Wedding Hairstyles

By: Georgina Clatworthy

It can very difficult & confusing deciding which hairstyle would be perfect for your wedding day . By comparison choosing your dress was easier. You’ve probably thumbed through endless pages of magazines, read countless articles which tell you ‘wear it up’, ‘wear it down’, ‘go natural’, ‘go formal’ & at the end of it all you are still none the wiser!

Well, help is at hand - the following information should be all you need to make an informed decision about the right style for your big day.


Staying True to You

The key to success with your whole bridal outfit, not just your hair, is to maintain your identity. I have mentioned in many articles about all aspects of your wedding planning, that your wedding should be a reflection of your own tastes, style & personality. Your wedding hairstyle & indeed your whole outfit, is no different. It is a common bridal mistake to go all out for glamour or that special once in a life time look, but it nearly always ends with you looking in the mirror just not recognizing the person looking back at you.

Of course you should go for something a bit special on your wedding day, but the best advice is to stick to something that you actually like. After all you didn’t choose your wedding dress because the shop assistant told you they liked it or because they said it was the style all the celebrities are wearing at the moment , did you?

When it comes down to it, there isn’t really any right or wrong answers when selecting wedding hairstyles , but there are a few tips you can follow to help you narrow down your choices.

Plan Then Plan Some More

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience. There is just so much to organize, book, hire, coordinate & schedule. What began as one of the most exciting phases in your life can end with feeling totally exhausted by the time the big day comes around.

But whether your wedding is a huge formal affair or a small casual & intimate party, chances are you will be putting together a wedding plan, either paper based in a notebook or on your computer with some nifty software. Whatever your planning style make sure your hairstyle is on the list. You will need to start to think about it earlier than you imagine. You will need time to consider your choices, find a good stylist (if you don’t intend on doing it yourself), purchase any accessories such tiaras, veils, combs & pins & finally book appointments to try out styles till you find the perfect one.

Be Your Beautiful Self

Fabulous hair on our wedding day is something we all dream of, but many brides will take it too far. They will feel that they must match the style of the beautiful model on the front cover a magazine, with her long golden tresses perfectly manicured into cascades of curls. Trying to imitate a look which is so far removed from your own everyday style can be a recipe for disaster.

If you have short hair & you want to grow it for the wedding then go ahead, but be aware of the timeframe here, do you have enough time to let it grow to the length you want? But think carefully, will it make you look more ‘blushing bride’ than you do already? Confidence is everything when it comes to your ability to pull a look off. If you feel confident & comfortable with the way you look, you will carry it off to perfection. If you don’t it will be immediately obvious & could spoil your day. The best advice? - go as yourself, that way you are certain to look great!

Stay Cool & Communicate

It isn’t just your own hair that you should consider, but that of your attendants as well. You may trust them to make the perfect choices for their hairstyles or you might want to pick something for them yourself. Whatever, your feelings on this, it is important that you talk with them about their hairstyles & your own. It is a good way to bounce ideas off each other & come up with a coordinated look that is complimentary to everyone. If you are paying for a stylist to do everyone’s hair then arrange appointments for a time when you can all attend & run through some options. The stylist should also be able to guide you & give you some good advice & ideas.

Keep to the Theme

If you are having a specific theme for your wedding then it is important to choose a hairstyle that will fit with it. A 60’s beehive won’t look right if your wedding theme is a glamorous 1930’s art deco affair. You don’t have to choose a style that is an exact replica of one from the period, but one that is evocative of it. Let your stylist know what your theme is & the style you want to evoke, they will be able to guide you & make some suggestions.

Let the Gown Be Your Guide

When you picked your wedding flowers, you will have told the florist the style of your gown, the fabric it is cut from & the texture of it. Armed with this knowledge your florist will have set to work designing a bouquet that is the right size, shape & weight to fit with your dress. The same should be considered when choosing your hairstyle. Give some consideration to the silhouette of your gown; your hairstyle needs to match the line of the dress. For example, a formal updo piled high on the top of your head would best suit a large formal ballgown style dress, where as a sleek poker straight style would best suit a slender, sheath style dress.

Choosing A Wedding Videographer For Your Special Day

Choosing A Wedding Videographer For Your Special Day!

By: Charish

FIND A VIDEOGRAPHER FOR YOUR WEDDING - SEARCH HERE

Just as with photography, modern technology has made it easy for almost anyone to hold and use a video camera. Because of this, more couples than ever are choosing not to hire a professional, but are choosing to ask a friend or relative to record their wedding day for them.

Pros: Well, the only pro that comes to mind regarding a non-professional doing your wedding video is that you won't be out any extra money on your wedding budget.

Cons: The cons are many, if a couple chooses to have a non-professional shoot their wedding video. I'll list some below.

1. The quality could turn out to be shaky, blurry, too dark, you name it.

2. The voice quality may be very poor, or non-existent.

3. You will most likely be left with an un-edited, raw footage copy of your wedding day video, that very well could take literally hours to watch down the road. This could include gut wrenchingly boring scenes of uncle Tom, and Aunt Betty talking about whatever comes to mind at the moment, , and then dancing non-stop at your reception. In fact, you may never want to watch your wedding video again. Quite simply - without professional editing, you will be stuck with every single second, embarrassing, boring, or not, of your wedding day.

4. Without a professional, you will most likely not have music set to your video in sections that any other sounds are not necessary, or wanted. And as far as special effects, or transitions that can create the right mood, , ,you may not have these things as well. You may later regret not having a video that brings back the feelings you had on your special day. An experienced, and creative professional videographer will know how to make you feel something special when you watch your video year, after year. That in itself, will be priceless!

When Shopping For A Videographer The Following Is Suggested:

(1) Always ask to see several demo videos of the videographer's work. If you like what you see, then keep them in mind.

(2) Always set an appointment with more than one videographer, and keep the appointment. This will allow you to compare, personalities, quality of work, styles, etc.

(3) Always ask the videographer how many years he/she has been in business under their current business name. Years, are not always a guarantee of quality, but a business that has been around a long time, is a good sign of quality business management.

(4) PRICE: Making good wedding videos is an expensive business and a true professional needs to charge a price that is both fair to you, but will also allow the professional to turn a fair profit. You should regard cheap quotes with suspicion, as often lack of experience is shown in pricing.

(5) Always ask the videographer, how many cameras will be at your event? A good answer would be no less than two cameras.

(6) Always ask to see the videography contract, and always make sure that every detail, and promise is in writing on the contract.

(7) It is recommended that you ask for wide-screen high-definition if at all possible. As time goes by, and most people are used to watching everything in HD, a video produced in standard definition may appear to be poor quality in comparison.

These are just a few of the many things to consider for a very important aspect of your wedding day memories - your wedding video!

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How to Spot an Elegant Bridal Gown

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Raylia Wedding Dress W4575HC



If you are one of the lucky brides who will be wearing an elegant wedding dress on your special day, you have some beautiful dresses to choose from. Shopping for and finding an elegant wedding dress for your wedding day is certainly a lot of fun for everyone involved. Elegant wedding dresses allow the bride to show off her true style and her very own fashion sense as both the gown and designer are hand-picked and made especially for her.

Elegant bridal gowns are really works of art and should be taken seriously even while enjoying shopping for the perfect design. Depending on what fabrics, embellishments, and specific designer you have chosen, there are still many choices to be made.

With so many wedding dress designers creating beautiful gowns, it is getting more and more difficult to spot an elegant wedding dress. If you know what to look for and which designers to keep track of, you can more easily identify an elegant dress. While the bride on a budget can benefit from many elegant looks going mainstream, the bride who must have the best is sure to love some of the luxurious authentic elegant gowns available today.

The Quality

When trying to spot an elegant wedding dress, a great indication is the location at which you are shopping. Ask if the store carries elegant bridal gowns. It is also a good idea to take a look at the overall quality of the dress. If you try on a sample, does it seem to be wearing well after many people have tried it on? Is the beading falling off or does it seem to be well-stitched? Are the edges and hems frayed? Is the stitching along the seams sufficient? These are some of the most important questions regarding the overall quality of the wedding dress that you should ask yourself when considering it for purchase. Elegant wedding dresses should be of the highest quality and very well-made. If the quality is poor or even mediocre, you can bet that it is not a elegant wedding dress.

The Fabric

The most commonly used fabrics for any wedding dresses include chameuse, chiffon, crepe back satin, georgette, peau de soie, organza, and tulle. Elegant bridal gowns in most cases are made with from these fabrics. There are different versions of these fabrics that designers can choose from. For an elegant wedding dress, the fabric is made of natural materials rather than manmade polyester. For example, chameuse may be made from either silk or polyester. The more expensive elegant bridal gowns will be made from silk chameuse while the knock-offs will be made with polyester chameuse.

The Style

Fashion designers are always coming up with new designs to push the envelope, and this is also true in the wedding dress industry. You can spot an elegant wedding dress when you see a new style or a daring neckline that has not been around too long. Keep an eye on the spring and fall runway shows, as wedding dress designers also make their collections debut during fashion weeks. Knowing what is in style on the runway will give you an idea if a wedding dress is a designer dud or a style that has been embraced as daring and elegant.

The Fit

A elegant wedding dress should always have a fabulous fit and with good reason. Elegant wedding dresses fit so well because they are often custom-made especially for the bride’s body. The designer will take the measurements and make the dress based on those measurements. Once the dress is made, the bride goes back to the designer for several fittings where a seamstress will tailor the dress even more to flatter the bride’s figure and even hide any imperfections!

When shopping for a wedding dress, you should keep in mind that elegant wedding dresses can be found at other venues than the designer’s shop. Top designers can be found at high end department stores, not just little expensive boutiques and bridal shops. You can also find elegant wedding dresses at consignment shops, auctions, and sample sales.

If you are a bride on a budget and long for an elegant bridal gown, these tips will help you spot one a little more easily. While some knock-off wedding dresses are made so well these days that it may be hard to tell, there is nothing like an authentic elegant bridal gown. As long as the dress fits you well and makes you feel like a beautiful bride, nothing else matters except the memories and the enjoyment you experience on your special day.

By Arianna1

Decoding Wedding Cake Prices

How to Decode Wedding Cake Prices

Are you baffled by the price of wedding cakes? Curious as to why something created with eggs, flour & butter can cost more than the price of gold? If you are worried that you are being fleeced for a bit of sponge cake, here is the low down on wedding cake prices.

You may or may not be aware of how cake prices are calculated. The usual method is on a per slice or per serving basis, that is you order a cake with enough portions to give one to each guest, you will probably order a little extra as well. As a guide you can expect to pay an average of $1.50 - $8.00 per serving, so you would be wise to calculate your cake budget within this range, before falling in love with the world’s most expensive cake.

Here is a guide as to what exactly goes into the creation of your wedding cake & how that has an impact on the cost.

Why Size Does Matter

Simple economics states that the bigger the cake the bigger the price. This doesn’t just apply to the diameter of your cake but also to the height. You could pick a small 7″ cake but if you have six tiers, it is likely to cost as much as a 12″ cake with two tiers. So think carefully about how wide & how tall you want your cake to be.

As a standard, choose a three tier cake. The more work you create for the baker - baking, icing, decorating etc, the more it will cost. If your budget is tight keep it simple & don’t ask for anything fancy, such as tilted tiers or intricate scrollwork or a fabulous cascade of hand crafted sugar flowers.

You will find that sheet cakes are the most inexpensive option. However, if your budget is tight you can have the best of both worlds. Order a lavish cake which you can put on display at the reception. Then after you have done the cake cutting ceremony, you can serve up pieces of cutting cakes or sheet cakes to you guests. These will have been stashed away in the kitchen & once cut your guests will never know it isn’t the same cake they were looking at a moment ago!

What’s In the Mix

The main part of your cake - is the cake! But the choice of flavor or type of cake can make a world of difference to the price you are quoted.

The cheapest option is a basic sponge cake, either plain or flavored with vanilla. Other flavor choices can include orange, lemon, chocolate or even carrot. Personally I think you can’t go wrong with a sponge cake, as it will appeal to most people’s tastes.

At the other end of the scale is the cheesecake. At luxurious cheesecake will indulge your guests but will cost you $8 or more per slice because they are more time intensive to make.

I could write an endless list of all the types of cake there are to choose from. Traditionally the cake of choice was a fruit cake. Probably because the top tier was always kept for the christening of the couple’s first born child. Any other type of cake was unlikely to be still edible by the time this occasion came about. But there are no hard & fast rules about the type of cake you should have & really it should come down to personal taste & preference.

Just remember, the more time it takes to make, the more expensive it will be & the more stuff that goes into it - fruit, nuts, alcohol etc. the more expensive it will be.

A Question of Topping

Love it or hate, it wouldn’t be a wedding cake without some form of icing & decoration. The choice you make should reflect your personal taste & your budget!

BUTTERCREAM. Remember this from childhood? The archetypal cake topping.

Pro: Tastes delicious, is easy to use & is inexpensive.

Con: Difficult to get the perfectly smooth finish that is so popular these days & it won’t stand up well in heat.

CREAM CHEESE. The traditional topping for carrot cakes.

Pro: Cost wise it is the same as buttercream & tastes just as delicious.

Con: It isn’t possible to create intricate designs.

FONDANT. Like an edible playdough, findat is the trendiest topping on the block at the moment!

Pro: Good cake designers can do anything with fondant. Pleats, folds, flowers, hearts, anything it possible.
Con: It is the most expensive choice & the least tasty.

It’s Hip to be Square

Square cakes are bang on trend at the moment, but they are also the most expensive.

To get a square looking even when you apply the frosting you need to build up the edges. So, this means more work, which means more time, which means - yeas you’ve guessed it! More money.
So that’s it. Everything you will need to know about the basics of wedding cakes & how there prices are calculated. Whatever your choice, it should be a personal decision & one which reflects your tastes. Armed with this information you can approach your cake designer knowing exactly how to get the perfect wedding cake for your money.

By: Georgina Clatworthy

FIND ANYTHING FOR YOUR WEDDING (ANYWHERE) - CLICK HERE

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Proper Etiquette for Sending out Save the Date Cards

Proper Etiquette for Sending out Save the Date Cards

Sending save the date cards is one of the newest phenomena in the world of wedding planning, which may account for some of the questions couples may have. The practice of sending these cards can be quite confusing with couples asking who they should send them to, what information should be included, and when to send them. These are just a few concerns that people have with save the date cards.

Primarily, save the date cards are the first step in informing your wedding guests of the big event. Their main purpose is to allow guests to mark your wedding date on their calendar and to clear their schedules. While save the date cards are not a requirement, they are often appreciated greatly.

Do not let all the questions you have impede the plans you have for your wedding. Simply read these tips on proper save the date card etiquette and you are sure to have success in planning your wedding. You do not have to be a wedding planner to properly send save the date cards to your guests.

Are Save the Date Cards Always a Good Idea?

It is not always required to send out save the date cards for your wedding, but there are a few cases in which doing so is ideal. If many of your guests may be traveling to attend your wedding, save the date cards are an excellent idea. If your wedding takes place on or around a holiday, it is also a good idea to use them. Other situations in which sending save the date cards is recommended include if your wedding is taking place in another country or if your wedding going to occur in a major city.

Who to Send Save the Date Cards To

Plainly put, send save the date cards only to guests you plan to invite to the wedding. You should not send save the dates to anyone who that is not being invited to the wedding. This is important because your guests need to mark their calendar with the date of the wedding so they do not make any plans on that day.

When to Send Save the Date Cards

In most cases, save the date cards should be sent four to six months before your wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding, however, plan to send them out even before that, a year in advance, if you can. Giving your guests as much notice as possible can help them plan any necessary travel arrangements or vacation time off from work for your big day.

What Information to Include

Save the date cards are not wedding invitations, so you do not need to include everything you normally would within the invites themselves. The information that you need to include is limited to your names, the date of the wedding, and the city, town and state in which the wedding is going to take place. You do not have to include the venue at this time, save that information for the wedding invitation. If you have a wedding website, be sure to include it now.

It is also important to remember that save the date cards are a new idea and many guests may have not received them in the past. Because of this, it is a good idea to include something on the card that lets guests understand that this is not the invitation. An option would be, “invitation to follow” neatly printed at the bottom center of the card.

Formal or Informal

There is no strict guideline as to how formal or informal your wedding save the date cards should be. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the theme and style of your wedding. If your wedding is going to be formal, go ahead and design your save the date cards accordingly. If you are having a casual wedding, you can use fun save the date cards are just as good since it is an informal wedding. Just remember, as long as you like the style of the cards, nothing is wrong.

Save the Date Design Options

The design options for the save the date cards really have no limit. By the time save the date cards are ready to go out, many couples have already decided on the basic design and layout of their invitations. So, if you already have a theme or style in mind, go with that for continuity purposes. Many couples like to tie everything together with one theme, color scheme, and style throughout the entire planning process.

Save the date cards do not need to be “postcards” as many people assume. Couples can get very creative in letting their guests know when and where the wedding is going to be. Popular formats for save the date cards include magnets, posters, emails, calendars, and even coffee mugs.

By: Jennifer Bailey



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Popular Bridesmaid Dresses: Styles and Colors

Popular Bridesmaid Dresses: Styles And Colors
by: Lucinda Jones

You are getting married, and could not be more excited. The hardest part may be over since you have already found the man of your dreams, but that is not to say that all of the tough wedding day decisions are behind you. Second in difficulty to finding the perfect bridal gown is the selection of attire for the bridal party. Your bridesmaids mean the world to you and you want them to look and feel as beautiful as you do on your special day. To assist you as you begin your quest for the perfect dresses, below are some of the most popular colors and styles for bridesmaid dresses today.

A chief concern of many brides is finding a dress color that will look good on all their bridesmaids. Style, on the other hand, has become less of a concern in recent years as coordinating dress styles in the same color has become a trend of increasing popularity. One way to get around the color dilemma is to choose two colors for your bridal party and intersperse them among the ladies to maximize everyone’s appeal.

Hot Colors

When you think of the hottest colors of the season, let your mind imagine all of the colors that make you think of heat and fire. Persimmon, which is the fiery cross between orange and salmon, will look great on all of your bridesmaids whether they have fair skin or an amazing tan fresh from a day at the beach. This color is sure to brighten up any bridal party regardless of the style, cut, length or neckline of the gown.

Saffron is another color that is popular this season. Its bold hues are sure to make a statement on your big day. While the pastel and daisy yellows are beautiful shades, saffron has that little something extra that trendsetters crave. This shade will look amazing on all of your bridesmaids whether they have brunette, blonde, or red hair.

Daring Colors

Some of the colors that have traditionally been thought of as taboo are becoming increasingly popular with the modern bride. In fact, the only rule when it comes to dressing your wedding that should be recognized is that there are no rules. Feel free to break any and all of them, but remember that the following colors are not for the faint of heart.

The days of only the bride walking down the aisle in white are a thing of the past. Actually, sometimes the bride chooses to forego this tradition herself. If you happen to be one of the trail-blazing brides opting to wear her favorite color in lieu of the traditional white, then nothing will make your daring choice stand out more quite like you against a backdrop of bridesmaids in white in your gorgeous wedding photos.

Another color often overlooked by brides is black. This color may once have been a definite no for bridesmaids, but weddings of today are featuring this more and more often. While no one is suggesting that you walk down the aisle in a black bridal gown, consider the striking contrast between your white gown and jet black bridesmaid dresses. While the men of your wedding party are already looking handsome in their black tuxedos, your bridesmaids can coordinate perfectly with them in their gorgeous little black dresses, enabling you to be the center of attention in pure white, like an angel.

Classic Styles

As far as style goes, the “goddess” look for bridesmaids is definitely in fashion this season, as it has been for many years. This one shoulder dress with its long flowing skirt and cascade back will evoke images of Gladiators and Coliseums in the minds of all of your guests in attendance. Add a tasteful garland of small flowers to your bridesmaids’ ensembles to complete the look with grace.

Strapless is another style that never goes out of style. If your bridesmaids are able to pull off this bold neckline then consider a chiffon skirt that hits at the knees with a satin bodice and gorgeous metallic embroidery and beading. Pairing this dress with a bright an airy color such as cornflower blue, or watermelon, will ensure your bridesmaids look as fun and fancy as they feel.

If neither of those styles works just right with your bridal party, then do not forget about the v-neck short-sleeved dress in satin. Long or short, any style of skirt will look perfect with this flattering neckline. Selecting a dress with a ruched organza sash will provide all of the ladies of your bridal party with that little something extra to accentuate or create their curves.

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Wedding Photography - Leave it to the professionals

Photo by: Emotion Media Services

Article By: Timory Koch

Choosing a wedding photographer is not an everyday event, , nor is your wedding. Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. And photographs are the medium which beautifully witnesses these wonderful and magical moments for the lifetime. You put your best possible effort in every field , be it your valuable time or your money on the ceremonies like engagement, wedding reception etc and the wedding album is the only medium which preserves this forever. And that is why the wedding album should be unique and outstanding. So that later on in your life whenever you look at your wedding photographs ,those heart-whelming and beautiful moments of your life spontaneously get alive, adding the spark of love and romance in your life.

Moreover, when we talk about a Hawaiian wedding, it is really very interesting and full of life. There are a number of ceremonies that happen in a Hawaiian wedding and everybody who is part of it including the couple - enjoy it to the fullest. However, since we know that the wedding day is a day which remains alive in memories for a lifetime. And it also lives in the pictures captured throughout the wedding ceremony. Hence, wedding photography is equivalently as important as the wedding - as it is to keep the wedding alive forever and spark the feeling of love and romance whenever you look at the wedding photographs.

Your wedding is a onetime event. Hence special care and intuitive sensitivity is required by its every aspect. To make the wedding unforgettable, choosing a professional wedding photographer is one of the most important tasks. So, one should not scrimp on the budget while hiring a photographer. The idea is that make sure you are looking for a photographer who is capable enough to capture those precious moments with the correct feelings and sentiments related to your marriage. And as a result you will adore viewing the wedding photographs time and again and cherish these memories forever.

Following are a few suggestions about choosing a wedding photographer:

Search on the Internet:
First and the foremost thing are to research about wedding photographers in your area, and gather information from their website. In fact, start searching for a professional wedding photographer several months prior to your wedding as the best professional photographers usually do their bookings a year in advance.

Check out the portfolio :
Before finalizing a wedding photographer, it is mandatory to check a single portfolio. This would help you to get an idea about what exactly the wedding album would look like. Then ask yourself, is this what you looking for?. It is advisable to decide if the sample looks appealing and real.

Examine the features of the photographs:
Be sure to examine the color, composition, clarity and exposure of the photographs captured by the photographers. With this you will get to know about the photographer’s style of taking pictures.

Check wedding photography equipment:
It is very important to discuss the wedding photography equipments. You should be aware about the type of camera and equipment used by the photographers during the wedding.

To check for backup equipment carried by the wedding photographer:
If in case the original equipment all of a sudden stops working properly, during the wedding is going on, the wedding photographer will need a back up equipment. Hence, make sure the wedding photographer carries the back up equipment.

Therefore, it can be concluded from the above discussion that instead of worrying about your wedding photography, , just hire a professional photographer who would capture the right pictures in the right order. Moreover, you can enjoy the real essence of the day and can concentrate on each other and give up the worries of wedding photography on a professional wedding photographer who would make your wedding a lifetime unforgettable experience with everlasting beautiful series of moods and moments captured in his/her camera.

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