Something Old, Something Borrowed

I have noticed more and more brides are wanting to incorporate their mothers wedding gown or other details into their big day. A few clients have asked me what I think about this or how they can go about doing it.

Your mothers style might not be yours but maybe you can get the wedding gown remade into something chic and unique to you. Incorporate parts of the dress into a bolero jacket to wear during the ceremony. Another option is making a ring bearer pillow out of the lace. Recycle some of the past is also the green thing to do.

I had the honor of wearing my mothers veil on my wedding day - we took the 3 layers of tulle and lace (that she hand appliqued) off the pill box and added one layer to a comb for me to wear. What a special moment it was to wear this - and hopefully it will bring me lots of luck for many years of happiness.

My mom:



and my mom putting the veil on me:


Me:
For Philadelphia area brides: Nilah and Company in Drexel Hill will incorporate your mothers dress into one for you or even make a beautiful Christening gown for a future child.

Up or Down

How will you wear your hair on your wedding day?
all up, some down, sleek and sexy or curly and flirty?

Here are some pictures to get you thinking!




brides.com


brides.com


Check out Hair Comes the Bride for more inspiration

Straight from the Runway

The latest Bridal Gown Fashions from Priscilla of Boston
I just love these dresses - so classy. There is every neckline and style you could imagine - to fit every body type and budget.






Priscilla of Boston also has a new line of Reception dresses - change it up for dancing!


check out the awesome red shoes:

Just Start Moving

Like most people I have a new years resolution to loose a little weight - it the baby weight and I know it will come off if I just stop eating the cookies! I know I can't eat like I did when I was pregnant - then there was the holidays but now I have no excuse.
I came across a few ways to include exercise in my day to day routine so I thought I would pass it on to any of you that are trying to trim down - for that wedding dress, honeymoon or just because you want to firm up.

1-Take your dog for a walk (with or without baby in stroller)
2-Switch out your office chair for an exercise ball
3-Park further away from the office or mall then take the stairs
4-Do calf raises while cooking
5-Take up swing dancing, or maybe take first dance lessons for the big day
6-Practice squats up and down the hallway at home
7-and in my case lift baby above head for some arm exercises!

and here are a few low calorie snacks:

1-applesauce or chocolate pudding
2-whole grain crackers with laughing cow cheese
3-fresh veggies with nonfat ranch dip
4-handful of almonds and an apple
5-100 calorie popcorn

New Dress Trend

After the Golden Globes last night I noticed a definite dress trend.

The one arm/over the shoulder dress. I bet this will start showing up in bridesmaid dresses. Its great for any body style and would look great short or long.

Any readers doing this?

spanks

One of my clients was going for her gown fitting and wanted to know about undergarments. So I thought I would post some ideas here for those of that need to know what goes under that gorgeous gown of yours!

First off - I LOVE Spanx.
What an amazing invention - they hold you in and smooth you out like nothing I have ever used. I have some brown tights that I love but most importantly is the Mid Thigh Shaper or Power Panties - perfect to wear on your wedding day. If your dress is flowy and sliming that this is a must but even if you wear a ball gown you might like the extra support so you don't have to remember to suck it in.

I know we are talking about wedding day undergarments but I have to also mention how I love the Bra-llelujah! Underwire Contour Bra. It hooks in the front and helps with some back buldges and looks great under tshirts.

You might also be wondering what do you do with the 'girls' on your wedding day? Do you put inserts in the dress, wear a corset, add extra boning? Well I like the pushup approach. I wore these on my wedding day. Takeouts are silicone inserts, feels natural, washable and are removable. You can wear these any day not just on your wedding day. Available at Amazon.

Under Wraps

During a conversation with a client of mine having a Russian Orthodox ceremony the bride mentioned that she had to have her shoulders covered for the ceremony. So she had a lace bolero jacket made to match the design on her gown.

This got me thinking about where get them if they weren't made with your dress and is it better to have them made.
Well here are some that I found:

Mikaella: simple jacket for about $500


Carmella Sutera: Alençon lace jacket $920


Carolina Herrera: crochet jacket $1890


Justin Alexander: dress and lace jacket $1500


Paloma Blanca: lace jacket $1500+

So I am thinking maybe asking your seamstress to make you something - especially if you plan to only wear it during the ceremony.

I do and the Internet!

The Internet and the Modern day Bride!

A few months ago I was interviewed by Northern Virginia Magazine - the article just came out and I was quoted numerous times! DIY I-Do's, December 2007

Here is a snippet!

"The best thing about the internet is that they get to see all of the ideas and concepts online," she said. But brides actually can get really overwhelmed with all of the options that they need a planner ot help them hold it all together."

"The dress tool is very beneficial for brides, especially because brides are so internet-savvy these days. They can go online and try different things out instead of having to go to a store and pick Dress A off of the shelf for their bridesmaids."

"Photographers putting the wedding photos online is very popular these days; it's an easy way for friends and family members to see the pictures and order them, which they never really had the opportunity to do in the past."

Tomasulo said that although printing invitations up for showerse and bridal parties is popular, she has noticed that most brides still don't mind paying extra for their wedding invitations. "They want to touch and feel the paper; they don't want a cheap invitation to go out for their special day."

Wedding planners, too are creating websites that detail their services, as well as their own blogs. Tomasulo started a wedding blog on her company's website to keep clients up to date on trends in the planning business. "Blogs are huge right now; its a personal way to connect with their brides. They want to read something more personal rather than articles that are up on websites for the general public."

Lets Talk Bustles

Ok ladies you have searched high and low for THE dress, tired on so many styles and then you put it on, you feel your eyes tear up and then you walk out to show your mom or maid of honor the dress; Speechless says a thousand words. You have spent hundreds maybe thousands of dollars on your dress and now its time to get alterations so you look perfect in it on your wedding day.

So Don't forget your Bustle!

Please Please Please make sure that you encourage your seamstresses to reinforce your bustles - if at all possible get a French bustle made, it is tied underneath instead of on top. 99 out of 100 times a hook and eye or a loop over a button DOES NOT hold.

I have seen it many times. Your first dance, the last twirl the dip and your new hubby steps on the back of your dress and the 'loop' loosens....the more you dance and walk around the more it comes loose then it breaks all together - only a reinforced diaper pin could hold it now. (something your wedding planner swears by) The problem with that is it might rip your dress.

Reminder - Please ask your seamstress to double and triple check your bustles to make them secure.

Then dance the night away!

SPANX

How many of you love SPANX??

Sometimes I don't know how I lived with out them - I wear them with skirts, pants, dresses, anything I want to feel good or better in.

Body shaping tights, body smoothers and power panties. These are also perfect for under your wedding dress.

From now till tomorrow they are offering free ground shipping.
Use code:
SPX071CATE

and get slimming....