It seems the word “Couture” is appearing more and more in reference to all types of clothing lately, and wedding dresses are no exception. Brides are naturally drawn to references of “Couture” when shopping for their dress, because it “sounds good”. There is a lot more to understand before making such a significant purchase however.

What are couture wedding dresses anyway?

Don’t feel bad if you’re confused! “Couture” is a very misunderstood and misused term. Not a coincidence: the use and abuse have naturally led people down the path of confusion.

Couture originates from the French term “Haute Couture” which literally translates to “high sewing” or “high dressmaking”. Haute Couture in France used to be a term that referred to the exclusive fashion houses in France: Chanel, Christian Dior and the like. Not just loosely, it was (and is!) even regulated who could use the term Haute Couture in their advertising. (You have to love the French – such sticklers for rules. I can say that since I’m half French!)

In order to qualify to use the term, the Couture houses have to satisfy certain criteria, of which the primary one is to design made-to-order clothing for private clients. This is the main distinguishing feature of “Pret-a-Porter” vs. “Couture”: Couture is custom made for the individual client and Pret-a-Porter (ready-to-wear) is fabricated to certain pre-determined sizes.

Coming back to wedding dresses, even though it can seem that you are “custom ordering your dress”, from a bridal boutique, the vast majority (I would say over 99%, but don’t quote me!) are made to pre-determined sizes and therefore actually pret-a-porter. This term is itself a little bit of a misnomer because as any boutique owner will tell you, the chances of your wedding dress that you ordered (even though it’s in your size) of fitting you perfectly are extremely slim! You will need alterations, which can be costly. The cost of alterations can be such a surprise that I recommend getting quotes on the alterations before purchasing your dress from a boutique, if you go this route.

OK, so if Couture wedding dresses are all custom made, why do several manufacturers have lines of wedding gowns made in stock sizes with “Couture” in the name? In a word: marketing. Even though “Couture” technically means made to measure, since savvy clothing labels have been using the term to mean “high end” or “designer”, consumers have started to interpret the meaning as exactly that. Hence all the confusion!

So, how can you get a real couture wedding dress you ask? Well, if you have upwards of about $40,000 to part with, you can see if one of the few big-name wedding dress designers out there will make a custom wedding dress for you. Or, you can Google “custom made wedding dresses” and find a couture service that will cost you a lot less! You will have to be comfortable with the notion of a “virtual relationship” with your couturier. You will also need to have your measurements taken by a professional to ensure that your dress will have that perfect fit you want.

Do your research carefully: you need to feel reassured that the couturier understands exactly what you want. Look for a company that encourages you to call them. You also want to look for a company who will have a designer sketch out your gown before it is made. There will be a fee for this extra service, but well worth it when considering what is at stake.

Why is the concept of custom made dressmaking worthy of such obsession and even legislation? It will sound cliche, but you have to experience it to understand completely. It’s all about the fit, and in wedding dresses, there’s nothing more important! Imagine, you’re walking down the aisle and you start to feel your dress slipping down just a little – or maybe a lot. It will show on your face to some degree. That precious moment of yours can be stolen from you so needlessly!

This is exactly why more and more brides are opting to have their dress custom made. Not only will their dress fit beautifully, it will be the exact design they are looking for. Now that’s worthy of saying “I do”.

Christianne Brunelle is a wedding dress designer and founder of Custom Couture Bridal. http://www.CustomCoutureBridal.com is an online service that makes affordable couture wedding dresses for brides in North America and Europe.
See Christianne’s blog dedicated to brides with designer taste but not a designer budget: http://coutureweddingdresses.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christianne_Brunelle

The rumors are true…you don’t have to spend a fortune on a wedding gown to look like you did!

The details that make couture style so expensive can be recreated on a simple, inexpensive gown. For instance, some of the trends right now are draped fabric, ruching, sashes, broaches, and unique accessories.

You can start with a simple, strapless satin dress with little or no embellishment. (Search online for “simple wedding gown” or “informal wedding dress.”) Add a wide satin sash in a fabulous color, tied either in a bow or square knot, and place a broach in the middle of it. Why not dye your favorite heels to match the sash color? Top it off with a matching satin bolero jacket for a little coverage in case the air is chilly at your reception.

If your wedding is going to be held in an informal location such as a beach or garden, consider a dress in a lightweight, flowy fabric such as chiffon. Complete your look with a satin ribbon around the waist in a beachy color like turquoise or coral, and adorn your feet with footless sandals (or foot jewelry) made with pearls or crystal beads. A long veil is always beautiful blowing in the sea breeze. Imagine those gorgeous pictures!

Another idea for an unembellished dress is to keep the focus on your accessories. A sassy birdcage veil (think Reece Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama!) and vintage chandelier earrings give a sophisticated, elegant look to any simple gown.

Remember, your wedding is all about your individual style. So get creative, look for accessories that show off who you are, and make it your own!

Written by: Shanell Bledsoe, owner of Destinations Bridal http://www.destinationsbridal.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shanell_Bledsoe

One of the best ways to make your wedding more fabulous is to include beautiful couture details. These special touches do not need to be limited to the bride’s gown; there are all sorts of places that you can use them throughout your wedding. Read on for some tips on how to enhance your wedding with these exquisite couture elements.

Naturally for a couture inspired wedding, the bridal attire is the place to begin. Look for a gown that is well crafted, with unique or special details. These can include accents such as intricate embroidery, crisp pleating, hundreds of dainty pearl buttons, or origami-like folding. Whatever details or design elements make your gown stand out, replicate them throughout the rest of the wedding.

Invitations are a wonderful part of your wedding to decorate in a couture style. You will want to use a fine printing process, either engraving or letterpress, for the most elegant effect. One great effect would be to create a design that is inspired by a special piece of lace or an embroidered pattern. It can be printed in a soft color underneath your wedding information in a deeper tone.

The wedding cake is one of the most popular things to decorate with couture details. Brides love the idea of a cake that ties in with their wedding dresses. Select your favorite part about your gown, and ask your baker to design the cake around it. For instance, if your gown has rows of tiny bows down the train, your cake could have matching bows adorning the base of each layer. Perhaps your gown has spectacular pearl beadwork on the bodice; not only will you want to wear pearl bridal jewelry to coordinate, but your cake can as well. The pearl beadwork from the gown can be mimicked on the cake, or you can choose a fancy monogrammed cake topper that looks as ornate as a piece of bridal jewelry atop the cake.

Think about how you can bring couture details into the rest of your reception design. Let’s say that your gown has impressive rows of ruffles down one side. Why not carry that detail into your table linens, with unique ruffled tablecloths? You can also choose an impressive ruffled wrap for the handle of your bouquet. These little touches will add up to a very stylish wedding.

Not all of your couture accents must be drawn from your wedding gown. You can choose any design that has that fabulous high fashion feeling. Your centerpieces are one of the best parts of your wedding to try your hand at a stylish and impressive design. When you work with your florist, the words to use are “stylish, chic, trend-setting, and exclusive”. You want the kind of centerpieces that are destined to become a top pick on the Knot! Elements such as abundant flowers, Swarovski crystals, branches, feathers, and stunning vessels are the things that will help you to achieve the desired result.

With a bit of creativity, you can plan a wedding that is chic, elegant, and memorable. Special couture details will give your wedding a cohesive design, while also helping to set it apart from the pack. The end result will be nothing short of fabulous!

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Pearl bridal jewelry has been a favorite of legendary brides from every era, and is just as popular with brides today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze