Real Wedding

The Bride: Lisa Mary

The Dress:  Sarah Danielle 5580
Photos by: Andrea Friar Photography http://www.andreafriar.com

Alyne Bridal Spring 2011 collection featured at Miss Ruby until November 7

The Alyne Bridal Spring 2011 collection has arrived at the boutique! The dresses will be at Miss Ruby through November 7 and then they'll be returned back to the designer. This is your chance to catch a sneak peek of the Spring collection prior to arriving officially in stores next spring. The gowns are GORGEOUS. You'll find luxurious fabrics including chantilly lace, silk organzas and silk shantung as well as a variety of styles - sweetheart necklines, fit and flares, gorgeous ruffles & feminine layers and even a mini dress!  Do not miss out on your chance to see all of these gowns before they leave on November 7. Limited appointments are available so make sure to schedule yours asap. Plus order your Alyne gown before November 7 and you'll save $100-250.

Inspired by . . .

Watters & Watters 7341
Fabric: Silk Crinkle Chiffon
Color: Chocolate

Five noteworthy bridal trends for Spring 2011

1.  Ravishing Ruffles:  This look started making its way into the bridal scene last season and it is back and better than ever for spring 2011. Commonly created from a soft organza or chiffon fabric, these curly and wave-like ruffles will not only add a soft, feminine touch to your look, but will create gorgeous movement that will have you flowing down the aisle.

 

2. Splash of color: This trend is a must for the bride who likes to spice things up! Many designers have decided to bring in a little dab of color to the traditional white with colored sashes, trains and even layers of tulle.  

3.  Short Dresses:  Perfect for the bride on the go or for the bride with a great set of legs! Short dresses were shown at all major designers this year in all sorts of ways including mini length, with trains, and some are even convertible, giving you two looks in one dress. 

4.  Luxe Lace:  One of my personal favorites! Luxurious Lace will add a little romance to your special day and leave your guests speechless. 

5.  Here Comes The Train:  If you are looking for drama, than look no further! This red-carpet Hollywood look will surely make a few head turn!

Steven Birnbaum, Alyne, Fancy NY & even Siri are showcasing these trends in their upcoming Spring 2011 collections. The Alyne Spring 2011 Collection just arrived at the boutique this week and will be in the boutique for two weeks only!  So now is your chance to see the collection early. These dresses won't be back into boutiques until next spring. The collection features lace, ruffles, convertibles, trains and even a mini dress!  Don't miss it!

Just in - Jennifer Leigh Veils

A selection of Jennifer Leigh Veils arrived today. So pretty!  The veils are made right here in the good ol' USA by Jennifer herself. The elegant simplicity of the styles pair so well with our bridal collection. You'll find short and long veils with hints of sparkle, pearls & silk ribbon. Make sure to try one on next time you are in!

Just in - Erica Koesler Jewelry

A lovely selection of Erica Koesler jewelry arrived this week. We now have bridal necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches & hairpins to choose from. They are so beautiful and add just the right amount of sparkle to complement our bridal gowns. We know that many brides forget to budget in jewelry & accessories and end up having to skimp in this department...so if this is the case make sure to send some hints to the groom or your mom. The jewelry makes a perfect gift and with such classic styles they can be passed down from generation to generation. How special would it be to see your daughter walk down the aisle someday in your pearl necklace!

Inspired by . . .

Dessy 2802
Fabric: Chiffon
Color: Marigold

What to do with the baby bump: Tips on finding the perfect dress for your pregnant bridesmaid

Recent studies have shown that almost 50% of all weddings will include a pregnant bridesmaid or bride walking down the aisle. But fear not!  Bridal designers all over the country are taking notice of this growing trend and are now catering to the mommy-to-be population by creating many helpful dress options. 

Baby Friendly Bridesmaid Dresses
Each woman is different as far as how much she will grow throughout her pregnancy, so use this information the best way it will cater to your needs:

* Less is More. Stick to a classic, elegant style of dress without the frills and bows; additional embellishments like these can sometimes make a person look bigger than they actually are.

* Empire Waistline. Most bridesmaids 4-5 months pregnant will probably not have an issue ordering a regular bridesmaid dress, but to ensure a proper fit always opt for an empire waist dress. The means the waistline will fall right below the bust line, leaving your waist free from definition and plenty of room for baby.

* Keep it Light. Soft fabrics like chiffon or silk shantung will not only flow gracefully over the body, but will be very breathable keeping your pregnant bridesmaid cool and comfortable. 

Try this fabulous flowing number by Bari Jay.

* Maternity Wear. Bridesmaids at least six months pregnant should consider ordering a maternity style dress, and there are many fabulous options to choose from. Many designers create maternity versions of their bridesmaid collections to help create flawless cohesion throughout your bridal party.

Many dresses by Siri can be ordered as maternity or as a regular bridesmaid dress, like this stunning silk shantung Empire Puff dress.

* Incorporate different styles.  It is also very simple to incorporate a maternity dress that differs from the other maids. By picking a dress of the same color, fabric and similar dress stylings, all of your girls will look amazing and feel comfortable in what they are wearing, leaving you with one happy and confident bridal party!

While both dresses from Watters feature a different neckline, the black sash along the waist, as well as the similar skirt are small details that can help create a uniform look. Both styles are made of a Silk Dupioni and are available in the same colors. 

Time to order: How to choose a size
* Measure early. It is best to get your measurements early on in the pregnancy. Those measurements can be used to gauge the best size to order.

*  Order a maternity style dress instead of a regular bridesmaid dress. Most maternity dress options will have a quicker lead time than regular bridesmaid dresses, helping to give a more accurate size for the wedding date. We encourage you to get fitted 10-12 weeks before the wedding date to allow enough time for shipping and ample time for any needed alterations.
 

* All designers include rush options which can range everywhere from 4-10 weeks. While there will be an additional charge, it may be worth the peace of mind to know your dress will fit perfectly.
 

* Order up! If you are ordering a dress from the bridesmaid collection as opposed to a maternity style, order a few sizes larger than what you expect to be.  Dresses can always be taken in, but it will be a bit more difficult to make them larger. Extra fabric can always be ordered as back-up, in order to add in additional panels.

Just in . . .

Two new Siri bridal gowns arrived today and I just adore them! Flowy, soft, romantic - they are such lovely dresses!  Perfect for an outdoor summer wedding or an exotic beach destination. Dresses like this are really hard to find. Thank you Siri!

Style it: Harvard Dress

Won’t you be the smartest girl on campus, while you strut around town in the Harvard?! I have personally bought this dress, and it was the smartest thing I have done all season. Not only is this dress versatile for all occasions, it will keep you warm, cozy and stylish all at the same time!

Keep it Casual - Whether you are out for coffee with your friends or running some weekend errands, this look will keep you comfy and looking cool at the same time.

• Wear the Harvard as a tunic and pair it with a pair of leggings or skinny jeans to keep you looking fabulous while it’s freezing out.
• Slip on a pair of metallic flats to keep your outfit proportioned. Perfect for those on-the-go days.
• Accessorize with bangles or add a belt to give your look a little more power.

Dress it Up - Just by changing a few accessories, the Harvard becomes the perfect dress for a wine night out with the girls or a dinner date with the boyfriend.

• These clever cover-up booties are all the rage this fall and they pair perfectly with the fold-over collar on the dress. Pair with matching opaque tights for that sexy seamless look that will make your legs look like they go on for days!
• Grey is the hottest color for fall, add a girly touch with a grey ruffle or stud bag.
• For a little extra bling try a long dangly earring or feather earring to finish off the look.
• Baby, its cold outside! Try a wool sweater wrap or leather motorcycle jacket for a little extra warmth. 

Inspired by . . .

Siri Conservatory Bridal Gown
Fabric: Silk Shantung
Colors: Ivory & Almond

Win a $15,000 diamond ring

We are one of the sponsors of a really cool event this weekend - Kesslers Race for the Rock. The event is a city-wide, high-tech treasure hunt to find and win a $15,000 Ritani Diamond ring from Kesslers. The event starts at 10am on Saturday, October 16. You'll find more details here. Good luck! (Let us know if you win!)

Alyne Bridal Spring 2011 Sneak Peek

We went to Chicago this week to order for Spring 2011.  What a great time! We are so excited for all the new veils, undergarments, bridesmaid dresses, bridal gowns & jewelry that we ordered. We ordered some fantastic pieces including a selection of fabulous Alyne bridal gowns. So we'd thought we'd share with you some of the amazing gowns from their Spring 2011 collection. The gowns won't be available in stores until next year, but they will be featured at Brides Night Out on November 4 and our Alyne Bridal trunk show on November 5-7.  Those will be your only opportunities to see the collection until it hits boutiques next spring. So don't miss out!