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.

Wedded Bits: Passport 101

Destination wedding? Find out all you need to know about getting a passport well in advance of your departure.

Passport 101

Wedded Bits: Barbie Still Has It

From left: Dan Lecca, Courtesy of Mattel

Barbie always had everything—the coolest car, the hottest guy, the most beautiful house, and of course, the best clothes. While you might be a little past playing with dolls, it seems like Barbie has grown up right along with you, and again, has it all. The Romanticist, the new Barbie doll from Mattel's Vera Wang Bride collection is dressed in a strapless, mermaid style gown with lace-like accents giving it a chic, Mexican fiesta vibe. And where did Ms. Wang get her inspiration for the gown? Her own bridal collection we assume. If you want to dress just like Barbie, try Vera Wang's Audrey dress. The strapless mermaid gown is fused with Chantilly lace appliques and a pleated organza fan-tiered skirt. Prices range from $10,000-$13,000, but for around $150 you buy own your own miniature version at barbiecollector.com. —Cari Wolfert

Wedding Wisdom: When purchasing collectibles, make sure to keep everything in the original packaging. Removing it will lessen the value.

http://www.brides.com/blog/weddedbits/102/2008/09/2628/barbie_still_has_it.html

Vera Wang Dresses for Maids & Moms

Just off the runway - evening gowns and party dresses
by Vera Wang, the Queen of all things chic.

Vera Wang Dresses for Maids, Moms & Best Dressed Guests

Is Purple the New "Black?"

Jamie Lynn Sigler of Soprano's fame predicts a lot of purple for fall.

It's rich. It's regal. It's dark without being dreary. And it's perfect for fall and winter weddings.

Purple Facts

Since the days when only the rich could afford it and only the Roman upper echelon were permitted to wear it, the color purple has been associated with affluence, supremacy, dominance and magnificent opulence.

Amethyst, the purple gemstone, is associated with spirituality, mystery and pacification. It protects its wearers from getting too intoxicated with alcohol.

Also worn to make the wearer gentle and amiable, amethyst powers include: dreams, healing, peace, love, spiritual upliftment, courage, happiness and protection against thieves.

And unlike black, the many shades of purple offer the bridesmaid and best dressed guests a vibrant palette - from inky deep Parma violet, warmer purples through mauve to tonally related puce and magenta (Tyrian purple.)

Happily, both silver and gold look good against purple and it seems to suit blonds, redheads and raven tressed women alike.

So before you snag that "little black dress" this fall, have a look at the color purple.

Designer Bridal Dresses: The Second Time Around

"Love is lovelier... the second time around," goes the song that has been covered by everybody from Frank Sinatra to the Goo Goo Dolls.

Given that almost half of all weddings are second marriages for either bride or groom, this old standard is a oft heard refrain. Listen here.

Is the bride's dress lovelier as well?

The beauty of the second wedding is a woman's freedom from convention.

"Been there, done that, doing this my way" is the guiding principal for everything from the wedding march to her dress. Still pastel and ivory are top choices for color and simple, elegant styles reign supreme the second time around.

Here are a few ideas in Scarlett's Closet that make our cut.




Cameron Blake Style 13660 champagne silky crepe and silk chiffon two piece sheath and matching jacket offers an elegant and graceful silhouette to the not so blushing encore bride.

Take me there










Full length palazzo pants with a beaded side split sex up a dressy pantsuit in lavender silk chiffon by Cameron Blake.


Take me there.







A smart tailored silk shantung jacket and gown trimmed in pearls and lace by Alyce JDL Boutique suits the sophisticated Cinderella.


Take me there








Slimming styles such as Maggie Sottero "Chicago" gold stretch satin bridal dress - cut on the bias - are also favored.


Take me there




By contrast, many encore brides are happily wedded ladies who are renewing vows.

These fortunate women may indulge their Cinderella fantasy by wearing the ball gown they could not afford the first time they waltzed up the aisle.


Sposa St. Pucchi Z230 in ivory silk organza wedding gown fulfills any woman's Cinderella fantasy with magical style and yards and yards and yards of skirt.

Take me there




Dressing to be married - again - is simple, really.

Select a wedding dress that both reflects your personal style and matches the tone of your wedding ceremony.

And while you're shopping, hum along: "I feel pretty... oh so pretty..." which has been covered by everyone from Marnie Nixon to Sarah Brightman.

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