Blogs

10 Fun & Flirty Reception Dresses

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

Picking out a wedding dress can be a tough decision, so it’s really no surprise that some brides skip choosing altogether and just wear two dresses! Changing into something fun and flirty for your reception is a great option if you are getting married in a conservative setting but your personal style is a little more bold. But even if it’s "anything goes" for your wedding gown, a wardrobe change can just be a fun way to show off your personal style or help you bust a move on the dance floor (surely, I’m not the only one who can’t imagine getting down to “Party Rock Anthem” in a ballgown, right?).

5 Ways to Tell Dad You Love Him on the Wedding Day

On the drive home from the airport, after the first time I met my fiancé Edwin, my dad insisted that I should give the boy a chance. “This one is different,” he said.

Dad has always been my best friend. From the moment I was little, he's been a safe place from all of my fears (I used to scale him like a building whenever I saw cats, which terrified me). He had numerous heart attacks throughout my childhood, but his stubborn streak always superceded doctor's notes. This winter, my father had a stroke, and his stubborn streak vanished alongside my hope. This time, I found myself saying, "This one is different." I don't know how at 26 years old, I still feel like I'm his little girl, but I do.

After two months of back-and-forth hospital trips, he's finally healing and making a full recovery, as is my heart. I feel blessed and amazed to have him in my life. With that said, I want to honor this man who has taught me so much, on my wedding day. Here, some of my favorite ideas for saying "I love you," whether it's to Mom, Grandma, a cousin, or even a best friend.

1. Do a First Look
Everyone talks about the first look for the groom, but truthfully, I am excited to see my dad’s face when I put my wedding gown on. He isn’t an emotional guy, but I’m holding out hope that there’s a tear or two in his eyes all caught on film. Check out more sweet photos of dads seeing their daughters as brides for the first time!

Beware of Counterfeit Gowns Online


Photo Credit: Gray Photography

A few weeks ago, we posted a piece on what to consider before buying your wedding gown online. While we recognize that it's a growing trend, there are still some serious concerns that you must consider before buying a gown online. Here, we break it down:

1. If the Price Seems Too Good to Be True, Then it Is
Some online retailers claim to be selling you a designer wedding gown for 50% or more off the retail price. They might even be showing you the same photographs you see on the designer's website or in our gown gallery, leading you into a false sense of security. But what you don't know is that more often than not, these photographs are being used without permission, and the dress you'll receive — if you ever receive it — will be a cheap knockoff version of the gown you fell in love with. Think stiff, itchy fabrics, uneven seams, and unflattering cuts. 

2. Always Check the Designer's Site Before Making a Purchase
On every wedding gown designer's website, you'll find a list of authorized retailers. These are the only stores permitted to distribute the designer's gowns. You'll rarely find an online retailer listed. If you have any questions, contact the designer's customer service to inquire if you are purchasing from an authorized retailer. They'll be able to steer you in the right direction.

Etiquette Q&A: "Can I Use Pre-Printed Address Labels?"

wedding invitation

Q: Instead of writing addresses by hand on the envelope, is it okay to use pre-printed labels?  

A: As much as it would seem more efficient and less labor-intensive, using pre-printed address labels on your wedding invitations is not recommended. Your invitation is a reflection of your personal style and how you view your wedding. According to Mary Mitchell, spokesperson for stationery giant Crane & Co., "The invitation sets the tone for your wedding at the very beginning and is just as important a detail as your flowers, decor and menu. Hand-written envelopes indicate that you care to make your wedding a truly memorable occasion."

The message you send with pre-printed labels? "Let’s just get this over with!" So take the time to write out names and addresses. Why not try your hand at calligraphy or hire someone to do it for you?

Make addressing your invitations an opportunity for a fun get-together rather than a chore. Ask your fiancé, bridesmaids, mom or other family members and friends for some help (don’t try to do it all yourself). You’ll discover that your guests will not only appreciate the time taken but will also regard your wedding as the special event you want it to be.    

—Diane Forden

Hunger Games Fans: See Katniss Everdeen's Wedding Gown!

In a new promo pic for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which hits theaters on November 22, Katniss is wearing a gorgeous wedding gown:

katniss everdeen wedding dress

In the book, President Snow orders Katniss to wear Cinna's winning wedding gown design for her televised interview to kick off the Quarter Quell. Katniss describes her gown as "heavy white silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that fall from my wrists to the floor. And pearls. Pearls everywhere. Stitched into the dress and in ropes at my throat and forming the crown for the veil." 

And when she twirls... well, fans know what happens there!

Obviously, the costume designers took some liberties with the design, but we can certainly imagine how this dress will transform when she twirls. What do you think?

Updated: The designer has been revealed! Though previously speculated to be Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Catching Fire costume designer Trish Summerville reveals that this frothy confection was the brainchild of Tex Saverio in Jakarta. "He is amazing! I found his designs quite some time ago and saved his information for a fitting project, then came Catching Fire —perfect!" she told The Hollywood Reporter. After several Skype calls and countless sketches, they nailed the final design: a Swarovski-crystal-covered "organza corset under a metal cage." The metal pieces on top represent fire and flames, while the laser-cut feathers at the waist and shoulder are a nod to her transition into a Mockingjay.

A Wonderful Wizard of Oz Wedding

Anna and Brandon's beautiful wedding was held at the Land of Oz, a mostly-defunct Wizard of Oz theme park in North Carolina. The theme park, which operated from 1970 to 1980, featured a cyclone experience ride within Dorothy's house, a yellow brick road leading to a show at Emerald City, an artificial balloon ride (a modified ski lift), and a museum with props and costumes from the 1939 film. Anna's father worked in the park in the '70s, and her parents have such happy memories from their time spent there. With a little digging, her mom discovered that the park still operates for special events. It was the perfect fit for Anna and Brandon's big day!

Photography by Brett & Jessica.

5 Affordable Ways to Personalize Your Wedding

Are you feeling pressured to plan a "unique" wedding? Initially, my fiancée Claudia and I struggled to find a balance between creating a wedding that is unpredictable and fun, yet still captures the beauty of the rite of matrimony. When we won our consultation with David Tutera, he told us one piece of advice that would change our entire wedding-planning process. He said, "Years from now when your guests talk about your wedding, it's the little things that they'll remember the most." 

Wedding Music by Decade: Best Picks from the '80s

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Chris Mix, Chicago's hometown DJ sensation spinning a wide variety of events and clubs in Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas. Mix's musical skills don't end on the turntables: He's also a pianist, a jazz drummer, plays clarinet and saxophone, and has an encyclopedic musical knowledge. Chris loves to play weddings because it allows him to create the perfect set-list based on the couple's musical taste. "I love being able to play the music that will make your wedding memorable!”

bridesmaid dancing to thriller
Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Photography

Jamie Lynn Spears is Engaged — See Her Ring!

Britney's little sister is engaged! Jamie Lynn's boyfriend of three years, Jamie Watson, popped the question earlier today. The former Zoey 101 star showed off her new ring — and her fiancé — in a photo on Instagram and Twitter:

jamie lynn spears engaged
Photo via @jl777/Instagram

Soon after, she posted a close-up of her gorgeous ring, saying "he did good":

jamie lynn spears engagement ring
Photo via @jl777/Instagram

We agree, Jamie Lynn! Congratulations to the happy couple.

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Pet Pointers: How to Include Your Dog

victoria stillwell train your dog positively One of the sweetest things about weddings today is having man’s (and woman’s) best friend take part in the ceremony. Who doesn’t ooh and aah when they spot a furry friend walking down the aisle with tail wagging and looking their wedding best?

But, as fun and photo-op cute as it is, including your pet in the wedding does require some thought, so we asked renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell for a few tips. Victoria, best known for her role as the star of Animal Planet’s hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog, is not only CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training but also a best-selling book author. Her most recent, Train Your Dog Positively, will be available on March 19th at stores nationwide and online at amazon.com.

Here, Victoria’s advice on what to consider when having your pet in the wedding:

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - blogs