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Goddess-Inspired Wedding Beauty

Channel your inner goddess with luxurious, perfect wedding dresses that offer a touch of timeless beauty. These bridal dresses are meant to highlight your own natural attributes without overpowering everything that is special about you.

If you’re looking for classical style for your own wedding day look, you’ll love these subtle, refined choices. We’ve also put together some amazing suggestions for goddess-inspired accessories, hair and makeup:

Stunning, Fluid Lines Never Go Out Of Style…

wedding dress

Simplicity can be so lovely…the white wedding dress shown above is a perfect example of the clean lines and fluid elegance found in the best goddess-inspired bridal gowns. This style needs little adornment – in fact, it may look better without a veil or a lot of jewelry. Pretty, high-quality bridal rings and simple wedding flowers will be the ideal complement to this classically feminine style.

Beauty And Makeup Tips

A soft, wavy hairstyle and rosy makeup will add glamor to your overall look. A lush, velvety cream blush and rich mauve or berry lip color may also be wonderful choices that suit goddess bridal dresses. Simple eye makeup that adds a little definition will also look great – consider a thin line of brown or charcoal liner, only on the top lash line – finish with a coat of lengthening mascara (Lancome’s Definicils mascara in basic black will be perfect).

Moisturize your whole body with a soothing product, such as Body Shop Body Butter, on the morning of your wedding day. Make sure the product has dried on your skin before you put on your delicate bridal dress.

One-Shouldered Styles Capture The Essence Of Goddess-Inspired Beauty…

wedding gown

A one-shouldered bridal gown references classical style that is straight out of Greek and Roman mythology! If you’re looking for drama that is still so appropriate, formal, and sophisticated, you’ll adore wearing the style shown above – its gorgeous full skirt and fitted bodice will help you achieve an enviable hourglass silhouette as you walk down the aisle.

Striking and very grown-up, this womanly design will give you goddess style that thrills your wedding guests…and your groom-to-be!

Accessory Tips – You’ll need a good strapless bra to carry off this look. A long-line strapless bra will hold you in place and give you extra confidence. Wedding shoes in pure ivory satin will balance the strong impact of this wedding gown – unless you are very tall, you should go for 3-inch heels, perhaps in a strappy sandal design.

Draping And Pleating Are Classical…And Lovely To Behold…

bridal gown

Stunning draping and pleating are the key focal points of the goddess-inspired gown shown above. Artistry and painstaking craftsmanship meld with a touch of true sexiness – this bridal dress is definitely designed to flatter the female form.

Show off your curves and natural beauty by choosing this statuesque gown. Silky-soft, lustrous fabric will catch the light and add a glow to your skin, eyes, and hair. If you love fashionable wedding dresses with lush skirts and elegant draping, this gown could be the design you’ve been waiting for…

Beauty Tips

If you’re getting married in the hot summer months, add a touch of “sun” to your forehead, your cheeks, and the bridge of your nose – this is best achieved with a big, fluffy blush brush and a great, high-end bronzer – such as Guerlain’s Terracotta. The rest of your makeup should also be golden and warm – this look will work best if you have olive or yellow undertones.

Go for a 24 karat finish with shimmery eye shadows in gold, bronze, and ivory. Use the lightest shade to highlight the brow bone. Your lip color should be brick-red, soft taupe with golden gloss on top, or coral pink. Choose a warm, woodsy fragrance, such as Estee Lauder Sensuous, to channel your inner goddess…

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Locks of Love: Expert Tips on Choosing the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle for Your Big Day!

bridal gown

Deciding on a hairstyle for your wedding can be a hard decision. Every woman wants silky, beautifully styled hair as she walks down the aisle…however, it can be difficult to know whether or not you should wear your hair up or down…or half-up and half-down!

If you’re looking for a little expert guidance regarding the best wedding hairstyles, you’ll enjoy this quick guide to choosing the right look for your big day!

Consider Your Facial Shape

Many women have their hearts set on a certain wedding hairstyle that may not actually be flattering for them. For example, women with full or round faces may not look their best in a sleek, tight chignon (this is a circular bun gathered at the back of the head or the nape of the neck).

Conversely, women with very thin faces may not be flattered by long, wild curls that seem to overpower their delicate features. Learning to work with your natural facial shape is the perfect way to narrow down your choices and flatter fashionable wedding dresses.

Round Face

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Eternally youthful, the round-faced woman is flattered by long layers, parted in the middle…or in a deep side part. At the crown, a little volume on top can visually add height and length to the face. If you’re planning to wear a filmy wedding veil with your bridal dress, practice a few hairstyles with a hairdresser or friend – use the veil for each one.

Then, take some digital photos to see how you really appear to other people. In general, the fuller your face is, the more you will benefit from extra length. If your heart is set on wearing your hair up, simply allow some long, layered tendrils to drift past your cheekbones.

Flower barrettes or sparkly rhinestone accessories could be lovely with your face shape – your facial structure is quite feminine. If you’re skipping the veil, consider a single clip or wedding flowers to add charm to a long blowout. Matching a pretty rhinestone clip to your bridal rings can be a cute way to get a coordinated effect.

Square Face

wedding dress

Your strong features will look gorgeous when you incorporate lots of volume into your wedding hairstyle. This type of face looks lovely with an up-do – your features are distinct enough to stand alone. Consider a sleek style with a little more looseness up at the top – modern and stylish, this type of wedding hairstyle is smooth near the head and messier and more deconstructed where the hair is gathered.

You could also add curled sections or braids to the back of the bun for more style. A decorative headband that is placed about an inch above your hairlines can be a stunning look – opt for a satin design or a jewelled band – then have the stylist tease the hair behind the headband for 1960’s style, Ann Margret-inspired glamour. Go for hourglass-shaped bridal dresses to accent this hairstyle.

Oval Face

bridal dresses

Your classic oval face leaves you all sorts of options for the perfect hairstyle to go with your white wedding dress. Since you have so many options, you should look for other clues to find the right up-do or blowout for you.

If you’re small and slender, you may look best in a short cut that doesn’t overpower your features. Halle Berry has an oval face and often goes for a short, pixie-ish cut that puts the focus on her eyes and cheekbones.

If your build is larger, consider a layered, chin-length cut, perhaps with wispy bangs to add visual impact. You’ll look lovely if you pull half of your hair up at the crown, and then fasten your veil into place. Your bangs will soften your features (since they aren’t pinned back) and the long bottom section of your hair will still hang free, which is very feminine. This classic bridal look will be a great option for anyone with an oval face. If you don’t have bangs, simply gather all of your hair up at the crown, letting the bottom sections hang free.

Find The Right Gown For Your Dream Look

When you combine the perfect elements, your wedding day ensemble will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of a fairytale! You’ll need an unforgettable wedding gown, the right wedding accessories, and ideal hair and makeup. If you’re shopping in Ontario, be sure to look for the best bridal shops in Toronto.

Browsing an online wedding store can be a wonderful way to explore options and prepare for the most romantic day of your life!

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How To Choose The Perfect Plus-Size Wedding Dress

plus-size bridal gown

Your voluptuous curves will look truly beautiful when you use our tips and tricks to find perfect plus-size wedding dresses for your body. Having a selection of wonderful choices will give you more options as you plan your wedding ensemble.

We know that finding the white wedding dress you’ve always dreamed of wearing can involve lots of trial and error – if you follow our guidelines right at the start, you’ll streamline the whole process…it’s all about knowing exactly what to look for!

For today’s curvy women, finding lovely and flattering bridal gowns can be easier than ever before. Here are some simple tips you can use to look your very best:

A Deep “V” Neckline Is Classic And Flattering

wedding dress

If you’re looking for the most flattering option for your body type, and you are quite voluptuous up top, you should consider a simple, but luxurious bridal gown with a deep “V” neckline. This design element elongates your body, making it appear a little leaner and sleeker. Of course, this sort of neckline also offers a touch of feminine beauty and even a hint of sexiness.

Strapless gowns can be lovely, but try to stay open to the idea of a little more coverage. If you have your heart set on a strapless gown, there is a beautiful example of that style on this page.

However, if you’re looking for a different silhouette, a deep neckline is highly recommended.  One of the benefits of this style is that it also has sturdy straps that balance your shape and provide a little extra support. Overall, the deep “V” neckline is a tried-and-true way to look beautiful on your wedding day.

Go For Dramatic Details

wedding dress

Simplicity works well for some women – it really depends on your personality, your level of confidence in your own body, and just how formal your wedding will be. If you’re looking for more drama and high-fashion details when shopping for wedding dresses, opt for a strapless A-line bridal gown that flatters without being too conservative.

An A-Line gown will hug your body snugly until it hits the waist or the tops of the hips – then, it will flow past the lower hips and thighs. The classic A-line gown will always flatter the fuller figure – if you’re interested in a strapless design, you should go for this silhouette, rather than a mermaid or sheath shape.

Drama comes from the details – silk flowers, pleats, tulle overlays, crinolines, full skirts, crystals and beading…how far you go is entirely up to you.

The gown shown above is a wonderful balance of a classic, flattering shape and some gorgeous, designer finishing –  pleating and a detachable, asymmetrical strap add a touch of elegance that is so high-fashion!

Avoiding a voluminous veil may also be a good idea. Consider a simple tiara or headpiece in lieu of a long, filmy wedding veil – creating more volume will undermine the impact of a flattering silhouette. If you love veils, choose a very sheer fabric and keep your veil on the short side.

Lace-Up Backs Offer More Comfort And Flexibility

When you’re shopping at the bridal boutique, consider some styles that feature lace-up backs. If you’re buying online, this type of design will offer more flexibility because fit can be adjusted without actual tailoring.

Even if you’re buying your gown at a full-service shop with seamstresses on site, you’ll still enjoy knowing you can gain or lose a few pounds before the wedding and simply correct for the change in weight by tightening or loosening the laces. As a bonus, this sort of lace-up back has a pretty, corset-like appeal – it will look quite dramatic and romantic.

Accessories, Hair And Makeup For The Curvy Woman

Your hairstyle should be something that feels comfortable for you – if you never wear your hair up, your wedding day may not be the right time to start. Look for styles that are soft and not too severe – often, curvy ladies have rounder faces and a youthful look – play this up with half-up, half-down hairstyles, or soft up-dos that still feature soft tendrils around the face.

Your veil should be scaled to your body type – keep it sleek and shoulder length to reduce volume. If you’re wearing a tiara, or flowers in your hair, try to keep these elements elegant and sophisticated. As a rule of thumb, taller women can wear larger-scale bridal rings, pendants, tiaras, headpieces, etc. If you’re petite in height and full-figured, it’s best to keep your jewelry and accessories delicate and smaller in scale.

For makeup, a bolder lipcolor can be the perfect choice. If your face is full or wide, a brighter lip will draw the eye inward, accentuating the features. Look for your favorite lipstick and find an intensified version for your wedding – you can blot to reduce the impact a little. Then, use a soft gloss or balm with a little shimmer to add sparkle and shine to your lips. Without a gloss that mimics the sheen of silk or satin, you may look too subdued.

Focus a little on your eye makeup, too – a simple line of black eyeliner on the upper lashes, along with a coat of mascara (Lancome Definicils mascara is wonderful) can elongate and open the eyes. The rest of your makeup should just be your everyday base, powder, and blush. If your eyebrows are fair, darken them a little – you’ll look more “alive” in your wedding photos – brown eyeshadow or soft pencil can be lightly applied to get the right effect.

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Hot Bridal Trends For This Spring And Summer

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Fashion is about change…every year, new styles and details trickle down from the runways of Paris and New York, influencing and inspiring today’s most talented bridal designers. If you’re looking for cutting-edge style that is truly of the moment, you’ll love this guide to the hottest wedding gown trends for this spring and summer. When you choose a trendy design, you’ll capture the spirit of the times on your wedding day…

Most women can’t afford Paris couture…however, savvy bridal designers know how to use elements of high-fashion to add visual interest and charm to more affordable wedding dresses. You can enjoy these unique design features, fabrics, and embellishment,  while still staying on budget.

Accessories can also give you the couture effect…your bridal rings, veil, tiara, and wedding shoes will all contribute to the perfect, of-the-moment ensemble. Here are some trends to watch for as you browse our wedding boutique and decide exactly what will work with your body type, coloring, and personal style:

Strapless

wedding gowns

The strapless white wedding dress offers a classic silhouette to spring and summer brides-to-be. A tight bodice should be complemented by a frothy, voluminous skirt and lots of gorgeous embellishments, including crystals, silk flowers, and appliqués. With such a dramatic style, accessories should be minimal, but high-impact. Floral headpieces, choker necklaces, and sheer, lightweight veils offer the perfect balance to a princess-style, strapless wedding gown…

Mermaid

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If you’re proud of your curves and you want to make the most of them on your wedding day, consider a striking fishtail bridal gown. These sorts of dresses follow the lines of the body, hugging your curves until mid-thigh, when they become more frothy and full.

A high-fashion mermaid wedding dress will offer a little more sexiness and pizazz than a typical princess-style bridal gown. This type of design can also features pretty details such as pleating, ruffles, and filmy overlays made of thin silk or tulle. If you’re interested in wearing a fishtail gown, consider skipping a traditional veil – the lines of your dress will stand out more if your hairstyle is simple and natural. A fashionable pendant (chokers are the hottest trend for 2011) may be all you need to accessorize your runway-inspired mermaid gown!

Lace

bridal gowns

Lace offers romance and pure femininity…classic and lovely, lacy, fashionable wedding dresses are truly one of the hottest styles for this spring and summer. Bridal week fashion shows featured lots of stunning gowns in creamy off-white, pearl, pale rose-beige, and snow-white.

Many of the dresses shown this year have vintage elements, inspired by classic brides, such as the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson) and Grace Kelly. Look for a combination of delicate lacework, stiff taffeta, and satin or silk. This spring, gowns were elegant – never flashy or revealing…which makes them perfect choices for a more formal wedding.

To get the runway look, accessorize your lace bridal dress with a Great Gatsby-style cloche hat or dramatic veil – and then heighten this refined effect with elbow-length, white satin gloves.

Consider Your Own Body Type When Studying High-Fashion Trends

Every woman is different…no single trend will suit everyone. To choose the best trend for your body type, coloring, and personal style, consider the silhouettes you wear for special occasions. When you dress up, do you opt for a cinched waist, and a fuller skirt that bypasses the hips and thighs? Or do you prefer body-conscious styles that hug your curves and streamline your figure?

Knowing your preferred cut is the key to choosing the right trend for you. When you understand your body and its relationship to fabric, shape, and shimmer, you will be able to add the right trendy elements to your wedding outfit. Have fun with it, and you’ll get a runway effect that dazzles your friends and family…and your handsome groom-to-be!

If you’re a beautiful Canadian bride-to-be, browse the best bridal shops in Toronto for high-style choices that are designed to flatter and inspire!