Romantic period films, such as Gone With The Wind, celebrate the femininity of full, frothy ball gowns. Scarlett O’Hara’s dresses (as worn by the stunning Vivien Leigh) have gone down in history… from the green-and-white muslin “afternoon” dress she wore to entice Ashley Wilkes at a county barbecue, to the scarlet creation Rhett forced her to wear when she was caught hugging Ashley at her saw mill. Today, these classic gowns even appear on a collection of Gone With The Wind Barbie dolls designed to look just like Scarlett.

If you’re a fan of the film – and Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel – you may be interested in capturing the spirit of Southern-style romance on your own wedding day. Luckily, this is easily achieved with stunning, princess-line bridal gowns that features crinolines, fitted bodices, and lots of embellishments. Here are some easy ways to feel like a true Southern Belle as you walk down the aisle:

Flaunt Your Curves

Scarlett wasn’t known for her subtlety – she believed in making the most of her figure by accenting her tiny waistline. However, you don’t need a 17-inch waist to show off a big, beautiful bridal gown. All you really need is confidence. This sort of style is quite flattering to almost any body type – the full skirt balances the shoulders, giving the whole body a desirable hourglass silhouette. If you’re looking for plus size wedding dresses, you may find this style exceptionally flattering – the classic femininity of the dress shown above is a perfect example…

Accessorize

Adding a faux-fur shawl (such as the one pictured above) or a lacy jacket to your outfit can be a great way to give modern wedding dresses a vintage feel. If you don’t have antique lace or similar items, you can fake it with new designs that have a timeless quality. This sort of fashionable cover-up will be perfect for an outdoor wedding, since weather can change at a moment’s notice. If you want to add style and uniqueness to your wedding photos, this sort of detail can become a memorable one…

Embrace Romance

Wedding romance is about embracing your womanliness with a wedding dress that pulls out all the stops. Scarlett would be proud to wear the filmy, frothy confection shown above. Designed to create a stunning, curvy effect, while also casting a creamy glow over the skin, this bridal gown and over-jacket can be the ideal choice for a Southern-inspired wedding outfit. When you go for wedding dresses this classic and glamorous, you won’t need a lot of other accessories. A tiny cluster of flowers in your hair will be enough to highlight your beauty.

Makeup And Hair Tips

Since you’re unlikely to wear a bonnet or picture hat, like Scarlett did, you’ll need to consider your hairstyle, as well as the right makeup look for these types of bridal dresses. Silky hair in tidy, controlled waves or braids will give you the right effect. Back in Scarlett’s day, hair wasn’t flat ironed or moussed – it was dried naturally and then pinned into place with hairpins. For a decorative effect, choose a jeweled barrette or comb with jet, pearl, or garnet adornments. Keep the volume low at the crown – below the ears, you can experiment with finger curls or other creative extras.

Vivien Leigh’s look was all about reddened lips, sultry eyes, and clean, well-tended skin. Any woman can mimic this effect – you don’t need to be ivory-pale. Simply find a good matte foundation that matches your skin, and apply it only where needed. Dust with a matching powder to remove shine. Some gel blush on the cheeks will give you a glow and resemble the “rouge” of yesteryear. Make sure your eyebrows are expertly groomed, with a nice arch, to get a true Old Hollywood effect. Coat your lips in a layer of rich, ruby red (such as Revlon’s Cherries In The Snow), and then blot with a tissue to remove excess.

Don’t go too crazy with shimmer powders and lip glosses – these modern products won’t really work with Southern-style wedding dresses; a fake tan will also clash with the overall look.

To choose the right bouquet and wedding flowers for your white wedding dress, go for magnolias or pink rosebuds…

Most brides and grooms-to-be must consider their wedding budgets when they plan their nuptials. Weddings can get very expensive, and it’s a rare couple that doesn’t have to worry about the cost of catering, alcohol, music, renting a venue, etc. For many brides, one of the most important parts of wedding planning is choosing the right bridal gown. In most cases, this white wedding dress is incredibly meaningful for the bride-to-be – therefore, it should probably not be a budget item.

In fact, brides-to-be tend to regret buying cheap wedding dresses after the ceremony and reception are finished. Of course, there are exceptions, but quality does show in wedding photos and videos. So, in general, it’s smart to save on other aspects of the wedding, so that you can enjoy getting the dress you really want. It still doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it should fulfill your fairytale dreams for your special day – you deserve to feel like a queen when you walk down the aisle.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to economize if you’re smart and organized. Planning well in advance can be key – give yourself time to comparison shop on everything from catering to wedding flowers to wedding favors – if you’re rushed and under pressure, you’ll end up buying overpriced items out of desperation. Instead, use the months before your wedding to research deals and plan your strategy.

You’ll be glad you didn’t move too fast when you consider the overall cost of your ceremony and reception. By putting some energy into finding lower-priced items and services, you’ll be able to enjoy your wedding more – after all, no one wants to return from the honeymoon to be confronted with a mountain of debt. Debt creates stress, and it take a lot of romance out of the blissful newlywed state.

Here are some practical tips on saving money at your wedding:

Rent His Tux – Unless you have a lot to spend, you should consider tuxedo rental for your groom-to-be. Most men don’t really care too much about whether or not they actually own their tuxedo. If he’s not particularly obsessed with fashion, he’ll probably be glad to rent something nice and return it afterwards. You can outfit him in style when you choose to rent instead of buying. Good tuxedos are actually incredibly expensive.

Make Your Own Invitations And Wedding Favours – Many women enjoy making crafts – they watch Martha Stewart and other skilled crafters and feel inspired. Today, there are ways to get a completely charming and polished result when you make wedding invites, place cards, menus, and wedding favours yourself.

Scrap booking stores will usually have everything you need to do the job yourself. You can use stencils, pretty colored card paper, and stick-on embellishments, such as tiny “crystals”, to make your work look really special. If you’re seriously into crafting, consider investing in a die cast personal cutting machine, such as a Cricut. This type of computerized device can be loaded with cartridges that include pretty borders, letters, hearts, flowers, or whatever you can dream up! Then, you just feed in the paper and the machine creates perfect cutouts.

Choosing a cartridge with a wedding theme can be a great way to make your own decorations, wedding invitations and wedding favours, If you really like making crafts, a machine like this will pay for itself in terms of the pleasure it brings you through the years. It can definitely save you money as you prepare for your wedding.

Keep Things A Little Less Formal –

in general, the more formal and elaborate a wedding is, the more it will cost to plan it and to carry out that plan. By loosening up your wedding ceremony (or perhaps your reception) and keeping it more casual, you can be more creative with cost-saving techniques.

Food will be a huge expense at your wedding, so consider sharing some of the work with your caterer – perhaps the caterer could provide entrees, and you could prepare side dishes, salads, and other foodstuffs yourself. If you’re planning something fun like a beach wedding, consider outdoor grilling and buy great cuts of meat wholesale. Then, hire a cook or chef to take care of things while you celebrate. Look for recipes that are glamorous and high-impact, but don’t contain pricey ingredients. Be a frugal gourmet to save money as you feed your guests.

Brides-to-be who follow these smart tips and use their ingenuity to plan a cheaper wedding can reward themselves by choosing the wedding dresses they’ve always dreamed of wearing.

Last week, we looked at some lovely bridal styles for the first six zodiac signs…this week, we’ll check out beauty and fashion tips for Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, & Pisces. If you love fun, lighthearted horoscopes, you’ll enjoy learning more about your Sun Sign and how you can use it to look beautiful at your wedding.

Libra – Your wedding day will be very important to you – for romantic Libra, having a partner is truly one of the most important things in life. Your style is refined, a little delicate, and generally quite feminine (at least for special occasions). For you, choosing the right bridal gown, bridal rings, and wedding accessories will be a pleasure – however, you can be indecisive – making a final choice can actually be very difficult for you. When selecting a white wedding dress, remember that you are the type of woman who seeks out elegance – Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady may be a fashion icon of yours (post-makeover by Henry Higgins, of course!). Seek out a little Hepburn-inspired beauty by choosing a stylish wedding gown that is embellished and adorned with a host of glamorous details. You’ll be less inclined to overdo with makeup – in general, Libra ladies have clear skin, regular features, and plenty of  natural beauty. The colors of Saint Valentine are magical for you – use cherry-red or sweetheart-pink blush and lipstick to add a little vibrant color to your face. Libra women may get too creative with up-dos and artistic hairstyles – remember, sometimes simplicity really is more beautiful.  Celeb Libras – Gwen Stefani, Sarah Ferguson (Fergie, ex-Duchess Of York)

Scorpio – Passionate, sexy Scorpio women run on desire and ambition – and they are generally very loyal people. For you, your wedding day will represent a deep tie with your partner – one that you treasure and respect. Looking beautiful on your wedding may be easier for you than for many other women – you have natural confidence and the sort of presence that can be quite regal. To make the most of your attributes at your wedding, consider adding a touch of burgundy or deep ruby red to your wedding outfit. A bouquet of rich, red roses, and a necklace featuring glittering garnets can be lovely choices for you. Rich reds and burgundies are your magic colors – they capture your essence beautifully, and they will work very well with a snow white wedding dress. You may not want to be the typical traditional bride – some Scorpio women are quite low-key, but others are very daring with regard to their wardrobes. Whether you want to experiment with ultra-modern styles, corseted bridal gowns, or tried-and-true, traditional wedding dresses and veils, you will ultimately want a wedding gown that feels like “you”. After all, you want to wear the dress – the dress shouldn’t wear you! Your hair doesn’t have to be very fancy – but do consider a style that isn’t too severe. Adding softness to your distinct features with a feminine hairstyle and the right makeup will work wonders for you. Treat yourself to a spa day before you marry – soak, steam, and polish in a luxe environment. Go for a pretty manicure in your magic color – OPI‘s Chick Flick Cherry will be perfect for you! Celeb Scorpios – Demi Moore, Katy Perry, Vivien Leigh (Gone With The Wind)

Sagittarius – Blunt, outgoing, sporty and free-spirited, you love to party with friends and family. For you, a wedding will be a spiritual celebration that is also filled with fun, music, dancing, and great food. You may want to avoid too much formality at your wedding – the breezy “destination wedding” was created with Sag in mind! Many Sag brides-to-be would rather get married on the beach, with their toes in the sand…the outdoors energize this Sun Sign. For Sag ladies, bridal gowns should be glamorous, but comfortable. Body-conscious styles will appeal to you – you’re not usually very shy, and you do like to show off your figure. Wearing your hair down will be a great choice at your wedding – Sag women look beautiful with loose waves or long, sleek blowouts. Be careful not to overdo your makeup – occasionally, a Sag bride-to-be will wear far too much makeup! In most cases, the Sag woman just doesn’t need a lot of paint anyway. A touch of bronzer, a glossy, warm pink lipstick, such as Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Lipstick in Pink Parfait, and a little mascara can be more than enough. Eating well and exercising before your wedding will ensure you look your best – exercise and moderation are of great benefit to your sign, which can be an excessive one. Celeb Sag Ladies – Christina Aguilera, Christina Applegate, Teri Hatcher.

Capricorn – You are an organized, capable lady – you believe in social decorum, even if you are sometimes a little more rebellious behind closed doors. For you, a wedding is an opportunity to value family traditions and rituals – your heritage will be also be celebrated as you walk down the aisle. Family is very important to you – you will want your loved ones to feel comfortable at your ceremony and reception – you’ll follow all of the “rules” to make this happen! Picking out a filmy, romantic veil, a subtle, sophisticated wedding dress, and all the right wedding accessories will be fun for you – after all, you are quietly very romantic. Many Cap women are blessed with lovely bone structure – they can be stunning brides who are beautiful in a way that is very timeless. Make the most of your lovely nose, cheekbones, lips and eyes, by pulling back your hair and putting the focus on your stunning face. Simple hair will look wonderful on you – makeup can be subtle – in fact, you prefer to be understated. Earth tones and dark shades are often popular with this Sun Sign – however, they will not work for your wedding. Embrace your femininity by choosing makeup that is natural, but still rosy and feminine – a little Benetint on your cheeks and lips, a touch of clear lip gloss, and perhaps a bit of black eyeliner and mascara on your top lashes only will give you classic beauty that is still festive.  A slip dress with simple lines may be very appealing to you, but it should be conservative – you will not want to show too much skin on your wedding day. Celeb Capricorns – January Jones (Mad Men), Kate Moss, Christy Turlington

Aquarius – Innovative and analytical, you seek out new information, experiences, and ideas every day. Your bold approach to life can occasionally lead you down some unusual pathways! Aquarius women usually grow up feeling “different”, then begin to embrace their individuality as they get older. For you, being “yourself” is key – you will enjoy originality in wedding design, hairstyles, bridal rings, and makeup. However, the Sun is weak in your sign – your self-image may be a tad shaky now and then. For Aquarius brides-to-be, it’s important to find perfect wedding dresses and accessories – anything that boosts your confidence and makes you feel beautiful will be worth the investment. You’ll go for modern, high-fashion details, or else seek out a romantic princess look that is inspired by your dreams and ideals. Whatever you choose should include a headpiece, tiara, or veil that draws attention to your eyes – they will always be your best feature. In general, Aquarius women look best with their hair down and full – chances are, you already have a distinct hairstyle that is unique.  Pure, bright colors will flatter you – add a touch of cobalt blue or violet to your makeup, bridal rings, necklace, earrings, and wedding bouquet. For a touch of modern glamor, add a line of long-wearing gel eyeliner to your top lashes – Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Denim Blue will be perfect.

Pisces - The Pisces bride-to-be is totally feminine – she’ll look best in classic designs that work with an hourglass figure and soft, womanly features. Many Pisces women have lovely, jewel-like eyes, and they look wonderful in good jewelry that features shimmering gemstones. Bridal rings, earrings that catch the light, and glam pendants were made for this type of bride. For the Pisces woman, a wedding is a joining of two souls – she may be more interested in this deep commitment than in the details and planning phase of her wedding. However, she will always want to look beautiful on her big day. Lavender, soft violet, and sea-green are magical colors for the changeable, intuitive Pisces woman – nothing should be too bright or modern. This type of bride may want a bridal gown with vintage details – anything “old Hollywood” or fairytale-inspired will appeal to her. A lace dress may be very appealing for the Pisces bride – it will capture her feminine spirit perfectly. Earrings with aquamarines, pearls, or amethysts will draw attention to her eyes. Lips should be deep rose (try Clinique lipstick in Raspberry Glacé), or pale pink – eyes should be played up with smoky plum liner. Hair should be soft, and not too sculpted. Gentle tendrils, ringlets, or soft waves will look perfect. The Pisces bride should carry a bouquet of wildflowers… Celeb Pisces – Elizabeth Taylor, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna

Astrology is just for fun…whether or not you believe in the twelve zodiac signs is totally up to you. However, many women do enjoy checking their horoscopes and reading about the characteristics of each Sun Sign. If you love astrology and beauty tips, you’ll also love this quick guide to the best makeup, hairstyles, and wedding gowns for your sign. Today, we’ll focus on the first six signs of the zodiac. Stay tuned for the others next week!

Aries

You’re the zodiac pioneer…you want to set trends and look fabulous while you’re doing it. Your fresh, bold approach to fashion can make you quite fearless. You like to take chances! For your wedding day, you should highlight your face with modern makeup that focuses on your eyes and lips. You’ve got strong features that become very glamorous with the right lipstick and eye makeup. Tone down any ruddiness in your complexion with a tinted moisturizer, then conceal imperfections. A light dusting of translucent powder should be enough to highlight your skin.

Red and white are your “magic colors” – use a  strong red lip color (Lancome Mars is a wonderful red, with copper shimmer ) or bold ruby gloss on your wedding day. If you want a more subtle red, consider a lip stain. Eyes can be highlighted with a touch of silvery-white eyeshadow on the brow bone.

For your white wedding dress, look for modern details like one-shouldered styles, chic embroidery, or glossy, shiny fabrics. You may have the desire for a fairytale wedding – Aries is very romantic! Aries brides often choose wedding dresses with voluminous skirts to get the right effect.

Diamonds are your birthstone – treat yourself to bridal rings that feature this gorgeous stone – you’ll probably want a solitaire..the bigger, the better! Celeb Aries – Lady Gaga (imagine what her wedding gown would look like!)

Taurus -

You’re the Earth Mother of the zodiac. Capable, practical, and nurturing, you can also be quite single-minded and even stubborn. You should bring out the gentler, more feminine aspects of your personality and appearance on your wedding day. This can be achieved by choosing touches of baby pink or pale blue in your makeup, sash, bouquet, or bridal jewelry.

Natural fabrics will appeal to you – you may feel most comfortable in a simple and elegant slip dress made of real silk or satin. You hate anything fake! Your skin is probably quite lovely – many Taurus women have soft and smooth complexions. Use a touch of bronzer, such as Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess, to highlight your glowing skin. Natural makeup will be best for you – anything pinky-brown or soft pink will appeal to you.

Necklaces with rose quartz or other semi-precious stones can add a little bohemian beauty to your bridal gown. Your throat is one of your best features, so be sure to choose a special pendant for your big day. A filmy veil may seem romantic – however, many Taurus women choose to keep veils short and quite simple. Wearing your hair down and keeping accessories to a minimum will probably make you feel most comfortable. Celeb Taurus Bride – Jessica Alba

Gemini -

You are a chameleon – you’re fun, social, and always changing with the times. You’ll be the bride who wants to enjoy the latest trends as you marry. You may opt for touches of bright color in your wedding outfit – yellow and green are your magic colors, so perhaps a bouquet featuring these cheery tones could work for you. A sash in a vibrant hue will make you feel more fashionable as you marry.

You’ll love experimenting with different looks before your wedding – look for a well-stocked bridal boutique that offers plenty of options. Take friends along to help you decide. Your hands are always beautiful – compliment them with bridal rings that have a little artistic or sculptural flair. Schedule a manicure and treat yourself to a special nail color for your wedding. You also have pretty lips – Gemini is very kissable! Use a pretty gloss in a fun color like rich plum or berry to play up your mouth.

Many lovely Gemini women, such as actress Annette Bening, look wonderful with short hairstyles. If you’re one of them, you may want to skip a veil and just show off some fresh, stylish highlights. If you have long hair, experiment with high-fashion up-dos that aren’t too old-fashioned. Modern is the way to go for Gemini! Gemini bride-to-be Natalie Portman is sure to dazzle with a chic bridal gown and the coolest accessories.

Cancer -

You’re sweet and sentimental – tradition matters so much to the Cancer bride. You’ll want to wear something borrowed and something blue. You’ll also remember every moment of your romantic wedding day. For you, a traditional wedding gown will always be your first choice. Look for a bridal dress that is very feminine – a classic hourglass silhouette will highlight your chest and waist – and these are often the best features of a Cancer woman’s figure. A fuller skirt, perhaps with a crinoline, will look terrific on you.

You should consider a veil – you’ll love the romantic feeling it brings. For you, makeup should be in sun-kissed pastel tones that are subtle and appealing – gentle coral-pink lipstick, peachy blush (Rose Silk Cheekers blush by Covergirl is wonderful – and cheap!) and shimmery eye shadows in pale gold and cream will flatter. Pearls will make you glow – consider wearing a  classic strand on your big day.

Don’t be too severe with your hair – your soft, childlike beauty is flattered by tousled waves or curls. Cancer brides may cry on the big day – your tears of joy will look much prettier if you remember to wear waterproof mascara! Famous Cancer Brides – the late Princess Diana

Leo -

You’re a regal woman who is blessed with charisma and confidence. You have so many wonderful physical attributes, and you also have the personality to carry off the boldest wedding styles. For you, the challenge may to to tone down your dramatic tendencies when you choose a wedding gown and accessories. Many Leo women enjoy the “costume” element of a wedding – however, they often look best in sleek lines that show off their natural beauty.

Unless your hair is very dark, you should treat yourself to a few golden highlights before your wedding. A suntan will always make you feel more beautiful – whether it comes from Mother Nature, or from a tanning salon or self-tanner. Try not to go too far with tanning – keep it subtle to look more natural at your wedding.

Your gown should be dramatic, with high-fashion details you’re proud of. You will want quality and uniqueness – you don’t want to look like every other bride. Adding a touch of scarlet or golden yellow to your bouquet, bridal jewelry, or makeup will make you feel confident – gold and red are lucky colors for Leo. Lipstick possibility – Russian Red by MAC. Celebrity Leos – the late Jackie Kennedy, Madonna.

Virgo -

Humble and down-to-earth, you are also quite meticulous about details. Planning your wedding may be stressful, as you want to take care of everything yourself. Staying healthy and relaxed as your wedding day approaches is really the most important beauty tip I can give. Don’t be afraid to delegate some tasks to others – even if they won’t do them quite as well as you would.

Your beauty is quite refined – you will look best in sophisticated designs that are elegant and more subdued. You may not want to embrace the over-the-top princess look at your wedding – instead, you’ll want to look pulled-together, womanly, fresh, and immaculately groomed. Look for a gown with simple lines and just a touch of embellishment – you will want fine craftsmanship, and you’ll be willing to pay for the best if your budget allows it. You are interested in art and design – you’ll appreciate hand-beading and unique details, as long as they aren’t too flashy.

Even cheap wedding dresses can be fine choices if you examine seams, fabric, and quality carefully before you buy. Getting a deal is always a thrill for frugal Virgo! You should highlight your eyes when you do your makeup – a subtle eyeliner in soft brown or charcoal grey can add definition without being too harsh looking. Use blush to give your face a softer appearance – your lips will look best in neutral lipstick – Clinique Blushing Nude is very nice. Use a clear gloss to add shine.

Overall, subtlety and attention to detail will work best for you. Anything tacky or too frou-frou will make you unhappy. Your shiny, healthy hair will look glam in a sleek up-do – consider a chignon or half-up, half-down style.  A French manicure will look clean and elegant – your bridal rings will be shown off to their best advantage. Virgo Bride – Faith Hill

Some men just aren’t into fashion…they may find the task of choosing the perfect tux, tuxedo shirt, cummerbund and boutonniere a little bit daunting! Luckily, as his bride-to-be, you are there to help him select the most flattering combination of colors, fabrics, and styles. You can help him choose a wedding ensemble that makes him feel handsome, pulled-together, and perfectly dressed on the big day. Here are some things to consider when you’re helping your groom-to-be buy or rent the ultimate tuxedo:

His Tuxedo Should Coordinate With Your Own Bridal Gown

Creating an overall theme for your wedding is important – often, this begins with wedding outfits that coordinate. Your white wedding dress will go with many different types of dress suits and tuxes – however, certain styles will look more appropriate with certain bridal gowns. For example, a bridal dress with vintage appeal will look best with a more old-fashioned tuxedo, such as a morning coat and tails. Conversely, if you’re dressing in a modern, trendy wedding dress, you should look for a sleek, polished suit for your groom-to-be.

Considering the design features of your wedding gown, and just how formal it is, will help you find important clues about how your groom should be dressed on your special and romantic wedding day. You don’t want to wear a fabulous, embellished gown and walk down the aisle to a groom who’s dressed too casually. Your ensembles should be coordinated and balanced!

If you’re wearing a colorful sash with your wedding dress, look for ways to bring that color into your groom’s outfit. You can add pops of color to his suiting by choosing a matching cummerbund, bow tie, or boutonniere. Shop around at an online bridal store to get ideas!

Examine His General Coloring

Your handsome groom-to-be will look even more dashing in his tuxedo when it is chosen to highlight his best features and gel with his hair color, eye color, and skin tone. The principle of “seasonal beauty” come into play here. You may have heard about seasonal beauty – it works for women and men. For example, if your groom has dark hair, bright, jewel-like eyes (amber brown, sapphire blue, emerald green, jet black) and a cool skin tone (no orange or yellow undertones), he will probably be a Winter. Winter grooms look best in royal blue, true red, emerald green, and pure white accents. Black will always be a great choice for a Winter man’s tux!

If your groom-to-be is a redhead with freckles, he’ll need the right colors to look great at your wedding. Most redheaded grooms fall into the Spring or Autumn seasons – for them, colors like Kelly green, taupe, honey brown, warm yellow, and deep orange will flatter their coloring. Consider adding touches of these sun-kissed shades to his outfit, or your own bouquet, sash, or bridal rings.

While it’s nice to coordinate, you should beware of choosing tones that fight your own coloring. If you’re a Winter, and he’s a Spring, it’s better to avoid wearing “his” colors in order to coordinate.

The Summer groom will usually have soft blue-gray or pale blue eyes – he may also have brown or ash-blond hair with no golden tones. His skin may be translucent porcelain white or pale beige. This sort of groom will look best in dusty tones, such as dusty rose (British men often wear pale-pink shirts that aren’t too bright, and many British men are summers – Hugh Grant is one famous example!), pale blue, pale cream, and navy. For this type of groom, warm tones like golden yellow will fight their coloring and wash them out. Delicate Summer coloring looks best in subtle pastels that are toned down and refined. Shoot for sophistication by adding touches of blue or pale green to his outfit.

Look At His Body Type

Husky

Some grooms feel self-conscious when they shop for tuxedos or dress suits – they know they don’t have six-pack abs and all the lean definition of male models. If your guy is on the husky side, he’ll need your help to overcome any body issues and to feel like a million bucks in his wedding ensemble.

Great tailoring can make anyone look slimmer and more attractive on their wedding day. Look for dark fabrics without any shine – a matte effect is most slimming for him. Then, consider the cut of a suit. A classic three-piece suit or tuxedo featuring a vest can be an excellent way to make the most of his physique – the vest should be the same color as the jacket and pants. Often, a vest adds a bit of coverage where it is needed – in the midsection! He’ll feel great in a dark vest that takes the focus off his stomach. Consider a three-piece suit with a colorful tie that suits his skin tone. You may want to avoid colorful cummerbunds or frilly shirts if he’s a little heavy or self-conscious about his body.

Normal Build (Average)

Dressing the medium, or average body type doesn’t offer the same challenges as the husky or very slim body – you can be more creative here, as long as your guy is comfortable with that. Instead of focusing on body type and how to flatter, you can concentrate on capturing the essence of his own personal style on your wedding day. Is he casual, or formal? Does he love bright colors, or subdued tones?

Look at his wardrobe choices and find a way to bring a little of his personality into his tuxedo, dress shoes, cummerbund, vest, and shirt. Use color theory to be certain everything you choose will work for him. If you’re shopping for wedding bands, you should know that silver or white gold will flatter Summer of Winter men the most. If he’s warm (Spring or Autumn), he’ll look better in yellow or rose gold.

Slim

Skinny guys can be just as self-conscious as husky guys – they may have grown up feeling too thin or frail-looking. Men with this build often look for bulkier garments that give the illusion of more body weight and size. If you’re guy is thin and you want to find a suit that makes him feel comfortable and confident, there are plenty of options for you. Pleats are kind of unfashionable these days – in general, pleated pants will appeal to an older generation.

No matter how old your groom is, you should avoid pleating – it will make him look even thinner than he already is. Instead, look for modern, flat-front pants for his suit or tux. Look for subtle shoulder pads in suits and jackets – these will add a little definition to his shoulders by making them appear broader. The padding should be expertly sewn, and it shouldn’t be obvious. Don’t buy him a tux shirt or dress shirt that is too fitted – instead, find something a little looser, and go for a white color or pale pastel that makes him look larger.

Planning Ahead Is The Key To Success

With these tips, you can go into a wedding boutique and know exactly what’s right for him. You’ll make it easier for him to narrow down his choices and enjoy his wedding outfit. Taking care of him before the wedding at a great, full-service wedding boutique is just part of being a caring girlfriend. When you put on your gorgeous wedding dress and see him waiting for you at the altar, you’ll know your hard work was well worth the effort.

There is so much to prepare in any wedding. This is especially true when it is YOUR wedding that is being planned. After all, you wish and want only nothing but the best: the best bridesmaid dresses, wedding dresses and even table decorations – wedding Toronto or elsewhere.

Speaking of decorations, of course you want something that will support the mood of this meaningful event. Your flowers, for instance, should be as colourful and elegant as those bridesmaid dresses. And with the wide variety of flowers that you can use as bouquet, table decoration or church decor, how do you know which one to pick?

This article shall guide you on the most popular kinds of flowers that are being used in wedding ceremonies. It’s important that you choose properly, after all, flowers bring out the life out of a boring venue. Flowers, most often than not, make or break the festive mood of the wedding – in the same way that the design of your bridesmaid dresses would make or break the elegance of your wedding entourage.

So what are among the most popular wedding flowers?

Calla Lilies

Usually coming in white, burgundy, flame and yellow, calla lilies look very elegant – what with its tube-like shape and green long stems. The shape also resembles that of a trumpet, symbolizing victory. Calla lily also means magnificent beauty. It is probably because of this that this type of flower is commonly used as the wedding bouquet.

Not only that, calla lilies are also great as single blooms placed in vases – to serve as table centrepieces in the reception. These flowers are so elegant and symmetrical that whether they are grouped or made to stand alone, they will never fail to express beauty.

Tulips

Tulips are among the most beautiful flowers known to man. They come in almost every color that you can imagine. By using tulips as a corsage, for instance, you don’t have to worry about matching them with the color of the bridesmaid dresses. Regardless of your wedding motif, you will always find a tulip that could match that.

Tulips are also among the most meaningful of flowers. Red tulips symbolize true love, while cream ones speak about endless love. Now, isn’t that not the very thing that you want to communicate in such a momentous affair?

Roses

Of course, don’t forget the all-time favorite flower. Roses have probably seen your relationship grow – being the type of flower used during the courting stage, then the anniversaries. So it’s but proper that you make use of this same flower when you are ready to say “I Do.”

Just like tulips, roses come in a wide variety of colors. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about matching them to your motif – or even to the color of the bridesmaid dresses !

There are still a lot of flowers that would be great entries to your wedding. You have daisies, hyacinths and peonies, among others. Just remember that in choosing your wedding flower, symbolism is important. What would you want your decoration and your flowers to speak of? Once you’re already sure of this, then you will know which type of flower to choose.

Looking for bridesmaid dresses, wedding dresses and table decorations – wedding Toronto or elsewhere? Look no further. Just click on BestForBride.com.

FREE Wedding Planning Seminar
Special Show Discounts
FREE Cake Tasting
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Best for Bride is proud to present GRAND OPENING with Special Discounts and Absolutely FREE Wedding Planning Seminars. It’s your opportunity to meet vendors that will help you to plan a Wedding of Your Dreams.

Topic: It’s YOUR Day and WE Want to Help

Date: Sunday, February 21th, 2010
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location:
Barrie Store Location:
303 Dunlop St. West (at Highway 400)
Barrie, ON, Canada, L4N 1C1

Wedding planning is a lot of work and can be a disconcerting task. With the average wedding eating up to 250 hours; So many choices, so many decisions, a strenuous timeline and a budget that can quickly get out of hand. This is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know to plan a Wedding of Your Dreams.

Seminar is presented by a Certified Wedding Planner Debbie Savic.

Topics of Discussion:
Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses by Denise from Best for Bride)
Wedding Cakes by Dianna from Yours to Savour (http://www.yourstosavour.com/)
Destination Weddings by Dan from American Express Travel Services (http://www.onthekingsway.com/)
Invitation Wording & Etiquette
Budgets by Debbie Savic from Fresh Occasions (http://www.freshoccasion.com/)
Flowers & Decor
Photography & Videography
DJs & Entertainment
Catering
Trends…and much more! by Debbie Savic from Fresh Occasions (http://www.freshoccasion.com/)

Wedding planning, especially when you really take charge of the endeavor, could really take its toll on you especially when you don’t have time as your ally. Sometimes, you find yourself running out of fresh ideas on wedding themes, flower arrangements, wedding favors and even reception venues. When this happens, pushing yourself hard and forcing your brain cells to work is actually a bad idea.

So, when you find yourself not being in the mood to think about favor ideas, what do you do? How do you ensure that you still get to prepare everything on time? Here are a few suggestions.

Take a Break

Just when you think it is impossible for you to take a break from all that’s related to planning, that’s exactly when you should do it. The human brain can only take so much. Your body, including your brain most especially, has constraints. It has its own mechanisms in telling you that it needs to recharge. You must listen to this.

When you think that you go on circles and cannot seem to move forward, then it doesn’t hurt to close your eyes for a while. Perhaps, you can even take a walk and keep your mind off the planning, especially on scouting for favor ideas. If you want, you can even watch a movie or read a book. These will help you regain some of your creative juices.

Refer to your Wedding Theme

When you feel like “thinking” again, then the first thing that you have to remember in deciding on favor ideas is your wedding theme. If you are into a garden wedding, for instance, then you can toy around flowers, flower-shaped candles and other cute garden items. You can always make use of the internet for things that would relate to your chosen wedding motif.

Make a Survey

No, you don’t have to really create a questionnaire, subject it to sophisticated statistical treatment and standardize it before you can run it. You simply have to make use of your friends and other close acquaintances to help you come up with great favor ideas. You’d be surprised to know that they too have unique items on their list, in preparation perhaps for their own weddings.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Well, if all things fail, then you don’t really have to force yourself to produce those unique favor ideas. This is the time when you have to consider hiring “outside help.” After all, “you cannot see how thick the fog is when you’re inside it.” Wedding planners can surely help bring in fresh favor ideas.

Coming up with great favor ideas may look easy — but it may not always be so in reality. The human brain requires you to have a fresh, open and happy perspective for you to be truly proud of the wedding favor ideas that you have thought of. When the brain is stressed or anxious, creativity oftentimes eludes you.

It is therefore important that even while still planning your wedding, you’ve already learned to relax and not be too controlling about it. Once you’ve done this, handling the stress and anxiety during your actual wedding day would only seem like a mosquito bite.

However way you spell them: wedding favors or wedding favours, these little keepsakes would really mean much to your guests. Therefore, make sure that you have the freshest favor ideas. Visit Wedding-Favor.ca and be awed with some fabulous finds!

The history of wedding cakes and the tradition attached to them are rich. Before wedding cakes came to be what they are now, they’ve passed a lot of stages, all of which are equally interesting and intriguing.

During the Roman times, the concept of elaborate wedding cake decorations and icings was not yet a reality. For instance, the groom is supposed to eat part of the wedding loaf. He would then break the remaining portion and it must be broken over the bride’s head. This symbolizes the groom’s dominance over the bride. This tradition, however, has long been eradicated possibly because of its chauvinistic implications.

Also, in the olden times, small cakes (more like today’s cupcakes) are stacked to form the wedding cakes. The notion of a white wedding cake is also very popular and was connected to affluence. Because ingredients used to make up the white icing are hard to come by, only those who can afford to travel to other places just to get hold of these cake “materials” can come up with white wedding cakes.

Interestingly, in the 17th century, the idea of sleeping on a piece of cake became very popular. They say that if you put a piece of the wedding cake underneath your pillow, you will dream about your future spouse. In the 18th century, this tradition on wedding cakes evolved into the brides passing tiny cake crumbs through their wedding rings. These crumbs are then placed underneath the pillows.

Later on, the traditional wedding cake slicing that we see today came about. The bride, with the help of the groom, creates two slices, and together, they eat that part of the cake. As this is the first task that that the couple does together, this act symbolizes their never-ending promise of supporting each other for the rest of their married life.

Then came the multi-layered and elaborately designed cakes of many colors that we see today. Wedding cakes are not only white in color; today, the couple can experiment with different colors, usually making it consistent with the theme and the motif of the wedding.

Still, another interesting fact about this tradition is that the couple tries to save the topmost tier of their wedding cakes. They preserve and freeze it for use during their first anniversary. But you don’t get to see this anymore today as the elaborate decorations make the cake more vulnerable.

What proved to be a traditional and simple creation of cakes — or loaves of bread as in the olden times — now became a design extravaganza. Numerous cake and pastry houses specialize on the design of wedding cakes. The internet even has a wide selection of wedding cakes.

In conclusion, just like the wedding ceremony itself, the history and tradition of wedding cakes have come a long way. Some practices have long been eradicated while others survived the test of time and modernity.

If you prefer a traditional wedding, then you’d surely insert some of the practices that survived in the ceremony and at the reception. Otherwise, you can skip these and just go directly to the sole purpose of the occasion. The most important thing however, is that you’ve respected the solemnity of the event and the importance of this sacrament.

BestForBride.com is all about weddings – from wedding favours to designer wedding dresses and wedding cakes. Visit us today.

When it comes to planning your wedding day, the most important item in your list is probably your wedding gown. Wedding favours and wedding cakes come in secondary to your wedding gown. However, if you are operating on a tight budget, you usually go for ready-made gowns or those displayed in some least costly but reputable bridal shops. After all, this is perhaps the most important day of your life and you don’t want to be walking down the aisle with a dress that you cannot count on to last for at least the entire duration of the ceremony.

On another note, if you come from the high end of the society, then you can afford to buy those designer wedding dresses. You don’t have to be the presidential daughter, a Hollywood star or a politician’s family member for you to take advantage of the best minds in the wedding couture world. You simply either have to have a very rich fiancé or a very fat savings (read: budget for your wedding day).Or you have very generous friends who have whole-heartedly contributed to your designer wedding gown!

Here are the big names that you can choose from:

Monique Lhuillier

This US-based Filipina comes from a family who owns one of the giant chain of pawnshops in the Philippines. Being part of a high profile clan, Monique had the chance and access to the best fashion schools in the world. Thus, her flair for fashion (exhibited at age 14) was reinforced by her degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

Monique’s line of designer wedding dresses caught the eye of the public when she designed her own the dresses of her own wedding entourage. This led her to take care of the gowns of Christine Baumgartner (in her wedding to Kevin Costner) and Britney Spears (in her wedding to Kevin Federline).

This multi-awarded designer is known for pretty dresses that introduce a “fluid look.”

Vera Wang

Raised by an affluent American family of Chinese descent, Vera was once a figure skater taking part in various national competitions. When she failed to make it to the US team for the Olympics, she turned her back on sports and welcomed the fashion industry.

Her corporate experience included being Vogue’s editor for 16 years and rubbing elbows with Ralph Lauren. It was in 1990 that she opened her own shop in New York, displaying her trademark designer wedding dresses. Her work has the reputation of “a modern, sophisticated approach to classic style.”

Among her celebrity clients are Jessica Simpson, Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey and Sharon Stone, among others.

Michelle Roth

This designer was born to fashion, as her parents own a famous Australian bridal label, Henri Josef. Thus, Michelle has fashion and creativity on her blood. She started her own collection of designer wedding dresses in 1990, working with her brother.

Her works have been featured in numerous talk shows including, among others, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Martha Stewart Living and Entertainment Tonight.

Designer wedding dresses could really get expensive. However, if you can afford it, why not get one? Again, it’s the most important day of your life and pictures of you will be immortalized in a number of photo albums. It’s just proper to look fabulous on the start of “the rest of your life.”