House of Wu Blog

Don’t worry, it won’t take long. 

Step 1:  Take a deep breath.  Now exhale.  Repeat as needed.  Yes, being in a hurry can be stressful.  But remember, first and foremost, what this wedding dress is for: a day of fun, celebrating you and the love of your life.

Step 2:  The Planning

• Have a plan, but be prepared to change it.  Being flexible, calm, and patient is key, especially when you’re in a rush. 
• Make a timeline.  Allow time for receiving the dress, extra fittings, and alterations.  Pick bridal shops offering delivery options that fit with your timeline, including rush options if needed.  House of Wu bridal retailers offer regular delivery options from just 13 to 14 weeks, with rush options of 10 weeks. 
• Know your budget.  Don’t forget to include alterations and accessories in your budget plans.  
• Do some quick research for looks.  On your downtime, browse through catalogs, boutique websites, and even friends and family photos for inspiration for your look.  Here are some House of Wu collections online that are easy to browse through for ideas: Bellissima Couture, Christina Wu, Dere Kiang, Jacquelin Exclusive
• Brainstorm.  Having a clear idea of your dream gown before venturing out can alleviate stress and save time.  Get a pencil and paper and ask yourself these questions:
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      • When you close your eyes and imagine the dress of your dreams, what do you see?  Jot down a quick description, including style elements and silhouette.
      • What are your best physical features?  Which of these do you want to stand out on your dress?
      • Answer: Casual or fairy-tale?  Trendy or classic?  Conservative or revealing? 
      • How do you want your dress to feel?  What kind of texture and fabric will help you look and feel your best at your venue?  This is especially relevant for brides in outdoor settings and those with other environmental factors at play.

Take your brainstorm list with you while you shop.  Discuss it with your bridal shop retailer.

Step 3:  The Shopping

• Enlist help:  Chances are you won’t be dress shopping alone.  Whether it’s your mother or your best friend, it may help tremendously to bring along a trusted confidant to make the process a bit easier.  But, remember, while your family and friends may have excellent advice, it’s ultimately your vision and decision that must prevail.  Bring people with you who have encouraging vibes and supportive attitudes.
• Go local.  Local boutiques may offer more personalization and flexibility that make the gown shopping process easier.  Plus, ordering long-distance poses the risk of shipment problems that can strain your already tight time frame.  Find some boutiques in your area here. (Christina Wu store locator)
• Talk to bridal shops about your time constraints.  Make sure your bridal shop is aware of your timeline. 
• Keep it simple – the shopping and maybe the gown, too.
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      • When shopping for your wedding dress, sometimes it’s best to go with your gut.  Don’t overanalyze it.  After all, you don’t have time. 
      • A simpler gown makes alterations easier, especially when you’re in a real time crunch.  But, don’t choose a gown simply because it’s simple; being in a hurry doesn’t mean you can’t have your perfect dress.  If you want something that requires complex styling and alterations, it’s not impossible, even with tight schedules.  Just remember to have realistic expectations that fall within with your time frame. 

You have found the perfect homecoming dress and you think you are ready for the big homecoming dance. However, you may have neglected a major detail to your overall look: your shoes. The types of heels you wear with your beautiful gown can make or break your look, no matter what style you are going for. Follow these tips to pump up your look, and to find ways to avoid your homecoming style from going flat.

Heels come in a variety of different colors or prints, just like homecoming dresses do. It can be tempting to choose a plain shoe if you are planning to wear a detailed gown. Before you limit your choices, it is imperative that you consider your overall look and decide what will really complement your gown.

One of the biggest homecoming fashion no-no’s is wearing a black dress with the same color of heels. Remember that you are going to a fun event; wearing too much black can bring your look down and even make you appear washed out. Colored heels are acceptable with all types of black gowns. For example, bright blue heels can make a stylish black dress look more fun and flirty. If you wear black heels with the same dress, your homecoming style will look too simple and boring.

Plain black heels are also tempting if you are wearing a dress with a pattern in it. Consider wearing heels that complement the pattern, and not so much the actual color in the dress. For example, black heels with a subtle animal print design are a perfect complement to a gown of a slightly different type of animal print.

In some instances, it is appropriate to tone down your choice of heels. Consider a sequin dress with a plethora of beautiful, shiny details. If you wear heels in a bright color or a loud design, this could clash with the look of your dress and potentially take attention away from your gown. The danger is that you do not want to get too simple, however. Try wearing black textured heels as a stylish alternative to the plain black stiletto.

Other considerations are whether you should wear open or closed toe shoes. Closed toe heels tend to look more formal, but open toe versions can be just as appealing. Again, the best choice primarily depends on the type of dress you choose. Open toe shoes can complement a frilly dress with intricate details, while close toe heels are the perfect choice for simpler gowns.

Height is a concern for some teens, especially for those who are already tall. Traditionally, heels are flattering on everyone, no matter what your height. Shorter heels can still be just as stylish as tall stilettos; it solely depends on your comfort level. Opt for a minimum of a one-inch heel to dress up your look.

No matter what homecoming style you are bringing to the dance, you will feel your best and be the envy of many if you follow these simple tips. By coordinating color and style with your gown, you will already look like the homecoming queen before the votes are even cast.