Bridal News

While you are wandering the aisles of this Sunday’s (9/12) Washington Bridal Showcase at the Dulles Expo Center, don’t forget to check out the terrific sample sale offered by Blush Bridal Boutique.

Blush is hands-down the cutest little bridal boutique in Northern Virginia. They carry a wonderful selection of gowns, have friendly price points, and offer top-notch customer service. Owner Maureen Chandler and her staff will be on hand at the Bridal Showcase with trunkload of beautiful gowns at ready to move prices.

Be sure to take advantage of the 2 for 1 admission coupon offered by Brides & Weddings. Visit the link on our Quick Clicks page of www.bridesandweddings.com or just scroll down the blog a bit and you’ll see a link there as well.

And don’t forget to stop by our booth on Sunday to pick up a copy of our planning guide, Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia.

The Style Guru

Style Guru Josh Hedrington is back with some thoughts on this eternal wedding fashion dilemma …

There is no doubt that you will face a multitude of decisions for your day of matrimony. One such contemplation may be whether or not to wear a veil for your walk down the aisle.

If you ask me, I say wear the veil and wear it well! However, I am from the school that believes weddings should be glamorous affairs and a veil sets the tone for what could very well be the fashion statement of your life. There are many styles from which to choose should you decide to wear a veil. And most importantly, you must consider your dress style.

Wedding veils are known by different names in the fashion world. However, if you give a good description, most bridal salon consultants will know what you’re talking about. The most subtle of veils are commonly known as Birdcage or Blusher. The Birdcage covers the front part of the head and extends to the tip of the chin. The Blusher has extra material covering up to the neck line in front and shoulders in back. I’ve also seen veils slightly shorter, ending at the tip of the nose. I refer to these as Pillbox veils as they are traditionally attached to a pillbox hat. These short veils are perfect for almost any style of dress.

For a more formal veil, you may choose the Chapel which covers the entire face, but the back extends to the length of the gown. These veils are perfect for those floor length dresses. You can also find veils in this same style that do not cover the face, but flow elegantly to the back.

Other veils are known simply by their length: Elbow extends to the elbows and likewise Fingertip veils to the fingertips. These types are also great for any dress style. The least formal, and perhaps my least favorite, is the Flyaway veil. Imagine a big doily plopped on your head - enough said!

Now for my favorite veil of them all - which should be no surprise to those who know my style. The Cathedral veil is the veil of all veils. Usually worn by royals, think of the late Princess Diana’s wedding. This veil can extend for miles and is the surest way to make a grand entrance. This eye popping accessory consists of light transparent fabric covering the face with even more material flowing to the back, and made to cover the aisle length of any stately cathedral. This veil must be worn with an extra long dress with an extra long train - no question!

Regardless of the veil you choose, there always remains the option to tweak it accordingly. For example, you may choose one of the longer veils and then strategically pin some of the fabric to your hair, giving you extra height. If you choose not to wear a veil, other options for head dress include jeweled pins, fancy hair combs or a glamorous wedding hat. Of course, you may always fall back on the diamond tiara or do something creative like white rose petals weaved within a hair bun or chignon.

To veil or not to veil? No matter how you answer this question, the look is not complete until you’re dressed from head to toe!

PS - Visit www.serendipitytiaras.com, www.birdcageveils.com and www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com to view a great selection of wedding veils. References for this column include www.ehow.com and The Wedding Book by Minday Weiss and Lisbeth Levine.

As always, great insight Josh. As the Style Guru, Josh is available for wedding wardrobe consultations and personal shopping. Stay tuned for news on his upcoming Stylish Bride Ride. You reach Josh at 202.445.7114 or email jhedring@aol.com.

If you love Casablanca Bridal, you owe it to yourself to check out their trunk show at A Formal Affair, October 2nd and 3rd.

A Formal Affair, located in Warrenton, will debut the Fall 2010 line with an exclusive trunk show. Every Casablanca gown is made to order, one at a time. The Fall collection features gown with dramatic embellishments and rich fabrics - and reasonably priced from $700 to $1500.

To schedule your appointment for this unveiling, please call A Formal Affair at 540.347.5126.

Leesburg Bridal & Tuxedo is clearing out the store to make room for more new styles. Starting August 16th through the 31st, the shop is offering sample wedding gowns starting at $99 and special occasion dresses from $50!

Located at 701 East Market Street (Route 7), Leesburg Bridal is a full service salon with alteration services and formalwear rental. To schedule your appointment, call 703.777.8822.

Learn how to set the tone for your wedding ceremony and reception by selecting the right music. As part of the ongoing Bridal University Series, A Formal Affair will feature DJ David Meyers of Sound Decision on Sunday, August 29th, at 1pm at the store. David will be on hand to discuss how to select the appropriate music options for your special day.

All brides who pre-register and attend this seminar will receive a $25 gift certificate from A Formal Affair, located at 251 West Lee Highway in Warrenton. To reserve your space, call 540.347.5126.

The Style Guru

Fashion today is all about self expression, and I can’t think of a better time to express yourself than on your wedding day.  And although many brides are content with the traditional wedding gown and classic silhouettes, there are women who would like to step out of the box. For these brides, I offer some suggestions that will make your day a fashion inspiration worthy of any designer’s runway.

First, let’s talk about color. Most brides choose white or ivory gowns which are perfectly fine. However, the woman looking for a slight twist may want to play with color. Think about choosing pastels in their lightest shades. Feminine colors like pink, yellow or peach in a very light hue can lend a true sense of romance to any storybook gown. You may also choose to add a sash around the waist of a traditional white dress, and make this addition your groom’s favorite color. Then incorporate this color throughout the wedding event - centerpieces, bouquets, chairs covers, etc.

Another suggestion for making that important fashion statement is to choose a style from a period in history. For example, Spain royal Alejandra de Borbon married two years ago in a 1920s inspired flapper dress. She clearly did her research and completed the ensemble with long hanging pearls, a fitted headpiece and veil and a flowing dress with low waistline around the hips. The outfit was absolutely gorgeous! You can achieve this look by perusing history books and choosing styles from almost any decade. A fun disco dress from the 70s, a white A-line mini wedding dress from the 60s, or a knee length pencil dress from the 40s are all viable choices for a memorable wedding day.

And we can’t forget the groom when it comes to fashion expression. The modern groom has an array of items available to help him stand out. The classic black tux or suit can be enhanced quite easily. He may choose an extra wide tie with a pop of color, perhaps to match the bride’s colorful dress. Or he may choose a skinny tie with a sleek fashion forward look. Remember to always keep your body frame in mind when choosing a tie width. A large framed man may look slightly awkward in a needle thin tie.

The groom may also wear a French cuffed shirt with antique cuff links to create a chic look. Pocket squares are also great when matched well with other colors expressed in the wedding. And if the groom is daring enough, he can really stand out in a formal top hat or even a straw fedora for an outdoor wedding.

Regardless of the fashion choice on your big day, always remember to be true to yourself. The clothing you wear should be a reflection of the joy and love you feel on the inside. Good luck, have fun and express yourself - You deserve it!

Josh Hedrington is the Bridal News Blog Style Guru and Independent Representative for Ardyss International. He can make you look great on your wedding day. For a personal consultation, call 202.445.7114 and visit www.ardysslife.com/justlookinggreat.

Ann’s Boutique, located at 5709 Burke Center Parkway, has a full slate of upcoming trunk shows. Check out the schedule:

July 23-25: Watters Bridal. July 30-August 1: Alvina Valenta Bridal. August 12-15: Liz Fields Bridal & Bridesmaids. September 10-12: Watters Maids. September 24-25: Jim Hjelm Special Occasions.

To schedule your appointment for one of these terrific trunk shows, call 703.250.3100 and visit www.annsboutique.com.

A Formal Affair, one of Northern Virginia’s most popular bridal boutiques, will be hosting another “Bridal University” class on Sunday, July 25. “Professor” Linda Vaughan, event planner and owner of Special Affairs, will be conducting the seminar “Wedding Planning Made Easy: Wedding Tips for Busy Brides”.

The complimentary planning seminar begins a 1pm at the store, located at 251 West Lee Highway in Warrenton. Limited seating is available, so reserve your space by calling 540.347.5126.

Essence of Australia at Moni's

Moni’s Bridal Boutique is celebrating the opening of their new location at 8021 Centreville Road in Manassas this month with a big sample sale and trunk show.

Through the end of July, Moni’s is offering many select sample wedding gowns at an incredible 50% off. And to showcase their grand re-opening, the shop will host an Essence of Australia/Ella trunk show July 30th-August 1st. Throughout the weekend there will be an array of events and local wedding vendors will be on hand to help you plan your perfect day.

Moni’s offers an extensive selection of bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses and accessories. Appointments are required for the trunk show, so call 571.229.5193 and visit them on the Web at www.monisbridalboutique.com.

Style Guru Josh Hedrington is back with some great tips on how to look your best on your wedding day …

The Style Guru

The Style Guru wants you to look amazing in your wedding dress! For starters, a bride should always focus on her body type when choosing a dress. I believe there is a gown for every figure and a little basic knowledge of the dress cut will have you walking down the aisle in true style. Shopping around for the perfect dress can be an overwhelming experience, but having a basic idea of your desired dress shape can cut down on some of the anxiety.  Here are some helpful hints:

* An empire waist gown can hide hips and elongate the legs, while sheath or mermaid gowns will accentuate the hips.

* An A-line dress is perfect for just about any body type, and the ball gown is great for a voluptuous woman.

* If you want to create balance for a wider lower body, then go with an off-the-shoulder dress that flares past the waist.

Before you start the hunt for your perfect dress, I highly suggest calling the stores ahead of time. Some bridal salons work solely on an appointment basis. Don’t panic when you get to the store and your size is not on the racks. Many salons will show you samples, then order the dress. Expect to wait several months before your garment arrives, then be sure to have an expert tailor alter the dress to flatter your body.

Speaking of dresses that flatter, I’ve found some true showstoppers by Maggie Sottero. These gowns are worthy of any fashion magazine cover. My favorite dress in the current collection is the SaBelle. This stunning garment has an amazing silhouette with unbelievable detail flowing from the bodice and throughout the train. Visit www.maggiesottero.com to view over the top designs for your big day.

Shop away, and don’t forget to them them the Style Guru sent you from bridesandweddings.com!

Thanks for the great advice, Josh. Our planning guide, Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia, regularly features Maggie Sottero gowns. They are fashion forward, well made and reasonably priced. Visit their website to find the Northern VA bridal salons that carry the Maggie lines.

And as an Independent Representative of Ardyss International, Josh can help you look your best with just the right garments to wear under that fantastic gown. To schedule a personal consultation call 202.445.7114 or email jhedring@aol.com.