From Project Runway to Project Wedding

Who loves watching Project Runway?!  Ohhh me me me!!  If you watched last season, then you know of Carol Hannah- she made the final three and in my personal opinion, should have won… she is a-maaaaz-ing.  And guess what else?  She now has a live etsy store AND a bridal etsy store!  With great fashion finds if you’re looking for wedding attire- either as a bride, bridesmaid, or simply a guest.  And in a whole host of great colors.  I know, I’ve mentioned all this before.  But it is too awesome not to talk about again.

Here are some of my favorites.  All images are from Carol Hannah’s etsy store- go check them out in person for more information!

Calhoun Street dress

Hasell Street gown

Queen Street dress

Spring Street short dress- so cute!

Pinckney dress

And last but not least, the Wentworth Street gown... LOVE LOVE LOVE!

What do we think ladies?  Love a lot or love the most?!

Update on Gilt Groupe’s Wedding Weekend

If you read The One! already, then you know from yesterday’s post that Gilt Groupe has collaborated with Martha Stewart weddings (my all-time favorites, working together!  yesssssss) to bring you an incredible sale this weekend- it’s called Wedding Weekend, and I think it’s a definite must-see for anyone who loves weddings!  But today I am extra excited because I have even more goodness for you.  Yes, it’s true, we scored PREVIEWS of some of the stunning gowns (and shoes!) you can find at the sale, straight from the source!  Thanks to the fine folks over at Gilt for sending these to us!!  Grab a tissue because you’re about to drool… and sign up for Gilt today, if you haven’t already, so you’ll be ready on March 12 when the sale starts!!

Gown by Carolina Herrera: Original Retail: $5790, Gilt: $1999

Carolina back view

Carolina overlay (sigh!)

Another perfect gown from Carolina Herrera: Original Retail: $4990, Gilt: $1599

Carolina back view

Carolina detail

From Thread Made To Order, Silk Faille Strapless Notched Bust Liddy Dress: Original Retail: $305, Gilt: $228.75

Thread back view

Thread detail

Vera Wang Lavender Label, Bias Satin Draped Neckline Gown: Original Retail: $655.50, Gilt: $196.65

Vera back view

Vera detail (how I love thee)

The icing on the cake! Sergio Rossi: Original Retail: $770, Gilt: $128

Sergio looks good coming or going

This shot makes me so psyched for summer shoes again!

What other cyber-sales have you visited for wedding deals?  Or non-wedding deals for that matter?  After all, a girl doesn’t have to wait for her wedding to get glam!

Sale Alert: Gilt Groupe Partners with Martha!

I have excellent news for you today if you are planning a wedding and have a “champagne taste but beer budget” problem (or just like a good bargain).  Gilt Groupe is partnering with Martha Stewart Weddings this weekend, March 12-14, starting at noon ET!  I have been a big fan of Gilt Groupe for a while now, because I always score great deals there.  But now, gowns by designers like Carolina Herrera and Alexander McQueen will also be for sale there… not to mention bridesmaids dresses from Amasale and Vera Wang Lavender!  If only I had known about this sale a year ago!  Ah well, my loss is your gain!  I would love to hear if any of you score a great find at this sale!  If you’re not a member of Gilt already, click here to sign up- even if you’re not looking for wedding duds, you’re likely to score some great deals!

Matching ‘Maids, Not Poor ‘Maids

For example, my dear friend R. recently chose shoes to go with our navy blue Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses.  The dresses are super swank, but the shoes are cheap n’ chic.  From none other than Lela Rose for Payless!!  I heart these shoes.  And I can vouch that they look even better in person, if that is possible! 

$29.99 (click for source)

But of course you don’t have to limit yourself to just Payless.  Check out these hot pink lovelies from, yes, Target! 

And don’t forget the junior’s stores.     Charlotte Russe, for example, carries this great shoe in teal, gray and black, and I am loving the bling!

$34.99

 And these peacock flats are to die for.  Am I right?

 Even Baker’s has some cute options (and I have’t shopped there since I was 14).

$29.99

 And don’t forget chains like DSW, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s either.  Just make sure you buy fast – they carry limited quantities- so your ladies aren’t left shoeless!

Got Mah Hairs Did

On our wedding day, I woke bright and early (due to an unfortunately noisy heating unit in my hotel room) and excitedly threw on my special “getting ready outfit”- a juicy couture track suit (got it on sale of course, thanks Bloomingdale’s!) with a “Bride” tank top I’d scored on sale from the Wedding Chicks in my favorite color- pink!  Armed with my most comfortable duds, I met up with my ladies and got ready to get my hair and makeup done!

For hair and makeup, I told the ladies that I would be getting myself made up at Panico salon in Oradell, NJ.  I told the girls they could do their own hair and makeup or join me- and most of the bridesmaids did.  Those who didn’t actually had hair that was easy to style, so I was perfectly content to let folks choose for themselves, and in the end everyone looked lovely!

We got to Panico at 9 am and I was there until a little after noon- so yes, it was a long morning.  But as you can see, it was fun girl time!  One lesson I did learn in the process, however, was that I should  have built in more time.  We had a very tight schedule, and because we didn’t stick to it very well, I ended up feeling rushed when I got dressed.  Did it matter?    Not really, no– but if you’re planning your wedding, take note!

The most important thing was that we all bonded, and we all really loved the way we looked when we walked out of there.  You’ll see even more once I start posting the recaps with pro pics, but suffice it to say, Panico rocked it out!

Pre-'Do

Taming my mane into submission

Look how cute my girls are, even pre-polish!

Makeup time!

We were all smiles as our looks came together

A couple of final poses before we were on our way!

And how did we get here?  Checking In;  Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal!; The Rehearsal Dinner!; The Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show; Girls Gone Wild!

Cute Bridesmaids Dresses, Halleluiah! (part II)

Today I want to share with you the cute assortment of dresses chosen by stepsister S. for her August garden themed wedding!  These dresses are floaty and lovely in buttercup yellow (I predict this will look great with a tan) and all are tea length.  The dresses are all from Dessy Group, so they’re pretty easy to find.  And can I just take a moment to say THANK YOU to S. and D. for letting me choose my own dress?!  I always love a group of matching girls, but I am equally in love with this trend of coordinating-instead-of-matching and I’m psyched to be the beneficiary of it!

Ok so again, we need your help.  Shoe suggestions please?!  Methinks yellow shoes would be too much of a good thing (and a throwback to the 1980’s), but maybe with the right yellow?  And what do you all think of orange shoes (orange is the other wedding color, think: sherbet not traffic cone).  Or would you go with metallic?  Something else?  Comments with links to affordable suggestions will be given extra credit! 

6566- in the buttercup shade we'll all be rocking (this style is designated for the MOH)

6537

6518

6506

6505

2750

2058- I didn't even have to try this on to know it was "the one" for me!

Cute Bridesmaids Dresses, Halleluiah! (part I)

Yesterday I spoke about my uncertainty about whether I love or don’t love Twobirds Bridesmaids dresses.  Well today I’m going to share with you some bridesmaids dresses I DO think are cute!  FSIL D. has chosen these dresses in apple, from David’s Bridal, for her group of girls.  I really like these dresses because (1) the color apple red is just adorable and will look so cute in a cocktail length, (2) these already reasonably priced dresses are all $20 off because she got her own lovely gown there, (3) they are made of cotton (thank the heavens above) and (4) since there’s a David’s pretty much everywhere, its easy for us ‘maids who live all over the United States to go try them out.  Pretty nice eh?

So here’s where you come in.  What kind of shoes would you pair with these dresses?  D. is thinking about black open-toed shoes or strappy silver.  I personally think well-chosen shoes of either style would look nice.  What do you think?

Davd's 83312 (this looks like it would be flattering on lots of shapes, and I love the sweetheart neckline)

David's 83690 (I love that this is a little different!)

David's F13818 (I'm 99% sure this will be the one I order- dare I say rewearable?!)

David's F13695 (adorable pockets!)

I Said “Yes” To A Dress; But “No” To Many More

Even though I ultimately LOVED my Platinum for Priscilla gown, I also loved some other gowns along the way (not as much, but enough to merit some lovin’).  And I think its worth a trip down memory lane to look at some dress porn!  I tried all these on, by the way (and then some).   

I had no real set of criteria for my dress other than a vintage feel- mostly just things I knew I didn’t want.  No pickups or pillowy poufs, no sleeves, nothing to summery.  The one exception to my lack of criteria was that I wanted a train- a fabulous, glorious train!  I had a general idea too of what I wanted to spend, but the truth is that I had plenty of money in savings, and I was willing to spent whatever it took to get that princess feeling for this one day.   Yep, I was a stereotypical east coast bride and I’m not ashamed.

So I went high end.  This is not budget friendly stuff, my friends.  But even if you’re not going to spend loads of money, I highly recommend you go try some of these fancy dresses on, because there are plenty of lower-end designers who copy these looks so you can always find a good substitute if you like a dress.  And in the higher-end salons, you get treated so well, its a lovely experience.   (PS all images link to their source).

I honestly thought this Jenny Yoo might be the one when I saw it! I've seen nothing like it before or after. But it might have been too simple for me.

 Classic Priscilla of Boston.  However, short me + extreme mermaid skirt = sad.

This Amsale dress is so Jackie-O, I just loved it! But I was nervous that the assymetry was too trendy.

Amsale had so many simple, elegant dresses, and I loved the brooch detailing on this dress! But I found even more brooch goodness in the dress I ultimately chose.

Classic Monique Lhuillier- romance, whimsy, just lovely. I could have had fun with that sash too! But this dress has been done so many times, and I wanted something different.

Rivini art deco magic- but just a little predictable for me?

But just stop and appreciate the pleating and detail in the train. And that back. Swoon!

I fell in love with Rivini because they do some seriously gorgeous trains. This dress could have been the one too!

Thanks Mr. Postman!

Last Friday I came home to the most wonderful surprise in my mail.  A package from my bridesmaid S.’s mother, who made our wedding boutonnieres.  I had initially considered making these myself after seeing so many great non-floral bout’s on etsy, but when S. suggested her mother might be able to help out I jumped at the chance.  S’s mother did the floral elements for S.’s sister’s wedding, and they had been gorgeous, so I knew she’d do a much better job than I ever could.  And she really did deliver!

Just look at these delicate fabric roses which she handmade- and the amazing lace “leaves,” not to mention the extra touch of bling.  I am in love!  And who knows if the groomsmen will actually keep these as a keepsake but it sure is nice to know it’s an option.  J. and I will, of course, be keeping his.  This is just so personal and special, I am so excited about how they came out!!

oooooh

ahhhhhh

Thanks S.’s mom!!

Euphoria!

Today I had my last dress fitting.  And it went well!  But in order to fully share the experience, I must first channel my favorite wedding film of all time, Muriel’s Wedding.  This movie’s soundtrack is all Abba, and so I suggest you listen to this music as you read…

Ok.  So.  In the movie, Muriel is kind of a nerd, like me, and she has these “friends” who are significantly cooler than her but not very nice.  Kind of like these Spice Girls I went to high school with- you know the type.  And one of these friends gets married and is a super brat about it.  So at the brat’s wedding, said brat finds out her new husband has been cheating on her with another brat bridesmaid.  And so she starts crying hysterically and screams in her Aussie accent, But I’m a BRIDE!  I’m suppposed to be EUPHOOOORIC!

Best.  Movie.  Line.  Ever.  So you know that as soon as I got engaged I started saying it all the time!  But the odd thing is, even though I was only kidding most of the time, there were a few moments where I really thought I was supposed to feel euphoric, such as when I found “the dress.”

I did not have that moment for a long time.  I love my dress but when I found it I didn’t faint or cry or have anything other than a genuine feeling that I liked it.  Which at the time, I was ok with.  I know lots of people who have told me they too did not get that feeling- because let’s face it- its just an article of clothing.  It’s not going to change my life.

But over time, it started to worry me.  What if I wasn’t getting that “feeling” because chose the wrong dress?  Or, more importantly, what if I was displacing anxiety I have about something else on this dress issue?  What if I was ignoring something really important?  That nagging feeling eventually turned into full-court pressure, and later panic.  And I had a full on meltdown after my last fitting.  I may or may not have called my friend C. and cried that I was going to look mediocre on my wedding day.  I may or may not have been told by my mom that I was being completely irrational.  It may or may not have been because I had kind of stopped eating, and when I am very hungry I am super emotional. 

So after my little panic attack, I decided to slow the heck down and be nicer to myself.  I decided it was time to stop pressuring myself and start eating a little more.  A glass of wine here and there, some tanning bed time, and a little less time in the office.   And not only have I not gained any weight, I actually feel 1000% better.  And I’m again refocused on what is most important- not the dress, the dress is just a symbol (thanks for that reminder, mom!)- on the fact that I’m getting married and it is awesome!

And guess what else.  When I went to my fitting today, I had my MOMENT!  I totally felt that feeling you’re supposed to feel.  Like it all is coming together and it is all exactly right.  AND I LOVE MY DRESS!!  I guess sometimes you have to let go and stop trying so hard to find a moment, so that the moment can find you!!

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