Modern western brides adding a touch of purple color

In today’s world of wedding planning the western bride have advantages like no other time in history. The freedom to deviate from tradition is no longer a decision that casts a shadow on her social standing. The beauty of this freedom is all the wonderful choices now open for creating a trendy, yet classy wedding day. Even a red wedding dress is something a bride can now consider! With the right wedding jewelry and color theme a bride can look forward to a day that will remain in the memory of her groom for all the days of his life. Not to mention the wedding guests. They’ll walk away talking about the red hot bride and the stunning entrance she made for a long time to come!

With the bride of days gone by secretly wishing for freedom of expression, it’s sad to think she missed out. There’s nothing more fitting than a colorful wedding dress reflecting a colorful personality! Then there’s the passion and yearning a bride wants to see on her groom’s face. As we all know, men are more visually stimulated. Being the vision of his dreams from day one surely makes for a great start! From a flirty wedding dress that shows a little leg to a strapless wedding dress that tantalizes the groom without being trashy, there’s just no limit to all a bride can do to make the day as exciting and exquisite as she wants it to be!

Color wedding hair accessories

A colorful person is usually a daring person. This is possibly why the custom of wearing a veil has also slowed down. The wearing of a veil has several purposes. One is a representation of submission by the woman to her man when HE lifts the veil. If SHE lifts the veil it’s showing her independence and his understanding and respect of that. Another reason a veil is used is for creating a bit of mystery and intrigue in the groom as well as the guests. Many brides no longer choose to use a veil as part of her wedding attire. Instead some will use wedding beads, pearls and even flowers woven through their hair. While some allow their hair to flow freely, and if it’s long enough, some actually let their hair become a part of the dress itself.

Modern western brides - The pure look

The tradition of a white wedding dress held its place firmly in history for a few reasons. The most popular reason was its representation of purity. In this day and age, many brides are marrying a second time. With her children either present at the wedding or even a part of the wedding party, it’s kind of obvious that purity is no longer the case. So many traditions faded away, so many choices now open for a wedding of awesome proportions. More importantly a wedding dress of breathtaking personality to match the exquisite bride wearing it!

by Karen Vander

Other color wedding dresses are also an option. White is no longer the only possible color for the wedding dress.

Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa wedding dress

Obviously, most woman choose a white wedding dress. However, wedding dresses in a different color are not that usual. Specially considering that non-white wedding dresses are not a modern time invention.

Take for example, red was a popular choice in the middle ages. This fashion was disseminated by Queen Victoria as she married in the year 1840. Before red was common in wedding dresses. And equally blue wedding dresses were also popular since they symbolized purity and were associated with the Virgin Mary. Red in a wedding dress symbolizes the joy of the bride. Only in the XIX century, white became the almost unique color of choice for a wedding dress. However, it has not displaced completely other colors.

Deliciously pretty and not white!

Fashion magazines specialized in bride’s dresses are leaving every time more pages for red wedding dresses. More common than completely red dresses are wedding gowns with some splashes for red or blue. If you take a look at a couple of pictures, you will see how a good idea it is to have some other color on your wedding dress. It doesn’t look extravagant or vamp or anything similar. It just look like a serious dress in a modern form.

Specially for young brides who value the last trend in fashion, a red wedding dress is an option. It is also the choice for modern woman who could never see themselves into a conventional white dress. More than a choice of style, remember that a red dress is a matter of mindset. Many, many woman want a unique dress, and they feel overwhelmed with the amount of choice of white dresses that they find. However, for the fashion daring woman, a red dress or at least a gown with red splashes is the way to go.

Furthermore, brides who marry at Valentine’s day or at night are more probable to wear a red wedding gown or dress than brides who marry in the Summer by day. It is important that the dress matches the place where the wedding is taking place.

It is also advisable to match the decoration of the church to your dress. So white with a red lace match perfectly with a bride wearing a white dress with some a gown full of splashes of red. Or white and red flowers matching a white dress with a red gown.

by Jessica Lang

Photo source: Angel’s Closet Occassions

Here are some gorgeous wedding dresses that you can pack up and take it anywhere around the world. Finding that perfect wedding dress is not an easy task. Destination wedding dresses are more trendy. You want to choose a dress that is lighter and softer fabrics to make you feel more comfortable. Styles range from elegant full length gowns to romantic tea length. Sexy slip dresses and halter styles are very popular and beautiful.

Photo source: Angel’s Closet Occassions

Many brides having destination wedding are skipping altogether the white wedding norm.

by Karen Vander

I had another opportunity to attend a Chinese wedding this weekend in Manhattan. I was told this was a Cantonese style wedding. Last weekend I attended a Fujianese wedding. To an outsider, which I am probably classified as, both weddings’ traditions and styles may look the same. However I was awarded with an honorary Asian membership from my club of Asian friends and have learned a great deal about the subtleties between the various factions of Chinese groups. I think I may know a thing or two but certainly correct me if I am wrong.

The brides are on a honeymoon. This is not a photo of the actual bride of the weddings I attended. (Photo source: Oriental Wedding Studio of NY Inc.)

To an outsider looking at both weddings, it would look the same because the themes and colors are greatly similar. Red and gold are widely used. From red table cloths to red napkins to gold letterings of the bride and groom’s last name pasted on the wall, it was the same for both weddings. The way the meals were served was the same. Yummy courses after courses kept on coming nonstop the whole night.

This wedding banquet started with appetizers which consisted of various sliced meats, jellyfish, and various types of nuts shaped like dragons and phoenixes and served chilled. I found out every meal has a very special symbol behind it. Even the number of courses is also significant. At a Chinese wedding, eight courses are usually served. In Chinese, the word “eight” sounds like “good luck in making a fortune”

Here’s my best recollection of what was served at the wedding:

Appetizer meal

Sliced meats, jellyfish, seaweeds served chill

Roast Suckling Pig - Roasted pork is a symbol of virginity.

Shark fin soup symbolizes wealth

Shark’s Fin Soup - The soup symbolizes wealth because this delicacy is very expensive.

Red is the color for happiness

Peking Duck and Lobster - Red is the color for happiness. Serving Peking duck and lobster would symbolize joy.

Abalone for long life.

Abalone - A delicacy to wish long life. If you think lobster and filet mignon is a pricey ticket item, think again. This is the mother of all shellfish. This goes for $50-$75 per pound wholesale.

Butterfly Mayo Shrimp - Not sure what this means, but it was very delicious.

Fish - The word fish “fish”” sounds like “plentiful” in Chinese. This meal hopes to bring the couple a fulfilling life of having everything they dreamt about.

Sweet Red Bean Soup - The hot sweet red bean soup contained lotus seeds and a bark-like vegetable to wish the newlyweds a hundred years of togetherness.

Seafood fried rice and noodles - The noodles served at the end symbolize longevity because noodles come in long strands. Its also used to fill you up in case you were busy all night drinking and socializing missing all the yummy meals.

The meals served at this Cantonese wedding varied greatly with the courses served at last weekend’s Fujianese wedding. Without going into great details about each course, but the following delicacies were served at the Fujianese wedding:

Snails, large steamed shrimps, lobsters, frogs, seafood soup

Snail served at the Fujianese wedding

All the above photos are for reference only. Not actual photos of the dish I had

It’s a lot different then the Western type wedding where you often presented with 3 or four choices of Filet Mignon steak, shrimp, chicken, or sea bass fish. You only get to pick a single dish. The dishes served at this wedding are memorable that I certainly recommend regardless what nationality and what type of wedding you are having, you should consider having your wedding food in Cantonese style!

Now that you seen all the delectable meals. See the brides in action in a future coming article. These brides are currently on their honeymoon.

Related stories:

Be friend a Chinese to attend their wedding

A chinese wedding color tradition

Lucy Liu competes in the Olympics 2008 fashion competition

Grab the Chinese Lucky Charm of Red Wedding Gowns

The Red Hot Talisman for Brides-To-Be from the Mystical Land of the Dragons

by Karen Vander

The famous Lindor Dress from last year

What’s that on the above picture? Is it ruffles in her dress? Take a look closer and see if you can find what makes this dress deliciously sweet and charming (might want to add sexy too!).

Dress designed by Lindka Cierach

Some facts and tidbit on this amazing dress:
-1000 Lindt chocolate balls and crystals.
-It was named the Lindor Dress.
-Total of 79,000 calories
-Stunning famous violinist name Linzi Stoppard wearing the dress
-Swarovski Crystals

Christmas is approaching - get ready for a sweet loving holiday

Stating the obvious that this is one sweet looking woman. Her red kicks on her feet complements perfectly with the dress making her a complete head to toe sweety.

Its not a wedding dress, but it was so wonderfully sweet that I thought I rave about it here again this year. This dress debut last year in December 2007 and was a big hit over the Internet.

The Lindor Dress is the ultimate party dress that you can unwrap and indulge in,” Lindka Cierach said.

A delicous violinist

Whats next? A wedding dress covered in cream puffs? Covered in flowers? Wait, that have been done too!

See previous story on some unique colorful wedding dresses here:

Colorful wedding dresses - Something beautifully different

Color wedding dress trends - Paper wedding dress

The above stories show some very creative ideas for wedding dresses. Be creative on your wedding day and stand out. Try not to be another cliche bride walking down the aisle.

by Karen Vander

Vivienne Westwood’s dress

When one thinks of couture, your mind doesn’t really go to wedding gowns. In fact, I’m quite sure it doesn’t even go the bridal direction. Haute Couture as many would think would be referring to extremely elaborate, customized and not too mention incredibly expensive clothing. That is true. Vivienne Westwood is a designer known for her quirky, awe inspiring pieces that not only captures one’s fancy but captivates people into signing that thousand dollar check to purchase said piece. Perhaps her most famous creation, as of right now, is the wedding gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in the movie version of Sex and The City.

Vivienne Westwood collection

Vivienne Westwood isn’t exactly as well known as Vera Wang, for example, when it comes to wedding gowns. But this isn’t the first time she’s created such a high profile gown for a celebrity. There was the infamous gown that Vivienne Westwood for Burlesque Diva, Dita Von Teese. It was purple, elaborate and bordering on Goth but on Dita Von Teese, it was heaven and absolutely fabulous! Although I’m inclined to believe that not many brides can perhaps pull of such an extreme look. Pat Field, Sex and the City’s wardrobe stylist has said that Carrie (SJP) has always been the more eclectic one in the foursome and as such a Vivienne Westwood gown was absolutely fitting for her. It wasn’t traditional and yet it was still classy. Very much like Sarah Jessica Parker’s character on the show.

Sarah Jessica Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw, in a Vivienne Westwood dress

The gorgeous beige creation became the talk of tinsel town for weeks after the movie premiered. It wasn’t traditional by any means but neither is it way out there. The construction of the gown was impeccable and the layers were just a sight to behold. It looked so delicate as if it was made of paper and the sheen was enough to blind all couture loving women out there. Even the gaudy feathered head-piece on SJP’s head couldn’t ruin the look. It was that beautiful. This is why many women, after seeing the movie, all coveted the same thing: That dress. The point is who wouldn’t? The dress was beautiful enough to make any woman feel like a princess bride.

Photo source: Celebutopia - Kim Cattrall’s Vivienne Westwood dress

The most influential British fashion designer of the twentieth century, revels in incendiary provocation and a defiance of convention but nonetheless finds beauty and inspiration in the past. I love any wedding dress designer that incorporates colors into their lineup.

But of course, not every woman is built like Carrie Bradshaw and neither do most women have the cash to spend on such a lavish wedding gown. So what’s a bride on a budget to do? No, honey, you are not to steal that gown and neither will you be robbing a bank. You simply find a less expensive alternative that is flattering to your body type. You can find a nice wedding dress with the same layered, ball gown skirt. There are a lot. But if you prefer a sexier look then you should try a “mermaid” skirt which is tight around the hips and widens as it goes down to your feet. Opt for something strapless to show off a bit of skin and wear some classic accessories like pearls to accentuate the look. You just have to do a bit of searching to find that perfect wedding gown for you.

Raylia Wedding Dress “Narlena” W7406HC

Raylia Designs Bridal and Wedding Dresses and Gowns, offer a very rich set of features, including eye-catching designs that will be sure to please on the wedding day.

Jovani Evening Dress

This sexy gown has sequins in a tonal pattern on the fit bodice. It is a strapless with a sweetheart neckline. This mermaid gown with band that has a bow to one side with a beaded center. This dress can make for a great destination beach wedding. No long train to worry about dragging around.

Maggie Sottero Wedding Dress Sosi

If you’re having a beach wedding it shouldn’t be difficult to travel with your wedding dress. Beach wedding dresses are more informal making for easier travel. In many cases, a beach wedding dress will be fine carried in a suit bag. This Maggie Sottero dress is simple yet elegant and classy at the same time. Great for a destination wedding or for brides do not want a big poofy dress.

Its been a while since we did a colorful wedding dress story showing various wedding dresses in different colors that we love.

A black wedding dress from Emeral Bridal

A black beauty by Emerald Bridal.

Pink wedding dress from Emerald Bridal

Pink wedding dresses are cute and very classy. They are subtle and pretty. Want to see more pink wedding dresses? Search “pink” in the search box on the right hand side of this page.

Related pink wedding dresses stories:
Lovely Pink Wedding Dresses

Pink Wedding Dress Designers

Justin Alexander green wedding dress - eco friendly

Looking to be eco-friendly on your wedding day? Your guests may not notice all the little things you may be doing to make your wedding green to be friendly to the environment. Show it in a green wedding dress. Now just wearing a green wedding dress does not make you eco-friendly unless you are truly taking real earth friendly steps in your wedding.

A green wedding dress

Be careful about green though if you have European heritage. In the time of King Henry VIII, in England, green also symbolized unfaithfulness. This is believe to come from the grass stains on a ‘virgin’s’ clothing. To this day, green wedding dress is negatively looked upon in Europe.