The Bridal Kit

To look and feel absolutely flawless on your wedding day, you need a few must-have items that your maid of honour or mother will keep with them. A small make-up bag will suffice, and is easy to prepare ahead of time.

Of course, Kleenex, antibacterial gel, hand cream and gum will be the first items in your kit! But it goes without saying that you will have a chap stick, a lip-gloss or a lipstick, as well as a face powder.  Do touch ups before your wedding photoshoot and before the reception. Make sure that, at your make-up trial, your make-up artist shows you what colour and brand she is using on you, so you can purchase the same for your kit. Also—a face powder with matting effect or oil control will keep your complexion even and smooth.

For freshness all day, a deodorant and a roll-on perfume are a non-negotiable! Sephora has a ton of amazing roll-on and spray perfumes in portable sizes that you can keep in your purse even after your wedding. As for deodorant, go with what you trust the most and apply as needed.

Baby powder and a stain-remover stick are also important and can cover up any little mishaps. Baby powder will absorb any wet mess and blend in with your dress, then you can clean up the rest with your stain remover. (Baby powder is also a good solution for freshness in the bust area and for your feet!)

Your hairstyle will slowly let go as the day progresses, but maintain it with travel-size hair spray, bobby pins, clips and an elastic that you have stashed in your kit. Just remember not to mess with your hair too much, as playing with it will undo the volume and create frizz.

Lastly, the dress, the dress, the dress! Your maid of honour should have safety pins, white string and a sewing needle for any last-minute alterations, especially on the bustle and on the bust. Safety pins could be attached to your bra (if you are wearing one) to avoid slippage, and to the bustle to reinforce it. If your dress has lace, ask your dress designer or boutique for a small swatch to cover the safety pin.

And we always recommend a comfortable pair of shoes: foldable slip-ons or flats, or a wedge with a cushion insole will do wonders for you!

 

Swoon!: Badgley Mishka

 

Our favourite perfume! La Vie Est Belle by Lancome

 

How darling!: Pinterest

Trendwatch Thursday: Be Bold

Our brides at Galleria Della Sposa have class and very good fashion sense. They know how to glam and impress, their dress compliments their personality and wedding dreams. And our bride is bold: she is a bridal muse.

From the dress to the aisle, the ways to be bold are innumerable: shoes and accessories, décor and bouquets—and make up! Greet your guests with a bright lip and a sexy cat eye. Here’s a quick breakdown of the trend:

 Make sure the brows are defined and the skin clean and shimmery.  The eyeliner should be applied thickly to make the eyes stand out, and balance this with a light contrast: eye shadow in white, translucent shimmer or beige would really perfect the look.

Mascara is a question of taste. For a striking look, the mascara should be applied lightly and structured in diamond shape. For fluttery lashes, apply at the edges and absolutely use an eyelash curler for optimal length.

 Lastly, the key element is the lip. The shades of red are endless and can be glossy or matte. Make sure to use a lip liner to shape the lip and even plump them. Reds vary by skin tone and lip shape, so choose accordingly! Finally, a gloss can really add that extra oomph, and brighten your smile.  

How-to Tuesday: Party Favors

The wedding day is not only a memorable day for the bride but for the guests as well. They’ll remember how beautiful the venue was, the exquisite food, how they danced to their favorite tunes and most of all, how outstanding the GDS bride was in her couture gown.
At the end of the night, your guests will leave full of memories of love and joy- and with a bonbonniere that your guests will cherish. The gift should be something that reflects the couple, and is pretty and practical.  Items for the home, like a wine or champagne glass are always well appreciated.  Imported chocolate is a tasteful (and tasty!) choice, too. Your gift will represent your wedding theme, inside and out. On this note, packaging matters too. Wrapping and décor on the gift should be part of the beauty; a flower garden theme wedding will include nature colors such as green with a few roses on the side. The wrapping should be consistent with the wedding theme, color theme and season.
And remember…the most memorable gifts are those that say something about the love of the bride and groom, and their thanks to you for sharing their special day.

Trendwatch Thursdays: Hair and Make Up Beauty

The natural and fantasy look come together for this year’s wedding season. The overdone and overworked hair and makeup are out! A bride should revisit her favorite fairytales for inspiration. Her own dream-come-true-style is sure to be found in those little girl fantasies. The question is: how do you bring the fantasy to life?
To become the gorgeous princess you've only dreamed of being, the first thing to do is to be true to yourself. Other's opinions are always great but if the decision doesn't come from you, you won't feel your best. Let your hair and makeup enhance you, not mask all the beauty that you naturally possess. 
The best enhancing beauty trends are the “glowing look”. You will already be glowing from the inside but to achieve this for your makeup look you can use a dewy foundation or mix a liquid highlighter in with whatever foundation you might have. Be sure that the highlighter is a shimmery base and not a glittery base. 
As for hair, the styles range from classic up-do's to loose and flowing, long and curled. For brides with long hair, let that volume add to the elegance of your dress. If you have an open or detailed back, the hair can be brought to the side with flouncy curls. Up-do's can be extravagant with lots of jeweled accessories, or be a simple pony tail. Add volume with extensions and teasing!
  And finally, enjoy! The best beauty tip is to enjoy the moment – it will definitely shine through!

Trendwatch Thursdays: The Goddess

What completes the look for the bride is her hair and make up on that day. 

The hairstyles trending for this season is the goddess-inspired up-do. Loose braids and sweeps are sophisticated and high-fashion. It can be personalized by adding length to your natural hair, or with highlights. 

Make up that looks effortless and natural yet chic is the sought-after look. Try golden, sun-kissed skin with a dewy and glowing complexion, and a natural pink lip: perfection! We can guarantee the bride will flawless as she walks down the aisle.