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!

Carine, a total fashion show-stopper and owner of Carine’s Bridal Atelier, tells us what is out there and in style this upcoming season for evening wear…so very suitable MOB options!

The ML Evening collection (pictured above) 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.

The trends for Fall 2011 and this Holiday season feature brushed metallics and luxurious textures through laces and brocades. From pewter to soft bronze fabrics or re-embroidered lace to  fully beaded gowns, women are sure to be shining this coming season.

The Theia collection (pictured above) 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.

Since Mother’s Day was this past Sunday, I made sure that mom and I spent quality time together while visiting my Southern NJ home.  Throughout this wedding adventure, Mom has been super supportive about doing whatever I wanted to make this day special.  Other than helping me gather addresses and work on seating charts for the wedding, my parent’s only directives from me have been to show up, relax, and have a good time.  Oh – and don’t forget to get something to wear!

Since this is one of the biggest events in my life to date, I wanted to make sure that me and Mom looked and felt our best for my wedding.  I wanted to make sure she was able to focus on finding something that she not only liked, but felt comfortable in.  What I didn’t want to happen was for her to purchase something she didn’t like or wouldn’t ever want to wear again.

Photography Credit: Brides.com

When I asked her what she wanted to wear she simply replied, “Whatever you want me to wear.”  Not quite the answer I was looking for.  I tried again, “Mom, what kind of dress do you think you want.”  “Doesn’t matter” she replied.  None too pleased, I tried a different tactic.  I asked her to imagine what she would wear if she wasn’t the MOB and was going to someone else’s wedding?  Immediately, she perked up and began explaining her vision of a long dress in a soft flowing fabric with ¾ sleeves and a pretty neckline.  Cha-Ching!

Mom was being considerate to me as the bride to wear whatever I imagined her in.  However, right behind me and Will, she and my father will also be VIP’s for the day, and should also look and feel special too.  I gave mom the color palette that I had given my bridesmaids and let her know she could select any color in it that she liked.  I also gave her a few websites to check out, one of which was Nordstrom’s Wedding Shop which has dresses for everyone from guests attending your wedding all the way to the littlest members of your wedding party.

I was pleasantly surprised at how many styles and colors they had for her to choose from.  The best part was that we could check it out on line, and then go into the store to look at it in person.   If there was a dress that they didn’t have in store, then we would also be able to order it online.  After sitting down and researching dresses she liked, we ended up going to the local Nordstrom this past weekend and ordering her dress.

They couldn’t have made it any easier.  The service was outstanding, you got beautiful dresses for your money and (should she need to exchange or return it), the return process is a snap.  They made the experience one that neither mom nor I will forget for a very long time!

In the meantime, have a wonderful day!  

Photos: Martha Stewart Weddings

Oh, wow.  This is a hot topic in my family right now.  Mothers have such a tough time finding a beautiful dress that fits well.  My own mom called me last night to say she had just spoken with my future mother-in-law — they were discussing dresses.  Neither has found one yet.  

There is a lot for mothers to consider when finding a dress for your wedding.  First, there is color.  Do they try to stay in the same color palette as the bridesmaids?  Or select a complementary color?  Then, there’s the length.  Long dresses, short dresses, tea-length dresses…  And finally, there’s the fit.  Strapless?  Suited?  Portrait collar?  Ruffled collar? Mandarin collar? 

Sarah Christine is here to share her experience with finding a perfect dress for her mom.  

From Sarah…

Most brides think finding their dress is the hardest part of planning – for me, it’s the ongoing battle of helping my mother find the dress of her dreams.

A little back story…

My older brother, Christopher, was engaged during the summer of 2001– at that time, he was also in the Navy reserves. After September 11^th occurred, the Navy called him up to make sure they knew where he was, just in case they needed him. My brother and his fiancée got a little spooked and he wanted to make sure that, if he got called in, she would be taken care of.  So, on October 4, 2001, they had quick ceremony with just their two good friends. The moral of this story is that my mom never got to attend her son’s wedding or experience the treasured mother-son dance.

Fast forward to the present–I was doing my daily round-up of blog posts one day when I came across a “Mother of the Bride Dress Contest” being held by Brides Local Magazines. Brides Magazine was looking for moms that were having a tough time finding their ideal dresses.  

The magazine wanted to bring them into their offices in New York to have the mothers try on numerous gowns. On top of that, they would be included in a photo shoot (with hair and make-up provided) to be published in their fall issue – ding, ding, ding!  This was absolutely perfect!

Photos: Brides.com

After writing in the story of my mother not experiencing that memorable dance, I was notified that my mother and I had won the contest!  Two weeks ago, my mom took a trip into the city and had a great time trying on so many gorgeous dresses.

Last week, I was invited to the Conde Nast building to join my mother for the photo shoot. Besides hair and make-up artists waiting for the three moms that won the contest, loads of shoes and beautiful jewels awaited them. In fact, my mom wore a necklace that was $32,000!

Photos: Brides.com  (this is just a model, not Sarah Christine’s mom)

After all was said and done, my mom had a great time with the shoot, but still wasn’t in love with any of the dresses that they picked out for her, even though they looked amazing on her.

I would love suggestions – where did your mom get her dress? Please share your wealth of knowledge!

Photos: Lily and Sharkey; Susan and Mary (both from Martha Stewart Weddings)

So…has YOUR mom found her dress?  If so, can you share her experience with us?  Where did she find it?  Did she have help from you, from her girlfriends, from a personal shopper?  

So, if you are at all a crier, I would highly recommend Trish McEvoy’s High Volume Waterproof Mascara.  I started using it six months ago, and I have since told all of my friends about it.  I even let my girlfriends try mine (something I was later told you’re not supposed to do), but I just LOVE this mascara!  When you find a quality product that is actually worth talking about, you want to tell the world!  

You can find this little tube of magic at BlueMercury — located in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Bethesda Row, and Baltimore.  More location details here.

It’s your wedding — cry if you want to!