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    We love celebrity weddings not only for the wow-factor and all-round glamour, but for setting trends that will have us looking back at them years, and sometimes decades, later. This time, we take a look at some of the most iconic veils celebrities wore on their wedding day:

    Grace Kelly

    Grace Kelly was the epitome of elegance in her intricately detailed veil. The veil consisted of a lace headband, covered in layers of sheer tulle with embroidered trims. It was created out of 82.29m of tulle and skimmed the actress’ elbows before dropping down to the floor. The design was covered with appliquéd lace lovebirds and thousands of seed pearls.

     

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    Gwen Stefani

    Gwen Stefani chose the non-traditional route and opted for a floor-length veil dipped in pink dye to match her ombré wedding dress. The ensemble was custom dip-dyed and hand-painted, designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The veil also featured rose patches delicately scattered at the top.

     

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    Bianca Jagger

    Bianca Jagger swapped the wedding dress for a white YSL smoking jacket and long skirt. Not one to stick to conventions, the traditional veil was also replaced by a sun hat draped with white tulle and trimmed with rosebuds. It is speculated that this non-traditional veil was to keep all guests’ eyes focused on her face and not her expanding midsection. At the time, she was four months pregnant with her and Jagger’s daughter, Jade.

     

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    Priscilla Presley

    Priscilla Presley’s wedding look was topped off with an extravagant amount of tulle and a crown. The crown was adorned with crystals, while the veil was waist-length and 3 feet long.

     

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    Lady Diana Spencer

    The People’s Princess wore an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown with a 7.62 m train and a 139m tulle veil. The veil was studded with thousands of hand-sewn sequins. The dress and veil combo has become one of the most famous bridal looks in history.

     

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    Priyanka Chopra

    Priyanka wore a Ralph Lauren designed dress that was hand-embroidered and hand-beaded with more than two million mother-of-pearl sequins sewed into it, but it was her veil that truly stole the show. A 22 m veil, that is! Chopra’s veil required assistance from five people to bring to the altar where Nick Jonas was awaiting her.

     

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    Meghan Markle

    The Duchess of Sussex wore an unforgettable Givenchy gown and a 5m veil that featured gorgeous, intricate embroidery. Adding a personal touch, her veil was embroidered specifically with the signature flowers from the British Commonwealth.

     

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    Angelina Jolie

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt wanted their children to be heavily involved in their wedding, but Angelina took it to the next level. Colourful drawings created by the couple’s children featured on her wedding dress and veil, making it a truly unique work of art. Her wedding look was designed by Luigi Massi of Atelier Versace.

     

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    By Larissa Vermeulen

    Feature image: Instagram

    Creativity is always encouraged and being inventive is cool. But this guy might have just taken it too far. A Japanese man collected his fingernail clippings for a year, then ground it to a powder and baked it to create a “stone” for an engagement ring. The end result is a pitch black, rock hard stone. If you didn’t know, you would probably never guess that’s it’s made from human nails.

    He created the silver band himself too, baking and filing everything from scratch, and filming the whole painstaking process. The video went viral and has over 5,593,473 views. The internet is not quite sure how to respond, ranging from disgusted to amazed!

    We’re not sure if he actually proposed to someone with it yet, but we do think he would be a very hands-on husband.

    Picture: Youtube:/ kiwami Japan

    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

    All engagement rings are unique in some way, sure. But some are more unique than others! Since it’s something you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life (hopefully), it’s quite a big deal that you love it. Some leave the ring-choosing to their significant other, while some make it very clear that if they are ever being proposed to, they want to choose the ring themselves.

    We found some not-so-traditional rings. And you won’t believe your eyes.

    1. I will rock you

    This unpolished, earthy-looking ring has a very magical charm to it. Enough to melt a heart of stone.

    2. What stone is that?

    This ring is absolutely brilliant. The stone, called a Chrysoberyl, is a colour somewhere between honey and lime.

     

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    WHAT STONE IS THAT? Meet Chrysoberyl! A hue of honey, with a tint of green, this beauty is the 3rd hardest stone after diamonds and sapphires, and comes in a range of colors. For his love’s engagement ring, Taylor wanted a stone that was slightly more green because it “looked like the color of her eyes.” I created this piece with scalloped bezel and clean band, and am so proud of how this stunner turned out. . . . #jewelrydesigner #chicagojewelrydesigner #customengagementring #customweddingrings #alternativebridal #chrysoberyl #vivianalanghoffdesign #vivianalanghoff #uniqueweddingrings #uniqueengagementring #ooakjewelry #ooak #chicagojewelry #chicagojewelrystore #logansquare #logansquarejewelry

    A post shared by Viviana Langhoff Design (@vivianalanghoff_design) on

    3. Moonlight fever

    This ring is truly one of a kind. The multicolour moonstone is mesmerizing. We love it to the moon and back.

    4. The darker side of love

    This one is eye catching and surely not dainty, but beautiful in a fairy tale-kind of way.

     

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    The loveliest diamond inclusions @toddreedjewelry

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    5. Diamonds are forever

    This brown diamond stole our hearts. Plain and simple.

     

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    Light brown diamond @eriebasin

    A post shared by Unique Engagement Rings ? (@yourweddingring) on

    5. Bouquet of love

    This cluster ring looks like crystallized fruit and reminds us of laughter. How exquisite.

    7. The galaxy on my finger

    Opals are simply inexplicable. This looks like something out of this world.

    8. Something from the sea

    There’s no law that says engagement rings have to sport stones,. We love these freshwater pearls for soemthing different.

    9. Love triangle

    This is such a refreshing design and the rose gold just makes it pop. We are sold on these.

    10. Open ending

    This one is inspiring for many reasons, but mostly because it doesn’t try to outshine everything else. We love the way it catches the eye and the design truly complements the hand.

     

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    Image: Unsplash

    Every couple has a love story. All the moments in life come together to create the now. When a couple decides to get married, they bring with them all their histories. That is exactly what this British couple did.

    Becky Brotherhood, 43, and Lee Markham, 45, have not had the easiest path in life and in love. To honour their journey and the past that made them who they are, Becky decided to don a wedding dress with patches made by her friends and family.

    Becky and Lee met five years ago. At the time, Becky had just completed her battle with breast cancer that made her leave her past career of nursing behind to focus on her health. She began training to become a massage therapist to help people who felt that their body was turning against them.

    Both Becky and Lee had children from previous relationships and had gone through difficult experiences.

    They quickly fell in love and brought their families together, however, Becky never thought she would remarry. It was after Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding that she had a sudden change of heart.

    “I’m not an avid follower of the royals, but something about their story – how sections of the establishment were sniffy or judgemental about Meghan, or the fact that she’d been divorced made her somehow less worthy – just really hit home on that day,” she explained to Metro UK.

    “I felt that perhaps my decision to not marry was actually more about what people might think, and less about what I actually wanted, or how I felt about him.”

    She then took the initiative and asked Lee to marry her over Facebook Messenger.

    “So I asked him – and that fact that I asked means so much to me now: to hell with rules and tradition and what people think.”

    When it came to planning the big day, Becky knew she wanted her wedding dress to tell a story, one where her closest friends and family could be a part of the creation.

    “Standing in front of my soul mate at the age of 43, knowing that we both have rich histories and six children between us, it felt wrong to buy something new and off the shelf,” she explains. “It didn’t feel right and didn’t fit us as a couple.”

    “One of the most special things about our love is that we love each other because of our pasts. They’re not something we have to look beyond or gloss over, and the family home we are both building right now is open and welcoming to everyone. We both have scars and losses – physically and metaphorically, and I wanted that to be reflected and held in every part of my dress, bravely, unashamedly, and with love.”

    Becky, a skilled sewer, began designing and sewing her own wedding dress from an old sheet she found in her attic. Some of Becky’s clients gave her scraps of fabric and buttons that were sentimental to them for her to use on her wedding dress. This inspired Becky to ask her bridal party to make their own patches that she could then sew on to her wedding dress.

    Friends and family came together to create patches. Credit: Becky Brotherhood/ Lee Markham
    The patches all told a story. Credit: Becky Brotherhood/ Lee Markham

    “I wanted it to feel like a tapestry of our lives… our children, our friends, and our families, and everyone who had made us into the people that we were – standing face to face vowing to spend the rest of their lives together,” she told HenHeaven. ” I wanted it to feel new and different … almost tribal, a coming together of everyone’s love and blessings for us, to hold me with every stitch.”

    She hosted sewing lessons to show those less-confident how to do it. This recurring sewing session quickly became special bonding moments for those involved.

    “It ended up being almost like a month-long hen do, where friends would come up, and we’d catch up, and spend quality time together too and with such busy lives, when does that ever happen? And it really felt like the dress captured that energy of reconnection too.”

    She sewed the patches onto an old piece of welsh slate from the quarry next to where she had grown up. Also attached to the wedding dress were Lee’s father’s wedding ring, Becky’s mother’s wedding ring, the buttons from Becky’s sister’s gown, and from her mother’s jewellery box.

    In the end, they created a unique dress with immense sentimental value.

    On the wedding day on September 28, all her loved ones were around to see their creation and to celebrate the union of Lee and Becky.

    “Seeing everyone that loves us, and supports us, and who have been there for us through tough times, and good times – seeing all those people rally round and just love getting involved, and creating such wonderful, heartfelt pieces of art, essentially, it’s like I felt lifted up on their shoulders and carried to the day.”

    Picture: Hen Heaven

    Recently, it’s become almost like a fun guessing game: Does the bride have decor on the soles of her shoes? Does the groom? Some couples have taken to writing messages for each other there, some brides have inspirational words and some just want a fancy decoration. We have some brilliant ideas that will sweep you off your feet.

    Messages to each other

    Reading a heartfelt letter from your soon-to-be spouse just before the wedding is a special moment. Save the trees and write it on their shoes.

    weddingforward.com
    weddingforward.com

    Matchy-matchy

    These are especially great for pictures. If there are song lyrics, quotes or anything else you like, you can split it so that both of your shoes complete it together.

    weddingforward.com
    etsy.com

    Personalised stickers

    There might be a specific theme you want to carry, or something that’s meaningful or beautiful to you that you want to use. It could be your new surname, the date of the wedding, anything really. The options are endless.

    etsy.com
    Weddbook

    Picture: Etsy

    Bridesmaid dresses are a tricky one. There’s a delicate balance between wanting them to look gorgeous, and not wanting them to upstage you on your big day. Here’s some good news: You can get both. The latest trends for bridesmaids are absolutely stunning, but not at all overpowering and will complement your bridal party perfectly. Your bridesmaids will feel great and love you for it. Here are some non-traditional outfits that are stylish, classy and sweet.

    The two-piece

    Two pieces can be just as beautiful and formal as you want them to be. Long skirts with halter tops are very in, especially loose fitting pieces that have a soft, flowing effect. Opt for a darker colour at the bottom and a light colour at the top. The top can be either tucked in or not. Lace is popular, and will fit in nicely if you have lace in your own wedding dress.

    theknot.com

     

    hebedress.com

    The embroidered dress

    Embroidery is one of those things that used to be old-fashioned, then everybody realised how beautiful it is and brought it back big time. It has a feminine touch and goes well with pastel colours. Florals are always a favourite, but it doesn’t have to bind you. We’re loving this blue mullet dress with netted under layers.

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    theknot.com

    The tiered dress

    Layers are good on everyone if you do them right. Tiered dresses are super fun and work well with short or midi dresses. It has a fashionable vibe and depending on the material you opt for, can be elegant or playful.

    theknot.com
    prettylittlething.us

    Remember, it’s your day and your bridesmaids should make your day more beautiful, not take the attention off your dress. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be stunning too!

    Picture: Unsplash

    The modern wedding is one of fun, and unique-ness. Couples of today are eschewing tradition to create a personal story for their big day, one that will stay with them forever. As such, we have seen a number of new and different trends flare up in the wedding industry over the years. From neon signs and dried botanicals, to bridal jackets and artful cakes, couples are making statements with their wedding elements.

    While there is no one-size-fits-all for weddings, wedding trends often help to guide couples when planning their Big Day. These are the biggest wedding trends predicted for 2020.

    Individuality:

    The main trend of the 2020 wedding season is individuality. People are embracing what makes them unique and incorporating that into their weddings. With so many options, engaged couples are no longer pigeon-holed into particular styles that may not suit them. It truly has become a free-for-all for the upcoming 2020 wedding season.

    Bridal Fashion:

    Bridal designers of today has moved away from the traditional bridal look. Bridal fashion has become less of a focus on the ‘bridal’, but more on the ‘fashion’. The millennial bride is ready to take risks and be bold, and designers are loving it. With more brides opting for separate ceremony and reception looks, there is more opportunity to have fun.

    Vera Wang, Victor and Rolf and Monique Lhullier all featured puffy sleeves in their Bridal 2020 lines.

    Credit: Instagram / Vera Wang gang

    Victorian romance was featured in shows of Mira Zwillinger and Costarellos.

    Credit: Costarellos Bridal

    Reem Acra and Galia Lahav are putting the leg on display with side split wedding dresses.

    Credit: Instagram / Reem Acra Bridal

    The bridal jumpsuit is having a huge moment, and featured in collections by Cushnie, Pronovias and Viktor & Rolf.

    Credit: Instagram / Cushnie Bridal

    Statement veils are having a moment in 2019, and will extend to 2020. We most recently saw Hailey Bieber feature this accessory in her wedding to Justin Bieber.

    Veils are traditional and timeless, but with small finishes, they can be given a modernised look.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VLmXjlfQH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Unique Engagement Rings:

    Unique, vintage inspired rings will be the big trend for 2020. Mia Moross, founder of The One I Love NYC, says she has seen a rise in cushion-cut, hand-mined diamond rings being purchased, and predicts that there will be a rise in yellow-gold rather than platinum bands, as well as Art Deco pieces. She believes that modern couples want their rings to tell a story, and are looking for pieces that reflect history and soul.

    She also notes that couples are choosing the rings together, rather than the one proposing doing it themselves.

    Informal Venues:

    Informal and relaxed venues have been trending for years, and do not seem to be going anywhere. Forests, barns, backyards and beaches have been popular wedding venues for a good reason. It’s less stuffy, more inviting and often times more affordable than renting out halls and wine farms.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wLQbEHsGR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2zupVCAmWZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Sustainability:

    Today’s couples are much more environmentally conscious, and are actively looking for eco-friendly alternatives to many wedding staples. Many venues and suppliers are starting to incorporate sustainability into their services. One such South African venue, Cederkloof Botanical Retreat, provides various elements of sustainability in their wedding offerings, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health.

    Seasonal Flowers:

    Dried botanicals have been featuring in many bridal bouquets, and are as popular as ever. Engaged couples are also leaning towards local, seasonal and sustainable flowers to feature in their weddings.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3JYuADAaTm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zftFpDBmm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Statement decor:

    2020 wedding decor will focus on statement pieces. Think balloons, neon signs, elaborate wedding arches and massive floral centerpieces. Over sized decor makes for a wonderful talking point, and gives weddings a personal, unique touch.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3He57yni2y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jq2EknGRR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Exposed lighting:

    Mood lighting is still all the rage. Exposed bulbs dangling from the ceiling, floating candles and twinkling fairy lights create a beautifully romantic setting perfect for weddings.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rGm9Npb2t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3hM9MkJRbT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Picture: Unsplash

    Accessories are the final cherry on top of the cake. From jewellery to hair accessories, there are a host of additions that can be made to complete your final bridal look.

    Personalised bridal jackets have been trending for a few years now, most famously worn by Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West.

    Bridal jackets are typically leather or denim jackets adorned with personalised wedding script. Newlyweds wear these jackets on their wedding evening and as a bonus can keep it for decades to come. Another bonus is that it is easily DIY-able.

    Here are a few bridal jackets to inspire you on your big day:

    Crew love:

    Dress your bridal party in matching jackets to show off your squad.


     

    Just married:

    Shout out you newlywed status with these jackets.

     

     

    Wifey:

    You’ve got a new title now, and everyone can read it off your back.


     

    Till death:

    Have a physical reminder of your vows by emblazoning ’til death” on your bridal jacket.

     

     

    Babe:

    Not one for official titles? Go with a cute nickname like ‘babe’.

     

    Wife of the party:

    Remind everyone that it’s your day with a jacket screaming ‘wife of the party’, or ‘bride’.

     

     

    Get sappy:

    Once you’ve found your person, everything falls into place. Let them know how you feel with a jacket with ‘it was always you’ written across it, or let them know you’ve found your happily ever after.

     

     

    Surnames:

    Have your surnames emblazoned on your jackets for a personalised touch.

     

     

    Picture: Instagram / Kim Kardashian

    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.

     

     

    Picture: Unsplash