It has been approximately 5 months since I’ve went all natural, i.e., grew out my relaxer. Working with my natural texture has been great so far, with only minor challenges. However,a major challenge for natural-haired brides is finding hairstyles for their big day. Thankfully, Offbeat Bride has contributed to the solution by writing a post featuring natural-haired brides rocking gorgeous wedding hairstyles. Thanks Ariel!
How chic! Click here to read the full post on Offbeat Bride.
Now that the temperatures are dipping, I would imagine that many brides would want warmth and coverage, which strapless dresses simply cannot offer. Thankfully, with a return to retro modesty and a current obsession with Bella Swan, sleeves are returning to bridal wear in a big way. Below: a slideshow of some favorites for inspiration. What do you think?
Jewelry is and always will be the icing on the cake of a bride’s ensemble. To make sure your bling is extra sweet, head over to Amamika & Shinji. This Tokyo-based Etsy shop and private atelier sells artfully crafted sterling silver pieces inspired by whimsical motifs such as dragonflies, clovers and sakura, in addition to more simplistic designs. The prices may be a bit indulgent (from $40 to a whopping $940), but the pieces are well worth the cost.
Click here to shop Amamika and Shinji on Etsy.
Or, you could go to AtelierShinji.com for a wider selection.
Any bride (or woman, for that matter) would tell you that they have imagined their dream wedding dress at least once. Now, on Brides.com, you can test-drive that dress to see if it can be a reality.
The new Wedding Makeover tool on Brides.com has an extensive library of wedding gowns that you (or a virtual model that shares your shape) can “try on” before you head out in search of your dream gown. You can also get a head start in dressing your bridesmaids for the big day.
No makeover is complete without a little hair and makeup-and, the Brides.com Wedding Makeover delivers with a plethora of hairstyles and makeup shades you can test out. Then, print out your complete look and hit the stores (or salons).
Whether you’re mapping out your wedding day look, or simply looking to have a little wedding fun, the Brides.com Wedding Makeover tool is a surefire way to make sure that, on this day, you look absolutely fabulous.
Here's my bride! Click here to create yours.
So, one of my good friends just got engaged and she has put me in charge of her paper materials.
She and her fiancé have a lovely hobby of raising pet fish and a love for all things nautical. She specifically requested that I use the angelfish as a motif for their announcements because they are monogamus (fun fact!).
Take a look at the result below!
I just sent her the proof and she couldn’t be more pleased!
I may just put this up for sale in my Zazzle store. What do you think?
For those brides (or anyone, for that matter) that enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert’s famous memoir Eat Pray Love, her follow-up book is a must-read.
In Committed, Gilbert offers a very personal (and thoroughly researched) commentary on what being a wife truly means. This memoir offers a sobering, but ultimately positive analysis on marriage’s benefits and its defects, helping single women, brides, wives, mothers and life-long bachelorettes a grounded perspective on marriage and relationships, all while she examines her own relationship with, and eventual marriage to, Felipe. Part history book, part comedic memoir, part travel journal and all heart, Committed is a must-read for all of us.
Click here to purchase "Committed: A Love Story" on Amazon.com
First, the fun stuff: Utterly Engaged has released Issue 15! The theme: Sugar & Spice. The issue has fashion and decor advice for demure and daring brides alike, along with sweet and sizzling honeymoon tips. Be sure to take a look!
Also, I apologize again for being absent; my work life has picked up and I haven’t been able to blog as often. I promise you another post by the end of the week.
Click here to read the latest issue of Utterly Engaged!
You know that I LOVE me some David Tutera. Not only is he ridiculously handsome, he is a brilliant wedding planner and his reality series My Fair Wedding on WETV is a fabulous show full of touching moments and fabulous events.
I DVR all of his episodes, but his new book helps me literally read into the magic behind… well, the magic. Tutera’s book chooses 10 of the most memorable weddings from the first three seasons of the show and allows readers an intimate look behind the scenes, detailing the challenges that were conquered, and it includes testimonials from the brides themselves, some of which will bring tears to your eyes. Along with the profiles, Tutera offers practical advice on fashion, decor, transportation, the ceremony and many other aspects of wedding planning.
Oh, and needless to say, the book is filled with gorgeous photographs.
Definitely a must-read for brides looking for inspiration-both with wedding details and a positive outlook on wedding planning.
Click here to buy on Amazon.com
It has been quite awhile since my last post on books for brides in the planning process-and, admittedly, this book isn’t exactly fresh from the presses. Even so, I finally got a chance to read it and I am more than pleased with this finding.
Fête: The Wedding Experience is written by Jung Lee, one half of the planning duo that runs Fête, the New York event planning company that, once upon a time, had its own show on TLC. While the book has mountains of photographs of breathtakingly beautiful weddings of ten different couples, it is more than just a pretty picture book. Each wedding featured tackles an aspect of wedding planning from creating a vision to the minute details without the run-of-the-mill checklists and charts that are often featured in wedding planning books. I admire how Lee offers such practical advice with a more organic approach, as her wisdom can be adapted to any wedding, regardless of style or budget. Oh, and did I mention that the weddings featured are absolutely gorgeous?
Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
Apparently, I haven’t posted in a bit. Truth be told, a fantastic internship opportunity has come my way and, chances are, my new postings will be infrequent at best. But, not to worry. I won’t be jumping ship any time soon 🙂
In the meantime, take a look at this Anthropologie-inspired wedding on Green Wedding Shoes. Aside from the fact that Anthropologie is one of my absolute favorite stores, I’m so glad that this wedding captures simplicity, intimacy and craftiness at its best.
What's not to love? Click here to see the full wedding.
Chicista Wedding 