Gifts and Gowns for the Wedding

Picking out a wedding dress is a major feat when planning your big day, but also, equally stressful if deciding what kind of looks to adopt seems an impossible task. One route to boosting inspiration is to browse celebrity weddings - their Haute Couture designs tend to get copied to the high street and boutiques and are good places to steal ideas from.
Balenciaga has been hailed as a top wedding dress designer after Nicole Kidman chose it for her special day and got voted number one in the Conde Naste polls for best wedding gowns. She opted for a fairy tale ivory, off-the-shoulder gown, with puff sleeves and a silk veil. She also went with formality and topped the outfit off with a pair of pearl drop earrings, an ensemble that’s well-suited to a classic wedding and a traditional bride.

For a less formal approach to wedding styles, you don’t have to necessarily do a Pamela Anderson-style beach wedding, complete with scantily-clad bikini attire. Renee Zellweger was praised for getting it right in a strapless fitted cream gown by Caroline Herrera, which was simple but effective. And two weddings later, Pamela Anderson left her Baywatch bikini behind and hit the target in a strapless Valentino dress, made from cream denim that was busty, short and edgy.   However, if you want extravagance, then Hollywood is close to getting out-done by the English footballer’s wife. Last year, Steven Gerard’s then-fiancé Alex Curran, wore a lavish Ellie Saab gown, and took luxury to new heights with real diamonds sewn into the fabric.

Flowers are just as important and if chosen well can enhance the all-poignant gown. If they aren’t picked right, then an oversized bouquet can become a distraction. It depends on your dress, and the environment. If it is a formal affair, then an elaborate displays work best and a bride can go to town with a large bouquet. If it’s more informal, then something understated might suit. Again, the beach wedding requires minimal decoration - don’t forget that the beach will already provide a naturally beautiful setting. The bride should think about carrying a single long-stemmed flower like a lily. For ideas on floral arrangements and help with flower delivery, check out Interflora. They provide a very handy delivery service, which can save you the trouble of lugging bunches of flowers around.

As an extra tip, if you are having trouble getting a thank you token for any of your bridesmaids, Not on the High Street has a comprehensive range of all is cute, glam, edgy and one-of-a-kind.  Marking the occasion with pearls or a small locket – something that can age in sentiment – is a very nice touch.  It’s also a handy site if you’re not the one getting married, but want to find a perfect present for the happy couple (and don’t want to go down the drab toaster route). A browse around the site will inspire some glamorous gift ideas.