Get a Celebrity-Style Wedding Without Breaking the Bank

    CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Conde Nast
 Bridal Media's American Wedding Study, nearly 40% of couples get married in
 the warm-weather months of May through August. This means that countless
 brides-to-be are busy planning their ultimate spring and summer nuptials,
 with many taking the plunge on the luckiest wedding date of the century,
 7-07-07. So what do brides do if they want their wedding to exude an air of
 luxury like Donald and Melania's or Tom and Katie's without the platinum
 price tag? David's Bridal, the only national bridal retailer, and Mindy
 Weiss, one of the most sought after event planners & lifestyle experts in
 the U.S., offer advice on how to plan a celebrity-style wedding without
 breaking the bank.
     Mindy Weiss -- whose clients include Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale and
 Heidi Klum & Seal -- agrees that brides do have affordable options to
 achieve star style. "A luxury affair without the matching price tag is
 possible when armed with a little knowledge and ingenuity," says Weiss, who
 is best known for her creative ideas, unexpected decor accents and
 exquisite attention to detail. "While a lot of my celebrity clients may
 have disposable income to spend on a wedding, most couples do not, which is
 why it's great to see a company like David's offer affordable bridal gowns
 that don't compromise on style. I firmly believe that whether a star on the
 big screen or a schoolteacher in a small town, every bride deserves to feel
 special on her wedding day, regardless of budget."
     David's Bridal and Mindy Weiss offer a few savvy and simple tips to
 minimize dollars and maximize star-style:
     -- Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is: Around 36% of couples outspend
        their budget and while celebrity's pockets may be deep, the rest of us
        need to mind our money.  Figure out how much you have to spend, break
        it down depending on which details are most important to you and try to
        stick to it.  If a great live band is a "must-have," but floral
        arrangements are not your thing, allocate more money to music and
        consider doing a creative, homemade centerpiece.  A wedding should be
        all about the couple, so put your money towards things that mean the
        most to you.
 
     -- Play Up Your Assets: On the big day, all eyes are on the bride, so it's
        important to find a dress that fits beautifully and reflects your
        personality.  While Kate Moss may look great in a silk sheath, this
        silhouette might not be the most flattering for you, so it's important
        to take your figure into account and find a dress that plays up your
        assets.  For this reason, it's always a good idea to go to a store that
        allows you to try on dresses on in your actual size, as opposed to only
        a sample size.  This can minimize the alterations process and give you
        a clearer picture of how you will look in the gown of your dreams.
 
     -- Do a Dress Double Take: A current trend in Hollywood is to wear a
        different dress to the ceremony and reception, like Weiss' client Avril
        Lavigne did.  While every bride's budget may not allow for two dresses,
        Weiss suggests purchasing a dress that has a beautiful cover-up that
        may be worn for the ceremony but taken off for the reception to change
        the look.  This is also a great option for covering shoulders in a
        place of worship.  David's Bridal offers a variety of unique options to
        fill the bill, including a romantic Oleg Cassini gown with beautiful
        beaded overlay, mermaid silhouette and stunning bolero jacket
        (style #CT229, $1000) that is a creative way to get two striking looks
        for the price of one.
 
     -- Color, Color Everywhere: A wedding is the perfect opportunity to show
        your "true colors," which is why many brides, including celebrities,
        choose to make a statement and create a seamless look through color
        coordination.  Toni Braxton memorably did this for her nuptials when
        she incorporated "Tiffany" blue throughout her wedding, from the color
        of cake to the fabric on the chairs.  Whether the hue is seasonal or
        just a personal favorite, it can  be incorporated throughout all
        aspects of the wedding, from the bridesmaids dresses and accessories to
        invitations, favors and even the cake.  If you love the
        colorfully-accented gowns worn by Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Garner, but
        know that the price tag on their picks would put you in the "red,"
        Weiss recommends accenting your waist with an elegant color ribbon or
        sash.  David's offers options in a multitude of colors, making it easy
        to find a hue that best suits your personality.  Their colors even
        coordinate to After Hours tie and vest options for men to ensure the
        wedding party look is cohesive.  Looking for other fun coordinated
        ideas?  Check out http://www.davidsbridal.com or log onto
        http://www.dressyourwedding.com for a new hi-tech planning tool that
        allows brides-to-be to create the virtual wedding of their dreams by
        experimenting with themes, colors, fashion -- even flowers and
        locations -- from the comfort of their own home.
 
     -- Personalization Makes Perfect: Celebrities, like the rest of us, want
        to be unique and are putting their personal stamp on just about
        everything these days.  So when it comes to the wedding dress, stars
        will spare no expense for a one-of-a-kind gown.  While a completely
        custom gown might not be an option for most brides, there are ways to
        get the personalized look for less.  David's Bridal offers a variety of
        sleeve options to customize and create the gown of every bride's dreams
        for a fraction of the cost.  Brides-to-be can select from elegant cap
        sleeves, sophisticated short sleeves, romantic three-quarter or
        dramatic long sleeves to ensure the look is unique as they are.  If
        you're a bride that prefers a little embellishment, try enhancing your
        gown with simple, yet elegant flourishes like a large silk flower or
        sparkling brooch.  Another way to personalize is to pick a theme for
        your nuptials.  It's an important day, so make your mark and express
        your personal style.
 
     -- Finish With Finesse: Fashion finishing touches are critical to a
        wedding-day look and celebrities usually have people clamoring to give
        them "bling" for free.  For other brides, time is usually scarce and
        Harry Winston is out of question.  What to do?  Weiss suggests going to
        a one-stop-shop like David's Bridal that has everything you need --
        from headpieces and veils to jewelry, shoes and handbags -- in one
        location at great prices.  Getting accessories at the store where you
        got your gown is not only a great way to make sure they complement your
        wedding style, but also a great time-saving solution.
     With more than 270 stores nationwide, David's Bridal allows every woman
 to find the dress of her dreams. Gowns range in size from 0-26W and prices
 from $299 - $1200. For more information, log onto
 http://www.davidsbridal.com .
     With more than 50 years of bridal experience, David's Bridal
 understands the importance of providing brides-to-be with a vast selection
 of exquisitely crafted dresses, available at affordable prices. Today, with
 more than 270 locations nationwide, David's Bridal continues to expand its
 retail store locations, while maintaining its philosophy of superior
 quality, value and service. To locate a store nearby, consumers can call
 1-877-693-BRIDE or visit http://www.davidsbridal.com.
 
 

SOURCE David's Bridal