2011 Wedding Gown Trends

2011 might seem like a long way off, but bridal gown designers are already hard at work creating the beautiful styles which brides next year will all be coveting.

Set to debut in a few months, the first crop of 2011 gowns are embellished with many dimensional details, lots of handstitched crystals, and large floral appliques. Take a sneak peek into the romantic style of the latest wedding gown trends.

For the last few seasons, ruffles have been one of the biggest ways that designers have chosen to add volume and visual interest to their gowns. The bridal gowns which are set to debut soon move away from the ruffle trend, but not from the idea of using embellishments to add volume and femininity. Instead of ruffles, look for gowns with hundreds of tiny three dimensional flowers stitched all over them. Soft petals are another favorite decoration for the romantic gowns for 2011. Oversized clusters of flower "corsages" are another big trend, and they are primarily being used as accents on waistlines or shoulders.

One thing you will not be seeing is a lot of plain dresses or those with simple lines. Asymmetry is still in, both in the form of the one shoulder gown and wedding dresses with asymmetrical draping on the bodice. Very low waistlines are in abundance, and most bodices have ruched, gathered, or draped bodices which hug the figure (the wrapped fabric does a nice job of smoothing over any figure flaws in these tight bodices).

Certainly strapless bridal gowns are still a staple, and the one shoulder style is still in style. A new addition to the necklines for 2011 wedding gowns is the tip of the shoulder design which is very slim at the top and just barely grazes the edge of the bride's shoulder. It is a very flattering neckline for many women, and a nice alternative to the more typical strapless wedding dress.

With all the romanticism evident in the upcoming gowns for 2011, don't worry that all the petals and flowers mean less sparkle. You will be seeing Swarovski crystals stitched into the center of tiny floral appliques, as well as larger crystals used to embellish the entire gown, from neck to hem.

The difference is in the way the sparkly details are being used: more organically and in clear crystal, rather than the icy silver of mirror backed crystals or rhinestones used to create a defined pattern. This will tie in beautifully with the Swarovski crystal bracelets which are one of the top trends for both 2010 and 2011 brides. Stacks of mismatched Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelets are a modern finishing touch for the romantic gown designs.

It seems as though all of the bridal designers will be crazy for texture in 2011. Not only will gowns soon be gliding down the runway embellished with floral appliques and oversized crystals, but designers are using even more interesting accents to create gowns with dimension. Look for multiple sizes of paillettes being used to create a shimmery, faceted appearance on gowns.

(Paillettes are essentially larger and nicer versions of sequins, and they are often drilled at the top instead of the center so they can dangle and move.) Even feathers are making a statement as a trendy bridal gown embellishment. These fantastical details are being added to very soft and romantic fabrics like net, lace, and organza to create gowns which are like something out of a fairy tale. Lucky brides! Bridget Mora

How To Get The Perfect Wedding Hairstyle

Every bride deserves to look her best on her big day. One way she can achieve this is to perfect her wedding hairstyle. All eyes will be on the bride and everyone should take notice of the way she looks, the way she acts and the way she is dressed; therefore it is essential that she look her best. Getting the wedding hairstyle right is an important part of creating the perfect bridal look, but as there are no rules when it comes to styling bridal hair you can literally do whatever you want!

The way you look on your wedding day will be captured for all time on the wedding photographs and of course you want to look your best. Get the weeding hairstyle right and you are well on your way to looking amazing on your wedding day! A bride should nothing short of perfect on her wedding day, everything must be right from her dress, to her veil, to her shoes, to her makeup, to her hair.

However, finding the perfect wedding hairstyle can be a tricky process for many brides as there are just so many options available. There are lots of things for a prospective bride to consider when picking the wedding hairstyle: should I wear my hair up or down? Should I let my hair grow or just use hair extensions? Should I have my hair curled or straightened?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a weeding hairstyle. This is why many brides struggle with the choice, but it does mean you can choose a hairstyle that you really want and no one will question it! When choosing your wedding hairstyle you need to consider some other factors. Firstly, the wedding dress. The wedding hairstyle should complement the dress and mirror the style that the bride has gone for. It doesn't matter whether the style of the wedding gown is glamorous, dramatic, simple or elegant; the wedding hairstyle should reflect this style.

When choosing a suitable bridal hairstyle, a bride needs to consider her gown, veil and headpiece. The wedding hairstyle should never compete with the gown; it should not obscure the gown in any way, especially when the bride moves. The wedding hairstyle should also complement the bride's makeup. As with the gown, the hairstyle should not take any attention away from the bride's face.

The location of the wedding will have an effect on the wedding hairstyle that the bride chooses. Long, loose, romantic curls are perfect for a garden wedding in the day time. However, a formal updo is more appropriate for a wedding in a grand cathedral or a church taking place in the evening. You also need to consider the weather, for example if the wedding is going to take place on a beach where it could be quite windy, a loose hairstyle could be a bad choice as the wind could ruin your style.

The final thing a bride needs to consider when choosing her wedding hairstyle is what she is going to be doing on the day. After the ceremony the bride will probably be doing a lot of socialising, dancing and dining and will need a hairstyle that is going to last all day and not fall flat. You may also wish to change your hairstyle to something more casual after the ceremony so that is another thing to consider.

Choosing the right wedding hairstyle is a big part of getting your style right on your big day. Once you've got your style sorted, you are well on your way to looking amazing on your wedding day!

Inanch London won the award for Bridal Look of the Year at the recent Great Lengths Hair Extensions Awards held at the glitzy Mayfair Hotel in Central London on the 12th September 2010.  Lydia Cooper

Modern Wedding Dresses

Here are some tips on the modern wedding dresses. While you plan your wedding, don't forget to check these options and look the best in a trendy wedding dress.

As the definitions of fashion keep changing every day, the wedding wear is no exception! The wedding dresses are seen changing in each aspect of fashion. While the white wedding gown is not any more something that a bride needs to strictly opt for, there are a lot of alternative wedding dresses that she can go for. Well, each bride would prefer donning the modern wedding dresses instead of the boring regular wedding outfit. Here are some tips on the options available in the modern wedding dresses. Have a look and get the best one for the special day in your life.

Options in Modern Wedding Dresses

Dress Styles

Modern wedding dresses are all about colors, patterns and mainly about what's your style. Be it sexy strapless gowns, stylish spaghetti strapped flowy dresses or a simple modern wedding dresses with sleeves, wear what suits your style and figure. The most popular modern western wedding dresses are those with single sleeves, off shoulder or necklines featuring single straps. The asymmetrical look is the 'in thing' for the bridal dresses this season.

Body hugging gowns with sharp angles are the perfect ones amongst today's wedding dress styles. The modern wedding dresses will be mostly seen in nipped waists to have a sleek and slender outfit ready to highlight the hourglass figure. Slim shaped dresses are the most popular ones these days that show-off a fantastic figure. The runway fashion is popularly followed this season which includes trumpet, sheath and column wedding dresses.

Reduced Hemlines

The modern wedding dresses have more of the 'show-off' element. With brides not afraid to show off their best assets, the wedding dresses have changed a lot. From long bridal gowns to the short dresses you can don to the one that looks best on your figure. The tea-length dresses are becoming much popular. Its length falls between the bottom of the knee and the bottom of the calf, it is one of the perfect modern beach wedding dresses. The mini-shift dresses are the preferred style for destination weddings. Read more on backless wedding dresses.

Adding Colors

Colors are another element you can play with in the modern wedding dresses. Brides are experimenting with various colors to match their dresses with the wedding color theme. Adding a splash of dark color to the basic white gown is the most popular trend. For a dramatic look two-toned dresses with a colored bodice against a white or off-white skirt have become a hot favorite of the modern brides. Red metallic thread embroidery detailing done in curvy patterns all over a white colored body-fitting gown is sure to look mind blowing. Colorful embroidering in lilac, pink, blue or yellow for the hemlines is also a chic option. Read more on colored wedding dresses.

Detailing and Fabrics

Modern wedding dresses won't be finished without the use of beads, ruffles or bows. Apart from that, for the bodices, you can see huge bows and beaded belts to compliment the waist lines. Ruched wedding dresses that have repeated patterns of gathered fabric is best for larger figures. Dresses made of colored tulle or that with cascading layers till the floor are much popular. Chiffon, tulle, organza, taffeta are the fabrics used in modern wedding dresses. Light and airy fabric are highly preferred for the summer weddings. Colorful ribbon and lacy detailing is another trend this season.

Modern wedding dresses are all about expressing your personal style. Now you have a lot of options and a way to add your personal taste in the wedding wear. So with the above mentioned tips and own ideas, have your version of perfection for the wedding wear.  By Mamta Mule

Wedding Gowns with Sleeves

Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life. And the wedding gown, probably holds the most important part in a wedding. Nowadays, off-shoulder wedding gowns are the most common. But, if you are planning the event for winter, wedding gowns with sleeves might be the right thing for you.

No matter how a bride looks in her her day to day life, she wants to look the most beautiful on her wedding day. Wedding gowns with sleeves are most suitable if you are looking forward to a winter wedding. It helps in bringing more attention to the bodice, as well as provides a balance to the skirt. The length of the sleeve depends on how much skin the bride is willing to show. So wedding gowns with long sleeves is generally selected by brides who want be modest on their wedding day. You can have a lot of options on long and short sleeves for wedding dresses.

Wedding Gowns with Long Sleeves

Some of the wedding gowns with long sleeves, that you can go for are:

• Poet Sleeve: The style involves full sleeves. Poet sleeve has pleats on the upper arm, which is tapered or fitted at the forearm.
• Bell Sleeve: The bell sleeve can be both long and short. It is set smoothly into the arm hole, while there are flares towards the bottom. The effect is similar to that of a bell in its shape. This sleeve was particularly famous during the seventies.

• Illusion Sleeve: Though illusion sleeves are not prevalent anymore, it can make you feel elegant and attractive. It is made of transparent material, which can make you feel covered up, though you wont necessarily look like it.
• Juliet Sleeve: As its name implies, the Juliet sleeve is named after the famous tragedy of Shakespeare. It is a long sleeve, which is fitted down to the wrist and helps in adding a lot of character to the dress with a bit of theatrics thrown in.

• Balloon Sleeve: The balloon sleeve is full and balloon shaped over the upper arm. From there it is narrowed right from the elbow to the wrist. Be a little careful while selecting this sleeve, since it may dominate your look and as result your upper body may appear larger.
• Three Quarter Sleeve: The three quarter sleeve was quite in vogue, a few years back. The sleeves extend from the shoulder to the forearm, where it stops somewhere between the elbow and the wrist. Like the illusion sleeve, the three quarter sleeve makes you feel covered up, but it does not make you feel restricted in any way. It works well in almost all styles of dresses and suits most body types.

 Wedding Gowns with Short Sleeves

Now lets discuss some of the wedding gowns with short sleeves. They are:

• Petal/Tulip Sleeve: The tulip sleeve which is also known as the petal sleeve is a short sleeve that has two pieces, which gently overlap on the upper arm. It is made to look like the petals of a flower. The tulip sleeve looks good on larger arms, than other revealing styles e.g. the capped sleeve and the sleeveless styles.
• Cap Sleeve: The cap sleeve is small and rounded, covering just the shoulders. Women with well-toned upper arms will look best in it.

• T-shirt Sleeve: It ends somewhere between the elbow and the wrist. For bridal wear the t-shirt sleeve looks quite elegant, yet covered.

These were some of the well known short sleeves, which goes well for wedding gowns with sleeves. Consider your body type while selecting these sleeves for your wedding day. If you have a square body, go for bigger sleeves like balloon or juliet. Also, the sleeves do not necessarily have to be of the same material as that of the dress. Tulle, lace or illusion netting are some of the fabric material which can be used as sleeves. So go ahead start making your dream wedding gown. It might just be a sleeve away.  By Anannya Saikia

Pink Bridesmaid Dress: Tips for Looking Great in Pink

Pink is a very popular theme for weddings and seems to be timeless. With the simplicity and softness of the color to the bold and standout of varying shades, it is a color that most brides find a way to fit into their wedding day. Now you are in a wedding and the bride has decided on pink bridesmaid dresses for her day. But you have never been a "pink" lady and you are fretting about how to make it all work. So how can you change it up and still look good?

Here are some great tips to help keep all eyes on the bride and not the color of your bridesmaid dress.

1. Makeup. Wearing a bright colored eye shadow or blush is never a good idea when your dress color is doing the talking. Opting for a more muted or skin toned color will help to accentuate the beauty of the dress without interfering or clashing with the colors. It is best to wear a neutral shade of lipstick along with a muted eye shadow. Tone down the eyes and instead accentuate them with a little liner and mascara. You could even try some subtle falsh eyelashes but be careful not to overdo it or you will have a different issue all together. The point here is to draw attention to your eyes and face rather than your dress, but not in a bad way. A soft pink blush or one that complements your skin tone is best to keep the overall color scheme neutral. By following some common sense makeup tips the only thing that will stand out is you and not your makeup.

2. Shoes. If the bride agrees, opt for a pair of nude sandals or shoes neutral or muted in color. This way the first thing the eye sees will be you and not your shoes. Sometimes black looks beautiful with pink if it is a bolder color pink and sandals are great because regardless of the color shoe, the skin tone contrasts with the color of the sandal and helps to tone down the shoe if it is a brighter color.

3. Wear a Cover Up. If it is a chilly evening or day, a cover up is always a great way to break up a color. Choose a shrug or shawl once again in a nice muted color. Since the cover up will more than likely only be used to go in and out of cars and venues, it is not as important as the makeup, shoes and accessories but you want to be prepared for pictures in the event someone starts snapping away.

4. Accessorize. Don't over accessorize but wear something you love that makes you feel good about yourself. Your favorite necklace or earrings. Maybe you have a bracelet that you always wear and means something special to you. As long as it is simple and doesn't clash with the color of the dress, it is fine to wear. If it makes you feel good, wear it.

5. Redhead?. Some say redheads should stay away from pinks but not necessarily. Just be sure to tone down the makeup and pull your hair up or back with some elegant pins to keep the color of your hair from clashing with the pink in the dress. This will help to detract from the colors clashing and the focus will shift to your face, rather than your hair color.

Pink Bridesmaid Dresses are a beautiful compliment to the bride's color theme. The tone of the wedding will be set with your walk down the aisle as you and the bridal party introduce the guests to the bride for the first time.

Following these common sense tips will go a long way in helping you look and feel your best and enable you to enjoy the day and relish in your friend's happiness.  Anne Reese