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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1989-02-08, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989. PAGE 17. Many styles available for flowergirls, ring bearers The influence of recent royal weddings continues. Those ador able flower girls and ring-bearers are walking down the aisle at more and more weddings. If you want to include them in your wedding, there is a wide variety of styles to choose for their outfits. According to Brenda Warnock, of Collins Formal Rentals in Lon don, traditional styles are best for little girls. If the bride’s gown is also traditional, it is possible to match some details and lines. More sophisticated or seductive bridesmaid-dress styles don’t tran slate well for younger girls. White and ivory are the most popular colors for flower-girls, followed by pink, blue, peach and aqua. Sashes are often added in the color of older bridesmaids’ dresses. Luxury fabrics are the norm: satin, moire, taffeta, peau de soie and damask. Lace trim, eyelet, chantilly lace and re-embroidered lace overlays are added to most dresses. Bows range from big sashes at the back to tiny ribbon ones as neckline accents. Warnock says brides “don’t seem to care about price - they want the look and they are going all out.’’ Normal considerations for children’s wear, such as ease of care, wearability and comfort don’t count. All that matters to most brides is appearance. At Collins, the dresses are made to measure. Brides can choose length, sleeve, neckline, overskirt, trim, ruffles and ribbon. Sharing expenses now common between families It’s traditional for the parents of the bride to cover the entire cost of a couple’s wedding. But according to Bride’s Magazine, this situation is changing. For the first time, there’s a definite trend toward the sharing of wedding expenses, says Bride’s. The groom’s family, as well as the bride and groom themselves, are taking on a chunk of the financial responsibility. One reason for this may be changing attitudes towards the nature of marriage. In the era of liberation, a bride’s parents are no longer considered to be “marrying off” their daughter. Rather, the wedding is seen as the joining of two people, and two families, with everyone contributing to the fes tivities. A second reason is frankly economic: The cost of a formal wedding these days, according to a 1984 Bride’s Reader Profile Study, runs on average around $6,009. (It can go as high as $10-$15,000 in some urban areas.) Rather than cut back on their idea of the perfect celebration, many couples and their families are instead finding new ways to meet the expenses. Especially where the bride and groom are on their own and earning money themselves (increasingly common as the average age for marriage goes up), it only makes sense for them to pitch in. The actual dividing up of the costs can be done in several ways. An easy, tactful method that Most dresses feature a fitted bodice and full, gathered skirt. Ankle-length is most popular, with crinolines added for fullness. Sleeves can be ruffled, pouffed, or shirred. If you want to sew your own, there are many patterns. McCalls #3390 features a gathered skirt of various lengths, with or without a ruffle, petticoat, or pouf. Bows at the shoulder and puff sleeves highlight McCalls #3455. Simplicity #8367 also has a pouf skirt, while #7982 shows ruffled trim at the hem continuing up the back to end in a large bow. Simplicity #8711 is a classic, with ruffled flounce and sleeves, lace trimmed collar, hems and front. Moire and chantilly lace make Butterick #4768 a romantic and charming dress. Seen from the back, the lace is effective. Most patterns for ring-bearers include an unlined cardigan jacket and choice of pant length. White is the preferred color. McCalls #3228 is an example. In the rental business, “there is a significant increase in the num ber of children wearing tuxedos,” says Ken Ferguson, general mana ger of Collins. The styles match those of the groom and groomsmen, everything from “basic conservative black to formal white tails.” White, greys and blacks are available in wool blends; there is a move away from polyester. A popular fabric is a shadow-weave or muted pinstripe. Ferguson says he doesn’t have much demand for sailor suits, and Bride’s recommends is to settle on specific expenses in advance, rath er than to just split the cost of the whole wedding down the middle. For instance, the groom’s family might agree to cover the flowers, the music and the liquor. They would then discuss the general budget for these items with the couple and have the bills sent directly to them. This eliminates the need for money changing hands or for further talking about costs between families. An alternative idea would be for one family to pay for the ceremony (flowers, church rental, limou sines), the other to pick up the reception tab. Each family then has complete jurisdiction over their part of the celebration. There are many possible arrangements and the options should be discussed openly and early in the engagement, so an agreeable plan can be worked out. It’s also important to remember, says Bride’s, that it’s still the prerogative of the bride’s family to decline an offer of help if they wish. If this happens, the groom’s family can celebrate the marriage in another way, such as hosting the rehearsal dinner or throwing an engagement party. Incidentially, the idea of sharing wedding expenses is not really a new one. In many countries, the practice has been followed for centuries. For instance, in Spain, fathers of the bride and groom traditionally issue the invitations and host the wedding together. anyone wanting such a style would have to have it custom-made. Wing-tip collars and white pleated- front shirts are popular. Most choose the cummerbund and tie to match the groom; some co-ordinate with the flower-girl’s sash. Ferguson says they carry ring bearers’ tuxedos “more as a ser vice than a money-maker.” These miniatures cost the same as adult versions because of the time consuming, labor-intensive produc tion. The details, tailoring and style are more difficult to make in small scale. Boys are also hard to size properly, and alterations must be invisible and reversible. One boy may have a large waist and short legs, the next to rent the outfit may be long and lean. If you want to include a ring bearer and flower girl, choose carefully. Are they usually well- behaved? How do they act when excited, tired or under stress? Ferguson says when parents bring in the child for fittings, he can tell whether or not the child can handle the stress. For some, “it’s a struggle to get measurements and others you’d think had done it 20 times.” Parents should explain in ad vance what duties the child will perform, what behaviour is expect ed, and stress the importance of the job. Bridal Parties of 4 or more 10% Discount Btj 'Design CLINTON ONTARIO FAMILY HAIRSTYLING 482*7711 BRADSHAWS... A world created especially for the Bride BRADSHAWS has been a special part of weddings for more than 92 years. Become a BRADSHAWS Bride and join the largest Bridal Registry in the area. Our Bridal Consultants are trained to help you design table settings that reflect your individual style. Your guests will enjoy BRADSHAWS complimentary giftwrap along with prices that will pleasantly surprise everyone. Make your vising wishes come true... BRADSHAWS FINE CHINA • CRYSTAL • GIFTWARE 129 Ontario Street (519) 271-6283 Out of Town? Phone the Chino Line >-800-265-4569