Down that Aisle in Style
Print Edition
REFERENCE/Weddings [Every woman planning a wedding, ages 18 and up.]
978-1-886249-13-4 • WindRiver Publishing • Chamein Canton • Trade cloth (hardback) • NOV 2006 • 188pp • $34.95 • Buy Direct $27.95 • Originally published by WindRiver PublishingChamein Canton uses her unique mix of native New York sophistication and a touch of Southern charm (a gift from her mother) combined with her considerable experience in the wedding industry to address the needs of full-figured brides around the world. The result is Down that Aisle in Style! – A Wedding Guide for Full Figured Women. Her book focuses on the resources, advice and encouragement (generously mixed with photographs of beautiful full-figured women) that will help all women to plan one of the most important days of their lives — their wedding day.
Author  An epiphany happens in a moment — a sudden perception of essential nature or an intuitive grasp of reality. I've had two epiphanies in my life, moments when I suddenly understood so much more than I did even a moment before. My youth was spent playing on Long Island, New York. My parents were Leonard Canton, Jr., a strong, compassionate man and a successful CPA, and Mary Wallace, a Southern Belle. From them I learned both the fiery independence for which New Yorkers are famous and the sweet charm and easy talk of the South. I grew up happy and strong in Black America. At the tender age of four I discovered my life's passion — planning weddings. I … Most wedding magazines showcase size zero models showing off the best fashions in wedding couture. So what happens when the plus size woman walks into David's Bridal with their mind set on getting fitted for that perfect tube top dress only to find out that their top spills out over the top and sides? Even worse, the dress they pick for their bridesmaids doesn't fit everyone right. Well this is any woman's wedding nightmare! Have no fear my plus size sisters, this book is here for you! Down That Aisle In Style is a very good guide on how a full figured can have the wedding of her dreams and look like a cover model while doing it. The detail between the pages will blow you away as each step is so clear it leaves no question or room for error. From cover to cover Chamein does a wonderful job of making sure that every bride will have the best day of their lives. This book can easily be compared to any high priced wedding coordinator as it goes that deep into depth. This book is worth every penny and is certain to be passed through generations as a mile stone. Down That Aisle in Style! is a wedding guide for full figured women. The author has tapped into a niche that is sometimes forgotten in today's society. The book was beautiful photos and tips for full figured women so that they shine on their special day! I love the concept of this book, and the presentation is fabulous. Ms. Canton easily describes tips for make up, hair styling, and anything you would need to feel and look lovely on your wedding day. I love that fact that it is for full figured women because most wedding magazines present models that do not cater to dressing the full figure that represents the everyday woman. 5 stars out of 5. The truth of the matter is that the average size for American women is now a 14. I know that many of my fuller figured brides lament over the process of finding the gown which will enhance their lush beauty — sadly enough, most bridal shops don't generally carry larger sample sizes, so brides have to "make do" with what is in the store and can only visualize as to how they will look until the actual gown order is received at the shop. I recently had the pleasure of receiving a book called "Down That Aisle In STYLE" — a wonderful guide for full figured brides. Author Chamein Canton has put together a beautiful, insightful and factual publication that really shows how to make the most of the abundance you were blessed with! From dress styles, to hair and makeup ideas, floral suggestions — "Down That Aisle In STYLE" is a great gift for a bride to be — or for your own pleasure if there's a wedding in your future! Chamein is also an accomplished romance novelist — her book Bliss, Inc. tells the story of a full figured wedding planner who finds love with the groom's brother! Reading romance novels is what I do in my spare time, so finding one that features the profession I love so much is a double plus for me! Last week I ordered Down That Aisle in Style, A Wedding Guide For Full-Figured Women by Chamein Canton. I have really enjoyed reading the book as it is crammed with useful and relavent information for the full figured woman. From fashion to makeup and hair to photography tips. Chamein Canton uses her unique mix of native New York sophistication and a touch of Southern charm combined with her considerable experience in the wedding industry to address the needs of full-figured brides around the world. The result is Down That Aisle in Style! A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women. Her book focuses on the resources, advice, and encouragement (generously mixed with photographs of beautiful full- figured women) that will help women around the world plan one of the most important days of their lives. The book teaches you about body and face shapes and how dresses flatter them. You'll learn about necklines and hemlines and how to use them to your advantage. You'll learn about veils and trains and how they affect the way people see you. You can't help but to look fabulous following the tips and advice from Down That Aisle in Style. You can purchase your must have copy today from our Amazon Store. All brides want the perfect dress whether they're a size 2 or 22. "Style is not about size," writes Chamein Canton in Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Woman ($34.95, WindRiver Publishing, 167 pp.), "It's about attitude." She offers these tips on finding a gown: Be firm
Demand to be shown the same beautiful gowns as someone who wears a size 6. Some sales clerks will try to steer you toward certain styles, but don't let them. And don't let yourself be led to gowns with lots of sequins or embroidery unless you prefer them. If a bridal salon offers you only a few selections, go somewhere else. Be open
Most gowns are sized to allow for alterations, so whether you're a size 2 or a size 16, you'll probably need a dress two sizes larger than you or normally wear. Accentuate the positive
Look for soft fabrics such as organza, chiffon, silk or rayon with enough give to flatter your figure. Stay away from stiff or shiny fabrics such as taffeta or satin; they can highlight problem areas. Big, beautiful women of the world, rejoice! Rather than go on a crash diet in hopes of fitting into your wedding dress, opt to pick up a copy of Chamein Canton's Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women. Single mother of twin boys, cancer and MS survivor, Canton combines experience with New York sophistication to help brides of all sizes look and feel their best. Her full-color interactive book offers advice on what types of dresses accentuate curves and which neckline is the most flattering, hair and skin-care tips, the benefits of massage therapy, how to plan and stick to a budget, the types of food that should be served at a wedding brunch, a buffet dinner and cocktail reception, and how to chose a reputable photographer who is determined to capture your best side on one of the most important days of your life. Plus-sized models grace the pages and prove that less is not always more when it comes to fashion. Pictures and diagrams show the right length of hemlines, while a chapter on "Being At Your Personal Best" highlights the importance of diet and exercise as well as rest and relaxation. Covering every topic that a harried bride-to-be will encounter throughout her journey from alter to altar, Down That Aisle in Style takes the guesswork out of planning, paying for and executing the wedding of your dreams one step at a time. Written in a style that is personal and upbeat, Canton states that "Size doesn't dictate beauty. I've met thousands of beautiful women and worked with hundreds to help them look radiant on their wedding day, and none of them were a size six." As a wedding consultant and full-figured woman, she overcame odds and freed herself from the confines of two debilitating diseases to graduate from college, raise her sons, and start her own business. Down That Aisle in Style is the result of a lot of hard work and faith. Available through Wind River Publishing, it takes the subject of marriage and makes it larger than life in the greatest sense possible. Charissa Arsaoui, Buzzine, 11 Jun 2009 Down That Aisle in Style–A Wedding Guide for Full-figured Women covers EVERYTHING a "curvy" brides needs to know to look her best on her special day. The book is absolutely beautiful and makes a great engagement gift. Chamein covers everything from head-to-toe, including choosing the proper undergarments to hold you together for that special day. I now have a book that I can refer to my e-newsletter readers who are getting married and do not know where to start. You WILL NOT be disappointed with this beautiful book which currently hold a prominent space on my coffee table (smile). Voluptuous Woman Company, Jennene Biggins, April 19, 2007 The average clothing manufacturer sells to a size six, but the average American woman is a size sixteen. When it comes to that very specialized area of clothing designs called the wedding dress, the bride needs to look her very best within traditional gown parameters and doesn't need the stress of going through the usual guess work associated with choosing clothing that will be stylish and appropriate for full-figured women. In "Down That Aisle In Style: A Wedding Guide For Full-Figured Women", Chamein Canton draws upon her many years of experience and expertise in the wedding industry to provide sound advice and moral-boosting encouragement on how to use the fundamentals of design and style to acquire the perfect gown for that perfect day. Profusely illustrated and with a truly "user friendly" text that is both informed and informative (and occasionally inspiring!), "Down That Aisle In Style" should be considered 'must' reading for full-figured brides-to-be. It will save them aggravation and anxiety when searching for — and finding — that ideal wedding gown. What can I say about this book that wasn't included between the pages? IT's wonderful. Finally a book that lets big girls strut their stuff on their special day. Ms. Canton covers everything that a bride may need and then some from make up tips to dress'es that flatter all shapes and sizes. There are dress makers listed in the book to follow up with and locate to see what they may offer. There is even a section on brides who may have a disability and how to handle this when planning a wedding! This book has been a long time coming for us big girls and as a soon to be bride myself I will certainly be praising this book for years to come and to all brides everywhere. This brings me to a most unusual book by Chamein Canton, Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women ($34.95, Wind River Publishing, Silverton, ID). Since the average woman in the U.S. is a size sixteen, it's about time that someone wrote a book that addresses the needs of real women instead of the skinny ones in the fashion magazines, but that's the point of this large format book. The author has filled her book with advice on all aspects of fashion and makeup, to the point where, if you can't find the answer here, it doesn't exist! Filled, too, with many photos, the book doesn't scrimp on the practical aspects such as budgeting to make your dream wedding come true. June means wedding bells! Getting married? Going to a wedding? Or simply looking for some good style tips geared toward the plus size woman? Look no further. Chamein Canton in her book Down that Aisle in Style, A Wedding Guide for Full Figured Women has done a superb job of consolidating and organizing all of the information a bride needs on her wedding day. This book offers 167 pages of jam-packed information which is easy to understand and visually appealing. The first chapter is useful to any plus size fashionista. Canton does a great job of explaining body shapes and silhouettes and how necklines, shoulders, bodice, waistline, sleeves, veil styles and trains and even hemlines can help you show off your body shape and silhouette. This chapter serves as a great reference guide and is definitely well worth the investment! The pictures and illustrations help tremendously and give the book that extra special touch. Note to Chamein: This should be the topic of a next book! We need a good and current plus size style guide! In subsequent chapters, Canton discusses wedding day details from makeup to choosing the photographer and additional tips for creating a memorable wedding day celebration. The clothing design and attribute terms glossary in the back serves as a useful reference guide. So, if you are getting married or know of someone who is, check out the book! It would make a great engagement gift for a future bride! It must be noted that Canton's bio at the end of the book is an inspritation in itself. An ovarian cancer and MS survivor, Canton overcame many obstacles to pursue her passion of bridal consultant and, most recently, as managing partner of a literary agency. Long gone are the days when the average woman was a size 6 — according to a report on ABC News, an estimated 70% of women wear a size 12 or larger. Yet many bridal magazines regularly feature models with frail, mannequin-like frames, clothed in items that most women of color — with our curvaceous, hourglass figures — would be hard-pressed to squeeze into. So what is a woman to do when being real-sized is perceived as oversized? "The truth of the matter is, the phrase full-figured means much more than weight," says author Chamein Canton, in her book, Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women. "Full-figured women come in all different shapes and sizes… tall and leggy, petite with delicate features, or with a muscular body that's built." Thanks to beautiful women of color like Monique, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Jennifer Hudson celebrating their curvy physiques, it's neither expected nor required that women slim down to a Barbie doll physique… in most arenas. But perusing bridal boutiques, magazines and Web sites, you get the impression that thick girls aren't getting married. And that just isn't the case. "I'm a solid and statuesque 16, and when I was looking for my wedding dress I couldn't find anything to fit me," says 6'3 Aubry, who searched online and in every bridal boutique she could find for the perfect dress. "I happened to find a dress when I was visiting my cousin out of town." Aubry admits that she had to have the dress altered and added a few embellishments, but overall she was happy with her selection. "I felt if I had a waited any longer, I would've ended up postponing the wedding." Dress shopping was also not working for Tamarind, who at petite 5'1, dons a size 14. "I'm short and full-figured, and the stuff I was finding in the stores just wasn't cutting it, so after searching and searching and searching some more, I had my dress made," reflects Tamarind. "I knew that I had to have something tailor-made to showcase my best features and complement my body type." Unfortunately, most bridal shops do not carry sizes over 12; if larger sizes are available at all, they oftentimes must be ordered, and rarely will the boutiques issue any refunds or accept returns for an ill-fitting product. But there can occasionally be a silver lining -- while many brides opt to have dresses custom made, a lucky few can forgo the added stress of a tailor and land the dress of their dreams. Camille, who is a size 18, says a quick engagement forced her to get creative. "I didn't have time to get a dress made, so I went online and actually found a phenomenal gown," she says. While minor alterations were needed, Camille says that it was "a perfect fit." But the devil, as they say, is oftentimes in the details. While many seamstresses and manufacturers only see the extra fabric and cost required to make a larger dress, Canton points out that the design techniques remain the same. "The only actual difference between a size 4 and a size 14 is the number. Body shapes are universal and don't change by dress size. A pear-shaped size 6 will follow the same style guide when choosing a wedding gown as a pear-shaped size 18," says Canton. Keep this in mind while shopping around for your own dress. Know what looks good on you and what doesn't, and stick to those principles no matter what your size is. Don't settle for less than perfect just because the local bridal salon doesn't carry what you need. Full-figured women have made tremendous strides in all facets of society, but the most important stride any of us can make is in our own self-acceptance. So on your special day, do you and be beautiful! by Kelly Walter
Chamein Canton, of Amityville, has recently authored a unique book which explains the shortcomings of the wedding industry when it comes to dressing the plus size bride and her party. The book is titled Down that Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women, which aims to help plus size women find the perfect dress in an industry dominated by small sizes and offers helpful information on handling all the planning, and the stress, of a wedding. "It"s about feeling confident and beautiful and your wedding is when you should feel that way," said Canton. Canton is the owner of Creative Elegance Catering and Wedding Consulting and while working with her clients, she noticed a growing trend of full figured women who were disheartened to discover that finding their wedding dress would not be a joyous occasion. "I started doing wedding planning and talking to lots of girls — I'd see them and one second they're as happy as a lark and then say they have to lose weight to get into a dress," said Canton. Canton began researching wedding dresses and found there was a great deal of stress placed on the full-figured woman to find a dress simply because not as many places offered dresses for them, or they charged more for larger sizes, making dresses less affordable. "People forget us when it comes to wedding dresses, but not in price of course — they charge us extra." With more than half of women considered full figured today, the industry has in recent years started to market to those women with stores like David's Bridal and designers like Alfred Angelo and even Vera Wang whose designs can be found in sizes up to 20. But it is not always simply a question of finding a gown and then asking for it in a larger size. It can still be a struggle, even with the stores and designers offering gowns in larger sizes. That's because design and style must also be taken into consideration. Canton has created a rule for finding a dress — it is not about dressing for your size but rather it is about dressing for your shape. Canton describes each woman as falling into six shape categories: the inverted triangle, the pear, the hourglass, the rectangle, the circle and the diamond. "For example, a woman who is an inverted triangle wouldn't wear an off the shoulder style because it would make her shoulders look broader. She would wear something strapless." Canton explains in her book that eyes focus on the lines of a dress, so as a general rule, a full figured woman should buy a dress that has lines focused away from her problem areas. If all else fails, the magic style that works best on everybody is the A-line silhouette. More helpful hints will be available in Canton's book, which will be released in November. It is published by WindRiver Publishing, Silverton, Idaho, (www.windriverpublishing.com). Amityville Record, Sep 27, 2006 Come in and take a seat. Brighten your week as we explore the making of quality literature with authors, book clubs, publishing insiders, and community leaders. (Approximately 5 minute introduction.) Down That Aisle in Style: Our Valery Amador interviews author and AmaZe Writer Chamein Canton Have you found the love of your life and are ready to say, "I do?" If so, Chamein Canton, author of the new book, Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide For the Full-Figured Woman, wants to help you have the wedding day of your dreams! Since our humble beginnings as VenusDivas.com and now AmaZe Magazine, Chamein has been not only an avid supporter and writer, but I have come to know her as a true friend. Her talent is only surpassed by her desire to empower the full-figured woman. Each page of her guide is dedicated to helping women look and feel their curvy best on what could possibly be the most magical day in their lives. I sat down for a little "girl-to-girl" chat with one of my favorite women... [Valery] Hi Chamein :-) [Chamein] Hey Valery :-) [Valery] What a journey this has been! [Chamein]Oh it's been a wild journey Valery. I am just so happy to have made it. [Valery] You should have been here... when I received the galley copy from your editor, I tore the package open like I was a five year old on Christmas morning! I was beaming from ear-to-ear as I read each page that you so lovingly poured your soul into... [Chamein] (Blushing) Oh that makes me feel so good. I have to admit though I felt the same way when my publisher sent me the galley. My emotions ran the gamut from elated to overwhelmed (in a good way). [Valery] Okay, let's get down to it... What was the most rewarding part about writing this wedding guide for plus-size women? [Chamein] I've been the big girl all my life and I've been on the same roller coaster ride most women put themselves through. I really wanted the full figured woman to know and feel that they're beautiful so having a platform to talk to them was completely rewarding for me. [Valery] Your information and advice in Down That Aisle in Style is impeccable and truly is the definitive bible for finding the perfect wedding gown to fit and flatter curves. Can you share a bit from your guide on what brides should consider when beginning their search for the perfect gown? [Chamein] The first thing she should consider is her body. Your body shape has so much more to do with finding the right gown than any size (tag number). Do not let numbers faze you. All you have to do is determine your shape (inverted triangle, pear, round, rectangle, hourglass, diamond) and look for silhouettes that work with your curves. [Valery] How far in advance should a bride begin her search for the perfect gown? [Chamein] Ideally she should begin at least one year ahead, or more if possible. [Valery] You shared that you started your 'passion' with weddings as a young girl. I loved the story about your baking wedding cakes in your Easy Bake Oven :-) Can you remember what triggered your fascination with weddings at such a young age? [Chamein] Both of my grandmothers sewed and there was always a lot of sewing pattern books in my house. I can remember seeing pictures of lacy wedding gowns and I just loved the way the lace looked and before I knew it, I was hooked. [Valery] I have an AmaZing 'prediction': This wedding guide is going to be a smashing success with the plus size bride! As a result, you are going to create quite a stir with the bridal industry. Once you have their attention, what changes would you like to see them make in the future? [Chamein] The first thing I want to see, is the plus bride as a first thought and not an afterthought when it comes to print ads. Right now you can count how many wedding ads have full figured brides, I want to see that changed. I'd like to see more editorial pieces featuring plus sizes too. We are 62% plus of the population, we can't be ignored. [Valery] And that about wraps things up for this issue of AmaZe. Chamein, we are wishing you much well-deserved success with the book tour, we'll be routing for you! Oh, and by the way, if we haven't told you already -- we are so proud of you... [Chamein] Thanks so much Valery. I also want to thank you, Michele and the many women who have been so supportive and patient through this whole journey. I couldn't have done it without all of you. AmazE Magazine (newsletter); Oct, 2006 The majority of society is overweight and we don't all fit into the bridal guides that are currently on the market. It would be a great help for a lady and her fiancee to have the necessary resources that a smaller size bride would. Patricia Radice, Tampa FL Unless you have walked in the shoes of a panicked bride trying to plan a wedding you can not begin to understand the need for this book. Add to that being plus sized and your anxiety level raises about ten times over. All brides want their wedding day to be perfect down to the last detail but many of us who are plus sized often don't have a clue how to make that happen. A resource like Chamein's book would be a lifesaver. Kimberly J. Moore, editor Big Gurl E-Zine I am a plus size model and I had to search for a wedding gown for my wedding. I had to work with a recommendation from another plus size bride to a small, out of the way bridal shop that happens to carry a few plus dresses! Please publish this book! Kathleen Bennett, plus-size model, Queens NY Have you found the love of your life and are ready to say, "I do?" If so, Chamein Canton, author of the new book, Down That Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide For the Full-Figured Woman, can help you have the wedding day of your dreams! Each page of this guide is dedicated to helping plus size women look and feel their curvy best on what could possibly be the most magical day of their lives. Chamein's guidance on wedding gown style will help any bride-to-be find the perfect wedding gown to fit and flatter her curves. Lots of great pictures + expert information and guidance make this book the plus size bride's bible! Story Angle An Influential and Increasingly Vocal MarketImago Creative (www.imagocreative.com) recently reported that, "According to Women's Wear Daily, 60 percent of American women wear size 16 or larger, and that number is set to increase as the population ages. But thanks to mentors such as Oprah and Emme, and magazines such as More, full-figured women have new confi-dence in their curves. They're active, energetic, and they want to look great. Above all, they're powerful consumers, and they'll reward companies that can make them look and feel fabulous." We agree that full-figured women stand ready to reward industries that address their needs, but we regret that most industries are only slowly recognizing this influential market. Since the 1800's, only ten books have been written to address the wants and needs of full-figured women*. Everyone who isn't full-figured assumes that none of these women want to be full-figured, despite the fact that most live happy, healthy, productive, and influential lives. Nowhere is this more obvious, or more painful, than when a full-figured woman is planning her wedding day. Though the wedding industry is changing slowly, most full-figured women will face consultants, dress makers, salons, and bridal shops that are geared for the perfect woman — a woman Ms. Canton boldly claims that she's never met. Down that Aisle in Style - A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women acts to help full-figured brides by arming them with the most important tool they will ever have — knowledge. *According to a search of Amazon.com for book titles containing the phrases "full-figure" or "full-figured." Only five of the books (which includes Down that Aisle in Style) were released in the last ten years. Story Angle Working Together for True BeautyDove's Campaign for Real Beauty (www.campaignforrealbeauty.com) was recently in the news proclaiming, "no wonder our perception of beauty is distorted." Women across the world are subjected daily to images of the perfect woman and a clear mar-keting message, this is true beauty. "This message is absolutely false," Ms. Canton tells us. "Size doesn't dictate beauty. I've met thousands of beautiful women and worked with hundreds to help them look radiant on their wedding day — and none of them were a size 6." As a New York wedding consultant, Ms. Canton has learned that the most important component to helping women find the perfect dress was information. "When women learn how dress design flatters their bodies, they become bold, powerful, and beautiful," Ms. Canton continues. "Knowledge is the key, it's why I wrote this book. Women aren't happy because they're skinny, they're happy because they're healthy and confident. Knowledge empowers women to be both." | 
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