Blooming Affair

The Bride's Bouquet

Do you know why you carry a bouquet? In ancient Greece, Greek brides carried bridal bouquets of herbs to protect them from evil spirits, in another ancient custom, the brides carried chaffs of wheat to invoke fertility - a custom that eventually evolved in the bridal bouquet as we know it.

There are many different styles of bridal bouquets but most brides carry a mixture of versions of the Round, Nosegay and Spray/Hand-Tied bouquets.


ROUND : A dense bunch of blooms made up of flowers, greenery and filler with no trailing elements. Can also be made of just flowers and filler with no greenery or of a single type of flower, like a cluster of roses for a more contemporary look. Can be anchored in a bouquet holder, wired or hand-tied.



NOSEGAY : A small round clusters of flowers, cut to uniform length. Usually consists of one dominant type of flower or colour, wrapped with ribbon or lace.

SPRAY/HAND-TIED : Consists of a cluster of loosely hand-tied flowers of irregular length and height tied at the stems - usually with the exposed stems showing beneath the point where they are held.

CASCADE : This is a very classic style bouquet which is shaped to droop gracefully in a waterfall effect. Best compliments a more traditional setting.

PAGEANT/PRESENTATION : A bouquet of long-stemmed flowers. The flowers are left at its natural state, tied with a ribbon and cradled in your arms.


Here's my own compilation of some beautiful, stunning bridal bouquet. If you like any of the flowers or styles - click on the pic for a bigger pic, print it and consult with your florist.

Let's begin with the first bouquet - mine :), which was for my ROM. It was from a floral shop at Millenia Walk - sorry, I am unable to recall the name of the floral shop. Enjoy the flowers...

Saw some of the flowers that was being used in some of the above pics in this nursery called JM at Thomson Road - got some exotic blooms - of cos, not forgetting the popular Far East Flora too.

Neck to Neck

How to choose a Necklace to match your gown's Neckline.

No matter how beautiful a necklace is, if it's not well matched to your gown's neckline, it may not look quite right.

The neckline of your gown will be the main determination as to which style of necklace will look best.

So here's a guide to the type of necklaces that compliments the different type of necklines.


STRAPLESS
With this neckline, the options are endless! To accentuate the shoulder, wear a choker or round necklace.
The only thing to remember is to keep your necklace under 18 inches so that you don't clutter the neckline.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Lariat
• Multiple layers
• Y-style
• Pendant
• Princess length

SWEETHEART
A sweetheart neckline may or may not be strapless and the same rule for a strapless gown applies to sweetheart gowns.
Since the sweetheart neckline dips in the middle of the chest, you are able to wear a necklace that echo this design detail.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Princess
• Y-drop
• Pendant
• Lariat

SQUARE
The square neckline really draws attention to your neck.
Chokers are particularly flattering - contemplate a multi-strand choker.
In addition to the choker, the single and double strand necklace styles also compliment this style nicely.
A necklace with one or more short drops would go well too.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Princess

V-NECK
The trick with a V-neck is to follow the shape of the neckline and draw attention to your cleavage.
A Y-style necklace or a pendant style necklace will be my first recommendation.
A single or double strand necklace or a choker style necklace will work just as well.
Necklace top choices :

• Y-drop
• Pendant
• Choker

SCOOP
Almost any style of necklace that fits close to the neckline will flatter.
A round necklace is recommended for this neckline as it mirrors the scoop neckline.
The first choice to wear with this style of gown is a multiple strand necklace which accent the scoop neckline very well.
A single or double strands are also good choices as well as the choker style.
Necklace top choices :

• Princess
• Chokers

ASYMMETRIC
With this neckline, you do not want a necklace. Add fabulous earrings, a bracelet and a tiara for a great look!




PORTRAIT OR OFF-THE-SHOULDER
Accessorise this neckline with a necklace style that are close to the neck. Choker is especially flattering.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker
• Multiple layers
• Pendant
• Princess length

HALTER
The design of this halter neck gown does not really suit a necklace.
The best combination is a chunky bracelet, chandelier earrings and hair accessories - this look is very glamourous and flattering to the halter style.




BATEAU / BOAT NECK
This neckline calls for a simple necklace of one or two strands worn close to the throat.
Necklace top choices :

• Choker / collars with or without a pendant
• Princess

(illustrations by Donna)

Bridal Veil Guide

Ask any of your married friends when they first felt like a bride, and they'll tell you it was the moment when they put on their veil. There's something about a floaty, dreamy white fabric that transforms you from a normal persona to ...... a bride!



Blusher
Typically combined with other length, this is a short single veil worn over the bride's face.
It extends below the chin but usually drops no farther than the wrist (so as not to interfere with the bouquet).
It is worn over the face during the wedding ceremony and lifted by your partner for the kiss.



Shoulder length
A short veil, this one lands on the shoulders usually with a piece called a "blusher".
This veil is an excellent choice for brides who want to highlight the details on the back of the wedding gown.
This style goes with almost any dress.



Elbow or Waist length
Generally used for gowns without a train and will show off any detailing at the waist of the gown.
Best compliments a gown with a full skirt.
The wedding veil should end below a low back but above the start of the skirt.



Fingertip length
It falls right at the fingertips of the bride if her hands are at her side.
This veil can be worn with almost any wedding dress, except dresses that come above the ankles.
For brides under 5' 4", a fingertip veil is not recommended because this veil usually ends about mid-thigh on a petite woman and would visually cut your leg in half.



Chapel length
A chapel length veil either barely dusts the floor or is a few inches longer. It's length makes this chapel veil an ideal complement to a formal gown with a chapel or sweep train.
Generally used in formal weddings.



Cathedral
These are formal veils most often worn with those wedding gowns having a long train. The length of the bridal veil usually exceeds the length of the dress train by at least 6".

(Illustrations by Donna)


Useful Tips for Veils

• Make sure your "blusher" veil is long enough to flip over your head.

• Colour of veil should match. Don't choose an ivory veil for a white dress. Even though the difference may look slight, the contrast will show.

• Veils shouldn't be strewn with too many rhinestones because often rhinestones photograph like black dots. Even pearls, tiny satin bows and other embellishments may look spotty in photographs, so be sparing with these ornaments.

• Beware of ribbon-edge veils that hit at your middle - they can create a horizontal line, making you look shorter.

• A simple, unembellished wedding veil flatters an elaborate wedding dress best, while a classic gown can be paired with a plain or an ornate veil.

• Always check your rear view when trying on a bridal veil. To show off the back of your wedding gown, choose a sheer or single-layer design.

• Take your face shape into account when making your veil selection :
  
  - A veil that falls straight down narrows a round, full face.
  
  - A square jaw benefits a longer veil.
  
  - A waterfall design adds width to an oblong face.
  
  - A heart-shaped face looks best with a veil that falls behind the neck.

Crowning Glory

How to choose a Tiara/Head-Piece

A tiara is a glamorous accessory to wear with your bridal outfit as it brings attention up to the face.

You could be wearing a beautiful gown but you won't look like a bride without a headpiece.

With a tiara/headpiece, everyone will know, looking at the photographs, just who the bride is.

You should choose your wedding dress, then choose your accessories to compliment it.

Considerations for choosing a Tiara/Head-Piece are :
Face Shape
Hair-Styles

FACE SHAPES
Round face : To make your face appear longer, choose a taller tiara or one that comes to a peak in the centre.

Long face : Choose a headband or a lower tiara.

Oval face : You are lucky, most styles suit you. Choose lower tiaras, headbands, side hair-combs or hair-pins.

Heart-Shaped face : Your hair and/or accessories need some fullness at the jawline. This is probably best achieved with hair or a veil complimented with a lighter more subtle tiara.

Full face : Choose a tiara that comes to a peak in the centre.

HAIRSTYLES
Short hair : Tiaras look absolutely stunning with short hair! You can also go for headbands or lighter more delicate tiaras which won't require too much pinning.

Upswept hair : A taller tiara will be needed so that it doesn't look lost. If choosing a headband, a wider more elaborate one will look best. You could also use hair-combs and pins as an alternative to a tiara.

Hair Down : You can choose a headband to keep the hair off the face. Shorter tiaras can look great too, although you could also easily carry off a taller design - depending on the look you want to achieve. Asymmetrical styles look stunning too !

TIARA
Tiaras offer the most impressive effect. They are a gorgeous accent to any style of gown, from simple and contemporary to a ball gown style. Tiaras can be worn with or without a veil.

HEADBAND
For brides who want to wear their hair down, a headband can be used to keep her hair away from her face.
It can also be worn to accent upswept hairstyles and looks gorgeous with shorter hairstyles.

COMB
A comb can be worn with almost any hairstyle and can be worn on different parts fo the head. Depending on the style, it can provide for a less formal look.

HAIR-PINS
Hair-pins are also very versatile. They can be used for any hairstyle, whether formal or tussles, up or down.