Headdress, Veils & Accessories…

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…
Know your stuff!

The tiara is OUT and vintage glam is IN! Unless you’re Royalty or you’ve just won a beauty pageant, there is no need for you to wear a tiara on your wedding day. Besides that, let’s face it girls, the tiara is just naff! But before we get into what’s HOT and what’s certainly NOT, let’s talk Veils.


We find that most brides these days opt not to wear a veil at all, which is absolutely up to you.
However, we’ve done our homework and have decided to give you some much needed info about veils.









A little bit of History for you:
The first recorded instance of veiling for women is recorded in an Assyrian legal text from the 13th century BCE, which restricted its use to noble women and forbade prostitutes and common women from adopting it. The Mycenaean Greek term a-pu-ko-wo-ko meaning "craftsman of horse veil" written in Linear B syllabic script is also attested since ca. 1300 BC. Ancient Greek texts have also spoken of veiling and seclusion of women being practiced among the Persian elite. Statues from Persepolis depict women both veiled and unveiled, and it seems to be regarded as an attribute of prostitution under their belief.


Sjoe! Quite a mouthful! Well, there are many different types and some have a few different names. So are you ready… here we go!


Blusher Veil:
This veil is a short, one-layer piece of fabric or tulle that is wrapped over the head and face. It ends just below the chin. This is commonly known as a Birdcage Veil.



Chapel Veil:
This veil is typically two layered. The first piece is approximately 2,5 yards long which covers the face. The other layer covers the back of the head and extends to the floor. This is more formal and is worn with a wedding gown that has a Chapel Train.



Cathedral Veil:
This is the most formal veil of them all. It is similar to the Chapel Veil which also has two layers but quite a bit longer than the Chapel Veil. The layer that covers the face is 3,5 yards in length and the other layer covering the back of the head extends to the floor but flows past the train of the wedding gown.

Elbow Veil:
Enough Said! The Elbow Veil is more common with Western Brides. It is typically a to layered tulle, mesh or veiling veil where the longest part that covers the back of the head ends at the elbow. The layer that covers the face is slightly shorter.

Finger Tip Veil:
Pretty self explanitory! This is similar to the elbow veil but longer in length and ends at the finger tips.


Waltz Veil:
This is a very formal veil like the Cathedral Veil but shows a bit more status than the others. The length, however varies according to taste. The shortest length of this veil ends at the knees. And the longest length ends at the floor the waltz veil only has a single layer of fabric.

Flyaway Veil:
Now these are fun! But maybe not to everyone’s taste…
It is less formal than the others. It is made up of several layers of tulle. It is typically worn with a simple gown that is floor length with no train or shorter.

Mantilla Veil:
This is a single layer circle-shaped piece of tulle or fabric which rests on top of the head. The edge is bordered with lace that frames the face. It was typically worn with an ankle – length gown. Some insight and history for you: A Mantilla is a lace or silk scarf worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb, popular with women in Spain. It is particularly associated with traditional devotional practices among women in Catholicism. The lightweight ornamental mantilla came into use in the warmer regions of Spain towards the end of the sixteenth century, and ones made of lace became popular with women in the 17th and 18th centuries being depicted most notably in the portraits of Diego Velazquez and Goya. In the nineteenth century, Queen Isabel II (1833–1868) actively encouraged its use. The practice diminished after her death, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to special ceremonies, such as bullfights, Holy Week and weddings.

Russian/Fishnet Veil:
This is similar to the Birdcage. It is short in length and usually attached to a headpiece. This vail typically falls asymmetrically across the face. It is a single layer of material. The netting or tulle usually has larger holes (Like a fish net or fishnet tights). The Russian Veil looks best with short dresses. So if you’re into the short, 50’s wedding idea that’s very on trend at the moment, then the Russian and Birdcage Veils are just right for you!

Because some brides choose not to wear a veil then, let’s talk hair accessories…
Here are some pictures of pretty Alice bands, combs, flowers and vintage looks. Blush Weddings custom makes all types of veil, fascinators, birdcage veils and we have a wide selection of hair accessories like the diamante Alice band. The one thing we don’t have, however, is tiaras. THEY’RE OUT!

The same Alice Band shown with an Up Style and natural

Satin & Bling headpiece

References:
www.haircomesthebride.com
www.google.com
Wedding Magazine (UK)

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day…

Love, hearts, red roses, doves & cherubs. That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about these days. No sooner are we over Christmas when kitsch cards and gifts start to swarm the supermarket shelves when we get Valentine’s Day goodies shoved down our throats…



Call me a cynic, but I don’t particularly love it when red and pink are shoved in my face (at the same time, no doubt). But Valentine’s Day really is a money-making scheme! Here’s a hint: Don’t ever get married on or around Valentine’s Day if you’re on a tight budget!

I want to discuss the origin of Saint Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day as it’s commonly known…
In 313 A.D. Roman Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and ended Rome's persecution of Christians. In 380 A.D. Christianity is made the OFFICIAL state religion of the Roman Empire. These actions not only enabled the teachings of Christianity to spread unhindered within the empire, it encouraged non-Christians to convert to the once-persecuted religion.
The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pop Gelasius i in 500AD. However, it was deleted from the Roman calendar of Saints in 1969 by Pope Paul Vi, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards which are known as valentines.

This day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer (whom was an English poet and author) in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Hand written valentines only came about in the 19th century.

So instead of wasting money on roses and silly kitsch gifts, rather put that money aside and pack a picnic and go on a hike instead. If you’re not into the exercise idea, then stay in with your loved one and have a picnic in the comfort of your own lounge spending the night telling them what you truly love about them. If single, then round up your friends and go for dinner, share with your friends what you love about them.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Communicate! Communicate!! COMMUNICATE!!!

Communication (v): The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
There are various types of communication in life. There is verbal or oral communication; nonverbal communication; visual communication; written communication; human communication and nonhuman
communication to name a few.

Do you remember playing that popular game as a child “Broken Telephone”? Life can often be like that. The communication breakdown or failure happens because we’re all so overwhelmed in life today. And maybe that’s due to technology? Here, I’m talking about the communication between you and your loved ones. We’re so pre-occupied with our busy schedules that we forget to breathe!

Communication is a very important to function in every-day life. No matter where you are, who you are or what you’re doing, you are communicating.

In this day and age, technology is bringing us closer together and making the world a smaller place. With video calling, Skype, BBM and so on, it really is very easy to communicate with loved ones, colleagues and clients too. But are we really communicating? For example, your body language plays a very big part in communication. I am currently reading an ebook called “What is Every Body Saying” and it is certainly a very interesting and fantastic book on what our body is saying to other people face to face. Body language just adds to every-day life communication.

Over the past year, I’ve noticed with the Brides that come into Blush Weddings, how important Wedding Communication is.

Written Communication is used when sending out your wedding invitations. Throughout the Wedding Day itself, there is even more written communication such as the Order of Service, The Menu, The Table Seating Plan and The Name Place Cards. If you didn’t send out your Wedding invitations, how would you inform your guests that you want them there to celebrate your union? Sure, you could email or SMS your guests but that’s not very personal. Some couples opt out of a traditional wedding, but they still have wedding invitations sent out. Not every couple getting married has order of services or even name place cards but all weddings have a table seating plan. It would be utter pandemonium if people were asked just to sit wherever they like. It’s simply not realistic. If you didn’t communicate to the caterers or the venue, your wedding day will be in absolute chaos!

It’s all very well having the written communication down to a T, but the most important communication is between you, the Bride & Groom. It is imperative that you both communicate your wants and needs for your special day, to each other and to all involved in making the wedding day work and work well. As the bride, you may dream of releasing pure white doves after the ceremony but your groom may think they’re disgusting creatures riddled with vermin. If you don’t talk about it and discuss your wants and needs, it may land up in an argument. Most people think that the wedding day is all about the bride, but it’s really not that restricted. There’s far more to a wedding than people assume. It’s about you, the Bride and Groom as a couple, but it’s also about two families joining. And you might also start your own family one day.

At Blush Weddings, we’ve noticed another big failure in communication is not informing the bridal party of their duties. Bridesmaids and Mother’s – of – the Groom are often not told what their roles and duties are and for very different reasons. Lack of communication causes confusion and disinterest which can lead to tears…

It’s a typical cliché but the Mother – of – the – Groom is often left out of a lot of things. And the Mother – of – the – Groom is often referred to as “M.I.L.D.E.W” which stands for Mothers In Law Do Everything Wrong. That “label” as such, is wrong in itself! Yes, planning your wedding is generally done between you and your mother, but you are marrying into another family and you need to include your future Mother – In – Law too. You may hate the silly bitch, but make her feel special and needed. Remember, her son is getting married too!


Many Blush Brides have had difficulty communicating with their bridesmaids.
If you don’t allocate, designate and stipulate exactly what you want out of your retinue, then you can’t blame anyone but yourself. Yes, bridesmaids are there to add fun to the wedding planning stresses, but more importantly, they are there to be at your every beck and call (realistically of course). Most bridesmaids these days don’t see it as an honour. They simply see it as throwing you a Hen Night and getting trashed on champagne at your expense. No! They are supposed to attend your Wedding Dress Fittings, help with the running around, attend your hair and make – up trial and so on. Some brides these days have close to ten bridesmaids. That, in itself, is a communication disaster waiting to happen! If you don’t sit down with your ladies in waiting and discuss the details, then the days leading up to your Big Day will be a disappointment. You don’t need drama on your special day! (Watch this space for our next blog which is all about Bridesmaids and their duties...)

So remember Brides, talk to everybody. Don’t only communicate using with today’s modern technology. Talk and make your wishes and desires known and then there’ll be no room for disaster!

Rands and Sense

Rands and Sense

After the excitement of the engagement is over and the wedding date is set the most important task to begin your wedding planning is to calculate a wedding budget.

Do some research on costs and prices of venues, décor and wedding gowns. Be sensible. Work on a budget that is affordable with realistic prices. Once you have come up with a total that is manageable, don’t be tempted to overspend. You want to start married life without loads of outstanding bills.

Here are some tips to keep costs down:

Keep your wedding small by keeping the number of guest down. Singles don’t have to bring partners.

Most venues offer discounted prices during the winter months. Midweek weddings can also beat the budget.

Don’t have a large retinue. Keep the numbers of bridesmaids and groomsmen down. This saves on outfits, bouquets and gifts.

Consider creating your own invites and favours. Ask a creative friend or relative to help.
Get the bridal party together for a fun evening to assemble the wedding favours.

Photography is an essential part of your big day. One way to cut expenses is to ask the photographer to give you your pictures on disc. You can then make up your own album or book. Inexpensive software is available to make up photo-books – a project which can be a fun for you and your groom after the honeymoon.

When it comes to choosing flowers, check out what is in season at the time of your wedding. Flowers that are out of season are far more expensive. Less exotic flowers are also more cost effective Watch out for occasions like mother’s day and Valentine’s Day – flowers are very expensive at this time.

A fun and colourful alternative for table décor is fruit such as lemons, limes or apples placed in large glass vases.

A cash bar is perfectly acceptable today. Provide a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne per table. The guests can then use the cash bar facility for any other drinks. Just remember to state on your invitation that a cash bar will be available.

Have the wedding cake as dessert. Just check that the venue are happy to do this. A fun and economical alternative to a traditional wedding cake is cupcakes.

With all the costs covered don’t forget about your honeymoon! Why not sign up for a Honeymoon Registry. Instead of guests buying you another toaster or kettle ask them to contribute to a honeymoon registry. You choose your destination and your friends and family can contribute to a memorable start to your new life together.

Happy planning!

NEW ARRIVALS

We at Blush Weddings are so excited! Our new Bonny Special Occasions dresses arrived about an hour ago. We couldn't wait to unpack the box.......and we weren't disappointed!

These sophisticated styles can be worn by bridesmaids, matriculants, debutantes and even the Mother-of-the-Bride. The elegant designs offer affordable and quality options for any formal occasion.

Please pop in sometime to see our fabulous new dresses!

Know the Shapes


Walking into a bridal boutique can be quite a daunting experience for any bride-to-be. All those white and ivory gowns hanging beautifully on the rails! But where and how do you begin?
It is useful to know the shapes, or silhouettes, of the wedding dresses as well as your own shape and body size when considering which style would be best for you.

The Gown Shapes:
Wedding gowns and dresses fall into six basic silhouettes, namely Ball Gown, Empire Line, A-line, Sheath, Mermaid and Trumpet.

Ball Gown: this gown has a fitted bodice and waistline with a very full skirt which usually has numerous layers of petticoats.
Empire Line: a high waist, just under the bust-line, with a slim-line skirt is the characteristic of this style of dress.
A-Line: An A-line or Princess shape is cut close to the hip with a slight flare at the hem creating an A-shape.
Sheath: This slim style closely follows the lines of the body
Mermaid: A body-hugging silhouette that flares below the knee.
Trumpet: The fit-and-flare trumpet skirt gradually flares at mid-thigh.

To get a wedding dress with the perfect fit, it is important to choose the most flattering shape for your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you'll also look and feel your best.

Your Shape:

Hourglass
Hourglass figures have curves in all the right places! You have a big chest, big hips, and a thin waist
Wedding Dress Dos: A dress with an A-Line has a dropped waist will show off your figure. Together with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. For a more curvaceous look, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A ball gown or Empire-waist silhouette may make you look out of proportion.

Short Waist
Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.

Wedding Dress Dos: An A-line silhouette -- fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt -- elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.

Thick Waist
This shape has an undefined waistline

Wedding Dress Dos: An Empire Line weddings dress will take the emphasis away from your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: An A-line or basque waist will draw too much attention to your middle.

Full Figure
A voluptuous figure with full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.
Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.

Pear Shape
You're small on top and heavy on the bottom.

Wedding Dress Dos: A basque waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will be unflattering and a trumpet- or mermaid-style gown will draw attention to your bottom.

Thin
Short or tall,. You boast that certain kind of ballerina beauty whether you are tall or short.

Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from off-the-shoulder or halter necklines if your collarbones are too bony.

Petite
You have a tiny frame and are not very tall.

Wedding Dress Dos: It's best to keep it simple -- when you're small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it's wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may be overwhelming.

But the most important thing to remember, whatever your shape or size, is to have tons of fun picking out the perfect wedding gown for you!

Source: TheKnot

Don’t Compromise on Your Wedding Gown.


The wedding gown you choose says so much about your personality and the style of your wedding day. Whilst your wedding day is only one day, it is possibly the most important day of your life with memories that will last forever.

It is best to choose your venue and decide on the theme of your wedding before choosing your dress, For example a bride getting married on a beach should choose a classic and informal style whilst an indoor, more formal venue would suit an elegant or vintage gown. But don’t leave choosing your gown to the last minute! Most gowns are imported and can take up to four months to arrive in South Africa.

Spend as much as you can on your wedding gown – the bride is the one thing from the day that everyone remembers. A rule of thumb is to spend not less than 15% of your total wedding budget on your dress. Even if you are on a budget (like most modern brides are today) remember not to skimp on the one wedding gown.

The best ways to get ideas of styles you like is to search wedding and designer websites on the internet as well as local and international wedding magazines. Certain styles flatter some figures more than others. Try on various gowns to get an idea of what suites your body type and makes you feel most confident. Don’t get locked into the idea of having a white wedding dress. White doesn’t suite all skin tones and a “boob tube” doesn’t suite each bride – to – be!

If possible, don’t shop alone. Take someone with you, like your mom, maid of honour or bridesmaid whose opinion you value completely.

But most of all - have fun choosing your wedding gown!