Photo Credit: C. Tyson Photography
Tip of the Day: If you're getting married on Oct. 31 but you don't want a full-fledged monster bash, subtlety is key. Stick to a Halloween-esque color palette, like black, glittery silver, and accents of red in items like linens and candles. Skip the skulls and zombie motif, which brings it more into costumey territory.
I'm addicted to finding fabulous couture options for my bridesmaids. I've asked four girls to celebrate my big day: My best friend from childhood, my older sister, my future sister-in-law, and my cousin. A few years ago, when I originally chose them, the dress styles were very limited. Sure, there were some nice options, but never any that were full-on stylish.
To make matters even more complicated, they all had their own agenda of what they wanted to wear. The mismatched dress trend hadn't been born yet, and it's the one I'm officially crushing on for my Italian nuptials in 2014. Forget boring taffeta and horrid shades of pea green—the dresses below are incredibly chic!
The latest craze is a bridal party with asymmetrical details, and this soft neutral is perfection.
Photo Credit: JLM Couture
Black dresses are purely chic, but do try pops of color on your bouquet to make a bold statement.
Photo Credit: JLM Couture
If you want a dramatic color but you don’t want to commit to a dark shade, try gunmetal for an elegant option.
Guest Blogger: Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering
Nathaniel’s mom says it best: “When Nathaniel was turning three, I asked him what he wanted for his third birthday. He said, ‘Quiche.’” Ever since, Nathaniel’s love for food has never been far from reach. With his presence, Contemporary Catering quickly became a major contender in the Los Angeles catering industry. From overseeing production to designing a nine-course tasting menu with five-star service, Nathaniel’s dedication to his clients and his company is unparalleled.
After the ceremony, you newlyweds will probably want to sneak away and enjoy a few alone moments. To ensure your guests stay entertained, we've put together some of our best cocktail hour beverages and bites that will be sure to give your guests something to talk about.
What better way to kick off your cocktail hour than with some super fun “poptails”?! Take some of your favorite summer drinks, freeze in popsicle molds and place in cute glasses and trays so everything stays mess-free as they melt. Don’t forget to freeze some popsicles sans alcohol for the little ones! Pomegranate, peach, strawberry, mojito… the flavor possibilities are endless.
The bride wore fairy wings down the aisle in this beautiful Halloween-themed wedding!
Photo Credit: The Bridal Detective via Pinterest
Tip of the Day: Keeping white bridal shoes white through rain, mud, slush and on grass, can be challenging. The solution: Take two medium-to-large sized "baggies" and split them front and in back for easy walking. Put about two inches of Scotch tape in front and back so the plastic bags won't slip off. The maid of honor can easily slip the "bootie-baggies" on and off over the bride's shoes . . . and the bride needn't even bend over!
Plus, check out 15 more Big-Day Glitches (and How to Avoid Them).
Who needs flowers? We love this glamorous candelabra centerpiece.
Brides have often been depicted in the media as selfish, demanding “bridezillas” but I find that nothing could be further from the truth. Okay, there will always be a few out-of-control divas who make life miserable for everyone around them (and will continue to do so after the wedding!) but most of the brides I’ve known have made their family, friends and bridal party’s happiness a priority. They are conscious of doing what’s right and what’s best for others. For such brides, giving guests a charitable favor is a plus, and what better time is there than now, National Breast Cancer month, to consider doing just that? The American Cancer Society offers beautiful Wedding Scrolls that can be placed at each guest’s seat or Tent Cards for display on each table acknowledging that a financial contribution has been made toward the fight against cancer.
Looking for ways to individualize your bridal look? We took a style cue from Oscar de la Renta's bridal collection to see which accessories make a "Big Day" style statement.
1. Consider a textured veil with detailing that complements the beadwork/lace/floral accents of your dress; it is sure to give you a pulled together look. If you desire a look of cool refinement, a veil is a magnificent choice.
2. Statement earrings are sure to give you fashionista style points. We love the pairing of statement earrings with a more clean, polished hairstyle — this keeps the look balanced.
3. Cute fingerless gloves are adorable and add a touch of whimsy to your big day look. We love how Oscar de la Renta complemented the gloves with a "something blue" nail polish. Gloves pair well with a short dress: they imbue the look with a bit of chic formality — ideal for your wedding.
Tell us: What statement accessories are you considering for your wedding day?
—Naima DiFranco
Intimate Weddings
From the whimsical tiered lanterns to the relaxed lounge vibe, we love this tented reception!
Tip of the Day: Thank your bridal party for all of their time, support and expenses with a gift they'll cherish. One idea we love: Surprise your 'maids with tickets to the hottest concert of the season that you can all attend together! Tickets in the upper tiers cost in the $70 to $90 range, depending on the venue, but the memories (doing your best air guitar impression, belting out the latest hits) really will be priceless.
Plus, check out 40+ more bridal party gift ideas!
Featured: Weddings by Palladium
