This is an excellent opportunity to score yourself a designer gown for a great price!  Select sample gowns are up to 70% off.  Definitely worth a visit!

Call White to book your appointment: 416-849-9196

As I’ve mentioned before, I love Etsy.  It’s basically a bride’s paradise, in my humble opinion.

In my search of wedding-related goodies, I came across this seller, Glamour Junkie, who makes some of the most gorgeous bridal cover ups I have ever seen!

The shrugs are so gauzy, soft, and feminine (my favourite looks!).  They kind of have a Lhullier-vibe going on, but for a much more friendly price tag.

LOVE this delicate flower shrug:

And this wrap is absolutely perfect to throw over your shoulders on a cooler spring wedding day or summer night, or even in a chilly air-conditioned venue:

For more products, check out Glamour Junkie’s bridal shop on Etsy.

Photo Credits:  Glamour Junkie on Etsy

I think this is such a cute idea: the purse corsage:

It’s unique, yet still has a hint of tradition because it incorporates florals.  Plus, I think it’s tres fashion-forward.  You can even buy your maids’ clutches as part of their bridal party gift; or, better yet, have each of the maids choose her own clutch in a style that speaks to her.

The purse corsage is also very budget friendly.  Typical bridesmaids bouquets can range from $50-$75 each!  These are essentially a corsage on a magnet, plummeting the cost down to $15-$20 per arrangement.

I think these are simply fabulous!  Not to mention, a much more chic option for mothers who are dreading wearing an itchy corsage around their wrist…

I was watching one of my favourite wedding shows, Rich Bride Poor Bride, and there was this couple on there who decided to have a 50′s themed wedding.  I thought it was such a fun idea.

If you’re into reading wedding mags, you’ll know that “vintage” weddings are one of the most popular themes at the moment.  Usually, vintage simply means using old-world influenced decor and attire.  Lace dresses, birdcage veils, ivorys and creams – get my drift?

However, if you want to take “vintage” a step further (ie: zoning in on a particular era and working it out), my friend and coworker introduced me to this fantastic site, The Whirling Turban.

Whirling Turban makes gorgeous 50′s-esque wedding dresses.  The best part is, they are completely customized and the prices are extremely reasonable. 

I could totally see these dresses being rocked with a birdcage veil, short red-creme nails, coloured sky-high heels, and some red lipstick – a la Christina Aguilera in her Marilyn period:

In the alternative, I think these would make great reception “party” dresses.  Extremely cute and fun (and what I mean by fun is that you can twirl in them… )

What do you girls think of the 50′s glam theme?  I think there’s just something about it that’s sexy yet classy at the same time.  Perfection.

Photo Credits: www.whirlingturban.com

xoxo

Many wedding planners suggest that brides pack an “emergency kit” for the big day.  But really, who has time to actually carry a big bag around on the wedding day? 

Enter Miss Army Kit.  I first came across this great product when I received one as a gift from my wonderful gown boutique, White Toronto. 

The Miss Army Kit looks almost identical to the legandary “Swiss Army Knife”, but it’s perfectly suited for a bride.  It includes the following features, all wrapped up into one tiny, palm-sized package:

Cute right?  And you can just slip it in your groom’s pocket or in your maid of honour’s purse, and it will be at your fingertips all day long.

For those of you who don’t have a boutique who will give you it for free, you can buy it off The Knot’s website here.

After the wedding, throw it in your purse or glovebox and it will be a go-to item, I promise you!

Hop to it, MOHs!  Show your bride you care!

Traditionally, the question would be asked via a special meeting or phone call, or maybe even through a handwritten letter.

Nowadays, there’s endless, more creative, ways to ask someone to be in your wedding party.  I’ll highlight just a few of them here.

How about asking your maids by giving them a pretty card?

Another option is writing the question on a yummy cookie (what girl wouldn’t like that?). 

I actually used the card method to ask my bridal party, plus I added a dress-shaped cookie monogrammed with their first inital:

I also love the idea of sending a puzzle to your soon-to-be bridesmaids in the mail.  One option would be a jigsaw style puzzle, like so:

Or, alternatively, you can send your girls a crossword-style puzzle.  This post on Project Wedding has an adorable DIY tutorial.

Whatever way you choose to ask, ensure that you’re certain of your decision.   Remember, your choices can determine whether your bridesmaids ease your stress – or just add to it. 

I’m sure your girls will be ecstatic with being such an important part of your special day!

*Credits (from top): Classy Bride, Weddingish (2), Favor Ideas

Now this little device is definitely one of them.

So – here’s the problem.  You’ve found these a-MAZ-ing stilettos to wear on your wedding day.   You buy them, your day (finally) comes, you slip on those babies and feel oh-so-pretty.  Once it’s time to take your pictures, you head to a lush park or some other place with lots of greenery and grass.  You’re standing there, looking gorgeous, smiling all pretty – and you’re sinking.

Yup, grass=earth, and earth is not so friendly to those 4 inch heels you bought. 

Good news – there’s no need to sacrifice those perfect pair of heels to the mud gods.  Clean Heels stops your heels from sinking into the ground by simply popping the little plastic device on to your heels.  Case in point:

They come in clear, black, and even crystal-studded for those glamazons.  They have a flexible plastic tube that come in various widths to fit all stiletto heel sizes.

I wore them for my wedding and they worked perfectly.  I think every wedding photographer should keep a few of these gems in their bags.  Brides will love you for it.

You can purchase them online here.  Or for you Canadian gals, they are also available at Celebration Shoes in Toronto.

Now, maybe I am a bit biased, but I absolutely love glam-themed weddings.  There’s no better way to showcase pure opulence than at a wedding.  What other time are you going to be able to get away with that? 

Early on in my wedding planning, I discovered Toppers with Glitz, who will pretty much be-dazzle anything you can imagine.  The workmanship is exquisite, and you can completely customize your project.  I love the idea of getting jewelled table numbers commissioned (but my wedding was way too big to afford that…), and I L.O.V.E. this cake set:

And this cake topper! (actually, this whole cake in general I am kind of obsessed with):

Personally, I am not a huge fan of monogrammed cake toppers, only because I feel they are overplayed.  For my wedding cake, I chose to “bling it” with the gorgeous swarovski Expressions Cake Jewelry.   I chose the “meandering vines” jewelry, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.  Plus, they make a great keepsake after the wedding is over. 

*above two photos by Nancy Barbosa Alaimo at nbphotos