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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tattoo Taboo?

Tattoos have become an everyday part of pop culture and even though they are now widely accepted, there are still some events that may require tattoos to be covered up. A wedding may be one of those events. More often than not, people will not care if your tattoo is showing; however, in the case of a formal or black-tie wedding, it may be best to cover it up anyway. There are several ways to cover up your tattoo without making it look obviously fake or messy; however, they are not cheap in price.
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The first option, and the most common cover for a tattoo is make-up. The best product that you can use is a thick medical concealer, such as Dermablend, which is used to cover scars. It is suggested that you buy three different tones of this concealer; one to match your skin tone, one that is a skin tone lighter and the last two tones lighter then your actual skin color. Apply concealer by using a make up brush, beginning with the lightest shade and finishing with your actual skin tone color. It is important that you only apply the concealer to the tattoo because spreading the make-up to the surrounding skin will cause discoloration and make the cover up very noticeable. Once the three layers of concealer are applied and blended, set the cover up with your skin tone powder. Be warned that thick concealer, like the ones mentioned, will be more expensive then the average make-up concealer. The three tones and the matching powder will run you around $45 to $50. The bride below did a similar process and look how natural her arm looks. Can you even tell she has a tattoo?

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Another concealer option is to use the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer. This product is $25 at any Sephora store or online. The product comes in seven different shades and is oil and paraben-free. In order to cover your tattoo, first, draw over the tattoo with the Kat Von D Tattoo Eraser, which is also available at Sephora for $14, tracing beside the ends then filling in the entire tattoo area. Next, using a concealer brush, apply the concealer over the tattoo and surrounding area. It is important to allow the concealer to dry between layers, for the best results. After several layers, apply using a mattifying powder foundation with a make-up sponge and finish it off by using a make-up setting spray to lock everything in. Below is a bride that used the Kat Von D product. You can see that there is a slight discoloration where her tattoo is, but no one would notice up close.
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If you are hesitant about using make-up for covering up, there are some other options out there. Depending where your tattoo is, you could wear an accessory to hide the tattoo, such as a thick bracelet for a wrist tattoo. Bridesmaids trying to cover up tattoos can wear a dress that will not show the tattoo, or wear a bolero or a shawl. Brides can wear a longer veil to cover up back tattoos or wear their hair down. This bride chose to cover up her tattoo with a bolero that matched with her wedding colors, which looks very elegant. 

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And if all else fails, embrace the beauty of the tattoos and let them shine during your wedding. Photographers can Photoshop them out of the pictures, and I'm sure your guests will not have a problem with them during the wedding. Also, if you are willing to spend a large amount of money, you can go to a professional make-up artist and have them cover it up. In the end, it is your wedding and you should do what makes you feel most comfortable.
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Monday, July 25, 2011

Vintage Is The New Black!

Vintage is alive and kicking when it comes to weddings these days. Why? Well, my theory is that the economic hardships that many people are experiencing are causing them to really buckle down on their wedding expenses. Before, brides were buying or renting everything full price, but now that many have to watch their costs, they are beginning to incorporate more do it yourself (DIY) projects. Many times, DIY and vintage go hand in hand. For instance, it is easy and inexpensive for a bride to go antiquing to find her wedding decor. She may search for old windows and doors that can be painted and used as reception decor. Also, another popular item to find and use as a unique wedding decoration, is a birdcage.

Vintage has also made a comeback with wedding dresses. Elements of lace, slimmer silhouettes, shorter trains and bird cage veils are all popular amongst brides. Having a vintage-themed wedding allows the couple to be individual and creative because there are a number of different vintage eras that can be chosen. The most popular styles that we are seeing are from the Romantic eras because of the elegance and class. Brides are also very into the retro style from the 1940's and 1950's. Many times, these retro brides wear a tea length wedding dress with red lips and a bird cage veil. Vintage conveys fond memories of the past and a little piece of history to every wedding, no matter what the time period. It is perfect for those couples who want to integrate their personalities and their history into their wedding day. Plus, your vintage details will be sure to awe the guests and make your special day memorable. 

 Here are some examples of vintage weddings
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The picture above is a vintage bride with a tea length dress on. You can see the lace sleeves, detailing of the veil and the pearl necklace also add to the vintage flair.
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Here we can see that an old suitcase that can be found very easily at a thrift or antique store, has been turned into the card area. The table runner in the suitcase and the table cloth both have a vintage feel and the flowers really bring the look together.
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This is the classic vintage wedding gown look for many brides. The bride has a smile off-white dress, which was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, as well as a mid-length veil. Each bridesmaid has an earthy tone, which is also an element of vintage. The bride looks similar to a Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn bride.
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This bride is wearing the typical bird cage veil. Many times, bird cage veils come with some small detailing like the white flower and leaf in this particular picture. Feathers are also a common detail on these veils. The bride, as you can see, has very minimal eye makeup on; however, her red lips really make her face pop.
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  A table center piece common use for a vintage bird cage. You can use a variety of cages to make each table unique. Also, instead of using flowers, the bird cages can be filled with candles or pictures of the couple. They can also be used as a place to put cards.
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The fabric strips in the background have been a growing trend for weddings. They are great as a background for the ceremony, a picture area or for the cake table (like this picture).The mismatch candle holder and vase are great details, along with the antique tray and lace table runner. They are all perfect for a romantic period wedding. 
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This reception table is great because of the small details. First, the mismatched chairs are really fun and really bring the entire setting together. The small details such as the candler holders, small suitcase, vintage cameras and flowers will keep your guests interested all day long.
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This DIY chandelier is great for elegant garden weddings. It is very inexpensive to make and they add a nice rustic, yet classic touch to the decor.
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This is by far one of my favorite pieces I've seen. The frame can be found at a second hand store. A small bulletin board can be covered with fabric and then attached to the frame. They keys are a perfect wedding favor and table placement.
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Here is an example of some great vintage rustic wedding invitations. it is important for the invitations to match the overall style of the wedding and I think these would work well with a rustic wedding.
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Here is another example of a DIY project that is easy to make. All you have to do is connect some chicken wire to on old window frame. The wooden letters can be found in stores such as Micheal's or Walmart and can be painted to go with the wedding theme.
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This last picture is an example of a vintage save the date. The graphic is simple enough that it won't be expensive to print; however, the style of it will make guests curious about what the wedding will look like.




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Friday, July 22, 2011

Flower Power!

There are never two floral arrangements that are exactly the same, especially when it comes to weddings. Although many of the same flowers are used during certain times of the year, there are always a great variety of bouquets. Many times, flowers that are used in summer or spring bouquets can also be used in the winter, so there is really no limit to what you can use. If you are dead set on using a certain flower that is not in season, you can do it, but it may cost quite a bit more money, which is the only downside.

There are also a lot of ways that you can save money when buying flowers. If you choose to have a long/thick stemmed flower such as a sunflower, calla lily, or rose, then the bridesmaids' bouquets can have just a few of the flowers wrapped in ribbon. Also, you can create bouquets that have
multiple flowers, some of which may be a little more pricey and the rest can be something that is a little cheaper, like carnations or daisies. Doing this allows the bouquet to have some diversity and not be as expensive as having the entire bouquet with the same kind of flower. 
 
Your bouquet will be one of the most photographed details of your wedding, so it's important to choose something that truly fit your wedding style. Also, I believe that there should be a slight difference between the bride's bouquet and the bridesmaids' bouquets whether it be size, color, or a different flower. There are a lot of brides who decide to have a white bouquet, while her bridesmaids have colorful ones. Or, the bride chooses to have a fuller bouquet with several different flowers and her bridesmaids' bouquets have one specific flower from the bride's bouquet.
 
Personally, I am crazy about bouquet ideas! I can never get tired at looking at them, which is why this post is a little different. Instead of explaining each flower bouquet to you, I’m going to let them speak for themselves. Enjoy the creativity!
 

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Dress Dilemma!

If you have ever been involved in a wedding before, you know how hard it is to find a dress that makes all the bridesmaids happy. There are so many factors that take place when choosing a dress. If you are having more then two or three bridesmaids in your wedding, finding a dress to fit everyone is almost always impossible. No one person has the same body type, so it is important to find a dress that compliments every girl’s body. How can you do this? Well, there are a couple of things you can do to ease the frustration.

The first choice, and by far the smartest, is to have each bridesmaid choose their own dress. Give them a specific color to work with. Don’t just say a blue dress, say a royal blue dress or give them a swatch to work with. Have them go to the store of their choice and pick out a dress that flatters their body type, exhibits their personality, and is something they will be happy with. It is actually very interesting to see the diversity in the dresses; however, because they are all the same color they coordinate together. Also, if you let them chose their own dress, and then have them all wear the same shoes and accessories which will also add to the wedding party harmonization. The only caution I would warn you of is the style of the dress. If you are having an elegant winter theme, then a short summer dress would not mix well. To avoid this, give the bridesmaids an idea of what you are looking for and what style your dress will be. It is important that the bridesmaids’ dresses have something in common with the bride’s dress whether it is a vintage theme, same material, or similar detailing.

Another option for the dress could be a wrap dress. A wrap dress allows each girl to create their own top by wrapping the dress material in different ways. Each bridesmaid would technically have the same dress on; they would just be styled in a different way. For instance, one girl could have a strapless dress, while another has spaghetti straps with an intricate back.

If you are insistent on having everyone wear the same dress it is smart to stick to a simple dress that will work for everyone. I suggest that you go with your entire group to a store at the same time. Have each girl measured throughout the bust, waste and hips. The bridesmaid’s dress should be sized based off of the largest measurement and then can be altered to fit the rest of her body. Alterations are vital when using the same dress because each body is different. However, alterations can be quite expensive if there is a lot that needs to be done, so it would be best to choose a dress that already works with every girl’s body type. There are two styles of dress that work best on everyone’s body. The a-line dress is great for curvy pear shaped girls. The a-line is a snug upper body with a loose-fitting bottom. An empire silhouette is also a great choice. The empire dress has a high-waist, gathered just under the bust with a loose bottom, which slims down the body. The style accentuates the bust and also helps to lengthen the body's appearance. For bridesmaids with an hourglass figure, a form-fitting strapless or halter dress will work best.

Of course the bride has the final say, but the bridesmaids are the ones paying for the dress and you want them all to look good. It is important that your bridesmaids are happy and comfortable in the selection you choose because they will be wearing the dress the entire day.

{image via getmarried.com}
Here is an example of a wrap dress. This particular dress can create up to 10 different styles, which allows bridesmaids a lot of flexibility.

[image via Wedding Bee}
[image via NC Weddings}
{image via Wedding Activities} 
These are all examples of your bridesmaids choosing their own dress. In this case all of the dresses are the same color, length and style; however, each dress compliments the woman's body.

{image via La Belle Bride}
This is an example of all the bridesmaids wearing the same exact dress. This particular dress is an empire silhouette. You can see that each girl has a slightly different body style; however, the empire dress fits them all very well.

{image via Bridesmaid Dresses}
This is an example of the a-line bridesmaid dress. You can see the dress has a fitted top, while flaring out at the skirt. The dress is perfect for petite women, as well as curvier women shown in the picture.


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