Quick Palette: Gentle Fall (Mauve, Lavender, Gold)

If you're getting married in the fall in Seattle, you have the benefit of good weather and beautiful autumn scenery.  Luckily, you also have a wide range of color themes from which to choose.  While most people typically think deep reds, oranges, and yellows for autumn weddings, you may want to consider something a little softer.  This palette takes a different approach to a fall palette, and the result is a romantic, feminine combination.  Use lavender, purple and mauve as the primary colors and add in antique gold details.  Continue the theme by choosing a wedding dress with lace accents in a subtler shade of mauve or gold.



Photos:  Elizabeth Anne Designs: Purple Couch; Plush Paper Creations: Mauve and gold invitation suite; i-weddingdresses.com: Lace dress; Bloomingdales: Court of Versailles "Campagne Metallique"; Beth Beattie: Lavender and gold tablescape






 





Dress For Less: Simple Elegance

Sometimes, the look you're trying to achieve for your wedding can be more affordable than you might think.  There are lots of great discount brands that offer high style at low prices.  I decided to show just how easy it is to get a fabulous look at a better price.  Can't you totally see this look at an outdoor wedding, maybe on the beach?  I love how the sparkle of the chandelier earrings stands out against the simple empire sheath dress while the sandals complement both with just the right amount of shimmer.

The individual prices for the more expensive versions are not all that high, but added together they are over $1000 more than the cheaper version!  Check it out...can you tell which ensemble is over $1000 cheaper?

Photos: Row 1: J. Crew (Taryn Gown); JC Penny (Beaded Crossover Gown); Row 2: Nordstrom 

(Nadri Byzantine Earings); Nordstrom (Jimmy Choo Ripple Sandal);  Forever 21 (Jeweled Party Earrings); 

Nordstrom (Ivanka Trump Doublet Sandal) 

The Ensemble Breakdown:

J.C. Penny Beaded Crossover Bust Gown.............89.99
Forever 21 Jeweled Party Earrings ......................10.80
Ivanka Trump ‘Doublet’ Sandal (Nordstrom)..........139.95
Total................................................................240.74

J.Crew Silk Chiffon Taryn Gown Dress..................495.00
Nadri 'Byzantine' Earrings (Nordstrom)...................98.00
Jimmy Choo ‘Ripple’ Sandal (Nordstrom)...............845.00
Total.................................................................1438.00

And the difference is: 1197.26!

Wedding Dress Sale: 2 Days Only!

As I was looking through some sale sites today, I came across a great opportunity for discount wedding dresses.  The sale is not being advertised as a wedding sale, so lots of people probably missed it.  I wanted to let others know about it because the dresses are fabulous and the prices are even more fabulous (they start at only $99!).  You'll have to join the site, so click here to register.  Be sure to check it out soon because the sizes are going quickly!

What will you find at this amazing sale?  Discounts of 75% off, designer names (Nicole Miller and Adrianna Papell), and beautiful dresses.  See below...

Photo: Rue La La- Adrianna Papell Dress

Photo: Rue La La- Nicole Miller Gown

Photo: Rue La La- Nicole Miller Draped Gown

Photo: Rue La La- Nicole Miller Pearl & Sequin Dress

Photo: Rue La La- Nicole Miller Silk Gown

Seattle Area Wedding Dress Alterations

Photo: Clara Ganey Photography (Seattle)

One of the most nerve-wracking things for my wedding is finding someone who can alter my two wedding dresses.  Most bridal boutiques have recommendations or someone reliable with whom they work.  But because I purchased my dresses in Georgia, I'll need to find a local tailor on my own.  I've compiled a list of people in the Seattle area who do alterations.  All of them also create custom designed wedding dresses as well.

If you have other suggestions or have used any of these vendors, let me know!

In alphabetical order, a short list of wedding dress tailors in Seattle:

• Carol Johnson (Snohomish):  Won 2nd place for 2010 Best of Western Washington contest.  The reviews from the contest were highly positive.
• Cheryl's Alterations (South Puget Sound):  3rd place in the 2010 Best of Western Washington contest.  In addition to the reviews from the contest, the comments on Cheryl's facebook page are also really positive.
• Elizabeth Parks (Tacoma):  Custom designs and alterations.  #1 for best alterations and tailoring in the 2010 Best of Western Washington contest.  The reviews as part of the contest were overwhelmingly positive. 
• Jenny Manes:  Custom designs and alterations.  Rated well on judy's book and citysearch, but the reviews are a few years old.
• Tracy Gail (Bellevue): Custom designs and alterations.  Few, but positive reviews on citysearch, dexknows, and google.
• Metro Tailoring & Alterations (Seattle): Custom designs and alterations.  Highly positive reviews from lots of different reviews online; only downside seemed to be price.  No website that I could find.
• P.A. Jen's Custom Sewing (Seattle): Custom designs and alterations.  Lots of positive reviews with the occasional negative review about fit.
•  V Custom Design (Seattle): Custom designs and alterations.  The sister dress salon, Victoria's Bridal Couture received lots of positive reviews online including citysearch, dexknows, and king 5's 2010 Best of Western Washington for wedding dresses (though it didn't actually place in the top 5 list).  The few reviews mixed in about tailoring services were very positive.

How to...Choose Bridal/ Wedding Jewelry

Photo: Tejani Jewelry

In my search for jewelry for my wedding, I heard lots of advice about choosing the right stuff for my big day.  I'll share with you the advice I gathered along the way. 

Start with this list of questions to help you figure out what works for you, your dress, and your wedding.

1. What is your style?  Simple, dramatic, understated, sophisticated, vintage?
2. What is the neckline of your dress?
3. How do you plan to wear your hair?  Up, down, long, curly?
4. What kind of jewelry do you like/ not like to wear?  (Like earings, don't like chokers)
5. What does your veil look like?
6. What is the style of your dress?  What does it look like? (Does it have embelishments, etc?)
7. How dressy is your wedding going to be?

After considering these questions, start your search.  Begin by looking online, choosing styles that strike you or that you think might look good with your ensemble.  Stop by department stores, boutiques, and other stores to try on different pieces.  Get a feel for how these different pieces look on you.  Once you have a good idea of what styles and pieces might look good, purchase some.  WARNING: make sure to purchase only from a store that accepts returns.  You definitely will want to try on prospective jewelry with your dress before making any decisions. 

The best advice I received was to buy lots of different options, try them all on with my dress, and take pictures.  I'm gonna repeat that last bit: take pictures.  Taking pictures was really helpful for me because only after looking at the pictures did I realize that the earrings I loved looked too small in my photos.  Once you determine which items look best, you can return the rest. 

And now for some inspiration (you can find all of these items on Etsy)

Photos: Lys Wedding Necklace (EderaJewelry); Sparkling Chandeliers

Swarovski Crystal Bridal Earrings (LizardiBridal); Feather Fascinator 

(GlamHouse); Karin CZ and Pearl Chandelier Earrings (OWDJewelry); 

Lady of Shalott Handmade Necklace (EderaJewelry); Ballroom Bridesmaid 

Earrings (kalliART); Pink Glass Pearl Chandelier Earrings (barkdecor)

Quick Palette: Warm Winter Berry & Olive

If you're looking for a beautiful color combination that would warm up any winter affair, this palette would be perfect! The two shades of berry work so well together with little pops of the lighter green and tan.  Pair this palette with a delicious menu and sophisticated details for a truly amazing wedding.

Photos: Paper Mojo: Cranberry on Burgundy; Project Wedding: Berry bridesmaid dress; 

Houndstooth Gourmet: pork tenderloin with blackberry and tarragon sauce; Celebrations: Bouquet

Affordable Vera Wang?

Yes, it's true.  Vera Wang's newest line of wedding dresses is both beautiful AND affordable.  White by Vera Wang has the same dramatic and feminine details as the more expensive line, but at under $1400, these dresses are much easier on the wedding budget.  I've heard chatter about the line since summer of last year, and finally the dresses are available.  While the dresses went on sale yesterday (by special order only) at all David's Bridal locations, only some stores have the dresses to try on (see below for local stores carrying the line).  Come summer, Vera Wang's bridesmaid dresses will also be available at David's Bridal.

Dying to see the dresses in person?  Here are the Seattle-area stores that have White by Vera Wang in-store:

• Alderwood Parkway Plaza (Lynnwood)
• Parkway Supercenter (Tukwilla)
• Tacoma Mall (Tacoma)

Which are your favorites?

Photo: Platinum Touch Events