Bridal News

A sense of fashion is not just for the bride, according to our resident Style Guru Josh Hedrington. Here’s what he has to say about looking good on your wedding day, gentlemen …

The Style Guru

It goes without saying that the focus of the big wedding day is on the bride. Too often, the groom’s ensemble doesn’t receive the magnitude of attention as his blushing bride. For this reason, I am dedicating this article to dressing the guys from head to toe. Get ready ladies, “Here Comes the Groom!”

Let’s start with the wedding haircut. No more than two days prior to the wedding, the man of the day needs to visit a barbershop or even a hair salon. Choose a haircut that is clean and neat. A short haircut is always the way to go. You can still rock that spiky look but keep the sides short and hair tapered to frame the face.

Globs of gel are not recommended, but use just enough to keep hair in place in a natural way. If you wear your hair long, now is the time to trim your ends and make sure hair is even and not flying all over. I suggest pulling your hair back for your moment at the alter.

Now for skin care! The groom does not have the luxury of using makeup to create flawless skin, although there are makeup lines for him - but we won’t get into that. In order to ensure a flawless complexion on your wedding day, I advise drinking 8 glasses of water every day for two months prior to the wedding.

I also suggest taking extra care when shaving, and to shave the face from north to south. This will train hair to grow in one direction and not create ingrown hair bumps. Start this regiment six months before your wedding. For those stubborn pimples, grab a tube of Mint Julep and apply to blemishes every night.

No groom is complete without the proper suiting attire. Unless your wedding is on the beach, stick to the traditional dark suit or black tuxedo please. Let’s face it - there isn’t a whole lot of difference when it comes to the man’s wedding suit. For this reason, the groom must have an excellent tailor and he needs to know a little about how designers “cut” their suit and tux lines.

If you prefer a slim suit/tuxedo, then try Hugo Boss Red Label or Ralph Lauren (Purple Label if you are splurging). If you want a designer that’s a little edgy yet sophisticated, then John Varvatos is your guy. For traditional cuts, go with Canali, Giorgio Armani, or Burberry. I can’t stress enough the importance of good tailoring. You would be surprised how easy it is to spot a badly tailored suit. Some of my top choices for tailors in the area are Georges de Paris (he’s usually the go-to person for the White House’s Chief Resident) and Ms. Lee in Georgetown (she sews and stitches for many celebrities when they are in town).

Complete your ensemble with a crisp, white French cuffed shirt. Wear a slim fitting shirt with a slim fitting suit. I like shirts with a little texture as this adds some eye catching appeal. Last, but not least, don’t forget the shoes. You must wear black shoes, no questions. The perfect formal shoe is either a cap-toe Oxford, wingtip, or black patent leather pump. Shoes should be professionally shined before you head to the chapel.

Congratulations, you’re dressed - but check back here on the Bridal News Blog for my advice regarding accessories and ties. In the meanwhile, all eyes will always be on the bride, but those darting glances I am sure will go out to our B&W Groom as he takes his place in the spotlight too.

Want to look like a star on your wedding day? Let Josh Hedrington be your personal stylist. For more information on the Style Guru’s services, call 202.445.7114.

Tucked away on the second floor of Macy’s at the Tysons Galleria is the Bridal Salon by Demetrios. If your idea of a dream dress is one adorned with pearls and semi-precious stones, you need to take a look at what’s on sale at the salon.

Bridals by Demetrios offers wedding gowns in a variety of sizes and styles starting at $399. And you can save on selected mother’s and maids’ dresses as well. The salon is open 7 days a week. To schedule your appointment, call 703.902.4330.

Event planner Myrna Grossman, owner of For All Occasions, is a fountain of knowledge and a frequent contributor to the Bridal News Blog. It is always a pleasure to share her tips and words of wisdom with my readers:

What about Wedding Insurance?

Lately, many couples have asked me about this topic. Wedding insurance, in these economic times, is perhaps one expense best incurred. Unfortunately, wedding vendors can go out of business and into bankruptcy - or simply not show up for an event. Wedding insurance is worth the peace of mind to have financial coverage - just in case.

Insurance will cover the following in most policies, but of course each company is different. So make sure your coverage is well defined. Bankrupt vendors, unforseen terrible weather conditions, sudden death, accidents at the venue, gifts that get damaged are just a few areas of coverage. Typically, the policy will have a deductible and some will be quite high, so check carefully to avoid these policies. One area of coverage I feel is well worth including is liquor liability.

Plan carefully, and cover all aspects to ensure - and insure - a wonderful wedding day.

Myrna offers full service, partial planning and day of coordination. To learn more about her services, call 703.222.5912.

Tracie Rosales of Makeup Artistry by Tracie (a mobile beauty service) passed along these helpful questions for me to share with Bridal News Blog readers …

Booking a makeup artist for your wedding should be like booking any other vendor. There are questions that you should ask to make sure that you have all the information before your big day. It also will help you decide before the trial if the artist is a good match for you.  Ask to look at the artist’s portfolio or check it out if it is online. This will give you an idea of what style of makeup your artist typically does and if he/she works with brides.

If you are having your videographer or photographer shoot in HD (high definition), is your artist able to use makeup that works with HD?

Is airbrushing an option?

What products does your artist use? This way you will know if you have any allergies to the brands. And if you do, can your artist work with your personal makeup?

Will your makeup artist travel to you on your wedding day? Is there an extra fee for travel?

Will your makeup artist do bridesmaids and the mothers? What are the rates?

If you want the option for after ceremony touch-ups, what is the charge?

If the groom has rosacea and/or breakouts before the wedding, can the artist do a touch-up for him? What is the fee?

Be sure to schedule a makeup trial. If you’re doing engagement photos, have your trial the same day. This way you can test the makeup and have it professionally applied for your photos.

A makeup artist should also ask questions to find out your personal style and to make sure he/she can achieve a look that will meet your expectations. Here are some questions to expect:

What does your everyday makeup style look like?

What is the style of your wedding dress and hairstyle?

Are you having an indoor or outdoor wedding?

What time of day is the wedding taking place?

What are your wedding colors?

Do you have any allergies to product brands or ingredients?

Thanks Tracie for the great advice. To schedule your consultation with Tracie, call 571.201.5942.

On a hot - but gorgeous Sunday - I had the opportunity to see the Manor House at Sunset Crest. I love the “party barn” (accommodates 100) with its built-in bar, DJ booth, fireplace and loft, and all the great terrace space (perfect for tented events and larger parties), and the manor house will definitely be a welcome addition for brides. Imagine your guests socializing around the lovely pool with its brick patio. Or descending down the double spiral staircase for an elegant bridal portrait.

The Manor House at Sunset Crest

Sunset Crest sits on 80 beautiful green acres, located just off Route 234 north of the Manassas Battlefields. It’s a serene environment with a spectacular view of the Bull Run Mountains. The property has an peaceful countryside feeling - yet is close to nearby hotels and Dulles Airport (great for your out of town wedding guests).

Event Coordinator Joe Cusato can help you find all the right wedding partners - from caterers and rentals to florists, musicians and photographers. To schedule your tour, call 703.967.9148.

The Style Guru

Fashion today is all about self expression, and I can’t think of a better time to express yourself than on your wedding day.  And although many brides are content with the traditional wedding gown and classic silhouettes, there are women who would like to step out of the box. For these brides, I offer some suggestions that will make your day a fashion inspiration worthy of any designer’s runway.

First, let’s talk about color. Most brides choose white or ivory gowns which are perfectly fine. However, the woman looking for a slight twist may want to play with color. Think about choosing pastels in their lightest shades. Feminine colors like pink, yellow or peach in a very light hue can lend a true sense of romance to any storybook gown. You may also choose to add a sash around the waist of a traditional white dress, and make this addition your groom’s favorite color. Then incorporate this color throughout the wedding event - centerpieces, bouquets, chairs covers, etc.

Another suggestion for making that important fashion statement is to choose a style from a period in history. For example, Spain royal Alejandra de Borbon married two years ago in a 1920s inspired flapper dress. She clearly did her research and completed the ensemble with long hanging pearls, a fitted headpiece and veil and a flowing dress with low waistline around the hips. The outfit was absolutely gorgeous! You can achieve this look by perusing history books and choosing styles from almost any decade. A fun disco dress from the 70s, a white A-line mini wedding dress from the 60s, or a knee length pencil dress from the 40s are all viable choices for a memorable wedding day.

And we can’t forget the groom when it comes to fashion expression. The modern groom has an array of items available to help him stand out. The classic black tux or suit can be enhanced quite easily. He may choose an extra wide tie with a pop of color, perhaps to match the bride’s colorful dress. Or he may choose a skinny tie with a sleek fashion forward look. Remember to always keep your body frame in mind when choosing a tie width. A large framed man may look slightly awkward in a needle thin tie.

The groom may also wear a French cuffed shirt with antique cuff links to create a chic look. Pocket squares are also great when matched well with other colors expressed in the wedding. And if the groom is daring enough, he can really stand out in a formal top hat or even a straw fedora for an outdoor wedding.

Regardless of the fashion choice on your big day, always remember to be true to yourself. The clothing you wear should be a reflection of the joy and love you feel on the inside. Good luck, have fun and express yourself - You deserve it!

Josh Hedrington is the Bridal News Blog Style Guru and Independent Representative for Ardyss International. He can make you look great on your wedding day. For a personal consultation, call 202.445.7114 and visit www.ardysslife.com/justlookinggreat.

I always enjoy dropping by the Middleburg Community Center, located in the heart of the village at 300 West Washington Street, and visiting with Director JoAnne Cole.

Established in 1949, this charming community center features the Grand Ballroom - with a stage - that can accommodate 150 guests, a flagstone garden terrace that works well for wedding ceremonies and the Terrace Room which can hold up to 50 for a rehearsal dinner. There’s also a herb garden that’s perfect for wedding photos.

As a rental site, Middleburg Community Center allows the use of licensed and insured caterers. The center can provide you with 60″ round tables (which can seat up to 10 guests), rectangular tables for your buffet and folding chairs. The spacious ballroom works for a variety of seating arrangements and the stage is a great place for your entertainment or even head table.

Office hours are 9am to 4pm. To check on pricing and availability, and to schedule a tour of the center, contact Joanne at 540.687.6373.

Ann’s Boutique, located at 5709 Burke Center Parkway, has a full slate of upcoming trunk shows. Check out the schedule:

July 23-25: Watters Bridal. July 30-August 1: Alvina Valenta Bridal. August 12-15: Liz Fields Bridal & Bridesmaids. September 10-12: Watters Maids. September 24-25: Jim Hjelm Special Occasions.

To schedule your appointment for one of these terrific trunk shows, call 703.250.3100 and visit www.annsboutique.com.

Seasons Cards & Gifts is hosting a gathering of wedding professionals the first Wednesday of each month through the Summer and Fall of 2010. At these events, located in their Gainesville (at The Marketplace at Madison Crescent) and South Riding (South Riding Market Square) stores, brides will have the opportunity to meet with local vendors and receive personal attention.

Seasons Cards & Gifts offers a wide assortment of save-the-date cards, invitations, favors and gifts, and can serve just about any budget. Customized, on-site printing is available.

Wedding Wednesdays are held from 6 to 8pm. Mark these dates on your calendar: August 4, September 1, October 6 and November 3. To RSVP call 703.753.0797 (Gainesville) or 703.327.1114 (South Riding). For directions to the stores, visit www.seasonscardsandgifts.com.

A Formal Affair, one of Northern Virginia’s most popular bridal boutiques, will be hosting another “Bridal University” class on Sunday, July 25. “Professor” Linda Vaughan, event planner and owner of Special Affairs, will be conducting the seminar “Wedding Planning Made Easy: Wedding Tips for Busy Brides”.

The complimentary planning seminar begins a 1pm at the store, located at 251 West Lee Highway in Warrenton. Limited seating is available, so reserve your space by calling 540.347.5126.