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Casablanca Bridals' $100,000 Wedding Sweepstakes
So back to the excitement. They are giving away a 2008 Mercedes Benz ML 350 as the grand prize. I could picture myself driving around in that baby, but I'm not eligible. Ding dang, y'all.
The first prize is a $20,000 dream honeymoon package. I don't know the destination, but for 20 grand, I guarantee you will be living large. Fiji maybe? Now THIS is what I really want for a second honeymoon.
There are 3 second prizes. Its a 52" Sony Bravia LCD flat screen TV. That is sure to send your groom into nirvana. You might have to hide the remote. 
There are 5 third prizes: a $1,000 Visa gift card. Is this not what you REALLY NEED? Buy what you want or spend it having fun. Its found money!
This is the best best best sweepstakes that I've ever seen in the bridal industry EVAH!
To enter, go to your nearest Casablanca retailer or check out the info on their web site for alternate ways to enter. Casablanca Sweepstakes click here. For a great deal on a Casablanca wedding dress, Click here!
Your Wedding Coach: Choosing Your Wedding Theme
I've seen a lot of horrific wedding themes. My favorite bad theme: Wedding bears. The bride carried a bear down the aisle instead of a bouquet and she glued small bears to her tiara. Yup, she got crafty and made her own. It was both unbelievably tacky yet hysterical. I would have paid hard cash to see her go down the aisle and watch the reaction. Too bad we didn't have UTube then.
Another bad theme was the 4th of July red white and blue wedding. The bridesmaids carried flags down the aisle. She wore a Statue of Liberty headpiece. What was she thinking?
Back to my point: Use good taste because it will come back to bite you in the rear years from now when
you show your wedding pictures to your kids. Fads and fashion come and go. Good taste is forever.
Choose a classic timeless theme. Don't over think it and get all fancy. Use good taste and you won't regret it.
Nobody Likes A Drama Queen, Especially When Its A Bride!
Your Wedding Coach: The Foundations Under Your Wedding Dress
I tell my brides to buy the best bra that they can afford. Most brides want to skimp on what they spend on the undergarments, but they are as important as the wedding dress. The most expensive bra may not be the BEST bra, nor is a fancy boutique bra better. The best bra holds you in place and may not be sexy or lacy. Your wedding bra needs to be functional. You can wear sexy lingerie after the wedding. The best bra or bustiere will enhance and lift your bust line and slim your torso and waistline.
It's hard to find great supporting strapless bras in plus or large cup sizes. After fitting thousands of brides, we've found two great styles. Check out Bigger Bras and click on bridal.
We use Felina # 7643 in our bridal salon and it goes to a 42DD. Its a smooth bra and its really works well under chiffons and charmeuse fabrics where the lace could show through. If you add an back extender, you can get it to work for a 44DD.
For larger busts , we love Goddess # 689. This bustiere style bra goes to a size 52FF and its very supportive. Goddess has an amazing way with boning under and across the cup that lifts and keeps you in place. The back is just under the arms and shoulder blades, therefore you can't wear this under a real low back dress. The bra comes with optional fabric straps. With any strapless bra, you can buy the clear plastic straps if you can't find a strapless bra that is supportive without straps.
For those fortunate enough to be able to have bra cups sewn into their dress, we love the new gel cups. They feel natural and the gel heats up from your body heat and contours to your body. I'll have a link posted for them when my supplier gets them back in stock.
If you are hard to fit and need a large cup or larger size bra, check out Bigger Bras. They have an amazing selection. Save as much as 40% on Bridal Bras and Lingerie with available coupons.
Spanx is today's bride's best friend. Spanx are the most remarkable shape wear. They hold you in place, smooth the figure and are comfortable. All the pieces below work well with wedding dresses.
If you need to wear a crinoline under your dress, DO NOT wear a drawstring crinoline. The drawstring will bunch at the waistline of your dress and show through the dress. You want a smooth line at the waistline. We like the high waist zippered crinoline that smooth the waist line.
Spanx Hi-Rise Panty Plus Size Shapewear
Spanx Hide & Sleek Hi-Rise Panty Shapewear
Spanx Hide & Sleek Hi-Rise Thigh Smoother Shapewear
Spanx High-Falutin' Footless Pantyhose Panty Hose
The right foundation will make you go from looking good to looking fabulous. Invest in the best foundations for your dress. Maybe you'll only wear it once, but the results will be worth every penny spent. And you'll have the photos to prove it!
Your Wedding Coach: Shopping For Your Wedding Dress Part 4
Most brides feel they need to have the "Hallelujah moment" when the skies open up, the angels sing, Mom cries, and you just KNOW this is THE dress before they buy their wedding dress.
From experience, this doesn't always happen. Yes, it DOES happen, but more often than not, its a myth that it will happen to you. If you shop only for the Hallelujah moment, hereafter referred to as the HM, you will be shopping past the wedding. On the reverse side, I've seen HM's worthy of a televangelist and the bride chose another dress based on whim.
For some brides, it comes down to a matter of personal preference. They look good in several styles, they have to pick the one that the like best. Other brides look great only in one style and they have to narrow their focus. For others, its a matter of budget.
Reasons aside, don't wait for the HM to make a decision on your wedding dress. If you love it and you feel the dress, then you should buy it. Go on to another decision, cross it off your list and shop for accessories. Once you find what you love, STOP SHOPPING and don't second guess your decision. You'll only make yourself and those around you crazy. Indecision is a handicap. A bad decision is better than no decision.
You ideally need to order 9 to 12 months ahead of your wedding date to have your dress made and arrive in time for you to start your alterations. All wedding dresses need some form of alterations, you can't just put it on and head to the church. Alterations take time. If you need to order a dress on rush, expect to pay extra. Don't expect because you CAN order a dress on rush that the manufacturer can accommodate your schedule. It doesn't always happen. Avoid disappointment and order timely.
The bridal manufacturers can't produce a gown in a matter of days. These dresses are all hand beaded, every tiny bead and crystal is sewn on by hand. It takes time for fine workmanship. From production time, add shipping time and time for it to clear US customs as most dresses are manufactured in the far east.
Bottom line, order in time for your dress to arrive WITHOUT stress and in time for alterations. If you have had a HM, congratulations. If you haven't, don't live for it. It may never happen, but in all probability, you'll be a beautiful bride in a dress you love!
Your Wedding Coach: Shopping For Your Wedding Dress Part 3
Yes, its time to shop for my wedding dress! What should I bring with me?
I always tell my brides to bring a pair of heels the approximate height you'll wear on your wedding day when you try on the dresses. It gives the dress a different look and it will tell you whether you want to wear that size heel all day long. You may have your heart set on a 3.5" heel, but the reality of wearing it all day will set in while you are trying on gowns.
Dress appropriately. Wear something easy to put on and take off.
Wear the proper undergarments. If you have a strapless bra, bring it along. You may or may not need it with the dress, but it will give the dresses the look the designer intended.
Wear underwear. I am so tired of hearing "I forgot to put on underwear". Yeah, right, you didn't have any clean underwear! You'll have to stand in a dressing room with someone helping you dress because trying on wedding gowns is not easy to do yourself. It is uncomfortable for you and for us to see you tush. Pack some underwear, and remember, if you wear a thong, we still see your tush.
If you are going to wear your hair up on your wedding day, bring a scrunchie to pull up your hair. It will give you a different take on the neckline of the dress and the look you are after.
Bathe. I know this sounds silly, but you are trying on white or ivory dresses and you should be clean. Don't shop for dresses after a workout. Shop after you bathe. Also, don't shop right after you've tanned and used a lot of tanning lotions or spray tanned. It will transfer to the dress or to your personal wedding dress.
And above all, bring a positive attitude and an open mind. Open yourself up to trying on different styles. Most brides buy something totally different from their original idea. And above all, have fun shopping!
Your Wedding Coach: Shopping For Your Wedding Dress Part 2
The biggest mistake most brides make is shopping with too many people. Its normal to want to share the excitement with all your family, bridesmaids and friends. Caveat: Too many people equals too many opinions. And too many opinions leads to stress, arguments, squabbling, confusion and disappointment.
Shop with one or two people whose opinion you trust and who knows you and your taste: your mother, your sister, your best friend. The entire world DOES NOT have to be involved in your dress choice for your big day. Once you choose your dress, you can invite them to the bridal salon to view your choice.
When you shop with too many people, you get too many opinions. They are going to focus on what they like for themselves, not what is best choice for you. I've seen friendships break up over angry friends who INSIST their choice is better than the bride's opinion. I've seen jealous friends pick out the most unflattering dress for the bride and force her to try it on. And believe it or not, I once had the ex wife of the groom show up to give her opinion. It was really ugly.
Ultimately, you are the bride and your opinion is the only one that matters in your choice of the dress!
Your Wedding Coach: Shopping For Your Wedding Dress Part 1
Your wedding dress is the MOST important dress you will ever buy in your lifetime!
I tell all my brides to close their eyes and picture themselves walking down the aisle. What do you see? What are you wearing? What color is it? That's your first clue!
Plan your shopping day. Don't expect to hit every bridal salon and big box bridal shop in one day. Schedule just one stop per shopping trip. Even though you'll make an appointment for an hour and a half at a salon, you'll need time to digest what you've seen and tried on. A lot of gals want to look around the shop at other things, pick up literature and ask questions. You can't do this if you are on the fly. Yes, its exciting to shop for wedding dresses. For a couple of hours, you get to be a princess atop a pedestal trying on gowns fit for a queen. The reality is that after awhile, its tiring, really really tiring. Brides never want to admit it, but after the initial excitement wears off, you'll get tired and cranky from standing up in heels for hours on end. And that breeds confusion and irritability.
Look at online sources and through wedding magazines for ideas of dress styles, necklines, fabrics, etc. that interest you. Take the pictures with you when you shop for your dress and show them to your sales consultant.
Have an idea of what you want and express it to your bridal consultant. Your consultant will ask you questions to figure out what type and style of dress that will interest you.
Shop by the formality of the wedding. If you are getting married on the beach, don't try on cathedral train ball gowns. It might be fun, but you are only wasting your own energy.
Shop within your budget. If you can't afford a couture dress, don't try it on. You'll probably love it and make yourself crazy trying to get that dress out of your head. And IF you find a copy of the dress, it won't be exact.
Don't be afraid to HONESTLY tell your consultant your price range. She will ask your dress budget, its NOT because she wants to up sell you or violate your pricacy. She needs to know HOW to help you. I will not show a girl a dress a dollar over what she believes she can afford. Why waste everyone's time?
When you are tired, stop shopping. Confusion and white blur will set in and you will only end up exhausted and confused. Take a break, get something to eat and give yourself time to think.
Ebay For Wedding Dresses & Accessories!
Your Wedding Coach, The Best Time To Buy & Save on Your Wedding Dress
Bet You didn't know that there is a BEST time to buy your wedding dress and save a lot of cash. During the doldrum months of November and December, any full service bridal shop will welcome your business with open arms. The reason? All brides are in holiday mode and there is little happening in the bridal salon. Sales are down and new stock merchandise is arriving by the truckload and they have to pay for it. They need to clear out the racks to make room for the new merchandise. Bottom line, they will be willing to deal and you win.
Shop during the day during the week in November or December. Not only will you get their full attention, you won't have to wait for dressing room time.
Nicely ask if there is a discount if you buy the sample dress. All they can say is no.
Nicely ask if there are any specials available to you. All they can say is no.
Nicely ask if there is anything they can do for you if you are willing to buy today. BUY TODAY is the key. Don't expect them to keep the offer on the table while you comb the world looking for a better deal. You need to be in the buying mode if you ask.
You may be pleasantly surprised at the discounts or the specials they will offer you. The bridal salons need to pay the rent, utilities, insurance and payroll during the slow times PLUS pay for all the new merchandise that is arriving. Bridal salons are willing to negotiate. (This won't work at corporate big box stores.
Ask nicely, be nice and smile. The nicer you are, the farther you'll get. If you are demanding, you will get nowhere. If you are a genuinely nice person, who knows what you can save?
