Going down the grocery aisle?

Check out yesterday's King 5 News story where I'm featured!


by NATASHA RYAN / KING 5 News
KING5.com
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 12:41 AM

Discount chain Costco is now offering brides a chance at designer dresses.

The store is setting up bridal boutiques right in the middle of its stores. The wedding bliss is temporary but the company is hoping to move the operation on-line by June. The same month Costco will bring the road show to the Northwest.

Six styles from designer Kirstie Kelly are available at one time ranging from $700-1,400. You buy the dress and walk right out of the store with it. Designed for brides on a budget, Costco says it's had amazing feedback.

Wedding planner Wendi Hroncich tells us "the trend is to downsize." A bride-to-be we spoke with says she learned quickly just how expensive weddings are. Chelsea Wilnott says, "I think as soon as you say wedding, price tags start going up."

Hroncich says she understands the concept in theory. "It's your wedding dress, the most important dress you'll ever wear. If you go to a discount store or a Costco for it, it's bad lighting, people with their shopping carts going by you, it's just not the same experience."

Costco customers joked at first but Mary Haltiner told us she thinks the whole thing might just work. "I doubt they'd put it next to the hamburgers but they sell coffins on-line so why not wedding dresses?"

Happy Valentine's Day!

Celebrate LOVE today and everyday!

Picuture from Red Envelope

$1,000 off Wedding Planning!!!

YES!!! You read the head line correctly! In the celebration of LOVE, and the upcoming holiday Ethereal Events is offering an AMAZING deal! One Thousand Dollars $1,000 OFF Day of Wedding Coordination! Must book before Valentines Day Feb. 14th 2011!

• Service begins 4 weeks before your wedding day and includes:
• Detailed Timeline & vendor management
• Rehearsal Planning & Direction
• 8 hour of coordination on wedding day
• Tie up all loose ends
• Create a stress free magical day!

Contact us today!
206.920.2658, info@etherealevents.com

27 Dress No More!

Darnell from Girl Power Hour, recently turned me onto this little gem: Rent the Runway, where you can get designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the cost, as long as you return them! Ladies, be jealous of Tux rental no more! This site is genius! Simply laid out and easy to shop; they have a designer dress for all your bridal events - engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner! There are so many options to chose from for each occasion!

The best part, they just launched a bridesmaid collection! The stress about whether or not your girls will like the dress and how much they’re going to have to spend on it is gone forever! For the bridesmaids: now don’t have to pay a ton of money for a dress you’ll never wear again! They have so many gorgeous styles and options, you can rent a different dress for every occasion! Sign up for free at Rent the Runwayand start satisfying your inner fashionista!

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!