Jacqueline Kennedy

Widely known as Jackie O, she of the oversized sunglasses, Jacqueline Bouvier was first the wife of the dashing young JFK. She would later become one of the most influential women in fashion, her style was copied by most everyone throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s and she is still, to this day, held up as someone to be emulated. One could argue that it all began with this beautiful gown, silk organza with a full skirt, pinwheel detail, delicate ruffles and a portrait collar. On her head, the new Mrs. Kennedy wore a lace cap with an attached cathedral length veil of the most intricate lace, which added a touch of opulent drama and provided a pretty backdrop for her bare shoulders. Today, a combination like this would scream retro-WASP, but who says that’s a bad thing? Want to appear as a silver spoon kind of girl on your wedding day? This is your answer to your prayers.

*fun fact: This dress was chosen by Jackie’s mom-Jackie herself hated it!

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka conversion to Judaism before marrying in a lavish ceremony last year necessitated a very modest wedding gown. The problem with modest is that, if you aren’t careful, it can come off matronly. Ivanka managed to avoid that pitfall by adding delicate lace netting applique overlay to create a loose boatneck neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. During the ceremony she wore a floor-length veil, which she later removed to reveal her semi-coiffed hairstyle- left down, but not what one would call “flowing”.It seems the flowing was reserved for the breathtaking scalloped lace train of her dress. Knuckle-sized diamond earrings (from her own jewelry line) add to the polish. This look is what you would call “done”. Her make-up is understated: ivory and bronze shadow and soft pink lips work very hard not to compete with the dress. This is key- with a wedding gown like this, make-up can be a big game changer: a slicked back bun with a middle part, red lips and a mantilla can turn this style of wedding gown into a much spicier affair. But we’ll leave that up to you.

Mia Farrow

Strange couple, strange woman, nice wedding day outfit choice. When Mia Farrow married Frank Sinatra in 1966, she decided to forego the traditional wedding gown in favour of a piece of clothing that was truly representative of the time: the minidress. Surprisingly enough, in this day and age, a minidress is still considered a novel and somewhat shocking choice of bridal attire. Done correctly, as Mia does it, with a boxy jacket featuring large statement buttons, it is a cute and flirty alternative to a long, complicated dress. Plus, there are so many ways to accessorize: large pearls will keep it simple and understated while colourful gemstone jewelry will really ramp up the energy. Either way, this is a look that can easily be tweaked to result in a bold personality statement. A perfect project for the adventurous bride!

If you aren’t sure what your personal bridal style is, the team at La Novia Bridal can help you figure it out. Contact us for help with everything from gowns to hair, make-up and photography.

Mad Men style is being seen everywhere; from Louis Vuitton’s fall collection to the full-skirted dresses found on the racks of H&M, it seems that this polished, sophisticated  retro style is making a major comeback. However, this trend is not specific to mainstream fashion, it is also increasingly evident in bridal make-up trends. For brides who desire a classic look with a little bit of edge, this look a perfect way to express your inner vamp without offending Grandma. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to wear this look. In order to keep you on this side of goth, La Novia Bridal has broken the look down into three essential elements to help any bride master her  retro wedding-day face:

1. Cat’s Eye

The Cat’s Eye is the hallmark of Mad Men bridal style and consists of drawing a sweeping line from the inner corner of your upper eyelid  to just past the outer corner and finally adding a little upward flourish at the end for drama. This technique has the added benefit  of making your lashes look thicker when the make-up is applied close enough to the lash line, allowing brides to avoid having to use the false eyelashes that are inevitably cried off during the ceremony. It is best to use liquid eyeliner, which is more pigment-rich and less likely to slide off your face by the end of the night; but beware, application can be tricky- make sure to practice before the big day.

2. Red Lips

Everybody loves a good red lip and, luckily, there are more choices out there than ever before. Women of all colours can now easily find their perfect shade, which depends on skintone. The best way to determine skintone is to check the veins in your wrist:  if the skin inside your wrist shows red, orange or brown undertones, your skin tone is warm. If your undertones are peach, yellow, gold or olive, your skin tone is neutral. Blue and pink undertones mean your skin tone is cool. You should choose a red lipstick that has the same undertones as your skin. For example, people with warm undertones will want to choose a red lipstick with brown or orange tones in it for the most complimentary look. If you have a hard time distinguishing tones, ask a professional to help you find the perfect shade for your wedding day.

3. Powder

Nothing says bridal sophistication like an even, matte complexion. The Mad Men retro look requires a good dusting of a high-quality translucent powder to keep your make-up in place for the entirety of your wedding day and create a flawless. As a result, your wedding photos will show no trace of  the dreaded shine suffered by many vancouver brides who are vulnerable to our city’s legendary humidity. As a result, you will appear poised, comfortable and effortlessly beautiful.

And because you deserve to be pampered on your wedding day, La Novia bridal offers full wedding day make-up packages for brides, their attendants, family members and friends. Retro bridal make-up happens to be our specialty, so come to the best in order to look your best for the most important day of your life.

For the most stylish and avant garde presentation possible, check out our Jason Matlo collection of  bridal gowns to find the perfect gown to complete your look.