By SHAY GREENWOOD
Columnist Shay Greenwood with her daughter Chandler on her wedding day. LINDSEY JAMISON PHOTOGRAPHY
Planning a wedding can cause a lot of stress, especially when there are so many details involved. Have you ever found yourself staring into your closet, having a hard time deciding what to wear for a special event? And now, you have to choose attire for a wedding!
Can I encourage you? Take a deep breath and know that you can do this … God is in all the details, even the details of your wedding. He is faithful, and you can trust Him to lead and guide you. I love relying on James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Invite the Lord to lead and guide you. And He will.
Choosing a wedding dress doesn’t have to be daunting if you keep the following tips in mind from Wendy Smith of Kay’s Kreations in Tupelo:
❋ Keep an open mind and be opento trying on a variety of styles.
My daughter Chandler tried on many different designs. She allowed the store stylists to select styles she preferred, and they added others that they thought would be pretty on her. She chose a super chic, sequined dress with a scoop neck and low scooped back. It was breathtaking on her. It was so good to have a variety of styles to choose from.
❋ You can value other people’s opinions, but ultimately you should select your personal choice.
In most cases, your closest family and friends will be there when you are trying on wedding dresses. It’s OK to hold out on your best yes. You are the one who needs to feel and look your best.
❋ Don’t try on gowns that are more expensive than your budget.
Make sure you are clear on your budget with the bridal store before getting caught up in the excitement. Poor communication could cause an added financial burden. It might be wise to have a family member or friend hold you accountable.
❋ Once you select a dress, stop looking. Don’t second-guess yourself.
You spent time trying on all the dresses. Trust the nudge God gives you. Pay attention to how you feel in the dress. You want to look and feel your best.
As for tuxes and suits, Sam Thomas from Kay’s Kreations says:
One mistake a lot of couples make when picking out tuxedos or suits is being too trendy. The hottest fad is not always the best choice for your wedding. Think about those powder blue tuxes with ruffled shirts in the 1970s or the super baggy suits from the 1990s. Those were the coolest look back then, but it didn’t take long for those outfits to be sorely outdated. It’s easy to forget that there will be pictures of this event for the rest of your lives, and some of the pictures will be prominently placed in your homes or even in the homes of family members. My advice is to stick to the classics. Think timeless. You can never go wrong with a black tux or a dark suit. So just keep it simple.
We are so thankful for wise counsel during the planning of Chandler and Bo’s wedding. It didn’t hurt that Sam and Wendy are Bo’s dad and aunt and a part of our new family.
Shay is a style coach with a mission to help women look and feel their best! Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @shaygreenwood.
