Amy Kuschel Bridal Archives - Flair Boston | Wedding Dresses in Boston MA | Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories, Wedding Dress Cleaning

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Wedding Gown Add-Ons

How to make your gown truly YOU!

I’ll never forget the day I saw it; the episode of “Say Yes to the Dress” when another bride bought my wedding dress (yes, I bought at Kleinfeld because I got married a million years ago, pre-Flair having its AMAZING bridal collection). How can this be?? That dress is MINE! I looked so fabulous that surely they just retired that dress after me, right?! Once my hysterics died down, I realized that it really wasn’t that big of a deal. Of course other brides are going to wear my dress; if they don’t, that might say more about my fashion sense than anything else. Besides that, the way I styled it was totally different than the TV bride, making our dresses look more like cousins than twins. Crisis averted. If you’re having similar feelings, have no fear, there are tons of bridal embellishments and add-ons that can truly make your dress YOURS! Check them out:

A topper – Bridal tops are a MAJOR trend in the wedding world right now! Pop one on and instantly change your look, making it fresh, modern, and (if you need it) more covered up. They’re perfect for a ceremony that requires more modesty, or just a little pop of extra style all day/night long!

Yes, that’s a lace topper! Works perfectly and seamlessly with the dress, right? Amy Kuschel’s “Audrey” top totally has us swooning!

A petticoat – It may sound like a thing of the past that Jane Eyre was forced to wear, but actually petticoats are still totally relevant and current in today’s bridal fashions! They are an affordable, easy way to add some volume to the skirt of your wedding gown, and you’d be surprised how different they can make it look!
Detachable straps – We know, we know; the bridal world is still predominantly strapless. It’s getting better, we swear, but in the meantime, accessories designers are taking notice and adding removable straps to their repertoire! So, no need to avoid strapless styles when you head out on your gown search!

No need for a necklace when you add AB Ellie’s STUNNING, sparkly “Josephine” straps to your strapless gown!

Buttons – Almost all of our bridal gown designers have the option of adding buttons down the back of their gowns. Don’t worry, though, most don’t actually require you to button them up. Slide up your zipper and the buttons hug over the seam, creating an elegant, photo-worthy look!

Of course, these options are in addition to the always fabulous and classic options of jewelry, belts/sashes, and veils! Flair is happy to help you explore any of these add-ons; let us know if there’s one that speaks to you!

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Bridal Separates

Look tops with a topper!

Over the years we’ve come to find that a bride falling in love with two different wedding dresses is a fairly common occurrence. Generally speaking, brides aren’t often sold on one particular look so she may covet a romantic, timeless gown, for example, just as much as a modern, trendy one. Unless you have a Kardashian budget, you probably won’t opt for actually buying both dress styles, so then begins your very own Sophie’s choice. Which gown to choose?? Lucky for today’s brides, though, there’s a fairly easy way to get two looks out of one dress – toppers! Slip one of these on and totally transform the look of your dress! Whether you’re looking for a little more coverage for the ceremony, or you just want to change up your look mid-day, a topper is an easy and economical way to get the best of both worlds. Did we peak your interest? Here are some terrific toppers by Flair’s fabulous designers!

Amy Kuschel’s Audrey topper is perfect for the bride looking for a little more coverage!

Looking to add some whimsy and romance to your look? Jenny Yoo’s Ophelia capelet will do just the trick – and make for some stunning photo ops!

Love lace but don’t want a full lace gown? Just pop on Jenny Yoo’s Mika topper for just the right amount of lovely lace 🙂

Want to really make a statement? Willowby’s Merapi vest is sure to wow!

Tell us – which topper is your fave??

in Amy Kuschel / Amy Kuschel Bridal / Boston Bridal / Boston Weddings / Bridal Separates / Jenny Yoo / Jenny Yoo 2016 / Jenny Yoo Bridal Gowns / Stuff We Love / Wedding dress toppers / Willowby by Watters Bridal 0 comments

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Gowns that Give

Amy Kuschel’s Philanthropic Program

Speaking from experience, I know how easy it can be to forget about the rest of the world when planning your wedding. It takes up all of your free time, and dominates most of your conversations. I, for example, totally forgot about my parent’s anniversary in the midst of my own planning haze. Face palm. I could have used a little reminder that while my wedding was certainly important, it was not the only important thing. Amy Kuschel has always done a great job of reminding brides of just that, with her “Gowns that Give” campaign. Talk about the best of both worlds! You get the gown of your dreams for your important day, while an equally important charity gets a portion of said gown’s profits. Look good, and do good; it’s a no-brainer! Here are some of the stunning styles that are a part of the program:

The Boston gown (a fave of ours, duh) benefits The Trevor Project

Chic Charleston benefits The Breast Cancer Fund

A portion of hottie Harlow’s funds goes towards The Sierra Club

Pretty Roxy (the dress, though the dog is cute too!) benefits The San Francisco SPCA

Can’t wait to see these charitable cuties on our brides at our Amy Kuschel designer event this weekend!!

in Amy Kuschel / Amy Kuschel Bridal / Boston Bridal / Boston Weddings / Charitable wedding ideas / charitable weddings / Stuff We Love 0 comments

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Amy Kuschel Bridal

Girls, get ready for some Disco and Deco deliciousness!

As any “Project Runway” addict like myself knows, every fashion collection needs to have a cohesive theme. It’s not enough to just make pretty pieces (although that’s a great start); for a collection to really be, well, a collection, all of the items need to make sense together. The designers we have at Flair do an amazing job at that, and we’re constantly amazed at their creativity and strong sense of personal style. While no two collections are alike, at the same time they always possess that signature look that each designer has become known for. One collection that we really love this year is “Deco to Disco” by Amy Kuschel. Let’s face it, since “The Great Gatsby” all of us girls have had a bit of an obsession with fashion from the past, and Amy has tapped right into that! The great thing, though, is that she has also managed to make this collection look totally fresh and modern. With chic, minimal shapes, lush fabrics, and perfectly proportioned embellishments, all of the dresses in this collection are fun, flirty, and full of style! Check out a few of our faves below and then give us a ring to see them in person at our “Deco to Disco” designer event next weekend!

Oh hello, hottie Harlow!

Hey Boston dress, we love you because of a) your name, duh b) your good looks and c) your charity! A portion of the proceeds of this gown goes towards an LGBT charity!

Garbo, you’re gorgeous!!

Say hello to Harlem! Isn’t she chic and sleek!

We think Daisy Buchanan would approve of and love the Charleston gown!

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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)

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)

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)

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!

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)

What do you think? Which top would you rock?

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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 🙂

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

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)

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!

in 2016 Bridal Gown Collections / Amy Kuschel / Amy Kuschel Bridal / Bridal Gown Trends / Hayley Paige / Hayley Paige Bridal / Jenny Yoo / Jenny Yoo Bridal Gowns / Jenny Yoo bridesmaids / New York Bridal Market / Theia Bridal / Wedding Dress Trends / Willowby by Watters Bridal 0 comments

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Amy Kuschel Wedding Dresses

Get to know this dynamic designer!

Ahead of our exciting designer event this weekend, we wanted to take some time to help you get to know amazing Flair friend and designer, Amy Kuschel, a little bit better. Amy will always have a special place in our heart. When Flair decided to expand our bridal gown selection about 4 years ago, she was the first new designer we added to our collection. It was a little scary; at that time we were known mostly for our bridesmaids’ collection, so we weren’t sure how our customers would respond to us dipping our toe further into the bridal pond. We just couldn’t resist Amy’s stunning, modern and romantic gowns though, and we knew you would love them just as much as we did (and still do)! Cut to a few years later and our bridal gown business is booming and Amy’s gowns are thriving at Flair, and with good reason! They are thoughtfully designed, artfully created and beautifully finished. Amy’s extensive fashion background helps to ensure that. With a degree from FIT, years of experience in ready to wear design (prior to the start of her bridal label) and a keen eye for fit and trends, every dress that Amy creates is sure to fit, flatter and wow! On top of that, Amy is committed to using only the finest fabrics, trims, beads and baubles on her dresses. She manages to do all that while maintaining an affordable price point and keeping her production facilities in the USA. Pretty amazing, right? We’re telling you, this collection (and its designer) has it all! Need proof? Prepare to drool over the Amy Kuschel gowns below and give us a call if you want to experience her beauties in person 🙂

Amy Kuschel shows us that sleeves can be modern and sexy, as seen on stunning Jules!

Looking for a short dress, or a dress to change into for your reception? Amy has you covered with her adorable Jackie Lady Stardust dress!

Looking for something timeless, yet unique? Look no further than Lennon! A classic silhouette in that subtle shade of pink; a homerun!

Looking for a little more coverage? Tulip is a Flair all star – it was one of the first styles we bought and it is still going strong. So flattering!

See what we mean? There’s a little something for everyone at Amy Kuschel! We can’t sing her praises enough and can’t wait to see her gorgeous gowns on all of YOU 🙂

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Unique Wedding Gowns

Easy, elegant ways to step outside of the box!

We’ve been back from Spring bridal market for almost a week now but we’re still in total swoon mode over all of the stunning styles that we saw there! We pinch ourselves every time market rolls around; we can’t believe it’s our job to watch fashion shows and buy pretty, new dresses for the showroom. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it 🙂 One thing we always notice at market is how bridal gowns are constantly evolving. There are so many options out there; wedding gowns can no longer be defined as just “a white dress.” For brides looking to break the mold, these days there are tons of gorgeous ways to step outside the box and wear something unique:

1) Embrace the rainbow! White can be tough color to wear, and if you’re not comfortable in it, don’t feel like you have to wear it. If an alternatively hued dress just feels more “you”, go for it! Check out these wedding dresses with color – still elegant and oh so bridal!

Blush pink is an easy transition for the bride looking for a little color! L to R: Tara Keely style 2510, the Opal gown by Blush by Hayley Paige and Theia’s petal gown

2) Think short! While the majority of wedding gowns are still floor length, every year we see more and more styles with higher hems. A shorter dress will be lightweight, comfortable and easy to dance in, and most of them are formal enough to still feel bridal. If you still want the long look for your ceremony, though, consider adding a removable skirt over your short dress, and get the best of both worlds!

Amy Kuschel sure knows how to make a pretty little white dress! Her Jackie Lady Stardust (left) and Mimosa (right) dresses are just stunning! Want to add some length? Jenny Yoo’s London skirt is perfection!

3) Change up the fabric! Lace still reigns supreme in the bridal world (for good reason – it’s gorge) but we’re so excited by all of the new fabrics we’re seeing these days. Completely beaded? Why not! Flowers? Sure! A traditional silhouette in a bold fabric is the perfect way to be unique but still look like a bride!

Theia is the king of alternative fabrics! Pearls and beads and petals, oh my!

Whatever you choose, just be true to yourself! These days, there is truly a style to suit every bride, so do your research and find what is truly “you”! Happy shopping 🙂

in alternative wedding dresses / Amy Kuschel Bridal / Blush by Hayley Paige / Boston / Boston Bridal / Boston Bridal gowns / Boston Weddings / Bridal Gowns / Brides Boston / Flair Weddings / Jenny Yoo / Stuff We Love / Tara Keely bridal / Theia Bridal / Unique wedding dresses 0 comments

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Wedding Dress Shopping

How do you know when you’ve found “the one”?

Quick bride poll: Do you watch any of those wedding dress shopping shows? I always wonder if brides find them helpful or overwhelming. They’re TV shows, after all, so they tend to bring the drama; mean moms, tight timelines and petrifying prices, to name a few. Another thing? Most brides on these shows seem to have that clarifying, aha moment when they just know that a dress is “the one.” Well we’re here to tell you, not everyone has that moment, and that’s OK! We’ve heard brides question themselves all too often: “I’m not getting that feeling” or “I’m not sure if it’s the one because I didn’t cry.” These shows can make us think that there is a particular way we should act, look and feel when we’ve found the right dress, and that’s not always the case. Everyone’s dress shopping experience is different, and their reactions to it are also different. If you’re one of the many who isn’t getting that mysterious, special “feeling”, we’ve come up with some other tell tale signs that you’ve found the dress for you:

Forgive us while we use this blog as an excuse to share pics of some gorgeous brides who found "the one" at Flair! Christa is an elegant, happy and stunning bride in Jenny Yoo's Georgeanne gown!

Forgive us while we use this blog as an excuse to share pics of some gorgeous brides who found “the one” at Flair! First up, Christa is an elegant, happy and STUNNING bride in Jenny Yoo’s Georgeanne gown!

1) You can’t stop thinking about it – Find yourself day dreaming about a particular dress? Thinking about the low back when you should be sending your boss an email? Imagining the beading as you stroll through the grocery aisles? You may have found your dress!
2) You compare all others dresses to it – Most brides don’t stop shopping when they find a dress that they love. We get it; you want to be sure you’ve tried on enough styles! However, if you find yourself constantly measuring other dresses against one you’ve already tried and liked, it’s probably the one for you!
3) You’ve accessorized it in your head – Sometimes our heads are ahead of our hearts! Maybe without even realizing you’re doing it, you’ve already decided what belt to add to a particular dress, or what heirloom jewelry of your Grandmother’s would go well with it. In your mind, you’ve already purchased this dress and are taking the next step to accent it with some bling. There’s probably a reason for that…

Amanda is giving us some serious bridal glam in her Rosemary gown by Amy Kuchel!

Amanda is giving us some serious bridal glam in her Rosemary gown by Amy Kuschel! Breathtaking shot courtesy of the amazing Leah Haydock Photography

Bottom line: If you get that aha feeling, great, but if you don’t 1) you’re not alone and 2) that doesn’t mean you haven’t found your dream dress! No two shopping experience are alike just like no two brides are alike, so just trust your gut, watch for these signs and most of all, enjoy some fun, happy and pressure free dress shopping!

in Advice from Flair / Amy Kuschel Bridal / Boston Bridal / Boston Bridal gowns / Boston Weddings / Bridal Gowns / Brides Boston / Dress Shopping Tips / Flair Weddings / Jenny Yoo / Tips from Pros 0 comments

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Brides of Distinction 2015

A Day in the Life

If you follow us on Instagram (@flairboston) then you probably saw some photos from an event we did yesterday; the Brides of Distinction Brunch at the Omni Parker House! We’ve participated in this event for several years now and it’s always so much fun, for us and for the brides who attend! Basically, it’s a time for brides and their friends and family to come see the Omni’s stunning ballroom decorated for a wedding, giving them a good sense if the venue is right for them! How often do you get to see your venue decorated, in person, prior to booking? It’s SUCH a great idea! Even if some of the brides have already booked the Omni, it’s a great time for them to get a sense of the space and figure out how to make it their own on their wedding day! In addition, there’s delicious food and drinks, cakes to taste, fab vendors to meet and greet AND a fun fashion show, courtesy of Flair! Here’s how our day went:

How gorge does the ballroom look?? Fab flowers courtesy of Madison Floral and linens/chairs by Rentals Unlimited!

8:00 AM – Models report for hair and makeup – We are the luckiest girls; we have absolutely beautiful friends who offer to double as models for this amazing event! They got up super early on a Sunday to do this for us, and we are eternally grateful! We’re also majorly grateful for Alexandra Makeup Artistry and Bella Hair Studio for making the girls so glam and gorgeous! Brides, you MUST book them for your wedding! We had 8 models for this event and ALL of them looked absolutely perfect, so these ladies can totally handle your wedding party!

Alexandra (top left) and the girls from Bella (top right) are the BEST!

Here are some close ups of the fab hair and makeup!

11:30 AM – Time to get dressed! – The girls carefully climb into their first looks and get lined up for the start of the show. We’re full of excited nerves; we can’t wait to share these gorgeous looks with all of the brides and bridesmaids in the audience!

Check out the GORGE backs on some of our first looks!

Check out these babes in their first looks! Gorge!

12:15 – The show begins! – Our owner, Stacey, and local TV personality Jenny Johnson emcee the fashion show, giving the audience all of the important details on each style! They cover it all; the fabric, the fit, what wedding style each would be appropriate for and what body types should wear them. It’s a fun, easy way for brides and bridesmaids to “shop” for their dresses without having to try anything on! The cell phones cameras were snapping away; these dresses were a hit!

12:45 – Show’s over! – Each model quick changed into three different styles during the show; backstage was crazy but fun! At the end, there was a final walk through and then, in the blink of an eye the show was over! We loved being able to connect with all of those brides in such a short amount of time and in such a fun, casual environment. Also, working with all of the other amazing wedding vendors was such a joy, everyone there was top notch!

In total swoon mode over these last looks!

If you missed the brunch and like any of the dresses you see pictured here, give us a ring to come see them for yourself in the store!

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