Saturday, November 7, 2009

Choosing Fragrances For Your Wedding

We all know that scent is one of the most powerful of our senses, and yet it is often overlooked as a part of a wedding design. Don't miss out on a chance to add another layer of ambiance and beauty to your special day! These are tips on choosing fragrances for your wedding ceremony and reception, as well as to wear yourself for your wedding.

Think about how much we associate certain fragrances with certain times or places. When you think of mulled spices and pumpkins, no doubt it is autumn that springs to mind. Pine boughs and cinnamon say fall, while the scent of lilacs are a clear reminder of fall. Places have aromas associated with them as well. There is the smell of fresh baked bread at your grandmother's house or a sophisticated perfume at a designer department store. These are the types of memories and associations that you can try to evoke with the fragrances that you select for your wedding.

The right scent can be used to transport your guests to a magical place. For example, let's say that you were planning a tropical theme wedding in a non-tropical location like your backyard. You may think that you have all of the details covered, from the steel band to the beach wedding jewelry to the showy tropical flowers, and yet something will still be missing: the iconic fragrances of the tropics. No matter how perfect your beach theme gown and jewelry, your wedding will still be lacking the scent associations that will truly help your guests to feel like they are at the beach. Make your theme really come to life by including aromas such as coconut and heady tropical flowers in the form of scented candles. The smell of the sea air may be a bit harder to replicate, but when your guests enter your reception, which not only looks but smells like an island paradise, your theme will have reached its ultimate expression.

Flowers can have anything ranging from a light and delicate scent to an overpowering aroma to no fragrance at all. The first of the three is by far the best. Choosing flowers which are completely without a scent (which is the case of many blossoms which have been hybridized), misses an opportunity. On the other hand, a very strong smell, such as that of Casablanca lilies, evokes very strong emotions: some of your guests will love it, but an equal number will find the scent to be cloying and overwhelming. Be especially careful with your reception flowers, because strong fragrances and food are not a good mix.

A lightly scented flower, however, can be a wonderful addition to a wedding. The soft scent of lilacs wafting on the breeze is one of the loveliest of spring. The light aroma of honeysuckle is pleasant and subtle. Fresh herbs like rosemary and lavender are classic and have a bit of French flair. Certain greens, such as geranium leaves, can even have a peppery aroma, which can be very sophisticated. Remember that scented candles or diffusers can be used if the actual flower is not available.

And finally, take the time to select a special scent to wear. Perfume should always be applied with a light hand; just enough so that your groom will get a hint of it whenever he leans in for a kiss. The fragrance that you select can be your all-time favorite, or a brand-new one that suits the style of your wedding. Whichever you choose, you can be sure that each time you smell your wedding perfume, it will bring back happy memories.

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts, reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Beach wedding jewelry is perfect for a destination wedding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

Laura Firenze - EzineArticles Expert Author

Pink Wedding Shoes & Pink Wedding Lingerie - Have a Pink-A-Liscious Wedding

Are you the ultimate girlie-girl? You could also be the girl who likes to be different. Maybe trendy is something is right up your alley. Any of these could make you the perfect candidate for having a fabulous pink wedding day. Now this could be something as lavish as an all pink wedding dress' right down to pink wedding shoes. It could also be as simple as something hidden underneath, such as pink wedding lingerie. The key to this idea is implementing color into your wedding in a style that becomes you.

For the more elaborate day, a style could be chosen that weaves the many hues of pink into the entire format of the wedding. Choose beautiful flowers that will be available on your wedding day and see how you can take those colors and create a mosaic from the napkins to the place cards, and even the candles. Try finding some invitations that use various forms of the color within it, such as the response and reception cards. Using the many different shades of pink together will bring out an amazing sense of pink, without it blaring at your guests.

A more subtle approach would be to choose whites or ivories as your base color and then some smaller items that are not noticed as much and then pop them out in pink. Wear pink wedding shoes, and the groomsmen wear pink bow-ties or vests. Choose a beautiful pink ribbon to tie up all the floral arrangements or pink confetti whimsically thrown around the centerpieces. Choose a light pink shade for your table placement cards or a dark pink for the typeset.

Want to get a little trendy? Choose those hot! hot! pinks. Have a traditional wedding dress dyed this color and have the bridesmaids where white for a change. For a real change of pace, color everything white and make a special request of your guest to wear or bring something pink with them. This is sure to bring out the trendy and creativity of all involved.

If you already are set on your colors, but love the idea of involving pink into your wedding day, go for something just between the new couple. Choose some beautiful pink wedding lingerie, and decorate your wedding honeymoon room with pink petals and candles. Get some lavish pink satin sheets for wherever you are spending the honeymoon night. This would make your love of pink to be more intimate between yourself and your new spouse.

Pink is a beautiful color that can enhance any wedding day. It comes in a wide spectrum from almost white to a dark burning fuchsia. It can be thought of a traditional wedding color, but there are so many possibilities with pink that any wedding day can be pink-a-liscious.

Matilda, better known as Pinky, has been researching and gathering information about pink wedding themes for years. Deciding to compile her information into one specific website devoted to the color, she found there were limitless possibilities. From pink wedding shoes to pink wedding lingerie, you'll find it all on her website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matilda_Trudeaux

Wedding Dress Styles - Choosing the Right One

Choosing a wedding dress is probably one of the most time consuming and difficult things for a bride to do. There are so many styles to choose from that it can be quite overwhelming. When you break it all down, there are basically 5 choices, the A-Line or Princess, Empire, Column, Ball Gown and Mermaid.

A-Line or Princess Style

This is a great dress that is suitable for most body types. The way the dress is made gives the impression of height and is good for the bride who wishes to look taller. The cut also helps to make the bride look slimmer which is a bonus. The style means that there is a full skirt and the whole dress is very versatile. It accentuates the best bits of your body and hides the others!

Empire

This is a very good dress again for most body types but especially good for those women with a smaller bust or those with a larger bust. This is because the dress brings the focus of attention to around the neckline. With some jewellery here, the effect is increased and the neckline becomes the centre of attention.

Column

The column style dress is quite well fitting and is more suitable for the slimmer lady. It is not the most forgiving so if you have body areas that are perhaps a little larger than you are happy with, this dress will not do well to hid it. Due to the hugging nature of the dress, it will make the bride look taller, the downside is that it can be a little harder to move in!

Ball Gown

This style of dress is good for the slimmer bride and also for those who do not wish to show off the leg area too much. The way the dress fans out at the bottom does not show off the legs at all but the centre of focus if at the upper half of the body. This style is also probably not best suited to shorter women as it can look proportionally unequal.

Mermaid

This style of dress is best suited to the slender bride as it does show off the figure and does not look flattering for those who do not enjoy their body curves. There are a range of styles to choose form and you can see if there is one for you.

Just remember that once you have decided upon your dress, you need to invest in the proper dress storage box for it otherwise you risk ruining your investment in many years time through fabric degradation.

UK Wedding Stores retails high quality wedding favours , favour boxes and and wedding dress boxes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Yates

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Basic Principles and Practice of Dress Fitting

If you have cut and marked your material properly - you are now ready to proceed in finishing your dress and then have your first dress fitting.

Baste or pin in all darts, tucks, and any other inside design form shaping details.

Stay-stitch all curved and bias edges to prevent stretching material out of shape. Remember to handle your material lightly at all times.

Pin or baste shoulder and side seams of bodice. Baste sleeve seams and put aside. Pin or baste skirt seams.

THE FIRST FITTING

Drape bodice on dress form or living figure. Make any changes necessary in the fit of the garment by removing original pins or basting as you go along and replacing them at proper places.

These changes may be made at constructions seams, or at the darts, or other shaping seams. Don't make the mistake of over fitting - remember to leave room for action.

When you are satisfied with the fit of this part of your costume, drape the skirt over your form, turn down seam allowance at waistline and attach to bodice at the waistline by matching your side seams, center front and center back, and other markings inherent to your design. Make corresponding alterations in the same manner you followed in fitting the bodice.

CHECK ON YOUR STRAIGHT OF GOODS. MAKE SURE THIS AT CENTER FRONT AND CENTER BACK IS EXACTLY PERPENDICULAR (AT RIGHT ANGLES) TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT IF YOU EXPECT TO HAVE YOUR GARMENT HANG OR DRAPE PROPERLY.

When your design calls for a bias cut pattern - the exact line of true bias must be perpendicular to the floor in the same manner - either at the center front and back, or at the design center as, for example, the center of each gore or godet.

Mark any changes you have made with chalk. Remove garment from form and take the next step to the finish line. Before you remove any pins, make sure that you have marked all seam allowances and all changes.

Detach skirt from bodice and take apart side and shoulder seams - BUT DO NOT DESTROY OR REMOVE ANY OF YOUR MARKINGS!

Begin with sewing in all your darts and inner lines of design.

Don't forget to press as you go along.

PRESS EACH DART, SEAM, OR LINE OF SEWING BEFORE ATTACHING ANY CROSS SEAMS OR ASSEMBLING THE ADJOINING PART.

Press darts from the wider part toward the tip. Use your press mitt or tailor's ham. Press waistline and shoulder darts toward the center of the garment; and bust line or sleeve darts downward. When working with very heavy material or very wide darts - trim dart to about 1" of sewing line and press open, leaving a triangular fold at the tip of the dart.
In pressing seams - first press them open and then toward the direction desired; or leave them open if this is your intention as a designer. When one edge of seam has to be eased to match the length of the opposite edge as for example the top edges of sleeves or fullness over bust - in order to achieve neat shaping, gather in the fullness with a small running stitch to the length desired and steam shrink to shape by pressing over a curved surface such as your tailor's ham.

ALWAYS PRESS BIAS SECTION WITH THE GRAIN OF THE MATERIAL TO AVOID STRETCHING OUT OF SHAPE.
TIPS FROM A PROFESSIONAL DRESSMAKER

Time for a second dress fitting.

Complete the bodice in all details except for final finishing. Sew in the interfacing if use of it is necessary to hold and reinforce the shape of your design.

Sew in facings wherever required.

If your design calls for a collar - baste it in.

Set in your sleeves and baste.

Have another fitting to check on collar and sleeves - Do the sleeves fall properly? - Is there enough ease for movement? - Does the collar lay smooth or roll the way you planned it? Measure off the length of the sleeves. Mark any changes necessary.

Now finish the bodice completely.

Remember to press each seam before sewing on a cross seam.

Now you are ready for a fourth dress fitting. Your dress will then be complete.

Learn The Art Of Dress Making And Designing Your Own Unique Garments

Visit: http://www.dressmakingpattern.net/

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Perfect Hairstyle That Fits Your Face

Tired of being always with the same hairstyles? It's time to change your image. Before you go to experiment, make sure which hairstyles fit best with your face shape.

The hair is a linchpin for the female image. Hairstyles say a lot about the personality of the women. The celebrities know that and carefully choose the best professionals to define their look. You can do the same. Find out what your traits are and choose your new look.

Square Face

The characteristic of this face type is the wide jaw. The best option is a long open bang to divert the attention. Best are hairstyles with volume, not very long. The volume is your friend. Comb your hair loose, forget the super smooth hairstyles and never collect the hair completely.

Oval Face

You are lucky because every hairstyles suit you. Experiment and change your look. Curly, smooth, very short hairstyles or super long, everything goes.

Face in the form of hazelnut

You have a marked chin and the lower part of your face is slender then the front. In this case it is ideal for you to choose a haircut with much volume to the chin, to widen the base of the face. You can try without fear layered medium hairstyles to achieve a multiple layers to give freedom and movement to your haircut. If your face is long, you must give volume to the hair. In addition, you can round up more your face with a bang.

Triangular Face

The best thing for you is to wear a very heavy bang. Ensure that the strength of your haircut focus on the top of your face and cheeks are much more highlighted. Dare with a very short hair and nothing structured. You'll get a freshness and a very modern touch. If the short hair is not your choice, don't worry, take a long hairstyle but always with great volume.

Rectangular Face

You need a lot of volume and movement at the top of your head. This powers your cheekbones and shortens the length of your face. Try not to wear very long hair. You have to choose a hairstyle that stylize your face. Try loose hairstyles with movement.

Round Face

If you want to refine your factions lead your hair below the shoulders and very smooth, slight layered. The volume must be concentrated in the middle of the face and the sides should be flat. Although the bang is fashionable, you have to forget it!

Reading more on http://www.emagazini.com/hairstyles/face_hairstyles.html

Nadya Mark is recognized women's magazines writer.

To read more visit http://www.emagazini.com

Nadya Mark - EzineArticles Expert Author

Monday, December 22, 2008

Tips For Wearing Jewelry to Best Accent You

Jewelry is an accessory that can make or break your look. Wearing jewelry correctly will result in a smart, dazzling result where all the focus is on you! Here are 5 simple tips:

1. Wear just one bold statement piece of jewelry and make sure your other pieces are understated and complimentary. For example, a big, flashy bracelet should be paired with a simple ring and small hoop or stud earrings. Don't overstimulate your "viewers" by attempting to bring attention to your ears, neck, wrist, and hands at one time. Choose a single focal point.

2. Be practical and consider your activity. Heavy, dangly earrings and ten bangle bracelets are probably not a good choice for a crazy dance party nor outdoor hiking. Reserve large pieces for events when you're not going to be extraordinarily active.

3. Necklace lengths can be the trickiest thing to determine when choosing jewelry to coordinate with your outfit. Chokers are fantastic with strapless dresses and tops. Open collar and boat-neck tops look great with a chunkier, shorter necklace. Turtlenecks and tunics are best with a longer pendant or a long string of beads.

4. Make sure your jewelry choices are appropriate for the situation. For example, a flashy choker is not okay for an office. And a set of conservative pearls is probably not the best choice for rock concert. Pair your jewelry to the occasion.

5. Wear size-proportionate jewelry. If you're petite, a large piece (or worse, several large pieces) would detract versus attract. If you want to wear a bold piece, try a large cocktail ring or bracelet instead of a necklace or earrings. If you're a plus-sized gal, turn it up and wear large, splashy pieces.

Sara Vaccarielli is the designer and owner of Twinkle Studio, remaking vintage gems into luxe modern jewelry at all price-points including 10 items every day that are available for $10 each.http://www.twinkle-studio.com

Sara Vaccarielli - EzineArticles Expert Author

Monday, December 8, 2008

Beach Wedding Dress