Easy Tips For Finding The Perfect Bridal Gown

Every bride has a love-hate relationship with picking out her wedding dress. It’s a long and hard process, and rarely is the first one you try the perfect one. And while most of them will just be a definite “no”, you will not be able to hold back the tears when you try the one. It’s going to be just like the first time you saw the person you are going to marry – you will just know. But to make sure that doesn’t take an eternity, here are some tips to help you manage the big search.

                  Don’t let others influence your decision

There are so many different views on this issue, but the bottom line is: you are the one buying the dress. You are the one wearing the dress. It’s your wedding. You choose. Having a small squad with you, however, is a good thing. Hearing different opinions and having multiple eyes on the dress as you try it on is always a plus, since they will make sure there are no details that you will only notice – and maybe dislike – after you buy the dress. However, if you fall in love with the gown, and can’t see yourself in anything else, you should get it, no matter what the others say. In fact, the people you should bring aren’t just supposed to be all of your bridesmaids, or your mother, or any set person: it should be someone who you usually like shopping with and who knows your style well. You don’t need anyone pushing their own dreams, visions and style on you at this point.

                  Bring the shoes

If you’ve already chosen the shoes, make sure you bring them along, and if you haven’t, bring a pair that is of a similar height and style to the ones you plan to wear. If you have a high heel it can greatly impact the length of the dress and how you will look overall. Sometimes, you might put on a dress and think it doesn’t give you the shape you are looking for, when it actually only needs the boost from the heels. Or, if you are wearing statement shoes and want them to be seen, then you want to make sure you find a dress short enough to show them off.

                  Ask about your size

All too often, brides are talked into getting a dress that isn’t in their size, either by thinking that their weight will change significantly between that moment and their wedding, or by trying on a size too small, and someone convincing them that when they do the alterations, the dress will look great. But luckily, today we have an amazing variety of plus size wedding gowns, so that every bride can find her perfect dress without having to squeeze into a dress two sizes too small, or paying a fortune for alterations to make the dress fit. If you are planning a store crawl, then call the stores ahead of time and ask them if they have dresses in your size, and whether they can order samples if they don’t. If you are shopping online, make sure you check the store’s return policies to be certain you will get the perfect dress.

                  Accessories make all the difference

The dress is just a blank canvas. A beautiful canvas, sure, but still blank – awaiting all the different decorations you are going to put on top of it. Those can be the things that will directly alter the shape of the dress, like a slip, sleeves, gloves, jackets, cardigans and belts, or they can be smaller details like necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. Of course, the two most important parts of the look after the dress are the veil (which can be a veil, a net, a hat, or a flower wreath) and the bouquet. You don’t have to have all of your accessories with you when you go dress shopping, but try to imagine yourself with the whole get-up. Also, you shouldn’t stick to just one set of jewelry before you buy the dress, because you might want to find something different to fit the gown better.

No matter what dress you opt for, the most important thing you should remember is that the dress needs to be comfortable and that you feel good in it. Your partner is going to love you no matter what you look like and anybody else’s opinion simply can’t compare. Make sure you spend some time with your dress to make sure you know how to work it when you take all those important steps into a new chapter.

Images: Unsplash

Author: Georgia Selih

Wedding day ready- From Head to Toe

The big day is almost here, you are finished with the planning part, the venue is booked, caterer chosen and flowers ordered. There is nothing else to worry about, the band has confirmed and your choice of wedding cake couldn't be better. It is time to devote all the attention to the most important person, yourself, the bride.

You deserve to feel fantastic on your wedding day, so splurge and pamper yourself from head to toe.

A fantastic mani and padi

Just imagine, a close up of you holding the bouquet, or of your partner putting a ring on your finger, of course your hands need to look flawless. Opt for medium length nails that look sophisticated and stylish. When it comes to color,  pastels or french tips are the perfect choice, moderate, simple yet stunning. Even if you opt for closed toe stilettos you still need to treat yourself to a fantastic pedicure. You will spend most of the day on your feet so why not get them pampered before the festivities. And it is always a good idea to have perfect toes, who knows maybe you’ll opt to go barefoot at one point in the day.

Memorable hairdo

Of course you want to have show stopping hair for your big day. Remember, it is imperative that you take into consideration your wedding dress design when choosing the perfect hairstyle. So get your hairdresser to give you some suggestions based on the neckline, material and veil. Don’t worry, in case you want a style that requires lengthier hair you can always opt for hair extensions that are bound to provide you with the length and volume necessary to pull of any hairstyle you have envisioned. Bare in mind that it would not be a bad idea to have your hairdresser on call in case you need a touch up just before walking down the aisle, especially if it is an outdoor wedding. 

The perfect face

A visit to the beautician at least a week prior to your wedding day is a must, your skin needs to be fresh and rejuvenated, but it will also require time to recuperate after the treatments so you should choose the ideal time to make the appointment. Make sure you use natural beauty products in order to assure the ultimate pampering experience. Get a good night's sleep and apply eye cream before going to bed, the day of the wedding opt for cool compressor  to refresh the area around your eyes, then leave the rest to your make up artist. Just make sure you have collaborated with them prior to the wedding, and that you have had a trial run with the make up style so as to get the perfect result on your big day. Your makeup style need to complement your dress as well as you hair. 

Your desired figure

You haven't left the gym for the past few months working hard on that perfect figure so that you are absolutely satisfied with the way your wedding dress fits. Trust us, on the day of the wedding you are bound to feel bloated, uncertain and insecure. Those are the nerves, your body is perfect, and there are the little tricks that will help you feel fantastic. First, opt for sexy lingerie, just knowing you have it on under your wedding dress will be a huge confidence boost. Secondly, get your secret weapon - spanks - if the Kardashians wear it so can you. It will provide additional support for your perfect figure and you won’t be able to see the nonexistent imperfections that you have convinced yourself you have. There you go, the perfect wedding body ready to go, and don’t forget your dream wedding stilettos are bound to elongate your form thus helping your dress fall perfectly and providing you with a regal look.

You are ready to walk down that aisle towards your partner and to begin the biggest adventure of your life with them. Remember, to your love you look perfect and that is just how you should feel on your wedding day, so leave all the little insecurities at home. You have only to let yourself be pampered and transformed into the stunning bride that you are. 

Written by Brigitte Evans from highstylife.com

How To Be At Your Healthiest For Your Wedding

On your wedding day, it’s so important to be as healthy as can be. It may seem overwhelming to get your health in check but, luckily, there are some simple methods you can start at any time. Begin by considering your lifestyle to consider what components of your life you can improve, how you can improve them, and how long it will take to improve. Here are a few examples of some paths you can take on your journey to obtaining a healthier lifestyle before your wedding.

Visit your Doctor Regularly

This one seems obvious, but many people are still not visiting their doctor regularly. How will you know for sure that your body is healthy if you’re not checking in with your doctor? This doesn’t just mean seeing your primary physician, you should also be seeing your dentist, optometrist, and any other recommended doctor. If you often find yourself procrastinating on visiting your doctor, be sure to make your appointments a couple months in advance before your wedding. If you can, try to avoid making them a couple weeks before your wedding. You wouldn’t want to feel sore from any procedures on your big day!

Maintain A Clean Home

In order to avoid getting sick, it’s important to keep your living space clean. You might find that the time you’re putting into planning for your wedding has taken away from time that you would have previously spent on chores, such as cleaning. However, it’s so important to keep a hygienic living space, so it’s worth the time to freshen up your home. A dirty dwelling could trigger allergies, headaches, or illness. A clean home will not only make you feel better physically, it will help you feel your best mentally as well.

Listen To Your Body

You know if your body is behaving differently, so pay attention to these changes and be proactive about correcting them. If you’ve been lacking energy lately, perhaps you need to make changes to your sleep schedule. If the groom has noticed excessive hair falling out in the shower, he could address his stress levels or consider using a product to fight hair loss, such as Minoxidil. If you’re continuously checking in with your body and making sure you’re feeling normal, you’ll be able to know right away if something is wrong and will therefore be able to address it before your wedding.

Track Your Activity

We always hear that we should be exercising and staying active regularly, but it’s easier said than done. Luckily, there are many options for wearable devices to help us track our movement, sleep patterns, diets, and more. Research activity trackers to find one that works best for you and try using it regularly. These trackers will likely motivate you to make many changes that will improve your health, even if they’re small.
 

Relax

The time leading up to a wedding can be quite stressful. With all the planning and appointments, it can be hard to find time to relax. However, having time to de-stress is so crucial for your mental health. Incorporate relaxing activities into your daily routine, such as reading or meditating. Even just 15 minutes of one of these types of activities each day will have you feeling less stressed and will improve your mental health.

Photos by: Kayla Temple Photography & Steve Doyle Photography Cover photo by: Evernew Studio

4 Reasons Why You Should Custom Make Your Engagement Ring

Creating a custom made ring is an exciting and very rewarding experience, one that takes some consideration but is worth it in the long run. Before you decide to go down this path, it is important to understand why you would want to. Here are four reasons why you should choose to custom make your engagement ring.

1. Uniqueness

Designing your very own ring gives you a chance to show off your unique personality and individual characteristics. Shopping from a traditional vendor offers limited opportunities for ring customization. However, when designing a bespoke ring from sketch to finished product with a jeweller, you decide upon every element. You get to choose the diamond or gemstone shape, diamond clarity and size, style of band and other intricate detailing according to the specifications you give the jeweller. A custom-made ring gives you complete creative control over all the details, so you can tell the story of your unique partnership. 

2. Budget

Another very attractive reason to custom make your very own engagement ring is you can utilise your budget more effectively when compared to buying a ready made ring. You will be able to select exactly what features you do and do not want to be included in your ring and your jeweller will be able to guide you on where you can afford to make sensible budget decisions that won’t compromise the overall looks/feel of the ring.

3. Expert Advice and Guidance

Through direct interaction with your chosen jeweller, you can communicate exactly what your engagement ring needs are and, if chosen carefully, the jeweller will provide sound advice on quality, designs and features to select with your specific budget. The jeweller will pay attention to your preferences and provide insight into other potential options before creating your perfect custom made ring.

4. Couple Bonding Opportunity

An engagement ring should be a unique expression of your partnership and symbolize the beginning of a life-long partnership in a meaningful way. Getting engaged is a huge moment in any couple’s lives and the ring symbolises and captures this moment in time forever. Going about the process together to decide exactly what elements are to be included in the ring design is an intimate and bonding experience for both partners.

If you’re in two minds about whether to custom make your engagement ring or not, consider the aforementioned reasons. Speak to your partner about what's important to them and take your time. Choosing the right jeweller to take you along the customisation journey is key to producing the perfect end result. Make sure they are a reputable, trusted name in the industry and easily adapt the brief to your needs.

Author Bio:

Discover the wider collection of diamond jewellery and watches at J Farren-Price Sydney. In 2017 Farren-Price celebrated 75 years of offering exquisite products to discerning clientele. Established in 1942 by John Farren-Price the business today is still family run by his wife Krysten and son Julian. For over three quarters of a century the company has developed an outstanding international collection of finest watch brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Greubel Forsey, Jaeger LeCoultre, Panerai Hublot, IWC, Chopard, Longines, Tudor. In fact they are the longest standing representative of Patek Philippe and Rolex in Australia.

Must-Read Steps to Planning an Amazing Bridal Shower

 Must-Read Steps to Planning an Amazing Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is a great excuse to get everyone close to the bride together and celebrate her future status as a married woman. The duty of hosting usually falls upon the maid of honor, but it’s not uncommon for all the bridesmaids to plan together or even for the bride to do it herself. But just knowing that you have to plan a bridal shower isn’t enough. You have to think of a lot of little details to make sure this night stands out and that everyone has a good time. And here are some steps that you should never skip:

 Compile the guest list

This is the part where knowing the bride (and the people close to her) well comes in really handy. Who would the bride like to be there? Who would feel offended if they got left out, and are there any people who should be invited, but don’t get along? Make a guest list as soon as possible and send out invitations. By this point, you might already have a venue in mind, but you won’t be able to choose an exact venue nor set the budget until everyone replies and confirms they’re coming. And you can feel free to let go of the archaic rules of only women being invited: the bride certainly has close friends and family who are male, and they should be more than welcome to join in, because bridal showers are no longer about women exchanging advice on how to keep the house clean and make the perfect meatloaf.

                 

Choose a theme

No, a “bridal shower” isn’t a good enough theme; it’s simply the reason for the get-together. A theme will make the party more fun and it will help you a lot with setting up the décor and food choices. It can be inspired by a certain country, a movie or decade the bride loves, or simply her favorite colors. Whatever it may be, think in advance and plan around the theme, venue and food to make it all come together.

Get help

You don’t get sick leave off work just because you’re planning a party, and planning it really is a lot of work. So at the very least, you need to learn to delegate. Even if you do all the planning, you don’t have to be the one physically picking up the food or the flower arrangements. Set up a crew of the bride’s close friends (who are all invited) and have them help you out. And if you are not able to stay on top of the planning process, it’s a great idea to hire an event planner to help you out and make sure everything is running smoothly. Check in with them about how things are going, but also trust them that they know how to do their job well.

Think of activities

Sure, a night in with cocktails and discussing the things you normally would at a get-together can be fun, but this is a bridal shower and we need to step up your game. Before you start planning, be aware that not everyone will like to participate, and that you shouldn’t force any of the guests to play along. Plan games where everyone gets to say something nice about the bride, or simply prepare word cards and play charades. Or, you can just go old school and hang up a piñata or play Twister.

A special something

You want every guest, including the bride, leaving with a memory of that day firmly ingrained. And this means having some sort of wow factor or a memorable gift for them to take home. Consider getting a statement cake that has all the bride’s personality traits displayed on different tiers, or setting up a photo booth with accessories, so that everyone can get pictures to take home. You can also get some crafting supplies and have a party activity be making bead jewelry, which is then exchanged.

The bridal party shouldn’t be about you proving to the bride how much you love her and trying to outshine everyone else, it’s about coming together as a group of friends and celebrating. So put your party hats on and start having the night of your life!

Witten by Georgia Selih

Must-Have Wedding Photos You Don't Want To Miss

         Twenty, thirty, forty years down the line, you will sit with your wedding album in your lap and think back on that day – one of the happiest days of your life. And that’s really what it should be. But you won’t think about the late wedding invitations, the fondant on the cake that wasn’t the exact right shade of lilac or the forgotten speech; you will remember only the good moments with the help of your photographs. And you want to make sure that they capture all the moments, so even when your memory fades, you will have something to remind you.

                  The preparation

Whether it’s in your own home, in a hotel suite or at your best friend’s house, getting ready for the big day with all of your best friends and dearest family around you will create such a special atmosphere that you will definitely want to capture. The laughter as you are remembering old memories and talking about the embarrassing moments from childhood, the first look in the mirror with your hair and makeup done, the getting into the dress, the tears when you put on the veil will all be precious memories. Ideally, you will have more than one photographer, so that you can capture the preparations of both the groom and the bride.

                  The first look

Seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day is perhaps one of the most emotional moments of the day. Even if you don’t believe in the superstition of the “it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding”, the tradition is there for a reason, and you will cry when you see your significant other looking so beautiful. Make sure your photographer captures both the moments just before you see each other and the first look – ideally from multiple angles.

                  Out in nature

Even if your ceremony and after-party are taking place indoors, you still want to get some pictures outside. And the best photos will be at the best locations, which is why you want a photographer who knows the area well. If you are taking pictures in the Royal Botanical Gardens, you want to find the perfect Sydney wedding photographer who knows exactly where to take you. If it’s a colder season, make sure you have appropriate clothing that will match your wedding attire, and keep you warm enough. It’s also a great time to bring your friends and family and take some group photos.

                  Large group photos

It’s not always easy to coordinate a hundred (or a couple hundred) people for a group photo, but it’s not impossible. Use the moments like the ceremony, the speech or the first dance to your advantage, and get some aerial shots. If you want to take it up a notch, you can have all of your guests form a big heart or some other shape, or have everyone surround the couple and reach their hands out towards them. You will enjoy knowing that people who care about you were there to make the day magical.

                  Decoration

What makes a wedding so special are all the small touches that are given months of attention beforehand – from the perfect bouquet, the welcome bags and party favors, to the table décor and the flower petals tossed along the aisle. Make sure you also get pictures of the invitations before you send them out, the cake before it’s cut and the newlyweds’ table before anyone sits behind it. It is all of these details that will remind you of the overall atmosphere, and give you great references if you ever want to share some wedding ideas with someone else.

When choosing your photographer, make sure it’s someone you can easily communicate with and someone you trust. Keep in mind that every photographer has a different style, so if you look at their portfolio and love the pictures, but want a different style, you’ll be better off finding someone who specializes in that style. Book them well in advance to make sure they are available on the big day and talk them through all of the shots you want. It’s also a good idea to take them to see the venue before the event, so that they can create a plan for all the shots. Most importantly, you have to try and forget they’re there, and just smile from the heart.

Written by: Georgia Selih