Monique Lhuillier is about all things girly, but with a hint of modern. I am in LOVE with the short little number and adore the lace trumpet gown with the lace shoulder cover. SO so pretty.

{images: martha stewart weddings}

The most exciting time for me, aside from Real Weddings, is covering Bridal Fashion Week. It’s always a blast going through the newest collections to pull out the latest trends. Every year, I always seem to start out by showcasing none other than VERA WANG because well, it’s Vera Wang. Household name in the bridal industry and the choice for so many celebrities. So here’s her most recent spring 2011 collection which recently debuted at Fashion Week. I’d love to hear what you think about this collection. Similar or different to her last … pushing the envelope?

I’ll be dedicating this week to the newest collections. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do.

{images: Coutorture}

I have so much inspiration coming your way for the next couple days. SO much so, that I can’t keep up! I’m currently working on a wedding set that you will LOVE…but rather than let you wait, I thought I’d give you a peek of what’s to come in the late afternoon, so please check back then!

{image: pink sugar photography}

Little note: Thank you to those who have emailed me in the past couple days – I’m not ignoring you! I will try my best to get back to you by the end of the week :]

Yesterday I spoke with a freelance writer for the Calgary Herald about wedding blogging and through the conversation I realized I have yet to post about my dress! With just 10 weeks to go, the time for getting the dress altered is fast approaching. From what I’ve learned, alterations should be made no earlier than 6-8 weeks before the wedding. So….the dress is covered and sitting in the basement, away from all the hustle and bustle just waiting to come out. Since I got the dress, I’ve pulled it out just ONCE to see what it would look like next to the shoes I was thinking of wearing. I think that deserves a pat on the back!

Believe it or not, as I took it off, I set it down on the top shelf and it got caught in the zipper of a sweatshirt underneath it!! Immediate PANIC attack. Haha oh boy! But THANKFULLY, the pulled thread is pretty small, so small that you can barely see it without touching your nose to the dress. Note to self, try on dress in a room away from things or clutter.

So, enough jibber jabber. Here’s the ivory chiffon dress that has a cluster of ivory flowers near the bust on the left side. This baby’s definitely going to get dirty because it falls below the shoe line in order to gather correctly at the bottom. It was totally not what I expected to purchase, since I’ve always wanted a strapless alencon lace gown. So I guess they’re right when they say, you’ll more than likely end up with a dress you never thought you’d love.

So the question that crossed my mind last week was to veil or not veil. I’m pretty set on getting my hair done in a low side chignon with a floral hair piece. I’ve always wanted a veil because it seems like it’s the epitome of being a bride. But what I’ve found out is that brides with their hair placed to the side have difficulty wearing veils because it isn’t symmetrical (I’m not sure if anyone understands what I mean..). Although, I had the pleasure of meeting with Rachel from BeVeiled and was set on choosing between two veil styles: Thin, single layered cathedral veil that swoops just behind the dress OR fingertip length…but it seems as though my hair choice has already dictated my decision. Here’s two options that I’m thinking…

And here’s my best attempt to alter the model’s hair to best show what I’ll be doing and how it looks with the dress.

Ok now I look obsessed – which is like the pot calling the kettle black!

{hair images: style me pretty}

Happy monday everyone! Anyone catch the Oscars last night? Award shows usually bore me, especially the oscars because I usually haven’t seen 90% of the movies that are nominated..but I knew I had to catch the red carpet action to see what everyone was wearing. And of course…OF COURSE, there were the ‘usual’ designers that are the choice of the celebs – Armani Prive (Jennifer Lopez & Anna Seifried), Marchesa (Vera & Sandra Bullock), Oscar de la Renta (Cameron Diaz), Elie Saab… Here’s a couple of trends that I picked up while going through the images. Which was your favorite gown? Mine had to be Maggie Gyllenhaal in the blue floral gown by Dries Van Noten & Vera’s fushia ruffle number by Marchesa.

ruffles

metallics

princess gowns

satin drop waist / mermaid

{images: yahoo}

You know you’ve spent wayyyyyy too much time enjoying ‘all things wedding’ when you recognize dresses while shopping and can pinpoint exactly which wedding you saw the gown in. I decided I was going to shop around the BCBG website to find a cute dress to wear to a friend’s wedding this summer and noticed that the selection of long, white gowns is growing! In particular, there were two dresses that stood out in my mind (below) and show you that if you’re looking for a fairly simple silhouette empire, sheath or conservative a-line) with minimal beading, you don’t have to go to a bridal shop to find THE dress.

In fact, when I visited the “White” bridal shop in Yorkville (Toronto), I had a look at their ‘alternative wedding collections‘ which are usually designers who design for the bride that wants something simple & modern without breaking the bank. Lines that I would recommend if you’re going that route are Nicole Miller & Jenny Yoo which are available across Canada. But we’ll leave that for another post…

{images: martha stewart weddings & BCBG}

{images: design sponge & BCBG}

Below are a couple other options from BCBG that I came across which would be FABULOUS modern wedding gowns…

I try my best to post most things wedding, but when it comes to two specific designers, I can’t stop myself! Aside from Marchesa, my heart definitely belongs to Elie Saab. Check out some of my favorites from his Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture Collection from Paris Fashion Week.

{images: style.com}

Anyone catch the Golden Globes two nights ago? I used to watch the globes for the red carpet but I’ve stopped watching all together because it’s usually the same old “Blahblah nice to see you, what are you wearing, where are the kids?” So now I resort to seeing the photos and this year definitely had a large selection of gowns. Thoughts? I love love LOVE Emily Blunt’s pink hued gown.


{images: Zimbio & Picapp}

I absolutely ADORE the new resort 2010 collection by the ever-fashionable Marchesa. No one does white or grecian gowns better.

Ok…weird title, I know. But you’ll understand what I mean when you get to reading the rest of this post! As you all know, I’m all about the details. I still remember learning from a photographer (I can’t remember who..) how important it is to consider what hanger you use to hang your wedding gown for that “dress shot”. Yes, even that is something to consider! I guess you could say that juxtaposing a delicate gown with a rainbow colored hanger you used when you were ten is sort of adorable, but it’s always nice to have a equally lovely hanger to use in your wedding photos.

I’ve been eyeing these custom silver hangers made by lilafrances on etsy who will incoporate your name into the design. Of course this isn’t a very important detail in the grand scheme of things but I hope I’ve given you something to consider.

{images from Megan Grandi & lilafrances on etsy}