Headpieces

Headpieces offer both an accent and overall dimension to the appearance of the gown. Some brides might prefer a very elaborate headpiece, while others prefer none at all. The headpiece can be used alone or in combination with a veil. A list of possible headpieces and their descriptions is provided below:

1. Half hat: This is a small hat covering half of the crown on the head.

2. Halo: This is a decorative fabric and wire band that sits on the head, lying across the forhead. The piece is accentuated with pearls, sequins, or flowers.

3.Hairpins/Hairsticks: These are ornamental hairclips that both hold up the hair for upswept styles and act as an attractive accessory.

4. Juliet cap: A small hat that hugs the back of the head. This works well with a veil, particularly a pouf veil.

5. Picture hat: A wide brimmed hat decorated with lace, pearls, or sequins.

6. Pillbox: A structured, brimless hat, which is worn on the top of the head.

7. Profile: Worn asymmetrically on the head, a profile is a floral comb decorated with lace, pearls, or crystals.

8. Snood: A decorative netting covered with pearls, sequins, or flowers. This style is used to cover hair pulled up in a bun hairstyle.

9. Wreath: This is a circle of flowers that usually sits at the crown of the head.

10. Tiara: Perhaps the most popular headpiece is the tiara. A tiara is an ornamental crown of pearls,
 crystals, or rhinestones worn at the top of the head. This piece can be worn alone or with a veil.

The bride should remember that the headpiece offers a way to enhance the gown. It should not compete with it. Some brides may choose to complement a hairstyle with the use of a headpiece. Others will forego this accessory in favour of a more elaborate hairstyle or veil.

Undergarments

The foundation garments underneath the wedding gown can be as important as the outer details. From bras and panties to control top nylons and body slimming undergarments, good quality items will go a long way towards achieving a seamless and flawless look.

Depending on the neckline of the gown, the bride will wear a bra with or without straps. If you do not like the idea of a strapless bra, there are alternatives available. Clear straps are becoming more common and are easier to hide under a gown with this straps. As well, the same clear option is available to go under the halter neckline. Note that clear straps may still be visible in the photographs, depending of the width of the dress' straps, and it;s best to avoid straps altogether with more open necklines.

Cups, body tape, daisies and other options exist for backless dresses and gowns that don't look right with a bra underneath.

Knickers should be chosen to avoid any lines showing through the gown. When wearing a gown with a tight fitting silhouette, such as the sheath or mermaid shapes, visible lines will take away from the smoothness of the gown. Therefore knicker styles such as thongs, boy-cut shorts, and Brazilian cuts are great options, as they don't show lines and will give confidence to the bride.

Control-top nylons and body-slimming undergarments can help brides with figure flaws smooth and tone their midsection and lower half to create a flawless silhouette. These garments do wonders for the overall appearance of the gown. They are designed to target specific areas, such as tummies or bottoms. If the bride is feeling at all self-conscious about her body, I recommend these products to ease her mind.

More comfortable and fun alternatives to regular nylons are stay ups and garter belts. Stay-up nylons have a plastic strip at the top of the stocking, to hold the nylon in place to mid thigh. If the bride chooses to wear stay-ups,be sure you test out a few different pairs. The bride needs to make sure they have enough staying power to last through the entire day and night-including dancing! For extra assurance, some brides prefer to opt for a traditional garter belt. The belt is worn over the hips with four or six 'garters' that come down the leg and clasp the top of the stocking. Many women find them to be a comfortable and sexy addition to their wedding ensemble.

Colour is the final consideration when choosing wedding undergarments. Brides should choose white or flesh toned garments, with the possible exception of the garter. Nothing is more disastrous than discovering that the outline of a red bra shows very clearly under a white gown in a photograph. The bride will always have a chance to slip into something fun and flirty after the reception. That's what all those bridal shower gifts were for!

The wedding rings

The custom of exchanging wedding rings began in ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics depicted rings as a symbol of eternal love between two people. In more modern history, rings were placed on the third finger of the left hand as it was believed to be directly connected to the heart by the 'vena amoris', or the vein of love. Although this was later proven false, the tradition remains.

About three to six months prior to the wedding, the bride and groom should start shopping for their wedding rings.

You have many options to add personal touches to the rings. If you have a specific design in mind, custom designed rings might be a good option. Or, perhaps the couple would like to express their feelings artistically and design rings for each other. A handcrafted, unique design that holds meaning for the couple is a lovely idea. However, you must keep in mind that this alternative is much more expensive that simply purchasing an existing ring.

A less expensive alternative to custom-designed rings is engraving. A special message inside the ring is a private and intimate element for the couple to share. The cost will be determined by whether the rings are machine-engraved or hand-engraved, the latter being more intricate and pricey. The engraved message can be simply the wedding date and the future spouse's initials, or a short phrase that carries a special meaning for the couple. Song lyrics and poetry are also popular options.

Remember the ring is meant to be a symbol of your love, and a reflection of the style and taste of the person wearing it. This means that the most expensive ring or the most flawless diamond is not always the best choice. You should ultimately choose rings that suit your budget, match your personal style, and act as a pleasing reminder of the vows they exchanged on your wedding day.

What about the rings?

The wedding rings play a key role in the events of the day. You should recommend to your clients that they clear their hands of all other rings and wear only the engagement ring and wedding bands. As an important symbol of the occassion, the wedding rings should be center of the attention and shouldn't compete with a hand full of rings.

Bridal Shoes

Shoes are an important part of the bride's ensemble. Whether you choose a floor-length or knee-length gown, you should always focus on comfort and proper fit over style when it comes to selecting footwear. The wedding day will consist of standing, walking, and dancing. Aside from the meal (if there is one) the bride has little opportunity to sit down. The bride shouldn't have to worry about the pain in her feet when shire is trying to enjoy her special day.

To choose comfortable shoes, the bride doesn't have to sacrifice style. Many appealing yet practical choices exist. These include pumps, strappy sandals, slides, and sling backs. Heels higher that 2 1/2 inches should be avoided for comfort. High heels also create the potential for tripping. Whatever the bride likes, I advise to purchase shoes with a wide toe box to avoid friction and pressure on her feet. The bride should also wear the shoes around the house and outside to break them in several weeks before the wedding day.

Shoe styles are available in white and off-white. Dyeable shoes can be colour-matched to gowns with different tints and colours. Shoes can also be dressed up with delicate fabrics, sequins, pearls or crystals to add to the beauty of the footwear.