Wedding Advice – Here Comes the Blog

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When superstar Katy Perry was asked about her wedding, she said, “"I'm kind of a nail aficionado and freak... I think for my wedding I'll do what is called 'wedding nails,' where it's traditional and pretty. I don't know if I'd want, like, Oompa Loompas on my nails while taking my pictures.”  What do other brides think about this important decision?

What are “wedding nails”?  If you asked manicurists, you’ll get one answer: French manicures. No, you don't have to have a French themed wedding for this style! These are a traditional favorite for brides because of their elegance, simplicity, and clean appearance.  A light pink or beige color is applied to the nail, and they are tipped with white.  Typically, nails were worn fairly long and had a square cut.  French manicures are to nails what pearls are to ears or necks.  They are classics; they will never go out of style, and they always look refined and sophisticated.

That being said, however, many brides today are opting for something a bit different.  This is no surprise because weddings are moving away from conventional ceremonies and receptions as couples are incorporating more of their personalities into the big day.  Some brides feel that French manicures are too stark, that the definition between the light color and the white is too dramatic.  Instead, there is a trend towards painting the entire nail a neutral or beige tone.  It is certainly a more subtle effect than that which is given with a French manicure.

Other women are taking the opposite route: darker colors, such as deep purple, and bold shades, like red and burgundy, have become more popular. These hues make a bold statement that can be a perfect complement to the theme of a wedding.

Color is taking over from the classic French manicure.  We are seeing a surge in bright tones, including orange and yellow, that, while different, offer understated, elegant effects.  These tones are especially well suited for women with shorter fingers because it gives the illusion of more length.  Other brides are opting for shades that complement the flowers in their bouquets, picking up pearly pinks or lavenders.

Because there is no longer a taboo against color on your wedding nails, you can feel free to try shades you never would have considered before.  Ask your manicurist for tips, and experiment before the big day.

No matter what color you decide on, nail experts agree on two things:  nails are shorter, and hands should be neater.  Women today tend to have a more practical view of nails than they did just a few decades ago.  They need to be able to type, take care of children, and work without having their nails interfere.

Shorter nails are increasingly popular for this reason, and because they look neater and more tidy and tend to be more efficient in day to day life.  Whether you choose orange, dark purple, or beige, the effect is ruined by hangnails or cuticles.  Beginning well before the wedding, take care of your hands and nails to ensure that they look their best.

Related Style & Beauty Articles:

• Summer Wedding Hairstyles for the Blushing Bride
• Tips for Selecting your Bridal Jewelry
• Forget White - Choose A Unique Wedding Dress Color

This weekend was sure buzzing with wedding bells but it wasn't the Royal Wedding this time! Instead it was the Royal Wedding 2.0 that revolved around Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. The gorgeous reality star's wedding was much anticipated by many of her fans. But I'll tell you first hand, we're proud here in Minnesota of our Minneapolis-grown boy, Kris Humphries who formerly lead a successful basketball career for the Minnesota Gophers. But enough of the background, let's get to the juicy wedding details!!

The Invitations

What would a lavish wedding be without lavish wedding stationery? The bride decided to use the same invitation designer as her sister Khloe, and had Lehr & Black whip them up. The black and white wedding invitations each came in their own silver box and featured hundreds of 'jet black hematite crystals' says People.com. Notice the double K monogram at the top of the invite for Kim and Kris. So clever! And very cute.

The invitations were rumored to cost around $250 each. Yowza!

The Guests

For starters, the wedding was held at a private estate in Montecito, California where the couple was surrounded by 450 of their closest friends and family members. Some of the celebrities in the crowd that you might recognize included Ryan Seacrest, Ciara, Mario Lopez, Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, Brody Jenner and Avril Lavigne, Lindsay Lohan, Carmelo Anthony, Kathy Lee Gifford and obviously many more. It was rumored that Kim had to cut 50 guests before the wedding came on Saturday because there simply wasn't room for everyone.

The Bridal Party

Of course among the bridesmaids were Kim's sisters, Khloe and Kourtney who donned white Vera Wang bridesmaid gowns. Continuing the trend that was seen in the Royal Wedding with Pippa Middleton wearing her white bridesmaid dress. Could we be seeing more of this trend in the near future? Likely. I'm keeping my eyes open for it. On the groom's side, we saw Rob Kardashian and Lamar Odom sporting black Zegna tuxes. Along with Bruce Jenner and Kris' father, William Humphries. But the cutest man there of course was little Mason, Kim's nephew. He filled the ring bearer role and stole the crowd's hearts, naturally.

The Dress

Kim kept everyone waiting with her dress reveal, but it was known early that it would be designed by Vera Wang. Though elaborate photos haven't been released yet, there have been a few that give a sneak peak of the dress which shows a gorgeous, strapless, ivory gown with a basque waist and lace details, with a stunning train. One of the details Kim added to her outfit for the day was less trendy and more 'her'. She wore a jeweled headpiece that draped elegantly over her forehead. We haven't seen too much of this before, but it may become one of the wedding accessories to watch for in upcoming nuptials for sure!

Side note, she also lined up two reception dresses to change into, that were also designed by Vera Wang.

The Theme

Simple, elegant and classy, Kim kept her theme to black and white. Starting with the invitations and ending with her big day. With the beautiful black and white aisle runner, white bridesmaid dresses, and black tuxes, it was a simply regal theme.

The Cake

The star couple's 6 foot tall wedding cake featured 10 layers of chocolate and vanilla swirl deliciousness covered in decadent frosting (yum!) The cake cost somewhere between $15,000-$20,000 - no big deal.

The Cost

The cost for this extravagant wedding is said to be in the ballpark of around $20 million. But the thing about it is that they will likely be coming out on top for all the free exposure for all the brands that helped them build their big day. Freebies include the cake, a hefty discount on the wedding rings, all 3 of Kim's wedding gowns (at $20,000 each), wedding invitations plus lots more. Not to mention, the couple sold the exclusive rights of wedding photos to People for $1.5 million. There will also be an E! wedding special that the celeb duo was paid $15 million for.

The Rest

The wedding was set to go until early hours of the morning on Sunday (August 21st) but it seems the neighbors phoned the police to come in and quiet down the party. The cops showed up and the music was shut down at midnight. But that didn't seem to phase the party, as guests hung around until 2am before heading home for the night. Kim seemed okay with it, probably because there are reportedly plans to have a second reception to follow on August 31 in New York City.

What do you think? Did you enjoy any special details of her wedding? Did anything surprise you?

More Celebrity Wedding Coverage:

Chelsea Clinton's Elegant Wedding 2010

Royal Wedding Favors

Wedding veils are a lovely part of a bridal outfit. Your choice to wear a veil is a throwback to the days when brides covered their faces so the evil spirits that were thought to surround the wedding couple could not see her face to harm her. (That’s why bridesmaids originally dressed the same, so that the evil spirits would get confused and not know who the bride was.) All tradition and superstition aside, a veil just looks elegant.

What sort of veil should you wear? That all depends on your style and taste. There’s no saying you can’t wear any veil you like, but it does have to match your wedding gown, so plan to choose your dress (and make your final purchase) before selecting a veil. You may change your mind if you haven’t paid for your dress yet, so wait until it’s paid for to shop for a veil.

Go out shopping with an open mind. What you might think you like may be nothing like what you end up choosing. Try to wear your hair as you will on your wedding day the day you shop for your veil. You’ll get a better idea of how it will work with your do and if you will need to select either another hair style or another veil.

If you’re more on the petite side, you might want to go with a veil that’s a little smaller, shorter and less puffy. You don’t want to walk down the aisle looking like a cloud. You want people to be able to see you under your veil. Taller girls can get away with longer veils and fuller versions as well.

There are several types of veils. One is a short veil designed to be worn with a hat or tiara. This is typically just made of tulle, a see through netting. You can also opt for a long veil either entirely made of lace or made of a tulle or nylon fabric. It can end halfway down your back or be more of a cathedral train trailing far down the aisle behind you. Longer veils can either be taken off at the reception or bustled up. Most likely you’ll want to take it off. Whether you choose to cover your face with a blusher panel is up to you. That’s typically what the father of the bride will lift as he gives his daughter away.

If you want to wear your veil for the entire day, opt for something shorter and lighter. Tulle veils are perfect because they are so light and airy. You won’t even feel like you have it on. Choose to anchor your veil either with a tiara or with combs that are under the head piece. Your head piece will be either permanently attached to the veil or removable so you can just wear the top piece at the reception. Choose a head piece that you really love as it will be in all your photos both at the church and the reception. Go with pearls and satin or all rhinestones. It’s up to you. You can also incorporate satin or fresh flowers into a crown that ends in a veil.

As long as your veil matches in style and color with your dress, you can pretty much wear any style you like. Try not to have a pure white dress with a cream colored veil. It will look off. Ask the opinion of those closest to you. They may find that what you have chosen is perfect or that you should keep looking. Either way, their advice is very valuable.

Have fun selecting your veil. It’s the one time in your life that you will be able to wear such a lovely piece of finery. Select it with care and preserve it after the wedding for generations to come. A good dry cleaner can help you with preservation and care.

Feeling bold? You can always try and make your own wedding veil!

When considering your bridal head dress, definitely put tiaras on your list of things to try on. They are elegant and regal and will make you feel like a princess for the day. They are timeless and classic and never go out of style.

A tiara can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. While most brides are not going to spend money for a diamond tiara, a rhinestone one can be just as lovely. Start browsing online. You’ll get a good idea of what’s out there. And there aren’t just one or two choices. You will find that there are designs and styles to fit every taste.

A good bridal tiara will sit firmly and high on your head. You’re going to need to work your hairdo around your tiara. So once you find one you like, start thinking about which hair styles might work with it. And you’ll definitely want to bring your tiara with you to your hairdresser once before the big day so she can do your hair and place the tiara on top of your do to see if it works. If it doesn’t, you’ll still have time to rework your tiara.

If you’re wearing a tiara, you can do an upsweep that’s smooth and elegant, or a curly, romantic casual and free flowing style. The tiara lends itself to both a traditionally upswept look as well as a more fairy princess kind of look. It’s up to you and your unique style.

You don’t have to stick to just white rhinestones. You can get a pearl tiara or a faux diamond tiara with colored stone accents. Who says you can’t wear an all faux ruby red tiara or a sapphire blue one? You’ll be amazed at how much there is to choose from. Don’t limit yourself to just the few that are at bridal shops. They only keep a few in stock so that they’re not sitting on a huge amount of inventory, but you have the whole world at your disposal. Shop catalogs and internet stores that carry everything to do with bridal jewelry and tiaras. You will find hundreds, one more gorgeous than the next.

Decide on what your budget will be. If you know the range you can shop in, you can often limit your online searches to tiaras that are just in your budget. That way you won’t be tempted to overspend. But no matter what you choose, you’re going to walk down the aisle regally and every eye will naturally be drawn to your crown.

Are there limits to what you can wear with a tiara? Not really. Of course if you’re opting for a pant suit, the tiara might look a little out of place. But basically any dress or gown will work with a crown of jewels. Try to choose a style that lends itself to sparkling accents. If you have a very plain sheath dress, you can accent it with the gems on a tiara. If you have a dress that’s covered in sparkles, a tiara will only enhance its beauty. You really can’t lose when choosing a tiara. And yes, they are still very cool for the chicest brides all over the world. There’s a reason they’ve never gone out of style. It’s because they are classy and classic.

Interested in more wedding trends? Check out this article on an Edwardian Fairy Tale Wedding Theme.

We’ve all seen pictures of a groom in a wedding party wearing sneakers. Sometimes its Converse or Chuck Taylors. Sometimes it’s just his favorite pair of colored tennis shoes. And chances are we’ve all had our own private reaction. It’s either, “Right on! It’s your day. You do what you want!” or “What an insult that is. How did he get away with that?” So, what’s with this trend anyway? And what do those in the know think about it?

Seems there are two sides to the debate that’s raging on whether a groom should be allowed to wear sneakers to his own wedding.

It’s Your Wedding Do What You Want

One side of the argument is that it’s your wedding, you should be able to do what you want. That argument is popular with a lot of people as doing your own thing is a trend all its own. They also feel that the groom should be comfortable. This side is all for buying matching sneakers for the groom and groomsmen. You might even make your ring bearer gift a mini pair of sneakers, too, to match the groomsmen or groom. They favor the relaxed vibe wearing sneakers gives and also champion the individuality sport shoes bring to the festivity. They shun dress shoes for being binding and uncomfortable. Both bride and groom are often opting for wearing matching pairs of sneakers.

Not at My Wedding You Don’t

The other half of the story is that sneakers seem to bring an air of carelessness to the dress code. Brides everywhere are gasping in horror as their fiancés suggest they wear comfortable gym shoes to the big day. This side favors tradition and tuxedos with black shiny shoes. This group is also backed by parents who insist that everyone be properly dressed. Especially if the parents are paying. This group argues that it’s the most special day of the couple’s life and it’s not to be sullied by shoes that belong at the gym. While not wanting to step on anyone else’s toes, they are vehement anti-sneaker campaigners. Their motto is, “Don’t you dare even think about wearing sneakers to my wedding. What you do at your own wedding is fine, but not on my day.”

It would seem that both camps have a point or two. And largely, the groom’s attire is supposed to be his own choice. There’s a big debate raging now both pro and con. All over, people are taking the time to write in support or against sporting canvas shoes at a wedding.

In the end, it’s a matter of personal taste. The Sneaker Police are not going to crash your wedding and give you a citation if you go the sneaker route. If you decide to go with the shiny dress shoes, you may be a bit more uncomfortable, but you may be thankful when you see how polished you look in your wedding photos. The sneaker crowd could wind up questioning their choice when they pull out the wedding album for the kids in years to come. But, by then, will shoes really matter?

If you're a fan of sneakers, you will enjoy this article on Which Shoes To Wear, and When.

It’s that time of year ladies! Time to gear up for countless summer parties ranging from weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and birthdays. I personally love the opportunity to put on fun summer party dresses and to spend time with people I love outdoors. If you haven’t thought about what to wear, or if you’re not sure what the dress code for the occasion might be, this is the post for you. I’ve gathered a few pieces from David’s Bridal at affordable prices for a few popular summer occasions. David’s also has a maternity wear line so if the baby shower is for you, you’re in luck as well.

The most popular: Weddings

Weddings can be tricky to dress for. You don’t want to out-shine the bride or the bridesmaid, but you want to look your best also. Here are few options for casual, semi-casual, and formal weddings.

Casual: Although the wedding is casual, you still want to look nice. Casual doesn’t mean jeans and a blouse for most weddings (but who knows?). I recommend bright colors and patterns. Casual means fun, outdoorsy, and laid back. Ruffled and funky patterned dresses are great for a casual wedding.

Strapless Charmeuse | One Sleeve Charmeuse | Chiffon Dress with Ruffles

Semi-formal: Semi-formal weddings are the trickiest, but aim towards the more “formal” part of the dress code. Choose a formal material such as silks, sheers and chiffon to create a formal appearance. To tone it down, find a cut that is original and a color that is bright and summery. Flower accents and one shoulder numbers are perfect for semi-formal weddings.

One Shoulder Stretch Satin Dress | Strapless Satin Dress | One Shoulder Chiffon Dress

Formal: For formal weddings, always fall back on an LBD, but a classy LBD, not the one you wear to girls’ night out. Find a cut that is simple and fresh. Although it is true that you should not wear white to a wedding, a cream color can be very flattering and classic.

Black Spaghetti Strap Dress | Ruched Stretch Taffeta Dress | Short Beaded Shimmer Dress

As far as birthdays, baby showers and other casual event go, here are a few options. Pair any of these dresses with a cardigan to make them more casual.

Ruched Jersey Dress | One Shoulder Mesh Dress with Iridescent Top | Short Taffeta Dress

Spring is finally here, and you know what that means!  And no, I don’t mean nature beginning its new cycle of life, blooming budded flowers, birds chirping musically in the morning... I mean wedding season!

This year, it’s understandable why so many brides would have a tough time figuring out what to wear.  There are so many different styles that are “in” – from vintage/lace to fairy tale ball gown to sexy chic – it’s not exactly easy knowing where to start. Plus with the economy, no bride should have to compromise on her beautiful bridal gown.

Researching different designers and bridal shows online, I loved almost everything that I saw...except the prices. Monique Lhullier? Not in my lu-li-lifetime... Alexander Mc-what-did-you-say-the-total-is??

Then I found Priscilla of Boston.  If you’re looking for top designer wedding dresses at affordable prices, look no further. The designers are not just from Priscilla either (who was a force to reckoned with back in the 50’s!), but Vera Wang from $2-5k? Yes please! If your budget is over or under $2k for a designer wedding gown, then definitely look at Priscilla of Boston for some inspiration.

Here are just a few dresses to begin the wedding dress search:

Which is your favorite?

Oh #tuesdayshoesday, we love you. And that's why this week, we are helping brides research some fun, Spring wedding shoes. Why not? Spring is coming up and sometimes the toughest part is finding the perfect shoes once you've found the perfect dress. So, this post is going to highlight all kinds of fun, Springy shoes!

Meet the Shoes

• Steve Madden - Fifi - $99.99
• Badgley Mischka - Karlisle - $199.99
• Chinese Laundry - Baldwin - $55.99

I just love soft and subtle colors for Spring, but if you wanted to go a little crazy for color, you certainly could. The nice thing about white is that it goes with anything. So if you want something that will pop with your white wedding dress, any color is a go!

Here are a few colorful Spring shoes that might make your heart zing!

Meet the Shoes

• Rsvp - Bryn - $42.40
• Nine West - Annalisa - $79.95
• Nina - Electra - $67.46

So what are your thoughts? Would you go light, soft and Springy - or would you go bright, colorful and Springy?

I look forward to every #tuesdayshoesday because I get to focus on yet another fun and fabulous aspect of weddings; the shoes! This week, I was transfixed on a few pairs of platform pumps at Aldo, so I decided to feature all three of them! Each one has their own little style and each one seemed to have a personality of it's own so I couldn't choose just one!

I think by now, most of you have figured out that I kind of have a thing for vintage-feeling items and this definitely comes across in the shoes that I pick each week. But this week, I actually broke my mold and stepped outside the box. See that bold red one (the Labrie)? Naturally it has a bow, but that's just a given. Anyways, it's a color that I don't think I would usually pick but there was just something about that bow. It's hard to see here, but if you see it straight on, you'll see that the bow actually loops around to become an ankle support. Love it!

The Krugh only comes in the color you see here, but the Labrie and the Abadi also come in black.

One of the best parts of Aldo shoes, other than them being so adorable, is that they are comfortable and affordable. I also usually like their handbags too but, well that's another post just begging to be written.

If you want to see these shoes in all their glory, visit the Aldo website and be sure to check them out.

*I wasn't paid to write about Aldo shoes, nor did I receive any to write this post, as nice as that would have been!!

SHOE LINKS

Find the Aldo Krugh shoes for $90.00 here.

See the Aldo Labrie shoes for $90.00 here.

Admire these Aldo Abadi shoes for $80.00 here.

Beginning tomorrow, a contest is taking place on Ming Wang's Facebook page to win a makeover for a mother of choice (mother of the bride or groom).

Submit a 500 word essay on why this lucky lady deserve a bridal season wardrobe and a day of beauty and she'll be entered to win! What mother wouldn't love a chance to win FOUR new outfits for occasions leading up to the wedding (bridal showers, engagement party, rehearsal, groom's dinner, etc.) and a gift certificate for a local salon for her beauty services for the day of the wedding. It almost makes me wish I was a mother of a bride or groom!

Even if your mother or future mother-in-law doesn't win the whole grand prize, two lucky runner-ups will receive free Ming Wang dresses!

And as if the contest couldn't get any cooler, HereComesTheBlog has been chosen to help be a judge on the panel and select a winner! We're very excited and can't wait to see all the applicants come in! Naturally, I just love seeing mothers win free goodies and Ming Wang is a gorgeous way for any mother to go!

Visit their Facebook page here to enter the contest!

Contest runs Tuesday, January 18, 2011 until February 7, 2011 so be sure to enter before it's too late! And of course be sure to remember where you heard about it first!

Participants are encouraged to 'Like' the Ming Wang page and/or follow Ming Wang on Twitter to keep up with the contest.