Go Oscar Glam For Wedding Grace!

On February 22nd, 2009 the 81st Annual Oscars went live. Our award-winning celebrities graced the red carpet in fabulous designs by Oscar De La Renta, Roberto Carvalli, Prada, and more. As most girls do, we look at celebrities for a sense of whats hot and whats not. This year the red carpet was filled with sweetheart necklines, dropped waist, rouged bodices, one-shoulder, pocket-included gowns, and many other styles available in wedding gowns. If your looking for a trendy, but elegant look for your wedding day take a look at the Oscars for inspiration. Several looks found are available in a more toned down version for your wedding day. Have fun getting inspired!

Shown in Pictures: Angelina Jolie's Elie Saab Dress, Look Alike: Dessy's Bridesmaid Style 2746
Sarah Jessica Parker's Dior dress, Look Alike: Anne Barge Bridal LF161
Taraji Henson's Robert Cavalli Dress, Look Alike: Vera Wang Bridal

Oh How We Love Our Local Vendors

Most of our clients have relocated to Gainesville for the University of Florida. With their families back in their hometowns, there is always the big question of where to have the wedding. There is the emotional connection you have the back at home weddings, but there are perks to having it where you currently live.

The convenience of talking face-to-face with your vendors during the planning period is irreplaceable. With the great selection of professional vendors right here in Gainesville we recommend checking them out before you start planning a wedding that will take place 100s of miles away. For our budget brides, its a great way to keep that number down. You can still have your extravagant look, but for a little less than what you would pay for in the big city.

Recently we had the great pleasure of personally experiencing the quality service our local vendors have to offer. Last Thursday we hosted an in-store event called The Bridal Party. KB's Kake Kreations melted our mouths with their scrumptious cake truffles as we listened to live music by Travis Clements. Betsy from The Plant Shoppe provided sample bridesmaid bouquets and personal flowers for every bride. Also, Phobooth was all set up for memorable pictures. With all the funky flowers and feathers we had in from Lori London our clients had a blast making the most "haute couture" pictures! Phobooth is a great local biz that can be used as your favors or just a fun surprise for your guest.

We want to hear from our brides. Do you have a local vendor you adore? Post a comment!

Color Matters

I was looking through a magazine and saw a fabulous picture... SHOES!!! The task of picking the bridesmaid dresses is now more open to the girls ideas or to what looks best for them. Adding creative views from the girls keeps them involved and happy too. We know really "it's all about you". Not ready to put it completely in their hands? Give the girls the option to choose their favorite color and/or personal style of shoes. You can censor of course so it won't clash with your wedding but what a great way for them to show their personality! Check out Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk for style and color selections. Finding a medium will keep everyone smiling. Trust me, it will show in your pictures. Another idea is to let them choose accessories or give them options that fits well with their style. I recently had a bride that decided that here girls were going to wear pink shoes! Not only were they adding a little color for shoes she is doing pink accessories too. Fun! One of our beloved accessory designers is expanding their selection. Last weekend we hosted a Lori London Trunk Show here in Gainesville. If you missed us, we have exciting news to share! You can now dye the feathers! Feathers not your style? No problem. The silk flowers can now be made in a color too. Its your choice by sending in a swatch or even having them made from your own favorite material. Keeping it classic with white, ivory or blush? Add a touch of color in the crystal beading of silk flowers. Lori London offers 48 different colors of Swarovski crystals to choose from as well. They make a perfect gift for the girls and a wearable again after the event. Cant wait to see all the new selection? You are in luck, the pieces will be back in store at the end of March for our "Dress Rehearsal". See you there!

Get Your Sweet Tooth Ready!

1 more day to go for Let's Eat Cake! It's the perfect time to check out the latest Wedding Cake Designers! Not only do you get yummy cake, but it goes to great benefit

(all proceeds) for St. Jude Children's Hospital! Stop in before 6pm tomorrow for $20 tickets!

$35 tickets will be at the door!

Valentine's Day Style Ideas for Your Wedding

A little bit of history for Valentine's day...
Did you know it has been around since 496 AD?
This year Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday, making the most romantic day of the year the perfect time to say I do. If you are not sure exactly what to include in your Valentine's Wedding, here are some ideas for you.

Everyone thinks of pink and red on Valentine's Day. Depending on your style you can go with this traditional palette or do something unexpected. For example, in the picture shown you can choose a black and white palette and subtly add hints of pink or red.

Think about lighting to set the mood, with splashes of pink light. The soft pink light will definitely warm up a space and make everyone look terrific in photos.

For a great signature cocktail, a pink sugar-rimmed cosmopolitan or even champagne with gold flakes will be a hit!

Roses are probably the most common Valentine's flower, but other blooms can be just as romantic and stylish. Amaryllis is one showy winter flower that's dramatic and gorgeous.

Whoah WTOO

The new WTOO(Watters) collection has arrived at Solutions Bridal! As mentioned by our bride last night, " Way to go Watters. " WTOO is part of the Watters and Watters line. It represents the same quality and femininity that you find in their other collections, but with a more affordable price. Their dresses range from $170-$210. Typically dresses in this range lose a sense of style and have the standard bridesmaid dress look that will sit in the back of you closet. Not with WTOO. Designer Vatana Watters created an whimsical line. Their style tends to fit best with beach, garden, or any Florida wedding. In the new line they introduced some lovely new colors and fabrics. Being a food lover myself, I love how they use food names to describe the colors.

Take a look at the new WTOO collection here.


Also, The Solutions Bridal Gainesville will be hosting The Bridal Party on February 19th. This is a special event for our bridesmaids, flower girls, and mother of the bride/groom. There will be live music and yummy treats. This is a great opportunity to check out the new WTOO line and find dresses for your Bridal Party!

There will only be a limited amount of appointments available for this event. Please contact your consultant to schedule yours! The Event will be from 10:30-9pm with most the fun from 5:00-9. We hope you can make it!

Thanks To All Of Our Brides!

We just love getting pictures of our bride's weddings! Right above are some gorgeous photographs in our scrapbook of recent weddings. Often times we have brides that come in who have been in to Solutions Bridal before and are sisters of previous brides or they were bridesmaids in past weddings. We love to hear that they were referred by other brides, or they are back and this time they are the bride! Our staff would just like to say thank you to all the brides who have referred so many loved ones and friends to Solutions Bridal!

love IT, dye IT, own IT

The Creative Director for Lori London Millinery, Adam, called me to fill me in on all the customizing available with his new 2009 Collection. On February 20th-22nd we will be hosting a Lori London Accessories Show so I had to get the scope. I was pleasantly surprised all the options we had available at our fingertips. Most of our bridal designers allow us to create a couture-one of a kind look for our brides, but when it comes to accessories they tend to not allow much flexibility. On the other hand, Adam loves to do just that. He says most of his ideas come from his brides wanting to remove or add something. They often create the made-to-order piece for their clients and then add the piece to their new collection.

Lori London is a master at creating silk flowers that have a trendy-twist without loosing the organic look. To create your one-of-a-kind look you can dye the flowers/feathers what ever color you desire. We can order extra charmeuse and organza from your bridesmaid and have little silk peonies made for them. If your going for a dramatic, vintage look try out a black feather. All the crystals are available in 45 different Swarovski colors. You can always opt to change the crystals to a fresh water pearl as well. Can't go wrong with options!

Please come explore the trunk full of tiaras, flowers, feathers, veils, and hair pins during our Lori London Accessories Show. It will be held in the Gainesville salon February 20th-22nd. Hope to see you there.

Making your count down as easy as 1,2,3... A,B,C!

After all the excitement of him popping the question, the list of things to do can be overwhelming. Take a step back, take a deep breath and pick up the phone. There is help on the way. Start with first things first: 1. Set a budget. Establish who will be able to contribute and how much.

• A. It's very important to know where you stand financially while planning.
• B. The last thing you want is to fall in love and have you heart broken when you see the price tag.
• C. This applies to to everything when planning, from the venue to the dress it should work with what you will be comfortable spending.

2. Set the date.

• A. Keep in mind school and work schedules.
• B. Its your day! The focus is suppose to be around your schedule, you wont be able to please everyone.

3. Choose your ceremony and reception sites.

• Great local locations in Gainesville include:
  
• A. Hail Plantation
• B. Sweet Water Inn and
  
• C. Hilton UF Conference Center
  

6-9 months:
1. Order your gown.

• A. Get an idea of styles. It will make it easier to know what you like and dislike when looking. We have lots of great designers here at Solutions Bridal.
  
• B. They are never going to stop making beautiful gowns.
• C. Find the dress that is you the most!

2. Choose brides maids dresses.

• A. Find something that complements your dress. Get some ideas from our website at Solutions Bridal.
  
• B. Look for a dress that is flattering for all body types.
• C. If your girls are not comfortable, it will show in your picture.
  

3. Send out save the date

• We conveniently have Nancy's Notes here in our Gainesville location for all your wedding day announcement needs. She meets by appointment only.
• Nancy's Notes (352) 256-4959 /nacysnotes@gmail.com
  
• Consider booking your photographer earlie and send out engagement photos along with your save the dates! May we suggest CJ Photography.
  

4-6 months:
1. Finalize the guest list.

• A. Include those if you have allowed dates and/or spouses.
• B. Now is the time to decide if it is adults only as well.
  

2. Choose the attire for your groom and his grooms men.

• A. Check out Tuxedo Junction located in Gainesville.
  

2-4 months:
1. Contact the town/ city clerks office to inquire about marriage license requirements.

2. Select the ceremony and reception music

• A. Check out Solutions Entertainment Professional Disk Jockey Services
  

4-8 weeks:
1. Mail out your invitations six to eight weeks prior to the wedding date.

2. Do hair and makeup run-through with hair pieces and veil.

• A. Check out the fun new hair pieces and accessories this Feb. 20-22nd at the Lori London trunk show at Solutions Bridal in Gainesville.
• Check out these likes for stylists Dale Dee's & Graceful Strands.
  

2 to 4 weeks:
1. Contact all vendors to confirm all details and set a time line for the wedding day.

2. Have your final dress fitting with shoes, headpiece, jewelry and lingerie.

1 week:
1. Organize wedding day payments and gratuities in clearly labeled envelopes and choose who will distribute then to your vendors.

• A. Picking this trustworthy helper will help you be able to enjoy your day with out interruption.

2. Take care of any last- minute beauty treatments including waxing, facial, manicure and pedicure.

• A. If you plan on getting your hair done you may even want to give it 2 weeks before so the color and cut will be blended perfectly.
• B. Avoid a drastic change right before your big day. Going to short or an extreme color change can effect your original hair design and look.

Print out the checklist and get to it! The sooner you start the more you will be able to enjoy your engagement and really experience the little moments with out the stress.