The 10 Commandments of Bridal Attire (Part II)

6. Go light on the makeup.

Makeup artists might pile it on for the photos and longevity but you’ll run the risk of looking embalmed. Know how        much makeup you’re comfortable wearing and stand your ground with your makeup artist!

7. Too many looks (or too much of one look) spoil the look.

Take one or two inspiration points such as shoes, necklace or beaded bodice and build your look around them. If you have multiple decades going on in a vintage look or if you appear to be channeling a head-to-toe 1940s war bride, for example, it won’t pay well, especially in photos. Vintage inspiration is cool but immersing yourself in a decade that is not your own is a little tragic.

8. Match your dress to your surroundings.

Look to the setting of your wedding and dress from there, outside or inside, cocktail-lounge funky or Waldorf-Astoria formal – then work with what you’ve got. A vintage cocktail-lounge look at a woodland wedding might seem like you got off at the wrong stop en route to Palm Springs, circa 1966. Equally inappropriate would be a floor-length $20,000 Vera Wang at your nupitals in your parents’ backyard (unless you happen to be a Hilton or Clinton…)

9. White’s all right:

Even if it’s an encore marriage or you’re over 40, white is fine. Make sure you’re comfortable moving and dancing in the dress you’ve chosen. The only stipulation: if you’re over 40, you’ll probably want to avoid wearing a virginal veil, traditionally reserved for younger brides.

10. Despite all the dos and don’ts, have some guts!

You’ve heard to admonitions: “Your jewellery shouldn’t compete with the dress!” “Get completely dressed and then take off one piece of jewellery!” We say, wear a monster tiara if you must. Just make sure your dress isn’t competing with your accessories or you’ll end up looking confusing and confused.