When you find THE ONE, you just know it. And now that you’ve found him, we’ve got your chance to score THE DRESS. This Sunday from noon-4 p.m., Mia Bridal Couture welcomes brides to its four-hours-only Couture Off-The-Rack Sample Sale. Head to Mia and feast your eyes on over 100 exquisite gowns, including off-the-runway, heirloom-worthy dresses from newer collections by Amsale, Rivini, Kenneth Pool, Liancarlo and more. From dreamy and diaphanous to structured and sparkling, these gowns are major stunners. And at 50-75% off retail, you may find yourself, well, stunned. No appointments necessary, just show up early, be patient and show those good manners your mama taught you. And you just may get a chance to snag the gown of your dreams for a steal!
It’s no mystery why style-minded brides turn again and again to Hollywood of the 40s, 50s and early 60s for wedding inspiration. Heyday Hollywood will forever be a time and place simply brimming with high-drama glamour and mystique. Hear the words “Old Hollywood” and your mind fills with iconic visions: va-voom mermaid gowns and Veronica Lake waves, twinkling chandeliers and tinkling grand piano keys, potted palms and tuxedo-clad waiters tipping Champagne into diminutive glasses, diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds. There’s no need to go into theme territory with your vintage Hollywood wedding design (unless, of course, that’s your kinda thing). Feel free to take cues from golden-era Hollywood rather than scouring thrift and prop shops for the actual thing. Instant glamour. Timeless allure. See credits below pix for details!
Houston-based wedding gown designer Melina Cristina knows that every bride deserves to feel special on her big day. Like, extremely special. Like, one-of-a-kind special. Which is exactly how you’ll feel when you work with Melina to create your perfect “true couture” wedding dress.
At the recent grand opening of Melina Cristina Bridal Couture in River Oaks, we sat down with Melina to discuss what makes her gowns extraordinary. The simple answer? YOU, of course. All of her gowns are custom-made to fit each bride’s unique style, providing a true couture experience from start to finish. The moment you step through the door, you will be greeted warmly and made to feel comfortable while Melina and her staff begin the process of creating the dress you’ve always dreamed of wearing.
Not sure what you’re looking for? Not a problem. As a bride, you are welcome to browse through her current collection, try on any one of her previously made dresses, and determine what look you like the most. From there, Melina will work with you to decide on a specific design, complete with stunning details like authentic Swarovski crystals—and, if you’re game, lots of ‘em…Melina loves her bling—to make your dress one-of-a-kind.
The whole idea behind Melina Cristina Bridal Couture is for each bride to find the dress that is meant for her in every way, without having to pay a fortune. The prices range from about $1,800 to $9,800, depending on the material and embellishments used, which is about what you’d pay for a gown in any local bridal salon. And rest assured, we’re talking about the finest quality silks, laces and ornamentation, chosen by Melina Cristina herself.
And here’s the best part: OK, OK, your very own one-of-a-kind couture wedding dress is the best part. But here’s the OTHER best part: Twenty percent of all Melina Cristina’s sales are donated to Melina’s own non-profit organization, which builds vitally important water wells in Africa. Just imagine–you can help save lives by purchasing your dream gown!
Look good, do good, feel good. It’s a wedding win-win-win! Call 713.489.4424 to make an appointment or visit her online.
Watters is one of those bridal design houses that just GETS IT, season after season, collection after collection. Romantic, joyful, elegant, inspired–their dresses seem to embody all that it means to be a bride. This Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, get a glimpse of Watters’ fall 2011 gowns fresh off the New York runway, along with favorites from the spring 2011 line, when Houston’s very own Mia Bridal Couture hosts an exclusive two-day trunk show. And check this out: Watters VP Maria Prince herself will be on hand to personally answer questions and help you find your perfect Watters gown! Which, of course, you’ll get at a very pretty 15% discount if you purchase during the show. With this much wow on offer, appointments are, naturally, required. So make yours PDQ!: 713.622.2022.
Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than we do. OK, scratch that. Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than YOU do, Houston brides. Rivini, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Badgley-Mischka…we get all tingly just thinking about those acres of sumptuous silk.
But, being sensible, practical Texas gals, we also love saving money when we can. Especially when we’re spending zillions already on things like weekly (OK, daily) spa treatments, custom linens and out-of-season peonies.
If you’re in the same boat, or getting married on one, or simply not into the idea of a voluminous confection of a wedding gown, we think you’ll like these dresses. All silk, all stunning, and all $1,000 or less (some–like the gorgeous BCBG Max Azria strapless, below left–MUCH less).
How yummy are these super-soft bamboo jersey tunics from Bamjamz? OK, you’ve GOT to slip into them to experience their fabulousness fully. But just check out that soft pink and dove gray. And those lovely lotus and butterfly designs? Our heart rate slows down just looking at ‘em.
We think they’re perfect for kicking back in after a long, hard day of wedding planning. Bamjamz also makes deliciously comfortable leggings and lounge pants. Worn alone, their tunics make great sleep tops and swim cover-ups (honeymoon, anyone?)…and EXCELLENT bridesmaid gifts. Paired with pants, they’re perfect for lazy Sunday mornings at home with your hubby-to-be. They’re eco-friendly, too. And available locally at Neiman Marcus. Love.
And speaking of local loungewear, we’ve got a major crush on Touche Houston’s simple cotton PJs. How do they manage to be so fresh and soft, like a gentle spring breeze? But still crisp, and definitely sexy—bridal sleepwear at its sophisticated best. Sweet dreams!
Tiny tubes of moisturizer, itsy bitsy fragrance vials, bite-size bits of anything yummy—we love us some samples. Especially when the sample in question is a designer wedding gown. How about more than 100 designer gowns? From top bridal design houses like Amsale, Rivini, Kenneth Pool, Liancarlo and more?? That’s what you’ll find when Mia Bridal Couture hosts its sensational off-the-rack sample sale this Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Please note that dresses pictured above represent designers that will be featured at the sale, but not the exact gowns that will be featured.
No appointments, early arrival is strongly encouraged, here’s what to expect: Mia has five dressing rooms, so the salon will allow five brides (with an entourage of up to three guests each) into the store at a time. During your time in the store you can choose four dresses to try on. Once you decide on a dress, a very helpful and gracious Mia staffer will have you pay for your dress in full (at a discount of 50-75% off!!) hand you a list of alteration and cleaning specialists, and send you on your soon-to-be-married way.
A few tips when buying your wedding dress off the rack, courtesy of Mia’s Lisa Toenjes:
If a dress is too small, you can have your seamstress change it to a lace-up.
A dress can be taken in approximately three sizes before you lose the look of the dress.
Remember to bring a strapless bra, your favorite heels (or shoes of the same heel height you plan to wear for your wedding), your friends, a camera and lots of excitement!
Good luck, gown shoppers. And remember, patience and manners, girls. It’s just plain good wedding karma!
Four days of delicious Maggie Sottero gowns begins TODAY at Brickhouse Bridal. That’s four full days of trunk show fabulousness, so no excuses if you miss it, Miss bridey-bride! Here’s what we love about Maggie Sottero gowns: The large selection of styles, each one unique and gorgeous–including the wow-worthy shimmer-satin “Darci” (left), with figure-flattering asymmetrical waist and lavishly bustled skirt (plus detachable jeweled halter straps for those of us who welcome a little extra support), and the glamorous “Gail” strapless A-line (right), with fan-pleated neckline and ethereal floral waist embellishment. Plus many, many others, of course.
And here’s what we love about this week’s Maggie Sottero trunk show at Brickhouse Bridal: 10% off the already reasonable price of a Maggie Sottero gown–but only on purchases made during this exclusive four-day show, March. 16-19 !
Call 281.681.3430 to schedule your appointment. And bring a friend!
You’ve been asking about the cover of the latest Weddings in Houston (“Who’s she wearing?” “Where did that stunning headpiece come from?” “That necklace–OMG, I gotta make it mine,” and so on). So we’re answering. Here’s the who, what, where and how much on the items worn by our gorgeous model, styled by the ridiculously talented Summer Salah, and shot by the superb Larry Fagala.
So there ya go, now ya know. We are so thrilled to work with such outstanding Houston wedding vendors and professionals, and delighted when you take notice, get excited and let us know. Please keep it up!
A combination trunk show AND open house? We think we’re in heaven! Bella Bridesmaid is inviting Houston brides-to-be, and their best gals, to sip champagne, nibble hors d’oeuvre and marvel at the loveliness of the LulaKate bridal collection this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. The Charleston, S.C.-based design house, well known for its ready-to-wear and vibrant bridesmaid dresses, launched an “alternative bridal” line earlier this year–think clean lines, crisp shantung, not to mention very nice prices–and we are loving it. Loving Bella Bridesmaid, too, who showed such sweet, fun frocks at our January I Do! Bridal Soiree at The Houstonian. Don’t you think?
Call 713.528.2778 to let them know you’re coming, would you? And bring a friend…or two!
