Desinger dress... Bridesmaid price

Recently on the Minneapolis Knot board, a bride posted her dress at a steal of a price... It was a bridesmaid dress, and stunning. My sister went this route as well. She was a DIY and budget bride whose wedding dress was technically made for maids....

This option is not only reasonable, but clever. High-end designers are selling their bridesmaid dresses at a small fraction of the big ticket wedding gowns available. Most of the silhouettes are simple, but the ease of the dress is perfect for a more casual setting. Some of the dresses offer more intricate designs which can easily pass for a formal affair. Destination weddings, or reception dresses are also prime occasions for a dress for less. Here are a few that I found quite pretty for any bride.

Vera Wang

Amsale

(available in ivory)

Melissa Sweet/Priscilla of Boston

Local Bridal Salon: Brides of France

I love to stop into these shops to check out the variety of vintage jewelry, hats, and consigned gowns. The shops are family owned, and the service is very personal.

I stopped into the Edina location yesterday and browsed through their impressive selection of fur stoles, and veils... I know there a quite a few winter weddings coming up, and the styles and colors they offered were ample.

Brides of France carries the LaSposa line, as well as Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride dresses.

InStyle Weddings: Hair

omer visited Selecting the right style for your wedding is a long process of trial and error. Factor in the formality of your day, your dress, your setting, and you can narrow down a look that will be timeless.

InStyleweddings.com has a really good selection inspired by celeb looks. Here are a few I love.

Adele: Make you feel my love

This song will be sung at my wedding ceremony by my sister and her husband...

I love Adele. Anwar keeps telling me that I am going to play the CD ragged in my car.

Her soulful voice carries through your bones... My goodness this girl can sing.

The inspiration to play the song came from my good friend Alyssa. Thanks doll!

Local Stationer: Penelope Paperie

Penelope Paperie is a local stationer whose style is crafted and personalized. The invitations look as though each one specifically was made to honor the bride and groom. After all, that is how it should be. The owner and artist, Laura Todd, began the business by creating her own save the dates and wedding invitations. Check her out for inspiration or your own wedding stationery needs.

For more information, visit the website at penelopepaperie.com. You can also email laura@penelopepaperie.com, or call 612.483.1709.

Here are a few invitations that I love...

(All photos from penelopepaperie.com)

For the Fellas: GQ for Men's Wearhouse

While renting tuxes is a common practice, a sharp suit at a reasonable price is always a good option. Your guy can use the suit following the wedding, and the style is high enough for the most dapper of grooms.


Men's Wearhouse is now carrying a line of suits from GQ. GQ is my favorite men's magazine, I love the styles, the articles, and the models in there rival some of the top women for most beautiful. Here are a few looks that I love. (All photos from Menswearhouse.com)

Christos

(Kensington)

With soft silhouettes, beautiful movement, and graceful fabrics, Christos gowns excel above your average bridal line. A romantic and feminine bride could take her pick, and leave with the gown from her childhood dreams.

The line was created by Christos Yiannakou, who was a mentor to Amsale. After over 35 years in the industry, Christos retired in 2005. Amsale took over as creative director for the line. In this role, she has mastered the technique of creating timeless silhouettes.

Minnesota brides can find these gowns at Mestad's in Rochester.

(all photos from Christosbridal.com)

(Abbey)

(Sutton)

(Daisy)

(Marietta)

(Hannah)

Cake Ideas from across the pond

Maise Fantaisie is a bakery found in London. The cakes are fun yet stylish. The owner is May Clee-Cadman, and she is as pretty as her cakes. One thing for sure, this Brit knows her stuff. I wonder if they can be shipped...hmmm...Anyone have a fork?

First Blush Wedding: Dawn and Shaun

This past August, I worked with a couple with a very unique wedding. A change of pace, and, well a change in the time period all together.

Ye olde couple were getting hitched at the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee. This was a first for me. The festival was the perfect setting. The event included a blessing from the Queen, a parade, a bag pipe, a lot of corsets, and the biggest turkey legs I've ever seen. One thing that wasn't a show, was the love of these two. Congratulations Dawn and Shaun, August 23, 2008.

Photos from Photobox Studio