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We're Moving!

We have almost finished our new Wedding Fashion blog, which will offer loads more features and a new, cleaner layout. Pop over and check us out! Just excuse the mess while we 'clean house' and get things just the way we want them.

http://weddingfashionfiles.com/

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Make Mine Vintage

One of the current wedding trends I absolutely adore is the return of vintage dresses and themes to our "oh so modern" society. I think I was born much too late; I am always drawn to clothing, artwork, books, collectibles and everything else vintage. Even my closest friends, who are considerably older than I, tease me that they are part of my admiration for all things vintage. Whether people believe it or not, I'm an old soul in a lot of ways. I suppose this is the reason I am loving this comeback so much.

Today I have managed to get myself tangled in the webs of a site devoted to vintage wedding attire and my severe case of lust for times long passed has taken a turn for the worse. It is too early to determine exactly how much longer I have unless I am treated for this affliction soon (and aggressively). I have not been able to tear myself away from Vintage Wedding all afternoon. As a matter of fact, I am still browsing the site and some of their equally interesting links as I write this.

The clothing on this site ranges from under garments and accessories to dresses, as well as suits for men. Mind you, these are not replicas (unless otherwise noted), but actual vintage items. Some of the gowns and such have never even been worn, while others need minor repair or cleaning. If you are considering going with a vintage theme, it may be worth taking a look.

While replicas may be easier to find and involve less work (in the case of repair, it may be challenging to locate suitable materials, for example), if you are an old soul like me, you really may get a kick out of being married in actual vintage apparel.

I am sure by now it is no secret how I feel. I love the vintage trend; from the attire, to the added touches. Vintage favors, music, decor and anything else you can think of will all add to your vintage wedding theme. I may be biased, but I do not think you can ever have too much of a good thing.....as long as that "thing" is vintage!

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Wooden Wedding and Engagement Rings

I must admit as a lover of all things that glitter and sparkle (I think I was a magpie in a previous life!) I was not sure what to make of wooden wedding and engagement rings. But after looking at wooden jewellery sites on the internet, I have discovered that they are not what I imaged them to be.

I was expecting something quite wide, thick and not very feminine. Yes, there are designs, exactly like in gold and silver rings, that are a wide band style, for those women who can pull off chunkier jewellery or for men. But there are also delicate designs; beautifully carved, some out of two different types of wood and even some with silver inlays. You can also have a diamond set into a design, for those wanting a more unusual engagement ring.

So why would you choose a ring made from wood? For some their choice will be an environmental one, as normally the wood used, is salvaged wood, and the ring is more eco-friendly than a metal one.

But for others it will be because of what this material symbolises. Wood, as we all know comes from trees, and is a living matter. Wood has been on its own life journey. It changes and grows, trees expand and contract, when their environment alters. Which are all of the things that we have to learn to do, in order to build and grow our own relationships.

With the exchanging of wooden rings, you are symbolising the giving of life, your life, to each other, and pledging to grow and shape together in your new life together.

Find wooden rings as sites such as Simply Wood Rings.

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The Jesus Peiro 2009 Collection

A finish that has been compared to haute couture, is how Jesus Peiro wedding dresses have been described. And this reputation is certainly one on which the company, founded in 1988 in Spain, have built on. The Jesus Peiro brand, pride themselves on setting trends and on satisfying today’s discerning bride.

Their 2009 collection offers elegant gowns of extremely high quality, which will certainly give you the 'wow' from your guests that every bride dreams of.

The collection features dresses tailored in a variety of materials, lace features on a number of the designs mirroring the continued love of vintage this season. I have picked out some of my favourites from the collection.

Dress 9027 is a graceful halter neck gown, with small beautifully crafted buttons, running down the back of the dress, which finishes in a flowing skirt. Other than the buttons at the back, the gown is completely unadorned but this simplicity allows each bride to personalise their look with accessories of their choice.

Staying with clean designs, gown 9053 offers the bride an empire style dress, with a strapless neckline and slim ribbon of material on which a diamante brooch is fixed just under the bust. The skirt falls elegantly to the floor with a train at the back.

If you love lace dresses, number 9098 is particularly pretty, it features a full lace halter neck dress, together with layers of net making up the train at the back of the gown.

But my personal favourite is gown 9076, which has high slash neckline but a deep plunging ‘V’ at the back, it is decorated with a sash at the waist again with an unadorned skirt, which finishes in a small train.

If you would like to view their collection for yourself a list of stockists can be found on their website www.jesuspeiro.com

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Mow the Lawn

...usually something you'd ask your other half to do at the weekend? Not anymore!

Check out this kooky new film from Wilkinson Sword featuring a bunch of glamorous girls getting busy mowing their lawns, trimming their bushes and having a general 'tidy up' in their gardens...!

This film has been released to celebrate the launch of the NEW Quattro for Women Bikini razor,, which also helps women have a bit of a 'tidy up', thanks to its unique capabilities to both trim and shave the bikini area. This 2-in-1 beauty innovation boasts a waterproof trimmer at one end and a high tech, four-blade razor at the other.

Click on the link below to see how much fun it can be to have a spruce up when things get a little rough around the edges. It may inspire you to ’mow your lawn ', and it will definitely leave you humming the catchy theme song.

Enjoy! And look out for the cat, who also gets a bit of attention.....

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Carrie's wedding dress goes on sale

One of the most memoriable parts of last years "Sex and the City" movie for most, was that Vivienne Westwood wedding dress.

The internet shopping mecca website, Net-a-Porter have recently added the gown to their Wedding Boutique and it sold out almost instantly. The champagne silk satin dress has a sweetheart neckline and full puff skirt.

So if you too fancy an injection of Carrie Bradshaw on your wedding day, you will have to go on the waiting list and expect to part with about £7000.

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Berketex Bride Easter Offer

If your going to be shopping for your wedding dress over Easter, why not have a look in your nearest Berketex Brides store.

Up until Saturday 11 April Berketex Brides are offering either a free bridesmaid dress with the purchase of a full price Bridal Gown or £200 worth of accessories with the purchase of a full price Bridal Gown.

To find your nearest store and for more information on these offers, visit http://www.berketexbride.com/

Happy shopping!

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A pair of Gina Shoes to be won!

The gorgeous shoe and handbag designers Gina, run competitions for the registered users of their site every 3 months. This time they are giving their users the chance to win a pair of shoes or handbag worth £450.

They've just launched their Spring/Summer 09 collection and they also have a Bridal range to tempt you. So there will be plenty to choose from should you win.

All you have to do is go to www.gina.com , click on the Competitions tab and answer the question. Remember you have to be a registered user, but registering is easy and will only take you a couple of minutes.

Good Luck!
P.S. If one of our readers wins, please let us know what you choose!

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4 Ways to Make a Statement with Your Wedding Dress

Guest Post by Shirley Tan, AmericanBridal.com

When you turn that age where everyone is getting married, you start to notice that most gals turn out to look like the typical cookie-cutter bride in her white ball gown. If you’re the type of girl who wants to stand out and show your individuality on your special day, follow these tips:

Indulge in Color

White is definitely not flattering for all skin tones (especially women with light skin) and it is not the most complimentary color for darker skin tones. The white wedding dress was meant to symbolize virginity and purity, but now that times have changed, dresses should reflect our newfound strength and power with vibrant, bold colors. Choose lively yellows and shocking reds, or if you want to take it down a notch, look for less vibrant colors like maroon and navy blue.

Original Headpieces

There are many veil alternatives on the market today, so no need to go traditional on this one ladies. Place baby’s breath flowers in your up do to create a breathtaking, natural look. For a more romantic look, invest in one medium sized colored silk flower of your choice, I recommend a rose paired with small white flowers, and place it to the side of your swept up hair. If you are a free spirited gal, try placing a large daisy in your hair. Whatever kind of girl you are, there’s always a flower that matches your personality. If you do want to go more towards the traditional side, I recommend buying a veil, sans netting, that drips with ruby and silver balls or crystals.

Accessorize to the Max

If you’ve decided to go the more traditional route with yur dress, then it’s time to glam yourself up with some accessories. A cost effective way to look even more stunning is purchasing a dainty velvet ribbon to tie neatly around your neck; you’ll surely create a statement with this look. Depending on what type of dress you have, buying a long pearl necklace would also look amazing, and add some drama to your ensemble. This look goes especially well with a plain wedding dress that does not flair out at the bottom- think simple. For funkier brides, try a diamond upper arm bracelet to look fabulous.

Shoes Please!

If you have chosen to stick with the standard white wedding dress, then spice it up a bit with some colorful shoes. Who wants to wear white from head to toe. A lot of bridal shoes can be dyed any color you like, so you can be as creative as you want.

No matter what route you decide to take (traditional or non) it’s important to feel like an enhanced version of yourself on your special day. So, if that means going bold, then by all means go daring, you deserve it.

Shirley is the President/CEO of AmericanBridal.com. Her company is a major leader in the wedding favors industry and her website contains many useful resources for brides planning their wedding.

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Hate it : Bandages and Bows

A bride should be the center of attention on her wedding day; an image of elegance and a sight to behold. Her dress should flatter her figure and highlight her best features. I can not help but wonder what was on the minds of the designers when they concocted some of these "things" I can only call atrocities against both fashion and weddings!

Remember The Sound of Music and Gone with the Wind? Simply because those drapes made good ensembles in the movies, does not mean a bride should look like she ripped her grandmother's curtains down at the last minute to create her wedding dress.

In particular, I can't help but picture a bride in this dress having to swim her way to the Altar with her Little Mermaid tail. I have to say I have no love for what I refer to as The Curtain Mermaid gown.

Not to keep referencing movies, but can you say "Mummy"? This dress may be great for a fancy formal event, but if a bride were to walk down the aisle in this creation, her guests may be wondering if she is happy to be getting married or if she thought she was dressing for preservation in a casket. I am unable to give this a thumbs up in the bridal gown category simply because the dress screams "bandages" from head to toe.

I have to say no to the feather boa look of this Burlesque Dancer get-up. Again, the dress may have it's place in fashion, but it certainly has no place on a bride! I think the seams would reject the idea, but unless the bride is having a very unconventional wedding and arriving beside her groom via pole....these feathers are an emphatic "NO" for a wedding gown.

Some of these dresses will leave the bride standing in the shadow of her beautifully wrapped gifts; or even worse...blending right on in with them. Maybe I'm an old-fashioned girl, but I still think it best to show a touch of class and be sure your guests are gasping at your elegance rather than your lack of fashion sense.

Editor's note:
Don't hold back, tell us what you really think! I have to say that I largely agree here. Brides appear 'all wrapped up', in the 2010 collection previews I have seen so far, with miles of wrapped tulle, chiffon and satin appearing in dresses from all designers. It may not be difficult to get a budget version of these designer gowns. I recommend checking out the Toilet Paper Wedding Gown contest and then grabbing a few hundred rolls of Andrex!

What do you think about the new 'wrap' gowns?

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Design Your Own Tartan

Internet firm Scotweb, will soon be launching a new and exciting product onto the market, "Design Your Own Tartan"

Scotweb's new product will allow you to go online and using their patented technology, design your own tartan pattern in a range of colours. Your designs can then be saved and even shared with others in their online gallery. So you can get the opinion of other members of your wedding party before ordering. Your tartan design can then be made into kilts, skirts, scarves, ties and even household goods.

Before they launch this new product to the general public, Scotweb have given people within the industry a chance to have a go at their new venture. So after having a play around, I must say it is a fairly simple tool to use, although Scotweb do want feedback, so they can keep on improving the system. It was fun playing with different colours, to see which worked best as the base colour and then what other colours complimented it.

So if you fancy combining your two families tartan for your wedding or fancy designing something unique to you, keep an eye on Scotweb's website for the launch.

www.scotweb.co.uk

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Flowergirl Dresses

Are you searching for pretty flower girl dresses or page boy outfits, then Little Eglantine could have what your looking for.

We all know how stylish the French are, well now you can have some of the French style at your own wedding.

Stephanie Staub is a French designer of extremely pretty flower girl dresses and page boy outfits. Her Summer 2009 flower girl collection had some really attractive designs, made from beautiful fabrics. You can choose from embroidered or plain taffeta both in a range of colours.
Stephanie has given us a lot to choose from but I have managed to narrow my favourites down to five:

Firstly "Marie" a pretty blue and white dress with a blue sash which crosses over attractively at the back.

Second there's "Purple Isobel", a white dress with pink and purple flowers and rather sweet "flounce" sleeves.

Next, "Camille" a cream taffeta dress, decorated with different coloured dragonflies.

Then, "Blue Anais" a white dress with blue flowers, whose skirt is made up of two layers, the bottom one is longer than the top and is a co-ordinating blue, giving a two tone effect.

Lastly, "Alexandra", I know we are now meant to be in Spring but I couldn't help mentioning "Alexandra" for those of you who maybe looking for dresses for a Winter wedding. Alexandra is made out of a gorgeous "night blue" taffeta with long sleeves, trimmed with white fur. The bottom of the skirt is also trimmed with white fur. The colour of the dress, along with the adorable white fur trim, make this dress my favourite.

But which one will you choose, decide at www.littleeglantine.com

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Gorgeous Pashmina's

Sunrise Pashmina are a company based in Nepal who produce hand-loomed pashmina shawls using high quality yarn. Their shawls come in a range of colours and you can even choose styles with pretty beading or embroidery on.
So if you fancy treating yourself, bridemaids or female members of your wedding party to one of their gorgeous shawls for your big day, take a look at their website.

www.sunrise-pashmina.com
They are also offering all our readers, a 5% discount on your purchase, when you quote the code 55weddingguide, happy shopping!

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Be Your Own Designer

If you are tired of traipsing through endless bridal boutiques searching for just the right gown for your bridesmaids then StyleShake is set to offer you sweet relief.

Regardless of your bridesmaids size or sense of style, they are sure to have something to suit, since each of their items is designed by you and then tailor made to order.

They offer a range of beautiful fabrics, including organic silk, cotton or linen – forget man made fabrics that get too hot or cause irritation! Each fabric also comes in a variety of colours from pale pastels to the summer’s hot gem shades as well as classic black and the ever popular burgandy.

Choosing from dresses or separates lets you co ordinate your wedding look while still offering bridesmaids an outfit that will both fit and flatter them.

Create various looks to share and compare with your girls, and then be wowed by the low cost of the final outfit!

Offering five star service with free tailoring, inspirational blog articles, and great customer service, we say ‘Well Done!’ to StyleShake.

Design your own bridesmaid dress today.

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Bid on Madonna's Tiara

If you are a big Madonna fan then you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to wear her tiara on your wedding day. The award winning gold and diamond Versace tiara will be auctioned on Bidz.com on the 23rd of March, to raise money for the Aid for AIDS charity.

Opening bid? $699,999

No offence to Madonna or Versace, but I have seen nicer tiaras for a fraction of the price!

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A Fantasy Bride

Rivendell Bridal is the place to go for gorgeous medieval and fantasy bridal gowns. Emily Jane, Rivendell Bridal’s talented designer, hand works each dress so that it is perfectly fitted to the client. Working from her UK design studio and shop, Emily Jane welcomes brides from all over the world who are hoping to create the perfect “castle in the sky” wedding.

Emily Jane is a master dress designer and dress maker. To ensure that each of her creations drapes perfectly, looks great on, and fits like a glove she uses modern couture design techniques for each gown.

Your entire experience at Rivendell Bridal will be like stepping back in time. You will receive expert, personalized service from Emily Jane and her team. Your dress will be made especially for you. Emily Jane will even give brides hair and makeup tips for their big day.

The dresses at Rivendell Bridal evoke the Britain and Ireland of long ago, as well as the grace and beauty of the Elves. With names like Guinevere, Avani, Bespoke, and Celtic Star you will feel like a true princess in a Rivendell gown.

The Guinevere gown is very popular with young brides. This gown is made using cream silk and is elegant in its simplicity. The gown has a fitted bodice outlined in silver and black embroidery, long bell sleeves, and a flowing skirt that sweeps the floor.

Another popular dress is the Titania. This lovely dress has a flouncy skirt built from layers and layers of silk taffeta. The layers are randomly gathered by small bows giving the skirt a flattering bell shape.

Emily Jane also offers other medieval and fantasy style items at Rivendell Bridal. To complement her creations she carries a line of capes, shoes, handbags, bouquets, and tiaras.

One bride accurately described Emily Jane and her experience with Rivendell Bridal as nothing short of a miracle. According to Lisa Randall, “This woman is a miracle worker - from the moment I first spoke to her she just understood what I wanted I can truly say that my dress was perfect even more than I could have ever imagined. Everyone commented on how pretty it was and my new husband loved it! I am so grateful to you, I found the whole dress shop process really painful and dealing with you was a total pleasure.”

www.rivendellbridal.com

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Styleboard March 2009 - Green Weddings

As vintage and romance ensconce the wedding industry, the colour of weddings is being tinged green. Going green can also mean a softer, more natural look for your wedding style with sustainable fabrics, found objects and inspiration from nature.

Credits: (Clockwise from top left)

Eco Chic Weddings by Emily Anderson. This book gives some great advice and tips on how brides can have a beautiful wedding without harming the environment.

Add a touch of natural beauty to your wedding look by weaving some flowers into your hair. Image from Wedding Flowers Idea Blog.

I love this unusual, contemporary Bamboo wedding cake by Lava Cakes.

Stunning, flowing green bridesmaids dress from PromDress4Less. I am a fan of these guys, as they tailor make each gown to your own measurements, but offer all of their designs at amazingly low prices.

Bridal Hair Vine from Chimerique Jewellery. Exquisite hair decoration for brides made with woven silver wire and freshwater pearls.

Feature image:
Stunning silk wrapped posy of green orchids by Chicago Flowers.

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Win a Wedding Dress

Confetti.co.uk have a great wedding competition running at the moment for one lucky bride to win a fabulous designer wedding gown from Constantina Bridal.

The collection, by designer Enzoani is a stunning and eclectic mix of designs with a heavy Vintage influence. The gowns are stacked with details, from layered fabrics to exquisite details, exaggerated silhouettes and stylish draping.


Get full details of how to enter this wedding competition now.

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Stylish Wedding Flip Flops

Finding wedding shoes for a hot, destination wedding at the beach can leave you with some tricky choices. Do you get the cute heels that will leave you with that sinking feeling, or buy the plain white flip flops that seep the glamour factor out of your wedding outift?

Tracey Asai Designs have a nice compromise. Their range of bridal flip flops are both practical and comfortable while being decorated and designed to co ordinate with a traditional bridal look.

I like their stylish and inexpensive flip flops with beaded pearl detail, and might just have to pick up a pair of the Maribou feather flip flops for a touch of playful fifties glamour this summer.

Explore their range of wedding flip flops that are "worthy of being worn under your very expensive, very beautiful wedding gown?"

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Personalize T Shirts

I love these personalised wedding Tees from PWP Online for two reasons. They make a great wedding gift for a bride and groom, and the cute pink and blue 'Just Married' is ideal for honeymooners happy to show off their new status and husband and wife. The T-shirt is also printed with the wedding date, solving the problem of husbands forgetting anniversaries - all a wife has to do is don the T shirt a few days before the important event and hope that her dearest hubby gets the hint.

Or is that hoping too much??

If you are a little more sceptical about the whole nuptial affair, then perhaps you will enjoy this T shirt more.


Visit PWP Online now to see more great wedding gift ideas.

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Elegant and timeless: Caroline Castigliano

Elegant and timeless are words that have been used describe the designs of Caroline Castigliano. This season the words classic, chic, and contemporary can be added to her repertoire as Castigliano adds a touch of whimsy to her stunning designs.

Fitted bodices with flowing skirts in tone on tone white and ivory have always been a Castigliano signature. Added to this classic silhouette for spring are modern details every bride will love. Castigliano has chosen to play with fabric textures and layering to create a truly romantic collection. Unusual bits of contrast such as a slim ribbon of black at the waist or a soft metallic rose on the bodice add a stylish contemporary touch.

When asked how she conceives her designs Castigliano has been quoted as saying, “I imagine a ‘muse’: she may be an actress or celebrity or even a student that I see on the street and I will be inspired by her image – I then start creating gowns that would be amazing specifically for her. Generally the gowns develop from there until in the end they have a personality of their own.”

What makes a Castigliano bridal gown exceptional? They not only look good, they feel good, too! When designing each gown Castigliano considers the form of the dress and the shape of the body. Corsetry is constructed to make the gown fit and fall correctly. Brides will find that each Castigliano boutique works from the inside out when personally fitting gowns. If the corsetry is not correct the dress will not feel or look right.

Castigliano is well known for this exacting fit. Her early career in America as a sportswear designer has given her a unique understanding of the need for comfort and construction. ‘Survival Fit’, an upscale active wear line designed by Castigliano in Miami, Florida was sold in such luminous stores as Saks and Macy’s.

In 1990 Castigliano realized her dream of designing bridal gowns. Returning to the UK she took her knowledge of fit and form and opened her first bridal store in Surrey. Her designs became instantly popular and led to the opening of more stores, now totaling nine.

View her latest designs here.

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White Dresses at the Oscars

White dresses were all the rage at the Oscars this week. Nina Calloway at About.com weddings gives us the run down of who was wearing what from Sarah Jessica Parker to Jennifer Aniston.

Check out her gallery of white dresses at the Oscars.

Love it:
It is hard to pick a winner from so many beautiful and stylish women, but Nancy O Dell really stood out for me, in this amazing, slinky number.

Hate It:
Marion Cotillard's strange fishy Jean Paul Gautier gown came a close second, but Jessica Biel's Prada gown gets my vote for the worst white dress on the red carpet, looking more like a roomy bathrobe wrap than a glamorous Hollywood dress.

My favourite Oscars dress?
The Randi Rahm gown worn by Maria Menounos- imagine it in white for a sumptous, glamorous wedding gown!

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The writer over at Blissful Vows is a blogger after my own heart. They have just featured a look behind the scenes of one of my favourite bridal designers, Jim Hjelm. Although he may not be a household name, he is certainly a darling of the couture and celebrity world, and for good reason. Hjelm designs are always so tasteful and flattering, with a depth of detail that is not often seen in modern day fashions.

My personal favourite from their 2009 range is this low backed sheath design which reflects the current taste for vintage nicely, with a champagne colour and plenty of lace.

Blissful Vows promise to be featuring more from other designers in the near future, so I highly recommend following me over there for a look.

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The Perfect Fit: Monique Lhuillier

The hottest trends in wedding gowns this season are gowns designed by the incomparable Monique Lhuillier. A passionate woman, Lhuillier was born to parents with French, Spanish, and Filipino ancestry. She spent her childhood in the Philippines and travelled extensively with her family. These travels, along with her mother’s great sense of style, were early influences on Lhuillier.

Lhuillier has stated that she always wanted to design clothes. After high school she attended the Fashion Institute of Merchandising and Design and designed her first creations under the tutelage of several famous designer mentors. Once her studies were completed Lhuillier travelled to France to work for a small French design firm.

Lhuillier did not start out to be a wedding gown designer. She has stated in interviews that she only became interested in wedding gowns when she designed her own gown. What an inspiration it must have been. In 1996 she launched her very first wedding gown collection and the world became enchanted with Lhuillier.

Lhuillier has designed dresses for many Hollywood stars and fashion icons. The American singer Pink insisted on a black and ivory Lhuillier gown for her wedding to Carey Hart. She did double duty for singer Brittany Spears when she designed 2 wedding dresses for her wedding to K-Fed. The first, a long Italian silk, was worn during the ceremony. A short lace dress was designed for the reception and Lluillier also designed all the dresses for Brittany’s bridal party.

The list of Lhuillier’s famous clients runs on and on. Ali Landry, the star of Eve, called on Lhuillier to design the perfect romantic gown for her secluded and secret Mexican wedding. Emilie de Ravin From the hit American TV show Lost wore a Lhuillier gown of long and extravagant lace to her small wedding. And Kevin Costner’s bride, Christine Baumgartner, deigned her 2004 gown with Lhuillier.

A Lhuillier gown is a masterpiece. Fashion editor Marge Eli says that a gown designed by Monique Lhuillier will make a bride feel like a princess on her big day. In an article Eli stated, “These gowns, they are not for the faint of heart. It takes a personality to wear a Lhuillier gown or else the gown will wear you!”

A Monique Lhuillier gown is luscious and very feminine. The workmanship employed in making these wedding gowns is impeccable. The fabrics are rich. Eli describes a Lhuillier gown as a, “walk down a garden path in the Tuileries. The dress, it is at once present day and old fashioned. It is a bit like a stroll with old King Louis, no?”

Most of Lhuilliers gowns are very simple and rely on the fabrics and design to give the gown its romantic feel. Almost all of her designs are sleeveless. She also favours tight bodices and full skirts.

The quality of a Lhuillier gown is unquestionable. With prices starting at $2000 you will want this wedding dress to become a family heirloom.

View the 2009 Collection.

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Styleboard for February 09

Inspiration for February has to be filled with roses, hearts and red - all reflecting the passion and romance of Valentine's Day. We have included some Asian hints, since there are still a few sky lanterns lingering on the horizon from Chinese New Year. Touches of gold add glamour to red weddings, and give a feeling of warmth to a wedding that might still be feeling the chill of winter in many parts of Europe.



Credits (clockwise from top left):

Hand tied red and white roses, with gold beads. By Cream and Browns Florist, Spain.
Couture invitation by Lela New York
Red Daisy and green foliage topiary by Cream and Browns Florist, Spain.
Red wedding gown by Maggie Sottero
Fill your wedding with light, even on a dark winter day with colorful paper lanterns, these red ones are from the Paper Lantern Store
Garnet necklace with sterling silver rose clasp detail by Chimerique
Chocolate heart shaped sweets wrapped in red and gold foil, from Chocolatebuttons.co.uk

Central image:
Red wedding in Italy by photographer Carlo Giorgi, Florence

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Fashion Tips from the Experts

Guest post by BestforBride.com

Getting married used to be a simple task - find the right man, ask for your parents' approval, wear mom's wedding dress, and walk down the aisle. Now, it's a little more complicated, and of course, there's no way you're wearing what mom had worn. It's a little outdated. Your wedding dress should feature the latest in wedding gown styles. If you can't find the gown of your dreams, don't fret, that's just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. There's more where that came from.

White? After Labor Day?

To wear white on your wedding day is your right, but it's also your choice. With a wedding dress, the possibilities are endless. White, off-white, or white with trimmings, you can find it if you know where to look. Bear in mind that everyone has different body types, and different tastes. Take the time to look for the wedding dress of your dreams, try it on, and see if it works for you. You don't simply need to imagine if the material will fall the right way, you need to actually see it. Neither should you worry about the fit because alterations can be made at your convenience. The gown you want is waiting for you.

The Total Package

Since you're not walking down that aisle alone, make a stunning entrance and dress your bridesmaids in beautiful bridesmaid dresses. Get rid of the notion that bridesmaids' dresses are horrible fashion statements, and hear the words "exquisite" instead. It can be sweet and simple, classy and elegant, or sexy and stylish. It could be a full gown, a mini dress, or anything in between. It's your choice and they will love you for it. You can also include your bridesmaids in the decision making process to make sure that everyone's happy. After all, you're not the only who should look good on your wedding day.

Now imagine the awed silence as you walk in with your own wedding dress, be it a form-fitting, strapless number from Alfred Sung, a daring corseted gown from the My Lady collection, a wonderful ruffled and girlish Tulipia dress, or an elegant classic from Mori Lee.

The Million Dollar Look

You should have a look to die for, but not necessarily spend a lot for it. There are many shops offering dresses at reasonable prices and discounts. You don't have to make that guesstimate on how much to spend, and you don't have to compromise on the quality, not just for you, but for your whole entourage, no matter what the color motif or the time of day you're having your wedding. It's not going to be easy. But it'll be worth it.

After all, you must only have the best on your wedding day - wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, wedding cakes, wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and all!

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Tattoo or not Tattoo?

If you are one of the 20 - 50% of women who regret getting their tattoo, and are wondering how to cover it up or remove it before your wedding day, there is a great article over at The Wedding Guide of Europe.

Did you know that they key to getting a good coverage with make-up is to use red lipstick as a base? That some people resort to skin grafts to remove their tattoos? Or that you can actually buy creams to fade and remove your tattoo safely and easily at home?

If you are worried about a tattoo ruining the look of your wedding day outfit, then check out the article.

How to Fade a Tattoo for a Wedding

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Plan Your Honeymoon Pampering

Guest Post By Shirley Tan, AmericanBridal.com

Here at Wedding Fashion Police we understand that much consideration, planning, and sometimes even dieting goes into choosing the perfect wedding dress. And rightfully so, the wedding dress is more than just a garment, it is an institution! How many young girls (…and not so young girls) spend countless hours daydreaming of their stroll down the aisle? Practically all of them. An episode of the hit sitcom Friends even went so far as to portray Monica as having built a binder with several different “scenarios” to accommodate her budget possibilities. This obsession is not too far from reality.

However, how much planning goes into what you wear the morning after your wedding? Sure some of you may be planning to spend most of your honeymoon in nothing more than a bikini or some lingerie but eventually you will need to cover up.

Picture this: You are rushed onto a plane mere moments after your wedding, only after you are forced to go through the rigorous security checks at the airport (like you could or even would hide a bomb in Manolo Blahnik! Don´t they know how much they cost?). You sit on a plane and await your arrival to your Honeymoon destination, you catch a cab to your hotel, you check in; by now most of your day has been spent en route to your destination and you are absolutely exhausted from traveling. What is the one thing you most likely cannot wait to do that doesn’t involve your new hubby? Wouldn’t you just love to draw a bath and pamper yourself with a Relaxation Spa kit, and after that cuddle up next to your husband in your new luxury fleece monogrammed his/hers bathrobes?

It’s these little creature comforts that help us to take the edge off after years of preparation and anticipation.

Shirley is the President/CEO of AmericanBridal.com. Her company is a major leader in the wedding favors industry and her website contains many useful resources for brides planning their wedding.

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Wedding Parasols / Umbrellas

Hiding from the rain or the sun at a wedding in Europe is a common problem, and bulky, mis-matching umbrellas can ruin the look of wedding photographs.

Fortunately, we found this great article at Here Comes The Guide, with plenty of advice for finding stylish and functional parasols or umbrellas for your wedding, as well as where to find them.

I love it when a site helps couples plan for every eventuality with style!

Read their article here.

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Designer Wedding Gowns in Bride Wars

It didn't get great reviews, but Bride Wars did deliver on the fashion front. With stylist Karen Patch (who also styled Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) in charge of costumes, and a setting of Manhattan, how could it fail?

The two gowns worn by the brides in the film were by Vera Wang, although they represented polar opposites in terms of bridal fashion: one dress is simple and elegant, in nostalgic ivory tones and classy fabrics, while the other is over-the-top layers of bouffant chiffon.

Film.com has a great interview with Karen Patch, talking about her fashion choices and inspiration for the two brides here.

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Style Guide: The 7 Best Celebrity Wedding Dresses

Guest Post By Sarrah Beaumont

There is always one gorgeous wedding dress that stands out nearly every year, and more often than not, it is always worn by a celebrity. After all, who would best represent glitz and glamour than a true blue celeb? In case you too want to shine as bright as they do on your wedding day, here are some celebrity wedding dresses from recent years that have caused quite a stir – for their aesthetic features as well as monetary value.


1. Renee Zellweger

Although her marriage to country singer Kenney Chesney was short-lived, Renee Zellweger's bamboo twill, ivory-colored, form fitting strapless wedding dress went down in history as one of the best celebrity wedding dresses ever. The wedding dress perfectly complimented their beach-themed wedding. Of course, it does help that Renee has a body to die for.


2. Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock looked absolutely stunning in her Angel Sanchez-designed strapless, antique white lace dress with ruffled bodice. Although her wedding was anything but conventional, Sandra was the very epitome of a blushing bride that day.


3. Melania Trump

You may have heard the rumors that Melania Knauss' wedding dress designed by Christian Dior cost a whooping $100,00! The form-fitting, white strapless dress donned by the third “Mrs. Trump” is almost history-book worth, with its stunning design and 16-foot train that weighed 50 lbs. Imagine walking around in that. Oh well, you shouldn’t be surprised. Expect over the top – and nothing else – from a Trump.


4. Tori Spelling

The late Aaron Spelling’s beloved daughter, Tori Spelling, wore a form fitting wedding dress sprinkled with crystal beads. It was the perfect traditional wedding dress that every woman would surely envy. Of course, the middle-class bride should do away with all the crystals and look for some other substitute to sprinkle her dress with.


5. Britney Spears

Nearly everyone hated everything about Britney Spears and Kevin Federline wedding. The groom, most especially. It came as an awful surprise to the rest of the world. However, Britney’s gorgeous Monique Lhuiller wedding gown saved the occasion. Britney Spears wore a $26,000 wedding dress with a hand sewn train and cathedral length veil.


6. Demi Moore

Demi Moore did not look her age when she became Mr. Ashton Kutcher. Her floor-length gown by by Jeanne Lanvin was sheath-style, topped with jeweled shoulder straps. Her dress was simple, lovely and one of a kind. Just like Demi herself.


7. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston’s now-defunct marriage to Brad Pitt was a wedding that stirred the media for weeks. No, it was not about the ceremony itself, it was all about the bride and her to-die-for wedding dress. Jennifer’s halter style, white tulle dress, adorned with tiny pearls was designed by Lawrence Steele. It was the perfect wedding dress to define a once-perfect marriage.


You don’t need to splurge too much to get the look of a celeb on your wedding day. If you want to follow these celebrities wedding dresses, make sure to seek your designer’s aid in putting together fabric and materials that aren’t as costly as the real wedding dresses.


About the Author: For the best wedding dresses and wedding favors, go for a bridal shop that has it all.
Visit BestForBride.com today.

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Bridal Boob

The credit crunch seems to have had a terrible affect on this couple's wedding budget, as it doesn't look like they could afford that last (crucial) part of the bride's dress.

Oops!

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Bride Wars

The latest wedding movie, Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as affluent and obsessive brides who end up competiting over their weddings opens in the US today. Click on the image to watch the trailer!

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Denim Dresses

There are plenty of brides who shy away from the traditional white wedding. Theme weddings are becoming more and more popular, with some couples choosing some very unusual themes.  I generally love theme weddings because they tend to look great, and have a special atmosphere, especially if the theme chosen represents a shared interest.

If you are your partner share an interest in the wild west, line dancing or wrangling, then how about a denim wedding dress for your western themed wedding?  Sat'n Spurs not only have a full selection of denim wedding dresses, but they also have a range of western gifts for your guests, cowboy cake toppers and more touches to help you complete the look.

I have to admit that I am a huge fan of denim, and at the peak of my obsession owned 14 pairs of jeans.  This site caters of denim fans of all shapes and sizes, with a dedicated range of dresses for 'Big, Beautiful Brides'.  If you are looking to add a more subtle touch of denim to your wedding day, then their denim garter is a great way to sneak a bit of your western passion into a traditional wedding outift.

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Maria La Fuente

Maria La Fuente is the designer behind this gorgeous and exuberant gown.  Overflowing with celebrity style, her gowns show her commitment and passion for design, creating unusual gowns that test the boundaries of the wedding dress genre.

Her designs are exquisitely feminine, so it's no suprise that her latest collection 'Mantis' is inspired by the 'color combinations, symmetry and fragile texture' of butterfly wings.   La Fuente says that she wanted to create a look of 'risky silhouettes and organic shapes.' 

Just one of many European designers who are the fashion secrets of the stars, she has been featured in hundreds of glossy fashion magazines, including several appearances in Vogue.  Celebrity fans include Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), Marla Sokolov (The Practice) and Debra Messing (Will and Grace).

Visit her website or check back with us in February to see her new collection from the Madrid Fashion Week 2009.

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Red Shoes for Red Carpet Brides

January usually sees the start of Oscars hype, and all eyes at The Wedding Fashion Files turn toward the stars and which designers they will be wearing down the red carpet. All of that red has gone to my head, and tainted my vision. Not that I mind of course, as it makes a nice bright addition to the dreary grey landscape of winter.

Many brides choose to add a touch of red to their winter wedding, and this design from Alfred Angelo is one of their best sellers. Although the sash is available in over 30 colors, the deep red outsells them all.

But I do love a bride who dares to be a little bit different, and I love the recent trend of wearing red shoes. The color adds a dash of fun and festivity to a wedding outfit, and says a lot about the bride. You have to be very comfortable with who you are to take such a bold departure from tradition, and in my experience, the brightness of the shoes always matches the brightness of the bride's smile. You won't find a serious, solemn bride wearing these shoes, no sir!

Red shoes are strictly for brides who have learned to love, laugh and learn in life and above all, have fun.

[Image: Jeremy Standley Blog]

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