By Georgina Clatworthy

Chances are you will be wearing them for most of the day so when it comes to finding your bridal wedding shoes is makes sense to choose a pair you will never want to take off!  Check out these ten tips on choosing the perfect bridal shoes which will not only compliment your wedding dress but your feet as well!

1. As soon as you have chosen your dress begin looking for your bridal wedding shoes, especially if you want them custom made.  Aim to have your shoes by the time your first dress fitting is due.
2. Don’t scrimp on price when it comes to choosing your shoes.  Because you will be wearing them for most of the day you need a pair which is comfortable and   quality shoes will always provide the best in terms of comfort.
3. Choose your shoes to match the style of your wedding dress.  For instance with big skirted 50’s style gowns being popular at the moment you need to choose 50’s style peeptoes or slingbacks to compliment.
4. Don’t forget to consider the color of your dress when choosing bridal shoes.  Although ivory is the most popular color for both dresses and shoes, if your dress is in another shade then you will need to match your shoe color too.  As an alternative you could go for shoes or sandals in silver or gold which will compliment any shade.
5. Just as you did with your wedding dress, when looking for your shoes try on as many pairs as possible till you find a pair which are perfect both in terms of style and comfort.
6. Always choose a pair of well made bridal shoes which should feel comfortable and support your foot, no matter how high or strappy they maybe.
7. Always ask lots of questions to help you make the right choice and ensure you spend your money wisely.  Find out where they were made and who by, what fabrics have been used and if they could be dyed another color later on.
8. If you having your shoes custom made expect to be asked plenty of questions by the designer too.  They will want to know all about your dress including fabrics, colors and embellishments and also they will want to know about your wedding style and the look you want.
9. Consider choosing a classic style of shoe which you could wear again for another occasion.
10. If you really have a love of shoes you may find it difficult to choose just one pair.  It has in fact become a big trend to purchase two pairs of bridal shoes – 1 pair for the ceremony and reception and another pair which are more comfortable for dancing in later on.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Bridal wedding veils are one of the most traditional and popular accessories for your wedding, but with so many styles to choose from how do you know which is the right one for you?  Here is our quick guide to veils to help you find out:

Short Veils:

• Fascinator: this is simply a small piece of veiling which is attached to a variety of different hair accessories like hairbands and combs.  Often they are worn at an angle with the veiling partially covering the face.  They are perfect for fashionista brides looking for something contemporary.
• Bouffant: reminiscent of the sixties and seventies, the bouffant bridal veil is a full style which skims the shoulders and consists of several layers.  Although it can suit all styles it does not work so well with traditional wedding dresses.
• Blusher: one of the more popular choices for bridal wedding veils, the blusher veil can be found in various lengths but is distinguished by the shoulder length layer which covers the face.  This is best suited to traditional dress styles and formal weddings.

Mid-Length Veils:

• Elbow: this style of veil suits most dress shapes and styles and is particularly good for drawing the eye to any detail at your waist.  It looks perfect with tea length dresses and is the best choice if you are petite.
• Fingertip: fingertip veils should reach your fingertips when your arms are straight by your sides.  It is a good choice if you want a romantic style of bridal veil but without the hassle of lots of trailing fabric behind you.  It is also a good choice if you are very tall.
• Waltz or Ballerina: this design is usually found in lengths which fall between the knees and ankles.  Avoid teaming it with dresses which have a shorter skirt length so you don’t look out of proportion.  Apart from this it works well with any dress shape especially body skimming dresses.

Long Veils:

• Chapel: this style is best when worn with a long dress or one with long sleeves.  Chapel veils are romantic in style and skim the floor so they are particularly suited to formal weddings.  If your wedding dress features a small train, ensure the veil extends beyond it.
• Cathedral: if you want something dramatic then this ultra long veil is a good choice.  It should extend about 4ft beyond your dress and is the most formal option so perfect for a traditional wedding.
• Mantilla: this veil is Spanish in origin and features stunning lace edging or can be made entirely from lace.  It is ultra romantic and complimentary to dresses with lots of detail.  It does tend to be more opaque than other types of veil and although found in various lengths it is best worn long for lots of drama and impact.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Choosing the members of the bridal party can be a real headache.  You have no end of family members and friends all vying to stand beside you on the big day, but do you really know the bridal party etiquette when it comes to choosing your bridesmaids and what do their duties involve?

To begin with you need to consider who’s who.  Traditionally bridal party etiquette dictates that the party will consist of the bride, the chief bridesmaid or maid of honor, the bridesmaids and flower girls.  The role of maid of honor is usually filled by your sister or best friend and of all the attendants she will be the one with the most responsibility.

Next you will need to think about how many people will be in your bridal party.  Generally etiquette dictates that the bigger the wedding the more attendants you will have, but your budget will also play a big role in dictating how many people you invite into the bridal party.  Do think carefully about how many people you want around on the day and whether or not you will pay for all their outfits and accessories.

Choosing bridesmaids dresses can be a stressful experience.  You will probably need to work with women who have different body shapes, different tastes and different ideas about what will suit them.  There are no quick answers here, you either insist they dress all the same or you let them pick their own outfits.  What is important is that everyone is happy and comfortable with the final choices.

The chief bridesmaid will be your support throughout the wedding planning and on the day itself.  This could mean dropping everything when it all gets too much for you to sitting up all night making up the wedding favors!  They will also be responsible for organizing your bachelorette party and maybe the bridal shower as well, if you want to retain some kind of control on these pre-wedding events then make sure she knows what you want first!

On the day itself you will rely on your bridesmaids to keep your nerves in check, ensure you are looking your radiant best and to be on hand should an emergency arise.  That said they do not have to be permanently glued to your side all day and night, so it can be a good idea to make sure they know of their responsibilities on the day and that they are happy with the duties you expect them to perform.

Finally, don’t forget to acknowledge all the help and support your bridal party has given you.  Give everyone a small gift as a gesture of your appreciation for all that they have done and make sure you thank them face-to-face.  You can do this on the day itself or at the rehearsal dinner where the atmosphere is a little more personal.

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to choosing the right style of wedding dress for your body shape there are many considerations to take into account.  Your choice of wedding dress doesn’t only have to fit well, but it also needs to flatter you from every perceivable angle.  Many brides forget that even the best photographer in town will not be able to snap your ‘best side’ every time, so you need to make sure your choice of dress looks fabulous from the front, back and sides by checking in a three sided mirror.  When it comes to plus sized bridal and other figure issues, you will need to carry out some careful research into dress styles and what is appropriate to your figure.

Whilst it may sound a little vain to check yourself out at every angle, doing so will instantly show you any other figure issues which you may not have previously considered.  Look out for unsightly bulges or overhangs at the back of your dress, be careful of showing off too much cleavage, sleeves which are too tight and an abundance of moles, freckles and spots, especially on your back.  These are general considerations that every bride should consider, but others may have more specific issues as discussed below:

Plus Sized Bridal: many designers are now offering larger sizes on most of their bridal designs for plus sized brides.  But there are some style considerations when it comes to larger brides.  Avoid anything which is heavily embellished with beads or crystals, instead adopt a less is more approach and choose embellishments with a more subdued look and which are flat, not round.  If you are plus sized you should also avoid anything which is very fitted or clingy.

Petite Brides: the problem for shorter brides is wedding dresses which overwhelm them.  If you are shorter than 5’ 4” then avoid any dresses with large skirts, instead choose bridal dresses which are slimming, simple and form fitting to make you appear taller.

Tall Brides: tall brides often find that many dress styles can appear too high on the waist.  Instead choose dresses which are empire or princess cut because these cuts are usually much higher on the body.

Large Bust Size: choose simple tops which give plenty of coverage for your cleavage and which are not over decorated with beads and sequins, which can enhance a larger sized bust.

Small Bust Size: brides with a small bust need to add some weight to their top half.  Beads and sequins, square necklines or spaghetti straps will flatter smaller sized busts.

Big Arms: many brides hate the look of their arms and feel they are too big or flabby.  A strapless dress or one with capped sleeves is best avoided; instead choose a style with three-quarter sleeves to flatter you.

By Georgina Clatworthy

There are many bridal wedding accessories which you could be considering for your special day.  Whilst some are essential, others are less important so it is a good idea to make a list of those essential accessories before you go shopping.  When it comes to bridal accessories, I am talking about essential items that a bride should have on her or available to her on the day.  Here is a quick guide to choosing bridal wedding accessories for your wedding day:

Bridal handbag – as you read on it will become apparent why you need to have a bridal handbag amongst your accessories.  It needn’t be very large, but it should coordinate with your wedding dress.  You also do not have to carry it everywhere you go, entrust it to your mom during the ceremony and claim it back whenever you need it.

Emergency kit – ok so this is the stuff you need to have in your handbag:

• Plasters or blister patches in case your shoes rub
• Paracetamol or other pain killers – the stress of the day can easily bring on a headache
• Nail file, nail polish, remover wipes, clippers
• Lipstick, other make-up items
• Small tin of hairspray, hair pins/clips/grips, fold up brush or comb
• Indigestion tablets, hankies/tissues, smelling salts
• Small sewing kit
• Bottle of water

Second pair of shoes – it has become a popular trend to purchase two pairs of shoes for your wedding.  The first: a rather dressier pair for the ceremony and daytime reception.  The second: choose something more comfortable and easy to dance in for the evening party.

Wrap or stole – if your wedding is outdoors or you are likely to be spending time outdoors during the day and evening then having a wrap or stole available for when it gets cooler can be a good idea.  Of course much depends upon the time of year of your wedding and if the temperature drops a lot at night.

Something old, something new etc – this is an old tradition dating back to Victorian times but is still followed today.  Many brides become quite superstitious about their wedding, even if they are not normally occupied by such things, so it is worth giving this one some thought.  Relatives may also want to be involved with this one, passing on pieces of jewelry, hair accessories etc.

Copy of your planning notes – this is quite important as it could be a lifesaver on the day! Have a copy of your notes with regards to things like timings, a copy of the guest list, contact details for vendors, suppliers etc in case someone doesn’t show, notes about dietary requirements for any of your guests and copies of invoices/quotes if paying any bills on the day.  You could probably copy the important information down into a small notebook which you could keep in your handbag, otherwise entrust it to someone else for safe keeping or ask the venue to hold it for you.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Every bride wants to look her radiant best and achieving this does not just mean buying a pretty frock to glide down the aisle in!  Hair and make-up all play a vital role in achieving that bridal look, but for many brides there comes a dilemma in knowing how far they should take their wedding day beauty.  Here are some bridal beauty tips to help you determine the best look for you.

Traditional bridal look:

The traditional look usually entails a formal up-do, perhaps with a tiara and veil combination.  The make-up is often a combination of peach and rose pinks which is quite subtle and gives that all important radiant look so traditionally associated with brides.

The natural look:

When is a natural look not a natural look? When it’s the natural look! Of course most brides do not really want the same look on their wedding day as they have every day when they step out for work – unless they have a particularly glamorous job that is!  A few years ago the natural look of appearing devoid of make-up was highly fashionable but doesn’t really seem to work for brides, unless you are stunningly beautiful already of course.

There is a school of thought though that whilst make-up and hairstyles should be different for your wedding day, top tips say they should not be too far from your natural style and look.  If you have short hair then your options could be limited anyway and if you do not wear much make-up usually, applying lots for your bridal look could produce the dreaded clown effect!  The natural look works by achieving the balance between accentuating your best features without being over the top.

All out glamour:

There is a temptation to go for broke on your wedding day and imitate some fabulous glossy mag photo shoot or maybe copy the red carpet look of your favorite actress.  This style should be considered in conjunction with the natural look, because if you don’t glam up normally or on a regular basis the look may not work for you.  We have all gazed in horror and with some smug satisfaction at pictures of glamorous celebrities looking disheveled and decidedly unglamorous without their make-up and perfectly groomed hair.  But the same can work in reverse if your usual style is at the opposite end of the beauty scale.

Of course, I could be doing many of you an injustice by slamming the glamour look and it could work beautifully for many of you.  My bridal beauty tips would be to err on the side of caution though and instead if you want something more glam than the natural look, try to find a balance between the two which gives you glamour but without being over the top.

Arm yourself with a good stylist for your hair and make-up and have at least one trial run for both.  If you are undecided on the perfect look for you then arrange more trials to try something else.  At the end of the day your stylist should be able to give you tips on the best look to go for based on your skin and hair color, your wedding dress and accessories and your wedding style.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Aside from your wedding dress, your choice of wedding bridal jewelry will be key to completing your look for your wedding day.  However, many brides can find this an impossible task given the many different styles of jewelry available on the market today.  Here is a quick guide on how to choose the right bridal jewelry to compliment you and your wedding:

Style Factor: Pearls are traditional, as well as silver or gold crosses.  However, neither or these may match your wedding style and the style of your dress.  If you are having a civil wedding ceremony then a cross may not be appropriate, whilst pearls can seem old fashioned in a thoroughly modern wedding style.

How Many Pieces: necklaces, chokers, pendants, earrings, bracelets, brooches – all are available as wedding bridal jewelry, so do you wear one or two pieces, go for a matching set or look for complimenting pieces?  There is a case for less is more, but again much can depend upon the style of your dress.  If your wedding dress has a heavily embroidered, bead encrusted bodice then stick with earrings to complement and perhaps a bracelet and let your dress do the talking.  If your dress is very plain and simple then a matching set may set it off perfectly.

Something Borrowed, Something New: Many brides like to wear heirloom pieces handed down through their family or that of their groom’s.  Difficulty arises though when these pieces simply do not go with your wedding dress or is just not your style!  One way around this it to have them reworked into something which does work for you, for instance, brooches can be incorporated into your bouquet or attached to your bridal handbag; or ask if you could have the jewelry reworked with other components by a jeweler to turn into something which works for you.  Jewelers can be very clever and creative and can turn something into something without actually harming the original piece.

Colors and Components: choose jewelry pieces which compliment the color of your dress or which coordinate with it or your wedding colors.  If you choose to wear pearls then try to match the colors with your dress otherwise they could look awkward.  Be careful of ‘statement’ pieces, too many and you could end up looking a pageant queen rather than an elegant bride!  Choose one statement piece such as a necklace or chandelier earrings and stick to that one piece (you could add small stud earrings with a statement necklace).

Finally, there is a school of thought that when it comes to bridal jewelry you should stick to your usual style.  So if you normally wear a simple silver chain and pendant, wear the same or similar on the day.  Personally, I think your wedding is an opportunity to experiment a little and try something different, but make sure it works when your outfit is completely assembled – it may have looked good in the shop with your everyday clothes, but looks totally hideous when set against your wedding dress!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Veils were once a stalwart of any wedding, but they have recently something of a decline in favor with many brides.  Last year saw the return of the wedding bridal veil as many high profile celebrity brides chose to wear one.  But is a veil the right choice for you on your wedding day?

Traditionally a wedding bridal veil was a symbol of submissiveness by the bride and a promise to obey her new husband.  Once the ceremony was complete the groom would lift the veil to see his new wife for the first time.  This tradition may seem outdated by modern standards but wedding veils still remain as a part of any bride’s wedding ensemble.

Modern veils are made from sheer and soft fabrics such as tulle and nylon netting.  They also come in a range of shapes, sizes and lengths to suit different styles and different designs of wedding dress.  Brides will also find veils embellished with lace, pearls, diamonte and embroidery.

Whether or not to wear a bridal veil can present something of a dilemma to many brides.  Those having a very traditional wedding may feel they are a necessary part of their wedding outfit, whilst others may feel they are too fussy and over the top for the style of wedding they want.  If you do decide to have a veil here are a few tips to consider before choosing one:

• The style and shape of your wedding dress – short veils look chic with short dresses and slim fitting gowns, whilst long cathedral veils look wonderful with full skirted gowns with long trains.
• The style of your wedding hair
• Your choice of headdress
• The venue for your wedding ceremony – a long veil on a breezy beach maybe difficult to cope with.

When choosing a veil you will find you have a choice of colors, ranging from traditional white, ivory and cream, to champagne and vibrant colored veils to match colored dresses.  Try to choose a color which is a close match to your wedding dress or the two will look awkward together.  The embellishment of the veil should also coordinate with your dress, so if your dress has pearl embroidery then choose a veil with pearl details around the edge.

When you have chosen your wedding dress or even when you visit a bridal salon to try some one, ask if you can try on veils and headdresses too.  This will help you to decide on whether or not a veil will suit you firstly, and if you feel it compliments your wedding outfit.  Most bridal stores will carry a range of different styles of veil so you can try on different designs to see which suits you best, however you may want to think about how you want to style you hair before you make a firm decision.

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.