Things We Love!

...these fun and flirty frocks from Bill Levkoff (available at Ellynne Bridal).

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Bride Blogger Amanda

Bridesmaids Dresses: Making Lemonade out of Lemons

I had a vague idea in mind for bridesmaids’ dresses while shopping for my own dress: plum-colored and preferably separates of some sort or different styles to accommodate the various shapes and sizes of my bridesmaids. Not everyone looks good in the same dress, and I wanted my girls to feel good in what they were wearing -- even if they couldn’t wear it again.

I had brought a picture from a magazine with me to gauge the color, and luckily, I happened to find a sample dress from Mackenzie Michaels the exact color of the picture. I tried on the dress to see how it fit, and it was a very flattering strapless top, long skirt with several little pick-ups in it and a black sash. Formal, elegant and gorgeous!

Thankfully, we were also able to change out the top for my sister, who is more comfortable with straps. Unfortunately, when my sister’s came in, the top had a lace-up back and it was supposed to have a zipper. This was indicated in the special instructions, but when the dress was ordered, somehow this did not get communicated properly. I didn’t mind the lace-up back much, but it wouldn’t have looked right with a sash. Even more, you could see skin through the laces, which would be completely unacceptable at a wedding. To make matters worse, the shop was not the most customer-service friendly during this situation, and that just made the whole thing that much more frustrating.

In the end, we decided to keep the lace-up back and forgo putting a zipper in. My sister found a seamstress who will be able to fix the see-through nature of the laces, and we’ll use the black sash to lace up the back. So as the matron of honor, she will just have a different spin on the other dresses, and it will actually be pretty cool, I think. All the girls have their dresses, and I’m super excited to see them all dolled up!

So far this is the only real snag I’ve encountered, and it wound up working out just fine, so I count myself lucky! There’s always going to be something that doesn’t turn out as planned, so all you can do is take a deep breath and be creative. Sometimes the solution turns out better than what you had planned originally anyway!
-Amanda

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Things We Love!

Oh, brides, I know you're going to love this adorable online find as much as I do! Mod Cloth is a vintage/retro online store with unique accessories, dresses, tops, swimsuits...just tons of cute finds! It's the perfect place to find that special rehearsal dinner dress or fun vintage items. There's even an under $50 section of dresses for the budget-minded girl. Love it!

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Bride Blogger Kayley: Bridesmaid Love!

The wedding stress is getting to me; I am now down to the weight I was when I had my tonsils out! It doesn't help that my Type A personality has no idea what the meaning of the word 'relax' means. Thank goodness I have my girlfriends to keep me smiling.

When it came to choosing bridesmaids, I already knew who to call. My core group of girls were ready for the challenge! Karen, my Maid of Honor, has been my best friend since 8th grade. Our last names led to us being seated next to each other in English class and from that moment one it's been nothing but laughter ever since. Kara, Kristin, and Sam are my bridesmaids and each hold a special place in my heart. Kara was my partner in crime when we studied abroad together in Mexico and became my roommate for the remainder of our college years. Kristin, whom I met through Kara, has been there through some of my wilder adventures (and will never share them with Mark) and is one of the funniest people I know. Sam is my Twin (we looked so similar throughout high school) and my soccer buddy. She has a heart of gold and has always been there to offer a kind word or share clothes with me.

I cannot wait to see all my girls next month! They have decided to throw me a bachelorette party with a Sex & The City theme! I am so excited not only to dress up (I am a total Carrie!), drink oh-so-posh Cosmos, but to also enjoy one good night of girly revelry before I become a married woman.

Having a support system of strong women you can depend on is something that can never be replaced by a future husband. My girls get me in a way only they can. I love them for the women they've become and the friends they've always been. So take a moment and tell your bridesmaids how special they are to you. They deserve it.
-Kayley

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Color Trend: Vera Wang

Grey is going to be hot, hot, hot in 2010, and Vera Wang's bridesmaid gowns, available at  Ellynne Bridal, make perfect use of this trend.

             From top left (style names): Anna, Ashley, Megan, Renee, Grace, Claire

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Trend Alert!

This bridesmaid gown by Jim Hjelm Occasions (carried by Ellynne Bridal) embraces several current trends we love: the one-shouldered look (if you prefer a more traditional look for your own gown, why not spice things up a bit with your bridesmaids?), the beautiful navy blue color, and the ultra-feminine ruffles. So many brides promise their bridesmaids their gowns are something they could wear "again and again". Choosing something like this for them to wear ensures you're telling the truth!

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Choosing your Bridesmaids

And you thought finding the groom was hard! Sometimes picking your bridesmaids (and handling the drama that can come with it) can be exhausting. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

Remember that it's your day. Having 10 bridesmaids might be pushing it, but if you have lots of close friends and you can't bear the thought of leaving any of them out, include them all. You don't want to regret missing anyone on your big day.

Use the 10-year test. Think hard about who you will still be in touch with in 10 years. Chances are, using this test will be an eye-opener if you're struggling to narrow your list.

Consider their own personal lives. Is one of your friends going through a really difficult time financially or emotionally? Often, women are so honored to be asked to stand up at a wedding, they will say yes even if they really aren't capable of handling the responsibility at that point in time. If you have a friend like this, it may be most considerate to ask her to do a reading at the ceremony or something else that doesn't require the time and money commitment of being a bridesmaid.

Be honest. You may face the difficult task of leaving out a friend you just don't feel close to anymore. In this case, ignoring it or not acknowledging that she may feel slighted is probably not a good idea. Take her out for coffee and explain the situation to her. As awkward as it may be, it shows her that at least you care enough about your friendship to take the time to talk to her about it. It may be uncomfortable, but if she reacts badly, it will probably only confirm that she wasn't the right person to stand up in your wedding anyway.

*Photo courtesy of Colleen Dustin Photography.

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