Not sure what the wedding guest dress code means exactly? Here are some guidelines from black tie to garden party weddings.
Black is not just a colour for mourning. For decades, white has been synonymous with weddings for its symbolism of purity. White is traditionally expected. However, while many are afraid of including this dark-hued colour in weddings, black can actually bring much class and sophistication to your big day. Take a walk on the dark side and think of bringing this dark tone into your wedding.
Here are a few way to incorporate black into your wedding that won’t look morbid.
Invites:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtY7CIRB_VB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The order of events:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHRHWTBl-C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Your dress:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BE3UaB4F0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
All-black suit:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwnb-VLlKmq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Your bouquet:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5psRSDAKV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Wedding arch:
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByfsMh8Icvh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Black tables:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BLZ5tApR3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Seating:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6R4rajYub/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Candles:
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOktlUglIF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Escort cards:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkJWYlAPtJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Napkins:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2O0ueNhGmN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Plating:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1966ucD3FR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Your cake:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B36Z3gvFu53/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Image: Unsplash
You wake up on the day of your wedding and your skin is on fire. Although it’s not ideal, there are easy ways to soothe and calm skin down in a flash by following a few simple steps and being prepared.
In advance
It’s an absolute fact that stress and anxiety causes inflammation, which could potentially worsen conditions like eczema, psoriasis and general sensitivity. It also disrupts your sleep pattern, leading to less efficient time for your skin to recover and, thus, a duller appearance. However, saying you should reduce stress and actually doing it are two very different things. But it is crucial to your skin’s sanity. Helping your body and mind relax a little could be as simple as going for a walk, taking a well-deserved nap or starting your day with a few minutes of meditation. This will help reduce cortisol levels which will bring down inflammation. Along with that, make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside and up your energy levels.
The day before
Try to keep your skin as clean as possible the day before – that means no make-up, no harsh products, and no crazy masks or treatments. Also, stay out of the sun completely. Avoid salty food and alcohol as this can cause further puffiness. Before you go to bed, make sure your skin is properly cleansed and do a very light exfoliation with a formula that you trust. Lastly, seal in moisture with a good, hydrating moisturiser while your skin is still damp, then call it an early night.
The day of
If you’ve been taking proper care of your skin in the months and days leading up to the big day, you should be fine – but Murphy’s Law always has something else planned. Don’t fear, just reach for the ice. Should you wake up with red, itchy and inflamed skin on the morning of your wedding, wash your face with a gentle cream cleanser. It should contain ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera, and lavender for an ultra calming effect. Then, take a few ice blocks and wrap them in a soft, damp face cloth or muslin cloth. Gently press the ice to irritated areas on your face for a good few minutes to help calm down inflammation and constrict blood vessels. Take this time to relax and lie down, or take a cool bath. Apply a soothing mask with a high aloe vera content afterward and keep it on until you need to start getting your make-up done.
Our favourite redness-reducing heroes:
Image: Unsplash
Shopping for your wedding dress is a significant part of your wedding journey. For some brides, this is the time when it all starts to feel real, so make sure your experience is as good as it can possibly get:
1. Take your time
Don’t rush the process. Book an appointment to go look at dresses and try them on, but don’t think of it as something you can do over lunch. You need at least two to three hours to try on as many dresses as you wish, to take your time to look at them properly and consider what they feel like. You’ll most probably be spending a large amount of money on your gown, so take your time to make a proper decision that you won’t regret.
2. Enjoy the attention
With everybody’s eyes fixed on you and all the ooh-ing and aah-ing, it can get a little overwhelming. Don’t see this as a time to feel pressured or under scrutiny, but rather as an opportunity to be spoiled and admired. And who doesn’t love that!
3. Wear the right underwear
Don’t make the mistake of wearing black underwear or a bra that doesn’t fit properly. You want to be able to see the complete look as it would be on your wedding day. Take a few options along – a strapless bra, something offering a little more support, stickies and seamless nude panties.
4. Do your homework
It’s important to know what you like, but more importantly, what you don’t like, before putting on a dress. Do some research on silhouettes, types of fabrics, lengths, colours and detail beforehand so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options on the day of trying on. That said, be open to suggestions and trying on dresses you’re on the fence about. You might end up loving something you never thought you would.
5. Take your own shoes
You need to be able to walk comfortably while wearing your dress, so if you already have your wedding shoes, take them along. If not, take something with a similar heel and height of the shoe you’d probably go for to get the best idea of what’s going to work. This is also important for making sure the length of the dress is right for you.
6. Be realistic
A multi-layered dress with tons of hand-stitched jewels and paperthin straps might look beautiful on the hanger, but if you’re blessed in the bust department, you may need something with a little more support up top. Be realitic about what fits your body type and will flatter you the most instead of setting your sights on something that just won’t work.
7. Set a budget beforehand
You absolutely need to be clear about what you can afford before even setting foot in the shop. Tell your consultant before he/she makes any suggestions so that they can’t force any higher price on you. This might give you slightly less options, but will avoid you setting your heart on a dress that you just can’t afford. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate – if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.
8. Don’t bring a crowd
Your entire wedding party and their ancestors don’t have to be at your fitting. Everyone has an opinion, and this will just add fuel to your anxiety fire. Take along a bridesmaid, a family member or a friend who knows you and who’s opinion you trust. You want your confidant(s) to be honest with you, but also respect your wishes.
9. Don’t put pressure on yourself
If you’re wanting to lose weight before your wedding, good on you, but don’t let this drive you insane. Don’t put pressure on yourself to fit into a 6 if you’re normally a 10. You can always have a dress altered to make it smaller, but not vice versa. Also, don’t put pressure on yourself to find something immediately or at the first shop you set foot in. Give yourself ample time to shop around and try out as much as possible.
10. Timing is everything
If you’re getting married in a year, now is the time to start booking appointments. If you want to get a dress custom made, you need to give your designer enough time to make the dress, as well as do any alterations if necessary. If you’re buying off the rack, don’t rush it. Shop around and make sure you’re confident in your decision, but also make provision for any alterations, so that you know your dress will be completely ready a month in advance.
Image: Unsplash
By Keenan Martin
Traditionally, wearing white to someone else’s wedding would be a definite no-no, but as weddings become more contemporary, modern brides will often not even always wear white themselves, and wearing white if you’re not the bride seems to be less of a taboo, too. With that said, it’s always a good idea to ask the bride for permission, but we know how stressful weddings can be and those daring enough to bother the bride days before her wedding are braver than the marines. So we’ve put together four ways to wear white to someone else’s wedding, tastefully.
Layering
If white is going to be your main colour for your ensemble, try and break it up with some colour-blocked layering. Opt for coloured jackets, coats or shoes so you have something that will draw attention away from the fact that you’re wearing white.
Prints
If a solid-white garment seems too inappropriate, why not opt for a white-based print instead. Bold prints with vivid colours help make the overall whiteness of your ensemble less apparent.
Silhouettes
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It’s slightly easier to get away with wearing white at someone else’s wedding if the silhouettes and fabric of your outfit steer clear of those of traditional dresses, or whatever the bride and bridesmaids might be wearing.
Accessories
Pile on the bold and colourful accessories – and watch your outfit transform as you make your white ensemble the canvas for the main attractions.
Image: Unsplash