Introducing Zuhair Murad Spring Summer 2014 Bridal Collection

I held my breath while looking through Zuhair Murad 2014 wedding dress collection. Classic cuts,  modern styles, lace, tulle and dramatic skirts featured heavily in this collection. The Lebanese designer who is known for his eye for details made sure this collection did not disappoint. Okay, less yapping let's go straight to the pictures

Wedding trend: The Reception dress

Our alarm at Cakes by MizVuitton blog is definitely buzzing loudly with this wedding trend...

Reception dress by David's Bridal

After a tiring and solemn wedding ceremony you get to your reception party and all you want to do is ditch the bouquet and all the wedding paraphernalia and let your hair down and boogie with your family and friends, there is absolutely no way you can enjoy doing this in your long, heavy traditional wedding dress.

Traditional wedding dresses like ball gowns, are great for walking down the aisle and exchanging your vows in but are not such a good idea for a reception party.  I have seen many brides unable to truly enjoy a wedding party because half the time they are fussing over their wedding dress.

Kim K wore three different gowns at her wedding to
now ex husband Kris Humphries
All 3 dresses were designed by Vera Wang

Picture this scene- it is time for your first dance with your husband, that beautiful choreographed dance you have practiced in nothing but jeans and sneakers. Now you have to worry about twirling in that huge, heavy wedding dress to replicate that dance you have memorized.The best thing to do in this situation is to change into a reception dress. 

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton also rocked a reception dress- see right
both dresses are by Sarah Burton

Reception dresses are really a good look for a couple's first dance. They are comfortable, elegant and beautiful. They give a bride an opportunity to opt for a different, usually a more modern look at their wedding.

Reception dresses ensure that you enjoy your wedding party to the fullest. It has become a regular feature at weddings this year and is a trend to look out for.

Wedding dresses with sleeves

Yay! the sleeves are winning!

Looks like sleeves are making a grand comeback this season. I've gotten tired of seeing all the strapless dresses and illusion necklines being worn by brides. Wedding dresses with sleeves are definitely the rage this season as bridal designers are finally taking the more tasking way out by designing dresses with sleeves (most designers will tell you that strapless dresses are easier to design).  

I have always wanted to wear a dress with sleeves at my wedding but I feared that I might look too vintagey so you can imagine my excitement at seeing some beautiful designer wedding dresses with sleeves on the runway.

Have a peep at some dresses. They are from the Spring 2013 Bridal collection

Carolina Herrera

Carolinne Herrera Spring 2013 collection

Marchesa

Monique Lhuillier

Wedding dress of the Day: Nicole "Naeto C" Chikwe's wedding dress

Nicole "Naeto C" Chikwe in a dress designed by Obsidian. This was her 2nd dress at her wedding to Naeto C on July 21 2012 and it fit the bride like a glove.

I love...love...love!


Photo Credit: Bella Naija

July 2012 wedding dresses

Ballerina ball gown by Monique Lhuillier

Ballerina pink bridal gown from Monique Lhuillier

Ball gown wedding dress from Vera Wang

Wedding dress from Kenneth Pool's 2012 collection

Wedding dress from Kenneth Pool's 2012 collection

Open back wedding dress by Rosa Clara
btw that coif is everything

Wedding dresses by Rosa Clara from her Spring 2013 collection 

Vintage inspired wedding dress by Stephanie Allin

Romantic pink ball gown from Monique Lhullier

Rosa Clara

Photos courtesy: onewed.com

Say "yes" to the dress

Molly Sims looks perfect in her wedding dress

I am a curvaceous UK size 14 -16. I worry about how my arms would look in my wedding dress, I have a cute pouch (It really is cute) and I have wide hips, I obsess so much about how my wedding dress will fit. Getting a dress for someone like me may pose a herculean task after all we are not all Molly Sims. The average naija girl is quite 'thick' n 'healthy'. Don't hate on us our men love us dat way.

Sometimes I wish I was a man cos all they have to do is get a suit with a nice fit, a tie, crisp shirt, belt, well polished shoes and they are good to go. No frills, no lace.

And since us 'girls' come in different shapes and sizes, we all have our body hangups.. so while we may admire Kim K's dress (allow your mind skip the 1 minute wedding, damn i'm in pain!) and dream about rocking that type of dress, our body shape or genes may tell us different.



I have tried to class the different body shapes my friends have (you guys know yourselves, lol) and use it as a yardstick to choosing a wedding dress for any body shape




You got a boyish, straight up and down shape

You should rock a dress with an empire waistline. Gowns with empire waists are usually very feminine and soft. The empire waist comes below the bust which will create a hint of a small waist while the lower part of the gown will gently flare outward to create an illusion of curves. If you have great arms and shoulders you may show it off with a strapless dress. Empire waists are also a great choice for pregnant brides.

Empire waistlines are great on boyish shapes 
and also work well for pregnant brides 

                                           

You got large boobs, a heavy top half and narrow hips

The problem is that you dont want to come off looking like Johnny Bravo on your wedding day. You still wanna show off feminine curves even if it is almost non-existent. It is wise to rock a fairytale style or ball gown wedding dress. This will help balance out your upper body by adding volume to your lower body for the perfect hourglass silhouette. For large boobs, you can soften the look by wearing a slightly plunging neckline.

     Ball gowns are great for disguising narrow hips 

                               

You are curvy with big boobs, fluffy middle and wide hips

You can create the perfect figure by accentuating your strongest points. You should invest in a structured dress like Princess dresses or a-line dresses.It should have a fitted bodice and should nip your waist while skimming over your hips thus accentuating your best assets

Isi Omiyi rocks an a-line dress with sleeves. The dress nips her in the waist, 
gently skimming over her hips while disguising her ample bosom to create a perfect silhouette