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When’s the Best time to Use Certain Wedding Colors?

Choosing a wedding color theme is one of the most important portions of the wedding planning process. Not only is it the item that ties everything together, but it is one of the most beautiful parts of a wedding. One of the first questions that a bride will be asked is, “What colors are you using?” This is because this is such an important part of the wedding.

However, did you know that all those colors actually have special times that they work the best? If you have not yet chosen your wedding colors, it may be helpful to learn more about the popular wedding colors and when the best time to use them is.

Gold

Gold is a color that screams tradition, elegance, and warmth. It is often used by couples who are looking to create an upscale wedding. Since it is rich and intense, it also helps to give off an old-world feel as well. It is definitely a color that works well in the winter or fall because of its rich hue.

Plum

Those who choose plum for their wedding colors are invoking a color that brings a certain level of mystery and glamour to the wedding. It is also a great option for those having a winter or fall wedding and is often associated with royalty and history.

Coral

This is a more modern selection and is used when brides are looking to create a Caribbean feel to their wedding. It works great in beach weddings and is a very vibrant choice. It pairs nicely with the color of water so it works well with weddings that are taking place on the beach.

Lavender

Lavender is a color that shows the meaning of the words ladylike, dainty, and soft. It is the perfect selection for a summer or spring wedding and blends nicely with a number of colors. It is also a great color to choose for a garden wedding as well.

Champagne and Ivory

These two colors pair nicely together and give off a rich, conservative, and elegant feel. They are often used for vintage weddings and are great compliments to rich colors like red, plum, and gold as well. There is an elegance that is found with these colors that is both charming and calming and they are both very popular additions to weddings.

Orange

Although orange is typically used for fall weddings it is also a color that can be used at other times of the year as well. It is often associated with the harvest and can be paired nicely with brown and copper. However, if you are looking to add it to a summer wedding, you can easily pair it with yellow or aqua as well.

Conclusion

While many brides may choose to stick with tradition, it is sometimes fun to go against the grain and choose a color that doesn’t typically match the season. There are ways that you can find the best color for your wedding and Best for Bride is there to help you make the best color decisions.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 2 Comments

Creative Wedding Ceremony Decorations

Wedding decorations for the ceremony seem stuck in a holding pattern. While reception decorations have become wildly creative and fun, the ceremony decorations tend to be cliche. Most wedding ceremonies are decorated with typical flower arrangements and the occasional pair of candelabras. Sound familiar? Decorations for the ceremony may be held at boring level to prevent the audience from paying more attention to the decorations than the officiant performing the ceremony. Wedding ceremony decorations can be innovative and exciting without being distracting.

Instead of focusing on standard flower arrangements, consider alternatives such as ribbons, paper, balloons, lace, and organic materials like twigs or shells. One couple decorated their outdoor ceremony venue with paper flowers and pinwheels. Several couples have used ribbons as the primary decoration rather than using flowers. Instead of flowers with some small touches of ribbon, they opted for ribbons with a few floral accents.

Fabric with bold prints can be used as the focus of the decorations. When these alternatives are used with small floral accents, the whole look becomes more interesting and memorable than when the focus is on standard flower arrangements.

A trendy option is the have hanging decorations such as strips of ribbon hanging down from the ceiling or a frame. Lace wrapped around picture frames or embroidery rings are unique hanging decorations. Just make sure that the hanging decorations are hung safely in areas where guests would not accidentally bump into them. The decorations should not block anyone’s view of the ceremony.

Another fantastic wedding decoration trend is the use of paper. Some couples have used honeycomb garland to decorate the altar or create a canopy. The garland can be shades of white for an airy, cloud-like appearance. Paper flowers have become wildly popular for pew decorations. Flowers can be made from tissue paper or crepe paper.

Though many couples use creative lighting for the reception, few have been imaginative when it comes to lighting for the ceremony. Cascading lights or lanterns hung at varying heights adds dramatic lighting without upstaging the elements of the ceremony. Whether the wedding is held indoors or outdoors, the use of creative lighting can add romantic flair that is subtle and lovely. Another creative lighting option is to use a patterned light or gobo as a backdrop.

When using any decorations that create sound such as wind chimes, make sure the sound will not interfere with the ceremony. The friends and family attending the wedding should not have to strain to hear the couple and officiant.

More and more couples are using signs above where the officiant and couple stand. When using signs that change such as being turned by the wedding party to reveal other words or symbols on the back, the changing of the signs is timed as to occur during a pause in the ceremony rather than competing with the officiant’s words.

The couple can create some surprising looks with these and other creative alternatives to flower arrangements. The decorations should not compete with the actual event. They should enhance and improve the experience. Let your personality shine through and create a truly memorable wedding. For more tips on how to make a wedding uniquely personal, visit the Best for Bride blog.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 3 Comments

Bridal Manicure : Do’s and Don’ts

As a bride, you have to plan everything from head to toe, to look flawless and fantastic on your wedding day. This includes your nails. From classic French manicures to gloriously glittered nail art, you can have anything you want on your hands. The choice is yours!

To make things easy for the beautiful bride, here is a roundup of all the things you need to consider when preparing for your wedding manicure. Check it out!

Try, try, try; and then try some more

Don’t stick to the age-old French manicure for your wedding, unless it is the only thing that you are satisfied with. Try on multiple colors, designs and even file your nails in various shapes till you zero-in on the one look that suits you best. If you want to play it safe with a single color that goes with your wedding dress, make sure you test various shades to locate the perfect match that suits your skin tone.

If you will be changing outfits for the ceremony and reception, pick a shade or design that will be suitable for both dresses. Another thing to consider is the color of your wedding bouquet. Your nails should match the colors of the flowers in it.

Don’t skimp on nail polish or nail care products

Shell out a few extra bucks for a better product that will last longer. Also, make sure you get multiple bottles. You will need one for the bridal manicure session, one for your emergency bridal kit and another to go into your honeymoon travel bag. If you are getting your manicure at a salon, make sure you take your bottle along, so you get the entire work completed, even if the salon has run out of your chosen shade.

Should your nail chip at the last moment, having an extra bottle will make sure you are prepared for this emergency. Similarly, make it a point to get good hand and nail care products for your wedding. This includes cuticle oil, hand moisturizers and nail varnish removers.

Get your nails done just in time

This simply has to wait till the last minute. It is recommended that you get a gel manicure just the day before your wedding, so it lasts through your wedding, and will even see you through your honeymoon. Gel manicures do not chip, but that doesn’t mean you can be too safe. Always have that extra bottle handy, should you need it at any time.

Prep for your manicure by taking good care of your hands

Your hands, and nails, will receive personal attention in several wedding photographs. Be prepared to show them off in your wedding bands, holding the bouquet and when cutting the cake. If you want them to look pretty and polished, spare some TLC on your hands. Do not bite or chew your nails. Rub cuticle oil into the nail beds regularly, and use a good hand moisturizer from today, so your hands look supple and smooth in time for the wedding.

Follow these tips, and you will be ready to nail it on your wedding day with fantastic looking hands.

For more wedding tips and all your wedding shopping needs, visit Best for Bride.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 4 Comments

A guide to wedding dress necklines

Of the various features that you have to choose carefully in your wedding dress, the neckline is an important one. The right neckline should highlight your facial features, flatter your figure and balance out the proportions of your chest with the rest of your body.

Once you are aware of the effect that different necklines create, finding one that suits your body shape and facial features is relatively easy. This is what we will help you with. Let us look at popular wedding dress necklines, and the body shapes they suit best.

Sweetheart neckline

One of the most popular necklines, the sweetheart softly follows the contours of the bust and dips in the center. It is often seen on gowns without straps, and it emphasizes the decolletage and shoulders. This pattern elongates the neck and torso, and creates a classic Cinderella-style look. It is especially suitable for brides with angular faces and sharp jaw features. Consider this neckline if you are medium to large-chested.

Strapless

This neckline cuts across the chest, drawing focus to your shoulders and arms. It looks best on brides with well-toned shoulders and arms, and are medium-chested. Avoid this design if you have a large chest as it further emphasizes your bust proportions. Similarly, if you are small-chested, it doesn’t really help to add any curves to your figure.

Illusion

The illusion neckline is by and large, one of the biggest trends this year. There is a sheer layer of fabric above the original neckline of the bodice, and this layer ends higher up creating a second neckline for the gown. It is stylish, elegant and exciting, with an air of mystery.

Illusion necklines embellished with lace or metallic embroidery add a sophisticated touch to the gown. This second neckline may be clubbed with any bodice, but it looks prettiest with the sweetheart neckline. The style is universally flattering, and it looks good on most brides. It adds a modest touch to a gown, while still allowing you to look sexy and stylish.

Bateau

Also known as the Sabrina, this high neckline stretches across your shoulders, following the natural curve of your collar bones. It offers extra coverage even while looking chic and enhances the proportions of the bust. The bateau looks best on slender brides with narrow shoulders, and it creates the impression of a fuller chest. Avoid this neckline if you have a large bust, as it draws focus to the chest area.

V-neck

This neckline can be deep or high, and this plunge of the V determines whether the gown looks classic or modern. The shape elongates the neck, and exposes the decolletage and collar bones.

A deep cut V-neckline displays cleavage, and works well on gowns with sleeves and has a slimming effect. The pattern looks good on brides who are apple-shaped or have hourglass figures.

Scoop

Any neckline that has a U-shape is called a scoop neck. Like the V-neck, the depth of the scoop may vary, and accordingly create different looks. It generally suits brides with angular facial features, and a high scoop neckline can provide modest coverage to a bride who is large-chested.

At Best for Bride, we have wedding gowns in all styles and silhouettes. Browse through our online gallery to find the dress (and the neckline) that flatters you, and make a great choice for your big day.