Virtual Wedding Planner Tool

By and large I am not a fan of big box stores; I much prefer the hands on customer service at a local salon. Having said that, one of them has done something right.

David’s Bridal has launched a virtual wedding planning tool that I can see as the cause of countless hours spent online. Dress Your Wedding allows you to play around with all the many different aspects of the look of your wedding. You can customize the coloring and physical features of the bride and groom and all the members of the wedding party. Add a bridesmaid, delete a groomsman, shrink one to a ring bearer. Mad at the groom, insert his best friend, is after all a virtual world. What fun.

That is just the beginning of the fun. As you would expect you can play dress up to your hearts content (as long as you want something from David’s). Like the style of the dress but not the color? Change it.

Keep going and you can just move your wedding if you don’t like the location. They offer a variety of different ‘location’ backgrounds from which to choose. Of course you can also manipulate a variety of little things like flower color and such.

I wouldn’t say that this is the planning tool to end all others I’m just saying it is a heck of a lot of fun and even if you aren’t planning on shopping at David’s you can still play with their toys. Hehe

Dresses That Heal

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and even while you are shopping for your bridal finery you can help. Just look for the Compassion Collection hang tag.

Bridal designers are banding together to help support Dresses That Heal, Inc by doing what comes naturally, creating beautiful things. Dresses That Heal was started as a charity that auctioned off donated gowns to aid the Breast Cancer Recovery Fund. Rachael Rivard, founder of Dresses That Heal, Inc has taken it a step further and asked all her friends in the bridal industry to design a piece for their collection to be included in the Compassion Collection. The designers will then donate a portion of the proceed to Dresses That Heal, Inc
Breast Cancer Recovery Fund is all about helping those with breast cancer to become breast cancer survivors. This is a charity dedicated to recovery through the Infinite Boundaries program which hosts retreats created by survivors for survivors. Healing the mind and the spirit as the body heals.

Now you don’t have to wait for an auction date. Just look for the tag. To see a list of designers participating check out the DTH website.

Oh The Bling!

Now you didn’t think I would be able to cover Bridal Market without drooling over a bit of bling, now did you?

As more designers start to show gowns in their collections that are softer with less overall embellishment the jewelry will start to take on more importance. Consequently there was bling in abundance.

The crystal necklace in the center tile is from my good friend Susan Allen. The girls from Weddingish tell me that the way-too-adorable onsie will soon be available in a full range of larger sizes. It’s just so me! I can’t wait.

Here are the rest from left to right:

Tsarina Bridal, Weddingish, Eugenia Couture, Sara Gabriel Veiling & Headpieces, Aalexis Bridals, Susan G Allen, Aalexis Bridals, Susan G. Allen, Aalexis Bridals, Tigerlilly, Tigerlilly, Susan G Allen

The Gowns

These beautiful creations are from Eugenia.

These are four of my favorite gowns from Sophia Tolli’s newest collection.

National Bridal Market Chicago

National Bridal Market Chicago

I’m just back from a whirlwind two days in Chicago for Bridal Market. Everyone was showcasing their new ranges for Spring 2008.

It was wonderful to catch up with so many friends. Among them was Heather Levine, fashion editor for the Knot, Rani Totman, the force behind the fabulous St. Puchi and Mandy from Tiger Lilly Tiaras.

I am sad to say that for the most part there was nothing new. I kept hearing the comment that everything looked alike. Strapless, moderate beading, structured bodices with semi full skirts, ruching every where, fewer pick ups and lots of satin. In short the same thing, different day.

What I did see as new and fresh in some of the collections is a move toward a certain softness. Lovely soft laces and drapey silk chiffons. Soft net overlayed on beaded satin or taffeta. Two real standouts were Eugenia’s Nitsa line and Enzoani and Enzoani’s Blue.

I also got a really good look at the Sophia Tolli collection and I will have some nice shots of those in a day or two.

Bridal Bling

Now you did not really think that I was going to be able to go to market and NOT check out a little bling did you? Especially not when there is Halo & Co to ohh over.

Once again I stood slack jawed gazing at all the shiny,sparkly pretties. As much as I love the tiaras and fascinator in the UK they just don’t seem to have a following in the states. As much as we love bling, we seem to draw the line at really amazing hair jewelry. That’s a shame. If you are going to do it…do it all the way!

The young lady modeling for me was just another shopper in love with Halo. She was trying to decide which one she wanted for her own wedding

The Halo & Company range is available through Kleinfeld in New York

And Then There is Ian

I can not go to Harrogate with out checking out the always fab Ian Stuart. Named Bridal Designer of the year 4 years in a row, twice winner of the Debi Awards and a handful of various other awards, Ian is the darling of the UK bridal scene.

The biggest trend I saw this season is that it seems Ian has fallen head over heel for shark taffeta. A truly luxe Italian silk, it has an almost mat finish. He has paired it with sheers like organza and chiffon for some interesting textural effects.

As I did with all the designers I am showcasing this year, I asked Ian to pose with his favorite gown in the collection. This sexy little number is just gorgeous and I have to agree with his choice. I’d wear it in a heartbeat.

Available in the States at Kleinfelds in Manhattan, The Montclair Collection in Santa Monica, CA and the just arrived at Roma Sposa in Birmingham, MI

Cheers Ian.

J. Jennings Bridal Collection

I stumbled upon the fabulous designer Jason Jennings, J. Jennings Bridal Collection on Monday. Jason’s range is full of interesting lines and gorgeous fabrics. One of the hallmarks of his Spring/Summer 08 collection is bead encrusted cutwork lace. The gown Jason is holding is a good example, you get a taste of it in the straps but those straps fan out across the shoulders accentuating the cowl draped back. His gowns are not for the faint of heart, but if you have the figure to pull them of they are truly stunning. Oh, and Jason is a darling.

J. Jenning Bridal Collection is available in the U.S. at Kleinfelds.

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