Frock Horrors

Kudos to Camilla Chafer over at Bridalwave for her Frock Horror section. I have been reading Bridalwave for a while now but had never had the time to read the entire thing. Oh my, it isn’t just the gown’s that are hysterical it is the descriptions that Camilla writes. Take a few minutes and laugh out loud. I will forgo my ususal suggestion that you pour a glass of wine or a cup of tea so you don’t risk spitting it all over your keyboard!.

What was it that made me finally take the time to read through the complete Frock Horrors? Maybe it was the evite I received this morning to the runway show and launch party for the new INAGURAL COLLECTION

KIRSTIE KELLY FOR DISNEY’S FAIRY TALE WEDDINGS

Ah yes, what fun. An entire collection designed to look like the Disney Princesses; Belle, Arrielle, SnowWhite. Oh, why not?

Bridal Market Wrap-up


I’m finally home from market; tired but exhilarated. It always takes a few days to decompress and remember all the finer points and small details of the trip. To give you some idea of just what something like bridal market is really like I posted the two pictures above. Even the shoe designers ended up barefoot by the end of the show. Too Funny. Mary Lou from Grace Shoes was quick to let me know it was only because she wasn’t wearing her companies shoes! Now how’s that for brand loyalty? Even Fillipa Scott had shed her shoes opting for bare tootsie while she broke down her booth.

I’m going to take a few days off the Dish to work on my other site, Think Like a Bride. I have some exciting news about a forum coming to Think that I’ll put out as soon as all the links are in place.

Happy planning!

What To Wear, What To Wear??



Today I intended to limit myself to gowns, but well we all should have know that wasn’t going to happen. There are just too many pretty things at market that just pop among the white.

First stop, Bel Aire Bridal. Their primary business is in veils and tiaras but you most likely know them for cake jewelry. I loved the tear drops for your tiers. Joyce was telling me that they are doing a lot more of the pieces in gold. You have to take a look at all the bouquet accents they have now- initials (of course), butterflies, pretty little jeweled dragonflys and crystal babys breath. Prettiest of all was the ‘cake tiara’, how much more fun that a few fresh flowers.

I found a stunning sheer, beaded shrug at Adrianna Papell. I photographed it in white but it was just as pretty in black. Great for Mom.


Planet Fashion had the cutest dresses for the bride that thinks outside the box. White with a black sheer lace overlay in a short, very fifties cut. Sylvia also had several brides maids dresses in white that would be perfect for that bride not caught up in the traditional wedding dress train of thought.

A bit more traditional were the beaded beauties from Stephen Yearick. What I loved in addition to the design and quality of the bead work was his choice of colors. Nothing harsh, just beautiful subtle hues. Even his reds were well done. Bravo Stephen, I loved them all!

I did look at the more traditional gowns but from a different perspective. I toured the show today with a new friend that not only designs but also acts a production manager at the factories. Leanne knows everything there is to know about bridal gown construction. I got quite an education on exactly what to look for to tell the difference between well done and not so well done; seemingly tiny little differences that can make a huge difference in the way a gown hangs and feels. As soon as I get done with market season I will share all I have learned.


The Queen of Feathers


Every third corner at the mart has a display of evening purses; all very pretty all just the same. Then there is Leigh Ann Kline Handbags. The queen of feathers, Leigh Ann has some of the most unique, quirkiest handbags around. Because they are handmade the are a bit pricier that all the rest but amazing enough that I could see replacing your bridesmaid bouquet with one and letting it double as a ‘Thank You’ gift. I know I’d be doing back flips of appreciation.

When Bloggers Meet

Ran back to the mart yesterday to get some better pictures and met Heather the Fashion & Beauty editor from the Knot. What a sweetheart. Heather was perusing the goods at Erica Koesler’s booth gathering things for a feature on bridal hairstyles. I can’t wait to see it!

It turns out that Heather also blogs for the Knot. We had so much to talk about. As soon as I get a chance I’ll add Heathers blog to the blogroll.

Tiaras & Guestbooks




Just a couple of quick pics. The first one is the newest tiara from Tiger Lilly that I told you about yesterday, the one with the feathers.

The rest are some pretty things I found at Aalexis. I always follow Lisa’s thing as a guidepost to trends. The beaded lily isn’t new but as really taken off lately. In my book, that says something.

Bling Day at the National Bridal Market




National Bridal Market Fall 2007 Collection

Well I said I would be on the look out for the new and imaginative and boy did I ever find it! I was ohhing and ahhing over the latest gorgeous things at Tiger Lilly when I spied Zbra. Finally an answer to the age old dilemma of exposed bra straps: just replace them with pearls or jewels! This is the first season that the lovely Orit Eckstein has brought her line to market and I thought it was outstanding. Freshwater pearls in every color imaginable that hook on in place of your bra straps. They even come in a halter style and the hook in back is sterling silver. You can also have them custom made to m

atch your gown or your maid’s gown to use on strapless dresses. Cool. Why hasn’t someone thought of this before! My only concern is their comfort and wear-ability but never fear Orit has promised to send me a set to try and I will let you know.

Back to Tiger Lilly. As always her things are beautiful. Just like any true designer her favorite piece is the last one she designed: a fabulous little tiara with feathers reminiscent of the 1920’s. The newest collection is light and airy and of course, all the tiaras and be transformed into necklaces after the big day.

Another new jewelry designer with some beautiful pieces is Susan G. Allen. Lovely one of a kind pieces in wonderful colors using freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones. Each of her pieces is one of a kind but she prefers to do custom work.

Bling for your Tootsies!

You may not know this but your Wedding Diva has a serious thing for shoes and today my head was spinning. First off to the Coloriffics booth to see their Sizzle collection, yummy! Silvers and golds and bronze with crystals and rhinestones and big chunky colors stones. Earle Kelly, national sales manager, told me that the Colorific line is available only through authorized bridal and social occasion boutiques. So if you need some bling for your tootsies,that is where you have to head.

Diane Lynn Lane was kind enough to show off the beautiful line she designs for Special Occasion by Saugus Shoes. All the sparkle comes from Swarovski and the soles are Italian sueaded leather so you won’t have to worry about slipping down the aisle. Diane also had the cutest collection of wedge heeled jeweled thong sandal in a rainbow of colors, Reflections. Perfect for your bridesmaids. On of my favorite shoes of Diane’s was a lace up back pump. It is dyable, the ribbon in back can be removed and replaced with say a heavy satin on long enough to be an ankle wrap. Tres sexy! And so versatile.

Today wasn’t just about bling. Weddingish had some of the cutest tanks and tees for everyone in the wedding party. Tiny little baby tees that say “In charge of petals” for your flower girl that comes in a cute little container with a sugar cookie that says “Will you be my flower girl?”

Last but not least, Girl Extra Ordinaire remembered everybody favorite, your puppy, in their collection. Ring bearer tee and collars for man’s best friend.
Courtney let me know that this collection is just launching today and isn’t even on their website yet. So be patient.

Well its back to the mart for me. Tomorrow I’ll have more on the gowns.

Latest Dish From The British Bridal Market

It’s that time of year again. Designers and buyers are flocking to Bridal Markets around the world. Susi Rogol, my dear friend and the editor of Bridal Buyer Magazine just sent me all the Dish from the British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate. Here is some of what she had to say:

“There was a lot of more of the same , but Allure had some goodies and, of course, Ian Stuart dazzled. His collection showed a bit of a departure – lots of slinky gowns but with piles of style and the sort of detail that got him the Best British Designer Awards again this year. (Oh how I wish he had better exposure over here. Love him, love his gowns)

Lots of ivory and cream – piles of lace, and thank heavens finally, suggestions of shoulder cover – from fine straps to princess necklines and beautiful tiny shrugs and jackets. Jason Jennings was picked up by Kleinfelds, which is great news for him. Some seriously good accessories – tiaras getting bigger and bigger and very pointy shoes.”

So there you have the latest dish direct from the UK Markets. The other buzz that was running around Harrogate was the launch of the Sophia Tolli line from Mon Cheri Brides. For those of you that don’t know Sophia is the designer that was the head of the Maggie Sottero design team for years. Late last year she moved to Mon Cheri to design her own line. MC has played it very close to the vest and Harrogate was the first full showing of the line. It launches in the States this weekend at National Bridal Market in Chicago. Of course yours truly will be front row for that one. Until then MC has posted a sneak peek to wet the appetite. Don’t look for the Sophia Tolli line to be in all the magazines and all over the internet. My understanding is that it will be a salon exclusive line.

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