Snag That Wedding Gown Chic Without Spending A Bundle!

(Image Courtesy of Clove Two Style Sheet)

Hey, ladies! Though we’re in the middle of one of the roughest recessions in recent memory, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your wedding style to save money. In fact, these trying times should serve as a challenge to you to use your imagination and savvy to find that special wedding gown at a great price. Since you’ve taken the first step by checking out our Yazzie & Co. blog, we think it only natural that you check out just how to get that recessionista glam look. So, let us show you how to shop for your dream bridal gown without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for an enchanting gown at a wonderful price, you can go the bridal bargain sales route. With bargain sales happening in April and October of each year, you’ll be able to find some great end-of-season finds at such department stores as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. However, if waiting isn’t an option, you can always check out David's Bridal, House of Brides, or Michael Shane Bridal for great year-round deals on beautiful bridal gowns. Not only will you get hands-on advice on choosing a great wedding dress, you’ll have access to some great bridesmaids’ dress selections.

Then again, if designer is what you desire, you can hit up the many sample sales that are always going on in your city. If you’re not sure when to schedule your sample sale shopping, you can subscribe to Daily Candy or Top Button for e-mailed updates on when your favorite designer’s sample sales are happening. You can also contact the showroom of your favorite designer for the inside scoop on when they will be planning their sample sales, for they usually have an idea about this a few weeks in advance. In addition, it would be wise to plan ahead with a dress style in mind so that you will be able to choose one wisely while shopping in a timely fashion. Most importantly, you need to ensure that your dress is not defective or damaged, since nearly all sample sale purchases are non-refundable.

In turn, there are a few basic, yet integral rules to keep in mind while being a bargain bridal diva. First off, make sure that you wear a one-piece bathing suit or bodysuit when trying your many gown choices on. After all, you need to keep in mind that these dresses have been tried on before you’ve gotten to them. In addition, you need to make sure that your dress is a good fit so that it can be tailored to fit your frame properly. You also want to ensure that you stick to your wedding dress budget, despite any cajoling from salespeople. Do also make sure that you do your homework in finding a skilled seamstress, for tailoring a perfect fit is what will ultimately make the wedding dress your own. Last but not least, while you should keep an open mind while shopping, we at Yazzie & Co. believe that you shouldn’t settle for any old dress. After all, you definitely owe it to yourself to show off your sassy, soulful, and sophisticated self on your big day!

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

Capture Your Wedding Memories at a Beautiful Bargain

Hi, guys! Though we’re currently in the midst of a recession, we at Yazzie & Co. are confident that you can have the wedding of your dreams without spending a huge amount of money. That’s right; with a clear vision and a great imagination, you will definitely succeed in pulling off a wonderful wedding without breaking the bank. How so, you ask? Well, this is where we come in. For the next few weeks, we’re going to focus on hooking you all up with terrific tips on how to save big without skimping on wedding glamour. So, scroll on and take notes on what’s sure to take a load off your wallet.

(Photo by Paul Harring of Paul Harring Photography)

Want the memories of your big day to be captured in snapshots that will truly reflect its magical splendor, but don’t quite have the money to spend on a professional photographer. Well, fear not, for we’ve got a great idea on how to accomplish this without digging deep into your wallet – do-it-yourself digital photography . Not only will you save a bundle on what you would’ve spent in hiring a professional, but you’ll have the luxury of receiving your photographs as soon as the same day of your wedding. Whether you decide to hire a friend or family member to do the honors, you won’t have to worry about waiting for weeks or months until you can show your pictures off to everyone.

(Photo Courtesy of Startum.com)

While your designated wedding photographer has technology on his or her side, they still need to have a good idea about the basics in taking a magnificent picture. Factors that come into play when using a digital camera include how to personalize its settings to take a great photo and how to frame the shot, while he or she also needs to be aware of when they should take the picture and how to set up the subject (which can mean anything from the wedding décor to the bridal party). Your designated wedding photographer also needs to know how to retouch photographs so that you will be just as radiant in pictures as you were on your wedding day. While Photoshop experience is definitely a plus, he or she can either utilize its simpler version, Photoshop Elements, or take cues from a digital wedding photography book. We suggest that you check out Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories by Glen Johnson or How to Take Great Digital Photos of Your Friend's Wedding by Patrick Rice - two books that are great for photographers with any level of experience.

Most important of all, you want to ensure that your designated bridal photographer captures the prime moments in the one of the most extraordinary days of your life. From your getting your wedding gown zipped by your bridesmaid to your jumping the broom with your new husband to gorgeous wedding cake, you want to make sure that he or she is taking it all in from the lens of their digital camera. After all, we at Yazzie & Co. want you to have an album filled with loving memories of your special day without worrying about the cost of it all. With that said, we’d also love to see your wedding day memories through your photographs. Thus, you can e-mail your snapshots of your special day to me at yazzieblogger@yazzieco.com and we’ll include it in a future blog of ours.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

Make Your Valentine’s Day Nuptials a Melodic Memory

Hello, lovebirds. Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic times of the year, making it the perfect time to jump the broom. However, one needs that special detail to crystallize the moment of everlasting love and sweeping romance. We at Yazzie & Co. believe that that element of enchantment is music, for it clinches the passion that a Valentine’s Day wedding can bring forward. Not sure on where to start on selecting some sincerely romantic tunes? Read on for some of our great Valentine’s Day wedding song selections…

The first thing that you want to think about is finding that one song to walk down the aisle to. While magical romance is the first quality to look for in a tune, you also have to consider the location of your Valentine’s Day nuptials. If you plan on having yours in a place of worship, you must be mindful of the sensibilities of the man or woman of worship who is officiating over the ceremony. If you have a contemporary song in mind, you want to ensure that it isn’t at all offensive to them or the members of the place of worship. Should you decide that you do not want to run that risk, we suggest that you choose a classical selection. We think that Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel would wonderfully capture the beauty of a Valentine’s Day bride walking down the aisle to the instrumental harmony. However, if your place of worship is a bit more lenient with song choices, we believe that the late Luther Vandross’ classic, Here and Now, equally portrays the poignancy of a bride’s walking towards a new beginning with heartfelt lyrics and a wonderful voice.

Another important musical moment in a Valentine’s Day wedding is the first dance. The song that you choose should reflect one that has meaning to both you and your eternal Valentine. Whether the song is up-tempo or a slow groove, it should also display the overall mood and theme of your nuptials. If your groom is worried about being able to hold his own on the dance floor, he can rest easy in knowing that all eyes will be on the both of you celebrating the new life that you’ve begun to build. One of our favorite Valentine’s Day selections is Stevie Wonder’s Knocks Me off My Feet, for we believe that the simple words of love make for a classic bridal moment. Then again, if you want to use a more updated tune that reflects your modern sensibilities, we think that Come Close by Common featuring Mary J. Blige would serve as a great tune.

Whatever music you decide to feature for your Valentine’s nuptials, we at Yazzie & Co. believe that it should be reflective of the promise that you have decided to make to one another. Furthermore, a marvelous melody is destined to add that special significance to your special day. On that note, we’d love to know what songs capture that Valentine’s Day wedding spirit to you. E-mail me at yazzieblogger@yazzieco.com with your memories of the music that stole your heart and we’ll feature them in a future blog of ours.

With Lots of Valentine’s Love,

The Yazzie Blogger

Dress Your Best with Valentine’s Day Wedding Style

Hi, everyone! With Valentine’s Day being a mere week and a half away, we at Yazzie & Co. feel it only right to dish on the most romantic time of the year. Thus, we are kicking off things by suggesting a surefire way to sweep your beloved away on your special Valentine’s Day – a gorgeous bridal gown or a dapper wedding tuxedo. Not sure what to look for in that perfect bridal look? Do read on to snag some sensational style tips!

Let’s just say that you’re a soon-to-be bride who is looking for that one wedding dress that will be just as dreamy as the man that you’re marrying. Well, we think that a lavishly classic look is the way to go, for you’ll definitely leave him breathless. Choose a stunning gown with a dramatic skirt to complement the romantic wonder of your Valentine’s Day wedding. For that extra pop, we suggest that you sweep your hair into a chignon complete with red roses interlacing through your hair. Your bridesmaids can join in the fun by wearing simple sheath dresses in shades that vary from ravishing red to precious pink. You’re guaranteed to make a lasting Valentine’s Day impression on everyone.

Then again, you could be a dapper dude who wants to sport a tux that’ll be sure to take your bride’s breath away. If we’ve guessed correctly, we suggest taking cues from Old Hollywood with a classic tuxedo – complete with tails and a white bow tie. You’ll surely take the prize as the most debonair groom that your love has ever laid eyes on. However, if a fresh spin on Valentine’s Day groom style is what you prefer, you can’t go wrong with a white tuxedo or suit with a shirt in a subtle shade of salmon pink. Include your groomsmen in the romantic theme by pairing their tuxedos with different pink boutonnieres or red ties in various shades. Your wedding party will definitely be the best-dressed in the bunch.

Most importantly, make sure that your enchanting Valentine’s Day wedding reflects the true love that the two of you share. While true love exists year-round, there’s something about jumping the broom on love’s holiday that warms even the hardest of hearts. After all, we at Yazzie & Co. believe that romance never goes out of fashion.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger