Last month, we were treated to new, brilliant bridal eye candy during the Fall 2012 Bridal Runway fashion shows in New York City.
My wrap-up post is ALWAYS one of the toughest entries to write. It is so hard to narrow down the options knowing that I am leaving out some extraordinary gowns.
I must also make sure to include a fair spread so my readers are not just seeing the work of one or two designers.
Since Wed Savvy celebrates bridal diversity, here are some top picks for (almost) every style bride:
After hours of research, I hope to convince you that you can pull off your favorite coveted designer bridal look for less. The crumby economy and lucrative wedding expenses have definitely added extra wedding debt and tighter budgets for the bride or whoever is footing the bill.
Remember, it pays to be resourceful…
Let me show you how to walk down the aisle in your favorite runway look without resorting to those cheap “designer inspired” knockoffsmade in China and/or found on ebay (I have heard way too many horror stories).
Future brides can look forward to trying on some sweet new wedding gowns spotted on the catwalk.
Here’s my (long overdue) Spring 2012 Bridal Runway Round-up…(in no particular order). I had too many favorites so it was tough to narrow down the list to nine.
Pictured Gowns:
Reem Acra- glamorous sparkled embellishments under romantic layers of sheer and flowing fabrics and slightly more transparent short sleeves. I’m loving the illusion bodice with the see through a-line structure. Now, that’s a gown your guests are going to want to see up close and personal.
Monique Lhuillier- Another stunning and detailed Monique Lhuillier design that’s consistent with her beautiful, feminine aesthetic. I think the blush color adds some more romance but the gown is also available in white.
Carolina Herrera- This dress is classic, elegant and simply marvelous, darling. Herrera certainly knows elegance and this lace mermaid gown is proof of that. How Sophisticated and timeless!
Christos- Loving the infusion of the most popular silhouette with extra special and unique ribbon style adornment to add the wow factor. The detailing is unlike the other patterns seen on the bridal runway this season.
Carolina Herrera- Again, upscale elegance is the name of the game. This dress is simply a work of art and the more I look at it, the more I like it. A ballgown style that’s tailored and painted to perfection.
Oscar De La Renta- A silver metallic shimmer top with layers upon layers of soft and angelic fabric folds. All eyes on the bride-this gown is full of glam!
Monique Lhuillier- You can easily spot the designer’s creations as she knows just how to flatter a woman’s body. This dress celebrates femininity with it’s impeccable floral details.
Ines Di Santo- The go to designer for showstopping ballgowns, gives us a sexy and stand out number that will make the grooms jaw drop. It’s a ballgown that manages to show off a gorgeous body.
Ines Di Santo- Another beautiful designer gown that stood out in a collection with lots of ballgowns. The clean lines and polished look of this dress is modern, sophisticated with a beautiful touch of glitz and glam. Very Parisian Chic!
More fabulous favorites from other bridal bloggers:
I don’t even know this bride yet I’m tempted to frame and plaster her picture on my wall. This mind blowing image taken by New York photographer Christian Oth, is a work of art that’s too perfect for words.
The historic Plaza Hotel, the stunning bride in her Monique Lhuillier gown, the prowd mother holding her daughter’s veil and the most PRICELESS, natural reaction I’ve ever seen… what could be better?
New 2011 bridesmaid dress collections have arrived and I’m happy to report some improvements. Thankfully, dresses are looking less like uniforms.
Are more and more brides are trashing the shallow idea that the uglier the bridesmaids, the prettier the bride?
I CERTAINLY HOPE SO! Hideous bridesmaid dresses mean the bride has poor taste!
For all you Wed Savvy brides here are some standout new dress options that are sure to keep your gals happy and stylish!
-MODERN, BOHEMIAN
The Kylie by Thread Bridesmaids ($290) This two toned dress is available in both mini and knee lengths. It features a sweetheart neckline, a double layer skirt, and a stylish combination of taffeta and chartreuse fabrics. Finally, an option that’s not so monotone and doesn’t involve colored sashes!
-FUN, GLAMOROUS, FEMININE
Bill Levkoff Style #594- Strapless cocktail length dress with a sequin bodice and chiffon pleated cummerbund accenting the natural waist. Soft gathered chiffon skirt with overlay draped effect. A two-toned dress featuring sequins and chiffon fabrics that are available in virtually every color combination. Since I was unable to get images of the fabulous different sequined top options (gold, mocha, white, etc), you must visit the above link to play around. So many options!
-FEMININE, ROMANTIC, CLASSIC
Priscilla of Boston-Love the super sweet, unique flower at the waistline of this silk satin purple gown
Monique Lhuillier- Obsessing over the chic shoulder straps. Flirty and flattering but also a classic gown.
Amsale style G30C- That ever so popular flowing chiffon fabric that Amsale made famous takes a unique form in a new, gorgeous color.
-MODERN, GLAMOROUS, FORMAL, CLASSIC
Melissa Sweet- this red hot short number accentuates curves in the most flattering way with its unique pleating.
Anna Maier-Ulla Maija couture: Just one in the designer’s stunning new line of formal, gorgeous bridesmaids gowns. This black lace design is sexy and eye-catching without crossing the inappropriate line.
White House Black Market: A satin rosette dress that can be dressed up or down and re-worn. Every bridesmaid loves a little black dress!
For Ali Pesche, weddings have always been a bit of an obsession.
“It’s always been my thing,” says Pesche, the 27-year-old designer behind Chicago-based jewelry line Ali Precious. “I had subscriptions to all the bridal magazines way before I even had a serious boyfriend. I always loved the design aspect of weddings and how personal they are.” Pesche, a native of the northern suburbs, even moon lighted as a wedding planner during her undergrad days at the University of Wisconsin.
While Pesche’s time in Madison introduced her to the wedding industry, it wasn’t until she moved to Chicago that she met her future husband, Matt Lerner— despite the fact that he was in her graduating class and ran in the same social circles. “We have pictures from college that we’re both in,but we never spoke,” Pesche says.
In fact, when their paths crossed during a post-graduation night out with mutual friends in 2005, neither remembered the other. “Our friends couldn’t believe that we had never met.”
Introductions (finally) made, the pair connected again a few weeks later at a Shedd Aquarium benefit and, quickly, everything fell into place. “There hasn’t been a time since that we’ve been apart,” Pesche says.
Four years later, in February 2009, Lerner, a 27-year-old real estate broker, decided to pop the question—despite Pesche’s suggestion they wait another year. “Things were busy, and waiting just seemed to make sense,” Pesche says. Lerner, however, didn’t agree.
“The day before Valentine’s Day, I came home and Matt told me I had 15 minutes to get ready. He bought me a new dress, and after I changed, he blindfolded me and put me in a car.
When he took the blindfold off, we were at the Hotel Sax, I was surrounded by roses and candles, and he had made a video montage of all of our favorite photos that was playing on the big screen. Check out the video preview of the proposal
Suddenly, the time seemed just right to say “I do.”
Having been passionately connected to the wedding industry for so long made picking vendors a no-brainer for Pesche, especially when it came to the fig- and white-colored flowers and décor, which she entrusted to Heffernan Morgan.
“I definitely wanted a glam look. I love chandeliers and crystals,” Pesche says. “I make fun of myself all the time because I can be such a little girl when it comes to style. Sometimes I have to remember that I’m 27.” One girly choice the bride didn’t make was having any bubblegum-hued elements
“I was adamant about no pastel pink,” says Pesche, who decided to go with deep purple tones instead.
The amethyst accents worked beautifully with the reception’s glamorous theme, which was continued throughout the day’s elements—from the crystals hanging from chandeliers over each table to the spectacular chuppah, created with a tufted-fabric exterior (embellished with brooches Pesche designed herself ). Te brooch motif also repeated on the bejeweled cake, while strung crystals hung above a dessert table featuring all the couple’s favorite sweets, including mini donuts, chocolate-covered Rice Krispies treats, Push Pops and moon pies.
“The Sofitel’s desserts were the best,” says Pesche, who also enlisted local baker Take the Cake to create a S’mores-inspired wedding cake with marshmallow filling, fudge and graham cracker-flavored cake.
While satisfying her guests’ sweet tooths and her own fairy-tale-like design was a huge focus for the wedding-addicted bride, at the end of the day, Pesche says, it was her family and friends who made the day beautiful. “There were elements that didn’t look exactly as I had hoped, but it was like ‘carpe diem,’” Pesche says.“We were having such a great time.”
“We didn’t leave the dance floor. I fell three times during the chair dance and sprained my ankle, but I was having too much fun to care,” Pesche continues. “I just couldn’t walk at brunch the next day.” Carpe diem, indeed.
Designer, Monique Lhuillier, creates gowns that are filled with decadent details, both modern and timeless. She has mastered the art of tasteful embellishing (without the gaudiness) and is a favorite amongst celebrities and stylistas. Although the collection may come with a hefty price tag, ranging from $2,000 to $20,000, brides who wear Monique Luillier look and feel like a million bucks – and that can be priceless!
