The Quick List: Designer Bridal Collections Spring 2013

It's that time again, all the most fabulous designers have debuted their spring 2013 bridal collections and they are so, so, so many fabulous gowns!  Without any further delay...

#1. Vera Wang.  Stunning as always and now doing bridal in red, check out the full collection here.

#2. Oscar de la Renta.  Elegant and edgy, check out the full collection here.

The Quick List: My Favorite Non-Traditional Wedding Dresses

It's all in the title, I have come across some pretty amazing wedding dresses that go beyond the typical pretty white gown.  Being adventurous with your wedding gown is not for everyone, but if you are looking for some inspiration, here you go!

#1. The dramatic black and white one

#2. The vibrant orange one

#3. The ornate lavender one

#4. The elegant gray one

#5. The Vera Wang blush one

The Quick List: Bridal Market Deliciousness

I recently took the leap & joined Twitter (hello shameless plug, follow me @FelCWeddings).  Although I'm still getting my 'sea legs' and it is overwhelming pretty much every time I log in, I ADORE the instant access to New York's bridal market (or #bridalmarket for those in the know).  Bridal market is essentially the Fashion Week of the bridal industry with designer runway shows of their newest bridal gowns and fabulous parties for networking with all the creme de la creme of the bridal industry; Martha Stewart, Angel Sanchez, Colin Cowie,Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier just to name a few.  Wedding bloggers that I follow on Twitter have allowed me to live vicariously through them as the post runway & behind the scenes photos as well as exclusive party photos- even virtually attending Martha Stewart's party was pretty exciting.  Here are a few quick links to the full collections coming out this week.  Enjoy!

Monique Lhuillier's Fall 2012 Collection

Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2012 Bridesmaid Collection

Vera Wang's Fall 2012 Collection

Dennis Basso for Kleinfeld



Recessionista Brides Start A Trend

This week the New York Times published an article discussing the latest bridal attire trend.  Can you guess what it is?  Savvy brides are spending less on wedding gowns and instead are now focusing on the accessories.  As the article points out, there are so many options for gowns, most of which are focusing on the recessionista bride.  Vera Wang's White Collection for David's Bridal, Anthropologie's BHLDN line and J. Crew's bridal collection, just to name a few. 

As a recessionista extraordinaire, I'm all for buying accessories that can be worn again and again... and again.  I would even suggest to go a step futher by focusing only on buying the accessories that you need.  I love the freedom today's brides have to make their own rules as the days of buying everything new for your wedding are over.  Brides are realizing that they may already have the perfect shoes, necklace, wrap, etc. which can save hundreds of dollars.  Or if you do want to splurge on wedding shoes, at least you can wear them again.  Some brides are excited to change into a reception dress, so buy a second dress that is more of a party dress that you can get a lot of mileage out of at future events.  And by the way, let's not leave the men out.  With most grooms choosing to wear a gray, tan or black suit in lieu of a tuxedo, I think it is worth the extra money to buy a tailored suit that you will be able to wear for a lifetime.

Lastly, the biggest way to cut costs may seem obvious- do not mention the "w" word- wedding.  Aside from an actual wedding gown appointment, don't mention the accessories you are shopping for are for your wedding.  I hope this gives couples some inspiration to get the most out of their attire, not only on their big day but for future events.  Since my Felicity C Weddings clients are always ahead of their time, I've picked a few client photos for ideas. Enjoy!

 CHERISH your dress, LOVE your accessories.

Credit: Clair Pruett

 

Embellish with a jeweled sash & hairpiece that you can wear again.

Credit: Procopio Photography

Rock a 2nd wedding dress that you can wear to many future events.

Credit: Jacqueline Schlossman/ ReadyLuck

Vera + David = True Bridal Love

Fresh off my over-the-top excitement from seeing Vera Wang's spring 2011 bridal collection on the runway at Unveiled in DC, I came across the miraculous news that Vera, the wedding goddess, is teaming up exclusively with David's Bridal for a Spring 2011 collection called "White".  I know.  I will give you a second to let that sink in.  Starting February 11th, 150 select stores will feature the White collection which ranges in prices from $600-$1,400 in sizes 0-14 along with accessories.  Vera is going to add onto the collection mid-year with bridal dress sizes 16-26  and bridesmaids dresses 0-26.

Please, please, please go to the David's Bridal website and check out the White collection section.  There is a Q&A section with Vera about the collection details as well as a preview of the gowns and pricing AND Vera generously posted two videos- behind the scenes and designing the collection!  I must mention that I found out about this amazing venture from my friend Joe who sent me this link to Tom & Lorenzo's blog.  All the model pictures are from their post and if I do say so myself, you should do yourself a favor by checking out their fabulous blog!  The same day I started working on this post I finally finished my January issue of Glamour magazine & to my surprise, Glamour had an article about Vera's new collection so I was able to mix in collection pictures with actual brides.  Without further ado, enjoy the preview pictures!

Gown, $1,000, sash, $38, White by Vera Wang. Source

Gown, $600, veil, $148, White by Vera Wang. Source

From Tom & Lorenzo's blog:

Washingtonian's Unveiled bridal show

I am so thrilled to finally be sharing one of the most exciting events I have been to in...ummm forever.  When I saw Washingtonian's Unveiled bridal show pop up across my beloved Google Reader, I really couldn't hold my excitement.  Besides going to Georgetown to see the best of the bridal industry in DC, there a VERA WANG RUNWAY SHOW!!!  I have been in love with Vera since I first started reading bridal magazines in high school as she epitomized bridal elegance and design.  She is a legend, a rockstar, a trend setter, she who is synonymous with weddings, and I honestly could not believe that I would see her new collection in person!  After first seeing the post about the show, I immediately emailed the info to my bestest who is getting married this Labor Day and luck of all luck, she lives outside DC and she was free the day of the show (extremely rare occurence).  So we boarded the metro on a cold and bright January 23rd full of excitement like two little girls waiting for Christmas.  And let me tell you, this show did not disappoint in any way.

There was such a variety of vendors, our first stop was the Bloomingdale's room complete with a full table set with 10 different sets of china, glassware, silverware, and everything your little heart could desire for your own registry.  Although we didn't go in, there was a panel of experts to answer any and all your wedding questions- how fun!  There were two floors of vendors; stylists from celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson Salon giving girls mini makeovers, a fun photo booth, honeymoon travel agencies, event planners, florists, and a stocked bar which made perfect pomegranate champagne just to name a few.  All the attendees received a Bride & Groom tote bag with the latest issue of Washingtonian Bride magazine and tons of favors (chocolates, lipgloss, and cookies- oh my!) along with info cards from the vendors.  

One of my highlights of the day was meeting the fabulous girls from Atrendy Wedding since I love, love, love their blog.  I even took a picture with one of the planners after discussing my best friend's wedding theme in great detail.  The amazing Rodney Bailey photographers were in full force documenting the event and especially the Vera Wang runway show.  Which was completely perfect and breathtaking.  The runway show was the end to a four hour upscale wedding fest which completely blew me away.  I went as a best friend first and a planner second and I came away even more in love with my job than I was before.  Helping people plan their biggest day is an honor and to be at an event with so much excitement was really special.  Now for the pictures!  The first set of completely unprofessional photos are by me and the second set are by Rodney Bailey.  Please check out the FCW Facebook page this week for the uploaded videos I took during the runway show.  Enjoy!

 

Bloomingdale's registry room

  

One of the Atrendy Wedding girls & me