Ways to Broach!

We just received new broaches to add to our collection. Checkout all the creative ways our team has come up with to add that unique touch to your wedding day. Make sure to comment if you have an idea of your own!

Make the Neckline into Sweetheart:

Add to a Sash:

Use as shoe jewelry:

Add more drama to the bustle:

Add more attention to the unique elements:

Create into a hair piece:

Use as bouquet jewelry:

Glam Going Rebel

Rebel Glam photographer, Charity De Meer, scooped up our Torrean gown for a fashionista filled shoot. Since Sunday, the Solutions Bridal buying team has been at NYC Bridal Market. The shoot is filled with the same energy we have found here. Brides (including Southern belles) are starting to push the envelope. I just can't explain how excited we are about it! We have been running from one designer showroom to the next in search of the best of the best in bridal. The Spring collections are all about luxurious organzas, hand-crafted rosettes, natural waists, tulle skirts, and delicately placed beading. It was difficult to come across a full beaded gown. The designers are taking a more softer feminine approach, but adding drama by styling the gown with vintage inspired jewelry. After seeing Charity's photographs, I just got all excited again about the current bridal trends. Spring 2010 can only be described as nothing less than dreamy.

The Art of Customizing!

This morning I received real wedding photos of a bride that customized her gown with Anne Barge to fit the requirements of her church. Take a look at these before and after photos. Even though, 60% of bridal gowns are strapless, you can keep your options open by exploring the custom changes available within them. There are big perks to going this route. Most designers provide extra boning in a strapless gown verse a v-neck or any other neckline. All this extra structure helps keep the dress up and tends to create a more flattering waistline. Taking a strapless gown and building it up at the neckline can give you the best of both worlds.

We love when our brides do custom changes allowing the designer to create a one of a kind look just for them. In two weeks, one of the Assistant Managers will be meeting Anne Barge personally to discuss all the changes available. We can't wait to build up our product knowledge when she comes back!

Get Married In Style

Lifetime's "Get Married" hosted by Colin Cowie and Deanna Pappas will feature some of Solutions Bridal picks on August 19, 2009 at 7:30am ET. The featured gowns will come from Lazaro, Tara Keely, and Jim Hjelm gowns. Make sure to tune in to see all of Colin's picks.

Upcoming Events with Lazaro and Jim Hjelm:

On August 27th-September 6th, the Winter Park location will be hosting a Lazaro Bridesmaid Trunk Show. Come be the first to see the new Fall 2009 collection and take advantage of the designer discount provided.

Also, the Gainesville location purchased the new Jim Hjelm Bridesmaid collection. Make sure to attend the Florida Bridal Expo on September 13th at the UF Hilton. All the consultants will be wearing the new line.

*The picture above is our brand new stock piece from Lazaro Bridal! Make sure to come in and try it on, I did! *

Royalty Makes Its Debut!

This week on The Knot LIVE, author and event planning pro Karen Bussen showed us some of her favorite details from weddings she's helped design, our Lifestyle Director Krissy Tiglias dished on some stylish DIY wedding ideas, and staged the knots first ever live fashion show -- straight from the office!

One of our fabulous designers, Kenneth Pool, was featured on The Knot Live! Check out style Royalty and many others on upcoming Live episodes at 12 p.m. ET.

http://webmail.solutionsbridal.com/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwedding.theknot.com%2Fspecial-wedding-features%2Fthe-knot-live%2Farticles%2Fthe-knot-live-episode-9.aspx

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.


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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:

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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!

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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.


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

"The Hangover" Wedding Style

The plot of the movie "The Hangover" may be every bride's nightmare: Just two days before his wedding, the groom, Doug, takes three of his friends to Las Vegas for a crazy bachelor party. The next morning the three friends wake up and find that Doug is missing and they have little time to find him before making it back in time for the wedding. The movie is hilarious, but may not for the bride who is faint-of-heart. However, the wedding in the movie is GORGEOUS, so if you still need some inspiration I would definitely recommend checking it out. The bride's dress in particular is stunning. The strapless silk organza A-line dress by Amsale features a sweetheart neckline with shirred bodice, natural waist, and satin ribbon with floral detail. You can check out more views of the dress, as well as the rest of the Amsale collection on Brides.com. The Amsale website also has further details.

Real Wedding: Kate Gissy

On May 16, 2009 Kate Gissy and Jared Saft married at Portifino Bay Hotel at Universal! It was a pleasure helping Kate through out the months during her planning stages. Check out Damon Tucci Photography for more images.

Its all in the Details:

Gown: Rivini Designs
Bridesmaids: Amsale in Ocean Blue
Photography: Damon Tucci
Wedding Planner: E-Events

$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!

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!

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!

VW on Weddings

Vera Wang is the queen of the bridal world. She has been the master mind behind the innovating eras of bridal wear. Now her brand expands to home decor, engagement rings, gifts, tablewear, fragrance, and more. Every girl dreams of having her own piece of Vera.

One day, one of our very own consultants received her piece of Vera. Nicole, now wedding planner and owner from Pave Weddings, checked in a box at Solutions Bridal. The package was from Vera Wang. It was like any other day. She thought she was checking in a bridesmaid dress for one of our weddings. Surprise! Her bf sent her Vera Wang Flowers!

VW just launched her "VW on Weddings Website". It introduces brides to the world of weddings. Its filled with ideas and suggestions for every bride. Take a look. Comment on the ideas that you like!

Blurb About It!

A couple of months ago Masterpiece Weddings did a blog post on Blurb. It was love at first sight. Blurb is an online photo album company that is filled with creative ideas at affordable prices. It gives you the option of creating your own album or allowing one of their experts to construct it for you. For the do-it-yourself bride, the software is incredibly user friendly.

After returning from a trip to Europe I created four duplicate books that I gave to my traveling friends. They loved it. The book had a glossy finish and captions so we will never forget those days.

I recommend creating your guest book on Blurb. Its a great way to cut prices on your wedding album as well. Do keep in mind that most professional photographers don't give out the images and normally a photo album is required in their package.

Check out Blurb!