Couture Dress For Much Less!

Your wedding dress is a HUGE part of your wedding. It is your signature piece! It tells everyone everything about you and your style. With my clients her engagement ring and dress choice(s) are the foundation of my design. They are the 2 pieces that give me the clearest insight into my Bride's style. The ring she will wear forever, and the dress...It is her persona in the fashion form!

Fabulous fashion on wedding day is a MUST! If a designer dress by Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, Badgley Mischka, Amsalae or Kenneth Poole is at the top of your priority list, but may NOT be in the budget, give the following Bridal Boutiques/web boutiques a try! They have the desired designers with out their price tag!

Bride's Against Breast Cancer:

This amazing organization holds designer dress sales all over the country! The dresses come directly from the designers and donations. Their web site states: "Most gown prices range from $99 to $799*, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000. *Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings" All the proceeds from the dress sales go to benefit The Making Memories Foundation! They work to grant wishes for stage 4 breast cancer patients and their families! It's a cause I'm personally very passionate about! They are coming to WA very soon! Here's their schedule:

2011
Olympia, WA: January 30 - New!
Tacoma, WA: February 25-27

If traveling to Olympia or Tacoma is not for you! Have no fear! There are 2 Seattle companies to turn to!

Blue Sky Bridal

Blue Sky Bridal's philosophy is "you don't have to sacrifice style, quality, or your budget to have a beautiful wedding that reflects your values. Blue Sky Bridal offers recycled and reconstructed wedding gowns, organic wedding dresses, and green wedding accessories." Being green and sustaining the environment is at the heart of Blue Sky's mission! Located in the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood, they are a Seattle girls go to location for a fabulous green wedding dress! It's a purchase you'll remember forever! Buying at Blue Sky gives you even more to feel good about!

Belltown Bride

Belltown Bride brings you affordable couture! They "cater to the sophisticated woman who has great taste and style, but appreciates good value. Belltown Bride lets you spend the average and get the extraordinary. Most gowns are priced between $1200 and $2500." Their show room is full of designer samples gowns ready to be taken home for your dream day! Belltown Bride is like attending a coveted designer trunk show everyday! It's worth the trip!

Bravo Bride

Bravo Bride is a Seattle based company giving you access to Bride's all over the country! With this user friendly website you have access to resources you never would have dreamed about! Vera Wang for sale in Connecticut, or Jimmy Choos in Florida! "Bravo Bride has thousands of options for you to choose from. Discover amazing bargains on designer wedding items from all over the country." The wedding dresses for sale on their site are of the highest quality, from leading designers. You have to check it out!

Don't worry Bride's maids! Stay tuned for next week's post when I share how you can save some major $$$ on couture bride's maid fashion!

Top Photo: Amsale Collection

Bottom Photo: Kenneth Pool

May You Be Inspired!

Planning a wedding is all about being inspired! Most of my inspiration comes from my couples, and then the hottest trends. I know that my bride's are scouring every wedding blog and magazine seeking images that inspire them and define their wedding. Hot trends and the classic reinvented are definitely what they are finding for us! I try to reach into my clients to find the what about them can I express on their wedding day. How can I create an environment that makes guest walk in and go "This is so them!" Where every little detail is a reflection of my Bride & Groom! It is the perfect partnership!

Today's post is a little eye candy before talking about the wedding dress later in the week! Carolina Herrera is one of my absolute FAVORITE designers! She captures femininity like no one else! This show is a true reflection of how beautiful and special brides are! Enjoy!

Need Something New & Blue?

I don't know if all of you are aware that Nordstrom has launch the Wedding Suite at its downtown Seattle location! It is a beautiful boutique like setting in the heart of Nordstrom's designer 2nd floor! Saturday January 15th, they are rolling out the red carpet for Brides to be, their family and friends! I stopped last week to get a sneak peak and was really impressed by the selection of shoes (of course!) Bride's maids dresses and accessories! Here is all the info you need:

January 15, 2011

noon-3:00pm

Nordstrom Downtown Seattle

the Wedding Suite, on two

It's a drop in event so no appointment needed. Can't make it Saturday? To book an appointment or for more information, call 206.628.1730. I hope to see you all there!

Pictures from Nordstrom Wedding Suite Website.

Want to see more...

I know everyone loves an amazing wedding and Kristi and Tim's was just that! I blogged about it right before Christmas! Check it out here! If you want to see more, the amazing florist Christiane Zweifler of Flora Nova Designs also blogged about it too! I love working with her! She brings a fresh perspective to every wedding we do together and it is always beautiful!!! Enjoy!

Happy New Year! It's time to get the planning started!

You got engaged over the holidays! Yippee! Congratulations! Finally you get to start planning your dream day! This is such a fun and exciting time in your life! I'm here to help you avoid making the "I've never done this before" wedding planning errors!

The first mistake that most Bride's make is going straight to buying their wedding dress before thinking about any of the wedding details. Some of the things that will play a role in deciding the PERFECT dress for your are: location, style, season, formality of wedding, etc. I KNOW wedding dress shopping is something you've been dreaming about for a long time! It is magical! But please listen to me when I say find your venue and set your date first!!! If you find a dress that is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding, but the venue you choose is only available in fall or winter then you have a problem! Creating a cohesive wedding design takes all the parts and pieces into account. The dress being a huge factor in the total design!

The second mistake couples make is not having a clear idea of what the other wants. It is so important that you talk to one another about your wedding wish list and if you want to include your families! If your groom wants you to take the planning and run with it, that's great! But it is sooo important that you both know where you stand and how the planning is going to be executed! Having open communication and a plan is the key to being able to enjoy this wonderful time!

There are many more mistakes that can be made, but if you follow my suggestions, hopefully you won't fall into any of them!

Here are my first 3 steps in planning your wedding!

1. Set a realistic budget with all parties contributing and make a priority list. The priority list is a huge factor in how much of the budget you are willing to spend each service/item. I know there are many online budget helpers that tell you how much of the total budget should be spent on what...BUT they don't know you or what you want for YOUR wedding! They are trying to please EVERYONE! Take them with a grain of salt if you do use one. Set the budget percentages based on your needs and desires, not what they tell you! If having a huge, fun party is your top priority then the music (DJ or Band) and bar (wine & beer or premium liquor) will be at the top of your list! If you want a tranquil stress free day where you can enjoy every-one's company and not worry about a thing then having a wedding planner should be at the top of the list. Your priority list should dictate how you divide up and spend your budget. Spend more on the things that matter most and save on or do the DIY for the things that are near the bottom!


2. Find your venue and set the date! The venue and date of your wedding are the foundation that you build on. You can't hire any of your vendors until you have a date set in stone! And usually the venue you chose availability will help you narrow down and select your wedding date. If you already have a date before selecting a venue the selection of vendors can take place, but venue/location should be the first thing you find!


3. You have a budget, priority list, date and venue...NOW go find your dress and all other vendors! All the must needed basics are in place and now is the fun part begins! Build your wedding around your vision and make sure that your dress makes you feel more beautiful then you've ever felt! Here are just a few other vendors that should be selected right away:

• Wedding Coordinator
• Photographer
• Catering
• Florist
• Bride's maids dresses
• The list goes on and on!

Good Luck! I'm so excited for all of you on this incredible journey! If you have suggestions for the newly engaged ladies I'd love to hear them! How did you find success planning your wedding?

Check the blog out next week for info and ideas on where to buy your DREAM dress for less!

A Toast to the New Year!

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." ~Oprah Winfrey

As we ring in 2011 I'm reminded of all the blessings in my life and business! I'm not really one for resolutions, but this year I'm going to make a concise effort to write down all the small and big accomplishments and happiness 2011 brings! Most of which comes from my clients and family! 2011 is my 5th full season in this business, and I love it more with each new day and new client! I feel so lucky to be doing I job I adore! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all my clients who have touched my life for the better!

Happy New Year!

Here it is! When is help no help at all article!

Back in November I told you that I was being interviewed for an article about unwanted offerings of help from family and friends. It sparked me to write a whole blog post on the topic, which has hopefully been very beneficial to your planning! The article is finally syndicated and available for your reading pleasure! Feel free to check it out here, here, here, and also here! And, AS ALWAYS, with Ms. Sachse's wonderful articles, there are over 200 more of these, both in print and online, across the U.S. and Canada. Hopefully it will be helpful when planning your wedding and beyond!




Thanks, but No Thanks
5 ways to politely deny “help” from overzealous family and friends

By Anna Sachse
CTW Features

Everyone knows that planning a party for everyone you know is a lot of work, so chances are your loved ones will offer to pitch in. Sometimes you might appreciate their offers – maybe your best friend is a whiz with flowers and offered to create your centerpieces free of charge – but sometimes you may find that their benevolence is more harmful than helpful.

Need some graceful ways to “just say no” to unwanted assistance? Here are five expert tips that should help keep your dream wedding and your loved ones’ feelings intact.

Be Switzerland

The key to politely deflecting unwanted help is to reduce the personal aspect, says Elise Mac Adam, author of “Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone In Between” (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2008). For example, if you are dealing with a pushy relative or future in-law, one way out is to say: “I love you so much, and I love that you have offered to help, but I have to be very careful not to alienate anyone on the other side by leaving people out. For that reason we’ve decided that we won’t involve family in the big jobs.”

This is the “it’s just politics” solution, says Mac Adam. “It also makes you look considerate while allowing you to get what you want or, rather, not get what you don’t want.”

Be Magnanimous

Perhaps your only-cooks-with-a-microwave cousin has offered to bake your cake. The solution? Tell her that you are touched by her generosity, but that you just don’t feel comfortable putting the people who are most important to you to work, says Mac Adam. Instead, you’d prefer that she enjoyed the food, took part in pictures and cut loose on the dance floor.

Play the Blame (it on the pros) Game

“I often tell my clients to blame me!” says Wendi Hroncich, a wedding planner and founder of Seattle-based Ethereal Events. “Most people don’t have a good argument against ‘I really appreciate the offer but my wedding planner thinks it’s best if ...’ And the same goes for any other wedding professionals you work with, including the caterer, DJ, photographer, etc.”

In addition, it’s unlikely that your meddling mother-in-law will maintain a lifelong relationship with any of your vendors, so it’s far better for her to be temporarily upset with them than with you.

Redirect

You may not want your scatterbrained cousin to be in charge of passing out the checks to vendors like she offered, but chances are you can find another role for her. For instance, Mac Adam suggests saying something like: “It’s so nice of you to offer, but it would actually mean a lot to me if, instead, you could check up on Aunt Tessie throughout the night so that she doesn’t get lonely.”

You can also dole out “real” jobs, which, even if done incorrectly, won’t have a major impact on your event or your happiness, says Hroncich. Safer bets include guest-book attendant, gift attendant, usher and candle lighter.

Minimize Damages

If you want a loved one to feel included but you simply can’t stomach the idea of having him or her take part in the logistics of your actual big day, Hroncich suggests assigning a task that you need taken care of in the days or weeks prior, such as picking up a friend from the airport, dropping off hotel gift bags or collecting the programs from the printer. Just be sure that you have a back-up plan in case the person flakes.

Real Wedding Friday! Kristi & Tim Kabeary

Krisit & Tim are an amazing couple I had the pleasure of working with in 2010! Kristi is a bride that brings ethereal to mind! Gorgeous, kind, thoughtful, and fun are just a few words to describe her and Tim! They were an amazing couple to work with and so deeply in love! You can see the joy and love in both of their eyes in every stunning photo Azzura took on wedding day!

My Christmas wish this year is a season full of couple's like these two in 2011! I wish you all a wonderful, safe and blissfull holdiay season! Merry Christmas!

I hope you enjoy the breathtaking couple and photos! I love my job!