USABRIDE

Trend Alert: Brooches, Really?

Dareth Colburn — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:34:33 +0000

About 2 years ago, when my supplier asked me if I wanted to see some brooches, I said, “Are you kidding? Brooches for weddings?” When I thought of brooches I imagined some ugly, tacky, dusty pin my grandmother would wear (sorry grandma). I don’t even know how to spell the word “brooch” or is it “broach”? Let alone be caught dead wearing one.

Ok, so I admit I didn’t see that fashion trend coming. But, it is here now and I’m hooked. I love brooches for weddings and everyday fashion. Now, when I leave the house, I don’t feel completely dressed without a cool, vintage-looking brooch pinned somewhere on an article of clothing.

Now, these brooches are not your grandmother’s brooch either. They are big, small, modern, trendy, vintage or glitzy, whatever fits your style or mood.

When it comes to weddings, I love adding brooches to bridesmaid dresses. It gives the dress a personal and fashion forward flair. It makes a great gift for bridesmaids and one that they really have fun wearing again. You can even select a different brooch for each girl, depending on their personal style.

It’s so fun… are you feeling it?

Can I wear a sleeveless gown for a fall or winter wedding?

Dareth Colburn — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:38:20 +0000

Absolutely! Today’s most popular styles include strapless and sleeveless gowns which you can wear year round.

With the help of some accessories, you can also stay warm for your outdoor travels, events, or photo ops. You can add a satin or faux fur wrap, bolero jacket, or glamorous long gloves. Now, you’ll be warm and fashionable!

And, these accessories can add additional drama to your wedding photos.

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5 Wedding Day Hair Styles

Dareth Colburn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:15:54 +0000

Bridal Hair Styles: Classic Bridal Updo

Sophisticated updos are always a popular choice, with curls and twists providing a desired bridal look, especially for more formal weddings.

This style is best for hair that is medium in length (chin length or longer) and is straight and medium to thick. If you have fine hair you might be able to create the updo by using a pin-on ponytail or add-on extension.

Bridal Hair Styles: Modern Wedding Updo

The modern updo takes the very formal classic updo and adds a softer, more romantic look.

This tousled style can be achieved with hair of all lengths and textures using tiaras, combs, or hairpins. A good hairdresser always helps too!

Wedding Day Tip:
Always be sure to bring along extra bobby pins in case some hair falls out. If you start to comb it or use more hair spray, you will likely make it worse!

Bridal Hair Styles: Leaving it Long

Another popular trend is to wear your hair down in a sleek shiny look - straight or with romantic curls. Pull your hair half back in a “half-updo” for a more formal look.

A classic headband style tiara may be chosen for simple elegance, while many brides choose just a veil. A traditional bridal look can be achieved by combining a graceful tiara or headband with an elegant wedding veil. The veil can be easily removed after the ceremony.

Bridal Hair Styles: Short Styles

Brides with short hair used to struggle with elegant and creative wedding day hairstyles, but no longer! Fun, sophisticated and unique looks can be achieved with the help of some simple accessories.

Short hair looks stunning in a soft bob that is highlighted with a tiara, headband, or jeweled barrette. A beautiful and timeless look for short bridal hair is hair that is accentuated with well placed finger or Marcel type of waves.

Bridal Hair Styles: Curly and Wavy Hair

Brides and attendants with naturally curly or wavy hair can adopt any style. In some cases, they will need to temporarily straighten their curls first in order to re-create the look.

The Double Asian Knot and Simply Elegant Updo could also be created, in a modified form without any special straightening for naturally curly hair.

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How NOT to Faint at the Altar

Dareth Colburn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:22:45 +0000

Many brides and some grooms fear that they will faint once they are at the altar. Here are a few tips to keep in mind, just in case you feel you are going to “keel” over!

The night before the wedding, pack smelling salts and give them to your Officiant, maid of honor or best man. Make sure they will be close in case you need them.

The day of the wedding, avoid eating heavy meals but rather try eating lightly throughout the day. Do make sure you eat enough though.

Eat chicken or fish, cold salads, cheese and crackers, toast, scrambled eggs, bagels, and lightly seasoned pasta dishes (avoiding spicy tomato sauces and try for pasta in light olive oil.

Avoid gas-producing foods such as beans, cauliflower and broccoli.

This may sound crazy, but eating salty foods like popcorn, potato chips and salty pretzels an hour before your wedding, will help you to retain water, eliminating the urge to have to go to the bathroom.

When standing, never lock your knees and stand with your legs apart even with your shoulders, knees relaxed.

Request chairs or a place to sit at the altar be provided so that if you do feel overcome with dizziness, you will be able to sit.

Take advantage of the prayers. Bend your head and breath slowly and deeply inhaling and exhaling to a slow, mental count of 7.

Lean on your fiancé if you must.

Dress for the season. If you are marrying in the colder months, do not wear a summer gown. You should feel comfortable. If you are marrying in the warmer months, avoid heavy under clothes such as crinolines and petticoats.

Your dress should fit you comfortably, not too tight.

Choose a gown with short or no sleeves (if your Officiant allows). If you must choose a gown with sleeves, make sure they are loosely fitted, lacy or illusion material. Make sure your dress lets you “breath”.

Choose shoes that will let you stand comfortably and do make sure they are broken in. If you must, take them to a shoemaker and have them stretched so that they aren’t binding on your wedding day.

Avoid heavy scents and perfumes, which are overly sweet smelling. They can overcome your senses and make you feel nauseous if you are dizzy.

Have water available and close by.

If you do feel that none of this is helping, simply whisper to your Officiant that you feel faint and have him/her seat you and your bridal party.

Ask to bring in fans if air circulation or air conditioning is a problem.

Relaxing is most important.

Before walking down the aisle, you may find that a short “loosening up” is in order. Shake your arms and legs and do a few head and neck rolls. You may look funny, but it helps.

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Choose a Tiara According to Your Face Shape

Dareth Colburn — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:27:18 +0000

A tiara should draw attention to your face by framing it, not draw attention away from it. The wrong shape tiara can make your face look too long and thin or too short and full. Here is a guide:

Round/Full face:
To make your face appear longer, choose a tiara with some height or one that has a peak.

Long face:
Choose headbands or tiaras with little or no height that extend over your head from one side to the other at an even height.

Oval face:
Avoid pieces with a peak at the top, which will make your face appear longer. Choose a headband, side hair comb or hair pins.

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Rules of Etiquette for Mother’s Attire

Dareth Colburn — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:41:42 +0000

While it is important to allow your mother and future mother-in-law to pick a style they both feel comfortable in, there are some rules of etiquette that they should keep in mind.

Tradition holds that the mother of the bride chooses a dress first, followed by the mother of the groom. Their dresses should complement each other, as well as the bridal party.

For instance, having one mother in a floor length dress and another in a mini-skirt is a major no-no. Likewise, your mother wearing an orange dress next to your bridesmaid’s light green ensembles are bound to make your wedding pictures look tacky.

While your moms shouldn’t be wearing the same style and color, their dresses should coordinate.

Generally, at formal weddings, your mother and mother-in-law should be in floor or tea-length dresses. Semi-formal or informal weddings allow them to get more creative with the length, but they still need to make sure they are complementing one another.

Unless your bridesmaids will be wearing black, a mother of the bride or groom should avoid this color. Until recently, black at weddings was considered a social blunder and many guests will still look at the color choice with suspicion.

Steer them away from choosing a color that will raise eyebrows as to whether or not they approve of the marriage.

Don’t forget to finish the look with a matching corsage or a small bouquet.

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Looking Your Best in Front of the Camera

Dareth Colburn — Sat, 08 May 2010 14:03:33 +0000

Enhance Your Look:When it comes to doing your make-up, don’t fall victim to the saying “more is better”. Use the same shades of make-up that you normally wear and don’t make any radical changes to your looks. Remember, you want to enhance your looks with make-up …not cover them up!

Use a Professional:

Consider using a professional make-up artist. They are trained to understand camera lighting and angles, and how to accentuate your BEST features and minimize others. HOWEVER, always do a “test run” before the wedding day!

Do a Test Run:

Do a Test Run with hair and make-up just the way you are going to wear it on your wedding day. Have someone take several pictures from different angles and with different facial expressions. Then, look at the pictures. Do you like what you see? Too much make-up or not enough? How about the hair style? Too much height or not enough? If something doesn’t look right start again and do another test run until everything looks just right.

It is important to actually TAKE pictures of yourself because it can give you a different perspective rather than just looking in the mirror.

Freshen Up:

Make sure that you bring along a small make-up bag to “Freshen Up” during the day. All you need is some translucent or pressed powder to absorb any shine and some lipstick. If you’re outside taking pictures, bring along some blotting paper which works great to absorb moisture without rubbing off your make-up.

Type of Photos:

When discussing the type of pictures to take with your photographer, keep in mind that full length photographs capture all the beauty and magnificence of the wedding dress, wedding attire and beautiful scenery or backdrops. Close-up or half length (above the waist) photographs better capture facial expressions and reveal more emotions. So, it’s a good idea to get a mix of both types of shots.

Try to Relax:

Particularly if you are taking pictures before the ceremony, remember to relax in front of the camera. If you’re feeling nervous or anxious, this can show in the camera by your facial expression, your posture and smile.

Change it Up:

On your wedding day, you’re going to be in front of the camera and you’re going to be smiling! Take a break every so often and change your expression and move/exercise the muscles around your mouth. If you don’t, your facial expressions in your photographs may look “strained”.

Simple Background:

When taking your wedding portraits, sometimes it’s better to choose a “Simple ” background (with nice, soft lighting) rather than an elaborate one. A “busy looking” backdrop or sometimes a floral garden landscape can take away from the picture and distract from the focal point - which is the bride and groom. The location you select should also have plenty of open shade. Bright sunny areas will cause you and your family to squint!

Candid Photo’s:

When your photographer is taking candid pictures during the reception, DON’T look at the camera! The beauty of a candid shot is capturing the magic and emotion of a particular moment when people in the photograph are interacting with each other.

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Wedding Hair - Choosing the Right Style

Dareth Colburn — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:40:36 +0000

The wedding day hairstyle can be such a dilemma for so many brides. Gretchen Maurer, Bridal hair specialist and author of The Business of Bridal Beauty, has some excellent tips to offer.

1. Dress:
Start with the dress because, the brides total bridal look has to be taken into consideration, every thing must balance. The brides dress choice sets the tone for the entire ceremony and the hair design has to evoke the same feeling.

2. Texture:
Believe it or not the wedding gown can also dictate the texture of the finished hair design. A smooth, shiny Updo of curls or glossy stick straight hair complements a smooth satin gown. Where a gown of sweeping tulle is beautifully accented by soft flowing curls.

3. The silhouette:
Your look from head to toe has a silhouette, either horizontal or vertical. A full skirt is horizontal and best balanced by a wider hair design and or full veiling. A vertical look being narrow and slim is complemented by a hair design of the same lines; it could be a bob tucked behind the ears or a narrow pile of curls on top of the head.

4. History:
No, we are not back in school. But is there a period of history your gown reflects? Theme weddings such as renaissance or swing, make a great excuse to have some creative fun with your hair.

5. Proportions:
Again the full effect needs to balance. The bride with short hair who is wearing an ornate full traditional dress needs to remember to balance her look with the appropriate headpiece. Like wise the petite bride with too much hair might think about wearing it up to draw the eye vertically.

6. Time of Day:
Next to the dress, the time of day should have some bearing on the hairstyle and headpiece you choose. For a day or morning wedding less glitz and sparkle. Save the crystals, sparkle and tiaras for more formal evening weddings. Headbands, flowers, wreaths, and hats are perfect for day or morning ceremonies.

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What Style Headpiece is Best for Me?

Dareth Colburn — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:54:58 +0000

Where Do I Start?
When selecting a tiara, bridal comb, headband, or hair pins, make sure the following is in place:

Your wedding gown is selected
You have a general idea on how you want to wear your hair

What Style is Best For Me?

Tiara
Tiaras offer the most dramatic look. They are a gorgeous accent to any style gown, from simple and contemporary to ball gown traditional. Tiaras can be worn with or without a veil and are usually accented with Austrian crystals, rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, AB crystals, fresh water pearls, and faux pearls (see below). Tiaras compliment up-does as well as all longer and shorter hairstyles.

Headband
Headbands are now one of the most popular looks. For brides who want to wear their hair down, a headband can be used to keep her hair away from her face. It also can be worn to accent upswept hairstyles and looks fantastic with shorter hairstyles.

Double or Triple Headband: Double Headbands are the most versatile of all. They can be worn flat on the head as a headband, tilted forward in tiara style, or wrapped around a bun (depending on the style).

Bridal Comb
A comb is a simple piece that can be worn with almost any hairstyle. It has a tiara look, but smaller. Depending on the style, it can sometimes provide for a less formal look, and can be worn on different parts of the head. The newest trend in bridal combs now includes silk flowers and feathers!

Many brides are choosing to wear a veil for the cermony and then remove the veil and insert a gorgeous flower or feather for a completely different, modern look for the reception!

Hair Pins
Hair pins are also very versatile. They are a great option for any hairstyle, whether formal or tussled, up or down. They have become very popular for the beach bride!

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Couture Bridal Style on a Budget

Dareth Colburn — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:09:53 +0000

It’s no secret that purse strings are getting tighter. With all eyes on the struggling economy, people everywhere are feeling the pinch and watching their wallets. For brides-to-be, planning for the biggest day of their life, their budgets have to stretch even further than ever before.

Bridal stylist and founder of USABrideWeddings.com, Dareth Colburn, shares her tips on fashion finds for brides on a budget. No bride should have to sacrifice her dream look on her wedding day!

Great Gowns for less…

Many people think that they have to break the bank when purchasing a wedding gown. How about buying a bridesmaid dress and using it as your gown instead. They can be just as lovely and come in white and ivory—for a fraction of the cost! Add a brooch or a sash, or even creatively placed barrettes to create your own designer gown for less! An added tip – if you’ve fallen in love with a silk gown but can’t afford a silk price, ask if the manufacturer could create that same dress in a different, more affordable fabric.

Rhinestones are forever…

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend…. but the cost makes them the enemy these days! There is a wide variety of high-quality jewelry available–earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more–made with much less-expensive but great quality stones, such as Cubic Zirconia, Austrian Crystals and Freshwater Pearls. These types of materials will give you the same kind of sparkle as diamonds! Also very trendy right now is to pair a bare neckline with large chandelier earrings and a bold bracelet to really make a statement.

Headpiece without the headache…

Many brides love the traditional look of a tiara—and even though there are many affordable options, there are also many gorgeous hair pins and combs available, hand crafted with Swarovski crystals and natural Keshi pearls that will add a special sparkle to bridal style at a lower price!

Another option is to go for the super trendy feathers and flowers headpieces. These are worn instead of the traditional tiara/veil combo and are really beautiful, unique, and best of all, affordable!

Va-va VOOM veils…

You don’t need a long veil to make an elegant statement! Cathedral veils, that drape the bride to the full length of her train, can be very pricey. A shorter veil, such as an elbow or fingertip length, embellished with lace trim or crystal detailing will be just as eye-catching at a lower cost. Also super hot right now are birdcage veils which work well with a variety of bridal styles – classic, vintage, glam and more – and are much more affordable and less cumbersome than a longer veil.

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