A brooch will not be apparent in every photo you take on your wedding day, but it will be softly hidden and elegantly displayed enhancing your overall look for your day. Brooches come with pearls, crystals and diamonds – in all ranges of prices, which are sold in bridal stores and across the Internet on a variety of sites.  If you are purchasing one off of a random website, I suggest you do your homework and always check on the credibility of the site before you send them your credit information, and always double check the estimated time of arrival if you are ordering the brooch within a few months of your wedding.

Bring your brooch with you when you go for your hair practice session and have your hair designer place the brooch in different areas, testing where you anticipate it looking the best. Have them practice securing it so that they are prepared on the day off and you won’t have to worry about it falling out.

How did you accessorize you wedding hair do?

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Amazon

]]> http://www.bubblybride.com/blog/2010/07/brooches-for-brides/feed/ 0 http://www.bubblybride.com/blog/2010/05/guest-post-achieving-a-flawless-look-for-wedding-photos/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guest-post-achieving-a-flawless-look-for-wedding-photos http://www.bubblybride.com/blog/2010/05/guest-post-achieving-a-flawless-look-for-wedding-photos/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 12:51:04 +0000 bubblybride http://www.bubblybride.com/blog/?p=3617 Wedding pictures hold some of the happiest memories of a lifetime, so be sure you consider all the angles when preparing to be photographed on the big day.

In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…

Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to get cosmetic lasering or chemical peels within 10 days to a month of the event, depending on the exact type of laser or peel. Even something as simple as a facial should be given a solid week for skin to normalize, especially if any extractions will be performed. Call well ahead of time and discuss this with the technician.

 Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather that’s expected at the venue.

For the big day…

Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based foundations.

Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder in your bag so that you stay shine free.

The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm, earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.

Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup.

Keep these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in person and in photographs for years to come.

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI, which is an aesthetic school offering classes in waxing, facial treatments, Laser Certifications, and paramedical-esthetics.

Realize it’s possible, instead of telling yourself why you can’t.

Become aware of your self-talk.

Squash negative thoughts like a bug.

Replace them with positive thoughts.

Love what you have already.

Be grateful for your life, your gifts, and other people.

Every day.

Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

But be inspired by them.

Accept criticism with grace.

But ignore the naysayers.

See bad things as a blessing in disguise.

See failure as a stepping stone to success.

Surround yourself by those who are positive.

Complain less, smile more.

Image that you’re already positive.

Then become that person in your next act.

Source: Zen Habits

I love how this hair piece below gives the illusion of peacock feathers but still maintains the bridal white appearance.

If you are looking for a more abstract hair design, avoid the typical peacock colors or bridal white and find a peacock design in a funky color. Pick one that maybe matches another color that you are tying into your event.  The hair piece will pop against your white dress in pictures!

Sources:  Laura Kranitz, NevaPlume Etsy, Portobello Etsy Shop

The large flower headband below is one of the more dramatic headbands offered at Little White Dresser.  This is for the chic brides who are looking to stand out in a trendy and fashionable way.  Keep your dress simple and let this be the focus of your attire.  One detail I love the most is how her headband complements her bouquet so well!

Source: Little White Dresser

You read a lot about the ‘right’ diet and the ‘right’ fitness routine to get you in the best shape of your life for your wedding day. What you don’t read about are those celebrations with friends and outings to new restaurants that turn into guilty pleasures during a stressful planning process.  This is a restaurant you might NOT want to eat at before your big day…

I guarantee they will surprise you with all of the creative foods they have thrown in the fryer!  Check out this picture of Fried Pizza…as if the pizza wasn’t greasy enough!  They will even let you bring in your own food to fry, get creative and be daring while trying new things at the Chip Shop.

Fried Twinkie

There is something about this place that keeps guests coming back over and over again to give into their need for grease!  Again, not recommended before your wedding day.. but maybe you can send the boys out here the morning after the bachelor party.

Source: The Chip Shop

Don’t automatically stick with a white one that “matches” your wedding dress, if you haven’t discovered yet how much I love color, I encourage you to go bold and find a color to go along with your bridesmaids but not necessarily match!  Of course black always contrasts with white and goes with most any color your bridesmaids are wearing.  Try a fun red or a passion purple that will look daring in your photos!

Check out the sassy fur jacket below from SpAZooie on Etsy, perfect for a winter wedding, and dont forget it will keep you warm while you are outside!

Source: Spazooie, Bonzie via Stacey Reeves, Olivia Grace Bridal, MaryandAngelika Etsy

Last week I participated in the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon here in Chicago and saw something that made me wish I had my camera.  There was a bride in front of me that made her own shirt which read “Sexy Bride-to-Be”.  Not only is your wedding motivation to be in the best shape possible, but to ensure you don’t fall off the wagon why not sign up for a half marathon near you?

Running will help you release stress as the wedding planning process moves forward.  It is a great way to clear your mind and get away by yourself or with a close friend to spend time on just you!  Exercise before your big day is so important to not only to look and feel your best but to help maintain your sanity!

I’m curious…How many brides out there signed up for some sort of organized run to keep you on your workout track?

I love the contrasting black tie corset against the white wedding dress.  This adds for a very dramatic back while you are saying your I Do’s.

One great reason to use a corset tie-up dress is to save on alterations. You can tie the dress tighter/looser as the big day gets closer.

One warning I would like to make is beware how tight you tie it!  Although you don’t want your dress to fall off, nerves will get to you as you prepare to walk down the aisle and all of a sudden the dress feels a lot tighter than it did minutes earlier!  Breathe easy on your big day!

Sources: Luminka, Zenhobo, Cymbeline USA

Taking time away from family and friends during the planning process is so important.  Plan romantic dates and spend time  just focusing on each other, avoiding any talk about the wedding!

How did you and your fiance pamper yourselves before the wedding?