Hello!
If some of you live in the Lancaster PA area, you might want to take advantage of some of our natural resources - like farm life. Local farmers have been known to be very generous in offering their grounds, their out buildings and even some of their greenery and flowers to creative brides. Who says being on a budget has to be discouraging????

A rustic barn and the surrounding fields can be a beautiful backdrop for a wedding. Adding twinkle lights and white linen tablecloths can transform an out building into a perfect and spacious site for a ceremony and reception. So much of the decor has already been naturally supplied for you, so that you can focus your budget on food or music instead. There are several venues around the area that expect a site fee, but keep looking, you might be pleasantly surprised at the generosity and kindness of local farmers not requiring anything from you, except cleaning up at the end of the event!

Because its a farm, (its their job to grow things) wild flowers for bouquets and centerpieces may be readily available and at a reasonable or even no cost.  Think outside of the box, think creatively of other things that are found on a farm that could be used for centerpieces - purple and green cabbages, mason jars and mini hay bails.

And just think of how entertaining and unique an experience it could be for some of your city slicker friends to come to a farm. Sheep and cows, and horses right at their fingertips. Chickens and pigs adding to the environment too. Maybe a tractor for a fun photo prop and a horse and wagon to take guests from their cars to the ceremony site.

Hope I've given you something to think about. Are you up for the challenge?

Hello!
So many people have been asking about websites that I have used in the past and been happy with. So today I'm going to list a handful to get you started:

Lightinthebox.com - everything wedding! Now this is the only overseas cite I will recommend. I have used them several times and been very happy with the quality, the service and their timeliness in getting orders to me. I will not recommend any others so please be careful when you order from anyone else because they may be less reputable. Lightinthebox has everything from veils, to wraps,  to jewelry, to shoes, to wedding gowns, to bridesmaid gowns, etc. They are NOT designer gowns, but "inspired" by designers so you may find a wonderfully priced knockoff. If your budget is a real concern, then take a look here!

Efavormart.com -is a wonderful cite for linens, favors and decorations for the ceremony and the reception. They offer quality products at wholesale prices to the public. I found that linens were particularly of great value compared to the rental prices that many linen vendors may charge you. They have many different colors and fabrics to choose from which can get the creativity really going! After the wedding day, turn around and sell them on ebay or craigslist and make a little money back!!!

Save-on-crafts.com - offers everything a creative, but budget minded bride could possibly want for the ceremony or the reception. Prices are very reasonable and I find that I can spend hours looking and ordering from this cite. I have always been pleased with the service and quality.

Uline.com - is actually a cite directed at businesses but I have found some real bargains on cardboard decorated mailers, beautiful envelopes and other stationary related items. Most of the items need to be ordered in bulk, but then many brides need that many items, so it can be a real savings. Once again, the service and quality of their merchandise is top notch.

So don't think that the only place you can find those items you need to put your special touch on your wedding day is the expensive hobby shops and stationery shops. I always tell my brides, "think outside of the box." Good luck and have fun!!!!

Hello!
When choosing your jewelry for the wedding day, I have a golden rule - "Bling the bride, or bling the gown, but not both."

Some gowns are already designed with bling or embellishments at the bodice, and one would hope that it would be evident that a substantial necklace or even any necklace at all might not be necessary. Some gown fabrics like delicate laces or to the other extreme, a heavy satin, might dictate what type of jewelry would look best. A statement or chunky necklace can be a beautiful addition, but keep in mind your stature. A bride that is hardly 5 foot tall is going to look overwhelmed, and the necklace may wear the bride instead. As a side note, remember that some fabrics such as tulle or lace may not tolerate bracelets very well. They can snag that type of fabric (no matter how careful you think you will be) and the repairs are costly or impossible. I suggest that brides also watch the length and design of the earring they choose to wear that day. Too long of an earring may take away from your face and eyes, which is so important that day! Many think that a overly long earring will elongate the neck, but unless you are already a giraffe, you probably won't get the effect you are hoping for. Also, an earring that is weighty on your earlobe at the start of the day, may become unbearable or damaging by the end of a long wedding event.

In conclusion, be classy. Most times, "less is more."

Hello!
When choosing bridesmaids' gowns, take some factors into consideration. Most bridal parties don't consist of the same body shapes - think of Cousin Heather who is a little hippy and Sister Leah who has a very full chest. The more bridesmaids you have, the more issues you may have to address if you decide to use only one style of gown. I have advised that the bride pass on the idea of all girls wearing the same gown and that instead allow the bridal party to choose the gown that fits their individual figures AND budgets. The bride will determine the length, color and fabric she would like the bridesmaids to wear, but then allow the bridesmaids to find the gown style that might address that physical concern they have, and might actually impress them enough to wear again after your special day!  Not all gowns are the same price either, so a bridesmaid can discreetly look for a gown that suits her budget a little better without being embarrassed or drawing attention to the fact that she might be on a tighter budget than the rest.

Most bridesmaids are very kind and want to do anything they can to make the day perfect for the bride. So why not do the same for them and suggest that they wear something that will make them feel special on your big day too?  Bridal diplomacy 101...

Hello!
Wondering whether and how much to hem your gown? There are several hemlines from which to choose. But ultimately, it is whatever the bride feels comfortable with. Hems can be one of the costliest alterations and often, brides decide not to hem at all and just get a higher heel. 

Most brides opt to have the hem of their gown float on the floor just a hair longer than their shoe. It used to be that brides preferred to have their hem higher than their shoe to show off the pretty heels they had gotten dyed to compliment their gown. Some brides have also taken their hems to their ankle, to exaggerate this look.  To the ankle in the front and then sloping longer to the train, termed the "ballet hem."

A trendier look has been the high/low look. This puts the front of the gown's hem to the knee (or higher) and then slopes to a much longer train. This hem is flirty and less formal and before you think about cutting the fabric on your gown, consider your ceremony and reception venue's atmosphere. Some designers offer removable trains on these type gowns which can change the look and tone of your event considerably.

Some brides opt not to hem at all. It can save money but can add headaches to the walk down the aisle. A bride should be instructed to make small kicks as she walks no matter what the length of her hem. The small kick smooths out the skirt and  hem with every step (helps the photographer too) and moves the fabric from underfoot. After the ceremony, many brides bustle their gowns in the back which helps move some of the fabric away from the shoe as well. And most brides end up kicking off those beautiful (but often painful) heels at the reception when the dancing begins anyway, so then the hem is not the right length again.

Designers use many different types of hems to compliment their gowns, and some can be more costly or difficult to adjust in length. Make sure your seamstress is competent to do the hem and GET IT IN WRITING. At Weddings by Paulette, all alterations are fully discussed between the bride and the seamstress prior to cutting, and the decided alterations are written down for future reference.

Regardless of the length of hem that you choose, remember, its YOUR day and YOUR decision!!!

Hello!
Just thought of a helpful little tidbit that some of you might enjoy. After the big day, and before you commit your gown to the preservation box, to rest in the attic - have someone, preferably a seamstress, remove some of the lace or other beautiful fabric from your gown. As much as we would love to think that some day our daughters would want to wear our cherished gown, thta probably isn't what will happen. You know how you felt! But with the breathtaking laces and fabrics that are being used in today's gowns, it is a shame to have them sit up in the attic for the next 20 something years. Use the piece of lace or fabric you save to create your first child's christening attire or maybe a teddy bear for the bassinet. Keep the memories of your special day continuing visibly through the years and create an heirloom that can be passed down through your family. Maybe your whole gown will not ever walk down the aisle again, but parts of it will always be admired and remembered with love.

Hello!
I've been noticing lately that brides arrive at Weddings by Paulette already overwhelmed before they even try on their first gown! While searching the internet and perusing a thousand magazines might make you feel like you are preparing, it can actually make you crazy!! Just kidding, you will not go crazy but you might be sabatoging your first salon experience.

The first time you go to a wedding salon, my advice is to take one or two people with you, not your entire bridal party. The more opinions offered on gowns you try on, the more confused you may become. Also, your own thoughts and opinions may get lost in the crowd and you may find yourself walking down the aisle in a gown which was not really your first choice. After you have narrowed your choices down to two or three, and possibly even knowing which is THE ONE, take everyone back and show them those gowns, and get their opinions then.

As you enter most salons, you will see rows and rows of beautiful gowns and wonder, "where do I begin?" A good consultant will try to get an idea of your budget, your initial likes, the date of your wedding and  something that can greatly effect the type of gown you purchase - the ceremony and reception sites. You  might not want to choose a heavy satin ballgown for a reception in July at an outdoor venue. You might not want to choose a gown with a twenty foot train if you are getting married on the beach. And you may not want to wear a gown with a revealing back and overexposed cleavage if you are getting married in a religious venue. Weddings by Paulette always recommend to their brides that you put make believe blinders on, and focus on bodice and silhouette. Forget about the color of the gown for the moment (the gown can be ordered in white, ivory, champagne, blush, etc) and forget about the bling (or lack of bling) on the gown. Weddings by Paulette has three very experienced seamstresses on staff and they can add (or remove) bling, embellishments, flowers, etc. from the gown. Start out with 8-9 gowns and rule one out as you try them on.

Lastly, don't kid yourself that budget doesn't really matter. Nothing is worse than having someone encourage a bride to try on a  gown that is definitely out of her budget. Then trying on gowns in her budget just doesn't seem to make her happy one bit. Although we want you to have that heart pattering, misty eyed, aha moment, you must use your head too. You are a mature woman now getting married, juggling lots of wedding expenses and the gown is just one of them. Remember, that besides the cost of the gown, there will also be Pennsylvania sales tax, and possibly alterations, despite the initial fit. Tax can add another $100 to the cost, and alterations can range from $20-$500. Do your math and make wise decisions!!!