Top of the Crop

It's amazing to watch the evolution of wedding gowns! Just when you thought you've seen it all, crop tops have been creeping up on the scene! We've seen two-piece wedding gowns before, but this new trend is raising the bar…above the belly button! Some of these looks are somehow still classy like the gorgeous look from Houghton, while some are just not very wedding-worthy. All taste and morals aside for a wedding day, I can't get enough of the Hayley Paige gown. That, for me, wins top of the crop in this battle!

Vera Wang

Theia

Houghton

Tara Latour

Elizabeth Stuart

Hayley Paige

Bonded in Love

Since the trailer has finally aired for the much-anticipated 'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie, I have decided to use what I know of that storyline as inspiration for a wedding style board. From the seductive candles hanging over head creating a hot wax, to the sensual lace gloves that can be worn by bridesmaids, there are many details that can be pulled together from this story to create an elegant wedding with a shade of sexy! 

I decided to intertwine black and gold and use them as my main colors - black for its mystery and rebellion and gold for it's tie in with power. I brought a Vera Wang gown in from her Spring 2014 line as while simple yet chic, it holds a dominant look - especially when paired with long black leather gloves. The plate settings are a little tounge-in-cheek as they are supposed to represent a blindfold being wrapped around the menu. You're also sure to see monograms in this theme as signs of ownership. 

Some other attributes to pull in to this style would be red lipstick, red flowers, black feathers, black linens, velvet linens, mirrors, mirrors, mirrors, and lots more candles. If you keep it classy, you can play with this novel/movie to create a basis for a theme and a unique ambience for your wedding. 

Table numbers are a great way to bring in mirrors. 

I would have to highly recommend that the cake swing from the ceiling just as Kaley Cuoco's did though!  

Everyone will be honeymooning after this theme, for sure! 

Table Number - Photo by Susan Stripling
Gown - Vera Wang
Tuxedo - Dessy
Bridesmaids Gloves - Gloves by J
Cake - Better Off Wed

Make an Entrance

When your guests arrive to your wedding reception, blow them away by taking them through an entrance that will make them feel like royalty, and then transport them in style to the party! First impressions are so important! When guests see entrances as seductive as these, they are going to be excited and wanting more! This will help set the tone for a great reception! Whether it be through lights, candles, flowers, drapes, or doors, the best part is, entryways do not have to be expensive. You can DIY many of them! Just be creative!

by Preston Bailey

by Andrea Polito Photography

as seen in Bridal Guide

by Amy Arrington Photography

as seen in Bridal Guide

by Simple Ceremonies 

by Jeff Letham Designs

by Party Works

by Viva Bella Events

Great Expectations Surpassed! Jessica Simpson's 2014 Wedding

As if it were out of a Dicken's tale or a Hollywood movie - WAIT! It was both! Mindy Weiss, Jessica Simpson's brilliant Wedding Planner who I absolutely adore, took Jessica's wishes that her wedding reception resemble the 1998 version of 'Great Expectations' and brought it to life for her as she wed to Eric Johnson.

From the exquisite abundance of flowers and greenery, the scenery for the big day was flawless and the details so beautifully ornate, Jessica must've felt as if she stepped inside the incredible love story as her own played out.

This is a screenshot from the movie to keep in mind when you see the magic Mindy Weiss created and just how amazing she is!

Jessica stuns in her Carolina Herrera gown in this photo which was instagrammed by The Dress Reserve. The strapless a-line golden/champagne embroidered wedding gown was matched perfectly with a cathedral length veil for a regally romantic storybook look! I love the idea of the color of the gown since this wasn't her first marriage. It's a perfect choice!

Even though Jessica was a gorgeous bride from head to toe, and the decor outstanding, what excites me most about the wedding is the bridesmaid fashion! Nicole Chavez, one of Jessica's bridesmaids, styled the 12 bridesmaids including her sister and mother who were the Maids of Honor (another sweet touch). While an etheral theme was the core inspiration for the fashion, each girl embodied a dress by a different designer…not just any designer of course, but those such as Temperly, Marchesa, and Jason Wu. With each design came a completely different dress in a different color, design, and in some cases, pattern. Each dress was personally chosen and unique to the girl who wore it to showcase her personality which is something that I think is so extremely beautiful for a bride to do for her bridal party - highlight the ones she loves to let all of her guests learn who she is surrounded by and why they were so very important to be chosen as one of her maids! I'd love to see this idea take off as a trend! It's something I would love to play with in future weddings - especially those that have themes to embrace this idea. This aspect of the wedding was what really exceeded MY expectations!

Without further ado or I Dos…here is a video brought to us by People Magazine that takes you page by page through this beautiful love story!

Olivia Palermo - She Said "I DO" and Did What?

Socialite Olivia Palermo, who some may know from MTV's 'The City', wed this past weekend to model Johannes Huebl in New York surrounded by just a few family members and a couple of friends. As soon as news broke of her engagement earlier this year, speculations were being made as to who and what Olivia would be wearing on her big day. Olivia, who has been an icon in the fashion scene for years, even landed on the cover of 'Brides' magazine with a splash inside showing her in different scenario gowns. One fashion did involve a transformation of a stunning Monique Lhuillier dress that Olivia added a white button down blouse to which was then tied at the waist to tone it down a bit. She was also photographed in Marchesa and Elie Saab. However, it was Carolina Herrera who she ran with on her wedding day…in blue Sex and the City-inspired Manolo Blahniks! 

It wasn't one of Carolina Herrera's amazing bridal gowns that Olivia wore though. Instead, it was a 3 piece ensemble made up of a skirt, a SWEATER, and SHORTS! Okay, so she does like to tone things down when it comes to fashion, we see, and she definitely doesn't follow suit. What's more is that she finished the look with a pony tail. I give her props because if you're toning a look down, but doing it with Carolina Herrera, it can actually work! And the ponytail…it's very her and true to herself and personal style. She basically stayed consistent on her wedding day and looked exquisite in Olivia Palermo style. 

As much as I wanted to be upset about this look because I am always so eager to see the beautiful gowns that these fashion gurus pick, I think she could be the one person able to pull off this look. Do I see it as a new trend blossoming? Not necessarily. Perhaps a dress inspired by this look with shorts underneath will be on its way, but I don't see every day women being able to pull off or wanting to pull off a wedding outfit that consists of sweater material or shorts.

This look certainly showcased Olivia as her normal self - high fashion, poised, sophisticated, and truly unique. It's a very romantic look too!