First and foremost, the bride’s hairstyle must match the style of dress chosen, but most importantly it must not distort the “look” of the bride.  For example, for someone who has never worn their hair in a bun, the day of their wedding should not be the first time to do so as she will risk looking completely different, especially in the eyes of her groom!

As a result, it is better for the bridge to wear her hair loose, yet styled appropriately, over the shoulders.  This provides a look which is always charming yet does not alter the bride’s appearance, as opposed to overly manufactured hairstyles which often do not enhance the bride’s facial features. If you can, try to test-run the hairstyle after choosing the dress and the type of ceremony.  Bring a picture of the wedding dress to your trusted hairdresser for them to draw inspiration for the creation of your hairstyle.

A few days before the wedding, arrange for your hairdresser to give your style a final touch-up, apply a mask and if necessary, touch up your color or apply a few highlights. The day before your wedding you can prepare your hair with a high-quality shampoo treatment or final retouching, while your actual wedding hairstyle should be put together only on the day of your wedding.

The quintessential accessory is the veil.  It once symbolized the innocence of the future bride, protecting her from prying eyes, her face only to be revealed to her groom when he lifted her veil at the altar. Today, instead, it “completes” the brides wedding outfit, providing an air of romance and enveloping her in mystery. Naturally, the veil should complement the style of the dress and the type of ceremony. It is also of utmost importance that it does not prove a hindrance, limiting the bride’s ease of movement. My advice is not to over-do it in terms of length. The extra length creates extra weight, which could mean you reach the altar feeling tired, awkward and worried about how you are walking, rather than dignified and elegant! It is often a tradition, especially in aristocratic families, to hand down the veil from one generation to the next: in this case it is necessary to start with the veil itself and match the dress to the veil.  Very often, the veil will be made of antique lace, elaborately embroidered and most probably no longer white.  It will be important to choose a dress whose style and color complement the gift which has been handed down.

In general, the veil should be simple, light and delicate, made of smooth tulle, and held in place by a simple tiara of flowers or similar. The shoes are to be seen and are certainly not an insignificant aspect of the outfit…… never underestimate their importance! They should be identical to the dress, so I would recommend you have a custom pair of shoes hand-crafted from the same material as the dress, thus ensuring no mistake can be made. Avoid leather shoes, even if they are white, and always choose a classic shape and style.

Be careful with your choice of heel: if your future husband is not particularly tall, neither should your heel be! I also recommend that you wear your wedding shoes for a few hours before the big day. It can help you feel much more sure of yourself!

The engagement ring is traditionally the ring that the fiancé gives to his future bride as a sign of his promise to her. It is worn on the ring finger of the left hand, the same finger on which the wedding ring will be worn as a visible demonstration of the couple’s love and absolute bond to each other. The ring is often a family heirloom which the groom’s parents pass down to their future daughter-in-law to welcome her into their family. In other cases, the boyfriend buys the ring, seeking to correctly interpret the tastes of his future bride.

The engagement ring is traditionally a solitaire diamond, mounted in such manner as to highlight the cut and brightness of the stone.  If the ring is antique, it is also more commonly a solitaire diamond. For those purchasing a new ring, they may choose for the band to be in white or yellow gold or platinum, with the option of additional smaller diamonds which can be mounted to great effect, adding much brightness. Of course, stones other than diamonds may also be chosen, each with their own unique symbolism.  This lends the gift another level of meaning, not only as a promise to the future bride, but also in homage to her individual qualities.

The emerald, with its sparkling green, signifies hope and the success of great love; the ruby, with its rich red color, is the stone of power, success, and a symbol of passionate long-lasting love; the blue sapphire speaks of fidelity; the opal is the symbol of sincerity; the aquamarine gemstone signifies a long-lasting and happy marriage; amber, with its intense yellow color, is the symbol of virtuous love; while the rock crystal is said to lend beauty and prevent aging, and so forth…

Combining the different symbolic meanings of the stones you desire will, without doubt, provide an even more welcome gift!

To avoid making any errors, it is of the utmost importance that the groom’s suit harmonizes with the style of the bride’s dress, and most importantly, with the style of the wedding!

If the bride wears a long white dress, if the wedding takes place in the morning, or in any case before 6pm in the evening, and if the ceremony is solemn, the groom must wear a morning suit.  The same must also be worn by the fathers of both the bride and groom, the witnesses and any brothers. Learn to deal with the heat because, whatever the season in which it is worn, the morning suit must be wool, and fairly heavy at that. The suit jacket with its rounded tails should always be anthracite gray or black; the trousers should be striped with two shades of dark gray on a medium gray background; the shirt can only ever be white cotton, with double cuffs, and cufflinks which extend out from the jacket sleeve by a couple of centimeters. In line with tradition, the neck of the jacket must be a few centimeters high and rigid, with an Ascot tie or silk tie in light and dark gray. A single or double-breasted waistcoat is also essential, which is traditionally in light gray and of lightweight fabric.  A recent trend coming from Great Britain is to add a splash of indulgence with a colored or patterned waistcoat!

For a wedding ceremony which is particularly elegant, don’t forget your black top hat, gray suede gloves (to be held in your hand), and of course the flower for your button-hole: a fragrant camellia, gardenia or a carnation, the symbol of fidelity, which should be pinned to the groom’s button-hole, as well as to that of the fathers and the witnesses!

In the case of a less lavish wedding, an excellent alternative to the morning suit is a classic dark suit, which is certainly less formal, but no less elegant!

A few more tips:

• Do not wear a tuxedo as these are for evening dress.
• Avoid double-breasted Al Capone-style suits.
• Do not wear short socks and, most importantly, never white.
• Never wear turn ups on the trousers of your morning suit… they are completely unsuited!
• Never open the jacket of your morning suit: it should remain done up at all times!
• You should not wear your gloves and top hat. They are to be held in your hands.
• Avoid all jewelry, unless you are wearing a ring with your family crest. The cufflinks for your shirt are, of course, the exception.
• Please do not cut your tie… just think of the waste!

What shall I wear? This is the first question any future bride asks herself when she starts thinking about her wedding day, fully aware that this decision is at the heart of making her the star of an unforgettable day. Even though almost all of us have dreamt since we were little of our “big white wedding” with a gorgeous unforgettable dress, my advice is to avoid going over the top and to aim for simplicity.

Remember that the dress should highlight the brides most beautiful features, creating balance with her figure and, most importantly, emphasizing her natural elegance and way of being… do not try to astonish with special effects and gimmicks.

In ancient times, Greek brides, for example, wore their traditional tunic enhanced only with the addition of special cords and their hair was simply adorned with a myrtle tiara.

Roman brides, on the other hand, wore a saffron-colored cloak over a white tunic which was tied at the waist with a double knotted belt, which would then be untied by the groom the evening of the wedding.

On their heads they wore the “flammeum”, a red veil held in place by a crown of flowers, which was considered to be a symbol of modesty. In the Middle Ages, women wore wedding dresses which were rich and ornate, while eighteenth century brides wore elaborate dresses with splendid floral motifs. The Empire-line style of wedding dress, typically in pastel shades, came into fashion during the Napoleonic period, while white wedding dresses only appeared for the first time in the nineteenth century.

Leafing through the pages of current fashion magazines, we see that 21^st century style trends incorporate all manner of colors, from soft tones like pink, blue, teal and light yellow, to strong accent colors like reds, gold and silver.

In my opinion, traditional white, with its various shades from beige through ice, is the color best suited to a wedding ceremony…. The “warm” whites, tending towards ivory or pink, are perfect for highlighting dark complexions and olive skin, while “cold” whites, including pearly grays and blues, go particularly well with fair complexions and blond or red hair.

As for the choice of style, slim brides will enhance their figure using fluid lines created with soft fabrics which slide over their form without drawing it in, such as lace or silk.  Sculpting with voluminous fabrics such as organza, mikado, Sangallo or taffeta is also effective. For the more curvaceous bride, soft flowing layers in georgette, satin or cady work particularly well, as well as Empire-line styles which widen slightly as the dress descends, concealing any curves along the way.

If the wedding takes place in winter, there is no need for heavy fabrics or princess-style fur cloaks! Just cover yourself adequately under the dress and wear a cashmere scarf or a warm stole to cover your arms and shoulders.

Less youthful brides should consider avoiding a long white dress, but rather choose shorter styles, or perhaps a suit with a skirt or elegant trousers.

Of importance for everyone!!! Don’t forget to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and last but not least, something blue. A little superstition for a dash of good luck… there’s no harm in trying!

Some more tips:

• Avoid heavy makeup. Ensure your make-up is light and very natural, and in the summer a hint of tan won’t hurt.
• Avoid lavish jewelry and rings … the only ring on your finger should be your wedding ring; earrings are fine but only if they are small, and never hooped.
• Avoid red nails. Use only clear or light pink nail polish.
• Avoid wearing glasses, especially if you’re wearing a veil… they can be the cause of unfortunate tangles!
• Do not bring a handbag to the Church… it is entirely pointless!

The mouth is the place where all our efforts find satisfaction, so it is no coincidence that the mouth is where the most complete examination in wine tasting takes place. By following these few hints and tips, you will learn to understand and appreciate the main characteristics of wines, enabling you to enjoy them fully. First, use your mouth to look for the agreeableness of the wine and a balance in tastes. Remember that the tip of the tongue is where we perceive sweetness, and acidity is felt in the central lateral part. The saltiness is sensed in the side walls of the mouth and bitterness at the back. Apart from in the case of sweet and sparkling wines, no single one of these tastes should prevail over the others. The quality of a wine should always be judged by how many seconds the taste persists in the mouth: the longer the flavor remains, the better and fuller the product. You should remember that smoke and strong perfumes should always be banned at a wine-tasting as they can alter ones olfactory perception! Do not spend too long straining to find certain “sensations” either, just relax your senses and take a deep breath.  Eating some bread or drinking some water can also help. If there are many wines to be tasted, take some breaks and use the special containers that are usually provided to spit out the tastings instead of drinking the wine. First, however, be sure to let the wine coat your entire mouth, as if you were rinsing it… it may not be pretty to look at, but it is very useful for activating all of your taste buds! Always hold the glass by the stem or the base.  This will avoid dirtying the glass and, more importantly, avoid heating it up. Finally, bear in mind that a wine-tasting never ends. After the first sip has been taken, the wine which is left inside the glass continues to evolve, particularly when tasting great vintage red wines!

Decanting is primarily used for red wines of particular importance which have aged in the bottle for a long period of time, and in all cases where one presumes the bottle contains sediment. Decanting a wine means transferring it from the bottle to a container, the Decanter, from which it will then be served. However, the operation is far from simple, especially if you want to do it professionally: a candle is brought close to the bottle to provide the necessary light to allow you to control the flow of sediment and ensure it is stopped in the neck of the bottle without being transferred to the Decanter, which of course has been previously “vinified”. Before transferring the wine, it is essential to check the cork for any alterations in the wine; furthermore, if the bottle has previously been stored horizontally for a long period of time, it will need to be verticalized for some time before opening, allowing any sediment to settle to the bottom of the bottle. If at all possible, I recommend transporting the bottle in its container to keep it horizontal and to avoid handling as much as possible. In situations requiring less professionalism or involving red wines of less importance, it is nonetheless a good idea to open the wine some time before serving it and, in the absence of a decanter, to use a carafe which will allow the wine to oxygenate and to release its aromas!

Knowing how to pour a wine is very important: it helps to ensure that the flavor and aroma are not altered. First of all, once the bottle has been uncorked, in this case sparkling wine, examine the cork, smell it (possibly in secret!), and make sure that it does not “smell like mold” (a typical smell of cork). Serve the sparkling wine at a temperature of 6 ° to 8 °, taking into account that its temperature will usually go up by two degrees in the glass, which should always be served at room temperature. To avoid wetting the bottle while pouring, rotate it by 90° sharply and rapidly in an anti-clockwise direction. At this point, you should wait for the foam to lower before bringing your mouth and nose to the glass, otherwise you will inhale the gas which is just being released. Be careful though: unlike an aged red wine which requires “decantation” and aeration, sparkling wines should never be decanted as they will lose part of their effervescence and the resulting wine will be flat. Finally, one last tip: if you have doubts as to how clean the glass is, pour a small taster amount of the same sparkling wine into the glass, let it rotate slowly over the entire surface of the glass, then throw it away. This simple operation is known as “vinification”… the glass is now ready for your sparkling wine!