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.

Watch

Skin Deep - It's Botox for Bridesmaids

According to the following article in the New York Times, brides are gifting attendants with Botox treatments and spray tans. In some cases, they are demanding that their attendants go for (and pay for) tooth whitening procedures and cosmetic surgery. Is the quest for wedding day bliss going too far?

It’s Botox for You, Dear Bridesmaids

By ABBY ELLIN
Published: July 24, 2008

AFTER the band was chosen and the napkins color-coordinated to match her shoes, Kacey Knauer, a bride-to-be, had another critical matter to address: her skin, and the skin of the nine women in her bridal party.

Read it

Bridesmaid Video: A Brief Guide About Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids have been essential to the wedding for centuries. They share this exhilarating and rewarding experience with the bride from the courtship to the reception. The maids are the ones she can count on to perform timeless duties - from warding off evil spirits to keeping the groom on his toes!

The Dessy Group keeps you up to date on modern bridesmaid trends. As your celebration approaches, they are your source for great bridesmaid dresses, destination wedding gowns and flower girl dresses.

Have a look at the Dessy Bridesmaid Video: A Brief Guide About Bridesmaids, then shop for one of a kind maids dresses by Dessy and After Six in Scarlett's Closet.

Connecticut Sample Sale: The Plumed Serpent

Brides to be in or near Westport, Connecticut can save $$$ on high end couture bridal gowns on July 18 and 19 at The Plumed Serpent.

Sample wedding dresses include styles by Anne Barge, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Romona Keveza, Vera Wang and many other world famous bridal designers.

It's a once a year event for a once in a lifetime occasion at an oh so chic salon. (Well, okay maybe twice in a lifetime, but who's counting?)

The Plumed Serpent
295 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880