Q. Who pays for the bridal hair and makeup package? How about the entourage – is it alright for us to ask them to take care of their own hair and  make-up expenses?

A. Since your choice of stylist is a very personal one, it is best that the bride takes care of this part of the budget. This way, she is always in  control of the situation, and also will be in a position to negotiate the best package to suit her needs. Some stylists offer their bridal package to  include 2 or more others with the bride. These can be added to as your budget allows. If you would like to “treat “ some of your girlfriends in the entourage to styling services on the wedding day, you may certainly do so, though it is understandable that couples may not be able to do so due to budget  constraints. It would be nice if, in this situation, you explain this to them, and if at all, contract the services of another stylist or salon to do their  hair and makeup, at a group rate. You may opt to pay for this, though it is not expected.

Q. At what point in the wedding reception may I remove my wedding veil?

A. If your wedding veil is very long, and trails further than your train, then it would be wise to remove this as soon as you sit down to dinner.  Because once the toasts begin, the festivities will go straight through to dancing and or lots of mingling. The veil will slow you down. Once you  have taken a bit to eat, excuse yourself and remove the veil in the privacy of an ante-room or the ladies room. Assign your maid of honor or a  bridesmaid to keep the veil safely in a bag, and to bring a comb and some hairspray to retouch any stray strands of hair that may have come  loose when the veil’s pins were removed.

Q. I have read in several imported Wedding magazines about gowns with “bustle” options. How does this work? Is it a practical consideration  when choosing a gown design?

A. Yes, the bustle is now coming of age all over again. In the days of the hoop skirts and voluminous gowns, the bustle was very much the norm, then tied with fancy ribbons or permanently sewn as a gown’s dramatic back feature. Today, Filipina designer Monique Lhuillier has made the art of bustling popular again, with her ingenious designs hidden within her wedding gowns’ trains and skirts. Usually, after the  wedding ceremony, the bride’s attendants assist in connecting the secret color-coded snaps and hooks that form the bustle in the gown’s skirt.  This way, a long train gracefully converts into a toe-length skirt allowing the bride to move around freely and enjoy herself. It is very much a practical consideration and should be seen as a great advantage to help narrow down your choice of wedding gown.

Q. I have 6 bridesmaids, and they are all my good friends. I know that majority of the girls have similar taste in makeup, hair, and a similar sense of style to mine. But one or two of us always thinks outside of the box, and I do love them for it, but I don’t know if I would be too happy  to  see dark lipstick and deep purple nails on my pale yellow-clad wedding entourage… How do I ask them to keep within the color scheme?

A.Your friends will surely understand when you request them ALL to keep to a certain color palette for makeup, lipstick, nail polish, and shoes.  One day, over lunch or a bottle of wine, make the announcement and if possible bring some samples of the beauty products you wish they would use. If you can swing it, buy some for them all to share. The trick is to keep it general. Try not to single out those who you feel will  not stick to the norm, but instead make it a request addressed to ALL the girls… That way, they will not feel any additional pressure… If you  have a color board or a set of swatches from your gown designer, bring this along too, it will help you make your point!

- Article by Rachel Climent