2014 Kick Off: Ask the Chief Editor Anything

Another year is in the books and 2013 will be looked back as an incredible year at Bridal Hot List. We celebrated our first year, and each and every day we are growing in our followers and readers. We are so thankful for what the year brought, and look forward to 2014! To kick off the year, the writers of Bridal Hot List were encouraged to write in and ask the Chief Editor of the site anything at all. Here is the Q&A…

Q. How did you get into wedding business?

A.  I took a class at a local college about the “Business of Weddings” where I learned about weddings and the wedding planning industry. It was one my favorite classes, and was so much fun to attend! I quickly became more interested and was an assistant to the top two wedding planners in Orange County. I was an assistant for a year, and learned the ropes until I felt that was ready to go out on my own.  It has been a great time so far, and look forward to 2014 weddings!

Q.  What is your favorite thrifty wedding trick?A. One of my favorite and easiest budget saving tricks is simple – Create your very own wedding invitations. This is a great place to save money!  If you are on a really tight budget, then skip the “Save the Date” cards and instead you can email your guests and include a link to your personal wedding website, which are free! If you have good handwriting and the skill of arts & crafts, making invitations will be a perfect way for you to save money.  A stack of embellished cardstock at JoAnn’s Fabric cost $19.99 and can make about 35 invitations. Or if you are  not the crafty type, you can customize and design the invitations at VistaPrint.com for as low as $3.99 for 10.

Q. What event would you like to see Bridal Hot List be a part of in 2014? A. There are so many amazing events, but I would have to say the one that I would love BHL to be a part of would be New York’s Bridal Fashion Week. I am in love with all things wedding, but bridal gown trends are my favorite and it would be so great to have first look into all the bridal gown trends. I would LOVE to be part of this!

Q. What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever seen at a wedding? Was there any way someone could have prevented it?A.  I have to say the biggest mistake I have seen is when a bride insisted to have her ceremony outside when it was a 95% chance of rain on that day. She insisted that she have it outside because they wanted an ocean-view. Even though a tent was going to be up, and the ocean-view will not be seen with the rain and all, they went on with an outside ceremony.  When the day came, it poured hard, and it was very cold inside. Heaters were not allowed inside the tent due to Fire Marshall standards. So it was a beautiful ceremony… but cold, wet, and with no ocean view. It could have been totally prevented by going with Plan B, and moving the ceremony inside where it was warm and cozy for the couple and their guests. But at the end of the day, it is the bride’s decision, and no matter what, you have to support that. (even it may not be the right one)
Q. What new features on the site are you hoping to implement in 2014 that readers can get excited about?

A. We are hoping to add a more mobile friendly feature, making our articles even easier to view for our readers. We are also going to add interviews and live seminars where readers can ask us anything about weddings! We want to make it even more personal for our readers out there.

Q. Can I get away with not wearing a white wedding dress?

A. Totally!! If you are a traditional bride and want to rock out in something non-white, then go for it! These days, brides are wearing colors of blush, red, and even black. Yes, black, the total opposite of white. A wedding gown is reflective of a bride’s personality, and as long as it doesn’t clash with the venue, then wearing a non-white gown is fine.

Q. Do you have any flower suggestions for people with allergies?

A. We asked our friend and florist Sussanna Davidson from French Buckets  to help us with this one! Here is what she told us: I would say any floral with no scent.  Calla lilies and roses that have been in a green house and not scented.  Succulents are also a perfect choice.  Flowers that definitely needed to be avoided are: Stargazers, garden roses and flowers with lots pollen.  

Q. I’m bad in heels, how do I work around that for my wedding?

A.  You can opt to go with a shorter heel, and just make sure when you go to your alteration appointment, that you take those shoes with you, so they can make sure the dress is the right height. You would really not want to have your dress dragging all day. Actually, when I got married, I had to get shorter heel shoes, and they were not the prettiest shoes, but my dress was long and no one saw those shoes anyways! The key is to be comfortable. This is your wedding day, and you want it to be an incredible day!

Q. Is it tacky to register for more high priced gifts?

A. I think the best way to register gifts is to choose items from all price points. This will allow for your guests to have the option to choose a gift which best fits their budget. You do not want to force your guests to buy highly priced gifts if they can not afford it. So, yes you can totally register high priced gifts, because family members or those close to you will want to buy you something super nice to enjoy as a couple in your new home. Just think balance!

 

Q. Should I send thank you notes to everyone that attended my wedding, or just those who brought gifts?

A.  Saying ” Thank you ” at the wedding reception to all your guests that attended the wedding is good enough. Unless you have a destination wedding, where they had to travel long ways to attend, then a thank you card would be appropriate then. If you sent a thank you card to those that did not bring a gift, it may seem like you are fishing for a gift. You do not want to make anyone feel bad or guilty. Make sure to make your rounds during the reception to thank your guests for coming to your wedding.

 

Q.  What advice would you give someone who is planning their wedding on a tight budget?A. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners can help save couples money as they can help with setting a budget, and making sure they keep with in their budget. Most couples will set a budget, however they do tend to always go above that budget because things come up which they had not thought about. I always sit down with my couples and we go through a checklist of all possible items that  is needed for the wedding day, and then we priotorize each one based on whats important to the couple. When couples work with me from the beginining of their wedding day planning process, and we have set a budget together, we are always under that budget. The couple is happy and so are the parents… or whoever is paying for the wedding!

Q.  What is the most romantic honeymoon destination you have seen?

A. I know this may be obvious and not so surprising, but I have to say Kaui, Hawaii. This island is perfect for newlyweds. The island is small, with nothing but paradise bliss. What I love about this island is that is it simple, lovely, and very romantic. It may not have a whole lot of city life, but there is plenty of gorgeous surroundings to enjoy. Waterfalls, gorgeous mountain views, delicious foods, stunning beaches, Waimea Canyon, and lovely weather. After all the hustle and bustle of wedding day, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your loved one. If you want to have a little bit of city life, you can take a quick airplane ride into Oahu, Hawaii.

Five Tips for an Unforgettable Wedding Dress Shopping Experience

This December I finally tested my maid of honor skills when my cousin asked me to help her plan a day of wedding dress shopping.  At first I was unsure of my outing planning abilities but I have seen enough ‘Say Yes to the Dress‘  episodes, to have a general idea of how to proceed.  I wanted to make it a special day dedicated specifically to her and one she would not soon forget. For those of you family and friends of future brides, here are a few tips for creating an unforgettable wedding dress shopping experience.

THE INVITATION.  The first thing I did was create a list of people my bride wanted to attend.  Remember, a bigger party means more opinions and that might not serve the bride well come decision making time.  Gather the list and create a cute Evite just to make sure everybody knows where and when to meet.  You can meet at a relatives house, restaurant or at the dress shop.

CAN’T FORGET THE TREATS. Take a little time to think about your bride.  What is her favorite treat? What might enhance her mood in case she is feeling stressed out? I know my bride is obsessed with cupcakes so naturally I bought black and white cupcakes to be reminiscent of gown and tux colors.  Setting up a little snack table will help create a cocktail like atmosphere where the group can talk and feel at ease.

POP CHAMPAGNE.  Check with the dress shop beforehand and they might just let you bring your own champagne to pop once you’ve found the dress.  You can make a little toast amid cheers and happy tears.  In our case, I bought pink champagne and toasted the bride before we set out.  It was a great opportunity for a “pep talk” if you will.

FAMILY IS KEY.  Sometimes it’s hard to coordinate schedules and save dates, and that is understandable. There is nothing like having the people you love most around you for the big moments in life.  Fly a mother, sister or bridesmaid in from out of state to share this memory.  As years pass some details might be lost but the bride will always remember those who were there for her.

NEVER ENOUGH PHOTOS.  Take pictures.  There’s not much to that one is there?  Designate one person to be in charge of photos for the day.  That way when the bride begins to stress about her dress in the coming months, you can show her the photos from the day.  She will be distracted by the memories and be at peace for a few precious moments.

We had an amazing time shopping for my cousin’s dress.  It was a great surprise and a way for me to show her how excited I am for her.  We ate, drank, cried, laughed and created lasting memories which is what every bride wants from her wedding journey.  And just in case you are curious… she found her dress!

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Chic and Sophisticated Winter Styled Groom Shoot

Can you believe that it is 2014? January can already be considered an amazing month. Winter weddings are still in tow and we could not be happier. Are you ready for some fabulous winter wedding inspiration? That’s exactly what we’re serving up this morning, and we have to warn you, it is a good one! This inspired winter styled groom shoot is extra special because Perfectly Made Weddings, together with an incredible lineup of vendors is to sure to inspire any winter style affair. Perfectly Made Weddings wanted to really pull in the groom for this one, and let the groom steal the spotlight for a bit. Don’t worry, the wedding day is still about the bride too, but we can’t forget that the groom has a pretty important role in all this. So here is to the groom and his groomsmen!

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From Perfectly Made Weddings

Idea and inspiration behind the shoot:

The idea and inspiration came from the designer’s love for sophisticated, elegant,  and classical details.  The wedding day seems to always be about the bride and her details, but what about the groom? We really wanted the groom to have his own spotlight as well. So, how does the day look like when a groom and his men are hanging out the day of a winter styled wedding in a very elegant and classy setting? We choose Mastro’s Steakhouse for it’s contemporary, sophisticated, and elegant ambiance. The concept was to create a very sophisticated and masculine feel for the day of wedding for the groom and his men. The location is a perfect compliment for this chic and sophisticated look.

Color palette:

The main color palette for the shoot consists of greys, serene blues and silvers.

Fashion: We wanted to stay with winter inspired wardrobe, while keeping it simple and chic.  The groom is wearing a light grey Allure Heather tux, while the groomsmen are wearing Allure Heather Charcoal tuxes.

 Vendor Information:

Event Styling and Design: Perfectly Made Weddings

Photographer:  Silver Gecko Photography

Wardrobe Styling: Eric Acuña | Friar Tux Shop

Wardrobe: Friar Tux Shop

Hair & Make-up: Vibrant One Make-up by Alexis Gameroz-Steely

Floral Design: French Buckets

Venue: Mastro’s SteakHouse (Costa Mesa location)

Models: Sebastian Ramirez, Dan Douglas and Emmanuel Gonzalez

Top Three Winter Bridal Gown Trends

Bridal trends fluctuate over the years, but there are still certain styles that are classic to certain times of the year. Winter weddings are especially very classic and magical, as a lot of them can take place in a snowy winter wonderland. Even if you aren’t getting married in a place that snows, you can always visualize a winter wedding with cold, snowflakes, and shimmery things of the sort. Of course any wedding dress style can be worn at any time during the year, but the following three styles are the perfect dresses for the winter time.

1. BEADS: Beads, bling, glitter and sparkle. Anything with a heavily beaded belt or bodice is a perfect complement to a plain ball gown, which is the ideal snow queen look. Beading will also reflect nicely off of the sun and will glisten along with the snow if you are taking pictures in a snowy location. A plain ball gown is big and fluffy, and fits well for a wintery setting. The important thing is to keep the ball gown plain, and choose one made of either tulle or satin to keep a soft look. Adding a bit of bling will make the plain dress glisten, and will make the dress the perfect prop for the naturally gorgeous backdrop.

2. LACE: Lace is timeless and always a crowd pleaser, but for the winter time, Chantilly lace is the best way to go. It is very soft, yet exquisite in its design compared to other types of lace. Its’ soft appearance reflects the delicateness of snowfall and is just mesmerizing. Because Chantilly lace is so soft, it falls nicely on the body, and lies gently on the train behind for the audience to see. Also, a Chantilly lace dress with hints of bling will add a nice shimmery touch.

3. ROSETTES: Organza is a soft and fabric that flows nicely and that works well on a classic fitted dress. The perfect fit and flare gown for the winter time though, will have medium sized organza rosettes on the skirt. These rosettes will give the dress a light and airy feel that will liven up any chilly wintery wedding day. They give the dress life and pizazz while still being soft and gentle and elegant. Truly, the key to any wintery trend is to keep the dress looking soft.

Sneak Peek of TLC’s “Something Borrowed, Something New” Season 2 Premiere

Happy Friday lovelies! Before you head off to enjoy a beautiful weekend, we’ve got some pretty amazing news to share with you. As you know by now, we are kind of obsessed with TLC’s wedding TV shows.  Whether it is about four different brides and their weddings, or choosing the perfect wedding gown, we L-O-V-E these shows! Guess what show is back for another fabulous season? We will give you a hint: a very talented fashion designer and a amazing bridal stylist come together to find the perfect gown for a bride.   Our Fridays are going to be so amazing with the return of  TLC’s SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW. We are so excited that we are throwing ourselves a little “hurray” party over here. Confetti and all. Fridays are looking super gorgeous. Are you as excited as we are?

With the second season of the show, we are so thrilled to be part of it. If you are a SBSN (SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW.) newbie, then let us tell you a little bit about this amazing show. This show follows a bride’s journey to find the perfect wedding dress for her big day. However there is a twist!  The bride will have to choose a new designer bridal gown, or a fashionably redesigned family heirloom. Who will help the bride find something new and something borrowed for her special day? Each episode is hosted by designer Kelly Nishimoto and stylist Sam Saboura, who will work with the bride to help choose between two dress options. Kelly will turn a special, previously worn gown into a gown which is for the time, venue, and personality of the bride. The bride will also have a chance to work with Sam in shopping at a bridal salon to find a brand new stylish dress. What happens next? The bride will have to make a very important decision and choose between a one-of-a kind dress and a newly fashionable piece. Will the bride choose her mother’s wedding gown, or find something new and unique to her? Which one will the bride choose?

Are you ready for Season Two? We can not wait to see what Sam and Kelly will do! We love their style and design.

Season two is kicking off with two back to back episodes! Tonight’s first episode features a New Jersey bride-to-be, Nikki, who is planning a huge Italian wedding with a winter wonderland theme. She is looking for a dress that is decorated with crystals and is skin-tight to flaunt her assets. However, Nikki’s mom is leaning towards her own 80’s style gown as the gown her daughter walks down the aisle in. What dress will Nikki choose? Will it be a dress that Sam finds for her, or one that Kelly redesigns?

The second episode features bride Sarah who is totally Daddy’s little girl and loves to wear her grandmother’s wedding gown. The problem? It is a 1942 bridal gown that is very delicate and falling apart.  Can Kelly save the day and the vintage gown? Or will Sam find a gown that Sarah will fall in love with?  You will have to watch tonight to find out. You won’t want to miss!

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TLC’s Something Borrowed, Something New airs Fridays at 10/9c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live on Fridays!

Here is a sneak peek of tonight’s episode:

Five Tips for Perfect Engagement Photos

Did you get swept up in engagement season? Never fear, BHL is here! We know you have a lot to do, and we’re here to help. Now that the question’s been popped, it’s time to show off. Before you run off to take your official engagement photos, check out our top five tips.

 

1. Manage your Mani

Get yourself a quality manicure. We’re talking booking that nail artist you read about in Allure. Your hands will be photographed more heavily now than they ever have been, and you want to make sure they look good. Get your nails done as close to your photoshoot date as possible so you don’t have time to nick them or mess them up beforehand. If you’re still worried about making the mani last, opt for a gel manicure over acrylic. You don’t want to risk breaking off a nail, plus gel manicures will look more natural since they are on your natural nails. We suggest doing a classic french manicure to keep all attention on your ring.

 

2. Shine Bright

Get your teeth whitened! If you don’t have time to try out white strips, head over to your dentist for a quick cleaning or whitening. Even if you’re not insured, many dentists are offering whitening treatments that are affordable and relatively quick. If you have the time and the means, a deep cleaning can work wonders for your smile. You know you’ll be flashing those pearly whites, and you want them to be remembered as white.

 

3. Check the Weather

Dreaming of lovey-dovey photos outside? Do those dreams involve high winds or rain? Check the weather before you head out for pictures. It’ll be hard to make that ring sparkle if it’s gloomy and grey outside. If you scheduled a photographer, you may want to have a backup location just in case it starts to rain. If you’re out here in Southern California with the rest of the BHL team, you know it’s usually beautiful but that can change very quickly. Elsewhere in the country, the weather can be even more fickle.

 

4. Plan With your Partner

Yay- you’re engaged! But just remember, your fiance is too. Go over your plans and visions for the photos so you both know what you’re going into. You may need to have a serious sit down if your vision involves matching/coordinating outfits or any extra special looks. You don’t want to spring any surprises that will leave them feeling silly. Your engagement shoot is a time to celebrate the next step of your relationship- and that means coming to agreements.

 

5. Be your Classic Self

Now is not the time to try highlights or finally get a spray tan. Show off your well-known loveable self looking like no one else but you. These photos are going to last a lifetime, and you want to be able to recognize yourself! If you are a mascara and chapstick kind of girl, stick to it and leave the false lashes for another time. Showcase your favorite features and be comfortable in your skin.

Top Five 2014 Wedding Trends

Happy New Year! With a new year comes new wedding fashions, and at Bridal Hot List, we want to make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in décor, wedding gowns, food, colors, and flowers. What a beautiful way to ring in a new year!

Décor

The New Year brings about a turn away from the shabby chic craze, and a turn to an old Hollywood glamour vibe. Look for vintage elements that will add glamour and glitz to your wedding and reception—old hotels with elaborate ballrooms do much of the heavy lifting for you in terms of décor, so look for hotels that offer interesting architectural touches such as elaborate staircases, marble floors, and painted ceilings.

Overall trend

Colors

Neutral colors will allow the beauty of your venue to shine, so choose classic colors such as white, black, beige, and grey. Navy and various shades of pink will also be big this season, even being seen in several designer wedding gown collections!

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Flowers

Peonies and roses give romantic glamour to your venue and bouquet. Darker flowers mixed in with various shades of pink add interest and depth. Adding family heirlooms, such as necklaces, lace pieces, and rings, to your bouquet will add gorgeous vintage elements and will make it more personal!

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Dress

Wedding gowns will be lacy, embellished, and full of old Hollywood glamour! Halter-tops, Grecian draping, floral headpieces, and fur stoles ensure that 2014 will be the most glamorous wedding season of all. Should you opt for a trendy pink dress, keep the shape and style simple. No need for fancy detailing–let the color be the star of your gown!

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Food

Homegrown and local food is still the trend for 2014, so choose caterers that work with local farms. Elegant sit down dinners is a big change from the laid back and homey buffet style from the shabby-chic 2013, but alternative dessert bars, instead of a traditional wedding cake, is still big this season. If having a wedding cake is more your style, then go for a classic white cake to keep in theme with the old Hollywood glamour trend.

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