Flowers and Headbands and Veils, oh my!

As we all know, the gown is the real start of the wedding day. You dream about it growing up, you spend ages trying on 100 different dresses before making your decision, people talk about it every time your wedding is mentioned. But I think the accessories truly make the bridal ensemble complete.

Long luxurious veils, sparkly jeweled handbands, and flowers made from the most delicate organzas are the scrumptious icing on the wedding cake! You can transform a simple gown into the most dramatic ensemble by adding a cathedral length veil with just the right trim - maybe a few swarovski crystals to add a bit of sparkle. For the romantic bride, adding a gorgeous flower to your hair will give you the details that you crave.

As much as I love a fabulous veil, I think the thing that makes the biggest difference to the bride's final look is a gorgeous jeweled belt! I am so in love with jeweled belts - I actually ordered about 10 more for the store while I was at market!! Jeweled belts give you that WOW factor on any gown! They can even be done on colored ribbon for the more daring bride!

Some favorites from The Bride's Room...

These stunning belts from Desla and Cheryl King Couture add just the right amount of sparkle to any wedding gown

Cheryl King Couture's Royal Flush belt dresses up this simple Junko Yoshioka gown

The jeweled belt on this Jewel by Priscilla of Boston dress is highlighted by it's silver sash 

Cheryl King Couture's Bellissima veil is just the right addition to this gown by Priscilla of Boston 

Gorgeous flowers and headbands to complete the bridal ensemble

I hope you loved the sampling of our accessories! Stop in and see what your crowning glory is...a jeweled headband, or a fabulous flower? And don't forget, you can always add a jeweled belt to a black cocktail dress for a stunning one-of-a-kind outfit!

Much love,

The Bridal Belle

Not your mother's sleeve...

Ok, I know what everyone thinks of when the words sleeve and wedding dress are used in the same sentence. Big. Pouffy. Princess Diana. Scary. Well, let me tell you, sleeves are one their way back and they are fabulous! Cap sleeves started showing up and have been making a place for themselves in the bridal line up. But this season, the look was a tailored, feminine, long sleeve. Most of these sleeves are done in lace with a little tulle thrown in the mix. Gorgeous!

I think the biggest reason that this look is making its' way back is the Royal Wedding. As much as we all love our strapless wedding gowns, that is not as formal a silhouette as sleeves are. And Kate must be completely proper in her dress that day which more than likely means sleeves. Given her fashion choices in the past, I don't see her going with the Leg of Mutton sleeves that Princess Diana rocked on her wedding day.

*Disclaimer - I love love love Princess Diana's dress! What girl didn't want that dress growing up?! But it is slightly dated...

Here are some of the fabulous dresses that were shown at Spring Market this past weekend!

This gorgeous gown from Modern Trousseau is simply stunning!
It is named for Jackie Kennedy - can't you just see her wearing this?
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

This dress speaks to a modern bride that is looking for traditional elements in her gown.
Gown, Legends by Ramona Keveza
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

Monique Lhuillier's all lace gown is so elegant!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

I love the use of both lace and tulle on this Oscar de la Renta!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

Vera Wang did a gorgeous cap sleeve on this gown that a daring bride would adore!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

As you can see, these sleeves are pretty fabulous! They would make any girl that only ever considered strapless wedding gowns take pause and think about sleeves! Which one is your favorite...I think mine is Kennedy!

Much love,

The Bridal Belle

Short and sweet...and just a little bit sassy!

Well, I am back from market and in love!! I saw more gorgeous gowns, fabulous flowers, gleaming gems, and amazing accessories than I can even handle! There were many trends this season, but my favorite one is the short dress. Yes, short dresses are here to stay! Every designer had at least one short party dress if not 2 or 3 in their collections. Lace, tulle, flowers, jeweling - the short dress has it all!

Take a look at my favorites!

Betty Draper would go mad for this fabulous lace cocktail dress from Lea Ann Belter!
Picture, Lea Ann Belter

The perfect party dress made with spring's other hottest trend - sleeves!
Modern Trousseau is my new obsession!
Picture, www.givingweddings.com

This fabulous Jewel gown is a timeless choice that has just the right amount of sparkle in it!
And you are in luck, we have this gown in the store!
Picture, Priscilla of Boston

I love the whimsy that the flowers along the hem add to this dress by Alyne!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

This Ines De Santo dress is the perfect glam party dress for the most over the top bride!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

This combination of lace and tulle on this Marchesa dress is fabulous!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

This cocktail dress from Monique Lhuillier is perfect for a summer wedding in Texas!
Picture, www.marthastewartweddings.com

I could just die over these gowns - some many different styles and silhouettes to appeal to every bride! Also, don't forget that you can always change from your ceremony dress into a party dress...what girl doesn't love having a wardrobe change halfway through the party?

Much love!

The Bridal Belle

Sample Sale!

Happy Tuesday everyone! I have just marked down some absolutely stunning gowns! Here is a sneak peek of some of my favorites!

This gorgeous Paloma Blanca gown is stunning on!

Who doesn't love the pockets in this Paloma Blanca gown?

This St. Pucchi is perfect for the bride that wants every eye on her all night long!

The back of this Lea Ann Belter gown is truly stunning!

Come see the rest of the gowns that we have on sale from the designers mentions as well as gowns from Nicole Miller and Junko Yoshioka. I know you will find the gown of your dreams at a price that your credit card will love!

Much love!

The Bridal Belle

A gown fit for a Princess!

We are 22 days away from the biggest wedding day of the century! On April 29, Prince William will marry Kate Middleton in a lavish ceremony. The biggest question - what will Kate's gown look like! I have wondered this myself, so I decided to give you a few of my favorite gowns that speak to Kate's classic elegance. For inspiration, I looked to designer Amsale who is known for her feminine, bridal aesthetic.

Enjoy!

Amelie

Carina

Ella

Melina

Miri

Serena

All of these gowns have a lovely silhouette, that if done on a grand scale could be gowns fit for a Princess! As always, let me know your thoughts - what do you think Kate will wear?

Much love!

The Bridal Belle

Thinking Pink!

I think my favorite color is pink! So beautiful and soft! And speaking of pink, it is the hottest color in bridal right now! As I was flipping through my copy of People, I died when I saw this picture of Reese Witherspoon's wedding dress! She brings a whole new meaning to the term blushing bride!

Monique Lhuillier

I love that she has used multiple tones of pink on this gown - so elegant! Here are a few more of my favorite blush gowns! Tell me what your favorites are!

Ramona Kaveza

Lea Ann Belter

Oscar de la Renta

Much love!

The Bridal Belle

Bride meets dress

As I think about this past weekend, the thing that strikes me is the look on a bride's face when she puts on "the" dress. As I hear from all of the mothers that visit me, "she looks gorgeous in everything she tries on, so this is such a hard decision". I actually think just the opposite. Yes, every bride to be is going to look lovely in every dress they try on, however there is something magical that happens when a bride puts on "the" dress for the first time. Her face lights up, her smile doubles in size, and she cant stop touching the gown.

This is that one moment where she has connected with her wedding dress. I love watching this happen. Mothers start crying, sisters are excited, and friends can't sit still! It is the moment that a girl dreams of her whole life, and she has finally lived out the fantasy. Time stops and all the bride can do is stare at herself in the mirror and take in her bridal beauty.

Now, here is where things can sometimes go awry. Our blushing bride has found the dress...and she decides she needs to try on "just a few more dresses...to be sure". Uh oh... This is just about the biggest mistake that a bride can make. When you have found the dress that you want to walk down the aisle in, stop looking! All you will do is confuse yourself! I know, trying on big, beautiful wedding dresses is an incredibly fun pastime, but you must make the decision that as soon as you know it is "the" dress you will buy it! As Randy Fenoli, our favorite Say Yes to the Dress star says, "you don't date every guy out there just to make sure there isn't a better guy waiting for you. You know that he is the only man for you just like you have to know that this is the only dress for you".

So brides, when you plan your day (or days) of gown shopping, remember to go with your gut instinct and when you have your magical moment...say yes to the dress!

As always, much love.

The Bridal Belle