Monday, March 16, 2009

Why Hire a Wedding Decorator?

When planning for your upcoming wedding, look beyond the typical wedding decorating ideas of flowers and balloons. You can transform a nice looking venue into something truly impressive. But this takes a bit of creativity and an eye for spotting unusual items that could be used in your décor. This is where you want to hire a wedding decorator. The wedding decorator needs to keep in mind that the décor they choose to use reflects your theme, the style of the location, and the mood that you wish to create.


When we are doing the ceremony décor and the reception décor, we tend continue the theme of the wedding decorations from the ceremony location to the reception area. You don't want a sudden sharp contrast between the two, as it breaks the style of your overall decorating scheme. This way there is some consistency in theme and at the end you save money. For example, there are times when we have used the centerpieces for the reception as aisle décor for the ceremony. Little touches can go a long way in providing a memorable atmosphere.


Here are a few tips that you can do on your own to add sparkle and elegance to your reception. Most people forget to ask their venue providers for these things. Most venues will provide the tables with traditional white tablecloths. Always ask to see if you can add colored table toppers, or alternatively, use colored napkin topper if you have a color theme. These will add elegance to any table. Use arrangements of candles on guest and side tables throughout the room. Most venues will provide clear votives or mirrors for free to be used for the reception. When the lights are turned low for dancing, candles provide a soft illumination that is romantic. Votives and tealights are fine to use throughout dinner, but when it comes time for the after dinner entertainment, be sure to use long pillar candles, as you want the candles to burn for several hours.


The easiest way to choose decorations is to work with a theme of some sort, whether it just is a nice color combination, the flowers you love, a favorite season of the year, or some specific theme based on a special interest. Themes will provide you with a lot of ideas for all sorts of wedding décor that you can use.



A good wedding decorator should give you some inspiration on coming up with imaginative and creative ideas so that your wedding day will be a beautiful and spectacular visual feast for everyone.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Top 10 Wedding Makeup Mistakes

Top 10 Wedding Makeup Mistakes

When getting ready for weddings, many women think the bigger the event, the bigger the makeup. Well not so. Below is a list of the most common mishaps innocently played out at the hands of excited event-goers.

1. Too much makeup—yes, the wedding is a big celebration but try not to make your face as grand as the excitement. Less is more.

2. Stuck on trends—okay, unless you’ve been asleep for the past few years, you know that glitter is big. But 5 years from now you want to look at photos that have a timeless, classic and neutral face. Don’t date your photos with super shine! Go with matte, neutrals.

3. Makeup that isn’t you—If you never wear a stitch of makeup, don’t walk down the aisle or show up at a party looking like you lost a fight with a Drag Queen. Look like you, only fresher.

4. Look-a-likes—gone are the days when bridesmaids all resemble big matching rosettes atop a cake. Let your wedding party keep their individuality and wear looks that suit them. Don’t give everyone bright purple eye-paint to match the purple dresses. Work with a range of harmonizing colour families.

5. Forcing the unwilling—classic are the Moms of brides and grooms who go “under the brush” to please the bride, only to be upset that lipstick feels funny on their usually bare lips. Don’t force anyone to be made up for your event; you’ll create needless stress for yourself also.

6. Changing routines—too many brides rush out and get facials, tans and teeth whitening a week before the wedding. Skin erupts, gums flare up, and tans can peel off like wallpaper the morning of the nuptials. Stick with your regular skincare, eat well, exercise, have lots of water and sleep, and less caffeine.

7. Forgetting supplies—any makeup artist who tells you your face will last the whole day of your big party with NO touch-ups is selling a dream. You will need blotting papers or powder to control face shine before photos, lipstick to reapply and maybe sealer to prep for all those celebration kisses, a little liner or eye shadow to refresh after tears, and always waterproof mascara.

8. Wrong look—many people take pictures out of magazines and request a look that doesn’t suit them or is too sultry for their Victorian theme (the smokey eye and the pale JLo lip are common requests.) Match your look to the feel of the event and to suit your face.

9. Over-dew!—I haven’t met a bride who didn’t want a “dewey” shining cheek. The challenge is that it can look greasy in photos. Stick with a little highlighting on cheekbones or eyes, but not whole face.

10. Gloss crazy—leave the gloss for calmer events. Big events mean you kiss a lot and dance like mad. You end up with your flying hair stuck to you, and your mouth stuck to everyone else. Keep lips creamy or matte.


About the Author: Colette is a professional makeup artist and works with the fashion industry, TV & celebrity and personal clients.