This week we're featuring Sarah and Jeff's simple and chic October nuptials. Sara is actually the brains behind one of our favorite blogs, Classic Bride (classicbride.blogspot.com). Aside from her incredible bridal style, we're also loving her cake display and the adorable salt water taffy favors. Congrats, Sara and Jeff!
All photos courtesy of Look Photography.
Worried your wedding dress will just gather dust in the closet after the big
day is over? Don't! Bridal designer Morgan Boszilkov created her convertible (and eco-friendly!) wedding gown collection with you in mind. Boszilkov's Natural Bridal line (naturalbridal.com) features gorgeous dresses that literally go from
full-length to short in a matter of minutes (think Charlize Theron's gray, ruffled Dior dress at Salma Hayek's wedding). The Janine, for example, starts off as a stunning drop-waist gown with a tiered skirt, but transforms into a flirty, knee-length sheath with a flounced hem. Kathleen is another convertible option that's also beautiful both ways.
It's also worth mentioning that the gowns are made from environmentally-friendly hemp, silk and bamboo. And as if that weren't eco-chic enough, Boszilkov donates 5% of the profits from each dress to Conservation International.
Boszilkov is already hard at work on her next collection, which will feature heavily-detailed busts, handmade flowers, organic lace, and Swarovski Crystal beading. Can’t wait? Browse her current collection now at naturalbridal.com.
—Chrissy Mahlmeister
Happy Friday! Here are some of our favorite trends and inspirations from the week, including beautiful invitations and bright blooms for summer.
—Jessica Derschowitz
From dress shopping to party planning, chances are your bridesmaids have been working tirelessly to ensure the months leading up to your wedding are as stress-free as possible. So what better way to thank them than a day of total indulgence? One of our favorite spas in the southwest is the Lake Austin Spa Resort. It's the perfect place for a relaxing prewedding girlfriends getaway. Here are a few reasons we love it:
1. The spa. Obvious, of course, but it's worth noting some of the incredible treatments offered. The moisturizing Olive Our Love treatment features a scrub, shower, oil application and massage and is great for women with sensitive skin (or brides looking to avoid any bad reactions before the big day). The Diamond Facial includes the latest anti-aging technologies and instantly makes skin appear softer and brighter.
2. The food. Spa food some times gets a bad rap, but not here. The menu is full of healthy dishes that also taste great (like the sweet potato, goat cheese and pear souffle!). Best of all, the cost of all meals is included when you book your stay.
3. The location. Lake Austin is situated directly on gorgeous lake and nothing is more relaxing that watching the sun set over the water. The property also features beautiful gardens perfect for strolls between treatments.
As if you needed more incentive, Lake Austin is also featuring an incredible deal for summer getaways—you'll save 30% on premier accommodations when you book 3 nights or more! The offer ends September 30, so go to lakeaustin.com now to reserve your stay!
—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor
This week we're showcasing Sarah and Mike's May wedding at Vine Hill House (vinehillhouse.com) in Sebastopol, California. The venue is a private home with a vineyard and apple orchard, so apples were a big part of the day's decor. Some of our other favorite details: the bride’s mother stitched the binding on the programs and bottled homemade strawberry jam as favors. Congrats, Sarah and Mike!
All photos courtesy of Tia Gavin Photography.
If you've never heard of Commandos, we're about to change your life. You see, these aptly named undergarments are not only entirely seamless so you never have to worry about panty lines, but they also come in a wide range of shades of nude so women of any color can wear them discreetly.
Once again, we’re rounding up the best inspirations from the blogosphere. Read on for unique centerpieces and a
delicious dessert bar.
—Jessica Derschowitz
Since the dawn of desserts, two facts have held true for brownies: 1) they are delicious 2) they are square. Well, Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties (sugardaddys.com) is about to rock your world. This Ohio-based bakery offers up edgeless brownies! That’s right: no corners, just chewy deliciousness. These round-cut Brunettes and Blondes are among the tastiest we’ve ever tried, and that’s including mom’s homemade batches. Flavors like Tahiti (a toasted coconut, chocolate, pineapple and cashew blondie) or Fiery (a chocolate, chipotle and cinnamon brownie) are as bright as they are pungent. Sorry mom, you can’t compete.
Cleverly packaged in individual plastic “tins,” these brownies are crush-proof, so no matter how far they travel with guests they won’t mush or break. Sugardaddy’s is wise to guarantee that every bite is not only perfect in taste, but in quality as well. Tied up in a colorful bow, the cellophane-wrapped duos ($12) make the perfect favor for your wedding. Wait for the appreciative phone calls when guests get home and dig into these dense, flavorful bites—that is if they can make it through the car ride home, without being devoured.
-Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant
Still haven't found your dress or decided what your maids will wear? Boy have we got good news for you! Bluefly.com and Nicole Miller are teaming up on June 23-24, 2009 for the ultimate online bridal sale. Bluefly.com is hosting the two-day extravaganza that will feature handpicked Nicole Miller wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses from the 2009 collection at 60% off! We're talking wedding gowns starting at $228 and bridesmaid dresses starting at $128!
There's even good news for guests: the sale will also include stylish summer frocks that are all priced under $200!
To receive the rest of the hush-hush details for this by-invitation-only sale, become a fan of Bluefly.com's Weddings 2.0 Facebook page (click here). And be sure to start shopping early next Tuesday for the best selection. Happy hunting!!
Mackenzie Sala of Kenzie Kate Invitations (kenziekate.com) is known for her trendsetting color combinations and eye-catching graphics. Here, she shares her top tips for brides.
First, I would say let the formality of the event dictate the formality of your wording and design choices. An outdoor picnic wedding could feature bright colors, a recycled kraft-paper envelope and a laid-back approach to the wording. A black tie evening event might call for a more restrained use of color, a lavish ribbon, and a more traditional wording structure.
It's also important to calculate carefully. If you are having a 150 person wedding, you do not need 150 invitations. You probably need more like 75-100. Each couple gets one.
Lastly, get samples! Lots of people are ordering their wedding invitations online because the selection is unbeatable, the convenience is fantastic, and you can spend as much or as little as you like. That being said, know what you are getting! Order samples before you place your order. It takes a little extra time, but you won't be sorry you did. Knowing what you're getting for your money is worth it!
What's been your favorite design so far and why?
I have a little love affair with every design I create. Whatever new design I tend to be working on at the moment tends to be my favorite. I'm working on a set right now for my 2010 collection inspired by traditional Japanese fabric patterns, and I think it will be perfect for couples getting married by the water. I'm very excited for it's release in the fall. That being said, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Palm Springs design. I like that it has a nice grown-up vibe, but still retains a sense of fun and whimsy.
What's your best stationery cost-cutting tip that doesn't sacrifice style?
I love the look of a lined envelope, but they can get very pricey! If you can find paper in a pattern that you like, it's very easy to line the envelopes yourself. Templates are sold at most stationery stores for creating the lining, and then it's just a matter of cutting the paper and gluing it in!
What makes Kenzie Kate different from other stationery companies?
We can make any of our styles in almost any color scheme, allowing clients to turn the design into something that's truly theirs. We have some styles that have never been printed twice in the same color scheme. This level of uniqueness and personalization isn't something you'll find at a lot of other shops, where it's more likely that you'll have to choose from two or three color options. Each of our clients also gets one-on-one attention and guidance from me personally. I think that working with a company that is small enough to give you that kind of attention, while large enough to carry a national reputation is pretty rare. I'm very proud of that.
What's your biggest wedding stationery no-no?
I hate flimsy wedding invitations! Make sure your invites are printed on a nice thick stock, possibly backed with another thick stock. They shouldn't flop over if you hold them by the corner; you shouldn't be able to fold them unless they're meant to be folded.
For more on Kenzie Kate or to view the entire collection, visit kenziekate.com. Also, check Mackenzie out on her blog, kenziekate.blogpost.com.
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