- For the nails: I, personally, don’t love how acrylic nails leave my actual nails looking: weak, broken and bumpy.  Broadway Nails are an excellent option! They are sold at Target, Walgreens, and any other local convenience store. These nails are able to be applied in less than 5 minutes.  They come with a nail glue that you apply only a dot on your own nail along with the fake nail, press down for 10 seconds and you are ready to go! They stay on anywhere from 4-7 days too.

They look just as great as going to a salon!

For your smile: Wearing a beautiful, all white gown can draw attention to your pearly whites…or lack there of. Crest Whitestrips are the best investment I’ve ever made for my teeth.  In pictures, having a dazzling white smile just adds that extra sparkle. You only need a half-hour a day for a week (varies depending on teeth sensitivity.) I sometimes wear them when I’m driving, or even working out!

For your eyes: One of my favorite little extras that really glam up anyones look is fake eyelashes. No, you do not need to wear 5 inch long lashes or lashes so thick it looks like a caterpillar decided to stop and rest on your eyelid. But having a little extra length or thickness can help anybody! You can pick up a pair of ModLash fake eyelashes at Target, Walmart, or CVS. Make sure it comes with eyelash glue. The trick: use liquid eyeliner on your upper lid so its less apparent of where the lash is glued on.

The best number for a more subtle, girly lash: Modlash 53. Want something a little longer and more glam? I love the 105′s for a more intense look!

Couple the embroidery with the silver and gray tones and you get nothing but elegance.

A wedding-day example:

Take a tip from the stars for your fashion-forward wedding!

Initially, I don’t think of myself as a “ruffle” girl, but the more examples I see of how to wear them, the more I love them!

For weddings, ruffles can be as prevalent or as minimal as you please. The bridesmaids could be wearing a beautiful dress with ruffles on the straps. Or, for a bolder look, the bride could have cascading ruffles all down her skirt.  Having ruffles is a great way to add a feminine and romantic touch.

beautiful dress with ruffle straps

The ruffles can be simple and give a whimsical feel to the dress (see above) or it can take the main stage, like Charlize Theron’s dress pictured here:

Full dress of ruffles not your thing?  Add some flair to your tootsies!

Whatever your style preference, ruffles  add some ultra-feminine-romantic pizazz.

Picking jewelry can be a nerve-racking experience–even more so when it comes to picking jewelry for your wedding day!

One great trend that I like this spring is the retro earring clips. We’re seeing less of the huge, dangling, 20-pound earrings and more throwbacks to earlier an older, elegant look. It’s also a great way to add a splash of color to your palette.

Check out these great antique looks:

Go scavenging at your local antique store to find looks like these for bargain prices.

How cute is this? These umbrellas are from Bella Umbrella, one of the best sources for umbrellas out there, and they certainly add a unique touch to the typical wedding photos!

Umbrellas can be used to decorate, to generate “awwws” as a flower girl carries one day the aisle, or to shield from the unfortunate drizzle.

Check out this beautiful Victorian-inspired umbrella from Umbrellas.net!

Besides looking great, there are many advantages to using umbrellas on your big day. Your bridesmaids will have a fun souvenir to take home and use again. Umbrellas can also be most cost-efficient than expensive bouquets (and they sure last a lot longer!). A small investment, but a huge impact.

Besides, what girl doesn’t like twirling around an umbrella and humming a little “Singing in the Rain”?

The Birdcage veil: it was popular in the 1940s and typically worn by glamorous Hollywood stars and fashionistas. These chic and stylish veils are starting to make a come back today, and are the hot trend for spring 2010!

Although there are no hard and fast rules for wearing a birdcage veil, there are some tips that will help make it look fabulous! 

- Tip #1: Keep it simple. The birdcage is considered a hybrid of a hair piece and veil, so don’t get too crazy with a complicated up-do. It could look like you have too much going on.

-Tip #2:  Make it your own. Whether its a smaller Russian net or a tulle veil, birdcage veils can be customized to suit your needs. Websites such as Birdcageveils.com can help you select the fine details to make it exactly how you want it; colors, length, crystals, fabric and much, much more! Check them out

-Tip #3: Have it complement your dress & style.  If your dress has beading, crystals, and great detailing, you may want to consider an unembellished birdcage veil as to not take away from the dress. On the other hand, a classic, simple dress with a high fashion ostrich feather attached to the birdcage veil could be that finishing touch that completes your wedding day look!

Photo of bride, AJ, wearing a beautiful birdcage veil was taken by Jacquelyn Senske, www.jacquelynsenske.com

What you see here with the makeup.

• Deep outer corner shading of the eyes, with a pointed and upturned shape.
• Likely a matte brown used for the deep shading.
• Possible false lashes.
• Defined and arched brows.
• A very subdued lip with gloss.

Here is the look in color. Very polished yet it pushes the envelope. Love that! For products to use I would choose Lancome’s Color Design cream bronzer, Bobbi Brown’s Gel Eyeliner in Black ink and any matte brown shadow (with an ash tint) for the contouring. Also, try some false lashes!

Photo from the incredible photographer Lilia www.Lilia.com and makeup artistry of Bara Krejcikova

Great little non-bridal fashion advice. How to wear shoulder adornments. This trend is one I’m on board with since accentuating the shoulders helps to balance out the hips as well as slim the arms.

I saw this dress from Claire Pettibone, and thought – that’s what Bella Swan should wear A great Gothic looking dress.

Claire Pettibone – Couture Bridal.

The Dress: Vera Wang lace chantillly dress Luxe Le Notre.

I thought the dress choice was surprisingly subdued, but not in a boring way. I think it fit the overall wedding tone, which seemed to be classic, East Coast inspired.

The Hair: Loose, low bun for the ceremony. Hair down for the reception.

Again, I was impressed with the simplicity of her hair choice. She wore her hair back in a no frills, yet very feminine chignon for the ceremony. After the ceremony she let her hair flow down her shoulders. The chignon twist had made her hair have a soft wave that looked so effortless, right out of a fairy tale book, where the princess always looks naturally beautiful. Loved it!

Ali Larter Wedding Dress – Celebrity Bride Guide.