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    Traditionally in a heterosexual marriage a woman wears a dress while the groom wears a suit, the expansion of marriage rights across the world and de-gendering of clothing has led to a surge in suits for all genders in the wedding party.

    A suit can look smart, well-put together and well-fitting if you follow very simple rules, otherwise it can easily become a bit of a mess.

    Here are our tips for making sure you look smart on your big day.

    Do not wait until the last minute 

    Although it might not be as intricate as a traditional wedding gown, finding exactly what you want in a suit and getting it fitted is unlikely to be a quick affair.

    You’ll have a lot of other things to do in the run up to the wedding so you don’t want this to be a rush.

    Do not avoid the tailor 

    A tailored suit can with the perfect fit is incredibly important. If you’re getting a suit made then this will be part of the process. Even if you decide to buy off the rack, take it to a tailor. There is always something that can be tweaked.

    Do not go overboard on accessories 

    Since suits are simple ensembles, personalising them is tricky to get right. A big way to make your suit reflect your personality is through accessories but be careful not to go overboard and include all of them. Be judicious, a fun pair of socks is a good idea but having flashy suspenders, socks and a pocket square could make you look more clown and less classy.

    Choose the right shoes 

    The wrong shoe can throw off the whole outfit. Make sure the colour works, they are comfortable and speak to the style you’re going for rather than just picking out the most “formal” option you can find.

    If you’re going to wear heels with your suit, consider this when getting your pants leg tailored.

    Getting creative 

    If you have a look around there are beautiful colourful, patterned suits out there for the brave and bold. While these can work for the right people, make sure it is something you want and are comfortable with. Wedding photos will be around forever, so ensure that even an exciting suit reflects you and your personality and is not just something you chose on a whim.

    Image: Unsplash

    If you’re all about the glitz and glam, heels are for you. Many people love shoes, but the glamorous bride adores them. Your wedding is your chance to wear the most extravagant, sexy and gorgeous pair of heels you have ever laid eyes on!

    Remember, choose a style that speaks to you. You have to be comfortable walking and dancing in them (unless you’re planning to change shoes for the reception).

    Make sure they are good quality, as you don’t want to lose a crystal or snap a strap on the big day.

    Here are our favourite high-drama heels:

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    Image: Usnplash

    Some grooms dress to impress. If your hubby is a fashion guru, he might want to don a hat. It’s important to choose the specific look you’re going to make a strong statement. Once the rest of the outfit is compiled, a hat will top it off perfectly.

    Take a look at these memorable men’s hats for inspiration.

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    Image: Unsplash

    Sometimes, “plain and simple” just won’t do. The bold bride should have her ring reflect her fearless attitude and unique personality. There’s more out there than the rings you see lined up in mainstream jewellery stores. You might be on the hunt for something different,  but you need options.

    If you are looking for a ring style that’s off the beaten path, take a look at these gorgeous designs.

    1. Jacquie Aiche Teardrop Diamond Crown Ring

    This ring has an elongated teardrop shape that is repeated. Set with smaller diamonds, and no one will be able to keep their eyes off you.

    Credit: Pinterest

    2. Jade Trau “Rae” Wrap Ring 

    We love the openess and flowing design that will comfort your finger like a hug, while giving a daring look.

    Credit: Pinterest

    3. Bliss Lau “Mirage” Ring

    This design absolutely screams “look at me!” We love that the first impression is dramatic, yet the ring has intricate detail.

    Credit: Pinterest

    4. Azlee “Glow” Diamond Ring

    Playing with geometric shapes never looked so stylish. Stand out from the crowd with this triangle-shaped setting.

    5. Opalescent kite with diamond sunburst

    This modern-meets-vintage masterpiece is unique with its kite-shaped form that is accentuated by small diamonds on the edge.

    Credit: Pinterest

    6. Garden-inspired Montauk ring

    Flower children, this one is for you. This delicate piece is light and fine with a romantic finish.

    Credit: Pinterest

    7. Cushion cut natural French

    This design will accentuate your hands and give you a sleek look. We love that it’s not afraid to shine!

    Credit: Pinterest

    8. Swati Dhanak “Feature Shards” Ring

    This stellar piece reminds of antarctic glaciers, or perhaps the pieces of a puzzle, fitting perfectly together. Take your pick.

    Credit: Pinterest

    Image: Unsplash

     

    We love updos! If you have long hair, why not opt for a sleek, finished look? Your hair will be out of your way, so you can play! You can add a touch of glam with decorative hair pieces, hair clips, bands and beads.

    Take a look at all these brilliant bridal updo styles.

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    Image: Pexels

    We all  know the makeup makes the look. Don’t hold back on the lips! From bold and bright to subtle and toned down, anything goes. Speak to a stylist about what works with your hair colour and skin tone to make sure your pout stands out.

    Scour these gorgeous lip looks for inspiration:

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    Image: Unsplash

    If you’re a Sailor Moon fangirl or boy, you’re in luck. A new wedding line is bringing the magic of the anime to real life, allowing brides and grooms to dress up like their favourite characters on their big day.

    The Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon wedding collection is inspired by the popular Japanese shōjo manga series which has been adapted into an anime series much-loved across the globe.

    The collection is created by Japanese fashion line Mariarosa and was completed under the supervision of Professor Naoko Takeuchi. It features six wedding dresses and two tuxedos, and will be available to rent or purchase from August 2020.

    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection

    “The lineup is rich in variations, including princess serenity dresses and wedding dresses that Usagi-chan wore in the final episode, including those that reproduce the dresses that appeared in the work, as well as image dresses inspired by the work. ..” says the website.

    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection
    Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection

    Check out more on the Mariarosa website HERE.

    Feature image: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection

    For the eco-friendly bride, sustainability is of extreme importance. However, wedding dresses, in their most traditional sense, are not very sustainable. They take a lot of resources to make, and you only end up wearing it once.

    An up-cycled wedding dress is a perfect solution to all your eco-issues, in this regard. You can up-cycle an old dress into a new one for yourself, you could use pre-owned/used materials to make a new wedding dress, or you could up-cycle your wedding dress into new items. This way, nothing goes to waste and tons of resources are saved.

    Here are some ways you could up-cycle your wedding dress:

    – Up-cycling old dresses into a new one for yourself: 

    Many eco-friendly brides have opted for this. They use their mothers’ wedding gowns, or purchase vintage, second-hand dresses and turn them into a new and improved dress. Some turn them into chic two-pieces, like a skirt and top, and others opt to have the dress made into a suit.

    Others still go for the dying option, turning an old school dress into something modern and contemporary. Whatever you decide, all you’ll need is a few alterations.

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    – Upcycling other materials into a wedding dress:

    If you have some material laying around, or some old sheets you don’t want to go to waste, why not use it to make your wedding dress? The right dressmaker is all you need.

    Decide on your preferred style, keeping in mind the texture and type of material and whether it would be good for the style you want. No-fuss and nothing wasted. What more could you ask for?

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    – Up-cycling your wedding dress into other garments or items: 

    A few snips here and there, and some store-bought dye, and your wedding dress could be transformed into an everyday clothing item. If you’d prefer not to make more clothes out of it, however, you could opt for some decorative pillows, a bag, or soft toys for your (future) kids. The options are endless.

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    Image: Unsplash

    The groom’s attire often seems much less important than the brides look for the day. However, the suit is an indispensable part of the wedding.

    While we all know the suit is a key element, its history is much less documented than the wedding dress. However, there is a short story of where it all began.

    According to the TM Lewin blog, back in the 1650s, men’s wedding attire was all about tight-fitting breeches and frock coats. This trend, however, quickly made its way out.

    When King George IV married Princess Caroline of Brunswick in 1795, the trends of the time required that groom’s dress just as extravagantly as brides. He wore silks, velvet, and pearls to the wedding, and even sported some stockings. It was not uncommon for grooms to wear furs, silvers and golds, and even precious gems. Of course, not everybody could afford this, so those who couldn’t dressed very simply, wearing their everyday clothes. This continued until around the early 1800s.

    Source: Pinterest

    Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Queen Victoria in 1840. This moment marked a massive change in groom’s attire. The prince donned his Field Marshall’s uniform, and this is a tradition that persists until today in royal weddings. Prince Albert also wore a morning suit on the day. The suit takes inspiration for its cut and tails from the Field Marshal uniform, which meant more clean lines and precision.

    Source: Pinterest

    Morning suits then took off and became very popular. From 1850 onwards, the tailcoat was only worn on special occasions.

    Source: Pinterest

    In the 1920s the Stresemann style suit was created, and it became a popular alternative for grooms.

    According to M. Muller & Sohn, it was around the 1930s when the tuxedo came onto the scene. The British creation was, at first, only worn by men who attended men’s clubs. This quickly grew in popularity and became the picture of presentability.

    Source: Pinterest

    From here, different shapes, cuts and colours were incorporated. In the 1940s grooms preferred wide-peaked lapels and in the 1960s bell-bottomed trousers were all the rage. The double-breasted suit became popular 20 years later, in the 80s.

    Source: Pinterest

    Today, the options are endless and the style of the suit depends, mostly, on the theme of the wedding.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Wedding gowns come in endless variations. We especially love open-back designs for its classy, sultry look. If you like this style, try on a few different ones to see how it looks on you, what portion of your back you want to be exposed, and how much skin you want to show.

    Remember that different dress styles fit different body shapes in different ways, so talk to your designer or stylist about what flatters you most.

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    Feature image: Pexels