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wedding tips - part II
Go to part I
ACCESSORIES
Accessories complete your overall look, and should complement not only your choice of gown, but the theme of your wedding. Tiaras are still very popular, as are decorative hairpins scattered through your hair. Consider both where your veil sits and the neckline of your dress when deciding on earrings, hairpieces and any necklaces.
LINGERIE
The only thing worse than a visible panty line, is a visible panty line on a bride! Selecting the right lingerie is important, not only to make you feel sensual but to ensure your underwear cannot be seen in any way under your dress. Unfortunately for many of the slinky style dresses that are around, this often means the bride must choose 'shorts' style underwear, which can leave the wearer feeling anything but sensual. Some brides in this situation choose to take a change of underwear with them to change into later on in the evening ...
Whatever you choose, take your lingerie to any dress fittings to ensure everything works together. If you're unsure, often dressmakers and designers will be able to advise you on what kind of underwear works under your particular dress.
HAIR, MAKE-UP & BEAUTY
Like every other service you require for your wedding, when it comes to your hair and make-up, book early! And if the thought of running around on the morning of your wedding to a beautician and a hairdresser, don't fret - there are services out there that will come to you! Alternatively, some places offer a full service for the whole bridal party, offering hair, make-up, nails, waxing, spray on tanning, massages and chicken and champagne breakfasts on your wedding morning! This is your chance/excuse to indulge!
You should begin your preparations early. To help encourage clear skin and the natural glow every bride craves, you should ensure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, carry out a skin care routine and get plenty of sleep - starting about 3 months prior to your wedding day! Also, take a couple days off work before your wedding to help minimise stress. Get a massage and indulge yourself a little. If you're getting a spray on tan done, have a trial run prior to the day to ensure the colour works on you. Any waxing, tanning, manicures and pedicures should be done the day before your wedding. It's also recommended to get a trial done of both your hair and make-up to ensure there are no nasty surprises on the day.
SUIT HIRE
Once overlooked, the grooms' attire is now almost as important as the brides' dress; and the choices almost as abundant. There is a wide selection of suits available for both hire and purchase, and getting a suit tailor made is growing in popularity. There are tails and top hats, waistcoats, cravats, fat boys, bow ties, long jackets, short jackets, wide lapels, narrow lapels… all available in a wide variety of colours, textures and fabrics.
The groom and his attendants will generally all be dressed similarly with a small feature distinguishing the groom, whether it be a different colour cravat, boutonniere, shirt, or even suit. In general, the groom should have something in his attire that matches the bride and the groomsmen, something that matches the bridesmaids.
If getting a suit tailored, allow up to at least two months for the tailoring process - your tailor will be able to give you more information regarding this.
THE BRIDAL PARTY
Choosing your attendants should be one of the first things you do. The role of your attendants is to assist you with your wedding planning, to organise your hens/bucks nights, to assist you on the day of your wedding and to help make the day special for you. If you are having young attendants, meaning flower girls and page boys, much of the organisation will be done with their parents.
You can have as many, or as few, bridesmaids and groomsmen as you wish! Your maid of honour (matron of honour if she is married), often a sister or best friend, has the responsibility of organising the kitchen tea, and all your bridesmaids have the joint responsibility of organising your hens night. Your bridesmaids are there to help you through the planning of your wedding and with all the details on the day - arranging your veil and train, holding your bouquet during the ceremony, and possibly carrying an emergency kit filled with essentials like lipstick, safety pins, mints, perfumes and tissues.
The groomsmen have the responsibility of organising the bucks night and the best man traditionally makes a speech at the reception. The best man also usually looks after the rings and has essentials such as mints (and whiskey!) on hand for the groom if required.
If you want your maid of honour and best man to witness your wedding, they have to be 18 years or older.
BRIDESMAIDS STYLE
Bridesmaids dresses are notorious for being terrible! This is often because no two girls have the same body shape and what looks good on one woman may look shocking on another. Work with your bridesmaids to select a dress that suits not only your expectations, but that your bridesmaids actually want to wear. And they don't all have to be identical - you could have the same material in different styles, or the same style done in different material. It really is up to you to decide! Etiquette no longer dictates that they all must be matching.
Shoes are, once again, an important consideration, as are any jewellery and accessories. The colours used in the bridesmaids outfit however, should reflect the overall colour theme of your wedding.
GROOMSMEN'S STYLE
The groomsmen generally hire their suits - although some may see it as a fantastic excuse to buy themselves a new suit! Three piece suits are popular, and some aspect, whether it be the waistcoat, cravat, boutonniere, or even handkerchief, is generally worn in a colour to match some aspect of the bridesmaids outfits, much like the groom has something to tie him in with the bride.
Once again, Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!!! Groomsmen's shoes should be clean and polished and socks should preferably NOT have pictures of daffy duck - a colour matching their shoes is preferable. French cuffs are an elegant finishing touch and offer the bride and groom the perfect opportunity for a thankyou gift - cufflinks!
PHOTOGRAPHY
Your choice of photographer is a very personal one. Some couples are happy with a talented friend, who won't cost them the earth and who can capture their real spirit on the day. Others go for a professional, who aim for the more candid shot reflecting your happiness and love. They can cost anything from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand. No matter what you choose, go with your gut instinct and choose a photographer that you are comfortable with and whose ability you believe in. Your wedding photos will be a kind of souvenir from your big day that you will treasure forever.
Many couples also choose to hire a videographer to produce a kind of documentary of your big day. When hiring a videographer, pay close attention to the details and how well their work is finished - such as the sound quality and the smoothness of the film.
STATIONERY
You wedding stationary is one of the key items that sets the tone for your wedding. Many family and friends may also retain it as a keepsake of your big day. The type and quality of paper, along with the style of print are extremely important considerations as they indicate to the guest the style and spirit of your wedding.
If you can choose a style of paper, or an emblem/watermark such as your initials, that appears on all your stationary, it lends an air of continuity to your wedding. When considering your invitations, think also of your RSVP cards, registry cards, place cards, thankyou cards, menus, bonbonniere tags and order of service booklets.
Your wedding stationery can cost anything from $100 for home made invitations, to a couple of thousand dollars for professional embossed print invitations.
Invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before a wedding.
FLOWERS
Flowers should be considered yet another accessory for you on the day. Your bouquet should not overcrowd you and your dress, but complement your overall look. The same goes for your bridesmaids flowers. Generally, all the flowers for your wedding will be determined by what you choose to complement your gown. A good florist should discuss with your not only your expectations and favourite flowers, but the look you are trying to achieve on your big day. The remainder of the flowers, from those used in the ceremony to those at the reception, should complement you and your bouquet.
THE CAKE
The cake is an edible work of art. It is no longer simply a fruit cake - they can be made in a range of delectable flavours such as white chocolate mud and flourless orange! Once again, the look of your cake should suit the theme of your wedding and should reflect the tastes of the bridal couple. Some suppliers will even fashion bride and groom figurines that match you in your wedding attire on the big day, to sit on the top of your cake!
The cutting of the cake is a significant moment in your wedding reception - together you will cut and share the first slice of cake. It often also precedes the first dance and thus the end of the formalities.
GIFT REGISTRY
Gift registries are somewhat of a relief for guests - they can buy their gift with the confidence that it will be well received. Many traditional gift registries are provided by the major department stores, such as Myer and David Jones, and many specialty stores have bridal registries also. Many couples are now opting for more than one registry to ensure they get the most comprehensive choice of gifts - an important consideration considering many betrothed couples already have their own households and thus many of the traditional wedding gifts.
An alternative is to have your gift registry online, which gives you the widest range of gifts from your choice of stores, click here for more information.
TRANSPORT
The one aspect of the wedding the groom is often more than happy to organise! Some cultures actually dictate the mode of transport, such as riding a horse to the ceremony. Arriving to your wedding in style will not only set the precedent for the day, but will make you feel like royalty!
You are only limited by your imagination, but choose something you've always wanted - such as a Ferrari or a Rolls. Often the cars will also be a feature in your photographs, so be sure to consider how your mode of transport will look if captured in a keepsake! Its always a nice idea to organise a stretch limo for your bridal party, which can also double as a retreat for you all during the photos. Don't forget the food and refreshments to keep you energised!
Wedding protocol dictates that the brides mother and the bridesmaids arrive at the church first. The bride and her father should follow a few minutes later, adding a touch of anticipation.
Go to part I
Copyright, Our Day Pty Ltd, 2004
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Photos by Christopher Clinnick Photography
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