We have a few tips to ensure the guests aren’t wondering why you look like you’ve just been for a swim in the lake during your photo op.

Be Careful With Your Dress Choice

Maybe you have your heart set on a big, gorgeous, heavy, boned ballgown. If so, and your mind won’t be budged, then it might be wise to consider switching up the date of your wedding to some time when it will be a little cooler.

If you haven’t decided yet, then make sure to think about your dress as it pertains to the possible weather situation. While you probably won’t be that keen on a short wedding dress, you can make choices with what fabrics are used (cotton, rayon, silk, and Georgette work), as well as lining and extra styling details. A cooling illusion netting fabric might be a great way to work in the air, like with the Provonias Eco dress. Flashing the flesh elegantly isn’t as hard as you may think.

And Your Shoe Choice

If you’re prone to getting hot, then make sure you go with a strappy number instead of a cute Mary Jane. You should also make sure that you wear in your wedding shoes a little before the show. You certainly don’t want blisters on your big day. Pop in a pair of trusty favourites in your go-to bag for any emergencies on the day.

Extra Strength Deo

There are now extra strength deodorants available that you can use to help keep you from sweating so much. You don’t need to keep it just for use under the arms, either. Pop some in other spots you may get sweaty – the back, or neckline.

You can also ask you doctor about recommended prescription products should you wish.

Botox

Yup, while plenty of brides go the Botox route before the wedding on their face, other sneaky brides are using it to keep the sweat away. You can use Botox or similar under your arms, on your hands, on your feet and more. If your hubby to be is a bit of a sweater as well, you could even go in together for a session. Hey, the couple that Botoxes together stays together.

Makeup Choice

It’s all well and good to have an outstanding makeup artist on hand, but what products is she or he using on your face? A heavy face of makeup and various products will make you sweat and potentially get greasier, too. There are various primers that are specifically for greasy skin you can buy and test out, then use as your base. The same goes with moisturizers, foundations, and even your fake lashes! Do your research, purchase some products and try them out. Because you don’t just have to look babein, you also need to make sure your face doesn’t look like a dripping tap. Instead of tissues, little microfiber clothes might be better in a mop-up pinch.

Hand Held Fans

No, I’m not talking about those ugly little electric ones. Think large, glam hand fans for you and your bridesmaids, that have been tailored to your wedding theme and colors. You can even make smaller versions of them as wedding favors for your guests as something that’s both practical and they will keep and use at home.

Venue Choice

When choosing your venues for the day, make sure they are air conditioned. There is nothing worse than having 100+ people in a stifling room or church. Many old churches have been refurbished to include air conditioning but it’s important to check in advance.

Going for a quirky reception venue might be a good idea in theory, but if it hasn’t been explicitly designed with cooling in mind you might find you and your guests burning up more than just the dance floor.

A Reception Dress

Plenty of brides these days are going down the route of having the beautiful ballgown for their ceremonies, then changing into something fun and cool with movement for their reception. Not only does this this ensure you can keep cool while mingling and dancing, it means that you get to have two dresses for your wedding. I mean, seriously. Who doesn’t want two dresses? I think 6 would be a good number. One dress for waking up in, one dress for getting ready in, one for the ceremony, one for the reception, one for the after party, and then one for the bedroom afterwards!

Read More:

Wedding Dresses For The Older Bride

Hot-Button Wedding Topics And How to Handle Them

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These are usually some of the best love stories and with that comes the decision on what type of dress to wear that will suit your age, body type and personality, because ultimately you are only as young as you feel. So don’t let society completely dictate what to wear on your big day, as long as you feel beautiful and you’re marrying the man of your dreams, nothing else matters.

Here are a few gorgeous gowns to consider when you’re deciding on what to wear for your big day:

Pronovias – Edet

If you have a bohemian soul this dress is for you. The evase skirt and natural waist are made of lace and petit poir tulle, then decorated with guipure appliques. The neckline is sprinkled with jewels from the front to the back. Beautiful floral motifs pepper the gown adding a touch of romanticism. The French sleeves have ruffles which complete this boho dress.

Sottero & Midgley Melrose

Elegant and simple this dress has beautiful moder lace appliques that give the illusion of long sleeves, a fitted bodice with a scalloped hemline and crosshatch tulle, that flows over the fit and flare silhouette. The neckline is an illusion sweetheart, that has a double keyhole at the back with a gorgeous train that adds a touch of drama.

Maggie Sottero – Piper

Simplistic in design this gown is charm and grace personified. The sheath silhouette form is enhanced with lace and a beautiful V-neckline. Detailed illusion straps top of the dress as does the illusion back that is accented with lace motifs.

Perfect for a beach or lake wedding.

Pronovias – Drum

This gorgeous dress has a detachable ballgown skirt that can be used later in the evening. The mermaid style Chantilly dress that hides underneath has a floral overlay that is beautifully embroidered. A sweetheart neckline with illusion floral applique and gemstones finish off the neckline.

Maggie Sottero – Serenica

If you don’t want to get married in white then perhaps blush is an option? The Serenica gown is the absolute favourite on this list and it’s easy to see why. The colour is gorgeous and will bring a new meaning to the blushing bride.

It is grace and femininity personified, and you can wear it down the aisle. The dress is a mermaid style with a sweetheart neckline and bodice that hugs the figure right up until just above the knee. Swarovski crystals adorn the dress that links to the Opal organza and tulle skirt. The skirt ruffles out into many beautiful layers that creates a very dramatic yet romantic look.

These are only but a few options from what is out there. There’s no need to feel you should choose something just because it wasn’t made with the unconventional bride in mind.

Most dresses might be aimed at the younger bride with the waif-like body, but to be completely honest that’s not what the majority of brides look like. If you want a yellow wedding gown with a gigantic bow, do it. Do it for you. As long as you feel like you’ve stayed true to yourself and you feel comfortable in the dress you can’t go wrong. We don’t, however, know what the groom will think of a yellow bridal wedding dress, but you know him better than anyone else.

We hope you find the perfect dress for your big day, and if all else fails ask the opinion of a child, they sometimes have a way of telling the truth exactly how we need to hear it.

Read More:

Hot-Button Wedding Topics And How to Handle Them

How to Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Choice: The Wedding Dress Edition

The post Wedding Dresses For The Older Bride appeared first on Expert Zine.

Bridal Secrets has dealt with thousands of bridal pairings, and in addition to giving you the most amazing dress, we want you to have the wedding of both your dreams. Yes, both, because as much as people say it’s the bride’s day, the groom is kind of invested too. Let’s look at some of the things couples fight about on their path down the aisle, and how to resolve them without ruining your wedding memories.

What is With That Dress?

Nobody really wants to think about the d-word during a wedding, unless the d-word is dress, in which case everyone wants to think about it. Many grooms are puzzled that their wife-to-be wants to spend thousands of dollars on a dress she will only bridal wear once. Worse, she may want multiple dresses for the same ceremony! In these cases, it’s best to give in and let the bride decide. After all, that slinky Aire Barcelona Balsamo could be the difference between your marriage lasting twenty years or twenty minutes.

Still, the budget can be a problem, so you could decide beforehand that the bride should buy her own dress. If she’s paying for it herself (or if her family and friends are funding her dress), then her groom is more likely to be gracious. Her dress, her choice. Sometimes, an overzealous or overly-doting groom may offer to pay for the dress, which means he will choose the dress budget. That rarely ends well, so if he wants to fork out his credit card, he needs to pick a different area of the budget. Same goes for the wedding cake.

Case of The Ex

Some of us want to throw our exes off the tallest cliff we can find, while others get along with them fairly well. Plus, with the world getting smaller and smaller, it’s likely that your ex is still within your circle of friends – or worse, your prospective spouse’s. Some couples believe in leaving the past in the past, so they don’t discuss previous relationships. Others want to bare it all, just so a hot ex doesn’t make a surprise appearance at a family function.

The issue can become thornier if there are children involved, because you can’t avoid interacting with your step-child’s biological parent. Sometimes, this can extend to child’s aunts, uncles, and grandparents. You don’t want the tensions erupting at the wedding, so you have to hash them out early enough. You could consider pre-marital counselling to specifically deal with the issue of exes. A simpler approach – at least in theory – is to reverse roles. Would you be okay with their ex doing what your ex is doing? Think about it …

Stag And Hen Nights

Your last night as a single should ideally be fun, wild, exciting, and without regrets, that generally means booze, strippers, and questionable decisions. First off, no matter how much you party, ensure you can make it to your wedding the next day. So, if your best man or maid of honour is a party animal, designate a more conservative chaperone to drag you to your wedding venue in a presentable state.

Secondly, just like the ex, your response to bachelor/ette parties will depend on your relationship and your trust levels. You might decide to turn a blind eye, knowing it will be last time they do whatever-they-intend-to-do. Or you could set ground rules. If you demand that there be no strippers, it’s unlikely to be followed, but you could ask your fiancé/e to look but not touch, or you could ask them to draw the line at sexual contact.

The Question of In-laws

How much of a say will (female) in-laws have in your wedding celebration? Usually, the leeway your mum and sisters get in your wedding could set the tone for how much they can interfere with your marriage, so set the tone early. You should also discuss living arrangements. If your college-age cousin or tween niece practically had keys to your bachelor/ette pad, they may not realise things have changed unless you say so explicitly.

This is something important to discuss before you carry or are carried across the threshold. It’s easier to evict a blood-related tenant before they’ve spent a month on your sofa bed, so talk this over well in advance of the honeymoon and make sure your house-sitter actually plans to leave when you get back. In fact, the second you propose, unless your spouse enjoys live-in company, start making alternate living arrangements for your related room-mates.

Read More:

How to Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Choice: The Wedding Dress Edition

My Favorite Fit and Flare Wedding Dress Options

The post Hot-Button Wedding Topics And How to Handle Them appeared first on Expert Zine.

Today we take a look at the best ways to avoid decision paralysis when picking out your wedding dress. It’s quite common among brides, but we know some of the secrets to making it easier.

Start Thinking About Your Dress Straight After The Engagement

Even if you haven’t even thought about a wedding date yet, the earlier that you start thinking about your dress the better. At this early stage of the game, you’ll want to start with asking yourself quite broad questions. These can be questions like:

• Which dress silhouettes most compliment my body?
• Am I more a modern bride or a traditional bride?
• Do I like streamlined or floaty shapes?
• Am I more boho or chic?

These sort of questions can give you a rough outline for what you might like to consider in a wedding dress.

Get on Pinterest

Pinterest is how so much wedding planning happens these days, and is a great resource for helping you with ideas about your wedding gown. Search for keywords (e.g. ethereal, classic) and add “wedding dresses” or “wedding gowns” to your search query. You’ll find boards of other brides and brides to be who have pinned their favourite dresses. If you come across a dress you like, then go ahead and add it to your own wedding dresses board.

Pinterest can also be used for other visual aspects of your wedding, too. Simply set up a board (e.g. floral arrangements, bridesmaid dresses,  place holders, etc.) and start pinning.

Research Local Wedding Boutiques

Unless you’re getting a custom gown made, you’ll likely find your dress in one of the many bridal boutiques around. Each stocks different designers, so it is good to get a feel for the designer’s style before you step foot in store – otherwise you may be wasting your time. You can usually find the list of designers stocked in store on the shop’s website. Every boutique where you like the designers, jot the name down on a list. This will be the stores that you end up visiting.

Bring Friends And Family Along

Getting a second, third, fourth opinion on a dress is a really good idea. Although it’ll always be up to you, having friends or family about (where you trust their style opinions) while you’re trying on dresses in a boutique can make your decisions easier. For instance, if a dress you think is quite nice but you’re not sure is “the one” (the other ones were so cute too and now you may be suffering from decision paralysis…) makes your friends and/or family overwhelmed with positive emotion, then it could maybe be the one. Likewise if you’re not sure if a dress is really flattering you, your trusted advisors might tell you “I think the other one looked better”.

Take Time Out

If you’re worn out dress shopping and think you might be suffering from decision paralysis, a good idea is to take a little break from it all. Just a week or two weeks off the hunt can make you come back with a fresh pair of eyes. If you have dresses in a few boutiques that you weren’t sure about, then go and give them a revisit. On the second viewing around you might just find it absolutely stunning.

While it can be stressful, time consuming, and tiring, you will get there in the end – don’t give up. Take heart in the knowledge that many have walked in your shoes. Many women take months and months to decide on the perfect dress for their wedding. Enlisting a stylist is a great last minute option if you end up running out of time too – this is their job. Your dream dress is probably just around the corner waiting for you.

More Articles:

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Dress And Bridal Accessories

Designing a Wedding Fit for a Royal

The post How to Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Choice: The Wedding Dress Edition appeared first on Expert Zine.

Planning a wedding isn’t easy, and it’s not simple, but reach out – you will get a lot of support from friends and family, the one decision that is really yours, and yours alone, is your choice of wedding dress. Choosing the dress can be difficult, you are faced with a lot of choices – dress colours, materials, long or short…on top of all of that, you will need to consider your choice of bridal accessories. Getting a second opinion from family and friends is helpful.

The location of your wedding and the time of the year are other deciding factors when choosing a wedding dress. In summer, you should opt for a lighter fabric – you don’t want to be passing out from the heat, and in winter, you may opt to choose a heavier fabric and even a jacket to keep you warm.

Other bridal accessories include a wedding stole or wrap. They are a great idea to keep your shoulders warm, should the night turn a little chilly and it’s also a practical accessory that will still have you looking glamorous. Of course, if you are marrying in summer you won’t need them, but for tween-season weather or during winter you will find them perfect to keep you warm. For the summer bride, you should also consider a bridal umbrella or parasol.

If you are getting married on the beach, then chose a dress that is shorter, while a traditional church wedding allows you to wear anything you like, from an elegant form fitting dress to a ball gown dress like the stunningly beautiful Pronovias Areta ball gown, strapless, with lace and organza and sweetheart neckline. If you are marrying in a garden or registry office, you may prefer a more modest dress – perhaps even opting for a bridesmaid style dress. It’s your big day – you choose the dress you love.

Your style of wedding dress and bridal accessories will help you set your theme for the wedding. Remember you will be wearing that dress for hours, you will have to get in and out of cars, perhaps walk up and down steps, sit and dance in your dress. The colour of your dress is another element that will contribute to the theme and style of your wedding. Once you have decided on the colour of your wedding dress, think of a complimentary colour for your bridesmaids and flower girls, make sure they too are comfortable with your choice.

Your shoes are another wedding accessory, you’ll be on your feet for a good part of the day, so it’s important to be comfortable. Finally, bridal accessories complete the look, with a veil, gloves, tiara, lingerie and jewellery – Crystal drop earrings, a Swarovski bridal headpiece or a long crystal floral hair piece.

There is a lot to think about when choosing your wedding dress and wedding accessories. Remember to set a budget and try and stick to it. Have fun and keep your surprises away from your husband-to-be until the day.

Our top ten tips in a nutshell:

1. Think about the season and pick your colour accordingly.
2. Think about your wedding accessories – have a bridal stole, cloak or wrap, bridal parasol or umbrellas on standby just in case the weather changes.
3. Consider the location of your venue – a shorter dress for a beach wedding and traditional gown and train for a church wedding.
4. Choose the right fabric for the right time of the year.
5. See how different colours and fabrics look against your skin.
6. Get support from friends as to what style of dress suits you best.
7. Make sure your bridal party are all comfortable with your choice of dresses for them
8. Organise a budget and try and stick to it.
9. Keep the surprise from your husband to be until the day.
10. HAVE FUN!

This content is provided by Bridal Secrets. Bridal Secrets is a well known wedding dress provide in Sydney. They also provides Bridesmaid dresses as well as other bridal accessories.

Read Also:

• Designing A Wedding Fit for A Royal
• 5 Beautiful Places in Sydney to Get Married

The post Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Dress And Bridal Accessories appeared first on Expert Zine.

Now that you’ve had your quintessential Prince Charming pop the question, you have to start pulling together all the different elements to create a wedding that’s fit for your inner princess.

For many brides, getting started can be difficult – there are just so many options!

If you have your heart set on a wedding and reception with the royal treatment, then here is how you can start.

Elegance is everything

Among the most memorable aspects of your special day is your gown, so don’t allow yourself to be tempted by poor tailoring or of-the-minute trends. Poor tailoring can show up in your photography and can make you look and feel awkward at a time you should be enjoying.

This stunning Mori Lee 5476 dress is a pinnacle of design with crystal embellishments on the bodice and a full, elegant skirt. Offering a clean, crisp line, Mori Lee dresses, like the 5476, are beautifully tailored for ultimate style without compromising comfort. This particular dress is understated without compromising on quality, and should be high on the list if you’re looking for a gown fit for a queen.

Less is always more

When it comes to theme colours, designs and features, less is always more for a tasteful, classy wedding.

Not only does this make it easier to manage your planning, it creates harmony, enhances the ambience and can help you better manage your budget without spending money on additional knick-knacks.

For instance, white pillar candles, small arrangements of your bouquet-style flowers and simple calligraphy on place cards and seating charts can make all the difference.

Shy away from gimmicky, gaudy or overly bright colours

One of the trademarks of a gorgeous event is understated and restrained colours. Some of our favourite events have seen brides and planners stick to a small range of natural shades to create impact:

• Gold and cream
• Blush, warm pink and crisp white
• Black and off-white
• Apricot, white and gold
• Taupe and white
• Caramel, gold and pearl
• Dove grey, black and white
• Pearl and white

Know where to invest in your budget

Few brides get free reign to spend whatever they want on a wedding and reception, so nominating your must-haves will make it easier to control your budget and create the event of your dream.

If photography is the most important aspect, then look to what you can afford and see if you can get a photographer to work with you to create your ideal images.

If ambience is most important, then when you review venues see if the staff and managers can cater toward your special needs with menus, personalised cocktails, linens, lighting and decorations.

Choose what makes you happy

The best weddings are ones where the brides get to enjoy everything they want. While the above points offer ideas and suggestions, what it comes down to is that you and your husband-to-be have a great time sharing one of the most special times in your lifetime.

If you would like more information on choosing the ultimate gown that’s fit for a royal occasion, please contact our friendly team on 02 9635 3311 or visit www.bridalsecrets.com.au

The post Designing a Wedding Fit for a Royal appeared first on Expert Zine.

Sydney is known as a city of beaches. This city has lot of places which are perfect for wedding venues. Here are top 5 places which are perfect for wedding venues. Check out our list below:

Curzon Hall

53 Agincourt Road, Marsfield, NSW 2122

If romance and luxury is your style, the lavish Curzon Hall is all that and more. This stunning venue offers various breathtaking rooms to hold your reception in, as well as stunning gardens and gazebos to share your first kiss as husband and wife.

Larger weddings can make use of the majestic Banquet Room. The soaring ceilings and ornately decorated walls of this renovated chapel, create a sense of grandeur and elegance. It’s no wonder this room has been used for filming television series like Australia’s Next Top Model.

For a more intimate affair, The Agincourt Room offers wrap around terraces and chandeliers, there is still enough room for a dance floor for you and your new husband to dance the night away in.

Curzon hall is so enchanting, you will feel as though you have stepped into another world where Happily Every After is real and every detail of your fairytale is taken care of by the experienced event team.

QVB Tea Room

455 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

High above the centre of Sydney’s bustling CBD is an elegant haven that captures a royal spirit, worthy of her royal highness. As you step foot into the grand ballroom, it’s easy to imagine Marie Antoinette draped over one of the French provincial couches as she laps up the pure indulgence of this special space.

Baccarat crystal chandeliers sparkle and the gilded ceilings make you feel as though you have stepped back in time when Victorian architecture was the height of sophistication. This is truly a timeless fixture amongst Sydney’s best venues and once you step inside, you will realise why so many couples have celebrated their love union here.

Charming surroundings can be tailored to your style, from avant-garde to majestic or a whimsical fantasy, the staff at the Tea Room can design the bespoke wedding of your dreams.

Taronga Centre

Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman NSW 2088

For a wedding with a distinctive flavour and arguably one of the best views in Sydney (and Australia), you can’t go past Taronga Zoo! Say your vows with the stunning Sydney Harbour as your backdrop and then make your way to any of the several chic venues that The Taronga Centre has to offer. The grounds offer outdoor venues surrounded by elegant gardens and for larger weddings, the grand room with uninterrupted, 180 degree views of the harbour is perfect. It’s no surprise that this out of the box venue was named one of Australia’s top three wedding locations by Vogue Bride Magazine. The newlywed’s can take advantage of the zoo’s resident animals for photo opportunities and make them a part of the special day or just enjoy the modern, 5 star location. With a clean and fresh palette, the blank canvas is yours to make your own.

The Sydney Opera House

Bennelong Point , Sydney NSW 2000

For the Wow of all Wow factors, holding your wedding in the most iconic building in Sydney is an amazing place to say “I Do”. Nothing but the best will be part of your special day at this world class venue.

With exclusive catering from the restaurant Aria, awarded two chef hats, and full access to the most beautiful garden in the city, the Botanical gardens, your wedding memories will be hard to forget.

This extravagant venue offers several rooms, from large grand halls worthy of royalty to intimate gathering spaces, where your guests can indulge in that true black tie feeling. Dancing under the sails of the opera house, surrounded by the moonlight of Sydney harbour is the most opulent way to celebrate the start of your married life and announce to the whole of Sydney that you have just married “The One”.

Bristol Arms Rooftop Bar

81 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000

On the top floor of this urban pub, you will find a beachy Hamptons style venue that is ideal for a summer wedding. The modern white surroundings take casual chic to a new level and you can make use of the vibrant, fun style that this venue is known for. The outdoor terrace is the perfect place for your guests to watch the sun set over the city skyline view, with a cocktail in hand of course.

Start your married life in style with the surrounding white picket fence and bright coloured cane furniture. This is one place that a laid back couple can host the perfect hip wedding.

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