As you plan for your big day, you will have so many things to think about, not least what you and your bridesmaids will be wearing. I recently posted about a cheap discount wedding dress for a very stylish budget wedding. I have noticed from my own experience of planning a wedding, that bridemaids dresses can be a dififcult thing to choose. Firstly, there seems to be a distinct lack of choice around, secondly, they are very expensive and thirdly, you have so many people to consider. If you want to avoid being a Bridezilla, you will probably take into account (a little bit at least) what will look good on your bridesmaids and something that they will not feel uncomfortable wearing.

My solution to the problem of finding gorgeous bridesmaids dresses is to think outside the box. Do not just confine yourself to shops selling bridesmaids dresses and traditional styles of bridesmaids dress. A bridesmaid dress does not need to be floor skimming, a midi length dress can look great and will compliment a long wedding dress perfectly. By widening your search to smart and formal dresses from womens clothes shops, not only will you probably save money, you will also have a lot more choice, giving you the chance to find something that your bridesmaids love and will fit in to you vision of a dream wedding. Your bridesmaids will also be a lot more likely to wear the dresses again afterwards. Think about prom dresses, strapless dresses, maxi dresses and cocktail dresses, all can be used as bridesmaids dresses. Look for luxurious fabrics and simple styles in one colour or a very discreet print.

Soft Grey Pure Silk Brush Print Dress

Sleeveless Pleat Front Belted Dress

Gold Waterfall Dress

I have received a wedding invite. I can think of no better excuse to get dressed up, but deciding on what to wear can take a little thought. I like to try and hit that balance between appropriate but not too predictable, trendy but also classic and feminine but not too girly girly. Of course white is out of the question and depending on the wedding it may need to something that can take me from daytime to eveing without the need for a full outfit change before the evening do. I to needs to comfortable and fairly practical as I will no doubt be chasing around after two young children for most of the day.

I also require my wedding outfit to be very flattering as I will be seeing family and friends that I have not seen for a while and I wouldn’t want them to think ‘ gosh hasn’t she put on weight’ or ‘ oh doesn’t she look drained’. I have selected just a few outfits that would be perfect for the summer wedding that I will be attending, all of which would look great with a pair of women’s wedge shoes.

Pure silk print trapeze dress

Flower Print Dress

Oriental Flower Dress

Linen blend Seville floral dress

Boden Fab Jersey Dress

I was brought up with the notion that ladies always wore hats to weddings. Along with some other rules of etiquette like, no none can remove at the wedding breakfast until the mother of the bride has removed hers. At my own wedding, my mother decided that she would not remove her hat in case of the dreaded hat hair and to my amusement, all of the women in the room sat in their hats as dinner was served, until my father informed her that she must remove her hat.

These days for most people such rules and etiquette don’t seem to apply. Ladies often don’t wear hats to weddings and sometimes they opt for the mush easier to wear option of a fascinator. My personal favourite is the fascinator. It says that you have made an effort and looks elegant and stylish. It is also less likely to blow away in the wind or obstruct the view of those sitting behind you in the wedding and helps to combat the age old problem of hat hair. A fascinator fits securely on your head at  a stylish tipped angle, without the need to fuss about putting it on just right.

Floral and mesh fascinator

Bow and Flower Fascinator

I am very excited, I have been invited to a wedding in May. It is a funny thing that I spend almost all of my time thinking about clothes and what to wear and complaining that I don’t often get the opportunity to go out and get really dressed up. Now that the opportunity has presented itself, I have absolutely no idea what I should wear. Should I buy something new ? Or should I wear something out of my already full to bursting point wardrobe. Then there is the dilemma of whether to wear a sleeveless dress, in which case, I then have to also decide on which cardigan or  jacket to wear in case it is cold, wet and windy which is not uncommon in May. Finally I have to find the perfect accessories including shoes, bag and jewellery.

After much deliberation, I have decided that I should definitely buy a new dress, nothing in my wardrobe seems to be just right for the occasion. On such an important day, I feel it would be rude not to be dressed in an appropriately stylish dress. So after hours of deliberation, I have decided here is my spring wedding outfit, not to bright or flashy to try and take attention away from the bride, not to floaty and flimsy incase of high winds and bad weather, simple elegant set off with a few stylish accessories. In the interests of frugality, I shall not be buying new shoes but wearing a pair that I found in the back of my wardrobe.

T-bags long sleeved knee length dress         

Ballantyne Stole  

 Nica Nemo Button Detail Bowling Bag