Fay Kanellos, Author at WedZtyle

Great Hairstyle Tips for your Wedding Day.

by Fay Kanellos August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

There is no doubt that having the ‘right’ bridal hairstyle can make or break the look of any bride. Even though there are no hard rules on choosing the style of hair, the hairdo can change the look of the makeup and the ‘effect’ of the wedding dress. There is a plethora of choices, hair down, braided and updos. Our advice would be to choose what works for you and own your look. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to choosing your perfect hairstyle.

Whether you are using a hairstylist or doing your hair yourself to save cost, your hair must be in good condition. Hydrated, trimmed, cut and if you choose, freshly colored. Healthy hair will always look best. Investing in hair masks, especially with bleached or damaged hair. The constant use of the mask prior to the wedding day will help ensure your hair is looking and feeling amazing. We recommend to use these once a week depending on the condition of the hair.

When choosing your hairstyle, your face shape can dictate on what best accentuates your face. Below are recommendations which I feel should be used as a guide when picking the style for you; we are all for being an individual and defying recommendations, trying out different styles sometimes end up being the best option, individuality and expression is key! However, this is a great place to start if you are having trouble deciding.

Source: http://bridestory.com

Hair Down

Having your hair down is a great option for brides with medium to long hair. Using extensions can be useful if trying to achieve a more voluminous and full look. Styling with braids, a half up, half down, simply curled, straightened or wavy can be a perfect option, especially if your dress is more of a classic, simple style.

Source: http://Pinterest.com

Short Hair

Source: http://pinterest

Short hair can also be worn down or half up. As I have mentioned, there is no hard and fast rules just have fun when deciding which hairstyle matches your wedding look.

BRAIDS AND UP-DOS

There is a sense of romanticism in wearing your hair up. Whether curled, braided, up in a high or low bun, it must compliment your makeup style, dress, and accessories. When I got married, my hair was long, but I chose to put it up because it suited my dress, style of makeup and the look I wanted. My bridesmaids also had their hair-up as it suited my chosen bridal party style. The updo can look quite dramatic or harsh, therefore try to balance the look, so it does not dominate your wedding style. My updo was natural, not polished. This softened hairstyle created a total image of me as a bride. Hair, makeup, accessories, dress, and shoes should integrate.

Source : http://Pinterest.com

Accessories

For me, hair accessories add the final addition and “wow” factor to your wedding look. There are numerous options and variations, perhaps a hair clip, crown, headband or of course your veil. A bride can be as traditional or as laid back as they choose. My accessories were a silk flower accompanied by a georgette veil. It complimented the style of my dress, hair, and makeup. This what an accessory should do—not overpowering the look of the bride.

Source: http://Pinterest.com

Whatever hairstyle or accessories you choose, do your research, and look for ideas. If using a hairdresser, know in advance what you want and meet up before hand to play around with different styles, looks and even colours. If your using the wedding vision board, show what styles you have chosen and communicate these to your hairstylist. Once again, I cannot stress the importance of having your hair cut, treated and coloured. No one wants to see split ends and re-growth. We recommend to book your hair trail 2 months before the wedding day, if you change your mind there is time to let the hairstylist know.

Our Survival Day Kit Recommendation:

On the day, your hair survival kit needs to include:

Bobby pins – make sure they are the same colour are your hair
Hair tie
A travel size hair spray
A bristle hair teasing brush
A multi-purpose brush to keep the hair in place.

Don’t forget to download our wedding planner – www.wedztyle.com

Stunning Wedding Makeup Styles.

by Fay Kanellos July 31, 2020July 31, 2020

When I was a bride, I chose my makeup look to compliment my dress, hair, and accessories. It was essential to me as it completed my look. I did not research current makeup trends as I knew what I wanted. I went for a heavier smoky eye paired with a light lipstick colour. I wanted my eyes to pop.

I used a makeup artist because I wanted someone who could offer me high quality, pigmented brand of makeup and understood my vision. Not everyone can afford a makeup artist and that is perfectly fine. Whether you and your bridal party do your own makeup, or you engage in a makeup artist, keep the look consistent meaning that the theme is running through each person. And of course, the face must be balanced.

For those brides who are unsure of their makeup style, despite using a makeup artist or doing it yourself, I am going to share various alluring looks that are currently trending and some classics and some not so.

THE CLASSIC LOOK.

Classic bridal makeup is subtle, timeless, and tasteful. Below are images that are ‘classic’. Note the light eyeshadow look, pale cheeks, and soft color lipstick. The face needs to be balanced to create that natural look.

Images: Pinterest.com

When wearing a nude lipstick, you cannot go wrong. It compliments all eye makeup looks. However, to pull it off, choose a nude based lipstick that matches your undertone and lip pigment.

Image: Pinterest.com

The classic red lips. My personal favourite. It never goes out of style and always makes a statement. If this look is what you are after, invest in a high-quality, pigmented red lipstick.

TRADITIONAL LOOKS

Images : Pinterest.com

Do not be afraid to embrace your cultural looks. This makes you unique so wear the look with the pride.

CURRENT WEDDING MAKEUP TRENDS

A current wedding makeup trend is subjective. Your wedding makeup must instil confidence within yourself. However, I feel as a Wedztyler; brides should be aware of what is trending and decide for themselves.

Through my research, THE MINIMALIST LOOK is the running theme. This look involves glowing skin, barely-there foundation, and pale lips.

Image: Pinterest.com

Along with this look – pale painted nails, loose textured hair, even braided suits the minimalist look.

For those wanting more of a vibrant look, “chic” shimmer eyeshadow, black eyeliner, brushed eyebrows, dark eyes, eyelash extensions, and bold lips also make a mention.

Shimmer, Bold Lips, Dark eyes, black eyeliner

Each of the looks are alluring and elegant. The common theme is balancing the makeup from the eyes to the cheeks to the lips. The makeup should tell the story of your look. Pair this with the right hairstyle, nail paint and accessories.

Do not be afraid to experiment. Below are a couple of looks embracing dramatic eyes. Although these are not trending, they are breathtaking.

Image: Pinterest.com

BRIDESMAIDS AND MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

No fixed rule. Depends on the look. Whether it is soft, natural, or bold, it should complement the bride’s makeup. Like the bride, the face needs to balance and suit the dress, hair, nail paint and accessories.

Mother of the bride tend to go for a natural look. Again, the style of makeup is dependant on their look.

Whether you engage a makeup artist or do it yourself, the style of makeup chosen should create a visual appeal which embraces the personality of the person wearing it. I did not choose a classic look, yet it worked for me as it embraced my personality, and the secret of perfectly flawed makeup is good skin. Your skin is a canvas so ensure that the skin is exfoliated, hydrated, and your makeup will look FABULOUS.

DAY TO NIGHT

A personal preference. I left my makeup as it was and touched it up when the evening came. For those who do want to change it up a bit, play around with your lipstick. For example, if you are wearing nude shade, change it to a brighter shade of lipstick. Or if you are already wearing a bold colour, change the tone (hot pink to red or a different shade of red). Another option would also be to change the blush tone to suit the change in lipstick colour. Changing your lipstick and blush shade is an easy and inexpensive method of changing your look. No makeup artist required.

EMERGENCY KIT

Weddings are long days. The wedding party needs to maintain its sleek look from morning until evening. For the bride and her party, this means keeping their makeup looking fresh.

Survival Tips:

Lipstick and liner – a must. If using a makeup artist, ask her to use your lipstick and liner. I did this, and it kept my lips looking fabulous.
Blotting Paper – take away that shine
Mascara and eyeliner – keep your eyes fresh. Those with eyelash extensions need not worry about this.
Foundation, concealer, and powder to keep your face looking amazing
Bronzer and blush – throughout the day, these will fade

To download our wedding planner go to www.wedztyle.com

How To Plan Your Wedding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

by Fay Kanellos July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

When asking our Instagram followers what they wanted information on, it was no surprise that a good percentage wanted tips on how to plan their wedding with the uncertainty of the imposed restrictions due to COVID-19.

The tips provided are on the research done. Wedztyle cannot speak on behalf of governments nor can comment on the legalities surrounding consumer entitlements in getting back deposits paid. However, what we can do is offer tips that will help couples in making the decision postpone or re-schedule their special day.

Sit down with your Partner.

You and your partner must be on the same page when deciding if you will postpone, reschedule, or adapt your wedding to the current COVID restrictions. Communication is key as weddings without such circumstances are already very stressful.

Communication with Vendors

Communicating with chosen vendors is essential for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you need to inform them of your intent – are you postponing, rescheduling, or going ahead. Secondly, you need to have the confidence that they will be operational in the foreseeable future. Understandably, we do not have a crystal ball on this, but it needs to be a consideration.

Negotiating with your vendors

Firstly, go over the terms and conditions of each vendor. Focus on the these and adjust conditions to suit both parties. Businesses have been affected by COVID; therefore, most will work with wedding couples to keep the business. For those vendors who are willing to consult and work with you, give them options of dates. Confirm all discussions in writing to protect yourselves should you need to. Vendors who are unwilling to be flexible, shop around. These are not for you.

Back – Up Choice of Vendors

Suppose the preferred vendor is not available on your date, now what? To prevent this scenario, I suggest that you have three to five vendors as a back-up. Before committing, read their terms and conditions. All negotiations need to be in writing. Please do not give any deposits unless written confirmation of a refund is applicable.

Contact your guests.

Notify all guests of the change in your wedding date. You can say words like “WE HAVE POSTPONED OUR WEDDING DATE, NEW DATE COMING SOON,’ or “WE ARE RESCHEDULING OUR WEDDING, NEW DATE COMING SOON”. Communicate this very clearly. Whether you have created a Facebook Event, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or a Wedding Website, your guests need to know in advance of a pending new date.

Budget

With businesses not fully operational, consider changing your budget to reflect the financial strain that COVID-19 is bringing. For example, reducing your budget by 10% will force wedding couples to minimise unnecessary expenditure. You are using that 10% saving later for something else like an extended honeymoon.

Contingency Plan

These times are unpredictable. The number of allowable guests’ changes depending on the current infection rate. Wedding couples need to be adaptable; therefore, having a contingency plan is advisable. It could be that the wedding only has immediate family attending but captured on a digital platform for your pending guests to view. Or your wedding can be live-streamed, so your guests do not miss those moments. Various scenarios can come to play.

Whatever the scenario is for wedding couples, you can still have your wedding. It might not be in a traditional format (i.e. guests attending), but it will always be your day. Plan your wedding as you would with a contingency plan in mind. The Wedztyle e-planner will be a valuable resource in these COVID-19 times.

Main Image Mari Lezhava Unsplash

15 MUST HAVE TIPS WHEN SHOPPING FOR YOUR WEDDING DRESS.

by Fay Kanellos July 3, 2020July 3, 2020

A question we always get asked is ‘what do I need to take with me when trying on wedding dresses?’ Wedding dress shopping should be a fun aspect of your wedding, so make the most of your moment. We have come up with our top 15 tips when shopping for the perfect dress.

1. Make an Appointment with The Bridal Store

We recommend that a bride should begin looking for the wedding dress nine months prior. Make appointments with a few bridal stores this way you are limiting your options. Explore different styles, colours, designers and see what works for you. If an in house stylist is available, engage with them. Make a day out of it; have lunch with your bridal tribe.

2. Create a Fitting Checklist

Create a fitting checklist as this will keep you organised during your appointments. It will also alert you when to purchase the bridal party’s attire. Through the Wedztyle planner, you can add all your dates and the budget table will keep your costs in check.

3. Do Your Research

Have a few ideas on the type of dress you want to try. Create a vision board through Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration. Bring this along when choosing the wedding dress, as this will allow the stylist to have a better idea of what you are after. In saying this, keep your options open. What you think will work on you might not and what you think will not, might be the dress.

If going for a custom made dress, keep your options open to different styles, materials and fits. It is also beneficial to research several designers, look at recent runways, magazine spreads and Instagram pages. When finding a dress maker, make sure to look at their past works and customer reviews to make sure you are picking someone trustworthy to avoid any mishaps.

4. The Right Undergarments, Shoes

We cannot stress the importance of bringing the correct undergarments and shoes when trying dresses. It will help you choose the right size, how much alterations you will need and most importantly, does the dress fit correctly.

5. Handle the Dresses with Care.

Although the dresses are samples, be mindful of the makeup you are wearing as you do not want to stain any of the garments, particularly with fake tan. Dresses with lace and beading are fragile, so we suggest putting the dress on from the bottom up to avoid any mishaps.

6. A Hair Tie

A hair tie is worthy to bring along as you can see how the dress will work with your hair up or down. Especially helpful, bringing your veil and accessories if purchased prior. If not- no stress! bridal shops usually have plenty of veils to work with.

7. Make-Up

Have some light makeup on when trying on dresses. Somehow a bit of make-up gives you a different feel when you are deciding on a range of dresses. Try to avoid heavy foundation or foundation at all, as it can stain the dress.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXoY0ZeHZBe0p-ByCiYP_XQ

8. A Supportive Bridal Tribe

Ultimately, you decide the dress for you. However, your bridal tribe is there to support you and help you decide. A different opinion can be helpful; however, limit the number of people to no more than four. Too many people can work the opposite and confuse you.

When booking your appointments, confirm with the bridal store how many people you can bring on the day.

9. The Season and Location

When selecting your dress, consider the location and the season. If you are having a destination wedding, find out how much it will cost you to send the dress over as this will cut into your dress budget. Also research the climate of the destination, the last thing you need is to feel uncomfortable in your wedding dress on your big day.

10. Budget

Know your budget and stick to it. Be mindful of any extra cost such as alterations and shipping. Consider pre-loved dresses if you have no room to move with your budget. Not only is buying pre-loved cost effective, but it is a sustainable approach. There are plentiful websites and Facebook groups that offer pre-loved garments. To assist with your cash flow, ask the store if payment plans are accepted.

11. List of Questions

Have a list of questions to ask the stylist, such as how many fittings you will require, how long is needed to make the dress, what additional costs for alterations.

12. Take Photos/Video Recording

An absolute must is taking photos and videos with you in several dresses. Take images of the front and back of the dress, record you walking with the dress to see how it all flows. It will assist in deciding on the dress. Of course, do not show your soon-to-be-partner.

13. Bundle

Can the store offer you a better price if you purchased the gown, veil and accessories? Do not be afraid to ask for a discount, finding ways to save money wherever you can will ensure you have extra emergency funds.

14. Go with Your Heart

If you have a particular style and look in mind, explore this. Do not be side-tracked with others opinion. You know what works for you and what you are comfortable wearing. Remember, everyone has a fashion style, including you.

15. Enjoy!

The most beautiful brides are happy ones, so enjoy your moment!

Main image source: Bryan Gardner

Wedding Insurance is it worth it?

by Fay Kanellos June 18, 2020June 18, 2020

Researching for this blog, I wanted to gain an understanding of wedding insurance. What are companies offering and if it is, in fact, worth it for couples? The recent COVID19 outbreak has meant postponing or cancelling upcoming weddings, resulting in couples losing deposits and payments across various vendors because the COVID19 virus is uninsurable.

This leaves us to wonder, how can we be covered if the unexpected were to happen?

The average cost of a wedding in the UK 31,974 pounds, $33,391 in the USA and $36,000 in Australia; therefore, more couples are considering wedding insurance to protect them against any unforeseeable mishaps financially.

The type of cover offered.

Like all insurance policies, various level of cover is offered depending on the cost of the wedding. In Australia, prices can range from $200 standard cover to $1300 for premium. Most insurance covers the total budget of your wedding e.g. if your wedding budget is $8000.00, purchase the one that will cover that amount.

Standard cover – approx. $200-250 for total budget cover between $5,000-$8,000
Intermediate – approx. $400-$900 for total budget cover between $16,000 – $35,000
Premium – approx. $1100-$1300 for total budget cover between $75,000+

Premiums are higher for destination weddings. I recommend that you purchase insurance with companies that specialise in destination weddings rather than local weddings to get the most coverage.

The type of cover chosen should be in line with the size of the wedding and the costs associated. Compare policies to make sure you are covered accordingly.

The policy should begin 30 days after purchase, with a 14-day cooling-off period.

What your insurance needs to cover:

When deciding on the type of cover, my recommendation is to ensure the following is included:

Wedding deposits and pre-payments – when you need to cancel, reschedule or postpone your wedding due to specific events
Protection against vendors and supplier breakdown
Marquee and equipment damage
Wedding rings – although these can be insured under your home and contents
Wedding gifts – what is the minimum and maximum value that can be insured
Wedding attire
Wedding transportation
Illness, death
Extreme weather – storms, tornados
Personal Liability – if your guests cause personal injury to a third party or damage to their property.
Destination weddings – what is covered and what countries are covered.
When the claim begins – this is usually 30 days after you purchase the cover and what the recommended period of cover is
What the coverage extends to – family members as they can also contribute to the wedding
Any value-added services that you will need for your wedding
Number of guests that are covered in the policy should an accident occurs
Type of venue, as some venues require you to have insurance before you book with them.
Overseas cover including medical emergency and hospital

What you are not covered for:

Cancellation due to weather that is not extreme
Change of heart
Switching vendors after a deposit were paid
Claims outside your country – I recommend looking at insurance companies that specialize in Destination Weddings
Any issues relating to travel bans, flight cancellations, government acts, regulations and bans on public gatherings
Pandemics such as COVID19

Before you purchase:

Speak to your vendors and see what they offer via their insurance company, especially for the venue, caters, and wedding planners. Always read the fine print on their contracts. Do not sign if you are uncomfortable with their terms. It has to work for you.

Look at your home insurance, as you can be covered on certain aspects of your wedding e.g. wedding rings, travel insurance, etc… This way you can determine what type of cover you can purchase.

Consider which plan best suits your wedding needs. Do not purchase a policy based on price. Focus on what is and is not covered.

Read the terms and conditions of each insurance company and most importantly do your research.

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Don’t forget to download our digital wedding planner. This affordable planner is a guide to help you plan the perfect wedding. www.wedztyle.com

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Wedding Checklists – A Go-To Tool for Planning the Perfect Day

by Fay Kanellos June 5, 2020June 5, 2020

Once the excitement of the engagement slowly wears off, couples now are tasked in organising their wedding. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, leading the couple to go onto the internet, search for ideas, and a generic ‘to-do’-list. This general list is most likely unrelated to their type of wedding and leaves the couple more confused.

Why a Wedding Checklist?

A wedding checklist is a planning tool that assists couples in being able to track the planning process and not miss any vital steps.

The use of a checklist provides a systematic approach to complete the required tasks. Referred to as a ‘to-do list’ or ‘schedule’; checklists give a timeline of the wedding events. For example, when booking a vendor, various points of communication have to occur, such as date, location, style, payment schedule. Having a record through a checklist means you do not miss anything.

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How to Utilise a Wedding Checklist?

A thorough wedding checklist saves couples time and money as it allows them to focus on the task at hand, not missing a thing. The average wedding takes 18-12 months to plan. The checklist makes the planning process manageable, giving it structure while removing the stress. Couples should enjoy planning their day. It is part of getting married.

As tempting as it might be, using a generic wedding checklist that comes off the internet, will not save time and costs. Firstly, all weddings are different. Each couple brings their uniqueness and requires a detailed wedding checklist. The checklist should be broken into these months:

• 18-12 months before the wedding day

• 9 months before the wedding day

• 6-4 months before the wedding day

• 3 months before the wedding day

• 2 months before the wedding day

• 1 month before the wedding day

• 2 weeks before the wedding day

• 1 week before the wedding day

• The day before the wedding day

Having different monthly sections of the wedding checklist allows you to complete each task for that month ensuring your wedding is on track and to budget.

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Importance of a Wedding checklist for Destination Weddings

Couples using a detailed wedding checklist when planning a destination wedding will assist that all aspects of the wedding are covered and comply with the particular country’s requirements; avoiding misunderstandings and disputes. Remember to read their terms and conditions, make adjustments to suit your wedding checklist and timeline while keeping a paper trail of correspondence.

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Wedding Vision Boards: The best way to use them.

by Fay Kanellos May 18, 2020May 18, 2020

Help Plan your Wedding with Vision Boards.

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming with couples finding themselves unclear on the direction to go. And why would they not be, with a plethora of options to choose from, it can be all too much. An option to bring their vision to life is using a vision board, as some like to refer it as a mood or inspiration boards.

What is a vision board?

Vision boards are just that – an inspiration of collective ideas. What I like about a vision board is that you create multiple boards. An example would include venue design, wedding dress, colour schemes, tables arrangements. The list goes on. It is these ideas that help shape the vision of your wedding. And within those boards, you can create tiers surrounded on what appeals the most or by cost.

Below is an example of how I would create a vision board for a wedding dress:
• Style of dress – add varying styles because knowing what you do not like assists you in deciding what you do
• Fabric swatch – colour and material type
• Shoes – colour, heel height, closed, open,
• Accessories – headpieces and jewellery
• Make-Up and hair – play with different looks.

Another vision board can be for your vendors. I would include the following:
• Décor of the ceremony and venue.
• Flowers
• Cake and desserts
• Photo locations
• Favours
• Invitations

Here are some tips that I have found work for me.

Choose no more than ten images per vision board. Too many images/photos will confuse you.
Tier the images whether it is on appeal or price
When you have chosen what will NOT work for your wedding, delete the image.
When you have narrowed the ideas to two images per vision board, walk away. Please give it a couple of days then go back to it.

Types of boards

Physical boards – These boards are based on cutting out images from wedding books and placing these onto a cork board that is readily accessible. Take photos of these boards to show to your vendors. The problem with these boards is where to store them while working on them. And what will you do after your wedding?

Digital boards – by far, these boards are most convenient and easily shared with all vendors. Pinterest, Canva and Adobe Spark are the three most popular digital boards; and my preference.

Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration and is user friendly. There is so much content to be found on Pinterest that you cannot go wrong. It is a free app and interactional as you can draw ideas from other like-minded people.The benefits using this platform it gives you inspiration in building a vision board with the things you like and sharing your boards with other users. www.pinterest.com

https://www.pinterest.com.au/faykanellos

Canva has over 6000 templates in creating your invitations and vision board. Upload your images onto the boards. It is that simple. However, fees do apply for using Canva. It is approximately $17.00 a month, and you can cancel anytime. The benefits in using canva it has a easy to share option, has preset sizes and templates for social media posts, postcards, invitations etc. www.canva.com

Board created by wedztyle 2020
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Adobe Spark is a free app that you can download onto any device. It has many templates and free photos to add onto your boards. You also have the option to take photos or import them directly from your photo library. Like canva it has a sharing options along with preset sizes and templates for social media posts. www.adobe.com

Overview
• Get organised
• Do more than one vision board
• Don’t limit yourself – apply your ideas freely
• Stand by what you want and do not want

Be creative with your boards and most importantly have fun!