Denver Wedding Photographer captures bride in wedding dress.

Be aware when you buy used — or any gown that isn’t straight from the designer — that it may be in less than pristine condition. Expect to have it cleaned or to make minor repairs.

Before looking at used gowns, research the various designers’ styles so you know which brands tend to have “your look.” While you are doing this, also decide what features you want your wedding dress to have. For example:

- What general style do you prefer (a-line, mermaid, etc.)?

- What color will your gown be (ivory, white, pink, etc.)?

- What necklines are acceptable to you (sweetheart, halter, etc.)?

- How long will your gown be and will it have a train?

- What type of detailing will it have (seed pearls, rhinestones, beading, etc.)?

Also, like everyday women’s clothing, sizes vary depending on the brand. Each designerpublishes a measurement chart. Using those charts, figure out your size in each of your preferred designers’ gowns (Remember that in all likelihood your wedding dress will need to be altered, whether you purchase it used or straight from the designer).

After completing your research, you are ready to begin looking for a used wedding gown. There are several places to find used gowns. You’ll want to set up notices, put in requests, and monitor each of them:

- Consignment stores can be a good used gown source. If you are lucky enough to have a local used formalwear store, alert the owner that you are looking for a dress.

- Craigslist is a very active used-goods marketplace. Find your local Craigslist, open a free account, and make an “item wanted” post. Do searches for the terms “wedding gown” and “wedding dress” in the clothing section — and monitor new listings often — to see what is currently being sold.

- There are several Websites that specialize in used wedding attire and/or create a buyer/seller marketplace (hint: search “used wedding dresses” or something similar in your favorite search engine).

- Buy at auction. By far the largest auction site is eBay, and they have an extensive bridal gown section. Many were worn once or are sales samples.

- While not technically “used,” bridal store floor samples are a great bargain. Most stores sell their last-season samples for $99 and up.

Other Ways of Finding Inexpensive Wedding Gowns

If your heart is set on a designer dress, but you don’t have a designer wallet, you might find a designer sample dress for a fraction of the cost at one of the above-mentioned floor sample sales.

You could also buy a designer duplicate. These resemble — but are not completely identical to — an existing designer gown. In general, you order the gown based on a photo of an existing dress. A seamstress, usually in an Asian country, then recreates the general look of the pictured gown — often for around $100. There are both positives and negatives to this approach. Whether a dress like this is right for you depends on your own priorities: If you expect the same quality of material and exact detailing as a designer original, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a way to very inexpensively purchase a formal wedding dress that will look good on you for a day, then consider this option.

A final way to find an inexpensive bridal gown is to consider a white or ivory bridesmaid dress to wear as an informal wedding dress. Because bridesmaid dresses are generally much less expensive than bridal gowns, you can save hundreds of dollars with this approach.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Denver Colorado Wedding - The Groomsmen!

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they’ve selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who’s, what’s, when’s, and why’s, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Colorado Bridesmaids

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I’m going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant’s. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don’t realize that the Bride and Groom’s first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don’t forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Tim & Tammy Smith operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company, located in Fargo, North Dakota. They have been providing entertainment for wedding receptions since 1994 and belong to several professional disc jockey organizations.

It’s often the last thing you as a bride think of when you’re planning your wedding day. There is so much to do beforehand; it makes your head spin! It is the most important day of your life, and you want to look absolutely stunning!

So, do you do your own wedding make up, or get a professional Make-up Artist to do it instead? Well, it all depends on how competent you feel in applying make-up. If you wear it regularly, and apply it well, there’s no reason why you can’t do your ownwedding make up . Just make sure you have a trial beforehand. Choose shades that enhance your features. There really are no rules, as long as you choose a shade that is flattering. Generally forwedding make up , your chosen theme colours will dictate the shades you use in your make up. The neutral tones of brown, gold and beige can be used to stunning effect. Or if your colours are cool, such as lavender or pink, you can introduce these colours into the make up. Use pale pinks to highlight the brow bone and create shading in the socket line with soft greys. Don’t try any fashionable new looks for your wedding day, keep that new silver eye gloss for your next night out! You can use shimmer shades for the eyes. Apply a frosted beige to the brow bone and eyelid to open up the eye and enhance the colour, but avoid shimmer dewy looks for your face, you’ll just look sweaty in the photos!

Make powder your must have item to keep your complexion looking flawless all day. If you choose to wear lip gloss, always apply it over a base colour of matching lipstick or lip liner. Don’t opt for just clear gloss as your lips will seem to disappear into your face in the photos. You need to add a bit of colour for definition. Nude browns or soft rose pinks look natural and there is a shade to suit all skin tones.

A clear glowing skin is an asset for any bride. It is easily achieved with a good skincare routine. This need not be complicated, a good cleanser, toner and moisturiser applied daily, with exfoliator twice a week, will ensure you have beautiful skin! Keep these products in the bathroom where you’ll use them, not looking pretty on your dressing table gathering dust! If you have any skin problems, visit a Beauty Therapist, who will carry out a skin analysis, consultation and give you personalised recommendations to improve your skin’s condition.

As your wedding day approaches, you may feel you can’t cope with the stress of doing your own make up on the morning. Then consider calling in the professionals. There are benefits to having someone else do it for you. You can get up in the morning, have a bath or shower, then just sit back and relax until it’s time to go. You’re in the hands of a trainedprofessional (hopefully) with lots of experience who can put your mind at rest and create that stunning look you’ve always dreamed of. Or maybe not…As there are numerous bridal Hair and Make-up Artists out there, how do you know you’ve picked good ones? Well here are some things to look for when choosing someone to carry out this important task.

1) Ask if they specialise in bridal hair and make up – they will invariably say yes, but check how long they have been doing it – it is different from regular clients.
2) If you want hair and make up for yourself and the bridal party, it’s best to have a team of at least two people to carry this out – you don’t want to feel rushed and part done!
3) Check their portfolio and look at the pictures – do you like any of the hairstyles or make up looks?
4) Ask to see recommendations from other brides
5) Check they use a professional brand of make up (you may not recognise the name) as the colour pigments are denser and last longer. But don’t get too hung up on this, remember the most important thing is that they can apply it flawlessly!
6) Make sure you can have a trial and consultation – talk to the person (s) you must feel comfortable with them and tell them exactly what you want.
(7) And the final piece of advice – have them come to you, it’s no fun dashing about town getting your hair and make up done, then hurrying home with barely enough time to get in your wedding dress!

On your wedding morning get up early and make sure you have breakfast. Take time out to enjoy your preparations whether you are doing them or someone else. And the most important thing… Don’t worry about flowers wilting or bridesmaids stumbling, this day is about you marrying the man you love and everything else is just the trimmings!

By Chantelle Mayhew
Proprietor Infinity Hair & Beauty

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

The search for Bride 2.0 has begun. Can Web 2.0 and social networking stimulate a struggling economy, make 3 brides social media super stars and prove that by simply asking for help the Internet and wedding related communities will step up and lend a helping hand? Check out this cool video to learn more about this concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp9NU8t1Bls

This concept is the brainchild of wedding planner Ciara Daykin. Visit her website at www.planetplanswedding.com to sign up for her free report “10 Individuals Who Changed The World With One Idea” (and it’s not the regular crowd you might think of at first).

Have you supported us in a unique and viral way? We’d love to know about it so that we can recognize you on our blog and hopefully drive business back to your site as well. Please tell us how you’ve supported PlanetPlansWedding.com