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Bridesmaids’ Dress Shopping Tips

Set yourself up for dress success!

Planning; when it comes to your wedding, there’s very little you can do without it. From the all important budget planning, to the seating chart, to your ceremony structure and more– advanced preparation is key. The same goes for your bridesmaids’ dress shopping! In order to get the most out of your appointments, prior planning is of the utmost importance. That hour in the store goes by in a snap, so getting organized in advance will help you maximize your time and set you up for success! Since we know a thing or two about bridesmaids’ dress shopping 😉 we decided to pull together a brief list of recommendations for what to do before you visit us:
1) Buy your bridal gown – The wedding dress sets the tone for all of the other attire, so check that off of your list first! Another reason to wait? Designers come out with new dresses 1-2 times per year and you want to make sure you see all that will be available for your wedding season. We recommend shopping 5-6 months in advance of the big day.

Yes, we are totally going to use this blog to shamelessly show off some fab Flair brides/maids who did their homework and shopped with success! Photo credit to the amazing Deborah Zoe Photography 🙂

2) Do your research – There are so many options available these days that it’s best to come in with an idea in mind to help us tailor down your search/selection. Check out real weddings (our Facebook page is a great place to start!) as well as styled shoots in magazines/ blogs. Use those as inspiration to help you head into your appointment with atleast one thing you must have in your bridesmaids’ dresses. You’d be surprised how much that one thing can help narrow down the sea of dresses and make your shopping trip successful and stress free!

Blush and beautiful! Photo credit to the fab Suzanna March Photography

3) Choose your dream team – Your bridesmaids’ dress appointments are not an excuse for a small party. More people = more voices, more opinions and more anxiety! Take some time prior to your shopping trips to decide whose opinion matters most and who you think will really help you choose the right dresses. Bring only those people to your initial appointment; you can always bring more people to any follow up appointments…after you’ve narrowed down the choices!

Making a bridal party of 6 all look happy and amazing? No easy task, but this bride did it right! Photo credit to Studio 1923

Making a bridal party of 7 all look happy and amazing? No easy task, but this bride did it right! Photo credit to the talented Studio 1923

We could go on and on, but if you do those three, main things in advance of your bridesmaids’ shopping, we’re sure that you’ll find your appointment to be trouble-free and triumphant! Tell us if you have any tips for our future Flair brides/maids to add to the list 🙂

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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!

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Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Caring for your wedding wardrobe

As we unpacked box after box of shiny, new bridesmaids’ dresses this week, we got to thinking about what happens to these beauties after they leave our showroom. We LOVE getting photos from our brides’ big days; seeing the dresses come to life and fit in with all of your other gorgeous wedding details. But what about before the wedding day? We realized that maybe it was time for a little crash course in “I just received my bridesmaid’s dress, now what??”

Just a small sampling of the dresses we unpack on a daily basis. Side bar, this is going to be one beautiful, blush bridal party!

So you pick up your dress, you’re all excited, and then you get it home and kinda freak out a little. This is a super important dress and you have to keep it safe and in perfect condition until the wedding day (which for some people is months away). Don’t panic, here’s what you do:

1) Try it on…ASAP! – We’re going to start off by saying that 99.9% of the time our dresses leave the store in perfect condition. However, there is that other 0.1% to consider. If you get your dress home and you think something isn’t quite right, we have to know about it right away. Most likely, it’s not an actual problem and we can talk you through it. In the event that there is a true issue, though, our designers will only consider fixing a dress if they know about the problem quickly. The longer it’s in your care, the more likely the problem occurred on your end, and the less likely they will be to remedy it.

2) Find your dress a home – Once you’ve tried your dress on and are happy with it, it needs a place to live. Find a nice, dark place (like the back of your closet) to keep it safe. Avoid anywhere that gets direct sunlight, as prolonged sun exposure overtime can affect the color slightly. Also, make sure the dress isn’t smashed/crushed; giving it ample space will avoid wrinkling. Last but not least, always keep your dress in the bag we provided it with!

3) Plan your tailoring – Most dresses will need some adjustments, so use this time to research where you want to take yours. Of course, Flair has a preferred, amazing tailor, but ultimately you can take your dress wherever you like. We strongly recommend choosing a reputable tailor with great reviews (ideally someone you know has used/loved them). Remember, the cheapest option is likely not the best option. This is not the place to cut corners!

4) Let out some steam – While many tailors will offer to steam your dress for you, it is likely to get a few wrinkles between pick up and the wedding day. See if the venue where you will be getting ready has a steamer on hand for last minute adjustments. If not, most dresses can be steamed in the bathroom during a nice, long, hot shower. Just avoid actual water contact with your dress; keep it far enough from the stream to just get a nice, little steam.

Perfect steaming form! Pull the fabric out and get the steamer close, but not touching the garment. Fab photo courtesy of Calvina Photography

See, nice and easy! If any other questions come up between pick up and the wedding, though, just reach out to Flair, we’re always here to help!

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Bridesmaids’ Duties

What does this whole bridesmaids thing entail?

Wedding planning raises many questions for brides. What will I wear? How should I do my hair? Who will be in my bridal party? Once that last question gets answered, new questions arise – and not just for the bride. It can be a little unclear what specifically is required of bridesmaids. In what ways should I involve myself? How much will I have to spend? Every wedding is different, but in general bridesmaids should expect to be a part of (and pay for) the following:

1) Attire – This one is fairly obvious. You’ll likely pay for your own dress, and don’t forget about alterations and accessories! It is common (but not required) for brides to purchase jewelry as a gift to her bridesmaids, but plan on paying for your own shoes, undergarments, hair and makeup. Brides, take note though. If you are going to require your bridesmaids to wear a specific shoe, for example, it is customary for you to pick up the tab. If you keep it general (i.e. choose any gold shoe) then the girls can choose a style they like (and will wear again) at a price they’re comfortable with, so they won’t mind footing the bill. Same goes for hair and makeup, if you’re going to require that the girls get theirs done professionally, you should offer to pay. If you give them the opportunity to opt out, then those that want theirs done can pay for it and those that don’t can act as their own glam squad!

Brides, looking for your bridesmaids’ accessories? Give them the gift of Elizabeth Bower, Flair’s new jewelry designer! Her pieces are a-mazing and something they will totally wear after the big day!

2) Bridal Shower – Traditionally the bridal party throws the bridal shower. At a minimum expect that cost to include the price of the venue, invitations, favors, decorations and a gift for the bride. Depending on the venue, though, more costs may arise; you may have to bring your own cake, food/drinks, linens, etc. Always check what is included with the venue cost before booking!

3) Bachelorette Party – One of the biggest differences between planning the shower and the bachelorette is that you can ask the bachelorette guests to contribute to the cost – yay! Split the cost of lodging, food, drinks and entertainment equally among all attendees. On top of that, though, the bridal party may want to consider paying for decorations, custom t-shirts or other goodies to make the party unique.

4) Wedding night lodging – Traditionally the bride will take care of your lodging the night before the wedding, but bridesmaids should secure their own rooms for the following evening. Make sure you get on the ball early and snag one of the rooms in the hotel block to save yourself some cash!

Again, every wedding (and every bride) is different but this is roughly what you should expect when you say yes to being a bridesmaid. So, think about it and be honest with the bride if the money/time requirements might be too much for you. If she’s a good friend, she will understand and might have another wedding role for you!

It would be tough to say no to this adorable card - by H. Nichols Illustrations and available on our online site, Frills - but ever bridesmaid has a choice. Make sure being a bridesmaid is right for you!

It would be tough to say no to this adorable card – by fab local artist H. Nichols Illustrations and available at our online site, Frills – but every bridesmaid has a choice. Make sure being a bridesmaid is right for you!

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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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Bridesmaids’ Dress Shopping

How to have an A+ appointment!

As we head into March, the girls at Flair have two things on our minds: 1) Spring arrives this month (atleast technically) and 2) It’s prime bridesmaids’ dress shopping season! As our dresses take 3-4 months to produce, March is the perfect time to get orders placed for Summer and Fall wedding dates. If you’re one of the many brides who will be getting her bridesmaids’ dresses squared away in the next month or so, we’ve got some tips to make the buying process easy and fun for you and your girls:

1) Have an opinion: While it may seem nice to give your bridesmaids free reign, in our experience most of them prefer that their bride give them some direction. Telling them they can pick any navy dress in the store is a recipe for confusion and stress; the options are endless! We recommend that brides visit us or give us an email/call before coming in with the girls. At that time, we can discuss your personal style, and the style of your wedding, to help you narrow down the selection and make the shopping process more straightforward for your friends!

2) Be honest: It’s your day, and you have to love what your girls wear. After all, those photos will be on your mantle for years to come! So, if they choose something you’re not wild about, don’t be afraid to speak up. When they agree to be in your wedding, they are also agreeing to give up some control. Of course, this can be touchy, so feel free to ask Flair for help! Is there a girl who you just know will choose a dress that is a little too revealing, or who will insist that she can fit into a dress two sizes smaller than she should? Let us know these concerns in advance and we’re happy to act as your advocate and do our best to avoid those potential issues.

3) Know your bottom line: Every bride has one! Do you not want to go over $200? Does the color absolutely have to match your wedding stationery? Determine the most important factor to you and that will go a long way to helping you narrow down the dress selection.

If you keep these points in mind, your dress shopping will be carefree, enjoyable AND successful! We can’t wait to work with you soon, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us prior to your appointment with any questions or concerns. See you soon, brides and bridesmaids 🙂

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Pantone Color of the Year 2015

Pop the cork and add some Marsala into your wedding day!

We LOVE when Pantone announces their “it” color for the upcoming year. They are always right on point, and 2015’s color is no exception! Marsala is such a gorgeous, universally flattering color and you can work it into your life in a ton of ways. A wine colored handbag would add a chic pop of color to any ensemble. Or, how about marsala skinny jeans? Gorge! If you really love this stunning shade, though, why not take it from everyday to wedding day!

1) Marsala Mani and Manolos – Even if you already have your wedding wardrobe on lock, there’s still time to add some marsala to your wedding day look. A wine colored manicure would look simply stunning against a white bridal gown! Or, think about popping this hot color into your shoe; a fun, unique choice that you can definitely wear after the big day!

Skating The Issue by Essie is the perfect shade of Marsala! And these burgundy Manolos? We’re swooning!

2) Marsala isn’t just for drinking! – Though we love a good glass of red, if you want to add some marsala into your wedding cuisine in a unique way, consider it for your food, not your beverages. How stunning are these marsala cupcakes? And they’re delicious too; a traditional red velvet cake with dyed frosting to match. Simple and chic! Not a red velvet fan? Add some marsala colored blooms to your traditional white cake for a truly “wow” look! You can also play a more cheeky homage to the color of the year by offering a wedding classic; chicken marsala 😉 A true crowd pleaser!

Mmmmm marsala!

3) Marsala for your man – Guys are lucky, they can wait WAY longer than us girls before finalizing their wedding wardrobe, so you likely still have time to add some marsala to their look. We LOVE this wine colored bow tie, for example (it’s from The Dessy Collection and you can get it at Flair or Frills!). It looks great with this black tux, but would look just as amazing with a navy suit and suspenders! Or, along the line of your manolos, give your man a hint of marsala in his footwear with adorable, unique socks like these from Polo.

The options are endless girls, so have some fun incorporating this gorgeous color into your big day! Of course, it goes without saying that Flair also has a TON of bridesmaids’ dresses available in the year’s hottest color, so give us a call to come in a check them out! Cheers!

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Pop the question…to your bridesmaids!

Wow your best girls with these unique, fun ways to “propose” to your bridal party!

It’s the most wonderful time of the yearrrrrrr! Not the holiday season (though we are excited for that, too), but engagement season! The majority of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, so look alive girls! That goes for you too, potential bridesmaids. One of the first big, important things a new bride will do is pick her bridal party. After all, you’ll need your best girls on hand and ready to help with the rest of the big, important things you need to do! So today we’re talking about fun, unique ways that you can ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding party. Remember, these are the girls that will plan your shower and bachelorette, so it’s important to make them happy from the start. We think these ideas will do just the trick!

1) Ask in person – OK, we know this one is a big commitment, but if you have the time and resources, this is a truly special and memorable way to “propose” to your bridesmaids. It doesn’t have to be anything huge; why not take a trip to the nail salon and buy your new maids a manicure, for example? Or, surprise them with a trip to a winery and pop the question over popped corks! Get creative and get personal, your girls will love it!

2) Really “pop” the question – If you can’t be with all of your girls in person, (which, admittedly, most of us can’t) ask them in a fun and unique way that will get them excited to be in the bridal party from the get go! One of our favorite ideas is this interactive balloon card; how could anyone say no to something SO adorable!

We LOVE Etsy! They have a wealth of fun ideas like this!

3) When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a card – A personal, handwritten note NEVER goes out of style and will always be appreciated. A card gives you the opportunity to tell your girls what they mean to you, and why you want them by your side on the big day. If you like this option, though, consider a unique card that will really wow them! We’re partial to these custom bridal party cards by Flair friend H Nichols Illustrations. Customize with your girls’ names and with your wedding colors for a look that your girls will love!

These beauties are handmade with care by fab, local artist Holly Nichols. We love her!!

How are you asking your girls? Or have you been asked in a fresh, new way? Let us know, we can’t wait to hear your ideas!

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How to be social media smart on your big day!

Wedding Day Social Media Tips!

The wedding world is getting more and more virtual each year (hello, Flair even created on online shopping site this year!) and as a result, there are new wedding etiquette topics that Emily Post never used to have to worry about! For example, how do you effectively and smartly incorporate social media into your big day? After all, social media is unavoidable. Aside from collecting cell phones at the door, you really can’t stop your guests from using social media at your wedding. Let’s just figure out how to help them do so in the most respectful way possible!

1) Be honest and up front with your social media wishes! Want guests to refrain during the ceremony? Think about putting a cute sign where they enter, kindly asking them to put their phones away. Or, include a little note in your program. When you walk down the aisle, you want to see all eyes on you, not all eyes on phones!

2) Ask your photographer for help! More and more photographers are jumping on the “no cell phones allowed” train. After all, it can be hard for them to get a great shot of you coming down the aisle or saying your vows when your guests are sticking out trying to get their own shot. Have a chat with your photographer in advance to see if they have any tips for keeping cell phones at bay. That way, he/she can get their shots and you can avoid people posting their photos to social media before you want them to!

Fete Studio agrees with us…cell phones away!! (atleast during the ceremony)

3) At the reception it can be a little harder to avoid cell phones. You’re there a long time, it’s often a party atmosphere and let’s face it, we’re not used to being apart from our phones for too long! So, if you can’t beat them, join them! Have your guests use a special wedding day hashtag when they Instagram. That way, all of your photos are collected and organized in one place. Like this idea? Then you simply MUST get one of our new Instagram signs by Holly Nichols Illustrations! We’ve chosen a few classic, standard background venues, but these adorable signs are also available customized with your specific venue in the background and/or with a couple that looks like you! Check them out today, and be social media smart!

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Flair’s Fashion Week Recap!

Fashion Week Spring 2015 Trend Report!

Well, another Fashion Week has come to a close. This year, though, was a little different. There was all of the usual glitz, glamour and fun, but with a quiet note of sadness mixed in as the fashion world mourned the great Joan Rivers. Two things Joan loved most, though, were fashion and laughter, so I think she’d be fine with us getting back to those! So, we’re here to recap some of the major trends seen on this year’s runway! As you probably know, even though Fashion Week is in the fall, everything on the runway was made for Spring 2015. So we’re all getting a little preview of what’s to come; perfect for Spring/Summer 2015 brides! While most runway looks are not intended for weddings necessarily, there are subtle ways you can pop their trends into your big day!

1) 3D details: This year’s looks were literally popping off the runway! Designers were using multi-layered sequins, tons of paillettes, beading, crystals and even 3D florals to bring their looks to life. You can achieve this look with our petal bridal gown by Theia, which is covered in stunning fabric petals, giving you that on trend, 3D look!

This Vera Wang stunner embodies the 3D perfectly! As for the Theia gown, she does too, and you can get her at Flair!!

This Vera Wang stunner embodies the 3D trend perfectly! As for the Theia gown, she does too, and you can get her at Flair!!

2) Metallics: Shades of Gold, Silver and Bronze were all over the runways this year! Metallics are great for a wedding; in general they are neutrals so you can pair them with whatever other colors you like! No need to stress over if the napkins, bridesmaids’ dresses, flowers and programs will coordinate! Get the look with Jenny Yoo’s Metallic Lace, seen here on her Hudson dress!

This Max Mara is the perfect shade of silver, just like in the matallic threading on our Hudson dress!

3) Pleats: OK, we have to pat ourselves on the back here. Pleats have been big in the wedding world for years, and the high fashion world is finally catching up! Pleats are super flattering and add the perfect, subtle detail to any dress! Steal this look for less with Dessy’s style 2880; pleats and rouching and flattering galore!

We love these Calvin Klein pleats almost as much as Dessy’s 😉

4) Blush: OK, another pat on the back for us! Blush has been huge in the wedding world for the past couple of years, and it looks like it’s here to stay for atleast one more! Blush is soft, romantic and generally pretty flattering, making it the perfect wedding color! More good news: you can get this look with pretty much every designer at Flair! Check it out here on Siri’s Dahlia dress; stunning!

We are swooning over the color of this Tory Burch look, and over the cut of this Siri dress; so chic!

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