Looking Great on Your Wedding Day

The church doors open to reveal the bride on the arm of her father, waiting with bated breath for her chance to walk down the aisle toward her groom. While wedding guests are dazzled by the room full of carefully-chosen décor, the bride is the real star.

When that moment occurs, the bride wants to look her best. For some brides, this means following the latest bridal trends. If you’re one of these brides-to-be, then here’s a preview of what you might see in 2016 and how to make it work for you

Wedding Dresses and Formal Wear

A Pop of Color
One of the hottest new trends is subtle-toned dresses. With a hint of pink in a blush gown, a pale shade of silver or nude, you will be sure to stand out and still look bridal. Colored sashes on a traditional white or ivory gown remain a popular trend as well.

Simple and Elegant
Although some brides are opting for a more adventurous color scheme, some are sticking with this season’s minimalistic trend. This style offers brides elegant clean lines, while still being comfortable enough for dancing.

Optical Illusions
The newest trend in bridal wear is bodices that look like skin. They provide the coverage that the more modest bride prefers, while still giving the illusion of a sexier cut. Intricately detailed lace over skin-colored sheer fabric can be found as an accent on the back, bodice, or covering the sleeves.

Ball Gowns
While in years past, designers have shied away from the traditional ball gown as a wedding staple, they are now looking back toward the full skirt for inspiration for this season’s fashion lines. These new creations still maintain a full look, and are made with lighter fabrics that give the bride an ethereal look.

Brides aren’t the only ones getting in on this season’s trends. Grooms are also stepping out of their comfort zones and attempting to incorporate some of the newest styles in formal wear.

Patterns
The runways are filled with men in suits of varying color and pattern that have a more tailored look. Patterns can encompass the entire tux, or be limited to a sleeve or jacket.

Traditional With a Twist
Although pattern and color are trendy, some men prefer to stick with a more traditional look. Some designers are keeping tuxedos and suits traditional, but are adding wow-factor embellishments like waistcoats, pocket watches and bow ties.

Metallic
If you are going for a more traditional look, why not bring it into the future with a little metallic shine. Designers have added iridescent fabrics to this season’s suits, which will help your groom stand out from the crowd.

While the bride and groom’s attire is vital to the look and feel of the wedding, it is also important to make sure the rest of you looks great, too. From beauty treatments to tanning to dental work, there is a lot to consider before saying “I do.”

Makeup
This season some brides are stepping away from heavy makeup and opting for a more natural look. This doesn’t mean doing away with makeup all together, but applying softer shades that flatter your skin tone. To pull off this look you’ll need to make sure your skin is healthy and glowing by having a good skin care regimen in place prior to the wedding. Plan to do a trial run of your wedding makeup before the big day arrives. Even though low-key makeup might sound great, you might not like the way it looks on you, and keep in mind you’ll need a little more color for the photos. Many brides rely on professional makeup artists to apply flawless makeup in perfect shades that will last through the day and night.

Tanning
If you’ll be exchanging vows in spring or summer and want to have that sun-kissed look, then you might want to consider visiting a salon or spa that offers spray tanning. While this can be a great alternative to sitting outside in the sun, it is important to test out your sunless tanner before the wedding. Whether you’ll be using a lotion or getting a spray tan, you’ll want to make sure it works for your skin tone before it’s too late to back out.

Hair
It’s all about loose braids, buns and curls this season. When it’s done right, it can be a great way to achieve the romantic look you’re going for. If you don’t want a fussy up-do, then try having your stylist add texture to your flowing locks by teasing or adding waves to your hairstyle.

Lashes
False lashes and lash extensions have increased in popularity in the last few years. They continue to be a favorite among brides who want to achieve a more dramatic look. While these lashes can be just the thing to set you apart from other brides, it is important to have them applied by a professional or research how to do them correctly to avoid problems on your big day. To make your “falsies” look more natural, try applying varying lengths or add only a few lashes on the outer corner of your eyes.

Spa Treatments
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and sometimes a day at the spa can do wonders for your stress level. You can go alone for a massage and a facial, or take your future spouse or bridesmaids and make it a fun pre-wedding outing. Many spas offer a variety of bridal packages.

Dental Treatments
Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life, and you don’t want a crooked, yellow smile staring back at you for decades to come. Many dentists offer whitening services, which are sometimes covered by insurance, as well as clear braces like Invisalign that can straighten teeth without a mouth full of metal.

Whether following the latest trends or marching to the beat of your own drum, it is important to rely on local professionals to help find wedding attire and beauty treatments that will help you have the wedding of your dreams.