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Wedding Ideas with a Tropical Twist

We found this inspiration board of tropical wedding ideas from Pacific Weddings. Something completely different, but you can’t deny that the look is slightly exotic and definitely colorful and unique.

Even if you don’t live near the Pacific, you can find these tropical treats at our local farmers markets during the summer months. This fruit-inspired photo shoot reveals four vignettes in glorious hues of papaya, banana, mango and pineapple, that will give your wedding a tropical twist.

Source: Pacific Weddings, Photography by Visionari; Flowers by Yvonne Design

Luxury wedding Invitations by Lela New York

One of our new luxury wedding resources is Lela New York who designs exquisite, luxury wedding invitations.

The invitation shown here was created for a destination wedding in Capri, Italy and was inspired by the brides lace wedding gown with purple and lavender details. The silk invitation is a gatefold style and opens in the middle revealing the ultra thick letterpress and foil stamped invitation.

The two pockets on each side of the gatefold/book style invite holds the bride’s rsvp and reception cards. The inside of this luxury invite is also layered with a pretty lace that gives it such a elegant look and reflects the bride’s style and wedding. The custom invitation design and graphics were inspired by their exquisite location and was hand drawn and later letter pressed. And the invitation was finished of with a silver satin ribbon and custom crystal closure.

Visit Lela New York’s website to see more of her beautiful invitations.

6 Tips to Get The Perfect Fit

Seeing your gown for the first time after months of anticipation can be like falling in love all over again. Unless you purchase a completely custom gown, most are ordered in your closest size, not by your exact measurements, and require some tailoring to fit your body like it was made just for you.

Check out these 6 tips for the perfect fit.

1. Get Recommendations: Most bridal salons offer their recommendations for a tailor or have one in-house, but it’s always best to do your research in advance. Find feedback online, ask to see samples of the tailors work, or talk to brides they have worked with in the past.
2. Give Yourself Time: If you have several fittings make sure you leave enough time between fittings and your wedding date should any mishaps arise.  Schedule your final fitting (which should only be minor alterations) within two weeks of your wedding so your measurements are as close to exact as possible.
3. Make it Snug: It’s hard to define whether it’s the stress of the big day approaching or the multitude of last minute to do’s but most brides shed a few pounds right before their wedding.
4. Bring Everything: You want to have everything you will be wearing on your wedding day to ensure accuracy in your fitting. Even the smallest undergarment change can cause the dress to lay differently.
5. Get Hooked!  If you’re wearing an undergarment for support, see if your tailor will attach it to your gown. The extra tacking can ensure that the two stay in place together. If you’re going bra-less, make sure the gown has structure built in or ask if you can add cups in.
6. Do the Bustle: If you have a bustle on your gown (most do) makes sure it’s secured well – The weight of the bustle alone can be up to 4-5 pounds of fabric, all anchored to one tiny hook and they do rip off occasionally.

Maihar Designs – Custom Ring Pillows and Flower Wands

Today’s bride continues to look for wedding elements that are equally beautiful as they are unique. And thanks to the Internet, brides don’t have to look far for designers who offer an elegant solution for every detail of the wedding day — including ring pillows and flower girl wands.

Maihar Design, a sister partnership based out of Texas, offers brides something very special for the littlest ones in the wedding party. Your little flower girls’ ensemble will be complete with flower wands fit for a princess. And, as mischievous as your little ring bearer might be, brides can rest assured the focus will be on the hand-sewn ring pillow he carries down the aisle.

The newest ring pillow line from Maihar Design, the Glitzy Girls is completely customizable by the bride. The silk pillow cushions are available in six colors. These pillows are then detailed from a selection of more than 20 grosgrain ribbons as well as optional silk flower embellishments. To round our the wedding party, flower wands and hair petals are available in six corresponding colors.

More photos are available at MaiharDesign.com and all products are available for purchase online.

All about the gown

We expect love at first site between a bride and groom, but a wedding gown? This new feature wedding is one you can’t help but appreciate.

A White Wedding – Casey and Noah

We expect love at first site between a bride and groom, but a wedding gown?

According to Casey Silverman, she saw the gown long before she ever got engaged to Noah Weiss. When that moment did arrive, she actually looked in both Los Angeles and New York City, yet it was back home in Dallas that she returned to her first love – a unique-one-of-a-kind at the Carolina Herrera bridal boutique in Highland Park Village. The wedding gown was originally made for the Carolina Herrera bridal designer’s daughter. They made one sample and kept it in the Dallas store. Only one other person besides Casey commissioned the dress to be made and a painter “hand-painted” all of the floral on the layers of tulle. (Unfortunately for others the dress has since been discontinued).

As the photos below clearly show, the gown is breathtaking, but nothing outshines the love and joy so apparent between the bride and groom.

Bridal Gown: Carolina Herrera
Invitations: Jason McDaniel, Missing Q Press
Shoes: Classic Manolo Blahnik
Reception Dress: a fabulous Amsale mini-ivory strapless dress
Entertainment: Hunter Sullivan, reception and Emerald City, late nite
Photographer: Scott Hagar
Wedding Location: Ritz Carlton Dallas
Reception: Todd Event Design
Flowers: Todd Event Design
Cake by: Dallas Affaires

Beach Wedding – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Our StrictlyWeddings.com partner, Photographer Anne Silverman, recently returned from shooting a wedding in Puerto Vallarta. She shared with us her photos of some of the beach-themed details used in the wedding. So, for our beach-inspired brides, here’s one for you!

5 Worst Skincare Mistakes

Our StrictlyWeddings.com beauty expert, Renee Rouleau shared this video on taking care of your skin. Words of wisdom this Monday.

Vintage Inspired Wedding Gowns

Alisa Benay is a gifted designer of vintage inspired wedding gowns. We found her blog complete with beautiful, close-up images of her most recent gowns. Several are featured below.

Alisa incorporates her fascination with vintage clothing as inspiration for her couture gowns. She combs the marketplace to enhance her bridal gowns, creating the most unique and romantic designs possible with custom made European trims and laces. Alisa also designs matching heirloom veils and jewelry to complete the vintage inspired ensemble.

DAPHNE, above, is a soft, subtle mix of luxurious silk velvet and French alencon lace. With peek-a-boo silhouette details at the bustier and hem.

IRIS, above and detailed below, is one of her newer gowns. The exposed corset laces up the back, but her secret trick to making the wedding day much more stress free is that her corseted gowns have a side zip access.

We love this idea. Alisa Benay introduced a new collection in 2010, BeLoved by Alisa Benay. BeLoved is a collection for the bride who wants beauty, grace, and style for a moderate price. The BeLoved collection has the option of letting the bride build her own dress! The bride chooses a top design, adds her favorite skirt design, and fabric. Then add custom options such as straps, sashes, or flowers.  Shown below is Francine, on of Alisa’s favorites from the collection. A V-neck silk shantung mermaid gown with a rouched midriff and dramatic chapel length hem.

Source: Alisa Benay Blog. Call for availability in your area – 888.253.3917.

Rivini Trunk Show at The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak

Hope this heat isn’t weighing you down!  Loree from The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak sent over this image to entice our brides about the Rivini trunk show this weekend. It is this weekend (August 13-14) and by appointment.  The collection is amazing and has a tone of texture- which is always fun.  If you need any other information please call 214-871-3451.