Gown Friday

i am simply awe struck by Vera Wang's newest bridal collection.  absolutely stunning and beyond all expectations for her this year.  the dress above is by far my favorite--it resides in it's own class as i have yet to see anything like it anywhere else--gorgeous!  and don't forget Vera is coming out with her new line available exclusively at David's Bridal next spring.  yeah, that's right, David's Bridal. pretty sweet.

{images: brides.com}

Hmmm...

i don't know about you but this seems to be a little much for me even with Halloween around the corner...oh dear!


{image: New York Wedding Magazine)

Loving...

rustic doesn't have to mean dingy, it can be understated elegance at it's finest.

{image: la belle vie}

Magical Beauty

i spotted this magical wedding on Eat Drink Chic last week--isn't it just beautiful?  Jonathan Ong was the talent behind these stunning images and Georgeous styled the amazingly lush decor for the wedding.

Gown Friday!

it would seem many designers are finding their inspiration from nature, specifically gardens, and Rivini's fall 2011 collection is no exception.  Monet's famous garden in Giverny gave designer Rita Vinieris the vision for her stunning line of bridal gowns.  there were both literal and abstract interpretations of flowers, including an entire skirt fashioned into over-sized blossom made of voile organza and stunning asymmetrical pleats replicating the intricate designs of a rose itself.  this has to be one of my favorite collections from Rivini!

{images:  brides.com}

Loving...

you guys like mums?  ooh, i do!  they are the perfect flower to create bunches of color for an autumn wedding!

{image: design sponge}

Ellen Himic Jewelry

i'm not much of an accessories girl.  not because i don't like them, oh no, it's rather due to the fact i can never find exactly what i'm looking for.  it's easy to pick up a trendy piece at Forever 21 or The Limited, but when it comes to investing in a good pair of earrings or a classic necklace that i can wear any day or evening i'm always at a loss. but i must admit the newest collection from Ellen Himic Jewelry has proven me otherwise.  her pieces are inspired by architectural elements found in basilicas and cathedrals giving her jewelry a sense of strong beauty and stunning individual style.  my favorite?  these beautiful Garland Stacking Bangles--gorgeous!

Mason Jar Lights

ever tried to fit a candle into a Mason Jar, light it, keep it lit and looking well through the night?  now you don't have to!  check out these great Mason jar solar lids from Treasure Again.  love this idea.  all their lids fit the vintage regular mouth jar you already have in your garage.  i love this vintage Mason jar chandelier and the Mason Jar party lights --can't you just seem them hung in a rustic old barn or lighting the way from the bough of overgrown trees in a field? 

Fresh Sponsor Spotlight: Alex and Alexa

Weddings Fresh would like to welcome AlexandAlexa.com as one of our new Fresh Sponsors!  created by the husband and wife team, Alex and Alexa, this site is dedicated to bringing you the world's best international children's designer clothing, shoes and accessories--boasting of luxury standards such as Burberry, Chloe and Ralph Lauren, as well as contemporary luxury kids brands Finger In The Nose, Muchacha and Bonnie Baby!  and new to this season are lines from new designers Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paul Smith and Phillip Lim as well as boutique toy collections.  there is no better place to find all you could ever dream of for your little man and princess!!

if you or your company is interested in becoming one of Weddings Fresh Fresh Sponsors please feel free to email me at dani@weddingsfresh.com for more details!  

Gown Friday: Oscar de la Renta

hi everyone!  today is the first time in a week i sort of feel normal.  this flu thing really got me good!!  after this it's going to be nothing but hand sanitizer and surgical masks for me--no more sickness...ha ha ha!  check out Oscar de la Renta's spring 2011 RTW collection.  just wonderful--voluptuous to straight and skinny--he just can't go wrong.  anyone up for a pastel wedding dress?  just checking...

{images: style.com & fashionologie}

Paper Acorn

gotta love these harvest decor pieces from Paper Acorn.  how irresistible are those acorn boxes??  you could hang them, give them as favors, use them as a place setting or table marker--so cute!!  check their Etsy site for more of their fun fall goods!

Showstopper

i love the contrast between the chunky wooden platform and gilded embellishments of sparkle and glitz on this Dolce & Gabbana heel...an hot accessory for any island destination bride--promised to be a showstopper no doubt!

{image:  Fashionologie}

Destination Homestead

this morning i'm recovering form a horrible virus i contracted thursday evening.  totally blindsided--didn't see it coming.  i had everything from a high fever, extreme body aches, chills and a lovely case of laryngitis. it was a wonderful weekend, let me tell you--i felt like i needed a chalk board around my neck with a piece of chalk to communicate to my husband!  with that said, hopefully it explains my non-dress Gown Friday with a saved post i had for this week...i really wanted to post something...but weren't those origami flowers amazing?

today i have this beautiful snippet from a wedding shot by One Love Photo.  if your a Pacific Northwest bride looking for a rustic, outdoor wedding venue you should check out all the breathtaking resources on Whidbey Island in Washington state.  it may be a trek from you Portland brides, as it is 2 hours north of Seattle, but you truly could make this a destination wedding that would give you guests a weekend to remember!  you can enjoy everything from award winning wine tasting to scuba diving in the Puget Sound, adventurous kayaking to lazy mornings at a quaint bed and breakfast.  it's an ideal getaway for any active Northwest couple. 

Origami Bouquets

my jaw dropped when i saw these handmade origami flower bouquets from My Bohemian Summer.  yeah, that's right, they're made out of paper!  unbelievable!  perfect trappings for gifts, bridesmaids, brides, friends--just make up a reason and you know it's a wonderful way to share these delicate works of art!

{images: My Origami Summer & Paper Crave}

Loving...

pure divine simplicity by Lisa Brown.  beautiful.

{images:  Lisa Brown and Follow Studio}

Wedding Cake Renewal

tired of the everyday, already been done wedding cake?  check out these art inspired confections from Martha Stewart Weddings--sweet with whimsy and edgy modern lines, but with just enough tradition to keep your most conventional guests happy.  i'm in love with the one above!  all of those beautiful frothy layers of whipped meringue enveloping marzipan peaches and pears make this quite a tempting decadent desert! what do you think, are you into a wedding cake renewal or do you like the tradition just the way it is?