Sarah + Dillon’s Fabulous Fall Farm Wedding

by // // No Comments

Sweet young couple Sarah and Dillon chose to marry under a cathedral of trees in the beautiful outdoors. They couldn’t have picked a better day, as their wedding day was crisp and clear, the perfect picturesque fall weather.

Simply Stated beautifully photographed the heartwarming nuptials, which took place surrounded by the natural beauty of Tennessee’s Honey Creek Farms.

Stunning Honey Creek Farms, nestled on 25 acres of picturesque rolling hills in Dandridge, is not only a beautiful event venue but it also a fully operational farm. And it was the perfect spot for Sarah and Dillon to say “I Do” at, surrounded by all of their beloved family and friends. We love the simple wood benches with cozy blankets, the lanterns lining the aisle and the perfectly draped arbor. Oh, and the fall leaves scattered by nature. Most of all, though, we adore the look of love on the beaming, happy faces of Sarah and Dillon.

The lovely event was coordinated by Jessica of Team Wedding and every detail was thoughtfully taken care of.

Gorgeous Sarah found her breathtaking lace three quarter sleeve ballgown with us at The Gilded Gown.

She also purchased her coordinating veil and accessories with us. We think this photo of Sarah in her veil is absolutely breathtaking.

Sarah was truly the most beautiful bride. Her hair and makeup were done by the talented artists of Southern Belle Beauty LLC

And, this bouquet is everything! Florist Michael Trentolm brought all the colors of fall into this lush, lavish cascading creation. 

Definitely fall bouquet goals:

We are sure happy tears were shed as Sarah made her way through the barn doors down the aisle:

The handsome groom and his guys were adorable in their suspenders and bow ties. We wonder what Dillon was thinking as he waited for Sarah. Most likely he was counting his blessings and wondering how he got to be so lucky.

We’re sure the Sarah felt the same knowing she was marrying the love of her life, her best friend and such a good man.

Sarah gathered her closest friends around her to celebrate the best day ever. Her attendants make a gorgeous group in their complimentary, non-matching gowns.

You can tell the entire wedding party enjoyed the day. And each other’s company. Many lasting memories were made.

Join us in wishing Sarah and Dillon every happiness as they begin their lives together.

 

She Walks in Beauty
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

 

|  V E N D O R S |

Photographer: Simply Stated formerly Simply Croft

Venue: Honey Creek Farms
DJ: Mobile Beats EnPhtertainment
Caterer: Southern Traditions Catering
Cake: design cakes by laurie
Dress: The Gilded Gown
Hair & Makeup: Southern Belle Beauty LLC
Florist: michael trenholm
Videography: Noble Limits Creative Company
Coordinator: Team Wedding / Jessica

Don’t Throw Rice! Creative Toss Items for Your Wedding Send Off

by // // 2 Comments

A wedding send-off is a friendly demonstration that takes place immediately following the ceremony. Traditionally, guests file through a receiving line and then gather outside to await the bride and groom. When the couple makes their exit, the guests typically shower them with rice. Throwing rice at a newly married couple has been a tradition for thousands of years, possibly going back as far as the ancient Assyrians and Egyptians. The idea is that tossing this symbol of a good crop at a couple will give the newlyweds good luck, fertility, and abundance in the future. But as with all traditions, there are plenty of creative alternatives for people looking for a little something different. The fact is your guests can wish you well with plenty of things besides rice. We’ve gathered a few festive send-off ideas to make your special day extraordinary.

Dried herbs or flowers, such a lavender, make a fragrant, eco-friendly toss item.

Put them out for your guests in adorable paper cones.

Or have little open sacks of herbs served up in a crate. Your guests will love this beautiful, earth-friendly option.

Whimsical Pom Poms, either the tiny balls or the shaker kind, make a send-off a celebration!

Put out little containers of poms in your wedding colors to compliment your day.

Clean up on the bitty poms can be time-consuming, though, so you might want to consider cheerleader style pom poms on sticks. Your guests will get into the cheering spirit with colorful shakers. Heck, they might even come up with an impromptu cheer just for you guys.

Imagine stepping out to face your future together to the tingle of tons of tiny bells.

Help your guests ring in your new life together with little bells.

Or, use the ever-popular cowbells. There is never enough cowbell!

 

 

You can always leave your wedding in a flurry of floaty fun bubbles.

All of your friends and family will feel like kids again as they blow a cascade of bubbles at you.

You might even want to join in the fun!

Paper airplanes are an adorable send-off item.

Your love will take flight when your guests bombard you with everyone’s favorite childhood DIY. Map paper airplanes are an especially special send-off when you are traveling for your honeymoon, too.

Looking for a cheerful send-off? Rainbow sprinkles are the epitome of cheerful fun.

Sweet packets of these will deliver a major fun moment for all.

Tubes make great of confetti sprinkles

Ribbon wands add a festive flair and a fantastic insta-ready photo opportunity at your send-off.
Ribbon wands are a quick and easy DIY project, plus they don’t require any cleanup AND they can be customized for any style wedding. Win, win, win.
Our final creative alternative to a traditional rice throw is leaf confetti. This is our favorite option because it is free and eco-friendly.
Leaf confetti simply requires a hole punch, some handy helpers and mother nature’s bounty of leaves. Punch any shapes you desire into your leaves. Voila, wedding confetti!
No matter what you choose to have your guests sling at you, we know you’ll be showered in happiness.

REAL WEDDINGS >> A few of our beautiful, breathtaking brides of 2018

by // // No Comments

We are honored we have the opportunity to help so many beautiful, breathtaking brides find their dream dresses at The Gilded Gown. Being a part of that special moment when the “magic” happens and a bride falls in love with her dress is our absolute joy. But it is even more rewarding for us to see our brides glow with happiness and love on their wedding days. Join us on this photo journey through a few of our gorgeous brides’ special days. We wish these all of these adorable newlyweds much love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Your fairy tales are only beginning.

♥

True love stories never have endings. Richard Bach

♥

Congratulations Hillary & Rajiv!

Featured in the Summer/Fall 2018 Tennessee Weddings by The Pink Bride Magazine

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – WindRiver

RECEPTION – The Venue at Lenoir City

PHOTOGRAPHY – Zamana Lifestyles

CATERING – Chowpatty

FLORIST – Melissa Timm Designs

INVITES – Julie Hanan Design

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

Indian Attire for Bride, Groom, Groomsmen, Bridesmaids – Image Boutique Shop By Surinder Bedi

TUXES – Prestige Tuxedo

DJ – Sequoyah Entertainment

RENTALS & DECOR – All Occasions Party Rentals

HAIR & MAKEUP – Bangs and Blush

♥

To love is to burn, to be on fire. Jane Austen 

♥

Congratulations Kelly & Josh!

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE –  The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, LLC

PHOTOGRAPHY – Joy Wildflower Photography

FLORIST – Swank Floral & Interiors

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

Love must be as much a light as it is a flame. Henry David Thoreau

♥

Congratulations Maisie & Cory!

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – Riverbend Farms

PHOTOGRAPHY – Ivy Takes Photos

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

SUIT – Dillards

♥

If I know what love is, it is because of you. Hermann Hesse

♥

Congratulations Becca & Steven!

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – Sampson’s Hollow

PHOTOGRAPHY – Creative One’s Photography

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

A loving heart is the truest wisdom. Charles Dickens

♥

Congratulations Morgan & Joe!

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – Coopers Cove in Townsend, TN

PHOTOGRAPHY – Cara Totman Photography

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

Unless you love someone, nothing else makes sense. E.E. Cummings

♥

Congratulations Grace & Denzell

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – The Ranch on Denali Trail

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love. Sophocles

♥

Congratulations Sierra & Corey

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – Stately Occasions of Oneida, TN

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

I know of no greater happiness than to be with you all the time, without interruption, without end. Franz Kafka

♥

Congratulations Savanna & Chris

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – Tower Mountain, KY

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

♥

There is no remedy for love but to love more. Henry David Thoreau

♥

Congratulations Emily & Alex

 

♥

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu

♥

Congratulations Chloe & Trevor

 

♥

All you need is love. Paul McCartney

♥

Congratulations Victoria & Dillon

|  V E N D O R S  |

VENUE – The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, LLC

RECEPTION – Barley’s Knoxville

PHOTOGRAPHY – Flourish Photography by Katie Huff

FLORIST – Swank Floral & Interiors

DRESS – The Gilded Gown

TRANSPORTATION – Regal Carriages & Steve Wisden

HAIR & MAKEUP – Kristen Hurtubise & Grow Knoxville – A Shane Archer Concept Salon

 

Don’t Let Them Eat Cake. Top Four Wedding Cake Alternatives!

by // // No Comments

There are so many lovely wedding traditions that come to mind when planning a wedding, but that doesn’t mean you have to incorporate all of them into yours. Every detail of your special day should be personalized to please you and your fiancee. Discard the traditions you don’t want, and tweak others so they fit YOUR wedding day vibe. Perhaps you picture your nuptials taking place at sunrise on a beach instead of an afternoon church ceremony. Maybe you want to walk down the aisle carrying a swag of greenery instead of a bouquet. These choices are yours to make and you should do “you.” Your friends and family will love celebrating your day with you even more if it reflects your own unique vision.

We suggest examining every single tradition and modifying any you aren’t feeling. For example, if the thought of serving a three-tiered white cake doesn’t fill you with joy, then we suggest thinking outside the box, dessert-wise, and dishing up a delicious alternative. There are so many fun, delicious and creative choices for sweets. We’ve rounded up our top four favorite options for what to serve at a reception instead of cake.

Pie

Golden-crusted and delicious, the baked goodness that is pie makes a perfect wedding dessert. Pie is playful, affordable, approachable and easy. Pie comes in a multitude of flavors. And pie is yummy. We love this gorgeous option with a braided edge and decorated with fresh flowers:

Your guests can be served their pie buffet style.

Or you could provide personal tiny pies for each attendee. Bonus, individual pies can double as your wedding favors.

Photo: Heather Waraksa, The Knot

Pie can even be served on a stick.

If you want a good photo op with the hubs, pose in front of a stack of pies.

Photo: Jose Villa/Style Me Pretty

Cheesecake

Surprise your guests with luscious, decadent cheesecake instead of a wedding cake. Creamy, indulgent and layered this scrumptious dessert will have everyone wanting seconds. Load a table full of multiple flavors so that everyone can choose their favorite.

Cheesecakes are versatile and can be made to coordinate with any color scheme. We adore these mini cheesecakes rocking the purple and blue hues:

Cheesecake can even be stacked in lavish tiers to mimic a traditional wedding cake.

Cookies

Sugary, crispy, crunchy and so irresistible, cookies make an excellent option for your wedding reception finale. These guys are portable, inexpensive and everybody loves them.

Cookies can be super personalized with your names and wedding date, like these adorable succulent-inspired confections from HayleyCakesandCookies.com:

Meringues & Pavlovas

For a really unexpected wedding cake alternative, we suggest airy Meringues or Pavlovas. Very delicate and sweet, a meringue is a light-as-air confection of sugar and egg whites. A Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. This dessert features a crisp crust and a soft, marshmallowy interior, usually topped with fruit and whipped cream.

They come in all shapes and sizes including pavlova tiered cakes, mini meringue roses, pops, drops, kisses and sandwich cookies.

 

Wedding Invites for any Style! From Glam Events to Campground Weddings

by // // No Comments

We have good news for any newly engaged couples out there who are in the midst of wedding planning. We found Y’all the best source for truly custom wedding invitations (at great prices) for literally any style event you are envisioning! Basic Invite has a complete collection of beautiful invitations, envelopes, place cards, guests cards, wedding coasters, and, well, just about anything printed you could possibly want for your special day! We love Basic Invite for many reasons: the site is easy to use, has lots of free perks, they’ll send you a custom sample, their products are affordable AND high quality, but most of all we are obsessed with them because their stuff is just so darn pretty!!!

What sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company is the fact that they offer practically unlimited color options with instant previews online. Which means once you select the design you love, you can then change the color of EVERY element on the card with more than 180 different color options. So, you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it – down to the littlest detail. Oh, and they are just as colorful with their peel and seal envelopes too. You can choose from 40 colors to make your envelope pop, like this perfect-for-fall pumpkin!

Another cool thing about Basic Invite is that every one of their boutique quality wedding invitations is part of a set. Which means you can find everything else you want to match; from save-the-date cards to enclosure cards, to wedding menus, to programs and even matching thank you cards! For example, if you select these lush and dark Dutch floral invitations:

You could also have the perfectly matching thank you cards:

They have so many designs available to choose from in tons of themes such as mountain, fairytale, and even high end. If you are a glam girl planning a sumptuous, sparkly NYE wedding, they’ve got you covered these luxurious and refined foil Wedding Invitations. This design showcases romantic flourishes around the names contrasted by a very dignified font underneath for wedding and reception information. You can totally customize this card with your favorite colors and fonts to make your unique and breathtaking invitation:

Maybe you are dreaming of a sweet and southern style event? You’ll want to take a gander at these romantic floral inspired Wedding Invitations. The card features a frame of beautifully arranged flowers and the details of the wedding set in a complementary pairing of fonts that will leave your friends and family speechless.

Perhaps you are planning a low-key, casual campground affair. Well, they even have lots of adorable camping themed wedding invitations too! Our fave is this canoe and antler combo:

They also have trendy options, like these awesome clear invites which look amazing boxed with some fresh greenery:

Basic Invite brings it with their wedding coasters which make great favors for your friends and family. Did you see the mason jar with fireflies? So cute!

Basic Invite also hooks you up with some awesome freebies, like your very own wedding website AND an address collection service. Free is always nice, but zero dollars is ESPECIALLY good when you are planning a wedding! We like that the mobile-friendly wedding websites are completely customizable just like the wedding invitations! (You can even choose a design to match your invites!) They are also super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details along with images and a map with directions. And the address collection serves allows you to request your addresses with three simple steps. You just share a link with your guests, collect their addresses and you’ll get free envelope printing.

Ready to get YOUR wedding printing needs taken care of? Visit Basic Invite and find the invites of your dreams. Here’s a coupon code so you can SAVE BIG ON EVERYTHING!  Use code: 15FF51 for 15% OFF.

You can also find Basic Invite on Social Media to get even more Wedding Invitation Inspo:

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

Twitter

STYLED SHOOT: A Perfectly Purple Wedding

by // // No Comments

Are you passionate about purple? And, are you an “outside the box” person who is planning a wedding? If so, you are most likely going to want to incorporate your favorite hue into your special day! Read on to see how purple was used with wild abandon in a recent styled photo shoot captured by the amazing Chastidyi of Star Noir Photography. The folks at Star Noir have a passion for love, quirkiness, and authenticity so they were the best choice for this inspirational wedding which combines so many pretty combinations of the shade in a truly spectacular way. And, no successful shoot happens without lots of planning and styling, which in this case was thanks to Knox Occasions, a premier wedding and event planning company.

We love how the bride and groom are both decked out in a non-traditional but totally awesome and unique way.

He’s dressed in dapper menswear from Target. Hello, purple shoes!

She’s wearing a stunning strapless dress and beautiful accessories from The Gilded Gown, Hello statement necklace!

Gorgeous bride Amanda’s hair and makeup were expertly done by Southern Sirens, a team of licensed beauty professionals who specialize in providing hairstyles and airbrush makeup for those special events in your life.
Her lovely lashes came courtesy of Whiplash Studio of Knoxville which specializes in quality eyelash extensions and other pampering services!

Chapel in the Hollow, an intimate wedding venue with whimsical rustic flair located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains provided the perfect outdoor woodsy setting.

And the decor, like the FABULOUS white settee, is courtesy of Vintage Inspiration Rentals.  The ladies who run this lovely wedding decor rental company understand the many hours that go into planning and orchestrating a wedding day. At Vintage Inspirations, they take great joy in working with couples throughout the process in order to bring your vision to life with the best furniture and accessories for your wedding day. And we feel confident that EVERY wedding needs this settee:

Vintage Inspiration Rentals also provided the fresh white sideboard and gold decor which offsets all the purple beautifully.

They get every detail right, likes these glass and brass octagonal containers filled with moss and flowers and stacked on layers of books.

The adorable invites and seed packet favors were handcrafted by Millstone Crafted.

We love how the invites have the floral hoops to match the ones used in the shoot.

The lush and decadent florals were designed by the experts at Melissa Timm Designs. Melissa Timm Designs is a luxury florist who offers high-end wedding floral designs.
Their expert designers create unique and whimsical arrangements for delivery in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas.

The bouquet for this shoot is just BEYOND beautiful and includes a bountiful selection of greenery, succulents, and exotic flowers.

And, we just love the coordinating bout:

The super nice folks at Mandie Bakes Custom Cakes of Crossville created a truly unique three-layer cake for the shoot. Mandie Bakes Custom Cakes offers a professional experience with a cake unique to you and your event.

We hope you enjoyed the results of all these wedding pros’ hard work and found inspiration for your own colorful wedding.

| Vendors |
Hair and Makeup: Southern Sirens
Heirlooms and Extras: Vintage Inspiration Rentals
Invitations: Millstone Crafted
Menswear: Target
Planner / Stylist: Knox Occasions

Bridal & Prom Markets – Where We Find The Best Dresses & Accessories

by // // No Comments

Have you ever wondered where we get our beautiful dresses from at The Gilded Gown?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We procure all of our luxurious dresses and accessories brand new from various high-quality manufacturers like Justin Alexander, Nina Canacci and Malis Henderson. These manufacturers have retailer web portals that we can log in to in order to look through the current styles and order stock. Our exclusive bridal design houses and prom purveyors send reps to visit us in the store, too. But the primary way we source the absolute best dresses and accessories is by visiting lots and lots of Bridal and Prom Markets!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Held across the country in cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Dallas the Bridal and Prom markets we attend are fun and fabulous, exhausting and exhilarating, educational and glamorous. Bridal and Prom Markets are held in glorious multi-storied buildings filled with gorgeous garments at wholesale pricing.

Each vendor has their own booth showcasing their latest designs. Markets are the place where we immerse ourselves in the behind-the-scenes world of bridal and prom fashion, with designers, models and glittering showrooms galore. Each market is an extended shopping spree of epic proportions! All that sparkle and glamour takes work though! Our ten to twelve-hour shopping sessions require serious fortitude and focus so that we purchase only the very best of the best for our Gilded Gown Girls back home. During the course of the year, we specially select hundreds upon hundreds of dresses, veils, jackets, earrings, necklaces, and headpieces.

We have the opportunity to watch lots of stunning fashion shows while enjoying free food & drinks.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We visit all of our trusted manufacturers to see the gowns in person to consider the cut, construction, and fabric. We carefully examine each and every item before we order it for our store. We also check for up and coming new designers that we think our customers will gravitate toward.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A strange phenomenon happens to us at the markets, which we have dubbed, “sparkle head.” That is what happens after several hours of looking at stunningly gorgeous items when we can no longer make any kind of sense, our eyes start watering and we have a desperate need to sit. There is only such beauty one can take in after all. When “sparkle head” sets in, we usually head back to the hotel or a restaurant to decompress and unwind for a bit.

We always work hard, but we play hard too. This year almost our entire staff visited one or more of the markets. It was a great bonding experience for Team GG, and it allowed our stylists to learn even more about the brands we carry at The Gilded Gown.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Jacqui and Grace find us awesome hotels or Airbnbs to stay in and we usually eat at some world-class restaurants, too. And, sometimes we get in some personal shopping as well.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As soon as one market season finishes we get a minute to catch our breaths, and then it starts all over again. And we couldn’t love it more!

Beautiful Bridesmaids Gifts for Your #BrideTribe

by // // No Comments

One of the best parts of planning your wedding is selecting your bridesmaids. You’ll want to choose those “ride or die” girls who know you best. They are the people you want to share all life’s big moments with. Surrounding yourself with your closest family members and your besties who’ve been with you through thick and thin means that you’ll be super supported during your special day. They’re the girls who will keep you relaxed and happy.

But asking someone to be in your wedding means that you’re entrusting them with some serious elements of the planning! Your bridesmaids will be organizing your bachelorette party, and your bridal shower plus handling tons of little details you don’t even want to think about to make sure your wedding day goes as smoothly as possible. They’ll also be shelling out for dresses, shoes, and gifts for you. Since you are asking a lot of them you’ll want to show your love and appreciation with amazing bridesmaid gifts. Here are some gorgeous items we know your bride tribe will love:

Bling

Jewelry and accessories are a timeless gift that all of your ladies will appreciate. To make this very easy on you, head to The Gilded Gown to snag gorgeous accessories. This way, your bridesmaids’ jewelry or hair accessories for your wedding will match the theme of your day perfectly.

A pretty necklace is a classic bridesmaid present. Get matching necklaces for all your maids to wear on your wedding day. And, one for yourself, of course.

A hot trend in gifting is bolo bracelets. We have sweet options in silver, gold and rose gold:

Your bridesmaids will look gorgeous in matching pearl drop earrings, like these from The Gilded Gown:

 

If your girls tend to rock different styles, consider gifting them something more individualistic and not necessarily meant to be worn on your wedding day. Depending on your budget, jewelry stores usually have great options for bridesmaids. Or, head to your friend’s favorite store to shop for jewelry. Think Pandora if they like to be on-trend. Or if they’re a lover of all things vintage the internet is a great resource. We found tons of cute antique options on Ruby Lane.

Stylin’ Sunnies

Everyone loves a pair of stylish sunglasses! Giving fashionable frames as a gift that your squad can wear during your reception and ceremony is a great way to show how grateful you are. Your maids will be able to shield their eyes from the sun AND look glam in matching sunnies. 

Choose a style that compliments your wedding vibe, and your girls will be wearing this gift long after your wedding has come and gone! Plus, your fiancee could order the same shades for his groomsmen and the whole wedding party would be looking good together.

Fun Floral Robes

If you plan to have your photographer on site as you and your crew get ready for your big day then consider purchasing matching floral robes for your bridesmaids as a thank you. Cute robes like this are very trendy right now and make for fun pics of you and your tribe!

They are also great to get ready in because no one will have to worry about messing up their hair or makeup when they go to change into their dress. Plus they are so pretty!

 

Phone Cases

Another great gift option for your bridesmaids are these pink leather phone cases. Personalize them with a monogram so each friend knows you put extra thought and love when it came to a thank you gift. This is another gift that keeps on giving and will be used by your crew until the next iPhone comes out!

And, we are obsessed with everything from Rifle Paper Co. Your maids will be too. Their phone cases are #bomb, like this clear gold foil toile case:

Or this adorable printed case:

Lil’ Things

Sometimes the littlest gesture can make the greatest gift. We adore these bride squad luggage tags which are less than five dollars each:

Another stellar choice for your maids? Pinch Provisions MiniEmergency Kit for Maids. This kit is chock-full of 21 little essentials (like hairspray and earring backs) that can save the day on your big day. And it is less than $20, too!

Tennies

One of our fave ideas for bridesmaids gifts is a pair of darling tennis shoes. Everybody loves a signature tennie, and how cute would it be if all your maids changed into these vintage blossom Keds to break it down on the dance floor at your reception? And how fun would it be to have a group pic with everyone lifting up their dresses to show their dancing shoes?

Any of these presents are the perfect way to thank your bridesmaids for their friendship and support from the moment you were engaged to the day you become a Mrs.! They work together tirelessly to ensure you have the wedding of your dreams and these gifts will help show your love and appreciation. Wrap their gifts in personalized boxes, like these, for the perfect finishing touch for your girls.

 

 

BRIDAL NAIL TRENDS. Inspo for Your Wedding Day Mani

by // // 2 Comments

Your perfect wedding day look requires attention to every detail. You’ll be focusing on your dress, shoes, bridal accessories, makeup, and hair. And we know you’ll want your nails to be on point for your walk down the aisle, too. We sourced some of the prettiest manicures around to inspire you to focus in on your favorite style for your special day. From Matte to Sparkly we have beautiful options to fit every brides’ vibe.

MAD FOR MATTE

With matte nails, it’s all about a flat finish that delivers major style in a very non-shiny way. A pinky taupe matte mani is a subtle way to “bring it” with a finished yet understated nail.

A softer take on matte, “Sue” by Zoya in champagne gold, features a multi-hued oyster shell pearl fleck in a velvety matte finish. So pretty and bridal.

For a more dramatic manicure, try a navy polish. We picture this at a luxe fall wedding. Preferably holding a greenery bouquet.

LOVELY LACE

We adore the lace nail trend for a sweet and romantic mani. Nailstamp4fun created a lovely look featuring lace nails along with a single jeweled accent nail.

Lace patterns are inherently romantic so they pair perfectly with a wedding day polish.

PERFECT PALE PINK

Pale pink is, we believe, the quintessential and classic nail polish color for brides. Our pick for the prettiest pink is hands down Essie’s “Ballet Slippers.”

After all, this $9 polish WAS Meghan Markle’s pick on her recent wedding day to Prince Harry.

YUMMY YELLOW

Has anyone else noticed how popular the color yellow is lately? We are seeing it on Pinterest, on the Gram, on cool chicks around town. Even every tv commercial seems drenched in variations of the sunny shade. We love the idea of an adorably fresh and sweet pale yellow hue for a wedding day look, like this shade “Meet A Boy As Cute As Can Be,” by OPI. Love this lemony shade? Hurry it is on clearance now at Sally Beauty for less than four dollars!!!!

 

ORBIT NAILS, THE LATEST TREND

Looking for something cutting edge and trendy for your wedding nails? Then say “hello” to Orbit Nails – where each nail features a thin outline of color around a solid oval of another color. We adore this tiffany blue edged with black version of the polish.

Or try a classic black and white combo for a more traditional take on the trend:

 

YOU GOTTA LOVE A FRENCH MANICURE

You can never go wrong with a french manicure, a style which features a band of white polish across the tip of the nail and a contrasting clear or pale polish underneath. Your look will say classy, clean and perfectly groomed with a french mani.

We really like this one by trendsetting Greek nail salon File and Style. So crisp and polished.

WHITE ON WHITE

A pure white manicure and matching pedicure is a perfect pick for brides. File and Style does bridal right.

THE PERFECT BURGUNDY FOR FALL

The perfect shade for fall weddings (and for fall anything really), is the legacy Essie color “Bordeaux.”  The deep red wine lacquer is one of the company’s original polish colors from way back in 1981. But hey, when you design the absolute ultimate burgundy color you can keep on making it year after year. And it will continue being rediscovered by fashionistas year after year. This intoxicating manicure would be amazing for any bride. And us. We need this.

GLITTER NAILS

Are you a blingy bride who loves some glam and sparkle? Well, then you will gravitate toward these glittery manicures.

We think these gorgeous silver glitter dusted nails by the creative sisters of Canadian nail company KnailArt would make any glam bride happy.

Whatever style captures your heart, dear brides, we do hope you found some inspiration in the latest nail trends. As for us, we are headed out to get the Essie “Bordeaux” asap, after all, we wholeheartedly agree with the philosophy of Audrey Hepburn who famously said, “I believe in manicures.”

 

HONEYMOON: Venice, A City of Untold Romance

by // // No Comments

Are you looking for a honeymoon destination that will deliver romance on a grand scale? We suggest the magical, achingly beautiful, utterly romantic city of Venice! Steeped in history, culture, and beauty this is a place which has only a single road, but hundreds of scenic water canals lined with stunning Renaissance and Gothic palaces. This gem in northern Italy is constructed entirely upon more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Every journey around town is a fairy tale moment, every meal is a memory, every view a feast for the eyes.

You’ll want to stay at least three days to truly experience the charms of Venice. Once you arrive, though, you’ll never want to leave. Schedule your visit during the months of September to November and you can experience the wonder without fighting crowds or paying premium prices for your hotel. The temperature can range from the upper 30s to the mid 70s during this time so you’ll need to pack some layers.

Where to Stay:

Our top pick for where to stay in Venice is the Hotel Canal Grande. This former noble residence is an elegant boutique hotel which faces onto the Grand Canal and overlooks a picturesque Venetian square. Situated just a few minutes from the Santa Lucia train station and Piazzale Roma, the Hotel Canal Grande is the ideal starting point for reaching all of the city’s most renowned sites. You can book here for about $200 per night.

Stay here and you will be enveloped in the magical atmosphere of ancient Venice just as if you traveled back in time. The hotel is loaded with items from a more luxurious era: rich fabrics, gilded mirrors, Murano glass, furniture decorated with gold leaf and gorgeous Rezzonico wood floors. You will be completely immersed in the atmosphere of 18th century Venice, but with every modern convenience (like Wi-Fi, Room Service, and Satellite TV) at your fingertips.

Oh, and the Hotel Canal Grande features its own private dock so you can quickly arrive and depart by private water taxi or gondola.

What to See:

When you are in a city such as Venice, where everywhere you look is breathtaking, you can simply just be there and be supremely satisfied. However, there are a few amazing places you will want to make time to enjoy.

Start at the Piazza San Marco. This square is the central point of the city and is the only”piazza” in Venice; the other squares are called “campi.” This is a pedestrian-only zone and visitors can enjoy the open space, outdoor cafes, and shops beneath the surrounding covered arcades. Be sure to try the famous Caffe Florian. The square is also renowned for its multitude of pigeons, but don’t feed them, it’s illegal. At the end of the square, you’ll find the Grand Canal and the mooring area for Venetian gondolas.  

Piazza San Marco

We recommend Alex Hai Gondola Tours for exploring all of Venice via the picturesque waterways.

Venice’s main street, Merceria, leads onto the square through the arch in Saint Mark’s Clocktower.

Saint Mark’s Clocktower

You will have to visit the Basilica di San Marco, the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice located at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco. It is the most famous of the city’s churches and one of the best-known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. Since the 11th century, the astoundingly beautiful building has been called the “church of gold” for its opulent design, gold ground mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power.

Ponte di Rialto or The Rialto Bridge is the heart of Venice, and it is the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal. This is a great bridge to share a kiss under!

There are so many other attractions to experience in Venice as well. Go there and it will take you places you’ve never dreamed of. Ancient palaces, historic churches, romantic restaurants, chic shops, fishing islands, museums, charming squares are all at your disposal. Wherever Venice leads you, you will leave with memories to last a lifetime.

From the most cliched experiences to the surreal moments, a honeymoon spent in Venice will provide the most romantic backdrop for everything you do. Be it kissing on a gondola ride or witnessing a romantic sunset, Venice has the capability of turning every ordinary moment into an extraordinary memory. We think Truman Capote perfectly captured the spirit of the place, when he famously said, “Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate in one go.”

« Older posts