Wedding Question Wednesday ~ Bridesmaid Dress Drama

Our question this week comes from Emily (scribbles from emily):

Question: I let my bridesmaids pick out their dresses, and they can't agree on anything. Well, except that they don't like whatever I suggest. The deadline for ordering dresses is coming up, what should I do?

Answer:  Wow Emily, you are a nice bride! This is actually what a lot of brides are doing in today's weddings. One suggestion might be that YOU choose the color and style (short, long, sleeves or no sleeves) and leave the rest up to the ladies.

Give your bridesmaids simple guidelines, yet freedom at the same time.  By doing this, you will not only let them find a dress that they are comfortable in, but also that they will fee confident in wearing. This helps you to have fantastic photos!

Make sure you have an "alternate" dress chosen, at a reasonable price so that if someone is unable to find something they like, they have to take the alternate to be in the wedding. This ensures that all dresses are ordered on time.

Many bridal stores are even getting in on this idea. They are offering lots of dresses, in lots of styles all in the same color pallet so they match. Check out David's Bridal and Alfred Anglo.  I know they both cater to this since I have recently used both of them!

One of our close friends and recent bride Millie, did this.  She had a Beach wedding in San Diego and a large amount of bridesmaids.  She gave them the specifications of color (black) and style (short).  Millie also let them choose their own shoes as long as they were 1) Fabulous and 2) yellow.  Here is a shot form her wedding:

Also check out our last post on Bridesmaids and Dress shopping.

Hope this helps!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: Photography By Soozie

Bridal Handbags By Laura Lee Designs

I have been blogging for a few years now, but just recently caught on to the twitter phenom.  I never really understood it, or had the time to "tweet".  Well, this year I made that my goal, and boy, am I glad I did!  Through Twitter, I have made some great connections, one being Laura Lee Designs. Laura Lee Designs handcrafts the best looking bags I have seen. They are super cute... SUPER CUTE I say!!   Their web site says it all:

"Laura Lee's handmade beaded handbags are a fusion of cultures, fabrics and trimmings discovered during her travels abroad. Stylishly appealing and refreshingly chic, each handbag is adorned with high quality satins and swirling patterns of Japanese beads. Colorful snakeskin and leathers compliment the intricate beading, adding a functional elegance to every handbag. Less an accessory and more a piece of wearable art, Laura Lee handbags capture your style and verve."

Well,  we have tweeted back and forth a bit and the individuals behind this brand are super nice. Laura Lee agreed to let me interview her!! (Exciting!!) So without further adoo, I introduce THE Laura Lee of Laura Lee Designs (LLD):

Denice: Is Laura Lee Designs a one-woman show, or is there a team behind it all?
Laura Lee: An excellent team is behind LLD! A manufacturing team in NYC, material and leather resource group in NYC,  A "photo-shop" Associate & NY Assistant, Washington D.C. Assistant, Graphic Artist and Advisory Board. LLD COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THIS FANTASTIC TEAM!

D: What inspired you to start your company?

LL: I was surrounded by brands while living overseas and hadn't seen anything unique or one-of-a-kind that showed a "personality". I had access to artisans that could help me with samples and felt if I didn't start with my small idea of a beaded bag, somebody else might take this idea and run with it...so I began the "journey" of Laura Lee Designs.

D: For Brides who have never heard of Laura Lee Designs, what is your single most important selling point of your Bridal Bag?

LL: The most distinct element that defines the "SOMETHING" BRIDAL BAG is the 4 pockets inside labeled "OLD-NEW-BORROWED-BLUE”.  little keepsakes can be put into each pocket by the Mother of the Bride or the Maid of honor.  These Bridal Bags come in ivory/silver and gold. Finally, they can be handed down to the next generation.  A sentimental gift indeed!

D: How did you develop the idea for the Bridal Bag and all its fabulous compartments?

LL: I was in a girlfriend's wedding when I started this line.  The day of the rehearsal she was panicked because she did not have anything that had the "SOMETHING"  themes and she thought it would be bad luck if she did not have something with the traditional necessities. Also, she could not find a decent bag to hold her mints, lip gloss and hanky.  All of the bridesmaids scrambled, and it made me think that there could be an incorporated item; finally I made the decision to come up with the Bridal Bag that would serve both of these needs.  The "SOMETHING" bag was created!!

D: When people request custom-designed Bridal Bags, what are their options?

LL: We currently do not do custom design Bridal bags, but we will do custom-colored bridesmaids handbags, but with a minimum of 6 bags required.

D: Summer is here, what is your “must-have” pick from your line?

LL: The clutches, especially the STEPPIN’ OUT with 3 straps: MAGENTA/CANADIAN BLUE AND GOLD. This one can be used wearing jeans or a little Spring/Summer dress!

D: Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?

LL: There are some new lines that are coming out: OUR ALUMNI SERIES, currently featuring the VIRGINIA TECH BAG. Then in the fall; UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, TEXAS A&M and UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.

Also, Next year we are looking forward to participating in the KENTUCKY DERBY, THE 167 YEAR OF "RUNNING WITH THE ROSES",  and finally, we are doing private label for companies such as ROLLER BAGS and TOTE BAGS.   In the pipeline: "RAIL" EQUESTRIAN SHIRTS FOR DRESSAGE/SHOWINGS and WHITE WEDDING BOOTS.   At LAURA LEE DESIGNS, we are always looking for ways to keep the brand and women fresh and unique!

 

Thanks Laura Lee!  I have to say, I love the M bag!! What's great about them is they come in virtually every color!

I hope you enjoyed this interview and getting to know Laura Lee Designs.  Should you want to contact them, here is their info: General inquiries: info@lauraleedesigns.com OR for PR info Lindsay: Lindsay@lauraleedesigns.com. OR, you can always go to their web site, blog, Twitter, or Facebook!

*hugs*

Denice

Photo Credits: Laura Lee Designs

Brides turns 75

Brides magazine is celebrating 75 years of helping you plan your big day. The Today Show looks at the past 7 decades of bridal bliss. From engagements to the lavish ceremonies, Brides Magazine has covered it all.

Check out the full story at the Today Show on NBC.

Have a fabulous day!

*hugs*
Denice

It's OK To Wear Black!

This photo is in response to the Wednesday Wedding Question from Stephanie on what is appropriate to wear at a wedding. As you can see form the photo below, we all wore some form of black to the wedding. We all felt comfortable and we all had fun!

Thank you Jana and Russ for having such a FABULOUS wedding!





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[wedding trends]

White Wedding?

So it appears that the new trend in 2008 weddings are anything but traditional. As I searched the Internet, I came across many sites that were touting, White is out, and Black is in. Black? You got it, and not just black, brides are turning to red too.


FormalDress4U

Gone are the days were the bride wore a traditional white dress. Many up and coming gals are looking for a dress that better shows their personality. While they are still classy, they are not your moms dress.


Mori Lee



Alfred Angelo

There are some great posts on another wedding blog, Parisian Party, which discusses upcoming trends in Paris. They seem to really be embracing the Black Wedding Dress!

So what are your thoughts? Traditional Bride or Up and coming Fashionista? Let us know!





Photo credits: Alfred Angelo, Mori Lee & Formal Dresses 4U

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[wedding dress]