Category — Bridal Fashon

For quite some time, brides have been faithful to the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” saying. Since the Victorian era, brides have followed this advice in hopes of good luck. Even if you are a bride that doesn’t believe in good fortune, it’s a wonderful way to ensure that you incorporate a variety of pieces that can bring special meaning to your big day.

Often, the hardest piece of the saying puzzle is finding that “something blue.” Since most bridal ensembles entail white, ivory, or even pink or pastel colors, bolder colors like blue and black often get overlooked.

However, the “something blue” part is easy. A simple way to add blue to your bridal repertoire is by incorporating blue shoes, whether in a shade of ice or a bolder navy, or in a sandal or pump. Not only will you be a quarter of your way to good luck with some gorgeous blue heels, but it’s a fun way to add a splash of color to an otherwise typical bridal color palette. Even better news: blue heels are available in a range of prices sure to fit any bride’s budget.

(Credits, beginning at top: Something Blue Satin Pump, Manolo Blahnik; Willy Satin Sandal, Chinese Laundry; Deci Navy Pump, Manolo Blahnik)

(Credits, beginning at top: Elope Pump, Caparros; Michaela Satin Pump, rsvp; Aela Sandal, Lauren by Ralph Lauren)

(Credits, beginning at top: Electra Peep-Toe Pump, Nina; Court Peep-Toe Pump, Nina; Jessica Peep-Toe Slingback, D2 by Dikuza)

“Use beads, brooches, jewels, pearls and charms to dress up a simple ribbon-wrapped bouquet,” Brides magazine recently tipped.

How refreshing! Adorn otherwise plain and boring satin or silk ribbon-wrapped stems with anything sparkly, fitting, meaningful, or all of the above. Tie in elements or colors of your wedding to further personalize your wedding day look.

(Top 4 images, clockwise from top left: Rectangular Crystal Bouquet Buckle Accent, Crystal Heart Bouquet Holder Accent, flickr.com/photoscreativehorizons, Citrine Designs; Bottom 4 images, clockwise from top left: Tammybecker.com, White Lace Wedding, scan from The Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings, pg. 83, Willowbranchflowers.com)

Get creative, and have some fun. Because it’s easy to get carried away, be sure that your handle compliments your bouquet, rather than overwhelms it; the flowers, after all, are the centerpiece of the bridal bouquet!

by Erin

Better late than never!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s biggest event of the year, by Hollywood standards, is the Met Gala. Last Monday we saw fashion’s biggest players, from models to celebrities to designers, make their grand entrance in sky-high heels while balanced by jewels, accessories, and for some, a man. The theme? American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.

We saw on parade a collection of wedding-worthy gowns in an array of bridal whites and ivories, and perhaps less conventional colors like dark champagne, gray and pink. Ruffle, tulle, lace, embellishments, and liquid silk were aplenty. And for the more daring brides, so was some leg and less-than conservative necklines.

If these designer looks are not in your budget range, use them as inspiration.

What was your favorite gown of the night?

Pure as White:

Stark and muted white. Diane Kruger in a demure, yet body-skimming, Calvin Klein gown; Emma Watson in a one-shoulder ruffled dress by Burberry, for whom she endorses; Tory Burch.

All That Glitters:

Oh, to be a princess, or to at least dress like one. Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad; Anne Hathaway in a golden Valentino gown; Marion Cottilard in a bedazzled dress by Dior, for whom she endorses.

Slinky Delight:

Sometimes liquid silk is all a girl needs. Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for Gap; Jessica Biel in an antique ivory gown by Ralph Lauren Collection; Kate Hudson in friend Stella McCartney’s slinky design.

Vintage Glamour

A hint of Old Hollywood was ever-present. Eva Longoria in bridal queen label Marchesa; Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte for Gap; Taylor Swift in a flowy Ralph Lauren number.

(photos source: vogue.co.uk)

Here’s one for you brides to pass on to your hubby-to-be.
You may have noticed your bride-to-be bordering on obsession over finding that perfect wedding dress. Did she start looking before you were even engaged? Crazy, right?
Maybe…
Maybe not.
As a guy, you’re not programmed to understand the bridal gown phenomenon. I mean, it’s not like you’re spending six months trying to find that perfect tuxedo (well maybe you are, but that’s for a different blog).
That being said, one thing you are programmed to do is be involved and understand why certain wedding planning activities matter so much. Never is this more important than during the bridal gown selection process. It’s cliché to say, but your bride has been planning her wedding day since she was a girl.
Here are some important time-lines to get used to, guys. This should help you get the idea of the amount of time that goes into the dress alone.
9-12 months – Length of time before wedding day that the bride should start looking for a dress
6 months – Length of time before wedding day that the dress should be ordered
2-3 months – Amount of time that should be counted on for alterations
2-3 weeks – Average amount of time in the bridesmaid dress selection process
3-4 – Number of arguments you just avoided by becoming familiar with the wedding dress shopping process.

Expert groom blogger Chris Easter is co-founder of TheManRegistry.com – the leading online resource for grooms. The site offers a unique wedding registry for men, groomsmen gift ideas and a wealth of content aimed at helping men make it through the wedding planning process in one piece.