EXPERT TIPS

Expert Tips from a Personal Stylist: 4 Quick and Easy Halloween Costumes

Meet the Stylist

We all love to look good, but style definitely isn’t something that comes natural to everyone. So many women walk in our doors saying “I have no idea what my style is” and we get it - styling yourself can be HARD! That’s where Emma comes in! Emma is a personal stylist and closet consultant who owns The Chic Next Door. She offers virtual and in person styling and is a fashion expert. Basically, she’s every gal’s dream best friend! With Halloween coming up, we asked Emma to help us pick out 4 couples costumes that would look great on any dynamic duo and she did NOT disappoint. If you want to pick up any of the items from these costumes, be sure to click the images to shop for all your costume pieces.

Cruella & Dalmation:

Have you seen the new Cruella movie? Personally I’m obsessed. SO much fashion but also such a great plot - a must see! Cruella will need the right accessories to pull this look off but it’s all easy to find. You might already have a red dress and heels in your own closet! For the Dalmatian, paint some spots on a white tee and on your significant other, tail and ears aren’t imperative but they do make the outfit look complete!

His & Her Scarecrow’s:

Last Halloween, my husband and I needed a super quick and easy costume (pictures of us). We used blush and eyeliner to make the patches and the rest came together on it’s own!

Sandy & Danny:

Black? Leather? Hair? That’s all you need! This costume can be super easy to pull together for a last minute party. I’ve linked some extra’s that will make Sandy & Danny truly come to life!

Barbie & Ken:

This costume can be executed SO many different ways. I chose to use the Barbie Dream date idea because these are pieces you can either easily buy or already own in your wardrobe. Want to stand out even more? Create your own “barbie boxes” with some cardboard and paint!

Thanks again Emma for curating these amazing costumes for us! To learn more about Emma and her business, click here.

Expert Tips for Your Dress Shopping Experience

You’ve just said “YES” to the man of your dreams, now it’s time to find the perfect gown. If you've ever seen "Say Yes To The Dress," you've seen some super stressed brides and gown shopping horrors. Here are a few quick tips to keep your day stress-free.

Real Bustle bride, Trina Cobb Ware. Photo courtesy of Jett Walker Photography.

1. Make an Appointment

Making an appointment with a wedding gown salon is just as important as scheduling an appointment with your doctor - you would never just pop-in on your dermatologist, right?

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Making an appointment allows the salon to prepare for you. They’ll be expecting you on the decided date and time and your consultant will be able to focus entirely on you. Without an appointment, there may not be anyone available to show you dresses - yikes! 

Okay, so you’ve made an appointment. Don’t get caught up in the moment and make 3 appointments for the same day. If you don’t find your dress at the first salon, then go ahead and make second appointment. Decision exhaustion is real - your brain can't handle looking at too many dresses in one day!

2. Know Your Budget

Knowing the dress budget before the first appointment will relieve so much stress. I PROMISE.

If you are paying for the gown, do some research and come up with a number both you and your fiancé are comfortable with.

If someone else is paying, have a conversation before your appointment. This may be uncomfortable initially, but totally worth it in the end. If you know the budget is $2,000, you won't need to wonder if you should try the $3,000 gown in the window!

Consider accessories and alterations. Go ahead and budget for accessories such as a veil or earrings. Most brides need some amount of alterations on their dress, even if it’s just a hem, so make sure your budget has some wiggle room!

3. Limit Your Entourage

It may be best to leave the big party for the wedding day and other bridal festivities. Too many opinions during your appointment can be overwhelming and confusing.

You’ll be the one wearing the gown when you say “I do,” so it’s important to bring only those whose opinions you trust and who encourage you to find the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful.

4. Have an Open Mind

So, you've probably been adding photos to your wedding dress Pinterest board for years. That's ok! In fact, it’s a great idea to do some research on different styles and fabrics to find what you like before your first appointment. However, it’s equally important that you go into each appointment with an open mind. It's not uncommon to fall in love with a dress that you never even imagined trying on!

5. Don't Be Afraid to Say, "Yes!"

Most likely you'll be able to find a dress you love at every bridal salon you waltz into. That being said, it’s okay to find "the one" at your very first appointment! Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking you need to try on every gown in the city before you can decide. It’s actually pretty common for brides to purchase one of the first dresses they try on when working with an experienced bridal consultant.

So, when you find a gown you love, stop looking and say, "YES!"

Real Bustle bride, Emily Brooks Hamby. Photo courtesy of Sweet Julep Photography.

Bustle is a bridal salon nestled in Homewood, Alabama providing a high-end shopping experience to style-savvy brides on a budget. Bustle specializes in designer sample wedding gowns straight off the rack. Visit Bustle's website to learn more!

Expert Tips on How to Plan a Honeymoon During COVID-19

We’ve teamed up with Abbay from Abbay’s Escapes to bring you all the expert tips and tricks for planning your honeymoon. Abbay has so much great advice, and even included a free COVID-19 specific downloadable packing list for you! Read on to learn how to plan your dream romantic honeymoon.

Expert tips on how to plan a honeymoon during COVID-19

Are you trying to find the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19? Or are you just trying to stay sane while you’re navigating the ever-moving parts of planning a wedding right now? As a recently engaged gal myself, I feel your pain. It’s challenging.

While it may feel like finding the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19 is more complicated than finding true love, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be.

I recently helped a Birmingham couple navigate changing their honeymoon from France to the Napa Valley, and then ultimately closer to home in South Carolina. Sounds like 2020 right? The moral of this story is that with a bit of flexibility and creativity – couples have options.

So, what are your honeymoon options?

1. Take a road trip. 2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live.

2. See the USA. Did you know that the US is geographically the fourth largest in the world? Distinct regions and states may as well be their own countries. From the snow-capped peaks of Colorado, the placid beaches of Miami, sweeping deserts of Arizona, and lush forest in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, there are so many amazing options in our own country.

3. Grab your passport. Intrepid travelers have international options, such as Mexico, French Polynesia, and certain islands in the Caribbean.

4. Enjoy a mini-moon & go international later. This is my favorite and best of both worlds. Why not plan a domestic mini-moon now and plan an international trip later for 2021 or 2022?

8 Steps for planning your honeymoon during COVID-19

1. Define your comfort zone for traveling. While some couples are eager to grab their passports and jet set abroad, others may want opt for something drivable and closer to home. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here.

2. Decide if you want to drive or fly. Driving will allow you to limit your interactions based on your own terms. Did someone say road trip? Airlines have stepped up their safety and hygiene and are enforcing wearing a mask. So if you’re flying, be sure you’re OK wearing a mask for the duration of your flight. Check destination restrictions. Even if you’re staying domestic, certain states require negative COVID tests or a mandatory quarantine period. Also, check restrictions in your own state; whereas, you may be required to quarantine upon return.

3. Check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is set to expire in 1-2 years, I recommend preparing and submitting the paperwork now. Most countries require at least 6 months’ validity on your passport, and due to recent limitations in passport services, it could take longer than 6 months to renew your current one.

4. Do your homework on your hotel and destination. When I recommend hotels and/or destinations for my clients, I consider and present all of the factors below, so they can carefully weigh their options. I recommend going through a similar process to determine which hotel property and destination is best for you. Carefully review the hotel’s, deposit, refund and cancellation policies. If it’s unclear, ask more questions. Check the hotel’s COVID-19 protocols, i.e., social distance in hotel areas, masks, and cleaning. Most hotels have this posted on their website. Due to restricted capacity, you may need to make reservations in advance whether that’s for dining or time at the pool. Consider what your destination is like right now. For example, certain museums and other popular tourist areas may not be open to the public, or you may need to reserve your activities, e.g., dinner, wine tastings, or tours, well in advance due to limited capacities. 

5. Buy travel insurance. I always recommend that my clients purchase travel insurance, but I recommend it now more than ever. Also, some destinations require that you show proof of travel insurance that covers medical costs. A travel advisor can help you navigate the different types of travel insurance so that you can choose the option that is best for you.

6. Stay up-to-date on the latest travel restrictions. Travel restrictions are fluid, so you’ll want to revisit these up until the time of your trip. There is no shortage of news articles and coverage on Coronavirus, however I recommend the following reputable resources: World Health Organization, CDC, and the U.S. State Department’s Covid-19 Country specific information.

7. Get a COVID test 72 hours prior to traveling. Some destinations, even domestic ones, may require a negative COVID test for entry. The rules for each spot are fluid and can change at a moment’s notice, so avoid the risk of getting caught without one and go ahead and get that negative confirmation

8. Enjoy your honeymoon! It’s time to relax – you and your sweetheart deserve it!

“2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live. — Abbay”

Remember:

Be patient. Things are going to be different, and we are all working through the changes. If the airplane boarding process or dining experience takes longer or isn’t what you’re used to, be patient and understand everyone is trying to keep you, your fellow travelers, and the employees safe.

Be flexible. If you’re used to eating dinner at 7PM but you want to avoid peak times, be prepared to make concessions. Consider dining earlier or later or getting room service instead, working out at a different time, and adjusting “normal” schedules to avoid more crowded areas.

Use a Travel Advisor. There are more logistics than ever to consider with your travels, so using a travel advisor is even more beneficial. A knowledgeable, well-connected travel advisor can help you navigate the nuances of traveling during COVID-19, design an itinerary that is custom for you, be your advocate before, during, and after your trip, and add extra perks and upgrades along the way.

Embrace the Now and Enjoy! While honeymoon travel may look slightly different than pre-2020, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on fun or romance. Some of my favorite hotels are focusing more than ever on privacy and seclusion - making it super luxurious and easy to turn up the romance factor. Can you picture yourself enjoying bubbles in your private hot tub or snuggling up by your in-room fireplace? Embrace the privacy and enjoy this amazing milestone!

Below you’ll find my Honeymoon Packing List complete with COVID-19 essentials. You can also visit my blog for additional resources and information. Happy traveling!

Honeymoon Packing Checklist

Honeymoon Packing List!

With COVID-19 Essentials.

Bustle is so grateful to have learned so many incredible tips and tricks from Abbay. We are lucky to have her as a friend and Bustle Bride!

If you are overwhelmed with your own honey moon planning process and want some extra help, we really can’t say enough wonderful things about Abbay! She is such a joy to work with and will help you have the honeymoon of your dreams. You’ll get exceptional travel Intel, seamless planning, and special perks, so you can have confidence in every aspect of your honeymoon (while avoiding all those painful hours scouring the internet).

You can email Abbay at abbay@abbays-escapes.com or call her at 205.578.6832. Don’t miss her  Instagram where she posts her latest travels!

Abbay we can’t wait to see in your Bustle gown at your wedding and are looking forward to seeing where your own honey moon travels take you! Thanks for sharing your expert tips with us!

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How to Prepare for Your Dress Appointment

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After you get engaged, searching for the perfect wedding dress is probably pretty high on your to-do list. You might be wondering what your dress appointment will be like and how to prepare. We’ve compiled some helpful tips here so you’ll know what to expect as you get ready for your dress appointment.

Keep an open mind. Be prepared to fall in love with a style you didn’t expect. Some brides come to their appointment knowing exactly what they want in a wedding dress while others need a lot more guidance. Whichever category you fall into, be sure to keep an open mind. You may be surprised by what you end up liking the most!

Capture your style. Since picking your dress is one of the things you do early on in the wedding planning process, no one expects you to have every detail of your wedding figured out. However, it’s a good idea to have some idea of how you want to look and feel on your wedding day. If you’re having trouble, think of 2-3 adjectives such as glamorous, comfortable, romantic, graceful, vintage, classic, etc. You can think back on these adjectives during your appointment to help guide you. You can also save pictures of your favorite styles and share them with your consultant. And if you already know a few details like your venue, colors or a theme, it’s a good idea to mention them to your consultant before you start trying on dresses. Your consultant can help you pick out a dress that fits in with the look you’re going for. Any information you can give her will be helpful in your search.

Know your budget. You’ll want to have a good idea of how much you want to spend on your wedding dress, including your alterations. Most brides need some amount of alterations for their wedding gown, even if it’s just getting the dress hemmed. There’s no way to know exactly how much alterations will cost, but we have several businesses we recommend with varying prices ranges depending on your needs. During your appointment we will stick to the dress budget you tell us, so you don’t need to worry about overspending

Narrow down the group. Instead of bringing your mom, sister, in-laws and all of your bridesmaids to your dress appointment, try to keep the group smaller. It can of course be nice to have support and advice during your appointment, but it can get loud and crowded in the fitting room. Plus, you might run into having to field lots of questions and opinions about your choices which can be distracting. There will be plenty of other exciting events that everyone can be a part of, but we recommend making your dress shopping a more intimate experience.

Bring the right undergarments. Since you’ll be trying on an array of dresses during your appointment, be sure to wear suitable undergarments. Avoid brightly colored or printed undergarments that may show through the wedding dresses. We recommend nude, fitted underwear and a strapless bra if you have them. You can also bring Spanx if you are interested in trying on more fitted gowns and want a smooth look.

Bring your accessories. Along with wedding dresses we also sell an array of accessories such as jewelry, veils and garters, but if you already have some of these items, you are welcome to bring them along. It may be helpful to try on your veil or shoes with your favorite dresses to get the full picture.

When it comes to wedding planning and finding your perfect dress, it helps to be prepared. We hope these tips have helped you get ready for your dress appointment and we wish you the best of luck!

EXPERT TIPS on how to re-plan, postpone, and salvage your wedding!

Alyssa and Caleb — WhitandReu Photography

Alyssa and Caleb — WhitandReu Photography

Alyssa Hall has been planning and dreaming of her wedding since she was 5 years old. She met her dream guy, Caleb, at Sky Ranch Camp in 2018. On their dating anniversary, Caleb proposed to Alyssa, and they started making what they thought would be concrete plans to celebrate their love.

COVID-19 has certainly caused a lot of disappointment and uncertainty these past few weeks. Like many couples recently, Alyssa and Caleb have had to make changes to their wedding day plans; because of the ongoing social distancing, they have decided to postpone their wedding until the summer.

““It’s about the marriage, and not just the wedding” - Kalee Baker”

Thankfully, Kalee of Kalee Baker Events is here to help them (and us!) navigate these tough times with some expert advice! Kalee is a wonderfully talented wedding planner and coordinator who truly has a heart for serving her brides, and she’s on a mission to help them during this crisis. These expert tips she shared are invaluable, and we want to share them with you:

Utilize Technology

  1. You do not have to stick to the usual etiquette of mailing a letter. Different times call for different etiquette! You don’t need to add more stress and expense by ordering new invitations and stamps. Feel free to call your wedding guests to let them know your wedding plans have changed.

  2. Because a traditional guestbook can spread germs, consider a virtual guestbook or appoint one person to record the names of all your guests as they arrive.

  3. Livestream your wedding! There may still be limitations on the number of guests who can actually attend for a while, so this is a great way to include all your friends and family so they are still able to watch you get married.

Use Your Resources

  1. It truly does ‘take a village’ sometimes, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help as you adapt to the new situation. There are plenty of ways for your loved ones to help out, so let them put their talents and strengths to good use!

  2. Consider a phone tree to help pass along information and last minute changes. This can help take some of the pressure off of you and distribute this enormous task among multiple people.

  3. Put one of your bridesmaids, groomsmen or a family member in charge of live-streaming the wedding. Having someone managing the livestream will put you at ease and ensure it runs smoothly for your big day!

Think Through Your Dinner Plans

  1. For the sake of safety, it’s best to not have a buffet since they can easily spread germs.

  2. Consider having a seated dinner or multiple servers to cut down on germ transfer.

  3. If you’ve lost your caterer, you might think about contacting local country clubs, since they have all the resources and staff available to meet your needs.

Embrace COVID-19

  1. When you think about it, it’s pretty romantic to celebrate your love in the midst of a crisis — so embrace it and have some fun!

  2. Give away hand sanitizer as your wedding favors. Give out masks — you could even have them printed or monogramed!

  3. Have a car parade receiving line! This is a really fun idea for family members or friends who can’t risk it, but are still wanting to show their love and support. What a unique memory to carry with you!

““Your choices are basically postponing and canceling, and when you postpone, you are NOT going to lose as much money as canceling.” — Kalee”

Unfortunately, COVID-19 may impact future weddings for some time, so it’s a good idea to go ahead and prepare yourself. We can probably expect lower attendance at weddings for a while, and even as things re-open, they could potentially close again if there’s another outbreak. It’s important to remain hopeful during all of this because it will not last forever. Don’t let this pandemic steal your joy!

For future brides who are planning a wedding down the road, here are some additional tips consider:

  1. Make backup plan. As you book your vendors, ask about their backup plan and discuss what may need to happen if there is another COVID-19 outbreak. Knowing you have a contingency plan will put you at ease. “Your choices are basically postponing and cancelling, and when you postpone, you are NOT going to lose as much money as cancelling.” — Kalee

  2. Be flexible with your vendors. This is new territory for them too, so try to work with them as best as you can. Make sure you communicate and have realistic expectations about what they are able to do — they may be forced to limit certain services because of the virus. Discuss other options that would work for both of you. Here’s an example: In Kalee’s most recent wedding, the photographer wasn’t able to have a second shooter because of Covid-19 related limitations. The photographer then offered more shooting time and other perks so that the bride and groom still got what they paid for.  Be flexible, and your vendors can really serve you well during this time!

  3. Capture your wedding day. If friends and family members are unable to attend (such as grandparents and others at high-risk), consider having your photographer put together a photo album for them; you can even add in descriptions of the day and how you felt to give it a more personal touch. Hiring a videographer would also be a great idea.

  4. Spread out the joy. Since having everyone concentrated in one space at the same time may not be an option, think about spreading out time with friends and family throughout the day or weekend. If you’re still going ahead with the wedding now but you’re postponing the reception until later in the year, you may want to host a small brunch the day after the wedding for grandparents and other high-risk loved ones who didn’t feel comfortable attending the ceremony. Keep the celebrations coming!

  5. Consider a private property. A privately owned home or backyard can be a beautiful setting for a wedding, and the likelihood of it “closing” or becoming unavailable is much lower.

Always remember: it’s about the marriage and not just the wedding! There are so many special ways you can celebrate your love and union together; it’s just a matter of being flexible and finding creative ways to involve your loved ones. At the end of the day, it’s about you and your fiancé coming together, and nothing can take that away.

Expert Tips for Postponing your Wedding

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Many of you with weddings coming up are now faced with having to postpone the festivities due to the coronavirus. We know how much thought and energy has gone into planning your wedding and we want to help.

Below we’ve listed some tips to help you get started and have included some links with more detailed information that we hope will be helpful.

Tips:   

 1.    Talk to your vendors about postponing your wedding and start with your venue. Many vendors may be willing to make exceptions in light of the circumstances.

2.    If you’ve already mailed invitations, call/text/email your friends and family right away letting them know the date is postponed. Then, if you wish, order just one (or a small batch) of invitations with the new information so you have a set for photos of and also for keepsake.  

3.    If you don’t have a wedding planner, consider hiring one to take the burden off.    

4.    Ask for help! Even though we’re keeping our distance from friends and family, there are still ways they can help. Have your loved ones call vendors to inquire about rescheduling their services.

5.    Postpone the wedding, not the marriage! It’s such a disappointment to have to delay getting married when you thought it would be sooner.  Have a private ceremony now, and celebrate later with friends and family!

Local paper designers, Dixie Design Collective have created some really lovely weekly planning notepads to help with structure and sanity. A little pretty goes a long way when working on a difficult project.

We would like to continue to be a resource for our brides and future brides in this time of uncertainty. Please, feel free to email with questions or ideas {hello@bustlegowns.com}.


Here are some resources for additional information:

Planning a Wedding at Home? Here Are a Few Things to Consider | The New York Times

How to Postpone Your Wedding Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic | The Knot

What to Know if You’re Planning a Wedding During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Brides.com

Expert Tips: How to Choose a Wedding Cake Style

Trend Alert: The Most Beautiful Wedding Cakes Right Now

Wedding planning includes making a lot of decisions. Some of them are downright boring, such as choosing the seating arrangement and making a realistic budget. Some can be truly wonderful – there is nothing boring about trying out wedding dresses or choosing a wedding cake by looking at pictures that come quite close to being a work of art or coming up with your own unique idea for the cake style. If you are having any doubts about the cake, here are some trendiest wedding cake styles you should know about.

Images courtesy of Unsplash

Floral Cakes

Floral wedding cakes are always in vogue, but the style, texture and dimension of flowers are changing depending on the current trends. These days “the rosette” look is taking over the wedding cake world, with its allover textural sugar roses. Since they are very rich in texture, they are usually subtle in color, mostly only white, pale pink and beige. Fresh flowers are still on top of their game (and on top of many wedding cakes), and sugar-made flowers made a huge comeback in the form of bouquets.

Rustic cakes

Rustic wedding cakes are usually associated with a woodland theme. Their main characteristic is that they are mostly minimalistic and the color of choice is almost always white or ivory. The decoration is subtle, yet very eye-catching, because it contains fresh flowers and leaves. What truly makes these cakes stand out is the display which fits in with the theme perfectly. A wood tree ring is the ideal rustic cake display, and it can be further decorated with foliage and moss.

 

Illustrated cakes

Do you want to have the concept of your first date drawn on your cake? Maybe the theme from your wedding invitations? Would you like to have the lyrics from your favorite songs written on the cake? How about an illustration of a superhero? A classic art masterpiece? A graffiti from your neighborhood? With the new trends of hand-painting illustrations on wedding cakes, anything is possible.

All-white

It’s always a nice day for a white wedding, so why wouldn’t it be a nice day for an all-white wedding cake? You may think that white wedding cakes are boring and not worthy of such a major event, but there are beautiful ways to make them more outstanding, by adding all-white embellishments. White details like sugar flower cascades, piped embroidery, jeweled decorations or quilted fondant can transform the plain white cake from monotonous to impressive.

Fruity

If you are one of those wedding guests that always choose fruit instead of chocolate cake, fruity cakes which are not only made with fruits, but also embellished with fruits, could be the thing for you. A pear on a cake top instead of a flower, might sound silly now, but when you see it in reality, it may blow you away. All fruits can be used to make the wedding cake more beautiful, including plums, strawberries, raspberries and oranges.

 

Ombre design

From hairstyles to fashion and interior design, ombre style of painting has found its way into every aspect of our lives, including the weddings. This glamorous and whimsical way of color transitions is truly an artful idea. Depending on your taste, you can opt for a rich saturated hue that fades away toward the top or the bottom or make a transition from orange to yellow and then to white. For the most subtle and sophisticated effect, choose a cake that goes from ivory to white.

No wedding cake at all

If you want to make your wedding day as unique as it can be, you can consider giving your own twist to the traditional cake:

●      Many catering companies are offering an interesting candy bar station, where you will have bottles and jars filled with homemade sweets and decorated so that they match your wedding theme.

●      In some confectionaries you will even find individual wedding cakes that can be made with special inscriptions for each guest.

●      A three-tiered cupcake, macaroon or donut tower has become such a popular choice that you can find it anywhere.

These were some awesome wedding cake (or not) trends you should consider if your wedding date is getting closer. Each of them is beautiful in its own way; you just need to find the one that suits you the best.

 

Georgia Selih is author @highstylife.com. By nature an artist, by profession a journalist. An irreparable print lover who is enjoying this hot digital affair.

Expert Tips: Alterations for your Dream Gown

You've found the perfect dress but it doesn't fit!

Relax, you’re in the norm! Almost every bride needs alterations to her dress, but there’s no reason your dress can’t fit like a glove, even if it’s several sizes too big.  Here’s what you need to know:

Photos courtesy of Derek Phillips Photography

 

1. Hire an expert

There isn’t a school for alterations, so everyone has different ways of doing things. Taking a dress apart, resizing it and putting it back together is not an easy or quick task, especially if the dress has beading, lace, an open back or plunge neckline. The final finish and quality of work should be as good or better than the factory.  Your typical walk-in clothing alteration shop may not have the experience or customer service that you need and deserve for this most important garment alteration.  Make an effort to hire the best specialist, with the best reputation you can find for the job, as your overall experience and final results will be a direct reflection of them.

hollow to hem alternations alabama

2. Make room for alterations in your budget

It can take several hours or even days to complete all the alterations your dress might need.  Remember, you’re paying a local person for their skilled labor.  The cost won’t be proportionate to the wages paid to the factory workers who put your dress together.  The total price will vary depending on who does the work, so don’t be afraid to ask for a quote.  You’ll need to provide details on what needs to be done and likely need to bring the dress in person or send detailed photos for an accurate estimate of alteration costs. Plan ahead- Don’t wait until the last minute to think about alterations.  Not many people can do this type of work well, so the best will get booked up early.  Ask what the turnaround time is, we recommend one week.  Waiting several weeks or months for your dress to be finished is not only stressful, but in our experience produces less accurate results.  A good time to start alterations (if the turnaround is quick) is six to eight weeks.  If your size and weight are always consistent, start the alterations process earlier.  Many brides worry that they will gain or lose weight just before the wedding and their dress will no longer fit.  Don’t worry, this very rarely happens in our experience.

hollow to hem alterations alabama

3. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion

If your alterations person says “it can’t be done”, it may just be that they don’t know how to do it.  Many seamstresses aren’t professional dressmakers and won’t have experience with complex dress customizations and alterations, such as making sleeves, altering the curve of the bust or adding material to make a dress larger. Find a patternmaker (dressmaker) if you can, they will have the technical training to complete these more complex tasks with less effort.  

 

Sammie is a seamster and consultant at Hollow To Hem, where he and his wife specialize in bridal and competition dress customization, alteration and pattern making.  Appointments: Hollowtohem.com  Phone/Text: 205-MY-DRESS  FB/Instagram: hollowtohem

Expert Tips: How to Get the Most out of Working with your Florist

How to Get the Most Out of Working With Your Florist

Rachel and Noah Ray bride bouquet giant flower greenery natural

Most people have never worked with a florist before and it’s hard to know what to ask for to get the most out of your wedding day flowers.  Here are a few must-know tips before meeting with your florist:

1.     Come to the first meeting as prepared as you can. 

Be ready to share as much as you can about what you would like your florals to look like.  It’s ok if you do not know what the flowers are called (pinterest boards are always super helpful). There are so many directions to go and showing some form of inspiration, no matter how little, is a great jumping off point.

2.     Trust the florist knows what flowers will perform best for your wedding day.

We want your flowers to look amazing and hold up all day long.  There’s no worse feeling than ordering bunches of something only to have it come in looking frail and wimpy. While we are able to get more and more varieties year round, certain blooms hold up better during certain times of year.  Your florist also knows certain types of flowers that may only be available around your wedding date to make it extra special.

3.     Give them a little creative freedom.

Hopefully you have selected your florist because you like their style. Trust that they have your best interests in mind.  When you allow your florist some creative wiggle room they are more inclined to want to go above and beyond and deliver more than quoted.

4.     Let them know what’s important to you.

Flowers are expensive, and we want to give you everything you want and make it look like the pinterest board of your dreams.  If certain things are especially important to you to have, let us know and we can allocate the best for those and come up with less expensive solutions for others. 

5.     Think Big!

I love a big statement piece, or two!  Especially if you are working on a minimal budget, it’s important to spend your Monday wisely.  Rather than trying to spread your dollars to have something on every table, invest in one or two larger installations.  It will make a major difference in photos and wow your guests!

 

Kathleen is a Birmingham based florist and stylist.  Her business, Edna K, comes from her first name (Edna) after her grandmother.  With a background in prop styling, art direction and graphic design Kathleen brings a unique and artful perspective to her floral design. Visit her website for more information ednakdesign.com or email her at Kathleen@ednakdesign.com.

 

Expert Tips for a Tiny Wedding

How to Have a Meaningful & Minimalist Wedding

At Tiny Weddings Bham, we are passionate about celebrating romance in the simplest ways. We take the traditional wedding experience and distill it down to the most important and memorable parts. We love big weddings just as much as the next person, but we understand that elaborate celebrations aren’t for everyone. This is where we have found our niche—providing high-end, minimalist weddings full of meaningful details, with some of the top wedding professionals around. For couples working with a smaller budget, or those wanting to keep things peaceful and intimate, we would love to share some of our tips!

A Minimal Guest List

Guest lists can be one of the most painful and stressful aspects of wedding planning. It is important to decide at the beginning how many people you want to have attend your special day. It gets easy for others to tell you who “needs” to be at your wedding - from old family friends, to fourth cousins, to high school friends. But we suggest only inviting those who you have close and meaningful relationships with as a couple. At Tiny Weddings Bham, we limit our guest lists to under 30 people. If that number is too small, just make a list of your closest family members and your closest friends. Even if the number is higher than 30, chances are it will still be south of average guest list of 120.

Meaningful Details

We are here to tell you that your wedding can be upscale and minimalist at the same time. The key is to focus on having beautiful details without going overboard. We encourage you to pick a couple of key areas that you want to emphasize, and do them well. Pick a venue that’s already beautiful, such as an art gallery or historic home. Many smaller event spaces need very little help to be gorgeous. At Tiny Weddings, our efforts go into having a gorgeous altar, a pretty cake table and drink station, and personal flowers—that’s it! We take a few focal points, and we expertly design them so that they really shine. Share with your planner, florist, and photographer your vision for minimal but impactful, and ask them to work their magic in your key areas.

Minimal Food

Food and beverages can easily become the most complicated and expensive aspects of your wedding. The easiest way to keep it minimal is to have your wedding during non-meal hours. Consider having your wedding around 10:00 AM and serving light brunch food like a fruit tray, mini quiche, and mimosas, or having your wedding around 4:00 PM and simply celebrating with cake and champagne! You might be surprised how beautiful minimal food styling can be.

A Minimalist’s Wedding Day Timeline

At Tiny Weddings Bham, we aren’t afraid of hitting the highlights. Our couples have a ceremony, cut cake, toast champagne, mingle with their guests, and then have a photoshoot with the photographer. It’s a simple and relaxed experience that lasts around 2 hours. Some couples host after-parties and we love that idea, too! A wedding day does not have to be a long, marathon day, it can be short and sweet and equally (if not more) intimate and special.

We hope these suggestions for how to have a meaningful, minimalist wedding have been helpful. If having a Tiny Wedding sounds fun to you, we would love to chat! You can contact us or learn more about what we do at www.tinyweddingsbham.com.

 Tiny Weddings Bham is a collaboration of Birmingham’s best wedding professionals, curated to give you an exceptional experience without the huge wedding price tag. We come together once a quarter to provide a short and sweet experience for couples to get married in style.

Vendors:

Tres Beau Weddings

Photos by Heart

Jennifer Woodberry Photography

Gold Leaf Floral

Studio Flower

Swan Lindsey Lettering

Bustle

The Nest

Clubhouse on Highland

Décor to Adore

Bandit Baking Co.

Olexa’s

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe

Savoie Catering