December 26, 2013

New Year Brings Back Timeless Wedding Trends in 2014

A new year means fabulous new wedding trends to look forward to, and this year, it’s all about the romance. Bridal Guide predicts that in 2014, brides will see a return to the classics, favoring soft, feminine colors like pale peach and nude tones, hints of gold to add some sparkle and sweeter, lusher and more heartfelt weddings all around.

According to Bridal Guide, pink is shyly making a comeback next year. Instead of bold and bright, brides will go for a softer vibe, choosing sweet and subtle shades to include in their color schemes.


Photo Credit: Picotte Photography

Metallics will be huge in 2014, but they won’t dominate color schemes. Just a touch of a metallic tone like gold can add a glamorous flair and complements almost any color scheme beautifully. Gold sugar stripes on wedding cakes, linens with gold thread and subtle, pale gold lampshades are already high on the trend list.

Photo Credit: Mango Studios


Silver and crystal centerpieces with lush, romantic flowers or candles will be another big trend in the coming year. According to Bridal Guide (link), they feel elegant and retro at the same time. Big, looping floral arrangements can make the otherwise formal feel of the vessel more friendly and welcoming.


Photo Credit: Ariella Chezar

December 23, 2013

Laura's Couture Collection Announces Simone Carvalli Trunk Show Jan. 3-5, 2014

Brides, you’re invited to experience elegant, feminine, sophisticated designer wedding gowns at our Simone Carvalli trunk show, Jan. 3-5, 2014. The event is by appointment only with limited space, so book your reservation early.


Style 90174. Elegant corded lace with fit and flare silhouette. (Photo: Simone Carvalli)



Simone Carvalli’s latest bridal collection emphasises a sophisticated silhouette, beautiful beading and Swarovski crystals with exquisite detail and contemporary applications of classic looks.

According to its website, “We dress for how we feel or for the image we want to portray at a given time. Looking beautiful and chic is important on your wedding day but, ultimately, wedding dresses should be a gateway to personal expression.”

These designs will be available to brides at the trunk show.
See more Simone Carvalli wedding dresses.

December 13, 2013

2014 Winter Wedding Trends

According to The Knot, this winter is all about the unexpected. The hottest trends take timeless, traditional elements and add in a dash of something something for a unique flavor. Natural, seasonal elements and classic, elegant details in neutral tones paired with sequins and sparkle make this winter shine.

See below for some of The Knot’s best winter wedding trends:

Winter Beauty Trends: Volume and Berry Lips


(Photo: The Knot)

Hairstyles with volume are hot for winter. Try a chignon with lots of volume or a ton of loose curls and a sparkly headband. Hint: A hairstyle like this pairs well with a slinky, body-hugging gown. In makeup, this season it’s all about a bold berry lip color (like a jewel-tone raspberry) paired with a neutral base. Define your cheekbones (it’s not just for runway models) with bronzer or blush to make your features stand-out amidst all that hair and give you a dewy, just-frolicked-in-the-snow color on your cheeks.



Winter Reception Trends: Velvet and Sequins


(Photo: The Knot)

Winter is the season to use lots of layers. This year, the hottest reception styles involve layering luxe textures like velvet table linens or sequin overlays. If that’s too much for your tables, use texture in smaller doses--think a velvet napkin wrap or embroidered velvet chair back. Woodland motifs like deer, antlers or branches make for an amazing centerpiece, especially when paired with a classic evergreen wreath, or even soft, dusty rose and ivory flower centerpieces.

Winter Flower Trends: Greenery and Non-Floral Elements


(Photo: The Knot)

Full white or ivory flowers accented with lots of greens are hot for winter. For a soft look, go for dusty sage green lamb’s ear (they’re actually leaves that feel velvety) or silvery dusty miller. For a more rustic style, ask your florist to use ferns or evergreen. Wintertime calls for lots of light and branches. Some branchy ideas: Curly willow, eucalyptus (it smells great) and even pepper berries are all seasonal and will add serious dimension to even the simplest arrangements.



December 6, 2013

David Tutera’s Fall & Winter Wedding Trends

There’s nothing wrong with tried and true traditions, but many modern brides are looking to add a little twist to their fall and winter weddings. David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner, bridal fashion designer extraordinaire and host of My Fair Wedding (which has featured Laura’s Couture Collection), gave Bridal Guide the dish on his favorite fall and winter wedding trends.

Check out a few of them below:

Bold Invitations

Ivory or cream-colored invites are taking a back seat to richly hued card stocks that express the couple’s vibrant personality and originality. Think bronze, copper, and golden hues; earthy blends of burgundy, sienna, and chocolate brown; and deep shades of purple. Black and white silhouettes are also gaining popularity.


Photo: Bridal Guide

Wardrobe Changes

Brides who want the best of both worlds will continue to wear not one, but two wedding gowns—an elaborate ball gown or form-fitting sheath for the ceremony and a shorter, sassier party dress to dance in at the reception. The latest trend, however, is to nix the party dress in lieu of a second glamorous gown. That’s two stunningly elegant and interchangeable ensembles.


Photo: Bridal Guide
Shocking-Blue Shoes

This one is for brides whose “something blue” refers to what they’ll wear on their feet. The hue of choice will not be a subtle powder blue or periwinkle but, rather, footwear in a more unexpected shade of teal, turquoise or indigo.
Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

Embellished Bouquets

Bridal bouquets will also get an upgrade with the addition of crystals, vintage brooches and other pieces of jewelry that transform personal flowers into gorgeous accessories. In addition, traditional blooms, such as roses, calla lilies and hydrangeas will be replaced by dramatic arrangements of wildflowers and fragrant herbs.
Photo Credit: Timecut Studios



November 22, 2013

Fall in Love With These Autumn Destination Wedding Venues

Bold, dramatic colors, fresh, sharp scents and brilliant fall foliage make autumn a popular time for couples to plan a destination wedding. Whether you want to go all out in a luxurious, castle-inspired venue or prefer a quiet ceremony surrounded by the natural world, you’ll fall in love with these top autumn destination wedding venues from Brides Magazine.



The Homestead - Hot Springs, Va.


(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of The Homestead)

Ornate curtains, rich upholstery and grand pillars make this masterpiece of Southern architecture a venue Scarlett O’Hara would die for. You and your significant other can exchange vows in quaint gardens, sprawling green lawns or a luxurious interior hall, and then relax in the resort’s mineral-fed hot springs pools.
Fees: Ceremony site fees range from $1,500 to $3,000; receptions cost approximately $175 per person including food, beverages,and wedding cake.



Gedney Farm - New Marlborough, Mass.


(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of Gedney Farm)

Experience the natural beauty of autumn firsthand in the charming spot at Gedney Farm. Don’t let the rustic exterior fool you, though. An elegant manor, spa and a horse and carriage ride await couples tying the knot at this retreat.

Fees: $5,000 site fee for fall weddings, which includes use of the property for an entire weekend. Reception wedding menus from $95 per person.




Blantyre - Lenox, Mass.


(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of Blantyre)



This elegant property built circa 1901 will make any bride feel like a character straight out of a Jane Austin novel. 22 uniquely decorated bedrooms, a carefully arranged picnic lunch and hot air balloon rides over the beautiful fall countryside add the perfect touch to a romantic wedding.

Fees: Couples will have to arrange details and fees with the hotel.






Thanksgiving Wedding Inspiration

Thanksgiving is a holiday for gathering with friends and family and celebrating the best parts of life. It’s no mystery why it’s a popular time for couples to tie the knot. Rich seasonal food, warm fall colors and natural accents like twigs and velvety autumn leaves can make a Thanksgiving wedding shine.

If you want a unique Thanksgiving wedding, The Knot has you covered. See below for some of their inspirational Thanksgiving wedding ideas.

Invites and Save the Dates
One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a holiday-centric wedding is that many friends will want to spend the holiday with their own families. The way to overcome this is to send out your Save the Dates as soon as you possibly can! Thanksgiving weddings, though, do offer the additional bonus of most of your guests already having time off of work for the holiday.


Location
Thanksgiving is the epitome of autumnal beauty, so choosing either an outside venue—or a venue that can give you plenty of gorgeous fall landscapes—is the way to go. The rich fall colors, the bounty of fallen leaves, and the forgiving temperatures of fall, all make for a perfect outdoor wedding.


Décor
Let nature dictate the décor for your ceremony and reception! Think of woodsy and rustic themes, allowing yourself to be inspired by trees, feathers, bird’s nests, and fallen leaves. Stay away from cheap Thanksgiving decorations: no miniature cornucopias or turkey designs cut out of construction paper. Evoke the meaning of the season by placing decorative and rustic chalkboards around the venue, allowing people to write down what they are most thankful for. If you are opting for an outdoor wedding, have the chalkboards perched in the middle of the tables. You want your ceremony and reception to look easeful and natural, almost as if it’s an enchanted autumnal forest. Having an elaborately decorated and stuffy reception just doesn’t suit the meaning of Thanksgiving.


Food
Food is the highlight of Thanksgiving, so make sure that your food is the highlight of your reception! You can always choose a more traditional Thanksgiving meal to serve your guests, or, if you’re concerned that your guests will already have had their fill of turkey from their own Thanksgiving celebrations, you can always serve traditional family dishes with a twist—Gruyere mac and cheese with bacon, apple stuffed pork chops, bourbon chocolate pecan pie, etc. Garnish your wedding cake with a few autumnal touches, and place it atop a tree stump cake stand.
Flowers
Don’t be afraid to branch out (pun intended) from using exclusively flowers in your bouquet or centerpieces. Acorns, branches, and fall leaves can all make gorgeous additions to any flower arrangement.



November 11, 2013

Victor Harper Bridal Gown Trunk Show Nov. 15-16, 2013

All Kansas City and Midwest brides are invited to attend Laura’s Couture Collection’s Victor Harper Bridal Gown Trunk Show Nov. 15-16, 2013! Experience all of the gorgeous, elegant and sophisticated dresses from this legendary luxury wedding dress designer. The trunk show is by appointment only and space is limited, so make your reservation soon.




See the latest Victor Harper designs. (Photo: Victor Harper)

According to the designer's website, the dresses are “inspired by the musings of feminine sophistication, elegance and sensuality, the Victor Harper Collection weaves together glamour, refinement and drama in perfect silhouettes to mold and flatter the body.”

In addition, the designs in the collection offer wedding dresses in exclusive fabrics including mikado and organza. All of these will be available to Kansas City brides at the trunk show.


November 5, 2013

Fabulous Fall Weddings

Summer and spring weddings are splendid, but fall weddings are a class of their own. Rich and warm autumn colors, cool, fresh air outside and stunning fall fashion trends make autumn the perfect season to have a wedding.


According to Laura Mease, owner of Laura’s Couture Collection, “Brides feel their prettiest in the fall! They still have a healthy glow from summer and are at their thinnest between summer and the winter holidays. It’s also a great time to spend with family and friends.”


Check out the top five reasons to love fall weddings from Bridal Guide:


5. The food! Think apple cider signature cocktails, a delicious soup course and donuts for dessert.
Photo Credit: Photo by: Armando Rafael on Tinsel & Twine via Lover.ly


4. It’s the perfect time to wear your favorite boots under your wedding dress.



3. You can create gorgeous décor on the cheap — crunchy leaves, votives, and beautiful branches all make lovely decorations. Plus, they're more budget-friendly than flowers.



2. Because of the way engagement rings sparkle in the fall sun.



1. The romance of this season is undeniable.