Traditional Asian Wedding Gowns, Makeup and Hairstyles

October 21st, 2011

Traditional weddings in most Asian countries are unique. Their cultural traditions are most evident in this special occasion particularly in the bride’s gown, makeup and hairstyle. These traditional Asian weddings can be a great mine of inspiration for brides-to be who are dreaming of a unique, colorful wedding with a touch of Asian tradition. Check out the way traditional Japanese, Chinese and Korean brides are dressed and styled here:

Japanese
A traditional Japanese wedding is one of the most colorful Asian wedding. The bride usually wears a white wedding kimono, a “kakeshita” for the wedding ceremony and for the reception, wears over the white kimono a most gorgeous, elaborately embellished and colorful silk kimono called Uchikake. The bride’s hair is done in an elaborate traditional wedding updo called “Bunkintakashimada” that is now only wearable and realistically possible with a wig adorned with expensive combs and pretty hair ornaments. A traditional Japanese bride’s makeup is similar to a Geisha’s makeup; heavy, dramatic with a very white face, red lips and boldly madeup eyes.

Chinese
The traditional Chinese bride’s wedding gown is almost always red, a color that brings good luck according to the Chinese. In Northern China, the bride’s wedding dress is a one piece gown called Qi Pao, a red silk gown elaborately embroidered in gold and silver. In southern China, the wedding dress is called Cheongsam, also in red, but two – piece and ornately decorated with the image of a dragon and phoenix. A traditional Chinese bride’s hair is almost always done in a low bun sleekly combed off the face with a side part and decorated with flowers, ribbons and other colorful ornaments.

Korean
A traditional Korean bride wears an intricate and ornate top coat called a “Wonsam” over her clothes. This top coat has willowy sleeves and is made of silk, blue on the inside and red on the outside. A “wonsam” is elaborately embroidered with colorful flowers that represent, long life, prosperity and dignity. She wears a “ daedae” a red woven silk belt embroidered with gold. For the hair, a traditional Korean bride wears a” Jakduri”, a cap that covers her tightly pulled back hair low at the nape.

Flower Girl Dresses in 2011

February 22nd, 2011

Flower girl dresses in 2011 will be in large part dependant on the age of the flower girl. When the flower girl is fairly young the flower girl dresses may be the same one that is used for a confirmation. If the flower girl is very young the dress can be very cute with pink lace. If there are several flower girls then the flower girl dresses should match. Because these girls are young and generally quite short they need to have the same or similar dresses so they stand out.

Many flower girl dresses will be white with black sashes. The dresses will be shorter and not going down to the ankles so the flower girls don’t trip on the hems of the dresses. They can be very simple in 2011 also. Cost will be a big factor in many weddings during 2011 so if the flower girls dresses can be worn for other events then this will popular  for weddings in 2011.

Of course the season also will dictate what the flower girl dresses will look like. In the winter or early spring they may be made from velveteen. If the wedding is around a holiday like Valentine’s Day then the dress may be white with lace trim and a bright red sash. Sashes for bridal wedding dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses and flower girl dresses will be popular in 2011. These sashes will be a departure from all white for a wedding and will add the color.

Bridal Accessories 2011 Trends

February 18th, 2011

Bridal accessories 2011 trends are varied for 2011. When you are talking about bridal accessories 2011 you are talking about veils and hats and tiaras and such. When you are thinking about bridal accessories such as veils you have to consider the venue and the time of day that the wedding event is taking place.

Since bridal accessories such as veils come in several different lengths you have to choose which length you are going to wear. The different lengths will also vary by venue and time of day of the wedding. You generally would not wear a full train that follows behind the bride for a more casual afternoon wedding. If you choose this style veil and train you will also have to make sure the aisle that you are walking down can accommodate it. And you will also need a flower girl or someone who will make sure your veil and train follow behind you and look good doing so.

Other veil lengths are the shorter style that comes to about the shoulders. This is good for a daytime wedding. It works with a wedding suit or short wedding dress also. It is more casual then the floor length veil or the veil with a long train. Another veil length is sometimes referred to as an elbow length veil which can be worn with a less formal wedding outfit or with a longer to the floor wedding dress. From this length the veil choices may be fingertip length, knee or ankle length.

Wedding Ring for Brides 2011

February 16th, 2011

Wedding ring for brides 2011 is about a slimmer wedding band. Eternity style rings are also still popular but the diamonds may not goo the bull length of the band because they are more comfortable to wear if the stones stop before the back or shank of the ring. But slimmer not as wide wedding bands are popular for 2011. These wedding bands are easier to wear because they are more comfortable than the wider wedding bands. If you choose one in platinum it will stay shiny and bright for ages.

As for wedding bands with stones a combination of different stones is very popular and of course diamond and sapphire will be very popular through 2011 as that is the combination that Catherine Middleton has and sapphire and diamond stone wedding bands and rings are flying off the shelves of both online jewelry stores and retail stores. But you can combine diamonds with any other stones for an eternity style band. The stone can be your birth stone or any stone that you choose.

Wedding rings that have a pattern on them are also popular choices for wedding ring for brides 2011 such as a Celtic design or entwined leaves or other types of patterns. Stones channel set in rings with a lower profile are also popular choices for wedding rings or bands. Just as are two toned metal rings. This may be a combination of white and yellow gold or of platinum and yellow gold or a rose gold with platinum or white gold. 

Bridal Necklaces 2011

February 11th, 2011

Bridal necklaces 2011 may still be traditional pearls but the pearls may be Tahitian pearls that come in many colors. They may be seed pearls in multiple layers along with several layers of bangle bracelets or various sized pearl bracelets.

A popular for of bridal necklaces 2011 will be the fashionable bib necklace which is fashioned like a bib with multiple strands of beads of many different colors. This will give the wedding dress a more modern look to it. If the bride chooses a strapless dress or one with spaghetti straps then she can wear the bib necklace as her main fashion accessory. In this case she may choose a short veil instead of a longer one and she probably would not need a tiara or other hair fashion unless it coordinated with this necklace.

If the bridal dress has a lot of embellishments such as beading or sequins or appliqués then of course a bib necklace would not be the appropriate choice for a bridal necklace. In this case she may choose to wear a single drop pearl or a drop of some kind that matches the main embellishment on the wedding dress. Or she may choose not to wear any wedding jewelry and let the veil and wedding dress stand out. And choose some accessory for her hair such as a tiara or a jeweled barrette or perhaps some jeweled combs or pins. These are equally acceptable as fashionable wedding jewelry. Above all the bride must feel comfortable with her outfit.

Beach Wedding Style for the Bride in 2011

February 4th, 2011

Beach wedding style for the bride in 2011 whether on a tropical island or at the shores of the Atlantic or Pacific will probably have the bride in some shade of aqua. Aqua is a very popular beach wedding style for the bride in 2011.The aqua may be combined with a pink color or shades of pink. The aqua may also be combined with lime green or a deep royal blue. If the wedding is taking place aboard a cruise ship the bride may go with traditional white or cream.

When the wedding is at the beach then the bridal party may wear slightly more casual outfits but still the men should be wearing trousers perhaps khakis with navy blue blazers and these blazers can have brass buttons. Then the bride can choose a long or knee length aqua colored bridal dress. Her bridesmaids could wear different shades of lime green and the wedding feast and wedding cake can be decorated with aqua and lime green.

Of course the bridal party could be in formal wear which would contrast with the casual beach atmosphere but unless they have someplace to change out of the formal wear the typical beach wedding style should be more casual outfits so everyone can enjoy the wedding party and not worry about their clothes.  

If the wedding is at a beach then the bridal veil should be of the shorter variety or else with some very sparkly head ornaments like jeweled barrettes or clasps or combs.

Latest Wedding Hairstyles for 2011

January 31st, 2011

The bride should be the focal point of the entire wedding and this includes her hairstyle. Yet the bride also should have a hairstyle that stays put so she can certainly choose from latest wedding hairstyles for 2011.

Wedding hairstyles for 2011 is romantic hair but also the beautiful lace veil needs to look good too and stand out if the bride wears one. An up do is an excellent choice because the hair stays out of the face especially if she adds a few wisps of curls to lightly frame the face. Perhaps side swept bangs will be the choice with the hair curled to the side with a beautiful hair clip holding it in place.

Or keep to your natural hairstyle your hair so you don’t have to worry about it staying in a new hairstyle. If you have long curly hair, stay with it but pin it up to one side and add some very pretty glittering hair pins to add a bright highlight to the hairstyle. If the hair is naturally straight then let it flow down the back but have the ends curled so it adds a back highlight feature instead of just straight hair. Or tie it back into a very curly ponytail because ponytails are hot for 2011. You may want to have your hair tumble down your back in a jumble of shiny curls or curls with a cork screw effect. Then have a few tendrils of hair along side to soften the face.

Bridal Hair Ideas 2011

January 28th, 2011

When a woman becomes a bride she wants to really look her best and there are many different bridal hair ideas 2011. There are many hairstyles she can go with. They can be carefree or structured or if the hair is long simply let it stream down the back. Just make sure that it is very shiny so it gleams when walking down the aisle.

Wedding hair ideas 2011 may be a few long curls framing the face to give a bride a very sweet innocent look. Especially when entwined with some tiny white flowers or a small hair piece of pearls. An up do is another good hair idea because the hair stays out of the face and the bride can easily see where she is walking. If the bride wants to look carefree she can go for the very gamine and feminine short pixie cut but this is not the best choice if she has lots of curls. With lots of curls the hair should be pulled back with lovely hairclips that are jeweled to match her bridal jewelry. A bride really doesn’t need to be worrying about her hair style on her wedding day so the bride needs to have one that is firmly anchored whether in a French twist or pulled back with some long soft round curls framing the face. Even if they have to use lots of gel or hairspray, that hairstyle has to stay put. No one likes to watch someone fussing with their hair.

Bridal Makeup Tips 2011

January 26th, 2011

Bridal makeup tips for 2011 are more natural looking make up that complements the hair fashion and the hairstyle of the bride so that the hair clips or a bridal veil stand out. The face should look youthful and dewy. The face should look luminous and radiant. To add some emphasis bridal makeup tips for 2011 would be to give the eyes a smokey look for eyes that have a subtle smudged yet clean look about them. The whole look is one of clean outdoors with a body that is physically fit.

The bride could also use a slight hint of gold eye shadow on the lower eye lash so her eyes seem to sparkle like they are filled with light. Then add a light eye shadow below the eyebrows and so the eyebrows appear to be thin and swept above the eyes. Also use a light blush high on the cheek bone area of the face so that portion of the bride’s face is highlighted.

If you have big brown eyes like Natalie Portman you can wear darker eye makeup because brown eyes seem to be naturally deeper in color so light colors will not appear to highlight the brown eyes. Brown eyes can take darker eyeliner and dark mascara. The bridge just doesn’t want the eye makeup to come off as harsh like she applied way too much of it. So whatever subtle makeup the bride uses she needs to keep it subtle. Goth is not in for brides.

Bridal Nails 2011

January 24th, 2011

Bridal nails 2011 are may be on the shorter side. No long talons or sharp points for this year. But the bride can play with color. Perhaps make use of nail art and nail air brushing to make those nails look so fine. Whether they are painted to match the wedding dress sash or with some matching bright toe nails peeping out from her open toed high heeled shoes they have to be good looking and well cared for. You don’t want to look like you were weeding the garden.

Bridal nails 2011 may be those nail colors which make an excellent contrast between a darker wedding dress which seems to be what some brides are choosing for 2011 and her nails so that the nails seem to really stand out.  Or use acrylic nails. Acrylic nails are probably the most commonly used artificial nails in the nail beauty business. They are very durable which is why so many celebrities use them. They will last during the entire wedding show with no fear of them being damaged and looking terrible. Acrylic nails along with nail art can also be very glam.

Perhaps you want to try French nails so that your tips stand out but instead of using the normal white tips make the tips a lighter color or one to match a part of your wedding dress. Color is in for 2011 for weddings whether it is on the bride, the bridesmaids or other members of the wedding party.