Your  wedding day is the only time in a woman's life where she can wear that beautiful classic veil. Though most women want to add a little something extra to their wedding day hair-do. Veils aren't included in this blog, because I wanted to focus more on the accessories that usually accompany the veil. Below I have compiled some of newest trends in hair bling. Looking through one of my favourite websites I decided to chose hair combs, hair pins, and then the more traditional hairbands and tiaras. When looking through photographs of wedding hair styles it is sometimes difficult to see the detail of the pieces that are in the hair. On the other hand it is sometimes hard to picture the pieces in the hair when they are featured alone. For these reasons I have shown each accessory with a photograph of it used in hair. There are quite a few images to look through and inspire you, so I truly hope you enjoy!

All the products shown below can be found at http://www.haircomesthebride.com/09AccessoriesPage.htm

Hair combs are great for a larger sparkle without the tiara look that some brides don't prefer. Combs are great to be placed  on the side a curlier up-do, or above a bun on the back of the head. It has become popular for a comb to be placed at the top of the veil to make it look as though they are almost attached. Whether it is a more compact 'brooch' look, or a flowery piece with rhinestone leaves and vines, a comb is a beautiful way to add a little extra to your look.

Hair pins, or versions of them have been around for years, but seem to be coming back with more modern designs. Pins have only two spokes and so they are most often used in multiples in a looser up-do, though I have shown a few pins that are placed on the side of the head. Crystals, pearls, rhinestones, and cute shapes such as stars and flowers help to make pins a unique way to spice up your wedding hair.

Is there any other day in a woman's life that she gets to be a princess, other than her wedding day? Usually not, and that is why most women take this opportunity to be the dream bride, tiara and all. The crown tiara trend is still prominent for the princess bride or royal wedding watcher, but beginning to fade as brides-to-be are seeking a more modern look. Hairbands get the full look of a classic tiara, but with a more sleep design. The styles included in this blog are a bit of variance in the styles that are available.

In the world of wedding desserts there is the very regular and standard fondant covered tiered cake. This look is classic and very beautiful, but can be incredibly costly. The high cost of weddings causes most brides to be to think outside the box and complete a lot of DIY projects. Though when it comes to the food, most still opt to go with a professional baker. As I have been looking through different wedding photographs and inspirations I have found a few new cake trends that really are fantastic.

*Each photo can be clicked on to be enlarged for a better look.

The trend of cupcakes instead of a cake isn't really all that new, but intricate piping in place of the basic icing swirl is. Below I have shown 4 images of gorgeous piped flower cupcakes that add a little extra beauty to the otherwise plain cupcakes. What I find really great about some of these designs, is that they are actually easy to replicate after a little practise. I am blessed to have a mother that has handmade and decorated every birthday cake for her four children in the last 28 years, and she has been wonderful in teaching me a few techniques. For the average person this piping not be as easy to master, though the final image on the lower right is incredibly basic. Using a star tip and some swirled food coloured icing, that isn't fully blended, some practise on a plate beforehand,  you could be duplicating these scrumptious cakes in no time.

With the trend of homespun crafty DIY weddings, this textured and messing icing look is a great choice. This is a look that could be done by most brides looking to save some money on a professional cake. For anyone who has ever tried to ice a cake before knows, it is very tricky to make the icing perfectly smooth. So why not go to the other extreme and make it look a little messy on purpose? I have included a few different versions of the textured cake look below. I just find something so effortlessly cool about these.

These looks are a bit more difficult for the average person to take on, but are a fresh and modern take on icing decorated tiers. Piped icing decoration on cakes is a classic staple, and on wedding cakes it usually includes draping, dots, and intricate damask patterns. This type of piping is still incredibly popular and when done right absolutely breathtaking, so in no way am I trying to state its out of date or unattractive. I only want to call attention to a few new looks.  I also included the fourth cake to show some beautiful piped flowers that I found and just had to share.

How much more do-it-yourself can it get? I love this homemade look! With this style of cake there is no need to be too neat or have the perfect technique. The process to complete a creation like this is pretty straight forward. Have the layers of cake cut to relatively the same size and be sure to make sure the top of each layer is smooth and level. A whipped icing would work best because it is thicker and the taste isn't too sweet, because each slice tends to have tend to have a lot of icing. Be fun and creative with colour by adding food colouring, fresh fruit, or small decor items like you would with other cakes. This whimsical look is adorable and very easy on the pocket book.

Within the world of bridal wear there are thousands upon thousands of dresses, with a variety of styles, materials, and prices. The wedding dress is the usually most important fashion purchase in a woman's life and so there is most often a budget that a bride is comfortable to stay within. Have you every wondered what you would get for those budgets though? The possibilities of price within a certain style can vary by thousands of dollars. It is completely dependent of the designer, quality of materials and style. For this blog I wanted to compile a variety of dresses within different price brackets, but with a similar look. It could take hours upon hours to find dresses of the same silhouette that have the same amount of lace, crystal, and appliques, but I have done my best to compare similar designs. I have taken some of the most common popular styles and included 5 of each. The prices range from less than $600.00 to more than $5000.00 and come from a variety of designers. I hope that this paints a picture of what the high price tag can get you, which is usually just a more avant garde design with higher quality materials.
While comparing these dresses I realized that the inexpensive dresses most often appealed to me more than the high end version of the same thing.  It is also fun to think that if the price categories were not listed that it is difficult to tell which design is more expensive. This really does show that more money doesn't always mean a more attractive design and that a dream gown can be attainable for the bride who thought she couldn't afford it.

Enjoy the beauty and feel free to share your thoughts!

(Also if you want a closer look at any of the gowns I have made a gallery at the end of the blog to see larger images)

One of the most important aspects of wedding decor is the flowers. In most cases the bride has her favourite flower picked out because that is what she wants as her bridal bouquet, and thus the decor usually coincides. The origin of a floral bouquet began with ancient Greek and Roman tradition of having the bride and groom wearing circular garlands around their necks. These were made of fragrant herbs and sprinkled with spices that were meant to ward off evil spirits, ill health, and bad luck. As traditions changed and evolved people began carrying bundles and bouquets instead of the wreaths. Then came the Victorian era, where the Queen forever changed the bridal bouquet when she married Prince Albert in 1840.  She clutched a small collection of snowdrops, said to be Prince Albert's favourite flower, surrounded by the normal greenery. Another interesting fact about Victoria, is that she reportedly planted myrtle (a green shrub) in her garden at the Osborne House after the wedding. Since then, it has become a royal bride tradition to pluck a sprig from the same bush and carry it in their bouquets. It was the public use of flowers in the royal bouquet that quickly started the floral trend.

Now, 171 years later that is still the normal dream for brides. Whether silk or fresh, flower bouquets are a timeless tradition. Like most traditions though, some people want to be unique and stand out. Within the last few years, unique bouquets of different natural elements and more crafty materials have made an impact on wedding bouquet design. Do-it-yourself solutions to the bouquet have become popular because the very low price, creative freedom, unique look, and the benefit of  it being everlasting. Below I have collected some of my favourite unique bouquets to share what is happening in the world of weddings.

The biggest unique bouquet trend that I have seen as of late is that of one made of brooches. A brooch bouquet can include many different elements such as fabric, lace, buttons, paper, beads and clips. What I find so intriguing about some these bouquets is the emotional and loving stories attached. I have read of women having brooches that once belonged to a dear Grandmother or Aunt, even a Mother who died while the bride was a child included within the arrangement. This can allow the bride to feel a connection and presence of the people that passed on. These pieces of art are can also be made with such differing styles that it can suit many personalities and wedding themes. Depending on the texture, colour, and size of the elements these bouquets they can be fun and quirky, glam vintage, sweet or edgy. The possibilities are endless!

The more crafty bride may choose to make one of these unconventional but fun bouquets. Some arrangements combine felt, brooches, and buttons, while others are for the majority just buttons. These are very inexpensive to make and are truly one of a kind creations.

In recent years, feather centrepieces have become a popular replacement for the classic flower display. Feathers are also often seen in hair accessories and with birdcage style veils. Most recently, I have found that feathers have moved into the bouquet department. With an abundance of colours, shapes and sizes they can make a normal arrangement into something spectacular. Whether in combination within a conventional floral bunch, or on their own with accented beads a feather bouquet is a soft and elegant choice for an original style.

I have found the trend of lanterns in place of flowers only recently and it is incredibly intriguing. Most DIY arrangements still resemble flowers and the basic shape of a classic bouquet, but this breaks the mold completely. This idea is really thinking outside of the box, but I can imagine how beautiful it could be if the lanterns were glowing at an evening wedding. The image of the sun setting in the background of an outdoor wedding or the lights dimmed with glowing candles inside a church is breathtaking.

With the current green movement and rediscovered love for the outdoors, natural weddings are very popular. Within this theme I noticed a few things that are used: Butterflies, wheat, lavender, and twigs.These are a few different examples of unique nature themed and natural element bouquets I have come across.

Not the current line, but so beautiful I just had to share it!

http://www.fashionserved.com/Gallery/Papilio-2010/356996

Every girl who daydreams about her wedding day has the perfect dress created in their mind's eye. These dresses then translate into the "dream dress we could never actually afford" category of  our wedding planning. Some may have no idea the look they want when first shopping, though while looking through images online and in magazines "the dress" most often appears. We admire designer gowns from afar unless we are blessed enough to be able to afford such extravagance. 

Of course there are thousands of gowns that could be "the one" for someone. So I have decided that I would share my gown with all of you. If I had an endless budget for my wedding dress it would be Morgan from The Priscilla of Boston 2010 Vineyard Collection. The Audrey Hepburn style gown is made of satin faced organza, with a corset seamed bodice, a satin band at the natural waist, and satin applique embroidery all over. This link allows you to see the dress in motion: http://www.priscillaofboston.com/Designer-Bridal-Gowns-Vineyard-Style-51262?&f5=VY
(You will have to copy and paste the web address into a new browser). There is something so classically elegant about this gown that has had me completely enraptured since the moment I first saw the ad in Weddingbells magazine last year. I know that I will never be able to afford this gown, but the design inspires me and I will hopefully be able to find a similar dress at a less expensive when I am finally shopping for my own wedding dress. What is your dream gown? Is it a specific designer, or just a dress you have seen and cannot get out of your mind? Share with me and let us all inspire each other!

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I came across this great graphic earlier today and thought that it was brilliant! A lot of people don't realise the actual cost of a wedding in today's economy. Life in general is more expensive, and throwing an event or wedding is no different. Costs are high, and the different aspects of weddings that are now almost expected are more numerous. I tried working in photoshop with the below image, but found it a little difficult. If you are unable to read it, the original website where I discovered it is:

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22072/113864
(You will need to copy and paste the address into a new internet window or tab)

To some people flowers are what make or break a wedding or special event. Flowers are so vital in decorations for not only the reception, but the ceremony almost as equally. There has been a new trend lately of having no flowers at all, but instead choosing items such as feathers, twigs, and fruit etc. But for the bride or party thrower that still loves the timeless elegance of flowers in tall vases, and full blooms surrounding the room I found a great guide to the most popular display flowers. I would love to write out everything in this post, but that is a little too much to copy out, so I have just included the link below. Each different type of flower has a range of colours, scents, attached meanings, and a season in which is best to purchase. This is crucial information when having fresh flowers for an event. Most brides have a favourite flower or a notion of the flower they see for their special day. But if that dream is hydrangea blooms for your February nuptials you are in a bit of trouble. You will have a hard time finding them in that time of year, and when a florist does have them, or can order them you are definitely going to be paying way more than perhaps a bride in June. So if you are getting married soon, planning an event, or are just curious about your own favourite flower check out the link below. It is from one of my favourite weddings sites, theknot.com.

http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/41166/view.aspx?id=41166
(I was unable to make this a hyperlink, so please copy and paste into your browser)

 The large trend in wedding fashion as of late is to not only have a dress for the day of the wedding and an outfit for when leaving the reception, but a second wedding dress from the ceremony. The second dress is the party dress which is usually much easier to dance and move around in and slightly sexier than the ceremony gown. Though, the cost of an entire second wedding gown is most often too much for the regular bride. If cost is not an issue, then finding two dresses in an excellent option. In my hours of perusing wedding sites and designer dress collections I have come across quite a few convertible dresses. A dress that appears to be a complete gown but has a break (usually a hidden zipper or series of hooks) and can become a shorter party dress. When it comes to convertible dresses there can be one large con, that being that you can quite easily tell where the two sections of the gown come apart. This deters a lot of brides, because it gives a very cheap look.

I researched through some of my favourite designers to find some decently styled convertible dresses with a range of prices. On the lowest side of the cost spectrum I found that David's Bridal - David's Bridal Collection has three great styles ranging from $500 to $700. These are the first 3 dresses in the photos below. Martina Liana was another designer that had great two in one dresses, they are slightly more expensive ranging from $1800 to $2200. I included 4 of Martina's dresses below. Lastly, I included a fantasy dress from couture french designer Max Chaoul, it is difficult to find the price of this dress online, but the majority of his dresses are in the range of $5000 to $10,000+. 

I came across an amazing editorial in Brides Magazine. The pictures are photographed by Amber Gray and styled by Rachel Leonard. The styling & photography are absolutely stunning and I wanted to share them with the world.