Show 0 f I a 1 i I c I JJ Z zig 1 in- in YEs g NERs six SEEK Io q GowNs By Sharon Mosley Copley opley News Service Romantic fantasies are in inthe inthe inthe the air when it comes to modern wedding dresses Today's brides are not afraid to step out of their horse- horse drawn carriages and into the dress of their dreams sometimes reminiscent of ofa a glamorous queen who has captured the elegance of times past Just ask Acra a bridal designer who has been giving brides their fantasy dresses for years I was inspired by the ease and nd elegance of Josephine Bonaparte and her court at Fontainebleau says Acra of her fall 2007 collection I I wanted to interpret their effortless manner of adornment adornment adornment adorn adorn- ment by using pearls ribbons ribbons rib- rib bons jons or a simple blossom Indeed Indeed some of Acra's gowns owns portray her over the he top philosophy for glamorous gowns with embellishments like velvet sashes with flowers lowers halters embroidered with crystals crystals crystals crys crys- mermaid gowns with bustles and long sweeping trains Its It's enough to make you want to glide down the cobblestone path of a French castle Other bridal designers take the romantic vintage approach with their newest newest newest new new- est collections by paying special attention to adornment adornment adornment adorn adorn- ment that sets apart one gown from another g giving ving the bride a personal touch of glamour and a memorable memorable memorable memo memo- rable expression of her own individual style that is not an everyday dress but one that will stand out for years to come With intricate bead beadwork work stand-out stand sashes jeweled brooches and feathery accents many gowns are inspired by century Rococo styles favored by another famous queen appearing appearing appearing ap ap- on today's movie screen Marie Antoinette Perhaps a little too theatrical for some brides the gilded age of brocades full skirts bustles sweeping trains jeweled hair ornaments and r r big hair ha has definitely taken a sa tr modern bridal attire in a new direction Vera Wang takes a modem modem mod mod- r Yak em approach to glamour I by wrapping her gowns in sashes of pale tulle or strips of linen sequin snakeskin and stones Garter belts of a Cent Cont on Tags Pale 7 71 1 I 11 t p A Ar r t wg i i r na n A ik r r r t tr e S tr yr y- y r c r I J. J y r tA rIT a T 1 JL J 1 j OS GAS Photo coun courtesy y ol of R m Acra Abote Abose Taking In inspiration from Crom the Napoleonic Court designer Acra used simple to adorn her ber 2007 bridal collection Left Lett A sweeping train add adds romance and glamour to a strapless busted gown o. I I tg COT 7 D PRO 1 Pg z G black techno stretch around the waist while tiny bandeaus bandeaus bandeaus ban- ban of lace satin and faille gently bind the bosom like a Japanese obi for a contrast of color or texture Indeed color also plays a glamorous role in bridal designs designs designs de de- signs this year with touches of silver and gold embroidery embroidery embroidery dery providing winter brides with dramatic accents in sheer overlays satin sashes train rain and silk flowers flowers Ribbons ruffles and bows also get the colorful touch in deep rich wines chocolates and lavenders Forward to spring and color lightens up in accents of coral oral periwinkle pale blue mint and lilac O Copl Copley y N News ws Service Visit Copley y Nc Nea s 5 Service at al www com L O h e t I i. i Lii w 1 r t r t rye Photo by Nadia Borowski Boroski Scott Your attendants Jobs Job ire arc to Ip you prepare for or your wedding day Bero Before her ber wedding edding bride brid Amy Daurio's Daurio helped her hr put pul on her bor Jcu Jewelry elry the lb big day they y helped Amy with many of or the lb wedding planning details dan such as shopping h. h her d. d dress er manicure appointments and running errands p Perfect Perfect w wes t I J Q pa Ja is s 1 f t mannered wel-mannered By Nicole Reino Reina Copley News Service Being asked to be a part of ofa a wedding party is a great honor but also can lead to uncertainty in the minds of those involved Today many brides and grooms are keeping certain traditions intact throwing throwing throw throw- ing others to the wind and creating their own definitions definitions definitions defini defini- of wedding etiquette Since some of the rules are not set in stone members v of the wedding party may not know exactly what is expected of them Sarah a wedding wedding wedding wed wed- ding planner and owner of Blossom Events in Bonita Bonita Bonita Bo- Bo nita Calif reveals what it means to be an effective and well-mannered well bridesmaid groomsman matron maid of honor or best man today Q Is the bridal party expected expect expect- ed to buy wedding gifts for forthe forthe forthe the bride and groom A Generally in terms of traditional etiquette the bridal party is supposed to give gifts to the couple But it is now a case thing If you are young or and/or just cannot afford all of the costs of being in the wedding you should know the couple well enough to discuss it openly or to know whether or not they would be offended It is always safe to chip in for something with the rest of the bridal t I party or to get the couple something personal that is inexpensive like an art book or book of photography You Youcan Youcan Youcan can never go wrong with a book And on the same note the bride and groom should know the members of their bridal party well enough to know if this is going to be bean bean bean an issue and should conf confront ont it by telling their bridal party not to worry and that they need not purchase a gift especially if the dress or expenses for them are very costly Q What is the matron maid of honor responsible for when it comes to the bride A Her main duties are to tobe tobe tobe be the bridesmaid wrangler and personal secretary to the bride She does a lot of the jobs that if the bride had a wedding planner the wedding planner would do The matron maid of honor organizes fittings keeps the bridesmaids in line and organizes the flower girls She has hs to sign the marriage license Her job is to keep the bride calm try to make her happy try to keep things organized But if theres there's a wedding coordinator the maid of honor is lucky and shell she'll have a lot less to do Q What is the best man re responsible responsible responsible re- re for when it comes to the groom A The best man has to carry the rings He also has to sign the license He is also supposed supposed supposed sup sup- posed to organize the fittings and the payments for the groomsmen But again if theres there's a planner he doesn't have to do those things But Buthe Buthe Buthe he still needs to be there for moral support Q Who should plan and pay for the and bachelor parties A Traditionally the maid of honor and best man are in charge of pl planning nning it I advise my couples to have all the bridesmaids groomsmen groomsmen grooms grooms- men and even friends who want to be involved chip in financially Q If a bridesmaid cant can't afford to b buy y her dress or ora ora ora a groomsman cant can't afford to buy his tux is it OK for him her to ask the bride and groom to pay for the attire A What Id I'd recommend is going to the bride and groom with the approach of I cant can't afford it so Im I'm assuming I cant can't be in the wedding I would let the bride and groom know that you arent aren't going to feel bad if they cant can't help you pay for it Its It's the way you say it I think the best bet is to honestly say you cant can't afford it but that you'll be beat beat beat at the wedding as asa a a guest w see what what the bride and groom say say Q Who decides if the best bestman bestman bestman man and m matron maid of honor are going to make speeches at the r reception Also do you have any tips for coming up with a good speech a 8 VJ a ail assumed assumed n A It should be that if you are a maid of honor or a a groomsman you are going to make a speech unless the bride and groom tell you otherwise If the maid of honor really doesn't want to make a speech Im I'm sure she could have someone else make it But traditionally that's how its it's done But But again my angle with wedding planning is people dont don't really have to todo todo todo do anything they dont don't want to do If a bridesmaid or sas j groomsman groomsman wants to make a speech she he can ask to do so I advise e people to keep the speeches short with a quick anecdote Stay away from inside jokes because its it's funny to the person telling the joke but it is not funny to anyone else Q Overall what can the wedding party do to make the wedding day the least stressful and best it can be for the bride and groom A Go back to the theme of its not about you If they are stressed out be as supportive as possible No matter what be completely optimistic even if its it's storm storm- ing Whatever they need gel it The entire bridal party should know the schedule for the day Make the bride and groom a plate of food because they're not going to have a chance Its It's the little things like making an emergency emergency emergency emer emer- gency kit that make a differ differ- ence Granted if the bride and groom have a planner the wedding planner would usually do that Q If there is no wedding planner and the maid ma tron of honor has to bring bringan an emergency kit what wha are some examples of things that should be in it A Breath mints gum some of the brides bride's makeup clear nail polish nail file hair clips water not Gatorade because its it's got sugar in it and it will coat the teeth and make the breath stink With mints have sugarless mints Some other items are Shout wipes and chalk in case Shout wipes cant can't get a stain out Backs of earrings are another thing to have If the jewelry people are wearing wearing wearing wear wear- ing is all coordinated and its it's pretty cheap Id I'd say get extra jewelry For more information about the wedding edding party etiquette and oth other r wedding-related wedding topics visit SIDEBAR Etiquette for wedding gues guests Copley News Service Unless something goes ter terribly terribly ter- ter wrong ie i.e. the brides bride's dress falls off pretend you dont don't notice the small mishaps If you dont don't know what casual semiformal and formal formal formal for- for mal mean dont don't guess Ask someone in the wedding party about the dress dress' code Dress weather appropriate To reduce stress for the people who have to find a I place to put gifts do not bring a gift to the wedding Deliver it or have it sent to the couple a few weeks ahead of time RS RSVP P. P This seems so basic but many guests forget forget forget for for- get this very i important task Dont Don't bring a date unless ss the invitation specifically says plus guest If you dont don't like the food keep it under wraps Usually Usually Usually ally couples put the food choices on the RSVP card Choose what you like then so you wont won't complain later If none of the options f appeals to you eat a big meal ahead of time and be discreet about not eating much Keep your best moves private Unless you want to end up on the video clip that tha shows guests making fools of themselves it is best to I not do a flip or anything that could result in you or any anyone anyone one else getting hurt Limit your alcohol intake this goes for the bridal party too Drunken scenes at a wedding are not appropriate appropriate o r I Sr Unless the couple has has' ask asked d you to do so do not wear white It takes away from the bride and is considered considered considered consid consid- ered rude by some This day is about celebrating celebrating celebrating ing a couples couple's love The wedding is not about you Keep complaints judgment and negative comments to yourself If you dont don't like th the person sitting on your right talk to the person on your left If you dont don't like either person think pleasant thoughts and eat your cake Visit Copl Copley y News Service at V r j |