Mid-Valley Voice

Bridal Headpieces and Accessories

Now that you've chosen your bridal gown, it's time to put the icing on the cake!

Shopping for a headpiece, veil and other accessories gives you a chance to put your personal stamp on your wedding day appearance. Keep in mind that your personality can most come through with accessories that complement, not exactly match, your gown.

The following information on headpieces, veils and other accessories can help you appear exactly as you want on your wedding day.

Headpieces: When you meet with your hairstylist for your wedding hair consultation, the two of you can determine what hairstyle suits your face shape: updo, loose and flowing, or somewhere in between. Then you can consider what headpiece would best complement your gown and your hairstyle. Here are a few of the most popular:

- A bunwrap is a decorative circular band that gets wrapped around a chignon or updo. Bunwraps look best with traditional, simple gowns.

- A crown is a full, high circular piece that circles a bun or updo and is adorned with gems or beads. If your dress has some embellishment, a crown can tie the look together.

- A headband is a half-circle band of either plain fabric or fabric embellished with gems and beads. Headbands also are available in styles that have a wider middle, and tapered ends.

- A tiara is a jeweled or beaded semi-circle that sits on top of the head and can give a bride a regal look.

- A wreath may be a good match for a flowing ethereal gown. It features a full circle of flowers and ribbon that rests on the crown of the head. A wreath looks best with a loose, flowing hairstyle.

Veils: A veil, once a must-have for all weddings, is now more of an optional accessory. Whether or not you want to wear a veil depends on your personality, the style of gown you are wearing and the overall feel of your wedding. Veils are seen most often at more formal, elegant weddings.

When you're considering veils, first look in the mirror. The shape of your face - whether soft and curved or more angular - will help determine what kind of veil you should have.

- A round-faced bride should consider a veil that falls along the sides of the face, helping it to appear more narrow. This effect is further complemented by hair worn down in loose curls or a bob.

- A square jawline can be softened by a longer veil and loose tendrils surrounding the face.

- An oblong face - or longer oval - looks good with a veil that adds width. A "waterfall" veil paired with a simple updo and elegant headpiece looks wonderful. However, stay away from high-piled hairstyles that accentuate the face length.

- For a heart-shaped or triangular face, consider a veil that attaches behind the neckline - best with a chignon.

- A bride with a diamond or oval face has limitless options, since those shapes are symmetrical.

Accessories: There are more accessories that you can use to further personalize your wedding day look.

- A shawl or wrap can accentuate your dress and keep you warm.

- Your shoes, no matter what style you choose, should be comfortable.

- Gloves can add that extra touch of elegance to any gown.

- Your engagement ring and wedding band(s) will be slipped on your finger during the ceremony.

- A necklace can accentuate certain necklines.

- Earrings should be ornate with a simple gown, or simple when worn with an embellished gown or other extravagant jewelry.

- Bracelets can add subtle sparkle but shouldn't take away from your rings.

- A watch is only appropriate if it has sentimental value.

Marriage Makeup

When thinking about the makeup you'll wear on your wedding day, there are many factors to take into account.

Do-It-Yourself or Hire an Expert? For some women, picking out and applying makeup comes naturally. For others it can be a challenge.

If you have a steady hand and a good eye for makeup trends and colors, hit the cosmetic counters yourself. There should be salespeople on hand who can give you tips on colors and application.

If the thought of visiting a makeup counter alone and then applying the makeup that will be seen by all your guests and in photographs makes you nervous, consider hiring a makeup artist. But first, do your research.

Ask your hairstylist or someone else at the salon that you frequent if they have any suggestions. Then schedule a consultation.

During the consultation, show your makeup artist a Polaroid of your dress, headpiece and veil. Discuss what you think you may be doing with your hair. Then see if he or she suggests suitable makeup.

Deciding What to Emphasize: The feature you decide to emphasize depends upon the facial feature you think is most flattering and the style of your wedding. When you emphasize one feature, the rest of your makeup must be toned down.

For instance, don't combine strong cheeks, eyes and lips. You want to look like a better version of yourself, not someone that wears too much makeup.

- Emphasize your cheeks if you have high cheekbones and good "apples." A look with flushed cheeks could complement a flowing, airy gown and an outdoor wedding. Make sure you apply with a light hand, though. You don't want it to look like you have two red dots.

- Emphasize your eyes if you want a more modern look. Kohl-rimmed eyes are still fashionable but it can be a hard look to pull off on your own. Go to either a makeup consultant at a cosmetic counter or consult a makeup artist on how to layer pearly gray, charcoal and black shadow and liner to create dramatic eyes.

- Strong red lips are very fashionable if your look is traditional, like that of a 1950's bride. Try to find the right shade of red for you. There are many varieties - blue-based reds, pinkish reds, orange reds and brown reds - to pick from these days. Learn to layer lip products properly for maximum staying power and minimum feathering. Again, consult a makeup expert or makeup artist on how to pull off this look.

Pulling Off the Natural Look: If you don't often wear makeup, the natural look may be best for you. That doesn't mean going without makeup.

It does mean that your makeup is applied with a soft touch and a subtle hand. A slight flush to your cheeks, some accentuation to draw attention to the eyes, lips that are just a shade darker than your natural color with lots of shine.

Keep in mind that for photographs and video footage, you will want slightly stronger makeup than you're used to for greater visibility.

Do a Test Run: Whatever style you select, whether you apply it yourself or have the help of a professional makeup artist, schedule a test run with your makeup. Apply it exactly as you plan to wear it on your wedding day, then take some snapshots. Analyze whether the makeup is too subtle, too dramatic or just right.

The Mane Event

On your wedding, there are three words you do not want to hear - Bad Hair Day!

How can you prevent a coif nightmare just when you want your hair to look the best? Preparation!

After you purchase your wedding gown, you should have an idea of which way you want to wear your hair.

Your hair style should compliment the style of your gown. And it has to work with the head piece and veil (if applicable) you've chosen. Look in magazines for hairstyles that appeal to you and start a file to show a stylist.

Approximately six months before your wedding, consult with a hairstylist to figure out what you need to do now to get the hair you want for your wedding. That may mean growing a short style out, straightening, coloring or cutting. This is your last chance to make any drastic hair changes - anything you do now must be repairable by your wedding date if you don't like it.

Three to four months before your wedding, pull out your "hairstyle file" and a Polaroid of your dress and head piece.

Ask your hairstylist to start thinking about what styles he or she thinks would complement your gown, head piece and face shape - based on the preferences you've given. At this time, you should also set up all the appointments you'll need from that day until the wedding day.

Don't forget to schedule an appointment for the rehearsal dinner day, if you'd like to have a special hairstyle for that occasion.

About six weeks before your wedding, do a trial run of your wedding day hair, complete with your headpiece and veil. If you don't like what you see, your hairstylist will have plenty of time to go back to the drawing board to come up with a style that better suits you. While you have your hair done and headpiece and veil in place, it is a good time to do a test-run with your makeup as well. Either do it yourself or consult a makeup artist. Be careful not to get any of the cosmetics on your wedding day gear.

Two weeks before your wedding get a final haircut or trim to clean up any dull, split ends you may have. Remind your groom to get a final trim as well. This is also an ideal time for a final trail run. Make sure your hair looks the way you always dreamed it would. You still have time to come up with something different if you're not happy. Don't settle for a hairstyle you don't love.

One to two days before the wedding go in for your rehearsal hair appointment. If your wedding day hair is more formal, try something fun and trendy for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. If your wedding hair is loose and romantic, try something sleek and modern. While your hair is being done, take time to go over all your wedding hair details to be certain you have everything organized and ready to go for your big day.

On your wedding day, after eating a healthy breakfast, wash your hair and thoroughly dry it. You may even want to put your hair in hot rollers before you go in for your appointment to save some time (hot rollers should create body, not tight curls - consult with your stylist). Make sure to wear a low-collared robe or button-front shirt so you won't ruin your hair changing into your dress.