While most brides will be wearing traditional white or ivory

Coordinating A Wedding Veil With Your Wedding Dress

As every bride knows, choosing the right wedding dress can go a long way towards making a wedding day even more memorable. However, finding the right wedding dress is just the beginning of this important process. For many brides, the perfect wedding veil completes the look.

It is especially important to coordinate both the dress and the veil. The veil should always complement the dress, rather than steal attention from it. Your choice of a veil may also be influenced by other factors such as your overall build, the style and length of your dress, as well as the overall look you are trying to create. Even the style of your hair can influence the size and style of veil that works best.

When coordinating a wedding veil with a dress, it does not always have to be the same color, although there are some guidelines that should be followed. If your wedding dress is white or ivory, your veil should be the same color; for example a diamond white veil will match a silk or an antique wedding dress. And if you are wearing a dark ivory colored wedding dress, a champagne colored veil will complement it well. In general, to achieve the best effect, if your dress and veil are of different shades, the veil should always be at least a shade or two lighter than the dress.

Even though there are three basic lengths of wedding veils, make sure that you choose the length that best coordinates with your gown. An elbow length veil is about 30 inches long and will look good with most gowns; it will also help draw attention to any detail at the waist of the gown. A fingertip length veil is about 36 inches long and goes best with a full length gown without a train. And a cathedral length veil, which extends up to 4 feet beyond the edge of the dress, is the most formal type of veil ?perfect for an elegant and ceremonial look.

The length of your wedding gown is also an important consideration when trying to successfully coordinate the dress and the veil. Traditionally, the bride veil should not be any longer than the wedding dress and ideally, it should be quite a bit shorter ?the only exception to this rule is if you are wearing a dress with a train. Elbow length veils or fingertip veils are both considered to be safe and acceptable choices if you are wearing a floor length wedding dress. A petite bride should not wear a veil that will only make her look smaller, such as a high bouffant veil.

Although a veil should evening summer dresses complement a wedding dress and not clash with it, there are some occasions when it is acceptable to break the rules a bit. If your wedding gown is simple and understated, it can create a striking effect by having a lavishly decorated veil. You should try to avoid a look that clashes too much ?a romantic style wedding dress that is decorated with lots of small pearls would not go well together with a wedding veil that is decorated with sequins, for example. Some brides choose to add a touch of color to their veil ?perhaps some colored embroidery ?to complement the colors in the bouquet, or the colors of the bridesmaids.

Just as a wedding dress can be altered, a veil can be altered too. In most cases, a wedding veil is altered in order to make sure that the dress and veil coordinate well. If you are wearing the veil that your mother wore when she walked down the aisle and are concerned that it is just a little old-fashioned, don be too alarmed ?it is easy enough to have it professionally altered. The length, trim and shade of the veil can all be easily and inexpensively altered to make sure that everything is just the right match and has the desired effect. You also might want to try on several veils, to ensure that everything matches.

Birdcage veils, so-called because of the mesh that covers the top part of the head, are fashionable at the moment and will match just about any style of dress. Some birdcage veils have a rather elegant and old-fashioned look to them and coordinate particularly well with a vintage or older style dress. These veils also have either a French net, which has more of a soft elegant look to it; or a Russian net which has a scalloped edge and is a little bit more modern and trendy.

Choosing the right veil is almost as important as choosing the right wedding dress. Take the time to make sure your veil and dress match ?it will help to make your special day that much more memorable.

Adding Color to Plus Size Wedding Dresses

If your dream of a white wedding includes at least a splash of color, then youl love some of the latest designer wedding dresses for the upcoming season. From ribbon sashes, to embroidered accents, to colored edgings, the latest wedding gowns vera wang evening dress bloom with color.

While most brides will be wearing traditional white or ivory walking down the simple short wedding dresses aisle, adding a little color to your wedding dress is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you want to be just a little daring or want to jump into color feet first, there are lots of options out there for brightening the wedding gown palette.

The trend toward colorful wedding dresses is a special perk for the plus size bride. Because color ?whether it a touch of lace at the neckline, or a bright fuchsia sash ?is a great way to call attention to your best features and help define all those lovely curves that you have. If youe thinking about wearing a dress with color, consider where and how the color is placed when choosing your wedding gown.

Colored Sashes

One of the easiest ways to add color to your wedding gown is to add a satin ribbon or sash to the dress. One very popular wedding salon with a national profile offers nearly three dozen wedding gowns with colored accents, and the majority of those dresses feature a colored sash or ribbon at the waist.

The placement, tying and drape of a ribbon sash can make a surprising difference in the dress that you choose. A narrow stripe of bright color accenting the line of an empire waist can draw attention up from your natural waist and accent a beautiful neckline. A wider pleated sash wrapping around your natural waistline and falling in fanned tails over the train adds drama and can give you lovely hourglass silhouette.

There are so many ways that a colorful ribbon can change the shape and lines of your dress. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Take a simple A-line wedding gown with a strapless bodice and add a ribbon in your favorite accent color. Wrap the ribbon once at the waist and tie in a small bow off-center, letting the ends of the ribbon drape to knee length. This draws the eye away from the center of your body and creates a long line that lengthens your torso and makes you appear slimmer.

Or, tie the bow at the back instead, puffing it just above a full bustle, and sweep train to minimize the width of your hips and pull attention to the small of your back. Do the same thing with a scoop back or backless style wedding gown to call attention to the beautiful curves of your waist. Try different placements and bow styles to create a look that uniquely your own and distinctly flattering.

Colored Embroidery

Some plus size wedding dresses feature a spray of color across the bodice or hem. Wedding gowns with embroidered necklines and bodices are beautifully suited to plus size women with hourglass, pear and rectangular shapes because they draw the attention upwards and emphasize the curve of the waist. This can be especially flattering for women whose shoulders, hips and waist are all close to the same width. A spray of embroidery and beads that outlines the bodice and creates a diamond shape down the front can create the illusion of a curvy waist even when there a minimal curve.

Embroidered flowers in a rich color can trim the sweetheart neckline of your dress, extending in a delicate scatter of asymmetrical flowers down the front and back of an A-line silhouette. This creates long, off-center lines that flatter any figure. It an absolutely stunning look for an autumn bride.

Stunning Color Accents

If youe really daring, you might choose a dress that packs a major punch of color. One of the most dramatic looks youl find from any designer is a gorgeous satin A-line strapless dress with a split back chapel train and rich color accents at the cuff, hem and back. The front of the dress can be more demure, featuring a slender outline in the color of your choice along the top of the sweetheart neckline. The back shows off your daring nature, as the bright satin edging follows the hem of the split back and opens to reveal an underskirt in the same rich, vibrant color. Beaded embroidery edges the back opening and the hem of the chapel train to create a stunning effect.

Whether you want just a hint of tint or a daring dash, youl find that color can really make a huge statement on your wedding day.