Bridesmaid Duties - More Than Just Wearing A Fantastic Dress!

The wedding day is all about the bride marrying her groom and living happily ever after, but there is a very important "supporting cast" that helps to make the wedding dream a reality. Agreeing to be a bridesmaid means that you get to stand up front at the ceremony wearing a beautiful bridesmaid dress while the couple says their I do's. It also means that a few things will be expected of you to make the big day a success. Brides of America has put together a some of these maid of honor and bridesmaid duties for you in today's blog. 

Brides ask their most special friends and family members to be a part of their bridal party, so if you have been asked to be a bridesmaid, take it on as the important job that it is. If you have been asked to be the maid or matron of honor, then you get to be the group leader, kind of a second-in-command to the bride. 

Work as a team
A lot of brides try to do everything themselves, but as a bridesmaid, think of yourself as a part of "Team Wedding." Make a united front and be there for whatever the bride may need. This could involve making phone calls to vendors, letting her vent when the stress gets to be too much, or simply reminding the bride that this is a fun and happy occasion and she shouldn't sweat the small stuff. You are there for emotional support, and when time allows, a little bit of errand-running too. Work as a team to help the bride achieve the wedding she is dreaming of. 

Plan & attend pre-wedding parties
The maid of honor and bridesmaids are generally the ones to plan and execute the bridal shower and bachelorette party. If others throw additional parties, you should try to attend those too, as well as engagement parties, the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and any other celebrations in honor of the engaged couple. 

Play hostess at the ceremony & reception
Another thing that "Team Wedding" takes care of is making sure that all of the wedding guests feel welcome. The bride and groom will be very busy with photographs and other wedding-related things, so the groomsmen and bridesmaids get to co-host the event. Help guests find their seats, direct them to the gift table, and most importantly, keep the dance floor hopping!  

Expect expenses
Before you say yes to joining the wedding party, make sure that you are comfortable with all of the expenses that may be involved. In addition to buying a bridesmaid dress, you will also need to purchase the shoes and accessories, pay for transportation to the wedding, hotel stays if you are coming from out of town, and wedding and shower gifts, to name a few possibilities.  

Be honest about the bridesmaid dresses
The bride will get the final say about what you will wear for the wedding, but your input is important. Never be rude or pushy about your feelings, but offer insight about the look and feel of the bridesmaid gowns that you try on. You are important to the bride, and she won't want you wearing something you absolutely hate, but be constructive with any criticism. 

Our Miami bridal boutique carries the entire line of Morilee bridesmaid dresses, which are not only beautiful, but affordable too. Our prices are very competitive, and the variety of gorgeous styles and colors is simply amazing. We love helping a group of lovely ladies find the perfect gowns for their friend's wedding. "I love to make my bridesmaid customers happy," says owner David Abadi, " because then they will want to come back as one of my bridal customers someday!" 

Best of luck helping your friend pull off a wonderful wedding. Being a bridesmaid involves a little bit of work, but more importantly, it involves having tons of fun with your friends. Brides of America is here to help you find the best bridesmaid dresses in Miami, just like you are there to help the bride be as happy and as stress-free as possible. We would love to be a part of your "Team Wedding!" 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.

Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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The Gorgeous "Embellish" Jewelry from David Tutera is at Brides of America!

At Brides of America, once we have helped you find your dream wedding dress, our talented consultants can also assist you in personalizing that gown and making it truly your own through accessories. Our Miami bridal boutique is very excited to now be an authorized retailer for David Tutera's "Embellish" line of wedding jewelry. These glamorous pieces of jewelry help to make an already amazing bridal gown even more breathtaking! 

David Tutera is a well-known name in the wedding industry, and he is hailed as an artistic visionary whose creativity, passion, and talent for bringing beauty to a special occasion have earned him much well-deserved praise and attention. At the young age of 19, after encouragement from his grandfather, who happened to be a successful florist, Tutera began his journey by opening an event planning business. He now runs an award-winning company that covers a wide range of subjects, which include wedding planning and wedding fashion.

According to Tutera, this signature fashion jewelry collection, Embellish by David Tutera, "provides more glamour, sparkle, and personality to sylishly complete your look." These stunning pieces can be worn after your wedding to bring an extra touch of elegance to a special occasion or important evening out. A large range of styles means that there is something perfect for every type of bride. 

Inspiration for this jewelry collection comes from the myriad of wedding designs that Tutera has created over the years. The overall look of the celebration combined with the feelings it generated combine masterfully with his imagination to provide women with these unbelievably exquisite fashion accessories. 

Not only does the careful attention to the stylized details of each piece of jewelry put it a step above the rest, but this collection is also affordable. You can show off your unique personality without having to blow your entire wedding budget, even though you will look like you spent a pretty penny on these gorgeous pieces of jewelry.  

The wedding jewelry that you see in today's blog is available at our wedding dress store in Miami, ready and waiting to go home with you and your beautiful new wedding gown! We've been having a wonderful time oohing and ahhhing over every single piece, and our consultants have already started picking out the perfect dresses to go with each one! "The chandelier earrings with the crystal are my favorite!" said David Abadi, owner of Brides of America. 

Come in soon and pick out your own favorite jewelry from our bridal shop in Miami and the Embellish Collection from David Tutera. We would love to hear what you think. Make an appointment by calling 305-620-6606 or request an appointment at www.BridesOfAmerica.com. We can't wait to help you find every perfect piece of your wedding day fashion. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Your After-the-Wedding To-Do List

You're married! Congratulations on hosting an incredible day that resulted in the beginning of your new "happily ever after" as Mr. and Mrs. That wedding planning to-do list is all checked off and long gone, but there are a few more tasks that will need to be taken care of now that the wedding is over. Brides of America has compiled these for you in today's blog. 

Some of these need to be taken care of right away, and a few can be handled at a leisurely pace. The quicker you get them done, though, the more at ease your mind will be. Working together will make these tasks go by smoothly and quickly. 

Return rented wedding items
Hopefully you assigned this job to someone responsible before the wedding and they took care of it already. Still, it's always wise to double-check that it is done. After all, you're the one that will owe more money if items are not returned. 

Update your new last name.
If you have taken on a new last name at the ceremony, it also has to be done legally on paper. Everything that you signed up for when you were single will now need to be updated to feature your current name. 

The process of name-changing can differ from state to state, but most will require you to provide a certified copy of your marriage license. Begin with the two big ones - your social security card and your driver's license. Next, take care of other documents, like car titles, bank accounts, credit cards, etc... After that, work on switching over any subscriptions, memberships, online profiles, and such. 

Get Your Wedding Dress Professionally Cleaned
You probably won't be wearing this again any time soon, but possibly in the future for a vow renewal or to pass on to your daughter. The longer you wait to have it cleaned, the more likely that stains will set in. Don't try to clean it yourself. The delicate fabrics and intricate accents require the attention of a professional. 

Before you send it away for cleaning, hang it up on a padded or plastic hanger, and do not wrap it in plastic. This can trap moisture and cause anything that has been spilled on the dress, as well as the oils from your body, to ruin the fabric. When choosing a dress cleaner, find someone that will also preserve your bridal gown so that you can store it safely until it is needed again.

Update your address
Unless you already lived together, at least one of you will be moving to a new address. Along with changing your name, make sure that your new address is correct on everything too (subscriptions, memberships, etc...) Don't forget to send out the information to all of your family and friends also. One way to do that is through the next task. 

Write & mail the thank you notes
If you were writing these as gifts came in before the wedding, then you're a little bit ahead of the game. Most guests probably brought a gift with them to the ceremony and reception though, so you will have a mountain of thank you notes left to write. You should aim to have them all written and delivered by 3 months after the wedding date. Either set a day aside and tackle them together all at once, or work on a few every evening while you watch television together or talk over your day. 

Return or exchange wedding gifts
You probably ended up with a few duplicate gifts, and possibly even a few things that you simply know you will not use. Make returns or exchanges soon after the wedding, because the longer you wait to do this, the more likely those gifts will get shoved to the back of a closet and forgotten about. 

Pick out your favorite wedding photos
This is one more task that may never get done if you keep putting it off. Even if the photographer has given you digital copies of every photograph taken at the wedding, the longer you wait to print out your favorites, the less likely they will ever get printed. Make an effort to order at least a couple of the best ones to display in your home, and maybe a few to give away to immediate family. 

You may not have need for our Miami bridal boutique immediately after your wedding, but know that we are here for you in the future. We have a beautiful selection of special occasion gowns available, plus gorgeous Quinceanera dresses for any daughters that may be in your future. Once again, congratulations from all of us here at Brides of America for your recent marriage. We wish you both many, many years of happiness together. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Wedding Dress Codes Explained - Your Guests Will Look Perfect!

Everyone in the wedding party has their wedding fashions picked out for them, so there is never any question as to what they should wear. Wedding guests, on the other hand, aren't always given a lot of guidance in this area.

There are common wedding phrases that can be included on the invitation to let guests know what type of clothing is expected at the ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, many people do not know exactly what is considered "Beach Formal" or "Black Tie Optional." 

Never fear. Brides of America has put together a quick summary of what each of the most popular wedding looks entails. Feel free to share this blog with your wedding guests to help them easily pick out their outfits for your special day. 

Casual

Guests are still expected to look their best, but in a more relaxed way. A casual ceremony usually takes place during the day. Gentlemen can wear a nice pair of dress pants and a dress shirt, but they can probably skip the tie. The ladies should wear a pretty skirt or pants with a nice top, or a sweet sundress is also welcome. If the ceremony will be an evening affair, upgrade your wardrobe to a more business-casual type of look.

Semi-formal

This style is also often referred to as "Dressy Casual." Still relaxed, but a little bit fancier. A dressy skirt and top or a cocktail dress is perfect for women to wear. The men should don a suit and tie in this case. Treat it like a very special evening out with a special date.   

Beach Formal

A ceremony in the sand calls for special clothing. You will want to wear something that is sensible in the current weather situation, plus shoes that are easy to walk a beach in. In other words, something comfortable, but dressier than a regular day at the beach. A formal summer sundress and some sandals will work for the ladies. Men should look for a lightweight suit, like linen, or khakis and a linen shirt. 

Black Tie Optional

Some couples may simply call this "Formal" also. Refined fashions in darker shades are generally expected. The gentlemen are welcome to dress in a tuxedo if they wish, but a dark suit and tie will work just fine. Women may wear a formal cocktail-length gown, long dress, or even a dressy suit.      

Black Tie

This type of wedding almost always takes place in the evening. Imagine you will be attending a formal gala or walking the red carpet. Men are expected to dress in a tuxedo with, as stated in the title, a black bow tie, plus a cummerbund. The ladies should put on a stunning cocktail dress or a beautiful full-length evening gown. 

White Tie

This is as formal as any wedding can get. A long, formal ball gown in a dark, neutral shade is perfect for the female guests. Fabulous hairstyles, dramatic makeup, and magnificent jewelry complete the look. The men should wear a long black tuxedo with tails, plus a white vest and bow tie. White gloves for dancing are even acceptable. 

As a wedding guest, if you are not sure what type of clothing you should wear, it never hurts to simply ask. The bride will be happy that you cared to find out instead of showing up in the wrong thing. 

If you will be needing an evening gown for a wedding, our special occasion dresses in Miami will outfit you perfectly. Brides of America will make sure that you are dressed correctly and look amazing at any wedding or other special event that you will be attending.  

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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How to Safely Shop Online for Your Wedding Dress

Our online wedding dress store is listed as an " authorized dealer" or "authorized retailer" of all Mori Lee Bridal Collections. These are very important phrases to look for when you decide to do your bridal gown shopping online rather than in-store. It means that Brides of America is selling designer gowns directly from Mori Lee, and you will never have to worry about receiving a knock-off, copycat dress. 

Shopping for a wedding dress online may be the best option for you if you simply cannot make the time to go to the store, or if the store that you know you want your bridal gown from is too far away from where you live. At Brides of America, we carry only the most exquisite wedding dresses, and we want to make sure that every woman has access to them, not just the lovely brides that are able to travel to our Miami bridal boutique. 

Warning Signs of a Possible Counterfeit Dress

The sale of counterfeit wedding dresses has become a huge problem, especially online, but there are warning signs that you can look out for. If you notice any of the following, proceed with caution. You may be looking at a retailer's site that is not authorized to sell the product that they claim to have. 

Discount of 50% or more

Weddings can get expensive quickly, and finding a beautiful bridal gown at an incredible price can be very tempting. We are not saying that it's impossible to find the perfect brand-name dress at a great price, but if the discount is more than 50% off, more than likely that's too good to be true. 

If a retailer is offering a gown at too low of a price, this could mean that the dress that shows up in the mail is not the one that you thought you were ordering. Instead, it could be their own version, made by an unknown seamstress, with inferior materials and skill. 

Lots of unhappy customer reviews

Reviews reveal a lot about a company. Do an online search for reviews posted outside of the store's own website. WeddingWire.com is a great place to start. 

No one is perfect, so 1 or 2 bad reviews is a possibility for any company, but if the majority of reviews are filled with angry comments and horrible experiences, then you should definitely stop looking at that retailer. If they have made a large amount or women unhappy with their products, your experience is very likely to be similar. 

Retailer's name not on designer's website

Every reputable designer will have a list of places that their gowns are sold. If you cannot find the list, reach out to the company and they will gladly tell you if the store you are researching is actually authorized to sell their products. If the designer has never heard of a store, then you will know that the wedding dresses being sold there are not the real thing.   

No clear contact information or guarantees

If the return information and dress guarantees are difficult to understand, it may be because they don't care about actually guaranteeing your satisfaction. Once that company has your money, they are no longer worried about your experience. 

Also, if there is no clear contact information listed, or if it is impossible to get a hold of anyone through the phone numbers or emails provided, then that is a store you should not be doing business with. If you do have any problems or questions, you want to be able to talk to someone that can help. 

Choose a Store You Know You Can Trust

Brides of America has earned the trust of many extremely happy brides over the years. A quick look through the amazing Wedding Wire reviews that have been left for us will show you that our Miami wedding dress store means what we say, and we only sell the highest quality bridal gowns available. We have even been given the Wedding Wire Bride's Choice and Couples' Choice Awards for the past 8 years in a row!

We exclusively sell all of the Mori Lee lines, and you will find us prominently displayed on their authorized retailer page. Our dresses come in a wide variety of styles at many different prices points, and you will never be pressured into buying a gown that is out of your budget. Our goal is not to make a sale, but to get you into the wedding dress that is perfect for you. 

If you have any questions or concerns at all, you can always reach us by phone, email, and even through our social media channels. When you order a wedding dress online from Brides of America, one of our talented bridal consultants will call you within 48 hours to confirm all of the details before the order is officially placed.     

Shopping for your bridal gown online can result in you finding the dream dress that you have been searching for, as long as you are careful and keep an eye out for the warning signs we have listed above. If at any point you are in need of assistance, reach out to us at Brides of America. We are always happy to help our customers in any way that we can. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Miami & Online

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7 Tips to Have the Best Wedding Dress Shopping Appointment Ever!

The first step to finding your dream bridal gown is to make an appointment to visit our Miami wedding dress store. What's next? Well, the following tips should help you to have a very successful wedding dress shopping appointment at Brides of America. 

Do your homework.

During the hour that you are here for your wedding dress shopping appointment, there will be a lot of gowns to go through in a limited amount of time. Browse online and through wedding magazines to get an idea of what your favorite styles are. This will give us a great starting point to begin searching for the perfect dress for you. 

Choose your shopping partners wisely. 

Just as "too many cooks spoil the broth," too many opinions can ruin your shopping trip. Limit the people that come to your appointment with you. Only involve your nearest and dearest friends and family that have good attitudes, know your personal style, and have your best interests at heart. 

Arrive on time & ready to shop.

We are an appointment-only store because that allow us to give you our undivided attention while you are shopping. It is extremely important that you use that time wisely so that you get the most out of it. 

Arrive on time, no more than ten minutes early, and be ready to dive right in. There are many brides wanting appointments at Brides of America every week, and we generally have one booked every hour that we are open. If you show up late, there will not be enough time to give you the attention you deserve, and unfortunately we may have to cancel and reschedule for another time. If it looks like you will not be able to make your scheduled appointment, let us know as soon as possible.   

Ask lots of questions.

Our talented bridal consultants are well-trained and highly knowledgeable when it comes to wedding fashions. In addition to that, we have encountered lots of situations over the years, so there is a very good chance that any question you have about wedding fashions, we'll have an answer for you. At the very least, we should know where to find the answer. Our knowledge and experience are at your disposal.   

Leave the kids at home.

We love children, however, we find that they become impatient quickly and cause unnecessary stress to the appointment holder. We ask kindly that you please leave the little ones at home. If you absolutely must bring them along with you, you will need to book your appointment on a weekday and clear it with the management. Also, please be aware that we cannot allow any pets inside of the bridal boutique.   

Take pictures.

You will be trying on lots and lots of gorgeous bridal gowns, and you will look stunning in many of them. Take photos of your favorites. We love it when brides and their shopping entourage take photos, especially when they find their dream dress and share that picture with us on our social media pages. You are a diva for the day when you come in, so let your paparazzi snap away! 

Have fun!

This is not only a tip for your wedding dress shopping appointment, it's a rule! This is an amazing time in your life, and the more fun you have with it, the better the memories will be. Don't overthink or stress over the decision, enjoy the process. When you slip into the perfect gown, you'll feel it. We'll do our part by spoiling you as much as we possibly can while you are here. All you have to do is take a deep breath, relax, smile, and have a good time. That dream dress is looking for you too.

June is an excellent time to make your wedding dress shopping appointment at Brides of America. We are hosting a very special Mori Lee Bridal 2016 Trunk Show June 3-27, 2016. Give us a call at 305-620-6606 to arrange an appointment, or request an appointment online and we will make it happen. Right here inside our bridal boutique in South Florida, the gown of your dreams awaits you!    

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Champagne & Latte for the Bridesmaids! (Dresses, that is.)

Brides of America carries a large selection of stunning bridesmaid dresses in Miami. You will find a wide variety of styles in a rainbow of gorgeous colors. Today's blog will be focusing on one particular color trend that we have noticed this year. 

Many brides are coming to our South Florida bridal boutique with their bridesmaids in search of neutral colors, leaning toward shades falling between champagne and latte. We could estimate that about 40% of the wedding parties that we assist are wanting this look.

"I personally love it!" says owner David Abadi. "I think champagne is a very romantic color for a wedding, very earthy and classic."

David is not just saying that. Always fashionable and often ahead of everyone else, he and his lovely wife put the bridesmaids in their own wedding in champagne-colored dresses. This was 21 years ago, when no one else was taking advantage of this fabulous look. "To this day," stated David, "people are still talking about how elegant our bridesmaids looked." 

Your bridesmaids don't all have to wear the exact same gown. A beautiful look for a wedding party is for everyone to be in the same color, but each girl chooses her own style of dress. Mismatched bridesmaid gowns are very popular, and it's also a wonderful way to make sure that everybody gets to wear a dress that they are comfortable in. 

As soon as you find your own dream dress, begin looking for the bridesmaid dresses. You will need to have them ordered early enough before the wedding day that they will arrive with plenty of time for any necessary alterations to be completed. 

Our Miami wedding dress store exclusively sells the amazing Mori Lee collections of which we are an authorized retailer. These include: 

• Mori Lee Bridesmaids
• Angelina Faccenda Bridesmaids
• Affairs
• Lace Affairs
• Tulle Affairs

You can see many of these exquisite bridesmaid dresses at BridesOfAmerica.com. Browse through the collections to get an idea of the dress styles that you like best. When you and your girls come in for their appointment, let us know about your favorites, and we will help you to make the vision you have in mind for your bridal party come to life. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Miami & Online

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Bridal Gowns with Beautiful Backs

There once was a time when women came into our Miami wedding dress store only looking for bridal gowns with gorgeous fronts. They paid little attention to the backs of the dresses. Today we are seeing many brides searching for dresses with backs that are intricately detailed and just as attention-getting as the front of the gown. 

Brides of America in Miami receives requests from many brides-to-be for wedding dresses with show-stopping backs. It has become a very popular trend this year. Store owner, David Abadi, says, "Fashion changes every day, but I think this trend will last for a while. Brides still come in looking for full Cinderella dresses, mermaid dresses, and trumpet skirts, but they all want an amazing back to go along with every one of those styles."  

Low Backs

Some brides want to show off a little extra skin, and showing the back is a very safe and alluring way to do this. Bridal gowns with low backs surrounded by exquisite details are very popular in our store. 

Cutout Backs

Another option is to wear a bridal gown that has tastefully placed cutouts adorning the back of the dress. This allows for even more details surrounding the skin you are showing. 

Illusion Backs

Illusion backs are a wonderful way to show off your back, yet still have it slightly covered. Some wedding dresses cover the cutout only in sheer fabric, while others fashionably place elegant, peekaboo lace details within it. 

Straps

Some designers choose to place gorgeous straps over the low backs of their wedding dresses. These add an extra beauty and gorgeous detail to the area. 

Exquisite Details

There are also amazing gowns that offer fabulous backs without showing a lot of skin. The lace, buttons, sequins, and beads are a delight to be seen. 

You will find bridal gowns with gorgeous backs, as well as beautiful fronts, incredible skirts, and the most fabulous details both in our Miami bridal boutique and our online wedding dress store. Both places offer our exquisite Mori Lee collections, which we are an authorized dealer for. 

Brides of America loves helping women find their perfect, dream wedding dress. When you come in for an appointment, you will have our complete and undivided attention throughout. If you choose to order your bridal gown online, you will still have access to our incredible customer service. After your order is placed, you will be contacted by one of our knowledgeable bridal consultants to make sure you are getting exactly what you expect. No matter what you are looking for, we are here to help you find it. Happy shopping!  

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

Like us on Facebook:  

Miami & Online

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