FT Weddings

m free-times.com | January 26-February 1, 2011

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Big White Bank-Account Spoiler, or Sleek Ivory Secondhand?

B y M a ry E l l e n C h e at h a m

T

he economy may be dismal and times may be tough, but brides this year are seeking wedding gowns worthy of a Cinderella story.

One of the popular trends this year — the ball gown, with its fitted bodice and billowy skirt.

“I think it makes them feel as though it’s a fairytale dress,” says Linda Ingle, owner of Jo-Lin’s Bridal in Irmo. “And it enhances their waist. It makes the waist looks smaller. Another big [style] that’s still in is the asymmetrical because the asymmetrical enhances the waist and the bust,” no matter the bride’s body style.

Fit and flares are still in as well, along with the classic A-line.

Gowns rich with three-dimensional elements are also making their way down the aisle this year. Fabric flowers may blossom from skirts, or dresses may feature embroidery and even feathers.

And, in another very recent trend, oneshoulder dresses have made a comeback, influenced by first lady Michelle Obama’s choice of style at her husband’s inaugural ball in 2009.

Strapless is Timeless Strapless dresses remain a favorite, as they have for the past two decades.

They’re here “forever and ever and ever,” says Marcell Steely, buyer for the Bella Vista Bridal and Wedding Boutique,

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located in both Columbia and Charleston.

“The main thing that we’re doing during that time when we’re greeting our guests and we’re having our reception is we’re hugging and dancing. Our arms are up over our head area and we’re reaching out to hug people and if you have that cap sleeve, it’s just restricting you from that comfortable movement.”

That’s not to say strapless is for everyone, though. A woman with a very large bust, for instance, may need straps.

In addition, a bride’s traditions, personal beliefs about modesty or requirements by her church might mean she has to cover her back and wear sleeves. That’s where a good seamstress comes in.

“We have two weddings now where even the bridesmaids have to have sleeves added to their gowns because they cannot be strapless or they can’t be sleeveless for the church,” says Jo-Lin’s Ingle. “So we have to add fabric. We order the fabric from the designers of the dresses and we’ll add the sleeves to them.”

Cover-ups, like lace jackets, also work in these situations. They can add warmth in winter or can be removed for a reception.

They can also add a special accent to a vintage or retro look.

Budget Brides Tough economic times the last couple of years have meant brides often are having to scale back, sometimes by thousands of dollars. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find a dream dress.

Brides who may have previously selected a couture look might go for higher-end dresses in a boutique’s main

gallery. They might also choose a dress by a foreign designer, since American designers usually have pricier gowns. Or, they might opt for a fabric blend over pure silk.

The economy is also driving brides to consider a variety of locations for their big day. Some churches, for instance, are jacking up prices for hosting a wedding — even for their own members, Steely says. So, brides the last two years have increasingly chosen venues such as the beach, a historic home or an art gallery, where they can hold both their wedding and reception.

Brides in Columbia are also paring down their guest lists, and choosing “destination weddings,” says Ingle. They’re getting married in nearby cities such as Charleston, where most of their close friends and family may be located. Or they’re traveling to the Caribbean, Hawaii and even Paris, where they’re hosting smaller affairs and combining their weddings with honeymoons. That might save the couple money, but it will cost their guests much more.

The changes mean the long formal cathedral length veils and gowns are less popular, since they can too easily get snagged on cobblestones or dirty from grass or sand.

Strapless is timeless: Jamilyn Rodgers.

Photo by Scott Bilby.

January 26-February 1, 2011 | free-times.com

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But getting married outside of a church doesn’t have to restrict a bride’s choices.

Beach brides, for instance, can still look good in a big and poufy dress, instead of having to wear a slim and slinky number.

“We encourage people to follow their ‘dream set’ more so than the society set,” says Steely. “What says you have to be in some sort of ‘destination style’ dress?

What do you want to be in? And let’s go from there.”

Pre-Owned But Beautiful

Susan Hancock. Photo by Scott Bilby.

Beth Coffey. Photo by Scott Bilby.

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Brides on a budget are also increasingly choosing to buy gowns on consignment, sometimes scoring a high-end designer dress for half-price.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll have to rummage through musty dresses at a thrift shop. Online sites such as preownedweddingdresses.com have emerged in recent years, featuring thousands of choices from store samples to gowns that have been worn before.

Judy Meggs, a retired schoolteacher in Laurens, started her own online business — The Green Hanger Shop — in 2008 after marrying off two daughters and dealing with two expensive weddings. Her website, thegreenhangershop.com, features listings for brides selling their dresses to brides-to-be.

“It just seemed to be a shame that all of the nice things and the nice dresses were just worn for a few hours,” she says. “These gowns are made to last a lifetime — that’s one reason they’re so costly. Yet they’re worn for just a few hours and then just tucked away.”

In some cases, she says, Bride No. 1 might advertise her dress online as soon as she orders it, lining up a buyer before she even heads down the aisle. The result? A huge discount for both.

Meggs, like other businesses listing pre-owned gowns, bills the practice as ecofriendly, because it saves materials and resources that would otherwise be spent on another once-worn dress. But what’s unique about her site is that it makes it easier for brides in South Carolina and the region to actually meet up and see the dresses for themselves, instead of relying solely on photos and emails.

The key to finding a good preowned dress, according to Meggs, is communication between brides and bridesto-be about fit, cleanliness and any damage sustained to the dress during the first wedding, even if it’s just a small grass stain.

The site also features a blog with tips on buying consignment dresses.

“Brides share ideas and actually make it a cool thing to spend less money,” she says.

“I just think they’re smarter about the way that they’re planning.”

January 26-February 1, 2011 | free-times.com

m free-times.com | January 26-February 1, 2011

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By Allison Caldwell

M

aybe you’re fiercely independent and determined to blaze your own trail. Maybe you’re just not a girly girl. Maybe you’ve been a “traditional” bridesmaid one too many times. Or perhaps you simply relish the chance to spite your overbearing mother.

Whatever the case, a traditional white dress, black tux and string-quartet wedding just isn’t in the cards. Call it independent, nontraditional or just plain fun — there are plenty of ways to celebrate your special day without losing all sense of your own personality.

Inventive Invitations To really set the mood, start at the beginning. Wedding invitations are your first chance to make a distinctive impression.

Ivory cardstock and Papyrus font need not be your only means of communication.

Search etsy.com to find all kinds of creative options, from art deco to die-cut to hand-dyed papers. If you know a graphic designer — or are one yourself — use your skills and your Macbook to create one-of-akind invites based on your favorite hobby, photo or the place you and your significant other first met. Google “comic book wedding invitations” or even “crazy wedding invitations” — seriously. Once you find the perfect invitation, don’t settle for a traditional stamp: Go to zazzle.com and design your own.

Let Them Eat …

Whatever You Want WWW.ANYTHINGFORMAL.COM

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To be fair, and probably thanks in part to a few highly rated cable television shows, there are some pretty inventive cakes out there: Lego cakes; gamer cakes; cakes shaped liked rockets, cars and guitars. For inspiration, there’s even a public Flickr album dedicated to nontraditional wedding cakes. But who says you have to eat cake at all?

Cheesecake, pies and cupcakes are popular alternatives, but you can get more creative than that. Serve baskets of Moon Pies or tiers of Krispy Kremes; chilled champagne flutes filled with thick pudding, chocolate mousse or tiramisu; an indulgent buffet of assorted candy, fruits and chocolate or your own favorite treats. Or opt for an informal potluck dinner, an outdoor cookout or pizza and wings. Hey — it’s your day.

Location, Location, Location When it comes to nontraditional venues, the sky’s the limit. Literally. Float away in a hot air balloon. Tie the knot in a tandem sky dive. Host your own mini-festival in a country field, or party like a rock star on stage at a favorite theatre or music venue.

Hold a ceremony in the place you first met, a favorite park or the site of your first date.

The Impossible Theme …

Not! Themed weddings are fun, memorable and limited only by your own imagination and the inhibitions of your guests. Hopefully if you’re cool — or geeky — enough to plan a themed wedding, your friends will be down with that, too. Your parents might not be, though — and if they’re footing the bill, that’s something to consider. Still, the options are endless if you’re creative and daring enough to go medieval, vintage 1920s, mystery, sports-themed, or — dare we say it? — Star Trek. Stranger things have happened.

Say I Do, Keep It Real While no part of the ceremony is more important, your vows to each other can be much more memorable than, “With this ring, I thee wed.” Assert your own personality and make a lasting impression — for you and your spouse, as well as your guests — by writing your own vows. If the task seems too daunting, browse sites like myweddingvows.com or theknot.com for blissful inspiration.

No Re-Gifts Allowed There’s a delicate balance between making suggestions for things you really need (and will actually use) and coming off like a greedy, superficial bridezilla. Before heading to Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond with the masses, consider honeymoon registries (visit honeyluna.com and honeyfund. com); new home down payment registries (featherournest.com or check with your local bank); or charity registries (justgive.org or changingthepresent.org).

Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or plan to go all out, there are countless ways to declare your love with plenty of memorable panache and personality. All you have to do is think outside of the lacetrimmed, heart-shaped box.

January 26-February 1, 2011 | free-times.com

m free-times.com | January 26-February 1, 2011

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January 26-February 1, 2011 | free-times.com