Bridal Gown of the Day

Maggie Sottero "Aurielle"

One-piece, strapless, full A-line gown with lace-up closure. Grand in design, this style features a scalloped neckline and an asymmetrically draped bodice enriched with floral beaded embellishments. The dramatic back treatment is created by cascading draped bustles caught up with elegant beaded motifs.

http://www.maggiesottero.com

Bridal Gown of the Day

Oscar de la Renta

Style #10

Spring 2008

Oscar is a personal favorite of mine. This is a stunner that you probably have seen in many magazines. It is an "ivory embroidered strapless gown, framed in powder blue satin organza."

For more information on salons carrying this style near you, please visit

http://www.oscardelarenta.com

Alterations: What do I need to know?

Q & A on: Alterations

Does the purchase of my bridal gown include alterations?
-Not all salons or stores include alterations. Be sure to check with the store and review your contract. Always ask questions!

What if they include it in the price of my gown?
-While some stores do, it really isn't a good idea. Here's why...Say the dress costs $1500 including alterations. The TRUE cost of the dress could be just $1100. Say you only need a bustle and a hem done to the gown. This may cost you about $250. You've been charged $400 for alterations, when you only needed $250 worth. It's most always best to purchase a gown without them included.

The store I bought my gown from told me to start alterations already. I'm 4 months out from my wedding! Is this right?
-It isn't necessary to begin alterations this early. Your weight may fluxuate in the weeks and months leading up to your big day. Most professionals suggest making appointments 6-8 weeks out from your wedding date.

Haute hair accessories

One of my personal favorites for fabulous hair jewels and veils is designer, Sara Gabriel. One look at her collection and the following words come to mind: fresh, fabulous, vintage, couture.

Sara is a joy to work with, and during my time at Something Blue, I've had the honor of meeting her and her team from Colorado. Everything is totally custom and even personalized. One of my favorite veils is the one shown below, Grace.

What a fresh and fun concept! To incorporate your monogram into your veil not only makes a great statement but is quite timeless.

Another personal favorite of mine is called Wendy. It's so vintage!

Hard to tell from the sketch, but it's SUCH a stunner!

For more information on Sara's veils and accessories, visit her website at http://www.saragabriel.com

It's Bridal Fashion Week!

It's that time of year again...time for all the best designers to showcase everything fresh and new for their 2009 collections.

One of our sources mentioned that strapless gowns are few and far between this season. Many are going for a portrait, off-shoulder style neckline. Gowns with more tradition in the front, but sleek and sexy in the back.

These gowns won't start hitting the stores until early next year, and pictures won't be available online for a few weeks.

Check back soon to view some of our favorites from NY Bridal Fashion Week!

Bridal Gown of the Day

Moet by Matthew Christopher

Sparkling as a flute of champagne, this elegant silk satin organza dress is intoxicating! The strapless empire bodice and full trumpet skirt are adorned with sculptural, multidirectional bias strips. A triple overlay flutters down the modified chapel-length train, completed by covered buttons all down the back. Available in off-white, white.

This dress is absolutely STUNNING in person. Matthew's dresses are so flattering to the female figure. For more information, visit MatthewChristopher.com

Gown of the Day

After Six

style # 6532
This gown is actually a bridesmaid dress! It's a cost effective way of achieving a bridal gown look for a fraction of the cost. This is a great option for last minute weddings, destination weddings, or for second weddings. Bridesmaid styles most always come in white and/or ivory. The one above is shown in white with an ivory lace panel.

For more information, please visit After Six's website.

Forget table numbers...

...they're so yesterday! Why not table cakes?

What a cute (and expensive!) idea. I have seen photos of a friends wedding where each table was given a cake that represented the bride and groom in a certain area of their lives. One was decorated with childhood photos of the groom, one the bride, one was themed in a favorite vacation spot of the couple, etc. This can prove to be very costly, however, it's a gorgeous and fun design element while also being a great conversation piece to get people moving around the room.

You may be able to use a dummy cake to offset the costs of mini-cakes at each table. What is a dummy cake you ask? A baker makes your wedding cake with only the bottom layer being edible. You cut into it as you normally would for pictures and such, but your guests feast off of sheet cakes in the back, or in this case...their individual cakes. The rest of the cake looks completely edible and is designed with fondant over styrofoam or other material.

Bridesmaid Dress of the Day

Alvina Valenta

Style # AV9847

Visit Alvina Valenta's website for

color information and availability

Bridal Gown of the Day

Gown of the Day
Adele Wechsler "Natasha"
Natasha is part of Adele's "Eco-Couture" collection, "for the bride who cares about the world in which she lives."

Please visit Adele Wechsler's website for more information.