Giveaway: Wedding Gown Preservation (to one of our 2011 brides!)

We want to thank all of our 2011 Brides by offering a Free Wedding Gown Cleaning & Preservation service! (Valued at $200) Follow these simple steps below for a chance to have your bridal gown cleaned and preserved for free. Don't miss out on the opportunity to protect this life long keepsake at no cost to you.

Steps to be entered into drawing:
1.) Purchase your bridal gown at Always & Forever (1/1/11 - 12/31/11).
2.) Register on TheKnot.com if you have not already.
3.) Find Always & Forever company profile on TheKnot.com.
4.) Review your shopping experience at Always & Forever.
5.) Email us at info@alwaysforeverbridal.com with your registered TheKnot.com username, real name, and phone number so that we know who to enter & contact.
EXAMPLE:
TheKnot Username: SparkleBaby
Real Name: Stacey Riggs
#: 479.646.1997

*Last day to enter is 12/31/11.
*Drawing will be held 1/2/12.
* Free Preservation must be redeemed by 12/31/12.

Bridal Trends: 2012

Now let's talk style and upcoming trends for 2012!

Currently the overall trend on the runways screams romance and femininty.

Rich organza fabrics with lots of ruffles, layers, and floral accents are perfect for the bride seeking a dramatic look without being too over the top.

Lace-nothing is as classic and timeless as the lace dress. And I am not talking about a lace dress that looks like your great grandmother's tablecloth.
Current popular lace silhouttes are Slim A-lines, dropped waists, and fit-n-flare styles that make this vintage look a real show stopper.

But mostly the biggest trend and one I am loving the most right now is THE BELT!

Let me just tell you the difference that adding a belt can make to a dress. Not only does this accent piece allow you to customize your dress, but it also is very flattering.

**Remember... LOOKING and FEELING like a more glamourous version of your fantastic self is the main goal when styling your Bridal look.

Now that we have your look finalized let's discuss ideas and color trends for this next year....

For the last several years the rustic/barn theme has been extremely popular and this will continue into 2012.

But according to Carly Roney (Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of the Knot) Black tie Formal will be making a strong come back.

When adding more formal accents to a wedding, the event seems to feel more special and essentially feels more romantic. Formal Bridesmaids attire look very clean next to the solid Black Tux with black vest, cumberbun, and tie. The solid black Bridesmaids Dress is elegant, formal, and really one your Bridesmaids might actually wear again.

In keeping with the formal look we will also see Neutral color palettes reign.

Think Kim Kardashian wedding or the wedding of Prince William and Kate.

Bridesmaids and Flowergirls may also wear white or shades of white. Now for many of you this may seem a little out there and you may want to be the only one in white on your special day so instead you can accent with champagne or light gold colors for a really rich and glamourous look.

Some other great color options we are seeing right now is charcoal gray accented with shades of green, yellow, or pink.

Royal Blue.... this color is very fun to use with shades of green, purple, and turquoise and to accent with peacock feathers.

Hope this new entry helps give you some ideas for your 2012 wedding! Congratulations on your engagement! Happy Wedding Planning!

"Love More, Worry Less...Always & Forever" XoXo

Time Line: Buying Your Gown

Over the past few weeks, it has become apparent that many of our brides are unaware of the "gown time-line," so we thought we'd take a moment and break it down. This is a rough time-line and will vary by month as well as by designer.



Typically, it takes 4 to 5 months for a gown to ship (not arrive) from the designer. It can take less time but a well planned bride always works off of worst case scenarios.

Once your gown arrives in the boutique, you will need to schedule an appointment to pick up your gown. Then head with it to your seamstress to begin alterations.

Alterations can take anywhere from 1 to 2 months depending on your schedule, their schedule and the amount of work to be done. This process may include multiple visits to the seamstress.

Add all this up and you are looking at approximately 7 months - just to get the dress ready to wear!

Now, factor in bridal portraits since this is the first time you will wear your gown (assuming you are taking bridal portraits). Then, factor in climate. Why climate? Well, we do live in Arkansas. July-September equals dreadfully HOT! December - March equals all things dead (see plants.) If you have your heart on outdoor portraits, and don't want to be miserable... this could drastically change your time-line.

Example: You are getting married in October. You are taking bridal portraits and want them outdoors so you probably want to take them April - June. To have your gown ready in time, you need to have it purchased by November. Amazing how quickly time gets away from you!

From December until the end of February, the time-line gets longer as you have to factor in the holidays. Gown production typically takes three weeks off during this time which means that your time-line needs to expand by three weeks during these months.


Helpful Hints: Start early, be prepared to buy at your first appointment (we didn't say you had to - just be prepared to) and the gown shopping experience will be blissful.

XOXO

BLACK ACCENTS

Need I say more?!




This is a trend that we find quite lovely.

Happy Wedding Planning!

XOXO

BRIDES MAGAZINE PHOTOSHOOT

Midgley Brides! Run to the newsstand and pick up your copy of February BRIDES! It's the Emmaline gown from Sottero & Midgley Spring 2011 collection! Shout out to BRIDES magazine! Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the February cover photo shoot of Sottero & Midgley Emmaline gown! Check it out!






Don't you love it? Come try on a Sottero and Midgley at Always & Forever!

XoXo