Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Rent A Photo Booth!

For a fun take on wedding portraiture, some brides are insisting on nothing but the booth. Photo booths allow you to see another side of the guests. The booths are roomy enough for two and print color or black-and-white photo strips in minutes. Get your booth now for your wedding!

Decadence Debuts at The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa

StrictlyWeddings.com attended the fabulous party on June 26, 2008 for the Grand Opening of the newly renovated The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa. After a 36 million dollar luxury renovation, The Stoneleigh boasts a full service spa, a beautiful modern Italian fine dining restaurant – Bolla, new guestrooms, and the crown jewel – The Penthouse.

Check out the link below for a sampling of revelers and behind the scenes Stoneleigh shots from the evening: http://www.carpevitaphotography.com/Stoneleigh/Debut/

Here is our photo from the event

Wedding Shoes of Another Color

Wedding shoes have an enchanting history that continues to influence the look of the footwear that today’s brides choose for their stroll down the aisle.

Famous Footsteps

Cinderella, the most famous princess bride, married her prince wearing sparkling glass slippers. Catherine de Medici, one of the first brides in history to walk down the aisle in high heels, inspired a fashion trend that continues today. Anglo-Saxon brides tossed shoes rather than bouquets to bridesmaids who hoped to be the next to marry. Brides in merry old England followed the directive that they wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue — and a sixpence in her shoe” by tucking coins into their wedding slippers.

Queen Victoria inspired millions of modern-day brides by choosing a white gown and white shoes for her wedding in 1840. Until then, blue was the color of choice for bridal ensembles. Princess Diana, a statuesque 5 feet 10 inches tall, chose low-heeled, pearl-encrusted, ivory silk flats for her wedding, so as not to tower over Prince Charles.

Contemporary Styles in Wedding Shoes

Today’s brides make the journey from once upon a time to happily ever after in all manner of magic slippers — high heels, low heels, sandals, pumps and even bejeweled flip-flops, says Anna Pezik, senior editor at Brides.com.

“These days, wedding shoes make a real fashion statement. No one wants a cookie-cutter look,” says Pezik. “Brides are choosing their gowns and their accessories to reflect their own individual style. They’re taking bridal shoes a step further than the traditional white satin pump.”

In response, designers such as Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, Kenneth Cole and Manolo Blahnik have filled shelves with wedding pumps, slingbacks, sandals and ballet flats in bronze, silver, gold and pewter metallic shades and soft pastels, as well as ivory and white. Detailing includes bows, beading, embroidery and lace. Heel heights and silhouettes range from flat to stiletto. Toes can be open, closed, pointed, rounded or squared.

“Are you planning a romantic wedding? A glamorous event? Bohemian rhapsody? Beach casual? A destination wedding?” Pezil asks. “Your gown and your shoe choice will help create the atmosphere. Wedding shoes are so gorgeous that no one wants to wear them for just one day and then put them in the closet,” Pezik says. “Brides are choosing shoes that they can wear again.”

Brides planning beach weddings have stylish choices that go beyond the humble rubber flip-flop.

“Stuart Weitzman makes an adorable jelly sandal with crystal accents and kitten heels,” Pezik says. “You can also find bridal beach footwear with wedge heels and platform heels.”

Even for the trendiest brides, tradition still plays a role. Several designers, including Fifi, line bridal footwear with azure-colored fabric to meet the “something blue” requirement.

Gown and Veil Giveaway!

In honor of their two-year anniversary, Warren Barron in Highland Park Village (Dallas, TX), is partnering with local wedding vendors for the inaugural ‘A Big Give for the Big Day’ event. One deserving bride will receive a gown and veil from Warren Barron, photography and a portrait from Scott Hagar, a cake from Society Bakery, flowers from Cymbidium and more.

To enter, submit a 300-word essay on why you or your friend/daughter/fiancee is deserving of such a gift. Submission are due by August 10 and the winner will be announced September 2, at a cocktail reception in the store.

Submissions may be mailed to:

Warren Barron
53 Highland Park Village
Dallas, Texas 75205
or email info@warrenbarron.com

Chasing Harry Winston

The bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing returns with the story of three best friends who vow to change their entire lives…and change them fast.

In Bookstores NOW!!

Featured in a Harry Winston storefront.

Wrinkle Reduction

Luxury on Lovers has an amazing new laser service called the Refirm and the Matrix. The Refirm laser lifts, tightens, and firms skin and the Matrix plumps out fine lines and wrinkles.

Perfect for that Mother of the Bride that wants to look her best too on the big day. Of course this laser does the facial rejuvenation, fotofacial to eliminate hyperpigmentation from sun, etc. Pretty dramatic results. Virtually painless and no down time.

Luxury on Lovers
4703 West Lovers Lane
Dallas
214-352-8800

Preston Bailey

Preston Bailey is one of the world’s preeminent event designers. His clients include Donald and Melania Trump and Melissa Rivers. He is also the author of three bestselling books: Design for Entertaining, Fantasy Weddings and Inspirations, and he is coming to Dallas!

Rosewood Crescent Hotel and Dallas Brides present

An Evening of Luxury with PRESTON BAILEY

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

6- 9 PM

Rosewood Crescent Hotel

Admission $50

RSVP To: crescent@rosewoodhotels.com or 214-871-3215

6:00 to 9:00 PM

Experience and evening of bridal luxury when Rosewood Crescent Hotel hosts Preston Bailey and celebrates the release of Dallas Brides Fall/Winter issue. Discover the unique bridal experience Rosewood Crescent Hotel has to offer from a one of a kind engagement party to an elegant rehearsal dinner and stunning wedding reception.

7:00 and 8:00 PM

How to create dramatic events with host Preston Bailey as he discusses how to plan and execute an affair that is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Luxury Gift Bag and Honeymoon Giveaway

Attendees will be registered in a drawing to win a Four-day,
Three-night Honeymoon Package with bungalow suite accommodations at CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort, located in the rolling tree covered hills of Northern California’s oldest wine growing region.

Table Seating Just Got Easier!

A good table plan is key to the success of any wedding or celebration. Without a table plan you risk an unseemly rush for the “best” tables, important guests being sat where they can’t see or hear anything, couples being split up and guests still milling around when the food is being served. Conversely a good table plan makes the whole seating process quicker and smoother. It also allows you to mix groups and families to introduce new people. You can even do a bit of matchmaking for your single friends!

Doing the table plan can be a huge headache if you do it the usual way – moving around scraps of paper or cutting and pasting into a spreadsheet. You could even end up leaving someone out altogether. This is hassle you could really do without when you are organizing a wedding. PerfectTablePlan was specifically designed for this job and can save you a great deal of stress and hours of wasted effort.