By Georgina Clatworthy

So you think you have found the ‘one’, wedding dress that is, but something is still missing.  You feel that perhaps it could do with more interest, more detail maybe, something extra.  One of the best ways to adapt your wedding dress style and to create an extra dimension to your look is by adding a fabulous neckline, and this is not as hard as it may seem.

This season there is more and more dress styles appearing with fabulous necklines designed to draw the eye upwards.  Ruffles, lace and pleats all feature heavily and range in style from the flamboyant to the more subtle.  Creating interest around the neckline will create a focus on your face, neck and shoulders, rather than from the chest down as is often the case where the detailing begins on the bodice.  It also creates a wonderful frame in your wedding photographer for your beautiful bridal face and perfectly styled hair.

Traditional necklines on any wedding dress style range from none at all in the case of strapless dresses, to high necked, bateau styles.  In between these are halter-necks, plunging necklines with thin or thick straps and sleeved styles.  Interest can be added with lace inserts, beading and embroidery and couture details such as asymmetrical designs featuring trendy fabric origami.

Don’t over look accessories either.  Shrugs, wraps and boleros can all feature amazing necklines and can add instant style to even the plainest of wedding dresses.  What is more is you can remove them later on to completely change your look.  Also look at jewelry such as chokers and bib necklaces which add an ornate and fancy touch to a wedding dress.

Do be careful with how far you take the look.  Sometimes adopting a less is more approach is best and consider your body shape before making a final decision.  Pear shaped and inverted triangle shaped brides should avoid high necklines which can make the shoulders look narrow or make you look top heavy.  Hour glass figures should also choose with caution as too much detailing up top could make you appear heavier overall.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Deciding on your wedding style is one of the first tasks on your wedding planning list.  Essentially, this refers to choosing between a traditional, formal, semi-formal or informal wedding.  This is an important decision as it will influence other choices you have to make such as venues for your reception and ceremony, the program of events for the day and in some cases even your wedding dress!

There are no hard and fast rules associated with choosing a wedding style, it is essentially a way of deciding the tone of the day.  For instance, a traditional wedding would usually involve a religious ceremony with a formal sit down wedding breakfast and all the associated etiquette.  An informal wedding may be a beach wedding with a civil service, beachside barbecue and a relaxed atmosphere.  If you wanted something in between these two then you would probably be looking at a semi-formal wedding.

The formal wedding will have all the traditions and wedding etiquette associated with the traditional white wedding.  You may choose to have a dress code, be strict about the program of the day and intent on following every tradition and custom possible.  Typically you will have a religious service followed by a cocktail hour and then a formal sit down meal at your reception venue.  The meal will likely have more than two courses, include wine and champagne for the toasts, and be followed up with coffee and wedding cake – which you will have formally cut as per tradition.  The evening party will commence with the first dance and end with you both leaving for your honeymoon later on.

An informal wedding style will be more relaxed, your guests will probably dress a little more casually and there will be little in way of correct etiquette and customs (although you are entitled to follow them if you want).  Venues can range from gardens to beaches and the atmosphere will be fun and lively.  Your guest list during the day may not be very big, but you will invite as many as possible to the evening party which is probably where you will spend the bulk of your budget.

A semi-formal wedding will combine elements of both the above styles.  This suits couples you want a relaxed informal atmosphere, but still want to have some element of tradition to the day.  You may choose to have a buffet as your wedding breakfast rather than a formal sit down dinner and will keep traditions and customs to a minimum – hand picking those you want to include.  A semi-formal wedding is a good medium if you cannot both decide or if parents are upset about a lack of tradition with an informal wedding.

Talk at length about your wedding style choice because it will influence your decisions later on.  Drawing up a wish list for your wedding day can be useful in showing you which style you are leaning towards or it can help you to put together elements from each style to create your dream day.

By Georgina Clatworthy

It can be said that your wedding hair style is your crowning glory! Your choice of hair style can make or break your entire look so it is important that give plenty of thought to how your hair will look from early on in your wedding planning.  You should also begin managing the look, condition and feel of your hair as soon as possible to maximize its health and shine on the day.  Here are ten tips on achieving fabulous hair for your wedding day.

1. Begin planning your wedding hair style well in advance of the day itself.  Talk with your usual stylist (even if you don’t use them for the wedding) about planning cuts and treatments.
2. Get plenty of ideas about what you would like your hair style to be.  Put together a scrapbook of pictures from magazines and off the internet for inspiration, you can then show these to your stylist and discuss which will work for you and which won’t.
3. It is very celebrity to invite your hair stylist to your wedding, but if that doesn’t appeal to you or your budget just won’t stretch that far, then you will need to put together an emergency hair kit including hairspray, spray on shampoo or conditioner, pins, slides and grips.  Don’t forget, this kit will not just be for you but for your bridesmaids too.
4. If you fancy trying new products then make sure you give them a trial run ahead of the day itself.  You don’t want to have a reaction to a product a week before the wedding.
5. Take all your hair accessories along with you to your stylist when you meet with them to discuss your style.  This will enable them to advise you on styles that will work with your chosen accessories and how to place them.
6. On your trial run take plenty of photographs at each stage so you can recall the details later on.
7. If you want some extra volume try clip in extensions to add instant length and size, it can completely change your look in an instant.
8. Choosing your hair accessories such as a tiara and veil can be tempting to do at the same time as your choose your dress, but hold off until you have a firm idea of your hair style.  They should complement it so start with the style and then add your accessories.
9. If you color your hair or want it colored for the wedding, then have it done a week before the wedding day to avoid any roots showing through.
10. Give your hair plenty of treats in the build up to your wedding day, such as intensive conditioning treatments.  If your hair is in poor condition then you need to start your treatments early on so your hair is in perfect condition by the wedding day.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your choice of wedding hair style can be a particularly difficult decision for your wedding day.  You want it to flatter your face and be the crowning glory to your stunning wedding outfit, but you also need it to be representative of your personal style.  The choice of hair style can range from low knots at the nape of the neck, to stylish up-do’s piled high on your head.

When it comes to wedding hair styles, formal up-do’s are the most popular choice, particularly for formal and traditional weddings.  But for those brides who are having a less formal wedding a more natural, free flowing style is becoming the norm.  Whichever type of hair style you choose, keep the following tips in mind:

Research your style:

It is always a good idea to collect together images of hair styles you like and taking them with you to your stylist.  Your stylist can then advise you on whether or not a particular look will suit you and then set about recreating a chosen style for you.

Be the center of attention:

You are the bride so you should stand out from the crown and be the center of attention.  But beware the bridesmaids!  Try not to have your hair styled in the same way and instead choose a different wedding hair style for them, for instance, if they have their hair up, you wear yours down and vice versa.

Wash your hair the night before:

Formal updo hairstyles are always easy to create if the hair is ’slightly’ dirty.  Freshly washed hair can be difficult to work with so try to resist the urge to wash your hair on the morning of the wedding.  If your hair is a ‘day old’ then it reduce the number of flyaways.

Wear a shirt:

Think about what you wear when you attend your appointment to have your hair done.  Having sat for ages having a beautiful style created on top of your head you do not then want to ruin it by pulling a T-shirt up over the top!  Wear a button through shirt instead which will be easier to take off when you have to get ready and will not ruin your perfectly manicured hair!

Have a trial run:

Don’t leave your hair style chance, book a trial run a couple of weeks before the wedding day and have your hair accessories added too.  This will give an idea of how you will look and should you not like it, you still have time to come up with something else.  You may have to pay extra for a trial run or your stylist may include one as part of a package for your wedding day.

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

Aside from choosing your wedding date one of the first decisions you will have to make when commencing your wedding planning is about your wedding style, that is will you have a formal wedding or an informal wedding.

There are pros and cons to both styles.  A formal wedding style tends to err on the side of tradition and is often held in a religious venue with a separate reception venue.  Whereas an informal wedding doesn’t need to lack any tradition, but is a little more laid back about it.  An informal wedding style is generally a civil affair perhaps with the ceremony and reception taking place in the same venue rather than at separate locations.

If you choose a religious wedding ceremony there is a tendency for it to feel rather more formal than say a ceremony in a register office.  This is usually because religious venues have stricter protocols and also religious buildings tend to create an awe inspiring atmosphere that is hard to find in many civil venues.

Your choice of venue for your ceremony can depend largely on where you want to hold your reception.  If you need to travel many kilometers to your reception from the ceremony it will add to your budget in terms of transport costs.  Of course it all really depends on what you want, if you have a particular theme in mind then you will want to find a venue that lives up to that theme, such as a country house, a grand ballroom or even the beach.

The size of your guest list can also have an impact on the formality of your day (or lack of it).  If you have a large guest list chances are they will spend a great deal of time introducing themselves to each other which can add a touch of awkwardness to the atmosphere and thus make it feel rather more formal than perhaps you intended.  It is also a fact that people have a tendency to act rather more ‘grown up’ in the company of strangers and weddings do have the effect of bringing out the snob in some of us!

A small intimate wedding on the other hand, with a guest list made up of close family and friends can feel more welcoming as everyone will already know each other.  It really depends on the atmosphere you want to create and a style that is comfortable for you.  If you are looking for an excuse to limit the guest list this is a good one to use.

Dress codes can also play their part.  For many wedding guests weddings represent the opportunity to ‘dress up’ in a way that they wouldn’t do every day and they can spend hours trawling stores looking for the perfect frock and hat combination (the female guests that is!).  What can make a difference to the style of your wedding is introducing a dress code on your wedding invitations, such as ‘morning dress’ or ‘black tie’ which will indicate to your guests that this is a formal wedding and that they must dress accordingly.

This may or may not be your scene, but a dress code can give your wedding a sense of occasion and looks wonderful in your wedding photographs.  If you don’t want to impose a dress code on your guests a good alternative is to have the wedding party in matching outfits such as morning dress.

Your reception is another area where formality or informality can play a big role.  The reception is traditionally laced with a range of customs and traditions that most couples will follow blindly because they think they have to.  Granted some of your guests may appear slightly shocked that you forgo a long receiving line or that you choose a buffet rather than a formal sit down meal but if you want a relaxed atmosphere then it is worth thinking about all these customs and traditions and whether or not you really want them as part of your wedding style.

Choosing your wedding style is about your own personal taste and what is most important to you both about your wedding.  Do not feel pressured into have a wedding with all the bells and whistles because it is ‘traditional’.  Weddings are a reflection of the couple getting married so if you are not the traditional type then go informal and do it your way!

By Georgina Clatworthy

When you begin your wedding planning one of the first things you will need to decide upon is your wedding style, usually formal or informal.  Although you may link this to the type of wedding ceremony you want – religious/formal; civil/informal; it isn’t necessarily the case.

A religious wedding, although traditional does not have to be formal and likewise a civil wedding can be as formal as you want.  What many couples do is to choose those elements of the day which are most important to them and use them as the basis for the style of their wedding.

But choosing those important elements may not in themselves be enough to determine whether your wedding style is formal or informal.  There are four key elements that you need to consider in order to make your wedding day more formal or less formal:

• The venue or venues: whilst a religious ceremony will feel more formal because it has strict protocols, the venue you choose for your reception afterwards can dictate the style of the day thereafter. For instance, a formal religious ceremony in a church becomes an informal garden party down the road at the reception. Likewise a simple civil ceremony becomes a sophisticated wedding when the reception takes place at the chic hotel around the corner.
• Guest list: a large guest list can create an air of formality particularly as people tend to behave in a more adult manner in front of strangers. A small intimate wedding can seem less formal that a large wedding, so if you want to limit the number of guests then your wedding style can be a good excuse.
• Dress code: a wedding provides an opportunity for people to shop for formal clothes. If you place a strict dress code on your wedding  invitations then you are setting the style of your wedding. For instance, putting ‘morning dress’ will see the men hiring very formal suits whilst the woman will spend hours in the hat shop looking for the perfect hat to compliment a very expensive designer dress. Formal dress does create a wonderful sense of occasion and is probably one of the only times in anyone’s life that they will wear it. Not specifying a dress code allows your guests the freedom to wear what they like and to reduce their own expenditure.
• Reception: if you perform all the usual rituals and traditions at the reception then you wedding will take on a formal feel. Receiving lines, MC’s, multi-course meals and long winded speeches all add to the formality. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere then dispense with the formalities, opt for a buffet and instead create a receiving that includes just yourselves to greet your guests as they arrive. Toasts and speeches are still a nice touch whether your wedding is formal or informal and most people will expect them.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

With all the attention going on what the bride wears & her bridesmaids it can be easy to forget poor mom in all the excitement!  Mother of the Bride outfits now command their own ranges from many of the top designers & most bridal stores will carry a good selection.

Rather than making your mom choose her outfit at the same time as your choose your wedding dress, arrange a separate trip out to the shops with her & make sure the focus is on her not you.  Not only will if give you a break from all the wedding planning but it will also bring about some quality mother-daughter time, something which maybe in rare supply after you are married. 

Don’t forget to look for shoes, hats, fascinators, scarves & handbags whilst you are shopping.  Here are my top six outfits for Mother of the Bride:

1. Style 29692 – Cameron Blake for Mon Cheri Bridals
2. Style 88102 – Forever Bridals
3. Style 89205 – Forever Bridals
4. Style 566033 – Intermezzo Formals for Venus Bridals
5. Style 7034 – Alfred Angelo
6. Style 29807 – Mon Cheri Bridals

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Throughout your wedding planning you will probably be told about how important paying attention to detail is & how it is the finishing touches that will make your wedding unique.  But much of the time you are not told exactly what these details or finishing touches are!

Colors & themes:  you will probably have begun thinking about your wedding colors without any prompting; it seems natural to most of us to use a combination of colors for almost everything we do.  Be it weddings or simply getting dressed in the morning!  What is important now is that every little detail & every finishing touch matches or coordinates with those colors.

Details actually lend themselves to providing accent colors, which are often very bold & which many would shy away from using in any great quantity.  Consider a scheme of pale pink & cream – a timeless wedding classic!  Adding details in chocolate brown or antique gold would bring this scheme to life & add interest.

With themes you need to coordinate your details with not only color in mind but theme as well.  Table centers arranged in Grecian urns would look odd in a Medieval wedding theme.  Likewise an Art Deco wedding theme would look strange presented in a color scheme of aqua blue & chocolate brown!  With wedding themes it pays to do some research & collect together a scrapbook of images showing various details which you could use.

Motifs, patterns & monograms: these will all be things you will consider primarily for your wedding stationery & then continue in smaller details at your wedding.  For instance, wedding monograms are popular on stationery, labels or tags on wedding favors & decoration on the wedding cake.

Patterns can not only be incorporated into your wedding stationery, but also into your table linens, napkins, wedding cake & wedding favors.

Motifs are another important element used in weddings.  Consider how bells & doves have become synonymous with weddings although these days many brides will choose something less traditional.  If you choose a motif for your wedding invitations continue it on your wedding programs, menus & other stationery items.  Also include it on your wedding favors either in printed labels, stickers or tags.

Flowers: Even if you don’t intend on using them for your table centers you will still have some floral elements such as your bouquet & bridesmaid posies.  Ensure your flowers coordinate with your wedding style & colors, for instance if your wedding has an Asian theme choose exotic flowers like orchids & other blooms like lilies, chrysanthemum’s & dahlias.  If your wedding is traditional in style then choose traditional flowers like roses, lilies & baby’s breath.

Wedding favors:  coordinate your choice of favor with your wedding style or theme & if there is a color choice coordinate that as well.  Do the same with your packaging, choosing color coordinated packaging &/or decorations such as ribbons, tags & stick on embellishments.

To finish here is a handy list of all the finishing touches & little details you need to consider:

• Colors
• Theme
• Motifs/monograms
• Patterns
• Flowers
• Table centers
• Wedding cake & topper
• Wedding stationery
• Wedding favors
• Your accessories
• Your attendants accessories
• Your table linens, crockery, cutlery & glassware
• Decorations for the venue
• Guestbook

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.