Staying warm

Well ladies, it is officially cold here! This morning I was forced to pull out our winter coats and to my dismay, my jacket did not compliment the outfit I had already chosen to wear for the day. Quickly I changed my shirt to match (silly I know but I couldn't help myself!)

So I guess my mismatching wouldn't have been the end of the world, in all reality hardly anyone even sees me in my coat. But on you wedding day it's a different story!

The chilly wind and brisk air are things any fall or winter (and sometimes spring) bride will have to deal with. Outdoor pictures are so beautiful that no on wants to miss them just because it's a little cold. There are so many cute ways to stay warm that I couldn't resist writing a post about wraps and jackets! I attended a wedding last fall where the bride donned a mustard colored cardigan for when she was outdoors. It looked so chic that her photographer insisted on snapping a few pictures with her in it. She looked amazing, and stayed warm.

Scarves are also a great way to add a little flair to your pictures when staying warm. And lets not forget the classics- wraps, furs, and jackets. Jackets are no longer just for the mother of the bride! If Princess Kate can wear it, so can you!

Raising the Bar

Not everyone wants to have a formal sit down dinner at their wedding. I went to a wedding recently where the reception was set up like a carnival (how fun!). There were games, candy, a photo booth- it was adorable. But my favorite thing they did was have a popcorn bar. I had never seen one of these before! I've been to weddings with candy bars, cookie bars, and fruit bars but never one with popcorn. Guests were given little bags to fill with whatever kind of popcorn they wanted (also a great favor). 

Any kind of bar adds a lot to a reception. Guests like having a choice, even if it is between carmel and kettle! 

Tissue Flower

Thanks to our friendly neighborhood pinterest, tissue paper has seen more than just birthdays and holidays this year. If you want a fun but elegant diy project for your wedding then tissue paper flowers are the way to go. 

There are so many different types and styles of tissue flowers that you will be sure to find something that sparks your interest. Whether it's flower balls, centerpieces, or even the bouquets, these flowers make a great addition to any wedding. 

Pinterest is filled with tutorials for every kind of flower so carve out some time, get your computer, grab some tissue paper and scissors and get to it! 

Maids in shades

Attention all bridesmaids! You no longer have to fear the dreaded bridesmaid dress! No more horrible dresses that you can always "shorten and wear again" (yeah right!). This seasons new trend will leave you loving your dress. What is this trend you ask? It's all about the shades. Each bridesmaid gets to choose whatever dress she wants as long as it's in a shade of the wedding colors or coordinates with it.

same color, different styles

coordinating dresses

This great idea allows each girl to be comfortable in her dress- which will automatically make her stand straighter, walk taller, and smile wider. The array of colors adds dimension to the bridal party without taking away focus from the bride. 

Though this trend isn't for every bride, it is a take off of the previously popular "pick a style but in the same color" trend. Brides all over the country are stepping away from the matchy-matchy bridesmaid dresses and toward a more individual look. 

 Check out these brides who did just that!

Introducing Eden Bridals

We are so excited to announce that we will now be carrying the new Eden Bridals line! Eden Bridals was established in 1988 and has been a huge success in bridal, flower girl, social occasions, and Quinceaneras.

"The Eden Bridals design team works very hard to incorporate the latest and most current fashion trends and ideas into our collections. We strive to ensure high quality fabrications, refine the small style details and offer our gowns and dresses at the best possible value to all brides. Over the years, we at Eden Bridals have received numerous awards for design, innovations, customer service, and quality."
 -edenbridals.com

If you are looking for a top of the line, modern, gorgeous gown, you don't want to miss these dresses!

Revenge of the Carnation

            Carnations have been given a bad reputation over the last few years. I always classified them as the Wal-Mart of flowers. There was no rhyme or reason for my prejudice except that I always heard they were the cheap flowers. I’m not sure why that made a difference to me since my whole shopping life has been built around finding the cheapest deal!

             I wanted to write a piece on centerpieces but after researching (ahem, pinterest), I couldn’t help but notice all the beautiful carnation arraignments. So I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to show another way to save money- go with carnations! Whether they’re splashed between roses or set apart to shine on their own, carnations are making a stunning comeback.

Down the Aisle

I love all the little details that go into a wedding. Each little thing that makes it your wedding instead of just another run-of-the-mill wedding. One of my favorites this season is the aisle runner. I know, I know, how traditional! Originally aisle runners were used to keep dirt and mud off of the wedding gown back when the roads weren't paved. Now they give the ceremony a regal touch.

There are a lot of fun ways to use a runner and many ways to make them distinctly yours. You can add monograms, line it with candles, cover it with petals, and so much more. Check out these brides who did just that!

If the shoe fits

If Cinderella taught us anything, it’s that having the right shoe makes all the difference in the world. Not to slam the princess ‘cause we all know if worked out in the end but come on, glass slippers? At the end of the day, that’s just asking for sore feet and blisters.

            Every girl knows it’s the shoes that make the outfit, so why settle when it comes to the most important outfit you’ll ever wear? If you ask me, a lot of the traditional bridal shoes are a little too boring. You’re shoes should say something about you. Sassy. Chic. Eccentric. Casual. Spicy. Fun. You get the idea.

            Even if you’re a traditional bride and are planning a traditional wedding, this is the perfect area to let a flair show. Unless you’re styling a short wedding dress (which demands an amazing pair of shoes) your shoes aren’t going to be showing for very long.

This season’s most popular trend of shoe-wear includes colored, cowboy boots, Chuck Taylors, and spiky heals. I will offer one piece of advice- if you’re not normally a heels girl, I wouldn’t make your stiletto debut at your wedding. 

Gown Silhouettes

            We know that finding your wedding gown can be a little stressful! There are so many unknowns when you first step foot into a bridal salon. What neck line will look good on me? What color is best with my skin tone? Will lace be too dramatic? Do I like flowers? - You get the idea.

Ball Gown 

            Here’s a tip we like to give our brides- on your first visit, set a goal to simply find the silhouette that fits you best. This will enable you to eliminate 2/3 of the gowns without having to take the time to try them all on. Here is a list of the silhouettes you will encounter on your visit.

A-line

            First we have the most formal and traditional wedding gown shape: the ball gown. This silhouette features a dramatically full skirt with a tight bodice. The style flatters pear shapes, full figures, and tall, slim builds. There are a few waistline variations to this silhouette including the natural waistline – hitting at the natural waist between the bottom of the ribs and the navel, the basque waistline- hitting 2-4 inches below the natural waistline and dipping into a “v” shape, and the dropped waistline – hitting mid to low on the hip.

Sheath

            The next silhouette is the a-line. True to its name, this silhouette creates an “A” shape by featuring a close fitting bodice and a gradually flaring skirt. This style typically flatters most figures.

Mermaid 

            Then we have the sheath silhouette. This shape fits closely to the body and features a straight skirt, following the body’s curves from top to bottom. The sheath gown typically flatters tall, slim builds and petite brides.

Trumpet 

            Last but certainly not least is the mermaid silhouette. This shape hugs the body through the hip before flaring at or below the knee. The mermaid silhouette typically flatters a tall, slim build. A variation to this shape is the trumpet silhouette which flairs at a less sever angle – also known as the fit ‘n flair.

            Hopefully this bit of information will make you feel a little more prepared when you walk through the doors to start trying dresses on!