They say that her wedding day is the best day of a woman’s life. This cliché holds true to most women. What more if you are a celebrity and can spend as much as you want for that one day where all eyes are on you and Mr. Right waiting for you by the altar. Because they can afford it, celebrities often approach acclaimed designers to create their bridal gowns. During the 90s, Vera Wang was often celebs’ best friend on their wedding day. Vera Wang worked as a Fashion Director for Vogue magazine and a design director for Ralph Lauren. That was when she realized that there was no fashion when it comes to the bridal business. All dresses were traditional that didn’t have the style and sophistication she was looking for. To resolve this, she created a bridal line of her very own. Vera Wang’s salon opened in 1990 which showed off her bridal collection. The freshness of detail and the exuberance of elegance quickly gained her recognition the world over.
Celebrities who have donned Vera Wang wedding dresses are Jennifer Lopez (off-shoulder lacey ruffled dress), Jessica Simpson (meringue color) and Sharon Stone (light pink chiffon.) Other celebrities who wore Vera Wang on their special day are Mariah Carey, Uma Thurman, Holly Hunter and Karenna Gore.
Remaining true to Paris haute fashion, Vera Wang uses fabrics that are luxurious and rich to detail such as beading. Combining modern style to traditional touches, Vera Wang wedding dresses include sweet bows and tulle dresses. Her creations convey that brides can be seductive.
A Vera Wang wedding dress ranges from as cheap as $2000 to as expensive as $7000. These can be obtained at her bridal salon and department stores like Neiman Marcus, Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
But lately, another designer-to-the-stars is making a name for herself when it comes to creating wedding dresses.
Monique Lhuiller is of French, Spanish and Filipino heritage. She grew up in the Philippines. Because of her mom’s glamorous style and her family’s usual traveling, Monique’s influence led her to dream of becoming a fashion designer.
She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Afterwards, she worked at a small French firm. By designing her own wedding, her vision of her own firm was concretized. By 1996, she launched her first-ever bridal collection.
Celebrities have strutted the red carpet and are featured in editorial spreads wearing Monique Lhuillier creations. But it is her wedding dresses that have been featured more.
Celebrities who have worn Monique Lhuillier’s wedding dresses include singer Pink (in an ivory and black Monique Lhuillier creation), “Lost” star Emilie de Ravin (in a lacey long gown), and “Eve” star Ali Landry.
But it is when she designed wedding dresses for two high-profile celebrity weddings that placed her creations on the A-Listers’ wedding brochures. She designed Christine Baumgartner’s wedding dress for her fall 2004 wedding to hubby director and actor Kevin Costner. Prior to that, she designed Britney Spears’ two wedding dresses to hubby (now her ex) dancer and aspiring singer-actor Kevin Federline.
Monique Lhuillier also designed the five burgundy silk crepe dresses for the bridesmaids. As well as the wedding dresses of the bride’s mom and groom’s mom.
She has also designed the wedding dresses of Debbie Metenopoulos, Charlotte Ross and Natalie Imbruglia. She was selected by 300,000 “Today Show” viewers to take part on their “Today Throws a Destination Wedding 2004” series.
She also designed gowns for the red-carpet, worn by Allison Janney, Jamie-Lynn Discala, Megan Mullaly, Famke Janssen and Teri Hatcher.
Lhuillier’s wedding dress designs are quite feminine. Its trademark is the exquisite workmanship and the extravagant fabrics used. Very few of which have sleeves but a majority are like full skirts with a flair for drama.
Most importantly, Lhuillier’s wedding dresses have a stylish and modern feel. Perhaps this is the reason why her creations are in demand for celebrities walking down the aisle. At the same time, they still have the traditional sentiment of romance.
A Monique Lhuillier wedding dress has a price range from $2000 to $10,000 dollars. Her wedding dresses can be found in boutiques such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Her wedding is truly any woman’s special day. With a Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier dress, these are only icing to the wedding cake!
Wedding Dresses
Wedding Makeup
Her wedding day is the bride’s special day. All eyes must be on her. If you saw “Monster-In-Law” there was this scene with Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda arguing about their gowns. Jane Fonda donned this flattering white dress, clearly to upstage the bride-to-be Lopez. Lopez was furious.
Beyond the dress, brides also ponder about their hairstyle and their make-up. You may be wearing the best designer gown that you can afford, but if you look like you put a stray cat on your head or had just rolled out of your bed, this will be the talk of your wedding, and not your dress.
For brides who have a background on how they look best, they can actually do the task themselves. If you are one of them, all you need are the right make-up products. Your wedding is worth buying new make-up for. Go for the brand your budget can afford.
Here are a couple of wedding make-up styles you can opt for:
1. Contemporary Wedding Make-UpThe soft sparkles of mixed colors such as plum and pink will give you a natural and chic glow.
2. Hollywood Starlet Wedding Make-UpThis make-up entails smoky eyes, full lips and bare blush. The emphasis of this style of wedding make-up is on the eyes and the lips.
3. Classically Feminine Wedding Make-UpBy blending neutral tones set against your skin tone, this traditional make-up look will play up your feminine features.
4. Spanish Flair Wedding Make-UpSimilar to the Hollywood Starlet Wedding Make-Up because of the smoky look and full red lips, you’re sure to have eyes on you. It will also give the impression that you will be dancing tango or flamenco after the ceremony.
5. Vintage Romance Wedding Make-UpThe usual colors are cream and peaches. This is perfect for fair-skinned brides because it accentuates their skin tone, giving them a warm effect.
6. Glamour Goddess Wedding Make-UpWith full eyes and full pouting lips like that of Angelina Jolie’s, go all out on your glamorous day. You’re not only a bride, you’re a goddess.
7. Retro Regal Wedding Make-UpMostly inspired by Audrey Hepburn, this make-up gives off the regal effect. You’re a bride-and-princess on your special day.
8. Garden Party Wedding Make-UpInspired by British garden weddings, your make-up with shades of plum and rose will turn you into a flower in no time.
There are others who prefer hiring professional wedding make-up artists. Some may be expensive than most but you can see the difference.
With their extensive experience and high-quality staff, professional make-up artists can not only fix your make-up, they will also be responsible for your hair. Plus, they bring with them hair accessories once the situation requires it. By creating the style that you dream of since you were a little girl, professional make-up artists will be your fairy godmother.
After hiring a professional make-up artist, you must schedule an appointment with them. This is to give the make-up artist appropriate time to ponder on the most suitable look for you. She will suggest the style that works best with your skin tone. She will also think of the right hairstyle.
Another good thing about having a professional make-up artist on your side is not only will she take care of your make-up, she also knows the right brush, comb and headpiece. You will totally be in good hands.
Every bride would love to look her best. She will also feel her best, thanks to the professional make-up artist and her staff. You, as the bride, can just relax by taking a seat and having fun as they do all the work for you.
If you have suggestions or you perused through a particular look that you fancy as you flip through bridal magazines, do not hesitate to come forward and show this to your professional make-up artist. Of course, you have a say on how you will look like. The make-up artist is there to also provide as second opinion, thanks to her expertise.
Now that you have another wedding aspect planned, you can take a deep breathe and remove the crossing of your fingers. You know for sure that everyone’s attention will be on you the very minute you make your way to the altar.
