Girlnextblog

While you definitely want your dress to be a big hit at your wedding, you without a doubt have to have jaw-dropping decor at your reception (and great food and music, too). You want your guests to feel like they have just been whisked away to paradise for a few hours. So finding the right company that can turn your vision a reality is so important.

I have quite a few favs from the NY Magazine Weddings Show. Tantawan Bloom always amazes me. But I also totally loved Shiraz Events, City Iris, Scoop & Co, and Zak Events. But was blown by the portable fireplace by Taylor Creative.

Shiraz Events


Taylor Creative


Zak Events


Scoop & Co.


Tantawan Bloom


City Iris

Sadly for me, I missed the chance to meet Ivanka Trump when she came to DC a few weeks ago when she visited to debut Ivanka Trump Footwear. So I was ecstatic to see that they had a booth. So I finally got to see her line up close and personal. Oh joy! Her shoe line is fabulous. I loved everything. Seriously, everything - even the glamorous sandals for your aching feet.

Not only did she design a fab line of shoes, but she did us a favor. She kept the prices very reasonable. Her line ranges from $60.00 to $180.00. So you don't have to break the piggy bank in order to have a pair of amazing shoes on your wedding day and she has great flats for you to slip into at your reception.

You can get Ivanka Trump Footwear here, here and here.

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.

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.

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!

What: Edible Arrangements®, the pioneer and leader in artistically designed fresh-fruit displays and chocolate dipped fruit, invites your readers to visit their newly redesigned wedding website and enter to win a FREE banquet size arrangement for their wedding related festivities. Brides-to-be can submit their stories and share why Edible Arrangements should be a part of their wedding celebration. The winner will be chosen at the end of April and will receive a Delicious Party® arrangement with dipped strawberries.

When: Monday, March 14th thru Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Where: Online at Edible Arrangements’ Wedding Website

Who: Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in artistically designed fresh fruit displays and chocolate dipped fruit.

About Edible Arrangements: Edible Arrangements International, Inc. is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements has been ranked first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking for the past five consecutive years. With over 1,000 locations operating or opening soon worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong, India and Jordan. Customers may order arrangements by telephone at 1-877-Do-Fruit, at one of the company’s retail stores, or on-line at EdibleArrangements.com.

Isn't this so cute and dainty? Available at Pere Custom Bags.

NEW YORK MAGAZINE WEDDINGS EVENT TO KICK OFF
BRIDAL SEASON AT NYC’S METROPOLITAN PAVILION


WHAT: An evening filled with the most creative and stylish wedding service providers to give New York brides-to-be a one-stop resource for the big day. The New York Weddings Event kicks off bridal season by gathering the industry’s top talents and over 100 vendors, from the city’s best jewelers, caterers, and photographers, to the most sought-after gown designers, venues, and planners. The event covers every aspect of planning a NYC wedding, straight from the pages of New York magazine’s Summer 2011 Weddings issue, on newsstands March 22nd.

Highlights include:

· Inspired stationery ideas from Alpine Creative Group
· Dresses from Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier and Kate Spade
· Bridesmaid fashions from twobirds bridesmaid
· Accessories to complete the look from Monvieve
· Dance tips from NY Wedding Dance and Bovard New York Dance
· Cake tastings from Ron Ben-Israel Cakes and Cake Alchemy
· Gift registry ideas for everything the newlyweds need at Bed Bath &
Beyond and Newlywish

WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
New York City

WHEN: Wednesday, March 30th
5 – 8 PM


Special online offer: $40 for 1 ticket / $60 for 2 tickets at New York Magazine Weddings

Limited tickets will be available at the door.

OMG! I love this wreath. It is made primarily from recycled materials. Perfect for door of your ceremony site or for your reception site. Available at Saint Bashes.

Bridal lovelies, you know that I am well aware that after standing in your heels for the ceremony and pictures, you want something comfortable and elegant to slip into for the reception. I know you want to dance like it's 1999! TOMS has your answer.

The infamous footwear company has just released a wedding collection of very chic and sensible shoes in the TOMS style sure to make your footsies feel good. These fab shoes come in five metallic options including white, pink, baby blue, black and ivory. There are TOMS for the guys, too! View the entire TOMS wedding collection.

OUI for MATTISON is the launch of a series of sophisticated bridal trunk shows focused on the Country Club Bride & Groom and held at the most prestigious Country Clubs around the country.

The first stop in the OUI for MATTISON series is the Jasna Polana Tournament Players Club in Princeton, New Jersey. TPC Jasna Polana has recently been made available for wedding bookings through Deborah L. Lynch and the MattisonNetwork.com. The OUI for MATTISON luxury bridal showcase for the Country Club Bride & Groom not only presents entry into this regal mansion location, but brings together cutting edge options and resources for designing a luxury wedding.

Known for her edgy and exciting events, Deborah L. Lynch founder of MattisonNetwork.com has arranged for each of the luxury vendors to transform the rooms of this New Jersey mansion venue with wedding theme and set designs. Every season and luxury wedding detail imaginable will be on display and woven throughout the rooms of the mansion.

The Grooms can relax in the Men's Lounge where products, fashions and services 'for men only' will make them feel right at home while The Brides investigate each of the rooms and feast their eyes on ideas beyond their imagination.

The bridal fashions will include the OUI for MATTISON by Malan Briton wedding gown, which appeared as the grand finale to designer Malan Briton's Fall 2011 Collection during New York Fashion Week plus one lucky bride attending the show will receive a custom couture wedding gown valued at $10,000 which will be custom made just for her compliments of Thurin Atelier.

To Make Your Reservations, Call: (855) 683-8299

Oh! Em! Gee! I adore Vera Wang as you know from my recent post, Bride & Groom Unveiled & Vera Wang. So you know that I was so looking forward to viewing her new collaboration with David's Bridal, White by Vera Wang, up close and personal.

Vera Wang did not disappoint. Let me just say that they get an A+ on affordability. Dresses range from $600 to $1400. Yes, starting at $600... you read that right. I know that you have felt the material of a $600 gown and it was not quite like a $6000 gown. That is not the case. The fabric of these amazing gowns is top notch. Not sure how Vera did it, but she did.

Not only is the fabric luxurious, but the designs are classic Vera Wang. There was organza and chiffon and lace and tulle wrapped with beautiful bows. There were one-shoulder, v-neck and strapless options. Guaranteed to please any bride with sizes from 0-14. My absolute favorite is the blush pink strapless organza gown. It made me want to get married again. View all of their very unique wedding dresses, including White by Vera Wang.

Here are a few of my favs:

The very stylish Sarah Jessica Parker is now the Chief Creative Officer of Halston Heritage and that is a good thing. She is the perfect person to protect the history and grandeur of the Halston brand. That is also good news for brides looking for bridesmaids dresses that are modern but still feel very vintage. This dress is from the latest Halston Heritage collection. See this one and more at Shopbop.

We love giveaways and this one is no exception. The fab jewelry line, Tacori is launching a fab and fun new game called the "Mating Game." So we are celebrating with them by giving away a gorgeous piece from the line for one of you bridal lovelies.

The Tacori "Mating Game"" is essentially TACORI’s take on the original "Dating Game" - where eligible bachelors and bachelorettes can play to find their perfect mate, and their perfect TACORI ring! Host Guy Goodall, the energetic and enthusiastic Brit with a cheeky and playful sense of humor alongside his sexy female co-host, Alexa Goodnight will walk you through a series of 5 witty “personality type” questions and answers, ending in the selection of a perfect Mate and TACORI Ring!

The game is super fun and interactive, with animated vignettes in French style line drawings set in a whimsical interior; truly a TACORI Blue experience. You just have to play to see how cute it is!




Okay ladies. I must have made this too hard. So let's change it up.

The Bridal Wishlist and Tacori are giving you a chance to win this gorgeous pearl bracelet from the Tacori IV line. To enter, comment on this post and tell me why you should win this gorgeous bracelet. Make sure you include your email address.

One person will be randomly selected on Tuesday at noon. You will be notified via email.

Good luck Bridal Lovelies!

Play the Tacori “Mating Game”

Something big is happening over at Style Me Pretty. You can now create your very own wedding inspiration board.

With this inspiration board tool, you can design a board based on a favorite wedding, a simple photograph in Style Me Pretty's gallery of over 130,000 images, a unique color palette, a fabulous dress in their Look Book, and from just about every page on SMP's wedding design based blog. With a super simple drag and drop option, resizing abilities, a color picker and a handful of other unique traits, readers can perfect their board until they feel that it best represents their own unique vision. They can start one today, save it for later, then finish it up when the inspiration starts flowing again.

Taking the tool one step further, you can upload your own images that you have saved along the way in your quest to craft the perfect wedding, then share your boards with friends, family and most importantly, their wedding vendors, using pre generated short URL's ideal for applications like Twitter. Add to that built-in Facebook sharing tools and an ability to email, print and embed boards into blog posts and you have a tool that is setting the standard for blending technology with bridal style.


To use the tool, head on over to Style Me Pretty and click on the button (shown above) and get started. Have fun!

The market is very saturated with wedding dress options. A great deal of the dresses resemble one another. So why not have a custom gown made? I love these options from love, june. I especially love the one on the top left-hand corner. She calls her gowns "vintage-inspired, sustainable glamourous gowns." I agree. Visit her site for more information.

I am not a big fan of flip flops but I do know how much your feet can hurt after a long wedding day. So I love this option for a summer wedding. So cute, right? Available at OKA b.

Someone emailed me recently to ask where she could get a particular flower girl dress from a post. It was made by Beane and Company. So I decided to go back and check to see what they have available now. This is such a cute dress. I love the big green sash. There are some other cute options there. Check them out.