Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

Salwa: Monique Lhuillier knows how to make a bride feel beautiful. She had a nice balance of classic silhouettes, romantic and glamorous touches, and couture details. Reem Acra‘s collection was very well-rounded, too. The gowns moved effortlessly as they came down the runway.

Gisele: Romona Keveza has a beautiful collection of styles ranging from “princess” to glamorous. She doesn’t disappoint with her romantic and sexy styles.

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color (pink, blue, black, etc.), was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

Gisele: Rivini had a beautiful nude copper-tone gown (left), Romona Keveza had a crimson red dress.

Salwa: Oscar de la Renta‘s soft blues and bold reds, Monique Lhuillier‘s blush gowns (right).

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail this season?

Salwa: I love the peekaboo and portrait backs, like this style by Monique Lhuillier (center). Peplums, like on style by Amsale (left),  are another feature we saw on the runways, they give brides a touch of couture.

Gisele: Color was all over the runways! Red is the new white – like on this gorgeous Romona Keveza gown (right).

Photos by Dan Lecca

Here are Salwa and Giselle’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride

Salwa: Kenneth Pool‘s collection featured fitted bodices, full tulle princess skirts, and, for the bride who wants more of a fitted look, a beautiful ruched bodice with a full tulle skirt (below).

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl

Salwa: Amsale‘s gowns (left) had a very couture look with their peplum details, giving brides a hot-off-the-runway style on her wedding day.

Gisele: Romona Keveza‘s signature one-shoulder gowns (right) had an Old Hollywood look with a hint of modern flair.

Photos by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location

Salwa: Marchesa had several beach chic gowns, including a silk chiffon style (left) with silver embroidered v-neck details.

Gisele: Anne Barge showed a beautiful simple chiffon gown (right) that would be ideal on the beach.

Photos by Dan Lecca

The Bohemian Bride

Giselle: Jenny Packham‘s gowns (left) feature soft flowing lace and embroidery.

Salwa: With her classic lace and beautiful short dress options (right), I think Monique Lhuillier gowns work well for the bohemian bride.

Photos (from left): Courtesy of Jenny Packham, Dan Lecca

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style

Salwa: Oscar de la Renta‘s collection featured a color palette that ranged from soft pastels to bold reds.

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride

Salwa: Reem Acra‘s stunning beaded gowns (left) give brides the feeling of royalty and romance.

Gisele: Badgley Mischka‘s collection (right) had a touch of 1940s glamour, and featured romantic silk fabrics and beading.

Photos by Dan Lecca

]]> http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/the-best-of-bridal-market-lelite-bridal-and-musette-bridal-boutique/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/go-greek-for-your-honeymoon/ http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/go-greek-for-your-honeymoon/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:41 +0000 Laura F http://www.weddingaces.com/?p=22416

When you want a honeymoon destination that’s fit for the gods, there’s only one place in the whole world that suits. Go Greek for your honeymoon and you’ll experience an adventure that’s like none other. This exotic destination combines the best of Old World charm with all the modern conveniences today’s travelers have come to expect.

Surrounded by the warm waters of the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas, the islands of Greece invite honeymooners to enjoy a mild, welcoming climate while they explore a multitude of wonders. It doesn’t matter if you and your sweetheart are into high adventure or just want a romantic, relaxing place to celebrate your marriage, the birthplace of the “gods” can more than accommodate. Whether you arrive by cruise ship or choose to fly into one of the major cities, such as Athens, you can rest assured some amazing sights are in store for you.

Here are just a few of the reasons why the Greek islands are perfect for honeymooners:

• The climate and landscape – Greece is famed for its warm, beautiful summers and mild, welcoming winters. From mountainous regions to pristine beaches, the landscape here is more than romantic, too. Imagine paying a visit to Mt. Olympus one day and then lounging on the shores of the Aegean Sea the next.

• The history and other attractions – The historic sites found among the Greek islands are almost too plentiful to list. From the famed Parthenon on the Acropolis overlooking Athens to ancient streets of Rhodes, you’ll step back in time as you visit Greece’s major destinations. While ancient history is one of Greece’s main attractions for tourists, modern wonders aren’t lost here either. You’ll also find lots of five-star hotels, nightclubs and fine restaurants to explore.

• The ability to call your own shots – When Greece is your honeymoon destination you’ll find that possible activities are almost endless. If you want high adventure, consider paying a visit to the Melissani Cave in Sami or go parasailing from one of the country’s many waterfronts. For a more leisurely pace, tour one of the quaint fishing villages and enjoy lunch by the docks. Or, you can pay a visit to the white-washed village of Santorini and much more. No matter how action-packed or laid-back you want your stay to be, you’ll find Greece is ready to make your wishes come true.

When you want a honeymoon that’s legendary, only the birthplace of the gods will do. Greece offers a getaway that’s just right for practically anyone. To find out more about this European destination, contact your honeymoon travel specialist.

Q: What is the name of your business?

Traveler’s Joy.

Q: How many years have you been involved in the wedding industry?

Since 2004.

Q: Why did you decide to go into the wedding industry?

The founders of Traveler’s Joy were frustrated with the limited wedding registry choices for their friends and family. We had a lot of friends that wanted to go on an unbelievable honeymoon but already had most of the household items they needed. After we shared our idea of a honeymoon registry with engaged friends, they said ‘Build it!’. So we did. Eight years later, we’re now helping tens of thousands of engaged couples have the honeymoon of their dreams!

Q: What is Traveler’s Joy? Can you explain in a few sentences?

Traveler’s Joy is an online honeymoon registry. Couples set up an account and Traveler’s Joy provides them with a registry page to share honeymoon travel plans with wedding guests. Friends and family visit the couple’s page and use their credit card to give a gift toward part or all of their trip. The couple collects their gifts at anytime and they are off on the the honeymoon of their dreams!

Q: What are some tips you can give brides planning their honeymoons?

- Agree on your honeymoon budget.

- List ideas for possible destinations; gather brochures; consult a travel agent; and search guidebooks, magazines and the Internet. When you decide on a location, purchase a guidebook to study your destination in detail

- If you have an evening reception, plan your departing flight for mid-morning or early afternoon the next day to allow yourself ample time to rest. Better yet, give yourself a full day between your wedding and honeymoon departure to say thank you and goodbye to your friends and family that attended.

- Keep your honeymoon under wraps, at first. Some companies will try to charge you more, reasoning that you’ll want to splurge on this special getaway. Once your reservations are finalized, share the reason for your trip. You might receive complimentary champagne on the plane or an upgrade at your hotel.

- Keep a journal together so you’ll remember all of the activities, romance, and funny moments during your trip.

- Relax and enjoy this once in a lifetime vacation!

More tips can be found here.

Q: What is one of your favorite trends in weddings or honeymoons right now?

We are seeing a honeymoon trend whereby couples are taking longer than typical honeymoons and splitting up their time between expensive accommodation providers and less expensive (e.g., hostels) or even camping. We’ve never seen this before but we think it is awesome!

Q: Where are some of your favorite honeymoon spots?

My wife and I love water so any place with water nearby, we are set. Nosara, Costa Rica is a fabulous spot. Off the beaten path of typical Costa Rica, Nosara is a a small town where you can hang out with the locals, stay at a fabulous hotel, learn to surf, and enjoy some fabulous food.

Other favorites include Lamu Island off of Kenya, the west coast of Puerto Rico, and of course Hawaii.

Q: How do you spend your time outside of work?

I love spending time outdoors so when I find the time, you’ll typically find me gardening, canoeing, running, or surfing. I am also a mentor at a local business accelerator that brings in 3-6 start-up companies each year. Finally, my wife and I have a 2-year-old and are expecting a baby next month so between work and family, I consider my self lucky if I can participate in a few of those activities each month.

Q: What is the one thing you can’t wait to share with the readers of WeddingAces?

In addition to some of the popular honeymoon spots, I am really excited to share off the beaten path honeymoon destinations.

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”  

A: Reem Acra and Amanda Wakeley both wowed us with their new collections.  Reem Acra’s light an airy gowns were both fanciful and glamorous.  Amanda Wakeley’s talents amazed us — the gowns looked like liquid and we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of structure within.

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color, was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with? 

A: Bronze and copper metallics, as well as heavy tonal beading.  As for color, we saw gold with numerous designers and were pleased at how beautifully this color played into bridal.

Q: Of the new designers who showed, was there one who you think is going to be a breakout star? 

A: We are so excited to introduce Francesca Miranda – A Colombia-based designer with an incredible and inventive style.  Her aesthetic is a new one to the marketplace and we were raving over each and every gown.  We know our brides will fall in love with her styles.

Photos courtesy of Francesca Miranda

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season? 

A: The “necklace” effect—whether interpreted traditionally, as at Victor Harper (below), or the dangling jewel back of Amanda Wakeley.

Photo courtesy of Victor Harper

Here are Carrie’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: Brooke, by Modern Trousseau

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Style V206 by Victor Harper

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location: Lilac by Reem Acra

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style: Fay by Cymbeline

Photo courtesy of Cymbeline

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride: Style 70813 by Marchesa

Photo by Dan Lecca

Out of Town Guests:
Save-the-Dates are particularly important for your out-of-town guests. A typical wedding invitation won’t make it to their front door in time for travel plans and timely accommodations (especially if your nuptials fall during a holiday or high-travel season) – they need to know well ahead of time that they should be planning for your big day. There is such a thing as “too early,” though – ten to six months ahead of time should be plenty warning for your far-away kin.

Wedding Website:
Your save-the-date is a great place to display the address of your newly-formed wedding website. It doesn’t have to be perfectly formed yet, but allowing your guests to check out a few details can’t hurt (such as hotel locations, any rooms you’ve blocked out, registry info for bridal showers, etc.). Giving your guests your wedding website will also let them gauge the formality of your event (just make sure it’s reflected in the pictures and formatting of your site!)

Etiquette:
Save-the-dates come with their own set of etiquette rules, so tread lightly. Save-the-dates are not like graduation announcements – everyone who receives a save-the-date must then receive an invitation to your wedding. The same goes for the reverse – make sure if you plan to send out save-the-dates that everyone invited to your wedding receives one. If not, the people who don’t get one will feel “B-listed,” like they weren’t originally intended as guests. For save-the-dates, always air on the site of inclusiveness!

Some Creative Ideas:
Save-the-dates are fun because you can be so creative with them. Many brides opt for postcards, magnets, or even video clips to stand as their save-the-dates. Go crazy! Just make sure that if you are going to DIY your save-the-dates, try to keep it simple. 200 chalk board photo frames sounds wonderful until you’re staying up until 3am with a hot glue gun and the end of your rope.

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

Once again, we were in love with Lazaro‘s collection. There was such a range of styles from sweet lace ballgowns to fully beaded mermaids. He is so in tune with what brides are looking for, and we love his romantic-yet-sassy flair.

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: Of the new designers who showed, who is going to be a breakout star?

We were so impressed with the new collection, Victor Harper. The gowns are stunning with silk satin mermaids, trumpets, and ballgowns with intricate crystal beading. It is truly a return to the glamorous side of bridal. So many designers focused on lace this season, so it was refreshing to see a collection made up of fabulously beaded gowns!

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season?

One of the biggest trends this season was the peplum, and we are very excited about it. Whether it’s done in lace or a more structured fabric like silk Mikado, it is such a romantic detail. Not only is it beautiful, it can be a very flattering silhouette for brides who are looking for a slim gown but don’t want to feel self-conscious about their waist and hip area. Our favorite peplum dress this season was the Wave gown by Junko Yoshioka.

Photo by Dan Lecca

Here are Melissa and Natalie’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: Victor Harper

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Lazaro

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Bohemian Bride: Junko Yoshioka

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style: Ines Di Santo

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Romantic or Ethereal Bride: Rivini

Photo by Dan Lecca

From traditional Indian weddings to Kosher catering, the Grand Marquis is equipped to handle any request a couple may have.

Most couples require impeccable service and great, if not incredible food, for their wedding day. The Grand Marquis will not disappoint in any category as they rest on their reputation for personalized service and exquisite menu selections.

The Grand Marquis is a stone’s throw from several great parks for photo ops, and offers luxurious chandeliers and interior decor with a well appointed ballroom.

The Grand Marquis continues to offer couples and photographers a great location for a wedding and wedding photos.

We thank Joan and Rich for the opportunity to capture their wedding and The Grand Marquis for being such great hosts.

Photography: Michelle M. of Abacus Wedding Studios

Video: Rob. M. of Abacus Wedding Studios

“We hope you’ll join us for our big day in the Caribbean, but we have to ask you to leave the little ones behind because many of our venues don’t permit children.”  That’s one tactful way of telling your wedding guests to make other arrangements for their rugrats on the weekend of your destination wedding.  Unfortunately, there are some wedding guests who will do just about anything to bring their little darlings along, even if the little ones are not invited.

Face it folks, manners and etiquette are going down the potty in this country.  There’s a whole generation of parents out there who don’t use babysitters and think it’s totally okay to pollute your airspace with their little monsters anytime they want to. It’s not that I don’t like children – I do. But whatever happened to the basic courtesy of asking permission to include a child in an adults-only event?

There are three main reasons that couples opt not to include children in their wedding festivities.  First and foremost, weddings are expensive.  Everything is based on a per person head count, and venues may charge the same amount to feed a five-year-old as an adult, unless you’re doing a whole children’s menu. Many of my clients have a hard time stomaching a $100 tab for a child who won’t even eat dinner.

The second reason that couples don’t want children at the wedding sounds a little bit selfish, but it isn’t. Lots of brides don’t want to compete for attention with children at their own wedding.  I know how that feels – there are a ridiculous number of pictures of my ring bearer despite the fact he was upstairs post-meltdown with a babysitter watching “Barney” when I went down the aisle. He’s not in my wedding ceremony photos, but he was certainly the star of my reception.

Finally, the third and most important reason: When you make a wedding “adults-only,” a lot of the guests will go to extremes to make babysitting arrangements for their own children so that they can spend a kid-free, three-day vacation in the Caribbean.  Most brides and grooms feel that after making so many friends figure out babysitting arrangements, it’s totally unfair to let one couple who didn’t want to play by the rules undo everybody else’s good time.

So what’s the best way to handle a guest who insists on bringing their children to an adults-only wedding?  Head on.  Make the smart call in tackling the problem ahead of time whenever possible. Discuss the situation with them, firmly but calmly, before they arrive on the island. Or, have a close family member or friend handle making the call for you. After the inevitable explosion, the guest will have some time to cool off before the actual celebration.

Remember, it’s your wedding and you get to decide who will be there. If you don’t really care, then don’t hold a firm line about it.  But if it’s important to you, put your foot down, just this once. After all, you’re the bride

Happy wedding planning from Weddings in Vieques and Weddings in Culebra!

Sandy Malone | Owner, Weddings in Vieques

Sandy Malone is the owner of Weddings in Vieques, a Caribbean destination wedding planning company based on Vieques Island.  A former Wall Street Journal reporter and public affairs expert, Sandy has executed more than 400 destination weddings on Vieques and Culebra islands, and writes a wedding planning column for the Huffington Post.

For the next few weeks, we’re asking bridal salon owners from around the country to share their favorite hot-off-the-runway looks from the most recent Bridal Market. Today, we’re talking to Lindsay Nowak of Maddison Row in Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

I loved Amsale’s collection. It was very cohesive and had a huge range. Also, Reem Acra was completely glamorous and fabulous. Each dress had such interesting detail and was executed flawlessly.

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color, whether pink, blue, black or red,  was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

Oscar de la Renta’s blue gowns

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: Of the new designers who showed, who is going to be a breakout star?

Carol Hannah Whitfield

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season?

Peplums

Here are Lindsay’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: Treasure, by Monique Lhuillier

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Jade, by Christos

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location: Kelly, by Dolly Pearl

Photo courtesy of Dolly Pearl

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style: Style 111313, by Vera Wang

Photo courtesy of Vera Wang

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride: Argentine, by Reem Acra

Photo by Dan Lecca

Anne Chertoff | Wedding Blogger

Anne Chertoff has earned her reputation as a wedding authority over the course of her 10 years in the bridal industry. WeddingWire and Chertoff have partnered to provide comprehensive Spring 2013 Bridal Market coverage from New York City.

Lawn games are a fantastic way to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour. Croquet, bocce ball, horseshoe,s and bag toss are a few games that can get your guests mingling with one another and can be easily played in lovely wedding attire. In addition, these games can always be personalized to fit the theme or color scheme of your wedding.

Croquet is a lawn game in which players use mallets to hit colored wooden balls through wickets. The winning team is the one who gets through the most wickets. Bocce ball, also known as lawn bowling, is a game where teams bowl to get as close to the jack as possible. The winning team is the one who has the most balls closest to the jack. In Horseshoes, two teams take turns tossing horseshoes at stakes in the ground and the team that has the most horseshoes on their stake wins. Bag toss has players toss bean bags so that they land in the hole or on the board. The player scoring the most points wins. Activities like these give your guests the chance to play games they might not play very often and enables them to break the ice and laugh with each other.

Photo booths are a popular trend at weddings and for good reason. They create personalized keepsakes for your guests to take home and are a great way to get everyone out of their seats and having a fun time. Many even include props, adding a whole new level of fun and comedy to the experience. Guests can feel free to act silly and express their excitement in their photographs. Since your guests probably don’t get to see each other as often as they would like to, they will appreciate having those pictures to look back on and remember the laughs they shared on your special day.

Wedding Mad Libs is a creative way to get your guests to leave funny notes for you and your spouse. Guests will love inserting nouns, verbs, and adjectives to build a personal story for you and will love exchanging their Mad Libs with other guests even more. This gets them thinking of just the right words to fill in the blanks so that they can come up with a very unique story for you to enjoy. What is great about these is that you can make more than one story template and can personalize them to fit your theme. This is also a unique way for guests to leave advice for you and your spouse.

Another way to keep your guests entertained during your wedding is to incorporate a unique guestbook. Guest quilts and Polaroid guest books are two ways that will get your guests to truly personalize their entries. With a guest quilt, your guests will be able to pick a piece of fabric and take the time to write and design their entry. Polaroid guest books allow guests to personalize their entry because they are able to place their message right alongside their photo. Another creative way for guests to leave their well wishes is through theme incorporation. For example, if you have a beach themed wedding you can asks guests to leave their well wishes on seashells.  Another creative idea is to have a garden of personalized wishes from your guests that you can display in your home. If you want a truly personalized way for guests to leave their mark on your wedding, you can incorporate a family tree. Guests can leave their thumb print on the tree and sign their name next to it. You can then hang this up in your home and have that personalized keepsake to remind you of everyone who was at your wedding.

Many guests who come to your wedding may not know your spouse very well or much about the journey that you two have taken together. Hanging photos of the both of you at your wedding is a great way to share this journey. You can also incorporate baby pictures and others of you growing up to show your individual journey to this special day in your life. We have all heard the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so let these pictures speak to your guests and tell them a little something about you and your spouse that they didn’t already know.

Everybody loves food, a full guest is a happy one. Late night snacks are a great way to surprise your guests since they might not be expecting more food throughout the night. Between the dancing and the drinking, they will not be able to resist trying these tasty snacks. Another thing that guests will not be able to resist are desserts. Having a dessert table at your wedding will get your guests excited and will give them the chance to try sweets that might be new to them or something that they do not get to enjoy very often. A great way to personalize your desserts are to choose  favorite treats that you and your fiance enjoy.

All these activities will keep your guests entertained and will be a nice addition to the eating and drinking that go on at a wedding. Your guests will feel truly involved in your wedding and will leave knowing that they left a special imprint on your big day.

For more ideas on how to keep your guests entertained and other wedding tips, visit us at our website or our blog.

Keepsake invitations reduce waste by encouraging guests to hold on to your unique wedding invite! Send found seashells or recycle glass jars from thrift shops with a “message in a bottle!” While antiquing, pick up some vintage skeleton keys and attach your invites on recycled paper.

For the DIY bride, handmade invites crafted from FSC certified paper or recycled envelopes help cut back litter and are always a timeless gift!

Turn your wedding invitations into tasty treats for your guests! Edible invitations such as organic baked goods with frosted “Save the Dates,” homemade jam, or fresh fruit baskets are scrumptious ways to reduce waste!

Give back to the earth by sending plantable invitations! Guests can plant seed packets or your plantable paper invitations and watch your love bloom!

Photo Credits: Forever Lantern, Diamond Boutique, Modern Vintage, Piece of Cake, Manolo For Brides, 123RF, Twist UK

For the next few weeks, we’re asking bridal salon owners from around the country to share their favorite hot-off-the-runway looks from the most recent Bridal Market. Today, we’re talking to Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, Connecticut. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

Rivini. Designer Rita Vinieris captured all of the trends, from high necks to colored gowns to lace sleeves. And she showed really interesting skirt shapes.

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color, whether pink, blue, black or red,  was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

The “Lisette” gown from Rivini (left): It’s a beautiful champagne color with an ivory lace overlay. For TRUE color, I adored the light blue gowns that Oscar de la Renta sent down the runway.  Particularly, the gown pictured at right.

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season?

I loved all of the feminine details showed at this market, but my favorite trend was the diversity of neckline and sleeve options.  I adored all of the lace high-neck silhouettes and think brides will appreciated the many varieties of sleeves that graced the runway.

I also was over the moon about the precious bridal sweaters that were shown by Ivy and Aster.

Here are Beth’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: Brooke, by Modern Trousseau

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Danielle by Rivini

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location: Amelie by Ivy & Aster

Photo courtesy of Ivy & Aster

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style: Kensington by Amsale

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride: Blythe by Amsale

Photo by Dan Lecca

Anne Chertoff | Wedding Blogger

Anne Chertoff has earned her reputation as a wedding authority over the course of her 10 years in the bridal industry. WeddingWire and Chertoff have partnered to provide comprehensive Spring 2013 Bridal Market coverage from New York City.

Photo: Rebecca Arthurs

Here in Hawaii, I often see photo shoots of Vintage&Lace newlyweds blissfully splashing in swimming pools or sandy surf drenching their once prized and protected wedding attire while a photographer captures a shot of the intentionally destructive, and as my grandmother would say, reckless behavior.

Photo: Keith Cephus

Photo: Scott McNamara Photography

It is a sad truth to face that the likely expensive and no doubt beloved dress you carefully selected for this oh-so-important occasion in your life will never be worn (in public) again. Perhaps that is precisely why many brides choose to embrace this tragedy, if you will; they want to make the most of the situation by having one last hurrah in their gown before they say goodbye.

Photo: Rachael Robertson

I for one could never do it! I still look longingly at my treasured dress and fantasize, albeit a bit naively, about a future daughter or friend wearing it someday.

I do have to admit though that some “trash the dress” photographs are absolutely stunning. In some raw way, they evoke a kind of refreshing aesthetic appeal as the symbol of white purity and the organic, untamed elements of nature meet in this rare way.

Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

I sometimes wonder how this trend started? Who was the first (and were they wearing an expensive gown!)?  I may be reading in to it a bit too deeply but perhaps this decision –to trash the dress or not- is representative of one’s deeper philosophical approach to life: Do we play it safe, preserving and treasuring what we have in hopes of passing it on someday?  Or, do we live life fully and playfully without reservations and with an understanding that nothing really lasts forever… besides love?

Photo: L Photographie, Liz Dean and Kate Hayes

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

In my opinion, Ines Di Santo always manages to take my breath away with her stunning styles and her attention to detail.

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color (pink, blue, black, etc.) was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

The Ines Di Santo Roseé. It has a subtle pink underlay that made the ivory lace stand out for a complete breathtaking design. Pink was the color of the market and in my opinion Roseé did it the best.

Photo by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season? 

Again, pink was featured by every designer, as well light layers, soft fabrics, and well-thought-out, versatile designs. There were several dresses that had multiple style options so the bride can change her look up without needing to purchase a second dress.

Here are Kipp’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: “This beautiful silk organza ballgown by Alyne by Rivini has light, flowing layers, which add volume without adding weight.”

Photo by Dan Lecca

“Another option for the princess bride would be this versatile Essense of Australia gown. The lace, form-fitting gown turns into a simple, sleek mermaid silhouette for the bride who just can’t make up her mind, or who just wants two dresses.”

Photos by Belen Aquino

The Glamour Girl: “Salue, by Ines Di Santo, is made of the finest Italian silk satin and I love the dramatic bow accent in the back.”

Photos by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location: “This Ines Di Santo gown features a macrame lace bodice, and a two-tone laser cut skirt with airy asymmetrical straps.”

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride: “Alyne by Rivini has several ultra-romantic options – from a soft lace gown with a slim silhouette to a simple boatneck gown with a low cowl back and intricately beaded belt – either of these would take a groom’s breath away.”

Photos by Dan Lecca

]]> http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/the-best-of-bridal-market-circle-park-bridal-boutique/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/spring-registry-trends-from-macy%e2%80%99s/ http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/spring-registry-trends-from-macy%e2%80%99s/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:15 +0000 Guest Blogger http://www.weddingaces.com/?p=22718 Guest Post By: Susan Bertelsen, GVP of Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry

Registering for gifts can be a daunting task – but knowing what’s in style can help narrow down the array of options. We’ve compiled a list of the hottest trends in registry items – housewares that are fashionable, but will still look gorgeous years down the road.

Prints

This season, it’s all about modern twists on classic prints, to create a fresh and young aesthetic and bring excitement to the everyday.

Bands of gold add richness to navy-and-white, paisley-adorned bone china.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Dinnerware, Round Hill Collection 5-piece place setting, Find It Here

Create a beachside getaway in your bedroom with this soothing coral bedding.
Trina Turk Bedding, Coral Trellis Collection comforter set, Find It Here

Create a retro design statement with these dishwasher-safe place settings.
Echo Design Dinnerware, That 70’s Floral Collection 4-piece place setting, Find It Here

Color

Bring a fun touch to traditional pieces with unexpected pops of color.

A colorful twist on standard glassware.
Lenox Tuscany Harvest Glassware, Find It Here

Pure cotton bath towels in a rainbow of versatile hues
Lacoste Bath Towels, Croc Solid Collection Bath Towel, Find It Here

Bold hues and geometric patterns inspired by Mayan designs.
Echo Mayan Geo Comforter Sets, Find It Here

Old is New

Not your grandmother’s registry! Mixing ultra-traditional items with modern style.

Revive the classic tea set with playful patterns.
Royal Albert Serveware, Old Country Roses Vintage & Polka Rose Tea Collection, Find It Here

Traditional glassware silhouettes in contemporary tinted crystal
Godinger Drinkware, Find it Here

A timeless look featuring eyelet and seersucker.
Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Spring Hill Collection comforter, Find It Here

Global

Bring the style of the world to your home with contemporary pieces.

Eco-friendly art for bedside tables, dressers, and bookshelves, handcrafted by Haitian artisans. A percentage of each purchase goes back to the Haitian craftspeople to help rebuild their lives after the 2010 earthquake.
Heart of Haiti Home Décor, Boudoir Metal Collection, Find It Here

The design of these candlesticks is inspired by India’s rich metalworking tradition.
Michael Aram Sleepy Hollow Candlestick Holders, Find It Here

Take a culinary trip by creating delicious stir-frys on this wok.
Anolon Advanced Glass Covered Wok, Find It Here

Metallics

Metallics bring a trendy-but-timeless feel to your home.

A mix of polished aluminum and richly-hued patterned enamel.
Simply Designz Serveware, Colored Enamel Collection, Find It Here

The stand mixer is a registry staple but we love this modern, metallic take on the classic.
KitchenAid 5 Quart Architect Stand Mixer, Find It Here

These bath accessories pair stainless steel and wood for a sleek, elegant design.
Hotel Collection Hammered Metal Collection Bath Accessories, Find It Here

The “wedding experience” is not universal, and nowhere is it written that you must conform to a certain set of standards for your event to count as a wedding. Do you want your guests to chill on blankets and munch on barbeque at your reception? Do you want an ice cream truck instead of a cake (cake toppers optional)? Do you want the smallest members of your family to have as much fun as the biggest? Cool beans. Here are a couple of ideas for your badass wedding:

A bounce house. Totally.

A bounce house is a colorful air-filled wonderland of joy and occasional bruising. As long as all children are properly supervised (and you make it 100% clear that there will be no lifeguard on duty), there’s no reason why a bounce house couldn’t be an addition to your reception space. Obviously, this venture is best suited to outdoor weddings (ones with lots of grass, preferably), but you’ll be amazed how fast your guests turn into 5-year-olds. The pictures you’ll get due to the goings-on of the bounce house will be worth every penny you drop on that rainbow-filled dream fest.

Crayons.

For the brides who still ask for the kids menu at Red Robin due to the coloring opportunities, this option might quicken your pulse a bit. Eschew fancy linens for butcher paper and tins of crayons at each table and watch your guests glue their noses to the table as they try to beat their neighbor at tick-tack-toe or a low-budget game of “Draw Something.” Brides with more traditional weddings can pull this off too, though you might restrict it to the kids table or opt for fancier buckets.

If you’re going for a casual family barbeque-style wedding where crayons and a bounce house won’t be out of place, just make sure you warn your guests will a telling invitation or save-the-date. You don’t have to spell it out for them, but the style of the stationary and accompanying photos can be helpful.

There will always be nay-sayers who get a little wide-eyed when you mention your wedding plan, but hopefully your guests are a little more open minded. Only you can assess the lengths you’re willing to go to for a non-traditional wedding, and hopefully your guests will be prepared!

Q: Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

There were so many amazing collections that we saw – it’s hard to choose! Lela Rose showed amazing details, Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Couture brought back luxurious duchesse satin, Amsale and Christos debuted some fun fashion-forward peplums….we can’t pick just one!

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color (pink, blue, black, etc.) was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

Judd Waddell showed a beautiful fitted organza gown in a subtle blush color. We think brides will love the draping throughout the bodice and the easy shape.

Photo by Dan Lecca

Q: Of the new designers who showed, was there one who you think is going to be a breakout star?

We really enjoyed the gowns by Tulle. Their fit is spot-on and they are smartly designed. We know that DC brides are going to love the delicate details!

 Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season?

We are loving the peplum trend! This season it  became a little bit more understandable and wearable. The Christos “Gretta” style is a gown that we can’t wait to have in the store!

Photo by Dan Lecca

Here are Julia and Carin’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride: Carin by Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Couture

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Laetitia by Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Couture

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Destination or Beach Location: Sage by Christos

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Bohemian Bride: Astrid by Tulle

Photo by Dan Lecca

A Fashion-Forward or Avant-Garde Style: Kensington by Amsale

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Romantic or Ethereal Bride: Abingdon Square Park by Lela Rose

Photo by Dan Lecca

]]> http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/the-best-of-bridal-market-hitched/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/five-secrets-to-avoid-the-thank-you-note-avalanche/ http://www.weddingaces.com/2012/05/five-secrets-to-avoid-the-thank-you-note-avalanche/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:27 +0000 Marjorie http://www.weddingaces.com/?p=22591 The Registry at Williams-Sonoma, The Pottery Barn, Sur La Table, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman’s, Macy’s are fast at work translating your every wedding wish into a rush of beautifully and distinctively wrapped packages to your front door. Pity on the poor the UPS delivery man, or bevy of delivery drivers bringing your cache to your home or your parent’s home. What’s a poor girl to do?

First, forget the dismal state of the UPS men-wearing-brown, it is you that concerns us. Take a deep breath, and think: every lovely bridal package elbowing its way into your new abode must have a very lovely thank you note, with no exception. Our condolences!

No, it really can get worse. And, it does, if you ignore the warning signs of the oncoming avalanche of bridal thank you notes.

Advice! Forward these five secrets to anyone who you know is getting married, and you consider your good friend.

This calls for a little Adele!

Take note: Adele will set the pace to help you knock out those thank-you’s every night.

The Big Five:

5. The Grande List. Simply put, get a to-die-for workbook, as in the soft-covered journals in Cote -d’Azur color shades or neutrals, faux or real leather, from Graphic Image, and other fine purveyors of wedding must-haves.

Make a columned list. The savvy IT gurus will much prefer Microsoft’s Excel spreadsheet with her detailed guest list already there. Either way, have your thank-you note list reflect: the date you received the gift, the sender (full names so you can address them properly), the gift, the date you wrote the note, and the date you sent the note.

4. Trousseau of Thank-You’s. Oh, dear, you have no prenuptial or bridal notes on hand? Jog over to your nearest stationery store, a treat is in store. Initially, pick out notecards with your monogram.

Many brides prefer the simple traditional  Crane & Co. or William Arthur fold over note in ivory or white. Most often it is embossed or engraved with three letter monogram: first name, last name, maiden name initials. Your new last name is the biggest letter in the middle.

Prefer a contemporary design? Check Checkerboard! Distinctive high design and a contemporary palette of colors for paper and ink. Other printing options: letterpress, flat or thermography. Tight budget? Try boxed notes right from the shelves.

Before you leave the store, check out thank you notes for your shower gifts. Lallie‘s new So Nancy collection has a fresh batch of new designs at very affordable prices. Indulge yourself. The flourish of the very hip and well-recognized Lallie-script will call attention to your excellent taste in stationery. Try to use only your first name, in a blaze of color. P.S. with your first name you can use the notes well after the Big Day. Be creative. This is the time to establish your Signature Style!

3. Write Now. Chances are the boxes are stacked high, past the big screen TV, up to the rafters; so you are, naturally, behind. Do not worry. As Winston Churchill has said, “Never, never, never give up.”  So, begin immediately to write at least nine notes an evening until you catch up.

2. Bridal Correspondence Caveat: Do not get more than a dozen thank-you notes behind! Whether you are waiting on the first gifts to arrive, or not, promise yourself to write like the wind.

1. As you are carried across the threshold of your new home by your Prince Charming, make sure he is delivering you to a new fairy tale life, not one with a hundred pending thank you notes waiting to be written.

My underlying wedding philosophy? Establish your Signature Style: design of your note and the style of writing.

Need a little inspiration and some down-to-earth writing advice? Google my best-selling book, The Write Stuff: A Modern Guide to Personal Stationery and Weddings. There is an entire chapter on how to write a super note in no time flat, while your betrothed is tapping his foot waiting for you to finish and take off  to the baseball, basketball, football game. A life-skill worth learning.

Can’t wait and need advice on writing thank you notes now? Jot your thoughts, questions and comments to me on WeddingWire.

photo by Kelly Guenther

This is about what happens after you have already acquiesced to the aunt you haven’t seen since childhood and agreed to let her little tyrants come, and have subsequently planned a wonderful table in front of the kitchen door just for them.  What next?

Here are five details to prevent you from regretting your weakness:

1. Don’t light the candles at their table

2. Unless their family name is spelled with an é  - un e avec un accent aigu – the wine glasses get lemonade.  On the other hand, treat them as you would any other guest.  Yes, they should get place cards if the adults do, and yes, they get real cloth napkins.

3. Kids should be served their main (and only) course when other guests get their first course.  This is especially true if – as is often the case with evening weddings – it’s getting late.

4. Don’t underestimate a kid’s ability to rise to the occasion – even if, as if often the case, they would rather be somewhere else.

5. Lastly, invest in some Wikki Stix – they are a marvelous thing, I often describe them as crayons on steroids (with the added benefit of no cleanup – ever tried to get crayon marks out of damask silk linens?)

The WeddingWire team recently viewed over 1,000 brand-new wedding dresses at Chicago and New York bridal markets, dresses that will be available at a bridal salon near year in a few months. To get the real scoop on which dresses will be hot, we turned to the real experts – bridal salon owners – to find out their favorite collections, trends, and dresses. We’ll be featuring bridal salons from all over the country for the next few weeks.

Today, we’re talking to Cate Malone of the Denver salon Little White Dress Bridal Shop. Here’s what she had to say:

Was there one collection or gown that you thought was the “best of market?”

Claire Pettibone, Elizabeth Fillmore, Jenny Packham and Liancarlo were all fabulous!

Q: Of all the gowns that featured color, whether pink, blue, black or red,  was there one or two that you think brides will fall in love with?

A: Claire Pettibone’s “Hazel” gown with an overskirt in powder blue with platinum silk.

Photo by Dan Lecca

Q: Of the new designers who showed, who is going to be a breakout star?

A: Victor Harper

Photos by Dan Lecca

Q: What’s your favorite new trend or dress detail of the season?

A: Lace

Click here to see our slideshow of lace wedding gowns!

Here are Cate’s top picks for every bride’s style:

The Princess Bride:  Victor Harper

Photo by Dan Lecca

The Glamour Girl: Bella by Elizabeth Fillmore

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fillmore

A Destination or Beach Location: Any of the new Claire Pettibone gowns

Photos by Dan Lecca

The Bohemian Bride: Narelle by Elizabeth Fillmore

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fillmore

A Fashion-Forward or Avant Garde Style:  Evie by Elizabeth Filmore

 Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Fillmore

Anne Chertoff | Wedding Blogger

Anne Chertoff has earned her reputation as a wedding authority over the course of her 10 years in the bridal industry. WeddingWire and Chertoff have partnered to provide comprehensive Spring 2013 Bridal Market coverage from New York City.

Full of surprises, the Garden State continues to amaze and impress the wedding audience with its variety of venues, from vineyards to perfectly groomed country clubs. The Palace at Somerset Park quickly sets itself apart from all others with its grand and opulent presence, nestled into 30 beautiful landscaped acres of Somerset, New Jersey.

When it comes to feeling like a Queen and King, the Palace at Somerset Park will not disappoint.

From a wide variety of personalized gourmet menu options to a full fireworks display, the Palace has everything and anything a wedding couple can image for their big day.

Perfect for outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hours under the stars, the Palace truly makes you feel “Royal” when hosting your wedding.

We thank Susan and David for the opportunity to capture their wedding and the Palace, for providing such a stunning location.

Photography: Michelle M. of Abacus Wedding Studios

Video: Damian C. of Abacus Wedding Studios

To See More Images From The Palace Please Click Here

Gown by Kevan Hall from Remarriage Showcase Fashion Show by Soliloquy Bridal;
photo by FairfaxWeddings.net

One of the questions I am most often asked as the publisher of RemarriageWorks.com is, “what should I wear to my second wedding?” I can totally relate. After I got engaged to remarry, one of the first things I did when it came to wedding planning was to buy a stack of wedding magazines.

I couldn’t wait to thumb through the pages, and I quickly discovered they offered very little for someone in my shoes; i.e., someone who is, let’s just say, over 30, divorced with two children, and marrying a guy with three, and no longer a size two. Well, honestly speaking, I can’t remember ever being a size two, and if you are a woman who is getting remarried, you probably get my point about the magazines. After all, my fiancé, a widower at the time, and I already had three sets of china between our two homes.

So, I went to bridal shops, and figured out that I didn’t want a long, white poofy dress again, mainly because I didn’t want anything that even closely resembled any part of my first wedding. It didn’t last.  The bridesmaids’ dresses made me look like I was trying to squeeze into a prom dress. And, the mother-of-the-brides’ dresses were too grandmotherly; I wasn’t ready for that stage yet.

Ultimately, I ended up finding a dressmaker in the yellow pages and started to figure out from scratch what to wear. I wish I had known then what I know now.  What’s important is that the remarrying bride can choose attire for her second (or subsequent) wedding that makes her feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable.

Beauty, confidence, and comfort come in many forms on your second wedding day. I have heard from a bride who remarried in her golden years and celebrated her wedding at Bellagio in Las Vegas in a black gown because she thinks she looks best in black. She was absolutely gorgeous! Another bride shared that she wore a flowy pants suit because she thought pants looked better on her body type. And, another woman who married the first time around in a court house in jeans decided that she was marrying for a second time in an over-the-top white, lacy gown because she wanted to have a wedding fit for a princess.  And, “over-the-top” was her words, not mine.

Gown by Sarah Seven from Remarriage Showcase Fashion Show by Soliloquy Bridal;
photo by FairfaxWeddings.net

The bottom line is that there are no “shoulds” when it comes to deciding what you should wear for your second wedding.  Wear a color and style that makes you happy and reflects your joy about finding your second chance for happiness.  Life is short. And, your dress can be, too.

You may find additional ideas of what to wear for your second wedding in pictures from our Remarriage Showcase for Encore Brides held in Leesburg, VA on March 10, 2012.  The fashion show was hosted by Soliloquy Bridal Couture in Herndon, VA.

Gown by Noir by Lazaro from Remarriage Showcase Fashion Show by Soliloquy Bridal;
photo by FairfaxWeddings.net

Gown by Francesca Miranda from Remarriage Showcase Fashion Show by Soliloquy Bridal;
photo by FairfaxWeddings.net

Paula Bisacre | Publisher of RemarriageWorks.com and founder of RemarriageShowcase.com

Paula Bisacre is an expert in remarriage and stepfamily issues based in the DC area. She is the president of Remarriage, LLC, the publisher of RemarriageWorks.com, the founder of RemarriageShowcase.com, and the author of the Journal for Stepmoms.

You might think picking a first dance song is one of the easiest parts of planning a wedding but believe it or not, many couples struggle with this part!  Whether they are uncomfortable in the spotlight, unsure of their footwork or worried about picking the perfect song, keeping these few points in mind can alleviate a lot of the stress that comes from choosing the perfect first dance song.

Slow it down!  Unless you are gunning to have your first dance video become the next viral hit on the Internet, try to avoid songs that are so high-energy you won’t be able to slow down and enjoy this moment.  Your first dance will go much faster than you think, so do yourself a favor and choose a song that allows you to savor this precious moment.

But not too slow!  On the other side of the tempo coin, choosing a first dance song that is too slow can make it difficult to gracefully glide across the dance floor in the arms of your new spouse!  If you are unsure if a song you’re considering might be too fast or too slow, try it out in your living room!  Don’t worry, no one’s watching.

Wait… is this actually a love song?  When choosing a first dance song, I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to carefully read the song lyrics before making your decision!  While some songs might seem touching and sweet on the surface (think “I Will Always Love You”), they are best left off any potential first dance song lists.  Look up the lyrics to any songs you’re considering just to be sure.

Forget the 18 minute remix!  A good DJ will not allow you to make the mistake of choosing a full-length 18 minute song (they do exist) but on the off chance you’re considering some epic 10 minute mash-up, realize that it starts to get sort of awkward after the first couple minutes.  You have all night to dance, make your first dance as husband and wife meaningful but not exhausting.

Pick something meaningful! OK, this seems really obvious on the surface but allow me to explain. Don’t pick a song your favorite celebrity used at his or her wedding, don’t pick a song you heard on the radio the other day and don’t pick a song because anyone tells you that you must. Pick a song that you both love, something that describes your feelings for each other or your relationship or even your struggles and triumphs, not the song you think you are expected to use.  There is a reason classics like Etta James’ “At Last” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” have stood the test of time as first dance songs but there is no rule book that says you are required to use them.  Only do so if the song means something to you!

This is your chance to get creative and since you only get one first dance, it’s important to go with something that you’ll love to hear years from now to bring you right back to that special moment all over again.  Happy hunting and I hope you find “The One!”

Photo Credit: Wedding Bee, Nina Mullins

Bouquets and table décor blooming with color are ideal at every wedding. Local flowers require less travel, so you are guaranteed the fullest and freshest blooms for your green wedding with less carbon emissions to boot! Ripe fruits add a pop of unexpected and vibrant color to any tablescape, as well. For a modern and elegant touch, consider handpicked twisting branches; intertwine them with flowers to create a uniquely beautiful floral arrangement!

Photo Credit: Ruffled, Archive Vintage Rentals

Repurposing family heirlooms or vintage furniture adds a personal, romantic touch to any wedding. Mix and match unique pieces for seating, or repurpose dressers and desks into photo booths or gift tables!

Photo Credit: Digs Digs 

Give your wedding an eco-chic feel by decorating with handmade miniature terrariums! These tiny gardens can be planted and cultivated in recycled mason jars, old light bulbs, repurposed bottles, salvaged vases, etc.  Miniature terrariums are a great focal piece for tables, promote growth, and mix modern elegance with natural beauty to create a one-of-a-kind design!

In March, I had the opportunity to attend the World Floral Expo 2012 at the Javits Center in the Big Apple. Growers from all over 30 countries showcased their wares. The conference gave me an opportunity to scope out upcoming trends in flower varieties, and to meet the breeders, growers and floral transporters in person.

Here’s a quick recap on the flower varieties that are becoming the hot blooms in the global floral market:

*Carnation: Yes, I am being serious. The carnation is no longer a filler flower used primarily for standard funeral arrangements. The carnation is making a comeback just like Cher, Madonna, and Britney (and someone please help Christina, too!). Global breeders are creating new hybrid varieties every year. These varieties are more difficult to identify, but definitely unique and beautiful. Long live the hybrid carnation!

*Clematis: I nearly fell over and went to floral heaven when I met the master grower of long cut Clematis. Not only is it a beautiful bloom, but it’s quite hardy – it can last for 7-10 days out of the cooler. My head was spinning with future visions of: floral arbors, chuppahs, entrance pieces, and so much more!

*Ranunculus: Classic, timeless, and will not go out of style: The white ranunculus, which really is more of a blush shade, caught my eye and will continue to be on my floral radar for many years to come.

*Garden Rose: How many times will I stop in my Jimmy Choo tracks for a recent edition of the glamorous garden rose?  David Austin roses are the Chanel and the Valentino of garden rose varieties. Google it, and then you’ll see my comparison.

*Succulents:  These little and big beauties are becoming very popular because of their variety of color and design versatility.  They look great in bouquets, boutonnières, menu card accents, cocktail tables and more.

Texture, layers and color are certainly trending in floral design right now. Who wants an all-white rose bouquet today when you can have: “A hand-tied bouquet of fully bloomed white peonies, blush toned ranunculus, and champagne garden roses accented with a hint of muted grey dusty miller and mini succulents”?  My point is: Why pigeonhole your wedding flowers into one category, when there are so many varieties to play with! Think outside of the box, find a designer who is passionate and like minded, and you won’t be disappointed.

Heather Thomas | Florist

Heather Thomas the founder of HeatherLily Event and Floral Design in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in designing events from conception to fruition and everything in between. Heather’s passion is creating amazing events on a weekly basis and is known for finding and creating emerging trends, and designing unique decor.