By Georgina Clatworthy

There is something so traditional about bridal veils, yet they have for some years been out of favor with many brides, only recently making a come back thanks to several celebrity brides showing us all how it is done!  But, whatever your personal feelings and the style of your wedding bridal veils will always be one of the quintessential bridal accessories.

The long and the short of it! When it comes to bridal veils you will find several different styles and lengths to choose from.  There isn’t really any hard and fast style rules about what you should choose, the only consideration is that is coordinates with your wedding dress.  And there isn’t really any wedding etiquette surrounding them either anymore.  Cathedral length veils were once the reserve for royalty and those getting married in a cathedral – hence the name; but these days you wear any length of veil you want, no matter where you are getting married.

There is a school of thought that says that longer length veils such as chapel and cathedral lengths are best with dresses with a train, whilst ballet length veils work best with ankle length wedding dresses.  But if you look back to the 1920’s the trend at the time was for short wedding dresses and very long veils, so you can use your bridal veil to make your own style statement.

Finding your veil style: with your wedding dress likely to have cost you a small fortune, you don’t want to ruin the look by choosing the wrong type of veil.  True, some veils do work better with some styles of dress, whilst others will coordinate with anything.  The big trend at moment is for birdcage veils which are so short they simply sit over the forehead.

I personally think that the only way to find your veil style is by trying as many as possible with your wedding dress.  Just complicate matters further there are a couple of different ways to wear a wedding veil depending on the style.  Traditional, bridal veils which feature two or more tiers will be worn high on the head with a headpiece so that the first tier can be pulled over the bride’s face.  For a more subdued look a simple veil can be pinned to bottom of your head so it cascades down your back.  A mantilla veil which is usually made entirely from lace is draped over the head and worn without a headpiece.

Another consideration is your size and shape, and that of your wedding dress.  If you are petite or have a very narrow face, then a multi-tiered veil could overwhelm you, and this type of veil could also create a ‘lollipop’ effect on brides who are very tall and slender and have a wedding dress which is tight fitting.  Long veils look stunning with almost any style of wedding dress, but the trick is to create balance from the top to the bottom with your dress and the veil.

Colors and trims: Most wedding veils these days will be finished with some kind of fancy trim or beading.  They are usually edged with cord, ribbon, beads, embroidery and crystals.  When it comes to color choices most are white, ivory, cream or champagne.  Try to match the color with that of your dress and the trim with any that is present on your dress.  So if your wedding dress is ivory with crystal beading, then choose a veil in ivory with crystal trims.

If you are having a colored wedding dress then things can get a little trickier when it comes to finding a veil.  Colored veils are not so common and most brides will need to have one custom made or even make their own.  When it comes to finding a colored veil, try to match a sample of your dress fabric with a sample of the veil fabric first.  Veiling material is often tulle or soft net which creates a deeper color when layered together.  Don’t think that the color of the fabric on the roll is the color you will get, always compare a single piece of fabric first as it will usually be lighter than you think.  The likelihood is you will need to go two or three shades darker to achieve the correct color match.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Wedding flowers can form one of the significant costs of your wedding budget.  Along with the cost of the wedding photography and the wedding cake, wedding flowers one area that couples will look to stretch the budget and save some money.  Finding cheap wedding flowers is not difficult, but by applying some creative thinking and working with your florist you can have the arrangements you want, at a price you can afford.

Firstly you will need to find a good florist who can give you ideas for budget flowers and who can produce arrangements that fit with your wedding style and your budget.  Make sure you tell them everything you want, along with your personal choices of flower types and your wedding colors.  Be prepared to compromise, a tight budget can often mean having to sacrifice something along the way.

You may have favorite flowers that you want to include in your wedding arrangements.  This shouldn’t be a problem, but if you want out of season or exotic blooms don’t expect them to be cheap.  These types of flowers will need to be ordered in especially and usually from international growers, making them more expensive than in season and locally grown flowers.

Ask your florist about including your favorite flowers in your bouquet only and using alternatives for the other arrangements.  You could also mix your favorite flowers with other types which are cheaper so that you have continuity in your arrangements.  For instance, if you really want pink roses, mix them with pink carnations which are a cheap alternative.

Consider making your own table centerpieces and even buttonholes for your wedding.  Centerpieces don’t have to be floral, and a simple arrangement of floating candles and flower heads looks beautiful on a table.  Buttonholes are not difficult to create either and usually only consist of a flower head and single piece of foliage wrapped with florists tape or even tin foil!  Ask your florist to make the buttonholes for the groom and wedding party though as these are extra special.

To really save money on your flower arrangements have more foliage than flowers.  You can also consider using your ceremony flowers for the reception as well by having them transported to the reception venue.  Ask your venue if another wedding will be taking place there that day.  If so find out if it would be possible to use the same flower arrangements or to go halves on them. 

Finally negotiate a package deal with your florist to help you save money on your wedding flowers.  Many florists will agree to make the buttonholes for free if you order all your other wedding flowers with them, but push a little harder and see if you can get the bridesmaids bouquets free as well (if you are not having too many bridesmaids that is) or ask for free bouquets that you can give to your mother and the grooms mother as wedding gifts.

By Georgina Clatworthy

A wedding without some kind of wedding cake would be inconceivable.  After all the tradition of wedding cakes goes way back and they have therefore become an integral part of any wedding.  But when it comes to wedding cake prices, knowing how the cost of a cake is calculated can help you to choose the right design for your budget.

Typically, wedding cakes are priced on a per slice basis, based on the number of guests who will be attending the wedding reception.  Naturally this figure is rounded up to ensure complete cakes! You wouldn’t just purchase enough slices for one per person although it is an option.

This is not the end of it though.  The shape of your cake will also impact on the cost.  Square cakes and unusual shapes will require special tins and extra skill by the baker to make sure the cakes are level when it comes applying the icing and decorations.  Square wedding cakes for instance often require the sides to be built up slightly so that they are level with the middle of the cake or else the icing will look crooked or uneven.

Then there is a question of flavorings.  Simple vanilla sponge is likely to be the cheapest option, with chocolate, lemon or Madeira coming in a close second.  When you start asking for more exotic types of cake and flavorings then the prices will increase.  Baked cheesecakes are popular, along with traditional fruit cake and other types of sponge.  Having your cake sandwiched with a special filling will also add to the cost and then there is the cost of the icing and decorations.

Typical icings include buttercream, which may or may not be flavored, fondant icing, regal or royal icing and chocolate coverings.  Here much will depend on the time it will take the cake designer to cover the cake with your choice of icing.  It is worth bearing in mind that some types of cake will not be appropriate for certain types of icing.  Fruit cake for instance is best covered with marzipan and royal icing, whilst a light sponge could not take the weight of this type of icing and is best covered with buttercream or fondant.

Decorating your cake can mean many options including piped designs in buttercream, sugarcraft flowers or decorations, decorations cut from fondant, hand-painted designs with edible inks and non-edible decorations such as fresh or silk flowers, crystals, ribbons and other non-edible items. 

In short, when it comes to wedding cake prices the more work you give your cake maker, the more it will cost.  This can also apply to cupcakes or mini cakes which can be more expensive per cake than a single of wedding cake because there is more time and work involved in making them.  If you are on a tight budget then you could have your cake made and simply iced with buttercream, then cut into slices and placed in individual cake boxes which can then be arranged to look like the whole cake.  This method will allow you to purchase only the number of slices of you need and your guests can take them home.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Most wedding dress designers and manufacturers will have a website to showcase their wedding dresses online.  There are also several bridal stores that will sell wedding dresses online.  But is it a good idea to buy the most important outfit of your life from a website?

The majority of bridal store owners and wedding dress designers will tell you to never purchase a wedding dress online, and under no circumstances should you even consider it.  But there are some advantages to purchasing wedding dresses in this way. Bridal sites, Ebay and online classifieds are all good places to start.  What you will find is that wedding dresses bought online will cost you less than those from a physical bricks and mortar store.  Mainly because an online store will not have the same overheads as a bridal store on the high street.

But there are many more potential pitfalls too.  To begin with you will only have the picture on your computer screen to go by and no amount of clever image galleries and zoom functions will give you the same feel for a dress as being able to touch it and try it on in a bridal store.

Then of course there is the ability to try a gown on before you commit to buy.  Some websites will send you a sample gown but you will need to pay a deposit for it and shipping costs.  Some will refund the money on the return of the dress, whilst others will only refund should then proceed to order from them.  You will also miss out on the expert advice that a bridal store assistant can give you.

Bridal stores cannot advise you on the best shape, style and color for you, if they cannot see you!  So don’t be fooled by some cleverly written articles on the website informing you of the best shape for your body. There are many other factors that come into play when choosing a wedding dress and it is only by trying on various wedding dresses that you can truly find the ‘one’ for you.

Then there are unscrupulous sellers who will not accept returns and the dress they send you is not exactly what was featured on the website when you placed your order.  The quality is not what you wanted either and to top it all it doesn’t fit!  If you purchase a wedding dress from a website like Ebay then check the sellers rating first.  Be careful of those who have poor ratings and a high level of negative feedback.  You should also only pay for your dress through payment portals like Paypal which offer a buyer protection program on purchases and will refund your money if the item you purchased is not as described.

The other problem with purchasing a wedding dress online is that you will need to find a seamstress to make any alterations for you.  Most bridal stores will be associated with seamstress or carry out alterations themselves, this will usually save you money as often alterations (which are nearly always necessary) will be included in the purchase price.  Finding your own seamstress could add a significant amount to the cost of the dress turning it into less of bargain than you thought!

Purchasing your wedding dress from a bridal store should one of those events that you look forward to.  Going along to your appointment with your mom and maid of honor should be treated as a special occasion, after all you are about to choose the most perfect, beautiful dress you will ever own.  Purchasing wedding dresses online can take away all that magic and possibly leave you disappointed.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Having a flower girl at your wedding ceremony is one sure fire way of getting lots of adoring ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’!  Traditionally a flower girl is a young girl aged between 4 and 7 years who will walk in front of you down the aisle strewing flower petals in her wake.  Having a pretty flower girl in your ceremony is such a charming touch for a wedding especially when you put them in adorable flower girl dresses.

The traditional flower girl is in a dress which mimics that of the bride.  Flower girls and page boys were often dressed as mini brides and grooms themselves, to add a cute touch to the proceedings.  These days flower girl dresses are still widely available in the traditional white and ivory, but many designers are introducing other designs and colors too to give brides greater choice.

When it comes to who pays for the flower girl’s outfit it is traditional for the bride to pay for the entire outfit, however in modern times it often falls to the girl’s parents to foot the bill.  Do bear in mind though that it is not just the cost of the dress, but also shoes, and other accessories such as bolero jackets, hair accessories and of course a basket for the flower petals or other floral arrangement.

Flower girls don’t have to throw rose petals if you don’t want them to. Historically, the bride and her attendants would walk to the ceremony venue with a young girl walking ahead strewing flowers behind her, hence the name ‘flower girl‘.  Other arrangements such as posies and pomanders are also popular choices for them at the wedding.  It may also be a nice idea to have their flowers made from silk so they can keep them as a keepsake of the day.

You don’t have to have one flower girl either.  Several flower girls are a particular feature of royal weddings, although this may be a little extreme for the average wedding!  When it comes to choosing dresses you can choose from dresses which coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses or with the wedding colors, or choose a traditional style of dress.  Many flower girl dresses are simple satin dresses perhaps with frilly tulle skirts, creating a truly princess look.  For something more formal and traditional an all silk dress trimmed with heirloom lace would be a perfect option.  You could also look at all white dresses which can be coordinated with colored sashes to match the wedding colors.

You could also be creative with the accessories such as little lace gloves, silk ballet slippers, mini tiaras or crowns and I have even seen darling angel wings added to flower girls outfits.

You can choose the dress yourself, particularly if you are paying for it, or choose in conjunction with the girl’s parents and the flower girl herself so that the final choice is something that pleases everyone – especially the wearer, a stroppy flower girl who refuses to get dressed on the wedding morning is not what anyone wants!

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to choosing your wedding dress, finding the right style for you body shape is only half the battle.  If you have read my article on wedding dress styles – a guide to styles of wedding dress, then you should already have some idea about your body shape and the wedding dress style you should be looking for.

Choosing the right shape is only part of the story because your wedding dress has to fit perfectly and be able to flatter you at every angle.  Even the best photographer in the land will not be able to capture your ‘best side’ on every occasion, so be sure to check out any style of wedding dress from all sides and angles in a full length, 3 sided mirror.

There are also other body issues which you will need to take into consideration when making your style choice.  These may sound trivial but they do make a big difference to the look and feel of your dress and your own confidence.  Look out for unsightly fat bulges, particularly hanging over the backline of your dress; avoid excessive cleavage; too many moles or freckles and consider any birthmarks; also think about sleeves, tight sleeves can squeeze your arms and make them look flabby.

After looking at the basic body shapes, there are some other body related issues than you may need to consider when choosing your wedding dress style:

If you are plus sized, then think less is more!  If you want to wear a dress decorated with beads and crystals, make sure they are subtle and go for the flat versions rather than larger rounded ones.  You should also avoid any dresses which are tight fitting or clingy.

If you are petite then make sure your choice of dress does not overwhelm your tiny frame.  For those women who are under 5′ 4″ it is best to avoid any big ballgown style dresses with big puffy skirts.  Instead go for a style which is slim, simple in its design and form fitting to make you look taller.

If you are tall you may notice a problem with the traditional waistlines on many wedding dress styles.  The waistlines on many common dress styles can appear be too high on a tall woman, so over come this by choosing empire or princess waist dresses.

If you have a large bust keep your bodice simple, free from decorations such as crystals, sequins and beads and make sure you choose a design which will give you good coverage.

If you have a small bust, then do the opposite of the above and choose a bodice with sequins, crystals and beads.  Square necklines and thin straps are also very flattering for a small bust.

If your arms are on the big side avoid dresses with thin straps or capped sleeves which will only accentuate your arms.  Instead choose three quarter or long sleeves for the most flattering look.

Finally, if you have a tattoo you may want to think about how it will look on your wedding photographs.  It may look fabulous peeking out under a strappy top or hipster jeans on a normal day, but it could become a major distraction on your wedding day and the focus of everyone’s attention.  If you cannot cover it up with your dress, then look into applying some make-up which will help to hide it from view.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Finding the right accessories to coordinate with your wedding dress can be a bit of minefield.  With both traditional and contemporary options, wedding hair accessories can present you with an overwhelming choice.  And whilst I cannot tell you which you should choose, I can at least give an idea of your options!

Tiaras are possibly the best known of all wedding hair accessories and are probably the one which will never go out of fashion.  Usually they are worn high on the head and can range from simple designs to more opulent versions fit for royalty.  You will come across handcrafted designs made with crystals, glass beads and pearls and mass manufactured versions with rhinestones and pearls.  They can be worn with just about style of hair, be it up or down, but they can also be the most expensive option.

Hair jewelry consists of small pins and grips decorated with beads and crystals.  They look beautiful pushed into an updo hair style and can be used in conjunction with a tiara or elaborate comb.

Headbands can be simple alice bands or more elaborate wrap styles encrusted with beads and crystals.  They lie flat on the head and extend over the top from ear to ear.

Combs are quite versatile in how they can be worn.  Depending on your hair style they can be worn to the side or on the back of the head.  You can also find designs which can be pushed in at the front of the head in a similar way to which a tiara is worn.

Crowns or mini crowns were once very popular, mainly down to celebrity brides such as Victoria Beckham wearing one as opposed to a traditional tiara.  Their popularity has waned slightly in recent years but they are style an option to consider.  Generally they are made from wire and encrusted with beads and crystals.

Picture hats and pill box hats are the epitomy of 70’s brides and the 1940’s in that order.  Hats have become a chic trend of late and are perfect for a casual wedding in a sunny garden or on a beach.

Flowers in the form of fresh flowers or silk ones are popular with brides looking for a natural look.  A single large flower placed behind the ear is very romantic, whilst tiny flower heads tucked into the back of a formal updo looks very chic and bridal!

If you are wearing a wedding veil then you will need to look at accessories which will hide the attachment of the veil.  Tiara’s and combs are the best option for brides who want a veil, but talk with your hair stylist first about your options, depending on how you want to wear your veil and its size.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding flowers will form an integral part of your wedding day, but they can also be one of the most expensive.  But sourcing cheap wedding flowers is not difficult, and if you apply a little creativity to your arrangements you can have beautiful flowers without the hefty price tag.

Traditionally, you would trot down to your local florists and work with them to design and order all your wedding flowers.  This will include everything for the ceremony, the bouquets, buttonholes, reception arrangements and table centerpieces.  A good florist will be able to advise you on the best flowers to suit your budget as well as ones which will coordinate best with your wedding scheme.

For cheap flowers think seasonal.  Ordering exotic or out of season flowers will be inherently more expensive than those which are blooming at the time of your wedding.  Sourcing them from local suppliers and growers will also be cheaper, as imported flowers can cost you more, particularly if the florist has to specially order them.

If you really want cheap flowers and are having a large wedding, then buy where the florists buy and visit a wholesale flower market.  You may have to arise early to get the best of the crop, but it will be well worth it in terms of your budget.  You can then supply these to a florist to make the arrangements for you or do them yourself.

Doing your own wedding flowers will obviously save you money.  If you are not good at flower arranging or have never done it before, then purchase a good book to help you.  Just be careful not to purchase your flowers too soon or they may well have wilted and died by the time the wedding day arrives.  No more than two days before should be fine.  Also think about how you will transport your arrangements to your venues.  Large displays can be tricky to delivery in one piece, so you may want to arrange to make them in situ with your venues.

If you visit local growers then ask about a discount for buying in bulk.  After all you won’t be buying a single bouquet, but a wealth of flowers for your entire wedding needs.  Another good source for cheap flowers can be supermarkets.  You maybe restricted to certain varieties however, most will stock the most popular flowers such as roses, stocks, carnations and babies breath.  Beware though as some supermarket flowers are not as good quality as those from a florist and may not last as long.

Finally, work with a florist to come up with a flower package which suits your budget.  You can ask them to make the more intricate arrangements such as bouquets and buttonholes.  Ask them to make larger arrangements for the venues by using only a few flowers and padding the rest out with foliage which will be cheaper.  Making your own table centers, pew ends and small arrangements is easy and adds a unique personal touch to your wedding décor.

By Georgina Clatworthy

It may seem unthinkable – brides in black wedding dresses; but apparently many brides are choosing black over the traditional white, ivory and champagne color choices.  It seems the LBD is no longer just for evenings out and parties!

In a bid to cut costs many brides are choosing wedding dresses which they can wear again.  A white floor length dress will always be associated with a wedding, whereas a black wedding dress could be worn for another formal occasion or special function without anyone knowing the difference! 

Historically, white was the color associated with death and mourning, until Queen Victoria chose to marry in a white dress.  From then on white was the color for weddings and black the color for mourning.  In modern times black is still associated with funerals, but it is also the staple color for formal and occasion wear.

For many brides a black wedding dress would be unconceivable, unless they wanted to appear as a gothic bride that is.  So if full black is not your cup of tea, what other options are open to you?

Well many designers will offer embroidery on some of their designs and in most cases you will have a color choice available.  Black embroidery on a white dress looks very formal and sophisticated.  You may also be able to change the color of inset panels on the bodice, skirt or train, along with bodice lacing if the style features it.

Consider having a black sash and accessorize with black crystal jewelry and a black tiara.  This can look very stylish and chic on a white tulle gown.  You can also coordinate black to other colors aside from white or ivory.  Champagne, cream or latte will all look amazing accessorized with a black sash, black embroidery and even full length black gloves.

For those who like the idea of an all black wedding dress, you don’t need to worry about looking like the bride of Frankenstein on the day!  White can actually be an unflattering color for many, whilst black is instantly slimming and there is no color more dramatic!  Stick to something feminine such as strapless ballgown, with a sweetheart neckline and full tulle skirt and accessorize with clear crystal jewelry for added sparkle.

Don’t dress your attendants in black though.  The effect on your wedding photographs will be one of a funeral party than a wedding party.  Instead dress them in white, ivory or cream with black sashes and accessories.  You will stand out in your dramatic black gown, whilst they will provide the perfect touch of color to lighten the picture.  Of course if you are really bold you could choose a different color for their dresses such as lipstick pink or aqua blue – but that maybe one for the very brave!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Every bride wants her wedding to be unique, and for the most part many will achieve it, planning a wedding which is full of personal touches and unique wedding ideas.  But for every wedding that is unique there needs to be plenty of inspiration to help create the ideas and bring them into reality.

There are many different ways in which you can incorporate ideas to make your wedding unique.  However, you need to keep some perspective on what you can achieve within your budget and those wedding plans you have already put in place.  You may spy something absolutely fabulous in a magazine, but don’t waste time on it if it is just too unrealistic for you to pull off.

With any ideas that you apply to your wedding, be they unique, personal or something else, you need to make sure they fall in line with the style of your wedding and your theme if you are having one.  Here are 10 ideas which could make your wedding day unique:

1. Transportation – wedding transport is something that makes up such a small part of your overall day, but it is a part which can leave a lasting impression on your guests.  For a traditional church wedding, chances are your guests will all be seated by the time you arrive so save your money and spend a little more on some unique transport for when you leave as husband and wife – for instance, arrive by personal car and leave by horse and carriage.  Getting married by a lake? Then arrive by boat!
2. Location – there are some many places these days which are available to couples for their wedding.  Look for unusual venues such as wildlife parks, zoos, and sports venues.  Some venues will allow you to hold both your ceremony and reception in the one place, but if you are having separate locations then try to choose a reception venue that will have your guests saying ‘wow’ from the minute they enter.
3. Personalize it – you don’t have to write your names across everything for it to be personal to you, instead think about how your choices say something about your own style, personalities and tastes.  A wedding should be all about the couple getting married and every element should say something about them.  For instance, if you are into nature then choose parks, gardens or woodland for your venues, give eco-friendly wedding favors and serve your guests rustic dishes rather than haute cuisine.
4. Get creative – one sure fire way to make your wedding unique is to create as many different elements as you can yourself.  From your invitations and stationery, to the favors, wedding cake and decorations.  Nothing will be more unique.
5. Flout tradition – many people have pre-conceived ideas about how a wedding should or will be.  This is usually because most weddings will run according to tradition, customs and wedding etiquette.  But you don’t have to follow any of these and instead break the rules and do it your way!  Send the invitations from the dog! Make your own speech, don’t just leave it to the guys and ask if anyone else wants to say a few words.  Have a selection of pretty desserts instead of wedding cake and serve your favorite drink instead of Champagne for the toasts, even if it is coffee!