Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Las Vegas Wedding!

What could be more fun and outrageous than a wedding in Vegas? Sin City could be the perfect destination wedding for the right couple. The amazing night life and interesting venues would provide the perfect back drop for a nontraditional wedding. For this setting we chose a short bridal gown that is very light weight, but super cute! It is done by Watters and the headband she has on in the picture is perfect for a fun setting like Vegas! For the Gentlemen we chose this sleek Calvin Klein 3 piece tuxedo that is everything vegas! We are currently carrying Calvin Klein tuxedos at our Winter Park location! Check them out!


We couldn't forget the bridesmaids. For this fun vegas wedding we chose this beautiful black tea-length, with amazing detail at the top. This is also by Watters and could be jazzed up with some fun jewelry and a cute hair piece. Once again light weight for those hot vegas nights.


With almost every major city represented in the Vegas Strip, you can do your wedding shoot in Vegas, Paris, New York, Egypt, etc the list goes on. Just a fun thought for the right couple!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

McBride To the Tea!




We just received pictures and an adorable email from our lovely Winter Park bride, Sarah McBride. Can you believe that is her new name? How perfect! Sarah knew from the start that she wanted a tea-length wedding gown, it was just all about finding the one. Some times when a bride tries on a particular dress, everyone just knows right then and there that dress is for her. I believe the right dress is the one that makes you feel like a bride and represents your personal style. For Sarah, being traditional just wasn't her. The pictures show all and you can see this gown is truly meant to be hers! Here are the details of her dress shopping experience:

"I just wanted to pass on what a wonderful experience it was picking out my dress at Solutions. Going into dress shopping, I knew that I wanted a short dress. The store only had 1 short dress and I fell in love with it the minute I tried it on. I cannot tell you how many compliments I got on the dress, both trying it on in the store and on my wedding day. It was slightly untraditional, but totally me, which is exactly how I wanted to feel on my wedding day."

Congrats to Mrs. McBride!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Inspiration Board: Kelly Green

Our fabulous Kari, who usually creates all of our inspiration boards, is getting married this weekend! Since she is going to be out of the store for a little bit, I will do my best to create some fun and inspiring boards. For this one I was inspired by the preppy, yet classic style from horse races like the Kentucky Derby. I loved the way the kelly green color complimented the crisp white and clean lines of this particular style. The green Alexander McQueen shoes with rinesone heels are my favorite!

Sources:
Shoes:Polyvore
Bridesmaid Dress: Watters
Flower Girl Dress: Us Angels
Save the Date Cards: OnceWed
Wedding Gown: Anne Barge
Boquet: The Knot
Other Pictures: The Brides Guide by Darcy Miller

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The best "Daddy Daughter Dance" Ever!!!

Hello to all!
My bride Katie S. sent me a video of the "Father-Daughter Dance"
from her wedding, it is so hilarious! Katie is a carefree, fun, sweet, and a stylish bride. Her wedding was in a garden on July 11th this year.....super gorgeous!!

Please take a look at this video, you"ll have a huge smile on your face by time it's done:-)

We love ya Katie!!!

Christina ArceneauX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO7tw-Gfq8s

One of our own....

When I found out my mom was getting remarried, my first thought was what the heck am I going to wear? Of course my dress would come from my place of work, but what desinger? We carry so many here and I just wasn't sure which one to choose. After working with Britt and Tali on what I wanted the dress to look like, I decided on Watters and Watters! The dress I ended up getting is a dupioni silk in navy. I could not have chosen a better dress for the occasion. It can be worn in many different ways by tieing the sash in whatever fashion you would like. Here are some pictures take of the dress and my mom and I on the big day! Congrats mom and thank you so much to Britt, Tali and all my co-workers for their amazing help deciding on the perfect dress for such a special day!
^The ceremony was at First Baptist North Naples ^

^ Mom and I enjoying a mother/daughter moment before the ceremony started^

^ Mom helping be tie my beautiful dress from Watters and Watters!^


Saturday, July 25, 2009

Something Blue...

One of our favorite designers for bridesmaid, junior bridesmaid and flower girl is Jim Hjelm Occasions. They carry unique designs and have amazing quality. Below we have pictured a flower girl that can be done with a blue sash, a junior bridesmaid and a bridesmaid in navy blue. If your bridal party has a variety of shapes and sizes, sometimes it can be difficult to choose a dress appropriate for everyone. Jim Hjelm does an awesome job of making dresses that fit alot of different body types. We will be hosting a Jim Hjelm trunk show later this fall! Check back for dates and times!



Source: www.jlmcouture.com

Friday, July 24, 2009

Designer We Love...

Rivini.....
The essence of simple luxury...With petal softness, crisp and creamy shades of bleached white and ivory and sweeping silhouettes, R I V I N I™ ushers in a refreshing new era of simple luxury. Cut from lush silk satins, crepes, chiffons, and organzas, the R I V I N I™ collection flows with a purity of line. Fluid silhouettes and meticulous attention to detail have long been R I V I N I™ designer Rita Vinieris’s understated signature. Vinieris infuses her Collection with a sense of light-handed charm. It’s feeling born of sublime luxury and low-key ornamentation. Hers are wedding dresses cut from a modern mould. Subtle finishing touches include soft tucks and pleats, understated beading, sheer panels of fabric, a beguiling illusion, and a variety of couture techniques and styles. Workmanship of the highest level, uncompromising quality and fit are the cornerstones to this contemporary bridal collection. Vinieris’s unerring sense of what modern brides desire has shaped a Collection that is alluring in its design, chic in its perfection, the essence of simple luxury. Source: www.rivini.com
We love Rivini for the amazing quality of their fabrics and gorgeous elegance that each dress so blissfully displays. Both our Gainesville and Winter Park stores carry Rivini, with Winter Park having a larger selection at their actual location. If the dress is not in store, we would be happy to order it if you think it's the one!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Future Bride-To-Be Has Arrived...Baby Fox





Newell Fox, owner of Solutions Bridal, had a little baby girl this May 2009. Powers Photography captured Ansley with her glowing parents. We are so excited for the whole Fox family. Make sure to tell him congrats!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Hot GOWNS comin' to TOWN!

We are so excited to announce a Watters & Watters trunk show coming to Solutions Bridal in Gainesville! Starting on July 31st and continuing thru August 8th, you will be able to find all of newest Watters styles... even dresses from the Fall collection that we haven't seen yet!!

The best part? We will be offering a Designer Discount on all of the new Watters wedding gowns! Check out some of their hot new styles...


Watters Passion




Watters Harmony



Appointments are filling up fast, so give us a call today!
352.367.0070

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Backstage Pass









On May 31, 2009 Solutions Bridal rocked the Gaylord Palms Runway in Orlando, Florida. Betsy Hansen photographed the behind the scenes.

There is so much preparation involved before a fashion show. First, we do casting calls to meet the models and fit them into the dresses. Once we fit the dresses to the right model look, we have to tailor the dresses to their body. Then, the dresses are transported to the event location. From there we meet with make and hair stylist Simone from Makeover Station. She carries out the look with couture hairstyles and make-up. Then, we had the finishing touches with Erin Cole jewelry. From there we do the rehearsal and practice the pace with Frank Sinatra in the background. Thirty minutes before the show, models get into their first dress. We crowd around have a touching speech from the owner, Newell Fox. The models line up and get ready for their first step on the runway. Once the fashion show starts, the adrenaline starts going backstage. The thirty minute show feels like two minutes and then its all over. There is a big sigh of relief... ahhh... success. No one tripped and all the dresses made it down. There is so much preparation involved to make the fashion show a success. Two months of prep for 30 minutes of show time, but its aways worth the it! Please come visit us at our next fashion show on September 13th at The Hilton in Gainesville, FL. Enjoy the behind the scenes pictures from Betsy Hansen!

Presenting ... Mrs. Poirier



Mrs. Kaitlin Poirier tied the knot on May 31, 2009! I just received the sweetest email with pictures today. I met Kaitlin back in August 2008. She is one of our several Tallahassee clients. When she first called me to make her appointment she sounded really distressed. She had been searching for months and started feeling overwhelmed and confused. I assured her we had the dress for her. Still unsure, she decided to make to drive down to our Gainesville salon. To her disbelief, one of the very first dresses she put on ended up being the one! She was between two and just couldn't decide. I modeled the "2nd favorite" while she stood next to me in the other dress. At that moment, she said the words she never imagined would come out of her mouth.. "I found my dress." The one she was in, was the one! The one she would wear down the aisle 10 months later. Take a look at the dress that finally made the cut!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Relive Your Wedding Day, Everyday:Videographer Must Have

Yay! New vendor to recommend! This morning Jennifer and I met Shena Hays, who is an amazing Videographer/Owner of Platinum Digital Video. She has done videography for over ten years starting in San Fransisco to Tampa, and now Gainesville. She travels all over to capture weddings. We got to view several of her wedding videos, and both Jennifer and I commented on how we felt like we were actually at the wedding!

Here is a sample, highlight video of one of our bride's Casey. She wore a gorgeous dress designed by Elizabeth Darcy with 2Be Bridal.



Also, right now Platinum Digital Video is offering $50 off any package of theirs with the purchase of a Solutions Bridal item!

For more info check out their website or the blog at GainesvilleWeddings.blogspot.com.
Thanks Shena for stopping by! ~Britt

Monday, July 13, 2009

Setting the Tone

You've set the date for your wedding. Wow, a load off of your back. Now it's time to
SET THE TONE!


Now... how do you go about doing that?

We often tell our clients how important the wedding gown is when it comes to setting the tone for their big day. However, the tone involves so much more than choosing a color scheme. It embraces everything you want you and your guests to feel during your wedding and it effects everything from the stationery/invitations you choose to the wedding photography.

Here's an example of what I mean by setting the tone.

Claire comes into Solutions Bridal and finds her dream gown. Yay! We pop champagne and celebrate with her. Her dress is a gorgeous Alina Valenta gown.


Source.


Later she is picking out invitations with her mom. The flower and lace details in the dress inspire them to lean more toward romantic, vintage-inpired designs. This is the invitation they chose:


Source.

Next, Claire and her fiance begin interviewing several photographers in town. They want the perfect style to reflect their wedding day. The photographers all ask her what her dress looks like to get a feel for her style. After reviewing several portfolios, they fall in love with this vintage look, and it perfectly reflects Claire's dress!

Source.

When Claire meets with her florist and event planner, she finalizes her color scheme and discusses options for details that reflect the romantic, vintage look she's had in her mind since she decided on that gorgeous Alvina Valenta gown.


Source.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how finding your wedding gown can help SET THE TONE for your entire wedding day!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Best Bridesmaid Gift!

As a bride myself, so I am always scouring the internet for the perfect bridesmaid gifts for my girls. I want it to be something meaningful... something they will actually use... and something that well, let's them know how thankful I am for them!

One of our brides, Sarah, came in the other day to reveal a super sweet surprise bridesmaid gift for her girls. They came into the store to get fitted for their bridesmaid dresses, and Sarah surprised them by purchasing their bridesmaid dresses for them!! It was such a cute surprise, and I know it made her bridesmaids' days!

Here is the Jim Hjelm dress Sarah chose for her bridesmaids:



Source.

Now I wish I had thought of that when putting together my initial wedding budget!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Congrats Caroline!!!

We got a super special surprise visit today from one of our VERY favorite wedding photographers... Caroline Johnson! And guess what?! SHE'S GETTING MARRIED!!! We had a great time helping her pick out a dress for her upcoming wedding... and she is going to look amazing!

Check out this cuuuute picture of Caroline and her daughter, Riley:

Caroline, we love you! And we know you and Blair are going to have the most fab Fall wedding! We can't wait to see some PICTURES!!!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Barbie GOT MARRIED.... Vegas style

So apparently she had her bachelorette party at the Palms and GOT HITCHED at one of the Vegas chapels!!! She definitely looks fabulous though, dontcha think?






Photo SOURCE.


Here's how we'd put a similar (but equally fabulous) look together!

Gorgeous short dress by Watters:

Veil & Tiara by Bel Aire Bridal


Hot strappy sandals by Touch Ups

And for a twist, compare these next ones (from Touch Ups) to Barbie's hot pink bachelorette party shoes ... and they can be dyed in hot pink (as shown in the pic of our bride Tracy!)

Source.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Newest Bridal Trend??

....pockets! Most people couldn't imagine pockets on any dress, let alone your wedding gown! Contrary to what seems "normal" pockets in gowns are becoming very popular. They look gorgeous and are even practical! Here is an Anne Barge wedding gown and Dessy bridesmaid dress we carry in the store! We are loving the pockets! The Anne Barge happens to be my favorite in the store!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Dash was a SUCCESS!

We received a lot of pictures from Footstone Photography today from our Dash for the Dress event, and we couldn't WAIT to share them with all of you!!! Feast your eyes on these captured moments:

The line started forming at 5am!!!


Newell with an amazing group of girls! Look at the coordinating shirts they made for the occasion... the front says "Made with Love,"

and the back says... "If you are reading this shirt, you are too close to my dress!" SO CUTE!

Ana Soler came from Golden Ocala to serve breakfast to our dashers! Golden Ocala is definitely one of our favorite venues!

The GORGEOUS cocktail dresses on SAMPLE SALE!

More dresses!

And now for the main attraction... the WEDDING GOWNS!

Beautiful beadwork on super soft silk satin!

Getting the counter ready for some craziness!

The line is growing...

And a huddle from the team. We yelled 1, 2, 3... DASH FOR THE DRESS!

Doors opened to the first group. Check out the mom in the yellow shirt. She means business!!

Lots of girls scrambling to find "the dress!"

Dig girls!!!

Now the racks are looking more bare. Girls ran to the fitting rooms with ARMFULS of gowns!

SMILES!

Off to the fitting room...

Travis serenaded all of our brides-to-be! :::SWOON:::

The next group waited outside and stared in at the first group picking their dresses.

Yay! First to the Cash Register got a FREE GARTER!

Scouting the gowns before the doors opened for Group #2!

Gorgeous bouquets donated by Prange's Florist for the event!

Cleaning up the fitting rooms between groups of dashers!

A dad waits patiently as his wife and daughter fight to find the dress!

Girls grouped around the mirrors together to assess their choices.

Nicole knew the gown was the one once she tried it with a black satin sash!

Yay!! Smiles at the finish line!

And I couldn't help but post this super funny moment that was caught on camera!!! haha!

We had a blast last Saturday at the event, and we raised so much money for breast cancer research! Thanks to all the girls for coming out and the lovely vendors who donated their goods and services to make our event possible!!

Special thanks to:
Footstone Photography
Allure Boutique
Prange's Florist
Golden Ocala

**All photos by Footstone Photography**

Top 10 Advice on finding the DRESS!

  • Number One Rule: Be open minded! What you think reminds you of your grandmother's dress on the hanger, may in fact be the dress of your dreams.
  • Bring someone that knows your style better than their own. I'm sure the groom doesn't want to see you in something that your bestfriend would wear on her wedding day
  • DON'T PURCHASE YOUR DRESS ONLINE! You miss out on the whole experience.
  • Don't worry what the groom will think. If he loves you, he will love what you pick.
  • Have fun! Remember that you have been dreaming of this day since you were five. Don't let the decision put a cloud over your head
  • If you hate the little bow on the dress, ask the consultant if you can order it without.it. Chances are you can. Keep in mind (contrary to what the magazines always say) there might be a charge for it. It won't lower the cost of the dress.
  • Price vs. Love: If you love the dress, GO FOR IT! Don't settle for less on what your wearing for your big day. You can always take some of the budget from the centerpieces and so on. No one will know and we won't tell.
  • Research designers online and make a scrap book of styles that you like. Do keep in mind, that it may all change when you start trying on.
  • Save the group shopping for the mall. This should be a personal experience that you should only share with one or two.
  • When you find it, you find it. Don't second guess yourself or you will pick your second favorite.