Defined as the graduation of colour from light to dark or dark to light, this cool shading technique offers the best of both worlds: soft, romantic pastels for you and strong, bold bursts of colour for him (or vice versa).

It’s not a new wedding trend – we first spotted ombré in cakes and table decor about a year ago – but the beauty world’s current obsession with dip-dyed hair has given fresh impetus to this irresistible look.

Besides being red-hot right now, other advantages are that it works across all seasons and all colours, from pink and purple to blue and even black.

Scroll through the images below and prepare to be inspired. We’re certainly hooked!

In beauty …

 In cakes …

In flowers…

In wedding decor …

In stationery …

In bridal fashion …

Nicknamed the ‘Oscars of the East Coast’, the annual event – hosted by Vogue magazine – is considered to be the fashion world’s best red carpet event. So it’s no wonder that stars, stylists and designers pull out all the stops to impress.

This year’s event saw all the latest fashion trends on display, from bold hues (including Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s eye-popping colour of the year) and metallic sparkle to design details such as peplums, thigh high slits, one-shoulder sleeves, feathers, frills and lace. White dresses featured too, which means bridal inspiration aplenty…

Pics via dailymail.co.uk

For the most part, buttonholes of the past were simple adornments crafted from fresh blooms to complement the bride’s bouquet. However, the last few years have seen a creative revolution in the area and while flowers are still a hugely popular choice, modern grooms are now accessorising their wedding suits with unique buttonholes made from items such as fabric, foliage, paper, ribbon and felt. The advantages are numerous: they last longer; look and feel more fun; and allow the groom an avenue to express his personal taste.

If your man isn’t keen on a floral trim, show him a few of our favourite finds below …

This feature is taken out of Wedding Inspirations magazine June/winter 2011

Hands and feet

1. Your hands will be a big focus on your wedding day so keep yours soft and supple with a heavy-duty hand cream like Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Anti-Aging Hand Cream, R80, which soothes chapped hands in a flash without leaving a greasy film.

 2. Healthy nails begin with healthy cuticles, so include a sweet-smelling cuticle oil in your winter hand-care regime. OPI’s Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go, R140, is so convenient you can pop it in your handbag and re-apply whenever you need to without any chance of spillage.

3. Winter is the perfect time to tackle dry, cracked heels. Just before you head to bed, slather your feet and heels with a rich textured heel cream such as Eulactol Heel Balm, R75, and cover with socks. By morning you’ll wake to softer, suppler feet – it works like a dream!

4. Danné Montague-King’s MediPedi is a completely painless pedicure – say hello to new feet and goodbye to rasps and razors. The unique alkaline formula softens and dissolves dead skin and calluses, leaving your feet baby soft. Call 011 262 6120 for stockists.

 5. To combat chapped hands, slather hands in cream before you do the dishes, then slip on washing gloves. The combination of heat and moisture helps the cream penetrate deeply and repair winter-ravaged skin.

 6. If the thought of dishes makes you cringe, opt for a paraffin treatment next time you go for a manicure or pedicure. The super-softening buttery wax hydrates and softens overworked hands and over-shopped feet.

7. After a busy day planning your wedding, relax with a foot soak that would make Cleopatra proud. Pour hot water into a foot bath or bowl big enough for both feet, then add two cups of milk. The lactic acid in the milk will help smooth calluses. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil (we like eucalyptus oil for its medicinal properties and fresh scent, lavender for its soothing effect and peppermint for the uplifting zing it brings!) and soak your feet for five to ten minutes. If your feet need a massage, add some marbles to the bottom of the tub and rub your feet over them while soaking. It’s very soothing!

 Hair

8. Prevent you hair from looking dull and lifeless and invest in a weekly hydrating mask like Philip Kingsley’s miracle-working Elasticizer, R530.

 9. Silicone gives dull hair a beautiful shine and seals the cuticles. Just a pea-sized amount is enough to calm even the wildest of manes. We like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Smoothing Serum, R265, which has just the right amount of slip and polish.

 10. Dandruff is another common winter hair concern. An anti-dandruff shampoo such as Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Dandruff Shampoo, R35, promises to sort out dry, flaky scalps in no time. If it doesn’t go away consult a dermatologist.

 11. Static is another winter hair enemy. To smooth frizzy flyaway hair, spray a small amount of hairspray onto your palms and smooth over the hair from crown to tips.

 12. Cut down on washing hair too often in winter to give the natural oils in your scalp a chance to nourish your hair. If you shampoo once every two days, push it to three days by styling your hair into a sleek bun on the third day. Batiste Dry Shampoo, R60, is a blessing for those wanting to get an extra day out of a blow-dry or for girls with naturally oily locks. Also, if your hair is too clean on your wedding day, or if you need extra volume and texture, a dry shampoo will come in handy.

 13. Avoid drying your hair out even further by limiting your use of hairdryers and hair irons. If you do use them use a cooler setting.

 14. Never leave home with wet hair. When you’re out and about, protect your locks with a soft beanie or hat.

 15. For lush locks and an amazing shine take a supplement specifically for hair and nails. Look for ones which contain silica, zinc and calcium – all important nutrients for healthy hair growth. Try Perfectil Plus, R180.

 16. Book into your salon for a trim every eight weeks, as unsightly split ends caused by dry hair will become much more common in winter.

Body

17. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Apply your body lotion immediately after bathing or showering while your skin is still damp to help lock the moisture into the skin. Cocoa butter is well known for its hydrating properties and it smells amazing, so indulge. We like Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E, R63.

 18. Exfoliation is key to avoiding dry patches and unsightly red bumps which appear over the colder months. Try the almost-edible Freeman Feeling Beautiful Sugar Body Scrub Pomegranate, R60 – or make your own with sugar, olive oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil.

 19. Regular dry brushing also sloughs away dead cells and gives the skin a brighter, smoother appearance. If you dry-brush on a daily basis, you should notice a difference within a week – especially if you follow it with moisturiser. Before you get into the shower, brush in an upward movement from your toes to thighs, using a brush with soft bristles. Dry-brushing is brilliant for cellulite too (just ask Victoria Beckham, who swears by it).

 20. For sloughing off dead skin you might need something with more muscle. Try this fail-proof trick: cut a lemon in half, pour coarse sea salt on both halves and grind each half into your elbows, heels and knees. The acidity of the lemon and the abrasiveness of the salt leave rough spots brighter and softer.

21. Body oil goes a long way in winter. Whether it’s smoothed onto skin or added to your bath, your skin will feel noticeably softer. Oils are great for repairing stretch marks and scars, so apply daily if you have marks which you’d like to diminish. Bio-Oil, R50 (60ml), is one of the best.

 22. If you’re wearing anything with chiffon or silk, avoid using greasy body oil on the day or it’ll destroy the gown. Rather try a light body lotion followed by a loose gold powder like BYS Shimmer Powder in White Gold, R60, on the tops of your shoulders, arms and collarbones, which gives a soft luminosity.

 23. If you’re showing some skin in your gown and need a boost, head to a Camelot Spa for the Sweet and Savoury Scrub, R350. It’s a full-body exfoliation using a delicious purifying body scrub made from brown sugar, salt and Mediterranean essential oils. Luxurious and nourishing, it leaves your skin velvety smooth and silky soft. Visit www.camelotspagroup.com.

 24. If the stress of organising a wedding isn’t enough to help you avoid the winter bulge, remember that now is not the time to take drastic measures. Diet pills, overtraining at the gym and starvation diets only make for an irritable bride-to-be. Aim to hit the gym three times a week for an hour each time. Exercise is good for every major organ in the body, especially the largest one – the skin. After a workout oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the skin’s surface, which improves collagen production, keeping your skin plump and wrinkle-free.

 Face

25. The pressure of organising the perfect wedding can cause spots to appear – every bride’s worst nightmare! Keep spots at bay by taking an evening primrose oil supplement. This potent natural oil has calming properties and is the ultimate treat for stressed-out, weather-worn skin.

 26. Keep your lips flake free by buffing them with your toothbrush every night, then smoothing on a nourishing lip balm like Blistex Five Star Lip Protection, R60.

 27. The cleanser which kept you shine free during summer is likely to cause your skin to become dry and sensitive during winter. Switch to a gentler cleanser, which will only remove unwanted oil, rather than stripping it. We like RoC Extra Comfort Cleansing Water, R170, which also removes make-up in one easy wipe.

 28 After a bout of flu, look to miracle balm Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, R135 (28g limited edition jar), and R140 (50ml tube), to soothe sore chapped spots around the nose or lips instantly.

 29. Avoid a build-up of dry skin cells and keep your face glowing in winter by exfoliating regularly. We love Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant, R695, which is mild enough to use every day.

30 In the weeks leading up to your big day, indulge in a weekly hydrating face mask to nourish and protect your skin. Raw honey is super nourishing and excellent for sensitised or acne-prone skin. Mix equal amounts with natural yogurt for a tasty face mask that will literally feed your face!

31. For the Rolls Royce of hydrating facials head to a Guinot-accredited salon and book in for the Hydradermie facial, on average R540. In a little under an hour your skin looks brand new, plumped up and deeply hydrated.

32. Add a pretty flush to your cheeks with a crème blush or liquid tint. These types of blush are less likely to look powdery on dry skin and will give you a healthy, dewy sheen. The easiest way to apply crème blush or liquid tint is by lightly patting the apples of your cheeks with a fingertip until the colour sinks into the skin, giving a natural rosy hue. Try Benefit Benetint Rose-tinted Lip & Cheek Stain, R195, or Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Cabo Coral, R295.

33. Good skin comes from the inside out, so watch your diet and lifestyle. Avoid alcohol and cigarette smoke, and indulge in foods rich in natural oils such as avocado, nuts and salmon.

34. To guarantee your skin radiates on your big day, try to drink at least one litre of water daily. If the thought of cold water in winter makes you shiver, rather than sipping on milky tea and coffee all day, opt for a warm drink such as hot water and fresh lemon juice, or herbal tea. Green tea in particular is filled with antioxidants, called catechins, which can help prevent certain skin cancers and prevent sunburn. Two cups a day will amp up your pretty power.

35. Make time to indulge in a guilt-free treat every now and again, like dark chocolate or a hot mug of cocoa. According to new research, chocolate doesn’t cause pimples – in fact, the sweet stuff contains high levels of flavonoids, potent antioxidants which protect your skin from sun-damage and give radiant results.

Inspired by Vera’s Chinese roots and described by the designer as a celebration of love, the dresses are daring, romantic and seductive. We especially love the gowns in scarlett and dahlia, and those with tiny waists and voluminous skirts. Naturally, texture and embellishment are key and here chiffon and tulle rule the fabric stakes.

Just remember, if you do follow Vera’s confident cue, to choose a shade of red that best suits your skin tone – and looks good against your groom too, especially if you want his accessories to coordinate!

For more images, see  www.verawang.com

Sarah Haywood’s 10 top wedding planning tips:

MONEY MANAGEMENT Plan only for the type of wedding you can afford. Accept what you’ve got to spend and always shop with this in mind. Create your perfect wedding, not a celebrity footballer’s dream day.

BE ORGANISED It’s the key to successful and stress-free wedding planning.

PRIORITISE Don’t waste time getting carried away with details until you have put in place the key elements: where and when you’ll be married and how much you can afford to spend.

PRESENT A UNITED FRONT Create your day together and present a united front to your families. Leave some room for family input – especially if they are contributing financially.

RESPECT & COMPROMISE When drawing up your guest list, be sensitive to the desires and expectations of each other and your families. Respect the point of view of others and listen, even if you eventually reject their ideas. Be prepared to negotiate and compromise.

DELEGATE Behind every blooming bride and gorgeous groom is a fabulous and efficient team, so delegate what you can to friends and family who have skills in areas you need help with.

BRIDESMAIDS & BEST MAN Have a reliable best man and matron of honour. If your closest friends are not reliable and/or competent, give them something else to do!

HIRING & FIRING Don’t hire anyone or anything until you have seen or sampled their wares. Get every detail in writing. Before signing a contract ask: “Is this your best price?”

KEEP COOL, CALM & COLLECTED – especially with your nearest and dearest. Don’t alienate anyone you’ll need later on.

WEDDING-FREE ZONES Have wedding-free zones in your home(s) and wedding-free evenings with your intended. Then you’ll remember why you are doing this!

Keen to find out how to throw your own fabulous wedding? Sarah Haywood will be joining us at The Wedding Expo® in Johannesburg in August to share her top tips for party success. She’ll also be travelling to Cape Town for an exclusive Wedding Inspirations reader event. Details of both will be available in our winter edition – on sale June 4 – as well as on this website. For more information on Sarah, see sarahhaywood.com or get your hands on a copy of our latest (March/Autumn 2012) edition, which features an insightful interview with the A-list favourite.

Tone it down for day or vamp it up for night – either way you’ll make a serious style statement. We adore silver, white and gold for chic city weddings, while black, ivory and gold are our colour combination of choice for a truly classy evening affair with classic or contemporary leanings.

Prefer bold bursts of colour? Then mix gold with striking jewel hues such as purple and blue (both current wedding favourites), bronze or burgundy. Or embrace pale pink and taupe for a softer, more romantic look that’s ideally suited to spring celebrations or vintage-inspired affairs. Whatever palette you prefer, the shade will shine!

For inspiration, click on this link or browse our mood board below… http://weddinginspirations.co.za/urban-glamour

Romantic flowers

Purple continues to dominate weddings this season and with flowers as pretty as these it’s no wonder. Follow Ruby Rain’s cue and experiment with various shades or mix it with creams, blues or pinks to soften the effect. Either way, it’s a winner!

Opulent table decor

Low-key is still lovely but the latest wedding looks are sophisticated and elegant, as this stunning table from Wedding Emporium shows. Key colour choices include blue and gold, while stylish accessories such as crystal, fine china and silverware shine.

Sweet stations

Whether you call them candy buffets, sweet stations or dessert tables, there’s no denying that an assortment of sweet treats, beautifully displayed, are the best new way to finish a meal. We found ourselves tempted (more than once!) by the gorgeous goodies on display at The Little Love Bird Co and Candy Saloon, as well as the perfectly packaged toffee from New Beginnings Toffees!

Desirable dresses

From fabric flowers and beaded bodices to cut-away backs, layered skirts, ruffles and lace, the bridal gowns on display were beautiful. Texture featured strongly and while the majority of dresses were classic cream and white, those in soft pastel shades were a definite fashion highlight.

Towering cakes

Tall, tiered wedding cakes were the order of the day at the Expo this year – each layer more ornately decorated than the next! Sugar flowers were a strong trend, as were lace and lattice icing. Inside, red velvet dominated, though decadent chocolate and carrot cakes were also popular.

Push up pops

You’ve heard about cake pops, but what about push up pops? At Jem Exclusive Catering & Events, we discovered tiramisu in a push up applicator – no mess, no fuss and just the right amount of sweet temptation! Definitely too good to resist …

DIY details

Coloured twine, fabric hearts, old-school button badges, ribbon corsages, laser cut place markers, paper cut outs, pegs and bunting … crafty brides and grooms were spoilt for choice with the creative goods on display at stands such as Elephant Shoe, Pebble & Lace Decor and Lily Young Art.

Pretty extras

No bride is fully dressed until the shoes have been slipped on and the earrings slipped in. And we found just the jewellery at Chey Michau … lots of pretty, hand-cut sterling silver earrings with crystals and gems, and a gorgeous rose cuff that we’d wear again and again.