Girlnextblog

Yes, yes, yes. We know that your dress is one of the most important parts of your wedding planning. But trust us, your lingerie is pretty important, too. You want to feel sexy and desirable on your wedding day. And, if you have some energy left over after it is all said and done, your groom will think that it's important, too. {Wink, Wink}

Our suggestion? Check out Made by Niki Lingerie. We love the unique styles that they have available. Channel your inner Cat Woman in one of the gorgeous pieces. You surely won't regret it.

Here are our favs:

You just have to love this adorable and whimsical headpiece by Kalivoda. If this doesn't make a statement, then we don't know what will! Available on their web site.

We know how incredibly important it is to choose the right wedding stationery. Discriminating brides know the same thing, too. It is so important to set the right tone for your wedding day. Your invitation does just that. Contrary to popular belief, it is much, much more than paper.

One stationer that understand how important invitations are to your wedding is Minted.com. They work with a number of talented designers. So there is definitely a range of modern wedding invitations from bright and colorful to vintage or floral to clean and modern and lastly, very traditional.

They offer three paper options: Signature Paper (Luxurious soft cotton texture, usually reserved for fine stationery. 120lb,), Premium Paper (Very thick paper with a smooth, matte finish. FSC-certified, 100% post-consumer waste manufactured with wind-power. 130 lb.), and Metallic (Adds a subtle shimmer finish and rich look to cards, and a soft glow to photographs, for the ultimate in elegance. Perfect for holiday cards, wedding stationery, and personal stationery. 98 lb.).

All wedding invitations are available in a variety of color options with several matching accessories, including save the date cards. You are sure to find an invitation design that will announce your special day in the right way. Here are five designs to consider:

VINTAGE LOVE: A MORE PERFECT UNION



MODERN: BOY MEETS GIRL



TRADITIONAL: SOIREE



FLORAL: SUMMER GARDENS



COLORFUL: SUMMER SUN

Gaylord National Resort Unveils Once-in-a-Lifetime Dream Wedding Offer with Gilt City DC and One Lucky Couple Will Save 40 Percent Off an All-Inclusive Waterfront Wedding at RiverView Terrace

National Harbor, Md. [February 8, 2012]—This Valentine season, Gaylord National Resort is maximizing the romance factor with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for engaged couples when they log-on to Gilt City today. In celebration of the most amorous time of year, the Washington, D.C. area’s acclaimed resort has partnered with Gilt Groupe's local lifestyle arm, Gilt City DC, to offer an all-inclusive, customized dream wedding – sealed with a kiss at an incredible 40 percent off the regular value.

Today, Gaylord National will present RiverView Terrace, the capital region’s newest premier outdoor waterfront venue, to Gilt City subscribers in search of the perfect location to tie the knot. The first couple to purchase this extraordinary offer – valid April 7, 2012 through March 31, 2013 (some black-out dates apply) – will be united in front of 150 of their closest family and friends at a breathtakingly beautiful riverside ceremony.

They will then experience a reception of supreme style and unparalleled service with creative fine-dining cuisine from Gaylord’s award-winning banquet team and exclusive, show-stopping features like a private fireworks display over the Potomac River – Gaylord’s signature “Kiss Goodnight.” A quality wedding venue for local brides.

Highly sought-after celebrity wedding planner Yifat Oren helps brides worldwide translate their concepts into reality with her masterfully produced and distinctively designed events. She has worked with everyone from Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka, and Christine and Kevin Costner.

On April 25th, Gilt City members are invited to spend an evening at an elegant in-store event with Yifat herself at Vera Wang’s glamorous, 3,500-square-foot flagship boutique. It's a night of sipping Champagne and tasting sweet treats, ending with a swag bag full of charming surprises to delight the most discerning of brides.

About the gowns: the Vera Wang styles filling this boutique are more breathtaking than any on the market.

About Yifat Oren: her advice is, in a word, brilliant. She is known for her impeccable style and unique ideas, and has planned celebrations for a variety of celebrities and discerning clientele; and she will be on hand to discuss your big day. Talk shop with her about fabric treatments, technical production, lighting, floral design, food styling and space planning: it's all fair game.

Purchase your tickets on Gilt City.
Tickets are being offered for $50 each and includes:

• Access for one to an exclusive bridal evening with Yifat Oren at Vera Wang


• Champagne


• Gift Bags


• Sweet Treats

April 25, 2011

6:00 – 8:00 pm

8445 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA, 90069

The Wedding Salon is thrilled to announce their first New York event of the year, April 27th at Manhattan Center Studios! They have some incredible names lined up including the legendary Sylvia Weinstock, Tao, Le Cirque, Vera Wang Wedgwood, St. Regis, Shawn Rabideau of Bethenny Getting Married & Bethenny Ever After, and many more.

There will be fantasy reception tables by David Tutera for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, the event will feature a Couture Fashion Show, Beauty Makeovers, Cocktails, Cake Tastings & fabulous goodie bags. Their vendors will be showcasing some of the biggest trends tied into the Royal Wedding as that will surely be on everyone’s minds that week. Brides will also have the chance to enter to win a Magical Honeymoon Giveaway from Secrets Resorts & Spas!

Readers of The Bridal Wishlist get a special discount on their tickets. Get your $15 tickets by using the promo code: BPNYP! Hope to see you there.

The season finale of DC Cupcakes has some drama in store for its viewers. Mom spills the beans about Katherine. But I can't tell you everything. You will just have to watch tonight on TLC at 10 pm EST. But here's a sneak peek.

One of the best things about bridal shows are that they always have some amazing caterers and bakeries around. I had delish cake pops at lil' Cutie Pops, who enchanted me with the red velvet cake pop. Dish Food & Events had a scrumptious cake pop that made me want to lick the stick. I also had a super yummy chocolate pop made by Kreated by Kristen who was putting her entrepreneurial stamp on the world. She totally created every single cupcake and all of her pops by herself (with a little help from her family). You go girl!

Here are some of the other folks who had something delish on their tables:

Ron Ben-Israel Cakes


Nine Cakes


Cake Alchemy

Here's the deal! On April 21st, some of DC's most fashionable babes will be competing to raise money for Becky's Fund, an organization that puts on a variety of programs in order to further its mission of preventing domestic violence. Bloomies will be donating 10% of all purchases during the event to Becky's Fund! So fab.

Yours truly, along with Kelly Collis (The City Shop Girl), Jennifer Barger (Washington Post), Kate Michael (K Street Kate), Holly Thomas (Washington Post), Elaine Mensah (FashionBS), Rachel Cothran (Project Beltway), and Pamela Sorensen (Pamela’s Punch) will be vying for the title "Washington's Top Artista." ArtJamz founder, Michael Clements, is putting our creativity to the test. ArtJamz will be supplying the artistic materials including a canvas, easel, paint and brushes. Our challenge is create a painting to match the season's hottest looks. At the end of the two-hour period, the audience will choose the winner.

So come on out and see who will be crowned "Washington's Top Artista!" I can pull together a fab outfit in minutes. But we will see if I can channel Jacob Lawrence or Wassily Kandinsky to pull this off!

Here are the deets:

Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase
5300 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

When: Thursday, April 21, 2011
Time: 6:30PM to 8:30PM


Hosted by: Bloomingdale’s Genki Media LLC, and Becky’s Fund
It's free and open to the public and you can register at Washington's Top Artista.

So walking around I stopped at Bridal Reflections NYC to see what they had new and interesting. This black gown stopped me in my tracks. It was stunning. I just kept thinking if I would have the nerve to wear a black dress to my wedding. If I did have the nerve, it would be this one.

One of my favorites events of the year (aside from Bridal Market) is NY Magazine Weddings event. Love it. I love going to these kinds of events because I am always hoping to meet wedding vendors who have totally pushed the envelope in order to give brides and grooms something fresh, new and modern. This event always has the best of the best in NYC. But was there anything new to talk about?

This year, New York Magazine totally upped the ante. There were some incredible vendors there. I saw a little bit of everything from a black wedding dress to wedding rings with your silhouettes to some fab reception decor. All the deets are coming today and tomorrow. Enjoy.

I totally love Tori and Dean. If you are going to put your whole life on television, make it real! You can not get more real than these two lovebirds. I love that they keep working it out no matter what. So I was so happy to hear that they have a new show called Tori & Dean sTORIbook Weddings, airing this Wednesday, April 6 from 10 p.m. – 11 p.m (EST/PST) on Oxygen.

Every episode, the two choose a couple who desperately need help and turn their so-so wedding into something fabulous. Tori works with the bride-to-be to help her make her dreams come true, no matter how crazy her ideas may be. While Dean helps the groom-to-be figure out exactly what he is supposed to be doing.

I got a chance to view the premiere episode and I loved it, of course. Tori and Dean meet Samantha and Steven who wanted to plan a wedding around their love for dogs. Quite naturally, a dog-inspired wedding makes so much sense as the pair who met online fell madly in "pug love." Tori and Dean spin the idea of “Pug Chic” décor into an amazing fun-filled event with a few surprises along the way.

Want to know more? I can't tell you anymore. You will just have to tune into Tori and Dean sTORIbook Weddings on Oxygen this Wednesday, April 6 at 10 p.m. (EST/PST) to find out what happens.

The photographer caught this bride at an amazing moment during her wedding day. Gorgeous. Photography by Unique Concepts Studio, Inc in Philadelphia.

Colorful Jordan Almonds have to be the easiest and most delicious wedding favor idea ever. First of all, they will totally dress up your table. Just be sure to use organza favor bags. Second, these delish goodies are available in red, pink, baby blue, green, orange, black, lavender, purple, white and ivory. Go ahead. Steal this idea. Available at Superior Nut.

Future Bridal Designers, here's your chance. Project Runway launched the career of local fav Christian Siriano. You could be next!!! Visit Bunim-Murray for all of the deets.

HauteLook is having a wedding sale this weekend for the budget-friendly. Get to shopping.

When you think about your dream gown, who is the designer? For me, it would have to be Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. This is my dream dress (at least for now).

The Inaugural Fit Night Out is almost here! Fit Night Out is an evening of fitness, fellowship and fun, designed especially for women. There will be fitness classes ranging from yoga and Zumba to channeling your inner kitten through belly dancing, ribbon dancing and pole aerobics. Yes, you read that right - pole aerobics.

Oh, it's not just about the fitness. This will be a true girls night out with specialty foods, beverages, and some much needed pampering. Grab your bridesmaids and work it out. It's all going down on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM at Love, 1350 Okie Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Proceeds from this event will go to a designated non-profit partner.

Get your fit on! Buy your tickets here.

In the DC area, we cannot wait for the Cherry Blossoms to bloom. We love it so much, we have a parade just to prove it. So of course, I am loving this cherry blossom letterpress invitation set by Chauhie.

Flowers really set the ambiance at your wedding reception. Especially when the flower design for your tables has some unexpected element to it. Flowers of the World has done some amazing work. I especially love the purple design. Fabulous!