Blush + Bashful

I’m a huge fan of wearing a cute, white dress to your rehearsal dinner. You’re only the bride once. Wear white at every chance!

When I was getting married, I searched high and low for a white dress to wear to my rehearsal dinner. I found one, but not until I had wasted more time than I care to admit.

Now that I  am no longer the bride in search of the perfect rehearsal dinner dress, there are white dresses popping up everywhere! I thought I’d share a few in case you hadn’t started your shopping.

Casual (Old Navy, Old Navy, Gap):

Classic (Banana Republic, JCrew):

Fancy (JCrew):

I think this goes without saying, but please, do not, under any circumstances, wear your adorable white rehearsal dinner dress to a friend’s wedding-related event…a shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, or brunch. You can wear it on your honeymoon!

Happy Shopping!

If you haven’t gotten your wedding gown yet, you’re in luck! Sign up now for the Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale this weekend in Chicago.

http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/index.html

If you are already married, think about donating your gown!

Earlier in the week, I had the chance to visit Beth and Judith from Scarlet Designs in their amazing showcase studio on Oak Street. Scarlet Designs has a line of gorgeous Special Occasion Separates perfect for brides who want their bridesmaids to have a unique look and dress-buying experience.

Here’s a little peek:

What makes these separates so different from those you’ll find elsewhere is that all of the skirts are adjustable. I think this is amazing because the dresses are custom-made for each bridesmaid AND they are adjustable. That takes care of all of those pricey alterations and worries with pregnant bridesmaids! You really have to see this to believe it, but some of the skirts are made with a drawstring that is concealed by a reversible sash and others are a full wrap skirt. Genius!
There are 80 basic color choices in three fabrics: Silk Shantung, Duppione Silk, and Faille Taffeta Polyester.  You can also choose an embroidered specialty silk. I think it would be fabulous to dress your bridesmaids in their favorite pieces from the separates and the mothers in complimentary tones using an embroidered silk accent. You can tie it all together and take care of gifts for the girls with custom made wraps or purses. How fun!

If you are considering a unique high-end look for your bridesmaids that truly fits the bill of something they can “wear again,” check out Special Occasion Separates from Scarlet Designs.

Here’s my favorite look…

I am obsessed with the skirt. And, if you go to the studio, you can see similar styles with an adorable ruffle on the bottom!

I love ballet flats. They are cute, stylish, comfortable, and fun. If you are searching for a great wedding day shoe that will allow you to dance the night away, check out the new styles on J Crew’s website.

This is the Twinkle Ballet Flat in Platinum Gold Glitter…Who says that your left hand has to have all of the fun?

This style is called the Clea Printed-Fabric Ballet Flat. It’s perfect for the non-traditional bride wearing a more casual wedding dress. It’s especially great if you were inspired by the Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2007 issue with the gorgeous marigold and pewter color palette.

And…here are a few shoe tips that you’ve probably heard a million times…

• Regardless of whether you wear an adorable ballet flat or a chic stiletto on your wedding day, make sure that your feet are properly supported and comfy! No matter how cute those shoes are, you’ll be upset if you are wincing in pain in all of your photos.
• Buy your wedding day shoes well in advance. You need them for wedding gown alterations anyway. Break them in by wearing them around the house with socks. And, no…it doesn’t cause bad luck if your fiance sees your wedding shoes!

By now, you probably know that I love makeovers. Watching someone go from ho-hum to Holy Cow! is just magical to me. I’ve already confessed that my favorite makeover show is TLC’s “What Not To Wear.” No one does a makeover better than Clinton, Stacy, Nick, and Carmindy!
Friday, June 8th is one WNTW episode that you just can’t miss. Clinton and Stacy are helping real brides choose the perfect wedding day looks! Hopefully you can take away some helpful hints for choosing your own perfect wedding gown. By the way, selecting a wedding dress is supposed to be the most exciting and joyous shopping trip you ever take. Remember that!
Here’s how TLC’s listings describe this episode:

For many women the wedding dress is the most important dress they’ll ever wear. But choosing the perfect one can be a tough decision. What Not to Wear takes three very lucky brides-to-be to New York for the bridal transformation of a lifetime.

In the meantime, here are Blush & Bashful’s tips for choosing the perfect-for-you gown:1) Show off your best assets: a tiny waist, great cleavage, or toned arms (camouflage the rest!).
2) Stay away from things that are too trendy because you’ll have these photos forever.
3) Choose a fabric shade that compliments your skin tone. Read: It doesn’t have to be white!
Have fun!
Meg