Expensive Wedding Dresses

Custom Wedding Dresses

ExpensiveBride — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:41:15 +0000

Custom wedding dresses are something that the women who like to stand out and be different want for their wedding. They can be found in specialty shops around the country, but aren’t always the easiest to find. The Internet is probably the best place to look for a unique wedding dress, as you have the whole world at your fingertips with just a couple of clicks. When you go online you will find a wide variety of custom made wedding dresses from designers all over the world. If you want to look special and unique, and not look like just about every other bride getting married the last 10 years, then you will have to start looking and probably pay a bit more than for your average wedding dress.

Start looking for your wedding dress early

As hinted upon, a wedding dress that is unique will probably cost you a good deal more than a wedding dress bought off one of the mass produced collections. That can be pretty tough on the wallet in today’s economy, but wedding dresses have never been cheap. However, if you give yourself enough time, and many wedding planning experts advise starting 12 months before the wedding, you might find a great deal for the perfect wedding gown.

Find an up and coming wedding dress designer

A great way to get a great deal on a custom wedding gown is to contact an up and coming designer that has experience making wedding dresses. Many of these wedding dress designers are desperate for business, not only to pay their bills but also to build a portfolio of customers and dresses that they can use to market themselves. You can find them by searching the Internet and visiting their web sites, or by putting up an online ad on for example CraigsList. Be careful not to pay anything more than a small deposit, and only the full sum when you receive the dress and are satisfied. There are also some people selling fake designer wedding gowns made in China, so only buy from a seller that can prove their reliability and reputability from past sales.

Have a wedding dress tailored for uniqueness

You can also buy a “normal” wedding dress and then have a tailor make changes to the dress to make it unique. If you have a certain design in mind, try to find something that looks similar and then let the tailor do the rest. This might save you several hundreds of dollars compared to having the whole dress designed from scratch.

Look offline as well

Of course, even though the online world is huge and gives you a lot of choices, that doesn’t mean you have to write off the offline options. Many women have had great success by visiting fashion colleges or art schools, posting notices on their billboards and contacting students directly. There is a lot of talent at those schools, and you will probably get a dress that is highly unique if you go this route. You can also look up wedding dress shops near you and ask for advice. Perhaps they can give you advice on a good tailor or wedding dress designer that can make the perfect, custom wedding dress for you.

Roberto Cavalli Wedding Dresses

ExpensiveBride — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:28:12 +0000

Roberto Cavalli is one of the top wedding dress designers in the world. His flamboyant Italian style uses bold prints and unique embellishments. Roberto Cavalli wedding dresses are straight from the catwalks of Paris, Rome and Italy.

Roberto Cavalli was born in 1940 in Florence, Italy. At only 30 years old he launched his very first namesake fashion collection in Paris. In 1972 Cavalli opened his first salon in Saint Tropez. Also in the early seventies, he invented a procedure for printing on leather that revolutionized the textile printing industry.

Roberto Cavalli and Eva Duringer married in 1980. She has been not only his lifelong companion but his business partner as well. In 1994 Cavalli opened a string of boutiques. He now owns 16 café-shops and boutiques that each specialize in fashions that range from the most expensive wedding dresses to animal print jeans and children’ shoes.

Famous Wearers of Roberto Cavalli Wedding Dresses

Many famous women have worn Robert Cavalli wedding dresses over the years. A few notable Cavalli fans are:

• Jennifer Lopez-wore a white angelic gown with a plunging neckline and gold chain trims to her 40th birthday bash.
• Mary J. Blige-performed at the Grammy’s in a cobalt blue strapless Cavalli gown with beaded detailing on the bodice.
• Ashley Jensen-wore a green velvet dress by Roberto Cavalli when she married Terry Beesley.
• Cheryl Tweedy-wore a cream colored silk and lace gown with Swarovski crystal embellishments when she married Ashley Cole.

How do Robert Cavalli Wedding Dresses Measure Up?

Robert Cavalli wedding gowns are high fashion works of art that use color, texture and fine embellishments. Luxurious fabrics and impeccable detailing combine with over 40 years of fine craftsmanship and design experience to create wearable masterpieces.

Details like feathers, Swarovski crystals, gold chains, hand beading and embroidery are common in Cavalli designs. Prints combine with new and unique combinations of fabrics to create exactly the look that any high fashion bride is looking for. Robert Cavalli wedding dresses have elegant, stylish and fashion forward design elements that are sexy, sensual and sometimes a little edgy.

Prices for Robert Cavalli Wedding Dresses

Cavalli’s wedding gowns range in price from $5,000 to upwards of $12,000 or more. Custom Robert Cavalli wedding dresses can cost much more. There are a few of his wedding dresses in the “ready to wear” division that are priced below $5,000. Other options include the Cavalli prom and party dresses that are priced far below that of the wedding gowns but have the same fashion conscious styling and Robert Cavalli craftsmanship.

Wedding Insurance

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:41:12 +0000

We are writing a new series of articles here at Expensive Wedding Dresses about wedding insurance, where we will take you through the basics of why you need insurance and what types of insurance exists on the market for weddings. The bad thing about taking out a policy is that they cost money and that you never seem to need them after the fact. However, if you are unfortunate enough to experience an accident of some kind during your wedding you will be extremely happy that you paid the relatively small cost of insurance!

Wedding Insurance Basics

From last minute cancellations to a damaged wedding dress, wedding insurance is intended to help protect against unforeseen events and problems that can affect the event. This little insurance policy can give peace of mind on one of the biggest events in most people’s lives. But, what is wedding insurance? Just what can be insured?

The insurance policy for a wedding is to protect the bride and groom’s investment from circumstances that are beyond their own control. In the event of a covered, unforeseen event, the insurance policy will reimburse expenses that have been incurred. What if the reception venue goes out of business just before the wedding and takes the deposit with it? How about if the limo service doesn’t show up and another has to be ordered the morning of the ceremony- for double or triple the price? Anything can happen that would result in a financial loss, and this is where wedding insurance comes into play.

The policy may not cover jewelry other than riders for wedding rings. It also will not cover cancellations due to change of heart or cancellation of the wedding by the couple due to circumstances within their control.

The costs

A typical policy will cover loss of: wedding attire, wedding rings, wedding photos, wedding presents, wedding videos and all deposits. This type of coverage will cost on average between $175 and $600, based on the specific coverages and loss amounts. There is also a general wedding liability insurance that will cover against accidents for up to $1 million. Supplemental policies may be purchased to cover specific instances such as if a wedding is postponed due to a military member being deployed at the last minute. There is a rider to cover this and deposits would be covered.

It is always smart to shop around and do a wedding insurance comparison based on the quotes you get from the different companies you contact.

What to Cover

Many wedding venues and vendors already have insurance policies in effect that will cover the couple under certain circumstances. It is wise to ask each vendor and the venue to provide a copy of this policy to ensure that the coverage is not overlapping. This gives the option of only including vendors that are not fully covered as this will save money on the policy.

When to Insure

Many insurance companies have a time limitation on how early wedding insurance may be purchased. It is a good idea to get insurance as soon as deposits are being made for services and venues. Those deposits will be insured if the policy is already in place

What companies offer wedding insurance?

There are a host of companies that offer the types of insurances described above. Of course, as with all insurance you need to buy it in the country that you reside in. We are therefore only listing companies in the United States and UK for now, but more insurance companies will be added with time.

WedSafe (US)

One of the premier wedding insurance companies in the US, with a wide variety of products for the bride and groom to be. WedSafe offer both wedding liability insurance and wedding cancellation insurance, and their prices can be found by asking for a quote on their web site. Buying both products gives you a 15% decrease in your premium paid.

ProtectMyWedding (US)

A Travellers company that specializes in wedding insurance, with a great online web site where you can purchase the exact coverage you need. The order page lets you add coverage for wedding ring insurance, event photographs, event gifts, special attire, jewelry, and lost deposits. They also have a nice frequently asked questions area that answers many of the questions you might have about wedding coverage.

WeddingPlan (UK)

An insurance company based in the UK that insures both wedding and reception at home and abroad. They have a very nicely structured web site that makes it simple to get wedding insurance quotes and buy the coverage you need.

Wedding Insurance Comparison

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:02:36 +0000

At what point in planning the wedding should the couple start their wedding insurance comparison? Weddings can take a long time to plan and coordinate. On average, popular reception venues can require a 12 month reservation. With coordination of the caterer’s menu, flowers, photographer, cake, alterations and wedding party attire, the happy couple can quickly become overwhelmed in all the details that make this special occasion so memorable. If something were to go wrong in the perfectly choreographed display, it could prove disastrous, not to mention financially draining.

When to Insure

Before any deposits are given, wedding insurance should be in place. This insurance policy will provide coverage for deposits if anything happens that is beyond the control of the bride and groom. If the wedding is postponed due to weather or a vendor goes out of business before the wedding, those deposits could be lost. So the best time for a wedding insurance comparison should be prior to any deposits or solid plans have been made.

What types of Wedding Insurance is Available?

So what types of insurance is available for wedding protection? There are several different types of coverage. Each couples situations will be different and require a specific combination of supplemental policies to help protect against wedding related losses. A few of the lesser known wedding insurance options are:

• A wedding photography insurance policy can be quite extensive. Some policies will even pay to restage the whole event to retake photos if the negatives are lost or damaged.

• Policies for videography can include payment for creation of a video montage or photo compilation if the videographer used faulty equipment or materials. Some policies will even pay to restage the event to retake the videos.

• There are even wedding gift insurance policies that will replace non-monetary gifts that are stolen, lost or damaged.

• Honeymoon insurance is a must since a honeymoon cost more than a new car. Travel and trip insurance will protect against loss or theft of luggage and trip postponement or cancellation.

• Wedding liability insurance will protect against damage and personal injuries that occur on the wedding day during the whole course of the wedding and reception. This is a very important policy, and may be required prior to booking an event hall for the reception. If alcohol is served a special rider can protect against alcohol related accidents and incidents.

No two weddings are completely alike, and insurance policies are not one-size-fits-all either. It is important to discuss all possibilities and scenarios with an insurance agent during the course of your wedding insurance comparison.

Wedding Ring Insurance

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:47:49 +0000

A wedding ring is a symbol of commitment and everlasting love. So insurance is probably the last thing on a bride’s mind when she picks out her wedding set. While the sentimental value can never be insured or replaced, wedding ring insurance can give piece of mind.

Many people mistakenly think that homeowner’s insurance covers a lost or stolen wedding ring. The sad truth is that many home owners’ policies only cover $500 in jewelry. A separate rider is required to adequately insure individual pieces of jewelry. An insurance floater will provide a specific coverage amount for the ring based on the appraised value.

While a wedding insurance policy may cover wedding and engagement rings, it is important to see how long the coverage lasts. Wedding insurance companies usually write policies that cover the event, deposits and liability insurance for the day of the wedding. There are riders for wedding ring insurance, but that type of coverage may only last until just after the reception is over. It is important to always compare wedding insurance policies.

Types of Wedding Ring Insurance

There are a few different types of wedding ring insurance. Each type of policy offers differing options, and it is always a good idea to consult with your insurance agent to gain a full understanding of each option. A full appraisal will need to be done on the ring for insurance purposes.

Homeowner’s policies give the option of adding value to a ring beyond their normal limits for a fee. However, this type of insurance only protects against damages in relation to the home, such as fire or other damage. Since a wedding ring is worn outside the home, it makes sense to look at other options as well.

A replacement policy will cover a specific item of jewelry such as a wedding ring. This type of policy will replace the ring with an identical new ring at current market value.

An actual value policy will replace the ring at a value placed by an insurance adjuster at the time of loss. This actual value is determined by the original price of the ring with deductions taken for wear and tear and depreciation. Although this type of wedding ring insurance policy is cheaper, it also will not give the full replacement value of the ring, but rather the value of a used and worn ring which could be much, much less.

Wedding Liability Insurance

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:51:53 +0000

Wedding liability insurance is different than other types of wedding day insurance. Liability insurance protects the couple if they are held liable for any bodily injury to guests or property damage to the venue. Liability insurance can also cover against any alcohol related accidents that would be the responsibility of the couple with a hosted liquor liability option. Wedding liability insurance is not to be confused with wedding event insurance or wedding reception insurance which specifically covers the loss of deposits and defaults beyond the couple’s control.

Many wedding and reception venues now require a $1 million wedding liability insurance policy to be purchased by the couple. In addition, the damage limits for damage to the rented premises is usually around $100,000. This size of policy will also offer about $1,000 in medical payments for an injured guest. A liability policy of this size will cost about $200 on average. It is not uncommon for venues to request as much as $3 million in liability insurance before booking the event. Always check ahead to see what the requirements for wedding liability insurance are as well as what type of insurance the venue has as well.

If liquor is served at the reception, a hosted liquor rider may be required as well. This policy prevision warrants special attention. If alcohol is served at the reception and an inebriated guest has a car accident leaving the reception, the couple can be held liable for all damages to not only the inebriated guest, but any other accident victims as well. In some venues alcohol is no longer allowed to be served during receptions due to these types of circumstances arising.

Many insurance companies offer wedding liability insurance. There are several websites that offer wedding insurance quotes that can include liability insurance as well. Usually the policy is only for the one day and specifically covers the guests at the ceremony and reception and can be purchased 24 hours before the event. Typically, a rider is faxed to the venue administration while a copy of the policy is given to the insured.

A wedding day is a time of celebration and festivities. This is the fairy tale ending that many brides dream about. Law suits, wedding liability insurance, alcohol related accidents, hospital bills injuries are rarely figured into the equation. Liability insurance is a very necessary part of planning that should not be overlooked.

Wedding Cancellation Insurance

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:54:42 +0000

The planning of a wedding includes thoughts of the church, cake, flowers and the dress. One often forgotten but very important item is wedding cancellation insurance. What if something goes wrong? What if the reception venue burns down and you lose the deposit? What if the caterer goes out of business and that deposit goes down the drain? What if the airline looses that picture perfect wedding gown or custom made tuxedo? How about an ice storm that keeps all the guests out of state? What if the groom is deployed by the military at the last minute? What if?

Nobody likes to think about all that could go wrong on this day that is supposed to be so perfect. One lost deposit can be devastating, but what if the whole wedding gets postponed and ALL of the deposits are lost? That could spell the end of the dream of the perfect wedding. With wedding cancelation insurance deposits are protected against lost due to circumstances out of your control.

Choosing the Right Wedding Cancelation Insurance Policy

The type of insurance policy needed is different for each couple’s wedding. Some couples will require wedding travel insurance while others need wedding car insurance and many brides feel that wedding dress insurance is important. Whatever your needs there is a wedding cancellation insurance for it. Some wedding venues will require liability insurance in order to book the event hall. If alcohol will be served on premises then a hosted alcohol rider will also be needed.

The first step is to consult with vendors and venues and request a copy of their insurance policies. Many wedding vendors carry wedding cancellation insurance already. There is no need to pay for overlapping coverage if the vendor is providing the insurance at their own expense. Once you are armed with all vendor insurance copies, contact an insurance agent who has experience in issuing wedding insurance policies. Another avenue is to research wedding insurance online.

All policies are not created equal. Keep in mind that cheap wedding insurance is not necessarily going to have all the policy provisions that your particular needs will require. It is a good idea to budget up to $1,000 for insurance needs. Actual costs will vary and could be much lower depending on the types and coverages that your wedding will require. Liability insurance for the day of the event will run about $200.

Alternatives to an Expensive Wedding Gift

ExpensiveBride — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:07:51 +0000

Many people have a hard time finding a wedding gift for the bride and groom to be. Back in the old days it was unusual for a couple to live together before they got married, but that has changed in today’s society. It’s pretty obvious why this makes it harder for you to find a present, because that rules out all the things you need when you move out of your “mom’s house”. That last sentence was a little tongue in cheek, but there is some truth to it. The possibilities are endless when someone is living together for the first time compared to someone receiving their second or third toaster. Today many people buy expensive wedding gifts to compensate for lack of imagination, which if you think about it is great for the bride and groom, but not so nice for the giver’s wallet. Here are some wedding present ideas that can help you if you want to find an affordable wedding present and still be able to hold your head up high at the couple’s wedding!

Wedding gift registries

A popular way for the bride and groom to let the guests know what they want is to establish a wedding gift registry. This is a great way to find ideas for what to buy, but the back side is that everyone else is probably buying the same gifts. If you want to get a unique wedding present for the couple this might not be the best place to look. So where can you find wedding gift ideas? The Internet of course! The best thing about computers and the Internet is that they are fantastic for providing you with free information. Do a search online and you will find plenty of ideas for wedding gifts. Here are the best of the best web sites for finding unique and personalized wedding presents:

- About.com: They have a great top 5 wedding gift section that lists ideas that you can use when shopping for wedding presents. On the top of their list is money, of all things. Not very unique, until everyone else at the wedding thinks it’s to plain to give to the couple and you end up as the only person giving them hard cash. Something to consider?

- MSN.com: They also sport a top list, but this one gives you their 13 best wedding gift ideas. They list the usual household appliances, but also suggest buying in to the new trend of “backyard entertainment” wedding presents. This includes grills, hammocks, and patio sets. They also list bathroom spas and charity wedding gifts as popular give aways.

Make your own unique wedding presents

Actually, when searching online for unique wedding gifts most of the results are for the run of mill presents that everyone gets. As I mentioned, these presents are fine and well, and the couple will most likely be very grateful for all the practical gifts they receive. But if you want to break out of conformity, why not make your own personalized wedding present for the couple. Here are some ideas:

- Personalized photo album: If you are good friends with the bride or groom you can make a personalized photo album with the best pictures you have of you and the groom or bride. Write a personal story besides each photo, about the moment it was taken or something else related to it. This can be an emotional and unique wedding gift that definitely will be remembered longer than a new set of oven mittens.

- Wedding gift basket: Buy a beautiful basket and fill it up with all kinds of food and treats that the couple enjoys. An expensive wine, sausage, and some cheese, makes for a great looking and original basket that the couple can enjoy when they get back from their honeymoon.

Expensive wedding gifts can be the way out of an imagination block, but if you just set a side some time to think about what the couple would enjoy on an emotional level, the gift can both be affordable and that much more unique.

Online Wedding Planning

ExpensiveBride — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:34:04 +0000

With the advent of computer technology, planning your wedding can be done a lot differently than for 20 years ago. The Internet is a haven for tools and great offers that can make wedding planning that much easier and effective than when your parents did their planning. Online wedding planning can for starters help you keep track of all your chores and items that need to be purchased. Do a search for “online wedding planner” and you will find several free or affordable planners where you can keep track of everything. But it doesn’t stop there, because there are very few things you can’t get done online, without even leaving your home.

Buying a wedding dress online

One of the most popular items to buy online is of course the wedding dress. Designer wedding dresses, for example, can be found a lot cheaper online than at your local wedding boutique. The selection is also incomparable to even the largest department stores with large wedding dress areas. Remember, you have the whole world at your fingers. Beautiful ball wedding dresses, Cinderella wedding dresses, A-line and princess wedding dresses, Ballerina, Empire, simple wedding dresses, you name it and you will find it online. We have mentioned this before, but remember to get your measurements taken before shopping online so that you are certain about your size. It also pays to buy from a shop that allows you to return the dress if it doesn’t fit, and of course get a full refund. Many claim a full refund, but most have hidden “return” fees, so be sure to check out the terms of the policy!

Online wedding planning guides

Free online wedding planning guides and courses are great tools for the aspiring bride and groom that don’t know exactly where to start. As mentioned above, do a search for “online wedding planner” or “wedding planning websites” and see what comes up. If you don’t have luck finding anything, try to go to Ouronlineweddingday.com. They have a dedicated section just for wedding planning on their site, with tips and tools such as their wedding task list manager, wedding address manager, and wedding budget planner. They also offer a free trial for a personalized wedding web site, and if you are a registered member of the David’s Bridal web shop, your personalized wedding website is free for the whole duration of your wedding planning.

Click here to register at David’s Bridal web shop! It’s free and you get a chance to win a new wedding dress or up to five bride’s maid dresses.

Do your wedding shopping online

Online wedding shopping is much more than planning and a beautiful wedding dress. You can also find all the other items you need for your wedding, like wedding invitations, wedding favors bridesmaids dresses, wedding jewelry, and everything else under the wedding sun. One of the reasons offline wedding shops can stay alive is because they mark up prices just because the word “wedding” is on the label. On the Internet there is so much competition, compared to your small shop at the mall, that prices are naturally a lot lower. And with a list as long as a bad year, the numbers will add up if you are price conscious.

What to do if you don’t know where to start with your wedding planning?

I briefly touched upon the bride and groom that don’t know exactly where to start planning for their wedding day. This is natural, especially for those that don’t have a mother or father that steps in and monopolizes the wedding planning for you. An online wedding planning website can be of tremendous help to figure out how to handle the planning, and in which end to start. In many aspects a wedding is a major event that can be compared to organizing a small concert, sports event, or fashion show. In other words, a wedding has many small bits and pieces that all have to come together on that important day of yours, and a recipe that gives you clear instructions can be a life saver. TheKnot.com is the leader in wedding planning and weddings in general on the Internet. They have tons of articles and resources you can use, like their wedding planning check list, when you sign up as a member. Yeah, it’s a bit of a chore to become a member on all these sites, but at least you get what you need for free.

I guess we have covered most of the areas that need to be addressed for a wedding. Of course, there are more, like finding a wedding photographer and wedding caterer. But those will have to wait for a future article.

Vera Wang Wedding Dresses

ExpensiveBride — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:36:13 +0000

Vera Wang, the famous wedding dress designer, was born in New York to Chinese immigrant parents and attended Chapin, a prestigious prep-school. She then went on to further her education at Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Paris where she received an art history degree. Wang competed in the 1968 US Figure Skating Championships at the age of 19 and was featured in the January 8, 1968 issue of Sports Illustrated. She turned to the world of fashion and started to put Vera Wang wedding dresses on the map after failing to make the US Olympics Team.

Vera Wang spent sixteen years as Senior Fashion Director for Vogue. She then spent two years as a design director at Ralph Lauren before striking out on her own in 1990 and opening a design salon in New York’s Carlyle Hotel. There she began designing her signature line of beautiful wedding dresses.

Vera Wang became a household name in 1994 when silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan wore a simple but elegant white costume designed by Wang. She also designed many of Michelle Kwan’s costumes as well as the costumes worn by the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders. Today, Vera Wang dresses are known world-wide.

Famous Wearers of Vera Wang Dresses

Many stars have worn Vera Wang wedding dresses over the years. A few notable dresses worn by stars on their big day include:

• Mariah Carey wore a beautiful Cinderella style dress that Wang modeled after the Royal wedding of Princess Dianna to Prince Charles.
• Victoria Beckham wore a beautiful one of a kind Vera Wang in champagne colored satin.
• Jennifer Lopez wore a shoulder bearing, cream colored, lace gown By Wang.
• Avril Lavigne wore one of Vera Wang’s beaded wedding dresses in a very classic style.
• Jessica Simpson wore a stunning A-line dress that became quite popular.

How do Vera Wang Dresses Measure Up?

Vera Wang wedding dresses are created using luxurious fabrics with rich detailing and superb craftsmanship. Her dresses cross the spectrum from hand beaded masterpieces in silk and gold lame to simple creations with sweet bows and traditional styling. Vera Wang believes that any bride should be able to find her dream dress: “Whether she is a schoolmarm or siren, flower child or princess, socialite or career girl, or a bit of each rolled into one, the bride should choose a gown that reflects whom she is above and before all else.”

One can expect to find beautiful wedding dresses in styles that range from traditional to more modern looks. From simple wedding dresses that exude elegance and style to the more daring and sensual gowns can be found in the Vera Wang wedding dresses line.

Prices for Vera Wang Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang’s wedding dresses usually fall in the range from $5,000 running upward of $15,000 and more. One of-a-kind creations can cost much more. The new spring line has prices ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 for many of her gowns. While these are expensive wedding dresses, they are in the price range for many middle class brides. A budget conscious option would be the Vera Wang Maids dresses that are offered in whites and champagnes. These dresses will run from about $200 and up and are a fantastic way to wear Vera Wang on your big day.