Wednesday, December 30, 2015

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Wedding Dress Shopping

Buying a wedding dress is a once-in-a-lifetime event.  Since you don't do this all of the time, there are a few things about bridal gown shopping that you probably aren't aware of. Angelus Bridal & Formals has put together a list of common mistakes to avoid when you begin searching for your dream wedding dress.  Avoiding the mistakes that we have seen many brides make can help you to have a much easier, more successful shopping trip.  



1.  Procrastination


Putting off wedding dress shopping too long can really hurt your chances of getting the perfect dress in time for your wedding.  You may find it, but if you are shopping too close to the wedding date, there may not be time to order it and make any necessary alterations. The earlier you begin looking for your wedding gown, the sooner you can order it.  Aim for making the purchase at least 8 months before the wedding date.  This will leave plenty of time for alterations and accessory shopping.  

2.  Shopping hungry.


If you are lucky, that first dress that you try on will be "the one" and you're all done!  Most likely, that will not be the case.  Finding the perfect dress usually requires trying on many dresses until you find your style.  Make sure that you eat a light meal, and maybe even keep a snack in your purse, in case the shopping takes longer than you are expecting. Trying on dresses when your stomach is growling and you are weak from hunger is not a pleasant experience. 
 

3.  Only trying on one type of dress.


You should definitely look through magazines and "window shop" online a little before you go shopping, but keep an open mind.  Every style looks different on every body.  Something that you absolutely love in a photo may not look the same on you.  Also, something that you aren't terribly fond of on the hanger could look amazing once you put it on.  Be open to trying on a few different styles when you start out so that you can find the direction to keep looking.  

4.  Ignoring your consultant's opinion.


The dress consultant's at Angelus Bridal & Formals are experts when it comes to bridal fashion.  They are each trained to know what we have in stock, what looks good on different body shapes, and also to listen to your wants and needs.  Listening to your dress consultant could save you a lot of time wasted on the wrong dresses. 


5.  Keeping your opinion to yourself.


At the end of the day, the only opinion that truly matters is the brides!  You will be the one wearing the dress, so only you know which one is the right one.  A consultant is there to guide you, but if you don't like something that they have to say, speak up.  It won't hurt their feelings.  The same goes for anyone that is dress shopping with you.  Hopefully you only brought people whose opinion you trust, but it's not their dress, it's yours.  Don't be too shy or let someone push you around. 

6.  Buying a dress that doesn't fit you now.  


Many brides come in planning to lose weight before the wedding.  Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.  The safest bet is to buy a dress that fits you comfortably at the size you are right now.  If you do lose weight, you should have plenty of time to have the gown altered.  It's a lot simpler to make a dress smaller than to make one bigger.  Ordering something that is too small for you could mean that you cannot wear that dress, forcing you to scramble at the last minute to find another.  

7.  Being surprised by a church's dress restrictions.


If you are getting married in a church, be aware that some have dress codes that you must follow.  It would be terrible to find out that your dream dress does not fall under the approved guidelines.  Knowing any restrictions before you begin shopping makes it much easier to work within them.  



Avoiding these seven commonly made mistakes will help to make your bridal dress shopping experience a happy one.  The best wedding dress store in South Florida is here to guide you through the entire process.  When you make an appointment to try on our wedding gowns, you are the center of attention.  The consultants at Angelus Bridal & Formals will do everything in our power to help you find that dream wedding dress.    




878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-943-7768

Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Stunning Fashions to Ring in the New Year

A New Year's Eve party is the perfect excuse to go searching for something fabulous to wear.  The best special occasion dress store in South Florida has an incredible variety of styles to choose from.  No matter what your personal style is, we have something perfect for you at Angelus Bridal & Formals.  

CLASSIC

No lady's closet can have too many little black dresses.  They seem to be the perfect look for nearly any occasion.  You can add a little bling with jewelry or a belt, or switch it up a bit and choose a black dress with an accent color.  Black also looks fantastic amidst New Year's Eve confetti and streamers.      





FUN & FLIRTY

If you want to dance the night away and have all eyes on you, go for a bold color or a flirty 2-piece ensemble.  Another amazing look is a sheer, floor-length skirt with a short little number underneath.  A bit of flare to the skirt looks incredible on the dance floor.    





GLAMOROUS

This look is still a wonderful way to be the center of attention.  An evening gown with some shimmer to the fabric is a very festive way to celebrate the new year.  A full, flowing skirt in a bold color is a very dramatic way to show up at a celebration.  You will look like you stepped off of a red carpet and right into the party.   



If you are attending an event with music, make sure that you pick out shoes that are not only fabulous, but that you can both stand and dance in for hours.  A handbag small enough to not draw attention away from your dress but large enough to carry your basic essentials will be needed.  As for jewelry, if your evening gown is made up of a shimmery fabric, you can probably tone down your accessories.  If your dress is a little more understated or a solid color, pick out something shiny.  After all, New Year's Eve is all about ringing in a new year full of possibilities with a great big bang.  

The most beautiful special occasion dresses in Pompano Beach are waiting for you.  Give Angelus Bridal & Formals a call and make an appointment to try on a few of our exquisite dresses.  We look forward to getting to know you better when you come in so that we can point you in the direction of the perfect dress for both your style and personality.    





878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-943-7768

Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

3 Charities to Donate Your Wedding Dress To

Last week we wrote about 5 things to do with your bridal gown after the wedding.  The last of these tips was to donate your wedding gown to a charity or organization, but we felt that there was too much information to only mention it.  This week's blog from the most trusted bridal salon in South Florida goes into more details about the places that will accept your wedding dress and help you to pass along the joy that the dress gave you to someone else.



Angelus Bridal & Formals did a little bit of research, and we found 3 organizations that make sure that your bridal gown is put to good use after your wedding.  You can get more detailed information about each of these charities by clicking on the links for each below.     



Wish Upon A Wedding

This group was founded by a wedding planner that believes everyone deserves the chance to marry their soul mate, even if life has thrown tough challenges their way that might make planning a wedding difficult.  This nonprofit organization grants weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness or a life-altering circumstance.  They are partnered with Brides for a Cause, who not only provides this group with wedding dresses, but also 50% of the proceeds from the donated dresses they sell on their own.  Chapters are currently located in only a few towns across the country, but they grant wishes in all 50 states.  


Brides Across America
Every year this group gives away over 2.000 wedding dresses to military brides.  Their mission is to inspire and express gratitude and appreciation for the service men and women serving in the armed forces.  Deployments, financial hardships, and other challenges that are unique to military families can make planning a dream wedding difficult.  Events are held 2 times a year, generally near Independence Day and Veteran's Day, to offer free dresses to qualifying military brides.    


Angel Gowns Florida
This ministry was created to make very special gowns for newborns who pass away in the hospital.  It may seem like a small comfort, but it means a great deal to the parents to have this special piece of clothing for family visitation and photographs to remember their child by.  The baby gowns are created from donated wedding dresses.  These are not for sale, but given as a gift to the grieving families.  If you choose to donate, you will receive a photo of the child's gown that is made from your donation.  

  


There are organizations all over the country that will accept gently used wedding dresses to brighten a woman's special day.  You should be able to find one close to you, no matter where you live.  The national organizations above can probably help you with your search too.

When you are ready to begin the search for your own special dress to get married in, start by making an appointment to try on the exquisite wedding dresses in our Pompano Beach store.  We will get to know you and your style so that we can offer you exactly what you are dreaming about.  Angelus Bridal & Formals has the bridal fashions to help make your wedding day perfect.  
  




878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-943-7768

Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest

Thursday, December 10, 2015

5 Things To Do With Your Bridal Gown After the Wedding

Once you find your dream wedding dress at the best bridal gown store in South Florida, you will be counting down the days until you get to walk down the aisle in it.  You have been meticulously taking care of it up until that day, but what do you do with it after your wedding?  Once you get back from that honeymoon, it's time to make a decision.  Here are a few ideas from Angelus Bridal & Formals that may help you out.  



Get the wedding dress professionally cleaned.


First of all, do not wait too long to get your wedding dress cleaned.  Oils from your body and anything else that may have gotten on it could permanently stain the material if not taken care of quickly.  Bridal gowns are very delicate, and attempting to clean one yourself could damage the dress beyond repair.  Your best bet is to take it to a dry cleaner.  Find a professional that has experience with handling these types of dresses and knows exactly how to clean them to keep then looking like new.  

Once you get it back home from the cleaners, do not keep it in the plastic bag, and don't leave it on the hanger.  Plastic fumes can lead to yellowed material over time, and it will keep much better folded in a wedding chest rather than hanging up.  

Have it preserved.


If you really want to make sure that nothing will happen to ruin your bridal gown after the wedding, you can have it professionally preserved.  Once the dress is cleaned, they will package it in an acid-free, archival box that keeps it from staining or deteriorating.  You will want it to look just like it did on your wedding day if your daughter also wears it down the aisle someday.  

Turn it into a keepsake.


A creative seamstress can create all kinds of wonderful things out of your wedding dress. You can also find lots of interesting ideas if you search online through sites like Pinterest. Some really great ideas include:

  • A christening gown or bassinet cover for your future child.
  • A quilt.
  • A Christmas tree skirt.
  • Throw pillows for your home.
  • A covered photo album.  

Wear it again.


If you are able to retain your wedding day shape, re-wearing your wedding gown on a special anniversary down the road can be a fun way to re-live that special memory.  If you love the dress so much that you don't want to wait that long, let a seamstress turn it into a stunning cocktail dress or evening gown to be worn right away.  It can be left in the original color or dyed your favorite shade.
  

Donate it.


If you would like to pass along the love that is attached to your beautiful wedding dress to someone else, you can donate it.  There are many charities that collect bridal gowns for women that are not able, for one reason or another, to afford one of their own.  Some charities also re-sell the dresses to raise funds for their particular cause.  In next week's blog, we will feature a few of these wonderful organizations that accept donations.  


Your favorite bridal salon in Pompano Beach can help you find your dream dress before the wedding, and hopefully this blog has given you a bit of inspiration for what to do with it after. This subject really is worth putting some thought into.  Whether you keep it in the family in some way or pass it on, doing something with your wedding gown will help it to live on beyond photographs.  

  



878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-943-7768

Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Popular Bridesmaid Dress Colors for 2016

Every year, Pantone announces their predictions for the most popular colors to be used for the next season.  The best bridesmaid dress store in Pompano Beach took a peek at the wedding colors trending for 2016.  Ten colors were picked as the hot ones for this Spring, and Angelus Bridal & Formals matched up a few of the bridesmaid dresses that we are able to offer our beautiful bridal parties in similar tones.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses


As with every trend, it is only a suggestion.  You don't need to feel like you aren't hip or cool if you don't choose one of the colors above.  These are simply a starting point for your own inspiration to take flight.  
  

WARM COLORS

-Rose Quartz
This color fits in well with another predicted wedding trend: metallic accents.  A rose gold is very similar to this pink shade.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses


-Buttercup
This is the perfect color for anyone that loves bright yellow blooms.  It brings a cheery feel to a wedding.  

-Peach Echo
Peach Echo brings the warmth of the color orange, but in a much softer way.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses


-Fiesta
If your personality is bold and bright, then this is the color for you.  It seems to be the brightest color on this year's list

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses



COOL COLORS

-Serenity
This very delicate shade of blue is almost a gray.  Nearly neutral but with a hint of lovely color. 

-Snorkel Blue
This particular blue is nearly navy, but just a tad brighter.  It makes a wonderfully elegant statement at a wedding.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses


-Limpet Shell
A lovely pastel color, this one would be gorgeous in an outdoor setting.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses



-Green Flash
Nearly as bright as the Fiesta above, Green Flash is a marvelous color to choose if you want your girls to really stand out.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses



NEUTRAL COLORS

-Lilac Gray
A step above a simple gray, the touch of purple in this color makes it very intriguing. 

-Iced Coffee
This delightful light brown shade would look amazing alongside any of your favorite colors. If you dress your bridesmaids in this one, you can go in a numerous variety of directions with the rest of your decor.  

Anglelus Bridal, Pompano Beach, South Florida, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses


You will find a lot more bridesmaid dresses in these colors and many more in our South Florida bridal salon.  The color choices for your wedding don't have to come from this list. The very best color palette for your special day is the one that puts a smile on your face.  If you aren't sure which color will do that, make an appointment to visit us at Angelus Bridal & Formals to look through our beautiful bridesmaid dresses and see what stands out for you.  





878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-943-7768

Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Wedding Party

Weddings are all about the bride and groom, but your wedding party is there to help you make it happen.  Standing up at the altar at the ceremony, going dress shopping with you, planning pre-wedding parties, decorating the reception the night before...  The entire planning process would be a lot harder without them in your corner.  You will want them to know how much you appreciate all of that help.  Angelus Bridal & Formals has a few ideas for showing them how grateful you are.  



Practical Items


Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will probably be spending a lot of their own money to participate in your wedding; buying their attire, paying for a hotel room, throwing parties, etc...  A thank you gift of something practical that they will be using for the wedding will be appreciated.  Purchasing an item for them that they would have had to buy for themselves is a nice way to relieve some of their financial obligations. 


  • FOR THE GIRLS 
    • A makeup bag filled with the lipstick, nail polish, and other items needed for the wedding day. 
    • Jewelry to go with the bridesmaid dresses.
    • Matching robes to wear while you get ready.
    • Personalized tote bags to hold their "getting-ready gear."

    • FOR THE GUYS
      • Monogrammed or themed cuff links.
      • A Dopp kit.  
      • A watch (to make sure they show up on time!) 

      



    Fun Items


    It doesn't have to be something that they will use for the wedding day.  You may prefer to thank them with something fun that they might not buy for themselves.  Gifts full of memories are wonderful too, and sentimental.  The more personal the reason behind the item, the more special it will be.      
    • A nice bottle of their favorite libation. 
    • Painted toasting glasses.  
    • A monogrammed flask. 
    • A frame with a wedding pic of you and your girls/guys.
    • A photo album of your friendship.  


    Your wedding party agreed to join you on this very special day for the same reason that you asked them - you are very important to each other.  The way that you thank them should be special.  Thinking about how you met or your favorite things to do together will give you great inspiration.  

    Your favorite bridal salon in South Florida has seen a lot of wedding planning and met a lot of different people.  When you visit our Pompano Beach wedding dress store, tell us about your wedding party.  We may have a few more great thank you gift ideas specifically for your friends.    




    878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
    Pompano Beach, FL 33069
    954-943-7768

    Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
    Like us on Facebook
    Follow us on Twitter
    Follow us on Instagram
    Follow us on Pinterest

    Wednesday, November 18, 2015

    Brilliant Support - the Flattering Me Bra

    Over the years, our South Florida wedding dress store heard bride after bride complain about the longline strapless bras that were available to them.  Angelus Bridal & Formal's owner, Coco Abadi, strives to make each and every one of his customers happy, so he came up with a solution for this problem - the Flattering Me Bra.  

    Our lovely brides-to-be would be thrilled about finding their dream dress, but the undergarments available to them were not what they needed.  It's difficult to stay excited about your gorgeous wedding gown when the only bra that you can find makes you miserable.  We heard complaints about other bras that did not offer enough support and were uncomfortable.  Many longline bras at the time could be seen through gowns and took away any cleavage.    


    With that in mind, Coco came to the rescue!  He says, "I spent months developing a long line strapless bra that would satisfy my customers.  When I finally did it, it was so exciting to be able to offer it to everyone."






    There is no other long line strapless bra on the market that offers women the comfort and support that they need, along with the cleavage that they desire.  It contours the bodice, and is excellent for gowns with low backs.  Push-up pads come along with the cups that can be removed, offering a customizable amount of cleavage.  


    "I tried so many longline bras to wear under my wedding dress. I can be anywhere between a 48DD to a 52D. I tried bras from Carnival, Dominique, and Goddess but none matched the fit and control of the Flattering Me bra. I ended up getting a 50D. It came with clear straps that work well with my v-neck dress.There is some SERIOUS padding the comes with this bra which would be good to wear for a sexy date night out, but not for church, so I simply removed them to fit with my wedding dress. I will probably get the same bra in Black to wear for another occasion."
    -Kapehe, Amazon review


    The design is smooth and does not show through most gowns.  You can also get it in four different colors:  black, ivory, nude, and white.  It is also available in a variety of sizes to cater to every woman.  You can get a Flattering Me Bra in sizes from "32A" to "52F" in both "Standard" and "Petite."  The petite customer is often neglected, so offering the bra in this size took care of yet another fashion problem.  It is the first and only of its kind available for petite customers.    




    "I needed a corset for my strapless wedding dress that I could use for future events (so an all white corset with frills was out of the question). I was surprised by the comfort and sleekness of the corset--and the firmness of the materials! I didn't want something flimsy and I was happy to find out that this is one of the best corsets I own now because of the quality of the product as well as the long-term wear investment. Great buy!"
    -Alexandra Edgeworth, Amazon review


      
    This isn't just limited for use by brides.  It is also perfect for bridesmaids and most other special occasion dresses.  The Flattering Me Bra is the world's best longline strapless bra offering real support, natural cleavage, and incredible comfort. 

    Coco Abadi

    Visit our South Florida Bridal Salon soon and see what we are talking about.  The Flattering Me Bra may be exactly what you have been looking for.  Angelus Bridal & Formals is very excited to be able to offer this to our customers, and we are very proud of our creative Coco.  He provided a dream come true in longline strapless bras.  Now women everywhere can truly feel as amazing as they look.         






    878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
    Pompano Beach, FL 33069
    954-943-7768

    Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
    Like us on Facebook
    Follow us on Twitter
    Follow us on Instagram
    Follow us on Pinterest


    Thursday, November 12, 2015

    A Wedding Day Emergency Kit - Simple & Can Save the Day

    Everyone wants their wedding day to go perfectly.  At the end of the day, as long as you are married to the person you love, then it did.  As far as everything else, well, unexpected things are bound to happen.  If you take a little bit of time ahead of your wedding day to prepare, those unwelcome surprises can be fixed and out of your way easily.  



    Angelus Bridal & Formals has heard a lot of stories about wedding day problems popping up. A great way to head these off before they become gigantic trouble is to put together a wedding day emergency kit.  Many of the items that you will want to include in this kit are things that you already have around the house.  Gathering them together can end up saving the day.
      
    • White cotton towels or cloths:  great for dabbing spills on a white dress
    • Baby Powder:  can help remove some dress stains & keep them from spreading
    • White chalk:  can work like baby powder or occasionally cover a small stain
    • Stain Removal Pen or Wipes
    • Cotton balls & cotton swabs:  also great for dabbing stains on a white dress
    • Tape:  Double-sided, masking, or duct tape - these are a quick fix to a broken hem if there is no time left to sew it. 
    • Super glue: same reason as the tape and can hold a loose button on. 
    • Small sewing kit:  make sure you have thread in your dress color, the bridesmaids' dress colors, and the guys' suits.  
    • Safety Pins: for fashion emergencies and also good to have in case boutonniere pins are missing
    • Lighter:  both for candles and it can fix a fraying hem.
    • Lint brush
    • Extra earring backs
    • Nail clippers & file
    • Facial blotting paper
    • Mirror:  for makeup checks in case the room you are in right before walking down the aisle doesn't have a mirror
    • Kleenex
    • Moist towelettes
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Bobby pins:  for every hair color in your wedding party
    • Clear nail polish:  perfect for stopping runs in hosiery, fixing chipped nails, and even buttons that are about to fall off.  
    • Nail polish that matches your manicure:  just in case a touch-up is needed.  






    • Hand lotion:  put this on before you walk down the aisle to help the ring slide on easily.
    • Sun block & bug spray:  if the ceremony is outdoors
    • Feminine hygiene products:  in case you or one of the girls needs them.
    • First aid kit
    • Basic medicines:  pain reliever, allergy medicine, antacid...
    • Gum & mints
    • Bottled water
    • Snacks:  In all of the hustle, you may not have time for a real meal.  Have granola bars or something similar handy for a quick bite. 
    • Straws:  keeps your lipstick from smearing when you drink!
    • Chargers
    • Extra batteries
    • Pens and paper

    You may not end up using anything in your wedding day emergency kit.  On the other hand, one single item in it may be the key to a happy day.  Better safe than sorry!  It only takes a little bit of time to get these things together and make sure that any "suprises" on your special day don't ruin it.  


    Take it from your favorite bridal salon in Pompano Beach, you will not regret the small amount of time it takes to put this together.  Your bridesmaids will probably be happy to help you do it.  We hope this information is helpful to you and your wedding party.  Angelus Bridal & Formals wants to help you make your wedding day as perfect as possible.       




    878 SW 10th Avenue - Suite #8
    Pompano Beach, FL 33069
    954-943-7768

    Visit our website: www.AngelusBridal.com
    Like us on Facebook
    Follow us on Twitter
    Follow us on Instagram
    Follow us on Pinterest