By Georgina Clatworthy

A bridal shower is one of those fun pre-wedding parties thrown for the bride by her family and friends.  The origins of bridal shower gifts date back to a time when a dowry was customary for any bride to bring into a marriage – a dowry by the way would be items gifted to the bride by her parents and which would be useful in her new home – the first bridal showers were thrown for those brides whose parents could not afford to give a dowry or who disapproved of the marriage and refused to give one.

The concept has stuck and these days it more common to have a bridal shower than it is not to have one!  The term bridal shower comes from a Victorian tradition for placing small gifts inside an umbrella or parasol, which once opened would literally ’shower’ the bride with gifts!  Etiquette used to dictate that the bridal shower would be organized by a close friend and not a relative as this was considered rude and improper.  But in modern times it is has become more acceptable for a family member to organize the shower.

So when it comes to choosing appropriate gifts for a bridal shower, what should you be giving?  Well if you follow the tradition behind the bridal shower, then you should consider giving the bride something which will be useful to her in her new home.  Here are a few ideas:

Bed linens and sheet sets are always useful and these are not always something that appears on the wedding gift registry, so there is no danger of the couple being inundated with them!  Try to pick something timeless and classic which can be used no matter what the décor is in their bedroom.

Towels and bathroom accessories are another item which may or may not appear on the gift registry.  Toweling bales are popular for wedding gifts, especially the luxury varieties, but have a look for pretty guest towels and useful bathroom accessories that will coordinate to any style.

Cookery books area great option, whether the bride-to-be can cook or not!  Pick a book with a varied choice of recipes inside or if you know they like a particular kind of food, choose a recipe book along those lines.  Put a note inside telling her you will only try each recipe once!

Household linens such as cushions, table cloths, place mats and even tea towels are all things that don’t make it on to the wedding gift list and yet they are essential household items.  Again pick designs which are timeless and which can be used in any setting.

Bridal shower gifts don’t need to be expensive, but make them useful and something that the bride will need for her new home.  Even if the couple already live together, it is always nice to receive new items for the home which are stylish but practical at the same time!

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

Hiring a bridal beauty professional to do your hair and make-up on the morning of the wedding can mean you can relax and enjoy being pampered before the day’s events get underway.  However, it is important that you pick the right professional for you to ensure you get the perfect wedding look you desire.

Having spent the last few months planning the party of the century and spending hours in the gym toning, trimming and avoiding chocolate at all costs, you will need to be sure you are entrusting your bridal beauty to the right person.  So here are a few tips on how to find the perfect professional for perfect bridal beauty!

Finding someone who is good and reputable is often only possible through word of mouth, so ask around.  Get recommendations from family and friends and in particular anyone who has recently got married.  Bridal fairs are another good place to meet beauty professionals and to find out what they can offer.  Wedding shows and bridal fairs will often feature many different professionals under one roof so you will have plenty to choose from.

As with many of your other wedding professionals it is a good idea to find and book a beauty professional as soon as possible to avoid disappointment – the best will always be booked up early and for many months in advance.  Don’t be too hasty though, make sure you have a lengthy consultation with them first to discover what they advise for you and if you are comfortable with them.  If not move on to the next one, otherwise ask for the booking contract and sign on the dotted line!

Having a trial run before the big day is always advisable and you should aim to have one around 6 – 8 weeks before the wedding.  Try to take along any accessories with you such as your headdress, veil, combs etc and a picture of your wedding dress.  Also raid magazines for pictures of styles and looks that you like so you can show them to the stylist.  If you are not sure about what will suit you then ask before the stylist begins.  A good stylist will be able to give you advice about what will suit your skin tone, face shape and how to enhance your best assets.

Don’t be afraid to let the stylist experiment with different looks and always try to give an honest opinion, if you don’t like it say so.  It is also a good idea to arrange trial for your bridesmaids, which you could organize as part of your bachelorette party or bridal shower, to make sure that they will be happy with the way they will look on the day too.  Planning ahead like this is the best way to avoid any catastrophes on the wedding day!

If you are on a strict budget it is still advisable to find the best professional you can afford and finding one who can do both hair and make-up is the most cost effective solution.  Another top tip is to confirm their charges before the wedding day to avoid any embarrassing disagreements later on.

By Georgina Clatworthy

I cannot possibly give you definitive bridal hair styles and tell you which one you should have – there are just too many factors to consider! But I can give you some guidelines and tips that should lead you to that perfect hair-do.

Choosing a hair style be it bridal or everyday requires careful consideration of your appearance, your face shape and your style.  When it comes to bridal hair your options are far ranging, from loose styles to fabulous up-do’s and combinations in between, but it is choosing the right look for your wedding style, your face and your wedding dress that will make it a success.

When it comes to choosing your hair style you need to think about what would suit you best.  The best advice is to not stray too far from your everyday style, but weddings can bring out the style diva in us and we want to go for something different, something that we will probably never have again and that creates a dilemma!

Firstly you need to find a good stylist.  If you don’t have a regular stylist whom you trust implicitly with your wedding hair, then you will need to find one.  Start as early as you can as it is important to build a relationship with them and build that trust.  Get recommendations from family and friends and visit as many salons as you can.  When you make a visit to a salon, ask to see a portfolio of styles including evening and bridal ones so you can judge the quality of their work. If the styles all look very similar to each other you may want to go elsewhere, unless that is a style you like of course!  Some salons do not get much by way of bridal work and so have very few styles in their repertoire, however if you are not after a formal style then they may be the right choice.

A good tip is to collect together pictures of bridal hair styles you like.  Look through bridal and hair magazines and take out pictures of different styles – up-do’s, down-do’s, half up half down-do’s! You may need to narrow your selection down depending on how many you may have picked.  Consider each style on its merits, will it suit your face shape, will it suit your wedding outfit and will it suit your wedding style?

Take as many of these pictures as you want with you to the salon and get the stylists advice.  A good stylist will quickly take out those styles that won’t suit you, those that wouldn’t suit your wedding style or would be impractical and leave you with those that you should consider.

All that remains then is to have a trial run (or three) to find the right style for you.  You may have bought your hair accessories already so take them along with, but if you haven’t then ask for some advice on what to choose – tiara, hair jewels, flowers, combs etc.  You should also make the stylist aware if you are having a veil and the style of that veil.  When you go for your trial appointment take your hair accessories and veil with you so you can see how they all look together.  It would be a disaster on the wedding day to get your hair styled and veil and accessories in place only to find the whole look is awful!

 By Georgina Clatworthy

A bridal shower is traditionally a party held for the bride and organized by her maid of honor and bridesmaids.  They are usually an opportunity to give the bride some gifts which will be of use to her in her new home or to help her assemble her trousseau.

The bridal shower can form just one of the many pre-wedding parties and are seen as a chance for all the female members of the wedding party along with other friends and family to get together. 

Although it is traditional for the maid of honor to organize and perhaps host the shower, in these times it really doesn’t matter who organizes or hosts it, as long as the shower is organized well in advance of the wedding day and in consultation with the bride herself. 

When it comes to where to hold your bridal shower you have a range of options.  It is usual to hold it at home, although this doesn’t have to be the bride’s home or the maid of honor’s, if you are inviting a lot of people then choose to hold it at the biggest house available!  Themed showers are becoming very popular, along with dinners in restaurants or intimate lunches. 

In terms of when to hold the bridal shower, it is a good idea to plan to hold it around four to six weeks before the wedding day.  It used to be tradition to keep the shower a surprise from the bride, however this is no longer the case, mainly because the bride will no doubt be working so it will be vital to include her in the planning and in particular in setting the date and time.

A popular trend these days is to hold a couples shower in which both the bride and groom are involved.  These have also become known as Jack and Jill parties.  If you organize a couple’s shower then consider how big a venue you will need as you will have twice the number of guests than for a traditional bridal shower!

Don’t confuse a bridal shower with a hen or bachelorette party.  Although they can take on pretty much the same format, the latter is often an event reserved for ’sending the bride off’ before her wedding day as she bids goodbye to singledom and enters marital bliss! 

The best bridal showers tend to be small intimate gatherings where close family and friends are invited.  Be careful though, don’t invite anyone whom you haven’t invited to the wedding!  The number of guests will also have an impact on any games you intend to play at the party, which are a fun part of the shower.  As a guide aim to invite around 10 to 25 people.

There is a good trade in bridal shower invitations these days, although these can cost as much as the wedding invitations!  There is no formal requirement to send out formal invitations, simple invites designed at home on the computer are perfectly acceptable!  If you are planning a themed shower then make sure you include details on the invitations, especially if you want guests to come in fancy dress or some other attire.  Themed showers are great fun to plan and host and should be used to determine the decorations, games and even the food and drink! 

Finally, you should consider whether or not to give out bridal shower favors.  Some do, some don’t and they will add additional expense, however, they are a nice touch and great way to say thanks for coming.  You don’t need to buy anything fancy or expensive – chocolates or candies are the usual choice, presented in pretty bags or boxes.

Bridal showers are not compulsory but they are a lot of fun and a great opportunity to give the bride and groom gifts to help them start their married life.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

With the resurgence of the ballgown on the wedding catwalks, fairytale weddings have never been so popular.  So if the princess bride look is your wedding dream then take a look at our showcase of the best gowns available now: 

Hollywood Dreams

Raylia Designs

Demetrios

Alfred Sung

So what makes a wedding dress a Fairytale Wedding Dress?  Typically skirts will be full, very full, the archetypal ballgown.  Usually they are strapless with lace up backs & detailing will include embroidery, crystal beading & jewels.  Skirts will feature layers of tulle, pick-ups, bustles & overlays, with trains no longer than chapel length to add balance to the skirt width & to create a symmetrical silhouette.

Accessorize with opera length gloves, a crystal tiara & full length veil.  You can also add crystal chokers, bracelets & chandelier earrings for the full princess effect!

The typical fairytale gown will be pure white, but ivory, pale pink & even scarlet red are other popular choices.

 By Georgina Clatworthy  

Many wedding themes will center on a certain era or century, for instance a medieval theme or 1920’s art deco. Whilst others may center on the location of the wedding or take fairytales & fantasy as their inspiration.   Having a themed wedding means you have to pay extra special attention to the finer details, after all there is little point in having a theme if your guests cannot tell what it is! 

So having bought your wedding dress which coordinates beautifully with your theme you must then think about how you will style your hair for the big day.  Of course, your hairstyle has to compliment you, but it must also compliment your wedding dress & your wedding theme. 

Here is my pick of some of the best hairstyles for popular wedding themes: 

1920’s/1930’s

 Go for pixie style bobs, waves & glamorous side swept, set styles.

 Medieval Wedding

 For a medieval wedding choose romantic curls in a half-up half-down style with a small crown or tiara.  Alternatively add fresh flowers to braids & loose curls.

Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are so often casual, relaxed affairs so choose a simple hairstyle with loose curls, braids & half-up half-down styles.  Accent your style with fresh flowers, feather & silk flower fascinators & simple combs.

Fairytale Wedding

 Fairytale weddings can call for formal updo’s, romantic curls & ringlets or a combination of both.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

It can be a tempting thought to save some money where your wedding shoes are concerned & not give them as much attention as you have to your wedding dress.  But this would be a big mistake.  If anything what you wear on your feet will be more important than the dress you wear.  Consider that you will be on your feet for most of the day – standing at the altar, dancing, greeting your guests, walking around for your photographs & nothing will ruin your day more than sore, blistered feet!

Your wedding shoes are definitely case to spend more.  Cheap un-elegant shoes peeking out from underneath your beautiful silk wedding gown is certainly not the look you are aiming for, but on the other hand you don’t want to be pictured wincing with pain either!

This is why when it comes to wedding shoes, it is the combination of style & comfort that is most desired.  But finding both will mean spending more money.

The best advice for wedding shoes is to buy two pairs – an ultra stylish pair for the ceremony & a second pair which are more comfortable for dancing in at the evening reception.  The only stipulation is that both pairs of shoes have the same heel height as your dress length will be determined by the heel height of your shoes & if your second pair are too low your dress will drag on the ground & potentially make you trip.

Knowing your options will stand you in good stead when it comes to wedding shoes.  Knowing the difference between a ballet pump & a stiletto will help you make a more informed choice about the best style for you. 

Here is a quick guide to the styles of shoe available to you:

• Dyed shoes are usually brilliant white at first & then dyed to a color of your choice. A good option if your dress is not the standard white or ivory.
• Classic pumps are formal shoes with a closed toe & a heel.
• Sling-backs will have a closed toe with a strap that runs around the back of your heel.
• Peeptoe pumps have an open toe – don’t choose these though if you plan to wear hose, it is a big fashion faux pas!
• Sandals are usually high heeled with an open heel – again no hose!
• Mules can have an open or closed toe & have no back.
• Flats are the most comfortable choice, having no heel or a very low heel. Definitely the best choice with a full skirted gown.
• Slipper shoes are flat & soft with minimal support, again a good choice with a full skirted gown.
• Platform shoes have a thick sole & high heel, although comfortable, they tend to be very high.
• Boots are a great choice for a winter wedding or for a more daring look with a short dress!
• Decorated white sneakers will certainly give you the most comfort.

You also need to consider the length of your wedding dress when shopping for your shoes.  When you purchased your dress you should have been advised to bring along a pair of shoes with the approximate heel height you will choose for the day.  This is so the length of your dress can be accurately measured so that you don’t step on it or trip over.

Choosing shoes with intricate decoration can be a nice touch with a simple dress & they will look lovely peeping out from beneath your skirt.  Alternatively, if your skirt is intricately detailed choose plainer, understated shoes to set it off. 

You will need to be prepared to sacrifice some comfort when it comes to your wedding shoes, but there are a range of comfort solutions on the market to help.  Try buying your shoes a half size bigger & inserting a gel pad in them.  Also ask about having the soles abraded to help avoid slippage & to give you a little more traction.

By Georgina Clatworthy

“There is something about a wedding gown prettier than any other gown in the world.”

- Douglas Jerrod, 1859

Your wedding dress will say a lot about your personal style.  It is a statement about you, your tastes & your personality, so you need to get it right.  Throughout your wedding planning you will make choices about where to get married through to the type of wedding favors you hand out.  All of this decision making will create the backdrop to the two things that your guests will notice the most – you & your wedding dress.

Determining your wedding personality will help you make most of these decisions which can be difficult at the best of times.  For most brides, their wedding persona will be a close match to their everyday persona & their weddings will be likewise.  However, there are those who will seek to reinvent themselves just for their wedding & go for something completely different.  Well, it is your wedding day after all!

So to find your wedding personality read through the four descriptions below to find the one which best suits you:

The Romantic Bride:

The romantic bride has been dreaming of her wedding ever since she was a little girl & she has big fairy-tale sized aspirations.  You want a church filled with flowers or a beautiful garden setting; your dress will be typically feminine & full of pretty details.  Your chosen wedding color will most probably be pink!

The romantic bride can choose to make her wedding as formal & traditional or as laid back & casual as she likes, as long as it is oozing with romance.  Your choice of wedding dress will be traditional with lots of lace & ruffles & will probably have the ‘Cinderella’ look about it with a strapless bodice, long train & veil.

The romantic bride may also choose beautiful tulle dresses with delicate details or maybe lean towards an historical inspired gown from the Renaissance or Edwardian eras.

The Natural Bride:

For the natural bride a relaxed look is key.  The wedding will probably take place outdoors, a beach or parkland setting perhaps.  A natural bride will want to appear comfortable & her wedding dress will probably be simple & pure.

Natural brides will have a tendency to shy away from formal weddings; they make them nervous & instead will opt for a semi-formal affair.  Their wedding dress will be simple, lightweight & with minimal details. Because comfort is paramount they will also put their prospective gown through it’s paces before buying; considering how easy it is to walk, dance, hug & bend in, before placing a deposit!

The Classic Bride:

The classic bride will err on the side of caution; her wedding will be formal or semi-formal, conservative & full of tradition.  For her a wedding dress should be elegant, tasteful & timeless.  Her chosen color will probably be white & the dress will feature a fitted bodice, an a-line skirt with a chapel train & minimal detailing such as a subtle lace trim & some scattered pearls.

She will choose silk or satin over tulle & chiffon & is quite likely to be dusting off her mother’s or grandmothers dress for her big day!

The Drama Queen Bride:

The classic drama queen will see her wedding as a classy affair, probably held in the evening with top class catering in a five star hotel.  Her choice of dress will be contemporary, avant-garde & above all stylish – she has to be noticed!  Her wedding dress would be considered a risk by others but the drama queen has a closet full of risks & they normally pay off.

Because she is more daring than most her wedding dress will most likely be a strapless, backless design.  She will probably look at mermaid or trumpet gowns, with elaborate detailing such as lace, sequins & crystal beading.

By Georgina Clatworthy

For some brides to be the idea of a traditional white wedding dress is somewhat less appealing than it is to others.  Some may choose a traditional styled gown but choose it in a color which is at the opposite end of the scale, for instance scarlet red, forest green or midnight blue.  But for others even that is unappealing & they want to look for an outfit which is unique to them & less bridal.

If you want to consider wearing a non-bridal wedding dress then here are some suggestions as alternatives:

Bridesmaids Dresses: It may sound obvious but bridesmaid’s dresses can provide the ideal alternative to a wedding dress.  In recent years bridesmaids dresses have undergone a style makeover.  Gone are the frilly apricot monstrosities of the 1980’s & in their place are stylish, elegant & beautiful dresses suitable not only for bridesmaid duties but also for any formal function.

My favorites are those by Lazaro & Jim Hjelm.  Their designs combine chic elegance with a hint of sex appeal!  You will also have a good choice of colors with bridesmaid’s dresses & a range of hem options including length.

As well as dresses many designers also have a range of stylish separates to choose from allowing you to create your own outfit according to your personal style.

Evening Wear: Check out the evening wear ranges at your local department store or dress boutique.  Evening wear can provide stylish alternatives to traditional wedding dresses.  Boutiques can offer the chance to buy one off couture gowns as well which won’t cost you as much as their wedding dress counterparts!

Occasion Wear: These are formal dresses for occasions such as daytime functions, day at the races & the type of dress your female guests may wear.  Many high street boutiques will have a line in occasion wear but you do run the risk of wearing the same dress as one of your guests at your own wedding!

Styles will vary from tea length dresses to smart two piece suits & trouser suits.  Occasion wear ranges often offer up a range of separates allowing you to coordinate your own outfit.

Costume Hire: If you are looking for something to coordinate with a wedding theme then costume hire shops could offer you the best solution.  Whilst there are many wedding dresses available in various styles from throughout history, costume shops can offer you truly authentic outfits, right down to the underwear!

Avoid hiring from a fancy dress shop where the quality of the costumes may not be as good as hiring from a costumiers or a business specializing in costumes for stage & theatre.

That said, there are fancy dress costumes available for $200 + which are very well made & could offer a good alternative for those on a budget.  Check out what is available through costume websites & compare prices with those on the high street.