Bridesmaid Dresses

We like to be optimistic here at DimitraDesigns.com, so we like to see all weddings lead to happy marriages.  But if you happen to be going into marriage for the second time, there’s no reason to hold yourself back.  In fact, choosing a second wedding dress can be just as much fun (or more!) than choosing the first.

-Tradition held it that you really shouldn’t wear white if it’s your second wedding.  But that’s sort of fallen by the wayside.  You can go ahead and wear white if you want to!  We’ve got a great selection of white second wedding dresses to choose from.
-If you don’t feel comfortable in white, though, you can go ahead and choose something in your favorite color.  You might find something in our collection of mother of the bride dresses or bridesmaid dresses.
-If the dress from your first wedding is still in good shape, you might be able to trade it in as credit on a new one.  (Because you don’t want to wear the same dress twice— no matter how nice it looks!)
-There’s also nothing saying that you can’t have a fairytale wedding the second time around.  Go ahead and glam it up in a couture wedding gown!

There really is no limit to what you can or can’t do on your wedding day. Outside of the actual legal and often religious requirements, how you celebrate this momentous occasion is entirely up to you! It’s become increasingly popular for brides and grooms to look for ways to make their wedding more personalized and unique. Adding some extra flair to the bridal party’s ensemble or some décor touches that mirror your personal taste is a great way to make even the largest wedding feel intimate.

In the past, adding a monogram to wedding items, including the cake, invitations , programs and favors, was a popular way to add that personal touch to your wedding. This still holds true today, and makes for an elegant theme. However, there are a lot of other fun trends out there that we love just as much:

• Colored Shoes – It’s so fun to see a pair of red (or blue, or purple, or green) shoes peeking out from under a wedding gown. It’s even better to showcase them with a tea length dress!
• Photo Booths – These have quickly gained popularity and it’s easy to see why. Put up some fun backdrops and leave a bunch of props for your guests to have fun with. You can create a photo book of your favorites to share with everyone.
• Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses – Most bridesmaids appreciate being able to pick out a dress that suits their body type, so giving them some flexibility is nice and lets them look and feel their best. You can assign them all a color, or give them a palette to choose from when finding their dress.
• Homemade Favors – Maybe you’re a great cook, or you grow delicious fresh fruit in your garden. Why not give a little of yourself back to your guests by giving them a favor of your homemade jam or a pack of your freshly baked cookies?
• Photo Guest Books – Rather than the standard old guest book that will get lost in a closet, why not  dress it up by putting your engagement photo in a frame with extra wide matting? Let everyone sign it and you can display it proudly in your home!

What are your favorite wedding trends in 2010, and how are you going to personalize your wedding day?

We love spring – things are starting to warm up and dry out nicely all over South Carolina, and that means it’s time for spring weddings to start. Dresses are lighter, fresher, and much more fun in the spring.  Bridesmaid dresses all pop with vibrant colors, and your flower choices are almost never-ending. All of our spring weddings are full of color, life and vitality. If you’re still searching for a spring dress for your 2011 wedding or beyond, here are some of our favorite spring bridesmaid dress trends:

One Shoulder – This dramatic look catches attention wherever it goes. If you want something different and fresh at your wedding, consider having your bridesmaids wear a one shoulder dress. It offers a little more support than strapless and will look glamorous.

Tea Length – With the increasing popularity in short dress brides, it’s no surprise that short dress bridesmaids are also in vogue. Tea length dresses are comfortable and cool in warmer weather, and they have a classic, yet less formal feel to them.

Criss Cross Necklines – This visually appealing dress style isn’t right for everyone, but if your girls can pull it off it can really look spectacular. We love these bridesmaid dresses at destination weddings and on the beach – really any wedding with a laid back vibe.

What other trends are you seeing and loving at spring weddings?

Being a bridesmaid can feel like a blessing and a curse at times. Your sisters and friends are undoubtedly over the moon for you and are honored you asked them to stand by your side on the big day. The crafty girls are sure to pitch in when you need them, and they’re all excited to throw you a bridal shower and a bachelorette party. There’s probably one thing that they’re apprehensive about though: the bridesmaid dress.

The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way! The old days of poofy, ugly bridesmaid dresses that don’t flatter any body type are long gone. There are a lot of things you can do to help your ‘maids find a dress you’ll all love!

Go Shopping – Take as many of the girls as you can get together out for an afternoon and let them try on dresses. If you have a theme for the wedding, or colors in mind, give them some general direction and then let them go. They might be able to agree on a dress together once they start trying them on.

Pick A Designer – If you love a particular bridesmaid dress designer’s style, like Alfred Angelo, give them some choices from that line. You can be sure that the colors will all match, even if you decide to let each girl pick a slightly different dress.

Total Freedom – It’s hard to please everyone, as hard as you might try. One option is to pick a color scheme and send the girls some swatches, then let them buy any dress they want. This will ensure they find a style that flatters their figure. The mis-matched bridesmaids look is hot right now, so not only will your bridesmaids love you, but you’ll all be in style too!

The words “traditional wedding” undoubtedly conjure up an image of a bride dressed in a long, all-white dress, her bridesmaids smiling in their similar dresses, the groom in a black and white tux, and his groomsmen in black suits or similar tuxedos. It certainly looks beautiful, but all of us here at Dimitra Designs like to mix up tradition a bit. We love those classic, elegant weddings, but with a dash of personality. Here’s some ways to add some spice to your classic wedding!

1. Wedding Dress Color Accents – Adding a ribbon to your dress or a small bit of color to match your bridesmaids’ dress color can be a fun way to add a modern twist to your wedding dress. Plus, the photos of you and your bridesmaids will look so much more fun! This Alfred Angelo Wedding Dress features colored trim and embroidery, with 46 different color options to choose from.

2. Wedding Dress Lengths – No one ever said your wedding dress had to be full-length. Tea length dresses and side slit dresses are just as beautiful and will still have you looking like a Princess on your wedding day. Remember, your wedding is all about you and husband-to-be, so go for the look that you want!

3. Off-White Wedding Dresses – If just adding a splash of color to your dress isn’t quite enough, show off your bright personality with a Lilac Wedding Dress or this oh-so-wonderful Bisque Alyce Wedding Dress. This Alyce Wedding Dress even comes in red and turquoise!

4. Vary Up The Bridesmaid Dresses – We’ve all heard those bridesmaid dress horror stories, where the bride loves a bridesmaid dress style, but it just doesn’t look that ideal on every body shape. Instead, choose a pretty dress color, and allow your bridesmaids to choose which style of the dress they prefer. You’ll still all look great together, and your bridesmaids will be happy with their dresses, too! Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dresses come in over 50 different colors, so your bridesmaids should be able to find a style that they absolutely adore in the color you selected.

How about you? How did you add a dash of modern to your traditional wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses?

Hello there and welcome to the DimitraDesigns.com blog! At DimitraDesigns.com, we’re committed to providing beautiful wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride dresses, and more! We have a brick and mortar store in Greenville, SC, led by the talent and expertise of Dimitra Mandela. Dimitra has over 30 years of dressmaking experience, and has worked with fashion notables including Nolan Miller and Bob Mackie. After being recruited by and working with Stephen Yearick, a famous pageant designer, Dimitra eventually opened up her own salon and operates Dimitra Designs with an extensive array of bridal attire and prom and pageant dresses, as well as the successful prom dress site, DressProm.net.

We’ll be posting regularly on wedding-related topics, our favorite wedding dresses, and more. Be sure to keep reading!