By BECKY ANDREWS
A wedding is a time of optimism, a time of love and anticipation. But let’s be honest here. A wedding is also about the FASHION! From the color of the dress (there are 80 different shades of white!) to the style of the bridesmaid dress, not a single detail is left out of what is the brides’ idea of a perfect day.
The Dress…
It all starts with the dress. Most brides have an idea of what type of wedding they want to have. Be it a more casual garden wedding or a more formal affair. No matter what style the event is usually built around the perfect dress. Wilson County resident and future bride, Aimee Lawrence was gracious enough to model a few of the latest dress styles compliments of Faccio Bridal in Cool Springs. Faccio Bridal is co-owned by Wilson County resident Beth Bowman. Romantic, flowing dresses in floor-length styles remain popular. Brides today choose dresses with flowing, soft fabrics, ruffles, satin sashes (at the waist), and delicate floral details. Most dress silhouettes are refined and include the delicate overlaying of fabrics such as chiffon, tulle and lace. Gowns with crystal, cubic zirconia, and/ or pearl embellished bodices are very popular at the moment.
On the cover, Aimee modeled a stunning gown by Rivini. The ivory hand clipped Italian lace gown features a sweetheart neckline and silk voile at the natural waist. The fit to flare gown is enhanced in each tier with a different pattern of the Italian lace. Instead of a traditional veil, hairstylists Heather Hankins and Angel Dingler with Hello Beautiful salon in Lebanon choose a feathered hair clip accentuated with pearls to complete Aimee’s look.
The modified A-line skirt also remains prominent on the fashion runways (slim through the waist and flared at the bottom) although many designers have included ball gowns and tea-length styles in their lines as well. Strapless gowns are perennial favorites, but this season has brought back the offthe-shoulder look for brides who want to accentuate their neckline or draw attention to gorgeous jewelry. In the US, we are continuing to see color in wedding dresses which have been popular for some time internationally. Champagne, platinum and even black are currently popular. It was “Old Hollywood” when Aimee stepped out in a little number by Lazaro. The ivory silk satin bridal gown with tank neckline and fitted elongated torso is accented with a jeweled belt at the natural waist. The box pleated skirt flows into sweep train. One of the items that complete the look for Aimee is the “Bird Cage” style veil.
The last look that Aimee modeled for the shoot was a breathtaking original by Jim Hjelm. The ivory silk organza gown features a strapless embroidered bodice of crystals and hand-cut silk organza. The natural waist is accented with a platinum moiré ribbon and cascades intoa bias cut asymmetrical ruffle skirt with a chapel train.
The Bridesmaids
Wilson County resident, Stephanie Hollis Albright models three different bridesmaid looks. The looks can go with any wedding theme. The White Room in Lebanon supplied the dresses and jewelry worn on the shoot. Heather Hankins of Hello Beautiful Salon in Lebanon, completed Stephanie’s look with a loose hairstyle and neutral make up tones. Amy Rich used her lens to capture the
individual style of each selection.
The Jewelry…
American Jewelry located in Providence Marketplace supplied the precious jewels Wilson Living used to accentuate Aimee’s look. From the earrings to the bracelets, American Jewelry generously loaned more than $50,000 in fine jewels. If you see any piece that strikes your fancy, you simply must visit the wonderful folks at American Jewelry.
The Hair & Makeup…
The fabulous ladies at Hello Beautiful Salon in Lebanon created an all around look for Aimee’s hair that would help her easily transition from one gown to the next. Owners, Heather Hankins and Angel Dingler used natural tones for Aimee’s makeup. For the hair, loose, romantic curls worked well with each dress style.
Flower Girl & Ring Bearer…
Sometimes these two get left out of the planning but a ring bearer and flower girl serve integral roles in a ceremony. How else can the couple get their rings? And what Bride is going to make her grand entrance down an aisle without fresh flower petals? In this issue, we have 10 year old Zoe Kane and 10 year old Jacob Andrews modeling some of the latest wedding fashions for the pint size participants in the nuptials.
You can find the gorgeous dress that Zoe is wearing at Judy’s Fashion Boutique. For her hair, a simple wreath accented with pearls and tulle is perfect for any flower girl.
Instead of a tuxedo for a ring bearer, Jacob wears a more casual look of linen. This fabric is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding. The navy pants and white shirt is available at The Children’s Place located in Prime Outlets in Lebanon.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to your big day is to relax and enjoy the moment. Humor writer Dave Meurer described marriage best when he said, “A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.