Getting married next year? Already pulling out hair or biting away your nails on the invitee lists, or the special tuxedo? Do you feel like the bride-zilla in you is manifesting within after being constantly bombarded on bridal gown styles and reception themes? While the bride-zilla is inevitable, we can help ease the pressure with tips from industry professionals on bride and groom’s wedding attire.
For Her
Your Hijab
We won’t sugar coat this; your hijab must not look like as if the fetus of an alien sprouted from the back of your head. The veil and the drape of the hijab must not be styled to look colossal to your body.
“A bridal hijab style must complement your dress. It is about balancing the volume of your hijab to your dress”, says Shamma a hijab stylist and founder of Shumsie’s Bridal Hijabs.
Shamma, who recently published her third collection of ready to wear bridal looks, advices, “You must choose a style based on the silhouette of your dress. If the dress is big then the hijab and the veil must have little bit more volume. If the dress is simple and closer to your body then the hijab and veil must be loose and flowy”
It is natural to get confused and stressed about what style and color you should go for; consult a professional hijab stylist like Shamma or take a few minutes to compose yourself with a cup of tea to decide on a style.
Get it Designed
It is your special day and your dress must represent this special occasion. However, don’t exhaust your budget on over the top dresses with heavy tiers of ruffles and fur just because you want to stand out; you would not want to look back at your photos years from now and wish it never happened. “Most brides are fixed on an image they search from the internet and expect it to suit them. But it might not flatter her body shape and height. So I always make sure I design a gown that fits her body and her budget” says Naisha a bridal dress designer and owner of The Closet by Naisha.
If you wear the hijab, make sure your gown is designed with full sleeves. Wearing those separate stretchable jackets underneath your hijab is unflattering and looks cheap.
Those of us who are restricted in time and have a constrained budget tend to choose ready to wear. Avoid snap decisions in such cases, and make sure you try on as many dresses before purchasing one from a bridal salon.
Whether you are buying ready to wear or tailoring one, to achieve the best fit you must be equipped with a brilliant bra. Investing in quality underwear is crucial to look flawless.
Make up
“Don’t use bold and bright eye shadows, lipsticks and blush; like blue, green or purple” says Rizna makeup artist and owner of Leykoka Looks Salon. On your big day you must shine as a sophisticated and elegant bride. Rizna, who recently presented her makeup show advices, “A soft and sultry makeup is always the best choice. Go for natural, earthy and soft shades. If you want to try a glamorous look then a soft smokey eye with lighter lips is always a winner”.
For Him
Suit up!
Often grooms underestimate the importance of dressing up for their wedding. It’s not only her special day but yours too! As the 21st century groom, you must achieve masculine simplicity through attention to detail. Whether you are wearing a tuxedo or suit, make sure you do not look like you are wearing someone else’s outfit. A well crafted suit must be streamlined to the body. The jacket sleeves must fall up to the hinges of your wrist, any longer and it will ruin the look. Your trousers should not look baggy, avoid too much gather at the break (which is the edge of your trousers) and it must show a quarter of, or an inch of the shoes from behind.
Colors and fabric
Bright colored and shiny frilled satin shirts are only suitable for the character Muhamma Kalo and not for your wedding! When choosing colors do keep in mind the time of the reception, if it is in the day then light colors like grey and beige are appropriate. For evening receptions, look sharp in black, charcoal grey or blue tones. If you have chosen specific colors for your reception theme then use only hints of that color in your attire; it can be worn as a boutonniere or cuff links.
Best foot forward
While black is a versatile color for a shoe, brown goes well with navy blue, grey, brown and beige tones. A lace up leather oxford or loafers are styles suitable for a wedding. Steer clear of other colors, especially white.
Groom the Groom
It is important that you look fresh and presentable as you are about to meet and greet hundreds of different guests throughout the reception. Make sure you take a good shower, trim your beard evenly if you prefer to have a bit of stubble or if you are going for a clean shave then see to it that you don’t get any razor burns, nicks or cuts. Get a facial a week before or moisturize your face for a smooth skin. Cut and trim all your nails and moisturize your hands. If you are a fan of the ‘single long nail’ trend, well it is time to cut that old yellow nail as it is a distasteful choice for a wedding.
“Having your teeth cleaned and whitened is ideal for the reception, so you could smile confidently at the camera and be able to enjoy the event with your family and friends”, says Millzero Nishan, photographer of Island Cupids.
