bridal guide

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 1

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Guide2013

civil ceremony

why this may be your best choice

striking weddingphotos

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the golden years

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2 FeBruary 2013 | Bride Guide


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detable of contentsSomething old, Something new ..............................................................Page 4Writing your own wedding vows ...........................................................Page 5Simple ways to save ......................................................................... Page 6Civil ceremony .................................................................................. Page 8Something blue…. for him ........................................................... Page 10Think pink… for her ...................................................................... Page 11Pre-wedding cocktail hour ........................................................... Page 12Roles of the best man and maid of honor ................................... Page 13Romantic wedding dresses ........................................................... Page 14Vintage is trend in bridal jewelry ................................................. Page 17Insta-glam Photos .......................................................................... Page 18The golden years ........................................................................... Page 22

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every wedding needs those special touches to make it one of a kind. Local wedding fashion trends are seeing these special touches intersect both the old and the new.

When choosing the all-important wedding gown, brides seem to be following a cycle that leads right back to the foundations and styles of yesterday. Gown shop owner Kim Croft is finding women are making a return to the more classical wedding right down to the chapel itself.

“For the past 5 years traditional weddings have been making a comeback.” said Croft of image in White Wedding Gallery “ The last few years have seen a lot of destination weddings. We are still see-ing these taking place, but we are also seeing a lot of sisters or friends of those destination wedding brides looking for something different in their own ceremony.”

Ken’s Goldsmithing manager Curtis Macleod is seeing something different happening with wedding bands and engagement rings. The trend in jewellery points towards custom bridal pieces, both for men and women.

“Customers are getting more savvy and knowl-edgeable and want to make an informed purchase. Customizing a wedding set ensures they get exactly what they want and love.” Macleod pointed out

The pursuit of this purpose has prompted a dis-tinct move away from matching wedding bands to-wards individual designs with similar features. it has also generated a lot of specific interest into colored diamonds for engagement rings and custom etching and engravings for wedding bands.

“engraving a meaningful inscription on the inside is popular” said Macleod, “ but also hand engraving a design or picture on the outside creates a meaningful piece that’s one of a kind.”

Whether it is the return to the styles and ceremony of yesterday or a new flare added to the old tradi-tions, each wedding is about creating that unique experience for that special day. No matter if it is old or new, these businesses are there to do whatever it takes make that special day uniquely your own.

Something Old, Something New

image in White Wedding Gallery www.imageinwhitegallery.com

Ken’s Goldsmithing www.kensgoldsmithing.com


a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many couples, so brides and grooms wish for the event to be momentous and memorable. as such, couples are increasingly integrating personal nuances into their ceremo-nies and receptions to tailor weddings to their unique visions. The desire to include personalized wedding vows continues to be a popular trend.

if you are considering personalized wedding vows, first realize that it may not be a simple task. That’s because you want the message conveyed to be dear to your heart, and that can be challenging when faced with the pressures and planning of the rest of the wedding. That isn’t to say that writing your own vows is impossible. Here are some guidelines for person-alizing your ceremony with your own sentiments.

SChedule TIme foR WRITIng.amid the bustle of dress fittings and interviews with photographers,

it can be easy to put off the important task of writing vows for another day. But as any great writer can attest, it takes writing -- and rewriting -- to achieve a finished product you can be proud of. Give the task of writing your vows your undivided attention. Mark it in on your calendar or set a reminder on your computer just as you would any other appointment.

Be aWaRe of CeRemony guIdelIneS.it is best to check with your officiant and confirm that personalized wed-

ding vows are allowed. during civil ceremonies it’s often acceptable to customize vows as you see fit. However, during religious ceremonies there may be lines of scripture that need to be read or certain passages required. Before you spend hours working on the task, be sure that it is allowed and that your spouse and you are on the same page.

JoT doWn youR feelIngS.answer some questions about what marriage means to you and how you

feel about your spouse. Try to avoid trite sayings and think from your heart and personal experiences. Think about what is the most important thing you want to promise to your future partner. These notes can serve as the starting points for the actual vows.

Read InSPIRaTIonal WRITIngS.Perhaps there is an author or a poet who inspires you? you can quote

certain writers in your vows or let the tone of their works help shape the words of your vows. There also are suggested wedding readings and other quotes about marriage readily available at the library or with a quick search online.

deCIde on a Tone.although the day is based on love and affection, you may not feel com-

fortable spouting words of adoration in front of friends and family. Feel free to tap into your unique personality. Humor can be used if it aligns with the way you normally express your affections. Be sure to weave this tone into more traditional passages to create a cohesive expression of your feelings.

eSTaBlISh an ouTlIne.Put together all of the words and phrases you’ve jotted down into an

outline to help you organize the flow of the vows, using these words as a blueprint for the vows and building upon them. Make sure the vows will be concise. aim for your entire speech to be around 1 minute in length to keep everyone engaged and the ceremony moving along.

PuT eVeRyThIng TogeTheR.draft your vows and then practice them by reading out loud. you want

to avoid long sentences or anything that trips you up. although large words may sound impressive, they could make the vows seem too academic and not necessarily heartfelt. enlist the help of a friend or two to act as your audience to see if the vows sound good and are easily understandable.

Writing your own vows can be a way to include personal expressions

of love into a couple’s wedding day. Public speaking is seldom easy, nor is finding the perfect words to convey feelings about a future spouse. How-ever, with some practice and inspiration, anyone can draft personalized vows.

Tips for writingyour own wedding vows


according to a 2012 report in Brides magazine, the average american couple spends just under $27,000 on their wedding, while their northern neighbors in Canada spend slightly more than $23,000 on average for their big day. Clearly couples, regard-less of which side of the border they call home, can expect to invest a substantial amount of money for their weddings.

While many couples find the cost of a wedding is well worth it, others would like to find ways to save so their big day isn’t a budget-buster. Such savings aren’t always easy to come by, espe-cially for couples with a very distinctive picture in mind of what their wedding should be. However, even couples strongly com-mitted to a certain wedding style might change their minds once they realize how much such a dream wedding will cost. For those couples as well as couples who simply want to save some money, the following are a few ideas to avoid busting your budget without venturing too far from your dream wedding.

TRIm The gueST lIST.The guest list is perhaps the easiest place to begin saving money. Many reception halls will charge by the head, so con-sider if you really need to invite 150 guests or if 100 will do. Such trimming can save you a substantial amount of money. For example, a banquet hall that charges $200 per guest will cost couples with a guest list of 150 $30,000 for the recep-tion alone. Cutting that guest list to 100 reduces that cost by $10,000. When putting together the guest list, remove those

on your wedding

Simple ways

to save

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 7candidates who would best be described as acquaintances. This can include coworkers with whom you don’t socialize, as well as old college friends to whom you rarely speak. distant cousins you haven’t spoken to in years can also be cut from the list.

don’T go oVeRBoaRd on The goWn.Styles are ever-changing, so there’s a strong chance brides won’t be passing down their wedding gowns to their own daughters some-day. What’s popular now will likely seem outdated by the time your daughter walks down the aisle. Keep this in mind when shopping for a wedding dress, which can be made in the same design as the one you try on but with cheaper fabrics that are a fraction of the cost. The disparity between gown costs in the united States and Canada should paint a good picture of how easily brides can save money on their gowns. according to a survey of wedding trends conducted by Weddingbells, an online resource for Canadian brides, the aver-age Canadian bride in 2011 spent just under $1,800 on her wedding gown, while the average american bride spends roughly $1,100 on her gown. Though the reasons for that disparity are unclear, it’s safe to say there are savings to be had for brides who don’t want to break the bank paying for their wedding gowns.

geT hITChed In The off-SeaSon.Many couples prefer to get married sometime between the months of May through October. during these months, venues and vendors, including limousine services, caterers, photographers, musicians, and deejays, are more expensive. if you are willing to switch your wedding date to the off-season you can save a substantial amount of money. in addition, you likely won’t face as much competition for the best venues and vendors as you will during the peak wedding season.

TRIm youR BeVeRage BudgeT.The bar tab at the end of the reception can be considerable, but there are ways to save money while ensuring your guests can still toast you and yours with a few libations. rather than offering a full bar, limit the choices to beer and wine, which will be perfectly ac-ceptable to most guests anyway. in addition, rather than paying the caterer for the wine, buy your own and you’ll save a considerable amount of money. you may have to pay the caterer a fee to pour the wine, but that fee is negligible compared to what you’d pay the company to provide the wine.

ChooSe a BuffeT-STyle dInneR oVeR WaITeR SeRVICe.Many guests will no doubt prefer a buffet-style dinner instead of waiter service, so take advantage of that and choose a more af-fordable buffet-style dinner that allows diners to choose their own entrees and side dishes.

When it comes to trimming wedding costs, couples will have to make compromises. But those compromises don’t have to come at the cost of a beautiful and memorable event.

a bride who’s willing to be flexible with respect to her wedding gown can save a substantial

amount of money.


Many people dream of a wedding in a church or synagogue be-fore dozens of family members and friends, while there are others who prefer to forgo the fanfare of a large wedding ceremony and are content with a civil wedding instead.

Civil ceremonies are often a choice for couples who may have different religious beliefs or do not belong to a particular religious persuasion. in lieu of being presided over by a pastor, priest or rabbi, civil ceremonies are conducted by an authorized official, such as a judge or justice of the peace. The marriage also can be performed by a licensed wedding officiant. depending on where a couple lives, mayors or even notary publics can solemnize a mar-riage. Pilots and ship captains also may be able to preside over the ceremony. Some states and provinces will allow anyone to solem-nize a wedding, provided they have filed for a special permit for the day.

in terms of location, the most basic of civil ceremonies take place at the county courthouse, where paperwork is immediately filed. Ceremonies also occur at City Hall. Couples can choose to hire an officiant to go to another location to oversee the marriage ceremony. The latter is the more expensive option and will be based on the officiant’s schedule.

What to expect

many couples forgo a religious ceremony, opting instead for one that is presided over by a civil officiant at a courthouse or another location.

civil ceremony

with a

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 9The structure of a civil marriage is much more lax than those

which follow the more traditional course. rather than being required to wear a certain wardrobe or meet with the requirements of a par-ticular church or other house of worship, couples often find flexibil-ity with the civil route. although some brides and grooms prefer to wear a tuxedo or suit and a wedding gown, it is not necessary to do so. There are many couples who have tied the knot in more casual clothing or even costumes.

in order to participate in a civil ceremony, couples must secure a marriage license. This is usually obtained by a county registrar or another officer of records where the couple lives. regulations will vary as to the time period in which the ceremony can be done after the mariage license is received. Some licenses may be voided if the couple does not tie the knot within a few days of securing the license.

When the ceremony will take place is generally up to the couple and, if a member of the judiciary will be overseeing the wedding, the courthouse. Some courts require an appointment for the wedding, while others may have a walk-in policy. determine these policies well in advance of the wedding day.

There is often a fee collected for the wedding ceremony in addi-tion to what was paid for the marriage license. For those hiring a private officiant, the fee will be much higher than what a clerk of the court will cost. The couple will need to bring the marriage license and photo identification. Two witnesses also will need to be present with their own photographic identification. These witnesses will be needed to sign the marriage certificate.

Because there is no firm tradition with civil ceremonies, couples may need to be more hands-on when it comes to executing the wed-ding. Here are some tips to consider.• an officiant may not organize the wedding, meaning it will be up

to the couple to choose vows, arrange where people will stand, re-quest any clerical blessings, or include any other special elements.

• Some officiants enjoy presiding over weddings, while others see it as just a part of public duty. Couples can try to find an officiant

who meets with their approval and will keep with the tone that is expected of the ceremony.

• For those adding personal vows, keep them brief and tailored to the occasion.

• Know how many people can attend the ceremony in advance. Cou-ples should recognize that space could be limited and restricted to only a few people if the wedding is taking place at the courthouse.

• arrange the venue for a party afterward. Couples may choose to re-cord a video of the ceremony for playback at a reception to enable those who were not in attendance to be part of the special moment where the rings and vows were exchanged.

Civil ceremonies are advantageous to those who have factors that may make a religious ceremony unfavorable.


Something Blue… for Him

Tradition does not mandate somethings borrowed, old or new for your groom, but a blue embellishment will lend playful elegance to his attire. Here, Patricia Trépanier, a men’s fashion stylist and image consultant based in Toronto and Montreal, offers a few chic selections.© CTW Features

SockSSince only a few inches of his

socks will show when he’s sit-

ting down, socks are a great

way bring in blue without

overpowering the groom’s

look. Trépanier likes Happy

Socks’ striped socks mix stripes of dark and light

blues.HappySocks.com, $12

cufflinkSThere are countless options, featur-ing everything from precious gems to sports logos or plaid. If he’s fashion-forward but not very flashy, Trépanier recom-mends Tateossian Scoubidou’s blue-and-white braided Ital-ian leather cufflinks which wrap around the edge of his shirt cuff. Tateossian.com, $165

ShoelaceSColorful shoelaces are trending this style season, says Trépanier. These shiny bright-blue laces from Stolen Riches look good in both black and brown shoes.StolenRiches.com,

$17.50


When Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake tied the knot Oct. 19, 2012, in southern italy, Biel was the latest celeb-rity bride to choose pink for her big day.Biel’s custom Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown fea-tured a light pink floral motif and a tiered skirt of silk mousseline and silk organza for a ball gown effect.Biel’s rosy selection puts her in the re-cent company of anne Hathaway, who’s Valentino gown for her September 2012 wedding featured pink hand-painted de-tails, and reese Witherspoon, who opted for a blush-hued Monique Lhuillier num-ber for her 2011 nuptials. you don’t have to be a celeb to think pink on your wedding day, however, as designers are responding to the trend by putting pink looks on the runway.© CTW Features

Think Pink … for Her

Vera Wang White


if you w a n t y o u r gues t s to have a mem-orable t i m e from the

m o m e n t they arrive,

consider follow-ing the lead of more

and more modern couples who are opting to get the party started

pre-ceremony.To set the right tone, Brides magazine Senior edi-

tor yolanda Crous recommends creating a special play-list or hiring an instrumentalist (think guitarist or jazz trio)

to play classical versions of your favorite tunes. Give guests something to look at like a slideshow or elaborate wedding

program. Crous suggests including your love story, mini bios of your attendants, and background on your readings.

if you’re location is unique – museum, art gallery, zoo – Crous

also advises arranging for mini tours. added bonus: These pre-wedding activities are a fun conversation starter for guests who don’t know each other. Photo booths, the guest book and lawn games are good pre-ceremony activities, too.

it’s also nice to offer a little refreshment. Karine France-Matsumoto, owner of Honolulu-based Seasons of Life events, recommends having servers pass signature cocktails and booze-free mocktails, and setting up a self-service beverage station with minted water and fruit tea. No need to go overboard on the food, but this is a perfect time for fea-turing regional bite-sized appetizers or the couple’s favorite snacks, France-Matsumoto says.

in addition, think about the weather. if it’s hot, France-Matsumoto suggests handing out chilled hand-towels, and Crous recommends pro-viding paper fans, sunscreen and bug spray. if it’s cold, Crous says having space heaters and baskets of blankets or pashminas is smart.

Most importantly, you, the couple, should feel free to join in! The pre-ceremony party will give you even more time to chat with old friends or relatives who traveled from afar, notes France-Matsumoto, and connecting in a casual way can help calm jitters about being the center of attention. But it’s probably best if the newlyweds-to-be avoid the alcohol, Crous says: “you don’t want to slur your vows.”–Anna Sachse © CTW Features

The Pre-Wedding Cocktail HourParty Plan


Being chosen as a best man or a maid of honor is a significant and meaningful honor. Those roles have evolved over the years, but these special participants must still perform some of the traditional duties of the past, including serving as the official witnesses to the ceremony. The following is a rundown of the various duties maids of honor and best men are now expected to handle once they’re chosen for these distinguished honors.

PRIoR To The WeddIngBefore the wedding takes place, the maid of honor will closely assist

the bride-to-be with many of the important decisions related to the look and the feel of the wedding. She typically accompanies the bride to dress shops to select gowns for the bride and bridesmaids. Much in the same manner, the best man will assist the groom-to-be with choos-ing tuxedoes or suits and also with coordinating with the ushers to ensure they know when to go for fittings.

although the best man will serve as a sounding board for the groom, traditionally the bride and her bridesmaids have taken on the major-

ity of the wedding planning, so the maid of honor can expect to play a larger role than the best man. The maid of honor may be asked to delegate certain assignments, such as helping to find wedding vendors or addressing invitations. She may go with the bride for makeup and hairstyle trials. Together with the bridesmaids, she will plan a bridal shower party and a bachelorette excursion. She may select a wed-ding gift for the couple and present it on behalf of all the wedding attendants.

The best man will coordinate the bachelor party and may be asked to assist the groom with selecting a honeymoon site or to come along to book the trip.

WeddIng dayOn the day of the wedding, the maid of honor and the best man will

act as a support system for the bride and groom. The maid of honor will help the bride get dressed and help iron out any mini-emergencies that should crop up. The best man will help ensure all of the ushers are dressed and get the groom to the wedding on time.

during the ceremony, the maid of honor will hold the bride’s bou-quet while she participates in the wedding. The best man will keep the rings safe until they are needed. The maid of honor also will help adjust the bride’s train and veil as she sits and stands during the cer-emony. Both will sign the marriage certificate as witnesses.

at the reception, the best man is expected to give a toast and the maid of honor may share some words as well. She also may accompa-ny the bride to the restroom and assist her with managing the gown.

afTeR The WeddIngThe best man will be in charge of returning the tuxedoes to the

rental shop, if necessary. He also may drive the newly married couple to the airport so they can depart on their honeymoon.

The maid of honor will assist the bride in changing out of her gown and into her travel clothes. Oftentimes the maid of honor takes the gown to the cleaners in the days following the ceremony so the dress can be preserved.

Roles of the

best manmaid of honor

and


Brides feel good these days. And with a positive outlook comes a desire for rich, luxuri-ous gowns that will make fashionable statements at their weddings. From lace to layers to

fun pops of colors, these are the gowns brides want to wear in 2013

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller

For the most romantic day of their lives, brides want to look as romantically alluring as possible.

Visions of lace cascading down their dress-es, fabrics layered for movement and shape and pops of color conveying a sunny mood are some of the key trends emanating from the 2013 runways that can help achieve that fash-ionable dream.

along with feeling good about their impend-ing marriages, brides-to-be are in a more bull-ish mood and willing to spend a bit more on higher-end styles that include laces imported from europe.

“a more positive outlook on the economy is driving the desire for richness and luxurious-

ness,” says andrea Novella, sales and market-ing manager for New york-based anne Bow-en. High-quality fabrics such as lace, silk and crepe “are preferred because although they are pricier, they add a richness and finish that makes the gown look much more expensive than it is.”

Bridal salons from the West Coast to the east Coast report that lace gowns are key sellers with customers, whether it’s more modest fit-ted looks at esti’s in Brooklyn, N.y., or showier styles at M Bride in La Jolla, Calif. designers are creating lace works for the 21st century that are more modern and more envelope-pushing by incorporating lace in sleeves, on illusion necklines, on portrait backs, on belts and with embellishments of beading.

RomanceVisions of

Ivory Chantilly lace illusion cap sleeve sheath with embroidered tulle overlay, low back and godet skirt

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 15Lace abounds in the portrait backs of Lela

rose’s collection and plays a central role in Monique Lhuillier’s spring line. There are Chantilly lace bow belts on corset gowns with drop waists, Chantilly lace sheaths and re-embroidered lace illusion necklines and ball gowns. Guipure lace gowns mixed with satin-faced organza in glamorous slim, column shapes are popular Kevan Hall White Label styles. anne Bowen is incorporating bead-ing into lace gowns, such as a beaded Chan-tilly lace dress or a white beaded lace trumpet gown. another forward style is by Modern Trousseau, based in Connecticut, which of-fers a pinstripe silk taffeta gown with a lace overlay.

The key for brides to remember is that a little lace goes a long way.

“Brides have to be careful,” says Michele Martin, owner of M Bride. “if they wear allover lace, the dress can wear them. But, lace mixed with tulle or english net looks more whimsi-cal, more ethereal and more flattering.”

How brides wear it also makes a difference. For instance, when picking out a dreamy lace dress, don’t ruin the confection with a sash, say bridal experts.

“Sashes can downgrade the dress, dumb it down,” Martin says. “it looks more prommy and not as sophisticated.

Novella agrees that “sashes have given way to beaded belts, especially those incorporated into gowns.”

Lace-bow belts were a huge staple at Mo-

nique Lhuillier, accented with two-inch to four-inch bows. Watters partnered with Thomas Knoell designs to create a line of accessories, including belts with rhodium-plated metals, for an opulent, vintage feel for its collection of Miami-inspired dresses.

To keep the lace in check, lace has been pairing up with other fabrics for a match made in heaven whether it’s for an accent or a layering piece. Jes-sica Williams, the designer of alvina Valenta, wanted to create looks that featured “subtle and unexpected dimensions” for the spring season. Her gowns include a V-neck style with shoulder straps mixing lace and tulle for a soft, feminine feel.

Kevan Hall’s bridal dresses that are receiving positive reactions include a strapless style accent-ed with a front bow along with gowns layered with classic tulle and touches of re-embroidered lace in a move away from heavier gowns.

“dresses that are soft and light and airy are what’s in,” Hall says. “Brides want fab-rics that are more sensuous and light-weight.”

Whisper pink tulle and silk taffeta gown

with V-neckline, silk taffeta-

covered buttons and tulle

skirt with silk taffeta and

hand-beaded design details

and chapel train from Watters


Mixing clean lines with art deco details, Watters is using washed silk organza mixed with tulle for soft, flowing looks in drop-waist and modified a-line silhouettes, says Maria Prince, vice president of the dallas-based bridal line.

“We’re using yards and yards of fabric for draping and bil-lowing for a very ladylike look,” Prince says. “We’re layering and layering without the weight of big satin.”

There’s also no shortage of color on the runways. But, brides are opting for subtle color to make a big statement. Many de-signers are keeping the shades understated, such as at anne Bowen, which offers a gown made of ivory lace with a blush under-layer.

“Brides are keeping color soft so it looks like a wedding gown, but has an edge,” says Callie Tein, designer for Modern Trousseau. “They don’t want their gowns to look like an eve-ning dress. When do you ever get to wear an all-white dress? you can always wear a red dress or a green dress.”

Nova, a Cinderella-blue satin dress, and eden, a Chantilly lace sheath re-embroidered with chiffon are bridal favorites at Modern Trousseau. Monique Lhuillier created some blush drama with her figure-hugging Chantilly lace corset gown and Spanish tulle draped trumpet gown with a full skirt. Watters’ pink dress with cut pieces of taffeta shimmering with embroi-dered metallics streaming down the skirt is a showpiece.

Geography, however, often plays a role in how much brides are willing to deviate from the conventions of color or lack thereof.

“Tradition dies very hard here,” says Gail Hester, a bridal consultant at the Mimi boutique in New Orleans. “We had one girl who wore black this weekend, and she looked stunning. She has red hair and blue eyes. But there aren’t many girls who have the confidence to pull that off or that have parents that will let them.”© CTW Features

Ivory lace and silk organza gown with V-neckline, delicate

embroidery and hand beading on bodice, slim

A-line skirt and cathedral train from Watters


(MS) -- “Vintage remains a strong trend in bridal jewelry,” accord-ing to Jill Maier, VP of design at CarOLee. Harking back to the adage that “everything old is new again,” brides are favoring art deco, estate-inspired silhouettes when it comes to jewels. The mix of crystal and pearl is a signature look of CarOLee. it’s a timeless combination fused into an array of bridal designs: florette bracelets, delicate drop earrings, vintage-inspired necklaces. Here, the bride can rest easy knowing she won’t have to sacrifice for style: the ma-jority of the collection comes in under $100. These pretty pieces are perfect for the blushing bride and their versatility makes them ideal for the bridal party as well.

The desire to look fabulous without spending a fortune has never been quite so high. Many brides are choosing just one or two stand-out accessories, balancing a modern detail-oriented ceremony and reception with their minimalistic, classic ensemble.

Maier also notes, “The beauty of this jewelry is that it’s distinctive without being overwhelming. it can be worn alone and looks great layered.” Jewelry experts at the CarOLee counter in major depart-ment stores are always a great resource for jewelry bridal tips, or click on “BridaL” at http://www.carolee.com for a wealth of ideas for brides and every member of the bridal party.

is trend in

Model wears floral pearl linear drop pierced earrings and crystal and pearl bracelets, all from the CAROLEE bridal collection.

VintageBridal Jewelry


Photosinsta-Glam

Smartphone apps like Instagram add instant charm and radiance to photos with chic filters and effects – just like the tricks photographers employ to

make wedding photos pop

By Taniesha RobinsonCTW features

This photo and photo on page 19, top. For Jonathan and Brandi Buckley’s wedding at San Francisco’s City Hall, Kim Thomas photographed the wedding using an iPhone 4S , then edited the photos and added effects via the Instagram iPhone app.

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 19On their wedding day, Jonathan Buckley

and his wife, Brandi, stood on the grand stair-case of San Francisco City Hall, where Brandi’s grandparents married nearly 70 years before. everything about their day paid homage to the town they would together call home: Brandi’s dress, the limo service and even the technol-ogy they’d use to capture the day in photo. They gazed into each other’s eyes, smiling. Their photographer stood away, aimed and shot the image – with an iPhone 4S.

More than 500 photos of the Buckleys were taken that day solely with an iPhone. Later, the Buckleys’ photographer, Kim Thomas,

added effects mostly with instagram filters and delivered more than 100 images to the couple.

“The very next evening we had a mini re-ception of 40 to 50 people, and we had iPads set up in picture-frame mode around the room with all the photographs,” Buckley says. Soon afterward, hundreds in their social network would browse through the photos online.

digital and mobile photography has en-abled what is perhaps the biggest trend in photography today – sharing images shortly after they’re taken. Now, the immediacy has transferred to the editing process. “Being

able to use the instagram filter is really, re-ally quick,” Thomas says. “you don’t have to spend hours and hours trying to get the right look for your photo.”

Not only are the effects from smartphone camera applications such as instagram, well, instant, they create striking, appealing pho-tographs. “it brings back an element of film because the quality is not as great,” Thomas says.

Thomas used the amaro and rise instagram filters for most of the Buckleys’ images, which created a warm, vintage look.

Kelsey Goodwin PhotographyKim Thomas Photography


amaro adds a blue-toned, aged appearance while rise softens images with a golden glow. Thomas’ eye homed in on the cou-ple’s chemistry, and the hall’s lighting and architecture to pro-duce her enchanting photos.

Lighting, composition and the moment of action are the key elements

of any w e d -d i n g p h o -t o -

graph with or without effects, says British Colombia-based pho-tographer Kelsey Goodwin. “if you have those three things then you can do whatever filter you want,” Goodwin says. “Once in a while, a mediocre image can be pushed into greatness with a little bit of editing help, but it’s a fine line.”

Stunning effects and filters, however, are not limited to pics snapped via a smartphone apps. Here, some of the most stylish photography trends that photographers can employ to their pho-tos captured via their trusty dSLr camera.

TexTuRed PhoToSTextured photography has a design overlay that gives a perceived surface quality to the image. For example, a layer could add a brushstroke effect to different areas in the picture giving the over-all image the feel of a painting. “if the texture overlay is laid on too thick, it can lend itself as a distraction to the actual image,”

Goodwin wrote in a guest blog for TheWedLoft. “Though if done correctly, it can be a very pleasing effect,” she adds.

Textures were very popular in the ’90s but are now used less often.

SeleCTIVe deSaTuRaTIona photo with selective desaturation leaves on part

of an image in color while the rest is pared down to black and white. This is one of those trends

that have stood the test of time. it first ap-peared in the ’80s but seems to have

timeless character.

Kelsey Goodwin Photography


Kelsey Goodwin Photography

hIgh dynamIC RangeHdr has been around for more than a century. “it was originally designed to bring value in lights and darks to create a balanced im-age in terms of exposure, but if you overdo it, it looks like a painting or a cartoon,” Goodwin says. Picture a comic book to get a sense of what the extremes of this effect can do. yet, even toned-down usage creates awesome definition and heightens the intensity and mood of an image.

long-exPoSuRe PhoToThis technique requires a night or dark setting and moving light. Stationary elements are sharply captured while moving light blurs during the long exposure time. it has been popularly used to shoot traffic at night, making city landscapes look like a carnival has come to town.

lIghT leak and lenS flaReWhen film or a camera sensor is exposed to extra light, red or yel-low glares can fill the image. “Back in the day it was considered poor photography skills,” Goodwin says. Likewise, lens flare from unplanned reflections or impurities in the lens was considered an amateur mistake. Today photographers are clamoring to get these washed out, hazy effects in their photos. Both can make images look more vibrant, retro or just plain creative.

holga The Holga is a medium format camera created in the 1980s that har-nesses the creative power of light leaks, blurring, and other distor-tions for a faded, vintage look.“The vintage look at this point is like pearls,” Goodwin says. “it’s timeless.”


The trend of long-married couples calling it quits has been growing. How-ever, there are some steps couples can take to keep their relationships going strong.

according to the aarP, divorces among people over the age of 50 have doubled since 1990. according to Susan Brown, codirector of the National Center for Family & Marriage research at Bowling Green State university, one out of three Boomers will face their golden years unmarried.

There are a number of reasons why divorce rates have skyrocketed among the over-50 set. understanding just why these divorces are taking place and taking proactive steps to alleviate some of the divorce triggers can be a recipe for a happy marriage that continues throughout a couple’s golden years.

InCReaSe aCCounTaBIlITy.Ours is a transient society where families no longer bat an eyelash over mov-

ing great distances away from other family members. as a result, Boomers may feel like they are not connected to children or grandchildren. With this in mind, they may feel less attached to their marriage or their responsibilities or believe that no one will get hurt by a divorce. Keeping families close and remaining in frequent contact can increase accountability and reduce the pro-pensity for divorce.

geT ThIngS ouT In The oPen.a major reason for a failed marriage is years of avoiding significant is-

sues rather than addressing problems. Couples should make time to talk to each other about anything that might be bothering them rather

than letting too many things slide. if these conversations turn into shouting matches, there is always the option of bringing in a third

party to serve as a mediator.

SPend TIme aPaRT. after retirement, couples may find themselves spending

hours upon hours in each other’s company. While together-ness can be beneficial, too much time spent together may

into your

Keeping marriage

going stronggolden years

Bride Guide | FeBruary 2013 23lead to feelings of suffocation and the perception that each member of the relationship is no longer his or her own person. individuals can rem-edy this by doing more things on their own, whether spending time apart with friends or engaging in hobby time without your spouse. after all, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Brief periods of separation can make the time married couples do spend together feel more meaningful.

ReCommIT To youR VoWS. after 30 or more years, the vows you shared on your wedding may be

a distant memory. Some people may have different views on the perma-nence of vows, putting personal happiness ahead of the happiness of the couple. Take stock of what you promised one another on your wedding day and stick to those words.

BeCome a ComedIan.Laughter has a way of dissolving a tenuous situation. Focus energy on

laughing at mistakes instead of pointing blame. Couples can make fun of themselves and resolve to not take things too seriously.

aCT lIke you’Re daTIng.Couples often become complacent after many years of marriage. They

may forget about the little details that made the relationship fun in the early years. The personal notes and cards and other surprises may fall by the wayside after being together for some time. Make an effort to go on dates, write love notes and think of what was appreciated by your part-ners when you were in the dating stage.

PRaCTICe SelfleSSneSS.Sometimes all that is needed to rekindle a relationship is a selfless act

that shows how much you care for your partner.

Couples who are on the fence with regard to divorce can make an effort to improve the relationship rather than simply see divorce as the best option.

Going on dates is a great way

for older married couples to create excitement and

romance.

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