Zara Simone Bespoke Bridal Accessories

November 2011 brought a breath of modern luxury to Trinidad & Tobago’s bridal industry – heralding the launch of Zara Simone Bespoke Bridal Accessories.

This is the first time a luxury, high-end line of fashion accessories,  specially for brides and bridesmaids has been available to this market. The accessories are all bespoke, or made-to-order.

The line currently carries bridal gown sashes and hair accessories. Sashes can also be worn to adorn bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.

The bride who wears a Zara Simone piece wants something modern and unique. She’s fashion-forward, a trend-setter and fearless at expressing her style.

All pieces are hand-made, using the finest-quality materials such as: crystals, exotic feathers, silks, heavy Japanese satin, lace, pearls, semi-precious stones, vintage-look brooches and beads. The accessory colors come in varying shades of: grey, black, ivory, white, blush, lavender, slate and dark green. The price range starts from USD $179 and up for sashes and from USD $70 and up for hair accessories.

The artisans of this beautifully-crafted accessory line are based in the USA; and they have worked for well-known designers such as Vera Wang, Martha Stewart, Calvin Klein, Jessica Simpson Swimwear, Victoria’s Secret and J. Crew.

Zara Simone is part of the Trinidad Weddings' group of brands, under which also fall Trinidad Weddings.com and the premier annual wedding magazine published in Trinidad and Tobago, the TW Wed-Zine.

www.trinidadweddings.com is a website resource catering to the needs of engaged couples and also to couples who would like to plan a destination wedding there. Couples are able to book suppliers through the website and get free advice, checklists, tips and other resources.

To view the entire line, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/ZaraSimoneAccessories

Facebook fans in Trinidad and Tobago get FREE delivery!

Pieces are also available to be shipped to brides in the Caribbean

For further information and to receive an e-brochure, please write to zarasimone@trinidadweddings.com

Bridal Hair & Makeup Trends for 2011

None of us can debate that well-done hair and makeup have the power to transform the everyday woman into a glamourous bride!

Recently, on the runways at New York’s Bridal Fashion Week, the overarching look for most of the collections was “natural and luminous” – with an emphasis on the bride showcasing healthy, glowing skin.

There was widespread use of highlighter, bronzer or face shimmer as well as peachy, coral or pink shades of blush.

Some other trends in bridal hair and makeup are:

Eyes - The smoky eye remains popular, however, this year, it is updated in shades of plum, khaki and grey. The use of mascara and eyelash extensions are also trendy, as eyelashes take centre stage.  

Lip Colour – If you’re not after the smoky eye look this year, you can pucker up with bold shades of deep mauve, cranberry, red and rose. These vibrant colours are replacing the nude and sheer lips of previous years.

Hair – Two popular hairstyles for this year’s modern bride are the side bun (an updated version of the chignon or ballerina bun - (*see photo above taken at New York's Bridal Market, April 2011, copyright Trinidad Weddings) accented with a flower or hair jewellery, or open hair with lots of loose waves.

Braided hairstyles (some of which are slightly messy and textural), bangs, centre paths that have an updated 1970’s vibe, low ponytails and long, soft curls are also vogue at the moment. These natural and “easy” hairstyles are a stark contrast to the formal, up-do’s of years gone by.

Brides who still favour a more structured hairstyle can choose the very vintage-like finger curls that hark back to the 1920’s, 1940’s and 1950’s or a modern French twist. Many brides are also opting for clip-in hair extensions, in order to have more hair length and therefore, more versatility of hairstyles to choose from.  

The Green Bride!

How many Trini brides seriously consider having a stylish yet eco-friendly wedding? Perhaps not many and that’s unfortunate, moreso because there are so many simple and sustainable ideas out there. It’s also unfortunate because weddings by and large, generate substantial amounts of waste with food, paper goods, packaging, ribbons, favours, wrapping paper, decorations and stationery that are tossed in the trash after the reception or…soon after.

Here are some tips to help you have an environmentally-friendly wedding:

Food

·         Donate leftover food to a shelter or soup kitchen or have boxes available for guests to take some of the eats home with them.

Fashion & Beauty
·         For your dress, use one or a combination of: remnant lace and fabrics, organic cotton, hemp and silk blends or vegetable-dyed fabric.

·         Select organic or mineral products that are not tested on animals, for your makeup

·         Go to the “Bridal Classifieds” page on www.trinidadweddings.com to see if anyone is selling a used or new wedding gown or selling centerpieces they no longer need. See link to it here: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/Shop/BridalClassifieds/tabid/239/Default.aspx

·         Upcycle bridesmaid dresses that won’t be worn again, into decorative throw pillows or window treatments. You can also donate the dresses to someone who will use them.

Invitations & Stationery
·         Use post-consumer recycled paper

·         If you have open seating for the reception, this can reduce your paper needs, with doing away of place cards. Also, you can do one tented programme (printed on both sides) per table, to reduce the need for every guest having a paper programme.

·         Create custom invitations or “thank you” cards by hand or try utilizing hand-painting or stamping on your invitations, to save on printing costs

·         If you want to go entirely paperless, invite guests via e-cards or telephone

Décor & Favours

·         Use organic décor materials like: bamboo, coconut shells, hemp, pressed flowers/leaves, burlap, jute or raffia.

·         Make use of organic or fair trade items, for your food and favours

·         Create a local favour instead of one that’s already pre-packaged and full of unnecessary plastic packaging. Wrap your favour in biodegradable bags or in hand-made paper.

·         For centrepieces, choose containers you can use again in your new home and perhaps fill with fruit that you or your guests can eat!

·         Choose a florist who uses locally-grown flowers.

Reception

·         Have an outdoor wedding to save on day-time electricity costs. The options are endless: a park, at the beach, a private garden, courtyard, ranch or nature reserve.

·         Use cloth napkins as much as possible, versus paper napkins

·         Plan your ceremony and wedding reception in the same place, to save energy costs and emissions from transportation.

Registry

·    If you already own household items, perhaps you can ask guests to contribute to a wildlife conservatory, animal shelter, a recycling initiative or a charitable cause, in lieu of favours/wedding gifts

·    Ask the store that is hosting your bridal registry, not to gift wrap your wedding gifts.

Ideas for a Smashing Wedding Cocktail Hour!

Tiny bites and delectable morsels! Who doesn’t love hors d’oeuvres? And what a better way to “wow” your guests from the very onset of your reception than by having delicious selections in tempting displays? Nothing will guarantee a better conversation starter and get the festive mood going than happy guests dining on munchies! However, choosing hors d’oeuvres can be quite challenging, considering the vast number of options.

Here are some tips to get you started:

(1)    “Let your food talk” - that is, use your hors d’oeuvres as a way to communicate your wedding’s theme or to give meaningful hints about your family heritage, for example – is your mother or grandmother famous for making something? Serve a mini version of it! If you’ve had a double ceremony, featuring two religions, serve up nibbles that reflect those two cultures.

(2)    Create a tasting bar based on the countries you have travelled to. This way, guests get an insight into your romantic journey together and they also get to sample unusual fare.

(3)    Serve foods that are inspired by your location; for example, if you’re giving a garden wedding, foods with fresh, garden influences, lemons and herbs would be lovely; or if it’s a beach wedding, easy seafood dishes such as: ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus juices and seasoned), accra, crab cakes, mini shrimp cocktails, served in shot glasses or grilled items would be appropriate.

(4)    Try miniature versions of your favourite foods – If you enjoy fast foods, you can certainly have sliders (mini burgers), doubles, aloo pies, tiny shark and bakes, “coo coo” squares, meatballs, mini pizzas, or French fries served in beautiful paper cones to match your décor.

(5)    Have an unusual food station such as sushi or a “baked potato bar,” where guest can choose their own toppings such as: cheddar cheese, bacon, chives, sour cream etc.

(6)    Ensure your drink selections do not clash with your food selections. For example, if you’re going with more Mexican-inspired foods, choose margaritas or if you’re having an Italian-inspired menu, offer up some limoncello. Garden weddings would do well with lemonade and a selection of iced teas. To close your reception, a nice idea if you’ve had an “all-Trini” menu would be to serve some Trini cocoa tea in take-away mugs, which serve as wedding favours.

Go to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com for more great articles!

or join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/trinidadweddings

Food & Drinks for Your Outdoor Wedding

It has often been said that entertaining is an art, but have you ever thought about moving the canvas outside for your wedding? That’s right, perhaps we can look to the vast outdoors for inspiring ideas on how to entertain wedding guests. And there’s no better way to entertain guests than with delicious food!

However, having an outdoor wedding does indeed present a few challenges. Here are some factors to consider and some ideas to go along with them:

Factors to consider:

How food will be served

It is best to avoid serving food items that are too sticky, saucy or sweet when having a self-service buffet; since these tend to attract bees and flies. However, if your hors d’ouevres will be passed on trays by wait staff; you can have a wider selection of food types, since the food will be monitored and brought out in fresh batches.

The time of the day or type of reception
If you’re having a cocktail reception, some choices for appetizers could be: stuffed mushrooms, spring rolls, mini quiches, meatballs with a dipping sauce, shrimp or scallops wrapped in bacon, chicken satays, vegetable crudités, pot stickers, a cheese tray and for dessert, cupcakes and fruit kabobs or chocolate-covered fruit.  Always ensure that dishes containing seafood, mayonnaise and onions are kept at the correct temperature, to avoid the threat of bacteria!

Let your location lead you - for example, if you’re giving a garden wedding, foods incorporating fresh, garden influences such as lemons and herbs would be lovely – for example: grilled vegetables, stuffed tomatoes, wild rice pilaf, pesto pasta salad and lemon-infused chicken. A beach wedding could  feature seafood dishes such as: chowder or bisque, ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus juices and seasoned), accra, crab cakes, mini shrimp cocktails served in shot glasses or grilled meats.

Theme of your wedding – your food choices will be much easier if you have a specific theme for your wedding. For example, for an Indian-theme, you can try samosas, biryani, tandoori chicken, naan bread, vegetables and an assortment of curries and chutneys. If you’re having a more casual wedding, you could try a “picnic theme” for the wedding and have a selection of: fried chicken, bar-b-qued meats, coleslaw, potato salad and corn on the cob. If you are going with an Italian theme, you can choose stuffed olives, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, caprese salad and top it off with a dessert of tiramisu or panacotta.

Get inspired by your own local favourites - Try miniature versions of your favourite foods, for example, if you enjoy fast foods, you can certainly have sliders (mini burgers), doubles, gyros, aloo pies, tiny shark and bakes, “coo coo” squares, meatballs, mini pizzas, shot glasses of souse or French fries served in beautiful paper cones to match your décor.

Ensure your drink selections do not clash with your food selections. For example, if you’re going with more Mexican-inspired foods, choose margaritas or if you’re having an Italian-inspired menu, serve your guests some limoncello or an assortment of Italian wines. Japanese-inspired weddings could have sake on offer and garden weddings would do well with lemonade, daiquiris and a selection of iced teas. To close your reception, a nice idea if you’ve had an “all-Trini” menu would be to serve some Trini cocoa tea in take-away mugs, which serve as wedding favours.

Bridal Gown Trends for 2011

2011 is beginning to seem like the year for fashionista brides – from the Royal wedding of Kate Middleton, to the weddings of: model Kate Moss, American actress Reese Witherspoon, British songstress Lily Allen and on August 20^th, American reality-TV star Kim Kardashian, in her stunning Vera Wang creation.

Here’s what’s trending in bridal collections this year:

Texture – gowns will be adorned with fabric flowers and petals, dramatic ruffles, accordion pleating and tiers. The Royal Wedding has also seemed to cause a resurgence of lace and wedding gowns featuring sleeves but in a more modern way; for example, with the use of non-traditional lace patterns, lace as an overlay over coloured fabric or with the strategic placement of lace appliqués to create “illusion” necklines or sleeves. Apart from lace, we are seeing more use of sequins, pleated tulle and metallic embroidery. The layering of fabrics is also popular this year, with many dresses featuring shimmer fabric or satin, under tulle or lace.

Colour – Reese Witherspoon got married this year in a blush-pink Monique L’huillier gown and Kate Moss’ vintage-styled John Galliano gown had accents of gold on the skirt. This year, rosy-hued dresses will be popular as well as pale gold, nude, café or latte-coloured gowns. Dresses will also continue to feature black accents, particularly in the form of sashes, rosettes, cummerbunds and touches of black lace.

Style - Strapless gowns are still “in” but have become more swoon-worthy with sheer or illusion necklines or back views, some which are particularly vintage in style; quite reminiscent of the 1920’s.

The ball gown is also back, featuring voluminous tulle skirts or skirts that seem floaty. layered and ethereal. Corseted bodices are also all the rage for brides who want a more figure-hugging look. Minis and tea-length gowns have also been seen this year. They are perfect for outdoor weddings or for brides who prefer a second dress for partying in, at the reception! Asymmetric, halter and cold-shoulder necklines, which were widely seen in 2010’s bridal collections, continue to be trendy this year; along with popular silhouettes such as the trumpet skirt and the mermaid gowns. Many designers are also featuring tiered and ruffled skirts, this year.

Accents – bodices or sashes encrusted with pearls, sequins, semi-precious stones and crystals that lend an extravagant, estate jewellery feel, are quite “on trend” at the moment. As in 2010, floral underlays and nature-inspired motifs have continued in popularity this year.

The Dapper Groom in 2011

The tuxedo-ed groom is known for wearing a pleated front tux shirt, a tux jacket with a characteristic satin lapel and matching trousers, with the satin stripe down the outside leg.
However, what about the untraditional groom? The one who wants to defy convention or perhaps, just be a bit more casual?

Thankfully, there are other choices, particularly this year!

Here are some:

• Trousers have gotten slimmer as well as jackets, so perhaps try a more custom-fitted suit or tux.
• Follow the recent Royal Wedding trend ( i.e. the requirement for wedding guests!) and sport a "morning suit" - a formal jacket with long tails in either: black, navy, grey or brown, paired with pin-striped trousers
• Select a suit in a shade of grey or navy. Both are the "it" colours for 2011.
• Try a black, charcoal or navy suit and tie
  
• Trade the classic black tux for a tux in unusual colours such as midnight blue or chocolate brown - which were both seen on runways for this year.
• Instead of the traditional pleated tux shirt, select a hidden button shirt in a good-quality fabric for a seamless appearance.
• Use a bow tie with a suit, for a preppy look or try a cravat if you're more daring!
• Choose an embroidered or piped-collar dress shirt (see photo at right)
• Accessorise with lapel pins or unique cuff links
• For beach or destination weddings, grooms can try a linen blazer, cotton shirt and trousers
• Fashion-forward grooms who are having more casual weddings, can try a blazer in a different fabric such as jacquard, velvet or one that incorporates a bit of metallic thread.

Custom-made wedding gowns!

Lily Allen's ceremony gown by Delphine Manivet

Disagree or agree with me, but I love Lily Allen’s style and her music.

Who’s Lily Allen?

If you’ve never heard of her, she’s a British singer with 2 successful music albums under her belt. She was just as famously known for being the face of Chanel, when Karl Lagerfeld hand-picked her and photographed her to promote the Coco Cocoon luxury handbags in the fall of 2009.

She is also largely known as a style icon in the UK and why she’s relevant to my blog (other than I love her!), is that she got married last month.

Naturally, it was rumoured that Chanel would be doing her wedding dress. In fact, she had two gowns, Chanel did a vintage-inspired one for her reception (see photo at left) and Parisian Designer, Delphine Manivet, designed the gown for her ceremony.

The lace bodice is reminiscent of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown but Lily’s veil clearly harkens back to the 1920’s. Unlike Kate's 1950's- inspired gown, Manivet remarked that the Lily’s dress was inspired by 1970’s and 1990’s fashion.

If, like Lily, you decide to go the route of having your attire custom-made; it is important to distinguish between a seamstress and a designer.

Designers, of course, design and fabricate a gown especially for you. Seamstresses will usually sew exactly what you ask them to do, although some do designing as well.  Be aware that seamstresses that work exclusively by store-bought patterns may not know how to alter gowns to give you the style elements that you may want – e.g. a bustle skirt or unusual back. 

Generally, these are the steps to getting your gown designed:

1.    Meet with your designer but do have in mind the direction you want for the style of your gown for example, do you want your gown to be  dramatic? Full? fitted and body conscious? Feature a skirt with lot of movement? Or should it be feminine or on the other end of the spectrum - more structured?

2.    After having discussions with you about your preferences and examining your body type; the designer will usually present attire concepts in the form of sketches and inspirational photos. He/She should also have fabric samples for you to choose from.

3.   After this, you can choose the silhouette, embellishments and decide on the type(s) of fabric that you like incorporated. Then, via collaboration, you and the designer will determine a final choice.

4.  Measurements of the bride-to-be are then taken by the designer, over the actual undergarments that will be worn on the day.

5.   Most designers will do a “muslin fitting,” to ensure proper fit. Muslin is a cotton woven fabric from which the designer makes a shell that moulds to the body of the bride. This shell enables the designer to easily drape onto it or create  desired elements from the final garment.

6.    The designer then takes the muslin pattern and crafts it into the bride's chosen fabric usually, adjustments are done at this point since the muslin does not have the same characteristics as the final fabric (for example, silk, organza, satin etc.).  

7.   Additional fittings to ensure a perfect fit may also be required, depending on the complexity of the gown.

Trinidad Weddings' Picks for Top 10 Wedding Songs to choose in 2011

Three years ago, I remember getting a lot of feedback (good and bad) over a blog I had written on my top 10 worst songs to hear at a wedding! The banter was great though! So, I thought I’d write a bit about my top 10 modern/alternative first dance or cake cutting songs for 2011. Here they are:


“Give In to me” – Leighton Meester and Garett Hedlund. If this song was a chocolate truffle, it would literally melt in your mouth. If what you want is a large  dollop of country crooning, you will definitely love Garett’s heavenly voice complemented by Leighton (the actress from Gossip Girl!) ! Link: http://youtu.be/CVrSChJPfhw


“Dance Me to the End of Love” by Madeline Peyroux. For those couples into that jazzy, retro sound, this song’s for you. Madeline’s deep, dusky voice and that perfect piano interlude, is ideal for a sexy first dance song, if that’s what you’re going for. Groove to it here: http://youtu.be/zXgFkhMPTIY


“Nine Million Bicycles” by Katie Melua – an unusual song with lovely lyrics. Perhaps perfect for a non-conformist couple who wants to have a very different sort of wedding song. Link: http://youtu.be/eHQG6-DojVw


“Fly Love” by Jamie Foxx (from the Rio soundtrack) - I have to admit I heard this song with my 5-year old while watching Rio. It might be from a kids’ movie but this song takes the cake for having a romantic, mellow, Latin vibe. Just great for an outdoor wedding! I dare you not to sway to it! : http://youtu.be/wF7k7O6Zz7U

“You & Me” by Dave Matthews Band – This song is ideal for a destination wedding or for merged marriages ( couples who have kids of their own from previous relationships). This song is chock full of “feel-good” Listen and see: http://youtu.be/7f4TItnxVOw

“No more Wishing” by Hayley Taylor – Cello, piano and acoustic guitar blend together for a truly fantastic song with pure lyrics: “I want a love that’s side by side. I want a love that holds me tight. I want a love that feels like a dream but when I wake up he’s still there with me….” Wow, who can say that better?
Link: http://youtu.be/fcphR5Ctrcw


“On Your Arm” by Schuyler Fisk – Simple and loving; a sincere ode to the person at your side! Link: http://youtu.be/a_Z_LZ5GW0s

“Our Kind of Love” by Lady Antebellum – an up-beat song that’s guaranteed to make you, your special someone and a room full of guests, smile! Link: http://youtu.be/QaOKbvpxnTo


“Ever The same” by Rob Thomas – Great for couples who like alternative music. The lyrics are like poetry and Rob Thomas’ voice has the capacity to go deep into your soul: http://youtu.be/fzZHzvhMhtM

“Rest of My Life” by Michelle Featherstone – Beautiful lyrics with a soft rock feel. Hear it here: http://youtu.be/rjHRIdxZbUA

Now, these are just some of my personal picks but I’d love to hear some of yours. What songs are you using? Leave me a couple comments below!

Bridesmaid Dress Trends 2011

Here are some of the looks I’ve seen regarding bridesmaid dresses for this year:


Length


A predominance of shorter styles are being seen this year, so there have been more cocktail length dresses or the slightly longer tea-length look ; versus the longer dresses of the past.


Colours


Bold colours are popular now, such as: marigold yellow, violet, magenta, deep blues, grass green and emerald green. These vibrant colours are also balanced out with muted, soft colours in pale ice-blue, dusty violet, taupe, nude and charcoal


Fabric


Bridesmaid dresses this year mostly feature the usual silk, satin, lace, chiffon, crinkle chiffon and taffeta.


Style Details


Many dresses are being seen with:


• Pockets – creating a more casual feel, despite perhaps a floor-length or formal design


• Asymmetrical draping on the bodice ( this can give the illusion of a smaller waist!)


• Belts, sashes or fabric “cummerbunds” (pleated sashes)


• Architectural fabric details (intricate folds, cascades and pleats) combined with romantic elements such as lace and embroidery


• Draping that appears quite Grecian-inspired


• Bows and fabric petal and flower details


• Ruffled detailing


• Pleating


Necklines


• Cold shoulders


• More rounded sweetheart necklines


• Halter styles using pleated chiffon


• Strapless


• Ruffled necklines


• Bateau necklines (think Jackie Kennedy!)

Review of Kate's Gown

Over the past week, I’ve been asked numerous times about what I thought of the new Duchess of Cambridge’s overall look for her wedding. To begin with, even prior to the wedding, I was surprised by Kate’s rumoured choice of Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen, to design her dress.

Alexander McQueen, whilst he was alive (before his tragic suicide last year) was renowned for his use of theatre and drama, his use of contrasts and heavy fashion influence from controversial issues such as sex, religion and politics. No wonder…since the house of McQueen has designed for the likes of fashion rebels such as Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell!

In fact, in Sarah Burton’s debut collection from Paris Fashion Week just last October, she showed an interesting blend of bondage-like apparel, lacing, dresses and skirts with exaggerated hips, feather work, fur trim, Japanese printed silk, corn stalks and copious amounts of pleated organza; all meshed together with impeccable tailoring.

Items fit for a Princess on her wedding day? Probably not!

So now…you can understand fully, my surprise that conservative Kate, chose Sarah Burton in the first place!

Kate actually got her first inkling about Sarah Burton through her friend and fashion editor, Sarah Buys, who wed Prince William's stepbrother, Tom Parker Bowles in 2005. Sarah’s dress was a £10,000 silk, strapless gown, created by Sarah Burton. I have to be honest and say I didn’t love Sarah’s dress and so, I didn’t know quite what to expect for Kate’s.

However, the moment I saw the dress, I loved it for its romanticism and modernism – a hard combination to come by. It was evident that the shape of the dress harkened back to 1950’s styling. The satin gazar fabric on the ivory and white dress, was accented with hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace. The lace appliqués on the dress represented flowers such as: roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks, which were all hand-placed onto the dress.

The lace itself was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework using a technique called Carrickmacross (a type of needle lace which was first made in Carrickmacross, Ireland). I feel perhaps that this was Kate’s homage to the late Diana since Diana herself used a piece of Carrickmacross lace, which had once belonged to Queen Mary, in the centre panel of her own wedding gown, as her “something old.”

Although I thought Kate’s deep V-neckline, sweetheart bodice and long, lace sleeves were stunning; I thought the lace on the full skirt, made the gown look out-dated and overly traditional.

I would have loved to see Kate be a little more fashion-forward there, especially since McQueen is known for dramatic skirts. It was evident to me that Sarah Burton showed fashion restraint, obviously knowing that a skirt that pushed the envelope too far would not fit in with the personality and style of her client or with such a historical event watched by 2 billion people!

However, the silhouette of Kate’s gown did feature a large skirt and padding at the hips, which is quite typical of Alexander McQueen’s style. At the back of the dress, there were 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.

Kate wore a Cartier tiara which was loaned to her by the Queen and a veil made of ivory silk tulle. I thought the veil went perfectly with the dress since it was not decorated, gathered or too voluminous and so, I thought it echoed the streamlined nature of the dress’ shape.

On her ears, she wore Victorian-styled, tear drop earrings, which were a gift from her parents. The earrings were custom-made to match the tiara. Her shoes were also hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and were made of ivory duchesse satin, with lace embroidery.

In terms of comparisons, Elizabeth Taylor had a somewhat similar lace placement as Kate’s with the gown she wore to wed her first husband Conrad Hilton. Moreover, though, Kate’s dress closely resembled Grace Kelly’s gown, worn to her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

Grace Kelly’s gown had similar long lace sleeves and a V-neck line, although her neckline was more demure than Kate’s. Although some people have noted that Kate’s dress resembled Queen Elizabeth’s dress in 1947, I don’t share this opinion; since the Queen’s dress was ivory, embroidered with images of spring flowers, encrusted with pearls and crystals and featured a scalloped neckline. It was an ornate statement, completely unlike the understated elegance of Kate’s dress.

Overall, what I most admired was that Kate wore the dress and the dress didn’t wear her. She was completely self-assured in it and radiant. That inner beauty, really...is what fashion is supposed to promote!

Please share your thoughts....

William and Catherine- The Big Day!

Written by Guest Blogger: TrinidadWeddings-United Kingdom Correspondent, Shalini Maharaj McGregor


I've just returned from being on-location in London to bring to you more details from the much anticipated wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton! The day began with an announcement from Buckingham Palace that Prince William had been made Duke of Cambridge prior to the wedding. This meant that on being married to William, Catherine became Duchess of Cambridge.

The Bride and Bridesmaids:

The dress was a crowd pleaser! Sarah Burton, Head Designer for the Alexander McQueen label was finally revealed as the designer, confirming earlier reports from Trinidad Weddings.com that we thought this would be the case!

Catherine’s dress was very demure and elegant. English and Chantilly lace was used to cover the shoulders and the bodice fit very close on the body which looked amazing on the bride’s slender figure. The train was two meters by seventy centimetres. As is typical for McQueen designs, emphasis is placed on the back as well as the front of the dress, therefore organza-covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops and a bustle effect were used.

Interesting fact: Workers embroidering the train and tulle of the dress washed their hands every thirty minutes and changed the needles every three hours to keep it in pristine condition!

It is reported that the bride’s sister Phillipa Middleton also wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton. The young bridesmaids' dresses were handmade by bespoke children's wear designer Nicki McFarlane and featured large box pleats and sashes which were tied into bows at the back. They wore ivy and lily of the valley hair wreaths which were inspired by the headdress worn by the bride’s mother at her wedding in 1981.

All bouquets including Kate's, were simple and included lily-of-the valley, sweet William and hyacinth. Each bridesmaid had her name embroidered onto the lining of her dress as a memento.

Notable outfits

Princes William and Harry looked dashing in their uniforms. William wore a scarlet uniform and blue sash while Harry was dressed predominantly in navy with gold piping. The Queen looked lovely in a primrose yellow outfit.

Both she and the bride’s mother wore morning coats over dresses and it is believed that the coats will be removed once inside the palace for the reception. Carole Middleton paid a tribute to Princess Diana by wearing a Catherine Walker creation which was touching as Catherine Walker has been one of the late Princess Diana’s designers.

Victoria Beckham wore a navy dress from her own collection which camouflaged her pregnancy. Phillip Treacy designed many of the hats and fascinators worn including those worn by Victoria Beckham and the Duchess of Cornwall. Wife of the Prime Minister Samantha Cameron rounded off the notables who wore British labels, by wearing a sea-green Burberry dress and jewelled hairband.

Trends:

Many of the women wore nude coloured shoes to balance off their dramatic hats and outfits which were in vivid colours. This also had the effect of elongating their legs – examples are the Duchess of Cornwall, Carole Middleton and the Queen.

Most female guests wore chic ensembles which were on the knee or slightly below the knee. Where hats were worn, they were firmly anchored, yet in most cases did not obstruct the view of the wearer's face.

The most notable trend was the wearing of the fascinators which in most cases were anchored from the centre of the wearer’s head and not on the side. Examples include Victoria Beckham, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Tamara Palmer Tomkinson.

The men all looked elegant in morning coats, with medals being displayed if the wearer had merited such an honour on a previous occasion.

To get a feel as to the crowds and the experience on the streets of London- check out my Royal Wedding Album on Trinidad Weddings: https://picasaweb.google.com/talk2lini/WilliamCatherineSWedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCKnVloL5nO2NUw&feat=email#

Grab that Clutch!

To clutch or not to clutch – that… my girls is the question! After all, do you really need a hand bag on your wedding day? Or will your maid of honour take all and sundry for you? (since you’d rather be holding your champagne glass for the night!)

On the other hand, “pro-clutchers” will be thinking that they should definitely take their glam look full throttle and pose the day away holding that fab clutch. I think I tend to agree with the latter, especially if you’re a fearless bride who is opting to wear colour on her dress, with her jewellery or add a pop of it with a cute pair of coloured pumps or hair accessory.

The trends I’ve seen in bridal clutches and handbags are largely frame bags (i.e. those with the metal frame that clasps shut at the top) and minaudieres (hard-cased bags that are usually embellished or in a luxurious fabric. These are held by the hand or can be used with a chain or strap that’s attached inside).

In terms of the styling of the bags, I’ve mostly seen:

• Graphically printed bags – with motifs such as: cherry blossom, peonies, roses, ferns, peacock feathers, orchids and dandelions.

• Metallic bags

• Bags featuring sparkling details such as crystals, pearls and jeweled accents

• Ruffles and three-dimensional, hand-made flowers on bags

• Bags in neutral or nude shades.

Last night I flew in from New York on the heels of Bridal Market Week 2011. At the Wedding Channel’s Couture Show in Manhattan, I saw some amazing handbags by famous Hungarian-born handbag designer, Judith Leiber.

Her bags are just the sort of decadent arm candy coveted by the likes of celebrities such as: Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Keri Hilson, and Kelly Osbourne; and were a familiar sight on the red carpets of the 2011 Grammy and Academy Awards.

And…if you can cast your mind back, Leiber’s pink cupcake minaudiere was famously worn by “Carrie” in the Sex and the City movie. Have a look at the slideshow above to see some of what I saw of her bridal collection!

The importance of co-operation between your photographer & videographer

The “flow” of a wedding or any event for that matter, is oftentimes a critical cue as to the behind-the-scenes planning of the event.

Many weddings are “perfectly imperfect,” – meaning that on the surface, you can be assured that as seamless as they appear to wedding guests; there were carefully camouflaged problems and damage controls which were masterfully orchestrated, by wedding professionals behind the scenes.

This, of course, largely depends on the synergy of the wedding vendors you have chosen. Should wedding vendors have varying skill and experience levels, it may then be more challenging to get them all to work like a well-oiled wedding machine!

Photographers always seem to complain that videographers are in their shots and likewise, videographers dislike photographers being in their camera angles as well! In certain unfortunate circumstances, what can happen is, the photographer ends up being caught repeatedly on video and the videographer or his/her equipment happens to get captured somewhere in the background of photos. This gets in the way of what both types of vendors need to accomplish for you on your wedding day.

A few examples on how to circumvent this is, perhaps when the bride walks up the aisle, the videographer and photographer if possible, could stand on opposite sides to ensure that they will not be in each other’s shots. Similarly, when the cake is being cut, the photographer and videographer could be on opposite sides to achieve different angles.

Photographers and videographers also have to share resources, for example, they may have to co-ordinate lighting, electrical outlets and equipment storage as well. They may even have to share table or set-up space where they can rest their equipment

It is critical that your photographer and your videographer are compatible with each other. It is also a huge bonus if they have enjoyed working together on previous weddings – be sure to ask!

Some photographers are not used to having to coordinate with a videographer but a skilled one will know this firsthand!

Find wedding photographers & videographers in Trinidad & Tobago right here at this link: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/SupplierListing/tabid/57/ctl/ViewCategory/mid/520/Category/34/Default.aspx
More interesting articles at : http://www.trinidadweddings.com

Wedding Ideas and Trends – in 2011 issue of Trinidad Weddings’ Bridal Magazine

The launch of the 2011 issue of the Collector’s Edition Wedding Magazine, published by our website, www.trinidadweddings.com will happen at Booth D, The Wonderful Wedding Show, during March 26th and 27, 2011 at Movietowne’s Banquet & Conference Centre, Trinidad.

It will be sold at an introductory price of TT$35.00 and from April 2011, will be sold online on the www.trinidadweddings.com website (through safe & secure credit card purchase!). This year, with our 2nd magazine, we’ve shared the creative ideas we’ve seen out and about at weddings and unveiled local resources and vendors, to help Caribbean brides with their wedding planning.

We also wanted to recognize our readers from around the world and bring different cultures together! That’s why, in this issue, you can see what it would be like to have an exotic wedding in Thailand through the eyes of a gorgeous Trini bride who wed there.

You can even explore the rich history and beautiful details of Chinese weddings in Trinidad and Tobago and get inspired by a couple who had an all-out “Trini-styled” wedding extravaganza, with local touches everywhere!


And, we’ve got the scoop on bridal beauty, fitness and fashion secrets from some of Trinidad & Tobago’s renowned beauties and celebrities!


Like the 2010 issue, this 2011 magazine is infused with top-quality “Trini” content and images, wrapped up with international flair. Through our magazine, we not only wanted to portray the very best of what we have in our local wedding industry but our mission is to be the “go-to-source” for reporting on the latest happenings in the Caribbean and international bridal scene as well. This is why, I’ve done a bit of globe-trotting this past year, in order to give our readers a review of “The International Paris Bridal Fair,” so they can glimpse French bridal glamour at its best.


The magazine is a Collector’s item - a Limited Edition, so there are only limited copies in print. After the launch, magazines will be available at leading retailers, bookshops and pharmacies in Trinidad and Tobago, such as RIK, Superpharm, Kappa Drugs and more.


Go to our website: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/
Facebook Group: Search for “TW Wed-Zine” Fan page
Twitter: Follow my tweets at: www.twitter.com/simone_TW
Advertising enquiries for the magazine’s 2012 issue: ezine@trinidadweddings.com

Common guest list questions

Most newlywed couples will readily agree that the issue that sparked the most controversy during their wedding planning was the guest list. Usually guest lists are split three ways, with both sets of parents and the couple getting a share of invitees.

However, it is the general rule that whoever is hosting the wedding (the couple or their parents, both the couple and their parents, or another relative) determines the number of guests that can comfortably be afforded. Considerate hosts will try to allocate an equitable share of the guest list to both the bride and the groom.

The final guest list should represent a balanced view of meaningful people from the couple’s lives.

Here are the most common questions I get asked at www.trinidadweddings.com:

Q. How can I cut down the guest list?

A.

• Have a destination wedding

• Have an adult-only reception

• Don’t invite co-workers, every single neighbour or distant relatives

Q. Do I have to invite my boss?

A. You are not obligated to invite anyone to your wedding, your boss included! If you have a good relationship with your boss or if you work for a small firm, it would be a lovely gesture to invite him/her. However, if you think your boss may feel like an outsider amongst your relatives and close friends or if you work in a very large corporation, it may be a better choice to omit the boss from your list.

Q. Is it a must that single friends must be invited with a date?

A. Single friends do not necessarily have to be invited with a date, especially if you have budgetary limitations. This decision is entirely up to whoever is hosting the wedding. However, the host may want to consider inviting a date for a friend who is in a long-term relationship or engaged.

Q. Can I invite my ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend to my wedding?

A. This is a decision a couple should make. If you and your ex have remained friends and your fiancé(e) does not mind, by all means do so. If however, this decision makes either of you uncomfortable, it is best to stay away from inviting the exes and avoid awkward moments on your special day!

Q. What should I do when guests don’t RSVP?

A. RSVP stands for “Repondez S'il Vous Plait” which is French for “Please reply”. The reality is that despite providing RSVP information on your invitation, a large majority of your guests may never confirm their attendance. If by a certain date you have not heard from a guest, by all means, call and ensure they will be attending. If you fail to do this, you may run short of food and seats!

Prepping for your makeup trial

The DIY (do-it-yourself) trend in weddings has no doubt made a huge impact on how brides are now approaching their weddings. However, one thing that should definitely be LTDI (Let Them Do It!) is your wedding make up.


Bridal makeup is very different from every day make-up. Unless you have taken a makeup course and are very seasoned at application, you will not be able to achieve flawless foundation, the expert contouring of your cheeks and jawline or get that perfect highlight above your cheekbones, like a professional make-up artist would. Neither would you know all the tips for getting your makeup to last throughout the day; therefore, having a trial make-up session is something that’s usually recommended for most brides.


Ideally, your trial should take place at least 8 weeks before your wedding. There will be a fee for the trial, so be sure to enquire about this in advance.


If you like, you can also do your hair style trial on the same day but be sure to have it done before you have your makeup done. One of the reasons for this, is to prevent the heat of hair styling tools from affecting your makeup and its application.


On your wedding day itself, most make-up artists will apply make up to the bridesmaids' and mother of the bride first and save the bride’s makeup for last.


Here are some tips before you head off for your make up trial:


1. Carry magazine photos of brides in make-up that you like. This way, the make up artist will get an immediate idea of whether you lean towards a more natural look or whether you are open to being a bit more dramatic with your make-up


2. Walk with a picture of your dress to show your makeup artist. This will also give her added inspiration to create your look.

3. If you wear contact lens, be sure to put them on before too, so that you can gauge whether any eye shadows, eye liners or mascaras will affect them.


4. Get your eyebrows waxed a few days in advance of your trial.


5. Wear a buttoned up blouse or a shirt, so that if you have to change your clothing post-application, it will not ruin your hair and makeup.


6. You should go to your trial bare-faced, that is, with no makeup at all.


7. Observe whether the make-up artist’s tools and equipment are sanitized and well-organised.


8. If you don’t like how the make-up artist has applied your make up, be sure to tell him/her. After all, this is the purpose of the trial!

Do you have any tips? Share them with the TW Blog readers by posting a comment!

Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/

The Be-jewelled Bride

From classic to the dramatic! Tastes in bridal jewellery span a wide spectrum of choices. Some brides feel it may be better to be demure and understated with their jewellery choices, others feel quite the opposite.

These are the brides that won’t shy away from “glam-ing” it up with a statement necklace, a bold pair of earrings, a glamourous cocktail ring or a show-stopping bracelet. Ideally, your jewellery should accentuate your best features like your eyes, cheekbones, décolletage, neck and hair.


The only word of caution is to be careful not to over-accessorise, so that your natural beauty and gown can bask in the limelight and not your baubles and bangles!


Here are some tips when choosing your bridal jewellery:


1. Use the embellishments on your dress as the starting point – for example, if your gown is adorned with crystals, pearls, silver or gold embroidery; your jewellery could reflect those accents.


2. Know what metal types will complement your dress – Some fashion experts recommend that brides who wear “bright white” gowns should stay away from gold wedding jewellery and should choose platinum, silver hues or pearls instead. They also claim that off-white gowns match well with gold or silver wedding jewellery, as well as rose-gold. Gowns in shades of ivory tend to look best with gold jewellery.


3. Match your jewellery with your personality – If you’re a traditional or classic bride, jewellery encrusted with pearls, crystals, diamonds and cubic zirconia are all excellent choices. If you veer more to the unconventional, you can try Marcasite jewellery, coloured gemstones, or pearls in shades of blue-grey, black, cocoa, pink, peach or lavender. If you love medieval-inspired looks, you can even try “browbands” which are romantic and worn across the forehead, reminiscent of medieval princesses.


4. Match your necklace to the neck-line of your dress – V-neck dresses lend themselves well to Y-drop necklaces, lariat-style necklaces or necklaces with a drop pendant. Halter dresses do not necessarily have to have a necklace but brides can opt for elegant earrings and a bracelet instead. Sweet-heart necklines can follow the same rule as for halter dresses or a choker or pendant necklace can be worn.

Asymmetric or cold-shoulder necklines usually do not require a necklace either, since this can sometimes be distracting and take away from the cut of the gown. Round necklines tend to go well with round necklaces or chokers.


5. Selecting your headpiece – if your gown is very ornate, it may be best to go with an understated headpiece; however, if your dress is simple, you can use a more eye-catching headpiece such as a jewelled or beaded tiara or even a jewelled bun-wrap.

Return to: http://www.trinidadweddings.com