Picking out a wedding dress is going to be one of the more important things you do when planning your big day, but stressful if you can’t decide what kind of look to go for. If you’re feeling stuck for inspiration, why not browse celebrity weddings - their Haute Couture designs tend to get copied to the high street and boutiques and are good places to steal ideas from.
Balenciaga has been hailed as a top wedding dress designer after Nicole Kidman chose it for her special day and got voted number one in the Conde Naste polls for best wedding gowns. She opted for a fairy tale ivory, off-the-shoulder gown, with puff sleeves and a silk veil. She also went with formality and topped the outfit off with a pair of pearl drop earrings, an ensemble that’s well-suited to a classic wedding and a traditional bride.
If you’re doing a Pamela Anderson-style beach wedding, you don’t have to copy the Baywatch babe’s scantily-clad bikini attire. Renee Zellweger was praised for getting it right in a strapless fitted cream gown by Caroline Herrera, which was simple but effective. Two weddings later however, Pamela Anderson hit the target in a strapless Valentino dress, made from cream denim that was busty, short and suited her well. However, if you want extravagance, then Hollywood is close to getting out-done by the English footballer’s wife. Last year, Steven Gerard’s then-fiancé Alex Curran, wore an Ellie Saab gown, famous for having real diamonds sewn into the fabric and took luxury to new levels.
Flowers are just as important and if chosen well can enhance the gown. If they aren’t picked right, then an oversized bouquet can become a distraction. It depends on your dress, and the occasion. If it is a formal affair, then an elaborate displays work best and you can go to town with a large bouquet. If it’s more informal, then something understated would suit. Again, the beach wedding requires minimal decoration - don’t forget that the beach will already provide a naturally beautiful setting. The bride should think about carrying a single long-stemmed flower like a lily. For ideas on floral arrangements and help with flower delivery, check out Interflora. They provide a very handy delivery service, which can save you the trouble of lugging bunches of flowers around.
As an extra tip, if you are having trouble getting a thank you token for any of your bridesmaids, check out Not on the High Street for all that is cute and one-of-a-kind. It’s also handy if you’re not the one getting married, but want to find a perfect present for the happy couple (and don’t want to go down the drab toaster route). A browse around the site will inspire some glamorous gift ideas. For such a celebratory day, it's also worth thnking about the rather novel present of a photo books (this would have to be post-wedding gift), for the couple, or if you're the bride, for yourself. Asda's gift department now offers a 40-page looking book that prints off all your pics on each page of the book, and looks highly professional.