cocktail hot pink dress Lovely Star Red Carpet Party (04200212) up closure Strapless Hot Pink Satin Mini

Sewing a dress from rectangles is an easy way to create a dress but cutting straight lines that perfectly follow the grainline of the fabric can be tricky

Double Happiness earrings, $90, and bracelet, $115, both available at doublehappinessjewelry.com

Sidonie Stretch Shift Dress Sidonie Stretch Shift Dress Sidonie Stretch Shift Dress Straight fit, v-neck shift dress with patch pockets and Lilly lace trim

I used a straight stitch and a dashed-zig-zag stitch to catch as many little sections of the tulle as I could

When narrowing down the bridal shops you want to check out, it's always helpful to know what to look for

Dress them with heels and accessories for a polished look, or keep it casual with flats and minimal jewelry for a laid-back vibe