Anthropologie's Bridal Collection

I'm jealous. First, Vera Wang comes out with a stylish (and affordable) wedding line at David's Bridal and now Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters has launched it's very own bridal collection online. Umm, hello, I already got married. Why didn't this happen two years ago? Anyways, the new bridal line is called BHLDN. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get the meaning behind the name? (Update: I just realized it stands for "Beholden"). Regardless, the collection is amazing. Gown prices range from $1000-$4000. They also have an extensive assortment of bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories. The look is definitely not for everyone, especially a traditional bride, but I love it. I would even consider purchasing some of the shoes or earrings for everyday wear if the prices weren't so high. I hope all of you brides-to-be take full advantage of these new collections. I know I would!

70's Charm

I L.O.V.E. this bride's look! Zena and Lance married in San Francisco this March. Olivia Leigh Weddings shot the event. I'm drooling over the photos just as much as the dress. Oh, and those flowers! It's 70's chic, but feels so effortless. Reminds me of my Mom's wedding day style a little bit. Dress by BCBG. More on Zena and Lance's wedding here.

Something similar from BCBG: Pleated-Sleeve Silk Dress $278

Class + Sass

This bride is rocking the short wedding dress...and I love it. She's got class plus sass! I wish more brides would take the risk and go the short route (although I was afraid to do it). There are so many beautiful short and tea-length gowns out there. Image source here.

Elie Saab Gowns

I'm in love with these gowns! Sarah over at Classic Bride wrote about her Elie Saab designer crush last week. I'm totally in agreement. My favorite designs from the Elie Saab fall and spring shows are featured below. Which one(s) do you like? For more beautiful options go here and here.

Alfred Sung Paradise

I'm loving these bridal gowns from Alfred Sung's Paradise collection. They're whimsical and dreamy, and remind me a lot of designs by Jenny Packham and Reem Acra (two of my favorite designers!). I actually went wedding dress shopping with my good friend, and bride-to-be, Kim over the weekend. She found a beautiful gown from Sung's Signature collection - it's definitely on the top of her list!

Style 7088

Style 7078

Style 7060

Style 7073

Dreamy Dresses - Spring '10

How is it that wedding gown designers are always out doing themselves year after year? Here are a few of my favorites from the Spring 2010 runway shows. Seriously, how much fun would it be to own your very own bridal boutique - chalk full of the best gowns around - a girl can dream, right? Even if my husband thinks I'm totally crazy...

1. Priscilla of Boston 2. Alfred Angelo 3. Reem Acra 4. Jenny Packham 5. Monique Lhuilleir 6. Priscilla of Boston

Vera Wang - Spring 2010

Oh my goodness, check these out...I am in love with Vera Wang's Spring 2010 collection. If only I had another wedding to plan, I'd totally walk down the aisle in this chartreuse organza beauty...or if someone famous happens to invite me to a red carpet event...I'm buying the black strapless number with the pleating. All dresses were found on Style Me Pretty's new Look Book. Definitely go check it out!

Finally, details on the dress...

Oh, the wedding dress...one of the most important details of any bride's big day (and most secretive too). The hunt to find the perfect gown is daunting, yet probably one of the most exciting things a girl will do. I tore out magazine pages, collected print-outs, doodled sketches and wrote overly detailed descriptions of what I wanted. My dress had to be unique, yet elegant and simple. And it had to have a grecian feel! I went shopping with my mom last summer looking for the perfect gown (something that probably only existed in my head) and, after many stores and many dresses, found this beauty...it was better than any of my visions:

Alfred Angelo, Sapphire Collection - Style 755

Originally, I had been drawn to anything by Jenny Packham (okay, truth be told, I still am). However, I wasn't willing to pay the $5000+ price tag that went with one of her dresses. I would never of thought my dress would be by Alfred Angelo (I'm not really drawn to any of his other styles), but this one was different. It was slightly grecian and very ME. The chiffon fabric, accordion pleating, a-line skirt, umpire waist and beautiful crystal beading...I fell in love...and still am!

Kitty Chen Gowns

Check out these beautiful gowns and shrugs by Kitty Chen Couture. 

I love them!

I love Jenny...

I think I've said it before, but I need to say it again - I LOVE JENNY PACKHAM. Her dresses, both bridal and evening, are drop dead gorgeous. Here are a few samples from her 2009 runway show...

The Best of the Best - Wedding Gowns!

I was going through my wedding "binder" last night and came across a print out of my original wedding dress "mood board." I freakin LOVE anything by Jenny Packham or Claire Pettibone - their designs are amazing...and not at all "bride-y"! While I didn't end up buying one of their creations for my own wedding day, I feel like my dress still feels like a mixture of this board...modern, romantic, grecian, and, overall, UNIQUE! I can't wait to wear it...(sorry, no sneak peek!).

(Click image to enlarge)

Real Wedding: Amanda & Dave (Part I)

Check out this beautiful wedding that took place in Scottsdale, AZ last weekend. Amanda and Dave said "I do" outdoors at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. It was an intimate affair with only 37 guests, including close family and friends. The predominant color of the wedding was purple, which is evident from the beautiful photos below. Amanda wore a Maggie Sottero gown. The bride's identical twin sister, Amy, was the Maid of Honor, wearing a dress by Melissa Sweet. Other close girlfriends (bridesmaids) were asked to wear a favorite black dress and matching accessories. One of my favorites...the flowers! Amanda's bouquet was absolutely stunning! More to come soon...

(Click image to enlarge)

Vendors/Credits:

Photography: Lavish Memories by Abby Miller (Fort Wayne, IN)

Location: Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Scottsdale, AZ)

Florist: Butterfly Petals (Gilbert, AZ)

Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero "Berkley"

MOH Dress: Melissa Sweet

Bridal Shoes: Aldo Shoes

"Ireland" by Maggie Sottero

In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to do a posting on this beautiful dress called "Ireland" by Maggie Sottero. It was actually one of the finalists in my own wedding dress hunt, but I decided to go with another one in the end. I love it's simplicity and "greek goddess" feeling. 

On another note, my wedding dress just came in last week. I went to try it on this past weekend and I love it... but it's too big! The sample size 6 was so small, that I guess we overcompensated when ordering a larger size. I'm not totally thrilled with the place I bought it from, so I'm considering getting the alterations done elsewhere. 

Does anyone in the Chicago area have or know a good seamstress or wedding gown alterations specialist? 

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their wedding dress coming in too large - was the end result okay? I'm a bit stressed so any help you could offer would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks for reading!

Absolutely Stunning

Check out this vintage beauty! Unfortunately, it's already been sold, but those sweeping pleated ruffles are gorgeous. The dress was found on Etsy at BrassPaperclip. Needless to say, BrassPaperclip is one of my new favorite Etsy shops! Check out more photos of the dress here.

Goddess Gowns

I'm in love! If I didn't already have my wedding dress (which I love too!), I'd totally be ordering one of these beautiful Rosa Clara wedding gowns. The Rosa Clara 2009 Bridal Collection was inspired by the sculptured silhouettes of classic Greek goddesses...how amazing!