Q&A Fashion Look the best version of you with our expert advice https://unsplash.com/@stiffduc DRESSED TO IMPRESS My special day is coming up! What should my mom consider when searching for wedding outfits? When a mum starts to look for an outfit, it’s a good idea to do some homework and look at the website of the shop she’s visiting. She should save pictures on her phone to show the team what she wants – this makes a good starting point! A straight dress would be better if she has a fuller bust and smaller hips, and the skirt can be skimmed. An A-line dress works better if she has a smaller bust and bigger hips. It’s important mums don’t try on too many outfits, as this can become confusing. Select and discard any unsuitable and then review the possibilities until they have found the one. Understanding the bridesmaids’ colour is important. It’s about coordinating rather than matching precisely with the outfit, which will create a harmonious look for the wedding party. The mother-of-the-bride should feel at ease in what she’s wearing. With so many unique wedding styles these days, comfort is key. The attire should be suitable for the day, whether it’s a woodland setting, a barn venue or a church wedding. Knowing what the other mum will wear helps steer clear of that colourway. Shoes need to be comfortable. If they’re snug, wearing them at home with a sock to break them in is advisable. It’s usual to match the hatinator with the outfit to follow the colour through and then match shoes with a bag. Sue Ross | Cream Fashions | www.creamfashions.com DELICATE DETAILS I’m worried my simple dress is too plain for my colourful wedding. How can I add some fun and colour? Embroidery and embellishment are a fabulous way to add fun, colour and personality to your wedding dress! The introduction of colour could be subtle pastel hues or more vibrant shades, depending on what feels right for you. You could opt for 3D flowers to be incorporated into the hem of your dress, dispersing up to the bodice. Or you could have subtle embroidery motifs trailing your neckline. Details can be added to your cuffs if you have sleeves or even onto a belt. Depending on your dress style and fabric, embroidery motifs can be hand-applied or directly embroidered onto the dress. Another option would be to choose a veil or hair bow with some colourful embroidery, allowing you to go to town with your bridal accessory while keeping your dress simple. These design elements can be white and ivory if you want to add depth and dimension with a more minimalist colour introduction. There are so many possibilities with embroidery and embellishments! Some brides opt for embroideries of their favourite flowers, places, names, dates and even beloved pets! A good place to start would be to think of all the essential things to you and what makes you, well you. Then, find an embroidery artist or designer who can suggest design ideas and bring your vision to life! The most important thing is to feel comfortable in your bridalwear. Ashleigh Sharman | Ashleigh Jay Embroidery www.ashleighjay.co.uk RING OF CHANGES What tips do you have for choosing the ideal wedding bands? It’s important that the metal of your wedding band matches your engagement ring because different metals wear at different rates. Platinum is tougher than gold, which means it can wear down over time, and various carat weights of gold can also show uneven wear. Most of our engagement rings are already designed to sit flush with the wedding ring, but some engagement ring styles are not ‘wed-fit’— particularly if they’re antique rings. You may need a shaped wedding band to ensure both sit well together. Different styles of rings require different sizes. For example, a thicker band could mean a different ring size than a thinner one. Finger size will increase if the hand is warm and decrease if it’s cold. We recommend having your finger measured by a qualified jeweller. Most wedding rings are made to order and can take approximately four-two-six weeks to arrive in-store. Please don’t leave this until the last minute because although we have managed to pull off miracles before, you definitely don’t need the added stress! Whilst it’s possible to have matching wedding bands, you may find that once you start trying on the different bands, you may prefer different styles. Some engagement rings look great with stone-set wedding bands, and some men prefer wider bands or bands with a patterned effect. At Gatwards, we’ve been helping couples find their ideal wedding rings for more than 250 years. Did you know that wedding bands can also be engraved with either the date of your big day or a short message that has meaning for you both? Whatever your requirements, we’re happy to help. Liz Mrashall | Gatwards of Hitchin www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk 72
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