Glamorous Beaded Wedding Gowns

Feast your eyes with these gowns from the Spring 2014 collections of different world-renown designers as they prove that crystals, pearls and sequins can make the brides wearing it shine like diamond on their wedding day:

 {Christos}

Shimmer with this Christos sweetheart bridal gown with cascading beaded flowers and allover sequins.

The Fit and Flare Wedding Gown

There are numerous types of wedding gowns a bride can choose from but the fit and flare style is my favorite for a number of reasons. It's dainty, romantic, modern, elegant and sexy all at the same time. Other than the love and attention that I received, it made me feel so radiant and beautiful on our wedding day.

{Photo ops: Me and my wedding gown. More photos here.}

This type of gown is tight in the upper area (usually sleeveless) and flared at the skirt (usually embellished with ruffles, drapes, pleats, frills, beads, embroidery and other unique embellishments). We can find these styles in a wide variety of designs, colors, lengths and fabrics. 

Wedding Gowns Galore: CHRISTOS

Amsale took over Christos when the Cyprus-born designer Christos Yiannakou decided to retire in 2005 after heading his collection for 20 solid years. After taking over the helm, Amsale has upheld Christos legacy for tradition while infusing a touch of her own modern sensibility into the collection. Amsale’s Christos gowns have long stood out for their impeccable heirloom quality.

Tips: Wedding Gown Storage

After the wedding is over, almost all brides (including me) want to keep that perfect wedding gown as a remembrance or to pass it to their daughter. However, stains will set, it may turn yellow, and the fabric could be damaged over time so proper care and storage is very important.

Here are some tips I gathered online in making sure that we store our precious wedding gown properly:

Supplier’s Rating: Marc Rancy

Dear Online Diary,

I did not expect to get Marc Rancy as my gown designer before the whole gown horror story but I came to know Marc and his elegant gowns when I watched one of the Philippine Fashion Week shows. When we decided to get a reputable designer for my wedding gown, Marc was one of the top on my list.

Despite his busy schedule, we were able to set an appointment with him. It was last July when mama Betty, Ninang Fely and I went to his shop in Buendia. He’s bubbly and fun to talk to. Kalog talaga siya. :)) He let me try some of the gowns available so I could see which type would look best on me. He also gave us a couple of tulle “wisdom” and showed us his precious collection. Here’s my gown by Marc Rancy:

The Designer: Marc Rancy

Dear Online Diary,

Most of my readers knew that I had a change of heart. Turns out, it’s a blessing in disguise -- a blessing by the name of Marc Rancy.

Marc showed interest in fashion at an early age. He’d constantly flip through fashion magazine and went as far as designing the suit that he wore during their school’s Graduation Ball. While reading his story, I’d like to think that he’s destined to become a fashion designer.

{Marc Rancy's elegant gown collection (photo taken from Marc's Facebook Page)}

Sharing: A Meeting with Emman Ocampo, Gown Designer

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Dear Online Diary,

Prelude:

I first met Emman at the Weddings and Debuts 2010 bridal fair at the Mega last February 12th-14th. H2B and I noticed how intricate his wedding gowns are. I remember he was offering me something (a souvenir, if I remembered it correctly) other than his bridal gown when we passed by their booth. I took his brochure and walked away because his gowns looked pricey to me.

{Emman's booth at the Weddings & Debut 2010 bridal fair (photos courtesy of Emman)}

After a couple of days, I received a follow-up email from Emman about his gowns and services. This is what suppliers from the fair usually do. They get our email addresses for their records and follow-up on us and see if we missed out on something. Anyway, I was desperately looking for a designer who can work within our budget especially after the designer I was supposed to meet at the fair failed to find time to entertain us. She was either talking to another client or out of the fair premises, taking care of her daughter (or son). Oh well, so much for that. Emman and I exhanged email and text messages, became friends in Facebook and set to meet in his office today (Saturday).

Before the meeting, I turned to my fellow W@Wies if they can give feedbacks about Emman. It so happened that some of them, like me, set a meeting with him. That means I was not the only one who noticed his gowns at the fair. Ok. I’ll hold my horses. W@Wies have this code that whatever is in the forum, stays within the forum. :)

... and so, it’s Saturday!

I woke up early, prettify, put on my most comfortable dress and called H2B. We’re on our way as early as 8:50 am (our appointment was at 10:30 am) yet we were late for about 10 minutes. Thank God Emman was cool with that. He was actually cool the whole time we’re at his shop.

The shop is cozy. In fact, some of his works are on display. After a short introduction, we went to business. I showed him my gown inspiration and explained some things that I like to include. He showed me the different kinds of fabrics that we could use and throw in some suggestions. While we were talking, he was sketching a gown based on my gown inspiration and taking a note or two. Cool, right?

{Business as usual: Emman and yours truly while discussing the gown design that I like}

{Emman is sketching the gown while we are talking about the design}

We had some light moments, too. He showed us some more samples of his past works. He’s 10 years in the wedding industry but is just starting to go all out, particularly by joining bridal fairs. In fact, the bridal fair at the Mega was his first bridal fair yet his gowns attracted a handful of clients. I was surprised to know that the gowns he has on display at the fair weren't costly at all. I call that magic. You know, making something look pricey when it isn't pricey at all.

{Smile for the Camera: Emman Ocampo and yours truly}

In summary, here are the things that I like about him and our first meeting:

- He’s young and very talented. He has loads of fresh ideas.

- He’s professional and polite. He knows what he’s saying.

- He can work within our budget and ammendable with all my requests.

- He’s dedicated to his works.

- He’s not pushy. In fact, he's very friendly and easy to talk to. He even showed us the gown, which his aunt will wear at the wedding of one of their relatives.

- He presented a clear time line.

- He will personally take care of me (and my gown) on our Big Day.

- He LOVES my gown.

The last bullet is a plus. He loves my gown and it somehow gives me an assurance that he’ll make my gown (and me) beautiful on our Big Day.

PS:
Photos at the shop were taken by H2B. :)

X.O.X.O.,