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Winter Wedding Ideas

Make your winter wonderland wedding a WOW!

So, I went to a wedding last weekend, and it was the first winter wedding I had ever attended. Living in New England, most brides choose the fairer weather months for their big day, myself included. I was a little nervous in the weeks leading up; What should I wear? What if it snows? Is everyone there going to have the flu?? I have to tell you, though, that I was pleasantly surprised by this winter wedding. It was beautiful, elegant, and honestly all of those things that I was worrying about didn’t even matter. Sure, it was super cold, it was dark by 4:45 and I had to wear my sleeping bag sized down coat over my dress, but when you really love the couple, that stuff just isn’t that important. Plus, the summer gets so busy and it was really nice to go to a wedding at a more relaxed time of the year. Do I have you thinking about throwing a winter wedding of your own? I have two more things that might sway you. 1) Generally speaking, you can save BIG on a winter wedding, as vendors are far less busy. 2) If you have a winter wedding, you can do things like this:

Use the weather/nature to your advantage! We love these pinecone placecards, and these sapling favors are just TOO cute, and so unique!

Use the weather/nature to your advantage! We love these pinecone placecards, and these sapling favors are just TOO cute, and so unique!

We've all seen a bubbly bar, but in the winter you can treat your guests to a hot chcoclate or hot toddy bar! Mmmmm

We’ve all seen a bubbly bar, but in the winter you can treat your guests to a hot chcoclate or hot toddy bar! Mmmmm

You can wear comfy yet fabulous things like these Hunter boots and this fur jacket! Interested in fur, check out Flair's fur rental today!!

You can wear comfy yet fabulous things like these Hunter boots and this fur jacket! Interested in fur? Check out Flair’s fur rental today!!

Wedding Shoes

How to Pick the Perfect Pair!

During our wedding planning, my now husband and I didn’t always see eye to eye. I’m sure you can relate! No, we can’t let every Tom, Dick and Harry have a plus one. Yes, we do need those big candelabras on every table. No, we can’t play hard rap during dinner. You know, the usual stuff. One of the biggest things my husband couldn’t understand, though, was the stress I felt over my wedding shoes. Direct quote: “But your dress is long, right? So no one will see them.” Oh silly hubs, that’s kind of beside the point. I will see them, I will know if they are fabulous or not, and my girls are obviously going to ask to see them! So, they have to have it all; gorgeous, comfortable, affordable and of course they have to go with my gown. If you’re feeling that same shoe stress, check out these tips before you shop (oh, and even better, Flair can get you all of the fab shoes you see below – we are an official carrier of the amazing Nina Shoes)!

1) Don’t stray too far from your normal – If you never wear heels, your wedding day is not the time to start. There are gorgeous flats out there. Trust me, I wore Louboutin flats on my big day! On the other hand, if you do wear heels, but you tend to keep them around 3″, don’t go higher on your wedding day. Even if your fiancé is super tall, you’ll hate how unstable and uncomfortable you’ll feel is those new 6 inchers!
2) Remember your venue – If you’re going to be on the beach, you’ll likely want to stay away from a heel. Sinking in the sand is not a good look on your big day! Same goes for grass; if you want some height consider a wedge heel that won’t let you down! Or if you do opt for flats, you can always have a back up heel ready for when you hit solid ground! For you Boston brides, keep wedges and flats in mind if you’re going to walk the cobblestone streets for your photos. Turning your ankle is not a good way to start your married life!

Now these are the perfect cobblestone shoes! A 2" wedge; comfortable and chic!

Now these are the perfect cobblestone shoes! A 2″ wedge; comfortable and chic!

3) Think of the weather – We’re in New England, so you never know what the weather will throw at you! Make sure you choose a shoe that will be ready for anything. If you want a sandal, try to go for a sling back style, or anything with a strap to keep your foot in place in the event you hit some rainy weather. Having a winter wedding? Always go for a closed toe, even if you find a peep toe you’re obsessed with. You’ll regret it!

Adorable AND ankle support, we're sold!

Adorable AND ankle support, we’re sold!

4) Accessorize! – A little Dr. Scholls can go a long way! Most likely your big day will be the first time you really wear your wedding shoes, so a cheap, simple gel insert can do alot to add to your comfort and enjoyment!
5) Keep your gown in mind! – Sure, those pumps with the gold studs are hot town USA, but they probably won’t go with your traditional lace gown. While you can buy whatever you like, if you choose a shoe that is too different from the style and feel of your dress, it can make for a confused and distracting look.

We love the traditional style of this peep toe, but if you want something more unique get it in a fun color like this navy!

Most of all, try and buy something that you’ll wear again! Your wedding shoes are an investment, but they are one of the few things you can actually use after the big day! Don’t stress about finding dyable shoes to match to your dress, because when will you ever wear those again? Stay true to you, have fun, and you can always reach out to your Flair friends with any of your shoe stresses!

New Year’s Eve Wedding

Tips and Tricks for a Successful, Stylish Event!

Happy 2015! How was your New Year’s Eve? Hope you celebrated with lots of fun, family, friends and flair 😉 Did anyone attend a NYE wedding? In our profession we obviously talk about weddings a lot, and from what we hear, NYE weddings are always memorable and exciting! If December 31 is the date you’re thinking about for your big day, here are some things to keep in mind:

• If you’re having a church ceremony, remember that their holiday decorations might still be up. The advantage there is that you can avoid paying to decorate the site, but the disadvantage is that you have to work your wedding color palette around their décor. Talk to your site in advance to get an idea of what, if any, decorations they will still have up that day so that you can plan accordingly.

Sure, poinsettias are pretty, but they don't go with everything!

Sure, poinsettias are pretty, but they don’t go with everything!

• Typically, when you have a winter wedding here in New England, booking your vendors is a breeze. The busy wedding season here is roughly May – October, so most vendors are free and clear in December. However, because NYE is one of the biggest party days of the year, some of your favorite vendors may get scooped up for non-wedding events. In particular, book your caterer, florist and DJ/band well in advance. Oh and don’t forget to ensure that your photographer can stay past midnight to get those fun countdown shots!

• Remember, even though it’s your wedding day, it’s still everyone else’s New Year’s Eve! Make sure they can celebrate somewhat traditionally by watching the ball drop. Talk to your reception venue in advance about bringing in a large TV or projection screen to watch the countdown as a group. Counting down together will definitely be one of the most memorable parts of the whole day!

Now that's a party! Photo courtesy of The Knot, taken by Vue Photography

Now that’s a party! Photo courtesy of The Knot, taken by Vue Photography

• Make sure you have plenty of bubbly! New Year’s Eve is the biggest day for the consumption of champagne in the US, after all! Stock the bar and also consider cute, mini champagne bottle favors like these that we found on bridalguide.com; they’re practical, adorable and your guests will love them!

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• Last but not least, let your friends at Flair help you plan your gorgeous, glamorous NYE wedding day style! Think lots of sparkle (duh). How about the brand new gold metallic version of Jenny Yoo’s Annabelle dress (arriving at Flair later this winter); it’s perfection!

This style is flattering AND fabulous!

This style is flattering AND fabulous!

Looking forward to a fun, fabulous and Flair filled 2015 with all of you 🙂 xoxo

Bridal Gown Preservation Boston

Because your daughter will definitely want to wear it someday, right?

Prior to your wedding, you will literally spend months making your wedding gown just right. You will shop for the perfect accessories, trek to multiple fittings and clear out half of your closet to make a safe hiding place for what is now the most important article of clothing you’ve ever bought. Then the wedding comes and all hell breaks loose. Want those pretty Public Garden photos? You gotta watch out for grass stains. Having a beach ceremony? Hello sand! The reception is ripe with horrors, too. Aunt Petunia is wearing a particularly scary shade of pink lipstick that is sure to stain. And red wine? Why didn’t we ban that?!

Now that's a bride who had some fun on her big day! Photo courtesy of Chelsea Nicole Photography

Now that’s a bride who had some fun on her big day! Photo courtesy of Chelsea Nicole Photography

The funny thing is; you won’t actually worry about any of that on your wedding day. You’ll be so engrossed in the enormity and importance of the day that nothing else will really matter. When does it matter? The next morning, when you wake up and see that expensive, gorgeous gown covered in stains. No bride is immune. No matter how careful you are, your gown will come away a little worse for the wear. Have no fear; your friends at Flair are coming to the rescue! We have recently partnered with a company and can now offer bridal gown restoration. Loose beading: tightened. Stains: Cleaned. Wrinkles: released. Basically, we’re bringing your gown back to life! Click here to learn more and to contact us and get your restoration started. It’s an investment that every bride should make; you’ll be so glad that you did!

Wedding Cake Ideas

How to make your cake unique, beautiful AND tasty!

During the holiday season, our mind is focused solely on one thing: food. It’s unavoidable! With all of the office parties and holiday get togethers, we’re consuming way more calories than we probably should. However, we can make ourselves feel better pretty quickly. First of all, it has been so cold that a little extra “padding” might actually be beneficial to our overall health and well being. Secondly, gym memberships will most certainly be on sale come 2015, so we can kick back into gear then. Phew, now, back to the treats! Speaking of which, our food-centric brain got us thinking about the ultimate wedding treat; the cake! Wedding cakes are no longer just white and boring; they are a way to reflect your unique personality and sense of style. Check out these unique cake ideas and make your wedding cake a wow!

1) Back to the basics – It’s actually a big trend right now to forgo over the top cake decorations. After all, everyone tends to just pick off that pretty fondant, right? These “naked” cakes are unique, modern and gorgeous even without their usual trappings!

We LOVE the berries on this pretty cake we found on hitched.co.uk.com! If you prefer flowers, though, check out this stunner we found on Martha Stewart Weddings; gorge!

We LOVE the berries on this pretty cake we found on hitched.co.uk.com! If you prefer flowers, though, check out this stunner we found on Martha Stewart Weddings; gorge!

2) Painted and Pretty – If you prefer a more decorated look, but still want to do something modern and different with your cake, think about painted decorations as opposed to the usual frosting and fondant. Cake artists are artists, after all, and most can use their abilities to paint on your cake with edible “watercolors” to create a fresh, new look that your guests will love!

We are obsessed with the simple, easy watercolor feel of the left cake we saw on olofsondesign.com! And this black and white beauty we found on Colin Cowie Weddings is the epitome of modern elegance!

We are obsessed with the simple, easy watercolor feel of the cake on the left that we saw on olofsondesign.com! And this black and white beauty we found on Colin Cowie Weddings is the epitome of modern elegance!

3) Cakes with a shine – Your Flair friends have already told you that metallics are huge in wedding wear, but they are also a major trend in wedding cakes! Whether you take the metallic over the top or just as an accent, it is sure to take your cake to the next level! BIG shoutout to Flair friend and Boston based bakery Montilio’s for their stunning metallic edged cake that they made for Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy’s recent wedding. It was featured on People.com, no big deal! Way to go Montilio’s, it couldn’t happen to a better, nicer bakery!

The cake on the left (found on zerodecor.com) exudes simple elegance and we have NO words for the beauty of Montilio's cake. It is sheer perfection!

The cake on the left (found on zerodecor.com) exudes simple elegance and we have NO words for the beauty of Montilio’s cake. It is sheer perfection!

Whatever you do, remember that your cake is another way for you and your fiancé to show off you love and personalities, so do your research and make your cake unique, special and oh so YOU!

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!

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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!

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!

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.

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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!

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!

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!!

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!

Alter your dress, not your mood!

Terrific Tailoring Tips

Not to overstate, and not to be biased, but dress shopping is definitely the best part of wedding planning, right?! It’s the ultimate game of dress up! As fun as it is, though, dress shopping is not without its stresses. There’s a ton of pressure to find the just the right dress, at just the right price. Then when you find said dress, new concerns arise. By far, the biggest weight on our brides’ shoulders seems to be with fit and tailoring. We don’t blame you; it doesn’t matter how fabulous the dress is if it doesn’t fit properly! If you’re on the tailoring terror train, have no fear! Flair is here with some tips and advice so that you can go into your fittings feeling prepared and ready to rock that dress!

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1) Timing is everything! Plan to schedule your first fitting between 10-12 weeks prior to the big day. That will leave you enough time to do three fittings, which is appropriate for most bridal gowns. Your last fitting should be scheduled a week before the wedding, leaving enough time to do any last minute changes (if necessary).

2) Have your wedding shoes and undergarments with you at your first fitting. Your undergarments affect how your dress fits, so your tailor will need to see you in them at every meeting to ensure the proper fit. As for the shoes, they help your tailor to see how much length needs to be taken, if any.

3) Speak your mind! If you go to a great tailor, they can tweak almost anything. Wish those pleats were pinned down? Want to make your sweetheart top just a little more sweetheart? What seems like a big change to you is most likely a super easy fix for them, so don’t be afraid to ask about any and everything!

4) At your last fitting, get off the pedestal! Move around in your gown, sit down, heck, even do a little dance! You need to be sure that your dress feels great in all situations. You may find after a few twists and turns that your top needs to be taken in a little more. On the other hand, you might think that you want your dress tighter but then when you sit in a chair you might just reconsider. Bottom line, get moving!

5) Lastly, have all of your accessories with you at your final fitting. Seeing the dress with your jewelry, hair accessories and veil will really help you to envision the final look, and make sure there’s nothing else that you want to adjust. Oh and don’t forget your best accessories, your friends and family! Take a couple of your best with you; they might catch something that you didn’t see!

Looking for your bridal accessories? These are just a few of the beauties you can find at our online boutique, Frills!

Looking for your bridal accessories? These are just a few of the beauties you can find at our online boutique, Frills!

Above all else, remember that you can always call your girls at Flair with any tailoring stresses or questions, we’re here to help!

Unconventional weddings – Solange style!

Wow your guests with some fresh, new wedding ideas!

This was a pretty big week. Obama made huge moves in the world of immigration reform. Snow; enough said. Oh, and some chick named SOLANGE got married. Did you see the photos?? I mean, that wedding was genius from start to finish. Rolling up on vintage bicycles? Multiple bridal jumpsuits? A parade? I’m telling you, Solange made me rethink ALL of my wedding choices.

Check out People.com for a  bunch more photos from Solange's whimsical, wonderful wedding day!!

Check out People.com for a bunch more photos from Solange’s whimsical, wonderful wedding day!!

Seriously, though, we can all learn a thing or two about throwing an unconventional wedding from Bey’s little sis. Solange’s big day was certainly far from the norm, but when you look at her photos the overall feel is still a classy, chic wedding. If you want to follow in her footsteps and pop some fresh, new concepts into your big day, check out some of our favorite unconventional ideas below:

Bye, bye, boring place cards – Sure, the classic calligraphy cards are an option that never goes out of style, but why not set the tone for your fab reception with something a little more unique! Going for a party vibe? How about engraved martini glasses in place of cards. Throwing a formal bash? Try reception escorts. Instead of cards, have your ceremony ushers stay on duty to seat guests at the reception as well! Have a ton of DIY time on your hands? Check out this utterly amazing silhouette seating chart; we’re obsessed!

Swoon! LOVE this! Fab photo courtesy of Bryan Aulick Photography.

Swoon! LOVE this! Fab photo courtesy of Bryan Aulick Photography.

Rad response cards – OK, we know no one says rad anymore, but we were going for an alliteration thing there 😉 What we’re trying to say is, use your response cards to your advantage! A friend of mine asked guests to list a favorite song on their response cards, so they got a built in playlist as the responses rolled in; genius! Or, have your guests list their drink of choice. See if there’s a theme and then you can limit what you offer and maybe even save a little money. Get creative here, brides!
Photo booth 2.0 – Photo booths are a no brainer. They are always a good time and are great for a laugh after the big day! Why not take it one step further, though, with a video booth and have your guests record a message for you! How amazing would it be to have a permanent record of your closest friends and family’s well wishes; wish I had thought of that! A tip: take the camera away after maybe 9:00 PM. A few drinks in and this might turn into a “Real World” style confessional that you weren’t anticipating 😉

We certainly wouldn't mind having this stunning video booth at our wedding! Thanks to weddingsbysocialites.blogspot.com for the image!

We certainly wouldn’t mind having this stunning video booth at our wedding! Thanks to weddingsbysocialites.blogspot.com for the image!

There are TONS of ways you can add a little unconventional magic to your big day, so do some research and see what speaks to you! You should probably stick to just channeling Solange on your wedding day, though, and not on your average say, elevator ride 😉

Wedding Planning 101

Don’t just survive wedding planning…thrive!

Lately, I’ve come to realize that planning a wedding is alot like buying a house. Maybe I made that correlation because I just bought a house myself, but stay with me, you’ll see where I’m going here. In theory, buying a house seems great, and for the most part, it is. But then you get inside this house that you’ve worked so hard for and it suddenly seems like more work than fun. Raking leaves, fixing plumbing and caulking various cracks; when do I just get to go to Home Goods and buy pretty stuff that I don’t need??

It’s the same with wedding planning. You’re so excited to be engaged and can’t wait to start planning, but then you get there and just feel…lost. There are way more decisions to make that you realized and all of them seem daunting. Sure, dress shopping is fun (like how we picked dress shopping…we’re not biased or anything), but budgeting, cutting your guest list and doing the seating chart? Not so much. If you’re one of the many brides out there feeling a little overwhelmed, have no fear. The kind, knowledgeable and amazing staff at Whim Events are here to help! They are hosting “Wedding Planning 101”, a workshop to help couples survive and thrive that lovely time period between the proposal and the big day. Learn how to plan your budget, make a timeline that actually seems doable and get expert advice on your wedding style, vendors and more! All that AND the chance to win a free planning consultation or design concept board? Sign us up! Plus, there will be tasty food and beverages, so it’s pretty much a win-win! Click here to register today, spots will book up quickly! The staff at Whim Events are truly amazing; they are smart, funny and great at what they do. We love working with them and learning from them, and we know you will too!

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