Thursday, November 7, 2013

STYLE CHAT: From Beading to Lace, You’ll Commit to These 6 Chic Bridal Trends!

Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most important decisions a fashionista will make, so it’s important to go in with a plan so that you can find the gown that fits your personality and needs.

Bridal expert Carine Krawiec, who owns Carine’s Bridal Atelier in D.C., knows her way around a wedding gown — to say the least — and has dropped by CocoaFab to share her tips for finding THE dress and reveals the six top of-the-moment fashion trends in bridal for 2014.

Keep reading for her tips and then scroll through the gallery to check out some of the chicest gowns around.

1) Location, location, location.  Each venue can change what style of gown you will wear.

2) Keep an open mind.  Select a few gowns that you thought you’d never wear. You never know, it could be the one!

3) Mind the company you keep.  Bring people to your appointment whose opinion you value and who will bring positive energy.

4) Don’t forget the budget. Know what you want to spend because if you fall in love with a gown that’s out of your budget, it can really break your heart.

5) Don’t get overwhelmed. Remember, this is the fun part! Enjoy every minute if it.



New season, new hues

"Following the lead from trends set during the Haute Couture Fall 2013 season, bridal collections are showcasing nudes, blushes and greys for brides. Monique Lhuillier’s rose gold embroidery mixed with layers of blush tulle is a good example of the trend, as is Zuhair Murad’s stunning flower-encrusted nude gown, seen here. The soft tones will make it easier for brides to step away from traditional white and ivory without making them regret their decision years down the road."





Raising the hemline

"I'm frequently asked, 'Do you know where I can buy a short white dress?' After this season, they will be easy to find. Designers like Jenny Lee, seen here, created short dresses for all parts of a wedding celebration, including engagement parties, bridal showers, receptions and rehearsal dinners. Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2014 line consisted entirely of tea-length and cocktail dresses. Marchesa added a few short dresses to their line, including one of my favorites: a strapless lace with cascading flower details. Brides will have a huge selection this season to find a short dress perfect for the occasion."





Make an exit

"Making an entrance is important for a bride, but this season is all about the exit, as designers focus on creating unforgettable back details. In past seasons, key hole backs were the standard, yet this season, designers are focused on incorporating an art nouveau touch. Miami-based designer Liancarlo created an irresistible re-embroidered chantilly lace low-back gown, and Toronto-based designer Rivini played with soft finishes of lace to decorate the curves of a bride's back. The Monique Lhuillier gown seen here has a beautifully-constructed back."



Lacy arm candy

"Lace sleeves will be trickling down the arms of brides this season. These sleeves are filled with chantilly lace, feather stitching and re-embroidered lace. Designers created unique patterns, playing with the layout of the fabric. Monique Lhuillier create a basket weave shoulder detail, seen on the gown here, and Marchesa constructed flower garden sleeves. Every bride has the option of choosing a traditional look with a new modern lace twist."








Plunging V necklines

"A trend seen on the runways that echoed in the bridal Fall 2014 shows are V necklines, which became a staple in almost all the collections this season. Rita Vinieris, designer for Rivini, introduced this neckline for the first time in a few of her gowns. Marchesa also playfully added V-necks to their romantic bridal collection. Temperley London, seen here, created a romantic V-neck embellished with organza flower accents and beading that begins to form floral and leaf patterns."






Beading, beading, beading!

"Bridal gowns in 2014 will light up the night if the beading shown at bridal market is any indication!vTouches of sequins, caviar beads, glass and silver beading graced the Fall 2014 collections.vBeading helps create a romantic and glamorous look, and designers like Liancarlo mixed pearls and beading together to create an icy look on a classic sheath gown. Monique Lhuillier decided to add caviar glass beads to her sheath-like 'Gwyneth' gown. Even the short dress collection by Carolina Herrera, seen here, had jeweled illusion necklines. Beading is in and hopefully it's here to stay!"

Read the full article here: http://cocoafab.com/style-chat-from-beading-to-lace-youll-commit-to-these-6-chic-bridal-trends/?slide=1
New season, new hues

"Following the lead from trends set during the Haute Couture Fall 2013 season, bridal collections are showcasing nudes, blushes and greys for brides. Monique Lhuillier’s rose gold embroidery mixed with layers of blush tulle is a good example of the trend, as is Zuhair Murad’s stunning flower-encrusted nude gown, seen here. The soft tones will make it easier for brides to step away from traditional white and ivory without making them regret their decision years down the road." - See more at: http://cocoafab.com/style-chat-from-beading-to-lace-youll-commit-to-these-6-chic-bridal-trends/?slide=2#sthash.CPRcAcgD.dpuf
New season, new hues

"Following the lead from trends set during the Haute Couture Fall 2013 season, bridal collections are showcasing nudes, blushes and greys for brides. Monique Lhuillier’s rose gold embroidery mixed with layers of blush tulle is a good example of the trend, as is Zuhair Murad’s stunning flower-encrusted nude gown, seen here. The soft tones will make it easier for brides to step away from traditional white and ivory without making them regret their decision years down the road." - See more at: http://cocoafab.com/style-chat-from-beading-to-lace-youll-commit-to-these-6-chic-bridal-trends/?slide=2#sthash.CPRcAcgD.dpuf

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

8 Wedding Trends That Are Still Going Strong

2013 weddings were full of amazing trends, from metallic details to family-style tables to Gatsby glamor. We're getting excited to see what the next year will hold, so we asked wedding professionals from all around the country to predict which ideas will be even more popular in 2014. Check out the growing requests that they're receiving from brides!



1. Camp-style weddings: Weddings at summer camps are popping up more and more because there is ample space to accommodate overnight guests but also multiple venues (all conveniently located on one property) to host different pre- and post-wedding celebrations." Rider Strong of Boy Meets World fame recently got hitched in a camp-style wedding, and so did Matthew McConaughey.



2. The English garden look: Michelle Hoffner of Paper Antler photography is seeing a switch to more "locally grown wildflower bouquets" than traditional florist bouquets. Some brides are even including bouquet-making as a wedding weekend event!




3. Custom Wedding Invitations: Whether it is tweeking the colors so they match your fabulous scheme or getting a custom monogram designed specially for you - having the artist involved helps you make your special day even more special.



4. Shabby-chic seating: Jeni Maus of Found Vintage Rentals is receiving a lot of inquiries for mix-and-match furniture. She thinks "mixing couches, upholstered chairs and pews for the ceremony seating" will be a huge upcoming trend!



5. Non-floral centerpieces: Tabletops are becoming a pure reflection of the couple and not always being covered in florals. I see a table filled with amazing candlesticks and a romantic glow or geometric shapes and pops of color.



6. Bold-is-better lipstick: Danika Lamb of Artistry By Danika thinks brides in 2014 are going to continue "showcasing more ‘pops’ of color on their lips. Adding a bold lip that is still feminine and pretty is a fun change from the typical ‘bridal’ look."



7. Dramatic, short veils: Many makeup artists are getting a lot more requests these days for "voluminous bubble veils with a lot of height!" They’ll be sure to make more appearances in 2014 weddings.



8. Patterned robes for primping: Many are seeing more attention being paid to the "getting ready" outfits that bridal parties are wearing to be photographed pre-wedding. They’re predicting to "see more bridal parties in matching patterns in the coming year."

Monday, November 4, 2013

Sending Christmas Cards to Distant Friends



Sending Christmas cards to distant friends, such as college roommates, is a great way to keep them in mind over the holidays. Friends have a unique bond with the husband or wife and are more interested in seeing photos of their friends as well as their children. Choosing a photo Christmas card that includes a photo of yourself, as well as your family, will be of interest to distant friends.





Sunday, November 3, 2013

Uplighting to Its Popular Wedding Packages



After popular client demand, Amplify Entertainment owner Nate Long announced today that his wedding DJ company now offers custom monogram lighting and uplighting. Couples interested in the new products can check for availability at AmplifyMyEvent.com.

"We're excited to take our clients' weddings to the next level," said Long. "We're all about making each of our weddings unique to our clients and their personalities. Our custom monogram lighting and uplighting helps us with that goal."

Long says that unlike monogram lighting options offered by others, his company's are fully customizable and Long himself designs them from scratch. Many companies use pre-defined templates that aren't as customizable and offer only limited font and design options.

"We actually pulled a full-color sunflower design from a couple's wedding invitation and were able to display it on the back wall of the wedding venue for all guests to see when they sat down for dinner," said Long. "Our clients received lots of compliments from their guests."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1548076#ixzz2iqBeBsgI

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Popular Christmas Cards 2013

Are you saying it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas cards?  Well, I’m sorry, you’re wrong.

Daily life seems to move at a very fast pace, making it difficult to keep up with family and friends. Holiday stressors, gift shopping and holiday functions dominate your time. How do you show those close to you they still have a special place in your heart during the holidays?

These relationships are important to people and many are frustrated at their inability to keep in touch. Sure, social sites such as Facebook and Twitter help keep people connected, but during the holidays, people like to make face to face time with their close friends. The inability to connect with everyone close to them can result in added stress. Since in person connections are not always possible, keeping in touch through Facebook, phones, text messages and cards can help ease pressure on the relationship. Sending a personalized Christmas card with a personal message to those you cannot see communicates to the recipient that you are thinking of them over the holidays. Photo cards are especially beneficial for those you cannot connect with because it is something fun to open and provides a nice image of the family or children for the recipient. Creating several variations of personalized cards based upon the recipient is often helpful to convey a message they are sure to love!

Here are a few of my more popular Christmas greeting cards for this year:





Friday, November 1, 2013

Top 10 most expensive wedding costs



The season of "I do" is upon us, and couples everywhere are gearing up to seal the deal -- romantically and financially.

According to online wedding planning resource TheKnot.com, the average amount spent on weddings, excluding honeymoons, in 2012 was $28,427. But is that realistic?

"You have some couples that will book celebrity-status bands for their wedding ... then you'll have couples who will want to do nothing more than just cover a space in flowers," says Anja Winikka, site editor for TheKnot.com.

Using TheKnot's data from 2009 to 2012, Bankrate crunched the numbers and found that although wedding budgets were hit by the U.S. economic downturn, couples managed to hand over hefty change for their big day. Here, in order from most to least expensive, are the top 10 categories in which couples spared no expense for jumping the broom.

    Average cost in 2012: $12,095
    Average cost in 2009: $12,838
    Percentage change: -5.79 percent

With the average reception hall cost topping $12,000, frugal brides can find many places to trim costs.

Rather than outfitting the tables at your reception with expensive linens, use your tabletops to illustrate memories with large photo prints, says Richard O'Malley, a New York-based wedding and event planner.

"You get to actually see the couple through their lives on each table where everyone is sitting. Instead of spending $100 or more a tablecloth, you can actually get a personal thing that if you wanted, you could take home and do something with at some point."

Read the full article here: http://www.bankrate.com/lite/smart-spending/top-10-most-expensive-wedding-costs-2.aspx