Thursday, May 28, 2009

Red Flowergirl Dresses by Perfume River

Ha Ngo, mother of two girls living in London, was having trouble finding beautiful, well-made frocks at affordable prices. The romantic Perfume River, which majestically flows through the most beautiful place in Vietnam, the ancient city of Hue, inspired her collection. Give your little one the gift of glitz and glamour with these gorgeous girlie dresses made of rich, red organza and sparkling sequins. (Prices are very reasonable with low cost shipping rates.)





To read more visit Red Wedding Gowns - Should You Wear One?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Clarissa Grace Couture

The Clarissa Grace studio reflects the designer’s belief that women seek more than just a beautiful gown for their wedding; they desire a beautiful experience.

If it didn’t mean getting up at the crack of dawn and flying from Virginia to Washington D.C. to San Francisco to Sydney on a deep-leg-thrombosis inducing 21-hour flight, I would be headed straight for this Australian bridal designer’s studio in New South Wales to gaze on one of her enchanting made-to-measure gowns starting at $4,000. Couture never looked so cute!





To read more visit New Zealand Bridal Designer Jane Yeh

Sweets For Sweethearts

Our best wedding cake ideas and inspiration so far



To read more visit Circle of Love Wedding Toppers

Photo courtesy of Maine Sweets

Saturday, May 23, 2009

German Wedding Customs

Although many modern German brides might consider some of these traditional German customs “altmodisch” (old fashioned), they are full of Old World Bavarian charm. We have condensed this list from our friends at German Toasting Glasses.

Eheringe (Wedding rings) During the engagement period both the bride and groom wear a ring on their left hand, and after the wedding they move it to their right. Usually the rings are gold or silver with no diamonds.

(Photo courtesy of Schloss Sickendorf)

Bräutkleid (Bride's attire) In Germany, as in the U.S, the bride usually wears white, but German brides wear either very short trains or none at all. If veils are worn they are of fingertip length and typically never worn over the face. Other accessories include a flowery headband with ribbons, tiaras, a little draw string purse and gloves. The custom is for the bride to dress at her home or her parent's home, and be driven to the ceremony.

Die Standesamtliche Trauung (The Wedding) Before a church wedding the bride and groom will have been married in the Standesamt (Registry Office) by a registrar, which is most often in the Rathaus (town hall). A witness is needed for the bride and also for the groom.

Die Kirche-Hochzeit (The Church Wedding) Together, the bride and groom will enter the church and walk down the aisle. Because it is not legal to have only a church ceremony, a Standesbeamte will have already legally married the couple. It is not customary to be attended by bridesmaids, groomsmen or flower girls.

Hochzeitslader This Bavarian tradition has an official inviter clad in fancy clothes decorated with ribbons and flowers going door to door extending a personal rhyming invitation to the invited guests. Guests accept by pinning one of the ribbons to the Hochzeitslader hat and by offering a drink or two at each stop. Should the invited guests be numerous and the Hochzeitslader be of the nature to accept the offered drinks, he may need a day or two to complete his duties!

(Photo courtesy of Billmayr Musik Entertainment)

Polterabend (Wedding Eve) At a party on the evening before the wedding plates and dishes are smashed to scare off evil spirits. Only china can be used. Anything else would bring bad luck. The bride and groom clean up everything to indicate that they can work together.

Hochzeit-Schuhe (Wedding shoes) The bride collects pennies for years to pay for her wedding shoes in which to insure that the marriage "gets off" on the right foot.

Reis Werfen (Rice throwing) In this tradition it is said that the amount of rice that stays in the bride's hair is the number of children the couple will have.

Hochzeitssuppe (Wedding soup) The Hochzeitssuppe is made from beef, dumplings and vegetables and the guests eat if from a large bowl.

Eine Weisse Band (A white ribbon) As the guests leave the church the bride gives a white ribbon to each driver of a car in the procession to tie to the radio antenna of the car. This procession then drives through the town honking their horns. Other drivers on the route honk their horns in return to wish the newlyweds good luck in their marriage.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Bridal Vales, Bridal Vails…Bridal Veils!

No matter how you spell it, take advantage of our reduced wedding veils from A A Bridal. Our scalloped edge veil is a two-tier waist (29/35”), with delicate embroidered flowers and tiny rhinestone accents. Second only to our crystal wedding veil, that has a butterfly cut (72/29/35”), accented with delicate bugle beads and clear Swarovski crystals. Dainty goes the distance with these charming A A Bridal veils at a price that's real nice.

Scalloped Edge Veil

To read more visit Bridal Tiaras Starting At Only $65 and Pencil Edge Veil Colors

Crystal Bridal Necklace Sets

Crystal never looked so…convincing. With one of these crystal necklace and earring sets starting at only $30, your guests will be convinced that you spent three times as much, or more! A perfect bridesmaid or maid of honor gift, we will include a gift boxes at your request. Why pay more if you don’t have to?

Thursday, May 21, 2009

New Zealand Bridal Designer Jane Yeh

Ready to channel your inner Jean Harlowe? Me too! If you want to glide down the aisle in a sleek, sophisticated silk sensation, look no further than Jane Yeh of Auckland, New Zealand. A well-known international bridal designer, Jane’s simple, elegant, classic creations are reminiscent of the glamorous gowns of 1930s Hollywood fashion.

Jane Yeh Couture





To read more visit Couture Wedding Dresses and Bridal Chandelier Earrings

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Starfish Wedding Accessories

It’s no secret. I’m silly for starfish. Turns out scientists are working time and a half to convince us they are not fishes at all—only sea stars. I don’t care what they are, give them a starring role at your beach theme wedding and your guests will be longing for a hot tan and a frozen margarita in the bright Jamaican sun.

Starfish Soap Favors

Rhinestone Starfish Brooch BH123

Starfish Cake Topper

Starfish Guest Book and Pen

Beach Wedding Programs

Beach Bride Wedding Tote

Starfish Wedding Cake by Ardy Pozzi Confections

Beach Theme Wedding Programs by Programs and Bulletins

Tote available at Cafe Press

To read more visit Mermaid Wedding Gowns and Beach Theme Wedding Cakes

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Ruffled Wedding Gowns

Sugar and spice and everything nice. These girlish, ruffled wedding dresses are a welcome change from years of plain matte satin monotony. They’re flirty and fun and fabulous, just like you. These European bridal gowns are available at Kleinfeld Bridal, who claims “to sell more designer wedding gowns than any other store on earth.”







1. Pnina Tornai

2. Michelle Roth

3. David Fielden

4. Ian Stuart

5. Lazaro

6. Vanitas

To read more visit Corset Wedding Gowns by Pnina Tornai and UK Wedding Dresses

Friday, May 15, 2009

25 Best Slow Dance Songs

And we just flow together when the lights are low
Shadows dancin' all across the wall
Music's playin' so soft and slow
Rest of the world so far away and small

When we're

Slow dancin', swayin' to the music
Slow dancin', just me and my girl
Slow dancin', swayin' to the music
No one else in the whole wide world – Johnny Rivers

Looking for the best slow dance wedding music? Rolling Stone Magazine compiled a list of popular slow dance songs that will give your wedding guests a reason to season the dance floor with sweet swayin' and tender embraces.



· “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” Aerosmith
· “Unchained Melody,” The Righteous Brothers
· “Crazy For You,” Madonna
· “Take My Breath Away,” Berlin
· “I Only Have Eyes For You,” The Flamingos
· “Never Tear Us Apart,” INXS
· “In Your Eyes,” Peter Gabriel
· “Love Song,” The Cure
· “Eternal Flame,” The Bangles
· “I’ll Be There,” The Jackson 5
· “Always and Forever,” Heat Wave
· “Fade Into You,” Mazzy Star
· “I’ll Make Love To You,” Boyz II Men
· “Faithfully,” Journey
· “Wild Horses,” The Rolling Stones
· “True Colors," Cyndi Lauper
· “How Deep Is Your Love,” The Bee Gees
· “I’ll Be There For You,” Bon Jovi
· “Drive,” The Cars
· “Babe,” Styx
· “Careless Whisper,” Wham!
· “Save a Prayer,” Duran Duran
· “Lady In Red,” Chris de Burgh
· “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” Olivia Newton-John
· “In the Mouth a Desert,” Pavement

Other lists by Rolling Stone include:

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Sexy Bridal Shoes by Tata Tio

Italians know leather. I know that because my Italian husband is quick to point out when an overcooked pork chop tastes like a shoe. At Tata Tio, with a couple of clicks you can personalize your high quality bridal sandals with a wide choice of leathers, colors and even the height of the heels. You won't find anything like these at your neighborhood Payless. But why put a price on something so naughty and nice?










Tata Tio Bridal Collection

1. Amata
2. Angelina
3. Nina
4. Rosa White
5. Rosa Gold

To read more visit Couture Bridal Shoes

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Pearl Bridal Tiaras

What 's the difference between a white glass pearl and a natural freshwater pearl? The first is made by man and the second by Mother Nature. I say Mother knows best. Colors of freshwater pearls are influenced by the mussel species, genetics, the position of the pearl in the shell, and even the water quality. All of these factors lovingly produce odd-shaped beauties in shades of ivory, pink, peach, mauve, white, cream and some grays, and make one of our pearl bridal headpieces a lasting keepsake and treasured heirloom.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Celebrity Updo Hairstyles

We love them. Their money, their make up, their men. Looking for inspiration for your bridal updo? Borrow an amazing style from Red-Carpet-Ready celebrities who spend as much time with their hair stylists as they do with their husbands, maybe more. By just placing “Beyonce updo hairstyle” into Google, you will get a wealth of fashion forward and trendy bridal hairstyle ideas. Other stars who own this look are Heidi Klum, Scarlett Johannson, Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Jessica Alba, Cate Blanchett, Eva Mendes, and Charlize Theron, to name a few.

Jennifer Lopez

Beyonce

Vanessa Hudgens

Catherine Zeta Jones

Katherine Heigl

Tyra Banks

Eva Longoria

Penelope Cruz

To read more visit Quirky Celebrity Wedding Moments

Monday, May 11, 2009

Rhinestone Bridal Brooches

They’re here at l-a-s-t! En Vogue brooches for the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride. Accessorize your entire bridal party with a special occasion brooch, a practical keepsake they can wear again and again, and pay only one low price ($5.95) for shipping. Gift boxes are on us!

Gold Bridal Brooch


Antique Silver Brooch

Antique Copper Brooch

Antique Silver Brooch

To read more visit Vintage Style Brooches and Bridesmaid Brooches

Friday, May 8, 2009

Fall Wedding Cake Ideas

Marry in September's shine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November
Only joys will come, remember...

Looks like a lifetime of wedded bliss if you marry in the fall, except for October in which case you might want to reconsider that $4,000 couture wedding gown from Christian Lacroix. Want to know how the experts make their fall cake masterpieces? They branch out with Mother Nature’s rich palette of autumn colors: chocolate, copper, rust, amber, burnt orange, tangerine, mahogany, emerald, olive, and chartreuse, just to name a few.

Autumn Wedding Cake Ideas








1. Our Cake Art
2. 2 Blue Dogs
3. Pink Cake Box
4. Brookside Blooms
5. Maine Sweets
6. Cake Dot
7. Hennings Cake

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Vintage Lace Wedding Dresses

Nancy Eaton, author of “Your Vintage Wedding,” gives these great tips for buying a vintage wedding dress:

EASY TO REPAIR
· Rusted buttons
· Ripped trains
· Torn undernetting
· Missing beads
· Missing or damaged pearls or buttons
· Broken zippers
· Tears on seams
· Some pulls in the fabric
· Minor lace tears

USUALLY NOT REPAIRABLE
· Split or “shattered” silk (fabric deterioraton)
· Dry rot in fabric or lace (fabric is dry and brittle)
· Badly torn lace
· Rust stains
· Visible stains or dirt in conspicuous places
· Tears, holes or burns in visible places
· Visible underarm stains

ACCEPT THESE MINOR DEFECTS AS IS
· Hem dirt
· Water staining on the hem or train
· Inconspicuous stains
· Inconspicuous small holes
· Minor scratches, scuffs, or pulls

To read more visit Vintage Style Jewelry and Lace Wedding Dresses by Claire Pettibone

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Irish Wedding Poetry

No doubt my mother, who was born and raised on a grassy slope overlooking the Atlantic ocean near Lahinch, County Clare, would be pleased that so many Dublin brides are falling for our tiara and jewelry sets. In her charming memory I offer you one of my favorite Irish wedding blessings.

You are the star of each night,
You are the brightness of every morning,
You are the story of each guest,
You are the report of every land.
No evil shall befall you, on hill nor bank,
In field or valley, on mountain or in glen.
Neither above, nor below, neither in sea,
Nor on shore, in skies above,
Nor in the depths.
You are the kernel of my heart,
You are the face of my sun,
You are the harp of my music,
You are the crown of my company.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

To read more visit Shamrock Wedding Favors

Monday, May 4, 2009

30 Things I Love About Weddings


1. Toddlers in tuxedos
2. Old timers doing the tango
3. Bridal portraits
4. Strawberries dipped in white chocolate
5. Grand pianos
6. Guest books with photos
7. Champagne toasts
8. Giggling flower girls
9. Silver candelabras
10. Twinkling white lights
11. Switching partners on the dance floor
12. Bridesmaids wearing brooches
13. “Ode to Joy”
14. Tenderloin of beef
15. Mai tai punch
16. Mother of the bride tears
17. Homemade invitations
18. Chocolate ganache
19. Great Aunts and Uncles
20. Surprise gift bags
21. Fortune Cookie Wedding Favors
22. Remembering departed family and friends
23. Red wedding dresses
24. “Shout!”
25. Cathedral length veils
26. Baby’s breath
27. Pan seared jumbo shrimp
28. Conga lines
29. Hugs
30. Postcards from the bride and groom

Summer Bridesmaid Dresses on the Cheap

Who wouldn’t want to be chosen as a bridesmaid? Just about anyone who is concerned about spending $200 on a dress, and that’s just for starters. Why not honor them by choosing affordable bridesmaids dresses, so that being in your wedding can be a joy instead of a job. Although colors are limited, Forever 21 has some satin and chiffon “dressy” dresses for less than $30, perfect for a casual or outdoor wedding ceremony.

Satin Pleat Dress

Melody Lace Dress

Chiffon Party Dress

Wedding Program Thank You Messages

Easy to write, especially from the heart. And they mean so much to your guests. I borrowed bits of this and that from other wedding programs and crafted these custom wedding thank you messages of my own.


We are grateful to our parents, for making this a joyous celebration of love, that may be enjoyed by friends and family, and remembered for a lifetime. With patience and guidance, they helped us become the people we are today, and enabled us to find an everlasting love that will enrich us for the rest of our lives.

Being a witness to the first day of our lives together; you have all filled our hearts with joy and gratitude. We are honored that many of you have traveled a great distance to be with us today.

May God bless each and every one of you for sharing this joyful day with us. Your support and friendship have made this a celebration of love that we will cherish forever.

We are blessed today to express our love in the presence of God, our parents, our brothers and sisters, family and friends. Each anniversary of our marriage, we will celebrate the memory of this day, and all of the wonderful people who made it so special.

Bless you for honoring us on our wedding day. May God enrich your lives, and provide those who have traveled far, a safe and happy journey home.

Today, in the presence of God and all our loved ones, we have promised our love and devotion. Thank you for being witness to this sacred moment. Our gratitude is boundless.


Image courtesy of Photography by Bethany

Friday, May 1, 2009

Couture Wedding Gowns

The bra that pointed her career in the right direction.


Wedding dresses that cop an attitude. Would you wear one? Jean Paul Gaultier, the infamous bad boy of French bridal fashion and maker of Madonna’s cone bra, designed these eye-popping haute couture wedding dresses. What I personally love about Gaultier is how he turned the fashion world upside down by using unconventional models for his exhibitions, like older men, full-figured women, and heavily tattooed models.




To read more visit Couture Bridal Shoes and Hand Beaded Bridal Purses

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