Beautiful: The Wedding Issue! By: Anjalee Jadav

 

 

Dear Reader’s,

I’m back with another issue to my Beautiful!  Series. With another masterpiece. Beautiful: The Wedding Issue!  As you know it’s all about style, makeup, hair, and dress. And on your wedding day. You want perfection. Now what sets this book from other wedding books. Is that it is fresh with new ways to plan your big day.  I will discuss the history of the wedding dress. Also I will discuss weddings from around the world. Then I will discuss planning your big day. With makeup and styling tips. Also tips on hair, and styling your hair with a veil. What you get is a beautiful way to start your journey as a couple. You will love this book. From start to finish. And I’m sure you will not put this book down.

Now let’s get started. It will be an exciting adventure.

Sincerely,

Anjalee Jadav,

 

Part 1:

The History of the Wedding Dress:

Chapter 1:

Weddings are special, celebrating a couple in a union of love. But in the course of history. The wedding gown was presented as a woman’s best dressed attire. They were not always white like you see today. Even black was worn on a bride’s wedding day. And it appears that white was worn by royalty. “White did not become a popular option until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria wore a white gown for the event to incorporate some lace she prized. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published, and many other brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen’s choice.”(Wikipedia) Weddings in the past were known as business affairs. Joining of two families. Or, sometimes between two countries. If you were royal.

The wedding gown was a symbol of purity of the bride’s soul. Whenever she wore white.  Although it was the most expensive color to wear during the 1800’s. And was not in much of a high demand as you see today. As weddings are celebrated differently throughout the world. In China, India, and Vietnam, brides wear red and gold sari’s. It is the color of good luck and auspiciousness.

Here is a timeline chart of the different wedding gown styles throughout the beginning of the 1920’s to 1990.

As you can see the wedding dress went through a revolution. Every style is different to each era. Not all brides wear white. As some people think that it is a symbol of purity and virginity. So many gowns are available. That’s why there is a lot of wedding gowns in different tones of white. Like ivory, blush pink, sometimes even black is worn as wedding attire.  It is up to the bride to decide.  And she has to design a whole wardrobe for all the brides maids. And dress the groom, and parents of the groom and bride. Each bride picks a theme. And color coordinates her wedding ceremony and reception. And it is very expensive. The bride has to decide her wedding party size. Order her flower arrangements. She needs to decide the food and drinks. The list goes on.

Here is a chart of different wedding dress blueprints. To help decide what type of gown is your style.

Some brides wear veils on their wedding day. It symbolises her virginity to the groom. Sometimes her father lifts the veil as a way to give her away to the groom. Sometimes the groom lifts the veil to consummate the marriage.

“Wedding veils started being a thing in Roman times, when brides were covered from head to toe in a massive red veil called ‘flammeum’. Why? Because Romans were scared of evil spirits popping into the ceremony to curse the couple. They thought that making it look like the bride was on fire would scare them off.” (Ellen Scott for Metro)

Here is a black wedding gown worn with a black veil. I wore this as a costume for Halloween last year ( Just for fun). And definitely was hit.

One thing is for certain your gown should make you feel beautiful. When you walk down the aisle. All eye’s are on you. And you want it to make a statement. That makes you feel like a Queen! There are so many styles to choose from. And whatever you choose should reflect your personality.  It could be like picking a needle out of a hay stack. But have a friend and family member to help you decide. They can advise you. Also some girl’s are more sentimental than others. You wear this dress once in your life. So some don’t get too attached to the dress. While majority will spend a fortune on the dress. Others are more practical, and will pick a dress more within a budget.

Chapter 2:

Weddings are celebrated in many different ways around the world.  A wedding in India may last a whole month. While in America a wedding lasts a day. Asian women wear red and gold attire. Indian women also use Henna and create designs on the hands and feet. It is an Indian tradition. And is like a love symbol for the marriage. Also Indians have a ceremony that has the couple hold hands for the first time as Husband and Wife.

Also, the Cake! Is one of the best parts of a wedding celebration. Going to a cake tasting is a dream of mine. To decide on a cake is very special to me. As is to other women as well. It has to melt in your mouth. Bursting with flavor. And is the best thing you should ever taste in your life.

Also, the jewelry is a special piece in accessorizing your look. Of course you have your engagement ring and wedding bands. Also you may wear a necklace and studded earrings. Diamonds are a weddings best friend. And you will shine on your wedding day if you incorporate them in your style.

Makeup on your wedding day should illuminate the bride’s best features. It is wise to get a professional manicure and pedicure. Your makeup should make a statement. Not too bold though. This is a celebration, so it is best to look elegant and beautiful. So use makeup sparingly and subtle. Pink eye shadow and rose lips are acceptable. While a little foundation and rose blush to make you look cheerful.   (Don’t forget the waterproof mascara)!

Here is a good eye makeup tutorial for brown eye’s.

 

Here is a good eye makeup tutorial for blue or green eye’s.

 

  “You’ll want your makeup to hold up through every last photo, dance, toast, and selfie.” That makes primer essential: Spread it on your face and eyelids (we love Neutrogena Shine Control Primer and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base) after cleansing and moisturizing, then top with a foundation to create a smooth base. “Apply everything in thin, even layers,” says Patton. That goes for blush, highlighter, translucent powder, and lipstick, to Use a lip liner, put on your lipstick, blot, add more lipstick, blot, and add more lipstick,” says Patton.

It is also recommended to get a professional facial at least two days prior to your wedding. Because sometimes it takes a day or two to make the pinkish glow look less noticeable. Also you may have a pimple or two after a facial. So use Neutrogena to clear out your skin. Prior to your wedding day.

Also it is wise to have your groom get a hair cut a week before the wedding day. And also for you to get a hair style picked out. Why because if you don’t like the hair cut on your groom you can shape it up in decent time.  We will discuss more hair styling tips later in this book. Just going over the do’s and don’ts first.

Now there is one rule if you want to get a tan. It is wise to go two weeks prior to your wedding day. Because you don’t want orange skin. By the time a tan looks natural takes time. So just to give you a heads up.

Part 2:

Hair & Styling With a Veil:

Chapter 3:

Here is a tutorial on every color hair style, for brides.  If you go to a salon to style your hair. These pictures will give them an insight to what you want. If you go to a professional stylist. They can help you with how your hair looks.

The thing with veils and hair. It can be a challenge to know how to style your hair. As every veil is unique. Some are long, and some are short. And some have crowns. So you have to create a hair style that balances everything out. For instance, a bun or up do . Or a down, curly style can be pretty too. It depends on the veil.

Some brides don’t have veil’s and that’s okay. As it symbolises virginity. So some opt out the veil. It’s up to the bride. You can still have a beautiful hair style without a veil.  And in some weddings the bride wears scarves and jewelry in their hair. In India they wear Sari’s. And usually wrap their hair in a scarf. With clips of jewelry in their hair.

The Picture below shows an Indian Bride tradition with Henna on the hands.

 

 Chapter 4:

What I would like to talk about next is, your health routine should be followed with. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day. Avoid sodas and sugar filled drinks for the wedding planning process. Remember to moisturize daily. Get plenty of sleep also. You should be sleeping 8-10 hours a night. Eat more vegetables and fruit.

Exercise regularly, at least four days a week.  I hope you’re keeping a Fitness diary as we’ve discussed in the first version of Beautiful. Maybe if your up to it get a trainer or buddy to work out with you. They know what gets the weight off. I learned so much from my professional trainer. That I’m seeing results fast. And you will glow and be a beaming bride if you follow this routine.

If you drink your water intake throughout the day. Reward yourself with a treat. Like a small piece of chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth.

Also take the time to enjoy the planning of your wedding. Take a meditational session to relax and ease tension. Remember in my Beautiful! Part 1. Book, I added a 5 minute breathing exercise. I’ll refresh your memory.

Sitting in a chair or laying down. Close your eye’s. And slowly breathe in through your nose. And out through your mouth. Slowly, and relax. Let go of your worries or stress you had that day. And think of something like the ocean on a beach. Hear the waves splashing against the shore. Count to 10 breathes slowly. Then open your eye’s. And just relax.

If you do this routine daily as you plan your wedding day. You’ll be healthy, glowing, and happy. Wedding planning can be stressful. As you have to deal with family members, friends, and guests. You could become a Bridezilla. If you stress about your wedding day. And you don’t want that do you? So just relax and enjoy your day. Be pleasant to your guests. It’s important to be a graceful, bride. Not a nightmare.

Chapter 5:

To conclude this wonderful book for weddings. I hope I guided you well. It’s a Bride’s desire to be Beautiful, on her wedding day.   And if you keep this book as a treasure for planning your wedding day. I’m sure you will be Beautiful! This is the fourth edition to my Beautiful series. And I hope you all love my writing skills. I enjoy writing. And I’m getting so many great reviews. That I thank my readers. For taking the time to read my work. So I dedicate this book to all of you.  Beautiful! The Wedding Issue.