Misc Ramblings....

Detail of Alannah Hill She's Thrilled Frock (detail is on bottom of skirt area)

So, I WAS going to post about Photography, and why you should have a professional, yadda yadda. BUT, since it's Sunday night and not only am I a day late in posting, I'm also not in "wedding mode" at the moment!!! I've recently begun a closet cleanup....and my brain is a little obsessed (okay, alot!) with shoes & clothing at the moment!!

I wanted to share one of my favorite designers here in the US, Nanette Lepore. Also my favorite (and okay, I'll admit it, I like her more than NL!) designer out of the US, Alannah Hill. Both have exquisite details in their clothing, everything is well tailored, and the clothing is just GORGEOUS!!!!!! Here's some links to the designer's "official" sites, then I"m going to add some pictures of MY favorite pieces (that I have the privilege to actually own!) No, no, no, don't get excited....I'm super cheap and everything has come from either ebay or super-duper deep discounts at a coupe of outlets I hit up. That I have friends who work for the company (two major department stores come to mind!) who seriously hook me up. Otherwise I'd be sporting Gap and Banana Republic clothing, from the sale rack! (okay, so often I am sporting those two retailers!!! Gap is fab for basics, and BR for some key pieces....like pants that fit my booty!)

Alannah Hill (it's an Australian site, also uses flash, so it can be slow at times)
http://www.alannahhill.com.au/

Nanette Lepore (flash site...can be slow at times. drat it all, why can't everything be plain html?)
http://www.nanettelepore.com/nanette_lepore_08/index_new.html

Some of my favorite favorite pieces (Okay, so I only own 3 Alannah Hill items....but it isn't sold here in the US, and I have to find sellers on ebay who don't want my money AND a pint of blood!!! lol)

She's Thrilled Frock (I love it, they use "frock" instead of "dress". How proper!!) All pictures were taken from the ebay seller I purchased the dress from. I saw it when I was in Sydney in the middle of March, and just fell in love with it. I nearly purchased it before I left, but couldn't wrap my head around the cost. I was lucky to find it on ebay for much less. Of course, now I need an occasion to wear it!

Photograph from ebay seller lv157, who has a wonderful Alannah Hill store.
She also ships to the US happily at very nice prices! With the current exchange rate, for the quality of the clothing, you'll get a good deal if you visit her store! She has some FABULOUS items as well. Also ships extremely fast for being half a world away!!!

Alannah Hill "Oooh Juicy Lips" Cami. Found this little gem for such a low price, I'm reluctant to admit it! (I seriously felt like I was stealing from the seller...especially since she only charged me the amount I would normally pay for domestic shipping in the US, not registered international mail!!!) I was VERY luck to obtain it in both the Nude AND the Pink. Apparently the pink version was a sample made, but never produced for the retail Alannah Hill stores. I've only worn the nude one, and received so many compliments I cannot wait for a reason to wear the pink one next!!!

The Detail on these cami's, they are INCREDIBLE!!

On to Nanette Lepore. I'm going to post a few of my personal favorites...not all of them do I personally own...I think even if I had endless fund for clothing, I would be hesitant to buy all I love. At heart, I am simply a girl (okay, woman!) who loves beautiful clothing, but cannot justify purchasing items unless they are at fabulous bargains! (My goal is to take over the entire closet, perhaps my husband can take over a hall closet or something)

Amour Cream Silk Top

Gorgeous cream silk top....with a rosette at the chest. Can be worn
untucked" with slacks, skirt, or tucked into either. I personally love to pair this top with a gorgeous Cynthia Steffie skirt I picked up a couple years ago for less than $10 in ebay, and the result is really quite pretty, if I may sat so myself!! The skirt has "kick pleats" in the front, where there are beaded flowers, which helps tie in the rosette on this top. Black (or brown) heels, and I"m good to go! On cooler days I add a neutral color cardigan. Hey, Texas weather is very unpredictable!!


Black "bustier", black lace over a gorgeous orangy-red-iridescent fabric. Simply stunning! I admit I got the picture from the seller I obtained the top from, it's not my own. At $2.99 plus $3 shipping, it was a deal I could simply not resist! (not to mention it had been freshly dry-cleaned!)
A gorgeous top to wear out on the town with slacks or dressy jeans, or JUST the right skirt. It can also be work strapless! I wish I had the style "name", but alas I do not! Nanette typically "names" all her designs.

Just a small sampling of my insane and out-of control closet, but also some great pieces that can help inspire the bride-to-be! I think the above proves that ebay is a fantastic site, and you can really find some fabulous bargains there! All items posted above were under $30, with the exception of the Alannah Hill dress, and one must bear in mind that the "retail" starts at $195 for the items above (most are in the $300 range. In US dollars)

All for now. My next post....Shoes, and some fabulous options for your wedding day, that fit IN your budget! Shoes do not need to be $500 to be beautiful on your wedding day!!

I promise I am going to get to the photography subject...but isn't it more fun to cover shoes and fashion? After all, most brides need to plan the honeymoon wardrobe!!!

Cheers!

Julia

Wedding Dresses

The Dress. The second "star of the show", the first being the bride. We all know how INSANELY expensive wedding dresses are, but as a bride, you want to be a princess, have a gorgeous gown, etc on your one special day. Soooo, you dole out the thousands on a stunning creation that you'll wear once.

Or will you.

You see, modern technology has given brides some options when it comes to buying a wedding dress. Ebay is one of my favorite places to troll, as I often find dresses that cost thousands go for less than $100 (with or without shipping). In fact, occasionally, I pick up a dress here and there, because I know that I come across brides who WANT the fairy princess $1000 dress, but simply cannot afford it. Then I get to step in and be the fairy godmother, and wave my "magic" wand.

If you don't have time to troll ebay, search through craigslist, various wedding websites, etc, I am more than happy to help find your dream dress as a price that you can afford. I cannot always promise success, but I will try everything in my power!!! One thing to keep in mind, ESPECIALLY on ebay, is watch out for sellers who sell 15 Vera Wang dresses at $100 or less. Chances are you will be buying a fake. I recommend sticking to small-time sellers, or someone who offers a return policy. Always ALWAYS use a credit card via Paypal, this way if you do get taken, you have some protection (as ebay doesn't always, okay, rarely, hold seller accountable). Please please please avoid sellers from overseas that scream "we can make anything, any size, whatever color you want, all for $249.99!!!". These are some of the poorest quality gowns a bride can buy....you CAN get lucky, but 9 times out of 10, yeah, it's not so pretty. This doesn't stop people from buying them, or stop these "seamstresses" from selling them (I personally love the "we are a factory for a famous label, your dress will be the same thing without the label!" line). If you are in doubt, contact a professional! Most wedding planners will be able to help you with this. If you really don't feel so good about a deal, walk away. Well actually, run the other direction!!!

I also have contacts where I can pick up "sample" gowns for a fraction of their original cost (yay!). These are typically in a size 10 (wedding dress size 10, which is about a street size 4-8 depending on the designer), and can be taken in, but not always taken up. This is for both wedding dresses AND bridesmaids dresses. I even keep some dresses on hand in my office from time to time, and I am more than happy to pass savings on to you if I can!

Of course MOST brides want the oh-so-fabulous fun of trying on gowns, going to different bridal shops, etc. (of course you can always shop the boutiques, and find your gown cheaper elsewhere!) I think EVERY bride should take the time to make an appointment with a truly luxe bridal salon. (even if you know you cannot afford a $10,000 dress!) It's just an experience you will remember forever, and it really is MUCH more fun than some well-known "big box" bridal shops across the US. Of course if you are in NYC, you simply must make time to visit Klienfield's....as there's nothing like it anywhere else!

In closing, there are a million options when searching for your wedding gown. In the end, please remember it is YOUR day, and you should have the final say on your dress!! Don't let your bridesmaids talk you into that poofy butt-bow, or electric blue dress to be "different", unless you really really feel that you want it!! Just because mom's paying for the dress, it doesn't mean she gets to pick it! Remember, it's the dress YOU have to wear on YOUR wedding day, and it will be forever remembered in the photographs you'l have sitting on your coffeetable for years to come. *smiles*

Tomorrow.....Photography. To spend or not to spend! (and why you should!)

Tips & Tricks

Since I am still working on the details from my most recent wedding, I thought my post today would be about some tips & tricks in the wedding industry!

A few "cost-saving" things to look at closely.....

Printing your own invitations.

Before committing to this, you must look at the cost of your time, ink from your printer, and do you REALLY want to spend hours doing this? The savings factor, it's not always there. Typically invitations run about $100-$200 for 100 (this includes invitation, envelopes, reply cards, and usually the inner lined envelope). Printing at home, it's REALLY close. Most "kits" run about $40 for 48 invitations, ink about $20 (depending on the cost of your ink cartridges), and then any additional details, bows, stamping, etc will be around $20. So you are looking at a cost of about $140 (ish) to print 96 invitations!

I have personally done the invitations for brides before, and the savings is never more than about $50, UNLESS we're talking about some serious detail, I really REALLY recommend to brides that they order invitations! Unless of course they need 48 or less to send out, then it's worth it, as pricing for invitations typically starts around $75.

Doing your own flowers

This is an interesting subject. IF (and only IF!) you feel comfortable with all the work that it takes to put together bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, this can be a cost-saving option. But to really have savings, you need to stick with one or two types of flowers, and keep it simple! If your dream bouquet had orchids in it, please hire a professional! Orchids are VERY fragile, and they really need to be handled in a specific way, as well as wrapped/wired for use in a bouquet. If it's simple roses you are after, it's possible to do it yourself. Sams Club is going to be the best option for flowers, just be sure you order at least a month in advance, or else you may not get the colors you want.

However, I do recommend all brides consult with a florist....no matter what they decide to do. This way you can see in person what it's supposed to look like, and get a good idea of how much work it'll be. You will also be able to find out what is in season on your wedding date, and bear in mind flowers that are in season will cost less than those not in season. Typically any flower can be ordered year-round, some are just more expensive in their "off season". Some colors will not be available at certain times of year. This is one pro of using a florist, as they can typically order just about anything. Doing your own flowers WILL limit your choices.

Something else to keep in mind. Fresh flowers cannot be put together any sooner than the night before, and even then it can be too early. They also need to be stored in either a refrigerator, a cooler, or a room that is kept VERY cool (and dark). If you have an evening wedding, flowers need to be processed and put together the same day, or you run the risk of them dying, browning, etc. It also helps if you can take some sort of class beforehand, as your wedding day is NOT a good time to be working with flowers for the first time!!

DIY Wedding Planning

This can be tricky. While finding vendors, arranging tastings, etc can be done on your own, you are at the mercy of wedding sites, (which many vendor pay for the "preferred" titles!), referrals from friends, etc. A couple of great things about hiring a wedding planner is they have vendors that they know and trust, they typically know who isn't so wonderful, and a GOOD wedding planner will actually save you money on the long run.

There are typically two options when you hire a wedding planner. You can have one from the very beginning, OR do the bulk of it yourself, and hire someone to come in for the rehearsal and the actual wedding to keep everything running smoothly. It sort of gives the bride some peace of mind, and believe me, your vendors will actually thank you, because it makes their job easier. If there is a problem, question, etc, they can ask the wedding planner, and not be bothering the bride for something like "do we have another silver tray for passing drinks?". It really just makes your experience as a bride less stressful, and it WILL make the day run MUCH smoother. I cannot tell you how many times I've attended weddings as a guest, only to end up sending the wedding party down the aisle because no one thought they needed a wedding planner (or the venue's "coordinator" wasn't really there to help the bride).

Also, it never hurts to contact a wedding planner and tell them your budget, etc. They may just help you out because they love weddings (I know I do this because I simply ADORE weddings. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a couple in love!!), or they may be able to refer you to a planner who's just getting started and is taking on clients at lower fees. It also never hurts to ask for a discount! Most wedding professionals have ads on various websites or in magazines/bridal guides, and they offer discounts in their ads. If you ask, they may give you a discount that they are advertising somewhere!

Having Uncle Joe take the pictures

Unless Uncle Joe is a professional photographer, PLEASE PLEASE hire a wedding photographer!!! If your budget doesn't allow for this, see if you can find a student or a photographer just starting out that will shoot your wedding for the cost of materials (mileage, film (if they use film), processing fees, and any printing costs) for the chance to build his/her portfolio. Just because Uncle Joe had a nice expensive camera does not mean he will know WHAT to shoot, and the angles & lighting needed for the wedding pictures that will actually capture the essence of your day!

Again, a wedding planner can help with this. I personally have a list of photographers I love that have wonderful portfolios (and personalities!!! this is another MUST!!), but I also keep a list of photographers that maybe don't have as much experience, but are willing to work for little to no fees for the chance to build their portfolio.

Wedding Cake

Please, please, PLEASE hire a bakery that has a good reputation for your cake!! If you are in a budget, there are options to save money, and you can go with a simple design as well. A tiered cake has to be constructed properly, or it could be a complete disaster!

Also, I really recommend to brides that LOVE cake, find a bakery that does NOT freeze your cake! Freezing a cake takes away from the texture, and it can often dry a cake out. Most people can't tell the difference from a cake that was frozen, but this is something to keep in mind when interviewing bakeries, and having cake tastings. Most bakeries serve fresh cake for tastings....so it's important to ask if they do this on your wedding day as well! Of course VERY complex designs need to be frozen to come out, so keep this in mind as well. (especially shaped cakes...it's easier to shape a cake that is frozen VS one that has been refrigerated or just baked)


I hope these help someone out. I'll bring more advice as I continue blogging here, but this is a good start! Any questions, please contact me! I welcome questions from brides and/or other professionals in the wedding industry. I always like to talk about weddings....I mean, who wouldn't? Isn't being a part of a love story a wonderful thing?

Cheers!

Julia

Some Past Florals....

A selection of some bouquets I have constructed in the past. All can be "recreated", and of course, I welcome customization!! I love when a bride brings me a special strip of fabric to use as the ribbon on her bridal bouquet, or a gorgeous brooch that was her grandmothers to be attached to the handle. There are endless options out there when it comes to crafting a bridal bouquet, and while I have many many ideas, there is always something out there that I haven't thought of yet!

Stay tuned for more pictures soon....I had a wedding this past weekend for a lovely couple who blended both Eastern & Western culture and tradition into their truly unique and special day!

I also have more pictures of bouquets, including some special "bouquet jewelery" that had become so popular. In addition to some pieces I order from a source of mine, I can also make many different designs to be placed in your bouquet. Austrian crystals offer the chance to completely customize your bouquet jewels! Contact me for more information

And now, a selection of some of my favorite bouquets......


"Melissa" Bouquet

A stunning hand-tied bouquet of Rosita Vendela roses, wrapped with a white taffeta wired ribbon & an overlay of organza with beaded flowers (unfortunately you can't see the detail very well!)







I did this particular bouquet for a very dear friend of mine, Melissa. Her and her hilarious husband were married on Valentine's Day, 2009. We had the honor of not only attending their intimate event, but we also had the thrill of shooting their wedding photographs! I actually surprised her with the flowers....she had decided to go with silk flowers because around Valentine's day, well, even wholesale flowers go WAY up! I just happened to be walking through Wal-Mart and spotted them putting these out...at prices I still am in awe of!


On a side note, I came across an article the other day, apparently the Rosita Vendela roses are some of Martha Stewart's favorite roses. The FTD arrangement by Martha Stewart for Mother's Day has them in it!

"Sophie" Bouquet

Creamy Blue Hydrangeas, Oriental Lilies, Creamy Sahara Roses, and Pale Pink Sophie Roses, this bouquet was wrapped with white satin ribbon, pinky-purple organza, & was accented with beaded "bouquet jewels".










Underside view of the same bouquet. The handle has a wide white satin ribbon, with a pale pinky-purple organza "wrap".












"Afternoon Tea" Bouquet

A stunning hand-tied bouquet with a center of Blue Curiosa Roses surrounded by a band of the gorgeous Green Tea roses. The handle is wrapped in a white satin, and a collar of purple organza.

The Blue Curiosa roses are some of my personal favorites, because they actually smell like traditional roses. In fact, most of the purple/lavender roses have the lush rose garden smell! The color range is from a pale silvery lavender, to some even deeper than the Blue Curiosas shown above! I love when a bride chooses these types of roses....as the effect of such a stunning (and typically unexpected!) color palette, it's unique, and when you can smell them, it's even more wonderful!!


Of course there are other varieties of flowers that can be used for your wedding that will smell wonderful. Peonies, Plumeria, Oriental Lilies, just to name a few. One of the wonderful things about choosing flowers for your wedding, is you can pick whatever you want! It's rare that we can't get a particular flower variety in, although if it's "out of season", you will pay a premium. I really recommend brides research what is going to be in season around their wedding date, OR if you are completely set on particular flowers, plan your wedding date around your flower choice! This is a great way to save some of the budget, as flowers can run into the thousands very VERY easily!!

I pride myself on keeping costs down for my brides. All of the bouquets I have shown here come in at under $100, and the price varies depending on the season. I believe that as not only a wedding planner, but as a florist, I should help my brides save more money, not spend more! With careful planning, you can have the wedding you want at a budget....it's just all about prioritizing your wants/needs/have to haves, and keeping things in perspective!

More to come. I simply cannot wait to share the Ling/Lichliter wedding!! Even with the storm, it was stunning!