Guest Blogger: Anne Barge Final Day

After all this talk about bridal trends this season you are probably thinking…"how do I get my hands on those?” This is where I stress the importance of trunk shows. Trunk shows will have the most recent gowns and therefore the most recent trends. The dresses that travel on shows are the best sellers and designers favorites.This guarantees that you will see the best that line has to offer.

Trunk shows are also a great place to get the best deal on the new dress. Usually stores will offer an incentive to purchase the weekend of their show. They will offer you a percent off and even sometimes throw in other perks. You can get more dress for your money this way.

Trunk shows are also super fun. Stores will go all out for trunk shows to really pamper the bride and make the day more special. Champagne and treats are involved people!

The final reason to go to a trunk show near you is the help that is offered. Lines will send representatives with the dresses and sometimes a designer or two will show up. They have insane knowledge of the dresses and can help you decide which trend is best for your body and wedding.

I cannot stress how much of an opportunity trunk shows are. To find the nearest trunk show near you visit a stores website. If you have one designer you absolutely love, check out their website for trunk show dates. (I recommend www.AnneBarge.com)!

images via bippty boppity boo

We want to take a minute here at the end and thanks Ginny Brogan from Anne Barge again for giving up her time to provide all of us with these amazing tips and insiders information! It has been such a pleasure having you. I hope everyone has enjoyed this guest blog as much as we have! Be sure to check out more from Ginny on the Anne Barge Blog!

Day 4 with Anne Barge

Today were are heading into day 4 with Ginny Brogan from Anne Barge. Today, Ginny is going over shopping for a dress! Some of the most important information you can get as a bride. So read on! If you are just finding us, be sure to look over day 1 day 2 and day 3!

With all these great trends and gorgeous gowns you are probably wondering how you can get your hands on them. Easy as pie…call your local bridal store and make your appointment. If you have a designer you love, visit their website for their authorized vendors. Then, let the fun begin!

One of the most overwhelming experiences you can have is your first bridal appointment. After all, it is something you have never done before. So, here is a basic rundown of what you can expect. (I have also included little tips to make it easier for you, I have italicized them!) When you arrive you will meet your consultant and have a quick chat. Use her as a resource. She will know the dresses like the back of her hand and have some great recommendations for you. After your brief chat you will get to pick out some gowns. Be sure to choose a wide variety on your first appointment. You want to be sure you see a little of everything on your body. I recommend trying on a ball gown, trumpet, a-line, fit and flare and sheath to cover all the bases. Also, pull some lace and beading for kicks! Stores will vary on how many they let you pick, but once you have your choices it is time to try on. Wear simple clothes that are easy to change out of and your own strapless bra. This will save you changing time, but also save you from wearing a store's bra. This is where things get tiring…you will try on dress after dress, and more than likely love more than one. Just start narrowing down choices and ruling out dress categories. After you have tried on everything you picked the consultant may pull in some ideas she has, or you may get to go back out and do a second pull. At the end of your first appointment, if you didn’t find the dress this time, the consultant will write down your favorites and off you will go. See, nothing scary…just exhausting for you as these dresses are heavy!

Above all, buying your dress should be fun. If you had bad and un-fun experiences at a store go somewhere else! There are other fish in the sea. Keep an open mind…even if you are not looking for your perfect dress it is looking for you! Enough with the corny relationship metaphors, Have fun and happy shopping.

Guest Blogger: Anne Barge Day 3

Today is day 3 with guest blogger Ginny Brogan from Anne Barge. If you are just joining us, be sure to catch up on day 1 and day 2.

One of the best things about the new trends in bridal is that they are so easy for everyone to wear. You just have to pick the right dress in the right trend. How do you do this? The key is knowing your body. From years of getting dressed you have learned what you love about yourself and what you would like to hide. Getting dressed in a bridal gown is no different. A great rule I always go by is always emphasize your smallest point, your waist. By emphasizing your waist you draw the onlooker’s eye to that point thus making yourself look smaller. This is a great example of doing that successfully…

Perhaps your waist is not the part of your body you are most comfortable with. Then go to the next line to emphasize...the vertical line. By creating a seamless vertical line you can literally stretch your body to be longer and leaner. The eye has nowhere to stop and thus will keep travelling up to your beautiful face and wedding day do! Here is an example of this line…

Finally, if you are just lost go to the “go to dress” .This is the full skirt with cinched waist. This will pull you in the right spot and hide everything else. This is a go to dress for EVERYONE. It creates curves if you have none, emphasizes the good curves if you do have them, and fits like a charm. Trust me, this is the bridal equivalent of the little black dress…

The bottom line is this…there is a dress out there for everyone. Even those with the craziest of bodies to fit can find one that makes them feel like a million dollars. Don’t give up or get discouraged…you just have to find the one that shows you off best!

Guest Blogger: Day 2 Anne Barge

Day Two with Ginny Brogan from Anne Barge. Here is Day One if you missed it.

We saw so many new trends at market this year. Here are the big ones!

One of the biggest trends we saw this season was texture. Texture was everywhere! Skirts made of thousands of tiny flowers, ribbon swirled into patterns, tulle piled high, and chiffon wrapped in itself. Buyers and press were literally reaching out and touching the gowns to feel the opulence.

Texturized gowns are a great alternative for someone who does not want beading or lace. It used to be that gowns fit into one of three categories – beaded, lace or plain. Well, not anymore. You can have a gown with one fabric, but oodles of interest.

Check out these textured gowns:

For the past few seasons the economy made extinct the beaded dress. Well, beading is back baby! Buyers and press could not get enough of the gorgeous beaded bodices that returned this season. What once people thought of as an added expense they now see as sparkly frosting. The girl who loves to sparkle can now breathe easy and return to bridal shopping. Phew…that was a close one!

Check out these beaded pieces:

A huge trend in the bridal world the last couple of years has been destination weddings, and the designers have finally heard the call. More and more brides are getting married in exotic and fun locals, and now they have tons of options to choose from. Stores used to carry a handful of flowey and short gowns for their traveling brides, but as the demand for such dresses grew so did their clout in the market place. This season instead of one or two destination gowns in their line, designers were showing four or five! I guess the law of supply and demand holds true…demand grew and supply multiplied.

Check out these travelling glories:

Lace has always been a bridal staple. Dresses typically had either Chantilly lace or Aloncon lace. This market the most beautiful thing happened…lace was placed onto of lace! Yes, two or more layers of lace on one dress. The result was absolutely beautiful depth. Aloncon placed on top of delicate Chantilly was my favorite use. The chunky corded Aloncon caught your eye and then you gasped as you noticed the beautiful Chantilly underneath. It was like taking a bite of Chocolate cake then noticing the icing had raspberry in it! You know what I am talking about!!!!

Check out this glorious lace:

All dresses are by Anne Barge and Bagley Ischia Bride. For information contact info@AnneBarge.com

Guest Blogger: Anne Barge

We could not be more thrilled with our Guest Blogger this week. Ginny Brogan, from Anne Barge is joining us all week. After just returning from bridal week, Ginny had the inside scoop for everything up and coming this year. Check back everyday for a new post!

On Ginny:

The Anne Barge blog concept was born six months ago as a way to connect brides directly to the designer. It offers tips on how to wear wedding dress, buy wedding dresses and more importantly how to have fun along the way! While the blog does highlight Anne Barge it offers general tips and ideas for all wedding gowns. I have been writing the blog since its conception just months ago, and have been in the high end bridal industry for seven years. It is my hope that our blog helps brides understand the bridal gown process better and relieve some of the stress of bridal gown shopping. On the personal side, I reside in Atlanta with my husband, baby girl Zoey and our dog Luda. I am very fortunate to live in the greatest city, work for one of the best designers, and spend my days with the spunkiest girl in the world. To all our brides out there..."Happy Reading and Happy Shopping!"

On Anne:

For as long as she can remember, Anne Barge has wanted to be a bridal gown designer. Throughout her school years, Anne was always designing gowns for her paper dolls and school friends, always knowing one day it would be for real.

After a history in the bridal industry, in March of 1999, Anne launched the Anne Barge Bridal Collection which combined classic designs in the finest of silks with museum quality beading and embroidery... not before seen in the worldwide bridal market.

Today the line is represented in Neiman March and the finest stores throughout the country, UK, Spain and Japan. With an atelier above Atlanta's Four Seasons Hotel, her own private label and an international presence, she as made her life long dream a reality. The gowns have been features in magazines and newspapers internationally as well as having been selected as the winner for the 2003 Today Show Throws a Wedding.

This past weekend we debuted our two new collections at New York bridal market. We spent five days in the big apple setting up, having a runway show and meeting with buyers. It is always a whirlwind weekend, but this market was officially a success.

What is bridal market? Bridal market is when we debut our newest collection of gowns. Both press and buyers come to see the new collection. Press will decide what to feature in their magazines, websites and blogs, and buyers will order new stock for their store. This keeps both publications and stores stocked with fresh ideas and fresh inventory for brides.

A lot of work goes into bridal market. We create a brand new collection; produce a runway show complete with lighting and music, schedule one-on-one appointments with our stores, and schedule press seating for the show.

Obviously the biggest part of bridal market is the new collection. It is the bulk of the work, and literally takes months to produce. We begin by brainstorming design ideas, and send them off to be made into muslins, the dress made in cheap cotton fabric. Once the muslins come in we fit them on a model to make sure they fit well on the female body. Then, the muslins are sent back to the factory for corrections. While they are there we are researching new beading, lace, fabric and notions. Once everything is put together the dresses come back to us in their completed form. We go over them once more on a model with a fine tooth comb. Nothing leaves our door for the show without being 100% perfect.

At the end of the day, all this work is done for the bride, and we love it. After all, without the brides who would be our muse?

For more information visit Anne Barge online.

Real Wedding: Dan and Karen

There is something insanely southern and romantic about a courthouse wedding. We had the pleasure of working Karen and Dan this Summer. Check out their beautiful images from Joseph Aczel. Now I will let the images do the talking...

Thanks for having us share in your big day Dan and Karen, it was a beautiful event!

To see more images from this wedding check it out on the Atlanta Occasions Blog

Monday Shower

In case you haven't noticed, engagement season is in full swing. From my news feed on Facebook, to attending local fall events, engagements are everywhere. Whether its you, your roommate, or your daughters best friend, it is time to start looking at showers.

Wedding showers are a fun way to show your support of the new couple by preparing them for their new life together. You can show them that support through gifts, advice, or good times.

via: EmmaWho

Lets look at a few Wedding Shower trends:

1. {Insert Room Here} Shower

Whether it be kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, ect. Focusing your efforts on a specific room helps define a shower. Guests know what kind of gift is expected, and your recipient gets a big check mark on part of her new living space. You can also narrow down the theme by adding an element. For example, with a Kitchen Shower have guests bring their favorite recipe and what is required to make it. Think Pyrex, Crock-Pots and spices rather than actual food.

2. A shower that does not require a gift

Lets face it, money is tight for many right now. Having a shower where a gift is not required will make many guests more comfortable. In lieu of a gift, request that guests bring a piece of advice for the new couple and compile them in a frame or book. Also, you could ask that they bring their favorite recipe to compile a cookbook as the "gift". The point of a shower is to... SHOWER, not necessarily with gifts, but also with love and support to send the couple into their life together.

3. Jack and Jill showers, AKA Couple Showers

Traditionally, wedding showers are for the bride only. Couple showers are becomingly increasingly popular. My advice for them? Have something fun that both sexes can participate in. Try fun outdoor games like corn-hole. Expert tip: Having the shower during football season? Make sure the boys have somewhere to watch their games. Or better yet, set them up to watch the games which the girls open gifts!

4. Themed showers

You can theme a shower any which-a-way you like. This can focus on an array of things the bride-to-be may like to have extras of, or just something she loves! Is your girl an old soul? Have a retro themed shower! Is she a serious neat freak? Have an organization shower and make sure she registers at crate and barrel first! Perhaps she loves pictures, have each guest bring their favorite frames picture of the couple.

With any shower, make sure you talk to the guest of honor first. Make sure it is something they are going to enjoy, and benefit from if guests are involved!

Other ideas:

Mad Hatter Tea Party

A Royal Affair Wedding Shower

Summer Yellow Bridal Shower

DIY Bridal Shower Scrapbook

Did you miss part one in our shower series? Check out Engagement Showers!

And if you need invitations don't forget about your 40% off!

Fall Inspirations

With fall in the air, parties are gearing up just in time for the cool weather. Here are some fun ideas for your fall get together:

1. Pumpkin fire

Having a party where kids will be in attendance? Keep things safe with this bonfire made up of carved pumpkins.

Image from Better Homes and Gardens: October, 2009

2. Candy corn favors

Looking for a simple favor? Try these cute candy corn pots filled with candy corn, or your favorite fall treat. This simple idea just uses small terra-cotta pots with yellow, orange, and white paint! Having trouble keeping your lines straight? Use masking tape between the colors, or outline in pencil before.

Original image via Martha Stewart Magazine

3. Dressing up candles

Turning regular candles into festive fall ones is easy. Just grab some leaves in your back yard (not too crisp) and flatten them out. Brush a thin layer of craft glue onto the leaves and press them onto your pillar candle. Arranging the candles with some leaves between them makes for an easy fall centerpiece.

4. Fall treats

Pumpkin anything is always an good go-to when looking for fall food. But adding chocolate chips, nuts, and other spices you can make ordinary treats extraordinary. S'Mores are fun for all ages around the fire! If your looking for some other great treats check out Joy the Baker or for meals try The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Addition: I love, love, love this pumpkin "cooler"

Would make a precious centerpiece!

BIG deal for Fall!

Paper Parfait is running a great sale just in time for Fall! They have so kindly passed it along for us to share with our readers, enjoy!

Engagement Shoot

One of our precious upcoming brides just got her engagement pictures back. They were just too cute not to share with you guys!

There are few places in the South I love more than Charleston, SC. A beautiful place for any kind of pictures, but especially wedding ones.
Love, love, love the cowboy boots. It makes me so happy to see brides, or soon-to-be brides bring their personality into pictures!

And lastly, you know I am a big fan of ring shots...

A special thanks to Tim Will Photography for sharing the pictures with us!

And thanks to Katie and Brandon for showing us your sweet pictures, can't wait for May!

Ask Me Anything

Hi All!

I've started a FormSpring account and am soliciting your questions. Seriously. Ask me anything event related and I'll answer them for free!

Guest Blogger: Image Crafters Weddings

This week we are thrilled to have Patrice Coleman from Image Crafters Weddings for our guest blog. Patrice has years and years of experience, and I cant speak from experience when I say she is a pleasure to work with. Below you will find some great tips of getting your skin ready for your big day!

Beauty Basics

Beauty Basics start with a good skincare regiment.

WARNING: Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of skincare problems! If you have skin issues begin working on them as soon as possible, at least 3 to 6 months before your big day!

Internally~ Feed It, Water It, and Cleanse It!

1. Nutrition

- Fruits

- Vegetables

• These provide vitamins, minerals and aid in the flushing of impurities.

-Lean Meats

-Fish

-Healthy Fats

• Lean proteins and healthy fats (like omega 3 rich fish and avocados) nourish and help the skin’s elasticity.

2. Hydration and Cleansing

- Fruits

- Vegetables

- Water

• Eating fruits and vegetables actually help to achieve optimal hydration

Externally~ Clean it, Exfoliate It, and Hydrate It!

1. Cleansers

- Oily

- Creamy

- Foaming

2. Exfoliants

- Grainy

- Acidic

3. Moisturizers

- Oil based

- Oil-Free

4. Sunscreen

- Should be 15 to 30 SPF depending on the amount of sun exposure.

*Tip 15 minutes of sun exposure will increase the body’s vitamin D levels.

Always remember, take time to maintain super skin inside and out!

To all you lucky ladies preparing for your special day I say, “Hooray”!!! I found my love and passion in the beauty industry. With many years of experience in beauty and fashion, I’ve acquired a lot of knowledge along the way. I’d like to share some of those tidbits of wisdom with you now! Image Crafters Weddings provides makeup and hair services for brides and her wedding party. I hope you find this information helpful.

Best Wishes,

Patrice Coleman

Image Crafters Weddings

Patrice G. Coleman is president and CEO of Patrice G. Coleman Enterprises, a professional make-up artistry, image consulting and skincare products company. She has been one the nation’s most highly sought after professional make up and hair artist for film, television, stage and print mediums for more than 20 years. To find out more, check out her website at http://www.patricegcoleman.com/imagecrafters.html

Images found at 100layercake, a great bridal resource!

5 golden rings

The second part in our 10 unique wedding ideas:

5. In lieu of cake

Try something creative! We all saw Carrie Underwood's cupcake tower, pick the dessert that best represents your couples likes! Love homemade pie? Check local antique stores the months before your wedding day to find unique serving stands to have different pies on. Still want the celebratory 1st year anniversary cake? Just buy a top layer and save that!

4. Popping shoes

Shoes are such a fun way to spice up the entire bridal party. Whether you have a pop of color under you dress, the guys have something funky below the tuxes, or your girls change into leopard heels for the reception, there is something fun for every bride.

Can you tell I am a fan of sparkles...?

3. Interesting exits

I love a vintage car. But I also love a unique way to say good bye to your guests.

And trading in bubbles for streamers (or better yet, silly string)? Don't mind if I do.

2. Hair-do

Changing your hair for the reception is a fun way to get a new look. Whether that may include loosing the veil, adding a hair accessory, or taking your hair down/putting it up there are plenty of ways to use this little twist!

1. Uniquely you

Whether your wedding is traditional, contemporary, vintage or anything in-between make sure that we wedding is YOU. Do not try to fit the mold of any other couple, or wedding you have seen. Put personal touches that express you as a couple.

Happy weekend.