Simplistic Chic

   We often have customers coming into our shop asking for something a little different. They don't want extravagant, they don't want diamanté, they just want a beautifully simple dress that will suit them. It can often be hard to find a simple, elegant style at the moment, particularly when there is so much lace around. Not all customers want that. At Especially For You, we have found that one of our simplest dresses is actually our most popular, Annie. Surprised? We were.

Click HERE to see Annie on our website

   When Annie first came into stock in white we thought she would sell well, but we didn't realise the full potential of the dress. We ordered her in white, as we didn't have many white dresses in stock, and it's always a colour we recommend people try at least once when looking for the perfect one. It's all about whether white complements your skin tone. But anyway, wearing white for your wedding is a discussion for another day. Annie is a beautiful taffeta wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline. She has a stunning sweeping ruched bodice, which cinches in at the waist and simple two tiered a line, with a slight pickup. Some brides have decided to use Annie as a blank canvas which they can customise, adding diamante over the bodice, or maybe a lace overlay with straps, something to make it completely unique. However, many brides have just marvelled at the simple style, and kept her just as she is.



   Luckily, we have more styles that follow in the same style as Annie, each have their own individual quality. Amber is a satin A-Line dress, with a flattering band around the waist, and pearl applique detailing to the side. The sweetheart neckline on this dress, along with the soft fabric, gives this dress a very romantic feel. If you were trying to find a classic wedding dress for your big day, this is the dress to go for. If you love the dress, but don't want the Cappuccino coloured band (as pictured), the dress is available in all White and all Ivory. It's all a matter of taste. Either way, the clean lines and slightly gathered skirt mean Amber always looks perfect, however you decide to wear it. To see Amber on our website, click HERE.

Click HERE to see more images of Janine

   The next dress is another satin beauty called Janine. If you have been following our blog closely, you'll notice that she appeared a couple of weeks ago in our Stunning Opulence post. Not to be outshone by the rest of the new Opulence collection, this dress pulls out all the stops to create a luxurious feel. Definitely a dress to impress. Like Annie, we have had customisation requests for Janine, and luckily she has the option to come with a lace overlay jacket. This is a classic dropped waist dress with ruching at the sweetheart neckline, with flows into the bodice and through the skirt. The train on this dress is simply exquisite, the way the lace up finishes just before the ruching starts only adds to the sweeping style. Like we said before, it might just be our favourite!

   Finally we come to Simone. Simone is a little different from the other dresses in this post, because she does have some detail over the bodice, namely lace applique. Like Amber, the dress can come in all Ivory or all White satin, which simplifies the dress a little more if that is the style you are going for. We have found about a 50/50 split of those who go for all one colour and those who go for the black detail, to get a little bit of a contrast on the dress.  The silhouette this dress creates is very flattering, showing your figure off too its best. That is the main reason we love this dress. We have Simone in stock with the black detail, and Simone is on website HERE if you wish to know about sizes.

   That's all for Wedding Wednesday this week. We would like to know what style of dress you like the best. Are you one for lace and beading? Or is the simple style that captivates you the most? Comment below to tell us which you prefer, and what you thought of this week's dresses.

November and December Order Discount

Click HERE to see the dresses in our new collection.

Move Over Debenhams, We've Always Had A Size 16!

It has recently been in the news that Debenhams have decided to start using size 16 mannequins, as if this something completely original that no one else has ever tried. They might be right about being one of the first high street stores to do so, but here at Especially For You, we didn't give this a second thought.

"Why's this?" I hear you ask. Probably because we've had our size 16 dummy in the window for years, we didn't see anything unusual about Debenhams and their brand new publicity.
It has often been the assumption of many that any time you visit a bridal store, all the dresses available to try on will be sample size dresses in a size ten, and at some bridal boutiques, we're sure this is the case. Not at Especially For You.

We know that not everyone is a stick thin model who needs to eat more pies, and we also know that different dresses are perfect for different body shapes. Why would we stock a size 6 in a dress that looks best on an hourglass figure? We try to have dresses in the sizes that we think they would look best in,  but of course that doesn't mean to say that we don't stock small sizes, because we do. It's just that we stock a whole range of sizes, because it's hard to imagine what your wedding dress will look like if the one you're trying on is three sizes too small. We are only a small shop though, so this means that we can only stock one size in each dress. If a dress isn't a perfect fit, we can use our expertise to help fit the dress around you, so you can visualise how, once ordered in your size, the dress would suit you.

 At the moment, the smallest size we have is UK size 6/8, and the largest is currently a size 28. However, we can easily order up to a size 32 in any of the 60 or more dresses we currently have in stock to reorder. Here are some dresses we have in stock, all in different sizes. Click on the dress names to see them on our website.

We have Harriet in stock in a size 20.

There is Simone, in stock in size 10.

       

We stock a size 16 for Molly.

                     

 This is Verity, stocked in size 18.

Abby is in stock in a size 12.

Finally, Zara is in stock in a size 14.

To see the article on this on the Lancashire Evening Post Website, Click Here. We hope you enjoyed this week's Wedding Wednesday, comment below, we love to hear what you think. It could be about your experiences in other wedding stores with sizes, or about the dresses in the post.

November Carole's Corner

Well that was a busy season. Not at the end of the year yet and yes, we still have some weddings to take care of , but the busiest time is now taken care of. So now we look forward to next year and the diary is  already looking very very busy! Lots of lovely Brides to guide towards the best day of their lives, their wedding day.

With some dresses already arrived and waiting in the store room for their excited owners to have their fittings, this heralds the start of my busiest time. With the fit to perfect and changes to make in the style many many hours will be spent in the sewing room happily un-picking, pinning and re-stitching. Nothing better than toiling  over a dress striving for perfection, to find at the next fitting that the fit is now perfect ….. happy Bride equals happy Carole.

To go back and look at some of the work completed this year  …………….. well ………. there was lots of lace which brings with it’s own challenges. Altering the side seams to perfect the fit will involve un-picking the lace or the appliqués and the beading, peeling those back to allow access to the main seams, which will then be re-stitched. At the next fitting some Brides will be concerned to see their beautiful dress with ‘bits’ hanging off. Never fear Carole is here, that will all be put back together after I know that the fit is correct and you will never know that anything has been done when you see that dress again, all finished, steamed & pressed ready for your big day.

As for the lace hems, well that’s another story! I think I should cover that in my next blog . What part of the alteration process would you like to read more about? You can add your thoughts and comments below.

Stunning Opulence

The collection at Opulence Bridal just keeps getting better and better, and we just happen to have some of their most beautiful dresses in stock. The newest dresses have been with us for just over a month now, but already they are extremely popular, and we can see why. Here are some of our favourites from the newest collect that we currently have in stock.

This is Bianca, a beautiful A-line dress with a satin belt at the waist to add that little extra something, and a sweetheart neckline. The skirt has a stunning layer of lace underneath one of appliqued tulle, giving the whole dress a much romantic look. This dress has a lace-up back, and is available in Ivory or White in sizes 6 to 32. As we write this, there is someone trying Bianca on in our shop, we hope this is the one she goes for, it looks stunning!
Click here to see Bianca pictured on our website.

Hazel is our next dress, with a
soft pleated bodice in an organza fabric. What makes this dress so unique are the straps it has, which carry on all the way down the back. Just think, as you're stood at the altar, everyone will just be mesmerised by the exquisite detail they can see. A few brides who have tried this dress on have said it reminds them of a waterfall, which we think makes a great comparison. The train on this dress flows perfectly, and no one could look away as you made your way down the aisle. It is available in White or Ivory (both with Silver detailing) in sizes 6 to 32. See Hazel on our website by clicking here.

We should now move onto Janine, and with good reason, because (and we know we shouldn't say this but...) Janine might just be our favourite of the new collection. It could be the simplicity of the dress, or the luxurious appearance of the satin, but for some reason we have fallen head over heels in love. The dress is available with a jacket that buttons up at the back (if you read last weeks Wedding Wednesday post, you would have seen it make an appearance) for those who want to add some in vogue lace to the dress, but it is optional and not everyone will want it. Janine is available in Alibaster, Ivory and White, in sizes in 6 to 32. To see her on our website, click here.

Now we come to Sophie, a dress unlike any other we have in a shop. It is the shape of this dress that makes it so unusual. With a slim silhouette and the tulle strap over one shoulder you can see why it's such a 'wow' dress. The lace is dotted through with subtle beading and pearls, and sparkles as you turn. The back is very simple though, with the lace detail and a zip up fastening. Available in Ivory or White in sizes 6 to 32. Click here to see Sophie on our website.



Last - but by no means least - is our final new Opulence dress, Susanne, and she is absolutely breathtaking. From the beaded lace bodice, to the pearl and applique belt, this dress has it all. The reverse of this dress is particularly eye-catching, it's a keyhole back, only adding to Susanne's beauty. If you want to make a statement on your wedding day, this is the dress to wear. It's currently a firm favourite with our brides, probably one of our most popular of the new collection. It is available in sizes 6 to 32, and in Ivory or White. The zip down the back is covered by tiny buttons that add to the charm of Susanne.  You'll find Susanne on our website here.

We hope you loved the Wedding Wednesday post for this week, you'll be glad to know we have finally sorted out the problem we had with the comments box, so you can now comment to your hearts content! Please let us know what you think, do you have a favourite out of all these dresses?

To Strap Or Not To Strap? That Is The Question

We have many brides come into the shop, immediately saying they definitely want straps or they definitely don't. For some, though, the decision is harder, and it's all about what looks right with each dress. We try to stock dress with a variety of necklines, with or without straps, but we are able to add straps to any of our dresses. Some lend themselves to a halter, some to one strap, and some to sleeves, and depending on the style, we can order the right fabric for the dress.

Take, for instance, sleeves. Most requests for sleeves are for lace ones, to go with our more vintage styles. We order in a lace that matches the dress if it already has some on; otherwise we can show you plenty of lace samples for you to choose your favourite. However, we can make sleeves from tulle, organza, satin or taffeta, whichever goes best with your dress.

To show you the style of sleeve we can make, here are before and after photographs of our dress Monique. A customer had a winter wedding, and loved this dress. We thought that adding sleeves was a great idea. It looks like two different dresses. Monique can be found on our website here. 

Some people like the idea of sleeves, but don't want them to be there all the time. For these people, we have the jacket. We know what you're thinking, surely jackets are only for winter weddings? well, you thought wrong. We sell jackets all year round, in many different shapes and styles. Many have full length sleeves, some have simple capped sleeves, and others are a back-to-front style, with buttons running up the back. These are brilliant for adding a bit extra to a very plain dress, or customizing a dress to make it unique to you. Then, if you decide halfway through the big day that you're ready to 'let loose and dance', you can take off the jacket and transform your dress! Here are a few that we have in stock, although we can make to order as well.

 This cover-up is exactly that, it has a very high neckline and adds something different to any wedding dress. The button up back and ribbon edged bottom finish it off perfectly, along with the pearl embroidery.

































This jacket is also a button up back, but it has long sleeves, and isn't at all beaded. It's quite a soft and romantic style, perfect for someone looking for a vintage style dress. The lace on this jacket is absolutely stunning, with the sleeves reaching the elbow.

For those who want a sleeve length that is
something in between the two previous styles, then these are the jackets for you. One is in the same design as the others, with a high collar and buttons up the back the other, however, is a bolero. The bolero is a very popular style in our shop, maybe because on the wedding day it is easier to take off, the others take some time to unbutton (a minor problem for the effect achieved)

 The edging on the bolero is particularly detailed and finishes the style off perfectly. It's a personal favourite of ours, but don't tell!





So, we're sure you've seen enough lace jackets to last a life time. Perhaps we should moving on to, as the title of this post suggests, straps (you may think it's a long time coming!). Usually, when deciding what kind of straps to have, we usually advise the customer to look at the neckline of their dress. A sweetheart neckline often lends itself to slightly angled straps, or maybe a halter, a neckline with pleating wants straps that follow the pleat direction. To make lace straps, we order extra lace, cut out the right shape, and usually line it with an organza fabric for the brides comfort. Here are some of the straps we have made before.

 On the left is a thick lace strap with minimal beading. This is to go with a specific dress, the lace matching exactly. The strap on the right is a beaded style stitched onto organza fabric and tapered at each end, the effect is stunning.

Here is an example of when the same strap can be made either as a halter or as two straps. We simply increase the strap length, and make sure - if a halter - fits nicely around the neck so it doesn't stand away.

Left: The front of the strap.
Top right: The strap as a halter neck.
Bottom right: The back of the strap.


We hope we have given you some ideas about your own dress, maybe you've decide a bolero is definitely the way forward, or a halter strap would suit your dresses neckline. Comment below to let us know what you thought of this instalment of Wedding Wednesday, we always love reading your feedback. Until next week.

Make a Stationery Statement

A table plan is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when planning a wedding, but things like this are very important if you want the big day to run smoothly. Many people choose to make their own invitations and place cards, but this can just add more stress to your planning. Brides have enough to think about already, without the pressure of choosing the satin ribbon or the organza one for their postbox (yes, some people do have postboxes, we didn't make that up). So, if this is you, and you simply don't need anything else to think about, what are your options?

The Online Shop 

We all know that the internet is vital for your wedding, whether it be to find the shop with wedding dress of your dreams, or to read through the many internet wedding magazines, even to find your wedding theme. However, when it comes to purchasing invites, the internet unfortunately has its flaws. With a physical shop, you can go in and check on the progress of your stationery at any time, using proofs to make any amendments you feel are necessary along the way. Most online stationers have started providing proofs, which is a big help; you want to make sure what appears on the screen is actually what you're getting. We say that if you are unable to request a proof from an online store, don't take the risk! Wedding invitations go quite a way in setting the tone of your wedding, and you don't want to trip up at the first hurdle. Another difficulty with buying your invites online is that if you want to match up your invitations, save-the-date cards and table plan (a subtle but chic idea that the keen eyed among your guests will notice...and appreciate) it can be hard to recreate an invitation design by yourself on something else. To overcome this problem, many sites have started to offer a package deal, where all the necessary items can be bought together and personalized, which is a great idea. There is, however, a last problem to the online store, the fact that your invites may lack that unique quality. There is probably someone out there ordering the same invites as you right this second. This doesn't matter, we hear you say, because each customer writes their own message and date and name on their invites, so they would be different. But picture this. You've just ordered your dream invitations online, very pleased with yourself for finding such an elegant style at such a fantastic price. Then the post arrives. You pick it up, and recognise one of the envelopes, but you don't know why. Once you open it up, you realise with a sinking heart that this is an elegant invitation to your best friends wedding. And the reason you recognised it so quickly? Why would your heart be sinking? You've just ordered the exact same style!

The Stationer's Shop

If you think ordering online is a bit risky, what about going to the local stationer's shop. It resolves all the problems you may have had with seeing proofs before your final invites, or having emergency name changes halfway through their creation. One thing you do have to compromise on is price. It is well known that online orders are a lot cheaper, as you can usually get them at a discount. The invitations may take longer from a store as well, so remember to leave enough time to get them sent out to all of your guests. we recommend sending them out three to four months before your big day, to make sure everyone has time to put it into their diary, buy outfits and maybe book time off work. In our opinion, going to an actual shop to buy your invites seems to provide more peace of mind, you know the shops have a reputation to uphold, so are sure to make your invitations absolutely perfect. Going in to talk to someone who can give advice on what works and what might not is also a huge bonus, and you should value their opinion, although do remember that it is your design, and you have the final say. 

The Bridal Shop

This may seem an odd place to go to get your stationery, and if you ask in some boutiques, they may look at you like the stress of wedding planning has finally gone to your head. However, quite a few bridal shops do make their own bespoke stationery. a way to find out is to check out a shop's website, it will usually say on there, along with some pictures of the kind of styles they are able to make. The choice can be more limited than at a specific stationer's shop, but if you have a certain colour in mind, like the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, they will be able to get a perfect match on ribbons and such like. They are often very flexible, and will cater to your needs. We may sound slightly biased, because we make bespoke stationery at our bridal shop, but we understand that this way isn't for everyone. It isn't as cheap as it would be online, but it is a lot less likely that anyone will have the same style invitation as you!

We hope that this has helped you to decide on where you want to source you invitations and stationery from. This is an area of weddings that is often overlooked, or left to the last minute, but if you get invites and table plans organised early enough, you can avoid all the stress that comes with it.