“You can do all kinds of wonderful things with hats. They can be dramatic, romantic, whimsical, or traditional,” says Kelly Christy of Kelly Christy millinery in New York City.

Photos from Favor Ideas.com

Hat by Erica Koesler

Gorgeous, ultra-dramatic hats by Jane Taylor Millinery.com

Hats by Thailand Wedding Accessories

The Byrone – Pleated Victorian Bridal Hat by Topsy Turvy Design

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feature image from Martha Stewart Weddings

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The knot: A family friend baked this three-tiered cake with white icing (doesn’t the texture remind you of snow?!). Black ribbon and pine cones gave the confection an elegant winter theme.

Martha Stewart Weddings:  The designs on this dramatic tower mimic the elaborate cake-decorating style of Joseph Lambeth, a master baker in England during the 1920s and ’30s. Fine garlands and latticework are piped onto the fondant in royal icing, as are delicate roses and bunches of grapes. The star and C-scrolls on top are examples of a technique called overpiping, in which a shape is layered over again and again, giving it depth. These heavier effects are piped in decorator’s buttercream (thicker than usual) to maintain their shape.

Wedding Cake Creations: This sweet package by Diane’s Sweet Treats is just begging to be cut open!

The Knot: The groom’s mom made a set of three tiny, fondant cakes topped with black feathers and white sugar flowers to match a vintage wedding theme.

My Wedding Planning Guide: Marzipan is made from sugar and ground almonds, and has a distinct sweet, smooth flavor. It is often used in wedding cake decor, as it is very malleabe and can be used as icing or formed into delicate shapes such as fruit, flowers, and other designs.

A gown with sleeves is another cold-weather option. Sleeves are in, and a perfect way to protect yourself against the chill. More winter fashion perks include heavier fabrics such as luxurious silk satins and richer hues.

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Gown by Alfred Angelo, via Brides.com

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Here are some more lovely winter cover-up options!

Gown by Ann Frances via Brides.com

Gown by Cosmobella via the knot

Silk taffeta cream ruffle stole via the knot

Gown by Jim Hjelm via Brides.com

Monique Lhuillier by Kleinfeld via the knot

feature photo credit: Mark Lenoce Photography

So how cute would it be if you had this awesome Phone Booth prop for your guests to pose with… in… in front of… etc…? I don’t know how much this costs to actually buy, but with some imagination I bet you could replicate it with some cardboard boxes and red paint.

I also love this glamorous Crescent-Moon and Star Photo Booth from Martha Stewart! I think it would be great, not only for the bride and groom, but for your guests to get their pose on, too! You can make it out of foam board cut into a crescent shape, sprayed with glue, blanketed with glitter, and hung with fishing wire.

Another pretty option is this pop-up alter, which you can use for your vows, if you like, and then transfer to your photo booth location! Martha Stewart recommends creating this type of fluttering canopy out of these honeycomb leaf garlands. If you want to DIY, click: Get the How-To.

 

Pretty much anything can be used as a photo booth prop. If your wedding is outdoors, you could put the “Photo booth here” sign pointing to the vehicle of your choice, such as classic car, a rented Rolls, or a vintage pickup truck. And going back to the foam board, you could make your own life-sized car, complete with cut-out windows, for guests to have fun with! (Photo by Steve C. via photo.net.

It’s short on text, but a picture is worth a thousand words, and each post features a photo that’s sure to intrigue and inspire.

Here are some of my favorites!

photo via erin hearts court

vintage stockings from here

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NYC wedding in the rain! Let the umbrellas be accessories! Cup of Jo’s blog

wedding accessories from j.crew bridal boutique

Deep purple, velvet Ralph Lauren bridesmaids dresses. I kind of like it!

Halloween wedding inspiration from little dailys

How about escaping the cold, and having a greenhouse wedding? Photo source

Can’t get enough? Head over to little winter bride for more!

In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…

Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to get cosmetic lasering or chemical peels within 10 days to a month of the event, depending on the exact type of laser or peel. Even something as simple as a facial should be given a solid week for skin to normalize, especially if any extractions will be performed. Call well ahead of time and discuss this with the technician.

Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather that’s expected at the venue.

For the big day…

Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based foundations.

Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder in your bag so that you stay shine free.

The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm, earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.

Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup.

Keeping these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in person and in photographs for years to come.

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI, which is an aesthetics school offering classes in waxing, facial treatments, cosmetic laser training, and medical aesthetics

feature image from Bridal Wave: Beauty, Hair, Makeup

Think of anything you’d like– candy bars, ice cream sundaes, even rice crispy treats– and then take it to the next level! Here are some ideas that your sweet tooth (and your inner child) are sure to go crazy for.

Whatever the Weather…

The time of year is one easy way to pick a desert.  Banana splits (or in this case a a roasted plantain topped with coconut ice cream, dulce de leche syrup, and toasted coconut) for a yummy summer treat. For spring time, individual cupcakes topped with sugar flowers are a sweet ending to your wedding meal. Espresso is an elegant way to warm your guests up before sending them out into the winter night (especially one like this, sprinkled with edible gold leaf and spiked with hot chocolate and vanilla-infused liqueur). Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

Not Just For Kids…

Your favorite childhood treat has a newer, chic-er cousin. Here we’ve got nuggets of Rice Krispies Treats sprinkled with hazelnut praline and surrounded by crème fraîche.  If Jell-O is what you fancy, try jelly with green tea and mint, garnished with kiwi and lemon peel. Crackerjack fan? Try the grown-up version made from caramel corn and vanilla cola sorbet with crème anglaise and sponge cake layers. Yum!! Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

It’s all in the Presentation

Even the simplest of ideas can be dressed up in a way that makes it stand out from the crowd.  Below, the humble honeydew is given a new look with sprigs of fresh oregano and a stylish margarita glass. If pecan pie is where your heart lies, you will love these mini-chocolate bourbon pecan pies, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce! Are you thinking cheesecake? How about a petite cheesecake (mini things are always fun) served with crème fraîche, fresh berries and mint! Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

Can’t go Wrong with Candy

Depending on your style, your candy selection can be glamorous enough for even the most upscale affair, or familiar for your casual event. For something impressive (and organic!) try these sugared jelly candies (called “vellies”) made from vegetables, fruits and herbs. Your guests can indulge their sweet tooth with an assortment of candies in old-fashioned jars or contemporary displays. Choose your favorite colors and types, from jelly beans and candied fruit to rock candy and M&M’s!

When trying to come up with the perfect ending to your wedding dinner, The Knot has some great  ideas to think about that might provide your inspiration:

• A special dessert at  your favorite restaurant.
• A regional specialty that symbolizes where you live/ grew up.
• Your favorite childhood candies or candy bar.
• Your favorite comfort food.
• A delicious discovery you made while traveling.
• Something from your ethnic background.

For a gallery of even more gorgeous, mouth-watering wedding dessert ideas, click here to visit Brides.com!

1. You don’t look silly! “Realize that even though you feel stupid while you’re getting pictures taken, they’re turning out great. If you can just laugh and go with it, the images will reflect your personalities and show the connection between the two of you. You can be in a crappy location, but as long as you’re in a good mood, your pictures are going to rock.” —Genya Garrett, Vue Photography, Panama City, Florida

2. Clean up your room! “If you want your ‘getting ready’ pictures to look their best, keep the place clean. That room becomes the basis, the background, for all of your pictures. If you have ten girls dressing and undressing in the same room, it will show in your photos. The room should be clutter-less. I get the best pictures when I walk into a room that someone has intentionally kept neat.” —Brian Dorsey, Brian Dorsey Studios, New York, New York

3.  Hire a make-up artist! Although you may be tempted to do it yourself, hiring a professional will pay off in the long run.  “Do-it-yourself brides look fine for the first hour or so, but then the makeup wears off. Or they wear very subtle makeup that doesn’t photograph well: Nothing pops.” —Cathy Short, Devonshire Photography, Wilbraham, Massachusetts

4. Photos First! If you don’t care too much either way, it may be a good idea for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. “It gets the jitters out of the way and gives me time to get some fun, unique images. When portraits are taken after the ceremony, it’s hard for the couple to focus. They don’t want to miss the party!” —Sarah Maren, Sarah Maren Photography, Sacramento, California

5. May I have this *entire* dance? “Don’t cut your first dance short or have your bridal party join you halfway through it. This decreases the amount of images I can get of just the two of you during your reception. If you dance for the entire song, you’ll end up with more sweet, intimate photos.” —Alison Conklin, Alison Conklin Photography, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6. Light up the dance floor! There are so many images you want captured during a reception, and the lighting will play an important part in how the pictures turn out.  “Ask the DJ or band to light themselves and the dance floor. Or, if it’s in your budget, look into a lighting designer, who can add uplighting to the room and give it extra pop. Lighting makes the space look cooler and preserves the ambiance.” —Anne Ruthman, Anne Ruthman Photography, Boston, Massachusetts

For more wedding photography & video tips, visit Brides.com!

Marry Me in Colorado features many couples doing just that. If they’re not saying their vows under a chilly snowfall, at the least they’re brave enough to be taking artistic pictures in the cold, white stuff! And you gotta love the beautiful cover-ups some brides are wearing. Here are some great shots!

Ya, you gotta be crazy not to be all bundled up!!

OK, they are crazy!

A little less extreme but no less romantic, these photos from Once Wed of a rainy day wedding are amazing!  These photos are from Braedon Photography, of an adorable couple who were married in an old rustic barn on a not-so-sunny California day.

Another bonus: low centerpieces are easier to DIY than higher, more ornate ones. They can also be a more cost effective, but still gorgeous, option!

Here are some pretty ideas to get you inspired! And remember, centerpieces do not have to be flowers only. See how others incorporated things like sea shells and live fish in glass bowls!

2 images above from Manolo

10 images above from the Knot