We Want to Hear from You!

Putting together a song list for a store that is so upbeat can be a difficult task. So we would like to hear from you! Leave a comment for us with your favorite feel good songs with title and artist. Next time your in the store, listen for your favorite song to be playing! :)

We love awards!

The Knot has become a nation wide phenomena. They are recongnized for facilitating information about wedding gowns, wedding planning, wedding cakes and even wedding vows. Anything about your wedding that you would want to research is on their website. The Knot magazine publishes a "best of weddings" list every year. Being recognized by the Knot is the highest of honors in the wedding world. Last year Solutions Bridal in Gainesville and Winter Park were both awarded with the Best of Florida in Bridal Salons. And Guess what? We have done it again! Yay!

Both shops were awarded the Best of Florida in Bridal Salons. Our Gainesville store was also awarded with the Above and Beyond award. Thanks to the wonderful girls that work in both locations and their great customer centered service; we are being recognized nation wide again this year! We are very excited about this award and can't wait for everyone to hear about it!

Don't forget to look for our name in the knot best of weddings 2009! Its currently available anywhere where magazines are sold!

New Faces :O)

There are a lot of new faces in Solutions Bridal Gainesville recently. Solutions has added three brand new bridal consultants to the team, and I was lucky enough to be one of them! I am so honored to be a part of Solutions' glamorous legacy!

Solutions Bridal Gainesville's Newest Consultants: Lauren, Marissa, and Kari (me!)

I have been a Gainesville blogger bride for quite sometime now, and I am so excited to get a chance to work in the wedding industry. I am thrilled to get to work one-on-one with other brides-to-be to give them an unforgettable experience finding their perfect wedding gown.

One of my favorite things about being a Solutions Bridal Consultant is scoping out all of the gorgeous designer gowns that are handpicked for our store. Although I already have a wedding gown for my own upcoming wedding, I have fallen in love with many of the bridesmaid dresses, which can easily be worn as rehearsal dinner or bridal shower dresses.

This gorgeous Dessy gown would be perfect for an formal, evening rehearsal dinner.

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And I can totally see someone wearing this fun yellow Watters dress to a bridal shower.

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I may just be purchasing these for myself very soon! ;O)

Surprises!

Who doesn't love a good surprise? I was always the kid that couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve because I was too excited for all the wonderful surprises that lay wrapped underneath our tree. Or dreaming of the how your marriage proposal would go, and then one day having that surprise moment happen.

This past weekend the Winter Park salon had one of those special surprises happen! One of our brides had been visiting the salon quite frequently because she was in love with one of our fun Romona Keveza gowns for her Las Vegas wedding. She was so in love that she brought her daughters and future husband in to see the gown, even though she had already purchased her wedding gown. Well she just couldn't get this adorable two-piece, halter neck, ruched bodice, and full tea length skirt out of her head. She brought her fiance into the store on Saturday to see if she could convince him to let her get it. He played hard to get and said that she already had a wedding gown, and although it was perfect for their wedding, it just wasn't going to happen. She was so upset and left in such a hurry that she accidentally left her beautiful necklace in the fitting room. I called her phone to let her know about the necklace and got to speak with her fiance, who said that he wanted to surprise her with the dress!

On Sunday, in she walks to pickup her necklace, and to find out if there was any possible way she could get the dress of her dreams. We told her we left the necklace in the back, and when we brought the necklace out, it was sitting in the bag with her dream dress! She started crying hysetrically when she found out that her fiance had arranged all of this for her! It was such a wonderful thing to be a part of, and her emotional reaction made all the consultants tear up.

This is just another reason why we love our jobs!

I Love You, Man wedding style!

The perfect date night with your fiance is the new movie I Love You, Man. It is a cute comedy about Peter Klavin (Paul Rudd) who doesn't have a close friend to be his best man for his upcoming wedding with Zooey (Rashida Jones). He goes on a bunch of man dates, only to find that his relationship with his girlfriend is threatened by his new bromance.

We absolutely loved the white and yellow themed wedding. If you still can't decide what colors you want to use for your wedding, this may just be the option for you! The color looks great on any skin tone and your bridesmaid will probably even want to wear their dress again some other time! Rashida Jones wears a simple J. Crew wedding dress that costume designer Leesa Evan customized with a few added touches. The bridesmaids carry orchid and flax leaf bouquets and would be wonderful for a spring or summer wedding. If you like these styles, Solutions Bridal have many options very similar to these!

Bride's Choice Award 2009 Winner!

Thank you for all the great reviews on Wedding Wire! Wedding Wire is an online resource that helps you find the perfect vendor. Former brides can post reviews on bridal vendors they have worked with during the planning stages and day of. Its a great way to screen your vendors before booking an appointment.

Due to our great reviews and votes we were awarded the Bride's Choice Award for 2009. We sincerely appreciate all the support we receive from our clients! It is always such an honor to here how we have helped make the dress shopping memorable.

Please make sure to share your Solutions Bridal experience at WeddingWire.com!

Southern Belle Goes Couture

Once a month, we try to schedule a trunk show for a specific designer so that we'll be able to bring new designs into our store. This month Anne Barge's gorgeous couture gowns will be visiting the Winter Park location from March 27th to the 29th. It is a great opportunity to try on gowns you may not normally have a chance to see in person!

Anne Barge launched her collection in 1999 and has been known for her attention to details, the intricacy of her beadwork and the love she has for her brides. She has a passion for a classic and timeless elegance that is reflected in her fantastic work. Her southern belle persona makes her one of the sweetest and most sincere designers we are so lucky to work with.

Schedule your appointment with the Winter Park salon today! We're looking forward to hearing from you!

407-647-8666

- The girls from Solutions Bridal Winter Park

$500 Gift Certificate to Party Time Rentals

Party Time Rentals is a full-service rental company that personally consults with their brides to make sure the wedding vision becomes a reality.

During our Semi-Annual Bridal Expo, Party Time Rentals creates a mock wedding reception that allows our brides-to-be to see first hand examples and options available. They have been in the biz for years and are so flexible and easy to work with.

Currently, they have a $500 Gift Certificate drawing taking place right here in Solutions Bridal Gainesville. The drawing will take place on March 15, 2009. Make sure to stop by the store to register and keep your fingers crossed!

A Girl's First "Big Day"...PROM!

A girl's first big day to look forward to is not always the wedding, but PROM! Prom is a stepping stone before the wedding. It's a chance for a girl to find the perfect dress, get hair and makeup done, and feel more special than she ever has before. Unfortnatley, not every girl is sure she will get the chance to have a dream prom because of costs, but thanks to the Gainesville Prom Closet it will be possible. Two of our past brides have started the Gainesville Prom Closet where prom dresses can be donated to help girls that aren't able to afford a dress. This is a great way to get rid of old prom dresses that might be being taking up space in your closet, and a great way to give back to the community!

Solutions in Gainesville is loves and supports the Gainesville Prom Closet. Solutions is now a drop off location for prom dresses! So brides gear up, get your dresses together and drop them off!!!

Attention to all Brides: There is a fabulous photographer on the loose!!! Her name is "Milton Gil".
I discovered her today when she came in with a few of her business cards. I love checking out new vendors for our lovely brides here at the store, so immediately I went to Milton Gil's website. I fell in love with her photography skill and creativity! She has a well balanced talent with taking pictures that are Creative/Artsy and mixing them with a twist of a Classy/Romantic taste.
Now hear me out, I am very picky when it comes to photographers. Some pictures just look all the same, but I really believe that Milton Gil knows what she's doing in the world of wedding photography.

Here is the website: miltongil.com

*Have fun!!!*--From the girls at Solutions Bridal in Winter Park:-)

Know Your Designer Week: Mikaella Bridal

Since 1937, Paloma Blanca has been creating exceptional bridal gowns from its manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Canada. Paloma Blanca has a reputation for designing and producing high quality fabrications with impeccable attention to detail, styling and fit. March 1, 2004 was the launch of Paloma Blanca's new bridal collection, Mikaella Bridal. Mikaella provides the bridal industry with a high quality product at a attractive price point as well! Mikaella Bridal provides brides with classic styling coupled with a modern flair starting at $1000.

DESIGNER #4: TAMARA KRISTEN

Marisa's founders, Lee Fein and Ron Colnick envision their company as a “bridge line,” between the price range gap. Veterans of the bridal business, Fein and Colnick spotted a void in the bridal market in the 80's: there were plenty of cheap, and cheaply made, dresses under $1000 and plenty of high-quality couture designs with price tags over $2000. In 1988, the team started Marisa with the mission to create high-quality gowns sewn in the US that are priced between the low and high end ($1000 to $2000). The company owns its own factory and uses modernized production techniques to keep costs down.

Marisa offers contemporary gowns that have an excellent fit for the fashionable bride with a moderate price point. Marisa's young designer Tamara Kristen, originally from New England, already had experience at Galina and Carmi Couture before joining the company. A graduate of the Pratt Institute in New York, Tamara's goal is “understated elegance,” with an emphasis on body shaping instead of overdone detail. Her gowns are known for their pure silks and stunning silhouettes.

Marisa wedding dresses are never overdone with distracting sleeves or embroidery. Instead every detail is well thought out and tasteful. Many of Solutions consultants have chosen Marisa for their own wedding gowns.

Perfect for the bride looking for affordable with a high fashionable look.

KNOW YOUR DESIGNER WEEK: JUDD WADDELL

Designer #3 Judd WaddellJudd Waddell and Erin Cole

Judd Waddell founded Judd Waddell Bridal in March 2000.
Judd, a former architect turned fashion designer earned his Fine Arts Degree from Washington State University. His early success was heading the bridal division at Carolina Herrera ltd. He then created the "Occassions" bridesmaid line for Jim Hjelm. In 1995, he created a successful couture bridal line for Galina Bouquet.

Judd has twiced appeared on Lifetime TV "Weddings of a Lifetime" and he also designed the bridal going for the movie "The Object of My Affection" with Jennifer Aniston.
In each phase of Judd's career he has maintained this philosophy: "Notice the woman first, the dress second." Judd designs are timeless and elegant for any bride.

KNOW YOUR DESIGNER WEEK: VATANA WATTERS

Designer #2- Vatana Watters

Vatana started making a few handmade special occasion dresses for friends and family in California and by the late '80s Watters was a household word in the bridal industry.

In 1986 Neiman Marcus became the first national retailer to carry Watters designs. Wtoo line was introduced in 1999 to offer more contemporary, yet affordable designs. Watters Brides was launched in 2002 to fill a niche for well-designed, attractively-priced bridal gowns.

Watters just celebrated their 20th year with 5 commemorative special occasion styles called Collection 20.

After 20 years, Vatana Watters continues to be at the heart of the company and is passionately involved in setting the design tone. Her inspirations emanate from her heritage, experience on both coasts and desire to reflect the spirit of the times. Vatana recognizes that design is where it starts, but not where it ends. The other hats she wears help the company to continue to be appreciated for being a cut above for quality and responsiveness.
Vatana is married to Steve, a landscape designer and together they have a daughter, Sydney, who loves fashion and can be seen on the Watters website modeling the Flower Girls & Junior Bridesmaids collection.

The bride looking for more of simple, with a little modern twist should look at Watters website.

KNOW YOUR DESIGNER WEEK

KNOW YOUR DESIGNER WEEKS STARTS NOW!

Each day we will feature one of our top designers and fill you in on their life, style, and what type of brides are attracted to their designs! This gives each bride more insight into what dress designer is perfect for their wedding. Now you don't have to just say,

"Well...my dress is white...it has some beading...."

You will know the ends and outs of your designer dress, just by who made it!

Designer #1 Alvina Valenta

Victoria McMillan, designer of the Alvina Valenta Bridal and Bridesmaids collections, creates romantic bridal fashions that are timelessly beautiful, modern and sophisticated.

Passionate about art and fashion from her youth, Victoria attended the Nesbitt College of Design at Drexel University in Philadelphia. After just one class in fashion design, she knew her calling- bridal design. Upon graduation, she accepted a position on the staff of well-known bridal designer, Christos. Shortly after, Victoria, with the help of her husband Daniel McMillan, founded her own design house, Alvina Valenta, in West Babylon, New York. The name, Alvina Valenta, is a tribute to her beloved German grandmother Alvina Valenta Kleshick.

In 1997, Victoria sold Alvina Valenta to JLM Couture, remaining in the post of head designer.
Victoria has made a name for herself in the industry for her signature ultra-feminine silhouettes and enchanting romantic details. “I think what most inspires me is anything that is soft, delicately feminine and romantic,” she says. “It can be the softness of a flower, the delicate pattern of a swatch of wallpaper or the brilliance of an exquisite piece of jewelry.”

In 2007, Victoria was awarded the Couture Bridal Award in the category of Classic Gowns. In addition to receiving the Couture Bridal Award, Victoria was also nominated for the Distinctive Excellence in the Bridal Industry (DEBI) award in the category of Style Innovator.
The designer’s attention to detail, as well as her keen eye for silhouettes, has enabled her to create some of the most beautiful and distinctive fashions in the bridal industry.

The bride looking for soft, romantic styles should check out Alvina Valenta's website.