WINTER WANDERER

These gemmies for keeping winter brides warm are all from one of BHLDN'S moodboards aptly named, The Winter Wanderer. My fave is the 'Snowdrift Jacket' but the Dorchester pumps are close behind . . . .

Top Row: Fall to Winter Boots; Angora Hat with Knitted Bow

Row Two: Snowdrift Jacket; Cygnus Clutch; Blubell Jacket

Row Three: Dorchester pumps; Plaitnum Gloves

 

THREE WAYS TO WINTERIZE

Are you one of those lucky brides having a Winter Wonderland Wedding? The point is to stay warm and cozy as well as ultra-chic getting to and from the ceremony. And God knows, you might be caught having to stand around in the cold so be prepared.
#1 Choose heavier fabrics:  Weightier fabrics like the peau de soie dress featured here offer warmth and insulation from the cold. If expertly lined, thicker fabrics will keep the chill off especially if you’re going sleeveless. Sleeveless brides in winter climates can add a shrug or bolero in the same fiber. A matching cape is ideal—they’re roomy and unlike close fitting coats they won’t squish your dress. Don’t want to match the dress exactly? Velvet, cashmere, wool, heavy brocades all make lovely capes. If your gown is heavyweight fabric or has lots of volume (volume translates into warmth) you can even go for a shorter caplet.

#2 Make use of accessories. Wraps and stoles are great for bare-armed brides. They aren't as skimpy as they look lined properly with either batting (stuff you put in quilts) or any form of lightweight wool, they can keep you incredibly warm all night.

Add opera length gloves if you’re going sleeveless with a wrap. Long gloves can be great substitutes for sleeves due to the insulation factor they provide. As for fur, for stoles, jackets and capes, faux is chic now. It’s also surprisingly warm too. Add a muff (maybe instead of a bouquet) and your hands stay toasty.

3# Cover Your Head!  Consider something with a touch of marabou or feathers or an actual hat. Remember, keeping your head and ears warm is important to keeping the rest of your body warm . . . .

Capes, wraps, gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Model: Natalie Sudia
Photos by Rob Martel

A WINTER'S TALE

 Check out these new gowns from BHLDN.  This group of talented designers never cease to amaze bringing some stellar photography and cutting edge ideas into the bridal arena.  Since Winter is officially here, here are a few ideas for weddings in sub-zero climes.  I know not every winter bride will be decked out like a snow princess (especially those tying the knot in Palm Springs or Cape Town) but you can still make use of stoles, wraps and gloves . . . . .

Here's some help for writing Thank You notes!

One of the things you will do through out the process of getting engaged to getting married is write a whole bunch of "thank you" notes! A couple will have hosted for them: an engagement party, a bridal shower and then the wedding it self that people will purchase gifts for them and it is customary for a note of thanks be written for each of these gifts.

Thank you notes should be personal and always hand written. So what do you do if you are not a good writer or what about if you are just stumped for what to say after writing your 100th note? One thing you can do is visit Emily Easton's Thank You Notes website. From crockpots to cash, from sheets to salad bowls, Emily has done the work for you. You will find over 70 items she has put words of thanks to and it's all free for brides and grooms to use. Emily doesn't sell stationery and she doesn't actually write the notes for you - she just provides brides words to copy or ideas you can use! Check it out if you are needing some helpful tips on what to say or how to say it!

A glam package giveaway from Bonny Bridal

What's black, cream, full of glam and best of all....free? A wedding giveaway of epic proportions! Bonny Bridal has partnered with some amazing wedding vendors and are hosting a $1250 Vintage Hollywood Glam wedding giveaway - that ends NOVEMBER 30th!

One lucky bride will get all kinds of goodies including: The dress, a vintage handmade brooch bouquet, a Tessa Kim feather fascinator and birdcage veil, 25 couture wedding invitations, paddle signs and a wedding banner! There are only 4 days left to enter this fabulous giveaway! GOOD LUCK!

Free Printable: Photo Booth Props

Oh happy day! Literally. I found the most adorable - FREE - do it yourself photo props over on the blog: Oh Happy Day. Mad props to them for putting these together but, it gets even better! They have an easy to follow DIY tutorial on how to make them! 

Photo Props #1

Photo Props #2

Photo Props #3

I downloaded them myself for future use - one can never have too many photo props sitting around, right? When I opened the first set I was thrilled to see that the images are actual size! Thank you so much to the fab group at Oh Happy Day for this awesome DIY project!

We have a WINNER for our S'mores for Two Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who entered our November Giveaway: S'mores for Two! We changed things up a bit on this particular giveaway and allowed you to "tweet" every day for an additional entry. It's a good thing Melissa took it seriously....because all that tweet, tweeting paid off and now you will be heatin' things up at home with some ooey-gooey goodness! 

Congrats Melissa...

and thank you for entering!

Please send me an email with all your shipping information and I will get your s'mores kit right out to you! :) Stay tuned....December will be an AMAZING giveaway month! It's the end of the year and we have our elves already gearing up for another round...stay tuned!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful to everyone who comes by and reads my musings on all things wedding! Sharing the love I have for weddings, deals and steals and how to have a fabulous wedding without breaking the bank gives me great joy! I love the act of "giving" - I get so excited every month when I announce our giveaways! This blog has really been a labor of love so, THANK YOU to everyone who stops by! From my family to yours...have a wonderful day! 

If you haven't entered our November giveaway - stop by today and enter! We are choosing a winner tomorrow!!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thank you to Jessica at Craftily Ever After for providing these 

free printables for Thanksgiving! 

HAPPY THAKSGIVING!

Have a good one . . . .

Headress and gown by Julia Faye Davison

MODERNE

 Looking for a bit of edge on your wedding day?  Meet Mitzi Q, short for Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos, a designer who has been immersed in the world of bridal since 2003.  Manila based, her greatest achievements in design have stemmed from expert pattern making and draping (as you can see).  Mitzi admits, "My pieces are essentially architectural doused in "Chic Refinement".  As a designer myself, I'm in awe of  those "Architects of Fashion"--icons like Balenciaga and  Langer whose talent is based in form and structuring fabric . . . .I'll gladly add Mitzi to this elite bunch.

FIERCE MOMS

Ian Stuart

Only recently has wedding wear for moms achieved any semblence of chic.  I remember a time (80s-90s) when they couldn't find a damn thing out there that didn't make them look like an old matron from a forties flick.  Fast forward 2011.  Come on now, judging by these images these model/moms look more like your beautiful big sis than even the hippest, fiercest momster.  But I do enjoy these picks from Brides UK offering up capsule collections just for mom.  Any one of these ensembles could be reworn to an art opening or gala.  Another thought here: Brides who don't like the "all dressed in white" factor might consider some of these looks.  I mean, do you really have to be an older bride to dress mature . . . . .?  What are your thoughts on this?

 Condici

 Condici

Condici

 Condici

 Condici

 Condici

 Ian Stuart

 Ian Stuart

Ian Stuart

DREAMING IN WHITE

When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,

For all the day they view things unrespected;

But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,

And, darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.

 Then thou, whose shadows doth make bright

 

How would thy shadow's form happy show

to the clear day with thy much clearer light,

When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so?

How would I say, mine eyes be blessed made

By looking on thee in the living day,

                                                   

 

 All days are nights to see till I see thee,

And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

Sonnet 43

--William Shakespeare--

Gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

 Model: Natalie Sudia