Wedding Gown Wednesday

I think I’m just going to start calling this Wedding Gown Thursday because for some reason, I really struggle with the Wednesday thing.

Thanks for hangin’ in there with me.

Todays gown is for a very special Bride.

This Bride likes the wow factor.

She’s understated, but loves herself some Haute Couture glam.

 

See what I mean?

I love this gown because the structured bodice is so unexpected on top of the soft silk crepe skirt.

See how they styled her?

Her makeup, hair and accessories are minimal.

I see this Bride in a big city.

She’s in New York, Chicago, even Seattle.

She’s getting married in a loft or somewhere really chic downtown.

This could be you.

Do you want it to be?

Check out more specs on this dress here.

 

Public Service Announcement

I hope you all had an awesome Halloween last week!

I know I did.

But while some of you were dressing up as sexy coffee tables or one of these

Nothing says “sexy” to a man like Hulk Hogan complete with mustache

I was busy looking through Resumes.

I am always surprised when I go through them.  It is shocking to me how people, even smart people, do not know how to properly write a resume.

Here are some pointers if you are wanting a job as a Bridal Consultant, or any job.

1.  Look, I’m not looking for MBA quality resumes, just proper spelling and use of capitalization.

For example, here is a cover letter I received (not the exact one, I’m not that rude)

“i saw your add and i really want to work there here is my resume please call my cell phone if you need to ask me a question”

Did she think she was texting me?

Even then, it was a horrible text!

2.  DO NOT tell me that Say Yes To The Dress is your favorite show and that you have always wanted to make Brides feel like Princesses.

When you say this to me, this is all I see

 

A girl that just wants to bounce around from Bride to Bride telling her she is pretty.

That is not what we are looking for.

3.  At the Interview, don’t show up late and don’t show up in jeans

4.  Even better, when you come in and ask if we are hiring, don’t come in wearing pajama pants (you think I’m kidding?).

5.  If you can’t work Saturdays, you can’t work in the Bridal Industry.  Sad, but true.

 

Are there any competent people out there?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Parents, Friends, Family Members!  Help your loved ones when they are trying to get a job.  Mock interview them.  Tell them what outfit looks good for the interview.  Look over their Resume.

I always say that there are two kind of bad people 1. People who do bad things and 2. People who watch bad things happen and don’t do anything about it.

Don’t be a number 2.  Don’t stand by and watch your loved one fail in the job category.

There.

I’m done.

Happy Election Day everybody!  Vote!

 

But The Truth Remains… You’re Gone

For many of us, Friday was a day of loss.

I found myself, throughout the day, reflecting on the past.

There were times of dreaming and fantasizing about what my future was going to hold.

I knew that it would happen.

I had willed it to!

Then SHE came along

and changed everything.

If you have been living under a rock, you may not know that Justin Timberlake wed Jessica Biel on Friday in a beautiful Italian wedding.  Biel gushed about how her wedding was “a fantasy” and Justin stated that it “was magical”.

I can actually hear my 15 year old heart breaking.

That was supposed to be MY day, Biel!

I mean, when you broke it off with Britney, I thought “this is it!”, but I was wrong.

Oh, was I wrong.

The Ceremony details have been kept pretty secret and I am dying to hear about what she wore, but I promise as soon as I find out, I will let you know.

I will close this post by dedicating this song to you, Justin.

I will always have a special place for you in my heart.

My Thoughts on the Big Debate

I’ve got my views about it and since this is MY blog, I’m going to talk about it and nobody can stop me.

I think you will be surprised at where I stand.

I overhear conversations about where people stand and I can honestly say that I see both sides.

Should I wear a Veil on my Wedding Day or just a headpiece.

Oh, wait.

Was there another debate going on?

What did you think I was talking about?

Oooohhhh.  Riiiiigghhhtt.

No, sorry.  You don’t care what I think about that.

Ok, back to the veil thing.

In the last ten years, veils have not always been on trend.  I saw more Brides just wanting headpieces, flowers or a simple vintage brooch to adorn their hair.

Do I love that look?

Yes.  I think it is a beautiful contemporary look.  It’s simple and glamorous all at the same time.

But.

Let me list a few reasons why you might want to rethink your decision if you have already decided not to wear a veil.

1.  Let me ask you a question, how often do you get to wear a veil?  For most people the answer is “only on my Wedding Day”.

2.  I once read a study in a Bridal Magazine where they took 100 Grooms and asked them to draw a Bride.  Every single one of them drew a bride with a veil.

3.  It truly finishes your look.  When you wear a veil, you look like a Bride, not just a girl wearing a white dress.

Do you know what is so great about fashion right now?  Anything goes!!

Seriously!

I mean, come on

What says anything goes like a freakin’ fanny pack and denim on denim?

But it’s also true about Bridal.

There are so many different looks that are in style and you can find a veil that will match each one, whether it’s Bohemian

or classic drama

Just don’t wear a fanny pack that day.  Please.

Wear it for the Ceremony and then take it off afterwards and keep your headpiece on.  Not only does this create a more relaxed feel, it also helps your hair when your guests want to hug you.  I have seen more veils get ripped out of Brides’ hair that way.

So in closing I would like to ask you to please reconsider wearing a veil.

It’s the American way!

This Little Piggy Went To Market

Chicago Market.

Probably my favorite.

Dallas Market is too hot.

I felt dirty when I used to have to go to Vegas Market.

New York Market is too Hoity Toity.

But Chicago Market is juuuuuuuust right.

It also helps that I love the trades building that it’s held in. They have this killer Kitchen and Bath showroom on the ground floor that is called Luxe. It makes me wonder why I’m a buyer in the Bridal Industry and not in the Home Industry…

The weather is always perfect during the end of September and the leaves are ridiculous, but I’m getting ahead of myself here.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Here I am at the airport standing in line to check in

I had an early flight the morning I left.  My alarm was set for 3:30.  I almost fell asleep standing in line to check in, but I didn’t.  I was strong.  But no matter what time of day I am flying, I am always comfortable (as shown in the photo above by my chucks).  Ladies, there is always time to go to the hotel room and change once you get there.  I hate having to see a woman in her pencil skirt and prosties (that’s what I call way too tall of a platform heels.  It looks like she should be  a prostitute) awkwardly running down the terminal trying to catch her flight.

Once I got through security I grabbed the newest Bridal Magazines, a Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte, a Kind Bar and settle in for a relaxing flight.

Once we got to Chicago, we spent the rest of the day discussing our game plan and catching up on a little bit of shopping for our own closets along Michigan Ave.

You have had my heart ever since I shopped you in London TopShop and you always will.

I have often been asked if I love shopping and I can honestly tell you no.  I don’t.  Does a painter like to come home and paint his house?  No, he doesn’t.  Look, I don’t hate it, but it’s my job to shop.  It’s the same reason why I don’t like watching Say Yes To The Dress.  I do appreciate a good store, good clothes and a good experience though.

The next day, it was go time!

It was pretty much just a whirlwind of fashion shows, meeting designers, collaborating, buying, wanting to give models sandwiches and more fashion shows.

Oh, and I will never forget saying “whats up” to David Tutera.  I didn’t have the camera on my phone all queued up to get a photo, but I will tell you this:

That man wears more makeup than I do.

At the end of the trip I was tired.

I still am.

But I’m excited!

There are so many new and incredible designers that I was able to meet and line to pick up!

Here are the rest of the photos I was able to snap while I was there.

Getting ready for the debut of Maggie Sottero and Sottero and Midgley’s new Spring 2013 line.

One of the many Fashion Shows

I’m not lying when I say this was one of my favorite headpieces.

This is what I got to see every night when I left Market. I’m not a good photographer, so you know this had to be amazing!

Mori Lee’s in house DJ getting down with his bad self for the fashion show. He was actually really good!

This is Jose. He is Justin Alexander’s designer and one of the nicest guys I know. Some of the best designers are men. And this may or may not be me…

I love you Chicago!  Never change!

Wedding Gown Wednesday

Whew!

I’m tired.

But I’m excited.

This year’s Chicago Bridal Market turned out to be one of the best Markets that I have attended.  There are some really great new designers that we picked up and that I am so excited to introduce to you.

And for those of you that follow my twitter, it was nice bringing you along with me.

The only downer?  The prom and special occasion gowns

My son’s curfew would be 7:00 that night

I wish that I was kidding about this one.

Anyway, I will talk more about Market on friday.

So, back to Wedding Gown Wednesday.

Tonight’s gown comes from Selia Yang

 

It can be really hard for a designer to design a fully textured gown without it coming off obnoxious, but Selia Yang really pulled this one off.  It doesn’t take away from her shape and it doesn’t scream that the Bride is trying too hard.  It is just a Couture style that everyone can appreciate.

Note of caution:

If you wear a gown with a lot of texture, make sure that your hair, makeup and accessories are simple.  There is nothing worse than a Bride who got too much going on.

It’s distracting.

My point exactly.

If you would like to see more of Selia Yang’s designs, click here.

Wedding Gown Wednesday

I’m kind of having to rush this post because I’m trying to get my shiz together to go to Chicago Market.

Yes, that is this weekend.

My dress this Wednesday is kind of an oldie, oh but it’s a goodie.

This is Justin Alexander’s style #9668

When I went to Market two years ago and saw this gown, I fell in love and we are are still going strong.

The bead encrusted shoulders, the simple band at the waist, the silk and the open back rocked my world

What else rocked my world?

The fact that Brides were afraid of this gown.  They would try it on and talk about how awesome it was and how they loved it and then would go back to their cookie cutter strapless ball gown.

I love Brides that are willing to take a risk and the Brides that bought this gown, were my kind of Brides.

To check out this gown click here.

Oh and speaking of Market, I’m going to be tweeting and taking a ton of photos!  If you’re not following me on Twitter yet, oh you should be.  Especially this weekend.

Follow me @yourbridesmaid

Brides’ Maid out!

Wedding Gown Wednesday

Welcome, new readers, to the greatest blog you will ever accidentally come across!

Man, if I new that talking about my cellulite would be so popular I would start talking about it more.

I hope you come by often.

You’re always welcome.

So here we are, another Wedding Gown Wednesday.

Let’s see what I have in the arsenal…

BAM!

Meet Isadora by Johanna Johnson, a gorgeous raw silk bodice with jewel encrusted belt and full tulle skirt with a pearl sheen.

Simple and elegant with just a touch of  “look at me, I’m awesome”.

I love Johanna Johnson.

This designer is talented and groundbreaking, everything you could want in fashion.

She has styled stars like Christina Hendricks

va va va voom

which shows me that she’s not just a one trick pony that can only design for size 0 waifs.  She knows how to flatter all figures.

Want to see more of her styles?

Check out her website here.

Here is some super important news about her current styles.  If you are wanting to purchase any of them, do it before October 1, 2012 because she is discontinuing them to get ready to launch her new collection.  They are at discounted prices and in limited quantities so HURRY!!!

SSSHHHHH! Don’t Tell My Husband…

…But I’m having a love affair.

I can’t help myself!

I am in love with a Lebanese designer named Zuhair Murad.

Ok ok.

So I’ve never met the guy, but he has got to be incredible if he can design a gown like this

Everything about this gown is luxurious.

Look at how the lace trimmed skirt opens in the front to reveal a full lace appliquéd underskirt.

The off the shoulder lace neckline that goes into a lace three quarter length sleeve.

And the sash.  THE SASH!  It brings the eye to the smallest part of your waist and makes it look itty bitty.

I appreciate designers that don’t forget about the back of dresses because, come on, when you think about it, people will be looking at your backside 95% of the time during the ceremony.  You better give them something good to look at and that’s why I love this beautiful bow in the back.

This gown is beautiful on most figures especially if you are not feeling too keen on the whole underarm region.

You think this is good?  Take a look at his other styles by clicking here.

And I would like to take this opportunity to tell T (my husband) no worries.  I love you, but it wouldn’t hurt my love for you if you could design a gown like this.

Just sayin’.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is Fall!

Not only is the Earth at it’s most beautiful and the funnest Holiday is upon us

I want to be Rosie the Riveter for Halloween.  I’m not into skanky costumes.  Yes, I am too good for those.

but it’s the big Market Season!

You may have notice all of the hubbub going on in New York for the past few days.  It’s called Fashion Week.  It’s when the hottest designers premier their new lines for Spring of the next year.

For Buyers, this is Christmas!  (or Hanukah or Kwanza or whatever floats your boat)

This is the perk of our job.

We get to dress up, rub shoulders with top Designers and buy, buy, buy.

My Fashion Week start the last week of September.

I will be at the Chicago Bridal Market gobbling up all of the new trends in Bridal for 2013.

Seriously, best part of my job.

Did I mention my other favorite part of Fall?

The Brides.

I don’t know what it is.

The Brides that get married in the fall are always a little more low key and a little more stylish.  I love the rich colors that go into planning a fall wedding.  I love the crisp air that make the wedding festivities even more luxurious.

I just love it.

So let’s welcome Fall together and celebrate the incredible weddings that we are about to experience this season.