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Hawaiian Wedding Inspiration: Oahu South Shore

Many brides share a lifelong dream of getting married barefoot on the beach. This bride’s vision was realized in an intimate ceremony at Paiko Beach, a hidden strip of sand on Oahu’s south shore. The couple then switched gears (and clothes) with a traditional Catholic ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, which happens to be the oldest Catholic cathedral in the United States.

The bride did not hesitate in planning her wedding, as the Cathedral is where her mother was married.

The bride wore a dramatic mermaid gown that she found at a bridal shop in Chinatown…ironically, the same boutique where her mother found her own gown. The tulle skirt on the dress reminded her of a ballerina’s costume. An avid dancer, the bride paired the dress with her pointe shoes! She carried a bouquet of white roses, her favorite flower. The bridesmaids wore one-of-a-kind cocktail dresses in bright confetti colors by fashion designer Cindy King of the label Acid Dolls.

The groom opted for a stylish beige suit with a pale pink bowtie.

Photographer Ja Tecson captured the couple perfectly.

Source: PacificWeddings.com

Heidi Elnora 2011 Wedding Dress Collection

Heidi Elnora’s journey into the world of weddings began when she graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002. Upon graduation, Heidi designed children’s wear for Carter’s in Atlanta. It was during this time that Heidi auditioned and was selected for season 2 of Project Runway. After the show and four years at Carter’s, Heidi decided it was time to make her dream of designing wedding gowns a reality.

In November of 2006, the brand heidi elnora was created back in Heidi’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Heidi stays true to her roots by taking a handmade approach when it comes to designing her gowns, which are known for their polished lines and attention to detail. Garment artisans in both Alabama and Georgia craft all heidi elnora gowns and veils by hand.

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Paris Couture Wedding Designer – Aimee Lohrbauer

Looking to get married in Paris? Couture wedding designer, Aimée Lohrbauer’s atélier is well worth the visit for the perfect wedding gown. According to wedding blogs – Stylish Weddings in France and Destination Wedding: France – Aimée’s aesthetic is perfectly in step with the modern vintage theme that seems to be popping up on more and more wedding inspiration boards. A professionally trained stylist, she worked for Kenzo and Nina Ricci before taking the big step into the entrepreneurial world. Her specialties are wedding and evening dresses, adding touches (embellishments, bias-cuts) that remind you of beautiful vintage pieces but are completely original.

Her website is currently under construction.

Photo resource One and Only Paris

Light as Air Wedding Gowns

While reading New York City’s the Lovely Bridal Shop’s blog, we came across these beautiful wedding gowns from New York Magazine’s Wedding Guide for Summer 2010. We think it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, these gowns are stunning, romantic and (of course) light-as-air.

Vera Wang

Marchesa

Elizabeth Fillmore

Oscar de la Renta

Prabal Gurung

Upcoming trunk shows for some of these designers:

Marchesa – Warren Barron Bridal – Sept 2-4. All truck shows are by appointment. 53 Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas 75205. 214.526.8400.

Elizabeth Fillmore – Warren Barron Bridal – Sept 16-18. All truck shows are by appointment. 53 Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas 75205. 214.526.8400.

Oscar de la Renta – Warren Barron Bridal – Sept 30-Oct 2. All truck shows are by appointment. 53 Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas 75205. 214.526.8400.

Vera Wang – Warren Barron Bridal – Oct 28-30. All truck shows are by appointment. 53 Highland Park Village, Dallas, Texas 75205. 214.526.8400.

The Opera Collection – Wedding Gowns with Operatic Flair from New York

StrictlyWeddings.com was contacted by Gilles Montezin a New York designer, originally from Paris, who wanted to be one of our exclusive bridal gown partners. We’re still in the building stage for New York, but wanted to share some of the designer’s work from his Opera Collection with our fans.

The Gilles Montezin bridal collection pays homage to the art form of opera by bringing together a complex combination of drama, sensuality, femininity and emotion; all of the characteristics found in the most beloved operatic productions. Based on a design philosophy that focuses on the curvature of the female body this collection features classic couture tailoring. This collection also introduces an optional body shaper Le Cinch™; an abbreviated interpretation of the traditional corset that nearly doubles its predecessor’s figure-enhancing effects. Le Cinch accompanies every dress in the collection so every bride can achieve the perfect hourglass silhouette with unprecedented comfort. The fabrics of each dress are manipulated to produce textures and opulence rarely found in bridal attire. The romantic silhouettes are designed to accentuate and celebrate the female form.

Keeping within the tradition of Gilles Montezin ready-to-wear, signature details for each dress include antique lace linings, intricate hand stitching, elaborate construction and lush fabrics. Creative Director, Gilles Montezin believes everything touching a woman’s body must be beautiful inside and out. The collection is designed for the discerning, sophisticated bride. Sizes are available up to 18W. Larger sizes are available via special order.

Rock-n-Roll Bride

The following post is from our guest blogger, Alera Kingham, who you can visit at OneWhiteDress.net.

Ever since I first come across this boutique designer I fell in love with her romantic and timeless approach to bridal couture. Los Angeles Designer, Claire Pettibone Couture says “When I create a dress, it’s all about the fabric and the woman, and how these elements are combined to enhance each other”. This is so visible in her ability to design dream like gowns that harmoniously represent the pure essence of a Bride in love.

As much as I adore her ongoing range I am loving the 2009 collection. But what is a ‘Rock n Roll Bride’?  I can liken it to that tiny tatoo of a butterfly you had done when you were 17 on the inside of your ankle…  You could have gone with a grotesque dragon across your shoulder blade and down one side of your arm but rather, you chose a more subtle approach. Call me a rebel but it’s that ongoing battle of Good vs Bad…  Mozart vs Death Metal…  Steamed Vegetables and water vs Pizza and beer.

OK, so maybe I went a little off track there… Regardless of how you see them this collection focuses on Divine figure hugging pieces making best use of soft fabrics which creative movement and shape. Think Silk charmeuse, Cotton crochet lace, French cotton voile, Velvet and Tulle, combine them with some delicate styling and a tiny tattoo of a butterfly on your ankle and your dream gown awaits!

Short Wedding Gowns – Beat the Heat!

It’s very hot where we are, which got us thinking about the weight of wedding gowns this time of year and the benefits of a short wedding dress; not to mention it is ideal for brides that get married in tropical temperatures (so you won’t have to feel too hot and sultry underneath the layers of fabric). Maybe it’s not the temperature that’s the issue, but the wedding’s focus is more informal so a short gown would be more appropriate.

The gown shown here is actually very sexy. (The model has a lot to be desired … it is just us or do some of the models for wedding gowns look either unhappy, bored or something!).

Did you know, fashion designer Coco Chanel was the first to introduce the short wedding dress in 1920. Coco designed a knee-length wedding gown with a long white train.

Visit one of our many bridal gown partners to see what’s new in short gowns:

In Dallas – Neiman Marcus, Warren Barron Bridal and Carolina Herrera

In Chicago – Anne Barge Bridal Collection, Carolina Herrera and Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal

Carolina Herrera Gowns for 2010

We love being able to provide sneak peeks for our partners! Take a look at some of the gorgeous new gowns sent to us from the Carolina Herrera Bridal Collection. Click on the image for a larger view.

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Dresses That Hide Body Flaws!

A WeddingChannnel.com editor shares gown secrets:

Empire
“A gown that gathers under the bosom hide a thick middle.”

Mermaid
“This style complements curvy bodies, but avoid detailing around the rear, which adds pounds!”

A-Line
“This silhouette flatters all body types. The gown creates the illusion of a slim middle, with its widened hem.”

Ballroom
“A great opportunity if you’re pear-shaped. The style’s full skirt camouflages hips and buttocks.”

Finding the Perfect Dress for your Wedding Day

Walking into a wedding dress store in can be quite an experience. With row after row of satin, lace, and ribbons, the idea of shopping for a wedding gown can be quite overwhelming. Here are some things to consider before going bridal dress shopping in to ensure you come out with the perfect dress for your big day.

When to shop
Often, finding a bridal gown in  is no quick matter, and it is important to allow yourself plenty of time. Many of the brides-to-be will start gown shopping soon after becoming engaged and before making other wedding plans. Keep in mind that if you are looking for something truly unique, then you will want to give extra time for ordering and alterations, ensuring that you have the look that you want.

Picture the Perfect Dress First
You can significantly cut down on the amount of time you spend at a wedding gown boutique if you go in with a basic idea of what you want. Do you want white or something colored? Do you want a long flowing train or a shorter skirt? Do you want sleeves? Do you prefer a limited decorations or to go all out with sequins and lace? Consider going through a few catalogs or fashion magazines to see some of the options available, as well as this season’s bridal trends. This will help you better direct your salesperson in finding ideal dresses for you to try on.

Sleeves – the Long and Short Of It
If your wedding is during the warmer months, a good option to go with is a strapless or sleeveless bridal gown. Winter months can still be cold, however, so is a sleeved dress is still an option for a winter wedding. Or consider going sleeveless, since most of your ceremony will be indoors anyways, and get a coordinating wrap, jacket, or gloves to complete your look and keep you warm.

The Rainbow of White Colors
White may be the traditional color for a bridal dress, but not everyone looks good in this color. If white is not your color, you can go with a champagne, gold, or ivory gown. Another option is to choose one of the popular new styles that feature a flash of color in the sash, embroidery, or trim. You can even coordinate the colors of your gown with the rest of your bridal party.

Choosing a Complimentary Veil
While shopping for a wedding gown, you may also want to consider purchasing a veil if you have decided to wear one. Different styles and lengths can compliment different styles of dresses, so you will want to try them on together to get the full effect. Many brides compliment their wedding gowns with veils, but some brides are switching to modern tiaras or flowers instead.

Think About Your Hairdo
Different hairstyles work better with different bridal gown necklines. If you imagine wearing your hair up, look for a gown with a spectacular neckline and bodice that will be highlighted by your hairdo. If you are picturing your hair down, then you may want to find a dress that has beautiful details along the hem and train, instead of business along the bust line.

Every Detail Matters – Especially the Undergarment
Often, your undergarments can make or break your gown. There are a variety of shape-enhancing bras and slips that can be used to enhance your shape and improve the look of the gown. Many bridal boutiques will offer these items as well so that you can make sure that your undergarments work with the dress. There is nothing less distracting than bulges or loose straps – be sure to check the intimate details for your perfect wedding ensemble.

Bustles with Ease
If your dream wedding gown includes a long train, and your reception includes a night filled with dancing, the two might not work so well together. Consider a variety of different bustle options that will allow you to shorten your train for after the ceremony so that you can move around with ease.

Your wedding dress should be a beautiful extension of your style and personality! When you stay true to what you love – along with what looks great on you – then you will be a shining star down the walkway on your big day.