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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:

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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:

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Wedding arch:

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Black tables:

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Seating:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6R4rajYub/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Candles:

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Escort cards:

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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

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Wedding dress shopping can be stressful. With so many cuts and styles available, brides can easily become overwhelmed by the options. To make things easier, here’s our wedding gown 101 guide to the most popular wedding dress silhouettes.

 

Ball gown:

Also known as princess style, this wedding dress silhouette is characterised by a full skirt, fitted bodice and natural waist. It is the most traditional of the silhouettes, often considered the most romantic and feminine due to its fairytale-esque shape. This cut works well on most body types, especially more straight figures as it creates shape. However, more petite brides might get lost in the fullness of the skirt.

Famous brides that have worn this look include Mariah Carey, Serena Williams and Diana, Princess of Wales.

 

 

Mermaid:

This silhouette is for the daring bride. This curve-hugging cut is fitted to the brides body from the chest to the knees, where it flares out. It works best on brides that want to enhance their curvy shape.

Kim Kardashian, Melania trump and Khloe Kardashian stunned in this wedding dress style.

 

A-line:

While similar to a ballgown, the A-line silhouette skirt is more flowy in style. The fitted bodice flows into the skirt forming an upperclass ‘A’ shape.

Priyanka Chopra, Duchess Kate Middleton, and Allison Williams have worn this style.

 

 

Trumpet:

Also known as fit-and-flare, this style is fitted on the bodice and flares out mid thigh, making it a blend of an A-line and mermaid silhouette. It is typically easier to move around in than a mermaid dress. This style works best on brides wanting to accentuate their waists.

Beyonce, Ciara, and Michelle Kwan all wore this style on their Big Day.

 

Empire waist:

This wedding dress silhouette it fitted and flares out underneath the bust. They are flattering for most body shapes and are comfortable to wear.

Celebrity brides that have worn this style include Kelly Clarkson and Priscilla Presley.

 

Drop waist:

The drop waist silhouette is essentially an A-line gown with a lower waistline. Instead of flowing from the natural waist, drop waist gowns begin to flow from the hips. This style hugs your waist and hips, making it perfect for brides wanting to accentuate these parts of their body.

Caroline Kennedy and Poppy Delevigne have worn this style for their wedding day.

 

 

Sheath:

This classic style features a narrow shape that flows  straight down from the neckline to the hemline. Brides with more athletic or lean builds look best in this style. It also works well on petite brides as the straight lines work to elongate bodies.

Celebrity brides that have donned this silhouette include Jada Pinkett Smith and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

 

 

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One of the most time-honoured traditions still in existence today is the wedding day. Traditional weddings include a host of specific customs that brides typically engage in, one of them being wearing a wedding veil.

For centuries, lovebirds and strangers have been getting hitched and brides donned the famous headwear. Widely considered just another fashion accessory on your big day, the wedding veil actually has an interesting history.

The history of the the wedding veil

The wedding veil is arguably the oldest part of the wedding ensemble. There is some contention over its specific history, but most wedding historians pinpoint ancient Greeks and Romans as the first people to wear the wedding veil. According to Julie Sabatino, expert bridal stylist and founder of the The Stylish Bride, brides of this time wore the wedding veil to disguise themselves from evil spirits aiming to spoil their joy. Some accounts show that veils were red in hue to symbolise the fire of the betrothed’s commitment as well as to ward off evil spirits.

Wedding historian Susan Waggoner speaks of the Christian symbolism of the veil, telling Brides.com that in ancient times, people “wrapped brides from head to toe to represent the delivery of a modest and untouched maiden.” These were also the days of arranged marriages, when a bride’s virginity was her most important marker. The veil thus became a way of representing modesty and purity. The veil also acted as a method of concealing the bride’s face to the groom to prevent him from getting cold feet and running away from the stranger he was about to marry.

In Judaism biblical times, the groom would place the veil on his bride as a symbol that he was marrying her for her inner beauty.

The 18th century saw the veil fall out of fashion as brides opted for caps, bonnets, tiaras, jewels, wreaths and other adornments. However, they came back in style when Queen Victoria donned a four yards (3,7m) by 0.75 yards (0.7m) wide veil during her wedding to Prince Albert on 10 February, 1840. Following her iconic wedding, the veil became a symbol for wealth, status and style. The length, weight and quality of the veil all spoke highly of the status of the bride. This is why royal brides traditionally wore the longest veils.

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The wedding veil today

Today, the wedding veil is largely seen as an optional accessory. Many brides opt out of wearing wedding veils. Some consider it too traditional and unnecessary, others just don’t like the look. However, it is still quite popular and is largely used as another fashionable element to your Big Day. Many celebrity brides have famously donned the wedding veil, including Ciara, Princess Diana, Kim Kardashian and Duchess Meghan Markle.

 

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First things first, don’t ever wear white to a Christian wedding. Besides this rule, all other colours and styles are fair game. Here are some guidelines from black tie to garden party weddings.

Black Tie

This is the most formal dress code you’ll be asked to comply with, and will most likely take place in the evening. Women have the option of wearing either floor-length gowns with high heels, or shorter cocktail dresses with heels as well. It’s best to keep it as formal as possible, so choose dressier fabrics and prints rather than something more casual side – like daytime florals.

Men absolutely have to wear a tuxedo – which means a classic black bow tie, a black vest, a black or white shirt and well-fitted suit pants and jacket. The option of a white jacket is also suitable, but shoes should always be neat and black.

Formal

This means one step down from black tie, but still fully within the parameters of being formal. Women could still wear either floor-length gowns or shorter cocktail dresses, but your choice of fabric will be a little less limiting. High heels are preferable.

Men still have the option of wearing a classic tuxedo, but could also go for a tie, rather than a bow tie, and lose the vest altogether. You could go with a dark coloured suit like grey or navy, instead of black, which means you have more options in terms of shoe colour as well.

Semi-Formal

What you choose to wear will depend greatly on the time of day the wedding is taking place. Darker colours are better for night, and lighter colours for day, but the rules are slightly more bendable for this one, so use your discretion.

Women have more freedom and can wear long dresses, cocktail dresses or dressy skirts/pants with a top. Men should still wear a proper suit, but quirky ties and bow ties are suitable, along with slightly more casual shoe and sock options.

Smart-Casual

This is where it gets confusing for some. Smart-casual is almost like semi-formal, but just a little more towards the casual side. Think along the lines of going out for a nice dinner, a first date or a launch party. Women can wear anything, as long as it’s still classy and smart, and high heels are optional.

Men don’t have to wear a tie, or a fancy suit for that matter. Keep in mind that it’s a formal event, and ‘smart’ is still the key word, so avoid shorts, t-shirts and anything with big branded prints. Instead, opt for chinos or suit pants, paired with a more casual buttoned shirt, and comfortable shoes. If done right, even a nice pair of (clean) sneakers work well with an otherwise more formal suit.

Garden Party

Instantly, you’ll be able to tell two things for sure – it will be outside on grass and will take place during the day, or late afternoon. This means your shoes will be a major part of the rest of your outfit. Women should opt for wedges or flats and avoid stilettos completely, unless you want to sink into the ground with every step. Men could go for more casual shoes, like brown leather or suede loafers, or dressy sneakers.

In terms of clothing, opt for linen, breathable cotton and lightly-coloured fabrics as it will most likely be hot outside – think light summer dresses for women, and linen pants paired with buttoned-down shirts for men.

Beach Soiree

Almost like a garden party, but without the shoes. Or, just make sure your shoes are suitable for walking on sand. Other than that, shorts are appropriate for men, but as always, keep in mind it’s still a wedding. It’s best to stay away from t-shirts and denim in general, so rather opt for linen or cotton. And although it says ‘beach’, it goes without saying that swimwear is a no-go.

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By Mariska van Zyl

Step aside bride, it’s important for the groom to look sharp on his wedding day too. Here are our 5 fashion rules no groom should break on their wedding day:

The perfect fit

Even the most expensive suit can make you feel and look uncomfortable on your wedding day, so getting the perfect fit is key. The hem of the suit jacket sleeve should fall on the wristband. The bottom hem of the jacket should cover your pants pockets and the vents should remain closed. Your trousers must be comfortable when standing and sitting down. The hem of the trousers should just hit the top of your shoes. Whether you are buying or hiring a suit, get it properly measured and make sure the suit is altered to fit.

Coordinate with your bride

Inevitably, the bride’s outfit will be the one everyone is looking at, so your outfit should compliment rather than compete with hers. Here are some ways you can match your bride:
• If she is wearing a ball gown, you should compliment her by wearing a black tuxedo
• An off-white lace dress pairs well with a tailored tan suit
• If she is wearing a minimalistic, elegant gown, a slim-cut grey suit will do the trick

Less is more

 

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✨✨✨✨

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When it comes to groom’s fashion, you don’t want to upstage the bride, but you don’t want to fade away either. Stick to the basics but change the little details – a patterned pocket square, cufflinks, a tie pin and fun socks can add tons of detail without going over the top.

Groomed to perfection

 

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Tha handsome @genetwedt with @kalebnormanjames at @carnationfarmsweddings #contax645 #fuji400h @richardphotolab @fujifilm_profilm

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Just because your everyday grooming routine takes less than 10 minutes, doesn’t mean your wedding day should be the same. Take some time on the day to properly groom and pamper yourself to make sure you look your absolute best. And remember, you‘re going to want to look like the best version of yourself so avoid trying out any new grooming trends on the day or the days leading up to it.

Stick to the theme and season

While your go-to idea might be to reach straight for that tuxedo, the colour and style of the suit needs to match the look and feel of your wedding. The time and place of your wedding will also play a big role – morning vs evening and indoor vs outdoor. For daytime or outdoor weddings you might want to consider a lighter shade suit, while darker hues will work best for more formal evening ceremonies. If your wedding is in winter, you can get a bit playful with rich colours and textures, whereas for a summer wedding it’s best to keep it cool by wearing light-weight fabrics.

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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

 

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?: @thestylestalkercom PFW spring/summer 2020

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Pile on the bold and colourful accessories – and watch your outfit transform as you make your white ensemble the canvas for the main attractions.

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By Keenan Martin

It’s become an unspoken rule for the groom to take a peripheral role at weddings. So while you may not steal the attention of those attending your wedding, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put a little effort into looking your best on the big day.

Shoe vs Suit

Probably the most important factor when it comes to selecting a shoe is how it will complement your suit style and colour. Traditional black suits should always be paired with black shoes, and stay away from lengthy white socks if your pants are going to be cropped above the ankle. Brown shoes tend to pair well with darker colours such as midnight blue, navy or maroon.

Suit styles are often overlooked, so knowing more about your suit will help make choosing a shoe so much easier. Brogues tend to be the best choice for tuxedos, while Oxfords are more suited to your formal suits. Loafers are a popular stylistic choice these days but should be used with caution, these shoes are best worn when the pants have been cropped above the ankle.

Comfort is key

Comfort should always be of the utmost importance since weddings are long and you’ll most likely be on your feet for most of the day. Do not compromise on comfort! Your bride-to-be will not appreciate blistered feet on the honeymoon, and neither will you. Make sure you have the appropriate socks, preferably with non-slip grips to avoid them sliding down your foot. If your shoes are brand new, wear them around the house for a few days before to see if you’ll need any additional support, like heel grips or insoles.

Consider where you’re getting married

Another thing to consider is location – if you’re planning to be wed on a beach in the sand, perhaps the shiny brogues aren’t the best choice. Consider your environment, and particularly, the surface you’ll be strutting your stuff on for the ceremony all the way through pictures, then onto the dancefloor.

A last thought…

Of course not every couple prefers the traditional wedding with the traditional attire, every couple is unique and should allow for self expression. One thing is for sure, sneakers are trendy and more men are incorporating them for a touch of ‘cool’. If you are going to opt for the more casual footwear, nothing is more regal or clean than an all white Nike Air Force 1, just saying.

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