Fresh finds, unique ideas, and hot trends in the world of weddings
Wear Again Wedding Dresses
Recessionistas rejoice! In these economic times, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to wear your wedding gown more than once (without looking ridiculous)? NY-based designer Sioloonim offers a couture line of white silk taffeta blouses and floor-length silk skirts that – when paired together – create a one-of-a-kind look for wedding dresses. As an added bonus, brides can get more mileage out of the top, which is simple and chic enough to be worn again for a night on the town with skinny jeans and stilettos or to the office with a pencil skirt and pumps.
where to find
Sioloonim, sioloonim.com, 212-750-5606, Design Shown: tunnel neck silk taffeta blouse with taffeta skirt; blouse, $295; skirt, $625
link | More: Aisle Style
Style for Rent
Every fashionista loves designer handbags, but if the coinciding high price tag of a Dior, Chloe, or Fendi have you reduced to the bargain bins – rejoice - you can actually rent a sought after “it” bag for your big day or for your honeymoon. Bag, Borrow or Steal is a website that allows you to “borrow” designer bags for a week, month, or longer. Rent it, use it, return it – but if you do become so attached, they’ll even let you purchase your new love. (the bag, not your hubby)
where to find
Bag, Borrow, or Steal (bagborroworsteal.com), rental fees range from under $40 to $400 and up.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | In the Details
Scenic Wedding Backdrops
We’d all love to pop for round trip airfare and whisk our nearest and dearest away for a fairytale wedding set amongst the rolling Irish countryside…. OK – now for the reality check – fake scenery is the next best thing! Rent a faux backdrop and transform an average ballroom into a Venetian village, Parisian cityscape or ocean-side villa.
where to find
Where to Find: Dreamworld backdrops, dreamworldbackdrops.com has over 1,500 backdrops for rent or purchase; Backdrops Fantastic, backdropsfantastic.com, has thousands of options.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | In the Details
Join the Club
Looking for décor ideas? Of-the-moment brides are consulting the club scene for inspiration. You can transform your reception space into a swank lounge with romantic nooks and crannies that will make guests want to converse and canoodle. Think sexy lighting, seductive music, plush couches and low coffee tables.
Why it’s Hot: Every bride wants guests to have an exceptional time at her wedding. Wedding decorations dictate the vibe, and—let’s face it—sterile tables and hard backed chairs don’t always cut it. A cozy lounge-inspired atmosphere puts people at ease, so all you have to do is sit back and watch the conversation flow.
where to find
Many event décor and rental companies carry lounge-inspired décor. Contact local vendors with your needs, or visit the Elegala.com directory of local wedding services for listings in your area.
link | More: Aisle Style
Honeymoon Hottie
If you’re planning to hit a beachy paradise for your honeymoon, you will want to feel as beautiful on the beaches of Mexico as you did on your wedding day. The new collection of silk chiffon swimsuit cover-ups from Isola Isabella achieves that look of effortless elegance with fine silk fabrics sourced around the globe and embellished with Swarovski Crystals. The pieces easily transition from beach to dinner when paired with a cami and shorts, which leaves more room in your suitcase for accessories to anchor a fabulous honeymoon wardrobe.
where to find
Isola Isabella, 877-ISOLA11, isolaisabella.com, $386-$422
link | More: Aisle Style
Solar Powered Wedding Decorations
Add a bit of enchanted whimsy to your outdoor wedding decorations with these solar-powered glass balls. Inside each of these glass ornaments is a sprinkling of phosphorescent dust that glows from sundown into the evening. Hang the Fairydust Balls (no, we didn’t come up with the name) from tree branches for a little woodland magic; you can also hang them in a window or float them in a pond. They’ll begin to glow softly when the sun sets and will last for two to four hours. They require a full day of charging in direct sun, but they can be used again and again to enhance you new home’s patio or garden decor long after the wedding.
where to find
Gardeners Supply Company, gardeners.com, 888-833-1412, $23.95 for set of three
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | In the Details
Wedding Rings of Wood
Wood may seem like the least romantic material for your wedding bands - that is until you actually take a look at the dazzling array of handcrafted wooden wedding rings from Simply Wood Rings that feature inlaid work and even stones. At a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding rings, wood rings are made from salvaged wood and recycled metals, which should set eco-conscious minds at ease. And if this still reeks a little too granola for your tastes, your tree-hugging groom may jump at the chance to have a tree hug him back.
where to find
Simply Wood Rings, simplywoodrings.com, $175-$300
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | For the Guys
Trousseau for the Indie Bride
If you’re not the stereotypical poofy white dress type of bride, you may have noticed the lack of suitable alternatives that still make you, well, look like a bride. A handful of independent designers are answering that call with sophisticated and unique wedding dresses that have an artistic, edgy quality while still being pretty. Seattle-based Chrissy Wai-Ching, an artist who forayed into dress design, specializes in custom hand-dyed silk gowns featuring color choices like golds, reds, blues and greens. San Francisco-based Mignonette Bridal offers custom and ready-to-wear gowns with shorter hemlines, svelte silhouettes and non-traditional colors. Both designers cater to brides all over the nation.
where to find
Chrissy Wai-Ching, wai-ching.com, 206-229-1111, $700-$4000; Mignonette Bridal, mignonettebridal.com, 347-729-4326 ($400-$3000)
You can also browse hundreds of designer wedding dresses here.
link | More: Aisle Style
Double Duty Flowers
Re-using ceremony arrangements at the reception can save money and reduce waste, but the logistics of removing and transporting cumbersome vases hinders many brides from putting the idea to practice. Answering the call are these stylishly-wrapped multifunctional paper flower pots that make it easy to invite ceremony wedding flowers to the reception.
Cathyswraps (TM) are versatile vase/wrap combos that can be hung from church pews or aisle chairs by punching a hole in the soft plastic and tying with a ribbon. The lightweight arrangements are easily untied post-ceremony and transported to the reception, either to be placed on tables as centerpieces, re-tied to chair backs, or even given away as wedding favors. Don’t fret if the plastic pots sound less than chic - the whimsical paper wraps stylize them in a variety of colors and patterns that can be customized to match any decor scheme.
where to find
Cathyswraps, 800-435-3813, cathyswraps.com, $3-$4.25 each.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Take a Seat
In the beginning, there was a white folding chair. Then came Chivari, the ornate gold-flecked ballroom standard. Twenty years later, a wedding detail long-starved for options is reveling in newfound creativity. The aptly named GloChair has a sleek, glowing back that emits a soft blue-green light, adding a contemporary spark to posh event seating. The plush Chameleon Chair is available in a variety of sumptuous colors, patterns, and fabrics such as satin, suede or velvet to create looks that range from traditional to over-the-top.
where to find
GloChair, Lounge22, lounge22.com, 818-502-0351, $20 per chair; Chameleon Chair Collection, chameleonchair.com, 310-973-8200, from $7.95 per chair
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Hot Headgear
It may be your day to be a princess, but donning a rhinestone tiara is not required. Handcrafted headpieces from Jennifer Behr are glamorous alternatives featuring silk camellias, orchids, feathers, or diamonds that are more avant garde than cheesy. Since the headpieces have been spotted on the likes of Natalie Portman and featured in Gossip Girl, you can safely splurge on these wedding accessories knowing that you’ll likely sport the look again – which is more than you can say for the typical bridal crown.
where to find
Jennifer Behr, 718-569-2896, $68-$500, Jenniferbehr.com
link | More: Aisle Style
Shop ‘til Someone Else Drops
Between demanding jobs and jam-packed to-do lists, busy brides barely have time to eat, let alone paw through piles of merchandise to find the right looks for everything from the engagement gala to the bon voyage lunch. The most maxed-out brides are calling on personal shopping services to do the dirty work for them - scouring the shops for the most stylish ensembles and gifts.
where to find
Shopping services catering to brides are popping up all over the country. Polished Social Image in Boston and New York (socialimage.net) will pre-select items tailored to your tastes before you set foot in the store for $250 per hour. Dallas-based Shopping Chauffeur (shopping-chauffeur.com) and Atlanta’s Plaid Monkey (plaidmonkey.com) specialize in group shopping tours, working with brides and wedding parties to create customized VIP personal shopping experiences. Tours, starting at $175 per person at Shopping Chauffeur and $600 per excursion at Plaid Monkey, include perks like luxury transportation, lunch at a premier restaurant, private dressing rooms, and personal shopping assistance throughout the day.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Deck Your Derriere
Round out your honeymoon trousseau with sweet little underthings. We love the luxurious line from couture lingerie brand, Spoylt. (Famously style-privy celebs like Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria are fans). Designed by women for women, Spoylt’s decadent delicates, handcrafted from carefully selected and dyed fabrics, strike a balance between demure and daring. After all, you deserve to spoil yourself when it comes to your bridal lingerie.
where to find
Visit Spoylt.com to purchase online and access a list of worldwide retailers.
link | More: Aisle Style
Sultan-worthy Style
Modern-day brides are the past’s fabled princesses, reincarnated with fab stilettos and PDAs, of course. And as such, they deserve a stylish tent to fit their outdoor wedding fairy tale. Raj Tents, a diamond in the white vinyl rough, offers snazzy ways to escape the elements at your wedding reception. Their collection of luxury canopies is handcrafted in India with the highest quality cotton. Sultry color combinations come to life with exotic embroidery and woodblock printing, an ancient East Asian technique. Carved wooden chairs, silk cushions, and glowing lanterns add the finishing touches that will transform an ordinary space into a scene from Arabian Nights.
where to find
Raj Tents serves clients throughout the U.S. Basic rentals start at $1,500; custom designs start at $3,450. They’ll send a crew to set up the tent on location or provide instructions for self setup. Rajtents.com, 310-320-6600
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Clutch Control
So you’ve got the rock and you’ve found your frock, but you’re a bit perturbed whenit comes to your wedding day arm candy. In the world of wedding accessories and bridal purses, the profusion of gaudy beading and chintzy white satin just doesn’t cut it for the fashion forward bride. Answering the call for a suitable option are online storefronts that make getting your hands on a stylish couture bag for your wedding convenient and affordable.
Take M. Avery Designs. This interactive online handbag salon allows you to design a one-of-a-kind bag where you can select the shape, fabric and adornments. And if you’ve got a vision in your head, designer Megan Avery will work with you to create the bag of your dreams. Another option is 1154 Lill Studio, an online boutique where brides can choose from over twenty five styles, then mix and match from hundreds of fabric choices for the exterior, interior, pockets, trim, straps and more.
where to find
M. Avery Designs, maverydesigns.com, 201-876-1198. Prices start around $50 depending on style and fabric. 1154 Lill Studio, 1154lillstudio.com, 773-292-6310. Prices range from about $50 for a wristlet and up to $80 for a handbag
link | More: Aisle Style | In the Details
The Lash of Luxury
Batting an eye is an old standby in the arsenal of feminine wiles, but guys should beware - this invaluable tool just gained a convincing upgrade. Eyelash extensions are the newest health and beauty treatments for brides seeking to accessorize their wedding day look with extreme flutter power after Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez first sported the wide-eyed look on the red carpet.
Not to be confused with the self-stick falsies of yesteryear, these semi-permanent, synthetic extensions mimic the natural lash. A technician applies them one at a time using tweezers and adhesive, which takes about anhour and a half. They last for two months, and wearers can swim, bathe, shower, and workout without compromising their thick-lashed look.
where to find
Salons such as John Barrett in New York and Fred Segal Beauty in Santa Monica have added the treatment to meet demand. New England brides can pop into Boston’s LuxLash (luxlash.com, 866-587-5274) for extensions. The Newbury Street spa offers complete services for bridal parties.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Custom ‘maid
Weddings are often about compromise, but when it comes to your bridesmaids of varying sizes and shapes all fitting into the same dress, there’s often no wiggle room. Thankfully, modern alternatives have arrived to ensure your ‘maids feel fabulous while providing a cohesive look for the wedding party.
Online boutiques like Olivia Luca and Coco Myles now allow you to create one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses by selecting body style, skirt shape, fabric, color, and embellishments. You can have as much or as little control as you like; each girl can create her own style (with your direction), or the whole bridal party can get together to create one dress that everyone loves.
Another concept is brought to you by Twobirds. The boutique features one simple dress that can be worn more than 10 different ways, with instructions on creating each look. The bride selects a color and each bridesmaid can wrap her dress into the variation that caters to her personal style and figure.
where to find
Olivia Luca, Olivialuca.com, 503-753-2787, from $260; Colo Myles, Colomyles.com, 866-599-2626, from $125; Twobirds, Twobirdsbridesmaid.com, 212-633-1384, from $270.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Wall Art
Graffiti at your wedding? Oh, the horror! The dubious art form may be the last idea you had in mind for your wedding decorations, but a little wall artwork can actually add some flair to a bland function space. Wonderful Graffiti Wedding’s removable vinyl letters and symbols appear painted on when affized to smooth surface, making it easy to enhance your decor with a quote, poem, or welcome note. The good news, especially if your venue has a strict “nothing on the walls” policy, is that you can place these standard or custom-made transfers just about anywhere - on the dance floor, entrance doors, even on your getaway car. Order four to six weeks in advance, then apply yourself or arrange for professional installation. After the wedding, the strips are easily peeled away without causing any surface damage.
where to find
Wonderful Graffiti Wedding, wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com, 877-577-5675. Standard designs start at $15; custom designs start at $!0 more.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | In the Details
Sweet Centerpieces
Tables topped with wedding flowers may look and smell good, but these s’mores stations make for a fun way to get guests’ mouths involved too. The all-in-one kits from Cosi Restaurants allow you to enjoy the gooey pleasures of this campfire favorite, minus all the smoke, ash, and mosquitos. As the latest in edible centerpieces, they also add an interesting aesthetic to your tables and an interactive dessert station to enjoy after the dinner plates have cleared. Each kit contains a hibachi, wooden platter, bamboo marshmallow skewers, matches, and, of course, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.
where to find
If you’re not near one of the 100-plus Cosi locations across the country, order online at getcosi.com, $40 each.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas | Nosh and Nog
Dress Redux
Your mom may think otherwise, but retiring your wedding dress to the closet for eternity hardly seems a fitting tribute. You now have another option to give added life to your gown.
Trash it!
We’re assuming you’ve heard of the Trash the Dress phenomenon that has made its rounds over the past few years. But if you’ve been so buried in planning that you haven’t, it involves one last photo shoot in your gown after your day is done. Only this time, you swim in it, roll around on the beach, even blast it with paintballs. It’s a way to add an artistic element to your wedding pictures that can also symbolically and forever free you from the rigors of wedding planning.
where to find
Cape Cod Photo & Video (1-800-760-VIDEO) offers trash the dress sessions for brides in the Cape Cod/New England area. Or visit Trashthedress.com for a list of photographers around the nation
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
Star Appeal
Think movie stars have all the fun? Think again. High-end jewelers also cater to brides looking to rent incredible accessories for their walk down the red carpet, er, aisle.
How It Works:
Adornbrides.com offers brides glamorous baubles for a day. Go online to browse their selection of high-end necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Then enter your wedding date, pick your jewelry type, and find your desired piece.
You pay a nonrefundable deposit of twenty-five percent of the total lease price (about $80-$400) when you make your reservation. When Adorn Brides ships your jewelry, the company reserves approximately one third of the retail value on your credit card as a security deposit (retail value ranges about $2,000-$11,000). You receive your jewelry via overnight delivery two days before your wedding. Return it on the first business day following your event in the enclosed pre-addressed and pre-paid packaging. Upon receipt of the return shipment, Adorn Brides removes the reserve and charges the remaining lease balance.
where to find
Adornbrides.com or inquire at your local jeweler.
link | More: Aisle Style | Buzzworthy Ideas
From Shoes to “Choos”
Give ordinary bridal kicks a shoe makeover even Jimmy would evny. Crystal shoe clips add a touch of edgy glamour to ordinary wedding shoes. Elegant and subtle, the clips come in a variety of designs featuring intricate beads, rhinestones, bows - you name it. Best of all, reuse them on other accessories after the big day.
where to find
Absolutely Audrey shoe clips (average about $30); find retailers near you or order online at absolutelyaudrey.com
link | More: Aisle Style