HaselBride

Lovely Pleated Dresses

If I only had our wedding day to do over again. I found two lovely dresses today that just might have been the ones had I discovered them a year ago. The first, the Cachet Twist Front Chiffon Gown with Beaded Cap Sleeves is from Nordstrom and an absolute bargain in champagne for only $198.

This pale gown might not be the ideal color for all, but I personally love the unexpected hue. The dress is an obvious take on the Reem Acra worn by Olivia Wilde at the Emmys I posted about in 2008 here. Had I seen this while I was still planning, I might have jumped on it as a reception dress. How perfect would it be for dancing the night away? I wish I had an appropriate event in the near future, I would scoop it right up.

The second dress is an never worn, sample gown being sold by a Weddingbee reader {on the left below} via the classifieds. The Enzoani Cayla is absolutely beautiful! I know I've seen the photographs of the real bride featured wearing this somewhere, but it really caught my eye without the straps. This gown is gorgeous, almost a dressier version of the $198 version at Nordstrom.

Both of these gowns are gorgeous, and very much on trend. I love the pleated bodices and beading detail. What style of gown are you interested in? What trends are your favorite?

Top photos © Nordstrom via Olivet, bottom photos © respective photographers via Weddingbee.

Oh J.Crew....

My favorite store I can barely afford has done it again...this morning I stumbled upon the most gorgeous flower girl dress about two weeks too late. Oh well, it is out of my budget anyhow.

I can still admire it from afar. Fabulous, unique. Exactly what I was looking for. My favorite part is the layer or crinoline underneath the dress. It adds an extra something that just makes the dress pop.

If you're still on the lookout for unique flower girl attire, keep your eye on J.Crew. You never know when something will come up.

All images © J.Crew.

Emmy Red Carpet 2008: Wedding Inspired?

Looking through the InStyle and MSN Emmy red carpet photo galleries this morning, I noticed a striking trend. It was like a white out. So many actresses arrived on the red carpet donning gorgeous wedding-inspired dresses in the very bridal colors of white, ivory, champagne and gold. So refreshing! These gowns were a lovely break from previous years' very colorful palettes {although there were still some–Teri Hatcher and Mariska Hargitay wore yellow quite well}.

Evangeline Lilly from Lost looked absolutely fabulous {top, middle}. One of my favorites, although I might be biased because her show is awesome. Felicity Hoffman from Desperate Housewives rocked her short hair* and a glittery gown. {Click all photos to view them large.}

Already this morning, Erin from Blue-Eyed Bride and other bloggers posted about Olivia Wilde's Reem Acra gown {far left above, and also below}. I love love love this dress. It is so reminiscent of the Pronovias wedding dresses I adored and posted about here in March when I first started looking. This kind of Grecian tailoring was exactly what I wanted in a gown, but the cut didn't flatter my figure. Either way, I can just imagine graceful floating on the dance floor all night in a dress like this. The pleating! The ruching! The beaded sleeves! Ahhh, I could go on and on...

Some more bridal-inspired looks complete with handsome dates. I do love Mad Men's Don Draper aka actor Jon Hamm.

Some actresses embraced the white trend, but went short. I love a great cocktail dress. These would make fun second/reception dresses. You could definitely party all night long in these!

It is wonderful when designers find inspiration from the bridal world. I especially love it when brides {myself included} can find inspiration from fashion designers and celebrities! Now I'm wishing I would have actually watched the red carpet arrivals to see these dresses in action, but I was busy catching up on work. I won't make that mistake again, after all I do have TiVo!

Now I want to know, what was your favorite Emmys 2008 red carpet look? Would you wear any of these for your wedding? Feeling inspired by any of these looks?

*I'm ready to go back to my short hair and join other newlyweds in the traditional chopping of the hair right after the wedding.

All photos © respective photographers and MSN.

{Help!} Flower Girl Dress Dilemma

Dilemma is a bit strong, but I'm definitely in a bind. The time has come for me to chose a flower girl dress/outfit for my four-year-old niece. I've blogged about other flower girls dresses before: here and here. I have {kind of} given up on the fabulous tutu idea because I don't think an ivory tutu will look as great as the multi-colored ones floating around. {I'm scared to go with green because it might clash with the flowers and look a little too Tinkerbell.}

Left image © Forever Yours, right image © Watters.

I like the idea of the two dresses above; they seem slightly tutu inspired. The one on the left from Forever Yours {imagine it in ivory} seems a smidge dowdy. I'm not a huge fan of the long skirt and boring neckline. I particularly like the shorter one on the right from Watters' flower girl line WaWa, but maybe in ivory with a black or green ribbon. Or would the green work? I'm worried it might be too Eastery and not wintry enough. It will be COLD during December in Indiana.

Image © Forever Yours.

While at my first dress fitting last week, my mom and I leafed through a few of the catalogs of flower girls dresses available through the salon. The dress above was the only one that really leaped out at me. I love love love the bodice...BUT is it might be a little too miniature bride and I am not in love with the skirt. I would almost want it to be shortened and both layers the same length.

All images © J.Crew/crewcuts.

This last outfit is pretty traditional, but still very cute. The patent shoes, I'm guessing an ivory stocking. I would take any of the tops, but would love love the sequin one {but it is pretty expensive, unfortunately}.

So what do you think? Which would you choose that compliments my dress, shoes, and the bridesmaids dresses?

Check!–oh wait, uncheck.

I'm working my way down the never-ending to-do list of wedding chores. {That sounds awful, as though this is stuff I don't want to do–like make the bed.} Next on my list is to seriously start thinking about the flower girl outfit.

I called my sister to double check my niece's size and tell her my ideas for Mady's outfit. She thought they were all great, so I set out to order the tutu from Cake + Milk Paperie. I was so confused because there were only four options available in their drop-down menu. Then I realized, Cake + Milk Paperie has stopped creating these fabulous and inexpensive tutus. I emailed to double check and those are the last ones. {If you're in the market, they still have a few in great colors, just not what I need.}

I was mildly upset, but I figured it was for the better because I wasn't sure what she would wear on top. I decided to check out Monsoon again. The beautiful sequined skirt {above, right} was available again. So I started to order it even though the exchange rate from pounds to dollars isn't so fabulous right now. As I'm starting to checkout, I look over and the shipping column doesn't mention international. Two seconds later I realize, they don't ship internationally! I am so disappointed. I love their clothes for little girls' special occasions. {I don't have a friend I can have it shipped to either.}

I'm back to square one. After reading Emily's recent post about J.Crew, I headed back for another look. I liked some of their stuff in the beginning, but tried not to get too attached because of the price. I decided to check out the sale and found this:

I love the subtle metallic sheen of the fabric, but it might be too boring. What if I added a velvet green or grey sash and one of the Sex and the City flowers/poofs I'm in love with? I'm still so hung up on the Monsoon outfits. They had such great detailing and were so different. This has very little detail aside from the pleat.

I also like this other number, but of course the yellow flowers would have to go. $138 is a pretty steep price if I'm going to have to add or remove some stuff. Plus, Mady would definitely need a cardigan for this one.

I guess I need to keep looking, but I'm tempted to buy that first J.Crew dress as a back up. I just wish they allowed returns for sale items. What do you think? Have you seen any fabulous, unique flower girl outfits at any stores or in a real wedding? Do you know of a place that is similar to Monsoon?

PS: I think part of the reason I'm so hung up on Mady's outfit is because I though my dress would bea bit more unusual. I feel like this is a place to let Mady and I's fabulously fashionable flag fly. Stupid but true.

Top images {from left to right} © Cake + Milk Paperie, right © Monsoon. All other dress images © J.Crew. Ribbon images © M&J Trimming. Poof images © Tinsel Trading.

Check and check!

I've been checking things off my to-do list left and right.

First big check: We have a photographer. &%()! This has been a really hard decision for me to make because I am a huge photo nerd. I was–geek alert–on the yearbook in high school, which required that I be behind the camera for all major school events {dances, basketball games, etc.} and cemented my love for graphic design and photography. On top of that dorkiness, my major required some photo classes. So I know a thing or two about it. That little bit of knowledge has made it really hard for me to decide on a photographer.

After much hemming and hawing {and freaking out over prices}, I realized I only LOVED two Indy area photographers' work: bobbi and mike and Turtle Pond Photography. Bobbi and Mike were booked, but Turtle Pond {aka Amanda and Nate} was not. I spoke with Amanda a few days later for over thirty minutes and after our conversation was even more excited that they are available. Their photos are full of color and life {and so are they!}. I think they are going to be a great fit for us.

Second big check: The save the dates went out while I was at home. We really wanted to send them sooner, but some rumors were flying around that Nick might be graduating a lot later than originally planned {putting him six weeks behind and still in pilot training during the wedding!}. To be sure he would be able to be there and we wouldn't have to cancel/postpone/move the date, we decided to wait until he started training with the new plane and could talk to his new instructors. After getting the go-ahead, I took the save the dates and envelopes home with me during my visit a few weeks ago. While I was there, my two fabulous aunts with gorgeous handwriting came over to help my mom and I address, organize and put stamps on them all. I have the best aunts in the world and I'm not exaggerating! Everyone should be so lucky to have a bunch of extra moms to pitch in.

Third big check: My wedding dress is in! AHHH! I have to call and schedule a fitting for September. I'm pretty sure I would like to be about ten pounds lighter by then. I've been snacking a lot and not really active this year so I'm not exactly at my usual size. {Strawberry sundaes have just been sounding so good lately. I miss home and our Dairy Queen, I think, and I've been substituting Sonic.} Think I can do it?

I am turning my attention to my freelance projects for awhile and working from home again, but I hope to be posting more frequently in the coming weeks. I'm most excited about a gorgeous real wedding I have to share with you! Stay tuned for that!

Top image is the 7 Days a Week List from Knock Knock. I use this exact to-do list; I love it. Bottom image © Turtle Pond Photography.

Flower Power

Photo © Martha Stewart Weddings. Dresses from Monsoon.

Every since I saw these photographs in Martha Stewart Weddings Winter 2008 issue, I knew I wanted my flower girl to wear something a little different than the traditional tank dress with a sash that most brides chose. That's a great, classic look, but I'm always in the market for new idea. Especially if the look is tailored to the flower girl's personality. These sequined dresses {from Monsoon, unavailable now} would be PERFECT for my flower girl/niece Mady. She is an absolutle girlie girl trapped in boy world. {She has two older brothers and one younger.} She loves playing in the mud with them, but still changes her outfit ten times a day and LOVES dress up.

I've been saving ideas for her flower girl outfit from various places as inspiration. I'm not locked into any one thing yet, but I think I've found some things I really like.

Clockwise: Sequin jackets from J.Crew, bronze sequin cape from Monsoon, marabou cape from Monsoon, sequin shoes from J.Crew. All images © J.Crew or Monsoon; layout © HaselBride.

I'm also a teeny bit obsessed with the idea of a tutu type skirt after seeing this yellow one in an email from J.Crew. Yellow {or pink, the other color available} wasn't exactly what I had in mind plus the price wasn't exactly right. {FYI: They are sold out now.}

The other day, I stumbled upon the pink tutu on the left at Cake and Milk Paperie. $26.50! Can't beat that. Plus, it is available in a multitude of colors include my choice: milkshake {off-white/cream}.


Left photo © J.Crew, right © Cake & Milk Paperie.

I pretty much sold on the tutu with some kind of sparkly accessory or top. It is incredibly inexpensive, so if I decide against it I can just add to her costume collection.

Found: The Dress.

FOUND!: one gorgeous and nearly perfectly fitting gown.

After much gnashing of teeth this past week that I wouldn't find a gown over the weekend, I returned Saturday to purchase the first gown I tried on at the first salon. I was so worried we would run out of stores and time, then I would have to go on the lookout by myself after my family left. I should have saved my worrying for something else, like the fact that I only have nine months to find the perfect pair of shoes for my perfect gown!

Now just for you readers of HaselBride, a sneak peek of my gown:

Isn't she lovely? I know, I know, I did exactly what I read would happen: I bought something completely different than what I had originally envisioned. I knew I wouldn't buy a puffy gown, however, I swore I wouldn't like something super embellished and well, I think the photograph shows that I do! The gown is very classic, yet different than anything I've seen lately. It is very form fitting throughout the bust and waist which flatters my somewhat petite frame.

Trying on wedding gowns was surreal. My head was spinning. I saw so many dresses and instantly knew once they were on whether I liked them or not. This gown was a yes at the beginning and a strong YES by the end. It was the only gown I cried wearing, which my mom took to be a sign.

I am so pleased to have the most important decision made. Now I really feel like I can make decisions about everything else. Plus, I was able to sit down and really show my mom and aunt my ideas for centerpieces, bridesmaids gowns, etc. I also got the chance to try out the Gocco–post forthcoming on my mock-up. I'm hoping to print our save the dates this weekend, but with all the freelance I have on my plate, who knows?

Image © HaselBride.

*Magazine Monday will return next Monday. After the slue of visitors and projects, I have just not had the time to devote to that feature. I promise I have not given up!

The Dress.

First dress, first salon: is it possible that could be the one?

I'm en route to try on more dresses, but we think I've found the one. Could it be that easy? More details soon!

We'll Be Shopping 'Til We Drop

My mother, aunt and cousin are en route to Mississippi so we can try our hand at wedding dress shopping this weekend. The past few weeks have been so busy; I haven't been able to completely process it. I am nervous and excited, and I feel a bit unprepared. I've posted before about wanting a unique wedding gown {doesn't every bride say that?} and I really want to stay true to that. I hate to compare, but my prom dress was unusual {at the time} and I like being ahead of the trend or even going completely against the grain. I loved wearing something no one else had worn and kind of blowing people away. {That seems a bit dramatic, but you know what I mean: I like the idea surprising people with my dress choice.}

After I posted about loving Marion Cotillard's Nina Ricci gown from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, reader Sofia shared that Pronovias carried some styles reminiscent of my dream dress. I finally sat down a week ago and spent some time perusing the site. Dare I say, I love these dresses. I've found a few I really adore and I want to share them with you. I'm positive they are out of my price range because many that I like are a part of Manuel Moto's line which is carried at fewer salons than the main line. However, I'm glad I'm actually finding wedding gowns I truly like versus ones I think are pretty but just don't do it for me.

And the common theme: pleats and more pleats. I suppose I'm a girl who likes a good pleat. I'm not really into satins or stiff fabrics...I think I'm in the market for a silk chiffon, flowy wedding gown. Very Grecian with a hint of detailing. I love elaborate pieces in small doses, which all of these dresses have and execute beautifully.

So now we'll have to see what the result of this weekend is. Will I get a dress? Am I too picky? Also, if anyone has any Birmingham salon recommendations, send them my way. I've got a few lined up, but I'm always in the market for more.

Sorry for the inconsistent posts as of late; my freelance jobs combined with my day design job have me swamped. I haven't started on my save the dates yet, but I plan to keep the blog updated with my progress on that project.

Images © Pronovias, layout © HaselBride. From left to right, top to bottom dress style names: Camelia, Carla, Calma, Camara, Camara, Camelia.