designer wedding veils

"What type of dress would look best on me?" This is a question that I get over and over again. And it is a very good question to ask. Because some body types just don't do well is certain dresses, and since you want to look as stunning as possible on your big

day, you want the dress that will make you look as good as possible.

Fact: Just because a dress comes in your size, does not mean that it is going to look good on you. All women are shaped differently, and because of this there are many different types of wedding gowns. Each will make the right shaped bride look stunning, but if you pick wrong, you may be very unhappy with the results.

By knowing before you go shopping, what type of dress would be the most flattering for your body type; you can easily save yourself a lot of headaches. I have seen it time and time again. A newly engaged bride finds her dream dress in a bridal magazine. She must have it; this is THE dress for her. So she travels 120 miles to the one bridal shop in her area who sells this designer, only to try it on and absolutely hate the way it makes her look. Any dress is going to look fabulous on the modals in the magazines, but for the rest of us real people, we have to be more realistic.

Another advantage to looking into this before you shop is to try to help you narrow down your choices. There are hundreds of thousands of wedding dresses out their. Unless you have a proportionate and slender figure, at least half of these can be eliminated as options right off the bat making your shopping trips less intense and stressful.

"So what type will look best on me?"

For Slender / Short Brides: You should look for a simple style. Strait or slight A-Line style will make you look taller. Choose a gown with princess seams, that is not too full. If it is too full, it will make you look shorter. Too much beadwork or beaded lace can make you look shorter as well if it covers up the heightening princess seams.

Things to avoid: Really full or puffed sleeves. These make you look wider and that will also make you look shorter. Gathered skirts or tiered skirts, these will also make you look shorter.

For Full-Figured / Short Brides: You should look for styles that will make you figure look longer and leaner. Vertical silhouette lines like A-Line, princess and strait styles will achieve this. Do not pick a dress that is clingy or too tight. The dress should just skim the body and flow down without hugging your curves too much.

Things to avoid: You should stay away from bouffant or tiered silhouettes and very full veils. These will give the illusion of more bulk, and that is what you are trying to avoid. Stay away from large prints, even if the pattern is all one color. Heavy and shiny fabrics are also best avoided since they can make you look heavier or draw attention to curves that you may prefer to keep hidden.

Average Weight / Average Height Brides: Well, if you are reading this section then you are in luck. You are also the minority, but you are the category of women that most designers target. So you have the most options available to you. Almost anything will look good on you, especially defined waistlines like basque and gathered skirts. You will also look good in fitted styles of any type.

Full-Figured / Average Brides: You should look for silhouettes that are flowing and draw attention to your face. The princess cut, strait style and A-Line gowns will look good on your body. An empire waist is also a good choice if you have a thicker waistline that you would like to hide. Dresses that flow over the hips and do not gather too much around the waist will be the most flattering on you.

Things to Avoid: Very large or very tiny prints are not flattering for you. Heavily beaded gowns or heavy fabrics should not be used when picking your dress since these can make you look heavier. Avoid any dress that hugs or is snug around the waist or hips. These will just make you look larges and accent curves that are best not showing off. Round necklines can also make your face look rounder. You may not want this with your body type.

Full-Figured / Tall Brides: You should look for styles that will make you look more slender. A-Line, strait or princess styles all will accomplish this, especially an empire waist that will hide your waistline. This will make you look thinner and accentuate your height.

Things to avoid: Anything that adds bulk or makes you look larger should not be considered. Full skirts and veils, puffed sleeves or gathered waists will add bulk and not be your best choices. Very heavy or heavily beaded fabrics will make you look larger, and shiny fabrics could draw attention to areas that you want to keep un-notices.

Slender / Tall Brides: You are the lucky ones who look good in almost anything, just like the modals in the magazines. But if you want to look shorter or if you are very thin, there are ways to add some fullness to your figure. Dresses with features that extend past the silhouette, like tiered skirts, French bustles, ruffles and beaded laces. These will all add some fullness. Another great choice is a layered tulle skirt. Puffed sleeves and flowing fabrics that don't hug your figure too much will also make you look a little thicker and shorter.

Things to avoid: Very straight dresses or something fitted skin tight. These will make you look very thin and tall. Also steer clear of blush length veils that may look too short compared to your height.

For the Plus Sized Bride: You should look for simple designs that hide some of the bulk of your figure. Avoid anything that is overly frilly, shiny or heavily beaded. Princess seams and A-Line styles can help hide some of your natural curves. Empire waist dresses that flow from under the bust instead of the waist can make you look fabulous and hide a lot since they are not clingy.

Things to avoid: A tight fitting dress or clingy fabrics will accentuate curves that you may want to hide. Gathered skirts or full skirts can make you look bigger. Textured or printed fabrics will give the illusion of more weight, compared to a plain matte satin or luster free fabric. A full veil or long train is also not the best choice if you are trying to minimize your figure.

It doesn't matter what body type you have, there is a wedding dress out there that is perfect for you. The right dress can mean the difference between you having the perfect wedding day, and being disappointed with the way you look. If you follow these guidelines, then you should be able to make the most of your time and money when dress shopping.

lace wedding veils

The veil is one of the oldest wedding traditions. In ancient times, people believed that it would protect the bride from jealous, evil spirits--or more practically, from the tribe's enemies, who may steal her on the day of the ceremony. (Incidentally, that was also the purpose of bridesmaids: to confuse any would-be attackers since they could not readily identify which one she was.) It was also considered a sign of modesty, at times when women were not meant to blatantly display their beauty--and even then, people believed that brides were the most beautiful women of all.

Today, brides wear veils to complete the "wedding look", and choosing one involves both personal preference and a consideration of the type of wedding dress you will be wearing.

If you have a very ornate gown--with very intricate beading, ruffles, or embroidery--keep your veils simple. You don't want the two to compete for attention, plus you could ruin the sophistication and elegance of your dress and just end up looking tackily overdone. If you want, you can add just a simple trim (like a line of pearls or lace at the edges). Conversely, if you have a very classic and simple dress, where the drama is mostly in the cut rather than any ornamental details, pull out all the stops when it comes to the veil, and construct it in such a way that you can wear it for the whole ceremony and reception without it getting in the way.

You don't want your veil to hide any important details in your dress. For example, if the focal point of your gown is your bodice or back (such as a fully embroidered ribbon, or antique mother of pearl buttons) don't wear a full length veil.

Antique veils are coming back into fashion, not only because of the renewed interest in "vintage" clothing, but because it is considered good luck to borrow the veil of a very happily married woman. If you were able to get an antique veil, resist the temptation to "fix" the color by dying it to match your gown. You could ruin the material, and it really isn't necessary to do that. Even if it's another color (such as a subtly darker or creamier shade of white) the difference won't really be apparent because of the sheerness of the fabric.

Another thing you have to think about when choosing a veil is the length of the aisle. A long, dramatic veil works best in cathedrals or other ceremony venue where you will really be able to make a suitably dramatic entrance. Otherwise, the veil will just bunch up. Convenience is, of course, another consideration. You don't want to wear a veil so cumbersome that talking or moving will be cumbersome, especially as you will be socializing with the guests during the reception. If possible, look for a vein that allows you to easily remove part of it after the ceremony. Your maid of honor should be able to help you with this, and you may need to "practice" it before the Big Day. However, don't try on both the gown and the veil at the same time during your fittings. It is considered bad luck.

short wedding veils

Wearing a veil is a very special part of being a bride. It can be difficult to figure out how to pair a veil with a short haircut, however, both in terms of style and stability. These are some great ideas on bridal veils for short hair.

The number one concern for brides with short hair when it comes to veils is, "how can I keep it from slipping out?" There is no question that the less hair you have, the more difficult it is to anchor your veil and give it some stability.

However, don't let that discourage you from wearing a bridal veil if it is something you would like to do. With a bit of creativity in your hairstyle, and some help from your bridal hair jewelry, you will be able to wear a beautiful veil for your wedding.The first step in selecting a veil for short hair is to speak with your hairstylist. It also depends just how short your hair really is, and whether you intend to grow it a little longer for the wedding. If you have a chin length bob, you will have more options than you may think. Hair of that length can actually be pulled back into a French twist, which will make securing a veil much easier. Simply place the metal comb of the veil into your hair above the twist. Tuck a few hairpins or a crystal jeweled comb into the side of the twist, and you will have an elegant look that is perfect with any length veil.

Another option for chin length hair is to have your stylist pull back just a little at the crown. A good hairstylist can use that little section of hair to create an anchor for the comb of a veil, either by backcombing or even creating tiny braids underneath the top layer of hair; the little braids would be invisible, in other words, but make an excellent anchor for the veil. With the rest of your hair remaining chin length, a shorter veil tends to look more in proportion than a long one. A waist length veil with a ribbon edge would be darling; top it off with bridal hair jewelry such as a pearl beaded comb tucked right in front of the veil. One nice thing about a shortie veil is that it is so comfortable that you can wear it for the entire wedding, right through the end of the reception (a good thing, too, as it might be hard to pull the comb out of your backcombing or tiny braids without making a mess of your hairdo).

Even brides whose hair is too short to pull back at all can still wear a veil. The most surefire way to secure a bridal veil in very short hair is by stitching it to a wreath or circlet. The best wreaths are made on slightly flexible frames which can actually be gently bent to conform to the shape of your head for a perfect fit. Sometimes there will be a small metal comb in the front of the wreath which will go into the hair on the top of your head (helpful if your hairstyle has enough hairspray to hold the comb). The veil then flows down the back of the wreath in a very woodland fairy effect. A calf length veil with minimal fullness would be ideal (anything longer will add weight and increase the likelihood the wreath will slip backwards). The key to a bridal wreath is to keep the embellishments on it extremely dainty so that you do not look like a flower girl.

If a wreath is not your style, think about choosing a jaunty cap with a bit of netting instead of a traditional veil. It is a very chic and modern look which is ideally suited to short hair. A birdcage veil can be a great compromise between a traditional veil and going without a veil for a bride with a short haircut. It allows you to show off your modern hairstyle while still feeling like a romantic bride.

cheap wedding veils

There are numerous types of bridal veils to select from for your very special wedding day. However, there are a few things that you must decide before picking out the type of veil you will wear.

1) You need to pick out your wedding gown - this will determine if you are having a formal or casual wedding and you will be able to match your veil with your gown..

2) Choose your hairstyle. Talk to your hair stylist about your different options depending on your hair length and type of hair.

Now, let's consider the different types of veils. Veils can vary in price from as little as $20 (if you make it yourself) or ascend in cost into the thousands of dollars for veils with pearls or real precious stones. Let's go with the premise that you don't want to spend thousands of dollars for your veil. We'll look at a few cost-effective types of wedding head dresses and veils.

COMB

A comb can be plain, but stately. A comb is great if you want people to look at your wedding gown more that your headwear. If you have short hair, a comb is the perfect choice. If you choose a comb, take your comb to your hair stylist so she can try out different styles to compliment the comb.

CROWN

A crown is perfect for the bride that is going for the traditional look. Crowns frequently have beads, precious stones or flower designs on them. A crown is perfect for the bride who wants to wear an updo hairstyle.

HALO

A halo is a circular headpiece and may be used alone or with a veil. Just like the crown, it can have a combination of beads, precious stones or flower designs. Halos are a fine choice if you plan to wear your hear in an up do or if you have short hair.

TIARA

Have you ever wanted to be a princess? Than choosing a tiara for your wedding can make you feel like a princess! A tiara is perfect for just about any hairstyle or wedding dress.

wedding veils

For the modern wedding, a bride may choose from a number of different types of veils. They vary in style, length and by the type and amount of fabric. Veils can be very short or very long and made from materials such as tulle or lace.

A mantilla veil, cascading about your hair and down over your shoulders is a beautiful way to frame your face during your wedding ceremony. These veils are traditionally made of delicate white Chantilly lace and are perched atop an ornate head comb called a peineta. While popular in Spain and Latin America, as well as among persons of Latino descent, a mantilla may be worn by any woman that wants a traditional, semi-formal look.

Historically, mantilla veils were more often of black lace instead of being white. They were originally worn by women of the Andalusia region of Spain. This may be due to some Arab influence in the early years of their use, as Spain had many Arabian visitors.

As can be seen from paintings of Velasquez, a Spanish painter of the 1600's, some women wore these lace or silk head scarves but it was not prevalent. Generally the women of this time period wore mantillas only during special occasions. As Spain explored and brought its cultural ways to South and Central America, so came the mantilla veil to Latin America.

In the mid-1800's Queen Isabel II of Spain encouraged women of her court to wear a black lace mantilla. After her death, the custom subsided except during Holy Week (the week leading to Easter) bullfights and weddings (a black mantilla would be worn by the bride's mother and possibly some other women). Also a black mantilla is traditionally worn when a woman, has an audience with the Pope.

Now, a white mantilla is appropriate for a church wedding but can be worn at other ceremony locations as long as it coordinates with the wedding gown. Available lengths for this type of veil range from shoulder length to below the knee.

The peineta comb gives the mantilla height. It could be made of tortoiseshell, be encrusted with jewels, or be of another simpler yet elegant material. Together with the lace mantilla veil, women adorned in this way appear especially feminine, royal and stately. While very lovely, the mantilla may be removed entirely after the ceremony. Depending on her hairstyle, the bride may keep the peineta or replace both with a tiara.

If the veil is custom made, a second layer of veil can be created to be used as a blusher. The blusher is a short, single layer veil that covers the bride's face during the ceremony and is lifted back at the point in the ceremony when the groom "may kiss the bride".

Wearing a mantilla can bring some old-world charm to the modern wedding.

wedding flowers unusual

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flowers for a wedding

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blue wedding flowers

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A winter marriage ceremony flower fire be whatsoever character of blossom that highlights the warm tones of the festivals lot against the snow-white backdrop. Christmas and Valentine's Day are the John Roy Major holidays during this time. Traditionally, Christmas brides ofttimes choose reddened Oregon burgundy flowers similar roses, carnations, Zantedeschia aethiopica lilies with accents of white, greenish and silver-colors traditionally associated with the season.

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wedding invitations templates

Throwing a birthday party but do not have an invitation yet? Pressed for time? Printable birthday invitations in the internet might be exactly what you are looking for.

Technology has paved a way to several greeting websites that allow you to create and design your invitations in a breeze. These DIY invitations, also known as printable invitations, allow people who lack time and budget to create invitations without compromising personal touch. There are some websites that ask the user to register for a minimal fee in order to gain access to their wide variety of collections. There are also some free printable birthday invitations available online although choices are only limited.

Below are some tips you may want to take note when creating a DIY birthday invitation:

1. Search for websites that offer printable invitations. There are a variety of these so make sure that you bookmarks those websites you come across so that going back to them later would be easier. Bookmarking of items that caught your attention in each website can also be helpful when browsing. This would help in trimming down your choices later on.

2. Go to the invitations page. Look for the type of invitations that you need for your event. Are you having a birthday party? Do you need to distribute a wedding invitation? Browse the designs of these categories to see which suits your need and taste.

3. Once you have picked your choice, check the details that you can customize in your chosen design. Does it allow you to change the colors, font type and size, and words? Modify the template the way you want it to be.

4. Do not forget to fit in your details. There are cards that have a pre-defined information template, allowing you to insert the details of your event easily. Check also if you can add some personal messages on your card.

5. Once you are done, follow the steps in printing your invitation. There are some websites that generate a picture file of your invitation while there are those that brings your final output straight to your printer. Be sure to check your printer setting for better output.

6. Envelope and seal your invitations. Check if you have the appropriate envelope size for your invitations. Otherwise, check the website if they have any instructions on creating a matched envelope for your invitation.

7. Distribute your invitations and prepare yourself for your event.

diy wedding invitations

Wedding is a unique experience in ones life. The moment of wedding will be cherished and fulfilled only by the presence of friends and family members. The wedding invitation plays an important role in bringing the guests to the event. It is the invitation which creates the first impression on the guests. The wedding cards are available in the shops in different varieties which may differ in the paper quality, design, color etc. Even though it is quite easy to go and get a ready made one, to make your own wedding invitations is a thrilling experience. Some brides do make invitations for their own marriage which are unique.

Before starting to make your own wedding invitations it should be decided on how much effort you wish to put in for the venture. The time estimate for preparing the invitation should be found and then depending upon the total number of invitations required one will have to start the work well in advance. One should have a clear idea on the available time that can be spent for making invitation. Then raw materials and supplies needed for making the invitation need to be purchased. A bulk wholesale purchase will save money than a retail one. There may be some limitations in the side of the individual which may necessitate substitution by using ready made supplies.

Even if the invitation is not handmade, one can put in ones ideas to bring out the exclusivity. Cost wise, it is cheaper to make your own wedding invitations provided the cost of the supplies used to make your own wedding invitations is not on the higher side. There are different ways of making the wedding invitation attractive and striking. In order to catch the attention of the invitees the invitation should be grand, that is, every detail should be good looking by itself. Different effects like embossing, die-cutting, embossing and hot stamping can be used to make it more pleasing. The designing of the invitation can be done using image processing soft wares also.

Before starting to make your own wedding invitations it is better to understand the styles of invitation. The knowledge on the size of envelops and the size of the paper will also be quite helpful for selecting the same. Then, decide on the printing style preferred. If there are inserts like reception cards, maps, quotes etc they also should be done well.

addressing wedding invitations

Too often, couples excitedly rush home after picking up their unique wedding invitations to send them out to their friends and family only to realize they do not know how to address the wedding invitation envelopes properly! It is very important to address the envelopes according to wedding invitation etiquette as some wedding guests may take offense if they are not address properly. There are many different situations that will affect how you address each guest.

Double Envelopes for the wedding Invitations

Traditionally, wedding invitations are enclosed in two envelopes. The wedding invitation card is placed into an "inner" envelope, and this envelope is placed in an "outer" envelope. The double envelopes protect the invitations and When the wedding invitation goes through the mail, the outer envelope may become dirty and possibly damaged. The inner envelope remains undamaged so that your guests will receive their invitations in a clean envelope. On the outer envelope, you would print the names full names and titles of the invitees and the address the package is going to and on the inner envelope, you would only list the names of the guests. Usually guests would use a letter opener and cut open the outer envelope and discard it while keeping the clean inner envelope with their names on it with the invitation inside. Parent's names are listed first then list the children's first names on the next line of the outer envelope from oldest to youngest. If you do not want children at your wedding, omit their names from the inner and outer envelope. If there is an individual with an occupational title their name should always be listed first, regardless of sex. When inviting unmarried couples, address the invite to the person you know best, regardless of sex.

Single Envelopes the Wedding Invitations

In the interest of saving paper and money, many brides and grooms send out their wedding invitations in one envelope only. This is a viable option because most modern wedding invitations are designed to be folded or made out of thicker cardstocks and heavier materials, so the wedding invitation card is protected. It has also become a readily accepted practice then it was in the past. When addressing the wedding invitation envelope, you would print names of the guests and the addresses right on the one envelope.

Who gets a Wedding Invitation?

If you are inviting a family with teenagers over 16 years of age, they are required to receive their own separate invitation even if they live with their parents. Your officiant, parents and bridal party require a wedding invitation as well - this is not the place to save money!

Method of print

The correct way to address your wedding invitation envelopes according to traditional etiquette is to hand write each address yourself. This task, although time consuming, shows your guests that you have taken the time and effort to personally invite them. A lot of brides choose to hire a calligrapher to address their envelopes as it is highly regarded, adds an element of beauty to the wedding invitations and will often save brides some time. However, this option can by costly. It is a good idea to inquire with your wedding invitation company if they are able to print the guest addresses directly on the envelope using a calligraphic font instead. Another option that is least accepted way to address your envelopes, according to traditional etiquette, is to print clear labels and stick them to the envelope. This has become a popular method as it is cost efficient and convenient.

How to Address the Envelopes

Here is a list of examples to follow when addressing each envelope.

Married Couple: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Brown

Married Couple - Wife is a Doctor: Dr. Rebecca Shapiro and Mr. Bradley Joseph

Married Couple - Husband is a Doctor: Outer: Dr. Philip and Mrs. McGraw

Married Couple - 2 Doctors with the same last name: The Doctors Brown or Drs. Bill and Mary Brown

Single Friend and unknown guest: Mr. Jack DiCaprio and Guest

Parents and all children:Mr. and Mrs. Willard Smith Trey, Jaden and Willow

Adult Brother and Sister living at the same address Mr. Wayne Cummings and Miss Rose Cummings

Unmarried couple that live together - Put names on separate lines Miss Helen White Mr. Charles Poker

Single Woman Miss Betty Lars

Divorced or Widowed Woman with Children

Mrs. or MS. Linda ChangJohn and May

Priest Father John O'Malley

Rabbi Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Zuckerman

Elected Officials (Governor, Mayor, Judge, etc...) Senator Hillary Clinton and Mr. William Clinton