Wedding Gowns are more eclectic and beautiful than ever these days. Although there are trends every season, there are so many options available that each bride can create their own very personal look. One beautiful way to spice up your bridal gown is with color.

Color can be used as a very subtle accent or as a bold statement. The gown itself can be in a hue other than white, or touches of color can be added to a white background. If a bride just loves pink, maybe she would be happiest in a wonderful satin gown in the palest of pinks. Certain skin tones will absolutely glow in a soft gold wedding gown. For a very traditional bride, choosing a gown in a color besides white or ivory may feel too risky, but there are other ways to get a little pop of color into your ensemble.

A lovely way to add interest to a simple white wedding gown is with a colorful sash around the waist, flowing down into tails in the back. Fabrics that are crisp but lightweight such as organza or silk taffeta are perfect for a sash. Long tails in the back of the gown add drama during the ceremony, and then can be bustled up with the gown for the reception. Having the tails layered over the dress makes for an especially pretty bustle.

Embroidery is another detail that can be done in luscious colors. Delicate floral embroidery covering the bodice of a gown is beautiful in a pale blue or pink. A very hot trend right now is bold scrollwork designs embroidered in black thread on a white gown. Brides who choose that look often like to have the motif from their gown repeated on the wedding cake. I have also seen magnificent hand embroidery around the necklines of simple silk gowns. For an autumn wedding, opt for petite flowers and vines stitched in warm fall hues. A very subtle but special effect is ivory on white daisies embroidered with a hint of yellow in the centers.

Brides who love sparkle can add beadwork in their favorite color to their gown. It is a fabulous way to create a completely custom look. Twinkling blue Swarovski crystals would be amazing scattered over an embroidered motif. Another great look is to add a row of crystals around the waistline of a wedding gown. Whatever color you choose, carry it into a stunning set of crystal bridal jewelry for a beautifully coordinated result. A very pretty look is to combine clear and colored beads in your crystal bridal jewelry. Great color choices include: blue (for your something blue), pink (for a feminine touch), and peridot green for a fresh summer look. A dash of color in your wedding accessories is also a fun way to jazz up an all-white gown.

One of the most innovative uses of color I ever saw was in the custom wedding gown worn by a ballroom dancer. She wanted a traditional white gown for walking down the aisle, but she also loved bright red, and hoped to find a clever way to accent her dress with it. The gown was created from layers of white silk chiffon and fluid silk crepe. Underneath all of the white layers of the skirt was a final layer of silk crepe in true red. When the bride walked down the aisle, she was a vision in white, with little flashes of red peeking out as the layers of her gown flowed and floated. Then for the reception, the entire white overlay of the skirt could be removed, and she got to dance the night away in her one of a kind gown with a white bodice and a red skirt. It was an incredible wedding gown.

Adding a dash of color to your bridal gown is a terrific way to make the dress reflect your personality. It is also a great idea if you want to make a simple gown more eye-catching. Not only can you make your gown more beautiful, but the color you choose can be used as a theme throughout your whole wedding to make it really show your style

So put some thought into your dress and make it the one that you really want and will always remember that you let your true personality show through in the dress that you dreamed of, not the one that feels right to you.

In recent years a trend has become common among couples planning their weddings-the use of personal friends and family members to officiate ceremonies.  At first, this may seem like a good idea and is even occasionally promoted in bridal magazines and on the Internet. Unfortunately, many brides and grooms end up regretting this decision once their wedding day arrives.  In order for someone to conduct a beautiful and organized wedding ceremony, that person must have a specific amount of skill, knowledge and experience.

Your wedding officiant must have:

• The experience to organize and coordinate the dozens of details concerning your wedding ceremony. (Including the ability to run an organized rehearsal if necessary).
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills in order to convey the beautiful message of your ceremony to your invited family and friends.
• An extensive knowledge of ceremony styles, formats, options, placement, timing and flow.
• The necessary experience to stay cool, calm and collected when things ‘may not’ be going as planned. And the knowledge of “what to do” when things are “not” going as expected.
• The experience to effectively communicate with all of your other vendors-and to coordinate the ceremony with your DJ, photographer, florist and caterer-allowing everyone to work together and on the “same page” during the wedding ceremony.
• An extensive and detailed understanding of wedding licensing, legal matters, county documents and other important ‘paper work’ issues.

It takes years of training, study and experience to become a good wedding officiant.

Unfortunately, “inexperienced” friends and family members are just that-inexperienced.

However well intentioned, they often do not possess the knowledge, experience or skills necessary to perform the type of wedding ceremony that most brides and grooms want (and expect) on this very special day. Inexperienced friends and family members are often visibly nervous, uncomfortable and ultimately ‘unsure’ of what they are doing-leading to a wedding ceremony which is often ‘not very good.’ Keep in mind that all of this will be taking place in front of your closest friends and family members!

The person officiating your wedding will, simply put, “make” or “break” your ceremony-the centerpiece of your entire wedding day!

If you select an officiant who has years of experience and hundreds, if not thousands of weddings ‘under their belt,’ you will likely have a beautiful ceremony that is professional, organized and memorable in a positive way.

If, on the other hand, you select an officiant that does not have the necessary experience, skills or knowledge to conduct a beautiful and organized ceremony-you may end up wishing you had made a different choice. (Regardless of how special that person is in your life).

So choose your wedding officiant wisely, make sure they have the years of knowledge and experience that will lead to a beautiful and organized wedding ceremony.  You will only have one opportunity to perform this service, so select an officiant who is an experienced professional.