bridal gowns
What To Do With Your Wedding Gown?
Now that you have made it down the aisle in your bridal gown and perhaps, you have also had a “rock the dress” photo session, what are you going to do with your bridal gown?
Some people have their wedding gowns preserved and place them in their closets or attics so that they can a) reminisce about wearing it each year when they do their spring cleaning, b) they wish to keep it, hoping someday their daughter may wear it down the aisle, and or c) they hope to be able to fit in it when their 10 year wedding anniversary comes around.
However, if you are like me, then you are not the type of person who would hold on to something that you probably will not wear again, not even to renew your wedding vows. If you are in this boat, there are a couple other options of what to do with your wedding gown after the wedding.
They are as follows:
- support a good cause by donating your wedding gown to Brides Against Breast Cancer, a non-profit organization that “grant[s] final wishes to women and men suffering from terminal breast cancer”
- sell it on Recycle Bride, the world’s largest wedding marketplace if you are looking to recoup a small percentage of your wedding expenses
- or, you can sell it and with the funds you earn, you can then donate that to a personal cause that you and your new husband both support
As you can see, I am all for using your bridal gown for a good cause in lieu of storing it in the back of your closet indefinitely. Something about preserving a wedding gown, gives me the creeps and makes me think of a casket (seriously). Have you seen those boxes they put them?
Happy Planning!
Photo from North Hills Raleigh
Read MoreBridal Looks: City Chic
Sophisticated. Elegant. Just Fabulous.
I first blogged about the 2011 “City Collection” by Pronovias last summer in this post. If you’re in love with and searching for a chic cocktail length wedding gown, you may want to check out this collection.
Read MoreBridal Looks: Vintage
I love, love, love this bridal look from Cabaret Vintage. It’s vintage, with a little twist. The cocktail length dress, its color, the bridal hat, and the shoes are fabulous. I stumbled across this gown design on the Toronto Wedding Society‘s website and I just had to post it for you brides who love all things vintage.
Timeless!
You can view more of these vintage gowns by clicking here. Get Inspired!
Read MoreCynthia Bailey’s Haute Couture Wedding Gown
One thing I am a strong proponent of is brides doing things in their own signature and that is exactly what Mrs. Cynthia from the Real Housewives of Atlanta did when it came to her haute couture wedding gown designed by Rubin Singer. Oh, I really love when brides are not afraid to step outside of the traditional box of white or off-white bridal gowns.
This platinum wedding gown is FIERCE!! Gosh, the gown itself can serve as inspiration for an entire event design.
What do you think about Mrs. Cynthia Thomas’ bridal gown? Could you…would you…did you wear a wedding gown that is not any variation of white, whatsoever?
Photo 1 and 2: Brides.com
Photo 3: Uptown Magazine
Read MoreThe Bridal Fashion Accessory for 2011
Inspired by the St. Erasmus jewelry collection?
I am captivated by the jewelry line, especially the necklaces. In fact, I predict this year that stylish brides will be go above and beyond with their bridal gown accessories, specifically by making a big statement by adorning their neckline with magnificent pieces of art — haute couture necklaces.
I first blogged about haute couture necklaces when I featured the work of another jewelry designer last summer after seeing her work featured on the cover of the summer issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings and since, I have become more enamored with vintage-inspired necklaces.
The St. Erasmus Jewelry collections are designed by Pieter Louis Erasmus and his designs are “Steeped in cross cultural inspiration from the textures of the African landscape and India…” and most famously worn by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Featured below is a necklace from his current collection for Winter 2011, which is inspired by the character, Holly Golightly from the film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s played by Audrey Hepburn.
Read MoreThe collection harks of an era of forgotten grace, elegance and romance – keeping up appearances and eternal glamour. With an intense colour palette of dark greys, clear crystal and reflective silver hematite surfaces, the range draws upon classic vintage styling and effortlessly unites this with bold impactful silhouettes. Featuring multifaceted glossy, matte and iridescent surfaces and textures and building abstract oversized pieces, the ST•ERASMUS Autumn/Winter collection… [is] a true style statement in the volatile ultra-modern era.
Every Girl Needs a Pair of Glamorous Pumps
I was just flipping through the December issue of O, The Oprah Winfrey Magazine and this glamorous shoe (featured on page 119 along with some other glittery glam shoes) caught my eye . Can you say gorgeous?
These “new york charm slingback pumps” are by none other than the fabulous Kate Spade and you can find them at one of my favorite places to shop, Nordstrom.
Read MorePronovias’ 2011 – The City Bridal Collection
These bridal gown designs are so alluring. Adorn with feathers and brooches with stones, a wedding gown from Pronovias’ 2011 City Collection are bound to make a fashion statement and captivate you sophisticated brides.
I am loving the feathers against the organza fabric on this wedding gown as well as the short lengths of each of these bridal gowns.
It seems that fashion designers are getting more creative with the short wedding gowns each season. While I have yet to work with a bride who has sported a short wedding gown, I am glad that some brides are embracing them.
To view more of Pronovias’ 2011 wedding gown collection, please click here.
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