If your favorite color is Pink...
You are cute, kind, and sweet. You are calm, quiet and content. You like candles and flowers and you love romance. It's a fairy tale wedding, and at it's center is a you in a ball gown looking as if you just stepped out of a golden carriage drawn by 6 white horses. You loves the fantasy of it all and are delighted to play the part of a gossamer creature who might just sprout wings at any moment. You may also choose to adopt your look from history and take the aisle in a Renaissance-or Edwardian-inspired gown.
Your gown style is Romantic
Romantic, princess-style Galit gown for Kleinfeld Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Rosie Posies
Romantic couture designed by Valentina Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Ariston Florist
Shoes need to express you like "I Do" on "Joanna" designed by Melbo Couture
Your favorite color says about your gown style PINK
Your favorite color says about your gown style GREEN
If your favorite color is Green...
You are energetic and easygoing. You are earthly and natural and open-minded. You like change and often get tired of the same things easily. You don't need fussy details or decorative embellishments to feel like a bride. You just let your truest beauty shine through your soft, graceful gown that moves with you as you float, flirt, and dance. Comfort is an issue and you want to feel as relaxed as possible on your wedding day. And perhaps you'll accessorize your gown with a bouquet of fresh herbs.
Your gown style is Comfortably Simple
Elegantly simple gown designed by Valentina Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Ariston Florist
Strapless A-Line gown designed by Judd Waddell
Walk down the aisle comfortably in "Juliette" designed by Melbo Couture
Your favorite color says about your gown style PURPLE
If your favorite color is Purple...
You are artsy, creative, and unique. You do your own thing and don't go along with the crowd. Since purple is a mixture of red and blue, you are calm and intense at the same time. You go to extremes to make an impression. You'll borrow cultural references from all over the globe, or wear a dress with a silhouette more exciting than the Manhattan skyline, or take you vows in a gown embellished with colorful details. Fabulous hats, fascinating hairdos, surprising hues-all are irresistible to you.
Your gown style is Drama Queen
Dramatic and unique Complice gown for Kleinfeld Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Ariston Florist
Creative couture designed by Leon & Castilla
Kick up your heels in "Anastasia Chain" designed by Melbo Couture
Your favorite color says about your gown style RED
If your favorite color is Red...
You are intense, passionate, gutsy, sultry, and bold. You are fearless, impulsive, assertive and wild. Being on the cutting edge of so many things, why shouldn't you invent your own look for the day? You are an informed risk taker who ignores traditional offerings in favor of inventive ones. Whether it's dangerously stylish or dramatically elegant, your look is nothing if not original-and likely years ahead of the runway shows.
Your gown style is Chic
Elegant and stylish Suzanne Erman gown provided by Kleinfeld Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Fashionable couture designed by Leon & Castilla
Your impulsive style loves 4 inch "Bow Heels"
designed by Melbo Couture
Your favorite color says about your gown style YELLOW
If your favorite color is Yellow...
You are mellow, happy, upbeat and friendly. You are positive and optimistic and are always finding a bright side to everything. Classic style that never goes out of fashion is what suits your look. By avoiding trends, you instead take the aisle in a gown that might someday be worn by your own daughter. You will most definitely include something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue in your ensemble. In fact, you are most happy when wearing something that belonged to your ancestors, such as your mother's pearls or grandmother's gloves.
Your gown style is Traditional
Traditional yet modern Edgardo Bonilla gown provided by Kleinfeld Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Ariston Florist
Staples gown with flair-silhouette
designed by Judd Waddell
A traditional shoe with a bright rhinestone buckle
designed by Melbo Couture
Your favorite color says about your gown style BLUE
If your favorite color is Blue...
You are dependable and organized, and also slightly vain or conceited. You don't get stressed out easily and you set goals and are not satisfied until you acheive them. Anything but girlish and giddy, you make your entrance in an outfit that looks more like an elegant ensemble than a wedding gown. You'll don on a smart suit, a brilliantly cut dress, or a minimalist sheath in any length you choose and make a statement that might resonate from here to Paris and back.
Your gown style is Sophisticated
Sexy and sophisticated Domo Adami gown provided by Kleinfeld Bridal
Headpiece & Accessories provided by Bridal Styles Boutique
Flowers provided by Ariston Florist
Unique couture designed by Leon & Castilla
You need dependable shoes and found them with "Novella"
by Melbo Shoe Couture
Bridesmaid Speech and Poem
Although tradition dictates that the best man toasts the bride and groom at the reception, today's weddings often feature both the best man and the maid of honor or bridesmaid giving speeches during the festivities.
A bridesmaid speech can range from a short recitation of a favorite poem that symbolizes the love between the couple to a longer speech of primarily centered on memories and special moments the bride and bridesmaid have shared, with good wishes for the happy couple.
Whether it is a bridesmaid poem or a bridesmaid speech, the key to success is preparation beforehand. If you are unused to making speeches, take cue cards with you if necessary, but try to avoid reading the entire speech from paper. It is far better to keep your comments short or to read a poem than to fumble to try to remember what you wanted to say in the nervousness of the moment.
In the case of a bridesmaid poem or speech, this is one case where the bride should step aside and let her bridesmaid choose what she wishes to say, just as the groom lets the best man sculpt his speech without interference. The best speeches come from the heart, and if the bride has chosen you to give a speech (or if you decide to recite a poem instead), as a good friend, she should give you the freedom to say what you wish.
So, what are the elements of a good bridesmaid speech?
Generally speaking, wedding-day speeches are kept to less than five minutes in length and focus on wishing the newly married couple happiness and good fortune. Although the rehearsal dinner may have been a more relaxed affair, with a lot of joking in speeches made, the wedding day toast that a bridesmaid makes should be focused more on memories she has shared with the bride and good-natured comments on the groom.
Although a laugh or two is never out of place, the object of the joke should only be the happy couple if the ending of the tale is romantic and prophetic of the happiness to come for them.
First, you must choose between making a bridesmaid speech or a bridesmaid poem. If you are nervous about speaking in front of a group of people or if you are unfamiliar with many guests, a short introduction followed by the reading of a poem may be the best solution. Thus, you will not have to remember too much of what to say, and no one will fault you for reading a poem from paper. As a special touch, have the poem written on parchment or other special paper in calligraphy and tastefully framed to present to the couple after your speech.
If you choose a bridesmaid poem, you need only introduce yourself, say a few words about your relationship to the bride, read your poem from the paper if necessary, and then close with a few remarks about how you wish the happy couple all the best and ask the guests to raise their glasses in a toast to them. Don't be afraid to start your speech with an admission of how nervous you are – most people will recall their own feelings at such a time and forgive, with kind smiles, any mistakes you may make.
If you are more comfortable with speaking in front of a group of people, there are many different options you can incorporate into your bridesmaid speech. The first element to include after introducing yourself and explaining how you are related to the bride (her sister, a friend since high school, etc.) normally are “thank yous”. Begin by thanking the bride and groom for asking you to give this special speech and then move on to people who played key roles in making the event a success, asking them to stand to be acknowledged by all.
Then move on to your relationship with the bride. Some ideas of topics include how you first met, or if she is a close relative, a childhood story you recall involving both of you. Although you should mention a couple of your most memorable exploits (usually chosen because they are either funny and/or sentimental), be sure not to forget to tell everyone how you first heard about or met the groom.
It is not out of order to include an embarrassing time you and the bride had, but be certain to keep it confined to a tasteful event, or do not include one. Say something touching about the couple's relationship that you have witnessed during the time they have been together or reveal something complimentary about the groom that the bride confided to you during their courtship.
The ending of your speech as a bridesmaid should be emotional, but heart-felt, summing up how much joy your relationship with the bride has brought to your life. If you are related, don't forget to include a thank you to your mother, father, aunt or whomever for being there for both of you as you grew up towards this momentous day. End with a request for everyone to rise to toast the bride and groom.
Other tips for bridesmaid speeches are fairly standard for any public speaking you may do. Look directly at the people you are addressing and make eye contact with any specific individuals you mention by name. Speak loudly enough that all can hear you and stand straight and tall. Don't forget to breathe, pause before you begin your speech until all the chatter has died down, and don't forget that everyone in the room wants you to succeed.
If you discover you just cannot come up with an appropriate speech, there are online websites that will craft a wedding toast just for you and integrate the names and situations into a beautifully written speech. Check online for options or ask the wedding planner for help well in advance of the big day.
Other options for bridesmaid speeches could include reading the horoscope for the bride and groom on either the day they got engaged or the wedding day, if the content provides amusing material.
Along the same vein, if a significant historical event happened on the day either was born or the day they met, became engaged, or some other important moment in their relationship, include it in your speech - if possible in an amusing way (along the lines of “an earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale hit a remote region in the Nevada desert on the day the bride and groom first met – coincidence or not?”).
If you can contact a fairly large number of the bride's family and friends, another idea is to ask them for their input on how they would describe the bride and put all of these wonderful compliments and stories together into a lovely memorial to the bride and what a lucky man the groom is.
Whatever your final choice is for the bridesmaid speech or bridesmaid poem, be certain that it contains your sincere and deep feelings of love and friendship towards the bride and wishes for the happiest of futures with her new husband.
As long as that is the message that comes through in the end, whatever you say in your actual speech will not matter. The guests and the bride and groom will always remember with fondness and love the effort you put into making up your speech, as well as your courage in standing before a group of people you may not know at all to reveal your memories and emotions concerning the bride and groom's future happiness.
What's the best gown Style For Your Body Type?
PETITE / SHORT: Sheath, A-line, or Mermaid are all flattering styles on a petite figure. To add height, combine a short sleeve or sleeveless dress with long gloves. Also consider a dress with a high neckline and empire waist to elongate your figure. Big ball gowns and veils that are longer than the floor can overwhelm a petite frame. Pouf veils and up-do’s will add to your overall height.
FULL FIGURED: Ball gown or A-line styles are especially flattering on fuller figures. The fitted waist and full skirt of a ball gown emphasizes your beautiful curves, and hides any figure “issues” below the waist. An A-Line silhouette will flatter practically any figure. Consider a neckline with beading and other details to help draw the eye upward, and balance your silhouette.
LARGE BUST: The following necklines work well with a large bust: keyhole, high, v-neck or illusion yoke. You may also want to consider finding a gown style that allows you to wear a bra with straps, for the best support. It’s all about proportion and balance, so consider a dress with beading, lace and other details around the hemline and the bottom half of the dress, versus the bodice.
FULL HIPS: A-line, ball gown, flared skirt, or cinched waist styles are all very flattering to this body type. A broader neckline such as off-the-shoulder, Portrait, Bateau or Sabrina can help balance your overall silhouette nicely.
SMALL BUST: While many styles can be flattering, consider styles that include extra details – layering, beadwork, ruching, lacework, etc – around the bust line for fullness and balance. Have cups sewn into your gown’s bodice so you can eliminate the need for a bra – one less thing to worry about!
HOURGLASS: This “curves-in-all-the-right-places” body looks great in simple, classic styles such as sheaths, mermaid, or a fitted princess gown. Consider a v-neck, off-the-shoulder or scoop neck – these necklines provide nice balance and proportion to an hourglass shape.
INVERTED TRIANGLE: Full skirts or full trains are a great way to balance out your overall silhouette, when you’re fuller on top and through the shoulders. Also consider dresses with bustles, bows, and other adornments on the bottom half of the gown.
TRIANGLE/PEAR SHAPED: Consider full sleeve treatments, padded or pouf sleeve to balance out your fuller bottom half. Also consider a textured bodice with heavy beading, and flattering neckline that will draw focus upward.
TALL: A drop-waisted dress with a lower neckline or any off-the-shoulder style looks great on taller figures. If you’re also slender, a sheath or mermaid style will really show off your slim frame. Sometimes when you’re thin, your shoulders and collar bone can look “bony” – and if so, you may want a dress style that covers those areas more. Something else to consider: pouf veils and up-do’s will add to your overall height.
THICK WAIST OR RECTANGLE-SHAPED: An Empire silhouette looks especially flattering on those body types that are fuller through the waist. Consider using strong detail on the upper or lower body, but not both, to give the illusion of curves.
Top Wedding Dress Winter 2008
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AMSALE
See Caroline Castigliano's latest dress collection
If you're searching for an exquisite dress for your wedding day, don't miss this special event: designer Caroline Castigliano is launching her new bridal and eveningwear collections at the Castigliano International Room in London, and you could be among the first brides-to-be to see them!
The party, to be held on Monday 19 November, will showcase the new collections with inspiring catwalk shows throughout the evening. Brides and Bridesmagazine.co.uk readers will be treated to a Champagne reception with canapés created by A-list wedding planners The Admirable Crichton, while Michael Dickinson's gorgeous floral designs will be on display. Guests will also receive a fabulous goodie bag packed with exclusive gifts.
Caroline's signature silhouette is feminine and effortlessly elegant, allowing brides to exude confidence and a deep sense of style. Her bespoke collections are handcrafted in the UK and offered in the most luxurious fabrics for maximum glamour.
"The purchase of a wedding gown is one of the most important and emotional in a bride's life," says Caroline. "With this in mind, I have created a collection that will fulfil your dreams and become a beautiful part of your lasting memories. My new eveningwear collection is designed to create impact from the moment you walk into a room."
Other top-name designers available at the Knightsbridge store include Amy Michelson, Toi Couture, Atelier Aimée, Galit Levi, Oleg Cassini, Kenneth Pool and Mariage.
Tickets to the event cost just £10 per person – these are exclusive to our readers and strictly limited. Visit www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk for more information.
