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.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Being a city bride can mean her wedding takes on a totally different look to those of her urban or country counterparts.  For a start the city bride may find herself at the cutting edge of city chic, a host of stores & vendors at her fingertips & supreme organizational skills!

Cities move at a fast pace & everything can change in the blink of an eye, the city bride will no doubt have her finger on the pulse of what’s hot & what’s not & a wedding that is bang on trend & uniquely ‘her’ is all that is expected of her! 

For instance, her wedding dress will be a couture creation which may raise a few eyebrows but will definitely leave the guests in a state of awe in its wake.  Or perhaps she will go for something completely different.  Black perhaps or latte?  Maybe a short number or a stunning Oscar worthy creation?

With a host of designers on her doorstep & an ample budget her only decision will be choosing the right designer name for her.

Her reception will be at a venue that is a regular haunt; a trendy wine bar perhaps or a hotel function room with a reputation to match its hefty prices.  There won’t be a long guest list but those that are invited will want for nothing.  From stylish canapés & cocktails to vintage champagne; they will eat & drink the finest available & finish with a slice of wedding cake made by a cake designer to the stars. 

She may handle the wedding planning herself, but leave the finer details in the capable hands of an events manager or wedding planner with celebrity credentials.  The reception will echo with whispers of ‘yes – she got that guy in, you know, the one who did Brittany’s wedding!’  And at the end of the day the guests will walk away with a goody bag filled with designer delights, because she saw it in a magazine & simply had to have the same!

Some may call her materialistic others will call her driven.  For the city bride knows what she wants & where to get it.  There will be no frilly details or whimsical touches (unless they are on trend of course), style, elegance & sophistication are the order of the day; a traditional wedding with a contemporary twist.

She won’t turn bridezilla either.  Nor will she stress about spelling mistakes on the invitations or the champagne being the wrong vintage.  No, for her wedding planning will run with military precision leaving those around her wondering quite how she does it & slight envious that she can!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Now you have your own wedding attire sorted out it is time to turn your attention to your bridesmaids.  It is important that everyone in the bridal party coordinates & matches with your wedding style & colors.

Read on to find out why this may not be as easy as your first think!

Dresses – It is a fact of life that we humans are unique in many ways, which is why you will undoubtedly find that your bridesmaids will vary in terms of size, shape, height & taste.  This can present many brides with a major headache.  Many of us have an image of bridesmaids all looking exactly the same, same dresses, same shoes, same jewelry etc.  But what suits one may not suit another & an unhappy bridesmaid will stick out a mile on the day!  Get your attendants together & go through some magazines, brochures & websites to gauge an idea of how everyone feels about certain styles, colors & shapes, then you can hit the boutiques.  For a formal wedding go for long dresses, whilst for a casual wedding shorter tea length dresses are fine. 

Often the biggest problem can be with the style of the dress.  Not everyone is comfortable in strapless dresses, whilst others may not like tight fitting styles or cocktail length skirts.  Luckily dress designers can provide you with a range of different shapes & styles which are available in just about any color you could wish for.  If color is a problem then you may have to bring two colors into play.  For instance, a blue & brown scheme could see some bridesmaids in blue dresses with brown sashes & the others in brown dresses with blue sashes.

Compromise on both sides is the name of the game here, so give yourselves plenty of time to find the right look.  Try on different shapes & styles to see what works & what doesn’t & always make sure that you have every one of your attendants with you when you visit bridal stores.

Shoes – Another headache! Some like them tall, some like them flat, some like slingbacks, some like pumps!  As with the dresses compromise is the name of the game.  You may strike lucky & they all choose the same style, but if they don’t then you will have to let them choose their own style.  Comfortable shoes are vital, just as they are for yourself.  Your bridesmaids are likely to be wearing them far longer than you are yours, especially if you change shoes later on, so they need to find shoes that fit well & are comfortable.  Check out the Dyeables range of shoes which come in many different styles & can be dyed to match your wedding colors.

Hair Accessories – Choose your attendants hair accessories according to your wedding style.  A casual wedding could call for flowers or simple jeweled hair pins, whilst a more formal wedding could see small beaded tiaras.  The style of your attendants is another problem to consider.  Those with long hairstyles will no doubt have up-do’s allowing for a variety of hair accessories, however, those with short styles may be more restricted.  A lot will depend on the style of the wedding & how you want your bridesmaids to look.  Small tiaras or combs & hair pins or clips can offer the easiest solutions.

Jewelry - It can be nice to present your bridesmaids with jewelry as wedding gift to say thank you from you both.  This then gives you cart blanche to choose matching necklaces, earrings or bracelets.  If your bridesmaids are all dressed similarly but not the same then follow this through with their jewelry for instance, a couple wear pearl necklaces, a couple wear pearl bracelets & a couple wear pearl earrings.  Kitting them all out with matching sets may look too fussy & spoil the effect you are going for, so try to get them wearing matching styles & colors but in different types of jewelry.

Accessories - Depending on the time of year you may want to equip your bridesmaids with wraps, shawls or boleros.  The latter being a nice addition to a formal wedding style.  For a winter wedding, gift them beautiful faux fur wraps to keep them warm.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Traditionally you would let the groom decide on how he & his attendants will look on the day, but many brides like to have at least some input into his decisions, especially as most don’t trust their other half’s taste or judgment!

If you have full confidence in his ability to choose the right attire, then you may like to print out this list just to make sure he doesn’t miss anything out!

Suits – The choice of suit will depend on the style of the wedding.  A formal wedding would call for morning suits, whilst a casual wedding would call for a less formal suit & tie combination.  If you are having a formal wedding then it is usual to hire all the suits required, this includes:

• the groom
• the best man
• the father of the bride
• the father of the groom
• the ushers
• page boy

As with bridesmaids it is important that everyone comes together at the hire shop to try on suits & get measured.  The attendants at the shop will be able to advise on styles, accessories & shoes to complete the look.  Just make sure your groom is fully aware of the style or theme of the wedding & your chosen color scheme as accessories can be added to match.

Shoes – Let everyone choose their own shoes, as long as they are in keeping with the style of the wedding – cowboy boots may not be appropriate!  Make sure that they all choose the same color as well – black or brown.

Accessories - This can be quite an extensive list & they say its women who love to accessorize!  First up, waistcoats – traditional with morning suits & often available with a formal suit, it is really up to you whether or not you opt for them.  For a formal wedding you could choose fabrics that match your wedding colors, which can create a nice coordinated look amongst the groomsmen.  This brings me on to the next item – ties or cravats, these too can be made from the same fabrics as the waistcoats if you are having them.

Top hats are feature of traditional morning suits & are the finishing touch to formal wedding attire.  Be careful though as to hire them can often attract a premium as they are one item that can be damaged quite easily.  Cufflinks may also be required, but many couples choose to buy these as gifts for the groomsmen instead of letting them buy or use their own.