Wedding Trends: Veils

Hello again! Moving back to fashion, I've decided to talk about veils. As the saying goes, the bride is the focus of the wedding, therefore, each element that comprises the beauty of the bride on her special day is important. One of the most notable accessories that the bride wears is the veil. In most recent years, the veil has gone to the wayside in place of a tiara, head wreath, headband or nothing altogether. As classic elegance reemerges though, the veil overwhelming does as well. Don't expect the see a run of the mill sheer lace sheet draped around the bride to her waist, though. Vintage is coming back in way of lace and exceptional style.

The most trending veil now is the birdcage. It's worn in 2 main styles known as the blusher and the Russian or fishnet. Taken straight out of the 1940's, the birdcage is definitive classic style. The birdcage acknowledges the tradition of the veil but has the flair only found in the first half of the 20th century. The blusher serves as a veil more than the Russian. It's covers the bride's face, but to varying lengths. It reaches usually to the nose or chin.

As more women are opting for more originality though, the Russian is used more and more. Brides are opting to wear a veil more as a hair accessory than a garment. This means shortening the length and the angle and the overall purpose of it. The Russian is worn at an angle and covers usually only the eyes, forehead or sometimes only the hair. This style is also derived from the early 1900's. The fad for a vintage yet trendy bride would most likely be to wear a Russian veil angled to cover her forehead and one eye. This trend pays homage to classic traditions while being original in doing so.

It's obvious that I do love the birdcage look, but that doesn't count me out for liking other veils as well. The main difference between remaining veils is their length, except one type, which happens to also be becoming increasingly popular. This is the Mantilla veil. What this veil boasts all others is intricate lacy design, which falls into the return of classic elegance. Mantilla veils can come in any length, but are now usually worn to the waist, or shoulders. They also come with decorations hemming the edges of the veil or covering the entire veil. It's derived from Spanish/Mexican weddings, but the intricate lace beauty is actually very elegant simplicity from another era.

Vintage is the ruling force over veil trends right now and I couldn't love it more. The trend is to look to traditions and fashion since forgotten and for new originality and a clue in on true traditions, and as I said, I couldn't love it more.

Wedding Trends: Bouquet Decorations

Now we move onto a truly pretty element of the wedding: the bouquet. Today I'll only be talking about the bouquet decoration. As weddings become more original and couples take more charge with their own DIY touches, each detail of the wedding is becoming more ornate and thought out. Proof of this is that bouquets themselves have decorations now. They can span from simple white satin ribbon enveloping the flower stems or more intricate designs including feathers, pearls or photographs. Designs are differing greatly as originality and uniqueness abound. No matter what though, the overall trend is a return to classic elegance and intricate, yet simple designs. It's a rejection of clean cut modernism and a new emergence of old-fashioned simplicity and delicate beauty.

One piece finding its way into the majority of bouquet adornments is jewelry. This is a wide field, but because it is a classy occasion, usually only high-end and sentimental jewelry is used. A classic item now being repurposed for the bouquet are pearls. They make for a beautiful decoration that match any color and most designs. Obviously, it would be hard to pull them off with fabric such as linen, but anything is doable if you use some ingenuity and true design expertise.

Another classic and sentimental element returning is the brooch. I think I love this adornment the most, because it can work on any color and on minimal or ornate designs. It's also an old-fashioned touch that never goes out of style and a perfect way to add your 'something old'.

A new way of incorporating jewelry into bouquets is to simply tie a small bracelet around the bouquet. It can be gorgeous if done well. Bracelets with hearts dangling from it around your bouquet will only add to the sweetness of the day and the simple elegance of the ceremony.

As originality increase, so does the use of new decorations. One design beginning to become popular is the use of feathers. This is a new and truly unique bouquet design, and actually has quite and old-fashioned feel. It beckons the feel of the days when boas and feather headbands were popular in the 1920's. For a very classic elegant feel, this is a great option.

Lastly, no matter what the theme of your wedding is, be sure to include the season into your motif. If you incorporate your bouquet in this, use elements specific to the season (and possibly the location). For spring, use flowers that are in bloom. For summer, a homey, unique option is to use small amounts of wheat. For fall, use leaves changing colors or dark berries. And for winter, consider using pine branches, ornaments, or ivy. The season doesn't need to rule wedding motifs, but it shows consideration for your date and location to use elements of both.

As I said above, bouquet designs are increasing in originality all the time. One thing that I've realized above all is that regardless of motif or wedding colors, white always wins. The majority of bouquets that I see involve white lace, ribbon or other fabric. I love seeing new ideas, but also homage to traditions. This may be due to the return of old-fashionedness, but above all, for bouquets, the trend is white in some way. A truly imaginative bouquet would be to find a new way to include the traditional white, but that seems almost impossible :-)

Bouquets are one of the details of a wedding that is entirely the design of the bride, and is becoming a showcase for her personality and style. Use ideas, but truly use your originality to make them your own, and just remember that white and elegance never go out of style.

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