Wedding Wednesday: Bridesmaid Fashion NOW!

Pic From Wedding Blurb

 We are seeing a decline in the same dress, same shoe, same hair, same jewelry, same same same bridesmaid looks. 

Brides are beginning to get very creative with the options they give their maids and we just love the creativity and visual interest it provides. 










There are lots of fabulous combos and options out there which still provide an element of unity:
                                                                                                                                                                               

Pic from theknot.com


- Same dress with personalized jewelry

- Each bridesmaid can wear a unique fascinator (yep - we are still loving them and would love to see more of them)

- Each can wear a different style of dress in the same color and texture of fabric

- Each bridesmaid can simply wear purple (or pink or yellow or coral or whatever you like).

- Each can wear a totally different dresses with one common element (like length,lace detail, or one-shouldered). 






One of favorite favorite favorite bridal party ensembles EVER was all 9 maids in completely different sequined party dresses.   Adorable (and fun!).

This trend (we hope it stays for a long time) is so refreshing.  Remember, your bridesmaids are individuals first, your maids second.  Matching their dresses to your sash exactly and providing a PMS color for shoes and jewelry is a thing of the past.   Your gals will appreciate it, too.  But remember to be specific and send ideas, especially to your maids who may be less fashion-forward or interested in baubles, fabrics, feathers and all things girly. 

Tip:  Instead of giving your maids jewelry as their gift, change it up and give them a vintage brooch affixed to their bouquets.  They can then remove the brooch and wear it during the reception for a little added party flair!  

Haute Bride has a great collection of brooches (available locally at two of our fave bridal shops Big Rock Little Rooster and La Jeune Mariee) if you don't have time to comb the vintage shops.

Cocktails, Couture and Vera Wang

We are finally posting the LONG OVERDUE Cocktails and Couture party pics.  We had so much fun co-hosting this event!   The fun surrounded the Vera Wang Trunk Show in town just for the weekend and exclusive to Big Rock Little Rooster.  The Friday evening party kicked off with fab makeup by Lindsay Remley of Cheek By Lindsay and hair by the talented Josie Schweitzer.   David Thielebeule, Accessories Director at Allure magazine was in town giving our lucky brides and fashionistas expert fashion advice.  We were on hand as the featured wedding planner and enjoyed chatting with brides and making new friends!  Take a peak at the fun!   And big thanks to very talented photog Stephanie Lehnert of Novia Distinctive Photography for sharing these FABULOUS pics with us!   We had such a hard time choosing which to feature!   xo

 There she is!  The fabulous and adorable Lindsay making beautiful faces even prettier!  

Creative and fun Josie!  We sure do love a good tease and she knows what she is doing! 

Bridal look inspired by KE$HA??  You like??   

Getting close to showtime!

We also featured the amazing millinery creations by Granville's own Amy Hamilton.  

 We DIE for her hats both for brides and for tea time!  Amy is a delight to know, as well! 

Romantic and pretty in Vera. 

 Yes, it did taste as good as it looks!

 AWWWW!

 The detail!   The pretty!  Oh how we love white dresses!

 Our good friend and very talented interior designer, Andrea Freeman of Arrange LTD. stopped by to take a look and perhaps garner inspiration.  Perhaps a room draped in silk organza?

Architectural and romantic.  Two more great designs by Vera.   And of course the hat just tops it off!

We absolutely LOVE this look for a Fall wedding! 

That chandelier!  J'adore.

Good party!  Fun guests. 

Adrianne with David from Allure (left) and dear friend Dallas (right).  We had so much fun!

This just delights our eye!   Love love love black and white.  Such a chic and timeless combo. 

The chick in charge!   Our good friend, Kristin - great party sister! 

If that is not a show-stopping window, what is? 

OH-IO!!  We prefer the tomahawk chop, but hey...when in Rome!!  :)

Wedding Wednesday: HIRE A PLANNER

She planned her own wedding... 

Hire a professional!

(This may sound a little self-serving and it just might be, but trust us, we are serving you more!)

Please, please, unless you have unlimited free time (who does?) and have planned many events for 100+ guests, (in which case you probably aren’t reading this blog), you have got to hire a wedding planner.   You will not regret it.  If you are shaking your head and asking yourself “But why?  Planning this will be a cinch”, then keep reading.

It all seems pretty simple, right?  You pick out a location, think about your favorite menu items, décor you love, your favorite stationery, color palettes you want, memorable tunes and voila!  Party planned.  Well, there are two distinct differences here.  Thinking about what you want and getting what you want, the way you want it (without having any meltdowns) are two entirely different things.  Trust us, it gets difficult fast, questions begin to mount and so does the anxiety.  Don't do this to yourself!

An wedding planner is a professional who can talk the talk and walk the walk (so to speak).  We have experience using event jargon with vendors, we know the industry (and also what items should cost and what terms are appropriate in negotiations) and simply have the skill and experience to seamlessly bring your vision to life. 

Imagine this during the planning process:
You are locked into a contract with a venue.  The chairs they provide are mauve and that does not fit your color scheme.  Ok, so you rent chairs.   The venue now wants to charge you what seems like an extraordinary amount for these new chairs.   Do chairs really cost $3500?  Am I being taken advantage of?   Why do I need 7 extra people to unload said chairs? Aren't we talking about chairs here?   Are you getting stressed thinking this through?   Call your local planner.

How about this one on the DAY OF:
You are enjoying your first glass of champagne, your hair is set in hot rollers, everything is going as planned, you are relaxing and enjoying the morning with your bridesmaids.  The phone rings.  You pick it up, it's your florist.  He/She actually had you on the books for the FOLLOWING Saturday.  They are very sorry, but there will be no flowers available for your wedding.  Call waiting - it's your DJ, he lost the playlist you sent him and the special CD with the special version of your first-dance song on it, can you please resend to him within the next hour?  What to do now?  Who is going to handle this?  Am I really getting on the phone with everyone in the Yellowpages to get a replacement florist while tracking down my laptop to resend this music?  My glass of champagne is now flat and warm (and your hair is about to be too; flat at least).   Again, if this is stressing you out - DEFINITELY call a planner. 



David and Adrianne at a Milly
show during NYC Fashion Week

 Still not convinced?  We will be at Big Rock Little Rooster on Saturday, August 27th as part of the Vera Wang trunk show.  We are currently scheduling appointments and giving out complimentary advice to brides.   Join us!  We would love to chat with you.  Email us if you would like to set an appointment.   Contact Big Rock Little Rooster for a dress appointment.  Tons of GORGEOUS Vera Wang dresses.  NO pressure!  Promise!  That's what this blog is for!  :)

Added bonus:  David Thielebeule, Accessories Director at Allure magazine will also be available doling out bridal fashion advice.  He can help guide you on chic, sleek and fun color combo's for your wedding day, too!  Makeup expert, Lindsay Remley and Hair Guru, Josie Schweitzer will also be available.  It's quadruple the fun!  Quadruple the experts.  USE US!