For Ladies who Lounge

Clients are often looking for something special for their girls [and something to look fantastic in photos!].  Thankfully, we’ve made it through the matching rhinestone velour sweatsuit stage and have embarked on prettier, more sophisticated ways of dressing our bridesmaids in loungewear.  
I was turned onto Plum Pretty Sugar by the lovely Katie Kozlowski and think their incredibly feminine  patterns are just darling! 
[images via]

Waldorf Astoria Fashion Show Recap

Last night was a busy night for us Bliss Belles! 
While we ended with favorite industry friends at The Ivy room, the evening began in one of my favorite settings in the city, The Waldorf [I still refer to it as the Elysian] for a fashion show hosted by CS Brides and Belle Vie.  Perfectly nestled in between my two favorite wedding goddesses, we watched the show from our snappy front row seats.
And between sips of Dom and nibbles of house made macarons, we witnessed gorgeous gowns by the likes of J. Mendel, Valentino, Lanvin and Elizabeth Fillmore float down the runway.  
Here are a few of the fancy frocks:

While I’m still jealous of all of you covering Fashion Week in NYC, this certainly helped take the sting out a bit.  
A special thanks to Jesse of Event Creative for hosting us and for the fab design!
[all photos shot by me…as if you couldn’t tell…]

Behold!!! BHLDN Opens in Chicago!

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Whimsical bridal and parties line for Anthropologie, BHLDN opened it’s second location this week, here in Chicago.  Renny and I got a bit of a sneak preview of the stunning setting, gorgeous gowns and fabulous finds Monday evening at a private event hosted by Martha Stewart Weddings.
The two story boutique is so thoughtfully designed, I wanted to move right in!  It’s such a beautiful balance of worn, antinqued furnishings with some wonderful, rich details.
 On the second level, you will find a couple of salons hosting their bridal gowns, previously only available online.  With prices ranging from $1000-$6000, there seems to be something for many a boho bride.
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Check out the gorgeous herringbone floors and beautiful molding!

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Angel wings hover above the room showcasing jewels and accessories.
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From veils, to shoes, to jewelry and accessories [you can even find something for your man!] you can certainly pull together a fabulously curated total look.
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The lower level hosts dresses in hues of easter-inspired macarons – perfect for showers, parties or your honeymoon.
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They also carry a selection of whimsical party supplies from glassware and ribbon to pompoms and table numbers in a darling corner nook, upstairs.
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Host Darcy Miller is even more darling and engaging in person!
The store is officially open, I seriously suggest checking it out! [And then popping across the street to the Elysian for champers to celebrate your finds!]
[image credits] unless otherwise noted, all photos shot by me

Afternoon Delight.

Cigar?  Check.  {A generous pour of} Bubbly?  Check.  Cutie fleur accessories {with a lovely demure drama in scale}?  Check!
This picture is so me, I almost can’t stand it.
I’m still feeling celebratory after the sweetest wedding this weekend.  Sure wish the weather would allow for a late afternoon cigar and a glass of champ to unwind and let my angry tootsies recoup!   
{image credit}  taken from stylish favorite, emersonmade

Wedding Preparations!

I am buried in teensy final details for the wedding of one of my most favorite and loveliest brides this weekend.  I so hope the weather for their Central Illinois wedding holds up!
The bride is not only drop dead gorgeous {even when coming straight from yoga to planning meetings!} but her style and taste is Spot. On.  I am over the moon with all of the charming details we’ve dreamed up and can’t wait for it to come together.
The wedding is taking place at the brides families’ country club – where they have been members for years.  Cocktails, dinner and dancing will take place in a dolled up tent – of which you know I’m quite partial to!
I love this photo of a quietly sophisticated bride in her Vineyard gown and Patricia Underwood hat, under the shade of an elderly tree against a backdrop of a verdant golf course.  I’m sure I’ll have heaps of equally gorgeous photos to share in the coming weeks.
Can’t wait!
{image credit} taken from martha stewart weddings

Kate the Great – Bridal Blooms Worthy of a Princess

The obsession with gorgeous Kate Middleton has grown exponentially over the last few months, with the culmination of excitement coming to a head in the wee hours of the morning, as the world watched in sleepy anticipation to see if the silently stylish future princess would live up to everyone’s expectations.

Although many people may describe her dress as safe with an old fashion silhouette, I saw an instant connection to the glamorous gown of {my style icon}, Grace Kelly.  
Kate’s dress, designed by Sarah Burton, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen was beyond appropriate for a bride in an ultra formal ceremony {one with millions of viewers/critics}.  And although the dress may be a bit conservative, I adored the romantic lace bodice that felt a bit more modern, doing a beautiful job of showcasing her fabulously trim waist.  Her hair and make-up was exceptionally perfect {no surprise there}!  
But…leave it to me to zero in on her {dare I say modest?!} bouquet:
Her petite clutch bouquet {designed with a handle – something we all view as out-dated…shame on us!} was composed of a collection of delicate blooms including Sweet William, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth and a hidden sprig of Myrtle, taken from a bush planted by Queen Victoria in 1845.  
I have always adored ‘the language of flowers’ and have no idea if her selections {designed by famed florist, Shane Connolly} were chosen for the look or the meaning, but perhaps it was a combination of both.  
Sweet William – A tribute to her future husband?
Lily of the Valley – Love’s good fortune
Hyacinth – Constant love
Myrtle – Love
While I may have designed her bouquet to be just a bit larger in size to compliment the fuller skirt, I think the selections are timeless and beautiful…and who asked me, anyway!
I must say, I am certainly enamored by this gorgeous girl and am sure many many future brides will take cue from her regal style and timeless floral selections for years to come.
{image credits} kiss from royalwedding.aol, grace kelly from wedding-dresses.tk, car and bouquet from express.co.uk

For Keeps…For Sure!

We all know how much I adore stores like Jcrew for producing a line of bridal gowns that are fresh and stylish yet a bit more realistically priced – as compared to the likes of Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang gowns – so I was more than thrilled when Anthropologie finally debuted it’s own wedding shop last week:  BHLDN {pronounced “beholden”}.

Here are a few of my favs:
The Ribboned Silk, Monarch and Trumpted Pavot Gowns are each under $4,100.
The Pleated Fantasy Gown is one of my top picks – heaps of drama for $3,600!
And how fantastically charming would the Eyelet Medley Sheathe be for the boathouse or golf-course bride – especially when we’re talking about a price-tag of $1000!
And it doesn’t stop at fanciful frocks…

The have darling shoes…
Fun jewelry…

Cutie capelets, boleros and shrugs…
Daring or dainty headpieces…
Sexy or sweet lingerie…
And adorable accessories like gloves, clutches, belts and more…
Inspired by the Dutch word for “To Keep”…BHLDN is certain to stay a while!
{image credits} all images taken from BHLDN

Lovely Lanvin

While luxe fashion house Lanvin gowns may not normally be in our budgets…if you were going to splurge, it certainly could be for the biggest fashion moment of your life – your wedding day! 
 Lucky for you, both Lanvins’ US flagship store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and net-a-porter now offer a small a handful of the fashion-forward creations designed by Alber Elbaz, possibly perfect for the fashionista bride.  {And guess what!  Some are nearly as affordable as a JCrew gown!  Perhaps two will be necessary?}
Silk charmuse strapless gown.  Fluid and light for a boho-chic bride.
Silk blended bustier dress.  Romantic and charming for a more casual garden wedding.
Ostrich feather-trimmed georgette gown.  Simple yet dramatic for a snowy Chicago winter wedding.
Silk charmeuse shift dress.  Uber classic in silhouette with a modern length.
Happy shopping!
{image credits} cartoon taken from lanvin.com, dresses from net-a-porter.com

Call Me Crazy…Pale Bridesmaid Dresses are Chic!

I know, I know…It’s all about the bride!  However, I think it is absolutely unexpected and ultra-modern to dress your pals in barely-hued bridesmaid dresses.

I absolutely love that the maids wore a truer white, and the bride selected a gown that was a whisper warmer in color.  
Varying the look and style of each dress allows your girls to feel more comfortable and confident…who knows, perhaps they’ll actually wear their dress again!  {unheard of!}
Pale nude tones are still fashionably – and flattering!
Set yourself apart by requesting that your ladies wear short dresses.
Tiring of the typical sage green bridesmaid dress?  Be bold by dressing your girls in the softest, palest tones!
{image credits} 1&2 from martha stewart.  3 unknown source.  4 from giaconali photography

Well..Dressed Hairdo!

As the wedding industry continues to boom…it seems as though nothing can be too customized, too chic or too fashion forward.  Seemingly an infinite amount of choices need to be considered by any average bride…

Colors – it’s not just pink and green or an all white wedding anymore.  Brides are selecting color palettes that are unique combinations reflecting themselves, the season or their moods. 

Dresses – first it was Vera, then Monique…now dozens of dress designers are creating gowns fit for any fashionista – and at any budget!

Dinner Tables – round tables were the norm just a few years back – but not only have square and {my favorite!} rectangular tables become almost common, there are even more to choose from now.  Rental companies are now offering taller tables where guests are seated on custom stool-like chairs to add yet another layer of texture and dimension to your setting.  Decor firms are moving forward with handfuls of customized table options – whether mirrored or even inlaid with a custom fabric (or gorgeous patterned wallpaper!), brides are able to ensure their special day is unlike any of their girlfriends.

Accessories are no exception.  If you’re not familiar, please let me introduce a new obsession…ban.do!  Started by two stylists in LA, ban.do is a super-duper charming lot of {mainly, but not exclusively} hair accessories like headbands, pins and bows.  Each even comes with it’s very own haiku!

The pieces are not limited to brides, however, many would make a gorgeous accent for girls who choose not to wear a veil – but still want some drama {yipee!  tiara’s are not the only non-veiled option!}

Here are a few of my favorites:
Their bridal line has beautiful head-bands and pieces, many with vintage inspired detailing.
The black label contains unique pieces that are all either one-of-a-kind or limited edition.  Vintage elements are incorporated, found from all over the world.
And the cutie heart by ban.do is an affordable line – with all pieces under $50.
When you’re in love – why not tell the whole world?!
A pretty yellow bow can make any basic outfit extrodinary!
Even your hair can be Well…Dressed!