Wedding Tips Archives - Page 192 of 257 - The Best Bridal Store - Your source for everything you want to know about weddings

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 7 Comments

Getting your hair wedding fit – Advice from one of Sydney’s best hairdressers

Advice from one of Sydney’s best hairdressers, Jules Peacocke, Director, Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup, Sydney, Australia

As soon as you’ve set the date of your wedding, deciding on your hair and makeup should be as high on the list of priorities as your wedding dress.

Having dealt with many brides over the course of my career, I am still amazed at how little attention many brides place on the “fitness” of their hair for the big day. Getting your hair “wedding fit” probably takes even longer than getting your body in shape to fit that gorgeous dress you’ve chosen.

Many women are acutely unaware that their hair health is actually severely compromised. It is impossible to create beautiful wedding hairstyles if the hair is damaged, lifeless and is not receiving the right at home care.

So here’s my list of top things to do to make sure your hair is as fit for your wedding as your body or mind is!

Check your hairdresser’s credentials

Not all hairdressers are able to style hair for wedding events. They might be good at colouring, cutting and blow drying but they might not have received the right training to create beautiful up-do’s or editorial looking styles. To check whether you like their style of creating wedding hair, you should arrange to have at least one if not two wedding hair and makeup trials. More on this later.

Check your hairdresser’s availability

There is nothing worse than finding out that your hairdresser is on holidays when you are getting married. Alternatively, your hairdresser might not be willing or able to travel to your hotel or location. So what do you do then?

My recommendation is to seek out the best hairdresser in the area you will be located and start a conversation with them about jointly managing your hair direction with your regular hairdresser.

Do I have my hair done in salon or at the hotel?

It is generally more cost effective to have your hair done in the salon by a hairdresser than having them leave the salon to come to you. You will be paying for travel time for them and any assistants they require. But it’s a matter of personal preference. Being in a salon ensure that all the products and tools are at your stylists disposal but leaving the “safety” of home or the hotel to travel to get their hair done could be the worst thing for some brides.

If you do an internet search for “wedding hair and makeup” you will get pages and pages of results for mobile hair and makeup artists.

Beware! Most of these “artists” are not qualified hairdressers and have only completed one-day hair styling courses, if that. They are generally offering this service part-time on weekends and have regular day jobs like you and I. If they have assistants, it is likely that they are unqualified as well.

The other thing is that from my perspective as a master stylist who has put years into their craft, they generally take shortcuts like using tongs to achieve updo’s. Once you see photo’s of classically designed hair using traditional methods like curl sets and/or pin curls, there is no comparison with tong curls. The resulting hair styles are absolutely stunning, but I am biased.

Using a qualified hairdresser to style your hair on the day is your safest option. If this is not possible, then ensure the best hairdresser you can afford takes charge of the overall colour and cut and arrange to have multiple trials with mobile hair artists to ensure they can create a style that you are happy with.

Get a timetable of who is working on whom and when.

We plan our wedding hair and makeup sessions with military precision and we work backwards from the time the bride needs to leave the salon or commence the process of getting dressed.

Whomever is doing your hair and makeup and potentially your bridal party’s hair and makeup, get a timetable from them and make sure they have allowed sufficient time for each of your wedding party’s hair type, preferred hairstyle, and travel time.

If they are not able to meet your bridesmaids before the event, then it helps the stylist to get some selfies of your friends so they know the hair type they are dealing with. There is nothing worse than the wedding party running behind because someone has very thick long hair that takes longer than average to style.

Getting wedding fit is a journey

Each bride should ask herself:

What am I thinking in terms of hair & makeup? Do I have an idea or am I at a loss?
Where am I now? What is the “true” and current state of my hair?
Where do I want to be? How far from the ideas I am thinking is my hair right now?
How long have I got? Do I have enough time to get from where I am now to where I want to be?

Your wedding hair style

Generally speaking, your wedding dress and potentially wedding theme (if any) will lead the journey to creating your personal style for your wedding day.

I’ve had clients who were getting married in the tropics and were opting for a “beachy theme”. The dress was a simple strapless design in lace. We did hair trials and created a long beach wave look complemented by a simple flower wreath on the head. We took plenty of photo’s and then arranged to have a local hairdresser recreate the style. It could never look the same but my client was happy and that’s what counts the most.

I always say that a “red carpet dress needs red carpet hair”. That doesn’t mean the hairstyle has to be an updo, just that the hairstyle looks absolutely fabulous and complements the fabulous dress and you feel comfortable in it.

Just keep in mind the likely weather conditions on the day and potentially have a Plan B hairstyle. Many styles that look great in photos like the beautiful waves reminiscent of the 30’s, don’t actually hold up that well exposed to movement or any weather condition.

Hair Length: I want or need longer hair

If you need or want longer than 6 inches of extra length and you have 8 months or more, then growing it might be an option. If not, you might want to consider hair extensions or hair pieces depending on the style you are going for. Tape hair extensions can be very cost effective, quick to apply and easy to remove after your big event.

The most important thing is to have the hair extensions or pieces colour matched to your own hair once you have decided on the colour.

Great hair colour and great hair health go hand in hand

Getting great hair colour is strongly dependent on having healthy hair. If your hair health is compromised then you should not be thinking of drastic colour changes (for example going more than 2 shades lighter).

You should be putting your hair through a “fitness” regime of having hair treatments both at home and at the salon, and potentially keratin treatments to help the hair along. As I mentioned previously, it is difficult to style hair that is damaged and lifeless, and get a good result.

Hair Colour:

I know it sound obvious but you should get your colour done about 1 week before your wedding. The number of wedding photo’s I see of women with regrowth is astounding. Not a great look.

Settling on colour.

I could go on for days about the problems and dangers of using boxed colour from the supermarket or drug store. Of course I am biased but there are some real issues. You might like to read this article Super hair colour is not supermarket hair colour.

One thing is certain, if you’ve been using boxed at-home colour for many years, then you should probably keep doing what you’re doing. Trying to lift or change the pigments from these types of colours can be very difficult and results can be variable to say the least even with the most experienced hairdresser.

Depending on whether you’re looking to make a statement with strong creative colour, elegant highlights or beachy balayage, you should be “testing” the colours and looks at least 6 months in advance. Seek out the best hairdresser you can afford and the one that has the best reviews or recommendations. Don’t hesitate to stop people in the street!

Wedding Hair and Makeup Trials

I mentioned earlier that you should at least have one, if not two, wedding hair and makeup trials. I ask my clients to give me at least three and a half hours of their time where we explore and try out different styles and looks. We change things incrementally, take lots of photo’s and discuss the pro’s and con’s. There is often a lot of texting of photo’s to bridesmaids and mothers of the brides too!

It’s a great advantage to be able to go home and try on your wedding dress with your styled hair and makeup.

Don’t be afraid to have a second trial and be forthright about what you liked and didn’t like.

Final words

Despite all my advice regarding forward planning, the most beautiful brides are the relaxed ones. Hopefully my words of advice will help you be sufficiently prepared so that on the day you can sit back and enjoy a glass of champagne while being pampered and getting ready for one of the most special days of your life!

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 4 Comments

10 Must-know Survival tips for the Winter bride

Cool wedding accessories for the winter bride

I can think of so many reasons why winter weddings are a good idea. They are budget-friendly, romantic, unique and not to mention, festive. With the holiday season bringing on a merry mood, this is the perfect time to be wed and enjoy the fun and jovial spirit in your own special way. Almost everyone gets married in summer or spring, and so winter weddings have an air of mystery and intrigue to them. This rarity of winter weddings makes it more memorable than weddings in the warmer months.

Nevertheless, winter weddings require a lot of planning, perhaps even more than spring or summer weddings. After all, the chances for the unexpected to happen is several times greater. So, here are ten winter wedding survival tips that are bound to help you when you plan your wedding in the cold weather.

1.Prepare for the dark days

We all know that the days are shorter in winter, and it becomes dark very early. The lighting at your venue plays an important role in contributing to the overall impact of your wedding day. Make sure that you are well-equipped for the dark day, by choosing a well-lit venue which is nicely warmed before it becomes dark. This factor is even more important when you think of how your wedding photographs will turn out. Work with your photographer to find out when and how your photos should be taken, so you achieve the desired effect. Make sure that your photographer will be carrying necessary equipment, like a tripod, that will light up the shots even if the venue may have dim lighting. It may also be better if you can have the wedding ceremony early, so you can make the most of the daylight when taking your pictures.

2.Choose a picturesque venue

When choosing your venue, it is necessary to choose a pretty and picturesque one so you can get good shots even if they are taken indoors. Remember that there is little scope for taking outdoor photos during a winter wedding. Although you may be able to capture a few, you will have to take most of your group photos and portraits indoors. So, make sure your venue will cater to this requirement. An attractive venue with plenty of stylish spots with a variety of interesting backdrop elements would be ideal. You can also customize the spaces to contain interesting elements that can add a special touch to your photographs. A venue with a lot of warm accents and whites would be the perfect choice for your winter wedding, as it will be welcoming and fresh. With the whites working against the naturally dark elements of the weather at the time, your photos will also come out much better.

3.Find the right photographer for the job

When choosing your photographer, make sure he has had good practice shooting photos in winter. If his wedding portfolio doesn’t contain many examples, you can ask to look at the other shots he has taken in winter to get a fair idea of his expertise.

Winter weddings are really not the best time to ask your budding photographer friend to do your wedding photography, for one obvious reason—he won’t have the necessary equipment to handle the lighting requirements for good photographs. A camera with a flashlight is certainly not the right choice, as it can leave long shadows that will make your pictures dark and gloomy. A professional would have the necessary equipment to light up the shots appropriately. If you want warm and glowing photos, discuss this idea with him early, so he can plan the shots accordingly.

4.Keep yourself warm, while looking stylish too

As romantic as winter weddings are, there is the definite problem of it getting too cold. Nonetheless, you can always prepare for it, so it doesn’t stand in the way of a fantastic wedding day. Plan your wedding outfit, so it is suitable for the cold weather. Wedding dresses in thick fabrics like velvet or satin will keep you warm. It may also be a good idea to choose a dress with sleeves, so your shoulders and arms aren’t too exposed to the natural elements. If you decide upon a strapless or sleeveless dress, at least get a stole, wrap or bolero to cover up your shoulders when you begin to feel cold. Since you will mostly be taking at least a few outdoor shots, carry a jacket that matches your outfit. It will help you stay warm between photos. To make sure you are entirely comfortable, don’t forget your feet. Either choose closed shoes or else change into a pair of warm boots for your outdoor pictures. Remember that you can find very stylish dress choices, even when your wedding is in winter. Add some extra luster and sparkle to your look by choosing accessories with crystals and bright stones. You can even play with textures by choosing accessories with feather and fur.

5.Make sure your guests are warm and comfortable too

Your guests will also appreciate a little warmth, especially when they come indoors from the bitter cold. Make sure your venue is heated in advance, and you leave some blankets around the seating space, for those who want to cozy up in it. If it has been snowing lately, have the driveway to the venue cleaned and free from ice. Also place a few umbrellas at the venue, just in case it snows or rains at the time. You can consider making arrangements for hot cocoa or coffee for your guests, and this can help them feel warm and settled in no time. Do this and you can be certain that there will be no chattering teeth, and that everyone will be focusing on you during the ceremony, instead of feeling to cold to enjoy it. It doesn’t really hurt to tell your guests that the ceremony is a little earlier than actually planned. This real bride, Robin, on Wedding Wire, tells us how she informed her guests that the wedding would start 30 minutes earlier than the actual plan, just so nobody missed it by arriving late. This also allows them to relax, settle in and be warm by the time the actual function starts.

6.Plan your décor and flowers sensibly

Your venue prices, catering costs and other prices may all come down in winter, but flowers are a definite budget-bomber in the cold winter. Many flowers may even be unavailable or impossible to get in this weather. So, plan your flower choices well in advance, while keeping the weather constraints in mind. It is best to go with what is seasonal, so you can avoid the risk of last-minute cancellations. The holiday favorites like holly, eucalyptus and mistle-toe are do-able options. Consider planning your décor with items that are available all year around. You can work wonders with candles, metal tableware, holiday decorations, branches, twigs, fruits and fabric to create classic wedding decor that will look both festive and welcoming. When choosing candles, throw in some scented ones and your wedding venue will not only look, but also smell great.

7.Make sure your hair and makeup are warm and welcoming

Winter presents a unique set of challenges for every bride, and the last thing you want is to look pale and washed out in an already all-white wedding scene. Both your skin and hair will have to be prepped very well to stay fresh throughout the day. Warm autumnal colors are a favorite in winter, and will warm up your overall look, however white your wedding gown may be. Dress up your eyes and highlight it with defined make-up to look ravishing and to get noticed. This is the time to have smoky eye-makeup done, and use colors like pinks, browns, maroons, blues and purples. Choose a glossy finish for your lips and add a slight touch of shimmer to your makeup. To keep your hair healthy and refreshed, add a serum to your hair before styling it. Also make sure that you feel fresh and glow from the inside, by staying hydrated throughout the day. Moisturize your skin, and make sure you reapply a touch of moisturizing cream to your hands and any exposed skin, any time you are exposed to the chills.

8.Choose your transportation wisely

You obviously aren’t going to choose a horse and carriage for your winter wedding getaway, but the limitations do not end there. Not all vehicles are equipped to travel on icy and slippery roads. So, this may mean that your vintage car choice may not be the best choice, if you want to make it to your venue on time. Although you can always book a classic car and be optimistic that the weather will be favorable, make sure that the car hiring company will be able to provide you with an alternative if it isn’t. Discuss this before you book it, so you don’t have to worry about it on the day if things do not go as per plan. On the day, allow for extra time and start early for the venue. It is better to reach there ahead of time and relax in your chosen vehicle, than run late and start the day off on the wrong note. You can even reel in your guests to be on the safe side, and have your wedding on time by setting the time on your invitations as half-an-hour ahead of the actual planned time.

9.Make the most of what is in-season

From wedding décor, to flowers and menu options, plan your wedding around what is seasonal and locally available. Trust us, it will make wedding planning so much easier. Since you have no guarantee on what hiccups may arise due to unforeseen weather conditions, it is always best to be on the safe side. And winter does have quite an attractive bounty to choose from, so you needn’t be disappointed. Mulled wines and a variety of cocktails can be created easily and will be appreciated by your guests. Go with the holiday staples in fruits, vegetables and meat, but use them in interesting and different ways in your menu, so it is different from a typical Christmas or thanksgiving feast.

10.Be prepared for every worst-case scenario with an insurance

This is actually a possibility for every wedding, whether in spring, summer, fall or winter. Since you will be planning your wedding several months in advance, and nature is unpredictable in every way, there is only so much you can be certain of. Blizzards and snowstorms can entirely topple your well laid-out plans and leave you lost. While you cannot foresee how things will be on the day, or be entirely optimistic, you can certainly plan for the worst-case scenarios. Make sure that you take out a wedding insurance on your wedding, so you will be able to tide over any such last-minute hassles without too much trouble. You can either opt for a whole package deal that covers every aspect of the wedding in one go, or get separate insurances for the different things that you spend most on. This will at least help you financially if you have to postpone your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.

With a little organization and foresight, your winter wedding will be over in a breeze, and an experience that will be remembered fondly by all those who attend it.

To transform yourself into a pretty winter bride, who will steal the show and the heart of your Prince Charming, you need a dress that will do part of the magic. Visit our bridal gallery at Best for Bride to make your pick from the extensive collection of designer dresses at the most affordable prices. You can also find your bridesmaids dresses, wedding accessories and dresses for the rest of the wedding party at Best for Bride. Apart from that, also check out our décor options, florists and trusted cake vendors who will help you realize your vision of the perfect wedding. Wait no more, click here to see what awaits you at the one-stop bridal destination: Best for Bride.

Save

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 5 Comments

A guide to help you get the best deal from your wedding vendors

The first big event that most brides have to plan is their own wedding. So, it is unlikely that they have worked with vendors to discuss such big plans, before.

Image Credit: Dion Gillard, via Flickr, CC By 2.0

If this is the case with you, we know that you may be worried about making the right decisions and handling everything right. This guide will take you over the points that will help you work with your vendors well, so you can get the best deal possible for your wedding.

Decide what you want before you begin looking at vendors

Having a clear idea of what you want for your wedding, is the best way to start. You and your fiance should first decide what type of wedding you want, the theme you would like, anything specific that you would like to have at your wedding, the style of reception, the location, and all such relevant details, before you even start considering who will do it for you. This will help you start looking for the vendor who will be able to deliver to your expectations, while meeting all the other factors.

Do your research

Talk to other brides who were married recently, to get a fair estimate of what your wedding costs will come to. You can obtain recommendations for vendors this way, and it will also give you a fair idea of whether you have any overheads to consider. Some vendors offer discounts on referrals, and if you are lucky, you may find the vendor you seek at a much lesser price, this way.

Fix your budget

One of the biggest problems brides face is finding vendors within their budget. The way around this is to prepare your budget in advance, so you know the maximum limit you can afford to stretch to, should it be required. First plan your overall budget, and then divide it into the various components. Fix the upper limit for each, and make a firm decision that you will not exceed it, come what may.

Look for vendors within your range

There is only so much you can negotiate with a vendor, so be realistic with your expectations. If a vendor you love is way over your price range, be prepared to look for other options. This vendor may even be able to refer you to someone who can work within your budget. Shop around and you should be able to find the right person for the job. Just make sure you start early and have enough time to research.

Be open-minded about options, and everything will work out

If you have your mind set on working with a particular vendor, but your budget doesn’t allow it, try to work out a solution with the vendor. Some vendors will be open to working on a lower budget if you allow them full freedom to work their magic with what is available within this price. You will have to communicate what is important to you, and they will execute their plan, with that in mind.

At Best for Bride, we can help you with every wedding planning need. Get in touch with us, and we can help you find the right deal for your budget, and plan the dream wedding you always wanted. What are you waiting for, come visit us today!

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 5 Comments

Proposal Checklist: What to Do Before You Take a Knee

You’ve met the love of your life, and are ready to propose. Congratulations! Asking the love of your life to marry you will be one of the most exciting and nerve wracking moments of your life. To ensure the big moment will be more exciting than gut-wrenching, there are a few things you can do to make your proposal smooth-sailing. Below, we’ve outlined the most important things to consider before getting down on bended knee.

1.The Ring

If you haven’t already found your sweetheart the perfect engagement ring, now is the time to do so. A sign that you are ready to propose, is if finding the right ring for your partner is a breeze. If you already know her taste in jewelry, and her ring size, then you are well on your way to making this proposal memorable rather than forgettable. Having the right ring for your proposal is very important, as most women daydream about this moment, and in their dreams they are always over-the-moon when they see the ring and so there is a lot riding on your choice of ring. If you aren’t 100% sure, ask her best friend or Mother for help in finding the ring of her dreams.

2. The Parents

Although the tradition of asking her Father for her hand may seem too old-fashioned to some, most men still seek approval from the bride-to-be’s parents. If you are leaning towards honoring this tradition, then it’s best to take some time planning how you are going to ask her family for their approval. You will need to keep your sweetheart in the dark about it, so we suggest you ask her parents out for dinner or plan a visit to their home – wherever you feel they will be most comfortable having this conversation. Best approach is to be honest and genuine, and that means telling them why you want to marry their daughter and all the reasons you feel the two of you are a good match for a long and happy life together. The hope is you already have a really good rapport with her family, and so this should be a happy occasion and one you won’t have to stress out too much about.

3. The Setting

Deciding where you should propose is nearly as important as the ring. If you know your sweetheart well, you should have a few locations already in mind. Whether it is the spot where you went on your first date, or the locale of your first vacation together; make sure the setting for your proposal is going to be a place where she already has fond memories of, and will be thrilled to remember for many years to come.

4. The Words

Once you have the ring, the parent’s approval, and know where you are going to actually get down on bended knee, there is the small issue of what you are going to say when you ask the love of your life to marry you. There is nothing more romantic than speaking from the heart, but when it comes to proposing, you also want to make sure that the words that are coming out of your mouth flow well, and that your partner can understand what it is you are asking them. We realize that proposing elicits many emotions, and there is no shame in having to stop to catch your breath along the way – but to put your best foot forward, we suggest you write out what it is you want to say, and then actually practice saying it out loud a few times. Doing this for your proposal will also prepare you for your wedding day, when you will have to speak your vows. As they say, practice makes perfect.

Majesty Diamonds is a family run, international diamond wholesaler and custom diamond jeweler focused on acquiring the highest quality diamonds possible. Our goal is to continue to strengthen our diamond wholesaling business and to continue responding to the changing needs of the global diamond market.