September 2013 - Bridal Hot List

Bridal Hot List’s One Year Anniversary Event Recap

September 30, 2013 3 Comments

Good morning, lovelies. It is a gorgeous Monday morning, and I cannot wait to get the week started! You are probably thinking, why I am so chipper and upbeat on this Monday morning? Well, I have some exciting news and thought it would be the best way to kick off the week. Yes, I know you are still living the weekend dream and probably are having a hard time getting going. But trust me when I say that you will have a brighter morning once you read on and see what I am so thrilled about. I am super excited about Bridal Hot List reaching the one year mark. I cannot believe that it has been a year already. It has been an incredible year full of some amazing achievements and it’s incredible to look back at the past year to see how far we have come.

We had a great time celebrating the one year anniversary of Bridal Hot List last weekend. All of our closest family, friends and readers came out to join in on the festivities, and we truly had a blast. Among those in attendance were a few of our contributors including Chelsea, Tania and Andrea, as well as many amazing vendors.

BHL Staff

The Highlights:

The event was very reflective of the site’s vision and style, with colors of soft pink, grey, and white – a very shabby chic look. The wonderful and ever-so-talented event planner, Erika Bowers, made my vision of all the ideas, thoughts, and pretty details into a perfect reality. I could not ask for a better event planner to help put this all together. As you know, I am huge lover of all things trending and our team is always in search of new and hot trends. So that is why I fell head over heels in love with the idea of a grand wall, all decorated with paper flowers. Can you say “WOW”? I mean, this wall is everything.

Among the many amazing and lovely details, we had a custom made backdrop for the photo booth. The backdrop was made of gorgeous satin ribbons. By now you know that I am obsessed with photo booths and all the fun details that comes with them. I fell in love with this idea of a ribbon backdrop, and when I mentioned this to Erika, she was on board right away. Of course, she was able to create a stunning custom-made backdrop, all dolled up and ready for action.

I was already happy and just smiling from cheek to cheek with all the beautiful details the party had. But what was the cherry on top? The romantic and whimsical bridal gown from R-Mine. This gown was recently featured on the cover of the Fall/Winter issue of California Wedding Day magazine. This gown was showcased live at the event by our gorgeous and ever-so-pretty model. Oh, and if that was not enough, the lovely and brilliantly talented designer, Armine, was present at the party. She is not only a beautiful designer, but a sweet and lovely gal. I feel so lucky to have met her and featured her gowns at BHL’s one year party.

Chief Editor, Niloufar Gibson, with model Jasmine, and gown designer Armine.

This event was not only about celebrating BHL, but a celebration of amazing and talented wedding industry people. My passion of “all things wedding” is shared with my lovely wedding colleagues. I am happy and blessed to be among some of the most talented people this industry has to offer. I mean, could it be any better than this?

I have to take a pause here and give a HUGE thank you to my husband. He is my rock, my support, my business expert, and so much more. Without my husband, I would not have reached this one year mark, and BHL would not be where it is today. Thank you to my love!

Owner and Chief Editor Niloufar Gibson with her husband, Sean

The Bridal Hot List one-year anniversary milestone turned out to be a great event celebrated with the some of the greatest people around. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds. Trust me when I tell you that there are big things planned for Year Two of the BHL experience.

“BHL” Custom cookies by Sweet Missy’s Custom Cookies

Thank you to all our readers. We sending you a whole lot of love!

Thank you to all the fabulous and talented vendors who made Bridal Hot List’s One year anniversary party an amazing night!

Vendor Information:

Wedding and Event Planning and Design : Erika’s Elegance

Venue: Happy Photos Studio

DJ and Lighting: Invisible Touch Events

Photography: Happy Photos

Videography: Manny V Productions

Florals: Three Petals Floral and Event Design

Linens: Designer Specialty Linens

Cookies: Sweet Missy’s

Cupcakes: Love Me Sweets

Tables and Chairs: Signature Party Rentals

Photo Booth: Dazzle Photobooth

Pipe and Drape: M Events

Hair: Hair Comes the Bride

Make-up: Rock Me Up Makeup Studio & Spa

Bridal Gown: R-Mine

Model: Jasmine Nicole Naziri

View all the fun and crazy photo booth photographs by visiting http://www.dazzlephotobooth.com/event-photos/. Password “tbhl”. Enjoy!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal, bridal blogger, Bridal Hot List, news, one year anniversary, one year celebration, recap, trends, wedding, wedding industry

Five Universal Bridal Beauty Essentials

September 29, 2013 Leave a Comment

Hey there bridal beauties! As you know, Bridal Hot List is your one stop blog for everything trending in the bridal world (seriously, we’re talking gifting, grooming, and everything in between!). Today we’re going to take a step back and go over the beauty basics that work for everyone (and I mean everyone!) for all your upcoming wedding events.

Lash Curler

Whether you’re heading out to a bridesmaid brunch or you’re prepping for the big day, a lash curler is always handy. Do a quick squeeze with some tinted moisturizer for a seriously low maintenance look, or use it to help set your falsies for an epic bachelorette party. I am obsessed with the legendary Shu Uemura lash curler ($20, Shu Uemura website only) and I trust it to curl every single lash without pinching.

Creamy Gold Eyeliner

This may be one of the more un-basic basics, but I swear by it night and day. All it takes is a touch of gold on the inner corners of your eyes and bam- you’re glowing. A creamy gold will work on any complexion and make your eyes sparkle. This pairs well with either low key events or you can glam it up for bigger events. My go-to has been El Dorado by Urban Decay ($6, Urban Decay website only) for that perfect sun-kissed gold. It has since been discontinued (boo), but is currently still in stock on Urban Decay’s website at a great discount (yay!).

Red Lips

Red is the color for love and romance, and isn’t that what a wedding is celebrating in the first place? It is my personal belief that every woman should be able to rock a great red lip without breaking a sweat. Even if you’re going a little more low key to an event, a red lip look is a fantastic tool to have in your arsenal. Yes, it can be intimidating, but when you find the right shade you’ll just be mad at yourself for not finding it sooner. Your specific red lip shade may vary depending on your skin tone, but I’ve never had a problem with anyone wearing Ruby Woo by MAC ($15, MAC Counters). The website describes Ruby Woo as “matte vivid blue-red”, but I’ve heard it moreso described as “essential”. If you’re in the market for your holy grail red lip look, start here.

An Any-Time Palette

Instead of buying a bunch of individual eyeshadows or a ton of quads or trios, invest in one palette that you will be able to create any look from. The Naked palettes ($50 each, Urban Decay counters) are some of the best selling palettes in the world for this reason- you can create any look from pretty and natural to bold and adventurous. I personally have been loving the Lorac Pro Palette ($42, Sephora) which has more shades than either of the Naked palettes do and has both matte and shimmer formulas. With any of these palettes, you’ll be prepared for all your upcoming wedding events. Plus, if you’re traveling, packing all your makeup just got much easier!

Setting Spray

Setting sprays really took off in the last few years, but don’t be fooled- they’re not a trend, they’re here to stay. For years stage performers have been using variations of setting sprays to keep their looks intact under bright lights and high pressure, and now there’s a ton to choose from. I love the De-Slick setting spray by Urban Decay ($29, Urban Decay counters) because it keeps my look intact and my oily skin from getting shiny. You should find yours based on your skin needs though, many brands like Ben Nye, NYX, and Make Up For Ever all make excellent setting sprays. Find one that works for you and your look will last through any wedding event.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: beauty, bridal, bride, ceremony, Make up, wedding, wedding day, wedding event

Sneak Peek of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” Season 10 Episode 7

September 27, 2013 Leave a Comment

Wrapping up the week with a new episode of TLC’s SAY YES TO THE DRESS. Isn’t this a fabulous way to kick off the weekend? We think so. Is there anything better than shopping plus bridal details? We are smiling from cheek to cheek, and totally excited for tonight’s episode. We can not wait! If you are a SYTTD newbie and want to know what this show is all about, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on and see why we love this show so much. Oh, and of course tune in tonight and watch!

The show all takes place at the gorgeous bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC. The show goes behind-the-scenes and uncovers the various obstacles every staff member faces to make each bride utterly happy and pleased on what may be the most important day of her life. The show features not only bridal experts, but emotional brides, opinionated entourages, and dream bridal dresses. At the end of each appointment, the bridal consultant will ask one very important question, “Are you saying Yes to the Dress?”. The answer to this question? You will have to tune in each week to find out.

On tonight’s episode:

Tonight’s episode features bride-to-be, LaQuet who is looking for a fun gown with straps. Kat is a bride who is looking for a very unique bridal gown. She wants a dress with no sweetheart neckline. Bride-to-be Valerie is searching for a mermaid silhouette gown, however when she tries one on, she realizes it may not be the style for her. Each of these brides have a specific style dress in mind, but will they go home with what they thought they would love? Or will it be something totally different and new? Which dress will they say yes to? Which dress will stand out the most to them and their entourage? Tune in tonight to find out!

“Say Yes To The Dress” is on tonight at 9/8c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live tonight!

Filed Under: General, TV Shows Tagged With: bridal, bridal gown, bridal salon, bride, Kleinfeld Bridal, Say yes to the dress, TLC, wedding tv show

Five Budget Friendly Wedding Ideas

September 26, 2013 Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love to save money? Even brides with mega-sized budgets want to save cash in one place so they can spend more in another. Budget simply means getting more bang for your buck! Bridal Hot List has narrowed down five of the most practical and classy budget friendly wedding ideas to use in planning for your big day!

1. Limit your bar to beer, wine, & champagne only. The majority of guests will have more than just one drink during the celebration, so offering a nice array of beers, red, and white wine will satisfy these folks throughout the meal and reception. It is also difficult to plan for hard alcohol drinks with all the different brand choices and mixer preferences that might be ordered. The hard liquor drinkers will either choose an alternative beverage, or hit a bar on the way home. Eliminating hard liquor from the reception also reduces the chances of possible over consumption and resulting horror stories courtesy of your guests!

2. Enlist a talented friend or family member for beauty services. Here’s why: licensed professionals charge more because they bring their own make up & fresh applicators, plus the cost of advertising and opportunity cost for not being available to other clients all day. They also charge brides extra because they see dollar signs! There’s a good chance that out of all the women (& men) you or your friends and family know, somebody has a knack for applying make-up and/or styling hair. Ask around and start contacting these people for a trial. They don’t have to be professionals or have a portfolio, but you do have to love their work and feel comfortable with them. You already have make up that works for you, and plenty of it. Your bridesmaids do too. Why not use what you already have & work it?

3. Cut your floral costs. There are a few things you can do to keep your floral costs low. The first is to choose a floral scheme that only includes blooms that are in season. This not only makes sense financially, but will tie your wedding in with the season it takes place. Second, talk to your florist about incorporating greens to ‘fill out’ arrangements. Fronds from palms and ferns add an exotic and dramatic touch to centerpieces and décor. Lastly, have your florist set up sturdy vases with water at your table and where your bridal party will sit. Your bouquets will have a special place to go, instead of lying on the table looking all sad & wilted!

4. Order plain invitations & add fancy details yourself. Unless you absolutely hate doing crafts, this idea will please your wallet as well as your creative side. You can glue on lace, feathers, decals, add monogrammed stickers, tie on a ribbon….whatever you like! But, don’t over-do it! Be sure to order extra invitations to practice on and have someone you trust give you honest feedback. Also, factor in postage. Extra large, heavy, or awkward envelope shapes may need extra stamps. You’re well on your way to expensive looking invitations that you can take pride in!

5. Choose a Friday or a Sunday for your wedding day. Saturday is typically the most expensive day to book a venue for your wedding, because it is the most popular! Most people don’t mind taking Friday off work and enjoying a long weekend for the sake of attending your lovely wedding. If you have it on a Sunday, a daytime wedding is equally delightful, and gives your guests plenty of time to travel to your venue the night before and check into their hotel room. Extra party points if you invite your guests out to drinks after the rehearsal dinner!

Budget saving ideas are actually really all about incorporating creativity into your wedding and affording you freedom to splurge on the things you want. If you find yourself fretting about money as you plan your trip down the aisle, one or all of these ideas will slash costs without sacrificing quality.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: budget, classy, costs, crafty, creative, save money, wedding ideas

Five Tips for a Successful Bridal Shopping Experience

September 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Searching for your dream dress should be one of the most enjoyable times of your whole wedding experience. Sometimes though, the experience may seem to be a little overwhelming. These five tips will help to alleviate any stress you may encounter, and make the event more memorable and pleasurable for you and everyone else involved.

1. Research: It is always beneficial to do some research prior to going to your bridal appointment. Search on different designer websites or Pinterest in order to familiarize yourself with the different styles that are available. Then, narrow down your style choices to a select few and bring supporting pictures to your appointment. This gives your consultant a better idea as to what style you are looking for, and will enable them to suggest similar styles for you.

2. Time: Be sure to give yourself enough time to look for a wedding gown; and by time, I mean months! There are a few manufacturers that can accommodate quick weddings, but most designers need at least 3-6 months. If you do any custom or length changes, you can expect your gown to take even longer. You will also need to plan ahead for having alterations and steaming done on your gown – all which take a few weeks or more depending on the store. You want to be sure to get a dress that you love, so give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress for you.

3. Company: The more people you bring to an appointment, the more opinions you will have to deal with. As a consultant, I suggest that you bring 2-3 people at the most with you. Dress shopping is an exciting experience, but it can take a detour when you try to include everyone and have their approval. It isn’t possible to please every single person, so do not try to do so. It is best to surprise everyone on the day of your wedding. When you are walking down that aisle, people won’t be wondering what your other dress options were. Instead, they will be focused on you and how happy you look. They will see how your dress compliments you, your personality, and your theme. I’ve noticed that most brides are able to express their likes and dislikes better when they bring a few people to their appointment.

4. Shopping: Visiting a few different stores allows brides to see what types of gowns are available to them. With that being said, you want to stay balanced and not try to go to every store possible. Going to numerous dress stores in a short period of time will make you feel overwhelmed and confused. Designers are constantly coming out with new gowns and designs, so you could essentially look for a dress forever. Visit a few different stores to formulate what it is that you like and then narrow those choices down. It would be best to space out your appointments instead of visiting three different shops in one day. Doing so can overwhelm you as a bride and prevent you from wanting to make a decision.

5. Open-Minded: Even though I recommend doing some personal research, I highly recommend that you keep an open-mind at your appointment. I have found that the majority of brides leave our store with a gown that was the complete opposite of what they had originally envisioned. Bridal consultants know the dresses in their store and know what looks good on certain body types. Just be open to suggestions and be willing to try something on that you normally would not have picked yourself. If your consultant suggests a gown, at least try it on. You may be surprised! It is always a fun experience when the consultant ends up choosing the bride’s gown. You are still entitled to your opinion though, so it is fine if you do not like their pick. Your experience will flow a lot better as long as you are open to suggestions. Consultants love their job, and they want to ensure that you look your absolute best on the most important day of your life!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal, bride, designs, dress, gown, shop, shopping, styles, wedding, wedding dress, wedding gown, wedding shop, weddings

Fun-Filled Photo Booth from 3D Cheeze

September 24, 2013 Leave a Comment

On this Trend Tuesday, it is about to get real fun. As you know, I live for photo booths. I mean LIVE for them. I can spend hours upon hours in a photo booth, just snaping away. Is that strange? Maybe. But when you have silly crazy props, awesome backgrounds, and cool people to capture it all with, then what is not to love? So photo booths, you get it, I love them. But when you throw in some 3D magic into the mix, then its is all over. I am just beyond excited. The happy dance is happening now. Yep, I am doing it. Today I am super excited for today’s feature, introducing 3D CHEEZE. A photo booth company which offers a very cool, 3D photo which will blow the minds of all. I had the chance to take part of this fabulous experience. When that photo popped out for me preview… I was amazed! I could not believe it. I was shocked in how incredible the photo turned out. Look for this pretty cool trend that will “wow” you and your guests across all wedding receptions.

About 3D CHEEZE…

3D CHEEZE takes the photo booth to the FUN DIMENSION!!!

We are your ONE-STOP for all your photo entertainment needs, offering everything from “traditional” green screen and wedding photography to our interactive graffiti wall and 3D flip photos.

Flip photos are our most popular photo favor for weddings. We take two static poses and make them come to life, creating a personalized interactive photo favor that will make your special celebration a memorable one! After magically morphing the images together, A fun guests receive a hand held picture-show that tells their story: they might blow a kiss, hug their spouse, or dance with a friend. Complete with customized artwork, we then turn the photos into luggage tags, magnets or key chains.

Your guests will keep smiling long after the reception is over!

3D Cheeze has been in the event photography industry for more than 10 years and has notched up some pretty impressive A-list events with clients such as Ford, American idol, MTV, Toyota, Disney Cable, Justin Timberlake, and the BlackEyedPeas just to name a few.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: 3D CHEEZE, bridal, flipbooks, groom, guests, photo booth, photos, tuesday trending, wedding photos, wedding wedding event

The Mission Inn Bridal Boutique Recap

September 23, 2013 Leave a Comment

Bridal Hot List recently attended the Bridal Boutique hosted by the beautiful and historic Mission Inn located in Riverside, California. The fabulous hotel put on a grand boutique featuring various reception locations and their picturesque chapel. Each room was decorated by a different vendor and offered multiple selections in decor, cake, music, attire and everything in between!

The first stop was the Music Room which offered the grandest decor. The hall was elaborately adorned in gold while the tables were set with blue accents and white bouquet centerpieces. In the middle of the hall, a wedding gown with a corset as sparkly and grand as the hall itself commanded the attention of all who entered.

Next we were off to the Spanish Art Gallery. This reception room was smaller and decorated in gold with black accents. The centerpieces were black candelabras dripping in crystals, just divine!

We then traveled to the courtyard where we mingled with a mock bride and groom, styled in a classic tux and lace gown. Also present, Casey’s cupcakes – the resident bakery and Cupcake Wars winner. Trust me when I say they live up to the title!

In the afternoon it was time for a mock ceremony in the St. Francis Chapel. A string/ piano trio played traditional wedding themes as the faux bride and groom exchanged quick vows. It provided an inspiring glimpse of the romantic and intimate potential of this ceremony venue.

The next two reception rooms were the smallest and each provided a different atmosphere. The first definitely gave off the party vibe with light projections on the walls, loud music on a central dance floor and a photo booth that was begging to be tried! The next stop gave us more of an elegant feel. The room was full of flowers which made it smell delicious and the colors were soft and pastel. Both were beautiful.

The final stop, and my favorite was a trip to the hotel’s private Spa. We received a guided tour of the tranquil facility and learned about pre-wedding day packages for the bridal party and the newlyweds. To top it off, we all got complimentary chair massages! It was the perfect way to end a day of wedding fun.

Our over all experience at the Mission Inn was absolutely inspiring. We saw scores of beautiful flower arrangements and bridal fashions. Our taste buds were excited by treats from multiple bakeries and we fantasized about spending the day at the luxurious Spa. The Mission Inn is one of those places that can inspire wedding day dreams even if they are in the distant future. I recommend that any future bride visit a wedding boutique to find inspiration for your special day.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, California, ceremony, reception, Riverside, The Mission Inn, vendors, wedding, wedding dress, wedding venue

Five Trending Lip Colors for Fall

September 21, 2013 3 Comments

Hey there bridal beauties, did you notice the leaves are changing? Well that means it’s time to switch up your look, too. Stash your summer shades away and let’s dive into what lip colors are trending right now.

If you’ve been loving coral and all the gorgeous oranges that have been trending, try out a more Autumn orange like ‘Made to Order’ by MAC ($15, MAC counters). It has a creamy texture and is one of Autumn’s most beautiful, easy to wear oranges. Go lightly with a touch of hydrating lip balm over it for a subtle look for bachelorette brunch, or wear some bold lip liner to create a sexy defined look for bachelorette parties.

If you’re looking for something a little cozier for fall that’s still versatile year round, pick up ‘Vixen’ by Covergirl ($8, drugstores). It’s a light plummy red that you can dress down with a muted face, or dress up with warm cheeks. Plus, this lipstick also has a light pink color on the other end of the product for mixing and creating custom shades.

If you were a fuschia girl in the summer, check out a more blue based plum-fuchsia, like ‘Mauve Pink’ by Rimmel ($4, drugstores). The shimmer helps create great shape that will be the envy of all your bridesmaids. This creamy texture will keep your lips from drying out from the ceremony to the reception.

For the classic brides and bridesmaid, MAC’s Chili ($15, MAC counters) may be the way to go. This orange based red pairs great with all of fall’s biggest trends, as well as all of your go-to basics. Mattes are a great standby for fall, and this one-two punch of orange and red is perfect this fall.

Have you been loving your pinks? Slip on “Who Wore it Redder?” by Maybelline’s Color Whisper ($6, drugstores). The hydrating formula keeps your lips looking good through the night plus keeps them feeling good long after you take it off.This pink is the perfect shade to balance punchy summer colors and deeper later in the year tones. Keep this on hand for day trips with the bridesmaids and slide it on with smokey eyes at night.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bachelorette, beauty, bridal, bride, makeup, tips, trending, trends

Sneak Peek of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” Season 10 Episode 6

September 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

Friday is here and we are fabulously kicking off the weekend with another new episode of TLC’s SAY YES TO THE DRESS. What a great way to start the weekend, right? We think so. When the weekend starts with something as gorgeous as bridal gowns and the brides, then we are in total happiness. Oh, and throw in shopping into the mix, and we are head over heels. Yep, we love us some shopping with brides, and their lovely gowns. If you are a SYTTD newbie and want to know what this show is all about, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on and see why we love this show so much. Oh, and of course tune in tonight and watch!

On tonight’s episode:

Tonight’s episode features bride-to-be, Dina who is fifty and feeling fabulous. She is hoping to find a sassy bridal gown to compliment her personality. Laura is a bride who is looking for a simple lace dress. The problem? Her entourage is a tough crowd to impress. Bride-to-be Shandel is searching for a fitted dress which will make her look glamourous. However her daughter Paige is not on the same page as her. Will each of these brides find the gown of their dreams? Which dress will they say yes to? Which dress will stand out the most to them and their entourage? Tune in tonight to find out!

“Say Yes To The Dress” is on tonight at 9/8c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live tonight!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal, bridal dress, bridal gown, bride, Kleinfeld Bridal, Say yes to the dress, TLC show, wedding

TLC’s Four Weddings Sneak Peek: Season Finale

September 19, 2013 Leave a Comment

Almost time to wrap up another pretty week at BHL. But before we do, we have another episode of TLC’s “Four Weddings“. Tonight is the season finale, and we are kind of sad about that. So, we are going to soak it all in, and really enjoy the season finale. If this is your first time tuning in, then let us tell you a bit about this fantastic wedding show. This show features four completely different brides who have never met, and attend each other’s weddings with one wedding being deemed “the winner” at the end. The brides rate the food, dress, venue, originality, and overall experience of each wedding, except for their own. At the end, all the scores of each bride are tallied, and the one with the highest score wins an all expenses paid honeymoon. Sounds like a fun-filled show right? If you love weddings as much as I do, then I think this show is for you.

On tonight’s episode the four brides are : A bride with beachside wedding dreams, a bride who incorporates family love into her ceremony, a bride who decorates her wedding with tattoo-inspired artwork, and a bride who is total romantic. Each of these brides share their unique style and taste on their wedding day. Which bride will be your favorite? Which bride’s detail’s will you like the best? Which dress will stand out the most? What ceremony will be the most touching? Which bride do you think will win? Make sure to check back on the site on Friday to see what I thought of the four brides and their weddings. Oh, and you will not want to miss tonight’s season finale, it will have you smiling!

TLC’s Four Weddings airs Thursdays at 10/9c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live tonight!

For more information on Four Weddings, check out the website: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/four-wedding

Filed Under: General, TV Shows Tagged With: bridal, brides, four weddings, season finale, sneak peek, TLC, TV show