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A few months ago I wrote about the trouble I had finding the perfect bridesmaids dress.  Many dresses later, an off the rack BCBG dress was the winner.  After finding the dress, I decided on a bouquet of light and dark pink tulips for the ladies.  I thought the pink would really pop off the navy blue.

With the bouquets and dresses in place I was able to think about completing their look with shoes and jewelry.

One of my bridesmaids found the great shoes below, so jewelry was the only item left.

I had decided early on I wanted to get the jewelry for my bridesmaids as a gift.  On a recent trip to Nordstrom I spotted some great Kendra Scott earrings but the colors were not quite right.  A quick visit to her web site and I scored big.  On Kendra Scott’s web site you can actually custom create the jewelry by first selecting gold or silver and then the gem colors.

I have included two screen shots of the earrings and bracelet I created for my ladies.  If you are stumped in finding jewelry for your bridesmaids or yourself I encourage you to check out the web site and try your hand and creating a custom design.

Well, if you are as in awe as I am, then you are in luck because Love Couture Bridal is hosting a trunk show this weekend!

If you need a little more eye candy to get through this dreary day, then here are even more lovely Sareh Nouri designs to enjoy…

Photography: Moshe Zusman; Make Up: Makeup By Nour Kazoun for Madeupart; Hair: Bridal Hair by Remona

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I have to confess I am a shoeaholic, so it should come as no surprise to those who know me that I have spent numerous hours online viewing potential wedding day shoes.

For some brides, shoes are one of the last items they think of, almost as an after thought.  Not for me.  I think the shoes are a key part of your overall wedding look and there are so many decision, color or no color, heel or wedge, strappy or peep toe…I could go on and on.

Instead of going on and on, I have compiled my favorite finds ranging from the more traditional pink and ivory BHLDN pairs to the preppy and colorful Kate Spade and J. Crew pairs.  I’ve saved mine to share at a later date as part of my overall look.  In the meantime I hope these spark some inspiration for you.

Credit: BHLDN

Credit: Kate Spade; Kate Spade; J. Crew 

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What: Lela Rose Bridal Trunk Show at Hitched

When: Friday, January 20^th & Saturday, January 21^st

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com

Details & Perks: At the trunk show, you’ll have the opportunity to try on the latest Lela Rose gowns [hot off the runway!], as well as the chance to chat with a representative from the company about options for customization. As a special treat, they’ll be offering a 10% discount on all gowns purchased during the trunk show!

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I love Punk Rock Bride because it is D.C. based and unique!  Designer Stephanie Ward takes a specialized approach to design by incorporating non-traditional fabrics and mixing multiple layers to add texture and depth to every design. While maintaining very simple, classic silhouettes to flatter every figure, with a focus on the details, Punk Rock Bride gives brides a comfortable, unique option for their wedding day. Yay for Punk Rock Bride!

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When most people think of a wedding party they think bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen, but that leaves out the cutest part of a wedding party – the flower girl(s) and ring bearer.  James and I will have 3 flower girls, Emma, Kate and Tess; and 1 ring bearer, Jackson.  They are all siblings and we can’t wait to see them decked out for the wedding.

Once we had decided on colors and bridesmaid dresses, I was able to move on to outfitting my flowers girls and ring bearer.  Emma is the eldest girl at 8 years old and Kate and Tess are 3.  With the age difference, I thought it would be nice to have Emma wear a more “grown up” dress that showcased her head flower girl position.

Luckily, our color scheme of navy blue and pink lends itself to endless options for the flower girl dresses.  I started my search at Nordstrom and found Emma’s dress instantly, a gauzy white dress with a pink bow and pink petals.  For Kate and Tess, I found a pretty pink dress with an empire waist and a full skirt.

Not to be outdone by the girls, Jackson will also turn heads at the wedding.  For a cute ring bearer I love the idea of a bowtie like the one below from Brooks Brothers.  Paired with a summer suit like this one from Tom and Drew, he just may steal the show from the girls!

Tell us a little bit about Love Couture Bridal.  What makes it a unique place for brides to shop?

Love Couture Bridal offers over 13 different wedding gown designers that range for subtle and simple to head turning show stoppers.  Our new showroom offers an elegant and modern space that makes you feel like you have stepped away from all of the wedding planning stress and can calmly focus on the most important  garment you will purchase, your wedding gown.

We pride ourselves on our special one on one service, lengthy appointment times and being able to service the bride and her wedding party with everything from accessory’s to alterations.

What trends do you predict for both brides and bridesmaids in the upcoming season?

I have been noticing a trend towards lace combined with very soft fabrics like silk tulle and chiffon.  Belts and textured skirts are still very important.   For bridesmaids I am loving the new print fabrics that the designers are providing. It is such a fun way to make the made of hour’s gown a bit more special.

What is one piece of advice you can offer to brides about to begin the dress search?

Trust your personal style but do not be afraid to experiment.  Make sure your gown is made of quality fabrics and that it offers an exceptional fit. Fit is everything!

Do you have any style tips for the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom for the big night?

Mother’s of the wedding should not feel cornered into wearing a certain color. I believe that they should select a color that is flattering to them while complimenting the wedding hues.

With an amazing color palette, flowing chiffon, gorgeous charmeuse and the most lovable lace you ever did see, it is no wonder that everyone is smitten over Joanna August’s new line, “Ceremony.”

So, contact Lacey at Bella Bridesmaid to make your appointment for their upcoming trunk show, from November 17th – 20th. Happy shopping!

One particularly beautiful line that we cannot wait to get our hands on over here at District Weddings is the Theia collection, which can be found at the exquisite Georgetown boutique, Carine’s Bridal Atelier…

The Theia collection is named after the Greek Goddess of Light. It was designed to bring out a woman’s inner Goddess through the finest fabrics, embroideries and silhouette. The ML Evening collection is an exquisite extension of Monique Lhuillier’s style. When asked about the line the designer said, “this is an important milestone for me – to bring my design sensibility to a larger demographic of women who seek glamorous, modern evening wear.”

The ML Evening collection offers gowns and cocktail dresses featuring Monique’s signature touches such as lace, embroidery, and draping. Both lines boast a wide range of pieces for many different styles and events.

From lace to beaded and embellished gowns, with these dresses the holiday season is sure to be filled with striking textures and shimmery metalics. Whether you are headed to a winter gala or you are the mother of the bride at a black tie affair, the season’s latest trends are to die for!

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After finding my own dress, the hardest wedding style decision was choosing dresses for my two bridesmaids.  That’s right, two bridesmaids.  I can’t even imagine having to consider and please 5 or 6 bridesmaids with a dress choice!  Yes, I realize it is my wedding and the choice is mine, but who wants miserable bridesmaids?  After a few “almosts” I recently stumbled upon a great dress for my girls.

Here are a few tips and highlights from my experience…

Think Outside the Box: If you have a large bridal party this may be tricky, but for brides with fewer maids, think about looking at the dress department in your favorite stores.  Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and BCBG have great dress selections and bonus – some will be much lower priced than the standard bridesmaid dress.

If You Find It, Buy It: A few months ago, I came across a Monique Lhuillier dress on Nordstrom’s web site, and it was perfect (see above).  I hesitated, and a week later both the sizes we needed were sold out.  Nordstrom has a fantastic return policy and had I gone with my gut and ordered the dresses, returning them would have been easy.

Flowers, Shoes and Color Choice: Starting out I thought going with a light pink would be flattering on my blonde, fair-skinned bridesmaids.  As planning progressed, and I came to flower choices, I realized navy blue flowers would be hard to come by.  Also, what shoes would I pair with the pink dresses?  After some thought I realized, pink flowers would pop against a navy blue dress and discovered some great shoe choices (see above).

Maids Style: There is nothing worse than a girl uncomfortable in her dress.  It shows, in pictures, in her confidence and the worst –it shows as she tugs and pulls at her dress through out the ceremony.  While it is your day, take into account what your bridesmaids will be comfortable in.  A larger chested girl will appreciate straps and not everyone is comfortable in mini skirts.

And finally, have fun! Does the nail color of each bridesmaid really matter?  Let them show some individual style or buy their day of jewelry as a thank you gift.  Check out pictures of the almost ML dress (above), the final choice (top) and a few potential accessories my bridesmaids may wear down the aisle.