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Periscope

Broadcast Your Wedding Near and Far!

Engaged couples today often strive for the perfect balance of modern and traditional at their weddings. We see it everyday at Flair; a bride who is looking for the latest bridal gown style, for example, but who wants to pair it with her grandmother’s vintage veil. Or maybe you’re opting to say the tried and true, time-honored vows, but in a modern, chic venue. Or perhaps you’re adding a surprise hip hop routine at the end of your father daughter dance. You get the idea; if you think about it, “modern meets traditional” is probably one of the most common wedding themes out there! If you’re looking to add a dose of modern to your big day, there’s a new app growing in popularity that can easily bring your wedding into the 21st century. It’s called Periscope, and basically it’s an easy way to live broadcast, well, anything. Set up a phone or tablet at the ceremony, enlist someone to press record, and just like that those who are unable to attend can see, and hear, you say your vows. It’s that simple (and free!) to incorporate your guests near and far! Seems great, right? We agree, but there are a few things you should know before you dive in:

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~ The Periscope app is free, but it connects to Twitter so you’ll need to create an account there before you can get started.

~ Only those with a Periscope app themselves will be able to view your broadcast, so if there is anyone in particular that you want to be able to follow along, make sure they’re set up with Periscope (and Twitter) in advance.

~ Talk with your fiance in advance and decide if you want to make your broadcast public or private. If you’re OK with anyone (and we mean literally anyone) seeing your big day, go public! If you prefer to leave it to just your friends and family, there are tips here on starting your first broadcast, including how to make it private. Private broadcasts, though, are only available to those who follow you, so many sure anyone who will be watching has requested and been approved to follow you prior to the big day.

~ To avoid your watchers getting seasick, you may want to invest in a tripod for your device to keep it steady. That way, you also don’t need to enlist anyone to hold onto your device for an extended period of time. During your rehearsal, find the ideal spot for the camera to be placed, and choose someone responsible to set it up there on the wedding day. And don’t forget your charger! If you want to film for awhile, you’ll definitely need it!

Periscope can be useful before your wedding too! For example, if anyone can’t make it to your dress shopping, bring it to Flair 🙂

Alternative Wedding Centerpieces

Make your tables the talk of the town!

Something monumental happened this past week. No, we’re not talking about Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, or the Patriots losing their undefeated record (yuck)…Mary Kate Olsen got married! Yes, one half of “Michelle Tanner” is now a wife. If that doesn’t make you feel old, then I don’t know what will! I’ll be honest, the Olsen twins have never been fashion icons for me personally, so while I wasn’t scrambling to get a peek at her dress, I did have an urge to find out as much about her wedding as possible. Mary Kate is the perfect mix of eccentric, cool, and modern, so I just knew she’d do something unique. The thing that I read about her wedding that stuck out the most? Apparently she and her new husband decorated with cigarettes. We’re not kidding; cigarettes in lieu of centerpieces. While I haven’t seen photographic proof yet, I’m sure we’re not talking about limp, sad packs sitting around, but more like Waterford crystal filled with thin cigarettes and maybe even those long, vintage holders. As chic as I’m sure they made it, this idea still gave me pause. What do you think? Either way, it got me to thinking about ways to decorate a wedding besides the classic flowers (which we’re not knocking, we love ‘em). Here are some fab ideas we found:

Antiques – For a unique, vintage look, consider mixed antiques in the center of your tables. Think crystal salt and pepper shakers, mismatched china, even a clock. The sky’s the limit! Warning: this will take some time and/or money, but it can also be looked at as an investment. Sure, you can hire a decorator to gather pieces for you, but if you take the time to go antique hunting on your own and collect items over time, you get the keep the beauties after the big day! Better yet, talk to your relatives about donating some of their pieces to the cause. They’re sure to be touched, and it gives your décor a personal (and cost effective) touch!

A clock, bottle stopper, salt and pepper shakers and an hourglass; who knew these seemingly random items could make such a gorge centerpiece! Photo credit to Canvas and Canopy Designs courtesy of Bridal Guide

A clock, bottle stopper, salt and pepper shakers and an hourglass; who knew these seemingly random items could make such a gorge centerpiece! Photo credit to Canvas and Canopy Designs courtesy of Bridal Guide

Books – Carrie Bradshaw chose the library for her wedding to Big, so that their love story could start where all the classic love stories were held. While their “big” day didn’t go as planned, it is a nice thought! “Carrie” that over to your own wedding by making love stories your centerpieces! Take some books from your own home, ask those closest to you to donate their favorite love story, and give your library card a workout. Now that’s the definition of easy, affordable, and unique décor!

Add a little lace and burlap and these books are wedding ready! Photo credit to Shelley Coar Photography courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess' blog

Add a little lace and burlap and these books are wedding ready! Photo credit to Shelley Coar Photography courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess’ blog

Edible Arrangements – If you still want to get that natural look and feel but want to do something different than flowers, why not herbs? They give a pop of color just like flowers do, and most even give the room a great smell like flowers do. If you want to add more color than just green, though, fruit is another great option. Now, just make sure that dinner is served on time so that your guests don’t have to resort to eating your décor!

A clean, chic centerpiece that looks good enough to eat! Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

A clean, chic centerpiece that looks good enough to eat! Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Thank You’s

How to show your gratitude on your big day!

How was your Thanksgiving? We hope it was filled with tons of food, family, friends, and fun! Did you take time out to express your thanks and gratitude to those closest to you? It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always remember to do it. It’s so easy to get caught up in things like parades and pumpkin pie, and then you blink and Thanksgiving is over and you didn’t really get to the core of this special day. Lucky for us, though, showing thanks isn’t limited to just the fourth Thursday in November! There’s never a bad time to express your gratitude. In fact, one of the best days to do so is on your wedding! Here are some ways to bring a little Thanksgiving attitude to your big day:

Show your vendors some love: Us wedding vendors are easy. If we’re there on the big day, a simple hug and thank you goes such a long way. If we’re not there, a quick thank you email will give us a big smile (an even bigger smile if photos from your big day are included). Want to take it a step further? Give us a great review (Yelp, Wedding Wire, etc.) and we’ll be over the moon! Better yet, refer your friends and family to us. Knowing that you trust us with the people closest to you is the best thank you we can imagine!

When in doubt, a rustic chic chalkboard sign with a hand-written thank you note is always a good way to share your gratitude! Photo by One Love Photography via Bridal Musings

When in doubt, a rustic chic chalkboard sign with a hand-written thank you note is always a good way to share your gratitude! Photo by One Love Photography via Bridal Musings

Shower your guests with gratitude: Traditionally, wedding favors act as a thank you to your guests. So, it’s totally acceptable to forgo the now typical knick knacks and instead give each guest a little thank you note. You don’t have to get too in depth since you’ll have so many to write; just a couple of personal and heartfelt sentences tailored to each person. Consider including the notes on your place cards where they’re sure to see them. They’ll no doubt be touched and feel so special, and at the same time you can save a little money on your favors!

Something no guest misses? The menu! That makes it the perfect place to slip a little thank you note to your friends and family! Photo by Love Is A Big Deal via Bridal Musings

Something no guest misses? The menu! That makes it the perfect place to slip a little thank you note to your friends and family! Photo by Love Is A Big Deal via Bridal Musings

Praise your parents: First things first, when we say “parent”, that is a broad term. Not all of us are lucky enough to have our mother and father with us on our wedding days. So, what we really mean is those couple of people who sacrificed the most (time, money, etc.) to get you to your big day. It is uber important to show your appreciation for them. Of course, getting them a gift is a must, but there are tons of other ways to express your gratitude. After the traditional reception speeches, stand up and give a little surprise toast honoring your parents. Not a public speaker? You could instead carve out some time to do a first look with them. Having a quiet moment together is sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your day. Don’t have enough time? You could also consider showcasing photos from their wedding day at your own. The list goes on and on; get creative and show you care!

Giving those closest to you a special shout out on the gift and/or favor table is such a sweet idea! Photo by Brooke Courtney Photography via Bridal Musings

Giving those closest to you a special shout out on the gift and/or favor table is such a sweet idea! Photo by Brooke Courtney Photography via Bridal Musings

We know your wedding day goes by in a flash and there’s so much to do, but taking the time out to say thank you to your nearest and dearest should be just as much a part of your day as dancing and cutting the cake. On that note, it’s time for us to show our thanks! We are so grateful for all of our Flair brides, bridesmaids, grooms, mothers, etc. Being a part of your wedding days is something that we are so honored to do and we take it very seriously. You all make our job fun and fabulous, and we are eternally grateful to you! xoxo

Wedding Planning Tips

Get support from stats!

As a general rule, I try not to take too much stock in statistics. It seems like every morning when I flip on “GMA” they are spouting some sort of doom and gloom stat, most of which seem to want me to give up my vices. Skip my morning cup of coffee? No thanks! I saw some wedding stats recently, though, that I did find to be really interesting, even helpful. For example, did you know that almost 40% of all engagements happen between November and February? Yes, that’s right people; we have entered prime engagement season! If you’re one of the many recently (or about to be) engaged, here are some other stats you may find helpful as you begin the wedding planning process:

OK...we couldn't find any pretty photos about stats to add to this blog. So instead, we're showing off some of Jenny Yoo's new designs (which you can see at our preview trunk show next weekend)!

Confession: we couldn’t find any pretty photos about stats to add to this blog. So instead, we’re showing off some of Jenny Yoo’s new designs like the Sophia dress here (which you can see at our preview trunk show next weekend)! We thought you wouldn’t mind 😉

The average time spent wedding planning is 12-13 months – Roughly a year; that’s how long it takes most of us to plan an 8 hour day (albeit it the most important 8 hours of your life). We have to say, it seems like the perfect amount of time! That’s not to say, though, that you can’t plan in less or more time, but both do come with their challenges. Less time means potentially paying more to rush items, or missing out on your favorite vendors because they are already booked. More time means…well…more time to mull over and second guess your choices. Sometimes it’s nice to have a deadline to force you to be decisive. So, consider those things as you pick your wedding date!

Want to look as calm as this bride (wearing Jenny's new Ophelia gown)? Give yourself plenty of time to plan!

Want to look as calm as this bride (wearing Jenny’s new Ophelia gown)? Give yourself plenty of time to plan!

50% of all weddings in 2015 occurred on only 25 days – We bet you can guess (roughly) which days. Saturdays in the summer months get scooped up before any other, so act fast if you want to snag one, and be prepared to potentially push your wedding off a year if they’re already booked. If you don’t want to do that, though, consider a Friday wedding, or look at other seasons. If for no other reason, sometimes you can get great deal if you book in an “off” season or on an “off” day!

Planning a popular summer wedding? You can still choose long bridesmaids' dresses as long as they're in a lightweight, flowy fabric like Jenny Yoo's gorgeous chiffon!

Planning a summer wedding? You can still choose floor length bridesmaids’ dresses as long as they’re in a lightweight, flowy fabric like Jenny Yoo’s gorgeous chiffon!

Most couples book their vendors 7-9 months prior to their big day – Let’s think about that for a second; most couples are getting married around the same time (Summer) which means they are also booking their vendors around the same time. What does that breed? Competition! Decide what vendor is most important to you and book them first, before they get scooped by another couple. Have back-ups ready in case a favorite does get booked, and don’t procrastinate on the vendors that typically book out the quickest (venues, photographers and bands, to name a few). Oh, and don’t forget about your friendly neighborhood bridal shop 😉 With summer weddings still reigning supreme in Boston, that makes winter the prime time for wedding and bridesmaid’s dress shopping. Call us well in advance to snag your spot, and be prepared to snap up a dress that you love. With 5 months to manufacture and a couple months for tailoring, Flair definitely falls in that list of vendors to connect with 7-9 months in advance of the big day! The earlier the better, though, we always say, so give us a call to make your appointment; we can’t wait to shop with you soon 🙂

Yes, even the adorable little Etsy flowergirl dress takes a few months to produce, so be sure to order ALL of your dresses well in advance of your big day!

Yes, even the adorable little Etsy flowergirl dress takes a few months to produce, so be sure to order ALL of your dresses well in advance of your big day!

Jenny Yoo 2016 Collection

Get the newest, hottest styles before anyone else!

If I had to pick a super power, the ability to see the future would be high on my list. Will I get that bag I want this holiday season? Will the weather be nice for that anniversary trip I have planned? Not to mention the obvious lottery benefits! While seeing the future is probably not in my, well, future, there is one way that I (and you!) can see what’s coming ahead in the bridal and bridesmaids’ world; a 2016 preview trunk show! You know about a normal trunk show, right? It’s basically when we get a ton of pretty, pretty dresses in from one of our designers and for that weekend they’re all on sale. You can’t get much better than that! However, our upcoming Jenny Yoo 2016 preview trunk show (November 27-29) manages to do one better; all of the dresses we’ll be receiving are brand, spanking new and have never been available in Boston before! This is THE time to snag them for your wedding before anyone else, and know that you’ll be getting the latest and greatest. To clue you in on some of the hot, new trends in Jenny’s latest collection, we have a little sneak peek for you below (thanks to The Knot for all of these gorge photos!). Check them out and then give us a ring to book your trunk show appointment (while they last!) and see all of these beauties in person!

Separates:

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Patterns:

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Sleeves:

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Embellishments:

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Gorgeous, right?? Act fast and make your appointment come see us (and these stunning dresses) while they’re in town!

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Wedding Veil Alternatives

Find the perfect piece for you!

If we had to sum up all of the weddings we’ve worked with over the years, we could do it with just four simple words: no two are alike. It’s fascinating to us; we meet with hundreds of brides every wedding season and each somehow manages to create this day that is totally unique and special. Even aspects of the wedding that may seem fixed have some flexibility and opportunities for personalization these days. Wedding cake seems like a given, but nowadays couples are mixing it up to better suit their tastes; an ice cream sundae bar, warm chocolate chip cookies, etc. Even the idea of a wedding dress has expanded and changed over the years. Shorter hemlines, colors, and even pants are making their way down today’s aisles. The same goes for the wedding veil. While long, gauzy veils used to be the standard, today the options are endless and there’s truly something to suit every bride and every style. If you’re looking to do something a little different with your veil, here are some of our favorite ideas:

Hair Vines and Headbands – Let’s face it, the veil is just another way to set the bride apart and make her look all fancy and formal, and a little sparkle can always accomplish that task! While she’s not a bride, Elizabeth Banks rocking this amazing headpiece at the recent “Hunger Games” premiere totally reminded us just how WOW a gorgeous, well placed headband can be! If you’re looking for something even more modern and unique, try a hair vine. Flexible and adorned with combs, this contemporary headpiece can be adjusted to perfectly fit in with any hair style!


Fascinators – The royal wedding may have happened over four years ago, but we’re still kinda obsessed with it. One of the biggest takeaways for us was how amazing fascinators are! They are the perfect combination of vintage yet modern, chic yet classic. For the bride who really wants to stand out, this is the perfect veil alternative!

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Lace – There are far more ways to wear lace besides just on the edge of your veil. After all, lace is the quintessential bridal fabric, so you might as well rock is as much as you can! Lace adorned combs, headbands, and other accessories are perfectly bridal and totally worthy of ditching the veil.

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Of course, wearing nothing at all is another perfectly acceptable option! The bottom line is, when it comes to your wedding veil, and really all aspects of your wedding, do what you like! Don’t get caught up in traditions and what you think you have to do. Make your wedding day truly YOU!

Should you like any of the headpieces seen here, they’re all by Flair vendor Mariell! Give us a ring and we’re happy to help you get yours, or help you find the other piece that’s perfect for you!

Wedding Dress Necklines

The latest and greatest tops for the 2016 wedding season!

We’re still on fashion cloud nine after our recent trip to New York Bridal Market. Seeing the latest wedding styles hit the runways is so exciting! The only downside? Now, we have to wait an excruciatingly long few months for those new 2016 beauties to arrive at Flair. We simply cannot wait to see them on our gorgeous brides and bridesmaids! So, in the meantime, we’re going to get our 2016 style fix by taking over the blog and drooling over photos with all of you 🙂 Today’s topic: tops! It’s no longer just strapless and v-neck; there are tons of amazing new necklines to choose from! Check out some of the fresh top trends that we caught below and then keep your eye on the AMAZING Long’s Jewelers blog. We shared these new necklines with them, and they’re going to be pairing them with jaw-dropping jewelry to match. Prepare to swoon over their stunning pieces!

Tops that feature cut-outs are the definition of modern and chic! This Theia Fall 2016 style is a stunner! (Photo courtesy of The Knot)

Tops that feature cut-outs are the definition of modern and chic! This Theia Fall 2016 style is a stunner! (Photo courtesy of The Knot)

Spaghetti straps aren't just for a casual, weekend look - they are becoming a bonafide wedding staple! We are loving this Spring 2016 Willowby by Watters style (photo courtesy of Brides.com)

Spaghetti straps aren’t just for a casual, weekend look – they are becoming a bonafide wedding staple! We are loving this Spring 2016 Willowby by Watters style (photo courtesy of their facebook page)

Off shoulder tops are the epitome of romantic elegance and this brand new Jenny Yoo Fall 2016 style is no exception! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Off shoulder tops are the epitome of romantic elegance and this brand new Jenny Yoo Fall 2016 style is no exception! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Amy Kuschel's Fall 2016 collection is full of stunners - and illusion tops! (photo courtesy of their Facebook page)

Amy Kuschel’s Fall 2016 collection is full of stunners – and illusion tops! (photo courtesy of their Facebook page)

Double straps create a unique look in the front AND back of a dress. Theia did it right with this new Fall 2016 style (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Double straps create a unique look in the front AND back of a dress. Theia did it right with this new Fall 2016 style (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Deep V necklines are elongating and elegant - as long as you have a smaller bustline! We're obsessed with this Hayley Paige Fall 2016 beauty! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Deep V necklines are elongating and elegant – as long as you have a smaller bustline! We’re obsessed with this Hayley Paige Fall 2016 beauty! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Crop tops are the ultimate style for the modern, trend setting bride! Thanks to Brides.com for showing off this Spring 2016 Willowby by Watters stunner; we're in love!

Crop tops are the ultimate style for the modern, trend setting bride! Thanks to Brides.com for showing off this Spring 2016 Willowby by Watters stunner; we’re in love!

Corset tops give brides an amazing look, feel and fit, and this new Jenny Yoo Fall 2016 is the perfect example (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Corset tops give brides an amazing look, feel and fit, and this new Jenny Yoo Fall 2016 is the perfect example (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Tops that feature beaded straps are an easy, chic way to add some shine to your bridal look! Hayley Paige would know, she's the queen of bling, as you can see with this new HP Fall 2016 style! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

Tops that feature beaded straps are an easy, chic way to add some shine to your bridal look! Hayley Paige would know, she’s the queen of bling, as you can see with this new HP Fall 2016 style! (photo courtesy of The Knot)

What do you think? Which top would you rock?

Re-purposing Your Wedding

Keep your wedding memories alive in a whole new way!

Anyone else experience the post-wedding blues? In an admittedly odd way, when mine was over it felt almost like losing a friend. No? Just me? Ok then, let me try and explain. Your wedding is this thing that you spend countless hours “with” via your planning. It rules your weekends; vendor meetings, online favor shopping, shower, bachelorette, etc. Then in one (albeit joyous) day, it’s all over and a thing of the past. No note, no goodbye. What am I supposed to do with my time now?? Who am I supposed to hang out with?? Even if you didn’t feel quite the same way as I did post-wedding, I bet all of you felt some sense of sadness mixed in with your marital bliss. If, like me, you’d like to keep your wedding in your life a little longer, there are tons of cool ways to do so:

1) Bouquet – All of us have dried and hung a bouquet in our bedrooms. My prom flowers must have hung upside down in my room for a good 5 years afterwards. Your wedding bouquet deserves something a little more special though, don’t you think? How about drying them and having them made into eco-friendly thank you notes for your guests? Or turning them into jewelry? A perfect gift for the mother of the bride/groom! Prefer home decor? Have them melted into a candle that will quickly become the centerpiece of any room! When in doubt, though, charity is NEVER a bad idea. See if there’s a local floral donation organization in your area, or contact nearby hospitals and nursing homes to see if they’re accepting flowers. Bringing smiles to others is a great way to extend that wonderful wedding feeling long after the big day!

How adorable are these?? Stationary photo courtesy of Cast Paper Art; Candle photo courtesy of The Isle Co.; and bracelet photo courtesy of Blossoms into Beads

How adorable are these?? Stationary photo courtesy of Cast Paper Art; Candle photo courtesy of The Isle Co.; and bracelet photo courtesy of Blossoms into Beads

2) Cake – If having a year-old, frozen bite of cake on your first anniversary just isn’t quite enough for you, we’ve got the thing for you. Why not turn your cake into an insanely adorable ornament that can have an honored place on your Christmas tree for years to come? Don’t celebrate Christmas? These also make cute little keepsakes, perfect for your bookshelf or kitchen table.

Yes, those are all ornaments! Photos courtesy of Aberrant Ornaments

Yes, those are all ornaments! Photos courtesy of Aberrant Ornaments

3) Gown – Our department! We found a ton of really great ideas for repurposing your wedding gown, but here are some of our favorites. While you may not be able to force your future daughter to wear your gown on her wedding day, you can still find a way for her to wear it (at a time in her life where she can’t really resist!). Create a Christening gown out of it for her baptism, or for a less religious idea, just have any small dress made and have a fun photo shoot of your child in it. Or how about a wedding quilt? Take squares of your dress and other important items of clothing (maybe your rehearsal dress, mother’s dress, bridesmaids, etc.) and have them made into a quilt that you’ll cherish for years to come. Charity is always a welcome option, too! We love Brides Across America and Brides Against Breast Cancer, but a quick search will find you tons of amazing ways to donate your gown to a bride in need. Last but not least, if you’re not sure what you want to do with your gown, you can always preserve your gown with Flair (it’s on sale right now!) and decide down the line!

Top photo courtesy of freeshipping.org; Bottom left photo courtesy of madeofhonorquilts.com; Bottom right photo courtesy of thepatchworkbear.wordpress.com

Top photo courtesy of freeshipping.org; Bottom left photo courtesy of madeofhonorquilts.com; Bottom right photo courtesy of thepatchworkbear.wordpress.com

Tell us – did you re-purpose anything from your wedding?

New York Bridal Market

A Trend Report

Let’s face it, all of us girls love shopping. Some of us prefer clothes shopping, while others get a thrill out of home decor. Hey, I’m such a shopping addict that I even enjoy the grocery store! Wherever you shop, I think we can all agree that it’s just nice to treat yourself and discover new things. That’s one of the many reasons that we love New York Bridal Market; we get to shop all of the new bridal collections and bring the gorgeous goodies back to our equally gorgeous Boston brides! Not to mention that we’ll take any excuse to stroll around Manhattan doing our best Carrie Bradshaw walk/run in heels. And getting face time with our kind, talented designers? Always amazing! Having just returned from this year’s Bridal Market, we wanted to pass along a few of the hot, new trends that we spotted. We can’t wait to see them on all of you as the 2016 dresses arrive later this winter!

1) Toppers – Every girl who has been to a bridal shop knows how much a belt/sash can change the look of a gown. It’s amazing how much one accessory can really elevate the look! While belts are here to stay (yay!), there’s a new accessory on the block that is changing the bridal/bridesmaids world – toppers! Slipping one of these tops of over your dress is an easy way to create a unique, modern look and add some coverage at the same time.

Left three dresses are Jenny Yoo (photos courtesy of The Knot), who featured toppers in her bridal and bridesmaids' collection. Right dress is a stunning Amy Kuschel design - photo courtesy of our owner Stacey Kraft :)

Left three dresses are Jenny Yoo (photos courtesy of The Knot), who featured toppers in her bridal and bridesmaids’ collection. Right dress is a stunning Amy Kuschel design – photo courtesy of our owner Stacey Kraft 🙂

2) Crepe – Sure, lace will always be the quintessential bridal fabric, but there’s a new kid in town that’s getting a ton of buzz – crepe. This lightweight material has the structure of a silk with the ease and feel of a comfortable chiffon; a match made in heaven! Tara Keely showed off some chic, clean crepe styles in her new collection; take a peek below!

Tara Keely was the crepe queen! Left two dress photos courtesy of their Facebook page; right photo courtesy of Brides.com

Tara Keely was the crepe queen! Left photo courtesy of Brides.com; Right two dress photos courtesy of Tara Keely’s Facebook page.

3) Mixed Materials – Us girls, we always want the best of both worlds. So, when it comes time to purchase our bridal gown, it can be hard to choose. How is one supposed to decide between the timelessness of lace and the comfort of chiffon? Luckily, the new collections have showed us that we don’t have to choose – we really can have it all! Designer Hayley Paige definitely believes in that mentality. Many of her gowns feature multiple fabrics, and the result is truly modern, unique and stunning!

These Hayley Paige stunners all feature totally different fabrics on their tops and skirts. So chic and elegant! Photos courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

These Hayley Paige stunners all feature totally different fabrics on their tops and skirts. So chic and elegant! Photos courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

4) Nude – We’re not talking about showing a ton of skin here, but rather changing up the color of your gown. Darker tones were all the rage on the bridal market runways, and for good reason. White can be a tricky color to wear, so switching to a nude or any other darker shade is a good idea for the many of us that can’t quite pull it off.

Left two dresses are by Hayley Paige (courtesy of The Knot) and the right is Willowby by Watters (courtesy of their Facebook page)

Left two dresses are by Hayley Paige (courtesy of The Knot) and the right is Willowby by Watters (courtesy of their Facebook page)

Give us a ring to come see the new beauties in person as they start to arrive in the winter of 2016; we can’t wait to see them on you!

Holiday Weekend Weddings

How to achieve holiday holy matrimony success!

Obviously, we’re thankful that Columbus discovered America because, well, we live here. That goes without saying. On this particular Friday, though, we’re equally enamored with him for giving us a much needed three day weekend (well, kinda…we’ve got some bridal and bridesmaids appointments on the books, but that’s fun stuff!). On the verge of this long weekend, we got to thinking about holiday weekend weddings. What do you think of them? We love them, but they do come with some extra considerations. If a three day weekend wedding is something you’re thinking about, here’s what you need to know:

1) Be prepared to get on the ball right away – People tend to make plans further in advance for a holiday weekend, so you’ll need to get your save the dates out ASAP to in order to catch people before they’ve made commitments that they can’t change. In addition, travel and hotels are likely to book more quickly for a holiday weekend, so it’s advised to give your guests ample time to secure their spots. Even if you do get going early, though, you still need to be prepared for the possibility of a smaller wedding. Holiday weekends can be somewhat of a fixed point for people (perhaps with traditions or other obligations that they are unwilling or unable to adjust), and you may get more declines than you would on an average weekend.

This wedding took their Labor Day theme to a whole new, adorable level! (Photo credit to Ashley Whitlow Photograhy; Photo found on loveandlavender.com)

This wedding took their Labor Day theme to a whole new, adorable level! (Photo credit to Ashley Whitlow Photograhy; Photo found on loveandlavender.com)

2) Consider the cost – While a holiday weekend does allow you to more easily have your wedding on a Sunday, beware. Having your wedding on a “normal” Sunday typically means savings; yay! However, vendors tend to look at the Sunday of a holiday weekend the same as a typical Saturday, so the savings might not be quite as much as you’d think. In addition, remember the additional cost for your guests. Travel and accommodations will likely be more expensive than normal, so don’t be surprised if that affects their gift budget for you. Book your hotel blocks as soon as you set a date to try to get them the best deal possible!

3) Run last minute errands, well, NOT at the last minute – While on a typical weekend, you’ll have plenty of store options for any last minute things you might forget, on a holiday weekend many stores will be closed. Sit down with your fiancé the week before and go through the entire wedding day with a fine tooth comb, to try and anticipate any needs/purchases before the holiday weekend hits.

These metallic gourds and cute cornucopia are perfect for a Columbus Day wedding! (found on Better Homes and Garden's website)

These metallic gourds and cute cornucopia are perfect for a Columbus Day wedding! (found on Better Homes and Garden’s website)

Those are the big things to remember, but it’s not all “disadvantages”! There are TONS of amazing things about having a holiday weekend wedding! You’ll always have a special, long weekend (i.e. days off) close to your anniversary to celebrate. Plus, the weekend of the wedding you’ll have an extra day to spend with friends and family who are in town. And don’t forget to use the holiday to your advantage! Have it be the centerpiece of your wedding theme and you’re sure to have details and touches that your guests will always remember 🙂