Alfred Sung Creates Truly Canadian Wedding Gowns For Brides-To-Be

Supporting the Canadian fashion industry on your wedding day can be a wonderful way to honor the Maple Leaf as you walk down the aisle.

Luckily, world-renowned Canadian designer Alfred Sung has designed a stunning collection of bridal gowns for this very special occasion.

Since the 80′s, when Sung began to create designs under his own name, he has represented Canada on runways all over the world. The success story of this Canadian immigrant continues today, as he designs feminine, luxurious wedding gowns that embrace a clean, body-conscious aesthetic…
If you’re interested in choosing a bridal gown by a truly Canadian designer, you’ll love this exciting sneak peek at some of his most romantic bridal dresses…
About The Designer…

Alfred Sung immigrated from China in 1972; he moved from Shanghai to Toronto after being educated at the highly respected Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in France.

Defying his parents, who would have preferred him to take up a more stable, traditional vocation, Sung embraced his love of the fine arts and began to study fashion- he is also a graduate of the notable New York City-based Parsons School of Design.

After finishing his education and a short apprenticeship for a Seventh Avenue designer, he became an integral part of the Canadian fashion scene; his career in Canadian fashion started when he designed sportswear for a national manufacturer based in Toronto.

His talent was quickly recognized by his superiors, and also by a range of private, freelance clients – in time, it was obvious that young Alfred Sung was destined to create his own line under his own name.

Eventually, Sung found the capital he needed to open a small boutique, Moon, in Toronto’s fashionable, thriving Yorkville area.

His reputation grew as he started designing his own collection; Alfred Sung’s Canadian empire is based on the success of his signature clean, feminine career suiting and casual sportswear, elegant perfumes and body lotions, and evening dresses, bridesmaids dresses, and Alfred Sung wedding gowns…

Sung’s Luxe, Sophisticated Style Always Flatters The Female Form…

Alfred Sung’s signature silhouette hugs the torso, highlighting pleated, tucked, and draped bodices that are expertly embellished for high drama. His skirts are usually full, and help to create a pleasing hourglass effect that is universally flattering.

Elegant beading adds a couture feel to a Sung white wedding dress. Since the dresses are so refined, they need very little extra adornment. In general, a veil or headpiece may not even be needed, since the gown themselves are so striking and fashionable.

However, it is easy to adapt these exquisite bridal dresses to a range of traditional bridal looks that also feature long veils, headpieces, and other popular wedding accessories.

Sung’s unique style sensibility gives his wedding dresses a runway-ready look that is both stylish and unforgettable. Blessed with an ability to design gowns bestowed with fresh, current design elements and traditional shapes, Sung offers the ideal blend of old and new to today’s beautiful Canadian brides…

Choose Alfred Sung Bridesmaid’s Dresses For A Coordinated Wedding Theme…

Your bridesmaids will adore the Audrey Hepburn-inspired chic of Alfred Sung’s bridesmaid gowns. Available in a range of colors and fabrics, these bridesmaids dresses are designed to be worn and enjoyed long after the wedding ceremony and reception are over!

If you’re shopping for wedding dresses in Toronto or bridesmaid dresses in Barrie, be sure to experience Canadian fashion design at its finest by trying on some lovely Alfred Sung frocks…

Ideas For Planet-Friendly, “Green” Weddings

Today, many brides consider the environment while they plan their wedding ceremonies and receptions. Avoiding waste , ordering planet-friendly supplies, and conserving energy at a grand celebration can be tricky, but it’s not impossible.

In fact, planning a “green” wedding can be a wonderful experiment that most guests will really appreciate. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your wedding is as environmentally-conscious as it can be; here are some excellent tips to help you get started:

Choose A Local, Sustainable Menu
Supporting local farmers and local businesses can be an excellent starting point when planning a planet-friendly wedding. After all, so much fuel, energy and packaging is wasted when food products are imported. Choosing local, sustainable ingredients is a perfect way to support your community and protect the environment. Look for fresh produce in season, and choose a menu that celebrates the hard work of local farmers.
Buying food products grown in your locality can be a great way of making sure that everything served at your wedding is as fresh as it can possibly be. While certain types of food, such as wild-farmed salmon, organic beef and chicken, and organic fruits and veggies can cost more, they are free of harmful pesticides, hormones, and other nasty additives. Your guests will taste the difference, and you will support environmentally-conscious local businesses. Make sure your friends and family know that you’ve chosen a fresh, local menu – they’ll love the idea!

Use Recycled Paper For Save-The-Date Notes, Invitations, Place Cards, and Menus
There are plenty of excellent ways to use recycled paper and cardboard to create gorgeous wedding invitations, place cards, and menus. If you’re outsourcing these items from a local designer or printer, be sure to request the materials you want – any reputable printer or artist will be more than happy to comply with your wishes.
To create lovely decorations, invitations, place cards and menus from recycled paper – get creative! Use appliques, ribbon, stencils and rubber stamps to give your work a chic, homespun vibe. A hot glue gun can be a great way to add embellishments to planet-friendly recycled wedding favors and invitations. You might also want to look for envelopes made from recycled materials…
Keep Things Simple And Old-Fashioned
A low-fi, old-school approach to wedding entertainment can give your reception a lot of charm. Instead of a noisy rock band or cheesy, loud wedding singers, consider a folk-rock musician who only needs a single mike, a couple of amps, and an acoustic guitar. Even a string quartet can provide amazingly beautiful music during a wedding ceremony, and they won’t need much “juice” to do it. You may also want to conserve power by planning a simple, outdoor ceremony that takes advantage of bright sunlight. Candlelight can be a romantic, planet-friendly option for your wedding reception. Votives and natural beeswax candles can be fragrant, flattering, and lovely to behold.
Plan A Natural Bridal Look That Reinforces Your “Green” Theme

Looking pretty, natural and fresh-faced will complement your wedding’s healthy, planet-friendly feel. Look for a bridal dress that is simple and not too sexy.
If you love funkier, edgier style, express yourself with an unusual gown, such as the cool bridal dress style shown above. Be yourself by choosing a white wedding dress that really reflects your personal taste and sensibilities.
A pretty laurel of flowers in your hair will be lovely choice – this style has been worn by brides since the Middle Ages. Keep your hairstyle soft and natural – avoid hairspray and a lacquered, fussy look. To highlight your bridal gown and hair, do natural makeup that focuses on soft, neutral earth tones – pinky-brown lip glosses, such as MAC Lust, will add just enough color and shine. Glowing cheeks can be achieved with a simple swipe of peachy blush, such as the popular Nars Orgasm. Foundation should be used sparingly, and it should be designed to create a soft, dewy effect. Almay’s lightweight, sheer bases are a great choice for this kind of look.
Your bridal rings should be carefully chosen to reflect your overall style – in general, the type of woman who wants a “green” wedding won’t need a lot of bling. Subtle Feri jewelry and a small bouquet of wildflowers can be more than enough to set off your natural beauty as you walk down the aisle in your wedding dress. If you’ve overspent setting up your green wedding, consider shopping for cheap bridesmaids dresses to save a little money; online bridal boutiques, such as our Best For Bride wedding emporium, offer high quality designs for a reasonable price.

How To Get The Kate Middleton Look At Your Wedding

On her wedding day, Kate Middleton embodied quiet elegance and poise. Dressed in a dazzling white wedding dress created by Sarah Burton (for Alexander McQueen), Kate looked truly regal as she walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.

Always stylish and appropriate, the brunette beauty chose to highlight her lovely bone structure and tiny waist with a classic, princess-style bridal dress, tiara and veil. To enjoy some romantic footage of the wedding, visit this link – you’ll notice lots of exciting details about Kate’s wedding makeup, hair, headpiece, veil and gown…The Royal Wedding 2011 – Kate And William

If you enjoyed the Royal Wedding and you would like to emulate Kate’s gorgeous wedding look, you’ll adore our signature, Kate-inspired bridal gown (as shown above). Crafted with a fitted lace overlay, this luxurious design offers the same restrained glamor and delicacy as Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. Attention to detail, lush fabrics, and painstaking craftsmanship are all utilized to create a bridal gown fit for a princess…
Accessorize For Truly Regal Style
Getting the Kate Middleton look is all about combining perfect wedding dresses with the perfect wedding accessories, such as mid-length, opaque veils and subtle tiaras.

While Kate’s tiara is made from genuine diamonds, you can get the same royal effect with our crystal wedding tiara (as shown above) – and it won’t cost hundreds of thousands of dollars! Our costume jewelry is very affordable and beautiful – another bonus of choosing a special headpiece like this is the way it will provide you with a poignant reminder of your wedding day – one you might enjoy passing down to your daughter (or any special bride-to-be) one day…
Many brides find that their wedding tiaras (and bridal gowns) take on great sentimental value over the years…
Hair And Makeup Will Complete Your Princess-Inspired Look
Kate Middleton did her own makeup on her wedding day, but she consulted with a Bobbi Brown makeup artist beforehand. During her makeup lessons with this expert, Kate learned how to apply blush, foundation, eyeliner, and lip color without any outside help – this was done to ensure secrecy on her wedding morning.
By choosing to make up her own face, Kate ran less risk of her wedding gown details (which were closely guarded) being leaked to the press.
If you don’t want to hire a makeup artist at your wedding, mimic Kate by visiting a department store and getting some bridal makeup lessons from a professional. A trained beauty consultant can point out the best shades, formulations, and techniques for you.
You might want to select some special products and keep them to be opened before your wedding. Of course, it’s always good to practice and take some digital photographs of your makeup in the weeks leading up to your wedding.
Kate’s makeup was quite strong, but the shades were generally soft and expertly blended. Three types of pink blush (two different rose tones and a shimmer blush) were layered to create flushed cheeks.
A shadow eyeliner in deep black rimmed her eyes, along with two coats of black mascara. Grey and ivory eyeshadow shades were used – the slate color highlighted the lids and crease, while the pale tone was used on the brow bone.
To finish, Kate used Bobbi Brown lip color in Sandwash Pink, topped with a shimmery clear gloss. Of course, moisturizer, base and translucent powder were used to prepare the face for color cosmetics…
Hair Tips For The Kate Middleton Look
Kate pinned back the front layers of her straight brown hair, letting the rest fall loose around her shoulders. This youthful look can be a great choice for many brides-to-be. Simple, shiny hair without a lot of volume at the crown gives a natural effect that isn’t fussy or overdone.
The overall health of your hair should be a priority as you search for a look that suits your white wedding dress. Glossy, sleek tresses that still have some movement will frame your face as you prepare to don your headpiece, veil, and bridal dress.
If you’re shopping for wedding dresses in Toronto or looking for a bridal store in Barrie, you’re in luck! Best For Bride is there to help you put together the ultimate princess look for your special day. We have a team of caring, sensitive, and experienced specialists standing by to give you the personal service you need.
If you prefer to shop online, you can order a Kate Middleton-inspired bridal gown right from our online bridal store…

Summer Beauty Tips For Brides

Getting married in the hot summer months may require some special beauty tips and tricks – staying fresh and beautiful in your bridal  gown will be easier when you use the right makeup and hair products.

When temperatures climb, it can be difficult to control the effects of humidity – and humidity is known to wreak havoc by melting makeup and creating frizz that ruins wedding hairstyles. However, there’s no need to panic – there are plenty of clever ways to avoid the detrimental effects of summer heat and humidity. Here are some practical ideas to try:

Makeup Tips For Hot Weather

Use A Primer

Adding another layer to your basic foundation may sound counterproductive, but a great primer can smooth your skin and keep your makeup looking great when the temperature climbs. Makeup primers are designed to extend the life of your foundation by giving your complexion a matte, oil-free finish. One of the most popular makeup primers is Smashbox Photo Finish.  These sorts of primers can make your skin look better in your wedding videos and photos – pores will look smaller, and makeup will adhere to the primer, giving your whole look better staying power.
You may also want to look into grabbing some Stila eyeshadow primer designed for the eyelids – if you’re planning on wearing eyeshadow, this product can keep it from smudging.
Go Waterproof
Waterproof mascara is a no-brainer with a pristine white wedding dress and wedding veil – after all, many brides tear up as they say their vows. However, there is more to waterproof makeup than simply a coat of long-lasting mascara. You can also find waterproof (or water-resistant) eye shadows, eyeliners, and lipsticks.
Long-wearing cosmetics, such as Cover Girl’s affordable Outlast lipcolor (it comes with a glossy sealant to combat dryness) will require less touch-ups. One perfect wedding shade of Outlast lipstick is Moonlit Mauve, a cool, rosy pinkish-purple…
Gel blush or powder blush will also be better choices than cream blushes, which tend to smear in the heat. A light dusting of bronzer or peachy blush will warm the skin and add a little glow, without being too heavy or chalky for summertime.
Keep It Minimalist
If you use primer properly, you can do a light, natural makeup that flatters your wedding dress, without worrying about makeup meltdown. In general, you can’t go wrong with gently flushed cheeks, rosy lips, and lightly defined eyes.
Classic wedding makeup shouldn’t be too glittery or shimmery – sparkly makeup can actually make you look older, as it calls attention to fine lines. Keep it classic and don’t overdo it – take some test shots with your camera (in different types of lighting) to gauge your results.
Don’t load on translucent powder – instead, use blotting papers to kill shine – Sephora Collection Matte Blotting Film will work well.

Haircare Tips

Battling humidity can be an issue for many women as they deal with their hair in the hot summer months. When it comes to wedding blowouts or up-dos, humidity can spoil the entire effect. If you want a perfect result, you may need the help of a professional stylist.In general, they will give you the sort of blowout that looks smooth and shiny for hours. However, getting the same results on your own is possible.
If you’re doing your own hair, it may be easier to work with your hair’s own natural texture. Highlight your look with beach-y waves or tousled, romantic curls. Naturally straight hair can get a boost with a little light teasing at the crown. Here are a couple of products that work wonders:

• Joico Humidity Blocker – This moisture-rich finishing spray acts as a barrier between your hair and the environment. This hairspray can be ideal last touch as you prepare to put on your white wedding dress, veil, or tiara.

• Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Conditioner – Encapsulated olive oil is the secret of this conditioner’s humidity-fighting power. Designed to give you a sleek, shiny look that is soft to the touch, this conditioner will help you fight the effects of drying summer sun and frizz-creating humidity.

If you’re still searching for wedding dresses and wedding accessories at a bridal shop, consider your hot-weather makeup and hair as part of your overall look. Plan out some potential hair and makeup looks that will work with a variety of bridal gowns. Also, think about just how hot it’s going to be on your wedding day – will you be inside or outside (or both) ? Choose a wedding dress that offers comfort, as well as style. If you’re looking for wedding dresses in Toronto, you’re in luck – Best For Bride is right there to help you coordinate a stunning summer look for your wedding day.