FabSugar

Would You Line Up For a Bridal Gown Sweep?

DearSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:30:00 -0800

If you caught the Today show this morning, you probably saw every soon-to-be bride on a budget in New York City bombard Filene's Basement. Women were lined up since the early morning hours to get their hands on discounted, nonrefundable bridal gowns. And the women came prepared - they brought team members, walkie-talkies and whistles, and plans to divide and conquer the room of brand new gowns to get the right dress in the right size.

In this economy, bargain shopping is a must, but racing to snatch the gown of your dreams almost takes the excitement out of it. Since I'm not in the market for a wedding dress, I don't know how to answer this one. So tell me ladies, would you go through the trouble to get your dress on sale? Or would you rather pay a little more to have a relaxing, memorable experience?

To see the hilarious scene from this morning's shopping spree, read more.

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You Asked: Can I Call Dibs on a Wedding Dress Even Though I'm Not Engaged?

DearSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

Like a lot of girls out there, I have already figured out what kind of wedding I want even though there's no groom just yet! Well, my close friend is getting married and while surfing some of the more popular wedding planning websites, I showed her my "dream" dress. She fell in love with it too and now says that it's her "dream" dress as well.

I know I don't own the dress or the design, and that anyone can buy it, but I can't help but feel shocked, crushed, and even betrayed by her. Granted I am not getting married anytime soon, but when it comes to wedding dresses, I often hear women say, "You'll know it's the one when you see it" and I KNOW! What should I do? Should I say something or am I crazy for thinking this way? - Jumping the Gun Gwen

To see DearSugar's answer read more

Dear Jumping the Gun Gwen,

I don't think you're crazy for feeling like you've found your dress - I've said that too a few times with no engagement ring in sight - but one thing to remember is your gown will most likely change depending on the groom and the location of your wedding. Also, keep in mind that trends change as the years go on so if you're not planning on getting married any time in the near future, what you think is your dream dress now might actually be something completely different in a few years.

With that said, I understand how frustrating it must be for your friend to hijack your dream gown. Just because she's getting married first doesn't give her the right to take away something you've always wanted, but you're right - you don't own the dress just yet. While you have every right to be irritated, make sure this is a fight worth fighting before bringing it up. You can also look at this situation another way; if this dress does remain your dream dress, when it's your turn to walk down the aisle, use hers - it sure will save you a lot of money!

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Sunday Confessional: I Ruined Her Wedding Dress

DearSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Last weekend I was in my best friend's wedding. As her maid of honor, I took her wedding dress home with me for safe-keeping while she and her husband left from the reception straight to the airport for their honeymoon. The next night, feeling slightly down and a little goofy, I got the silly idea to try on her wedding dress. I admit it wasn't a smart idea but at the time I really meant no harm; I just wanted to see what I'd look like in it!

I pranced around in it for a bit, but since my friend is a few sizes smaller than me, it was extremely tight and I had to take it off. Stupidly, when twisting my torso to unlatch it, I managed to rip the back seam. Completely panicked, I tried to get it off me as quickly as possible and ended up tearing a large portion of the bodice, which was hand-beaded! The upper portion of the dress is now destroyed, and I'm not sure it's even repairable.

She gets back in a week, and I don't know how I'll bring myself to tell her. This dress was literally created just for her; she even gushed about passing it on to her future daughter. My guilt is overwhelming right now, and I'm terrified of how upset she'll be. Is there any way I can ever be forgiven for destroying one of her prized possessions?

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Freaky or Fabulous? Dita Von Teese's Purple Vivienne Westwood Wedding Dress

FabSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 05:00:22 -0700

Sadly (or perhaps not so sadly), the marriage between burlesque bombshell Dita Von Teese and Marilyn Manson ended, but the photos of her fabulous wedding gown have remained. Phew! Though I probably wouldn't dare to wear such an over-the-top Vivienne Westwood gown for my big day, everything about it matches Dita's unique style. It's certainly not white, has more taffeta than one person can handle, and to call it poofy would be an understatement. Still, it's fabulous beyond belief. What's your verdict - freaky or fabulous?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com!

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In This Crapper, I Thee Wed

GiggleSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:00:00 -0800

Let me get this straight: this loony entered a contest to win a destination wedding in a public restroom and a wedding gown made of 2-ply "extra-soft" toilet tissue? Some prize. This marriage is off to a stinky start.

Would You Wear a Short Wedding Dress?

FabSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:33:33 -0800

Fashion designer Behnaz Sarafpour did! A very modern idea . . .

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You Asked: Can I Wear a Wedding Gown to Renew My Vows?

DearSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

My husband is taking me on a cruise in January and we are planning on renewing our vows on ship. We had a very small wedding 32 years ago and I didn't get to wear a wedding gown. I have always dreamed of wearing a glitzy dress but would it be inappropriate for me to do so while we renew our vows? - Over the Top Tammie

To see Dear Sugar's answer read more

Dear Over the Top Tammie,

First of all, congratulations on 32 years of marriage. You have a reason to celebrate if I've ever heard of one! Since you never got to fulfill your dream of a glamorous wedding dress the first time around, by all means, go for it this time, Tammie!

Renewing your vows is a celebration between you and your husband so you guys get to make up the rules. It is absolutely not inappropriate to wear an elaborate dress even if it's not your first time saying I do, so go make your wedding dress dreams come true and enjoy being a princess for the day. Good luck.

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Toilet Paper Wedding Gowns

GiggleSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:02:00 -0700

Let's be honest, the gown is as crucial to the wedding as the groom is. So what to do if you're a bride on a budget? Look no further than your bathroom, because the perfect gown is sitting next to the commode. That's right. The fabric may be toilet paper, but it creates a very clean look. So why run out and buy an expensive dress that you'll only wear once (fingers crossed), when you can just TP yourself instead? Sit and think on it...

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Fab's Guide to Finding the Perfect Dress to Say "I Do" In

FabSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:00:22 -0700

Hello, bride-to-be. I'm Fab, your personal wedding dress shopper! Whether you have three months or twelve to shop for your dream dress, here is a guide to help you look your most beautiful, and keep your sanity. You be the bride and I'll be your guide . . .

First things first: determine your wedding style and budget. Close your eyes and try to picture your big day. Is the ceremony ethereal outside on a beach? Or more formal inside a formal church? Or is it something in between? You'll want a wedding gown that fits your picture. Choose something light and airy if you'll be beachside and something more lavish if you'll be in a church. If you're going the church route, remember to cover up with a shawl or bolero as you want to respect the dress code of the establishment. The most important thing is to set a budget so you don't go ga ga over a dress that's out of your price range!

To read the rest of my Fab wedding shopping guide, read more.

Remember that the season could determine the style of your dress, but it doesn't have to. It's your wedding, so you make the rules. If you're in love with an open-back dress for your Winter wedding, you can always pair it with a shawl for warmth. If your wedding is in the Summer but you love a long-sleeve lace gown, go for it (just wear lots of deodorant!)
Once you've decided on your ceremony style and budget, you'll need inspiration. Go out and buy all of the weddings magazines on the stand and start ripping away. Create a wedding dress file - I suggest something special like this Peppercot Accordion File Tote ($24). This file will also come in handy later in life, I promise.
There is an insane amount of dress styles to choose from (classic, retro, modern, color, etc) but my favorite trends now are bows, embellishments, and short lengths. I will show you more of these dress styles in depth later, but for starters here are the the options I'd explore were it my wedding.

(L-R: Bows (Melissa Sweet), Short (Vera Wang Bridal), Embellished (Kenneth Pool)
While you are gathering your gown file, ask your wedding planner or married friends for suggestions of dress salons near you. Also peruse online wedding sites like Wedding Channel and Brides. Brides has a handy dandy glossary you'll appreciate. The most important thing to remember is timing. Special-order gowns can take three to six months to create, and alterations can take weeks, so plan accordingly.
Now that it's time to go gown shopping, it's important to dress appropriately. You want to wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to get in and out of - but don't dress like a slob. It's also good to have your hair either pulled back or down, depending on how you'll have it on the actual day. Bring comfortable shoes with the heel height you plan to wearing. Throw a strapless bra into your purse and try to wear pretty underthings - you will be standing around in them in front of your shopping buddies and salesperson.
Once you are assigned a salesperson, go through your tear sheets with them and point out what you like about dresses and special details you love. When you try on dresses, continue to point out your likes and dislikes.
Keep an eye out for quality. In a high-quality gown every detail should have a perfect finish - no bead or string should be unraveled. Natural fabrics like silk are pricier than synthetics, but the benefits are they let your skin breathe and don't trap sweat. A-line gowns fall smoothly and prevent panty lines; this is also the best shape for fuller figures. If you do have budget constraints, skip beading and fancy details and focus on a fine fabric and a good fit - you can always dress yourself up with jewelry and beauty!
The finishing touches. Take into account the following elements surrounding your look: alterations, headpiece/veil, lingerie, jewelry, shoes, bag, a cover up, and the groom's ensemble. Oh, and the bridesmaids. Lastly, two weeks before your wedding, have a final dress fitting with your accessories and lingerie, and break in your shoes by wearing them at home. There will be more on this in months to come so stay tuned!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com!

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Fab Site: TheVintageWeddingDressCompany.com

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:00:22 -0700

There's something about wearing vintage that makes me feel Hollywood glamorous. TheVintageWeddingDressCompany.com created by notable fashion stylist, Charlie Brear, specializes in vintage, one-of-a-kind wedding dresses and accessories. This site offers inspiration for those who can't make the trip to London, with pieces dating back from the Victorian era to the early '70s. Their selection is vast with styles ranging from simple to ornate - Kate Moss has even been spotted wearing one of their simpler finds.