Colors schemes

Picking a color scheme can definitely be overwhelming. There are so many beautiful colors to choose from! And what if you're not the best at picking what goes best with what...? Sometimes you'll run across something in a store that inspires you, but if you're stuck try picking your favorite color and look below to see what colors might make the best complements.

GREEN                                                                            BLUE
                                                            
Pale green with silver-gray and                                         Baby blue with bright blue
dark purple                                                                        and navy blue

                                                             
Mossy green with light aqua                                              Peacock blue with white
and navy blue                                                                    and lemon yellow

                                                             
Emerald green with chartreuse                                           Navy blue with hot pink
and chocolate brown                                                          and lime green

PURPLE                                                                           PINK/RED
                                                            
Pale lavender with white                                                   Baby pink with hot pink
and raspberry red                                                              and mossy green

                                                            
Bright purple with khaki                                                   Medium pink with mustard
and mocha brown                                                             yellow and chocolate brown

                                                           
Eggplant with baby blue                                                  Strawberry with turquoise
and chambray blue                                                           and white

ORANGE                                                                       YELLOW
                                                          
Peach with raspberry and                              Pale yellow with strawberry
mocha brown                                                and velvet red

                                        
Coral with khaki and pale aqua                    Bright yellow with charcoal gray and white

                                        
Orange with pale pink and                            Mustard yellow with bright blue
hot pink                                                         and chambray blue

Here at The Hamilton Event Center when you come in to see us we'll have 10 tables set up in different color schemes so either you'll see a color you've already picked out or you'll find something that hopefully inspires you.

Flowers vs. The Dress

Most likely, as a bride, you've picked out your dress before you've even considered what type of bouquet you're going to carry down the aisle. Here are some tips for helping you determine what size and style of bouquet will look best with your dress.

• If your dress is simpler and less-elaborate such as a column dress or is knee-length with an A-line a smaller bouquet is actually best. Also, if you're petite, a smaller bouquet won't overwhelm you or your dress. If you're a tall bride and your dress has a more intricate bodice a small bouquet will allow for that part of the dress to be shown off.

• If your dress is more formal and longer or a mermaid-style with an elaborate skirt, a medium-sized bouquet is ideal. This allows for more colors and types of flowers to be incorporated than in a small bouquet. 

• Again, if your gown is more simple a larger bouquet looks best. Also if you're taller, plus-sized, or have an apple figure, larger bouquets help make the waist appear smaller and create balance.

When choosing flowers for your bouquet, think of the style of wedding you're wanting. Are you going for vintage, glamour, country chic, eco-friendly? This will help you, and your florist, determine which direction to head in when it comes to flowers. At The Hamilton Event Center we want your wedding and reception to 100% reflect you and your style which is why we allow you to choose the centerpieces and to customize the bouquets so no two weddings are the same.

How to keep your numbers down

A lot of brides are worried about hurting someone's feelings if they want to keep their guest list under a certain number. Either mom and dad have insisted on inviting friends from work or the in-laws swear ever out-of-town family member and friend will show up or you want to invite your best friend from kindergarten who moved away in second grade and you haven't seen since. Get with your fiancé and put together a list of all the people you for sure want to invite. If this list is still too long then figure out who you're the closest to and who needs to be cute. Make sure the "cut" list makes sense. Don't invite only half of your coworkers and expect the rest to be okay with being left out. Also, you are allowed to say that singles cannot bring plus ones. Give your parents a certain number of guests they can invite then leave it up to them who makes the list and who doesn't. Most people will understand that you can't accommodate everyone.

Making a statement

If you're getting married this year, consider making a bold statement with a brightly colored and/or chunky necklace. Branch out from the usual strand of pearls and go for something big and beautiful. If your dress is less elaborate and has a simple bodice, one of these necklaces may add just the perfect touch so take a chance and check out some of the gorgeous pieces we've found and fell in love with.

Something Blue

Here's your "something blue" with an off-center pink and red flower.

Neutrals

This necklace isn't too overpowering and will match any wedding party's colors and theme.

Crystal

Swarovski crystals always make a beautiful statement.

Wrapped Pearls

More Swarovski crystals this time intertwined with pearls in this bride's stunning necklace.

As free as your hair...

As some point in our lives we've all wished that our hair was a little straighter, a little thicker, a little more agreeable, but maybe what we should have been focusing on is how to bring out the best in our hair and stop trying to make it into something it isn't. Here are a few tips on how to love the hair you were born with.

Straight and stubborn about it:
If your hair is thick, grow it out! The longer it is the less "poofy" it will seem. Add in some layers for movement.
If your hair is fine, keep it shorter which helps give the illusion of thickness.
Tricks for styling straight hair:
1. Use a deep-cleaning shampoo to get rid of unwanted oils.
2. Don't use a lot of styling products that weight hair down.
3. Blow-dry with a paddle brush and aim the hot hair at the ends of your hair.
4. As a bonus step rub some shine serum between your palms and smooth onto your hair.

Now, just because you were born with that straight hair doesn't mean it isn't able to do other things! Here's an easy way add some curl/wave:
1. Blow-dry with a medium-size round brush, taking 2-inch sections and lifting hair from one side of your head to the other as you dry (focus the air on the roots to help build volume).
2. With a medium-barrel curling iron take portions of your hair and wrap it around the iron. Use a lightweight hairspray unless your hair is fine then use nothing.

Curly and wild:
Since curly hair tends to have a mind of its own, it's up to each individual on how they want/need to tend to their mane. Depending on your face shape and how thick/thin your hair is, curls can look good either long or short. Find a stylist who knows how to cut and style curly hair, check images of curly hair styles online, or use InStyle Hollywood Makeover where you upload a picture of yourself and try out celebrities' hair styles!
Tricks for styling curly hair:
1. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
2. Add a nickel-size drop of styling cream (may need more if you have more hair) to towel-dried hair
3. Twirl sections of hair around your finger to help create curls then let it air dry.

How to tame-down and straighten-out those curls:
1. Use an antifrizz or smoothing shampoo and conditioner.
2. Work a pea-size drop of hydrating style cream through damp hair.
3. Spritz on a heat-protectant spray.
4. Put your hair dryer on high heat and pull hair straight while you slowly dry it.
5. To help keep it straight or straighten what the hair dryer missed, use a straightener and add a drop of that shine serum.

So go on and have some fun experimenting with your hair before the big day!