Gracefully Wear Our Beautiful Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Among the many varieties of bridal gown silhouettes available, a classic favorite is the ball gown wedding dress. Many little girls dream of wearing a grand gown fit for a princess when they get married, and this dream often stands the test of time, staying with a young lady into adulthood. Venus Bridal offers a gorgeous selection of exquisite ball gowns for brides, and today's blog offers a few helpful facts and tips about this magnificent wedding day look.

Ball gowns have a fitted bodice with a full skirt that flares out from the waist to the floor. The ball gown skirt has lots of volume, lending to a very traditional and formal wedding day style. 

Nearly every body type will look wonderful in a bridal ball gown. It can camouflage wide hips on a pear-shaped body, and it also gives the illusion of curves to a more rectangular body shape. The full skirt paired with a large chest will lend to an elegant hourglass look.

Wearing a ball gown at your wedding will allow for a grand entrance, making both a romantic and dramatic statement. In addition to how incredible you will look simply walking down the aisle in this silhouette fit for royalty, you will also be able to glide gracefully across the dance floor at your wedding reception. 

When shopping for a bridal ball gown of your own, as with any wedding dress, make sure that you are completely comfortable wearing it. You want to look breathtaking at your wedding, but you also want to feel good wearing your dress and be able to move around effortlessly.  Ball gowns are floor-length, but ideally the front of the skirt should just brush the tops of your toes. 

There can be a lot of fabric involved in making that skirt full, so be sure to choose a fabric that is comfortable for the type of weather expected on your wedding day. While trying on gowns at your local bridal boutique, don't just stand sweetly in front of the mirror. Walk around, sit down and stand up, and maybe even dance a little while you are wearing the dress. That way you will know if you will be able to wear it all day long and still enjoy yourself.

A ball gown wedding dress is an excellent choice, and if that look makes you happy, then get out and try on a few in that style. Never limit yourself to one style when you begin shopping though. Try on a few different ones to see which looks best on your particular body type and makes you feel the most beautiful. You may be surprised at how amazing you look in all of the different types of gowns available from Venus Bridal, but you'll never know until you start trying them on! 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

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Inspirational Wedding Proposal Stories

Last week we mentioned the fact that we are in the midst of engagement season. That blog featured 7 Thing To Do After You Say "YES!", and today Venus Bridal decided to offer a little inspiration for anyone that has been thinking about popping the question. Also, we can't seem to get enough of these amazing stories and videos!  


Many Different Ways To Propose
A proposal doesn't have to be elaborate, but the element of surprise is always a great way to make it extra special. The people in these videos made them short and sweet, but the reactions were big and tearful. (Happy tears!) 

On the other hand, some people put an enormous amount of thought, time, planning, and effort into their proposal. The video below took some skill to pull off, and the help of their family and friends.  

Powerful Words & Actions
Not everyone gets their magical proposals on video (note to guys: try to at least have someone secretly photograph it.. she'll love it!) but if you use your imagination, you can picture the reactions received from the following proposal stories.

From WhoWhatWear.com:
"She's American. He's Irish. They met in Italy and started out as friends. Friends who liked each other A LOT. But after months of just friends, she thought she read the signals wrong, until one night at the bar he slipped her a napkin. 'I really like you,' he had written. Fast-forward four years and many international adventures later, and they are sitting at a bar in Berlin reminiscing. He pulls a napkin out of his pocket. She takes it, confused. 'Years ago I told you I liked you just like this. Now I'm asking: Will you marry me?' it read."


From HowHeAsked.com: 
We met at a Halloween party on October 29th, 2011. On October 29th, 2015, the 4 year anniversary of when we met, Chris decided to go to Disneyland dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming for Halloween. Cinderella has always been my favorite princess so I was beyond excited! 

We are walking towards the castle to take a picture when Chris tells me that it’s 11:11 and I need to make my wish, a ritual we usually always partake in. I closed my eyes and made a wish. When I opened them, Chris pointed towards the castle where his brother, who was also dressed in costume, walking towards us with a real glass slipper on a purple pillow. He said to me “I’m here to present Cinderella with her glass slipper.” 

I sat down on the bench when Chris grabbed the slipper and put it on my foot. It fit me perfectly. He said “happy anniversary babe.” And I was beyond thrilled to have a real glass slipper just like Cinderella. But then, he stood me up and his brother turned the pillow over to reveal the ring he had been holding on the bottom the whole time. I was in complete shock and speechless. Chris grabbed the ring and got down on one knee. It’s safe to say all my dreams came true that day. I had never felt more like a princess and it was such a magical moment.

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

Even if the plans don't go exactly the way you want them to, it's the end result that really matters. Your dream proposal may not go off without a hitch, but that's okay because... you're getting married!  

Now It's Time To Plan The Wedding!

After the excitement dies down enough to move forward (because that excitement is too good to go away completely!) it's time to make a list and start wedding planning. When you get the the "find a wedding dress" portion of your list, Venus Bridal offers a wonderful selection of bridal gown collections that work well with any bride's personal style. 

We've also got amazing dresses for your bridesmaids, and even the mothers of the bride and groom. Take a look through your choices at www.VenusBridal.com, then find a store near you so that you can begin trying a few on. 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

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It's Engagement Season - 7 Things To Do After You Say "YES!"

We are in the midst of engagement season, which is the time between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day when many couple become engaged. If you are like all of us here at Venus Bridal, you'll immediately want to start shopping for your beautiful wedding dress, but there are a few other things that you may want to take care of first. 

Share The Big News
Once you and your soon-to-be-spouse have had enough time to enjoy the moment yourselves, start spreading the news to your family and closest friends. The sooner the better, because you don't want anyone finding out through the grapevine that you prefer to tell in person. As soon as they all know, you are free to share your joy with the rest of the world too.  

Pamper Your Hands & Nails
Make an appointment as soon as possible for a manicure, because you know that everyone will be asking to see that engagement ring. Start a good skincare routine for your hands and keep your nails strong and in shape so that they are ready for the close-up ring photos at the wedding in a few months too.  

Start "Window Shopping" For Dresses
It's time to start scouring wedding magazines, Pinterest, wedding websites, etc... to discover all of the possibilities for your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and fashions for the guys too. A great place to start is www.VenusBridal.com. There you will find a wide variety of gorgeous gowns, plus a store locator so that you can find a bridal boutique near you when you are at the actual shopping stage of your wedding planning.

Set The Wedding Budget
Doing this early on will help to keep all of your plans in line without breaking the bank. It's wise to have a guideline for what you want to spend before you start buying things and making reservations. Decide this early so that you can begin finding the vendors that book up quickly, like venues and photographers. Knowing your budget can also assist in keeping the next step under control.

Gather Guest Lists
You may think you have time to worry about this later, but much like the budget, knowing the number of guests you will be inviting will shape many of your other wedding planning decisions. Start with four lists: the bride's, the groom's, the bride's parents, and the groom's parents. Put these all together, then begin make adjustments as needed.  

Schedule Engagment Photos
Many wedding photographers include the engagement session with their wedding packages, but it's up to you to pick a date to have them actually done. The sooner you take care of this, the quicker you will have professional photos to use on announcements, save-the-dates, and wedding websites. 

Make Bridal Shop Appointments
When the wedding dress shopping starts, it's best to call ahead and make an appointment at the bridal boutique. Brides-to-be with appointments get the undivided attention they deserve from the consultants, and they don't have to wait in line for a dressing room if there are lots of other women there at the same time. Also, many wedding dress stores require you to have an appointment, so it's always best to call ahead. 

There will be a lot more decisions to make before the actual wedding day, but getting the tasks above out of the way is a great place to start. It may seem overwhelming at first, but there are plenty of fun tasks to tackle along the way, like shopping for your dream wedding dress. When you're ready for that one, as well as all of the other fashions for the women in your wedding, we hope you begin your search with Venus Bridal. You won't be disappointed. 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

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5 Wedding Dress Shopping "Don'ts"

He proposed, you said yes, and now it's time to get that dress! Your wedding is one of those extra special moments that you will want to be as perfect as possible, and finding the most beautiful bridal gown is a big part of making that happen. 

Shopping for wedding dresses is not something that a woman does often, so Venus Bridal has put together a list of things that you definitely do not want to do. Follow these tips and your shopping trip should be successful and fun. 

DON'T go in clueless.
Even though you may be tempted to rush out the day after the proposal and start trying on bridal gowns, don't do that. Going at it without any type of research or planning could result in a very confusing and overwhelming experience. 

Begin by looking at bridal magazines and browsing websites like www.VenusBridal.com. This will give you an idea of the types of gowns you favor, and that information will help the bridal boutique's consultant know which wedding dresses to bring out first. 

When you are ready to head to the bridal shop, always call first to see if an appointment is necessary. Some require a reservation, and even if they don't, if they know you are coming, you are more likely to get the individual treatment you deserve instead of having to fight with other shoppers for the consultant's attention. 

DON'T be shy.
Once you are at the bridal gown store, this is the time to speak up and ask any and all questions that you may have about your wedding fashions. The bridal consultants at the store work with these dresses every day, and a good salon will have trained their employees to be experts. Trust that they can guide you in the right direction and be open to their knowledge and suggestions. 

Also, don't be too timid to try something new. Just because you loved a certain wedding dress in a photo doesn't mean that it is the perfect one for you. Every gown will look slightly different on every woman, so be brave enough to try on a variety of styles until you find the silhouette that you love on your own body. Once that's narrowed down, you will most likely find your dream dress within that style.

DON'T bring too many people. 
There will be lots of friends and family members that are nearly as excited as you about the wedding dress shopping. You do not need to feel obligated to say yes to everyone that wants to tag along. Even if you have a large bridal party, they don't all have to be there for this moment.

Too many opinions can make the decision extremely difficult. Try to keep the number of helpers to a minimum, and only bring the people that know your personal style and have your best interests at heart. Happy, postive attitudes are what you need on a day like this.

DON'T go hungry.
Occasionally a bride will get lucky and find her dream wedding dress after only trying on a few, but this is rare. More than likely you are in for a long day, so going on an empty stomach is not a good idea. Having a light meal before you shop will give you the energy needed, and keeping a snack handy in your purse is a great idea in case you start feeling a little drained halfway through the appointment.   

DON'T see this task as a chore.
Yes, there is some preparation required to make sure that your wedding dress shopping trip is a rewarding one, but the research can be fun, you'll be shopping with the people that are nearest and dearest to you, and... you're getting married to the man you love! This should be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Above all else, remember to have fun with it and savor every moment.   

The perfect wedding dress is out there waiting for you, it's just a matter of time before you find each other. An excellent place to start is with the exquisite collections of Venus Bridal. We offer a wide variety of goreous bridal gowns for every type of bride. Once you get an idea of which ones are your favorites, you can find a local retailer near you right on our website. Best wishes for your wedding, and happy shopping! 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

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A Lovely Variety of Wedding Dress Necklines

The neckline on your wedding dress is a very important factor. Each one is flattering to a different body type, and finding the right style for your particular size and shape can make a world of difference. Below you will find explanations for many of the most popular bridal gown necklines that are offered from Venus Bridal. 

Strapless
This type of dress is exactly as it sounds, there are no straps holding up the bodice. It is a very popular choice among brides, and can be found with either a sweetheart or straight-across top to the bodice. 

Illusion
From a distance, it may appear as if the neckline on these gowns is high, but it is actually sheer material over another type of neckline, giving the illusion of more dress than is actually there. It can add a more modest look to an otherwise daring neckline.

Sweetheart
This neckline is named for the fact that it resembles the top of a heart. It is the perfect design to accentuate cleavage, yet with a very romantic feel. It can be found with or without straps, and sometimes with a sheer overlay.

V-Neck
The "V" shape of this neckline can offer a small dip or a longer, plunging one. It can often create the illusion of height, but may make the chest appear smaller. 

Scoop
This is very flattering to nearly every body shape. The neckline is U-shaped, and on some bridal gowns, the scoop will continue to the back of the dress. 

Bateau
Sitting a little higher than many bridal gown necklines, this one follows the natural curve of the collarbone. It appears very elegant and works well on both sleeveless dresses and those with sleeves.

Jewel
A jewel neckline is similar to that of a t-shirt. It is round and usually sits near the base of the throat. Some dresses with this type of neckline can make you appear bustier than usual.

Off-The-Shoulder
This gown is excellent for highlighting your shoulders and collarbone. The neckline sits just below the shoulders, offering a little more support than a strapless gown by covering part of the upper arm. 

Just like with the wedding dress silhouette, when you go shopping for a bridal gown, try on many different neckline styles. Once you find your favorite, that will help your consultant to narrow down the choices that she shares with you. Eventually, you will discover the perfect fashion combination for your personal style and the search for your dream wedding dress will be successful. 

Venus Bridal offers an excellent variety of stunning, fashionable bridal gowns for every woman. You can browse our collections online, then click on the "Where To Buy" tab when you are ready to try on a few on. It will direct you to a bridal boutique that carries the Venus Bridal line closest to you. 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

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What To Do With Your Bridal Gown After the Wedding

You've said your "I do's," the photos are taken, toasts were made, and your wedding day has come to an end. There may never be another occasion to wear the most special of special occasion gowns - your wedding dress! What should you do with your bridal gown after the wedding? Venus Bridal has a few helpful ideas.

Have It Professionally Cleaned - ASAP!
You do not want to wait very long after the wedding day to have your dress cleaned. Even if there were no spills, oils from your body are on the gown simply from wearing it all day long. These can cause permanent stains if they are left unattended.

A Venus Bridal wedding dress is made from only the highest quality materials, and these tend to be very delicate. A professional dry cleaner that specializes in wedding dresses will know how to take care of it without doing any damage. Attempting to clean it yourself will most likely have unfavorable results. This is a task best left to the pros. 

Once your wedding dress is clean, you need a plan for what will happen to it next. Do not leave it in the plastic bag from the cleaners. Plastic fumes can cause the material to yellow over time. Also, keeping it on a hanger can be bad for the shape of the dress over time. Folding it and placing it in a chest, away from extreme temperatures and light, will keep it in much better condition.

Preserve the Dress
If you know that the gown will not be worn again for a very long time, you might consider having it professionally preserved. Your dry cleaner may provide this service. Wedding dress preservation involves packaging the gown in an acid-free, archival box that keeps it from deteriorating or staining. Someday, if another family member chooses to wear your wedding dress, it will look like brand new when you remove it from its box. 

Turn It Into A Keepsake
For the bride that knows for a fact that the dress will not be worn again, a little creativity and a talented seamstress can turn it into something brand new. Possibly a cocktail dress for you to wear on your first anniversary, or even some lingerie for the anniversary night. Another sentimental item that your bridal gown could be turned into is a christening gown for your first child, or a bassinet cover or baby blanket. 

If you prefer to keep the dress intact, you can use small pieces of it, taken from an inconspicuous spot, to make keepsakes like a Christmas tree ornament for your first married holiday together, or place a small swatch in a locket along with a photo from the wedding.  

Donate The Gown
Every woman deserves to look and feel beautiful on her wedding day, but sometimes circumstances won't allow for the purchase of even an affordable bridal gown. Donating your dress so that someone else can use it for their special day is a wonderful thing to do.

There are many incredible charities that accept wedding dresses to distribute to those less fortunate. The three listed below are a good place to start, but a search online may give you results in your local area.

• Wish Upon A Wedding - This group not only takes donations of dresses for brides, but also finds wedding vendors to donate other services as well.
• Brides Across America - They specialize in offering free bridal gowns to military brides and first responders.
• Little Angel Gowns - Donating your dress to an organization like this provides the material to make garments for babies that have left their family unexpectedly. This particular group distributes their tiny gowns to hospitals all over the country. 

Venus Bridal strives to make fashionable wedding dresses that reflect the importance and beauty of your very special day. Once you are finished wearing your bridal gown, we hope that the information above will help you to preserve it for future generations or turn it into something equally as meaningful to you. 

The feeling of romance.. the essence of glamour.

Visit our website: www.VenusBridal.com

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