Will Recession Spoil the Cinderella Wedding

The New York Times reports that the downturn in spending is causing Cinderella brides to downsize their dream wedding.

Recession? Time to Slash the Flower Budget
By NINA REYES
Published: December 21, 2008

As the financial condition of the country worsens, the wedding industry, so long considered recession-proof, is seeing fairy-tale weddings stripped of their sprites, their sparkle.

Read it

Has fear of the economic downturn caused you to rethink your wedding budget? Do tell.

News Flash! Carolina Herrera Sample Sale

Carolina Herrera Private Sale

Friday, December 19 through Monday, December 22

9:00 am to 6:30 daily

317 W. 33rd Street

(Just off of 8th Avenue)

More Carolina Herrera in Wedding Style or the runway show of the Caroline Herrera Spring 2008 Collection in New York Mag.

ooo la la.

h/t: The Bride's Guide: Ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings

Blue Christmas: The Sapphire Engagement Ring

"Will you marry me?"

According to TheKnot.com, 40 percent of all brides hear this question between November and February.

This makes the diamond engagement ring a popular gift at Christmas; however the trend nowadays is toward the non-diamond bling including the sapphire engagement ring.

None other than Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer may have set this trend in motion in 1981.

Given a selection of opulent rings from which to choose, Lady Diana picked an oval sapphire engagement ring that weighed 18 carats and was surrounded by 14 small diamonds in an elegant cluster setting.

It could be purchased from an upscale jeweler for a mere 28,000 British pounds, or the equivalent of $65,000 (at 1981 exchange rates).

Despite how this turned out, the sapphire engagement ring has continued to gain popularity.

“People want to buy rarity and value. They want diamonds and color gemstones that are not easy to replace,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of Christie’s North America jewelry department. He remarked about a recent sale of a cushion-shaped “blue velvet” sapphire. The 42.28 carat, rare color ring sold at nearly $3.5 million.

The sapphire comes from the Corundum family which includes the ruby. It is considered second in hardness to diamonds. The sapphire is symbolic of faithfulness.


Will this year be a blue Christmas for you?

Winter Weddings: Think Outside the Black

Jingle bells usher in winter weddings, holiday parties and the perennial question, what to wear. Think outside the little black dress this year.


Sparkle

Snowflakes. Diamonds. Crystals. Nothing says winter like sparkle on your ears, in your hair, around your waist.

Christos Bridal Dress ~Style Sienna.

Take me there





Color

Red. Green. Coral? Why not? Who's going to look at those little black crows when you show up in a color that sizzles.




After Six 6196 Red Strapless Party Dress with Pencil Skirt

Take me there










Alvina Valenta 9680 Green Chiffon Halter Evening Dress

Take me there

Bari Jay 247 Coral Charmeuse Halter Evening Dress with Bandeau Top


Take me there







Winter White

All heads turn toward sophisticated winter white.

Montage 16940 Winter White Evening Dress with Lace Topper

Take me there







Berry

Cranberry. Wineberry. Holly. Deep rich tones make dramatic entrances at any elegant affair.

Watters & Watters 2612 Wineberry Silk Halter Tea Length Party Dress


Take me there



Whatever you wear, make merry!

Oscar de la Renta: Here Comes the Bride 2009

The fabulosa Oscar takes the couture bride on a fantastic voyage of new glam and old tricks.

Contrast the avante garde silhouette of white duchess satin one shoulder cascading ribbon bridal gown above with the retro waltz down memory lane of this silk shantung pantsuit below.

Chacun a son gout.

More from Oscar de la Renta here.

Meet Maggie Sottero

While famous bridal designers such as Amsale Anberra, Christos and Vera Wang make headlines in the world of high fashion, other couture designers make bargain savvy brides very happy.

Maggie Sottero Bridal is one of these designers.

Maggie Sottero is among the most recognized bridal gown designers in the world. The company has been a recipient of a number of bridal industry awards, including six DEBI Awards, nine Desert Rose Awards, two DIVA Awards, and three Dallas Rose Awards, as well as numerous additional nominations.

Media hype aside, we note that three themes consistently distinguish Maggie Sottero bridal dresses from other designs: bold color, frank sex appeal and utter femininity.

Here are three dresses that recently caught our eye.



Maggie Sottero Ivana

Nobody dares to dream a bridal dress in color like Maggie Sottero.

From sultry "Ivana" ripe with burgundy touches to stunning "Aurora" rich in frosted brown, Maggie Sottero consistently extends the couture palette for brides to be.

Take me there

Maggie Sottero Suzanne

Maggie Sottero bridal dresses stretch the limits of sex appeal from the faintly sensuous to the boldly provocative.

The strapless bustier bodice of "Suzanne" is a gorgeous example.

(This regular feature of Maggie Sottero bridal dresses also helps ensure a wonderful fit through the bust and waist with the need for less tailoring.)

Take me there





Maggie Sottero Tuscana Vidal


Even when pushing the limits of just how much skin a bride should reveal, Maggie Sottero styles remain utterly feminine.

Like Tuscana Vidal, they are graceful not gauche.


Take me there







Best of all, Maggie Sottero offers the utmost in affordability without sacrificing an inch of couture style. Retail prices on Maggie Sottero wedding dresses range from $600 to $1600.

Visit the Maggie Sottero website here to find a Maggie salon in your area.

To snag a sample on sale, have a look at our Maggie Sottero collection.

Project Runway: Here Comes the Bride

In the next to last installment of Project Runway, the final four contestants squared off in a competition to design a wedding gown and bridesmaid dress. Which look could you wear?


Jerrell goes over the top in a dark ivory strapless princess a-line wedding dress with richly jeweled bust.


Kenley takes you on a flight of fantasy in a strapless tea length wedding dress embellished in feathers and anchored by sneakers.


Leann demonstrates a delicate touch with an ivory strapless bridal dress with cuffed neckline and daring silhouette.

Korto works magic into a sleeveless mermaid bridal dress with both fit and flare.