whether you’re having a modest wedding or something on a larger scale, you’ll likely need at least several – and that can take a large amount of your budget quite quickly if you’re unsure where to shop.

But never fear, there are plenty of places to shop for affordable glass vases, that will look beautiful on your wedding day. Let’s round up some of the best places to look!

Cheap Tall Vases for Wedding Receptions in Craft Stores

Wherever you’re living in the world, you’ll likely have a craft store nearby. In America, it may be somewhere like Michael’s, or in the UK, somewhere like Hobbycraft. Michael’s currently has a 20% off code sitewide too (code: 20MADEBYYOU)! If you know any other craft stores that are good options, please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below.

Not only does Michael’s have a range of glass vases available that will look perfect in the middle of your tables, they even have multipacks available. For example, you can buy a 12 pack of their Libbey Clear Glass Rose Vase for just $57.20…plus 20% off!

Craft stores are a great starting place because they aren’t specifically tailoring to weddings. As soon as you venture into the world of weddings, the starting price point increases significantly!

Cheap Tall Vases for Wedding Receptions in Home Stores

While there are more expensive home stores out there, there are plenty of budget stores too, that produce top-quality products. IKEA is a good example of this. Depending on the size and shape of the vases you’re looking for, they start at a ridiculously low price, which won’t take much out of your budget at all.

They do offer slightly more expensive options too if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious.

Check Reselling Sites for Cheap Tall Vases

There are plenty of pre-loved wedding décor sites out there. When brides or grooms want to sell on items that have been used at their wedding, they can use sites such as Sell My Wedding. It’s extremely easy to navigate, choose your location, and what you’re looking for. All items are marked with prices and photos. Most prices are negotiable too, so if something seems out of your budget – make an offer!

As they’re likely wanting to shift the products quickly, you may find some high-end vases at a hugely discounted price. Who wants 50 vases lying around the house?!

Marketplace

Try using sites like eBay, Gumtree, and Shpock (that list is not exhaustive, there are plenty of marketplace sites out there!). Some items will be secondhand and others on sites like eBay will be unused.

It’s definitely worth browsing as you may find items nearby at a really affordable price. The good thing about sites like these is that they protect the customer, so if you have any problems with your purchases, you’re completely covered. This is great for peace of mind.

Bridal Facebook Groups

This is something I am currently doing for my sister who’s getting married next year. Facebook have a plethora of bridal groups in a variety of locations. Brides list their unwanted wedding products for their desired price and you comment if you’re interested. I actually found some glass vase centerpieces for my sister for £20 for 8 pieces!

Just type in your town/city with weddings or brides, and you’ll likely receive a lot of hits!

Charity Stores

If you’re more into doing your shopping in stores, try your local charity or thrift stores. It may be difficult to find multiple of the same style and design. However, if you’re having a casual wedding, or something that’s more quirky – why not mix and match?! That way you can buy whatever takes your fancy in your local charity store, and of course, the money will be going to a great cause.

Hire

Why not try hiring your glass wedding centerpieces?! If you go for a more basic option, prices start extremely low if you hire them. You also have the added bonus of not being stuck with an abundance of glass vases after your wedding!

The only thing you must consider when hiring is breakages. Breakages at weddings are almost inevitable. Drunk people, excited children – these things happen. So if you do decide to hire your vases, it may be helpful to keep some money aside…just in case.

A Note to Think About

Another point worth noting, if you do purchase bulk tall glass vases for your wedding – you can sell them on after to another bride or groom. This means you’ll likely be getting some of your money back after the wedding. This may be worth taking into account when budgeting.

If you don’t have the space to accommodate that volume of vases post-wedding, or simply don’t have the time to resell after, it may be better to opt for hiring.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you lots of ideas of how to purchase cheap tall vases for wedding receptions. Wherever you’re happy to shop, there’s a range of options available. Personally, I would check reselling wedding sites and groups first – those are the best places to find the cheapest prices for anything you’re looking for.

Did you manage to find cheap tall glass vases for your wedding? Or are you on the hunt for them now? Please let me know in the comments any successes you have, and how much you manage to purchase them for. You may be able to help out any future brides and grooms! Sharing is caring.

Read more about Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: who wears flowers at a wedding? It may not be at the top of your list – but it is more important than you might think!

Wedding corsages and boutonnieres (otherwise known as buttonholes) are the most common flowers worn by members of your wedding party on your big day. But who wears what? What do they look? What’s the etiquette? There’s no need to worry – we’ll be covering it all!

Wedding Flower Etiquette

Weddings can be overwhelming and besides the bride’s bouquet, you may not have even thought about what other flowers you may need for your wedding. Even down to a boutonniere for weddings, there’s a tradition you may want to follow. Let’s take a closer look.

Flowers are usually worn to symbolize who is an important member of your wedding party. It makes them easily identifiable on your big day, and it can make your bridal party or groomsmen feel special.

All flowers chosen should be similar to the bride’s bouquet and reflect the flowers she’s holding. For example, if she has a bouquet of red roses, a simple red rose in your buttonhole would work perfectly.

Who Wears Flowers at a Wedding?

You probably already know that the bride has her bouquet and the bridal party (i.e. maid of honor, bridesmaids, etc.) also have a smaller, similar bouquet to the bride. However, the flowers do not stop there.

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should be wearing flowers on the day.

And it doesn’t stop there! The groom, best man (or men), usher(s), father of the bride, father of the groom are all expected to wear matching flowers. Even page boy(s) can wear them.

It’s important to note that you may be having a man of honor, or a best woman – the same rules still apply to them!

What Flowers do They Wear at a Wedding?

So we know who needs to be wearing flowers – but what flowers should they be wearing?

The male members of the wedding party should be wearing the buttonholes or boutonniere. A boutonniere is a spray of flowers that you wear in your buttonhole. It can be a single flower, a bud, or something more extravagant. There’s no set rule as to how it should look, just that they’re all matching. The groom, best man, ushers, father of the bride, and father of the bride should all be wearing the same buttonhole.

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should be wear corsages. A corsage is a little more extravagant than a buttonhole. It usually ties around the wrist and is a much smaller version of the bride’s bouquet – but matching. However, it doesn’t need to be on the wrist – a corsage can be used to accessorize any outfit, anywhere. As long as it can be clearly seen, that’s the most important thing. Corsages are larger than buttonholes and usually contain far more detail.

Some brides and grooms decide to give everyone that attends their wedding a buttonhole. Although this isn’t traditional, it looks great in photos and gives your guests a keepsake from your wedding day. It’s the perfect way to make all your guests feel important at your wedding.

Who Pays for the Flowers at a Wedding?

If we’re looking at strictly tradition, the groom should be paying for all flowers for the wedding party, and in the church/ceremony venue. However, that’s quite an outdated concept now and I would advise the flowers coming out of whatever wedding budget you have.

If you’re wanting to know more information about the wedding flower etiquette in general, there’s a great article from Bride and Groom Direct which covers everything from the reception flowers, to the venue, and to the bouquet.

How to Wear Them

The buttonholes should always be worn on the left lapel of the suit. And if the mothers are wearing their corsages on their outfits, they should be displayed on the right side of their outfits.

Depending on whether you have a hole readily available in your suit, this will make a difference as to how you wear your boutonniere. If the hole is already there, simply push the stem of the flower through the hole and secure it with a pin.

However, some suits do not have this. If that’s the case, simply pin it to the fabric of your suit. It really is that simple! However it’s on display, it should always be on the man’s left.

If you’re looking to wear a bowtie or a cravat or incorporate a pocket square into your outfit, it’s usually a lovely idea to have the same color as the buttonhole. Everything matching does look beautiful in photos.

Should You Follow Tradition?

The answer to this is all down to the couple. My husband and I were not traditional at our wedding, at all. He had a buttonhole that matched my bouquet – and the flowers stopped there! I had artificial Walking Dead-inspired flowers…I did say it wasn’t traditional! No other family members wore flowers and that made it feel really special for me and my husband.

If you’re having a more traditional wedding, there is absolutely nothing wrong with following etiquette. And there is also nothing wrong with scrapping tradition and doing whatever you want to do – it is your wedding, after all.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question of who wears flowers at a wedding. It’s important to do whatever feels right for you. Whether you opt for real or artificial flowers, flowers do add a lovely touch to your wedding and I would highly recommend it.

Did you have flowers at your wedding? If so, who wore what? Did every guest wear them, or just specific members of the wedding party? I would love to know any answers in the comments below.

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What Do You Wear To A Barn Wedding?

Today, we’re going to be answering the questions: what do you wear to a barn wedding and what do you wear to a farm wedding? Whether you’re a female or male guest, we’ve got you covered! The invite has just arrived through your letterbox and you can see you’ve been invited to a barn wedding. Let’s take a look at what you should wear to a barn wedding dresses for guests…and suits, of course!

What to Wear to a Barn Wedding?

There’s a few points to consider before you decide on your outfit for the big day. Let’s take a look at some deciding factors.

What’s the Theme?

Now we know it’s a barn wedding – but there’s actually a few types of barn wedding it could be! The first thing to take note of: is there a dress code? Check your invite. Sometimes they do specify a specific color or style they would like you to dress in.

Is it a casual wedding? One that is romantic, yet breezy. Ask the bridal party/groomsmen if you’re not sure. If the answer is yes, wear something light and easy. Something flowy and chic is perfect for this style of wedding. For the male guests, ditch the blazer and just wear a waistcoat and tie. If you can opt for light colors such as beige and light brown (definitely not white!).

Is the wedding more formal? Some couples do opt for a formal barn wedding. If this is the case, a full suit and smart dresses may be the best option. The same colors will still work well, but you don’t want to be turning up to a formal wedding in a boho flowy dress!

Which Length Should I Wear?

If you’re a female guest, you may be wondering which length of dress to go for. The more casual the wedding, the more freedom you have on this. Usually, formal weddings prefer guests to wear long dresses. But if the wedding is casual and you want to wear a maxi dress – go for it! There’s plenty of casual maxi dresses out there that would work well at a wedding.

Colors and Fabrics

We’ve taken a look at colors, so let’s recap. Unless the invite states otherwise, it’s best to go for light colors. Whether you’re sticking to the browns and beiges to match the theme of the wedding, or going for bright, bold colors – try to avoid dark colors. Barn weddings are, more often than not, light-hearted and not too serious. If that’s the case, you don’t want to turn up in all black, without a splash of color in sight!

As for fabrics, something light like lace and chiffon works really well. Softer fabrics and subtle prints are the perfect idea for barn weddings. Materials like sequins and satin will usually look silly at barn weddings – you’ll likely stick out…for all the wrong reasons!

Footwear

Barn weddings usually come with a lot of one thing…mud. Now, I’m not suggesting turning up to the wedding in wellington boots! (Although some brides do opt for wellies to stop the dreaded sinking into mud). But wedges or boots would be the footwear I’d suggest. Even flats if they don’t look too casual.

Unfortunately for men, you’re just going to have to embrace the idea of your best shoes getting muddy!

If you’re really missing wearing a killer heel, take them with you and leave them in the car. Change into them once the ceremony is over and you’ll still get to show them off. Personally, I like to avoid heels at all costs, so a barn wedding is perfect for my uncoordinated feet!

Accessories

Barn weddings are often fun and not to be taken too seriously. If this is the case, you can add some cute accessories to your outfit; especially if you’re a male guest. Men often wear suspenders and bow ties to add a bit of fun to their outfits. If this is something you’re comfortable with, go for it!

If you’re a female guest, any outfit with ruffles on is super cute for a barn wedding. A headband is also a great addition to a barn wedding outfit. If you’re feeling really bold, opt for some cowboy boots – you’ll really be embracing the theme then!

What to Avoid

We’re assuming the wedding is a relaxed barn wedding. If that’s the case, the less glamorous the better! Ditch the glitz and glam. Embrace the farmhouse vibe. Come to terms with the fact that you’re likely going to end up with mud in questionable places and get down and dirty!

Sequins, cocktail dresses, floor-length dresses, tuxedos – avoid them all. Despite what’s ingrained into your mind when it comes to traditional weddings, barn weddings just aren’t quite as serious!

Where to Buy Clothes

Most clothing stores will have attire suitable for a barn wedding, especially a casual one. In fact, you may even have something in your closet already that would work. Sites like ASOS are a good place to start. They have thousands of outfits available – casual and formal.

Conclusion

The main point to take away from this article is to wear something effortless and breezy. You do not want to stick out for the wrong reasons at the wedding. If you’re unsure of the vibe of the barn wedding and the invite does not specify – ask! The couple won’t take offense and would prefer you to fit in with the other guests on their big day.

Have you attended a barn wedding before? What did you wear? I would love to know your responses, so please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

My sister had her wedding in a barn – unfortunately, it was formal so I didn’t get to embrace my nature-loving side. I will keep my fingers crossed for any future weddings I attend!

Read more about Wedding Dresses From China

Wedding Dresses From China

Today, we’re going to be looking at wedding dresses from China. If you’ve been planning your wedding for a while, you will have no doubt already seen a Chinese wedding dress or two on your news feed. They’re extremely popular and almost seem too good to be true. I’ve always been taught that if something’s too good to be true – it usually is. Let’s find out if that’s the case with China bridal wear.

Are Wholesale Wedding Dresses from China Legit?

Wholesale wedding dresses from China are no doubt appealing for a range of reasons. However, if you’re looking for a designer dress, this is likely not the option for you. Many will claim that they’re designer, when in fact, they’re just copycat designs. Some of them may look genuine, some may even feel genuine – but you will be getting what you pay for.

Pros of Wedding Dresses from China

Let’s take a look at why you might want to order a wedding from China, and some reasons why this may be a good option for you.

  • Price. If you’re on a tight budget and just can’t afford the hundreds (or thousands) of pounds it costs for a designer gown, this is a great alternative. No, it won’t be as luxurious – but you’ll likely still look gorgeous.
  • Speed. Wedding dresses from boutiques can take months to come into store and if you’re needing a gown quickly, you may not have the time. Dresses from China can reach you relatively quickly, so they’re perfect if you need a dress urgently.
  • Try Before You Buy. This is something I did with veils before I got married. I wasn’t sure whether I even wanted one, so I ordered several from China at a ridiculously cheap price. That way I could enjoy them from the comfort of my home, in the time that I wanted. It’s the same with dresses! If you want to trial a certain style of dress for a few hours to see how it feels, or how it works with accessories you may have – it’s the perfect idea. Especially as you can pick some dresses up for next to nothing!
  • Ease. Some brides hate shopping. Some brides may not particularly care too much about how their dress looks. If this sounds like you, a wedding dress from China would be perfect. No need to stand in a boutique for hours on end, it can be done super quickly with a browse on the internet.

Cons of Wedding Dresses from China

I’ll be honest, the cons do outweigh the pros for these dresses. So let’s take a look at some of the most important cons.

  • Fabric. The fabric in China wedding dresses will not be as good as the ones you’ll find in wedding dress stores if you live in the US/UK. That’s not to say that some gowns are made with good fabric – but they are very sparse. If how your dress feels is important to you, a dress from China may not be right for you.
  • Perfection. A lot of brides strive for perfection on their wedding day, and why shouldn’t you? The day is all about you and your partner, and you probably won’t have another one. However, wedding dresses from China will not be perfect. If that’s not something you’ll be able to manage, it’s best to stick to your local wedding boutique!
  • Construction. The time and effort that goes into a wholesale wedding dress from China, in comparison to those you see beautifully displayed in a shop window is vast. Not only do they use less fabric in these dresses, but it’s also cheaper too. This may not be the look you’re after on your wedding day.
  • Details. If you’re looking for a complete dress, this may not be the right fit. Many dresses come without boning or slips. All these small details help to define your figure – it’s more important than you might think!

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False Advertising

Some adverts that you’ll see will show designer dresses at ridiculously cheap prices. While we can’t exactly call this a “scam”, you will not get what you see in the photo. It will be a similar design, but it will not be designer. It will not be made with the same fabrics, and will not be the same quality. The price of your dress will definitely reflect in the quality you receive – so please bear that in mind.

Buying a Dress

If you’re still set on buying a dress from China, here’s a few things important things to consider before you make your purchase.

  • Your dress will likely be delivered in a sealed packet, and will arrive not looking it’s best! It will need cleaning and steaming. If you have a steamer yourself, that’s ideal – but will likely take you a while to do. Ask at your local dry cleaners if this is something they’d be willing to do for you.
  • Alterations are very important. Your dress likely won’t arrive and fit you perfectly. Before you order your dress, find someone who is happy to make the alterations for you.

Online stores like DHGate have thousands of dresses for you to have a look at if you’re thinking of making a purchase. It comes with feedback on each individual dress and has a long-range of filters to help whittle your options down to your dream dress.

Conclusion

Whether a wedding dress from China is suitable for you, is all down to the kind of budget you have and the vibe of your wedding. While a wholesale Chinese gown may be suitable for one bride, it may not be for another – but we could say that about almost every wedding dress!

Did you order your wedding dress from China? How did it look? If so, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to see hear your experiences – positive or negative. Sharing is caring!

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How To Stop Fighting With Your Fiance Before The Wedding

Fighting happens in every relationship. However, fighting with your fiance before the wedding can be problematic as it only adds unneeded stress and can make the process more complicated. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to stop the fighting.

Wedding planning can be stressful enough, to begin with. There are so many things that you have to do in order to make sure your big day is perfect. This can easily lead to a couple fighting, but that will only make everything more difficult.

What Can Cause Fighting Before a Wedding

Though no one likes fighting, it is just something that happens in a relationship. In fact, fighting after getting engaged is a completely normal thing. When it comes time to plan the wedding, most couples will have disagreements about different aspects of their big day.

Finances

Money, especially when it comes to wedding planning, is one of the biggest reasons couples fight. When it comes to a wedding, each person may not agree on how much to spend on it. Your significant other may want a fancy expensive wedding to celebrate your love, whereas you would rather have something simple and save money for a house.

When bills begin to add up, tensions become high. Couples often disagree about how money should be spent, especially when it comes to a wedding.

Differences of Opinions on Aspects of the Wedding

There are so many different aspects you have to decide on for a wedding. There is the venue, catering, music, decorations, the cake, flowers, alcohol and so much more. Along the way, every couple is bound to have disagreements regarding the planning aspect of a wedding.

Clashing Over Traditions

It is common for families to have traditions they wanted to be celebrated at a wedding. They can be religious or specific to the family. Couples can easily disagree about what traditions they wanted to be celebrated at their wedding, especially if they are of different religions.

In-Laws Interfering

When it comes to wedding planning, in-laws often like to have a say in the process. However, in-laws can easily be overbearing and cause tension among the couple, as both people want to keep their parents happy.

How to Stop Fighting During Wedding Planning

If you are constantly fighting during your wedding planning, there are some steps you can take to alleviate the problem. Though fighting with your fiance before the wedding, you don’t want it to overwhelm the wedding planning process. Constantly fighting during wedding planning will only lead to more problems down the road.

Make a Budget

Before you start wedding planning, make a budget for your wedding and make sure it is something both of you are comfortable with. Make sure to make a budget for every aspect of your wedding so you know how much each part will cost.

In addition, it is a good idea to start a budget for your married life as well. Try to figure out as best as you can all the different monthly costs you will have and how much money you will want to set aside for saving and spending.

Understand Your Significant Other’s Perspective

Be sure to understand your significant other’s perspective when it comes to wedding planning. Listen to their ideas and see how you can incorporate both of your desires into your wedding day.

Try to best incorporate traditions that are important to both of you. Understand why the tradition is important to your fiance and share with them any traditions that are important to you.

Learn to Manage and De-Escalate Your Emotions

If things begin to get heated, learn to manage and de-escalate your emotions. People often say things they don’t mean in the heat of the moment because they let their emotions get the best of them. By managing and de-escalating your emotions, you can stop an argument from getting out of control.

Communicate Your Feelings

Make sure to communicate your feelings to your significant other. If you feel like your significant other isn’t listening to you, tell them how you feel and why said thing is important to you. Let them know if you are upset and them what is bothering you.

Treat Your Significant Other With Respect and Hear Them Out

It can be easy to become disrespectful in a serious argument without even meaning to. It is important to always treat your significant other with respect, even in the middle of a heated argument. Be sure to hear out what they have to say and do your best to compromise in the situation.

Take a Break From Wedding Planning to Do Something You Both Enjoy

Wedding planning can easily become overwhelming and stressful. There are so many things you have to do and so many people you have to meet with in order to plan your wedding. You have to make a lot of choices and some of them are not always easy.

Be sure to take breaks from the wedding planning process to do things you enjoy with each other. Go to the movies or have a spa day at home and order your favorite food. Take a hike together and clear your mind from all the planning.

Less Fighting and More Relaxing: Stop Fighting with Your Fiance Before The Wedding

Fighting before marriage is completely normal and is even a sign of a healthy relationship. However, it is important you understand what is causing you and your fiance to fight and how you can settle the matter.

Wedding planning can easily become overwhelming and bring out disagreements you and your significant other have. Money, in-laws, and differences of opinion can easily cause fights in the wedding planning process. However, it is important to listen, communicate your feelings, and be respectful.

Don’t forget to take time off from planning to do something you both enjoy. This can help alleviate any tensions and will help you relax more.

Do you have any questions on what to do if you are fighting with your fiance before the wedding? If so, please don’t hesitate to ask your relationship questions in the comment section down below.

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