So every year since I have had kids, I literally am still making costumes the night of Halloween (since it so inconveniently falls right in the height of wedding season). As a clothing and textiles major, I find it really hard for me to go buy store bought costumes. I have to admit, I have done it but I have always added a twist to it.  Since I have a girl and a boy, I also really want to make them a dynamic due. One year my daughter was Little Red Ridinghood and my son was The Big Bad Wolf.

He looks dangerous with a binky and a bib, right?

Since my daughter has turned into a "girly girl" the only thing she wants to be is some sort of Princess...so I bit the bullet and bought a costume. My son on the other hand it still to little to put up a fight so it was either Prince Charming or a pirate...the pirate won!

I came across this Halloween costume from Misha Lulu Blog and thought it was brilliant! http://www.mishalulu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Alice-4.jpg

Let us know what you are going to dress up as or better yet, show us your photos.

Adorable coat

I love a good tailored coat!

What is Your Body Type and What Style of Dress Should You Buy

What body type are you? Its a question none of us want to face, but one that can really change the way we look at our whole lives. Knowing and understanding your body type can affect what you go shopping for for everyday clothes, but how does that translate when you are buying a wedding dress? We come in many shapes and sizes but I am just going to talk about four general categories: Apple, Pear, and Hourglass, Rectangle. Let’s look at a definition of each:

Rectangle: Torso and upper body are the same width as your hips – little waist definition

Apple: Torso and upper body wider than your hips – with little or no waist definition. You might have weight surrounding your waist. Tummy area is a big concern for you.

Pear: Torso and upper body smaller than your hips with waist definition. Hips and thighs tend to be the area of concern for you.

Hourglass: Torso and hips are approximately the same width – with waist definition. (I am definitely hourglass!)

If that doesn't help...take a look at this great image I found on citizensofbeauty.com

Which category do you fit?


I can’t tell you which category you fit in, that is some research you will have to do on your own. But one of the most reliable ways to discover this is by taking your body measurements using a cloth tape measure. Measure at your bust, natural waist and hips, then compare those numbers with the definitions below.

Apple: Bust and natural waist measurements are greater than that of your hips. Example: 36in x 36in x 30in

Pear: Your bust and natural waist measurements are close to the same number but are far less than your hip measurement. Example: 28in x 28in x 40in

Hourglass: Your bust and hip measurements are almost equal to each other and your waist is much less. Example: 36in x 24in x 36in

Rectangle: All measurements will be within approximately 3 inches of each other. Example: 32in x 31in x32in

You may think "why does it matter" but the more familiar you are with your body, you will know what looks good and fits well versus what you want to look good that doesn't.

With these tips from Real Simple, I hope this guide will make dress shopping easier:

If you are a Pear Shape:

Look for: A skirt that gradually flares out in an A formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. (Sturdier fabrics, such as duchesse satin and taffeta, are especially effective, since they won't cling.) A spaghetti-strap bodice or a V neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body.



Keep in mind: A classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric, like eyelet lace or raw-silk shantung.

If You're Busty

Look for: A dress with a scooped neckline. It will open up your face and display your décolletage without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline, like a sweetheart, rather than a style that goes straight across (which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelflike).



Keep in mind: Fabric on the bodice that has a sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest. Material that are gathered will have the same effect.

If You’re Plus-Sized

Look for an Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line. Make sure the empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. In my personal opinion, I think curves are beautiful…embrace them! I love this style of dress hugs the body. The dress should play up the curves. If it too loose it will add pounds

Keep in mind: Find fabrics like satin that provide structure, rather than anything too flowy. If you love the romantic look of airier fabrics, choose a gown with a stiffer base, then add an embroidered tulle overlay.

If You’re Apple-Shaped

Look for: A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it―think ruche or lace detailing―that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corsetlike effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal.

Keep in mind: Avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.

If You're Tall

Look for: A simple silhouette. The strategy is to emphasize your natural shape, so every aspect of the dress―the lower waistline, a floor-sweeping hem―needs to reflect your longer proportions. If you're wearing long sleeves, they should go past the wrist. You don't want to look as if you've borrowed a gown from someone shorter than you.


Keep in mind: Because you are statuesque, you'll want to err on the side of simplicity when it comes to embellishments. Too many bells and whistles, like ruffles and rosettes, can come off as cutesy, particularly on a tall person.


If You're Petite

Look for: Trumpet, sheath, and modified A-line gowns. Find a style with a waistline above your natural waist, to make the lower half of the dress (and therefore you) appear longer. The fabric is up to you―you can pull off a high sheen. But the detailing should be small (no huge bows) and limited to the bodice, to draw the eye upward.

Keep in mind: Be wary of dresses with a dropped waist, which will make your legs seem nonexistent, and ball gowns―it's easy to get lost in that voluminous skirt. Also, avoid anything calf-length, which will make your legs look short.

If the salon will allow it, take a photo of yourself in the dress so you can see how you look in photographs.

Long Distance Love

I love it when my friends get married, but it makes me sad when I can't be there...hazard of the job I guess. SO, what's a girl to do? Make one of her best friends dress, I guess!

I have been friends with Angela since 1993 or 1994. We met when we worked at a music store together. Being the only two girls, we became fast friends.  She moved away, I moved away, but our friendship remained. She is just the type of person that you can just pick up where you left off.

Watching her through her dating "process" with this new guy named Bob was really interesting. This guy was different and she was different too. She was 100% truly happy! They found each other through Facebook, met on the weekends, which turned into a proposal and then a wedding...my favorite! When Angela asked me to be a bridesmaid, I of course said YES! But then the date changed and I already had a wedding I was planning for a client I adored. I tried to figure out a way that I could be there to share in their day, but it just didn't work out. I know one of my favorite parts of planning the wedding is dress shopping, but instead I got to go fabric shopping with her. I was honored to design and make Angela's wedding dress for her.

Angela and Bob share many many interests, but being environmentally conscience is a passion they share. I think it just comes second nature to her. After her wedding was over, she finally got to sit back and ponder the details...which turned out were very green choices.  Because of that, she had her wedding featured on www.greenbrideguide.com.

You can check out all of her "green" details at http://www.greenbrideguide.com/realgreenweddings/long-distance-love

Mr. and Mrs!

Birch Chic in Columbia

They work together, they play together and they planned this wedding together. I could go on and on why I loved working with Annie and Terry, but I think the photos will show why I loved them! Their wedding had so many moving parts, but it was all so effortless!

These beautiful out of town gift bags were filled with sweet treats from The Cup Cakery, locally made BBQ sauce, locally made trail mix and many other local favorites

Annie's beautiful bouquet from Artistry Florist 

Large birch covered vases topped with puffs of baby's breath lined the aisle

She's a little bit country, he's a little bit cool!

Together, they are perfect

The guests entered the tent where they picked up their escort cards made by Cheree Berry Paper. They were perched on a moss covered table sitting birch logs...did you notice the wood floor in the tent?

This birch wall was one of the most thought out details. A wall filled with photos of their favorite things

Menu by Cheree Berry Paper. She calls him Mister and he calls her Lady

I make their cake pedestal out of birch. Their forks were etched by M Haley Design and read "Mister" and the other "Sister"

Seriously, this tent was perfect! The tent was from Traube Tent Company, the flooring and decor by Exclusive Events, the flowers by Artistry...notice the 6' wide orchid balls hanging overhead?

The groom burned the table numbers on birch logs...loved them!

The invitation set by Cheree Berry Paper

They danced the night away to the Well Hungarians!

Treated the guests to hot chocolate and donut  holes on super cute custom made wooden stirrers

His love of The Simpsons...a late night snack

They had quite a few custom made chalk boards that gave information to the guests! Made by their friends and co-workers. They were stunning!

Their beautiful wedding took place in Columbia, MO...and all of the vendors were in St. Louis.  There was a lot of coordination to be done, but when you have a relaxed couple, you have relaxed vendors that really want to make their day perfect and it was PERFECT!

Design and Coordination/ Out of Town Gift Bags: Alred Wedding Consultants
Tent: Traube Tent
Tent Decor/ Lighting, Beautification/General Awesomeness: Exclusive Events
Flowers/ Perfection: Artistry Florist
Linens: BBj Linens
Ceremony: Missouri United Methodist Church
Reception: Old Hawthorne Country Club in Columbia, MO
Rehearsal Dinner responsible for Chicky Wicky Dinner (inside joke): Country Club of Missouri
All things paper and beauty: Cheree Berry Paper
Delicious Cake: Cakes with a Personal Touch by Edith Hall
Late night snacks: McDonalds
Person responsible for beautiful images and all photography: Koch Photography
Band responsible for all the sound complaints due to too much fun: Well Hungarians
Chairs and tables for all guests to sit and eat on: Premier Party Rentals

Preparing to Propose

All of us are not like Romeo, or want to be Romeo. Rather, we will hopefully find ourselves in a position where we are proposing marriage once, to the loves of our lives, and survive it! Everyone definitely wants to make that moment as memorable as can be. We hear countless stories of how he/she proposed, and while many are fantastic, there are many tragic proposals as well.

We tend to think the best proposals are the ones that truly strike a chord in the heart of both people. There is no secret way to accomplish this. It is simply about knowing each other and finding that one proposal that brings in all the elements of the relationship and becomes the perfect proposal for each individual couple.

Proposing for marriage is something we all dream of. Try to become creative and invent your own ways before proposing for marriage. It is a very special moment in a lifetime so never try to copy someone. Surprise her by your unique way of proposing for marriage.

Why Hire Alred Wedding Consultants?
First of all...we have been helping grooms propose since 2005! We have a lot of experience in helping Grooms get the YES they want!

You have to prepare your proposal according to him/her, and it can be very stressful. This is where AWC can make a difference. Let us take care of all the things you may need and services you would like to avail. We can help in a multitude of ways. From helping you choose the right engagement ring to arranging things on site at your proposal location to securing special requests at exclusive hotels, shows, concerts... We are committed to make every moment memorable when you are proposing for marriage to someone you love. There are so many things to do before proposing for marriage. That is why we exist. To help you plan and see your dream proposal come to life.

If you are ready to pop the question, give us a call!

Caroline and Etai

After Caroline met Etai at work, she knew he was the one...and they are such an amazing couple. Their love for each other is so evident in every little thing they do.when they came for their design consultation, I didn't know if we would ever get through it because they kept laughing at each

Caroline and Etai were so fun and didn't take things too serious...in fact, their groomsmen and bridesmaids danced their way down the custom aisle runner.

Beautiful cakes by Sugaree

Their goal was to make it casual, fun and special to their guests. The details were everywhere! The number 3 was special to the Father of the Bride so we created everything in 3's. The tables for the place cards, three centerpieces,and three display cakes.

These were the place cards and the specialty cocktail...SUPER CUTE!

The one thing (and there are lots!) that stood out to me was their generocity. Caroline and Etai had been on their own and didn't need anything so they decided to have their guests give to Childrens Hospital (where they met) in lieu of wedding gifts.

The end of the night special treat was one of my favorites... A waffles and ice cream station! Delicious!!!

Super Cute cocktail napkins from Two Blue Doors

Favors by Two Blue Doors

Table Decor...notice the three different centerpieces on the table

Here is a close up

The beautiful chuppa that Exclusive Events built

Two Blue Doors made these fun cards for the couple where people could leave their "Wit, Wisdom and Wishes"

Beautiful teardrop bouquet made by Artistry. The orchids were the same flower that her mother carried on her wedding day.

Each family brought their kiddish cups for the couple

Wedding Design and Coordination: Shelli Alred/ Alred Wedding Consultants

Venue: The Chase Park Plaza

Photographer: Steven Seebeck Photography

Florist: Artistry Florist

Linens: Cloth Connection

Lighting and Decor: Exclusive Events
Cakes: Sugaree Baking