Article From Judith Rivers

Selecting Dresses for Special Occasions
by Judith Rivers-Moore, author of
"Beautiful Weddings & Events ~ California Wine Country"

Whether you are selecting a dress for a social gala, dinner out, the bride or the mother of the bride and attendants or the youngest of flower girls, we all want it to be the “perfect dress.” The following TIPS may help in the decision making.

1. The formality of the event will often determine the type of dress required. Nothing is more difficult emotionally for many woman to deal with than showing up over-dressed or under-dressed for the occasion. Most occasions do not call for the Hollywood red carpet, yet women do seek looks of appreciation. If it is a wedding, the more formal is a morning ceremony and afternoon reception. The garden party may require a hat and lower heels. A quick call to the hostess or mother of the bride will help. Except in the situation where you’ve been asked out to dinner from a gentleman -- never count on the men to say what you are to wear -- they forget to ask, or make up something and it can end up being embarrassing.

2. Necklines and hemlines are part of the evaluation in selecting a dress. What looks great in a magazine or on the rack may not be a good buy for the shape of your face, coloring and figure. Garments often do require a seamstress for alterations and pressing plus time to get it done.

3. Color can ravage our skin tones and store lighting is rarely a true test of the color or your skin tone. Walk to a window for natural lighting or take the dress home and try it on in good lighting.

4. You may be shopping for a hot summer dress during March and April. Some fabrics breath, but processed silk and polyester are warmer fabrics along with wool, brocade and winter satin. Summer satin, raw silk, rayon, cotton or blends may work best to release body heat. Also consider what packs well -- if traveling.

5. Try sitting, bending, and ease with getting in and out of the garment may solve a lot of problems later on. Some dresses gap, have no ease and you can not get in and out of cars without great effort.

6. Some fabrics can be ruined from perspiration. If you perspire heavily, use an antiperspirant and if the cut of the dress allows, purchase underarm pads to absorb.

7. Remember to get your dress cleaned after your wedding or event. Any stains will worsen and become stubborn after 3 days and never store an un-cleaned wedding dress.

Brides often make requests of the mothers to wear specific colors, hemlines or necklines. There is no real reason other than pretty photographs. It does pay to be reasonable to a degree on this -- wild chartruse may stand out a little in the photos when everyone else is wearing powder blue or lavender

The above article was written for our bi-weekly e-newsletter "Fingertip Solutions To Wedding & Event Planning Problems". You can sign-up for this at http://www.A-Honeymoon.com Great topics, Fresh Ideas and you also enter our Amazing Contest at the same time!!

While this may not be everything you will need to think about, it certainly will plot a strong course. If you found this article useful, please let us know by e-mailing us: jr@weddinglinks.com