Wedding Bliss - choosing the wedding dress for you.
The BrideWhat you wear on the day you will remember forever. Whether you buy your dress months before the wedding or find it in the last few weeks, like I did, you want a dress that you will cherish, and that you will admire for years to come, when looking at the wedding photos. To make the best choice, firstly consider your own qualities - your natural colouring, body shape, your own style. Your Qualities: Colouringyour skin tone will have either a cool or warm base that will dictate the colours that suit you best. Body Shapeyour body shape will be made up of curves or angles. This will dictate the structure that suits you best. Style your personality is reflected in your character traits and how you respond to others. The style is a direct reflection of your personality. Your dress also has its own qualities. The idea is to match your qualities with the qualities of the dress. The Wedding Outfit
It may be that you see the dress you want, and just 'know' it is right for you. If you are more analytical when it comes to making a decision or you need to understand more what you should be looking out for, then consider the following qualities:
Best site for informal occasions. I ordered mine from here 10 days before the wedding, and it came in such a pretty box it felt so special. This is normal for them apparently! Best formal designer - tried and tested. For nearly new. Tips on buying the dress
Head-dress and veil To decorate the hair with a regal crown is the most ceremonious and symbolic item of dress. This doesn't need to be a tiara, but can be feathers (like the recent Duchess of Cornwall) or clips. Decoration, even on the most informal wedding day, can give the event added significance. The veil represents the mystery that will be revealed in the nuptial communion. The unveiling of the maiden. Handmade tiaras Jewellery The wedding ring must be the feature of the day, so instead put the attention into the necklace. If you are wearing a head-dress, then simple classic earrings would be best, as you don't want to overshadow your head-piece. Like the decoration, keep to the best finish for you - gloss, shine or matt. A diamond or pearl necklace are often the best option for such an occasion. Shoes A quality shoe is essential as that can instantly devalue an expensive dress. Go for the same colour as the dress where possible. Mirror the detailing of the dress in the shoe - where you have chosen texture, add some texture in the shoe or if you have opted for some shine, add a touch of shine in the shoe. Avoid adding a strong feature in the shoe with a very simple dress. It will only take the attention away from the dress, which is a mistake. You may need to break your shoes in a bit for the day, just to check you don't get any blisters etc or whether you need in-soles or cushions. It is a long day, and you don't want to be hobbling down the aisle. Best Bridal Shoes Lingerie
Hosiery If it is summer time and your dress is not as formal, then you needn't wear hosiery. Most very formal dresses do require hosiery. Part of the formality. Hold ups can be the best option as full tights often leave a line around the waist. Opt for a natural colour or soft white. With no tight and with a mild English summer, use a light self-tan to enhance your own colouring - Dior Bronze is great for the paler English complexion. Bouquet White lilies, roses or tulips - simple and elegant. But for a more adventurous bouquet, stick to the original theme and use colour where possible to bring some life and personality to it. A good florists will be able to help you in choosing the best possible flower. You may wish to investigate some of the myth or tradition behind certain flowers, especially if you have a particular theme in mind. Talk to the florist sooner than later, as it may help you when choosing the dress as it is part of the outfit, not an afterthought. Preparation Whilst it is easy to get caught up in the planning of the event, you must not forget to tender to your own needs. At least two months before the wedding, you want to consider how you may want to prepare yourself for the day. It is inadvisable to leave all the beauty treatments to the day before and also to leave your general well-being to pot luck. If you are experiencing any health issues - stomach complaints, dermatological complaints, bad back pain - you don't want to let discomfort ruin the day. I have known several brides that found the stress overwhelming and found their physical state responded to that. Take some time to decide what care you need to give yourself, what grooming requirements you need, and the timeline on the day and the 48 hours before. Try treatments out beforehand so you get no last minute surprises. Most people use the wedding day as the opportunity to treat themselves and end up doing all kinds of things they normally wouldn't do. Lymphatic drainage the day before could leave you dehydrated! And if you take one look in the mirror and don't like what you see, don't decide to go on some crazy diet that will leave you far thinner that you ever would normally be and spacey through the event! Remember, you don't want the wedding photos to be a reminder of what you once were, when in fact you were only that weight for one whole month and you felt absolutely rotten. Be yourself, get the dress to fit you as you are now! If nothing else, it will ensure it suits you. Often people choose a dress that is not really suited to their body type, but think - 'oh well a few pounds lighter and it will look great'. Believe me it won't! Do a trial run if you want - a fun way to spend a day with a friend. Things to consider: hair colour, make-up - waterproof, tanning, well-being, eyebrow wax/pluck, other waxing, eyebrow/eyelash dying (I don't tend to recommend this, but if you must don't let this be your first time), perfume, clothing deliveries, weather, shoe in-soles, handbag, tissues, something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new! Other: personal gifts for your husband to be, your personal vows, thank you's and speeches - bride and groom. The GroomOften the focus is on the bride, but having the man standing next to you at the altar looking very dapper is really important. Also, he is in the wedding photos too. Most modern men want to put effort into their attire and bring their own individuality to their outfit.
The Suit Well this is the day that you can really splash out and invest in a good suit. If you are not opting for the formal frockcoat British wedding or the black tie American wedding, then this should be one of the best shopping sprees you go on. The focus is often on the bride and her dress, but don't let her down at the altar and allow a reasonable budget for your outfit too. Avoid choosing a black suit, preferably a blue of some sort is the best for the day. As blue is the favourite interview suit, you will get use of it afterwards. Wearing a new suit, for the first time on the day, will put you in the cermonial mood.
Waistcoat
The Tie Your chance to introduce more of your personality
Shirt An important item of clothing - the shirt has the ability to devalue the best suit if it is cheap and cheerful, and more importantly the ability to upgrade the suit too. Introduce colour into the shirt if you are choosing a less formal occasion. There are many interesting fabrics about; opt for a softer silk for a more romantic twist or a textured cotton for a more earthy look.
Handkerchief
Buttonhole
Cufflinks
Shoes
Grooming Tips
Tips
My Wedding - Paul Smith dress from Net-a-porter - San Francisco City Hall Let The Wardrobe Shrink help you find the dress or outfit that will make your wedding day memorable. « Back to The Wardrobe Shrink Forum ©2005 Sarah Whittaker [www.TheWardrobeShrink.com]. You have my permission to copy this article for your website or publication, so long as this entire byline remains intact. I'd appreciate a quick e-mail to let me know where you're using it. Thank you! |