Wedding gowns have changed a lot since the Victorian ages,
Elegant And Iconic Wedding Dresses
Elegance is in the eye of the beholder, much like beauty. It depends more on attitude and quality than it does on price. A simple definition of elegance is grace of movement, polished girls designer dresses expression and refinement of beauty. If youre determining which wedding dress style is right for you, take a look at some of the most memorable iconic wedding dresses of all time to get some inspiration.
Queen Victorias Wedding Dress
Queen Victoria started mon cheri wedding gowns the trend of white wedding dresses. Prior to that point, wedding dresses were every color and meant to be worn as the woman's best dress rather than just once on her wedding day.
Even now in some cultures, white is overlooked for other traditional colors. Red is the color of choice for Chinese brides. Indian brides choose brightly colored and richly embroidered saris. And Japanese brides will wear a wedding kimono and often change into a western style white wedding dress for the reception.
So what did Queen Victoria's wedding dress look like? It was white satin accented by nosegays of orange blossoms at the bosom and scattered about the full skirt. Her lace veil was designed exclusively for the wedding. The pattern was later destroyed so it couldn't be used again. Nearly 200 people labored for six weeks to produce the lace veil and lace for the trim of her dress. The neckline left her shoulders bare. Sleeves were full, starting off her shoulders and ending above the elbows.
Queen Elizabeth IIs Wedding Dress
This beautiful queens dress was richly embroidered ivory silk with a satin train. The ball gown had a scoop neck, full skirt and long sleeves. It was embroidered with 10,000 seed pearls. The 15-foot train was made of delicate lace embroidered in the same pattern as the dress, including flowers, the white rose of York and wheat heads, a symbol of fertility. The queen wore a veil made of white tulle attached to a diamond tiara. Around her neck she wore a double pearl necklace.
It is said that Queen Elizabeth II had two wedding dresses. The first was worn when she married Prince Phillip and the second at her coronation when she wed the people of the United Kingdom. That dress was designed by Norman Hartnell who also designed her wedding dress. While the original design called for white satin and little embroidery, the final design remained white satin but was heavily and richly embroidered with plants or flowers to represent each of the entities that make up the commonwealth. The embroidery was in pastel colors and accented by gold and silver threads with diamonds, amethysts and colored crystals.
Grace Kellys Wedding Dress
She was a real fairy tale princess whose gown has been a timeless inspiration for brides since her wedding day in 1956. The gown was white satin with a high neckline and long sleeves. The bodice and sleeves were antique Valenciennes rose point lace. Twenty-five yards of silk taffeta and ninety-eight yards of tulle were used. Her headpiece fit close to her head with a fingertip length veil in front and longer veil in back. Her wedding dress and veil were designed by Helen of MGM studios and given to her as a wedding gift from the studios. She carried a small bouquet of lilies of the valley over a white Bible.
Princess Dianas Wedding Dress
Princess Diana had one of the most stunning and talked about wedding dresses ever created. Actually, there was more than one dress designed and made to keep the media guessing as to what she would wear on her wedding day. Immediately, brides all over the world wanted the full sleeved, full skirted over the top style of gown for their weddings.
Celine Dions Wedding Dress
This well known Canadian singers wedding gown was a stunning extravagance of white satin embroidered with crystals and pearls. The ball gown had a full skirt, sweetheart neckline and long sleeves and a 20-foot train. Her crowning glory was literally a crown consisting of 2000 Austrian crystals which weighed seven pounds. Attached to the headpiece was a Cathedral length veil. Before and after the wedding she wore a white fur coat to keep her warm.
Melania Trumps Wedding Dress
When you're marrying a Trump the sky's the limit. Melania Trump's wedding dress is rumored to cost nearly $100,000. Designed by Dior, the dress weighed close to 50 pounds and had a 13-foot train, complemented by a 16-foot veil. The veil was artistically arranged in a swirl pattern to match the swirls in her dress. The dress was in the mermaid style, fitted through the hips and flaring out starting about mid-thigh. While the bride had fittings for the dress, she had never walked in the gown until her wedding day and stumbled a bit when she first started down the aisle. Obviously, that dress was not meant for dancing. Melania changed into a simpler and much lighter dress for the wedding reception.
Wedding gowns have changed a lot since the Victorian ages, but theres still so much inspiration we can glean from yesterdays style icons. By blending your personal style and personality with some elements of these unforgettable wedding dresses, youre sure to have en elegant wedding dress that you and your guests will remember forever.
Prom Checklist Prom Dresses, Beauty Appointments And More
The months and weeks leading up to your prom will consist of planning, trying on various designs of prom dresses, and preparing for your special evening. This prom checklist will help you plan the months ahead so you won't forget the little things.
Four Months 'til Prom
Plan your prom budget by pricing formal dresses, prom accessories, and beauty services such as hair makeup and nails. Start saving money for your prom gown as well as other items you'll need so there will be enough money when you need it.
Three Months to Go
About three months before your prom, start maintaining your nails and hair so they'll be the style and length you want for prom night. You can't grow long hair or nails in a week or two, but you can grow them and start maintaining their beauty over a three-month period. Also, this is the time to buy your prom dress if possible - especially if ordering online. You'll avoid last minute crowds pink evening dress and get the biggest expense out of the way. This also gives added time for alterations if needed.
Start looking for accessories online to go with your prom dress. You might buy these along so you won't have to spend as much money at once. Begin making reservations for your dinner date, and reserve a limousine if you plan to travel in luxury!
If you want to lose a little weight before the prom, now's the time to start. Begin a daily exercise regime and start eating less at each meal. Opt for fruits instead of sweets and cut down on carbs and sugars. But don't lose too much weight if you've already ordered your prom gown!
With Two black feather dress Months Left....
Get your prom dress alterations if needed. Make appointments for hair, nails and makeup at a hair salon. It might be a good idea to make an appointment for a trial run so you'll know how your hair and makeup will look beforehand. Then you can make any changes to the styling if needed. Buy your prom shoes and have them dyed to match your dress. Select undergarments for your prom dress.
With Four Weeks to Go
Within four weeks, go ahead and purchase your prom tickets. Wear your prom shoes around the house to break them in for more comfort. Also, introduce your date to your parents if they haven't already met him. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and treat skin acne to get rid of blemishes.
Three Weeks before Prom
Confirm all appointments to be sure there are no problems. Try on your prom dress after alterations to be sure it fits properly. Make sure your trial hair appointment goes well before settling on a hairstyle.
Just Two Weeks to Go
With two weeks left, buy your last minute prom items such as pantyhose, camera and film, a handbag and jacket to match your dress, gloves, and other items. Be sure your prom night schedule includes a time of relaxation such as a nice dinner before and a fun time with friends afterwards. Get together some materials and a scrapbook to record all the important moments of your prom.
On Prom Day
When prom day finally arrives, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. Do something relaxing to soothe those stomach butterflies! Stuff your handbag or purse with touch-up makeup, cash, a camera, identification, etc. Don't wash your hair if you plan to wear it pinned up. Get your hair, nails and makeup done at the beauty parlor (wear a button-up shirt so you won't mess up your hair). Pick up your date's boutonniere (store in refrigerator). Most importantly, get ready for a wonderful time!
Planning ahead months in advance for your prom will help you get through the preparations with minimal stress. You'll enjoy the prom day and night more if you don't wait until the last minute to do everything.
Look around online for prom dresses early so you can find styles you like. Many online prom retailers carry affordable prom dresses by various designers with stunning looks for every figure imaginable. They might also sell homecoming dresses, ball gowns, and all sorts of eveningwear. With so many choices, you can easily find what you need for the prom designer dresses on sale from your own home computer while saving time and money.
