Hairstyles for Winter Weddings
The ultimate in bridal chic this year is a smooth low updo gathered slightly to one side. Have your stylist make it very polished with a serum or pomade to combat the dry flyaway hair that plagues most of us during the winter months. A low side part will add to the style of this elegant bridal hairdo. The perfect finishing touch is a fabulous little cage veil with a feathered accent. Pair with crystal bridal jewelry such as dazzling chandelier earrings, and wear with a slinky silk wedding gown.
Braids are back in style for brides. A low braided bun is a very romantic hairdo for a winter bride. It is a nice variation on the smooth low sideswept updo. Because the wrapping of the braids will add a nice texture, keep the front of the hair simple and position the bun in the center, not asymmetrically. For bridal hair jewelry, either tuck a jeweled comb into one side of the braided bun, or decorate with a scattering of sparkling hairpins. This would be a beautiful hairstyle to complement a romantic lace bridal gown.
The classic French twist is also making a comeback, as brides return to more elegant hairstyles after several years of messy ‘dos. One of the great things about a French twist is that it does not require long hair like many other updos. Medium length hair works just as well for this sophisticated style, as long as it is not too layered. Since your hair will be entirely off your shoulders, take the opportunity to showcase some really spectacular bridal jewelry, like long crystal drop earrings or a multi-strand pearl necklace. Tuck hairpins or a small spray of white feathers into the side of the twist to finish it perfectly.
Brides who wish to wear their hair down this winter should opt for a very smooth hairstyle. Large soft waves with a shiny finish are ideal. A statement making jeweled headband is the ideal accessory for this hairdo. If you plan to wear a veil, consider a double headband because you can anchor the veil’s comb between the two bands for more security. This youthful and radiant wedding hairstyle is lovely with a satin or taffeta ballgown or a more simple A-line gown with a touch of beading. The effect will be timeless and elegant – definitely a winning winter wedding hairstyle!
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry | Tags: bridal hair jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, wedding hairstyles, winter wedding hairstyles, winter weddings | Comment (0)Winter Wedding Color Palettes
One of the most elegant color palettes for a winter wedding is glacier blue and silver. The silver adds that icy twinkle that something that only a winter celebration can have, while the blue is a nice touch of color as a departure from pure winter white. Make the light color seasonal by bringing in rich fabrics like silk satin and silk dupioni. Ice blue satin bridesmaid dresses would be chic for the attendants. Custom bridal Swarovski necklaces with touches of glacier blue would be equally lovely for the bride and her bridesmaids.
If you are a traditionalist, you will love the classic red, green, and white color combination for your winter wedding. Really play up the spirit of the season by decorating with rich tartans, metallic gold ribbons, and luxurious place settings with gold chargers. Instead of standard centerpieces, decorate the reception tables with Christmas tree shaped topiaries planted in gold painted pots. Add small tartan ribbons and white flowers to the topiaries for the perfect finishing touch.
Deep purple and moss green would be a beautiful color palette for a winter wedding. It is an excellent alternative to either of the two usual approaches – Winter Wonderland white or holiday red. The richness of the purple and moss green are very much in keeping with the winter season, yet are far from what is expected. When using an offbeat color palette, avoid references to the traditional winter motifs like snowflakes and sleighs. Let your color scheme be the only defined theme. Lustrous silk dupioni bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses accented with custom bridal Swarovski necklaces will fit in beautifully with the elegant colors.
Of course, an ultra-traditional all-white wedding is always appealing in the winter months, just as it is all year round. White can be used as part of a Winter Wonderland theme complete with snowflakes, or it can be used in a less seasonal fashion. Whether your taste runs to the classics or something a bit less expected, you will find that there are many gorgeous options for winter wedding color palettes.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: custom bridal Swarovski necklaces, wedding color palettes, wedding colors, winter wedding colors | Comment (0)Outdoor Decorations for Fall and Winter Weddings
The decorations you select for the outside spaces of your wedding are the ones which will create the first impression of your wedding. Whether your guests will view them only briefly as they scurry into a warm church on a frigid December day or will spend the entire celebration surrounded by them at an early autumn outdoor wedding, the exterior decorations are very important. Create a beautiful welcoming design with these ideas for outdoor decorations for fall and winter weddings.
In the autumn, outdoor decorations often take on a rustic flavor. This is great for the diy bride, as they are often easy to assemble. Grand stalks of wheat tied to the columns of a country inn with a russet colored ribbon would be a great way to set the tone for a charming country wedding on an early October afternoon. Line the front steps with baskets of mums in seasonal colors for a gorgeous burst of color. The baskets of flowers can be re-purposed as table decorations for the post-wedding brunch the following day, or simply transport them to your home to decorate your own porch or yard after the wedding. These decorations would be very much in keeping with the taste of a bride who likes a simple silk shantung gown and handmade wedding jewelry.
Wreaths are stunning decorations for doors, trees, even the broad side of a barn. The marvelous thing about a wreath is that you can create a nearly infinite variety of styles using the same basic form. For an elegant wedding during the Christmas season, adorn the church doors with a pair of square wreaths made from boxwood. Tie on wide white satin bows with extra long streamers for a minimalist chic effect. For a fall celebration, create a rustic wreath from grapevine and berries to hang on the door of a restored barn reception. Add a bow in a cranberry or pine green burlap for a festive touch. Wreaths can also be very feminine, such as a classic round pine wreath decorated with dried white hydrangeas or preserved white magnolia blossoms.
Lighting is an easy way to add drama to the exterior spaces of your wedding. Classic tiny white lights can be used to great effect when hundreds are strung through trees flanking a front door. Or hang small clear glass globes over an entry way filled with flickering white candles. On a snowy day, covered lanterns with ivory candles planted in the snow alongside a walkway would be a beautiful way to brighten up a gray day or icy evening. The special attention you give to decorating the outside of your wedding site will make an incredible first impression.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: fall weddings, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding decorations, winter weddings | Comment (0)Wedding Rules Meant to be Broken
Weddings are laden with customs and traditions, many of which are quite meaningful and special. That does not mean, however, that every bride is obligated to follow each and every rule about the customary or “right” way to do things. These are some wedding rules which you can feel free to break with abandon…
The White Wedding Gown. For the record: wearing a non-white wedding gown does not mean that the bride is not “pure”, any more than wearing a white gown is proof that she is (which frankly, most brides and grooms aren’t). If the bride is a traditionalist, then by all means, a white bridal gown would be lovely, but every bride should have the right to wear the wedding dress that makes her feel the most fabulous – no matter what color it is!
Father Of The Bride Pays For The Wedding. Fathers of the bride, you can breathe a sigh of relief! While it was a long held custom that the father of the bride was responsible for virtually all of the wedding costs (excluding the bridal bouquet, wedding rings, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon), these days, expenses tend to get spread around more equitably. Many couples contribute to the wedding costs or pay for the entire event themselves, especially if they are older with established careers. The family of the groom is also likely to become more involved than in the past, perhaps picking up the tab for the florist, the photographer, or the band. The wedding costs should be divided up based on willingness and ability to pay, not on the old custom.
No Sparkle Before Sundown. Once upon a time, it was considered “vulgar” for a lady to wear sparkly jewelry like diamonds or crystals during daytime hours. That old rule is completely outdated (no matter what your grandmother may tell you!), and brides today can indulge in Swarovski crystal earrings, necklaces, and bracelets at any time of the day. It is still true, however, that daytime jewelry tends to be a bit more modest than evening jewelry, so for an 11am wedding, you would select a more dainty pair of Swarovski crystal earrings than the big chandeliers that would be spectacular for a 4pm or 6pm wedding.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: non-traditional weddings, Swarovski crystal earrings, wedding customs, wedding traditions | Comment (0)Countdown to 10-10-10 Weddings
If you have chosen the exciting date of October 10, 2010 for your wedding, it will be here before you know it! The final weeks before a wedding are always a time of great anticipation and also a time to get a million last minute things done. This is what you need to get accomplished during the countdown to your 10-10-10 wedding.
At this point, you should have all of the attire selected for the wedding party, including tuxedo rentals (if using) for the men. What may still remain is to select the accessories. Wedding jewelry makes beautiful bridesmaid gifts. While selecting your bridesmaid gifts, make sure to pick up your own bridal jewelry and headpiece, if you have not yet done so. Begin your bridal gown fittings, with the final fitting scheduled one to two weeks before you need to pick up your gown.
It is time to work out the final details for your wedding ceremony now for your 10-10-10 wedding. Make your final selections for readings and songs and get them to the necessary people. If you plan to write your own wedding vows, get started right away – don’t leave it to the night before the wedding! Check on the laws in the jurisdiction where you will be getting married to find out when and how to apply for a marriage license (in some states, marriage licenses expire after 30 days, yet others may have a waiting period before the license can be used, so timing is everything).
Keep in touch with your vendors. Remember to get the final head count in to the caterer by his deadline! Once you have the guest list finalized, get started on your seating chart. Before crunch time, also get a list of desired photographs into your photographer and discuss details with your videographer, if using one. It is also a very good idea to get your play list to your band or d.j. soon – both the songs you do want and those which are forbidden. Be sure to order or make your wedding favors by about four weeks out, if that job is still pending. Add to that pre-wedding parties like the ladies’ luncheon and rehearsal dinner, and the countdown to an October 10, 2010 wedding promises to be a very busy and exciting time!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Bridesmaid Gifts, Wedding Planning | Tags: 10-10-10 weddings, Bridesmaid Gifts, October 10 2010 wedding, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)