More Than Just Weddings Monday

Today's post is More Than Just Weddings.. and today we're featuring Mothers Gowns.  Mothers play an important role in the big day as they are the hosts of the wedding.  So since this is the biggest party you'll ever host, it's important that you find a gown that makes you feel beautiful and elegant.

A few things to remember for mothers..

• The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should pick colors that compliment each other
• The length of the gown should reflect the formality of the wedding
• Both mothers do not have to wear the same length of gown as long as the bride is okay with their choice
• The mothers do not necessary have to match the bridesmaids unless the bride wants them to
• Mothers gowns take 12-16 weeks to order into the store so they should begin looking for their gown six months before the wedding for best selection

Stop into the store to see our wide selection of long and short gowns for mothers of all sizes!

Gown of the Week..

Well, it's been a very busy week in the store!  I'm sorry for slacking on the blog, but here's a new post.. Gown of the Week Sunday

This is a Mon Cheri gown.  It is a beautiful mermaid style gown with all over lace and ruching with a removable jeweled belt.  This gown comes in ivory, white and ivory/sand.  Our store sample is ivory/ sand.  For more information on this gown visit our website or call us at the store (519) 245 7997.

Be sure to like our fan page on facebook to see photos of new gowns!

Website Wednesday

Today's website is www.theknot.com.  Although this is an American site and all the vendors are American they have a very extensive wedding planning section.  You can enter your wedding information and they have a checklist of what needs to be done.  They also have a wedding budget calculator.  Check it out.  They have lots of tools to help you plan the wedding of your dreams effortlessly.

More than just weddings Monday...

So this is a day late, but here is our More Than Just Weddings post..

Once Upon A Time Weddings is happy to be able to offer our customers some very unique gift ideas.  We have partnered with Your Gifts, Your Way to offer unique baby gifts.  We carry these beautiful baby bouquets.  Why not give the new mom a bouquet that she actually use as these are made out of onesies, socks and baby wash cloths.  They come in three different sizes and can be ordered in girl, boy or gender unknown.

Also from Your Gifts, Your Way is this adorable baby pac.  It has everything a new mom needs to take with her to the hospital to deliver.  Again, can come in girl, boy or gender unknown. 

So the next time you have a baby shower to attend or host, stop into Once Upon A Time Weddings at 6 Front St. W in Strathroy and check out our selection of unique baby gifts and stationery.

Gown of the Week

This week's featured gown is a beautiful strapless gown from Alfred Sung.  This is part of their Always Collection of gowns.  From the sweetheart neckline to the rose gathers, this gown screams elegant sophistication.  It can be wore as it is or it has a bunch of pretty belts and straps to be added to it.

This gown is available in ivory, dark ivory, diamond white and white. 

Check out our facebook fan page for photos of more beautiful gowns.

Fun Fact Friday

Ever wanted to know how white became the popular choice for weddings? 

The tradition of wearing white isn't that old. It gained popularity when Queen Victoria of England married Albert of Saxe-Coberg in 1840, wearing a white gown to incorporate some lace that she owned. At that time, a white wedding dress was extremely uncommon, and not a sign of purity, but a sign of wealth -- for only very wealthy women could afford a dress that could never be worn again (cleaning a white dress was not so easy in 1840).

Though many copied the queen's style for their own weddings, it still wasn't until the mid-20th century that white came to dominate the wedding dress market, as pictures and videos from weddings of the world's wealthiest and most famous really spread the trend.

Really, the white dress was more a symbol of vanity than virginity. Before Victoria, brides married in almost any color, except black, the color of mourning, and red, which was associated with prostitutes. Brides who wanted to wear a symbol of their purity wore blue.

Today, most brides choose to wear either diamond white or ivory.

Upcoming Events At Once Upon A Time Weddings

We've got a couple of great events happening next week in the store

100 Days to HCC Prom - Wednesday, January 26th - 3-6PM
Come check out our new prom gowns in store and receive 10% off all prom gowns and accessories.  Become a fan on our facebook fan page and receive an additional 5% off.

Biz After Biz - Thursday, January 27th, 6-8PM
Join us for refreshments and come network with other business professionals in our community.

"I Plan" - Getting You From "I Will" to "I Do"  Choose between two dates Friday, January 28th 5:30-8:30 or Sunday, January 30th 1-4   Come learn the basics of wedding planning and take part in a question and answer period with local wedding professionals.  Cost is $5 for the bride and pre registration is required by email to info@onceuponatimeweddings.ca or by phone to 519-245-7997.

For more information please see our facebook fan page here or website here or give us a call at the store.

Website Wednesday

Hey Everyone,

On Wednesdays I will be sharing with you a website that will be helpful in planning your wedding.  Today's website is Bridal Confidential.  This site is amazing!  The first thing you need to do when you get there is to register - let them know what you still need for your wedding.  Then check out all the vendors.  Also be sure to note the upcoming events.  You can also drop into the store to pick up one of their magazines for local wedding vendors and planning tips and tricks.  This is a great resource for brides who are looking to find local wedding vendors.  There is also great prizes for those who were married in 2010.  So be sure to check out the website and magazine!

Enjoy your day! Happy planning!  http://www.bridalconfidential.net/

Tip Tuesday

So on Tuesdays on the blog I am going to be giving you a tip or trick that may help with your wedding planning.

Today's tip is all about wedding photography.  I would say that this is an area I am passionate about even though I am not a photographer at all.  This is because the photographer is so essential to the wedding day.  After all, it's the only thing you have to show for that special day.  So choose carefully.  Nothing makes me more nervous than when a bride says, oh we're having our friend take the pictures.  (unless of course that friend is a professional photographer).  It's very crucial that you have someone who can capture your day and who has experience doing so.  So meet with photographers and ask to see their work.  Ask them for past brides emails and get their recommendations.  Do not try to save by hiring a friend, or getting a cheap photographer.  A good photographer will cost good money, but it's an investment really.  Remember, not only is your photographer giving you that entire day, they will spend hours editing your photos.

After you've decided on your photographer, type up a list of important people and pictures you have to have that day.  Then go over it with your photographer.  Giving them a list of parents, grandparents, wedding party, etc names will help them connect and speed the process.

This is a picture from our wedding, three and a half years ago.  I love the pictures and look through them constantly.

There are lots of good photographers right here in Strathroy.  Here are a couple of ladies that I would strongly recommend.

Nova - owner of Nova Markina Photography or check out her facebook fan page.
Jennifer Partington - owner of Partington Photography website  here or facebook here.

For more tips and tricks for wedding planning, stay tuned for Tuesday posts.  Or plan to join us at our upcoming I Plan Seminars.  Where we'll help you go from "I Will" to "I Do" will ease.  Call the store for more information or check out our facebook page here.  If you're a wedding vendor and would like to participate in this event, please call the store.

More than just weddings Monday...

I wanted to showcase that Once Upon A Time carries more than just wedding gowns.  So today's post will be all about prom gowns.  So here is a picture of two of my favourite prom gowns.  First a long brown and blue tulle gown from Alyce Designs:

I also wanted to show a short gown.  This is a beautiful pink and green charmeuse gown also from Alyce Designs.  It is so elegant and I think it would look great with a pair of lime green heels.

So what do you like better... long or short?

There are 108 days until HCC's prom and 136 days until SDCI's prom.  Just a reminder that gowns take 12-16 weeks to order into the store.  Once Upon A Time Weddings will also not sell the same gown in the same color to two girls from the same school.  That means you have to shop early for the best selection.

Join our facebook fan page to see photos of prom gowns as they arrive to the store.  Also check out our upcoming prom events.

Destination Wedding Gown

Destination weddings are becoming a popular way for couples to say "I Do".   I have had several brides into the store that are thinking about or planning to get married at a destination wedding.  I wanted to share this adorable dress that Once Upon A Time Weddings just got into the store that would be a perfect gown for a destination wedding or a beach wedding.

It's a beautiful flowing chiffon material.  This type of material travels well because it is light and more resistant to wrinkles.

The back has a detachable train which is perfect for the reception.  It's at a great price point as well, just $690 plus taxes.
I will leave you with this great article from Wedding Bells full of tips and tricks for those planning a destination wedding: http://www.weddingbells.ca/articles/article/exchange-rate/.

For more information on this gown or to book an appointment please call us at the store 519 245 7997 or send us an email.