Bridesmaids' Dresses. The Ultimate Glamour Girls.

These girls were there for you through good times and bad times, laughs and tears, ups and downs, and now they are a part of your big day. Believe it or not but choosing bridesmaids’ gowns is as important as choosing your own, because these glamour girls are on the front line of tying your wedding theme together in a harmonious transition. Bridal manufacturers have finally gotten the word that bridesmaids aren’t willing to spend money on dresses that can’t be worn again. Ladies are searching for dresses that are more versatile and looking like ready-to-wear.

Dress by Lazaro Bridesmaids

Keep in mind this is not a mall-trip with browsing from store-to-store and wining-and-dining afterwards. To avoid the confusion of choosing, screaming, fighting, crying, and driving the salesperson into a suicidal distress – you should break your shopping sessions in two parts. Part 1 – take your maid of honor or another trusted confidant to do the first review of possible gowns, limit the selection during this visit. Part 2 – take you bridesmaids; the decision-making can be done faster if your girls don’t feel like kids in the Toys-R-Us.

Dress by Jasmine Bridal, B2 Collection

The color of bridesmaids’ dresses is chosen based on you wedding colors and season. Spring and summer suggest pale pinks, soft greens, yellows; while fall will look the best in soft gold, emerald greens and the entire array of jewel colors. Your bridesmaids’ skin-tone should be considered also – you don’t want any blurred, washed-out figures on your wedding pictures. If that’s the case, opt for the same style dress in the graduated shades of the same color. Keep in mind the background of your wedding – light colors will stand out in the dark sites, while dark browns and grays will be too somber and funeral-like against a dark background.

Dress by Pronovias, 2010 Collection, Style "Beret"

The “Bump” factor. It happens! If one of your bridesmaids announced to you that she’d be wearing not only a dress but also a baby-bump for your wedding – don’t freak out! There is no need to change the entire bridal party’s wardrobe. Pregnancy is not a condition or sickness (well, some women will disagree, I can see that) but a beautiful thing! So, let her shine with this beauty. Empire waists, floating chiffon and soft fabrics are the way to go. Coordinate it in color with the rest of the bridesmaids and you sure will score some kudos with your friends!

Dress by Bari Jay

It is more than recommended to involve your wedding planner (if you have one) or wedding consultant (if shopping is included in his/her services). Your planner is the person who will ultimately design and tie together all the visual pieces of your wedding day, so it is useful to have his or her professional opinion while selecting your bridesmaids' gowns.

Dress by 2be, Tony B Spring 2010 Collection

And lastly, I can’t avoid talking about – they are called Bridezillas for a reason! You are a Bride and being a drill sergeant is not in your job description. So please be considerate! Remember, friends come first, bridesmaids – second.

Wedding Inspiration. Zenith Blue.

Designing a wedding is like building a home. It starts with the corner stone. Whether it’s a flower, or chandelier, or heirloom brooch – you build around it!

In my case today it was a shoe.

According to my personal poll, pinks and whites are still the top choices for brides, greens and reds are holding up their positions as the second top choice, and Benjamin and Tiffany blues are creeping in third, widely popularized by Martha Stewart.

But there is something about vibrant richness of electric and cobalt blues that I couldn’t ignore. The dominating strength yet celestial peacefulness of zenith blue might sound like an oxymoron but it sure will turn your wedding into a truly unforgettable event!

So let the mesmerizing reign begin!

Shoes by Martinez Valero. Bridal Gown by Lazaro. Bouquet by Nicole Ha.

Slumber Party Gets a New (Adult) Meaning.

My phone rang on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. and Jen, the Maid of Honor for an upcoming Saturday night wedding, was having a panic attack as I tried to figure out what it is exactly she was saying. The problem at hand was Bachelorette party. THE Bachelorette Party! Even though it was clearly decided a month ago not to have one, since members of the bridal party are out-of-town gals and won’t get here till the night before the wedding. After long negotiations between vanity and intoxication – vanity won, there is not enough Photoshop in the world to cover that hangover on the wedding pictures!
Well, it’s a new day and a new decision. Bachelorette party is tomorrow! So, what to do when you have less than a day to plan a party for 8 ladies and it must be fun?
Slumber Party! Genius! I needed help, so I called a couple of friends to the rescue. Roberta Pipito and Daniella Puccini are Slumber Parties coordinators. These two are always on the go, so short notice is not a problem. I was right.
Slumber Party! We all had them when we were kids, filled with toys, cupcakes and secrets. How much we loved to imagine the life, the glitz, and the excitement of being grown-up. Well, wish granted! We are adults and we must be ready to jump into the center of what moves the life, the glitz and the excitement - that would be between the sheets, and it’s about time to have a good Adult Slumber Party. We’ll add some chocolate and bubbly to our cupcakes, pull the toys out from nightstands (or toy-chests, if that’s the case) and prepare to share the kinky thoughts and secrets. Now, forget the Tupperware, this is a real Sex in the City rated ‘R’.
It started with blushing and “Oh my Gosh!” but somewhere in the middle of latex, vibration and edible underwear, this warm feeling of being among dear friends, the feeling of female bonding, the feeling of belonging together grew more intoxicating than champagne. Laughs and giggles shared and remembered, secrets cherished, thoughts expressed and listened to. From-top-of-the-head idea of XXX party became more than having good times. It was a blast!
Adult Slumber Party can be booked on a very short notice and can be held virtually anywhere. If your bridal party is out-of-town, think Bridal Suite the night before the wedding for all together fun. Party coordinators have tons of toys, oils, lotions, lingerie, and manuals to try and taste. And at the end you are more then welcome to purchase anything you liked. Try molding forms in different colors to make your own ‘pleasers’, snap a picture on your cell-phone and send to the ‘designated judge’ (I’m sure one of the groomsmen will gladly take the job) to decide who is the kinkiest girl in town. If you do decide to book Adult Slumber Party, make sure all the ladies are over 18 and open-minded about romance, sexuality and good old-fashioned… well, you know what I mean.

*To book Adult Slumber Party please contact Hermitage Weddings for information about coordinators in your area.

To read full article "Bachelorette Party Revisited".