The Modern Bridesmaid Has Style!

by Sher Matsen


It's a whole new day, and there is a whole new look for bridesmaids. It's a welcome change from the past years. At it's not just the bridesmaids look that has gotten a facelift, the brides are sporting a whole new look too.

Traditional wedding gowns and traditional white will always be a choice. That's a tradition that's just not going to disappear. And that's okay. But the choices now available for the modern bride are welcome change, allowing those creative juices to flow, and one's own personality to stand out.

The history of the bridesmaids attire is quite interesting. In past centuries brides wore elaborate colorful gowns, and bridesmaids wore similar gowns. This was to disguise the bride and protect her from being kidnapped by evil spirits. By the Victorian era things had changed producing brides that wanted to stand out in the crowd. Thus the formal elaborate white wedding gown entered the wedding fashion scene. However the bridesmaids attire didn't change, remaining bold and frilly.

Well this century bridesmaids have a lot more to say about what they wear. Not only have the traditional dresses taken on a more sophisticated and elegant look. Many brides now let their bridesmaids choose their own dress based on the chosen color scheme. All bridesmaids weren't created equal. By allowing them to choose a dress that flatters them, you have happier bridesmaids and better photo ops.

Gowns and dresses worn by the modern bridesmaid are often functional enough for other formal events and gatherings. A much smarter alternative to the expensive gown that's worn once then buried deep in the closet never to be seen again. We all remember wearing one of those "awful" dresses at some point.

There are also no longer fast and set rules on how many bridesmaids you must have. The size of your wedding often relates to how many attendants, and these days the choice is entirely up to you. Tradition has gone out the window, a pleasing thought for many future brides. You can even have more than one maid of honor if you wish. The rules you must play by are your own rules.

The same new rules apply to your flower girl[s] and ring bearer[s] choose more than one, have only one, have one of each. The best age range for this very important little people's job is between 5 and 7. Younger children have a harder time staying focused. Now if you don't' mind if they mess up a little bit, then by all means you can choose a younger child. After all they can be a great source of amusement! Older children will also be thrilled to be chosen to man the guestbook or help guests. It makes them feel extra special.

The more bridesmaids you have the more coordination and communication your going to have to take care of. Remember you'll have plenty of issues to deal with from dresses, to nails, to hair, to jewelry. So don't choose more bridesmaids than you think you can handle. This is supose to be a happy time for you and stress doesn't make a person happy.

Forget the old theory that if you don't include everyone that's close to you, there will be hard feelings. Most women have outgrown this childish thought pattern, and recognize that the modern bride has tough choices to make to stay within budget and fulfill her special day. Sometimes a future bride just has too many close friends to have them all in the wedding party. Relax! Invite them to the wedding, and if you want ask them to do special favors such as perhaps your nails or your hair, depending on their own unique talents.

The maid of honor has a role to play besides in the wedding party. She needs to be the brides right arm and help with any wedding tasks she can. She can help select the wedding gown, get the invitations in order, arrange a wedding shower, help with choosing a reception location, help decorate, or even help prepare the food. The duties that can be assigned to your made of honor are endless, just be sure not to overwhelm her with too many requests. Your maid of honor is like the brides personal first aid kit. Ready to fix anything that's broken.

Bridesmaids also play an important role by planning the bridal shower, preparing munchies, cake, or sandwiches for the shower. They are also there to support and help the bride whenever they can.

For the modern bride these are happy times, choices are endless, you can make your fashion statement and let your bridesmaid's make theirs. No more having to follow traditions unless you want to. Planning the perfect wedding has never been easier!


Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Wedding Day Hair Styles - A Top Ten Checklist

by Mike Jones


The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of the moment sweeps you up. But does it carry your hair along too? Use the following checklist to ensure your wedding day hair is everything you dream it will be:

1. Which stylist? Make bookings for consultations with more than one stylist well in advance and decide on the one you feel most comfortable with. You should be able to express your likes and dislikes without feeling awkward.

2. Long hair, shoulder length, or short hair? It is important to consult with your stylist well in advance and make a decision. Long hair obviously gives the stylist much freedom for creativity but a skilled stylist can also work well with medium and short styles. Be sure to choose a length that fits with your personality and style.

3. Have your hair compliment your wedding dress. This can be done by both style and accessories. Smooth, straight hair and pinned up curls are often paired up with smooth satin gowns, whereas a tulle dress often goes well with soft curls.

4. Take into consideration your silhouette. If it's along horizontal lines such as with a wide dress, you'll want to stick with that look for your hair as well. The same goes for a vertical profile.

5. You'll be spending a lot of time at the salon picking out the perfect hairstyle, so it's best to be prepared. Be sure to wash your hair the night before your consultation, and try to have some pictures of styles you'd like to try out.

6. Take a picture of your wedding dress along to your stylist. This will greatly help the process along. Also take your veil with you, and let the stylist know what kind of wedding you are having: formal, informal, evening, daytime. Alternatively, consult with your stylist before deciding on your headpiece.

7. If you are interested in a new cut or color to your hair, don't wait until right before your wedding. Make the changes during the initial consultation with the stylist, so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises down the road.

8. After you have decided on your style, make sure you walk around with it. Your wedding day will be a long one and you certainly don't want an uncomfortable hair do causing irritation!

9. Your veil length will have some influence on your choice of hairstyle. Normally, the veil is longer than the hair. It is often secured in back swept hair (for up dos) and it's important to make sure the style can hold the veil in place.

10. What accessories are you going to wear? You will already (hopefully!) have your headpiece picked out. Flowers, pins, and beads can be used to add an extra sparkle to your hair, and you can and should coordinate them with the rest of your jewelry.

It may sound like choosing a bridal hair style is a strenuous activity, but the care and preparation is simply to make sure your wedding day is the best it can be.

Following this ten point checklist will ensure your wedding day hair style is a delight, not a disaster!

Note: Click here for information on how to get great hair with luster and sheen within 3-4 weeks, in time for the big day! http://www.bodyfaq.com/WeddingHair

Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His articles are carefully researched and presented in an easy read style so the busy person can gain maximum practical benefit in minimum time. Click here for a good example of his work: http://www.about-goal-setting.com

How To Get Perfect Wedding Day Hair

Wedding day is the most special day when you wish to present yourself in the most beautiful way. Your hairdo contributes greatly in giving you a flawless look. Search out for the best professional hairstylist in your area and ask him or her about which hairstyle will suit you the most. See to it if it matches the makeup or not. Africans had a custom to devote much of their time on styling the hair in the most beautiful way during wedding occasion.

You should not experiment with your hairstyle if you are too close to the wedding day. Any change in hairstyle should be made at least six weeks ahead so it adjusts well with your look. If you wish to have a transformed look on your wedding day, you can take up a completely new style, while if you are a safe-game player improving the present style will do the work for you.

Before you undergo any change it is good to discuss about the color, texture and style of your hair that you wish to take. It is vital the color you choose for your hair harmonizes with your eye color and skin tone. Your hairstyle should properly go with your bridal image and make up.

If you have short hair, you can try a slight color to add richness to the look. To add sheen to your hair, you can opt for a salon treatment. A light spray and a bit of trimming would help to enhance the gloss and render the style a perfect shape. If you have mid-length hair, trying for the 1960s flip is a good alternative. Long hair adds grace and elegance to your bridal make up. Thus, choose the most appropriate hairstyle for you and make your wedding day even more special with your stunningly beautiful look.


My name is Marquetta Breslin and I own the #1 hair braiding resource online, www.braidsbybreslin.com. I sell the world's most informative instructional hair braiding and weave DVD's. I also offer professional website templates to up and coming braiders that are ready to get their business on the internet. 1-on-1 braiding and weaving training is also available.

How to Match Your Wedding Hairstyle with Your Dress

by Alex Fir


Being a bride means that you want everything to be just right. This usually takes a great deal of planning and special thought. In addition to all the other preparations, you must make sure that you are using the hairstyle that matches your wedding dress. You want your hairstyle, dress and makeup to be ideal and to all go well together.

One of the first steps you can do to find the right hairstyle for your wedding day is to look through numerous hairstyle books. You can take a number of bridal magazines and check out the fun hairstyles. Try to find the styles that will match your individuality and your dress type.

You should think about your hair type. You should select something that will work for the style and the length of your hair. Think about if you have thick or thin hair, long or short and curly or straight.

If you have straight hair and you would like to add some volume and height to it, you need to set it up in curlers the night before. If you want to have your hair straight, you need hair straightner and the right hair gels to help make it smooth and not frizzy.

Think about the weather as well. If it is a hot and humid day, you will need the right gel or hairspray that will make your hair look and feel better against the conditions. You can bring along a hair net or plastic hair bag if the weather is going to be a little wet.

You also need to match your hairstyle with your wedding dress. This is crucial and the two should compliment each other and not making the other look bad. For example, if you plan to wear an off the shoulder dress or any style of dress that has delicate beading on the top, you need to make sure that your dress is up off the material to ensure that everyone sees the great detail work on the dress.

Any low cut dress or strapless is better off with the hair pulled up with some hair falling in places. These places are around the ear or the back of the neck. You can use some soft and sweet curls around your face to soften the look up a little bit. This romantic and elegant look will look fantastic with just about any dress style.

You can always put your hair in the hands of a professional for your wedding day. Make an appointment with a hairstylist that you have confidence in. Spend a few days before the wedding and discover the hairstyle that will look best on your wedding day. The hairstylist will help you make a decision what will look better and you can try a few first before you make your final decision about the hairstyle that you want.

Keep in mind that your hairstyle needs to go great with your headpiece as well. You need something that will allow your headpiece or veil to fit comfortably on your head and still allow you to move and function in the way that you should. Make sure that your hair, headpiece and dress all coordinate and look great when they are all put together.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Hair styles For Dummies. To learn about hairstyles for curly hair visit his site right now.

6 Steps in Planning the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle

by Dan Chua

In China, the hairstyle of a married woman is tied up in a bun. Such a style is done in most Chinese brides in rituals: a woman, who has had a successful family life, is asked to help in dressing up the bride's hair. While setting the bride's hair up, the good luck woman speaks of good fortune for the bride and her impending married life.

In the US, preparing the bride's hairstyle is also becoming a ritual, as it plays an important part in her general look. Much preparation has to go into the bride's dress, and so should her crowning glory, the hair. Follow this simple guide on how to plan for the perfect wedding hairstyle.

Weeks before your wedding day choose a hairdresser that will make your do at the wedding. Find a hairdresser that is recommended by someone you know and trust; someone that they had a good experience with.

1. Establish a good rapport with the hairdresser. You should be comfortable in discussing with him or her on the style and look you want. Some hairdressers insist on some do that they dreamed would be made for them. Be firm in telling him or her what you want and don't want.

2. Discuss in length the shape of your face in relation to the hairstyle that he or she proposes. Try the following styles:

-Tired of the bun? Achieve the same polished look with braids instead. From cornrows to French twists, there are numerous interesting ways to set your hair in place.

-Letting your hair down, especially of the mid-length can emanate romance. Flip the edges out for a little retro look.

-Short hair can be spruced up with color highlights or shiny curls.

3. Ask to schedule a practice session to mock-up the intended hair do for your wedding day. You may need to pay extra for this mock-up session, but it's worth the buck to ensure you look lovely during your wedding.

4. Part of the mock-up is for you to carry the hairstyle. Check side and rear views for how the hairstyle looks and make sure it is made to your liking. You are the center of attention on the wedding day, so you should be beautiful 360 degrees!

5. Walk around the salon with your hairstyle. Try to bob your head abet or do other head movements that you think will happen on wedding day. Make sure your hairstyle withstands all the head activity and that you and your scalp will be comfortable for hours.

6. Now, traditionally, they say it is bad luck to try on your wedding dress before the wedding day. But you need to be sure that your hairstyle matches the gown. Don't worry; you can still approximate the look by using other dresses. Look for a dress that has the same collar style as your wedding dress. Then put on something that approximates the same lines of your wedding gown. View yourself on the mirror, and imagine yourself in white, does the hairstyle match?

Gets yourself ready for your important event: plan for your wedding day hairstyle and achieve the perfect wedding day look!

© Copyright Dan Chua, All Rights Reserved. Dan has dozens more wedding information related articles and tips at his site: wedding information, check them out today!

Wedding Hair Style - Achieve The Perfect Beautiful, But Formal Look

By Michael Barrows

With formal hairstyling trends taking a step back from the rigidly crafted styles of yesterday, today's wedding hair styles are free, natural and a great deal easier to attain than they were a few years ago. But even though this is true, the bridal hair style is probably the most important style that you are going to choose for quite a while so it is best served by a little research and practice before the big day.

On your wedding day, hundreds of eyes will be on you, and your chosen bridal hair style can either complete the picture or detract from it. That is why it is so important to choose the perfect formal hairstyle well in advance of the big day so that you and your stylist can get it right and make custom additions to your wedding hair style. Nothing is worse than a hastily crafted coif decided upon only minutes before the ceremony.

You can begin your search for the perfect bridal hair styles and bridesmaid hair styles by browsing through style books that highlight formal updos and popular wedding hair styles. While looking, keep in mind the style of dress that you have selected and choose wedding hair styles that compliment the style, era and cut of the dress. The same thing goes for your bridesmaids dresses.

Another important thing to consider when choosing bridal hair styles are the styles, lengths and textures of the bridal party's hair. For example: if every member of the bridal party save one has short hair, selecting a French Twist as your only bridesmaid hair style would not be very feasible. But you could do a French Twist on the one member with long hair and select different wedding hair styles for the rest of the party as long as it doesn't bother you that everyone is not going to look identical.

When it comes to coordinating your wedding hair styles for your wedding party, you do not have to choose cookie-cutter styles for each member of the party. Look instead at bridal hair styles that compliment each member's personality, facial structure and hair texture. Let your wedding party members have some say in how they would like to wear their hair and set some practical guidelines such as whether or not the bridesmaid hair style should be pinned up off of the neck or allowed to flow free down the back.

Then, coordinate the individual bridal hair styles by using matching accessories and placing them in similar patterns on each member. These pointers apply for the bridal party only; the bridal hair style should set the bride apart from the others and be more intricate and beautiful than all other wedding hair styles chosen by members of the wedding party.

Once all bridal hair styles have been chosen, have a practice run where all of the ladies meet at the same salon and allow the stylists that are going to do the wedding party's hair on the big day have a crack at crafting the intricate wedding hair styles that you have chosen. While it may cost you a little bit of money to do this, it will save you a great deal of headache on the big day.

Michael Barrows' website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit http://www.great-hairstyles.com