Archive for the ‘Bridesmaids’ Category
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Slimming A-line gown? Check!
Spanx Hide & Sleek Full Bodysuit? Check!
Chubby bridesmaids? … Huh?!
According to London’s Daily Telegraph, which released results of a recent research survey conducted by diet-shake-maker Slim-Fast, one in three engaged British women admitted they would choose fatter friends as bridesmaids over slimmer pals, as a way to boost their bridal confidence.
We gotta say, we were kinda blown away. It’s one thing to diet before your wedding day—something 50% of surveyed brides-to-be said they did—and quite another to choose your bridal party based on the size of their bodies, rather than on the strength of your bond.
But maybe the survey results shouldn’t surprise us all that much. According to Slim-Fast nutritionist Fiona Hunter, “Women are obviously feeling such pressure to look good on their big day that they’re resorting to selecting bridesmaids larger than themselves … It’s very sad and a real shame. Looking at these statistics, it seems to be a worrying new trend.” This, from a representative of the company that recently targeted engaged women with an ad campaign depicting a wedding-cake topper of an overweight bride and the question, “Need to lose a little weight before your wedding?”
Hmm…disingenuous much, Fiona?
We’re all for looking our slender best on our wedding day. But instead of choosing fatter bridesmaids as flattering accessories, how about choosing bridesmaids who support our efforts to get fit, who graciously wear the bridesmaid dresses we’ve selected for them no matter how they feel their own bodies look in the dress style, and who make us feel beautiful and special on our wedding day just by being our best friends.
RELATED POSTS:
http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/02/keeping-your-new-year’s-weight-loss-resolution-a-bride’s-guide/
http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/02/thank-you-bridesmaids/
http://houstonweddingblog.com/2010/03/designer-spotlight-joanna-august/
Posted in Beauty, Bridesmaids, Fitness | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
 
It’s been ages since we talked about the essential bridal survival kit, hasn’t it? Well, we’re delighted to inform you that we’ve just come across a product that makes making it through your wedding day unscathed just a little bit easier.
Family operation Ms. & Mrs.–mom Georgette Kaplan (Mrs.) and daughters Stephanie and Jamie Kaplan (Ms. & Ms.) launched the biz with the Working Girl Survival Kit, and quickly branched out—offers pre-packaged survival kits for just about everyone involved in your wedding.
For you, Ms. Bride (soon to be Mrs. Wife), there’s the Wedding Day Survival Kit. Packed inside a sleek train case decorated with a white satin ribbon and novelty “diamond” ring (aww…), you’ll find the works in wedding-day beauty, hygiene and apparel maintenance. Items include toothbrush and toothpaste, clear nail polish and nail polish remover, super glue, earring backs, bobby pins and tons more.
Your groom’s gonna love the Groom’s Survival Kit, complete with mints, deodorant, razor and shaving cream, lint remover, boutonniere pins and oodles more vital wedding-day survival items he probably has no idea he might require.
New in the Ms. & Mrs. Lineup is the Aisle Survival Collection. These adorable, affordable, pre-packaged mini-kits are practical AND perfect for gifting. There’s one for brides, one for bridesmaids, and sweet little versions for MOBs and MOGs. Each kit comes with such wedding-day staples as emery boards, blotting tissues, pain reliever, waterproof mascara, safety pins and breath freshener.
We heart these handy kits like nobody’s business! But we also want to remind you that if you do opt for a pre-packed kit, you’ll want to make sure to add non-standard items like your specific wedding-day makeup, and contact information for your coordinator and vendors (especially taxi and transportation services). And maybe, depending on the season, a pop-up wedding tent, a pre-fab hurricane shelter and a couple hundred umbrellas. Welcome to Houston!
Tags: Wedding Day Survival Kit
Posted in Beauty, Bridesmaids, Wedding Day Details | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
 Erica We here at the Houston Wedding Blog do NOT believe that ho-hum bridesmaids somehow elevate the beauty of the bride. And neither, thankfully, does Joanna August. We love that the newbie bridal designer’s line emerged directly out of her own dilemma over sending “her best friends down the aisle in dresses whose beauty ran a distant second to that of the table settings” at her 2008 wedding.
Know what we love even more? Her absolutely gorgeous bridesmaid dresses. And know who loves those dresses even more than we do? Uh, that’d be the lucky bridesmaids who get to wear them—over and over and over again.
Who wouldn’t love flouncing down the aisle (and then turning up at Skybar) in the ultra-chic Erica, with its one-shoulder bodice and flirty skirt? Then there’s the slightly more daring but equally romantic Dara Mini. Like the Erica, this one’s 100% silk, but instead of a solo shoulder it’s got a ruffled neckline, a higher scalloped hem and a figure-flattering wraparound style. Picture-perfect for spring weddings, right? But doll it up with some sparkly earrings and a pair of stilettos, and your maid is dressed for a sophisticated summer dinner date. Yum!
 Dara Planning a formal affair? You have got to check out Joanna August’s Jae Long, with shirred asymmetrical neckline and floor-grazing A-line skirt. You can get this Grecian-inspired bridesmaid dress in any number of vibrant colors, from aquamarine to scarlet, but we think it looks simply stunning in basic black. Wow.
 Jae Long Joanna August also makes lovely, unfussy, sophisticated wedding gowns, all of them 100% silk, all of them under $4,000 (with one, the ethereal Kelly, under a grand!), and each utterly unique in silhouette and style.
All of Joanna August’s dresses can be ordered online, but to see them in person, you’ll have to get yourself to Bella Bridesmaid in Dallas. For now. Joanna, whose hubby hails from Texas, and who says she “LOVES Houston,” is hoping to get her dresses in a local boutique soon. And guess who’ll let you know when she does? Uh, that’d be us.
Posted in Bridesmaids, Fashion | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Just when you were beginning to wonder where all those divine designer trunk shows had gone…they’re back! That’s right, it’s trunk show season again in Houston, and we’ve got the scoop on the hottest upcoming shows in town.
First up, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20, Saison Blanche comes to Brickhouse Bridal, with its collection of stunning couture gowns. New designs include an ethereal silk organza ballgown with a handkerchief-tiered skirt and rose-appliqué bodice. Breathtaking! Take advantage of free style advice and, as always, a 15% discount off trunk show gown purchases.
Also at Brickhouse, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20, are your dates for a not-to-be-missed Amsale Bridesmaids trunk show. If you’re in the market for maids’ wear, you must pop in to Brickhouse for a viewing of these chic (and very-rewearable) chiffon and taffeta dresses, available in a variety of lengths, in alluring hues like Flamingo, Rhubarb, Wisteria and Peacock.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 19-21, Maison de Mode hosts La Sposa, part of the world-renowned, Barcelona-based Pronovias Fashion Group. La Sposa bridal consultants will be showing a collection of regal, sophisticated gowns worthy of European royalty (and you, Houston bride). And, of course, there’s that 15% discount to entice you, as if those luxurious La Sposa gowns and Maison de Mode’s gracious hospitality weren’t enough.
Stay tuned for more trunk show announcements, and be sure to check Weddings in Houston’s regularly updated Shows & Events listings.
Tags: Couture, Trunk Shows
Posted in Bridesmaids, Fashion | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Trying to figure out how to thank your bridesmaids for all their love and support (not to mention for sweetly enduring your endless indecision about whither French-pleat or goblet-fan napkin folds, and graciously agreeing to wear sea-foam and spaghetti straps despite pale skin and ample arms, etc., etc.…)?
We’ve compiled some of our favorite ideas for you, and put ’em in this post!
Jean Picard, regular Weddings in Houston contributor and Master Bridal Consultant (that means the international Association of Bridal Consultants has designated her one of the very best in the biz), is a big fan of the pre-wedding bridesmaids tea. Check out her planning and décor tips, menu suggestions and expert tea-making tutorial right here.
We discovered Vivabox at a very cool gift show and just had to spread the word. Our past post on this lovely little gift concept gives all the details on how to choose a Vivabox for each bridesmaid (they’ve got manly ones for your groom’s dudes, too), how they work and where to buy.
Doing the destination thing? Have a look at these sweet silk cosmetics, brush and jewelry bags from Neiman Marcus. We love the vibrant colors and personalized-initial option, and your maids will love packing these for wedding-destination travel!
Whether you plan to wed in town or afar, these super-chic clutches are a perfect complement to any bridesmaid outfit (just check out the range of colors and patterns—amazing!), and a great gift from you to your gals.
Of course, every bridesmaid appreciates a little pre-wedding pampering. And what better way to relax and indulge with your maids than with a group spa outing? Treat your bridesmaids to a day of massage, mani-pedis and divine face/body treatments at one of Houston’s top spas, and you’ll come out smelling like a rose!
Tags: Pre-wedding Events, Thank You
Posted in Bridesmaids, Gifts | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
You may want to pass this post along (subtly) to whoever’s planning your shower, Houston bride. Trust us, she’ll be glad you did.
The Soap & Paper Factory makes natural scented beeswax candles, stationery, soaps, bath powders and more, then wraps their paraben-free, phthalate-free yummies in eco-friendly, recyclable, totally beautiful packaging.
 Soap & Paper Solid Perfume We especially love S&P’s solid perfumes—little travel-size, purse-size pots filled with heavenly fragrance in solid form. Made from pure jojoba and beeswax, in aromas including Jasmine, Gardenia and Orange Blossom, S&P’s solid perfumes make great take-home goodies for girls of all ages. And they’re pretty enough to fit right in on an all-dolled-up tabletop.
 Soap & Paper Beeswax Candles We’re also fans of S&P’s divine scented beeswax candles, packaged in elegant Italian glass, which can be cleaned and reused for water, wine or your favorite Chardonnay. Yay!
Looking for something special for your bridesmaids’? The Soap & Paper Factory does amazing custom gifts, too.
Tags: Candles, Eco-Friendly, Fragrance, Perfume
Posted in Bridal Showers, Bridesmaids, Gifts | No Comments »
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
 Marry Monograms Rose We go to a LOT of weddings. And the ones that we love most, the ones that linger longest in our memories, are those weddings where the wedding couple’s personal touch is on everything from flowers to food to favors.
One of the most elegant ways to personalize your wedding, Houston bride, is with a sophisticated monogram logo bearing the initials or names of you and your new spouse. Monogram logos can be used to put your imprint on wedding items including:
–save-the-date cards and invitations
–aisles
–dance floors
–cakes
–wine bottles
–water bottles
–favors
 Marry Monograms Wine For versatile, memorable monogram logos, we adore Marry Monograms. For a very reasonable price, MM will create a downloadable JPEG-format logo that you can provide to your invitation designer, cake baker, favor-maker, dance-floor provider—pretty much any vendor whose product can be imprinted. Monogram style categories—MM has more than 200 standard designs available, and can do custom work as well—include Classic, Contemporary, Simple and Romantic, and many logo styles can include your wedding date or wedding locale.
 Marry Monograms Dance HWB tip: In the market for fun bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts or bachelor/bachelorette party favors? Use your MM monogram to customize clutches for the ladies and caps or T’s for the gents!
Tags: Monograms, Personal Touch
Posted in Bridesmaids, Ceremony, Decor, Favors, Reception | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
 Mar Y Sol Heart Clutch We love our bridesmaids. We love doing good for the world. We LOVE Mar Y Sol’s simply, sustainably gorgeous little clutches (and so do the likes of Daily Candy, Glamour and Lucky, by the by).
We came across Mar Y Sol while dropping in on brides’ chats about which bridesmaids’ gifts were the biggest hits with their girls. Sure, we heard about all the usual stuff—pashminas, spa mani-pedis, earrings, etc. But these raved-about clutches really stood out, and here’s why: Not only are they beautifully designed and incredibly chic, but they are fair-trade bought and handmade in Kenya and Madagascar by local women artists using a combination of traditional weaving and contemporary techniques. Whenever a bride-to-be (or anyone for that matter) buys a Mar Y Sol bag, that purchase contributes to the artist’s economic independence and generates funding for community projects—what a beautiful way to celebrate the spirit of sisterhood with your ’maids, Houston bride.
We’re especially fond of the fresh, elegant Gigi collection, which includes one design with a butterfly closure, another with a contemporary take on the sunflower and still another accented with a carved wood heart to show your bridesmaids how much you love ’em.
 Mar Y Sol Garden Clutch If you’re still a stickler for the traditional mani/pedi gift, go ahead and pop a gift certificate for a local spa inside one of these beautiful, eco-friendly bags. We guarantee your ’maid will instantly be among the most fashionable girls in town!
 Mar Y Sol Sunflower Clutch
Tags: Eco-Friendly, Mar Y Sol
Posted in Bridesmaids, Fashion, Gifts | No Comments »
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