V-V-V-VERA

This year Vera Wang wow'ed guests in NYC at her runway show previewing her Spring 2013 collection. In past years she has been bold with her color choice of black, nude, and crimson gowns. This year, however, she stuck to the traditional white palette and said she is celebrating the classicism of the wedding gown.  We think she nailed it with this collection and applaud her creativity and elegant designs once again.

See below some stunning gowns highlighted in Vera's upcoming collection:

If only it was socially acceptable to buy wedding dresses for fun :)

We heart Vera Wang.

Until Next Time,

A & S

I Found the Dress

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to shop." - Bo Derrick

Over the weekend, I found myself caught up in a marathon of "I Found the Dress"; TLC's newest show documenting brides saying 'yes' to the dress.  The premise of the show is a bridal boutiquenamed Vows offers designer dresses sold off the rack at discounted prices.  Their goal is to find every bride their dream dress with price tags as low as $600.  It was impressive to watch the brides sort through the warehouse of white lace and taffeta and find their desired dress and designer within their budget.  They were able to get the champagne dress on the beer belly budget.

Staying within your budget or finding your dream dress on sale can be quite a tough feat, but luckily for brides, September is the best month for sample sales, trunk shows and sidewalk sales. Below is a list of upcoming sales in Toronto and Ottawa that will definitely be worth checking out. After all, if you are getting married next summer, it is soon time to say yes to your dress.

Theia Trunk Show at Mrs. Bridal Boutique September 6th - 8th by appointment only - call 416-925-1674

Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show at White Toronto September 13th - 15th by appointment only - call 416-849-9196

Rivini Trunk Show at Dina Alonzi Bridal September 14th and 15th by appointment only - call 416-236-0270

Sample Sidewalk Sale at Mia Bridal September 21st - 23rd - first come, first serve.  The sale will include dresses by designers Kenneth Pool, Amsale, Jim Hjelm, and Lazaro. Dresses will be up to 70% off!

Sample Sale at The White Dress September 29th and 30th - first come, first serve. The sale will feature gowns by Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier and many more and will be up to 70% off!

Don't miss these once-a-year opportunities to find your perfect gown!

Yours Truly,

A

Real Wedding: A and Mr. X

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming communion or company than a good marriage." - Martin Luther King

It is been four months since we tied the knot, and I think about my wedding (almost) daily. I would do it again monthly if that was socially acceptable. We made memories to last a lifetime and are grateful to our family and friends whom made it possible.

This past week I was delighted to learn that our wedding was featured in the latest issue of WedLuxe; my bible through the wedding planning process. I am honoured to be included in their publication and am excited to share our day with their (and our) readers. So without further ado, here are the highlights of our wedding, as outlined by WedLuxe.  A full list of our vendors are detailed in the article.

Ashley + Daniel | Wedluxe

Yours Truly,

A

Out With the Old, In With the Nearly New

A true taste for couture is not always accompanied by a budget to match. Thankfully, Nearly Newlywed has created a high fashion community for brides vying for designer duds to adorn on their big day.

Cultivated by Jacqueline Courtney, a former NYC fashion-publicist, Nearly Newlywed features the finest frocks from the likes of Marchesa, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Elie Saab, Temperley, and Reem Acra, to name a few. Unique celeb-inspired services are offered, such as the ‘Buy It, Wear It, Send It Back’ option and ‘Personal Shopping via Pinterest’, all while showcasing the best of the best at a fraction of the regular retail price.

A glimpse into the glam;

Vera Wang 'Eliza' Lace & Tulle Princess Gown

Elie Saab Crystal & Silk Chiffon Gown

Marchesa Tulle Rosette Princess Gown

Monique Lhuillier 'Lumiere' Lace & Crystal Mermaid Gown

Reem Acra Grecian Strapless Gown

If you’re on the hunt for your perfect dress, or want to make another bride’s dreams come true by consigning your former wedding attire, you’re nearly there.

Sincerely,

S

Wedding Spotlight: Little J and Big I

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”- Germaine Greer

On Saturday, November 19th, 2011, we were privileged to witness a true fairytale come to life; our dear friends J and I tied the knot. What began as puppy love nearly 10 years earlier, the lovely bride and handsome groom had been dreaming about this day for a long time (and so had we!).

The Wedding Party

The picture perfect autumn day was the ideal backdrop for the elegant affair, where 250 guests gathered at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in our nation’s capital for a beautiful wedding ceremony, where the blushing bride wowed in a one-of-a-kind Vera Wang gown, followed by cocktails and a superior soiree to be remembered. 

The Ceremony

Bride's Bouquet

Instructions - How-To Wear a Kippah!

Wishing Tree

Seating Chart

The ballroom was laced in warm tones of cream and gold, with trendy touches like a monogrammed dance floor. The fabulous Nancy Tremblay of Wedecor did not miss a single detail when it came to the regal décor of crystal candelabras accented with white roses and hydrangeas.

The Ballroom

Tabletop Decor

Thoughtful Favours (donations made in each guests' honour by the couple to their chosen charity)

The essence of the evening was fully captured by the talented Miv of Miv Photography, a local Ottawa photographer famous for making even the most modest of couples comfortable in front of the camera.

Hora!

Delicious mini-cakes by The Girl With the Most Cake, as well as a larger gold, black and cream work-of-art (aka wedding cake), headlined the sweet table along with other delectable treats. 

The Wedding Cake

With wonderfully touching speeches by the the happy couple and unique events such as a bridesmaids versus groomsmen dance-off, J and I's memorable night was full of love, laughter...and a seriously awesome after party :) We know their first 4 months of marriage, complete with a Californian honeymoon in wine country, have been incredible, and we wish them only the best for the many years ahead.

The Happy Couple

Until next time,

A & S

You Know You Love Me

"Some say love is a river, some says love's a silly song. Some say love is all around us. It lifts us up where we belong. Some say love is hearing laughter in the rain. But on the Upper East Side, we all know love is pain."  - Gossip Girl

I couldn’t help but glue myself to the TV last night as Blair Waldorf tied the knot to her not so charming Prince.  There was great attention to detail and although they might not have a ‘happily ever after’, it was a lavish and stunning affair.  

It was no surprise that peonies were used, as they are Blair’s favourite flower, and I adored her bouquet.  The men’s boutonnieres however were quite large and looked like they were taking over their lapels.  I was pleased with Blair’s choice of Vera gowns, although I personally preferred the one she was shown trying on a couple of weeks ago (of course, that’s because it was also one of my personal faves).  In my opinion, the real highlight was Serena's Vera Wang gown.  It was perfection!  Blair's make-up was flawless and I plan on making it my mission to find her lip colour (Chanel, I’m assuming?), and my only real criticism would be her choice of ‘do.  She looked a little too straggly to be marching the aisle and although the tiara was show-stopping, her hair needed a trim and some extra pizzazz.  All in all it was a beautiful wedding with one detail to be seen again on February 19^th.   Any guesses?

Check out some highlights from the ‘Royal Wedding’:

Highlights from the 100th episode of Gossip Girl

I LOVED her bouqiet

The lovely ladies of GG



The Vera Wang dress she was fitted for in an earlier episode

Blair's getaway car to end the show

XOXO,

A



A Golden Glance

"Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress." - Coco Chanel 

The 69th annual Golden Globe Awards took place in Hollywood last night, and while it may not exactly be a wedding related affair, it is most certainly a star-studded fete of the finest fashion and we simply could not resist sharing our thoughts on the copious couture.

Our best dressed list includes Kate Beckinsale, who looked flawless (as usual) in a strapless, pale blush chiffon and lace gown by Roberto Cavalli, paired with Lorraine Schwartz gems and Casadei pumps; Jessica Alba, who dazzled in a head-to-toe sparkly lavender number by Gucci and Bulgari baubles; and the fiery Emma Stone, who rocked a beautifully belted, plunging plum Lanvin dress, along with shoes and jewels by the famed designer.

Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Abla and Emma Stone

Our choices for ‘runners up’? Claire Danes, who wore a gorgeously glam black and white (a colour combo expected to make major appearances in spring 2012), open back J. Mendel  dress; newcomer Shailene Woodley made her mark in an incredible Marchesa gown and Tabitha Simmons heels; the ladies of Modern Family looked lovely as always - Julie Bowen in a pale pink Reem Acra and Sofia Vergara in a navy Vera Wang (we’ve got soft spots for these designers!), and last but definitely not least, Miss Golden Globe, Rainey Qualley, wowed us on the stage in Alberto Makali. 

Claire Danes

Shailene Woodley

Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara

Rainey Qualley

We're opting for a different approach than that of Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police by keeping it classy and skipping our picks for the ‘worst-dressed’.

Can't wait to see what these stunners will rock at the upcoming Oscars!

Until next time,

A & S

The Rich and Famous

"As an unmarried woman, I was thought to be a danger." - Grace Kelly

It is no surprise that celebrities are major trendsetters.  Star-gazers follow in awe to see what a celebrity will do next, what they will wear and, of course, who they will marry.  Weddings have become such a craze and it seems Will and Kate’s wedding proved that once again.  For months in advance, people were making bets about which designer would be selected for her gown, what it would look like and who would attend.  Those of us (commoners) at home, followed her every move as she prepared for the big day and we couldn’t help but be amazed by the lavish affair that took place on April 29th.  Unfortunately, it was not just royalty that drew such an audience this year; fans tuned in to ‘admire’ Kim Kardashian’s estimated 20 million dollar nuptials, which didn’t last more than a couple of months.

Whether an A-list celeb or a high-society diva, it seems we can’t get enough of the rich and famous.  We turn to them for dress do’s and don’ts and everyone loves to critique the brides’ choices for hair, flowers, cakes, venue and men.

Below is a selection of stunning and iconic celebrity brides who have given every girl something to dream about (at least with respect to the weddings, not the marriage):



Kate Middleton - wearing Sara Burton of Alexander McQueen

Grace Kelly

Carolyn Bessette - wearing Narcisco Rodriguez

Ivanka Trump - wearing Vera Wang

Gwen Stefani - wearing John Galliano

Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi - both wearing Zac Posen

Chelsea Clinton - wearing Vera Wang

Kate Moss - wearing John Galliano

Nicole Ritchie - wearing Marchesa

Kim Kardashian - wearing Vera Wang (all three gowns)

Who's next - Brangelina?? I hope so! That is sure to be one star-studded affair! And we might see Brit tie the knot yet again this year.  Either way, I'm sure we will continue to be entertained and wowed by celebrity brides alike.

Yours truly,

A

Fit To Be Wed

I had my very last fitting for my gown this past Friday, and I am so thrilled with the final product! I have to be honest and say I find the alterations process a little nerve-racking, with all the little changes and adjustments that need to be made, it’s a scary thought that it may not turn out to be what you’ve envisioned.

One piece of advice; trust your seamstress. Not only have they done this many times before, but most dignified bridal salons come equipped with the best of the best when it comes to altering their gowns for their clientele.

I was fortunate enough to have the very talented Thea, of The White Dress Bridal Couture in Ottawa, work her magic for me. From nips and tucks to the tricky job of modifying the neckline, the dress turned out so beautifully and I couldn’t be happier with the end result!

As my mother and I were leaving the store, we were handed a large garment bag containing the gown, the veil, and all other bells and whistles. My mom “cradled” the bag in her arms and then said “I don’t think I was this nervous when I brought you home from the hospital!” We all had a good laugh before gently placing our precious cargo in the back seat of the car.

In exactly two weeks’ time I’ll be all dressed in white and becoming a Mrs.

FINAL COUNTDOWN. Ahh!!!

Sincerely,

S

All Dressed in White

“A man has his clothes made to fit him; a woman makes herself fit her clothes.” Edgar Watson Howe

It would come as no major shock to anyone who knows me that my wedding gown was purchased long before even choosing a venue.  The process of deciding which dress to say yes to can be a fun filled one, but it can also be lengthy, frustrating, and in all honesty, a little ridiculous.

For instance, and please try not to be offended if this is you, but I cannot understand why a girl would bring an entourage of 8 people to an appointment in a bridal salon. Who wants that many opinions? Not to mention it must drive the bridal consultants completely insane (if you watch Say Yes to the Dress, you get what I mean). If you’re smart, bring your mom (and dad if he’s into that sort of thing), sisters, and MOH – but cap it there.

Luckily for me, the journey of finding the “one” in this case was fairly seamless.

In the end, I visited four bridal stores, three in Ottawa and one in Montreal. Each establishment featured collections from different designers, so while styles did not become repetitive, the act of getting naked in a tiny enclosed space where a total stranger is on the floor, staring straight at your thong while helping you into an often puffy, white monstrosity weighing more than an Olsen twin, can be a little tiresome. But a bride’s gotta do what a bride’s gotta do.

I ended up falling in love with a gorgeous Vera Wang number back in November, merely one month after becoming engaged. I customized the design and made several tweaks to the original to really make it my own. I had my first fitting in August, the second in early September and the third, and final I might add, is on Friday! I can’t wait to see the finished product! I must admit, I suffer from a severe case of buyer’s remorse, and have found numerous dresses that have since begged the question “did I make the right choice?” In the end, there are so many stunners out there that you just have to be comfortable with your decision and know that it will look beautiful (at least that’s what they tell me).

Though I don’t plan on sharing my choice with you until after the main event, check out these beauties that have entertained my wandering eye:

Monique Lhuillier - Averie

Vera Wang - Farrah

Watters - Pheobe

Reem Acra

Melissa Sweet - Gigi

Vera Wang - Gemma

 

Now I understand why Kim Kardashian changed 3 times at her wedding - it’s so hard to pick just one!

Sincerely,

S