Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Couture Bridal Designer Lazaro’s 2012 Spring Bridal Collection: Glamorous Vintage

Wow! Luxury wedding gown designers are creating more and more luscious, romantic, glorious wedding gowns. These photos from couture bridal gown designer Lazaro’s 2012 Spring Collection are jaw-dropping awesomeness. (We’re gushing!)

About this collection:

Lazaro blends ultra-glamorous vintage details, stunning floral embellishments and signature hand-beading and embroidery in his latest collection. Lazaro’s hallmark craftsmanship, combined with sumptuous fabrics and perfectly cut silhouettes, give every gown an haute couture feel.

In traditional Lazaro style, his latest collection channels old-fashion glamour with vintage-inspired beading, romantic cap sleeves, scalloped sweetheart necklines, lovely tiered pleated tulle trains and lace appliqués. Lazaro introduces sparkle net charmeuse this season, combining it with embroidered Chantilly lace and hand-crafted, ornate beading.

This season, Lazaro has returned to incorporating color into the bridal collection. “I was very inspired to bring color back into bridal this year,” Lazaro says. “I included soft shades of Sherbert, Blush and Antique in fabrics like silk satin, silk organza and tulle.” Lazaro’s use of color adds some dramatic flair to masterpieces such as his floral hand-embroidered organza over tulle gown, complete with a tulle train with cascading petals. “This is my favorite gown because the vibrant colored embroidery really makes a statement,” Lazaro says.

Sources: Belle the Magazine and jlmcouture.com

New Featured Wedding – Wild Horses and Westies

Got your attention? Great! We wanted to because sometimes our featured weddings do not always get the attention they deserve. Truly, StrictlyWeddings.com showcases some of the most amazing weddings – better than many found in the multitude of bridal blogs today.

Photographer Jennifer Lindberg provided us with this gorgeous featured wedding. The bride’s wedding gown – to die for. What’s with the Wild Horses and Westies? Read on and find out for yourself.

Kindred Spirits – Kevin & Courtney

Photographer Andy Marcus, a StrictlyWeddings.com’s New York partner, shared one of his fabulous weddings with us and we’re thrilled to share Courtney and Kevin’s special day with you as well.

Kevin and Courtney met at Villanova University during their freshman year of college. They were in the same core humanities course and spent time together during a field trip and became fast friends. The summer following freshman year, they began dating, traveling across the country between Dallas and Connecticut to see each other and spent countless hours on the phone.

Her proposal arrived at sunset while the couple were walking on the beach in Bridgehampton. Both sets of parents were waiting at Courtney’s family’s beach house with champagne to celebrate when they returned. They were engaged in August 2009 and had a 22 month engagement (necessary as Courtney and her mom acted as the wedding planners).

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which had always been a special place for Courtney’s family as it’s where they would attend midnight mass on Chrismas Eve. “It always seemed magical,” says Courtney. The President of Villanova, Reverend Father Peter, married the couple and did a very touching homily. At the end of the ceremony, he called the parents up to sing the song ‘May the Road Rise to Meet you.’ “Our parents placed their hands on our backs. This is a Villanova tradition,” explains Courtney.

Floral Designer Dejaun Stroud and Courtney chose bright vibrant centerpieces and bouquets to contrast the navy bridesmaids dresses by Amsale and navy tableclothes. They included opulent displays of lilies, roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and eremurus in varied shades of coral.

The reception was held at the Mandarin. They fell in love the first time they entered the ballroom and knew it was the perfect place for the reception. Courtney and Kevin had their guests tour the city in New York on double decker tour buses before the cocktail hour for a real “classic” feel.

The couple honeymooned at the One & Only Reethi Rah Resort in the Maldives and stopped off at Dubai on the way back to the U.S. Avid travelers, Kevin and Courtney felt the exotic destination was appropriate.

Wedding Receptions | Candlelight and Centerpieces from Simple to Sublime

We’ve seen some amazing wedding reception photos over the years. It never fails to amaze us how candlelight transforms a large space into something romantic and intimate.

Below are examples from our StrictlyWeddings.com partners and others. These centerpieces are turned into statements and works of art – from over the top to simple elegance. Marvelous ideas for our fabulous brides.

Photography: www.insideweddings.com, Nancy Aidee Photography, Edmonson Weddings, DFW Events, Kehoe Designs

Wedding Themes: Beaches and Nautical touches

We probably have lots of brides who are dreaming about a wedding in warming climates right now! You will find Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort’s scenic oceanfront views, tranquil fountains, unique ballrooms and exquisite cuisine make it the perfect setting for the day you’ve been dreaming of!

Photographs from Grey Likes Weddings

Imagine walking down the aisle on a sunny terrace overlooking the ocean, or holding your ceremony right on the sand in Laguna Beach. Then celebrate with friends and family in an elegant ballroom with immaculate decor and deliciously creative cuisine.