Real Wedding: Michelle & John Dill

Michelle and John are the ultimate Solutions Bridal couple! We helped with the gown, accessories, bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos. During all of this, we really got to know the couple. We even got to see Michelle the day after as she dropped off the tuxedos. (Note to wedding planners: please include this in your services)

Their photos just went up on Damon Tucci's blog!

Raving Reviews...

I just stumbled upon a loving review of our Solutions Bridal Orlando location. Check out what this friend of a bride-to-be had to say:

Saint Paul, MN
9/2/2009 I am not a bride, but the friend of a bride-to-be. We were headed to the Collection when we drove by Solutions Bridal (we are not originally from Orlando, so we were rather ignorant about the available bridal shops). After our scheduled appointment at Collection, we dropped by Solutions without an appointment. They invited us right in.

This shop is exactly what you picture a bridal shop to be. The floor is wide, and there is a large platform at one end of the store with several mirrors so the brides-to-be can see themselves in all their glory. The floor is very spacious, so it is easy to browse through the dresses. We were not very familiar with a lot of the designers, having focused on Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier (I know, I know), but we found an amazing selection of dresses we loved. It is not true that all the dresses are the Cinderella sort. Many are, but this is not my friend's taste, nor mine, and Solutions had plenty of options to satisfy someone who wants a more simple and tasteful look.

The salespeople were very helpful. I asked for champagne and promptly received it (it was only on my fourth glass that I started to suspect it was nonalcoholic). All of the sample dresses were in very good condition. They gave my friend a bustier and some heels to help with her trying-on. They even put up with me circling the store, rifling through the dresses, throwing back glass after glass of (unfortunately nonalcoholic) champagne, and giving out loud opinions on every dress my friend tried on (and several the other brides tried on as well).

In the end, we found the dress. My friend looked amazing. This bridal shop is like one you see in the movies--the atmosphere was just so perfect. It really was such an amazing shopping experience. My friend's total wedding dress shopping time: 4 hours, 13 minutes. And the dress turned out to be about 3 thou cheaper than the Vera Wang she had originally had her heart set on--can't get better than that!

I should mention that this is a boutique store with a small selection of designers, but this is exactly what a bridal shop should be.

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Both Eyes Shut

The new Collections of bridal hit the runways this past October in New York and Chicago. There are all these fun new twist to the wedding gown that I've never seen before. As exciting at this is, it can also be a tease. If your wedding is Spring 2010 most of the gowns you are seeing online and in the new magazine issues are not for you. These gowns are in the process of being made for the stores and will make their debut this coming January or February.

So let's say your wedding is April and you are waiting for the Spring 2010 collections to come out. That only leaves you two months to order a dress and have it altered. Whew, that's a crunch that could leave you with hefty rush charge.

Instead, look at the images of the new dresses if you can't resist. You can still catch a few excellent ideas by taking a look at the editorial shots. Just don't get your heart set on a dress that is still in production. Its not meant to be. If you see any fabulous accessories, you could have time to order those in for the big day. The good news is, the new spring line isn't technically for Spring weddings it just represents when the line is coming out. Bridal isn't like street wear. Some of my all time favorite gowns are from collections a couple of years back. Those are the ones that have stood the test of time.

The Alvina Valenta shown is from Fall 2006. Its one of my favorite gowns in the store. I would be more than happy to wear that one down the aisle!

Real Wedding: That makes you want an Invite!

Recently, our lovely bride Kiimberly dropped off her Kenneth Pool wedding gown to get it cleaned for an additional photo shoot. We took a peek at the gown to see the wedding day damage. We can always tell how much fun a bride has by the look of her wedding gown. Let's just say, she got her moneys worth of fun! After seeing this bridal gown, we had to keep an eye on her photographers blog. The pictures are up. Take a look at the Vue Photography for a full display of Kimberly's big day. The pictures say just as much as the dress does. We are so fortunate to have this amazing couple as one of our clients. She fell in love with her fiance in elementary school. Their story is quiet unique and special. Thanks Kimberly for sharing it with us!

Drab to Fab

Every season Solutions Bridal does a "Ditch and Switch". We remove our old bridesmaid dresses as we introduce the new. Several of the dresses can't be simply donated because they have "sample" marked on the back of them. Luckly, Solutions Bridal's Assistant Manager, Alicia Zutter, is a go-green designer that takes an innovative approach on ready to wear clothing. Her clothing line, ALICIA Zutter Couture, represents old bridesmaid dress fabrics transformed into fashion forward pieces.

Her line is all about feminine romantic looks with an edgy twist. As you look through her line, you can find touches of organza ruffles and rosettes done in exquisite jewel tones. Known as an expert stylist to her brides, Alicia takes design and accessory pairing to high regard. All of her patterns are originals and just need to be tailored to the body for the best fit. Alicia takes pride in using recycled fabrics, such as old bridesmaid dresses, and making them into pieces every girls swoons over.

In the picture above the lady on the left is wearing one of ALICIA Zutter Couture's Mother of the Bride gowns. Alicia is shown on the right showcasing her designs as well. Make sure to check the blog soon for more fashion news from ALICIA Zutter Couture!

Marvelous Maral

Caroline Johnson recently did an on-site engagement session of one of our recent clients, Maral. We were so excited to see the photo session. Since we keep the bride's secret, the wedding gown, we never get a chance to meet the fiance. Its nice to finally see the bride and groom together. Check out the full shoot at Caroline's blog: Life With Caroline!

Real Wedding: An Intimate Affair

Take a look at these. Our stylish and fun-loving bride, Stephaine Stinson, tied the knot this summer during her intimate nuptials and dinner party reception. One our Winter Park vendors, Abby Liga, was there to capture every tear and laugh. Stephanie was a bridesmaid of ours before she was a bride. She was in Ashley Posers wedding in November. Right after she walked down her friends aisle she was in the store searching her new gown... wedding gown this time. Stephaine was one of those brides, that know what she likes and wants. From the very beginning, she knew she wanted Abby Liga to photograph her wedding. She was so at ease with everything else knowing she had the right photographer to make sure she had the right photos to look back on from years to come. Next step, was the gown. Stephanie has style to match her personality. She opt for a sophisticated, elegant gown from Mikaella. Not wanting the typical, strapless ballgown, this dress had it all. With a clean line v-neck, low back to swoon her new husband, and a side bow to make her portraits have a wow factor. It was such a pleasure working with Stephaine on all of her accessories and mother's gowns. Check out more pictures at Abby Liga's Blog!

Meet Miss Gator!

One of my May 2010 brides came into the store recently and told me about her brand new wedding blog, Gator Bride. I ventured onto her site, and I found the cutest, most creative blog I have seen in such a long time! She highlights her own wedding details and also provides wedding inspiration for other brides living in Gainesville, Florida (and even those that don't!). From local venues to her super cute, etsy-made cake toppers, what's not to love? And she even refers to herself as Miss Gator! {swoons} :O)


Solutions Bridal <3's Miss Gator!!

The Last Daughter is Married

On Saturday, Becca's mother dropped off her wedding gown to get preserved. It was one of those bitter sweet moments. Over four years ago when I started working for Solutions Bridal, I met the Warners as they were finishing up their first daughter's wedding. Last year, when the second daughter, Becca, got engaged I helped her find her wedding gown. She picked one of my favorites, an Alvina Valenta with a rouged waist and mermaid shape adorn with French Alencon lace. She also purchased her bridesmaid and MOB dress with us. It was fun helping her create the whole wedding look and seeing the results as her photographer shared the images on her blog. Her wedding was in April 2009. When her mother dropped off the gown for preservation it was a little sad. I told her to make sure to adopt a third daughter so I could help her with the wedding. She laughed and gave me a good hug goodbye.

Becca's wedding is a great example of using a bridesmaid dresses as a base color and popping with fresh flowers. She selected a soft pewter color that would contrast with the natural greenery outside as well as green and white bouqets. Very classy and timeless.

Green in Spring: Real Wedding

Maggie Kellog is married! We had a blast working with this big-hearted bride. Take a look at this real wedding and get inspired. She incorporated green and pink details to give a fresh, spring look. Her gown was one of the first few she tried one while shopping in the Gainesville store with her mother this past Fall. She selected a modern, silk taffeta gown that was beautifully showcased with a French Alencon lace veil. Best Wishes Maggie!

Gown: Marisa Bridal

Silk HairFlower: Lori London Millinery

Veil: McCaffrey Haute Couture

Photography: Vue Photography

Stylist Being Shabby

Recognize any familiar faces? Posing in the photo is the full Gainesville Solutions Bridal Staff including the owner, Newell Fox. Hopefully, there won't be any consequences for posting this picture of him. shhh....

Every year we have a party just to celebrate having fantastic clients and industry friends. This year, we wanted to make sure the party was a time remembered. We decided a theme was going to be the best way to do it! A couple of years ago I had a bride throw a party were all of her friends wore their bridal gowns and bridesmaids. They wanted one more reason to wear the dress again.With this idea in mind, as a team we came up with the Something Shabby idea. Based off the old "Something blue, something OLD" saying. Our clients are always concerned if they will be able to wear their bridesmaid dresses again. This party gave them a reason to. The party was a huge success and we hope to make it into an annual celebration. And of course we look forward to seeing our boss in a full green seersucker suit again.

Thanks to the following vendors for adding their special touches to the evening:

Celebrations Catering: for splendid appetizers that always expand our palate

Unique Designs: for your creative minds, inspiration, and couture invitations

Solutions Entertainment: for making it into a true party

Party Time Rentals: for transforming our salon into a lounge for the evening

PhotoBooth: for making into an even more humorous night

Congrats 2009 Grads!

One of our favorite things about the Gainesville store is getting to work with so many students from the University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College. May is such a special time when all of the graduating seniors celebrate their commencement, and we have the pleasure of meeting so many parents who come into the store during graduation weekend.

Congratulations 2009 Graduates!!

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