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Wedding Planning
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Bridal Beauty:
The Total Bridal Look
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Answers to your most important bridal planning
questions on Bridal Beauty |
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Its our step by step guide to bridal
beauty. No matter the question, we've got an example or answer
for you
The following information is articles, questions, and
answers that have been submitted by ForeverWed readers. Should these not
answer your questions. Feel free to
ask an expert.
The Total Bridal Look
By Gretchen Maurer (ForeverWed Beauty & Hair Expert)
When it comes to your beauty concerns there are also many choices.
Confusing isn't it? As a Bridal hair specialist, author of The
Business of Bridal Beauty, as well as creator of weddinghair; I have
adapted a chapter from my book. Enjoy!Let's look at the "Art" of the
wedding. Buy that I mean all of the visual aspects that make up your
wedding style. Your gown, flowers, reception location, style of
photography, your shoes, hair and make-up as well as the bridesmaids
dresses and the presentation of the food are all elements that make up
the "Art" of your wedding. These visual elements when put together
become the total look; they elicit a certain mood and help define the
image you and your fiancé would like to share with your guests. Let me
address specifically your beauty needs and the elements involved in
pulling together your personal style. All the elements of your dress,
hair, make-up, nails, and headpiece need to work together to become
the "art" of your "Total Bridal Look."
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Let's look at a few important elements of design that are relative to
style. Understanding each of these elements will make it easier for
you to use them when creating your "total bridal look." Whether you
are working with your florist, caterer, or consultant you need to be
able to translate your wishes to them that will pull together a great
"stylish" wedding experience.
Line Size Shape Position Density Texture
Line:
The line of a hairstyle, floral centerpiece, or the composition within
a photograph has a direction either horizontally or vertically.
Horizontal lines broaden and shorten with the eye following the width.
Vertical lines slim and elongate. The line can be dramatic and
sophisticated or soft and romantic.
· I remember a very slender and petite bride who was wearing a slim
fitted narrow gown. Perfect for her because it made her look taller.
But the gown shop suggested a wreath of flowers. Just as the eye was
drawn up, the wreath cut off the illusion of height. The horizontal
line of the wreath cancelled out any help the vertical gown
accomplished in making her seem taller. It took some convincing and a
visual demonstration but I got her to change her headpiece.
The line of the dress should match the hair. A long slim fitted
wedding gown is complemented with a narrow bob tucked behind the ears
or a bunch of curls piled high on the head. The line of a traditional
full-skirt wedding gown is horizontal. This style is complemented by a
softer romantic and wider hairstyle, perfect with a wreath headpiece.
Staying within these design parameters is a general guideline for most
brides. However, a bride with flair for the dramatic and a strong
personality can certainly carry off a total look that does not
"match". A slim fitted gown with sexy wild hair may be your flavor.
Size:
The finished size of a hairstyle and veil depends on a few factors:
How much hair you have, how tall, petite or full figured you are plus
the overall line, size, detail, and fullness/length of dress. As an
example, apply this size "element" to the flowers. The size and volume
of a bouquet should not overpower a petite bride or table setting.
If you choose to wear a slim suit for a daytime wedding it would be
important to keep your hairstyle compact and simple. If a full skirt
or bustled wedding gown is your style, then go for a larger headpiece
and hairstyle. Again, try to match the overall size of dress to you,
and size and line of hairstyle to balance.
I had a bride who was petite but wore a traditional full gown with a
chapel length veil. (I lot of dress for a little woman) She also
requested that her veil trail longer than the gown! I created a
smaller Updo and made her a smaller headpiece to be worn toward the
back of the head. I gave her the length she wanted for the veil but it
was not gathered too full. It allowed the horizontal line to flow but
worked with her proportions. Sometimes too much veiling on top of a
petite bride can make her look top heavy.
Shape:
*
The shape of the finished Updo or hairstyle needs to complement the
shape of your face as well as the proportions of you in your dress.
The shape is the outer line a hairstyle makes. Visualize a wide bob
haircut making the outer shape of a triangle. A shag or layered cut
has the outer shape of a rectangle. A wedge hairstyle has the shape of
a diamond. Some shapes are reminiscent of periods like the teased
crown and flip of the sixties. The feathered back hair of the
seventies complemented bell-bottom pants. The narrow shape and
closeness to the head of the roaring twenties hair was a visual match
to the bound breasts and slim body hugging clothes worn at that time.
The next time you see a picture of a Victorian lady in her bustled
gown notice that her hair is bustled up in the back as well.
*
I had a bride request an Audrey Heparin "look" to her Updo, complete
with the chic little bangs. I incorporated her mother's headpiece from
the early sixties into the style and she wore a slim sheath. This
created the very slim, vertical "retro" look she wanted.
Position:
A hairstyle may be positioned at the top of the head, the middle or at
the nape of the neck. A small wedding hat, a comb of flowers, or a
headpiece can be used to balance your hairstyle's position.
I had an older bride who wanted a fun sexy look for her second
wedding. She had a profile style headpiece which is the kind that sits
along the side of the face. I had to make sure the hairstyle balanced
the position of her veil.
If you choose to wear a traditional one-piece veil make sure you tell
the stylist if you're going to remove it after the ceremony. Ask the
stylist to stick some wedding hair jewelry or flowers in your
hairstyle so when the veil comes off your hairdo is not bare!
Density has to do with the feeling and look of weight or thickness. If
the gown you choose is a heavy satin and the bride's maids are in
velvet, then requesting hairstyles of soft wispy flowing curls will
not balance the total look. Instead go for a more detailed barrel type
of curl or smooth twist. If your look is softer and more flowing, say
a tulle top layer, then the hair could be flowing and the curls
softer.
I remember seeing photos of a wedding party that were all dressed in
velvet gowns. But, on top of their heads they wore dainty wreaths of
flowers with flowing tiny ribbons that did not complement the density
of the velvet or the time of year for the ceremony. (winter!)
Many times I need to lead a bridal client into an understanding of
this element of design to produce the correct Updo or hairstyle for
her total look. Don't jump all over the place mixing an antique car
with calla lilies and a sushi menu. A Medieval gown does not mix well
with a bright contemporary reception setting and big band sound. Lay
out all of your elements; write them down, think about them has a
whole. Is there a theme, do they flow?
Texture has the ability to create a feeling with hair similar to
density. A hairstyle of glistening finger waves makes a daring strong
statement. The texture of detailed braiding supports an ethnic look.
The smooth texture of a sleek bob is classic, perfect for the
understated Town and Country bride. Look for texture in your dress,
flowers, and table linens. Fabric can be braided, gathered, puckered,
or smooth. Texture in the hair can be matched to the dress, or it can
be done to create contrast.
Now you have a better understanding of the elements of design. The
principles of composition are when you use these elements to put
together your "total bridal look." Lets look at three key principles
of composition as they relate to style.
Emphasis Contrast Balance
Emphasis:
What is to be the main emphasis of your total look? It may be an
antique headpiece or your mothers wedding gown from the fifties. You
may love your beautiful long red hair and want an Updo to be the main
emphasis. Is the back of your gown stunning? The emphasis may be
placed there.
As far as the ceremony goes, for some couples, the music is very
important. For others it may be the food or stationary.
For one of my brides the emphasis was her flowers; she and her Mom
were florists. So I designed her hair into flowers, complete with
white centers and silk leaves. It was a big hit!
Contrast:
Contrast accentuates various shapes and lines. There can be
contrasting textures in a dress, for example a lace dress with a
velvet sash, or an ornate bodice with an unadorned skirt. There can
also be contrasting textures in a hairstyle mixing curls with
straight. Contrast demands to be noticed and if your bold and
confident go for it! Simple bridesmaids dresses set off with exquisite
bold flowers is fabulous!
Balance:
Let me stress that a balanced look is the most important principle of
composition. The hairstyle and headpiece needs to look balanced to the
dress and body type. The size of the bouquet balanced to the size of
bride. The color and fabric of the maids' gowns balanced to the time
of year.
Just remember the focus of the wedding is the two of you! You're
wedding vows and pledge to each other is sacred. Enjoy your day! All
the best to you! Personally, I truly believe in marriage and have
enjoyed being married to my wonderful husband for 20years!
Love and kisses, Gretchen
Feel free to call or e-mail me any time with questions or suggestions
you may have. I'm here to help. Please tell your friends about
weddinghair.com |
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