Most brides-to-be are familiar with the Victorian rhyme: “The bride must wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” At Amazing Alterations, we can help you incorporate all the parts of this rhyme into your wedding ensemble! Here are a few ideas of how we can make it possible for you to have the good luck that following this tradition is said to bring:
Something old to express the desire to maintain a connection with family once you are married: We work with many brides who choose to incorporate parts of their mother’s wedding dress into their wedding. If you choose to wear your mother’s dress, we can update, reconstruct, or alter her gown so it looks as if it was made for you. If you’d like to use a more subtle “old” item, we can revamp your mother’s veil for you to use, use lace from her dress to edge your veil or dress, incorporate a part of her dress or veil into your garter, or sew a piece of her dress underneath your skirt.
Something new to represent a united future of health and happiness: Most brides choose to purchase a new dress for this part of the tradition. At Amazing Alterations, we can get your new dress fitting you perfectly so you are comfortable and confident on your big day. We offer affordable dress alterations, undergarments (hoops and bust cups), bustling, custom veils, custom winter-wear for a winter wedding, and custom and name-brand jewelry and accessories.
Something borrowed, usually from a happily married woman to lend some of her fortune and joy to the bride or from the family to show their love and support: We can help you incorporate this piece seamlessly into your wedding ensemble.
Something blue to symbolize fidelity: We can also incorporate this into your garter, veil, or dress using satin ribbon, rhinestones, applique, lace, stitching, or anything else you can think of that can fulfill this piece of the tradition. For winter weadings, our custom wraps and capes also come in blue faux fur!
What most brides don’t realize is that the rhyme actually ends with “…and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” So don’t forget to put a penny in your shoe for wealth in the future!
Amazing Alterations can help you come up with fun ways to stick with this tradition. Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation! Stay tuned to learn about the tradition of the flowergirl.
]]>By the time our brides-to-be walk through our doors at Amazing Alterations, they usually already have a ring to show off to us. The wedding ring is a symbol of commitment and eternal love, and during the wedding preparation process it is a constant reminder of what you have to look forward to after a few months of stressful planning.
The wedding ring was used as early as ancient Egypt, when grasses and reeds were twisted into circular ornaments such as rings or necklaces. The Egyptians saw the circle as a symbol of eternity, and the hole in the center as a gateway into the new or unknown. They were given as a symbol of immortal love.
The Romans adopted this tradition with a slight change: rather than using the rings as a symbol of loved, they used the rings as a symbol of ownership. Roman wedding rings were used by a man to “claim” a woman, and were made of iron to symbolize permanence and strength.
Christian wedding rings were first seen in the 9th century AD, and were said to symbolize a “union of hearts.”
Though throughout history the wedding ring has been worn on various fingers, it is now worn on the left hand ring finger. One possible explanation for this is the ancient belief that this finger had a vein connecting directly to the heart—the “Vena Amoris” or “Vein of Love.” This has been proven false, but many romantics remain inspired by the myth. Another explanation for the placement is the ring is least likely to be damaged there. Most of the world is right-handed, which means the left hand is probably used less. The ring finger is the second-least used finger on the hand beside the pinky, and the pinky finger is too small for the intricacies of the ring.
At Amazing Alterations, we love seeing brides blush over their rings. Schedule a free consultation with our experts—we would love to hear your story! Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com. Stay tuned for more wedding traditions!
]]>The bridal bouquet is not just a beautiful accessory for the big day; it also has a role in tradition. In modern tradition, the bride throws the bouquet to the unmarried women attending the wedding. The woman to catch the bouquet will supposedly be the next to be married. (Injuries are hopefully avoided in the process.) In some weddings, the man who caught the garter will place his prize on the leg of the woman who caught the bouquet, and the two will share a dance. However, some couples choose to instead honor the couple who has been married the longest by presenting them with the bouquet.
Like the garter toss, the bouquet toss originates from the Middle Ages when it was seen as a good omen to obtain a piece of the bride’s clothing or flowers. Rather than allow the guests to tear apart her dress, the bride would throw the bouquet and make her escape.
Today it is common to use synthetic flowers to keep your bouquet looking fresh for years to come. We have also had brides show us bouquets made entirely out of antique broaches and glamorous gems. If you plan on creating a memorable and lasting piece for your bouquet, Amazing Alterations can help you customize it with ribbons, rhinestones, or pieces inherited from your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding. Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation. Stay tuned to read about the history of wedding rings!
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At Amazing Alterations, we see many brides who are excited to create a unique garter. In modern weddings, the bride wears a garter on her leg. It is removed and thrown by the groom (sometimes with his teeth, if he’s feeling wild!) at the end of the reception. The man who catches the garter will supposedly be the next to get married.
The tradition of the wedding garter dates back to the Middle Ages. Firstly, in those days it was seen as good luck to have a piece of the bride’s clothing. In order to keep the dress from being torn to shreds, the garter would be thrown to distract the guests while the bride made her getaway to the bedroom. Secondly, families often wanted proof of the marriage’s consummation. In England and France, the wedding party would go into the bridal chamber and check the garter or stockings for signs of consummation. In France, the wedding party would even throw stockings at the bride and groom after they had undressed, supposedly gaining some kind of good luck if they hit either of them in the head. At some point, brides decided to have the groom simply throw the garter to the wedding party—possibly in order to save some dignity. From then on, the tradition has evolved from its destructive and humiliating roots into a fun custom.
If you’re choosing to join in the tradition, Amazing Alterations can create a custom garter to complement your wedding attire, or to incorporate aspects of the other tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation. Stay tuned to learn about the history of the bridal bouquet!
]]>Much like the wedding dress, the veil has a rich history. In ancient Rome, the blusher veil was worn over the face to disguise the bride from evil spirits jealous of her happiness. Other sources speak of the veil as a symbol of youth, modesty, and virginity. During the age of business-like weddings in which the bride was a transaction to unite two families or businesses, the veil was worn to keep the groom from seeing the bride until the last possible minute, when it was too late to change his mind if he wasn’t pleased with her appearance. Though times have since changed, the veil is still worn by many brides to make the day as memorable and special as possible.
If you choose to wear a blusher or cathedral veil on your big day, Amazing Alterations can help you create a one-of-a-kind garment for your wedding. Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation. Stay tuned to learn about the history of the wedding garter!
]]>One of our favorite traditions at Amazing Alterations is the wedding dress. We see hundreds of gorgeous gowns each year, and with each dress comes a happy bride.
A beautiful dress for the bride is one of the most universal wedding traditions, though the style and color varies by culture and time period. For most of western wedding history, the wedding was a business transaction between the families of the bride and groom; the wedding gown was seen as a status symbol. Brides wore their finest dress rather than purchasing a new one for the wedding. It was uncommon to wear a black dress, as black was a symbol of death or mourning. It was also considered bad luck to wear a green dress on the wedding day.
The white dress popular in western culture today has its most significant roots in the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840. Although there has been proof of white wedding dresses from as early as the 1400s, Queen Victoria’s wedding inspired a turning point in popular wedding style. According to Godey’s Lady’s Book, one of the first women’s magazines, white is the “emblem of purity and innocence of girlhood,” and was the most appropriate color to be married in. From the early- to mid-1900s, dress styles in America tended to fit with the popular dress fashion. From the 1960s to today, most styles have been based on traditional Victorian gowns. Though the tradition of wearing a white dress remains most common today, “wedding white” has expanded to include ivory and eggshell and many brides choose to be married in other colors.
At Amazing Alterations, we have helped brides sticking to tradition with breathtaking white gowns and brides who choose to add their own twist to the tradition with stunning black, red, or blue dresses. We also work with brides wearing their traditional Eastern, African, or South American wedding attire! We love working with diverse dresses, and our expert seamstresses can handle any intricate task.
Whatever color or style dress you choose to be married in, Amazing Alterations is here to help you feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day. We can customize your dress to fit you and your vision perfectly. Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation. Stay tuned to learn about the history of the wedding veil!
]]>It’s almost the end of the year, and 2014 is sure to bring many more happy husbands and brides to our doorstep at Amazing Alterations! We decided to put together a list of traditions some of our staff and clients have had fun incorporating (or straying from) in their weddings.
Stay tuned to read the history behind traditional wedding apparel, the people involved in the wedding, some traditional actions, and a few wedding superstitions that influence modern western weddings.
Whether you’re planning a full-blown traditional wedding or are choosing to make the day memorable in a unique way, Amazing Alterations is here to help. Call us today at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation! We look forward to hearing from you!
Skip to a tradition:
– The Wedding Dress
– The Veil
– The Garter
– The Bouquet
– The Rings
– Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
– The Flower Girl
– The Ring Bearer
– The Groomsmen
– The Bridesmaids
– Giving Away the Bride
– The First Dance
– Wedding Superstitions
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Has your wedding attire shopping gone horribly wrong? Are you running out of time before the big day? Do you have a condition that makes finding comfortable clothing difficult? Don’t worry—the experts at Amazing Alterations can fix any problem relating to your casual or wedding attire, accessories, and sometimes even emotional health with just a few fun consultations. We promise you will leave us feeling relieved and excited no matter what challenges you brought with you when you entered our Chic Cave.
A few wedding-related problems we have solved are:
– Turning your second choice dress into your first choice dress
– Finishing last-minute alterations
– Mending holes in your attire
– Providing name-brand and one-of-a-kind accessories to complete an outfit
– Staying within tight budgets
We have also helped clients with unique requirements, such as:
– Custom pieces for those with special needs
– Custom hernia belts that can relieve decades of discomfort
Amazing Alterations is the best option for any unique need you may have with clothing or accessories. Contact us today to set up a free consultation! Call us at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
]]>Did you find a perfect vintage dress with a less than perfect fit? Are you planning on wearing your mother’s dress but aren’t a fan of the puffy 80s sleeves or mile-long train? Amazing Alterations can help you update the fit and styles of your vintage dress so you feel beautiful and comfortable in your wedding gown.
Many times, brides-to-be will bring in a mother’s dress with little hope that it will be wearable for their own weddings. The experts at Amazing Alterations have the artistic eye to visualize options you may not have known existed. If we have the dress, we can do virtually any alterations or modifications to get that vintage dress looking like it was made for you. Some of the things we can do include:
– Keeping only the bodice and re-creating a custom skirt or vice versa
– Removing sleeves
– Changing the neckline
– Shortening the train
– Revamping the mother’s veil
– Adding beading or rhinestones
– Adding a sash or belt
– Making custom garters out of parts of the dress
Contact Amazing Alterations today to see what our designers can do for your vintage gown! Call us at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com to set up a free consultation. Make sure to check out the rest of our customs series to see what other one-of-a-kind services we provide!
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One of our newest and most popular items this year are our custom sashes and belts. Whether you are looking for something subtle or something extravagant, we have options fitting all styles and price points.
Amazing Alterations can work with you to put together a belt that you look and feel great wearing. We can add major “bling” (Brenda’s favorite), flowers, or various colors of either satin ribbon or colored stones to compliment your wedding colors and add a unique touch to your wedding dress.
When you work with our designers, you will leave with a piece that is more unique and more affordable than a belt you could get from a chain store. Contact the experts at Amazing Alterations today to set up a free consultation! Call us at 763-432-5243 or email us at appts@amazingalterations.com. Stay tuned to read how we can reconstruct or update your vintage gown, and check out the rest of our customs series!
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