She Says: When Jason Mesnick (The Bachelor) married Molly Malaney, wedding guests were covered in a sea of plastic clear umbrellas as rain drops fell during the ceremony. According to the producers, they had no idea about the weather forecast before the ceremony and had no idea it would rain. Luckily guests had umbrellas at hand and were prepared for the unruly weather.

ALWAYS ensure that there is at least one umbrella near the bride and groom at any outdoor wedding ceremony. If you’re planning an outdoor summer wedding with potential rain in the forecast, don’t fret.  Umbrellas not only shelter from rain, they’re a great fashion statement! –Even if it’s not raining, colored umbrellas that shelter from sun are perfect for a destination wedding!

Umbrellas can easily match your wedding theme because there are a variety of styles to buy or rent. Italian, beach, pagoda, vintage, colored, ruffled, double layered… the list goes on!

Bella Umbrella is a great website to rent or buy umbrellas that match the theme of your wedding. http://vintage.bellaumbrella.com/default2.aspx

HERS:

Photos found at www.stylemepretty.com

HIS:

Photos found at www.stylemepretty.com

THEIRS:

Photos found at www.junebugweddings.com

]]> http://www.sheandheplanweddings.com/2010/07/she-and-he-trendy-tuesdays-umbrella-fashion/feed/ 0 http://www.sheandheplanweddings.com/2010/07/she-and-he-fridays-a-wedding-planners-wedding-2/ http://www.sheandheplanweddings.com/2010/07/she-and-he-fridays-a-wedding-planners-wedding-2/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:00:01 +0000 Firefly Occasions Inc. http://www.sheandheplanweddings.com/?p=1856 My name’s Kendra Scott, I’m the Wedding’s Division Manager at Firefly Occasions and as of December 19th, I now have my own wedding to plan! Every Friday I write a feature article where I document my personal wedding planning journey each step of the way.

We’ve all seen the movie 27 Dresses and heard of horror stories about awful bridesmaid dresses. I think that most Brides are actually quite concerned about finding bridesmaid dresses that are stylish and flattering. Most brides want their bridesmaids to look good.

I thought that I was being super easy going when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. I have stylish bridesmaids and I trust their judgements. I wasn’t concerned about them being in the same dress or even the same colour. I just sent them a bunch of approved colours and told them to find a dress, any dress, they liked.  Well, that went out the window.

It turns out that this causes more concern then it needs to. My bridesmaids are also super easy to deal with so we’ve ended up with a bunch of conversations with me saying “Just find a dress you like” followed with them saying “Oh we’ll wear whatever you want.” Seriously, someone just needs to be a little selfish here; this has gone on for six months haha.  So the lesson for me was that its way easier for everyone if I just pick the dresses. Besides, they don’t seem to mind!

And so the search begins. My bridesmaids and I each live in a different province, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.  So I needed to make sure that I picked dresses that could be ordered from or picked up in their locations. I still wanted to offer different styles and I wanted them to have the final choice. We are all our own worst critics and they will feel more comfortable if they’ve picked what they like best.

So here they are….. the three choices. I went with floor length, Grecian style, pale pink chiffon dresses. Luckily I’ve seen them both in strapless shirts before so a strapless style wasn’t a concern.  I’ve heard back from my maid of honour already with her selection.  The dresses will be ordered before the end of the month and then one more thing can be crossed off of my list!

Photos from www.blumenthalphotography.com.au

To get Emily’s natural beauty look, accessorize with a hand made hair flower for your locks. We discovered a great example on www.etsy.com.

This weeks inspiration came from a lovely gown by Vera Wang. This bridal gown is a strapless, full A-line gown with a pleated bodice, emphasis on the natural waist and a softly tucked hand painted skirt. It can be discribed as vivacious as well as uniqeuly flattering and could only be the work of Vera Wang. Available in Citrus Watercolor, Ivory or White. The opening price points range from $3,100 – $4,500.

I’ve used this one dress to create two completely different weddings. The first wedding has a beautiful simplicity to it. It feels clean but not boring. I call this wedding Citrus Breeze. The second wedding will take you into a whimsical, enchanted forest and is appropriately titled Fairy Dust.

Photos courtesy of:

Citrus Breeze
http://blushevents.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-earth-day.html (Butterfly place setting, green and white flowers)
http://www.mnweddingminister.com/weddingblog/blog.html (Table setting with Limes in tall vases, place cards)
http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=2704 (Wedding Cake)
http://paperolive.blogspot.com/2009/08/hip-lemonade-coolers-summer-wedding.html (Citrus Drinks)
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/06/16/lemon-yellow-wedding-by-sillapere/ (Ceremony Set-up)
http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/33016/detailview.aspx?type=3&id=33016 (Bouquet)
http://www.declanphotography.com/gallery.php?gallery=1&tstart=3 (Flower Girl)

Fairy Dust
http://www.kissthegroom.com/?p=1827 (Fountain, path, forest set-up)
http://manolobrides.com/2009/10/26/kristen-and-todds-fairytale-affair/ (A fairy wedding Fairy flower girls )
http://www.yourweddingday.com/ywd/event-design/Fanciful-Garden.html (Table linens, table setting, cupcakes)
http://www.momentaldesigns.com (Stationary)

By Annette Hoegner, LA Division Manager, Firefly Occasions Inc.

Today’s eco-conscious brides are looking at alternatives to the traditional and expensive gowns that outlive their purpose in one day. They are buying dresses that can be worn again or that have already been worn once. You can find great dresses by high end designers at a consignment store in your area or at some awesome websites like www.encorebridal.com or www.preownedweddingdresses.com. Of course there is always ebay and Craig’s list for a really great deal.

Or if you prefer, there are some really great fabrics that can be used when having a gown or suit made like hemp, bamboo, tencel and peace silk ( which allow the silkworms a full life cycle). For couture in organic wool, soy silk and other eco-fabrics, try designers like Linda Loudermilk of www.lindaloudermilk.com or Wai-Chang at www.inhabitat.com .

Another awesome way to give back is to buy your dress from a charity such as the Making Memories Beast Cancer Foundation, which grants the last wishes of breast cancer patients. The foundation sells both new and used gowns (some are high end designers). Awareness of the environment has come a long way in a short time. How ever you decide to make a difference in your wedding should be applauded. Saving the environment is something that needs to become more of a priority for all.

AND they just opened a new shop in Calgary!!!

Catherine Staveley and Deb Viccars carry a line of dresses your “bridesmaids will love & can wear again!” I absolutely love the modern colors and classic styles. Their real life wedding section shows how these dresses really come to life on real life bridesmaids. I think it’s important to note that these girls all have very different body types but the dresses look fab on each of them!

Frocks also has a coordinating line of dresses for your flower girls! Totally sweet!

Let me be the first to say, “Welcome to Calgary Frocks!! You’re VERY Welcome On the Wedding Scene!”

1. Bra – Wear the bra you plan on wearing with the dress. After trying on the dress be sure to jump and dance around. I know it looks a little silly, but better to find out that your bra shows in the dressing room than on the dance floor at your reception.
2. Body Shapers – Got an unsightly bulge you plan on hiding? Make sure you try on the dress with you body shapers as they can not only smooth the slight tummy, but change the way the dress fits.
3. Stocking – While stockings are not necessarily a must, but sure to try them on too. You don’t want to find out too late that you’re being cut off in the middle or at the thighs.
4. Garter - If you are wearing a ball gown or an A line dress this probably won’t show, but if you are wearing a straighter line dress your garter might actually be seen before your groom takes it off. So make sure you try it on with the dress before the wedding. That way if it shows you can find another one.
5. Outerwear? – Last but most importantly, make sure your underwear isn’t outerwear. You most definately don’t want to be giving a peep show while you are walking down the aisle. If you can see your undergarments, you may want to purchase some flesh colored garments. Pinks, tans, and dark creams may just do the trick and keep your unmentionables hidden. A lot of brides wear blue panties for their “something blue” but I’ve seen a bride put these on under her dress and you can actually SEE them right through it… utilize the blue somewhere else.

Leanne with her stunning wedding gown! Contestants of Project Runway 5 were required to create wedding gowns for their final project as part of their collection. Leanne’s was by far the best with its unique design, stunning silhouette, and superb craftsmanship. This same sense of elegancy and design also won her the title of winner of Project Runway 5 last night.

Other dresses included Krotos’s African inspired gown which never hit the final runway in Bryant Park, Kenley’s Steve McQueen inspired feather wedding gown, and Jerell’s jewel encrusted dress that lost him the chance to show in the final.