Charlotte's Bridal

It’s OK to Say “No”

Author — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:25:43 +0000

When it comes to wedding etiquette, the jury is still out on the kindest and most considerate way for the bride or groom to tell someone they will not be in the wedding party as well as for a bridesmaid or groomsman to politely say “no” when asked to be in a wedding. It can be a very touchy subject and one that we hear about all the time. So, I thought I would offer some words of encouragement for those that might be facing this situation.

First and foremost, for all the brides and grooms out there….even though you may have many friends and family that would be honored to be part of your wedding, it really is OK to not ask someone to be in the wedding! Maybe the person is struggling financially and you don’t want to burden them with the cost of the gown or tux. Maybe your wedding party is getting really large and you want to keep it small & simple. Maybe your family expects you to ask a person to be in the wedding, but you just don’t feel like they are someone you want to be standing up for you on this special day. Whatever the reason is, being honest and up front with that person, and/or your family, is really the best route to take. Your friend or family member might even be relieved that you were considerate of their feelings and/or situation and kept them from being in an awkward position.

If you are still on the fence about having someone in the wedding party, you could also ask them to play a different role in the event. A wedding can always use an usher or two, someone to cut the cake, someone to offer readings, play songs or sing and certainly someone to be responsible for making sure the gifts are collected and taken to a secure place at the end of the night. It takes a village to make sure that a wedding goes off without a hitch, so it is easy to find ways to have your loved ones involved without having 15 bridesmaids.

For the prospective bridesmaids and groomsmen….just as it is OK for the bride and groom to not ask, it is equally OK for you to politely say “no” when you are asked to be in a wedding. Whatever your reason may be, you can simply thank them and tell them you are honored by their request, but explain your reasoning for politely refusing. In the end, they will appreciate your honesty!!!

A wedding should be a time of celebration and joy! Try not to let other people’s expectations be a factor when you are choosing your wedding party!

Happy Wedding Planning,
Oneida

Off-The-Rack Etiquette

Author — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:55:33 +0000

Charlotte’s will be having a sample sale this August, and this has inspired me to write a little bit about how to buy a wedding dress off the rack. There are a couple of things one should know before hunting for that fantastic bargain buried in the racks of taffeta and satin. First thing is size. Wedding gowns are sized a little bit differently than normal clothing. On average, your size in a bridal gown is about 1 to 2 sizes bigger than your every-day clothing size. There are many theories on the reasons behind this phenomenon, but they really don’t matter. Simply put, if you’re normally a size 8, you should try on 10’s and 12’s.

There are many, many dresses that will be included in our sample sale. Some of them will be new or pretty close to it. These are customer gowns that never got picked up, gowns that were mis-cut, incorrectly made, etc… A gown like this can be an amazing deal, but are rare. Most of the gowns are samples. This means that they have been tried on dozens, sometimes hundreds of times. You’ll see wear and tear on them and this is part of the deal. Look carefully at what might be wrong with the gown before you purchase. Many of these things are easy to fix. Loose or missing beads can easily be reattached, missing privacy panels can be replaced, and hems can be sewn. All sample gowns will be dirty. Plan on getting a dress you buy off the rack professional cleaned. There will be dirt, make-up and other markings on the gowns, but 99% of the time these things will come out.

Lastly, it may take a little extra time and effort, but you will have a designer gown at a bargain price! You can take the extra money you save and put it towards your dream honeymoon!

~Melissa

The Bite of Oregon 2010

Author — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:10:14 +0000

Need a chance to get out of the house and enjoy some yummy food? Check out The Bite of Oregon coming to Tom McCall Waterfront Park on August 6th-8th. Not only will you enjoy some great local cuisine, but you might even run across a potential caterer for your reception or maybe find an appetizer that would be perfect to add to your menu. Check out The Bite of Oregon website for all the details. Enjoy!

Questions Asked…..And Answered

Author — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:10:09 +0000

I’m recently engaged… Should I start shopping for my gown for next year?

Absolutely! We typically suggest giving yourself at least six months ordering time for your gown. On top of this, it may take a couple visits to refine what you’re looking for, so starting early will give you enough time to find the gown of your dreams! A few tips to get started.

1. Start searching online. Finding styles that stick out to you will help your consultant find something close to what you’re looking for.

2. Look for a venue first. This way you can refine the overall “look” of your wedding and ultimately help with finding a fitting gown style

3. Book an appointment. Although you are certainly welcome to come in and search through our styles, booking an appointment will ensure you have a personal consultant and a private bridal suite you and your party.

My wedding is in a few months and my Mom hasn’t found her dress yet…..should I be worried?

Not at all! We know moms often put themselves last in planning a wedding. We have a lot of mothers gowns in stock, rush availabilities, and designer stock pieces. We will ensure mom looks and feels great on your wedding day, as most likely, your wedding day will be just as special to her as it is to you.

Best of luck,

Lauren

Color Me Bridesmaid!

Author — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:15:41 +0000

Color Me Bridesmaid!

At some point in our lives, most of us have been a bridesmaid. Think back……for some it may have been just last summer, for others maybe it was years ago. Let me ask you this: Did you like the bridesmaid dress? Did you “wear it again”?

Brides, I’m going to ask you, on behalf of the friends and family members you love enough to want them to be part of your wedding, please read this with an open mind. Chances are your girls do not have the same skin tones or body types. So why do we expect three/five/eight bridesmaids to all look good in the same dress?

There’s been a trend in magazines and among designers in recent seasons toward variation in bridesmaid gowns, and I have to say: I love this idea! What about picking one designer and color and let the girls choose a style that makes them feel comfortable and flatters their body type? The picture below is from The Dessy Group website. It shows different variations of one of their lilac shades. The dresses are individual, but all tied together as a cohesive wedding party.

Another fun option, if you’re sold on the idea of having your girls in the same style of dress, is considering color variations. Let’s face it; your blond sister is going to look way different in eggplant purple than your brunette college roommate will. Below are some pictures of a super-cute B2 bridesmaid dress in a variety of shades. This alternative is especially worth considering for those brides who might be a little particular about which colors they want.

“Back in the day,” there were all kinds of old wives tales about how brides would put maids in horrendous dresses to emphasize how beautiful they looked. I have no idea whether or not this is true, but I can say that I’ve never heard a bride mention doing it intentionally. Either way, you’re the one getting married, you’ve already won! Why not let your girls be comfortable and look their best too, even if it means being a little non-traditional?

~Corinne

The 411 on Birdcage Veils

Author — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:00:12 +0000

One of the current trends in bridal veils (and one of personal faves!) is the vintage French net veil more commonly known as the birdcage or cage veil. It’s a classically chic alternative to the traditional veil, lending itself for a less formal yet very classic look. The birdcage veil is named for how the netting is gathered and shaped to sit directly over the face as if to form a cage over the eyes. Most long veils are made from ordinary tulle; however, the cage veil is often made with Russian or French style netting which are a larger mesh and a coarser weave.

Like many bridal accessories, a birdcage veil is versatile for a trendsetting bride because of the various styles and types available as well as the various ways it can be worn. The netting can be worn over the face or over the back of the head. If you are wearing it over your face, you can place it so that the netting falls just under the eyes, right under the nose, or tucked under the chin. The netting and detailing are most commonly available in colors such as white, ivory and champagne; however, many designers will offer a multitude of color choices.

The veil is attached to the head with either one or two combs, depending on the hairstyle. The birdcage veil can be placed directly on the back of the head or off to the side, allowing just one eye to peek through. If you really want a vintage look you could also attach the netting to a hat. To give the veil a more modern feel a decorated fascinator/ hair piece could be added to the comb. Accents often used to bring life and style to the veil are flowers, feathers, beading, and bling.

The cage veil works with many different styles of bridal gowns. This timeless touch of glamour can help complete a uniquely chic bridal look. If you want to set yourself apart from the traditional veil often seen walking down the aisle, then you may want to opt for a fashion forward vintage birdcage veil!

Happy Accessorizing!!

Carrie

Coming Soon…Casablanca Trunk Show

Author — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:45:25 +0000

We are excited to showcase the Casablanca Fall 2010 collection in our store on July 23rd and 24th! Plus, we will be featuring a few of the Glamour Collection gowns. Trunk shows are a great way to see gowns that we don’t normally have in the store. The Fall 2010 collection is filled with unique, fun and gorgeous gowns. You won’t be disappointed!

Purchase a Casablanca gown either of those days and receive a discount on your dress!

Call today to set up your appointment today! (503) 297-9622

The best way to get your guy involved in wedding planning……

Author — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:30:24 +0000

tell him there is BEER involved!!!!! The Portland International Beer Festival is this weekend!!!! (July 16th-18th) If you haven’t decided what type of beer you will be serving at your reception, this is the perfect weekend to check that one off your list. Click on the link above and you will go right to their website for all the details.

Cheers!

Rachel

I’ts Not My Wedding

Author — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:02:12 +0000

My sister is getting married this August. As someone who has always loved weddings (and has been buying bridal magazines from much too young an age), I had lots of wonderful ideas for my sister. I was sure that my ideas were so great, and that being sisters, she would love them equally. I forgot something very important. She and I are VERY different. At first I was pretty bummed that she wasn’t crazy about all the awesome plans I was sharing with her, but I stepped back, thought about it and realized, this is her wedding, her day. The moral of my story? As helpful as we think we are being by contributing ideas to the bride (or groom), we have to remember that it’s not our wedding, and to just be supportive. If you have a good relationship, you may be able to get away with some well-worded suggestions, but don’t take it personally if they don’t go for it. Just be helpful and encouraging… you’ll get your chance at a dream wedding too!

Happy helping!

~Bethany

Veils….Veils…..Veils!

Author — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:45:53 +0000

When picking out a veil, one of the most common questions I hear is, “What is this veil length called?” Although the best way to determine the length of a veil is by its measurement from top to bottom, there are general names for the more common lengths. Names do vary slightly between designers and shops, but they will primarily correspond with one of the following types:
1) Shoulder
2) Elbow
3) Fingertip (In between an elbow and fingertip is a Waist veil)
4) Waltz (Sometimes called a Ballerina or Walking veil – Usually falls somewhere between your calves and ankles)
5) Chapel (Just touches the floor)
6) Cathedral (Trails after the bride on the floor)

Of course, where you put your veil on your head will determine where the end of the veil will fall. So, if you are planning on putting your veil underneath your low set bun at the bottom of your head then it will fall much longer than if you place it on top of your head.

A couple other common lengths are the Blusher and Cage veil. The blusher is the top layer of a multi tiered veil which is pulled over your face, traditionally worn for the ceremony. A less formal option and a huge bridal trend right now is the cage veil. The birdcage or cage veil is named for the way the tulle or net is gathered and shaped to sit directly over the face as if to form a cage over the eyes.

There are many choices as far as lengths go for your veil; from short and trendy to long and traditional. Your veil should directly reflect the style of your gown and your wedding. If you are having a hard time finding a veil that reflects your unique style, you can also opt to have a custom veil made especially for you, just ask the designer!

Happy Accessorizing!
Carrie