How to select your wedding veil

You need to consider three elements when selecting your wedding veil:

• your height
• the length of your dress and
• the detailing and color.
  
  If you are less than 5'4" you should select an elbow length veil (30” long). If you are over 5”7" you should select a fingertip veil (36” long). If you are in between those heights, you can select either length -- it just depends on whether you prefer a short length (elbow) or longer length (fingertip).
  
  
  You should consider Placement of the veil on your head, if you are wearing it towards the back of your head, the veil will be longer.
  
  
  Make sure your veil works well with the detailing (on the back on the back of your dress) and the overall design of your dress. Your veil length should cut just above or below any focal point on your dress. Don’t choose a veil length that ends right where your bodice begins because it cuts you in half visually (something just above or just below). If you have a sharply defined waistline, don't select a veil that ends at the waistline – something slightly above or below it.
  We suggest you use a tape measure to see where the different length veils will fall while wearing your dress. Now you’re ready to select the type of veil that you want. Wedding veils are described as:
  
  Elbow Length: Generally selected for shorter gowns, without a train. This length will show detailing at the waist of the gown. An elbow length veil best compliments a dress with a full skirt. The veil should end below a low cut back but above the start of the skirt. Used for formal and semi-formal weddings.
  
  
  Fingertip Length: Can be worn with any gown longer than tea length. It falls right at the fingertips of the bride if her hands are at her side and is used for formal and semi-formal weddings.
  
  
  Chapel Veil: This veil is three yards long, looks best with a long-sleeved, full-length gown.
  
  
  Cathedral Length: Most often selected for a formal wedding. The veil will extend onto the floor, at least six inches past the train. Cathedral length veil looks best when worn with a cathedral or semi-cathedral length gown.
  
  
  Blusher: A shoulder-length layer of the veil that is worn over the face. Typically combined with other lengths and used for both formal and semi-formal weddings. Don't underestimate how much the blusher will soften and transform your appearance.
  

How to Select Your Wedding Jewelry?

The bride's jewelry, along with her other accessories, as a general rule should reflect the formality of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding calls for simple jewelry, while large, formal wedding calls for more elaborate jewelry.

The style of the bridal gown also plays a major roll in the selection of jewelry. Many of today's most popular gowns are strapless or have low necklines. This is a perfect style to showcase a wonderful necklace and earrings. Gowns with high necklines may be better of to forgo the necklace and concentrate on the perfect earrings.

As a general rule to more glitter and detailing on the gown the simpler the jewelry, while a more plain gown can support more decorative selections.

Necklace Length

The various lengths of necklaces include the, choker, the collar, and princess, matinee, and opera lengths. In general you may want to follow these guidelines in selection of the necklace length to best flatter your gowns neckline:

The Choker: One to three strands worn close around the neck is the most classic version and works well with a jewel or bateau neckline. If too much skin is showing it may get lost.

The Collar: Made up of three or more strands that fit securely around the middle neck. This Victorian style looks lovely with a plunging or strapless neckline.

The Princess: Perfect for strapless gowns, this length falls below the hollow of the neck in front -- perfect support for a pendant. This style is most often 16" looks great with almost every bridal gown neckline, except a high neckline.

The Matinee: Longer than the Princess but shorter than the Opera, this style hits the top of the bust and looks great with a bateau, jewel, or a lower neckline with sheer fabric covering the décolletage area. It shouldn't hit the top of the dress because then the necklace and the dress are fighting for attention.

The Opera: This long single strand falls below the bust and looks classic with a very high neckline. Not often a good choice for bridal gowns or bridesmaid dresses.


Other things to consider

Keep your earrings simple if your necklace is large or grand.
Bracelets can be worn with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. It is possible to combine a bracelet with gloves as a dramatic accessory worn over tight-fitted gloves, but not many feel comfortable with this look.
A watch can be worn if it is an unusual antique or family heirloom, but most watches are not appropriate wedding jewelry for the bride or the bridesmaids.
Choice of Earring

Keep this in mind when selecting earring styles:
A button earring accentuates a round face.
A dangle earring widens a narrow face.
A squared earring adds interest to a long face.
If you are wearing a Tiara you may not want to wear earrings.
If you are not wearing a necklace you may want your earrings to be larger. It is all a matter of balance.

Wearing a Tiara

Want to feel like a princess?! Spend your special day crowned by a glittering tiara. But consider keeping the other jewelry simple, small pearl earrings and a simple necklace or let your tiara be the point of focus and leave off any extra jewelry.

Appropriate Jewelry for Bridesmaids

Most bridesmaid ensembles can be enhanced with earrings and perhaps a necklace or bracelet. All bridesmaids should wear jewelry that is the same color and style. It can match or contrast with the color of the dress. We recommend that you keep the bridal party jewelry simple, yet elegant. Jewelry is a great gift for the bride to consider giving her bridesmaid, and maid of honor and by doing so you can control the total look the day of the wedding.

The Type of Jewelry Most Often Selected For Weddings

Brides have worn pearls for centuries as a symbol of purity and perfection. In ancient Rome, the pearl was the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing, while the ancient Greeks associated the pearl with love, marriage, and unrivaled beauty. The Greeks also believed the pearl would promote marital harmony.

Today's modern brides often includes rhinestones, diamonds faux diamonds, sometimes called CZ's, crystals, gemstones and or a combination of them all in their wedding jewelry. It's really a matter of personal style and budget.

The important thing is to make sure your jewelry does not over power the dress and that the color works with the gown. For example a white bridal gown looks best with white pearls and silver. An ivory gown looks better with ivory pearls and gold. A pale pink or beige tone gown looks best with ivory and gold accents or faux gemstones that match or are slightly lighter. Rhinestones, crystals, diamonds, or faux diamonds (CZs) can work with all gown colors but it is best to use a silver setting with white and a gold setting with other gown colors. Of course, all rules are made to be broken so what makes you feel the most special

Getting Your Hair Ready for the Wedding

Schedule your wedding day hair appointment at least eight weeks ahead. Make an appointment for a practice session at least a month ahead of the wedding date (if you are having make up too you may want to do a practice session for that too!). Bring a Polaroid or digital camera to take photos of the front, sides, and back of your hair so you will be able to re-create it on the wedding day.

Record your travel time from the salon to where you are getting dressed for the wedding or better yet see if the hair stylist can come to you. Add extra time for make-up if the salon is not applying it.

Ask for more than one stylist to help with the wedding party. Three stylists for a party of six is the best bet for staying on schedule. Schedule all nail appointments for the day before, this saves time on the wedding day. Don't expect to get your favorite stylist to do your wedding hair if you desire an intricate Updo. This is a specialty service and best left for the resident salon expert.

Bring a picture of your dress and your headpiece, tiara, and/or veil with you to the salon for your practice appointment. Then relax. You will look great on your wedding day.

Selecting the Best Gown Style for Your Figure

You definitely want to find a wedding gown with the perfect fit and style to enhance your figure. Selecting the most appropriate silhouette for your body type is easy with our online guide!

First, let's take a quick look at the basic gown silhouettes.

Princess or A-Line. A-Line or princess silhouette has seams starting at the bust or shoulders and flowing down to a flared skirt. The top of the dress gracefully blends into the skirt.


Sheath. This silhouette closely follows the line of the body.


Ball Gown. The ball gown silhouette is similar to the A-Line; only it has a much fuller skirt and typically features a full bodice that is distinctly separate from the skirt.


Empire. The Empire silhouette has a high waist look, often with a seam under the bust line and typically a slimmer skirt.

Now take a look at which silhouettes work best for each body style. Remember these are basic rules and can be broken. It is best to try on all the silhouettes to see which looks best on you.

If you have an hour-glass figure, small waist and larger hips and chest:
Try
An A-Line gown paired with a v-neck or scoop neck to fully flatter your figure.

Avoid
The Empire silhouette, which may hide your figure or make it look disproportioned. A ball-gown, if the skirt isn't overly full, can also be a good choice.

Short Waisted and Petite Figures:
Try
An A-Line gown can elongate your waist and make you appear taller. Since the top of the dress gently blends into the flared skirt, it often provides a long and lean silhouette.

Avoid
A large ball gown can make you appear smaller.

Tall and Thin:
Try
A ball gown or a Sheath silhouette.

Avoid
You can wear any silhouette. If you want to appear less tall or thin avoid the A-line or Sheath.

Pear Shaped:
Try
Selecting a gown that will draw attention to the upper half of your body. The Silhouette isn't quite as important as the neckline you select. Flatter your shoulders and chest while drawing focus away from hips.

Avoid
The Sheath silhouette, it draws attention to the hips.

Full Figure and Plus Size:
Try
An A-Line will flatter practically any figure.

Avoid
Sheaths, thin straps, and sleeveless gowns. Consider a scoop or v-neck to flatter your chest and neck.

Bridal Gown Shopping Hints

One of the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding is selecting "the perfect gown," that makes you feel really special. Whether you know exactly what you are looking for, or if you're beginning your search with little more than a general idea, there are several things you should consider before purchasing your gown.

Your gown should reflect your personality, taste and style.

Be sure to try on as many different styles as possible. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Choosing the perfect gown should be fun!

Take a camera along, just in case permission is granted and you can take a photo of the gowns you like. Having a picture, "in hand," will be helpful in making your final choice.

Listen to others, but don't be pressured into buying a gown that you do not "love".

When you find the "perfect gown," buy it. Period . . . End of story . . . Stop looking.

Whether shopping with your mom, best friend or alone, it will be helpful for you to have an understanding of the type of gowns and what may look best on your body type.

How to Select a Tiara

First, select your wedding gown. Now, decide how you want to wear your hair. Most tiaras can be worn with many different hairstyles. Short hair brides look absolutely beautiful wearing a tiara but choose a lighter, more delicate tiara that won't require lots of pinning to hold it in place. Try headband styles or tiaras with a more petite shape.

Now you’re ready to select your tiara.

Match pattern in the detailing of your gown to the pattern in the tiara. If you have floral pattern in your gown, look for a headpiece with similar detailing. A modern, plain white gown usually looks best with a tiara with straight lines or a geometric pattern. If your dress has pearls in the detailing - select a tiara with some or all pearls. If your dress has crystals, select a headpiece with crystal accents.

A tiara with only Austrian crystals (rhinestones) and no pearls will match any gown. A tiara with pearls should match either the gown (pearl accents on the gown) or the pearl necklace and earrings. Most pearl tiaras go well with off-white or ivory gowns, but brighter white pearls may not work with an ivory gown.

Keep your accessories in balance. Make sure that all the pieces of the bridal ensemble work together and that no one piece overwhelms another.

Guidelines for color Selection:
White Gowns: Choose a tiara that is silver-tone, rhinestone, or white pearl.
Ivory and Off-White Gowns: Choose a tiara that is gold-tone or ivory pearls.
Diamond white gowns (Lighter than off-white but not white): Either gold or silver tone.

Wedding Flower - How to Get Started

Today, brides and grooms use wedding flowers to decorate their big day with personal style. The first hurdle? Finding a reliable floral designer. Here's a three-step guide to getting (and working with) a first- rate florist.

STEP 1: Finding a Florist....Been to a wedding or party with fabulous flowers? Ask the hosts for the florist's name. Your wedding site manager can give you names, too. If the florist has worked in the space before, he or she will have a good sense of the dynamics (high ceilings beg for tall table arrangements, while splendid Gothic interiors call for subtle palettes).


STEP 2: Allow Plenty of Time...Reserve your florist three to six months in advance. Allow even more time if the florist is very popular, or if you're marrying during high season (June through September).


STEP 3: Do Your Research...If you're no expert in flower types and terminology, visit your local bookstore or library and look for books about flower arranging. Pinpoint designs you like and flowers you favor. Bring these books (or color copies of specific arrangements) with you when you meet with your florist.

Selecting and Cutting the Wedding Cake

Your wedding cake is the grand finale of your wedding! It should be delicious but it should also be beautiful. Cutting the cake is a big photo moment. Everyone remembers a marvelous cake and your photos of the cake cutting will live on, and on.

Choose a cake that's compatible with the venue's style, the season, your dress, the flower arrangements, or the menu. If you want colored accents (such as sugar flowers or icing ribbons), give your baker sample fabric swatches. If you're getting your cake from an independent designer or bakery, check out the baker or designer's reputation. If your friends haven't referred you to anyone, ask your caterer or banquet manager for recommendations.

Your wedding cake is the grand finale of your wedding! It should be delicious but it should also be beautiful. Cutting the cake is a big photo moment. Everyone remembers a marvelous cake and your photos of the cake cutting will live on, and on.

Choose a cake that's compatible with the venue's style, the season, your dress, the flower arrangements, or the menu. If you want colored accents (such as sugar flowers or icing ribbons), give your baker sample fabric swatches. If you're getting your cake from an independent designer or bakery, check out the baker or designer's reputation. If your friends haven't referred you to anyone, ask your caterer or banquet manager for recommendations.

The bride's cake -- the one cut by the couple at the reception -- is traditionally eaten as dessert. The groom's cake is usually darker and richer (often chocolate). Give slices to guests as a take-home. If you plan to send cake home you will need to supply a box! Wedding cake often is priced by the slice -- the cost ranges widely, from $1.50 to $15 per slice.


Generally, three tiers will serve 50 to 100 guests; you'll likely need five layers for 200 guests or more. If the reception is in a room with high ceilings, consider increasing the cake's stature with columns between the tiers. Make sure there is a designated cake table that allows the most elegant presentation possible. A round table is perfect for round cakes, but a linear cake design may call for a rectangular table. Keep in mind that the more complicated the cake, the higher the price tag.

Plan to cut the cake early in the reception. A good time is when guests are eating a sit-down dinner, or, if it is a buffet service, while all your guests are getting their food and moving around the room. This keeps your guests from crowding around you during the cutting ceremony, stumbling over the photographer's equipment, and making you hot and sweaty during the photos. This early cutting of the cakes also allows everyone to see you cutting the cakes and the cakes are ready for your guests when they are ready for cake. (Cutting the cake late in the reception means that half of your guests may have left without enjoying their traditional piece of wedding cake.) If you are having a groom’s cake, in addition to your cake, consider providing a cake box so your guests can take cake home with them.

After checking your make-up, arrange yourself, your headpiece, and your train to one side of the bride’s cake. Take the long, slender knife in your right hand and place the tip of the knife on the lowest, edible tier of cake. Make sure you have an elegant cake serving set. It will be in all your photos for years to come. The last thing you arrange is your new husband's hand over yours on the knife. Do not cut the cake yet! Stop and smile at the photographer who will probably take 15-20 exposures of the two of you with the cake, from different angles and with varying speeds and light exposure in order to get details of the cake decoration as well as details of your faces.

When you do cut into the cake, either cut off a corner (if it's a square cake) or cut a V-shaped piece from the lowest, round tier, not next to a column. (The columns support the rest of the cake above and they need cake left around them to give them support.) This piece of cake should fall out onto a plate.

Just as your husband took his marriage vows first as a safety net for you before you took your marriage vows, similarly he will take a fork and feed you a bite of cake from the plate first, symbolic of sharing with you his life, his wealth, and his future. Then you will take another fork and feed him a bite of cake, symbolic of sharing with him your life, your wealth, and your future.

Wedding Invitation Q&A

When should you send invitations?

Invitations should go out eight weeks before the wedding -- that gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules for the day and make travel arrangements if they are out-of-towners. It also lets you make the RSVP date a little earlier -- say three weeks before the wedding date -- so you can get a final head count and start making a seating chart (if you'll have one) before the final-week-before-the- wedding crunch begins. If you will be inviting lots of out-of-town guests or your wedding date is on or near a holiday, you may want to send a "save the date" card about six months before the wedding date to give your guests more time to plan.

What if most of the guests will be from out of town?

The best thing to do if you're marrying far away from where most of your guests live -- especially if it's a tourist area -- is to send out a save-the-date card with accommodation and travel information.

This "card" can be as simple as a letter (a computer printout is fine) letting guests know your wedding date and giving them any travel/hotel/car rental info they may need. You can do this right now, if you like; if you want to wait a bit on accommodations info, it's fine to send a save-the- date card now and send that information in a separate mailing about three months before the wedding.

How should the invitation be worded?

It's an eternal question: How will the invitation be worded? As most newly engaged couples know, this can be a touchy subject because what's read between the lines is who's hosting (that is, paying for) the wedding. Today, many etiquette rules are totally bendable.

TRADITIONAL WORDING. It is customary in a formal wedding invitation to spell out everything, including the date and time of the wedding. For example, the invite should read Five o'clock in the evening not 5:00 p.m. Each bit of information occupies its own line and no commas are used, except between the location of the wedding and the city and state in which it will take place. Today, a whole roomful of people could be paying for the wedding, including the couple themselves, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, stepparents, grandparents, and the list goes on. It's important that you give credit where credit's due -- whoever's footing most of the bill, deserves to lead off the invitation.

The reception & wedding will be held at the same place. Do we need a separate reception card?

All you have to do is add a single line to the bottom of your ceremony invitation: "Reception to follow." Just make sure your ushers know where to direct guests after the ceremony, so they're all taking the most convenient route to the reception area.

Do we have to send “thank you” cards?

In today’s fast paced world some believe that an email or an "in person thank you" at the wedding or bridal shower is enough. We believe that this is the reason that a personal thank you note means even more than ever before. A thank-you note should be sent to everyone who gives you a gift; especially since this may be the only way the gift-giver knows you actually received it.

Wedding Song for Reference

The Recessional
Ode to Joy (from 9th Symphony in D minor) by Beethoven
Wedding March (A Midsummer Night's Dream) by Mendelssohn

The Prelude
Ave Maria by Schubert
Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
Greensleeves by R Vaughan Williams
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S Bach

The Processional
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel
Hornpipe (Water Music) by Handel
Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke

The Signing of the Register
Air on a G String by J.S Bach
Ave Maria by Schubert
Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
Clair de Lune by Debussey

Other Hymns for Your Wedding
Blue Danube Waltz by J Strauss
Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin) by Wagner
Palladio by Karl Jenkins
Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel
Whistling Gypsy Rover

Hymns
All Creatures Of Our God And King
All People That On Earth Do Dwell
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Amazing Grace
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
And Did Those Feet In Ancient Times
At The Name Of Jesus
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind
Father Hear The Prayer We Offer
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Give Me Joy In My Heart
God Of All Living Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
How Great Thou Art
I Vow To Thee My Country
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us
Love Came Down At Christmas
Love Divine All Love Excelling
Morning Has Broken
Now Thank We All Our God
Father All Creating
Jesus I Have Promised
Worship The King
Peace, Perfect Peace
Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
Praise To The Lord The Almighty
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
The Lord's My Shepherd I'll Not Want
To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Hath Done
We Plough The Fields And Scatter

Modern Songs
All You Need is Love by The Beatles
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? by Elton John
Everything I Do by Bryan Adams
From This Moment by Shania Twain and Bryan White
The Wedding Song by Peter, Paul and Mary
Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden
White Wedding by Billy Idol
You're Still The One by Shania Twain
You're the Inspiration by Chicago