DOWN THE AISLE

Disney Fairy tale weddings by Alfred Angelo 2012

2011-10-21T18:50:00.002-04:00

Alfred Angelo released new versions of all the wedding gowns in their Disney princess collection and for the most part I must say I'm slightly underwhelmed. Aside from the fact that the new gowns have incorporated modern elements such as tiered skirts, asymmetrical ruffles, 3D floral embellishments, I can't say that they improved on the original collection. It seems to me that the old gowns were more true to the Disney princesses they were representing. Take a look and decide for yourself.

The original Ariel dress

The new 2012 Ariel dress

The original Belle gown

The new 2012 Belle gown

The original Tiana gown

The new 2012 Tiana gown

The original Rapunzel gown

The new 2012 Rapunzel gown

The original Cinderella gown

The new 2012 Cinderella gown

The original Snow White gown

The new 2012 Snow White gown

Snow White

The original Jasmine gown

The new 2012 Jasmine gown

xoxo

Bridal Fashion report! Pnina Tornai Fall 2012

2011-10-20T10:48:00.006-04:00

People think of Pnina Tornai’s style as being all about opulence, exaggeration and excess, and for the most part its usually true. But the reality is, Pnina creates her collections with a more open mind than she gets credit for. Her collections actually include a wide variety of silhouettes and styles, and whilst some of them are the extreme ball gowns + sheer bodice combo that she is famous for, others are refined,elegant and classy. There really is something in there for everyone. Well that is if you can afford to spend over $10,000 on a wedding gown…

The ruched and pleated ivory gown above, is my absolute favorite in the collection. It is simple, chic and understated (which is what I'm all about!), but it also incorporates a traditional element with the chapel train, and still manages to be daring and sexy with the split sweetheart neckline. Out of the entire collection there are three gowns I would actually wear down the aisle;

1. The ruched gown above, because its sooo me

2. The lace hi-low gown (further down the page) because its gorgeously modern & traditional all at once

3. The feathered ball gown (right below the hi-low gown) because its soft, romantic and oddly elegant.

Pnina's 2012 collection features 3 main themes: Sexy evening gown-esque styles, Exaggerated Ball gowns and then a few fit & flare silhouettes thrown in for good measure. Enjoy.

[1] The evening gown-esque styles

[2] The fit & flare (and A-lines) styles

[3] The ball gowns

2. Lace Hi-low gown

3.Feathered skirt

xoxo

Bridal Fashion report! Trends in the Fall 2012 collections

2011-10-19T11:27:00.003-04:00

NY Bridal fashion week has been exciting as usual to see which trends made the cut this season. Aside from Vera Wangs black collection, the majority of the gowns shown were all white and ivory. In previous seasons most designers included a few colored gowns, specifically shades of blush, champagne and gold but these colors were at a bare minimum this year. All the designers made big U-turn towards more traditonal bridal gown colors. 3D floral embellishments are a continuing trend from the previous seasons… I'm starting think the floral theme has been slightly overdone, I doubt I'll miss it once its gone.

The newest trends that emerged from the fall 2012 collections are as follows;

[1] Slits- Of all the things you expect to see on a wedding gown, a daring sexy front or side slit is not one of them. Well not until now. Monique Lhuillier stood out for incorporating this feature in several of the gowns in her new collection and she was not alone, designers such as Ines Di Santo, Reem Acra and Theia also showed gowns with slits down the front.

Monique Lhuillier

Ines Di Santo

Monique Lhuillier

Theia

Monique Lhuillier

Reem Acra

Monique Lhuillier

[2] Intricate beaded bodice- Beading on the bodice is nothing new in the bridal world, but the gowns in the new collections feature complex and unusual bead patterns that are eye-catchingly artist and stylish.

Lazaro

Reem Acra

Lazaro

Kenneth Pool

[4] Sheer sleeves and bodice- In previous seasons we’ve seen illusion necklines, sheer strapless bodice and sheer cap sleeves, but this season there has been an increase in sheer & lace short sleeves that come all the way down to the elbow as well as sheer long sleeves.

Ann Bowen

Monique Lhuillier

Maggie Sottero

Junko Yoshioka

[3] Tiered skirts- This is also a continuing trend, but this season the tiers are more exaggerated than ever, with more and more designers featuring many variations of this style. My favorites are the asymmetrical tiers.

Kenneth Pool

Christos

Badgley Mischka

Anna-Maier-Ulla Maija

Reem Acra

[5] Hi-low hemlines- This modern reincarnation of a 1980s trend looks best when paired with raw edged layers of fabric to create a more subtle look. Anna Maier-Ulla Maija, Monique Lhuillier and Pnina Tornai really did this hemline justice in their 2012 collections

Monique Lhuillier

Anna Maier-Ulla Maija

Pnina Tornai

Oscar De La Renta

Claire Pettibone

xoxo

Bridal Fashion report! Vera Wang Fall 2012

2011-10-18T12:31:00.000-04:00

Its never been a secret that Vera Wang loves black. In the past years most of her bridal collections included atleast one black gown and a multitude of black accessories such as sashes, gloves and shoes. In fact I dare say that she loves black just as much as she loves tulle and we know how important tulle is to Vera.

Her Fall 2012 collection which was only released this week seems to be an ode to black; more than half of the gowns in that collection are black and the rest of the collection was shown in caramel tones, with not a single white gown in the entire collection.

I love vera's unique point of view but it would have been nice to see a few ivory gowns in the show, especially since the features of the dress photograph much better in light colors than in black. Plus lets be honest how many brides are really going to order those gowns in black?

Stay tuned for more updates hot off the runway..

Let them eat cake...

2011-10-05T12:11:00.007-04:00

A lot of people think I’m anti-flowers. But I promise I’m not. Honestly. I have nothing against flowers whatsoever but I just like to think outside the box and don’t see the need to have such an over abundance of flowers in every single element of the wedding. Some people just throw flowers on EVERYTHING in their wedding and just pray that it works… I’m not one of those people.

If you read the latest article about non floral wedding cake décor, then you know that while I do like certain cakes with the right touch of flowers, I’d much prefer a more clean and chic approach. For summer weddings, incorporating fruit on the cake is visually appealing and much more appetizing than flowers. In fact every time I see flowers on the cake I worry about where those flowers have been, how clean they are and if there is any residue of sprays, dyes and chemicals….

MaisieFantasie

JoyTheBaker

Feathers can also add a certain touch of whimsy to wedding cakes. But it is really important to choose the right type of feathers! I’ve said before that a lot of feathers especially when added to a bouquet are just too reminiscent of a feather duster that belongs with the mop and broom in the cleaning closet. Peacock feathers on the other hand are stylish, unique and make such a bold statement. The great thing about peacock feathers is they can be dyed to match any color scheme.

Cake Central

The truth is wedding cakes don’t need to have too much going on, a few strands of ribbon, a sprinkle of crystals and pearls here and there, and a squirt of artistic fondant is all most cakes need to dazzle the guests.

Stay Stylish

xoxo

Size matters!

2011-09-13T19:05:00.002-04:00

Lets be honest, nothing is ever overdone and elegant at the same time because elegance and moderation go hand in hand. To keep the wedding effortlessly chic it’s important to choose the right size bridal party. Read more about what the right size is here. In case you need added motivation here are a few more reasons...

A lot of people claim they simply cant leave anyone out because they have so many friends...think of it this way, imagine if every single competitor in the olympics was given a gold medal, it would defeat the entire purpose of competing. The same principle applies, if you ask every single one of your friends to be a bridesmaid or groomsmen and you end up with a bridal party of over 20 people, it kinda defeats the whole purpose of having a bridal party at all; it doesn’t feel like much of an honor to be chosen and everyone gets lost in the shuffle

Having attended a sinful amount of weddings myself, I can tell you there is nothing worse than sitting through an extremely long processional with 12 couples {12 bridesmaids & 12 groomsmen} strolling down the aisle, followed by 7 flower girls, and 4 ring bearers and then a mini bride and groom. I have seriously attended a wedding with this many people!!! By the time the 5^th flower girl appeared I was stifling a yawn! Who needs 7 flower girls? Better yet who needs 4 ring bearers when there are only two rings? The bridal party of this wedding came to a whopping 37 people not including ushers or the bride and groom themselves. A bit much? Indeed.

Even the most experienced wedding photographers dislike shooting mammoth bridal parties because its hard to keep the shots from looking like a class of 99 year book shot. Wedding photos should be classy, stylish and a true reflection of the people in the picture.. but with so many people in each shot, the pictures can quickly become stiff, cliche and crowded.

Coordinating and transporting the bridal party is so much easier and less stressful with a smaller number. Plus most sleek stretch limos only seat up to 22 people so if your total number exceeds that you might have to fork out extra for a party bus.. and truth be told they don’t look so hot from the outside.

Any true fashionista knows that less is always more and quality trumps quantity, unless of course you are aiming to get into the Guinness book of records like Laura Tolley who had 103 bridesmaids, sadly they denied her application on a minor technicality and she did not make into the book. Moment of silence for her loss? Nah...

Weigh in my darlings and tell me what you think? Do you agree to keep it small or do you believe "the more the merrier"?

xoxo

Alfred Angelo bridesmaid collection

2011-08-12T10:54:00.001-04:00

Four lucky brides this month will win up to six bridesmaid dresses from Alfred Angelo absolutely free! Read more about the details of how to enter to win here

A few reasons why brides should enter this contest

Reason number 1... Alfred Angelo gowns are beautiful! Attention is paid to the each detail, the dresses are well cut and flattering, getting them for free is such a steal!

Reason number 2...They have a wide selection of styles, lengths, fabrics and colors there is definitely a dress in their collection to please every bride

Reason number 3...Your bridesmaid will very much appreciate not having to pay for their gowns, perhaps that money towards something else wedding related?

Reason number 4...Six FREE gowns are on the line ... hello.. I think thats reason enough!

Below are some of the gowns available in their bridesmaid collection

The BATTLE of the waist lines : Dropped waist wedding gowns vs Empire waist wedding gowns

2011-08-05T20:33:00.003-04:00

The number one most important thing about a wedding gown: it must be flattering!! The gown could be utterly breathtaking in its artistry and craftsmanship but if it doesn't flatter the bride wearing it, it might as well be a dirty burlap potato sack. A lot of people fall in love with a gown based on how it looks on the model or how it looks on the mannequin and then refuse to accept that it doesn't look the same way on them. This is BRIDAL DENIAL! {giggle} Case in point the dropped waist ball gown and dropped waist A-line. These gowns only look good on a select few people, at least 90% of those select few people are models whose job it is to make the gowns look good. But for some reason brides cant seem to resist buying this gown. I tried on a dropped waist ball gown by Casablanca and even though I am 5ft 11", I looked like I'd shrunk into an oompa loompa.. seriously.
At the royal wedding of Zara Phillips {grand daughter to Queen ELizabeth} she also wore a dropped waist gown.. you be the judge

Moral of the story: these gowns are difficult to pull off; you've got to be tall or atleast have long legs to balance out the long torsos of this type of gown.
I love Kenneth Pool, I adore the bold yet delicate crystal detailing he uses on most of his gowns, but I'm pretty sure this love is not mutual because Kenneth Pool has a sworn love for the style I like the least: The dropped waist ball gown. Below are some of the gowns from his collection.

Casablanca

Casablanca

Pnina Tornai

And while we are on the subject of waist lines, the other increasingly popular trend is the high waist ball gown. Some of these are quite deceiving because they appear to sit at the natural waist but are actually empire waists in disguise. I love empire waist garments especially for floating summer dresses and shirts, but when it comes to wedding dresses, empire waists can be hard to pull off too. The best empire waist gowns are fitted gowns or floaty destination dresses such as this Vera Wang WHITE dress.

On the other hand, empire waist ball gowns can be a little trickier depending on how wide the ball gown is. The perfect example would be the Galina T3039 shown below. I love this gown and I'm not too bothered that its a copy of a more expensive dress. But when worn with a crinoline this gown is just not that flattering on most brides especially from the side view.

My favourite natural waist/high waist ball gowns are by Amsale. Their ball gowns are just to die for, especially the ones that have pockets. The main thing with this style is to avoid the skirt looking too wide and poofy.

xoxo

The color blush...

2011-08-02T12:52:00.001-04:00

Waltz by Monique Lhuillier

For years brides have religiously adhered to the white gown rule; which gradually included gowns in ivory, cream and even champagne but for upcoming seasons you can expect to see more brides walking down in the aisle in blush colored gowns.
The funny thing about colors is how important it is to get the right shade!!! Blush is a specific range of shades of pink with peachy undertones, it is not the same as Baby pink, pastel pink, or bubble-gum pink, or any other pink for that matter...

The beauty of blush is that the color is barely there, it is soft and feminine without being too girly or childish and best of all it would be an unexpected surprise for your guests as most of them would be expecting you to walk down the aisle in white/ivory. Read more about blush gowns here

Here are my favorite blush gowns from the 2011 and 2012 collections

Vera Wang WHITE

Susannah by Badgely Mischka

Dew drop by Claire Pettibone

Katharine by Sottero & Midgley

Cherise by Ines Di Santo

Freya by Rivini

Candy by Monique Lhuillier

Watters

Romona Keveza Legends

Evangeline by Rivini

xoxo

Drool worthy wedding shoes : Stuart Weitzman

2011-07-27T13:12:00.004-04:00

Stuart Weitzman claims that he designs shoes to "make women happy", all I can say in response to that is MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Dear Stuart your shoes do make me very happy indeed.. well except for one tiny detail ;the price tag!!! I mean $350 for a pair of shoes is a bit much for a humble bridal writer like myself, especially considering that fact that some brides spend less than than on their wedding dress!

However this excerpt from my article almost tips the scale in his favor

"His stunning range of shoes are a constant favorite of celebrities for their live performances. We all know how rigorous Beyonce’s dance routines can be, and she has repeatedly shown up on stage at concerts and live events sporting the latest stilettos from Stuart’s collection, she even wears them when she travels through the airport! Many other celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Rhianna and Carrie Underwood have also chosen to perform in Stuart’s shoes. The fact that his shoes can endure nights of on-stage dancing speaks a lot about the level of quality and comfort!... Continue reading on Examiner.com The great shoe hunt! Stuart Weitzman wedding shoes - ]

...but a true fashionista knows how to hunt down great deals at discounted rates! Websites like Myglassslipper, Zappos and Endless often have a good selection of his shoes on sale." [

The sexy shoes in his collection speak for themselves...

Stay stylish

xoxo

It’s a love/hate thing! Mantilla Veils

2011-07-20T15:49:00.001-04:00

Mantilla by M& J

Mantilla veils are without a doubt the most dramatic of all veils… they scream for attention and refuse to be ignored. The lace trim makes a bold statement in contrast to the sheer and soft tulle of the veil but can sometimes be a little too bold for certain bridal gowns. I love the artistry of lace but truth be told, lace has the tendency to look heavy and dated so a bit more effort has to be put in to avoid looking like you’re wearing a lace doily,table cloth or curtain from grandma’s house

For those of you who didn’t read the article here is quick run down on mantillas

Round or oval cut tulle veil + heavy lace border all around = tricky-to-wear statement veil

If your gown is all over lace, you should be careful what type of mantilla you choose because not all types of lace complement each other and yes there is such a thing as too much lace. The beauty of lace is best displayed when it is contrasted against a non-lace fabric; layering one type of lace on top of another can create a heavy overall look. Grace Kelly's much talked about wedding gown was lace and was paired with mantilla worn as a drop veil. The lace on her veil was extremely soft and delicate, but even still, the veil appears to be blending into the gown because of the lace on lace effect. For those of you who think that all lace looks the same slowly repeat after me “There are many types of lace and they are NOT all the same.. repeat.. repeat.. repeat”

If your gown is partially lace, you stand a better chance of pulling off a mantilla veil. Just be sure to try on the veil with the gown and make sure that the lace on the dress isn’t clashing with the veil. Always always always buy the gown first and then try on different type of veils with the gown and then take pictures of the different looks and then honestly analyze if the mantilla is enhancing the overall look of the gown or not.

Personally I think mantilla veils look best with non-lace gowns made from fabrics with a matte finish such as chiffon, tulle, organza, charmeuse.. etc This way the lace isn’t louder than the gown, nor is the gown louder than the lace, they are just in perfect harmony. {cue peaceful harp music}

While I do like the popular way of wearing the mantilla on the crown of the head usually matched with a half-do or completely down hairstyle.. I am now totally in love with wearing the mantilla as a drop veil paired with a sleek and elegant updo!

Drop veil Mantilla

Paloma Blanca

Irisdbrial

Davids Bridal

Stay stylish my darlings!!

xoxo

Fall 2011 WHITE collection by Vera Wang

2011-06-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

The Fall 2011 WHITE collection is scheduled to arrive in David's Bridal stores on June 22nd, but for those of us who can't wait to see the newest pieces, here is a sneak peak.
Vera Wang decided to include bridesmaid dresses and shoes in this new collection! How exciting!?
Gorgeous bridal gowns + stylish shoes + glamourous veils, sashes, hair pieces + chic bridesmaid dresses. All in one place.
Does it get any better? Yes it does, they are all within the same price range as the other gowns and accessories at David's Bridal. I can actually here bridesmaids around the world breathing a sigh of relief, finally gorgeous, flattering, fashion forward bridemaid dresses that dont cost the earth! The WHITE collection is truly a one stop shop for stylish brides.

Needless to say I ♥ Vera Wang and adore the ethereal feel of her pieces... and yes that includes her uber affordable WHITE collection.

xoxo

Welcome to the world of Jasmine Bridal

2011-06-07T11:42:00.001-04:00

It is hard to be original when it comes to bridal gown designing with so many bridal designers out there, it’s hard to keep coming up with gowns that are different from the others, but Jasmine has mastered this art! I seriously drool over their gowns every time the new collections are released. The collections are just distinctive and stand apart from the rest. They add bold and daringly fanciful features to their gowns to make them unique and original. I love the oversize applique features on a lot of their skirts and the organized chaos they have going on with their ball gowns!! Feast your eyes upon the latest wedding dresses from Jasmine Bridal

Stay stylish

xoxo

The verdict is out! First Look wedding pictures

2011-05-25T11:48:00.001-04:00

Gorgeous first look shots PHOTO CREDIT// Joshua Dwain Photography

Quick summary of a first look wedding photo shoot:

Photo session + Just before the wedding ceremony + Bride and groom only + In their wedding outfits

Honestly, the first time I heard about this, one word came to mind. Why Why why why why? Okay so that’s technically five words but you get the point. So if you read the article you know that this trend of having a first look photo session is actually very practical, at least in theory. Its supposed to save time somehow because you get the shots of the couple taken before the ceremony and that way you spend less time on photos after the ceremony. But one way or the other you’re still spending time on those photos though, right? Its just a matter of before or after. Theres a part of me that understands this trend, because the photo shoots done after the ceremony can be ever so tiring; the entire family is there, plus the bridal party, and everyone wants a photo with the couple, so it’s hard to get natural looking shots of the couple with such a large audience. Also, first look photos are taken soon after the couple have gotten dressed, so they are both looking their best, hair is on point and makeup is freshly applied. This ensures that the photos capture them at their best.

But lets look at the flip side. The walk down the aisle is important!!!! I’ll rephrase: The look on his face when he sees you walking down the aisle for the first time is important!!! He gets to appreciate all the time and effort it has taken to get the perfect dress, perfect fit and perfect accessories to match. Most first looks are set up in such a way that the groom has to face the other direction and the bride creeps up on him from behind so he doesn’t get to see her approach him. You only get one chance to make a first impression so WHY ruin that anticipation buildup by letting the groom see you right before the ceremony in the dress?? I.Dont.Get.It

A few things to keep in mind for those that have decided to have a first look:
• Remember to wear your wedding band for the shoot and then remember to take it off before you walk down the aisle. This is a classic mistake that is usually never noticed until the photos come back.

• If the dress is going to be bustled for the first look, remember to unbustle it before walking down the aisle. It is apparently very easy to forget to this and several brides have walked down the aisle with their dress bustled and never got to show their gorgeous train.

• For outdoor first looks come prepared with a first aid kit {lint roller, needles, pins, stain remover pen, thread} just in case of dress emergency before the walk down the aisle

Well weigh in my darlings and tell me what you think.. First look yay or nay?

xoxo

Pick me Up!

2011-05-18T11:13:00.003-04:00

Davids Bridal

If you haven't read the pick up debate yet here's a quick summary for you:

2 types of pickups = tradional + modern

Tradtional pickups are not exactly trendy right now {This is the nice version}

Modern pickups have potential to look fierce

Moral of the story: learn how to tell the difference

The end.

The davids bridal dress above is a typical pick up dress. This is not in style right now. It is still a nice dress, dont get me wrong, but it has a GIANT time stamp that screams I belong in 2001 or earlier. Now this may be confusing for a lot of people. I constantly get questions like " how come Grace Kelly's wedding dress from the 1950s is still stylish whilst trends as recent as 2001 are out dated?" The answer is simple, some styles are just more timeless than others. Princess Diana got married in the 1980s nearly 30 years after Grace Kelly but her huge dress seems more dated than Grace Kelly's because she chose a style that was in fashion for only a short period, rather than a classic timeless dress. Just trust me on this one.

Now compare the Davids Bridal gown above to the Mikaella gown below. Both of these dresses have pickups but the Mikaella is softer and the asymmetry of it makes it look more like a gentle draping of fabric rather than deeply defined pickups. The Mikaella looks modern, effortless and figure flattering, the Davids bridal just looks busy. I rest my case.

Mikaella

Below are more bridal gowns with pick up skirts. Some look more dated than others. Can you tell the difference?

Angelina Faccenda

Casablanca

Alfred Angelo Ariel {Disney Dress}

Casablanca

Justin Alexander

Maggie Sottero Calista

Maggie monalisa royale

Mori Lee

xoxo

Princess Beatrice and her hat... AGAIN...

2011-05-12T09:29:00.000-04:00

So we all remember this hat right? Or should I call it a headpiece... fascinator... helmet... personal antenna... your guess is as good as mine! So anyway Princess Bea's mother Duchess Sarah Ferguson announced on Oprah that the appalling "hat"would be auctioned on Ebay to raise money for UNICEF and Children in Crisis. I guess Princess Bea gets the last laugh; she earns brownie points for raising money for these charities and gets rid of the ugly hat all in one shot!

Stay stylish
xoxo

Chinese Laundry wedding shoes

2011-05-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

Every bride embarks on The great shoe hunt; searching high and low for the perfect adornments for her wedding day feet. Chinese Laundry has a sweet selection of visually appealing, affordable shoes. Alot of their shoes are under $100 and thats not too bad considering the quality, comfort level especially when compared to other similar shoes on the market. Here is a line up of the standouts from the Chinese Laundry collection.

xoxo

Simply chic J Crew wedding gowns!

2011-05-02T15:23:00.002-04:00

I wrote The good, the bad, the unbelieveable a few years ago because even though I liked the craftsmanship of the J Crew wedding collection, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the range of styles, the prices and the fact that most of the dresses had to be ordered online since most of their stores didnt carry any of the pieces from their wedding collection. A lot has changed since then! They now have their first ever bridal boutique open for business on Madison Ave in New York and they have greatly expanded the options for brides and the entire bridal party.

Their wedding gowns are ultra simple, super modern and uber chic! They are authentically bridal without being the same old boring gowns we've seen over and over. I still think some of their gowns are bit pricier than they should be, I mean honestly if I had $3000 to spare on a wedding gown I would not buy a nearly casual looking dress from J Crew, no matter how luxe the fabric, I'd much rather buy a higher end gown by a top bridal designer such as Romona Keveza, Monique Lhuillier, Priscilla of Boston. etc..
Simply put: I love J Crew wedding gowns but do not love the prices.. Below are some of my favorites from the current J Crew wedding collection

Stay stylish
xoxo

Princess Beatrice steals the show?

2011-04-29T10:57:00.000-04:00

Princess Eugenia and sister Princess Beatrice

With all the royal wedding hype in the past months, its not surprising that all the guests went all out to find the perfect outfit for the occasion. As can be expected with British aristocracy, there were many interesting and fashion forward hats and head pieces, many of them by haute couture hat designer Phillip Treacy. I usualy adore Phillip's hats, but I'm at a loss for words at the hat Princess Beatrice showed up in.

Is it really even a hat? It looks like it should be worn to a sacrificial ceremony of heathen gods.. seriously! I'm all for high fashion but not if you cant pull it off. I mean she could have worn the hat more towards the back of her head or on the side of her head at an angle, but the way its sitting in front of her head, I just have two requests,

Dear princess Beatrice dont ever wear this "hat" again
Dear Phillip Treacy kindly print out instructions of how to wear your hats for each of your clients because something tells me this hat wasn't designed to be worn this way.

Much obliged! ;)

xoxo

The Royal Wedding photo recap

2011-04-29T10:08:00.004-04:00

I didnt stay up all night to watch the Royal wedding, nor have I been looking forward to with the crazed glee that most people seem to share. But I sure do love weddings so I couldnt resist sharing photos and thoughts about the good, bad and crazy fashion of the ongoing royal wedding. The bride herself looked timeless and elegant, if only the same could be said for all the guests too!

Kate middleton's wedding dress. ( or should I say Duchess Catherine..)

Her gown was a classic long sleeved ball gown with cathedral train made by he house of Alexander McQueen, very much the norm in the royal circles, and quite similar to one of my all time favorite wedding gowns worn by Grace Kelly. All I can say about Grace kelly is that she was way ahead of her time! Her wedding gown has been the inspiration for many brides since then.

Grace Kelly in her wedding gown

This little girl in the left corner is too cute, she clearly cant take the sound of ringing bells any longer!

xoxo

Back to the basics

2011-04-22T10:13:00.003-04:00

I think its safe to say that most people hate doing homework, but when it comes to bridal gown shopping, doing your homework is an an absolute must if you want to have a hassle-free experience. Chapter 2 of the gown shopping survival guide is all about research, research and more research, in an economy like this it makes perfect sense to conserve time and money by being a well informed buyer. Past article collections like Silhouettes simplified, Fabricated, Bridal Necklines 101, and Body Conscious Bride are an excellent place to start, and here is quick summary of the basic information a bride needs to have before beginning gown shopping

SILHOUETTES SIMPLIFIED

• A-line - Classic and most commonly worn style. Skirt flares out from the waist literally forming the shape of an A.

Maggie Sottero A-line

• Ball gown- Large full skirt joined to a fitted bodice, usually worn at formal weddings

Justin Alexander Ball gown

• Dropped waist- Waist line is lower than natural waist, often combined with an A-line or ball gown

Casablanca dropped waist

• Empire waist- Waist line is much higher than the natural waist, usually has a free flowing skirt, excellent for destination weddings

Mori Lee Empire Waist

• Fit and flare- Fitted sheath dress that gradually flares out in a trumpet shape. It resembles a combination of a dropped waist A-line and a modified mermaid

Galina Signature by Davids bridal fit and flare

• Mermaid- Fitted gown with a full skirt that flares out from around the knees or upper thigh. Its different from a fit and flare in that, the skirt is fuller, the fullness starts higher up and the shape is more defined. Usually there is seam where the skirt joins the bodice.

Vera Wang mermaid gown

FABRICATED
Fabrics really make all the difference. One main mistake that a lot of brides make is decide they hate a certain fabric based on one dress they've seen in that fabric. Most fabric have an expensive silk version and a cheaper synthetic version. I cant count the number of brides who've told me how much they hate taffeta because they tried on a cheap taffeta prom dress that was crunchier than burnt toast, but after being introduced to luxe silk taffeta fell deeply in love with it!

• Satin- Glossy or matte high sheen fabric. Pros: drapes well, catches the light, glides smoothly. Cons: stains easily, very shiny, heavy weight, wrinkles easily

The very popular Adorae by Sottero & Midgely in Demir stretch satin

• Tulle- Light weight net fabric. Pros: Floaty, light weight, adds bulk to full skirts. Cons: Delicate and rips easily, Has the tendency to look cheap and childish

Amsale Tulle skirt

• Lace- Intricate woven patterned fabric. Pros: Interesting textured look Cons: Tendency to look dated, delicate

Jim Hjelm

• Chiffon- Sheer crêpe -like fabric. Pros: light weight, floaty, wrinkle resistant, excellent for outdoor destination weddings. Cons: Tendency to look casual

Romona Keveza silk chiffon

• Taffeta- Crisp firm high sheen fabric. Excellent for structured gowns. Pros: drapes well and maintains its shape, great for bows and floral applique. Cons: cheaper versions of this fabric can be too hard and crunchy.

Angelina Faccenda taffeta bodice

• Shantung Affectionately dubbed the love child of satin and taffeta: high sheen crisp fabric. Pros: high sheen luxe look. Cons: Heavy weight.

Christos Silk Shantung
• Organza- Light weight soft net, shinier and silkier than tulle. Over used as an overlay or bottom layer for gowns. Pros: light weight Cons: Tendency to look rubbery.

Mori Lee Blu organza

Stay stylish and stay tuned

xoxo

Bridal gowns of the future: Spring 2012 bridal collections

2011-04-11T14:39:00.004-04:00

The Spring 2012 bridal collections featured several unique and interesting gowns. Here are some of the major trends that emerged

Oversize ball gowns- And when I say oversize, I mean huge! Say bye-bye to the "modern" ball gown of last season and hello to the authentic vintage size ball gowns of the future. The sheer bodice + ball gown combo of the Ines Di Santo gowns is very reminiscent of Pnina Tornai #just saying

Ines Di Santo

Marchesa Carolina Herrera

Monique Lhuillier Kenneth Pool

Vera Wang Rivini

Lace long sleeves I adore these lace sleeves especially on the Romona Keveza gowns! It's an interesting look to have the sleeves made out of a different fabric from the rest of the gown.

Monique Lhuillier Theia

Romona Keveza

Rivini

Illusion necklines

Marchesa

Carolina Herrara Monique Lhuillier

Streamlined sleek silhouettes + high sheen fabrics

Amsale

Rivini Kenneth Pool

Giant head pieces Vera wang and Watters must have been on the same page because they both sent their models down the runway with giant headpieces

Watters Vera Wang

Watters

xoxo

Casablanca bridal gowns ~ Deliciously customizable wedding dresses

2011-04-07T11:31:00.003-04:00

Casablanca 2005

The wonderful world of Casablanca outlines why their wedding gowns are so awesome! At first glance they appear to be average and ordinary wedding gowns but it pays to take a second look because these gowns are exquisitely well made and are totally customizable. Essentially a bride can combine several of her top contenders into a truly unique dress made just for her. The options are really endless... Here are some of the lovely gowns by Casablanca with possibilities of how they could be customized to suit individual brides.

Casablanca Couture B048
This is a classic style; traditional A-line gown in Duchess Silk, dipped strapless neckline and beading over the front and back of the bodice, as well as along the hem and down the center of the back. With box pleats and pick ups on the back of the skirt and chapel train.

This dress can be customized in so many ways:
Neckline- Can be deepened into a true sweetheart //Convereted into a straight strapless //Straps added to make it halter, off the shoulder, one shoulder. Sleeves can be added.
Bodice- The bead work can be reduced or the style changed, corset lace up can be added
Waistline - This can be dropped to create a fit and flare silhouette, or raised to change the gown into more of a ball gown shape. The V shaped beading around the waistline can be changed into a straight line or removed altogether.
Skirt- Bead work can be reduced or the style changed, pleats and pick ups can be removed. Train can be shortened or lengthened.

Moral of the story- If you like one of their gowns but have doubts about certain details, Casablanca can change the elements you dont like about the gown and make it work for you. Browse through the photos below to see more styles by casablanca that can also be customized to suit the bride.

So if your stuck between two dresses cant decide which one you want, why not combine them into one dress! Check out casablancabridal.com.

xoxo

Monique Lhuillier wins again!

2011-04-05T11:06:00.002-04:00

Everytime a celebrity gets married, I view it as a battle of the bridal designers, because I assume that each designer is hoping that they will be chosen to create a custom gown for the bride. Monique Lhuillier won the latest round as she got to design two dresses for the most recent celebrity wedding of Reese Witherspoon to Jim Toth on March 26 2011.

I've expressed my love for Monique Lhullier time and time again.. her gowns take my breath away time and time again, so its no suprise that so many celeb brides choose to wear her gowns down the aisle. Other celebrity brides that wore Monique's gowns are;

Pink and Carey Hart

Carrie Underwood

Molly Malaney [The Bachelor]

Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner

xoxo

The shoe hunt continues~ Badgley Mischka

2011-03-30T19:33:00.001-04:00

Badgley Mischka shoes are simple & chic. Could they BE anymore me!? {Chandler Bing voice}. Each of their shoes is a modern twist on a classic style, and they all look like they were made purposely to be worn down the aisle. Of course its no surprise considering Mark and James of Badgley Mischka are bridal designers! The only thing that makes their shoe collection less than perfect is how limited the colors are... but with shoes as goregeous as these we'll gladly make do with the colors available!

xoxo

A bunch of...?

2011-03-22T15:55:00.004-04:00

Supposedly all women love flowers. I must have totally missed that memo because I don’t love flowers and I know many women who don’t care for flowers at all. Don’t get me wrong I do like flowers, they are pretty and decorative and can be romantic, but I’m not crazy about them. And even for those who do love flowers, not every bride wants to carry a traditional bridal bouquet. There are many interesting non-floral options for brides to choose from;

The Brooch bouquet- This bouquet takes time and skill to put together. I’ve seen many of these go wrong, but if put together properly they can add an air of delicate vintage romance.

The Pearl bouquet- These are my absolute favorites! They are time consuming to make but so worth the effort. Pearls have a quiet classic beauty about them. I can never get enough to them!

The Crystal bouquet- On their own, these seem to be a cold an icy to me, and would work great for a winter themed wedding. However crystals can be combined with pearls for a softer look.

The Button bouquet- these straddle a fine line between chic and childish, but again its all down to the execution of it. Button bouquets are perfect for a weddings with a whimsical theme.

The Feather bouquet- Now I’ll be completely honest some of these are way too reminiscent of a feather duster for my liking! The trick here is to get the right combo of feather shapes, sizes and colors so it looks decorative rather than like a household cleaning item

photo credit [etsy]

The Shell bouquet- These would be right at home at a beach wedding.

The Candy bouquet- These are great for carnival themed casual weddings.

The Christmas ball bouquet- The great thing about these is they dont cost very much especially if bought in bulk online..

photo credit offbeatbride]

The combo bouquet- These combine two or more of the bouquets listed above as well as additional elements like felt, fiddleheads and tissue paper.

Some brides choose to carry something completely different from a bouquet such as a Bible,parasol, candle, lantern, purse or fan etc...

Moral of the story: a bride can carry absolutely anything she wants as she walks down the aisle.

xoxo

..Perfect timing..

2011-03-17T22:44:00.001-04:00

The wedding gown shopping survival guide is an absolute must read series for every bride! If you have already tuned in to read the first article of the series then you know by now that timing is everything. Most brides are already aware that they shouldn’t wait too late to buy their gown but these days the most common mistake is buying the gown too early which can sometimes be even worse.

A gown that is bought over a year before the wedding is technically an early gown and even though some people may advise you to buy the gown early and "get it over with", an early gown comes with its own special brand of issues.

Storage issues- Bridal gowns can be quite tricky to store, they are usually heavy and yet extremely delicate at the same time and can easily loose their beauty if not stored correctly. Some bridal salons may be willing to hold the gown for you, but not many will keep a bridal gown for over a year unless you are paying for storage or have agreed to have your alterations done with them. The other alternative is to bring the gown home and keep it in your closet, but if the gown is hanging for over a year it loses some of its bounce, especially if it has a built in crinoline. Crinolines are not supposed to be left hanging for long periods of time, their weight pulls them down and makes them flat and less springy than before, which defeats the entire purpose of having a crinoline in the first place! Ever noticed the way wrinkles seem to fall out of a dress or shirt after a it’s been hanging for a couple of days?... Same principle applies. Also, if the gown isn’t delivered in the right type of bag and on the right hanger, it does run the risk of getting discolored especially if its exposed to heat or sunlight.

The dreaded DRESS REMORSE. Raise your hand if you have a dress in your closet that you've never worn, and have no intentions of wearing, infact you cant even remember why you ever bought it in the first place, but somewhere in the back of your mind you remember trying it in the store and thinking you looked so hot in it but then once you got home you hated it..? The point is, our sense of style is constantly evolving, with this is mind its obvious that a dress we liked 2 years ago may not still be our dream dress today. And considering how much a wedding dress costs and the fact that they are non-refundable, you don't want to experience any remorse with that kind of purchase.

Size matters.. When a dress is ordered your measurements are taken to select the right size.. If you have weight fluctuations (which are more likely over a longer period of time) the dress will need more extensive alterations to make it fit, which will cost more money...

In short unless you have some special extenuating circumstances, stick to the timeline and buy your dress somewhere around the 7-9 month mark. If you find the dress of your dreams over a year before your wedding. Resist the temptation to buy, even if you feel 100% certain that you will never love another dress as much as you love this one. Resist the urge to buy it, because trust me you will find another dress you love just as much as it or even more.

Stay stylish and stay tuned.

Shoes...SHOES...shoes!

2011-03-10T12:12:00.004-05:00

Repeat after me, wedding shoes do not have to be white. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat until you believe it. Too many brides allow themselves to be convinced that a)they must wear white shoes and b) it doesn’t matter what shoes they wear because “no one will even see your shoes” This is not true!! The SATC wedding shot above proves that the bride's shoes make many appearances, such as when the bride steps out of the car, when she raises her dress to walk up or down steps, while dancing the night away or anytime she feels like raising her dress to show off her fabulously dressed feet!!

There are only two situations in which I would advise a bride to wear white shoes;

If she plans to wear a bright colored crinoline

If she will be wearing a bright colored wedding dress.

If those scenarios don’t apply to you then kick those plain white pumps to the curb and search for something bold and brave. It doesn’t have to be a bright color, metallic colors or pastels work great too. The great shoe hunt is a series that takes brides on a search for the perfect wedding shoes. This weeks edition focuses on KATE SPADE. Let me start by saying that KATE SPADE is on my love/hate list. Her shoes are impeccably made, and last forever… but with prices averaging around $300 a pair.. they aren’t exactly affordable to the average bride, especially those on a budget…

Having said that, you can always stalk her shoes until you find it on sale somewhere.. These are some of my Kate Spade favorites that would look stunning on a bride:

xoxo

Red carpet report! Oscar 2011

2011-02-28T11:48:00.003-05:00

I may have already said this a million times, but I love the red carpet! There’s just so much fun in the anticipation, and something sinfully satisfying in seeing the worst dressed stars strut their stuff on the carpet. Bridal Inspiration from the red carpet highlights the crème de la crème of the night, showcasing eye-catching gowns with elements worthy of the wedding aisle.

My favorites for the night were;

Sandra Bullock; she looked striking in a red Vera Wang. The back of that dress is simply to die for!

Red was a popular color last night, co-host Anne Hathaway showed up in a red Valentino

Jennifer Hudson also wore red. Her gown was by Versace and had a dramatic train. The back of the gown was stunning, but the neckline could have done with a little more coverage; that extreme low cut just doesn’t scream classy to me. Over all her dress was a hit although it just seemed too tight around her upper back. Fit really is everything!

Hailee Steinfield looked sweet in Marchesa, her dress was really reminiscent of my favourite tea length wedding dress by J Alexander

[Justin Alexander Wedding dress]

Hilary Swank looked stunning as she walked the red carpet in Gucci Première

Gwyneth Paltrow also chose a metallic hue and looked uber fabulous in her Calvin Klein gown.

Mandy Moore’s gown was by Monique Lhuillier who has consistently been one of my favorite bridal designers. The gown was definitely unusual and looked more like a spray of glitter than anything else. I do love the weightless look of the dress but the waist line appeared to be a bit boxy and unflattering in my opinion.

Halle berry looked awesome as always. This woman would look awesome in a paper bag! Her gown was by Marchesa and fit like a glove. The top half of the dress was just just divine but the chaos towards the bottom of the skirt only looked good from certain angles.

xoxo

Color outside the lines!

2011-02-22T16:13:00.002-05:00

Wedding inspiration in unexpected places was the title of my most recent article, to let brides know that sometimes the best places to find great wedding ideas aren’t even remotely related to anything bridal such as the hardware store. Read more here...

And while we are on the subject of colors, another excellent source of inspiration is nature. There are tons of breathtaking color ideas all around us that most of us pay little attention to, such as;

The awesome swirls of pinks, purples and orange in the sky at sunset

The vibrant blue and green of a peacock’s feathers

The multidimensional honey, caramel and latte tones of the grains of sand at the beach, and the list goes on and on..

Here are some more fun and fabulous color combos

Lime & Charcoal

Red & Lilac

Yellow & Pink

Stay stylishly colorful!!

Wedding websites: The good, the bad, the ridiculous...

2011-02-17T12:52:00.001-05:00

I have nothing against wedding websites, honestly I don’t, I think they can be quite useful and informative, which is why I published The importance of being online article but only if they are put together right..

Wedding websites, by their very nature are self congratulatory; they scream "yay us" "we are so amazing" "we are the best couple ever" "our wedding is the event of the century…" I think you get the picture. So that really needs to be played down otherwise 99% of your guests will be rolling their eyes as they scroll through your page. All it takes is a little bit of objective editing to create an awesome wedding website.
Believe it or not, there truly is no need for a lengthy bio of all your personal information; frankly if people don’t already know who you are they really shouldn’t be coming to the wedding at all. And as hard as it may be to accept, not that many people really care to read a giant essay describing all the tiny details of how you met and every moment leading up to the proposal.

The key to a great wedding website is to keep it simple. Include information that is actually helpful to the guests such as the dates, times and travel information for all wedding related events. Providing an option for online RSVP is an excellent way to make sure all the guests respond, plus its eco friendly too as it eliminates the need for RSVP cards and thus saves a lot of paper

What are your thoughts on wedding websites? Do you love them, hate them, or cant make up your mind?

Xoxo

The running of the brides NEW YORK EDITION - February 18, 2011

2011-02-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

So.. if you have never heard of the running of the brides event then you may wanna read up on my latest article about it. But if for those of you who may be feeling too lethargic to click on that link, heres a quick summary just for you;

thousands of designer bridal gowns + giant price deductions + many eager brides + running = utter chaos

Basically the gorgeous bridal gowns are sold at ridiculously low prices, thus it is totally understandable why brides would want to attend this event so they can fight for the dress of their dreams. Brides camp out overnight just to make sure they are first in line to run inside when the doors open. Once inside, brides literally run around crazily from one rack to another grabbing as many gowns as they can carry and within minutes all the racks are empty.. Then they start undressing right in the middle of all the craziness and begin trying on the dresses they have grabbed to find out if they are the right size and style. If not, they begin the barter process; running around searching for other brides who have the dress they want and want the dress they have...

I must say I'm undecided about this event, while I do love a good bargain, and love the challenge of racing other brides to find the perfect dress. I just feel that all pushing and shoving takes away from the joy of bridal gown shopping. Ideally you would want the experience of shopping for a bridal gown to make you feel pampered and spoilt, rather than leave you feeling like a war hero or ninja. Either way the event is open all day, so brides do have the option to go in later when all the frenzy has died down and will still find hundreds of gowns left to choose from.

But for the brave brides who dare to join the running of the brides, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Do your homework: Make sure you already know or at least have a good idea of the style of dress you are looking for. Bring pictures of the dress(es) for your team mates too. Filene's Basement carries over 2000 gowns during this event so it will be a tough search if you go there not knowing what type of gown you want.

Break the rules Usually I advice brides not to take an entire entourage when shopping for a bridal gown because with too many people there, the bride can barely hear her own thoughts over all the loud opinions being voiced. But this is one of those rare occasions when its actually helpful to take as many people with you as you can.

Coordinate: Wear matching colors so its easy to identify your other team mates, this way you don't lose any time looking for each other. And have a clear plan of exactly what each team mate should be doing. Preferrably assign some team members to be the security guards for the dresses because other brides will "steal" your gown if you take your eyes off it for half a second.

Dress the part The event is called the running of the brides for a reason, so make sure you're dressed for running. You'll also need to be trying on dresses right in front of everyone else so wear something thats easy to slip on and off and a sports tank underneath.

And finally the hosts at Filene's Basement urge brides to not wear any makeup to avoid stains and streaks on the beautiful gowns. For more survival tips visit their official website at http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/

For the full address and information of the NYC event on February 18th click here

Always a bridalista

xoxo

WHITE by Vera Wang {Preview}

2011-02-01T20:39:00.002-05:00

The much talked about collaboration between Vera Wang and Davids Bridal is finally here.. well almost. These stunning and yet affordable gowns will be available from February 11th which is only ten days away from now!!

Stay stylish

Understanding Pnina Tornai

2011-01-23T17:35:00.001-05:00

I would say that Pnina Tornai is an acquired taste. Most of her gowns have zero tolerance for anything average or ordinary. She designs her gowns for brides with extravagant taste who have no fear of being over-the-top. Her gowns have often been criticized for being too busy, too revealing and just plain crazy, but not all her gowns feature the sheer corset bodice that she is famous for. Below are some of the gowns from her 2011 collection that feature her signature style

[1] Pnina loves bows. In her world you can never have too many bows on one gown.

[2] Pnina loves sheer bodices paired with heavy beading. I can't say I fully understand this, because there aren't too many brides that want to walk down the aisle in a sheer top dress. But she has managed to find a following of brides who seem to love this look. The one saving grace is that these gowns can be altered, by adding a layer of fabric inside the sheer bodice so it is no longer sheer

[3] Pnina loves complicated straps and giant skirts. I am all for interesting necklines and unique straps, but Pnina surely takes it to a whole new level. I cant say for certain, but the strap featured in the photo below doesnt look particularly comfortable for an entire wedding and reception. But I could be wrong?! I fully appreciate the time and effort that went into making the skirt on that gown.. no matter how heavy and uncomfortable it may be.

[4] Pnina loves corsets! Usually fitted gowns like the one shown below feature zipper or button closures on the back. But Pnina throws a corset on any dress. I'm not a major fan of the corset look, but I can admit that it definitely beats a zipper in achieving the perfect fit; because its always slightly adjustable to suit minor differences in body proportion.

Bridal must have: Convertible wedding gown

2011-01-13T14:23:00.004-05:00

David's Bridal two-in-one wedding dresses

Jasmine Couture T387

Romona Keveza L188

First of all, Happy new year my darlings, I’ve been hibernating, hiding under my pillow and wishing the winter would melt away rapidly..

My latest bridal obsession is the convertible wedding dress. These gowns eliminate the need for complicated bustles or shelling out extra cash for a reception dress. The funny thing about bustling a gown is that it only shortens the length of the train but doesn’t make the gown any lighter. It can be quite a work out dancing around in most traditional wedding dresses even if it is bustled!

Convertible wedding dresses however are every fashionistas dream come true; two dresses for the price of one without the actual hassle of changing from one dress to another. A cleverly placed detachable skirt makes the transformation smooth and effortless. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

xoxo

I dream in color

2010-11-30T20:23:00.003-05:00

It was love at first sight, I still remember the first time I stumbled upon a photo of a bride in a gorgeous ivory ball gown with a bright purple crinoline peaking from underneath it; love at first sight I tell you. There's just something inexplicably stunning about it! Maybe its the stark color contrast of white and ivory tones matched with a bold splash of color? Maybe its the element of surprise, because no one expects to see bright colors under the garment? Or maybe there really is no good reason for my infatuation with this trend, The heart wants what it wants.. what more can I say?

A dyed crinoline is an excellent way for the bride to incorporate color into her ensemble, it makes for great photographs, and gives the bride a good excuse to pick up her skirt and show off her shoes at the same time. And while we are on the topic of shoes.. I simply must comment that while I do love bright colored crinolines, and bright colored shoes worn separately, I think its a big no-no to wear them both together. The whole beauty of adding the color to the shoe or crinoline is to have it pop out against the white/ivory gown If the shoes are dyed the same color as the crinoline it looks too matchy and belongs in fashion jail.

Chime in my darlings and share your opinions on the matter.

xoxo

After all is said and done..

2010-10-27T21:37:00.006-04:00

The much awaited bridal fashion week has come and gone and it definitely lived up to expectations. The Highlights article gives a break down of the latest trends from fashion week which all revolved around texture, texture and more texture.. did I say texture? Say hello to the interesting fabrics of the future of bridal fashion. The latest gowns feature super size helpings of 3D embellishments similar in style to gowns already on the market today and yet bigger, better and bolder.

Below is a photo recap of the main trends from bridal fashion week

Trend #1: SEQUINS These are the last thing you would expect to see on a wedding gown but sure enough, the gowns below show that sequins and wedding gowns can get along mighty fine.

Ines Di Santo

Vera Wang sequined skirt

Vera Wang

Angel Sanchez sequined side panel

Theia all over sequins

Trend #2: TEXTURE Raised, layered and ruched fabric appeared many times on the runway creating an interesting pattern effect that transforms the gowns from fashion pieces to stunning works of art. Such gowns photograph amazingly well up close as well as from a distance.

Vera Wang

Marchesa

Rivini

Angel Sanchez

Trend #3: 3D FLORAL EMBELLISHMENTS This is a continuing trend from last season, but the floral details have gone super size!

Marchesa

Simone Carvalli

Christos

Trend #4: DOTTED FABRIC There is something ultra soft and feminine about this sheer dotted fabric, it may not appeal to every bride, but its definitely a favorite among the bridal designers for the upcoming season.

Christos

Priscilla of Boston

Trend #4: PEARLS, PEARLS AND MORE PEARLS Nothing says class and sophistication like a string of pearls and the designers did not hold back. Some of their gowns were covered in strings of pearls and yet somehow managed to look lightweight and effortless

Priscilla of Boston all pearl bodice

Priscilla of Boston

Ines Di Santo all over pearl little white dress, pearl cuffs

Ines Di Santo string of pearls dropped waist

The conclusion of the matter is that bridal fashion week was fabulous as usual and has given me fresh material to drool over.

Until next time my darlings.. xoxo

It's Bridal Fashion Week in two days! And here's a sneak peak at sketches

2010-10-14T21:06:00.000-04:00

[In the order in which they appear: Watters, Angel Sanchez, Elizabeth Fillmore, Rivini, Jim Hjelm, Temperley London]

Bridal Fashion Week is here!! I feel giddy with excitement at the thought of it. In less than 48 hours I will be drooling over the latest collections by my favorite bridal designers. My latest article has all the details of how to get front row seats to nine of the runway shows without even stepping out of the comfort of your home; thanks to live coverage offered by The Knot TV on Demand.

I will be posting pictures of gowns that stand out the most during the fashion weekend. One more great reason to thank God that the weekend is nearly here

The LONG and SHORT of it

2010-10-13T21:50:00.001-04:00

[Gown information: In the order in which they appear- Romona Keveza L190, Oleg Cassini CT326, Amsale Aurora]

All brides want to be unique and different, and this is great, but being unique doesn't have to involve a treasure hunt to find unusual ways of doing things. Not at all.. the most unique ideas are right before our very eyes but we miss them time and time again because we are trying too hard to find them. [Fashion rule 101 if you try too hard, you fail ] The hi-low hemline which was the focus of my examiner article this week, is one that we are all familiar with even if we don't call it by that name. At one point or another I believe we've all owned a hi-low skirt or dress with a slightly shorter hem in the front than the back which we thought was the height of fashion at that time, well its back and its better than ever. The hi-low hemline is turning into quite a hit on the bridal scene and its pretty obvious why. It is dramatic, it is sexy and its the best excuse to spend hours searching for the perfect wedding shoes, because unlike most wedding gowns the hi-low hemline really puts the shoes on display!

Stay stylish
xoxo

Disney + Alfred Angelo = Stunning new bridal collection

2010-09-29T20:02:00.000-04:00

Cinderella dress

Ariel dress

As I was growing up, I loved The Little Mermaid, I just wanted to grow a tail and swim into the sunset to find her. Although I did like Cinderella and the other princesses, none of them came close to Ariel. Having said that, I'm sure that many other women grew up loving one of the disney princesses and for those women they get to take that love to a whole new level. Disney and Alfred Angelo joined forces to create a chic new collection called Disney fairy tale weddings by Alfred Angelo. The collection features seven gowns, inspired by the life and style of the following seven disney princesses. Ariel (The Little Mermaid, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Cinderella, Jasmine (Aladdin), Snow White and Tiana (The princess and the frog)
I must be honest, when I first heard about this idea I thought uh-oh, because every time I hear the word princess mentioned in the same sentence as wedding, I get a little nervous. I immediately envision giant tiaras of the pageant kind, cloud size ball gowns and an over dose of the cheesy sparkly glimmer that generally surrounds "princess weddings" But I should have known better. The gowns in this collection are stylish, effortless and best of all affordable!
The video below shows a sneak peak of the gowns, my absolute favorite is the Snow white gown..

Vera Wang & David's Bridal live happily ever after...

2010-09-17T21:48:00.002-04:00

So let me get this straight, the gorgeousness of Vera Wang at the affordable prices of David's Bridal? Sounds too good to be true, except for one thing.. it is true! A new collection WHITE has been launched featuring the usual chic sophistication that can be expected of Vera and best of all these gowns will range in price from $600 to $1400... Have I died and ended up in bridal heaven? Those who tuned in to the Oprah show today got a sneak peak of the gowns that will be in that collection and they are just as gorgeous as high end gowns by Vera, you can see some of the gowns here
For more information on this collection read the full article on my examiner page

Sneakers at a wedding?

2010-09-03T19:57:00.002-04:00

PHOTO CREDIT//Leo Djiwatampu Photography

So I can imagine the mere mention of sneakers at a wedding is enough to cause nervous breakdowns for many brides. Surprisingly enough, there are increasingly more weddings that have the groom and his grooms men wearing formal pants, or even a full tuxedo paired with sneakers. The most popular sneaker of choice being the classic Chuck Taylor Converse All Star. I'll take a moment to say that I have a serious weakness for the Chuck Taylor collection so I may be severely biased on this matter. I feel that at certain outdoor weddings, where there is an overall semi-casual theme that runs through all elements of the wedding and all outfits in the bridal party, the converse sneakers can look hot. BUT and this is a big but, where it is a formal wedding with bride decked out in full ball gown, cathedral veil and the whole shebang, she'll look mismatched standing next to a groom in sneakers, as though they fell out of two different weddings at two completely different locations. Also while I do understand that not everyone likes Converse sneakers, I find that they are they tend to look much better than other sneakers; wearing bulky basket-ball sneakers with tuxedos just never looks to right to me... again this could be mainly because I'm biased in favor of converse shoes.

Read more about contemporary looks for modern grooms here.

xoxo

The white controversy

2010-08-22T17:40:00.000-04:00

The photo above is a snap shot from my most recent article on Examiner, discussing both sides of the white controversy. The notion that a guest wearing white will compete with the bride is one that I don't particularly agree with. Although I do agree that it is distasteful for guests to do so, it isn't by any means the end of the world. My view is that a guest could show up in a full white ball gown complete with veil and gloves and still not be able to steal the spotlight from bride, unless she allows herself to be rifled by this non-incident.

Tie it up or take it off?

2010-08-13T21:56:00.000-04:00

The article Wedding gown bustles vs reception dresses shows the different options that a bride has for transforming a formal gown with a long train into a party dress that is easy to move around it. The little white dress movement is slowly catching on with more and more brides opting for a second mini dress for their reception, BUT how do you feel about that?
Personally its hard to wrap my mind around the reason why a bride would spend so many hours and so many dollars on a gorgeous wedding gown just to quickly change out of it into a mini dress for the reception. The way I see it, you can wear that mini dress any other day for the rest of your life, but how many more times can you get away with wearing a formal wedding gown. I say savor every moment you can keep that dress on and figure out a stylish bustle or wrist loop for the reception! To see photos of different types of bustles read the full article here

xoxo

The chair cover debate!

2010-08-05T20:15:00.000-04:00

My most recent post on Examiner gives both sides of the story; agreed chair covers are functional and easy on the eyes, but boy can they get a bit much to look at! Yes indeed there is such a thing as being too matchy or being over accessorized and a lot of the standard chair cover and sash combos are guilty of this. When styling a reception hall or wedding chapel, it is great to incoporate the wedding colors but it doesn't need to over done to the point that the exact same shade of the same color is everywhere in sight. To be truly chic, less is always more. For unique and stylish ways to dress up your wedding chairs read the full article here

Always a bridalista xx