The crowning glory of the Wedding gown

Diamonds and platinum tiara by Cynthia Bach, that actress Salma Hayek wore to a White House dinner. Photo courtesy © Cynthia Bach.

iaras have always inspired a great fascination and the most beautiful and influential women have been painted, photographed and admired whilst wearing them. Even in the twenty-first century they are still worn and continue to inspire special poise, elegance and sophistication.

When Victoria Adams a.k.a. Posh Spice married superstar David Beckham, pictured far left, on July 4, 1999, she wore a crown encrusted with 231 diamonds created by jeweler designer Slim Barrett. Barrett later donated the crown for an online sale to raise money for the British Red Cross.

Princess Diana wore her families Spencer Tiara, pictured left, for her wedding to Prince Charles, July 29, 1981. After that, she always wore one from Prince Charles her husband’s family. There are several companies who have copied the style and used rhinestones and Austrian crystals.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, pictured right, wore a tiara in Shakespeare in Love, the movie that won her the Oscar.

Designer tiaras are being shown in The Nature of Diamonds at the Royal Onario Museum in Toronto until March 22, 2009, they include:
• Kokoshnik tiara, pictured left, Cartier, Paris, special order, 1911 Round old-, single- and rose-cut diamonds, platinum, millegrain setting from the Cartier Collection. Photo by N. Welsh © Cartier; and the diamonds and platinum tiara by Cynthia Bach, 1998, pictured above, that actress Salma Hayek wore to a White House dinner in 1998 during the Clinton Administration. Photo courtesy © Cynthia Bach. For information call 416.586.8000 or visit www.rom.on.ca Diamond photo © Royal Ontario Museum

If you are looking for tiaras styles pick up a copy of Tiaras: A History of Splendour by Geoffrey Munn. This lavishly illustrated book includes exclusives photographs of a variety of Royal tiaras together with those of French and Russian Imperial provenance, including four tiaras designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. Geoffrey Munn has also been granted privileged access to the archives of many famous Jewellers, including Boucheron, Cartier, Van Cleef, and Arpels and Fabergé, for his research.

Many of the tiaras have great historical significance and their provenance is explained here. Among the contemporary pieces referred to are tiaras belonging to Jamie Lee Curtis, Vivienne Westwood, Elton John, and Madonna that were made by Galliano, Slim Barret and Versace.
 

VEILS & HEADPIECE
VEILS
Traditionally, veils were passed down from generation to generation. Today however, most brides wear veils which are purchased with their wedding dress. These range from the traditional to detachable ones that can be removed for the reception. Favourites also include wreaths, caps, bows, hats, tiaras or simply the Bride's hair decorated with flowers or jewellery.

VEIL TIPS
• The face veil is attached to the headpiece and lifted upward during the ceremony.
• Select your dress before your headpiece and consult your hair stylist.
• Remember to check with your officiant to see if you require a face veil for the ceremony.
• If your gown is elaborate, select a simple veil or headpiece. If your gown has a classic style, you can indulge in a fancier veil.

VEIL & HEADPIECE STYLES
• Mantilla a Spanish-style veil that flows gently over a standing hair comb.
• Pouf a large gathering of light material attached to headband. Some poufs have fabric flowing from the headband to frame the face.
• The Bow a large bow is usually made from the same fabric as the dress with or without tulling or veiling descending from the band to flow down the back.
• Juliette Cap a favourite. It has veiling or chiffon attached to the back, usually secured by flowers or ornaments.
• Combs and wreaths are decorated with silk flowers or trim from the dress. They sometimes have tulling or veiling flowing down the sides framing the face and back.
• Tiara a regal-appearing crown worn alone or with a flowing tiered veil attached.

TRAINS
Trains come in different lengths and layers which can be attached with Velcro tape on the dresses' waist or shoulders and detached for the reception. Some trains start right under the veil. Many are of light elegant fabrics that look exquisite and flow with the movement of the Bride.

TRADITIONAL STYLES
• Brush one that nearly touches the floor.
• Cathedral falls three yards from the waist, and trails over two feet along the floor.
• Chapel falls over one yard from the waist, and trails almost two feet along the floor.
* Royal so long that a page needs to carry it.
* Sweep falls about six inches to the floor.
* Watteau falls from the shoulders to the floor.

Tiara
The most dramatic headpiece style, the tiara, is an elegant way for brides to complement their gowns. Versatile and stylish, the tiara can be worn alone or with an added veil. 

Waterfall
To complement the very popular simple styling in bridal gowns brides are going for the waterfall headpieces. Absent of embellishment and detail, this sophisticated veil is worn high on the head with upswept, retro-style hair.

Crown
The most traditional of all headpieces, the crown has either pearl and/or crystal detailing. A puff in the back allows the bride to wear her hair completely pulled up, with curls creating fullness on the top of her head.

Backpiece
Back piece extensions are very versatile and complete any couture look with simplicity and elegance. Hairstyle options for back pieces include a low chignon or a French twist. If the hair is brushed away from the face, a bride can also wear her hair down with the back piece securely in places. 

Headband
A headband is one of the most basic and carefree ways to finish off the wedding ensemble. A headband is a perfect way to wear the hair down, but away from the face. It is ideal if the bride wants her long locks streaming down her back but kept simple and neat. For those brides with short hair, a headband perfectly accents the wedding day look.

Bun Wrap
For those brides with shoulder-length or long hair, a bun wrap is a natural option. A bride can wear her hair completely pulled away from the face. The hair is then wrapped into a bun and tucked through the headpiece, adding a dramatic flair and setting off high cheekbones and a long, elegant neck.

www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | November 13, 2008