Showing posts with label Wedding Gowns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wedding Gowns. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Anthropologie Bridal Line Launches Valentine's Day
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wedding Gowns For Sale
Dresses may be sold separately and the bride is accepting any reasonable offer. Also for sale are the accessories as shown below. The entire jewelry set retails for $700. The bride is accepting any reasonable offer for these items as well.
Please contact me at sumer@simplyperfectwedding.net for more details!
Monday, October 26, 2009
iPhone Application :: BRIDES Dressing Room
BRIDES Magazine recently launched a new iPhone and iPod Touch application: BRIDES Dressing Room. I downloaded this app on my iPhone this past weekend and absolutely love it! This is a great tool for the professional bride who is on the go, allowing you to sort through gowns by designer, price, and even silhouette. Not only does the application allow you to sort through hundreds of photos, but it even allows you to search local retailers for specific gowns.Description from Brides.com: Planning a wedding on the go just got a whole lot easier. Browse through hundreds of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses, search for a retailer near you, and even schedule an appointment! It's available for download from the App Store.
Photo & content courtesy of Brides.com
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wedding Gowns with Pockets
The title of this post may have you a bit confused, but you read correctly, wedding gowns are being made with pockets! This trend was actually introduced by J. Crew a few years back, but has recently been making it's way to the rest of the bridal gown market. At first I wasn't keen on the idea, but then I thought about it and asked myself, why not have pockets in a wedding gown?! There is something about the look of pockets on a wedding gown that is cleverly stylish. Pockets are also the perfect place to store your much needed wedding day necessities, like lip gloss or tissues. While pockets may not be for every bride, they just might be the perfect thing for another bride.What do you think? Would you purchase a wedding gown with pockets?
Photo courtesy of The Knot.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wedding Eye Candy
Simply stated, I love photography. I always encourage my clients that if they are going to splurge anywhere {within reason}, that they do so on photography. During my downtime from work, I often browse through other photographer's websites and blogs. Within my search I have found some amazing photographers throughout the country. Today, I wanted to feature one of these photographers. Our first photographer in what will become a new blog series is Jennifer Farris based out of Kernersville, NC. After spending just a few minutes looking through her online galleries, I was impressed! William + Karla's wedding {featured above} was one of Jennifer's favorite to shoot...the simplicity of the black & white details is what makes this wedding stand out. Sometimes the saying less is more, really rings true!To see more of Jennifer's work, check out her website and blog.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Black + Yellow Design Inspiration
In honor of The Steelers playoff game tomorrow afternoon, I thought I would post this beautiful black + yellow design inspiration board by Bliss Weddings. I've seen quite a few black + yellow inspiration boards, but none quite like this. This board has the perfect balance of black + yellow and neither color over powers the other. So, Pittsburgh brides...thinking of having a black + gold wedding to honor the Steelers, but can't quite picture yourself decorating your venue with the terrible towel, then why not try this wedding design instead?!For photo credits, see The Bliss Weddings Blog.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Steaming your Wedding Gown
There are several options for getting wrinkles out of your gown before the big day; however, it's important to know which methods will produce the best results, and most importantly, not harm your gown in the process. First off, let's discuss things you should NOT do. Never touch an iron to your gown as most gown fabrics are not iron-safe. In addition to an iron, it's also probably not a good idea to use a home steamer as a steamer may end up leaving water spots on your gown.When it comes to getting wrinkles out of your gown safely, professional steaming is your best option and will generally produce the best results. Most of the time the store where you purchased your gown will take care of steaming your gown for you (and will usually do this free of charge). However, if that's not the case, check into a local dry cleaning company that specializes in wedding gown care. Chances are if the dry cleaning company has gown preservation services, they will most likely have a gown steaming service as well. If neither of these are an option for you, a safe at home method would be to create your own steam room in your bathroom. Start off by hanging your gown on the back of the bathroom door and covering your bathroom floor in towels. Next, run a hot shower for 10-15 minutes while allowing the room to fill with steam. Lastly, take a dry, white towel and run it down the length of your gown to smooth out any wrinkles.
Whichever method you choose, it's important to hang your gown in a space where it will not be tampered with in the weeks and days leading up to your wedding. Be sure to allow plenty of time if steaming is required and lastly, always hang your gown on a padded hanger as this will prevent fabric snags from happening.
Photo courtesy of Brides.com
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Donating Your Wedding Gown
If you're looking for a way to give back this holiday season, why not donate your wedding gown to a great cause?! After all, most women have their gowns preserved and then the gown is boxed up for the next 30+ years only to be taken out once, maybe twice in their lifetime. So, unless your planning on having a 'Trash the Dress' photo session or passing your gown down to a relative or future generation, then do you really need to hang on to your gown forever?! Probably not! Brides Against Breast Cancer is a charity that helps grant wishes to women suffering from terminal breast cancer. Your gown is sold to another bride-to-be and the proceeds from that sale, go directly to the women and their families. For instructions on how to donate your gown, click here. Your donation, including shipping costs is 100% tax-deductible.Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Trend Watch: Wedding Gown Bolero
Another 2009 wedding season trend that I feel will be making it's way to Pittsburgh is the bolero. Now, what may you ask is exactly a bolero? A bolero is a short jacket worn open in the front, and in this case, is worn over your wedding gown. Boleros can be worn anytime of year; however, are best suited for fall and winter weddings. Boleros were all over the runways this past fall and are now making a big splash in bridal retailers all over the country!Photo Credits:
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Trend Watch: Tea Length Wedding Gowns
Tea length wedding gowns have been popping up around the country for some time now, but have yet to make a big impact here in Pittsburgh. However, I feel that's all going to change in 2009. Tea length gowns are quite versatile and don't necessarily have to be worn only for outdoor weddings. Maybe you don't envision the typical 'princess bride' gown and want to opt for something a little more modern or maybe you're having a Spring/Summer wedding and don't want to wear a traditional gown in the heat. Whatever your reason, I say go for it! Being a bride is about being unique and having a wedding that fits your personality, regardless of what anyone says!
Gown pictured above from Anne Barge - La Fleur Collection. Photo courtesy of NY City Weddings.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Your Deam Wedding on a Budget
I came across this article on CNN the other day and wanted to share it with my readers. This article offers lots of cost saving tips on how to have your dream wedding on a budget.
'She Had a Fabolous Wedding On a Budget'
By Jen Haley -- (CNN) -- Michelle Cottle, 38, of Westchester, New York, always dreamed of an elegant wedding.
Michelle Cottle and Jason Cohen held their wedding on a Saturday afternoon at a local mansion.
"I envisioned a large wedding, 200 guests... a big band sound, with the trumpets and a singer...the Frank Sinatra thing," she says.
But then Michelle pauses and laughs. "And then I started to find out how much that would cost."
Michelle and her fiancé, Jason Cohen, quickly realized that they had to make a choice: a down payment on a house or a dream wedding. For them, it was a no-brainer. The couple decided to keep their wedding budget to around $20,000.
That's no easy feat, especially considering the cost of a wedding in the New York City area is about $46,000 according to a survey by The Knot Wedding Network. More broadly, the cost of an average wedding -- not including the honeymoon -- is about $28,000.
But you can walk down the aisle without declaring bankruptcy. To rein in your bridal budget, consider your timing.
Instead of having a Saturday night wedding, Michelle and Jason opted for a Saturday afternoon barbeque at a local mansion.
There were red bandana napkins and burlap tablecloths. Guests ate pulled duck, barbeque chicken, hot dogs, crab cakes, baked beans and corn bread. The highlight of the evening: the ice cream sundae bar.
"I didn't want the wedding factory," says Michelle. "We wanted personal feelings and elegance without it costing too much."
Target where to save, where to splurge
You can save around 20 percent a person if you choose a Friday night, a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday wedding according to Divine Events Catering in Atlanta.
The most expensive part of a wedding is the reception. It's at least a third of your budget according to Michelle Preli, editor in chief of Brides.com, a bridal resource Web site. It's all about your priorities.
One of the biggest mistakes couples make in planning a wedding is not having a clear vision of their budget. That's the best way to prioritize what you'll spend money on, and where you can trim costs. There are options in every category, whether its invitations or flowers, says Preli. Spend less money and attention on things that aren't very important to you.
Michelle and Jason knew exactly where they would loosen the purse strings: photography. "That was one area we didn't want to scrimp on," says Michelle.
To make sure you're staying within your budget, check out the budget advisor at www.brides.com. You'll get an itemized breakdown of expenses for your wedding. And that will help you prioritize what's most important.
If you want the wedding to be more about dancing and energy, and not so much about sitting down and having a great meal, put more money toward the cocktail reception says Daniel Briones, president of the National Association of Catering Executives, a catering association. You don't need a four-course meal he says. You can get rid of the appetizer or just have a salad.
Alcohol is another wallet-drainer. But you can keep costs under control by offering a limited bar with beer and wine says Christa Vagnozzi, senior editor of theWeddingchannel.com. In addition to beer and wine, you can also serve a signature cocktail she says.
And skip the champagne toast says Briones.
"Most of your guests will already have a glass of wine in front of them," he says. If you have a wedding with 200 guests and you're serving a $50 bottle of champagne, you would save $2,000 right off the bat.
Rent the showy cake
A wedding cake can also cause sticker shock. On average, a cake costs about $700 according to The Knot survey. But you can cut this price in half without your guests even knowing.
Rent-a-Cake in Atlanta will rent you a tiered Styrofoam cake with icing on the outside, so it looks like the real thing. It'll cost you about $145 to rent the cake including set-up. There's a secret compartment in the back of the cake where you can hide a slice of angel food cake so guests think you're cutting into the real thing. Then you serve your guests a less expensive sheet cake that's hidden in the kitchen.
Check out other online cake rentals like cake.rental.com. But if staying local is what you want to do, ask your baker to create a fake layer or two in your cake.
And while it may seem insignificant, flowers alone can eat up 8 percent of your budget according to The Knot. To stay within your budget, stick with flowers that are in season and make sure you tell your florist what you can spend. It's not like you're going into a store and picking something off a shelf, says Preli. You're creating a relationship with a vendor.
That strategy worked for Michelle, who settled on Gerber Daisies for her wedding.
"When I went to the florist I said, 'look we're not mansion dwellers, we're apartment dwellers,'" says Michelle. "The florist really worked with me and steered me to less expensive flowers that were still elegant."
You may also consider getting your flowers from the wholesale market. Ask for recommendations from other brides on virtual message boards at www.brides.com or www.theweddingchannel.com. And do your homework. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau and ask a lot of questions. You don't want to be unhappy when these flowers show up at your door says Vagnozzi.
On sale or for rent
Most brides dream about that perfect wedding gown. In fact, one in five brides say finding the perfect dress is the top priority, according to a survey by Conde Nast Bridal Media.
And you can find bargains if you know where to look. Save money at sample sales. Most sales take place in April/May for fall and winter dresses and October/November for spring and summer dresses, according to The Knot. Even department stores have discounted wedding dresses. Michelle got her dress at a 70 percent off sale at Filene's Basement.
"I had to commit to the dress early and it needed about $200 worth of work and $150 cleaning, but it was beautiful," she says.
And make sure you look at Web sites like eBay, www.PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com or www.WoreItOnce.com for gently used wedding dresses. If you want a designer handbag or jewelry for your big day, consider renting them at www.bagborroworsteal.com.
Even getting the word out about your wedding can be expensive. Cut costs on your invitations by leaving out all the extras like engraving or decorative linings. Decrease the number of enclosures you have. You can ask guests to e-mail you their replies. Check out online invitation outlets or create your own invites. Your local arts and crafts store will likely have a selection to choose from.
And although it took Michelle an entire year of planning, negotiating and tailoring her wedding dream, she says it was worth it. Despite the fact the couple came in at their budget, Michelle realized that all her work was worth something even more valuable.
"It helped me mature as a woman to come from the idea I had as a girl and as a young woman...to grow that idea up and accept certain limitations and embrace what WAS possible," she says.
The guests at her wedding said it was the best wedding they had ever been to. "They said it had a lot of us in it," Michelle says.
"At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most is that 'I do moment,'" says Preli. "That's what your guests will remember. That's what you can't pay for."
'She Had a Fabolous Wedding On a Budget'
By Jen Haley -- (CNN) -- Michelle Cottle, 38, of Westchester, New York, always dreamed of an elegant wedding.
Michelle Cottle and Jason Cohen held their wedding on a Saturday afternoon at a local mansion.
"I envisioned a large wedding, 200 guests... a big band sound, with the trumpets and a singer...the Frank Sinatra thing," she says.
But then Michelle pauses and laughs. "And then I started to find out how much that would cost."
Michelle and her fiancé, Jason Cohen, quickly realized that they had to make a choice: a down payment on a house or a dream wedding. For them, it was a no-brainer. The couple decided to keep their wedding budget to around $20,000.
That's no easy feat, especially considering the cost of a wedding in the New York City area is about $46,000 according to a survey by The Knot Wedding Network. More broadly, the cost of an average wedding -- not including the honeymoon -- is about $28,000.
But you can walk down the aisle without declaring bankruptcy. To rein in your bridal budget, consider your timing.
Instead of having a Saturday night wedding, Michelle and Jason opted for a Saturday afternoon barbeque at a local mansion.
There were red bandana napkins and burlap tablecloths. Guests ate pulled duck, barbeque chicken, hot dogs, crab cakes, baked beans and corn bread. The highlight of the evening: the ice cream sundae bar.
"I didn't want the wedding factory," says Michelle. "We wanted personal feelings and elegance without it costing too much."
Target where to save, where to splurge
You can save around 20 percent a person if you choose a Friday night, a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday wedding according to Divine Events Catering in Atlanta.
The most expensive part of a wedding is the reception. It's at least a third of your budget according to Michelle Preli, editor in chief of Brides.com, a bridal resource Web site. It's all about your priorities.
One of the biggest mistakes couples make in planning a wedding is not having a clear vision of their budget. That's the best way to prioritize what you'll spend money on, and where you can trim costs. There are options in every category, whether its invitations or flowers, says Preli. Spend less money and attention on things that aren't very important to you.
Michelle and Jason knew exactly where they would loosen the purse strings: photography. "That was one area we didn't want to scrimp on," says Michelle.
To make sure you're staying within your budget, check out the budget advisor at www.brides.com. You'll get an itemized breakdown of expenses for your wedding. And that will help you prioritize what's most important.
If you want the wedding to be more about dancing and energy, and not so much about sitting down and having a great meal, put more money toward the cocktail reception says Daniel Briones, president of the National Association of Catering Executives, a catering association. You don't need a four-course meal he says. You can get rid of the appetizer or just have a salad.
Alcohol is another wallet-drainer. But you can keep costs under control by offering a limited bar with beer and wine says Christa Vagnozzi, senior editor of theWeddingchannel.com. In addition to beer and wine, you can also serve a signature cocktail she says.
And skip the champagne toast says Briones.
"Most of your guests will already have a glass of wine in front of them," he says. If you have a wedding with 200 guests and you're serving a $50 bottle of champagne, you would save $2,000 right off the bat.
Rent the showy cake
A wedding cake can also cause sticker shock. On average, a cake costs about $700 according to The Knot survey. But you can cut this price in half without your guests even knowing.
Rent-a-Cake in Atlanta will rent you a tiered Styrofoam cake with icing on the outside, so it looks like the real thing. It'll cost you about $145 to rent the cake including set-up. There's a secret compartment in the back of the cake where you can hide a slice of angel food cake so guests think you're cutting into the real thing. Then you serve your guests a less expensive sheet cake that's hidden in the kitchen.
Check out other online cake rentals like cake.rental.com. But if staying local is what you want to do, ask your baker to create a fake layer or two in your cake.
And while it may seem insignificant, flowers alone can eat up 8 percent of your budget according to The Knot. To stay within your budget, stick with flowers that are in season and make sure you tell your florist what you can spend. It's not like you're going into a store and picking something off a shelf, says Preli. You're creating a relationship with a vendor.
That strategy worked for Michelle, who settled on Gerber Daisies for her wedding.
"When I went to the florist I said, 'look we're not mansion dwellers, we're apartment dwellers,'" says Michelle. "The florist really worked with me and steered me to less expensive flowers that were still elegant."
You may also consider getting your flowers from the wholesale market. Ask for recommendations from other brides on virtual message boards at www.brides.com or www.theweddingchannel.com. And do your homework. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau and ask a lot of questions. You don't want to be unhappy when these flowers show up at your door says Vagnozzi.
On sale or for rent
Most brides dream about that perfect wedding gown. In fact, one in five brides say finding the perfect dress is the top priority, according to a survey by Conde Nast Bridal Media.
And you can find bargains if you know where to look. Save money at sample sales. Most sales take place in April/May for fall and winter dresses and October/November for spring and summer dresses, according to The Knot. Even department stores have discounted wedding dresses. Michelle got her dress at a 70 percent off sale at Filene's Basement.
"I had to commit to the dress early and it needed about $200 worth of work and $150 cleaning, but it was beautiful," she says.
And make sure you look at Web sites like eBay, www.PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com or www.WoreItOnce.com for gently used wedding dresses. If you want a designer handbag or jewelry for your big day, consider renting them at www.bagborroworsteal.com.
Even getting the word out about your wedding can be expensive. Cut costs on your invitations by leaving out all the extras like engraving or decorative linings. Decrease the number of enclosures you have. You can ask guests to e-mail you their replies. Check out online invitation outlets or create your own invites. Your local arts and crafts store will likely have a selection to choose from.
And although it took Michelle an entire year of planning, negotiating and tailoring her wedding dream, she says it was worth it. Despite the fact the couple came in at their budget, Michelle realized that all her work was worth something even more valuable.
"It helped me mature as a woman to come from the idea I had as a girl and as a young woman...to grow that idea up and accept certain limitations and embrace what WAS possible," she says.
The guests at her wedding said it was the best wedding they had ever been to. "They said it had a lot of us in it," Michelle says.
"At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most is that 'I do moment,'" says Preli. "That's what your guests will remember. That's what you can't pay for."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wedding Gown Silhouettes
Whew! Wedding season is in full swing now…things have been quite busy here, but great nonetheless! It’s been a few days since I’ve had the chance to sit down and post, but today’s topic is all about finding the perfect gown for YOUR body type! Finding the gown with the “perfect fit” can be challenging in itself; however, there is hope if you do your research ahead of time.
First off, here is a quick run down of the basic wedding gown silhouettes:
A-line or Princess: Cut close to the hip with a slight flare at the hem line thus creating an “A” shape
Ok, now that we have a basic idea of the various types of gown silhouettes, let’s discuss choosing the correct one for your body type.
Petite: If you have a petite frame, there is one very key item to keep in mind – not letting the dress wear you. It’s easy for a petite woman to get lost in her wedding gown; therefore, it’s important to choose a gown that compliments your body frame. Choice gowns for you: Sheath or A-line.
Thin: A thin frame can handle the majority of gown silhouettes, so the choices are amble for you! Choice gowns for you: Ball gown or Sheath.
Full Figure: The most important thing when choosing your gown is that you feel comfortable and have the support you need, especially for woman with a full chest. If you have a full chest, invest in a great support garment or try a body "minimizer" underneath your gown for a quickie way to a slimmer figure! Choice gowns for you: Ball gown or A-line.
Hourglass: You have curves in all the right places! Congrats! What better way to show off your figure than with your wedding gown. A Mermaid silhouette will surely showcase your curves and definitely make your husband smile! Choice gowns for you: A-line or Mermaid.
Pear Shape: It's all about proportion here! Balancing your upper body to your lower body. If you have wider hips, an empire silhouette is a fantastic way to conceal that. The focus is directed towards your upper body, rather than your lower half. Choice gowns for you: Empire or Ball gown.
First off, here is a quick run down of the basic wedding gown silhouettes:
A-line or Princess: Cut close to the hip with a slight flare at the hem line thus creating an “A” shape
Ball Gown: Fitted bodice that leads to a very full skirt (the “Cinderella” look)
Empire: High waist line that is cropped just below the bust from where the skirt flares
Mermaid: Body hugging gown that flares just below the knee
Sheath: Slim silhouette that closely follows the lines of your body
Ok, now that we have a basic idea of the various types of gown silhouettes, let’s discuss choosing the correct one for your body type.
Petite: If you have a petite frame, there is one very key item to keep in mind – not letting the dress wear you. It’s easy for a petite woman to get lost in her wedding gown; therefore, it’s important to choose a gown that compliments your body frame. Choice gowns for you: Sheath or A-line.
Thin: A thin frame can handle the majority of gown silhouettes, so the choices are amble for you! Choice gowns for you: Ball gown or Sheath.
Full Figure: The most important thing when choosing your gown is that you feel comfortable and have the support you need, especially for woman with a full chest. If you have a full chest, invest in a great support garment or try a body "minimizer" underneath your gown for a quickie way to a slimmer figure! Choice gowns for you: Ball gown or A-line.
Hourglass: You have curves in all the right places! Congrats! What better way to show off your figure than with your wedding gown. A Mermaid silhouette will surely showcase your curves and definitely make your husband smile! Choice gowns for you: A-line or Mermaid.
Pear Shape: It's all about proportion here! Balancing your upper body to your lower body. If you have wider hips, an empire silhouette is a fantastic way to conceal that. The focus is directed towards your upper body, rather than your lower half. Choice gowns for you: Empire or Ball gown.
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