Miss America Wearing…Bowls!

In one month, people will be tuning in to the Miss America Pageant live from Atlantic City. Many will be excited for the swimsuit portion, some will be excited for talent, a good amount of people will be shouting at their screen during the questions, and while all will be their own judge picking their favorite girl to represent America, I will be picking my favorite gown!

When I heard that one of my favorite dress designers, Tony Bowls, would be dressing all of the contestants this year, I became ecstatic! I've been in love with Tony Bowls' dresses for years! He has been one of the lead designers of Prom Gowns and Pageant Dresses. And, you can imagine my excitement the moment I found out that Mon Cheri would be carrying his collection of Wedding Gowns! 

You see, just as almost every girl probably dreams of being Miss America at some point, almost every girl also dreams of wearing a dress just like the ones that Tony Bowls designs. When I think of Tony Bowls…I think Fireworks! His dresses sparkle, dazzle, and shimmer! They burst in to prints! 

After checking out some of my favorites, take a look at a possible prediction for the line that will be worn at the show! 

      

Once I found out the girls would all be wearing Tony Bowls gowns, I immediately had to ask which collection Tony would be showcasing. It had to be 2015 Evening Gowns or Pageant Dresses or something, right? Well, I was told that he will be customizing each dress for each contestant and then they will be available for sale! This got me to thinking…will there be a theme? 

Can you see this Emerald green dress for Kansas?

Mardi Gras Madness for Louisianna maybe?

How bout the colors of a Nevada sunset?

District of Columbia - speaks for itself!

How bout this sweet southern number for Mississippi?

What up, New Jersey?!?!

Texas Rose?

Aloha, Hawaii!

Vegas, Baby!

This dress has a New York state of mind!

Welcome to Miami!

Georgia Peach?

Southern Belle of Alabama?

How bout somewhat of an eskimo look for Arkansas?

New Hampshire's state butterfly is blue!!! Okay, that's pushing it. haha.

I somehow doubt that there will be a theme with the dresses, but it was fun to play with the idea! It was also fun to show you that Tony has such a wide array of dresses, and I didn't even show you any of his short cocktail dresses! We'll save that for another time. I just absolutely canNOT wait to see what Tony creates for the contestants. These girls are not only lucky to be of the chosen to grace that stage, but they will be dressed by one of the best!

The Dress After "Yes" - Andi Dorfman

A girl can only dream of being the star of a show surrounded by 25 men who are vying for her heart and hand in marriage! Can you imagine being that star and while all the romance is taking place, you're dressed to the nines in designer fashions and having your hair and make-up done too? This past season, Andi Dorfman was a lucky gal who got to live that fantasy as she was ABC's 'Bachelorette'! Not only did she find her prince charming in the end and get engaged, she did it in style. Wearing names such as Dolce & Gabana, Badgley Mischka, and Randi Rahm, Andi got to dazzle us in gowns at the rose ceremonies and on lavish dates, and now she will be on the hunt for the perfect dress for the alter!

While it's up-in-the-air whether or not the wedding between Andi and her fiance Josh Murray will be televised (I'm sure it will be), I can't help but wonder if being "The Bachelorette" grants you the honor of having designers knocking on your door eager to design a dress for you. Although, if it's a televised event, I think it's quite possible.

Saying she and her fiance are thinking about getting married in the Spring, Andi has about 6 months to find that dress! As a Wedding Planner, I know that's not the greatest amount of time, but I'm sure it'll work (especially if Vera or Pnina were to whip something up for her). I thought it would be nice to give her a hand though. Andi, if you're reading this girlfriend, I've taken the liberty of helping you find your dress!

For starters, I think that Andi's choice in men now has an effect on her choice of dress. Had she ended up with Nick, who she seemed to have been total best friends with and have had the upper-hand with, I see her having worn something very beautiful and princessy - a ball gown perhaps, but landing in the arms of her hunk Josh (who she has mentioned feeling somewhat insecure around at times due to her past relationships with the stereotypical athletes - which in a way is a good thing because they will always have the "hots" for each other), I have a feeling she is going to put herself in a number that will take him back to his knees and not be able to remove the image of his bride from his mind…ever!

If you were an avid watcher of the show and kept up with her fashion choices (whether they be her own or that of her designers), you may've noticed that Andi seems to like baring her back. She wore many tank tops that had low v-cuts. She showed some decent cleavage too! With that, I think she's going to try to spice up her vows by baring skin. I think she'll stay somewhat on the traditional side for the sake of their families, and possibly television, but I think as traditional as she is going to get is with lace and a train! I absolutely see Andi wearing lace of some sort. (She did wear a very pretty white short lace dress by Lover on 'After the Final Rose', so perhaps I may be on the right track). I do not see her wearing a ball gown, but rather a fit and flare or mermaid style to show off her curves. I don't see her wearing any of the latest trends that are off-the-shoulder or a color other than in the white family. I think she is going to find the gown that best fits her body, allows her to flaunt it, and makes it evident that SHE is the bride and a force to be reckoned with. All eyes will be on her that day…especially Josh's!

With that, Andi, Berta is the way to go for you! The Israeli designer has captured an ultra sexy look with her collection showing low-cut backs, low-cut fronts, lace, and glamour. I just can't help but see you in almost all of her designs!

You'll notice the first gown I'm showing looks like it could've been a longer version of what Andi wore on 'After the Final Rose'. Since it's a spring wedding though, I'm thinking the long sleeves are not going to necessarily fit, so keep going…I've got that dress!

 Check out these stunners:

Can you even stand the back on this one?

As much as I love it, the bottom does not flare enough. This is not exactly the dress for Andi…

                             Now this dress I have absolutely loved from the first time I saw it! 

Is it Andi though? Could be...

This sparkling gown is so gorgeous, and the back? Simply Andi!

It just appears to be a dress that she could've easily worn on the show though and that's the problem with a lot of the dresses. If she doesn't wear a princess or ball gown, she's going to want to go big with a different look!

but wait…what's this???

"STOPPPP!" 

If you're a fan of the show, then you will totally understand that remark. This is the one! This is my pick from Berta Bridals.

Do you, Andi, accept my advice?

Pic of Andi from www.zap2it.com

All Berta pics from www.bertabridal.com

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!