As a bride it’s natural to want to look your best, but you can definitely look beautiful without getting your hair professionally styled. That’s where a hair straightener comes in handy. If you’re unsure of what kind of hair style you can create with a hair straightener, use it to curl your hair for an amazing curly do.

Wondering how to use a hair straightener to curl your hair? Follow these steps:

• First make sure that your hair is dry. Either let it dry naturally or blow dry it with a hair dryer before using the straightener to curl your hair.
• Second, use a thermal spray on top of your locks to keep it protected from the heat. Creating a protective barrier between the flat iron and your hair will prevent it from burning.
• Third, pull up all of your hair with a barrette or elastic, except for one section at a time that you will leave down. The remaining amount of hair should be closest to the nape of your neck and also should be about 1” thick. Separating your hair into different sections and curling one section at a time will make curling your hair a lot easier. Not to mention the curls will look lovely as well.
• Now it’s time to use hair spray sparingly on each section of hair. As you use your hair straightener to curl your hair, spray in a little bit of hair spray each section at a time. This will help the curls stay in place and will also make your hair easier to curl.
• Last, it’s time to use your hair straightener as a curling agent. To create beautiful curls, start close to your scalp (but don’t burn yourself), and clamp the iron closed. While the iron is closed, turn it back on itself and create a half turn. This is how you will curl your hair. To create tighter curls, slowly turn the iron back on itself. If you prefer wavy hair, move the flat iron faster as opposed to slower and you’ll achieve a beach like wave.

Using a hair straightener to curl your hair for a wedding day style will look great with some practice. If you’re unsure how to do this style exactly how you like it, ask a friend to help you out. She’ll be able to show you the proper technique and soon enough you’ll be able to do your hair on your own as well. Become a bride on a budget with beautiful curls!

This fabulous site has already been mentioned on our blog once before, but I thought I would feature some recent additions to the site. There are several dresses and accessories that have caught my eyes, and one dress in particular is especially beautiful. Just check out the Criss Cross Pleated Dress below and marvel at this beauty:

image via Tailored.co

So far Tailored is the only place online where brides can browse a site and discover inspiring photos, products, and more that they can save and share. They also can create lists of what they’d like to use or wear during their wedding and share it with friends. Think shopping + social media combined and you have it made.

image via Tailored.co

This bridal resource is rather clever and I personally can’t wait to explore it more. They also are great at capturing fashion trends on the site (i.e. the Oscars), and showcasing them through bridal gown trends and more.

Essentially this site is a one stop destination where I can shop and share, which happens to be two of my favorite words – shop and share. I can’t wait to shop and share some more. Come and join me on Tailored.co!

image via Tailored.co

via Ruche Bridal Collection

As a bride it’s nice to have the option of finding stunning bridal gowns that are affordable and lovely. Why spend tons of money when you can find affordable fashion that will make your wedding day go by without a hitch? Hence why I am in love with Ruche’s “To Have and To Hold” Vintage Inspired Bridal Collection.

It’s beautiful, romantic, and just perfect, really.

via Ruche Bridal Collection

Why am I in love with this collection? Well, for starters, the collection consists of wedding dresses that are available for under $500 and bridesmaids dresses under $100. This is perfect for a bride who wants to look great without breaking the bank!

Ruche also has a variety of both bride and bridesmaid dresses to choose from. If you’re a bride who doesn’t want to spend lots of money on bridesmaid’s dresses, there are many beautiful gowns to be found on Ruche’s site. Plus they come in an array of colors and the gowns are all very lovely and romantic in their own way.

With plenty of romance to be found, Ruche’s romantic pictures from their Have & to Hold lookbook (which you can share), are breathtaking. My love affair with Ruche took place before their wedding apparel became available. Now with their wedding accessories and apparel I’m in love all over again.

What do you think of Ruche’s Vintage Inspired Bridal Collection?

You know that I adore their bridal selections. Visit Ruche’s To Have and to Hold Bridal Collection on their site and see what I mean.

Corsets –

Feel beautiful in a corset, a piece of lingerie that helps you embrace your curves. Like all beautiful under garments, corsets come with lace and other lovely elements to embrace. Corsets snap on like a bra or many lace up the front, creating a romantic silhouette during the night time.

Sleepwear –

For something a bit more casual and cute, find a pretty sleep shirt, baby doll top, or chemise. This type of sleepwear usually lands at about your thighs and is extremely comfortable to sleep in. Plus – many casual sleepwear styles also will look feminine and flirty. Find flowery styles, for example, or discover a chemise that comes in lace or that has a lot of ruffles. You’ll love all of the beautiful details and so will your husband.

Panties –

Just like sleepwear and corsets, there are several different types of underwear to choose from. Depending on your preference, wear briefs, thongs, boy shorts, or whatever else you desire. Bringing several different pairs of underwear during your honeymoon is suggested and switching up your style depending on each outfit will also be worthwhile.

Now that you have a variety of lingerie to choose from – it’s time to enjoy your wedding, honeymoon and new life together as husband and wife!

Wedding Dress Sketch via ifanhour

Michele tells us on her Etsy page that  “ifanhour specializes in unique and romantic handmade fashion and accessories inspired by a love of couture, the arts, fine crafts, and fashion history.” Her accessories are hard to resist. Just check out this lovely Champage and Ivory Floral Hair Comb, just beautiful!

Floral Hair Comb via ifanhour

As well as lovely hair combs and more, Michele offers stunning bird cage veils. Plus – she incorporates creativity and originality by offering veils that come in pretty colors like pink, lavender, and pale blue!

Bird Cage Veil via ifanhour

So what else is Michele up to? Formally a 7th Avenue Knitwear Designer and Parsons School of Design graduate, she now resides in beautiful Marin County, CA with her husband, daughter, son, and SEVERAL pets.

Connect with Michele on her blog ifanhour and learn more about her, her beautiful creativity, and her love for fashion there as well!

There is a distinctly handmade feel about the site and service, and indeed, many of the items featured are from independent sellers on Etsy.  This gives the site a more personal feel and adds a certain charm that keeps you clicking.  Brides and sellers alike will enjoy the fact that this site is designed as a marketplace.  No more clicking through to buy, only to find that the Pinned image was pinched from Google search.  There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing that perfect dress and then not being able to find it in the real world.

The name Tailored, comes from the fact that the site learns what you like and makes suggestions for you based on your activity.  The more you like and share, the more accurate the suggestions for your wedding shopping list.  Fab for creating a focused wedding theme.

Go explore, but take your credit card!  http://tailored.co

My Favourite Finds:

Once you’ve found your favorite veil that works perfectly with your dress, it’s important to come up with the hair style that not only works for you, but looks well with your veil. The last thing you need is a hair do that does not complement your veil and vise versa. So let’s discuss the veils that are available and what hair style looks best with each veil. You’ll be a beautiful bride in no time at all!

via Elegant Park Dresses

Flyaway Veil -

A flyaway veil is a shorter veil that is 10″ to 15″ with one to two layers. Since this veil covers a lot of your hair and face (if you choose to have it over your face,) I would personally wear my hair down. You could wear it semi-down like the bride to the left or you could have it all the way down with cascading curls.

Since a veil does a lovely job at accenting your best features, why not add to the veil with lovely locks that flow down your back? That’s my take on a flyway veil and the ideal hair style. Keep in mind that you can also wear a petite veil with a side-piece jewelry or hair picks for a truly lovely look.

Tiered Fingertip Length Wedding Veils -

via Casual Cutie

A veil that’s slightly longer might be more suiting to your style. I know I would like a longer veil for my wedding day. These wedding veils are 36″ in length and look stunning. They also are available in a variety of edges and feature accented elements such as  rhinestones, pearls, crystals, and beads.

If you choose to go with a fingertip length wedding veil I would wear your hair in an updo. The reason why is because a fingertip veil can be worn under your updo. This will create a perfect bridal appearance that will still put emphasis on the veil. In addition an updo will be viewed better and will stay tidy and lovely on your wedding day too.

Visor and Birdcage Veil -

Since this type of hair veil frames the top part of your hair and head, I think this is yet another veil that looks great with an updo. A feather accent bridal veil, for example, can be placed in the center of your stylish updo – creating a beautiful look that you will love (I know I would!) on your wedding day.

via raw photo design

Cathedral or Chapel Length Veils -

Long and lovely veils are just as beautiful as a flyaway veil or birdcage veil. They come in different colors such as ivory and white and look gorgeous with a long train on a wedding dress. If you decide on a chapel length veil I think having your hair down will be a great choice. You also could have a half up and half down hair style for another look to consider.

So now that we know about different types of veils, which veil is right for you? Which hair style is right for you? As you can see there are many veils to choose from and the appropriate hair style makes the veil look totally different in a beautiful way. Choosing a hair style that complements your dress and veil will bring the entire look together. When its your wedding day it will be time to reveal a veil, hair style, and dress that you adore.

They got married at Brasstown Valley Resort, and the photography, Melissa Prosser, also shot some images with them the day after the wedding, when they could relax on horseback without spending too much time away from their guests.

Remember Gretchen from last week’s Trash the Dress feature? She did Lyndsay’s make up and hair for her wedding. Doesn’t she look beautiful?

All images courtesy of Melissa Prosser

From a garden wedding to a robust Victorian mansion celebration, these dresses
are fit for the ultra-romantic bride. It’s like you’ve taken the women from Jane
Austen’s novels, added some shine and put them out on the runway to make all
the Mr. Darcy lovers swoon.

The rogue princess Genevieve dress dawns sweet cap sleeves and pink silk velvet.
And the Amelie dress flaunts a hi-lo hem pumped up with tulle. The Fleur De Jour
gown may be more downplayed with its strapless neckline but paired with the
ruffled bolero sleeves; it’s a homerun for brides thinking outside the realm of
traditional bridal.

Claire Pettibone explained:

“When I design a collection I strive to make a woman feel as special as the
delicate creation she is wearing; take her to an enchanted time and place where
women are princesses and magnificent goddesses.

It has always been my desire to create exquisite feminine clothing using the
finest fabrics and precious details; to combine a vintage feeling with modern
style.”

Each piece is a magical creation of flawless romanticism. The collection strays
from the generic, and some may say kitschy Princess ball gowns. Instead, it brings
to life a whole new world to explore. A world where brides can capture the
essence of a long lost princess but still keep a contemporary eclecticism for the
more modern time.

Take the Toile Francais for instance, the back may cut a bit low and sexy for a lady
of the past but the sleeves and beautiful lace inserts certainly bring in the old-age

ethos. And between the cameos and peplum-esque skirt, the Lyon is perfect for
the sassy bride who wants to bring elegance to her walk down the aisle.

The entire collection is breathtakingly out-of-the-box but stays within the confines
of feminine bridal beauty. There’s a bit of innocence in the illusion necklines and
conservatism in the long sleeves, but the sexy isn’t left out. Just look at the Jolie.

Inspired by the French country-side, the album is anything but expected. The
French tulles, embroidered laces and antique gold touches are the epitome of
wedding day beauty. It’s walking art. It’s inspiring. It’s exquisite. As a bride you’ll
feel nothing less than a walking leading lady in a classic, historical Hollywood love
story.

See the gowns at http://clairepettibone.com/

All images via http://clairepettibone.com/

By the amazingly talented photographers Jose Villa, Sarah Gawler, Kristen Weaver and Elizabeth Messina

When it is my time to be a bride I will most definitely wear contact lenses. I want my eyes to show and plus people would not recognize me in glasses. If you are a bride and this is complete opposite for you and you are mainly seen in your eye glasses, you may want to consider wearing empty frames and contacts for vision. The reason why is because you won’t be faced with a glare, dry eyes, or a headache from wearing your glasses too long on your big day.

Even if you may not realize it, even the most appealing glasses get a glare sometimes. When you are a bride you will want to feel confident, radiant, and happy. Walking down a stair case to greet your guests or walking down the aisle to meet your groom is a lot easier with contact lenses. Peripheral vision from contact lenses will allow for you to see everything and everyone without a glare or the occasional blurry glance that will catch you off guard.

So what are you waiting for? Show off your pretty eyes and don’t hide them behind glasses. Contacts will meet your needs and will make your eyes feel great and you will look beautiful on your wedding day. The moment has arrived for saying “eye” thee wed.