Tis the season…for getting hitched! This spring and summer, brides all over Lafayette are busy crossing off their to-do lists. Looking radiant on your wedding day takes quite a bit of planning and effort, and we want to make sure you feel prepared. While it may be tempting to shop online or at big-box chains for your bridal needs, we encourage you to support these Acadian-owned boutiques, vendors, and service providers, as our local small businesses make a BIG impact on the local economy and culture. Happy shopping, brides!
The Dress
Searching for your dream wedding dress can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. At a high-end bridal boutique, you get a truly personalized shopping experience and the most unique selection of timeless (or trending) gown styles!
Most wedding dresses will require some adjustments or alterations such as hemming for length, adding detailing, and taking in or letting out fabric to achieve the perfect fit. A professional seamstress or tailor with experience in wedding dress alterations can help you achieve the look you desire.
Timing is essential when it comes to finding and altering your wedding dress. Designer dresses typically take around four to six months to order, followed by one to three months for tailoring and alterations. To avoid any last-minute stress, we recommend starting your wedding dress search at a wedding boutique 9-12 months before your wedding day to allow enough time for fittings and alterations.
Where to shop for a wedding gown in Lafayette:
- Sposa Bella offers a personal wedding shopping experience for bridal gowns and accessories.
- A-Net’s is an exquisite bridal boutique and organic tea shop housed within a historic home in downtown Lafayette.
- Charisma Bridal has been in operation since 1973, selling gowns and formalwear for men, women, and children of all ages.
The Bling
To create a stunning ensemble for your wedding day, you need the right necklaces, earrings, and rings. Your bridal jewelry should accentuate your wedding dress, highlighting it in scale and adding color and contrast, while also reflecting your unique personality. A reliable and established jeweler can provide you with quality pieces that will make you shine and sparkle at the altar and on the dance floor.
Timing is crucial when it comes to customizing your wedding jewelry. Especially if you want to have the option to create a unique piece in collaboration with a professional jewelry designer, you may need up to a year to plan your dream-worthy bling.
Where to shop for wedding jewelry in Lafayette:
- Dianna Rae Jewelry is Lafayette’s destination for custom jewelry design, expert craftsmanship, and distinctive, remarkable jewelry you won’t find anywhere else.
- G Jewelry is operated by Grayson Caroll, a second-generation Lafayette jeweler, who brings a lifetime of craftsmanship and vision to the art of jewelry design and creation.
- A-Bryan’s Jewelers is a full-service (from custom design to repair) jewelry store “Where Acadiana gets engaged.”
The Flowers
Before you start discussing floral arrangements with professional florists, take some time to determine your preferences, including types of flowers and arrangement styles. While brides often think of color and floral varieties first, you will also choose your ideal bouquet’s size, shape, fragrance, and finishing accents like ribbons.
A skilled florist can help ensure that the scale and style of your bouquet complements your appearance and matches the vibe of your venue, the season, and overall aesthetic.
We recommend booking a florist 6 to 9 months in advance. However, keep in mind that the most popular wedding florists have schedules that fill up 12 to 18 months ahead of time. So, if you have a particular type of flower or look in mind, it’s best to book ASAP.
Where to find a wedding florist in Lafayette:
- Something Borrowed Blooms is a family-owned and operated “Rent & Return” floral boutique using premium silk flowers to create on-trend collections for weddings and special events.
- Root Floral Design offers floral design for weddings and events, as well as everyday arrangements for Lafayette homes and offices.
- Les Amis Flowerland and their sister store in Opelousas have provided floral arrangements, gifts, and top-notch customer service to Acadiana since 1947.
The Photos
Your wedding photos will document everything about your day, telling the story from the intimate moment you begin to get ready to the grand exit or send-off at the end of your reception. Documenting the day will allow you to live in the moment, and make all the hard work you put into planning and executing your event worth it.
Your bridal portraits will capture every detail of your look, from your radiant smile to the intricate lace of your dress or the texture of your heels. A professional photographer who specializes in weddings and portraiture understands that the bride is the focal point and will use their expertise to create images that you can cherish forever.
Not all wedding photographers are alike: Research the services and testimonials of several before committing to one that fits your style. We recommend booking one at least a year before your big day to ensure you get the best possible photos.
Our picks for wedding photography in Lafayette:
- Ambient is a husband and wife photography duo capturing real moments and timeless photos in Lafayette and beyond.
- Jessica Harrington is a wedding and lifestyle photographer supporting clients and couples across Louisiana.
- Sarah Beth is a wedding photographer and portrait artist providing both film & digital memories.
The Glam
The season and time of day of your wedding celebration, along with your venue and color palette, can inspire the perfect bridal hair and makeup look for you. Consult with a beauty professional to find what will best flatter your skin tone and your hair length, color, and texture.
We recommend booking your “glam squad” six to ten months before the wedding date. It’s also wise to have a trial run of your hair and makeup look 1-3 months before your wedding day. This will also enable you to plan for any necessary haircuts or coloring in advance.
Where to go for wedding hair and makeup in Lafayette:
- Beautifully Beat is Lafayette’s first full-service makeup studio offering top-tier cosmetology and a complimentary bar for snacks, coffee, and wine.
- The HeadQuarters is an artistic salon offering hair and makeup with a “rock and roll” vibe.
- MC Lash & Aesthetics specializes in advanced facials, lash extensions, brow services, and professional makeup applications.
The Glow
Your wedding day is the number one occasion to look your most stunning, as all eyes will be on you. Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, or the mother of the bride or groom, professional medical-grade skin treatments can help you put your best face forward. After all, you deserve to look and feel fabulous on your special day!
Renowned Lafayette cosmetic surgeon Dr. J. Kevin Duplechain and his team of highly trained medical aestheticians, laser technicians, and injectors have years of experience helping patients achieve a healthy glow—or the look of a lifetime. Here are some of the top non-surgical laser and skin procedures offered at our Lafayette office to help you look your bridal best:
- BOTOX® Cosmetic
- Dermal Fillers
- Lip Augmentation
- Laser Hair Removal
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Ultherapy
- Renuvion Skin Tightening
- NuEra Tight Skin Tightening
- SkinPen Microneedling
- Chemical Peels and Facials
During your complimentary medical spa consultation, we’ll consider several factors such as your goals for your appearance, skin and anatomy, lifestyle and budget, and even the time of year you’re getting married and honeymooning! Based on our evaluation, we’ll provide you with personalized recommendations for treatments and products that will address your concerns and provide you with optimal results.
If you are looking for a more dramatic and lasting transformation, we also offer surgical procedures for the face, breast, and body.
Timing your consultation
We recommend scheduling your consultation at least one year before your wedding day to plan the right treatments on a timeline that meets your aesthetic goals. Don’t put off scheduling your appointment because of other wedding-related tasks: some treatments are quick and can be performed during your lunch break or between other appointments, but many achieve best results after a series of routine treatments!
To schedule a consultation, please call our practice at (337) 456-3282 or send us a message online.
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