Every bride-to-be has a specific body type which may be small, medium or large. These body types are known as ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph.
If you’re small boned and delicate, with a lean build, you’ll look best in a sleek gown that hugs your body, such as a slip dress design or mermaid-style …
Your wedding dress is a reminder of that particular day, the day of your dreams. Brides spend a lot of time and money finding their perfect wedding dress for the perfect wedding, so seeing the wedding dress will cause those happy memories to come flooding back. Unfortunately, many wedding gowns get left in a plastic cover at the back of the cupboard or in the loft after the special day with every intention of one day getting it cleaned and preserved. Leaving your wedding dress in its plastic cover will not only cause oxidation of any stains, but it could also cause plastic fuming, which can discolour the material even more than the yellowish colour that came with age.
Continue reading The Importance of Wedding Dress Preservation: Everything You Need To Know
For some brides to be choosing their wedding dress is by far the most important aspect of planning their wedding. For a handful it could even be a more important decision than choosing the right partner! Choosing a dress to walk down the aisle can be a daunting task, particularly if you have no pre-conceived ideas about what you want. Even if you do know what you want, finding the wedding dress that meets the image in your mind’s eye that you have held for decades can seem like a never ending search and can even end in disappointment if your dream dress just doesn’t look right on you.
Worse still, for blushing brides who just don’t want to conform to the idea of a traditional white wedding, the task of finding the perfect dress can seem even more impossible. However, help is at hand and fortunately there is a lot more leeway these days when it comes to bridal fashions. Furthermore there is a lot more choice and professionals are on hand to help you source exactly what you require for your big day, particularly when it comes to fashions for brides, bridesmaids and mothers alike.
White dresses are a tradition set by Queen Victoria who wore one at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Since then it has become a common theme in European weddings as brides subsequently wanted to adopt the fashion set by the then Queen. Initially wearing white was also a sign of significant wealth as laundering techniques of the era weren’t what they are today and as a result wearing white indicated a certain social standing.
With this in mind modern brides looking for an alternative to so called ‘traditional’ white may be more encouraged as wearing white is not actually a symbol of purity and virginity as many often think. It may even mean that more prospective brides look to utilize different colors in their wedding dress than they previously might have done. Here’s a few things to consider:
Know what suits you
Having an idea of what suits you and an image of your dream dress can be two wildly different things. When it comes to wedding dress shopping don’t lose sight of what suits your individual style and shape. More importantly don’t try and become something you’re not just for your wedding day as invariably you will end up feeling uncomfortable and find it hard to enjoy the occasion. The same applies to the color of your dress so if you know that white won’t suit you don’t try to make it fit – opt for something more flattering rather than going with what you think is expected of you.
Talk to professionals
When it comes to weddings it pays to talk to professionals and get as many ideas as possible before making any rash decisions. A professional will know what is both fashionable and seasonal and therefore can guide you with what works and could work for you. When it comes to choosing a wedding dress color they can help you find something that is suitably special and yet flattering for your skin tone and at the same time exceeds your expectations. Don’t feel you have to find everything on your own and end up floundering – getting the opinion of a professional can be invaluable.
Getting covered
Ensuring that you have adequate protection in place in the form of wedding insurance is not just recommended for eventualities like ill health or venue cancellation but is also important to protect assets associated with your wedding. Your wedding dress is one such asset and as such should be covered in your wedding policy to ensure it is safe in the lead up to your wedding day and for its duration.
In any event wherever you purchase your wedding dress from should be able to advise you about different options available for insurance. This is particularly important if you choose to opt for a bespoke, handmade wedding dress rather than one off the peg.
Being happy with your choice
Your wedding is a day to remember for the rest of your life so what is most important is being happy with the choices you make for your wedding and choosing things to please yourself and not others. If you desire to step outside the norm and opt for a different style or color of wedding dress then that is your wish and your loved ones must respect that fact. Making informed and confident choices about how your day should be will stand you in good stead for your future happiness.
If you’re not the old-fashioned type who wants a traditional wedding dress and veil, you’re not alone. Many fashion-conscious brides feel uncomfortable with puffy princess gowns and sparkling tiaras.
If you’re the modern type, you may prefer to wear clean lines or riskier, couture-inspired styles on your special wedding day. These sleek, cutting-edge designs can look wonderful, since they are generally quite body-conscious – without being tight or tacky. Any women can look beautiful in modern designs – they streamline a voluptuous figure with careful tailoring, and they also give a leaner build a runway-ready silhouette…
When you’re at the bridal boutique, look for straighter styles, such as sheath dresses. Experiment with shorter gowns – they can be quite chic and they always send a modern message…
Modern style is about looking fresh and polished. You should not appear to be trying too hard to be feminine or sexy…it’s about easy elegance and confidence! To get the perfect effect, you need to find the ultimate white wedding dress, bridal rings, and other important wedding accessories.
With a modern aesthetic, nothing should be overdone…beading and embellishments are generally scaled-down and subtle…if not absent altogether. For the modern bride-to-be, minimalism and spare, arty design elements can be very appealing..and flattering. Here are some tips on creating a chic, modern vibe at your wedding:
Focus On One Detail – You can still have drama while embracing the modern aesthetic…simply choose one detail of your wedding outfit, and go for stand-out style. A simple hairband with an outsize flower attached (such as the one worn by the model at the top of the page) can add charm and whimsy to a sleek, tea-length bridal dress.
When doing your makeup and hair, it’s also good to focus on one special detail for each. For example, consider a sleek modern up-do, with some interesting style details in the back. Tiny braids woven into the bun or chignon, or a hair-wrapped low ponytail can be lovely. Your creative hair elements should not detract from your overall modern look – they should always be subtle and low-key.
When you do your makeup, focus on eyes or lips, but not both. Modern makeup artists only highlight one feature when they do realistic, wearable makeup for magazines and the runway. A wash of sheer color on the eyes, a faint flush on the cheekbones, and a soft, velvety matte-finish lipstick in a fresh color can be great ways to keep things modern.
If you want to highlight your eyes, consider a thin line of silver-blue eyeliner along the top and bottom lashes. Gwenyth Paltrow, known for her modern style, often pairs this eyeliner look with a sleek dress, flat-ironed hair, and wild shoes (her one bold detail). She generally keeps her lip color soft, using a pale pink lipstick or soft, cool pink gloss (try Chanel Glossimer in Charming). Now and then, she will take the focus off of her eyes and do a vibrant, matte red lip with a neutral eye (shadows in taupe and icy champagne work well for this).
Modern colors are often cool in tone – silver, blue-gray, white and black are always chic and minimalist. Using these colors in your eye makeup can give you a modern effect, as long as the finishes are sheer and eyeliner, mascara, etc. is expertly applied. However, so much depends on your natural coloring…for example, a redhead with a peaches-and-cream complexion will look more modern in warm tones that blend with the tones of her skin and hair…
Diamond Luxury Can Be Also Be Modern And Wearable
Your bridal rings should be chosen with care – you will be wearing them every day! Some women are very active, and they prefer a sleeker, flatter engagement ring/wedding band set that won’t catch on things and get in the way. The stunning piece featured above is a stellar example of a modern wedding band that still offers total luxury. Sleek links, crafted from glam 21k white gold, offer a touch of cool, industrial style, while diamond accents provide subtle, elegant shimmer.
This wearable design is meant to be treasured for a lifetime, and it will go with everything in the modern bride’s wardrobe. In general, white gold and silver are more modern than yellow gold. However, you should feel free to break the fashion rules whenever you like – it’s your wedding and you should always make choices that feel right to you!
Adding modern elements to your reception’s table settings, your wedding invitations and wedding flowers, and even your menu (think fresh and local) will be great ways to reinforce your theme on the big day. Guests will love the chic, fresh vibe!
