< PreviousLincolnshire Today Wedding Guide BRIDAL FASHION 30 For some the veil is non-negotiable, with the groom pulling back the cloth for that first kiss an integral part of the ceremony, but no one says you must. Having your hair and make-up done only to wear a veil as you walk up the aisle may seem counterintuitive. Instead try a tiara, which sits atop your head like a crown and will no doubt draw gazes from your guests. To get the best of both worlds, a veil can be worn down the back. The dress itself is a more complicated matter. To buy or to rent? Do I need a garter? What if my fiancé sees? While wedding planners can allay many of these anxieties, some will have to be tackled head on. Wedding dresses come in all manner of styles and designs, from the traditional to the adventurous. For some, wearing your mother’s, or even grandmother’s, dress is a time honoured tradition and it might be one The dress of your dreams you want to pass on to your own daughter. Providing your relative doesn’t object (and it’s always better to ask in advanced), you can have the dress altered for a better fit or to give it a modern twist. Tradition beckons, but trends for this year tend more towards minimalism. If less is more, it serves to follow that the wedding dress would also be applicable. 3D floral details on an otherwise unassuming dress will speak volumes and draw attention to the bride. Big and bold floral embroidery will also continue to dominate, but plunging necklines will be seen across the board. Don’t feel pressured into bearing skin just because current trends point that way; there’s no good spending your wedding feeling uncomfortable in your own skin and worrying about a slip. Bespoke options provide utter peace of mind as well as There’s not so much rules as guidelines when it comes to wedding dresses, and it’s always better to go with your own instinct than to begrudgingly follow someone else’s advice. It is, after all, your wedding. 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 1www.lincolnshiretoday.net BRIDAL FASHION 31 © Shutterstock / Inara Prusakova ensuring you end up with exactly what you dreamed of. Say you’re after a minimalist design with floral accents and a more conservative neckline, any one of the county’s gifted tailors and designers will be able to oblige. Plunging necklines might be a bit risqué for some, but the off-the-shoulder look is a staple of the fashion world. Chances are you’ll have a few shoulder-bearing dresses in your wardrobe already. The benefit of this style will be to show off your collarbone, leaving you looking sensuous and elegant. A carefully chosen necklace will only heighten the effect. For added embellishments, there are corsets and bodices to consider, though it might be worth seeking the opinion of your maid of honour or wedding planner just to be on the safe side. To truly turn tradition on its head, you could always wear a suit alongside the groom. Many of the world’s top celebrities past and present have stood out from the crowd in a well-tailored suit. It’s a bold move, but it will certainly leave an impression. While we’re on the subject, it’s worth mentioning that although traditional, white isn’t the only colour that wedding dresses come in. There’s a whole colour palate to explore. The cardinal rule for bridesmaids is not to upstage the bride. This should go without saying, though it nevertheless needs reiterating. It can be tough to downplay your own look to benefit the bride, but rather than inciting competition, dress to complement. In many cases, the bride and groom will have a particular colour scheme or style in mind, with some going so far as to pick out specific dresses for bridesmaids. In any case, it’s always worth sitting down with the bride or, better yet, go for a shopping spree. 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 2Omaira from Enzoani - available from Belle & Bouquet - The Bridal Suite facebook.com/belleandbouquet Tel: 01522 811122 Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide BRIDAL FASHION 32 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 3One of the fantastic dresses available from Bridal Reloved Caistor www.bridalreloved.co.uk Tel: 01472 852532 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 4Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide BRIDAL FASHION 34 Zéphyrine from ÉLYSÉE - available from Belle & Bouquet - The Bridal Suite facebook.com/belleandbouquet Tel: 01522 811122 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 5www.lincolnshiretoday.net 35 Noor from ÉLYSÉE - available from Belle & Bouquet - The Bridal Suite facebook.com/belleandbouquet Tel: 01522 811122 BRIDAL FASHION 30-35.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 10:13 Page 6Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide MENSWEAR 36 The bride’s dress is as evocative an emblem of a wedding as the cake and the kiss. Something in the frills and fabric paints a timeless and alluring appeal which, for many, is the focal point. There’s still such a heavy emphasis on what the bride is wearing, whose name is on the label and whether (heaven forbid) it resembles a meringue. In amongst the scrutiny, it can be easy to overlook what the groom’s in. As men become increasingly fashion conscious and open about their appearance, there’s been a noticeable shift in the look of the wedding ceremony. The groom’s choice of threads has moved away from a dark suit and coloured tie combo into something altogether more urbane. Designer wear might be the first port of call, and there’s no shortage of stellar retailers across the county, but others might opt for a tailored approach. This way, a groom can choose the fabric, cut and colours of his suit to complement the chosen colour scheme or for a better fit than might only be 38 Á Well groomed A wedding might still be billed as the bride’s big day, but the groom is expected to make much more of an effort with his outfit. 36-38.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 09:48 Page 1www.lincolnshiretoday.net MENSWEAR 37 PERFECTION BRIDAL & MENSWEAR 31 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1EW www.perfectionlincoln.co.uk An exclusive range of Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids, plus ranges from other leading designers, Venus, Phoenix plus others. Contemporary and traditional styles, accessories too. All alterations completed in-house. Ladies 01522 522616 Also one of Lincolnshire's longest established menswear hire specialists with over 35 years experience. All hire suits held in stock to try on before you order. Groom goes free with five or more outfits. Menswear 01522 533615 © Shutterstock / Mirage_studio © Shutterstock / JaaoKun © Shutterstock / CarmonaGuerrero 36-38.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 09:48 Page 2Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide MENSWEAR 38 accomplished by on off-the-rack approach. It might be one of the more expensive options on offer, but it is guaranteed to deliver some of the best results. Grooms can also hire out a suit or tuxedo for the big day, and the choices available have grown to encompass a more elaborate and stylish ensemble. Settling on any one choice can be difficult, so it pays to try multiple options on and seek a second or even third opinion. It might be bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the big day, but no one said anything about the bride seeing the groom. The groom could also enlist the help of friends or other family members and make a day of it. Accessorising might be thought of something more for the bride and her maids, but with a choice in ties, cufflinks and pins, the groom can really curate his look to work with the wedding theme or just to stand out from the crowd. Opting for a cravat over a bow or necktie could make a huge difference between ordinary and sophistication, and make for some more dynamic photographs. If a colour scheme hasn’t been specified on the invitation, then many men attending are inclined to opt for suit, shirt and tie combinations that are better suited to the House of Commons or worse, a funeral, and that’s hardly the image anyone wants to convey at a wedding. Letting male guests aware of the colour scheme well in advance can allow them to dress accordingly. This is doubly true of the best man. The old adage of not outdoing the bride is good advice for the best man too, who might want to dress to complement the groom rather than compete. Lincolnshire can cater to every one of these needs, from flash new cufflinks, to designer and tailor-made suits and top hats. If the devil is in the details, than it pays to make the littlest details count. © Shutterstock / oliveromg 36-38.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 09:48 Page 3 Best dressed www.lincolnshiretoday.net OCCASION WEAR 39 It’s no easy feat picking out an outfit for a wedding. Some couples have a clear idea of what they want everything to look like well in advanced, so the invitation might well list the chosen colour scheme. So if they’ve asked the men wear blue and women green, it’s best not to deviate. Sometimes they’ll be more specific prerequisites to abide by, though typically a colour suggestion will be the limit. It’s expected of guests to try and dress smartly, yet as weddings become less formal, the couple may be fine with smart casual rather than formalwear. The bride and groom are, without doubt, the stars of the show, but the maid of honour and best man take on important roles. Their outfits will probably reflect this, Just because you’re a guest and not the bride or groom, doesn’t mean that’s any excuse not to put the effort in and find an amazing outfit. © Shutterstock / pyrozhenka 40 Á 39-41.qxp_Layout 1 27/01/2020 09:49 Page 1Next >