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Belle 12WINTER BRIDAL BOUQUETS

HOT NEW

VENUE DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION tips from the pros

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DESTINATION Honeymoons

56jcrew FEATURE

DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION

CONTENTS 41-42

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Fashion FEATURE 41-42 DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION

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41 Bouquet SPRING

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HOT NEW CAKE TRENDS

97 12WINTER

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BRIDAL PARTY 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

BOUQUE 12 12

BRIDAL BOUQUETS

Meet the staff Editor’s note

HONEYMOON 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

DRESS 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

CAKE 89

12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

{5 BOUQUETS} SPRING WEDDING

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1 google.com 2 greenweddingshoes.com 3 bestflowerpictures.com 4 pinterest.com 5 Ruffled.com

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5 1 Paper Bouquet Satin, lace, chiffon, tulle and velvet help

make this beautiful bouquet a one-of-a-kind show stopper.

2 White Roses Wedding styles come and go,

but white never goes out of style: its a classic.

3 Brooch Bouquet Making a brooch bouqet is quite the DIY project! It takes creativity but it is a worthy endeavor.

4 Pale Pink extra material from your wedding dress to personalize the handle.

5 Waterfall Bouquet Vintage bridal bouquet, adding foliage can make a dramatic appearance at your wedding.

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WEDDING BELLE

{ 2012 Volume 3 }

{3HONEYMOON} ROMANTIC

ACCORDING TO NEWSTRAVEL. COM THE TOP THREE BEST HONEYMOON LOCATIONS http://travel.usnews.com

Santorini Your first order of business in Santorini is to hit the black sand beaches, especially southeastern Perissa or Kamari on the main island of Thira. Next up, check to see if the archaeological delights of Ancient Akrotiri are open to visitors. Some would say you only need a day to enjoy these islands' charms (they are a popular port of call for cruise ships). Then you'll have plenty of time to learn there's more to these comely dots of the Cyclades than meets the eye.

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Maui Maui is an attraction-filled destination that seems like a compilation of Hawaii's best qualities. Surfing beaches? Step off the plane, take one whiff of the plumeria blooms and you'll be hooked.

You should note that every Hawaiian island offers something different. For most visitors, Maui excels at providing the envisioned Hawaiian vacation and is the perfect introduction to the archipelago.

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Crete If there was one word to describe the Greek island of Crete, it would be "diverse."

Sandy beaches hide amongst soaring mountains, palm-tree forests grow in the middle of sprawling plains, bustling modern cities share coastline with ancient ruins. And speaking of cities -- in Crete they reflect the people that came before; the streets are lined with architecture mirroring the styles of the Minoans.

Images credited to google.com, text travel.us.new.com

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FASHION DRESS SHOES & FABRIC DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION

Shoes Greta Metalic Sandles

Everly Jeweled Pumps [ $350.00 ] Jcrew.com

[ $188.00 ] Jcrew.com

Ava Satin Pumps [ $285.00 ] Jcrew.com

Lin Mid Heel Sandal [ $238.00 ] Jcrew.com

Ava Glitter Pumps [ $275.00 ] Jcrew.com

Valintina Metalic Pumps [ $275.00 ] Jcrew.com

HOW TO: Find the perfect bridal shoe Look for a good match -- When you're wearing a white or cream colored gown and want your shoes to match, be careful to match them exactly. The shades between bright white and cream can be subtle, but when they're side by side,

Textures and materials matter -- The materials a shoe is made from will have an impact on its overall appearance.

A wh i t e l e at h e r p u m p, s ay, w i l l look less reflective, and less bright, than a white patent leather pump.

When you want contrasting shoes -Choose a color that coordinates with something in your wedding decor. You may want to wear breathtakingly red shoes with your white gown -- which is OK by the way -- but make sure

THE BEST SHOES FOR BRIDES AND BRIDESMAIDS

I

t has been said that planning a wedding is a series of endless details that cause both frustration and elation.

To be sure, there is one detail your feet don’t want you to overlook -- your shoes.

Though some say it is more important to think function over fashion when picking your wedding shoes, we recommend you find a happy middle ground. With the myriad of wedding shoe options, that should be easier to execute than your rehearsal dinner seating chart.

For The Bride The first thing to think about is comfort.

Remember that you will be standing on your feet most of the affair. The last thing you want to have to deal with is pain that limits your mobility and enjoyment.

Some experts recommend that all brides have two pairs of shoes -- one formal pair for the ceremony, receiving line, pictures, and arrival at the reception, then another comfortable and more ca-

sual pair for the rest of the night. Ballet slipper-type shoes are a popular reception choice for a reception night that will be heavy on dancing and your feet.

Be sure to pick a shoe that complements your dress and your own style. After all, you’ll be seeing them in pictures and maybe even video for the rest of your life.

Consider the fabric of your dress. Some say to match silk and satin gowns to satin shoes. Sandals, slippers, pumps, and strap heels are all appropriate footwear on your big day.

Very important -- take your shoes to your fitting so the hem is accurate. Trying the shoe with your actual dress is the only real way to be sure you’ll love them.

Elaborate dresses do not require elaborate shoes, while more simple dresses are greatly enhanced by ornate shoes.

For The Attendants Many questions arise when considering shoe options for the attendants. Should

their shoes be the same style or just the same color? Should there be different heel heights to even out the bridesmaids?

Can each woman pick the type and color of shoe that most suits her taste and style?

All of these questions are for the bride to decide. Take into account where members of your bridal party live. If you can all get together and order shoes on one fun trip, do it. This is more difficult to execute if the attendants are from various corners of the globe. Enough said.

Bridal Shoe Options On our site, you can view a wide variety of shoes. You will need to decide the following information.

Designer -- Choose from a wide variety; mostly based on your budget.

Price Range -- We segment it into three groups: less than $50, $50 to $100, and more than $100. If you are having a beach ceremony, barefoot is free.

Fabric -- Options include crepe and lace.

Dress

A No-Stress Guide to Your Perfect,

Most Flattering Fit

Ball Gown

Ball Gown: This is the style of dress that fairy tales

are made of. With a fitted bodice and full skirt that can either be one piece or separate, this dress is perfect for big, traditional weddings. You can even pair a ball gown with long gloves and a dramatic train for even more of a “wow” factor. Everything from satin to chiffon is used on top, along with layers of taffeta or tulle on the bottom to create a floating effect.

Who It Flatters: While many brides will look beautiful in a ball gown, the cut is ideal for slender or pearshaped figures as the full skirt helps to accentuate the waist and hide the lower body. Additionally, this style helps create the hourglass look because it emphasizes the waistline. If you’re shorter, beware that a skirt of this size can overpower a small frame.

Mermaid

Mermaid: This cut is a very sexy look that highlights a woman’s curves. Its silhouette contours to the body from the chest to the knee, and then flares out to the hem. This dress style comes in various versions from strapless, to halter, or trumpet flare and even flamenco.

Who It Flatters: Because of its body-hugging cut, the mermaid is best worn by brides who are confident and comfortable in their skin. It is flattering on slender, short and tall figures, however, girls who love their curves can rock this dress as well.

Sheath

Column/Sheath: As you can probably guess from its name, the column dress has a narrow shape that flows straight down from the top to the bottom. This dress, also referred to as a sheath, tends to hug the body and show any and all of your curves. A column dress can be a simple slip dress to a more contoured dress made of heavier fabrics such as damask.

Who It Flatters: Although a column dress style is timeless, it’s typically not as forgiving as other styles and is best suited for lean brides. Petite brides can look taller and longer in a column dress, but there’s not much room for hiding problem areas.

A-Line

A-Line/Princess: Named after the shape the dress visually creates, this style is classic and simple. The A-line dress is fitted around the bodice and flows out to the ground. The princess cut version of the A-line dress is more dramatic and emphasizes this style’s clean lines by utilizing vertical panels that run from the neckline to the hem.

Who It Flatters: The A-line dress is a good general option for almost any bride. The full skirt of the A-line can hide a rounder lower body or create the illusion of curves on a narrow frame.

Fabric B u y i n g a w e d d i n g g ow n c a n b e a ver y intimidating process. While it is often best to shop in a re putable bridal boutique that employs welleducated bridal consultants, sometimes a bride should do a little homework first!

Picture of lace gown from Watters.com.

Before shopping, be sure that you have a clear vision about where and what time of year your wedding will be held. It is important that you have some concept of what fabric weight will be appropriate for your event.

“Pure fabrics, such as silk, cotton, velvet will crease more than those which have a touch of synthetic in them, which is really useful to know if you are getting married abroad or you want you dress to stay crease-free all day,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt.

“Silk is a fibre which is simply turned into a thread,” says Marguerite Hannah of Alan Hannah, “so it can become different things – for example, a thicker, more expensive duchesse silk, or a thinner, slipper satin silk. Ask whether the material you are being offered is a pure silk or a mix.

You can often tell if a material has silk in it, as it will have a pearlised finish.” want you dress to stay crease-free all day,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt.

Lace: The most bridal of all fabrics good for...everything, either as a complete dress of just touches not for...a dress that is too seamed as the pattern won’t match

11 WEDDING BELLE { 2012 Volume 3 }

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12WINTER BOUQUETS

41 DIAMONDS CARRIBEAN 3 HONEYMOON

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CARIBBEAN

HONEYMOON

CARIBBEAN

HONEYMOON

Dominican Republic Friendly people, a vibrant culture, miles of beaches and affordable resorts all attract visitors to the bustling, Spanish-flavored Dominican Republic.

Best for: Couples who crave adventure in the sun.

You can hike 10,000-foot peaks, windsurf in terrific cruising grounds, scout for humpback whales, snorkel and scuba dive with a kaleidoscopic array of fish and bike through the fecund countryside.

Pink Bouquet Mixture of pink

flowers combined with pink foliage.

One of a kind!

Not for: Haute cuisine. Chicken dinners with sides of rice and fried plantains are the norm. Your best bet is to choose the grilled fish—more than likely, it’s just off the boat.

12WINTER

BRIDAL BOUQUETS

41 DIAMONDS DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION Tips rom the Pros

HOT NEW

Venue Locations

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CARRIBEAN

HONEYMOON

2012

summer 2012

CONTENTS 55

97

DIAMONDS on DIAMONDS

89 39

41 Bouque SPRING

122

78

HOT NEW CAKE TRENDS

97

12WINTER

BRIDAL BOUQUETS

BRIDAL PARTY 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

BOUQUE 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

HONEYMOON 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

DRESS 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

CAKE 12 12

Meet the staff Editor’s note

{5 BOUQUETS} SUMMER

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1 Pink Bouquet Mixture of pink flowers

combined with pink foliage. One of a kind!

2 Feather Bouquet Adding a feathers can

make your bridal bouquet one of a kind.

3 Hot Pink Stand out with an all

pink bouquet, it will be a classic.

4 Pink DaisyaAdding a unique flower like a daisy can make your color’s pop.

5 Monocromatic An assortment of dasiy, lily and roses is an excelent combination.

1 google.com 2 greenweddingshoes.com 3 bestflowerpictures.com 4 pinterest.com 5 Ruffled.com

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3

WEDDING BELLE

{ 2012 Volume 3 }

{3 HONEYMOON} CARIBBEAN

}

3

WEDDING BELLE

ACCORDING TO NEWSTRAVEL. 1 COM THE TOP THREE BEST HONEYMOON LOCATIONS http://travel.usnews.com

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Cayman Islands he islands that make up the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac) are surrounded by gorgeous, clear water, making them a diving hot spot. They also have a culture of politesse, which makes visitors feel safe and at home.

Best for: Couples who appreciate high-end resorts and the high-stakes adventure of wall diving.

Not for: Those who want to explore local villages for exotic cultural experiences. The Caymans have an American standard (and style) of living.

Jamaica 2

here’s no better place for a laid-back honeymoon, where you’ll listen to hip-swaying music at every turn, than Jamaica—the birthplace of reggae.

Best for: Music fans. Bob Marley lovers can hop on Chukka Caribbean Adventures’ Zion bus tour, which takes you through the countryside of St. Ann, the music legend’s home parish (876-9722506; chukkacaribbean.com). Or, you can take a snorkeling cruise in Montego Bay’s Marine Park; after your dive, the music and dancing begin right on deck (876-952-5860; calicosailingcruises.com).

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Dominican Republic Friendly people, a vibrant culture, miles of beaches and affordable resorts all attract visitors to the bustling, Spanish-flavored Dominican Republic.

Best for: Couples who crave adventure in the sun.

You can hike 10,000-foot peaks, windsurf in terrific cruising grounds, scout for humpback whales, snorkel and scuba dive with a kaleidoscopic array of fish and bike through the fecund countryside.

Not for: Haute cuisine. Chicken dinners with sides of rice and fried plantains are the norm. Your best bet is to choose the grilled fish—more than likely, it’s just off the boat.

Images credited to google.com, text http://www.bridalguide.com

{ 2012 Volume 3 }

DIAMONDS on DIAMONDS A GUYS GUIDE TO THE PERFECT DIAMOND

Branscom Square [ $2750.00 ]

Forever Band [ $1385.00 ] Jcrew.

Ava Diamond [ $2558.00 ] Jcrew.

Q&A Q: How to choose a diamond she will love

A: Discovering what kind of ring she

likes can be a challenge if you want to keep your proposal a secret. We’ll give you a list of all the points you’ll need to know before you begin shopping, as well as some secret methods for discovering her ring size as well as her taste in engagement rings.

Q: How to decide on the cut

A: There is only one way to find out

what she wants in this regard -- ask her.

But if you’re sneaky, you can find out by having her best friend ask her discreetly and tell you. Either way, you should definitely find out about this before you buy...because some women are very attached to certain diamond shapes.

If you like to live dangerously, you could pick one of the most popular shapes to increase your odds of picking her favorite. The most popular shapes in our experience are: Round and Princess.

Q: How to choose a

A GUYS GUIDE TO THE PERFECT DIAMOND

Q: How to match her personality

she color of a diamond

A: The color of diamonds varies from

colorless (most rare and precious) to many shades of yellow (less rare). Slight tints of yellow make a diamond less rare, but some people prefer the personality it gives a stone of good make and clarity.

If you want perfection regardless of cost -- go for D color. If you want excellent quality and beauty -- go for E or F colors (still colorless to any eye)

Q: How to find a quality diamond

A: Every diamond has some internal or

external “flaws,” but you should decide based on how much they are visible and how much that means to you. Usually, flawless to the naked eye (SI-1 or better) is quite sufficient for anyone concerned about beauty but not wanting to pay extra for rarity you can’t see. If you want perfection regardless of cost -- go for Flawless(very rare and expensive but possibly the only grade you will always be proud to own)

A: Another suggestion is to simple know the woman you’re with. Does she like traditional things or contemporary designs? Is she a flashy dresser, or does she take a more modest approach to fashion? Does she usually wear silvercolored jewelry or pieces made of yellow gold?

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Q: How to choose a diamond she will love A:

DIAMONDS on DIAMONDS

Discovering what kind of ring she likes can be a challenge if you want to keep your proposal a secret. We’ll give you a list of all the points you’ll need to know before you begin shopping, as well as some secret methods for discovering her ring size as well as her taste in engagement rings.