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Our Dec issue is a great holiday read! We feature 250 plus ideas to inspire you and look at every aspect of your big day! Jewellery, fashion, flowers, grooms and all the finishing touches can be found. We showcase the latest gowns plus gorgeous vintage styling ideas are included. For your reception, we find venue options that have incredible views. There's plenty of gorgeous real-life weddings to read for inspiration. A spot of celebrity style is the icing on the cake! Get your copy now!
The Bride Bloggers
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Shorter and Sweeter
If there’s one thing I’m crazy about right now, it’s short wedding dresses. Forget billowing gowns and trailing trains, I want to see a bit of ankle! I was reminded of this secret love affair when, the other week on Glee (forgive me, it’s a major weakness) Rachel appeared in a gorgeous Audrey Hepburn-inspired, ankle-grazing gown.
Image courtesy InStyle.com
Audrey’s iconic image from Funny Face is one often associated with her timeless elegance, looked to by modern day brides for inspiration, and featured more than once by your truly here on The Bride Blog. The star also chose to wear a shorter length, long-sleeved satin gown for her own marriage to Mel Ferrer in 1954.
But it doesn’t have to be simple satin and tulle; in fact a shorter dress can be much more versatile than you think. It lets you show off a pretty pair of pumps, lends itself well to both relaxed and formal affairs, is much easier to get down on the dancefloor in, and can be more flattering for girls who prefer to steer clear of floor-length silhouettes.
Here’s a few of my favourites for some short but sweet sartorial inspiration!
PS – Two of these dresses can be found on Etsy! For the bride wearing a tiger mask, click on to Animal Head Vintage, and for the bottom right, visit The Peppermint Pretty!
The Bride Team x
Get the look: Fairy princess bride
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a fairy princess for the day, there’s no better time to emulate this look than on your wedding day.
Brides are synonymous with princesses and having read the real-life stories of many brides, a quote that reoccurs time and time again is: “I felt like a true princess on my wedding day!”
Unfortunately, unlike Cinderella, we normal folk don’t have the assistance of a fairy godmother to transform our look from drab to fab; however, if you want your fairy princess side to shine on your big day, there are a few things you will need to bring this look to life.
Now that you have your Prince Charming, the next step is finding your ballgown. With a tight-fitting bodice and a full skirt that flares from the hips, a ballgown follows the body’s natural contours to create a graceful silhouette that can be either traditional or modern – but definitely princess! Take a look at some of our ballgown dresses here.
Castles are few and far between in Australia, so the option of hosting your wedding in a castle is slim to none; however, another alternative for a fairy princess wedding is a beautiful, whimsical garden. Garden weddings are perfect for an ethereal, enchanted, princess theme. Or even better – enchanted woods! There are some beautiful gardens around Victoria, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in Daylesford. If you want that fairy feel, find a garden with some towering trees and overgrown flowerbeds, or perhaps even a rose garden.
Finally, every princess needs a tiara and some dazzling jewels to adorn her head and top off her ensemble. We’d love to suggest finding yourself some glass slippers, but we know how incredibly impractical that would be for your wedding day – or any day for that matter! Tiaras are a must-have to complete your fairy princess look, and be sure to find one that has a little sparkle and shine in it. For your jewellery, think luxurious gems such as diamonds and pearls; this will keep your look sophisticated and stunning – just how every princess should be.
Sophie X
Buying an engagement ring
For many guys, the only thing more daunting than popping the question is finding the right engagement ring to propose with.
Before you start shopping for engagement rings
When buying an engagement ring, the first thing to consider is whether or not your partner is particular about her jewellery. If you’re unsure of her tastes or preferences ask one of her close friends or family members for help. If you’re still worried she won’t like it, consider proposing with a proxy and letting her choose her own.
Set a budget
Know in advance how much you plan to spend, or would like to spend and stick to that figure. A good jeweller will be able to work with you to find something suitable in your price range. As a guide, the De Beers Institute of Diamonds suggests investing two months’ salary.
Know what she likes
Before you buy anything, find out what type of jewellery your partner wears. Does she prefer silver or gold? Has she always loved platinum? Does she like coloured stones or white diamonds? Listen when you hear her admiring someone else’s jewellery or engagement ring and pay attention to what jewellery she’s already wearing.
Ask for advice from jewellers
Jewellers are there to help and give advice, so be sure to ask your jeweller to explain the carat, cut, colour and clarity of the diamonds they show you. Since your fiancée may prefer a cushion cut diamond ring versus a princess cut diamond ring, ask to see a few different styles in your price range. Also find out whether or not they have an exchange policy, just in case she doesn’t like it.
Let her pick her own wedding ring
Unless your partner has been tearing jewellery ads out of bridal magazines and dropping hints as you walk past stores, you may have no idea what she wants for an engagement ring. So why not take her shopping to choose her own? Although this will spoil the surprise, at least it will take the pressure off you.
Sophie X
On this day: John & Yoko
On this day in 1969, music legend John Lennon and his lady-love Yoko Ono tied the knot.
They were married in Gibraltar and spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam campaigning with a week-long bed-in for peace.
The couple had one child together, Sean, and were married up until the tragic death of Lennon in December 1980.
Spreading the message of peace and love together, this couple’s love story is profound and inspirational.
Love the Bride team X
Classic clutches
A clutch bag is the perfect accessory to any bridal ensemble for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the petite design of a clutch is always suitable, as it doesn’t draw too much attention away for the rest of the attire, and it is easy to carry. The last thing you’d want on your wedding day is to be lugging around a big, heavy handbag – plus, it wouldn’t look right. At the end of the day, you and your dress are always going to be centre stage, so finding a nice little clutch to tie in with your look is a good idea.
Secondly, it’s important to find a clutch bag that suits your overall ensemble. Whether you’re a classic bride or a romantic bride, there will always be plenty of options. Try scoping out stores that you know have a large range and will usually cover lots of different looks. Mimco is always a great place to start, as they’re always brimming with creative and chic designs.
Finally, a clutch will hold all your important essentials that you’ll need by your side on your wedding day. These essentials usually involve the lipgloss of the colour you’ll be wearing on the day, bandaids (in case of blisters!), tissues, your mobile phone, and a few other makeup items for touch ups. There’s really no need to pack anything other than these things! Plus, that’s what your bridesmaids are for – you can give all the heavy loading to them!
Slim and sleek, glitzy and glamorous or romantic and feminine, if you find a little clutch to be teamed with on your wedding day, you’ll be sure that your look is complete and beautiful.
Love the Bride team X
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