Check out this visually beautiful wedding featuring a gown by one of our exclusive designers – Robin Jillian! We just received this gown on Tuesday and it’s named “Babette”.
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/03/17/sarasota-wedding-from-audrey-snow-photography/
By Meredith Bodgas, Glamour magazine
Even the happiest brides encounter some degree of family drama during wedding planning. The good news is you’re not alone. The bad news? It really sucks when you’re in the thick of it. Try these strategies if you get stuck.
The Issue: You and Your Groom Are Two Different Religions
You know there are lots of options for interfaith weddings; your and/or his religious family may not care. Get to the heart of why this difference bugs them: Is it because they’re afraid you’ll neglect your traditions at the wedding? That your children won’t grow up with their values? Discuss these topics openly and honestly and arrange get-togethers with them and your fiance so they can see how wonderful he is.
The Issue: You and Your Groom Are Two Different Races
Not that it’s an excuse, but those who grew up only around people who looked like them may be distrustful of others. Follow the same advice as above: Find out exactly why your mate choice bothers them. They just could be worried that intolerant people will give you and your future children a hard time. Let them know that that’s your potential problem, not theirs. For relatives who are so stuck in their ways they won’t even meet your fiance, let them know that you’d love for them to attend the wedding because they’re a big part of your life, but you’re not going to abandon someone you love because of their old-school views.
The Issue: Your or His Family Want to Call the Shots
It’s true: Whoever helps pay for the party gets a say. The trick: Find out what they absolutely don’t want at your wedding instead of what they’d like to have. There will still be disagreements (I’m reminded of the “Bridezillas” episode where the mom forbade the bride from renting a photo booth), but there will probably be fewer things on your relatives’ never-in-a-million-years lists than on their I’d-prefer-this lists. If they and you can’t compromise, be prepared to fund the fete yourself.
The Issue: Your or His Family Won’t Help Pay for the Wedding
Unfortunately, that’s their decision, and short of breaking into their bank accounts (please don’t try that!), there’s nothing you can do about it. You’re welcome to play the “It’s not fair” card, but it isn’t likely to work. Happily, you can give your families guest-list caps, and if they protest, invite them to fork over the dough to pay for those extra guests.
The Issue: You Have a Jealous Sibling (or Sibling-in-Law-to-Be)
She may have wanted to walk down the aisle before you–and is now acting like a spiteful biyotch. As with jealous bridesmaids, it’s best to let her be as involved or uninvolved in your wedding as she’d like. While it’s wise to avoid accusing her of being jealous, you can say that her behavior (be specific–has she said any of the worst things to say to a bride?) is upsetting you and you’d like to know how you can make it stop. She may make it easy (“Stop talking about your wedding to me!”); or she may be impossible to please (“Don’t get married now.”). If it’s the former, do as she’s asked, and if it’s the latter, you can get a neutral party (an understanding mom, perhaps?) to talk some sense into her–or just ignore her until she grows up.
From Botox to breast implants, an increasing number of brides are insisting that bridal attendants undergo cosmetic procedures in order to look perfect for the wedding. Suddenly a teal and canary taffeta bridesmaid’s dress doesn’t sound half bad.
3. Bachelorettes Gone Wild, Way Wild
Male strippers, phallic cupcakes, drunk tabletop dancing…. Today’s brides are becoming increasingly shameless. In fact, Katy Perry publicly asked Rihanna to strip at her bachelorette party, while some especially crazy girls’ nights out have resulted in arrests (like in Kansas and Colorado).
4.Retail Weddings
For couples short on cash, but all about the sack of 10, retail weddings are a growing trend. Staging nuptials in places like Taco Bell, TJ Maxx, and White Castle could save each couple a few hundred bucks. Apparently love is far from priceless.
5. Doggy Wedding Attendants
K9 ring bearers are a fad we’d like to see run its course. It doesn’t matter how cute the dog is, he doesn’t belong in the wedding party.
6. Boudoir Books
Before the big day, the bride and the wedding photographer establish comfort with each other during a private, “sensual” photo shoot, where the bride undresses and models lingerie. It sounds a little creepy but fear not, grooms̵, you’ll be presented with the fruits of their labor — the boudoir book — on your wedding night, a constant reminder that your wifey got naked in front of another man right before she said, “I do.” Hot.
7. The YouTube Aisle Procession Dance
Post a YouTube video of ill-advised wedding procession dancing and suddenly an entire nation is inspired to “boogie” down the aisle. Ladies and gentleman, bridesmaids and groomsmen, for the sake of your own dignity, stick to the traditional march.
8. Themed Weddings
Is this a growing trend or is it just the fact that we’re exposed to them more often on Facebook these days? Common interest and shared hobbies may have brought the bride and groom together, but a wedding isn’t the ideal place to pay tribute to a mutual love for extreme sports, Disney characters, Vulcans, or The Lord of the Rings.
9. Life-Sized Bride Cake
Okay, maybe it’s not a trend per se (at least, we hope not). But one woman did manage to take bridal hubris to a new level when she commissioned a five-foot-tall wedding-cake replica of herself dressed in her wedding gown for the renewal of her wedding vows. She told the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper that having a cake modeled after her likeness had been a lifelong dream. Huh.
By Mira Jacob, Shine staff
Now that I have a kid of my own, I think back to the wedding and think…yup, we did the right thing. For one thing, all my little cousins are still intact, and for another, most of their parents managed to have a pretty good adults-only time. Even the one who complained the loudest, and insisted what we were doing was offensive at best, ended up staying until the bitter midnight end, dancing like a wild man. A few of my parent friends told me they hadn’t been so relaxed in years.
My friend A., who was recently invited to a kid-free wedding across the country, feels differently. She’s stressed out by the choice of babysitter (“I don’t know this person!”), by the idea of leaving her daughter alone for the night, and by not having her included in a “family event.”
“It makes me so angry,” she told me the other day. “We get so little family time as it is, and now we’re supposed to fly across the country to spend the time apart? It’s so selfish!”
And here, I have to concede: it is selfish. When I decided not to have kids at my wedding, I did it to keep myself worry-free, and I did it at the risk of taxing the parents among our friends and family. While that’s not something I would do on any other day, the way I looked at it was pretty simple: The day was more important to me and my husband than anyone else attending. Others might be furious about their kids being left at the hotel, but chances are, they’d forget the whole event sooner or later. I was never going to forget my own wedding.
With the wedding season just around the corner, a lot of invites are heading out, some welcoming kids to weddings, others going kid free. What do you think?
Chelsea, Alicia, Hilary, Megan, Katy — there were tons of celebrity brides this year and just as many unique styles to go with them. Here, WeddingChannel.com dishes on the best (and worst!) of the most notorious celeb weddings of 2010.
By Amy Eisinger for WeddingChannel.com
Best: Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding
From the location to the flowers, the cake to her unforgettable Vera Wang dress, Chelsea Clinton’s wedding to Marc Mezvinsky lived up to all of the hype. The late July wedding held in Rhinebeck, New York, included around 400 guests and yet somehow managed to still seem intimate and family-focused. We give extra props to Chelsea for handling the constant press attention with total grace: The family released five photos and a statement after the wedding, ending all speculation and quelling our curiosity.
Worst: Hilary Duff’s Wedding
There’s “over-the-top” and then there’s Hilary Duff’s wedding to hockey star and Canadian millionaire heir Mike Comrie. The couple threw a lavish bash and spared no expense — especially when it came to hawking every single wedding photo to the tabloids. In terms of style, Hilary’s sky-high hairstyle doesn’t exactly make the top of our lists, but then again, neither do the favors that read “Complients” of Mr. & Mrs. C (remember, brides: spell-check is key!). After her wedding photos hit newsstands, rumors emerged that due to underperforming sales of the magazine, her contract was even renegotiated for less money. Ouch! Then again, we’re sure having that 14-carat-diamond engagement ring softens the blow.
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Best: Megan Fox’s Wedding
The brunette bombshell married her on-again, off-again fiance, Brian Austin Green, in a private beach ceremony where Green’s 8-year-old son, Kassius, was the only attendant. Not only did the mega-celeb manage to have a private wedding just like she wanted, she looked effortlessly stylish in an Armani Prive white gown with a 16-foot train. The couple kept things personal and though some reports said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, we like to think they were just focused on the most important part of the wedding: the marriage itself.
Worst: Bethenny Frankel’s Wedding
While we think it’s awesome that Bethenny chose to rock her baby bump in a figure-hugging Amsale gown, there’s this one moment we just can’t get past: Bethenny peeing in a bucket on national television. If not one of the lowest points of the wedding, it had to be one of the lowest points of reality TV. And though she managed to keep her wedding (pretty much) drama free (not all of her “Housewives” costars made the guest list), she could have opted for a more fashionable wedding exit than wearing an all-white tracksuit.
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Best: Alicia Keys’s Wedding
From the picturesque Mediterranean setting to Alicia’s incredible 60-carat custom headpiece from jewelry guru Jacob & Co., everything about this wedding got our attention. The bride donned a one-shoulder Vera Wang gown, while the groom, Swizz Beatz, looked chic in a white Tom Ford tuxedo. Aside from the stylish attire, the wedding also included a luxurious red-themed reception, with outdoor tables, gold chairs and large candelabra as centerpieces.
Worst: Heidi Montag’s Wedding
They might be calling it their first “real” wedding, but it’s actually the third time faux-lebrities Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have tied the knot. (For those keeping count, they first eloped in Mexico, then wed very publicly on “The Hills.”) Aside from holding a new wedding every five minutes, the whole event was further cheapened by the confession that Speidi’s supposed “divorce” proceedings over the summer were totally faked as a publicity stunt. Add that to Heidi’s drastic plastic surgery (followed by her plastic surgery regrets) and you end up with a made-for-TV segment that no one really cares about.
How To Get Star-Quality Wedding Photos
Best: Katy Perry’s Wedding
From the moment of their romantic New Year’s Eve engagement in India, we expected big things to come from Katy Perry’s wedding to British comedian Russell Brand. And while the couple didn’t disappoint, they also kept things relatively “normal.” Despite rumors of baby tigers and elephant entrances, Russell told a British talk show, “Everyone gets all worked up about showbiz and celebrity [weddings], but… it’s normal. It’s just a normal marriage.” The couple, who are now rocking matching micro pave diamond wedding bands, hosted Hollywood’s elite at their wedding — but don’t expect to see any photos. Russell and Katy have both said they’re keeping those “private and normal” as well.
© 2010 WeddingChannel.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Photo: Clark + Walker Studio
By Summer Krecke for WeddingChannel.com
The Ceremony
Wedding Drama: It’s raining on your wedding day.
Even in your most demanding bridezilla moment, you can’t fight the weather — but you can plan ahead. If you have your heart set on an outdoor venue, rent a tent or ask about additional space indoors. It may cost you extra, you won’t be stressed when you’re finally ready to say “I do.”
Wedding Drama: You wake up with a pimple.
Do not pick your face! If you have acne-prone skin, speak to your dermatologist about his or her availability on your wedding day (some dermatologists have weekend hours). Most likely, a shot of saline or cortisone will clear up your breakout. If your doctor is unavailable, try a cold compress to bring down the swelling and keep a bottle of Visine handy. This super-secret modeling trick will reduce the redness and minimize minor acne breakouts.
Wedding Drama: You cry during the ceremony and ruin your makeup.
Nobody said the price of beauty is cheap, so if you have the funds, consider having your makeup artist on standby until the reception for a quick touch-up. If that’s not in your budget, you can always request waterproof and smudge-resistant cosmetics or shoot most of your pictures before the ceremony to ensure that you look your best.
Wedding Drama: The entertainment cancels or doesn’t show up.
Don’t assume because you’ve signed on the dotted line that you’re in the clear. Accidents do happen — one groom recently told us that the band got in a car accident on their way to the reception so his groomsmen raided a nearby Best Buy in search of CD players and music to entertain guests. Even if your contract is ironclad, make sure you have a backup plan in place. Ask your bridal party to bring their iPods, a laptop, and speakers just in case a disaster does occur. Better to be prepared than stuck in a jam.
Wedding Drama: Your cake starts to melt.
It doesn’t matter what kind of cake you have — heat and sweet are never a good combo! Too many times, couples feel that since they paid a lot for their wedding cake, they’re entitled to show it off. Unfortunately, hot weather or a warm room can turn a big unveiling into a sticky-sweet mess. Speak to your caterer and request that your cake be left in the fridge or a cool spot until after dinner.
Wedding Drama: You get a stain on your dress.
Uncle Bob spills some of his red wine on your wedding dress and suddenly your entire wedding day is ruined. Okay, maybe not ruined, but it definitely can put a damper on things. Plan ahead — ask your dry cleaner for advice and tips on spot-treating your gown. Most likely your dress material will dictate how to remedy it.
Wedding Drama: The weather is bad.
Most airlines, resorts, and travel agencies will not refund your honeymoon if you have bad weather or natural disasters on your trip. While earthquakes, mudslides, forest fires, and freak showers are impossible to plan for, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and blizzards are all seasonal phenomena that can be avoided if you plan carefully. It’s always helpful to book somewhere that isn’t exclusively focused on a single outdoor activity so you have more than one option if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse.
Wedding Drama: One of you gets sick.
You can’t really plan ahead for a sudden illness, but you can do your research and make sure you’re not left unprepared in the instance that you or your groom find yourself feeling ill. Double-check with your travel agent to make sure your resort has a doctor on call for guests. Your insurance card will be useless outside the US, so think of padding your honeymoon budget to cover basic costs like a doctor’s visit or antibiotics.
Photo: istock
© 2010 WeddingChannel.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thinking about attending a bridal show? If so, you are about to be in the presence of anywhere between 10 and 100+ wedding venders. Whew, that’s a lot. So how can you make the best of your time there and be on your way to planning your dream wedding? Well sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and listen up ‘cause you won’t want to miss these vital tips!
1. Don’t go right when the event begins. If possible, come a little later on. The booths will most likely be less crowded and you’ll be able to get more individualized attention.
2. Don’t bring children or come with a large group of people. Remember, this is YOUR day. If you spend your limited amount of time trying to look after kids or tracking down members of your group you will not get the most out of what the show has to offer.
3. Bring Address labels. Many venders have contests or special offers going on that require some basic information about you. Unless you want to spend half your time writing it down, you might want to consider printing these out beforehand! We recommend including your name, address, e-mail address, and wedding date but NOT your phone number. This brings us to our next essential piece of advice…
4. Do NOT give out your phone number –even if you do have unlimited minutes! If you do decide to offer this information, do so with caution – they WILL call you.
5. Be prepared. Come with specific questions in mind. You could be talking to you future DJ…or photographer…or caterer! The more you learn about the venders, the better. And being prepared with questions can only help you achieve this. Speaking of venders…
6. Find out what venders will be attending in advance. This will help you make the most out of your time. Think about it… 50 venders, 5 minutes per booth…that’s already over 4 hours of your time! Researching in advance allows you come up with your best plan of attack to really find the venders who matter most to you.
7. Bring the following items: Notebook, pen, checkbook, credit card, and a large tote bag. You will be getting a lot of hand outs from venders. Make sure to sort through these hand outs right away. If you wait until the next day you may forget which ones you are really interested in. Consider writing your notes on each different brochure you collect. This way it will be easier for you to remember a face to the name when you make follow-up calls.
8. Don’t go on an empty stomach. There may be cake samples available, possibly an appetizer or two, but overall most bridal shows will not have food or drinks available.
9. Wear comfortable shoes. The last thing you want to be is uncomfortable, so grab your favorite pair or flats or comfy boots and you’ll be good to go!
10. Proceed with caution if you are going to make any deposits. Be sure to read all of their terms and conditions so you know what you signed yourself up for. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
BONUS TIP: HAVE FUN! Bridal shows may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t let all the people and noise get to you! Just gather some information, sign-up for the free contests, and enjoy the fashion show. It’s all about you, don’t forget that 
White has long been accepted as the traditional color of the wedding dress, but wedding gowns were not always white. The marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin Albert of Saxe- Coburg in 1840 has had more influence on weddings than any other. Queen Victoria put the wheels in motion by marrying in white. Though brides continued to wed in gowns of different colors, white was now set as the color of choice for weddings and has continued ever since. In Godey’s Lady’s Book, 1849, this statement was printed: “ Custom has decided, from the earliest ages, that white is the most fitting hue, whatever may be the material. It is an emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one.”
There is an old poem about how the color of your wedding dress will influence your future: “Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey , you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you’ll live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink.”
The Industrial Revolution also brought about change. By the 1890’s and the arrival of the department store, almost every woman could realize her dream of being married in a “new” wedding dress. The white dress was gaining popularity and in 1890, Ladies Home Journal wrote: “That from times immemorial the bride’s gown has been white”. Although this statement was not true, it shows how deeply accepted it was that a wedding gown be white. Although white was popular, some brides, especially the frontier brides, wore dresses that were more practical and could be worn after the wedding. As wedding dresses closely resembled the fashions of the time, only a little alteration was needed for the dress to be perfect to wear again.
Edwardian brides took the traditions of their Victorian ancestors to new extremes. Fashions became more extravagant as the decade progressed, but came to a screeching halt with the outbreak of WWI. Styles became simpler, and also reflected the changing role of women in society with hems getting shorter and the disposing of tightly laced corsets. Coco Chanel was a powerful force behind the change in women’s’ fashions, and was the one who officially introduced the short wedding dress in the 1920’s. It was a white knee length dress worn with a long train. This cemented white as the universal color of the wedding dress.
When the Depression hit, brides made do with their “best” dress for the wedding. My great grandmother, who was married in 1928 had a new white wedding dress, but after the wedding she dyed it navy, keeping only the collar and cuffs white—a common practice at that time. During WWII, women considered it their duty to give up the traditional wedding , although most brides might be engaged only for a few weeks or even days before the wedding took place. This did not leave enough time to find a wedding dress so the best suit had to do. If the bride was set on having a white dress, one could be borrowed or rented for the ceremony. If both the bride and groom were in the military they were married in their respective uniforms.
After the war, prosperity made it possible for the large dream weddings inspired by the Victorian era to become a reality. Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Monaco garnered much publicity because of its grand fairy tale wedding. She wore a white silk and lace gown. The focus of wedding dresses has shifted since the 1950”s. The emphasis now is on the individuality of the bride. So whatever color you choose to be married in, you now know a bit more behind the tradition of the white wedding dress.
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Many brides try to incorporate pieces of their personality into their wedding day. Here are some creative ways to personalize your wedding cake. Maybe these ideas will lead you towards your cake theme.