Preparing for Your Wedding Dress Appointment

Preparing for Your Wedding Dress Appointment

 

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Bohemian brides who’re amping up for that first wedding dress appointment, with mom and sisters and ladies waiting in-tow: beware, you need to know what you’re in for. It’s not all shine and sparkles (although we’re not sure that you boho-brides want it to be) and chances are, if you don’t come prepared for that first appointment, it may all end in tears and disappointment.

So laid-back brides-to-be…I’ve been reading and listening to the rantings and ravings of wedding dress shoppers for quite some time now and I thought it about time that I do my bit. So here are some tips to hopefully save you a world of hassle and woe at your first wedding dress appointment:

Organize:

By now you should have a wedding file prepared, with special dividers for all your vendors and planning details.

There should be a dress section where you keep all your do’s and don’ts, pictures of dresses you love, notes about your dream dress, budget and a list of possible vendors.

Know Your Budget:

Know your budget! Search the web for Bohemian Wedding Dresses, You’d be surprised at what you find.

Truly bohemian designers like Dreamers & Lovers don’t ask nearly as much for unique made to order boho-chic dresses as big chain stores (need we mention names?) might ask for glitzy-glammy, trampefied numbers.

Make a note of your true budget and write down a figure a few hundred dollars bellow that, that way if you’re offered something a little more expensive than your quoted budget, you’ll have room to maneuver.

Gather Clips and photos:

If you can’t find any photos of your dream dress style, don’t fret… Find your favorite outfits at home, put them on and use this as an excuse to take selfies!

Pics of you in your favorite gear will help your consultant to understand your unique style and what kind of cuts and vibes you feel the most comfortable in.

Add a few pics of decor and art that expresses the theme/style of your wedding, a clever consultant will be able to use this to really capture what it is you’re looking for. Remember to rock up for your appointment in something easy to change in and out of.

Keep Your Ladies in the Loop:

Show all your pics and ideas to your mom, your sisters and your ladies in waiting. That way they won’t go against your wishes by making crazy suggestions at your consultation.

Shop Niche not Chain:

If you’re planning on visiting the run-of-the-mill bridal store think again…Chances are you’ll have hundreds of dresses to choose from but will come away with the best of traditional glitzy garb, not with a simple bohemian wedding dress that’s uniquely expressive of your own style.

Consultants in a chain bridal shop might not treat you with the same kind of care and attention as a smaller boutique. Search the web for a niche store that will have a range which suits your style. The consultant in a store that specializes in your boho style will most likely be a laid-back Chiquita like yourself.

Bohemian designers like Dreamers & Lovers will understand your sense of style, there’s no other way for the laid-back bride. Book ahead to ensure yourself a full hour of exclusive consultation, that way you won’t be disappointed when there’s no place for you and the ladies to sit!

Know Yourself:

Know what parts of your body bother you and what parts you’d like to highlight. Make a note of these factors in your wedding file and share your do’s and don’ts with your consultant.

Get on friendly terms with your consultant by having a chat before the time, make sure she understands your dream and you’re sure to come out on top of the world!

Pack some Kleenex for mom and a selfie stick and have yourself an awesome time! This appointment is one of the most important ones you might ever make so be prepared and your memories of it will be perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tara’s DIY Bohemian Wedding

Tara’s DIY Bohemian Wedding

Tara’s DIY Bohemian Wedding

Looking at Tara and J’s romantic wedding pics… a bohemian love story set against the most exquisite NY country backdrop, it’s natural you’d want to know a little more.

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 This gorgeous young Bohemian couple met on a ski trip back in 2009 where, as fate would have it, they were forced to keep each other company whilst their friends enjoyed a snowboarding session (they were both skiers). Needless to say, they had such a time of it that a few months later when Tara was set to move up to Washington DC for grad school, J decided to follow… 

The Venue: The nature loving couple knew that their perfect day needed to center around this shared interest of being outdoors. They chose the charming rustic setting of The Old Tater Barn at Central Bridge NY.

The old fashioned country feel, together with Tara’s backless lace wedding dress and sweeping, self-made boho veil, are a match made in heaven. The pictures are like something out of a romance novel, not bad for a wedding that was mostly DIY and altogether untraditional!

The Dress: When it came to choosing her dress, Tara had no interest in glitz and glam, it just didn’t feel like her. She’s a free spirited, outdoor girl and she wanted to express herself on her wedding day, to keep it simple for her and her husband-to-be.

She tried to go the traditional route of trying on dresses at her local bridal shops (although she did take hubby-to-be along for the ride), but she felt they were all too sparkly and uncomfortable, not her style at all. Tara just couldn’t understand why someone would sacrifice comfort and freedom of movement, no matter how beautiful a dress may look on the outside. 

A bridal shop attendant gave Tara some invaluable advice: “Every girl’s wedding dream is different.” Your day should be an expression of who you are and your unique love story. There’s no need to get weighed down by complying with traditions. There’s no point in getting lost in the details.

Tara was lucky enough to come across Dreamers and Lovers on Etsy and instantly fell in love with their simple boho styles; comfortable yet gloriously feminine.

Their home try-on program and their accessible prices also appealed to her economic sense. Not everybody wants to break the bank on their wedding day, sometimes it makes sense to save for the honeymoon instead. After trying on Amber Backless Lace Wedding Dress the couple needed to look no further, both J and Tara felt the dress was perfect in every way.

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The Flowers: Choosing a dress wasn’t the only area where Tara did things a little differently. The couple wanted to make the party their own. Tara looked to Etsy and Pinterest for economical DIY ideas.

Tara didn’t use any fresh flowers but picked them all from roadsides and farm stands and then dried them so that they could be kept as souvenirs. She made all the beautiful bohemian bouquets and boutonnieres herself, such a great way to add magic to that special day.

The Food and Music: Working within a budget the couple was delighted to discover that the venue’s BBQ menu was the perfect fit for them, no caterers necessary!

Instead of an outlandishly pricey cake, they chose donuts from a local cider donut shop, yum!  Food and music were important to the couple so they had fun choosing their own songs for the day, although they chose far too many songs for the number of hours!

The great thing about doing things your own way and adding a little DIY is that not only can the results be more economical and more expressive of you, but quirky little details make the day more fun and interesting, I’m sure no one is likely to forget those donuts!

If you’re planning a day to remember, your keywords need to be love and family. One of Tara’s fondest memories of the day was dancing with her father, who sadly passed away in February, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

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Add a little love to your wedding preparations and remember what’s important. What’s special is that the aspects that were done a little differently, to save money and minimize hassle, ended up being the things that really made the day. This simple country wedding was the epitome of rustic charm and laid back bohemian vibe.

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The traditional route has been done a few billion times over, if you really want to make this a day to remember: choose the right venue and choose the right dress. As for the rest…Do It Yourself.

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Look Bohemian Chic in the Lace Maxi Dress

Look Bohemian Chic in the Lace Maxi Dress

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Being a small company, we fully appreciate the instant feedback we receive as a result of the immediacy of the internet. This caftan bohemian lace maxi dress, was designed, hand sewn, photographed and listed on the site in a matter of about six weeks. Two months later, the feedback has been tremendous. Thanks to our lovely clients, and some fearless bohemian pinners over at pinterest, and other social sites, this dress has already been a hit. We enjoy making this dress. Click the link to see the listing page for this lace maxi dress.

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It is the epitome of what bohemian chic represents, in every sense of the word. I have often write about my love for the ocean, and usually the surrounding beach city. I am rarely unhappy these days, and I attribute that to my frequent daily runs, and walks at the beach. There is magic in the waters. I often joke that if you are suffering from any ailment, rather than go the doctor, take a long walk on the beach. I don’t really mean that, but after the doctor’s visit, then the ocean should be the next stop.

The tie in with the beach and this dress, besides the obvious, that it would be perfect for a laid back bohemian beach wedding is the effortlessness. It has that air of being natural, that is natural beauty without trying too hard. You can slip this maxi dress on with untamed hair, minimal makeup, barefoot, flat sandals or booties, and you would look like a fabulous version of yourself, a bohemian goddess.

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Loose fitting, it is fitted only through the bust, so when you have this dress on, you will forget you are wearing anything. The relaxed silhouette created by the generous use of fabric and the gathering creates a floaty dreamy look. The entirely sheer outer layer is lovingly handmade from a soft, and delicate embroidered stretch lace, so it is soft and luxurious on the body. When it touches your skin, it feels like a soft wind. We have had clients message us after seeing the photos about the sheerness, but, not to fear, the dress does come with a stretch liner. The standard liner is full length, but can also be made in a mini length as photographed in the photo. In the photos, we show it with a nude colored stretch slip liner. As one client clearly wrote it in her message, “I love this dress so much, but I am rather shy and could never imagine wearing it without an under-dress”. We understand that not all clients will like the sheer look.

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Delicate crochet lace trim added to the neckline, the angel sleeves, and entirely down the front center seamlessly pulls the look together. It is quite fitting that a bohemian dreamy dress such as this lace caftan would have angel sleeves. They are beautiful, no-fuss and plays a starring role in the look.

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I would love to hear your feedback on this dress. How would you wear it? Besides for the free spirited bohemian bride, or an a dream vacation, where would you wear it? As for me, I will most likely live in it, as it embodies everything I like my clothes to be, and it transcends me to the beach, even on a rainy day as we are having in Los Angeles today.