DO NOT BUY DIRECT FROM CHINA!

DO NOT BUY DIRECT FROM CHINA!
Fake dress warning



We have been gathering websites that offer our dresses - that we DO NOT sell to. These websites offer very low prices on wedding gowns - but you will also get a very sub-standard dress! We have even bought from these sites to see the quality! It's really difficult for us to do anything about these factories - and their websites seem to keep just "popping up" all over the web. We have responded to countless emails of brides who THOUGHT they were getting a Bonny gown! Please remember the old saying "If it's too good to be true, it usually is!" We will keep an update of these sites as we find them. We ask for your help spreading this word to all your friends and family so they do not get duped!

http://www.bridaldreamdress.com/
http://www.dressale.com
http://www.shopofdresses.com
http://www.judybridalshop.com
http://www.tiffanybridals.com
http://www.viviennebridal.com
http://www.sharonbridal.com
http://www.cinderellaswedding.com
http://www.lightinthebox.com
http://www.charliesbridal.com
http://www.goodgoodschina.com
http://www.idealweddingdresses.com
http://www.Helenebridal.com
http://www.buyer100.com
http://www.bridaldresses2010.com
http://www.eweddingdressshops.com
http://www.cheap-wedding-gowns.com
http://www.idealweddingdresses.com
http://www.dresstimes.com
http://www.peridress.com
http://www.usadressretailer.com
http://www.beautifulweddinggowndress.com
http://www.wholesaleweddinggowndress.com
http://www.marriagebridalgown.com
http://www.trueloveweddingdress.com
http://www.beautifulpromgowndress.com
http://www.buyweddinggowndress.com
http://www.prettypromgown.com
http://www.weddingdressretailer.com
http://www.trueloverbridal.com
http://www.thebridalgowns.com
http://www.endenbridal.com
http://www.topbridaldress.com
http://www.weddingdressbridal.com
http://www.weddingdresscity.com
http://www.weddinggowncity.com
http://www.weddingdressmart.com
http://www.goodweddingdresses.com
http://www.shopforlover.com
http://www.21bridal.com
http://www.bridalsbay.com
http://www.wedding-dresses-gowns-shop.com
http://www.vponsale.com/
http://www.inweddingdress.com
http://www.wedding-dresses-gowns.co.uk
http://www.wholesale-weddingdress.com
http://www.7bridal.com
http://www.queenisagirl.com
http://www.fashioninthebox.com
http://www.blessbride.com
http://www.wedding.sh/
http://www.plussize-wedding-dresses.com
http://www.wholesaleprettypromdress.com/
http://www.vivedresses.com
http://www.nicobridal.com
http://www.wedding-bridalgown.com
http://www.bridalweddinggowns.ca
http://www.moonbasabridal.com
http://www.bonnybridaldresses.com/
http://www.kimlybridal.com/
http://www.weddingdresses100.com
http://www.daphnebridal.com
http://shop.storeofdress.net


For more info please contact us info@blushweddings.co.za
Good luck & happy planning!
The Blush Girls

Wedding Wisdom & The Meaning Behind Traditions

Today I’d like to discuss wedding traditions, how they came about and the meaning behind it all…

It’s also to answer the Modern-Day Brides’ questions, like “Do I really have to wear a veil?!” And “Why do I have to toss the bouquet? I want to keep it…!”

The Dress:
Wearing white also dates back to Victorian times when Queen Victoria abandoned the usual royal tradition of wearing a silver gown, instead choosing to wear white. Before that time brides simply wore their best gown. White was also thought to ward off evil spirits. Why white you ask? Well, some believe that not only is it to symbolize your purity (virginity) but back in the day, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France in 1559. She chose to wear a white gown because it was her favorite colour. Imagine that! Even though, at the time, white was the color of mourning for French Queens. Although, Philippa of England was actually the first documented princess in history to wear a white wedding gown during a royal wedding ceremony. In other cultures, brides wear traditional clothing, print and colours.
For Example: The traditional Chinese wedding dress in northern China usually is one-piece frock named Qi Pao, embroidered with elaborate gold and silver designs. Brides from southern China usually wear two-piece dress named Qun Gua, Kwa or Cheongsam, also elaborately adorned with golden phoenix and dragon. These traditional wedding garments are usually brightly coloured. For instance; red, which is considered good luck, a strong colour that can drive away evil spirits.

Another Example: In South African Tradition, a bride wears Shwe Shwe fabric, which is usually lots of different colours like blues, browns, yellows and reds. Not all together, of course. Their head is covered too. Nowadays, most brides where a white or ivory gown in many different shapes. So where do I ask did the strapless gown or a “boob-tube” come from? You know that you DON’T have to wear a strapless gown or “boob-tube”, right?

The Bouquet:
Have you ever thought as to why a bride carries a bouquet? Because it looks pretty? It aint so ladies! Back in the day people only bathed once a year! Yip, really! They would bath on their wedding day but for good reason, one bath doesn’t always get rid of the smell. So one clever little lady decided to pick flowers wrap them together and carry it down the aisle with her so she would smell nice. Some also believe that it’s for fertility.

The Veil:
This too was to ward off evil spirits but it symbolizes youth, modesty and purity.

The Bridesmaids:
Your bridesmaids are there to protect you once again from any evil spirits. Traditionally, back in the day, the bridesmaids wore the same outfit as the bride so if there was any evil, it would get confused as to which was the bridesmaids and who was the bride. Of course, we all know that bridesmaids are there to assist the bride in planning the wedding too. A bit like “To Protect And Serve” if you ask me…

The Engagement Ring:
Medieval Italians believed that a diamond was created in the flames of love. Nowadays, any precious metal and precious stone is common.
The Wedding Ring:
Romans believe that your wedding ring is worn on your finger second from the left on your left hand because the vein running through that finger leads directly to your heart.
Today, the circle/ring symbolizes eternity. There is no beginning and no end. The gold represents purity of intent.
Wedding Breakfast:
Why some call it this, is because it’s the first meal together as Husband and Wife.
Wedding Cake:
The wedding cake is a tradition that began back in the Roman Empire. At the time, it was a loaf of bread that the groom broke over the bride's head as a symbol of his dominance in the marriage and over her. The symbolism of this is the first domestic duty performed by the newlyweds as a couple. The top tier of the wedding cake represents the couple. The middle tiers represent the children to come. The bottom tier represents the couple as a new family.
It was the custom in England for unmarried wedding guests to put a slice of the cake, traditionally a dark fruitcake, under their pillow at night so they will dream of the person they will marry.

Where did the Best Man come from?
Historically marriages were accomplished by the Groom capturing the Bride to be. To do this, a friend would be roped in to help off other would-be suitors and to prevent the bride’s family from finding the couple.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…
Old = Signifies continuity
New = Signifies Optimism for the future
Borrowed = Future happiness
Blue = Love, fidelity and modestly.

Honeymoon:
The word “Honeymoon” dates way back past Medieval times. At special occasions, especially weddings, there was a type of alcohol served called Mead which was made of honey. And the moon part, well they would go away for a whole “moon” or month on holiday.

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…
Know your stuff!

The tiara is OUT and vintage glam is IN! Unless you’re Royalty or you’ve just won a beauty pageant, there is no need for you to wear a tiara on your wedding day. Besides that, let’s face it girls, the tiara is just naff! But before we get into what’s HOT and what’s certainly NOT, let’s talk Veils.


We find that most brides these days opt not to wear a veil at all, which is absolutely up to you.
However, we’ve done our homework and have decided to give you some much needed info about veils.









A little bit of History for you:
The first recorded instance of veiling for women is recorded in an Assyrian legal text from the 13th century BCE, which restricted its use to noble women and forbade prostitutes and common women from adopting it. The Mycenaean Greek term a-pu-ko-wo-ko meaning "craftsman of horse veil" written in Linear B syllabic script is also attested since ca. 1300 BC. Ancient Greek texts have also spoken of veiling and seclusion of women being practiced among the Persian elite. Statues from Persepolis depict women both veiled and unveiled, and it seems to be regarded as an attribute of prostitution under their belief.


Sjoe! Quite a mouthful! Well, there are many different types and some have a few different names. So are you ready… here we go!


Blusher Veil:
This veil is a short, one-layer piece of fabric or tulle that is wrapped over the head and face. It ends just below the chin. This is commonly known as a Birdcage Veil.



Chapel Veil:
This veil is typically two layered. The first piece is approximately 2,5 yards long which covers the face. The other layer covers the back of the head and extends to the floor. This is more formal and is worn with a wedding gown that has a Chapel Train.



Cathedral Veil:
This is the most formal veil of them all. It is similar to the Chapel Veil which also has two layers but quite a bit longer than the Chapel Veil. The layer that covers the face is 3,5 yards in length and the other layer covering the back of the head extends to the floor but flows past the train of the wedding gown.

Elbow Veil:
Enough Said! The Elbow Veil is more common with Western Brides. It is typically a to layered tulle, mesh or veiling veil where the longest part that covers the back of the head ends at the elbow. The layer that covers the face is slightly shorter.

Finger Tip Veil:
Pretty self explanitory! This is similar to the elbow veil but longer in length and ends at the finger tips.


Waltz Veil:
This is a very formal veil like the Cathedral Veil but shows a bit more status than the others. The length, however varies according to taste. The shortest length of this veil ends at the knees. And the longest length ends at the floor the waltz veil only has a single layer of fabric.

Flyaway Veil:
Now these are fun! But maybe not to everyone’s taste…
It is less formal than the others. It is made up of several layers of tulle. It is typically worn with a simple gown that is floor length with no train or shorter.

Mantilla Veil:
This is a single layer circle-shaped piece of tulle or fabric which rests on top of the head. The edge is bordered with lace that frames the face. It was typically worn with an ankle – length gown. Some insight and history for you: A Mantilla is a lace or silk scarf worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb, popular with women in Spain. It is particularly associated with traditional devotional practices among women in Catholicism. The lightweight ornamental mantilla came into use in the warmer regions of Spain towards the end of the sixteenth century, and ones made of lace became popular with women in the 17th and 18th centuries being depicted most notably in the portraits of Diego Velazquez and Goya. In the nineteenth century, Queen Isabel II (1833–1868) actively encouraged its use. The practice diminished after her death, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to special ceremonies, such as bullfights, Holy Week and weddings.

Russian/Fishnet Veil:
This is similar to the Birdcage. It is short in length and usually attached to a headpiece. This vail typically falls asymmetrically across the face. It is a single layer of material. The netting or tulle usually has larger holes (Like a fish net or fishnet tights). The Russian Veil looks best with short dresses. So if you’re into the short, 50’s wedding idea that’s very on trend at the moment, then the Russian and Birdcage Veils are just right for you!

Because some brides choose not to wear a veil then, let’s talk hair accessories…
Here are some pictures of pretty Alice bands, combs, flowers and vintage looks. Blush Weddings custom makes all types of veil, fascinators, birdcage veils and we have a wide selection of hair accessories like the diamante Alice band. The one thing we don’t have, however, is tiaras. THEY’RE OUT!

The same Alice Band shown with an Up Style and natural

Satin & Bling headpiece

References:
www.haircomesthebride.com
www.google.com
Wedding Magazine (UK)

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day…

Love, hearts, red roses, doves & cherubs. That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about these days. No sooner are we over Christmas when kitsch cards and gifts start to swarm the supermarket shelves when we get Valentine’s Day goodies shoved down our throats…



Call me a cynic, but I don’t particularly love it when red and pink are shoved in my face (at the same time, no doubt). But Valentine’s Day really is a money-making scheme! Here’s a hint: Don’t ever get married on or around Valentine’s Day if you’re on a tight budget!

I want to discuss the origin of Saint Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day as it’s commonly known…
In 313 A.D. Roman Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and ended Rome's persecution of Christians. In 380 A.D. Christianity is made the OFFICIAL state religion of the Roman Empire. These actions not only enabled the teachings of Christianity to spread unhindered within the empire, it encouraged non-Christians to convert to the once-persecuted religion.
The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pop Gelasius i in 500AD. However, it was deleted from the Roman calendar of Saints in 1969 by Pope Paul Vi, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards which are known as valentines.

This day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer (whom was an English poet and author) in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Hand written valentines only came about in the 19th century.

So instead of wasting money on roses and silly kitsch gifts, rather put that money aside and pack a picnic and go on a hike instead. If you’re not into the exercise idea, then stay in with your loved one and have a picnic in the comfort of your own lounge spending the night telling them what you truly love about them. If single, then round up your friends and go for dinner, share with your friends what you love about them.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Communicate! Communicate!! COMMUNICATE!!!

Communication (v): The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
There are various types of communication in life. There is verbal or oral communication; nonverbal communication; visual communication; written communication; human communication and nonhuman
communication to name a few.

Do you remember playing that popular game as a child “Broken Telephone”? Life can often be like that. The communication breakdown or failure happens because we’re all so overwhelmed in life today. And maybe that’s due to technology? Here, I’m talking about the communication between you and your loved ones. We’re so pre-occupied with our busy schedules that we forget to breathe!

Communication is a very important to function in every-day life. No matter where you are, who you are or what you’re doing, you are communicating.

In this day and age, technology is bringing us closer together and making the world a smaller place. With video calling, Skype, BBM and so on, it really is very easy to communicate with loved ones, colleagues and clients too. But are we really communicating? For example, your body language plays a very big part in communication. I am currently reading an ebook called “What is Every Body Saying” and it is certainly a very interesting and fantastic book on what our body is saying to other people face to face. Body language just adds to every-day life communication.

Over the past year, I’ve noticed with the Brides that come into Blush Weddings, how important Wedding Communication is.

Written Communication is used when sending out your wedding invitations. Throughout the Wedding Day itself, there is even more written communication such as the Order of Service, The Menu, The Table Seating Plan and The Name Place Cards. If you didn’t send out your Wedding invitations, how would you inform your guests that you want them there to celebrate your union? Sure, you could email or SMS your guests but that’s not very personal. Some couples opt out of a traditional wedding, but they still have wedding invitations sent out. Not every couple getting married has order of services or even name place cards but all weddings have a table seating plan. It would be utter pandemonium if people were asked just to sit wherever they like. It’s simply not realistic. If you didn’t communicate to the caterers or the venue, your wedding day will be in absolute chaos!

It’s all very well having the written communication down to a T, but the most important communication is between you, the Bride & Groom. It is imperative that you both communicate your wants and needs for your special day, to each other and to all involved in making the wedding day work and work well. As the bride, you may dream of releasing pure white doves after the ceremony but your groom may think they’re disgusting creatures riddled with vermin. If you don’t talk about it and discuss your wants and needs, it may land up in an argument. Most people think that the wedding day is all about the bride, but it’s really not that restricted. There’s far more to a wedding than people assume. It’s about you, the Bride and Groom as a couple, but it’s also about two families joining. And you might also start your own family one day.

At Blush Weddings, we’ve noticed another big failure in communication is not informing the bridal party of their duties. Bridesmaids and Mother’s – of – the Groom are often not told what their roles and duties are and for very different reasons. Lack of communication causes confusion and disinterest which can lead to tears…

It’s a typical cliché but the Mother – of – the – Groom is often left out of a lot of things. And the Mother – of – the – Groom is often referred to as “M.I.L.D.E.W” which stands for Mothers In Law Do Everything Wrong. That “label” as such, is wrong in itself! Yes, planning your wedding is generally done between you and your mother, but you are marrying into another family and you need to include your future Mother – In – Law too. You may hate the silly bitch, but make her feel special and needed. Remember, her son is getting married too!


Many Blush Brides have had difficulty communicating with their bridesmaids.
If you don’t allocate, designate and stipulate exactly what you want out of your retinue, then you can’t blame anyone but yourself. Yes, bridesmaids are there to add fun to the wedding planning stresses, but more importantly, they are there to be at your every beck and call (realistically of course). Most bridesmaids these days don’t see it as an honour. They simply see it as throwing you a Hen Night and getting trashed on champagne at your expense. No! They are supposed to attend your Wedding Dress Fittings, help with the running around, attend your hair and make – up trial and so on. Some brides these days have close to ten bridesmaids. That, in itself, is a communication disaster waiting to happen! If you don’t sit down with your ladies in waiting and discuss the details, then the days leading up to your Big Day will be a disappointment. You don’t need drama on your special day! (Watch this space for our next blog which is all about Bridesmaids and their duties...)

So remember Brides, talk to everybody. Don’t only communicate using with today’s modern technology. Talk and make your wishes and desires known and then there’ll be no room for disaster!