courtesy of convertiblewrapdress.com

So, I had the grand fortune of attending a beautiful wedding this weekend (shout out to the now Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan!) and the even grander fortune of getting an insider prospective of everything as the day unfolded.  Because I met the entire bridal party early in the am for makeup duty, I was able to be there from start to finish.  (And yes, I totally do hair makeup for special occasions too… just a woman of many talents, haha!)

As I was dolling all the ladies up, I couldn’t help but ask the usual questions: How do you know the couple?  Are you married yourself?  Any children?  What looks do you prefer?  Blah, blah, blah.  But as the morning progressed and things started to wrap up, each of the girl started stepping into and heading out in their dresses.  And as they did, I couldn’t help but “ooh and aww” at the unique style and shape each girl seemed to feature.

They were all the same material, and they were all the same color… and yet, they were all so incredibly different that it took me a minute to take them all in.  Some were strapless.  Some were one shoulder.  Some were snug halters; while others were flowing, dual-sleeved gowns.  There was one wrapped in a Grecian style with a rope-like filament connecting the neck to the waist, and still another that that celebrated sharper cuts with a modern flare.

It was a too cute conundrum I had to know more about!  So, when I finally, I asked Gwen – the beautiful bride! – where she got these fabulous bridesmaids dresses that seemed handmade for each girl., she happily shared that she found them online at convertiblewrapdress.com.  Both affordable ($70 / piece) and adaptable, these gowns truly had that wow factor.  After Gwen picked out the tee-length style and steely gray color, each girl was in charge of creating her own shape… making them each tailor made and flattering to each figure.

While the idea of the convertible dress is by no means a new one, it was still one that DEF caught my attention for bridal parties, especially for groups with several shapes and sizes!

Made of a ultra soft blend that is 92% Rayon and 8% Spandex, these dresses literally looked chic, tailored and polished on each and every girl and body type.  Check out below some of the testimonial images from Convertible Wrap Dress’ gallery page:

The short, steely gray look:

courtesy of convertiblewrapdress.com

The long, flowing, blush look:

courtesy of convertiblewrapdress.com

The short, lady in red look:

courtesy of convertiblewrapdress.com

& finally the pretty in plum look:

courtesy of convertiblewrapdress.com

courtesy of greentreephotography.net

For many years – and I know this to be true because before I worked here, I worked at a wedding dress shop – but for many years, it seemed as though brides looking for could never find anything to purchase that wasn’t strapless… Alas, a far cry from our mothers and grandmothers’ “I do” days where NOTHING was strapless.

And for a woman who was maybe more traditional or simply not comfortable in something so open, her options were almost immediately diminished to next to nothing.  Not fun or fair for any bride-to-be.

But every cloud has a silver lining and following the Royal Wedding Explosion of Prince William and Kate Middleton two years ago, the Duchess of Cambridge’s Alexander McQueen dream dress – designed by Sarah Burton – had haute couture designers in awe.  Middleton’s now famous dress, composed of silk gazer and hand-tatted lace intricately comprised with shapes representing the countries of the UK,  is considered the Rolls-Royce of wedding wear.

courtesy of vogue.com

The knock out gown also featured a 9 foot train and several bling-tastic accessories.  And with inspiration like that, designers got the message loud and clear that ALL necklines and sleeve lengths are high fashion… and make for dream come true pieces on and off the runway.

While strapless dresses are still ever present and popular, there has definitely been a shift in designers gowns towards the more demure and traditional.  There’s just something to be said for the subtle sexiness; like how most non-strapless gowns somehow incorporate a surprise ooh la la factor… which hands down, has to be my favorite part!

Often times, women feel like the more covered up they are, the dowdier and less sexy they are… but this couldn’t be further from the truth with today’s designers’ modern spin on the traditional wedding dress, the potential is nothing short of extraordinary.  With their illusion necklines, backless bodices and figure hugging shapes, I would put some of these gowns against the sexiest styles in existence.

Check out below and see what I mean :)

from Claire Pettibone’s An Earthly Paradise collection…

courtesy of clairepettibone.com

from Tara Keely’s Spring 2013 collection…

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from Badgley Mischka’s Spring 2013 collection…

courtesy of badgleymischka.com

from Alfred Angelo’s Disney Fairy Tale collection…

courtesy of alfredangelo.com

from Alvina Valenta’s Spring 2013 collection…

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from Maggie Sottero’s Wedding Dress collection…

courtesy of maggiesottero.com

from Lazaro’s Spring 2013 collection…

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from Morilee’s Wedding Dress collection…

courtesy of morilee.com

from Jim Hjelm’s Spring 2013 collection…

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from Sophia Tolli’s Wedding Dress collection…

courtesy of sophiatolli.com

from Amsale’s Fall 2013 collection…

courtesy of amsale.com

and finally, from Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2014 collection! (that’s right ladies, this look is DEF here to stay!)…

courtesy of moniquelhuillier.com

photos courtesy of confettidaydreams.com

Ahhh, lace.  A fixture in the wedding world since the dawning of “I do,” this intricate overlay is not only a detail with staying power, but it’s practically the signature for bridal royalty and vintage couture everywhere.

But in 2013, it’s proving to be one of the biggest go-to’s for bridal fashion and wedding design just about everywhere!  According to Erika Pitera of borrowedandbleu.com – an online resource for one of a kind brides looking for one of a kind weddings – there is nothing more lovely than lace for the 2013 bride.  In a recent interview with The Top 100 Wedding Blogs, she stated:

In my opinion, we are going to see a lot of lace in 2013.  Lace has been a mainstay in bridal fashion for centuries, but it seems to be making a huge a comeback righ now with modern brides.  From full on lace dresses to just a touch here and there to accent a dress, lace has already started to appear all over the runway.  (Pitera, weddingblogs100.com)

And we all know nothing gets noticed faster than when it has a presence within the designer district of haute couture.  Pitera continues:

Many designers will be showcasing classic wedding gown with lace details like lacy cap sleeves, illusion necklines, contrasting color lace and more in the Spring 2013 collections.  (Pitera, weddingblogs100.com)

Her favorite thing about lace – and I think I’d have to agree – is that it doesn’t just have to be for the dress. It can be applied to the everything from your invites and wedding cake to your centerpieces and bouquets.  In fact, it’s the versatility of lace that is what has given it such a powerful place in weddings for years.  Check out below for some of the of the most fashion forward – not to mention some of my FAVES! – lace wedding gown from famed wedding dress designers 2013 Spring & Fall Collections:

from the Alvina Valenta 2013 Spring Collection.

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from the Jim Hjelm 2013 Spring Collection.

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from the Lazaro 2013 Spring Collection.

courtesy of jlmcouture.com

from the Maggie Sottero Bridal Gown Collection.

courtesy of maggiesottero.com

from the Monique Lhuillier 2013 Fall Collection.

courtesy of moniquelhuillier.com

from the Sophia Tolli Bridal Gown Collection.

courtesy of sophiatolli.com

from the Vera Wang 2013 Fall Collection.

courtesy of verawang.com

courtesy of Victor Sizemore photography

After doing last Thursday’s post: A Return to Formailty: 5 Wedding Trends Designed to Razzle Dazzle ‘em, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I spent almost half my time browsing through the images I found under “wedding chandeliers.”

I’m not even kidding.

Between the rustic and refurbished to the formal and fabulous, reception chandeliers, lanterns and the like were enough to make my head spin!  For serious!  When you consider the range light ceiling accessories have, it’s almost impossible NOT to be in awe!  Well-lit, hanging fixtures can be adorned with everything from flowers and bubbles to crystals and twinkles… making them agreeable to sleek and modern settings, as well as eccentric and outdoor scenes!

Not only that but it’s the fact that all these overhead fixtures will all provide lighting… and everyone – from photographers and reception hall coordinators to designers and professional planners – will all agree that LIGHTING is key when it comes to creating ambiance and setting / keeping a mood.

Sinead Kelly of Duluux Color wrote:

Lighting is such a subtle – yet vitally important – design tool. Good use of lighting will bring to life the most mundane design schemes. Put together with a great interior and you’ve got the perfect partnership. Picking a fantastic light fitting is just one element of the job. Where you place it, how it operates and the effect it has on its surrounding area is twice as important.

And I couldn’t agree more!  Think about it… Consider two evenings.  Both are EXACTLY the same.  You’re enjoying a nice meal with a nice man in a nice restaurant, but one is by candlelight and the other is under the harsh florescence of flickering bulbs.  One (the prior) has a warm, romantic connotation; while the other almost takes on a the beginnings of a horrow movie classic.  Not(&)Good.

Hence why lighting is sooooo important for setting the scene on your big day, and when you’re setting it, consider some of these overhead exposures, shimmering chandeliers and lovely lanterns for creating (& captivating!) just the right one! Check out below and let the lighting inspiration begin:

courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) flickr.com, perfectweddingcollections.blogspot.com (inset), bellethemagazine.com, bridalguide.com, onewed.com, 1chandelierslighting.com, platinumtouchevents.blogspot.com, weddingomania.com, onewed.com, dawnephoto.com, stratfordevents.blogspot.com, artfire.com (inset), platinumtouchevents.blogspot.com, onewed.com, weddingelation.com and dawnephoto.com

courtesy of Lazaro via jlmcouture.com

In recent years, the wedding industry has seen been booming with country chic weddings and then some.  With the emergence of websites such as Pinterest and Etsy, it’s been easier than ever for brides to seek out and find just that perfect detail for her Mrs. debut!  From enchanted forest and rustic barn weddings to handmade and one of a kind accessories, there’s no doubt that weddings are all about the Bohemian and  burlap…

…and yet??

There’s been a return to formality for a number of weddings, and while it may not be the most budget savvy for all, it’s most definitely something to “ooh la la” all over!  Check out these 5 Formal Wedding Trends and see what I mean:

Chandeliers.  Not only do they add all kinds of ambiance of your big day, but with old world charm and high class style, they can almost cover formal and informal events with equal appeal.  Brides and grooms can either look for locations that feature such incredible structures.

courtesy of onewed.com

Top Hats & Tails.  Pip, pip, cheerio, gentlemen — it’s time to get your Fred Astaire fancy on!  Throughout the years, but most especially as of late, grooms have began to bedeck in the most formal of formal wear, and I gotta admit, I like it :)  From high end cuff links to turn of the century caps, men are dressing to the nines for their nuptials and looking all kinds of dashing doing so!

courtesy of ruffedblog.com

Instrumental Strings.  From Four String Quartet ceremonies to a reception hall greetings from hired harpists, brides and grooms can really impress their guests with ceremonial displays of musicality.  Realizing wedding days aren’t just a feast for the eyes but the ears as well, nothing quite out-classes live music from set of striking strings.

courtesy of fusion-events.ca

Pleasing Place Settings. From plate chargers and standout candelabras to bold gold and sterling silverware, brides and grooms have discovered how adding more ornamental place settings to their reception hall tables can easily take their wow factor from simply so-so to fantastically formal.

courtesy of theknot.com

Crystal Stemware.  Break out the Waterford, ladies and gents, for wedding toasts have recently seen a resurgence in regal style with actual crystal flutes and stemware… stunning!

courtesy of marilynskeepsakes.com