Blog - Flair Boston | Wedding Dresses in Boston MA | Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories, Wedding Dress Cleaning

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Technology and Weddings

Taking your big day into the future!

It’s a major understatement to say that technology is a big part of our lives. From bracelets that track our heart rate to phones that…well…do just about anything, it’s hard to remember a time before these electronic conveniences. When it comes to weddings, though, technology is still finding its proper place. Some weddings go completely unplugged, asking their guests to stow their cameras and phones. Others go all out and incorporate technology in many aspects of their big day. Most people, though, fall somewhere in the middle and want to embrace technology, but not let it overtake their wedding. If you’re one of those people, here are some fun, unique ways to pop some technology into your big day:

Photography – Do your research and you may just find a photographer in your area that incorporates drones into their routine. Yes, drones. They’re getting more and more commonplace, and many photographers find them to be the perfect second shooter! They can get angles and images that the average photographer can’t, and will ensure that you get some stunning, unique shots!

Cake – Credit Disney Weddings for this amazing, futuristic idea: images/videos projected onto your cake! Forget the frosting flowers of the past, and imagine your confection decorated with a home video of you and your sweetie. Cue the oohs and ahhs from your guests! Photos, videos, animations…the possibilities are endless!

Photos courtesy of disneyweddings.com

Video – While a professional videographer can never be replaced, you can use technology to get some amazing, candid video of your big day. How about a GoPro camera hidden in your bouquet? Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a video showing your perspective coming down the aisle?! Or consider assigning a member of your bridal party to Periscope duty and help those that can’t be with you to see your wedding in real time.

Dress – Of course we have to address the mix of technology and gowns! One of our fabulous bridal designers, Theia, has paved the way to the future with their custom gown for Carrie Underwood that featured a digital light show! While it may be awhile before a bride is ready to go that far, it’s amazing to think about how far fashion has come! If you want to pop some technology into your look in a more subtle way, how about a 3D printed headpiece? Chic, modern and sure to wow!

Don O’Neill, you’re a genius! Photo courtesy of People.com

We found this beauty on Pinterest. What do you think? Would Kate approve of this futuristic fascinator?

Let us know, how are you incorporating technology into your big day?

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Reception Dresses

Everything you need to know!

Being the dress divas that we are, there is one wedding trend that we can totally get on board with: reception dresses! Not one but two stunning styles for your big day? Sounds like a no brainer to us! If you’re considering it, we’ve got the 411 on the double dress trend:

Common Reasons a Bride Buys a Reception Dress –

1) Her dream wedding dress is an over the top ballgown that while stunning, is not ideal for dancing.

2) She’s wearing a family heirloom dress for the ceremony, but also wants something new and unique to her for the reception.

3) Religious requirements dictated the look of the ceremony gown, so she wants another dress for the reception that is more flexible and allows her to show off her aesthetic and sense of style.

4) She wants to wear a traditional, long gown however, the weather will be warm on her big day so she also wants something lighter to change into after the “I do’s.”

5) She’s a fashionista who simply can’t pick just one dress 😉

Tons of Flair designers have reception dress options! Top Left – Jackie Lady Stardust by Amy Kuschel; Top Right – Style TK2406 by Tara Keely; Bottom Left – Theia style 890121; Bottom Right – Bella by Jenny Yoo

Do you fall into one of these categories? Or, is there another reason you’re considering a duo of dresses? If so, here are some logistics that every reception dress wearer should consider:

1) Decide ahead of time when you will change into your second look. You don’t want to miss too much of your big day, so try and change during a transition time. Some suggestions include: after the ceremony as guests transition to cocktail hour (just make sure you get some formal photos in your first dress before changing), right after cocktail hour as guests transition to dinner, or right after dinner as guests transition to the dance floor. If your second dress will be more appropriate for your first dance, try and change earlier in the night to accommodate that.

2) Ensure that you have an adequate place to change. You don’t want to leave your guests for too long, so close by convenience is key. Ask your ceremony and reception sites if they have an area you can use separate from the restrooms that guests will be coming in and out of. After all, you want the new dress to be a fun surprise!

3) Assign someone to bring the reception dress to your changing location and also attend to the wedding gown after you’ve changed. This should be someone responsible that you can trust. Have that one friend who you love but is a little flighty? This is not the job for her! Do a quick change and leave this person with the job of zipping/buttoning/hanging/carefully packing the wedding gown so you can get back to your party! In advance, ask the coordinator at your reception site if there is a safe, secure place your helper can leave the gown until the end of the night.

4) Consider your accessories and undergarments. Will you need to change any of these to better suit the second dress? If so, make sure to have them with the second dress so that your helper can easily bring you everything you need.

Last but not least, there is one big reason NOT to go for the two dress trend: your budget! Ensure that you have the wiggle room for not only two dresses, but two tailoring processes, and potentially two shoes, accessories, undergarments and more! Will it be a struggle for you and your wallet? Then this trend may be one to skip!

Be sure to reach out to Flair if you have any questions on wearing multiple styles or anything else dress related 🙂 Also, let us know if you wore two dresses on your big day! How did it go? Any advice for other brides considering this trend? We can’t wait to hear from you!

in Boston Bridal / Boston Bridal gowns / Boston Weddings / Reception Dresses / Stuff We Love / Two Wedding Dresses / Wedding Party Dress / Wedding Reception Dresses 0 comments

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Hayley Paige Bridal Gowns

New Designer Alert!

Flair is thrilled to announce that we are now carrying Hayley Paige bridal gowns! As fans/carriers of her other line, Blush by Hayley Paige, we are overjoyed to round out our Hayley Paige collection! Hayley Paige truly has something for everyone. She’s got beading, she’s got lace, she’s got ballgowns, and she’s got mermaids. For the bride looking for something a little unique, Hayley Paige has you covered, too. She’s not afraid to feature patterned fabrics, colors, shorter lengths, unique necklines and more to help you stand out and be seen. If you choose a Hayley Paige bridal gown, one thing is certain – you’ll feel comfortable, look beautiful and wow your guests! Take a peek below for a little preview of some her gowns and get to know this distinctive yet timeless collection. Then, stay tuned to Flair’s social media as our new Hayley Paige beauties start to arrive!

Want sleeves with sex appeal? Remmington is the gown for you!

For the bride looking for a pop of color, Hayley Paige has a subtle, delicate way of incorporating different hues into her gowns (as seen on the stunning Josie gown).

Were you a little nervous when we mentioned patterns? Not all of the gowns them but those that do are done in an elegant, stunning way - like on Keaton!

Were you a little nervous when we mentioned patterns? Not all of the gowns feature them but those that do are done in an elegant, stunning way – like on Keaton!

If you lean more classic and traditional, HP is for you too! Check out gorgeous Mila; lace, tulle, volume - can't get more bridal than that!

If you lean more classic and traditional, HP is for you too! Check out gorgeous Mila; lace, tulle, and volume – you can’t get more bridal than that!

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Styled Wedding Shoots

A Bride’s (and Wedding Professional’s) Best Friend!

We love what we do. Bottom line, end of story. We get to meet the most kind, amazing, stylish brides, and our job hardly ever feels like work. After all, we basically get paid to play dress up all day long! Working with our brides and bridesmaids is amazing, but we are also lucky enough to work with some pretty awesome local wedding vendors. It’s important to us to get to know other wedding professionals in the area. Often, our brides will ask us for vendor recommendations and you can be sure if we give you a name, it’s someone we know, love, and have worked with before. Usually that means we have seen their work through one of our bride’s wedding photos, but sometimes we are lucky enough to get a closer look at their craft via a styled photo shoot. Yeah, that’s right, yet another cool, fun part of our job! Styled shoots are helpful to both vendors and brides. On our end, we get to know other wedding professionals in the area, show off our work, and get some phenomenal photos out of it to share with all of you! For brides, you get to see the full range of what we can do, and get a sense of our style and aesthetic. It’s a win win! Case in point: our most recent styled shoot. Get ready to drool over these stunning shots by the incomparable Sweet Monday Photography! If you need a photographer for your big day, you simply must call these ladies; they are sweet, fun, and amazing at what they do! Check it out:

Our Coren Moore flowergirl dress is almost as cute as the model! Photo credit: Sweet Monday Photography

Our Tara Keely style TK2450 is perfectly romantic and ethereal when paired with a floral crown! Photo credits: Sweet Monday Photography

Floral crown not your thing? Our classic, affordable chapel length veil is a timless choice! Photo credits: Sweet Monday Photography

We love the short dress trend! Whether it’s your all day dress or something to change into for your reception, our Amy Kuschel Jackie Lady Stardust dress is sheer perfection! Photo credits: Sweet Monday Photography

Other amazing vendors who worked on this shoot include:

Event Design: Lolo Event Design

Flowers: Poppy Floral

Makeup: Making Faces Wedding

Hair: Love Notes by June

Venue: The Mount

Rentals: Peterson Party Center

Suit: The Black Tux

in BM Dresses Boston / Boston / Boston Bridal / boston wedding vendors / Boston Weddings / photo shoot / Stuff We Love / styled wedding shoot / sweet monday photography / wedding photo shoot 0 comments

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Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

The don’ts that every bride should know!

When trying something new, there’s always a little bit of trial and error. No one skis a black diamond on their first try. No one has perfect hair their first time using a curling iron (we’ve all been victim to those tight, Shirley Temple curls). But what about wedding dress shopping? Most of us only get one crack at that, so how do you work out the kinks? Take advice from fab pros like Flair, of course! We’ve learned over the years that when it comes to gown shopping, oftentimes it’s more about knowing what NOT to do. Here are our top dress shopping don’ts:

Yes, we are shamelessly using this blog as an excuse to show off photos of Flair brides who obviously shopped successfully – they look gorge! Photo credit: Leah Haydock Photography

DON’T try on a gown that is over of your budget – There’s a reason it’s more expensive. It’s pretty, and you’re probably going to love it. Then you’ll have the hard decision of either raising your budget or trying to forget said dress; a Sophie’s choice if I’ve ever heard one!
DON’T shop too early – Your body may change. Your taste/style may change. New styles may come out that you’ll love more. Enough said. 12-9 months in advance is ideal for dress shopping/purchasing, so do your best to stay within that time frame.

Another pretty, pretty Flair bride 🙂

DON’T focus on sales – Sure, sales are great…if they happen to apply to a dress that you already love. It can be easy to feel like you “love” a dress because it’s on a huge discount, but that shouldn’t be your #1 reason to purchase it. Think about if the dress was full price; would you love it just as much? If so, buy it! If not, it may be time to move on.
DON’T try to change a dress – Aside from little adjustments (extra length, for example) you really shouldn’t want to change a dress if it’s truly “the one.” If you want to alter major parts of the dress (i.e. top style, skirt fullness, material, etc.) then it’s likely not the one for you. Besides, the designer knew what he/she was doing and there’s probably a reason they designed the dress the way they did. Even if they will make the desired modifications for you, do you really purchase a dress without seeing those changes first? Probably not.

Gorgeous overload!

DON’T try to please everyone – This dress is all about YOU. Period. End of sentence. Sure, it would be great to have everyone in your entourage agree on a dress, but we’re here to tell you – that rarely happens. In the same breath, don’t feel pressured to purchase a dress just because everyone in your group loves it. If the only reason you love it is because they do, it’s probably not the one for you.

Lastly, DON’T put too much pressure on yourself. After all, gown shopping should be fun! One way to ensure that it is…come to Flair 😉 We can’t wait to shop with you soon!

in Advice from Flair / Boston Bridal / Boston Weddings / Tips from Pros / Uncategorized / Wedding Dress Do's and Don'ts / Wedding Dress Shopping / Wedding Dress Shopping Tips 0 comments

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Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

Ask your girls in a fun, new way!

Here are Flair, we love hearing about how you got engaged! Brides always glow as they recount the way their fiancé popped the question. Hearing these stories got us to thinking; as nice as it is to be proposed to, we bet it’s just as fun to do the proposing! To get brides in on the act, there’s a new trend in the wedding world – bridesmaids’ proposals! While a handwritten note is always a classic, heartfelt option, if you want to do something a little unique and over the top for your girls, consider popping the bridal party question! Here are just a few ideas that we love:

1) A polished proposal – Start by asking your future bridesmaid to go for a mani/pedi. Every girl knows that one of the best parts of going to the nail salon is choosing your color and reading all of the fun polish names. When it comes time to choose, hand her a custom polish with a name that pops the question! Pretty Please is a super cute company that can help you accomplish this proposal with style!

2) Pop the cork…and the question – Start by ordering one of these adorable, custom wine glasses. Then, ask your future maid to meet you at a local vineyard for a day of wine tasting (we bet it won’t be hard to get her there). Arrive first and ask the staff to give your girl the special glass when it’s time to taste. It’s sure to be a vineyard visit you and she won’t forget. Cheers!

3) A shipment to make her smile – If your future maid isn’t local, you can always get creative and ship your proposal! The options are endless, but we kinda love these custom fortune cookies. Fill them with quotes you both love, memories you share, and finally, with one popping the question!

Whatever you do, taking the extra step to “propose” to your bridesmaids is sure to make them feel special and get them excited to stand by your side on the big day!

in BM Boston / Boston Bridesmaids / Boston Weddings / bridesmaids proposals / Stuff We Love / will you be my bridesmaids 0 comments

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Jenny Yoo and The Dessy Collection

A Match Made in Wedding Heaven!

Champagne and orange juice. Chocolate and peanut butter. Isn’t it awesome when you discover that two things that you love separately are also amazing together? It’s the same with our newest dream duo: Jenny Yoo and The Dessy Collection! They’re fantastic bridesmaids’ dress designers on their own (duh), but when they combine forces? Perfection! Jenny Yoo has created a brand new collection exclusively for The Dessy Collection and we can tell you first hand, it’s gorgeous! Affordable, romantic and soft; we just know you’re going to love them! These beauties just started arriving at Flair, so give us a ring to come check them out in person! In the meantime, keep scrolling for a little preview:

Style JY507 is the perfect combination of formal lace and easy breezy nu-georgette. And it’s available in no less than 89 stunning colors!

Style JY510 comes in ons of colors, but we're kinda obsessed with it in Ivory; perfect for a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner!

Style JY510 comes in a bunch of gorgeous colors, but we’re kinda obsessed with it in Ivory; perfect for a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner!

Style JY505 is fantastically flattering! That rouching is a girl’s best friend!

Style JY508 is so ethereal and romantic, we’re swooning! And we love the little pop of lace at the neckline and back!

Style JY500 might just have our new fave neckline; slightly off the shoulder but still stays put!

Style JY500 might just have our fave new neckline; slightly off the shoulder but still stays put!

Do you have a favorite? We simply can’t decide! Can’t wait to see all of these fresh, modern styles on our beautiful Boston bridesmaids 🙂

in BM Dresses Boston / Boston BM dresses / Boston Brdesmaids dresses / Boston Bridesmaids / Boston Weddings / Dessy / Dessy bridesmaids / Dessy Collection / Jenny Yoo / Jenny Yoo bridesmaids / Jenny Yoo for The Dessy Collection / JY Jenny Yoo 0 comments

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Wedding Weather

Beat the heat (or snow, or rain)

As much as you plan for your big day, there’s one thing that you just can’t control: the weather. Mother Nature doesn’t always seem to want to play nice, so it’s important for brides to be prepared for anything. That’s especially true here in New England, where the weather tends to be annoyingly unpredictable. If the 10 day forecast comes out and your wedding day looks like it will be less than ideal, have no fear! There are tons of ways to beat Mother Nature at her own game!
If it’s going to rain:
Grab tons of rainy weather photo props, like wellies and cute umbrellas. You’ll end up with unique, memorable photos, and on top of that, overcast skies actually provide amazing lighting for your photographer! When it comes to your look, make sure your makeup artist uses only waterproof makeup on you and your girls. Also, bring a pair of flats. If you plan to walk outside, the soft, wet ground will wreak havoc on your heels. For your guests, consider having some fluffy towels near the entrance of your ceremony/reception so they can dry off and get ready to celebrate!

Amazing, kind and beautiful Flair bride Molly had Hunter boots for her girls. The result? Adorable overload!

If it’s going to be cold:
Again, cue the props! Have a pashmina ready for each of your bridesmaids, and how about a glam fur (faux, if you prefer) for yourself? Also, be sure to have tissues and chapstick on hand, as cold temperatures tend to bring out sniffles and chapped lips! Lastly, see if you can have some warm beverages on hand during the photo session. Irish coffee, anyone? These little touches will keep everyone happy and comfortable, and will ensure that you get some fabulous photos! For your guests, think about having some hand warmers around to get them toasty and in the mood to party!

We found this cutie bridal party on theknot.com (photo courtesy of Misha Media Photography)

If it’s going to be hot:
My own wedding falls under this category. We chose July, so I had it coming, but our day was far above even the normal average temperature. In the days before, we bought tons of water and portable fans for our bridal party to use during the photos. Also, those little oil absorbing face sheets were a lifesaver. Everyone got a little shiny and sweaty as we walked to different photo locations and those babies got us fresh and camera ready! For your guests, consider turning your ceremony program into a fan (after all, most of them will probably do this anyways) and have some cold beverages on hand. You could even have some cubes of watermelon passed around; a fun, cute way to keep everyone hydrated! If your wedding is outside, provide some sunscreen for your guests. They probably won’t think to put any on beforehand and will appreciate the thought.

We found these adorable feta, mint and watermelon bites on hgtv.com

Whatever the weather, try to remember that this aspect of your wedding is out of your control, so just roll with the punches! Your day will be perfect regardless, because you’re marrying the one you love 🙂

in Pashmina for bridesmaids / Rainy Wedding / Summer Wedding / Uncategorized / Wedding Photography / Wedding Photography Props / Wedding Weather / Winter Wedding 0 comments

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Making your Bridesmaids Feel Special

Be the Beyonce of Brides (aka the best)!

When you get to a certain age, it seems like your whole life rotates around weddings. When’s that shower? Where’s that bachelorette? We have HOW many weddings this year?! Not to mention when you’re a bridesmaid in one (or more) of those weddings. After the first one or two times being in a bridal party, the shine can wear off a little. So, when you get engaged, remember that while it’s your first time as a bride, it’s probably not your friends’ first time being a maid. Make your wedding stand out (and earn yourself an A+ bride rating!) by doing some special things for your girls throughout the process:

1) Ask them in style – The first interaction your bridesmaids will have with you as a bride is when you ask them to be in the wedding party, so do it right! You don’t have to go crazy (a Bridesmaids style invite complete with live butterfly is not necessary); a simple, chic, personalized card is a timeless approach that is sure to have them saying “yes!”

These ADORABLE cards (by fab local artist Holly Nichols) are available on our online site, Frills, and can be customized with different names/shoe colors!

These ADORABLE cards (by fab local artist Holly Nichols) are available exclusively on our online site, Frills, and can be customized with different names/shoe colors!

2) Plan a get together – Kick your wedding planning off with a bang by organizing a fun event for your girls! This is especially important if your bridesmaids don’t all know each other; it’s your job to facilitate the getting acquainted process. Take a cocktail making class, plan an outing at a local vineyard, indulge in a spa day…the list of possibilities goes on and on! It will be fun for everyone and it’ll show your girls that you care, which will get them excited to help you plan for the main event!

3) Take their opinions into account – This is a good idea across the board, but especially with their look. Think about creating a special “bridesmaids’ style” Pinterest board and give them access to add to it. Then, use their ideas as a jumping off point for your dress shopping trip. They will respect that you have taken their preferences to heart and will end up looking and feeling better for it!

Worried they'll have differing opinions? Jenny Yoo shows that it's OK (even beautiful!) to mix and match dresses and colors!

Worried your bridesmaids will have differing opinions? Jenny Yoo shows that it’s OK (even beautiful!) to mix and match dress styles and colors to suit each girl’s style!

4) Give them a shout out – The rehearsal dinner is the perfect time to make your love for your bridesmaids’ known. Most of the important people in your life will be there, so calling them out specifically is sure to bring a tear to their eye and earn you major bride points (and make up for that inevitable bridezilla moment that every bride has).

5) Be the wedding morning maven – By the day of the wedding, your bridesmaids will have done a ton to help you, so it’s time to let them know how much you appreciate all of their hard work! Order room service, bring in their favorite coffee, pop some champagne and create a fun, stress free getting ready environment full of gratitude!

6) Take your photos over the top – If you have time, talk to your photographer about doing special portraits with each of your bridesmaids. Also offer to have their significant others involved. If they can walk away from your wedding with a professional photo with you and their hunny (maybe even their families!) they are sure to remember you as the bride to beat!

Whatever you do, always remember that your bridesmaids’ whole lives are not dedicated to your wedding. Stay involved in what’s going on in their lives too and make time for non-wedding talk. Trust us, you’ll probably want to get your mind off the big day every once and awhile too 🙂

in Advice from Flair / Asking your bridesmaids / Boston / Boston Bridal / Boston Bridesmaids / Boston Weddings / Bridesmaids Cards / Bridesmaids Gifts / Jenny Yoo / Mixed bridesmaids dresses / Stuff We Love / Tips from Pros / Uncategorized / Will you be my bridesmaid 0 comments

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Flower Girl Dresses

Fresh, new ideas for the little lady in your life!

flower girl
noun
1. A young girl at a wedding ceremony who precedes the bride and carries or scatters flowers in her path.

Alternate definition: A young girl who has a strong chance of stealing your thunder.

The wedding day is all about the bride – oh yeah, and you too, grooms 😉 – but if there had to be a second in command, it would be the flower girl. She’s cute – almost too cute – and the wedding can’t start without her. She’s basically a mini-bride. She sets the tone for your own walk down the aisle, so you definitely want her happy and excited. How can you ensure that? Well, with little ones there’s never a guarantee but if you dress her right, she’s probably going to jump at the chance to hit that aisle and strut her stuff. Check out these fresh, new ideas for flower girls and get your little lady runway (i.e. aisle) ready:

1) Redefine “flower” girl – Flower petals are the classic, standard accessory for flower girls (duh), but they’re not always practical. If your ceremony is outdoors, they’ll probably end up flying all over the place. Not to mention the fact that flower girls are notorious for either not throwing the petals at all, or dropping them in huge, random clumps. Not exactly the delicate scattering of petals you were hoping for. You can avoid that by giving her a modern, unique item to carry. Try a clever sign, or what about a big, bright balloon? And that chic parasol? We’re swooning!

Thanks to Real Simple for these adorable photos!

2) Give her happy feet – A comfortable kid is a happy kid, so get her started off on the right foot with some cute, yet comfortable footwear. Mini Uggs, cowboy boots, Toms, or even Hunter rain boots are sure to be met with ooh’s and ahh’s from your guests as well as your flower girl!

We found these cuties on Pinterest 🙂

3) Get her ‘do just right – While we are obsessed with the flower crowns we’ve been seeing for brides, bridesmaids and flower girls alike, it’s time for some new alternatives. We love this lace headband. Lace is so very bridal and therefore perfect for the big day! Also, every girl loves some bling, so why not adorn her top knot with some sparkle? And for the little diva in your life, a mini-veil is an accessory that’s sure to make her feel special and wow your guests!

Kudos again to Pinterest for these sweet shots!

4) Dress for success – Gone are the days of simple white dresses with a color coordinated sash. There are tons of adorable, modern dress styles for your flower girls! Jenny Yoo has numerous options that are sure to set your girl apart, and they even go along with the hot, new trends we’re seeing in bridal gowns. Lace, sleeves, colors; there’s something for every girl’s taste!

Just a few of Jenny’s delightlful dresses! L to R: Her Etsy, Annie and Avery styles

Whatever you choose, make your flower girl feel special and she’s sure to walk the aisle with a smile 🙂

in Advice from Flair / Boston Weddings / Flower Girl / Flower Girl Dresses / Flower Girl Shoes / Flower Girl Trends / Jenny Yoo / Jenny Yoo Flower Girl Dresses / Stuff We Love / Tips from Pros 0 comments

{ BLOG }

Taking your big day into the future!

Everything you need to know!

New Designer Alert!

A Bride’s (and Wedding Professional’s) Best Friend!

The don’ts that every bride should know!

Ask your girls in a fun, new way!

A Match Made in Wedding Heaven!

Beat the heat (or snow, or rain)

Be the Beyonce of Brides (aka the best)!

Fresh, new ideas for the little lady in your life!