Glitz and Glam Bridal Shower Must-Haves

Happy Thursday, everyone! In order to add a little shimmer and shine to your day, we're talking about everything you absolutely must have to throw a Glitz and Glam bridal shower. Here are our favorite decorations, favors, and outfits that will add the finishing touches to a shower that you and your guests are going to love!

Rock Candy
These crystallized sugary treats are the perfect snack for your glitzy bridal shower. Satisfy your sweet tooth with these girly glam rock candy sticks as part of a centerpiece or as favors for your guests!

Champagne
What's a celebration without some bubbly? Glam it up with an added touch of sparkle by painting some champagne flutes with glue and coating them in glitter. Try using gold, silver, and other fun colors to mix it up. You can even get some "sparkling" champagne for your younger guests so they can be part of the fun too!

Pssst! Rock Candy and Champagne make the perfect pair! 

Glitter-dusted Cake Pops
Cake pops are all the rage right now and it's not hard to figure out why. They're the perfect size for quick bites of dessert in between party games and drinks, and they're absolutely adorable! Add a tiny dusting of fine sugar or sprinkles to give them an added touch of bling!

Glam Centerpieces
As the bride, you're the center of attention, but that doesn't mean your centerpieces should be sub par. Dazzle up the décor with a shimmering table cloth in gold, or select some stunning candle holders to really make a statement!

Show Stopping Outfit
Last, but not least, you've got to dress to impress. Reflect this glamorous theme by strutting your stuff in a beaded or sequined dress. Top it all off with a gorgeous, glitter inspired manicure and you're ready to shine!

Are you planning a glitz and glam bridal shower? Share your pictures and ideas with us! 

Photo Credit: blog.amyatlas; ideas.evite; hwtm; hercampus; happywedd;
 weddingdash; colincowieweddings; indulgy; diygirls.blogspot

Bridal Shower Etiquette: What to Wear

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the bridal shower invitations are probably starting to pile up! What you may not know is that there is an etiquette to follow when it comes to what you should wear to a bridal shower. Don't get me wrong, no one should ever tell you what to wear, but understanding the unspoken rules of attire is about respecting and honoring the bride on her special day. So, listen up ladies: here's everything you need to know about picking your outfit for a bridal shower!

If you're the bride:
As the guest of honor, the shower is all about you, so don't be afraid to stand out! You're the only one who has the right to wear white, so seize your moment in the spotlight. Or, if you're the shy type and you worry about having all of the attention, you can opt for ivory or nude and even play with accent colors to make yourself feel a little more comfortable.

If you're a guest:
Your job is to shower the bride with love and surround her with friendship and congratulations, not steal the show. With this is mind, the first rule as a guest is to avoid wearing white; in fact, it's best to avoid ivory and light nude as well. Think of the shower etiquette as an extension of how you would behave at a wedding. You wouldn't wear white to that, now would you? Instead, opt for solid colors or prints. I would suggest avoiding black as well, unless the shower theme calls for it!

Of course the style all boils down to the formality of the gathering. Here are some outfit ideas for brides and guests based on the different types of themes!

Princess Theme

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Formal

Casual

Vintage/Boho

Garden Party

Questions? Comments? Tell us what you think! 

Photo Credit:  canalblog; polyvore; etsy; polyvore; nordstrom; thepeakoftreschic; lizardijewelry; orientaltrading; justjaredjr; us.asos; luulla; tobi; becauseshannasaidso; polyvore; indiefashionboutique; acedarspoon; zkkoo; chicwish; lolobu; lovelyclusters; adoredvintage; amazon; weheartit;

Top 5 Bridal Shower Themes

Good morning, ladies! I hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday with their families. Last week I mentioned that this month's theme is all about showering the bride, and since we've been getting plenty of April showers, I foresee a bounty of May flowers on the horizon. In the mean time, while we wait for the storms to pass, I've put together a list of our top 5 favorite bridal shower themes that the bride and all the guests are sure to love! Keep in mind that the theme for the bridal shower shouldn't be the same as the theme of the wedding, so don't be afraid to get a little creative!

1. Coco Chanel
In case you missed our instagram post from earlier this week, Coco Chanel is one of our all-time favorite bridal shower themes. Why? Because it's both classy and fabulous of course. The pink and black color pallet emulates the glam of this timeless fashion icon and your guests will "ooh" and "aww" over the Parisian French decor. Don't forget the champagne and pearls, darlings.


2. Garden Party
Whether you're planning a tea party or a mid-morning brunch for your guests, a garden makes the perfect spring-time setting. Flowers, vintage tea cups, and pink lemonade are just a few of the endless possibilities for this versatile theme. If you're not crazy about the idea of hosting an outdoor event (or you don't have time to sow a lavish garden), you can bring the garden inside by using bright, floral prints and other spring-inspired decorations!

3. Cooking/Baking/Wine Tasting Extravaganza
Interactive bridal shower themes are becoming quite popular this season. Whether you choose one or all three you can shower the bride and your guests with sweet treats and succulent recipes. Reserve a cooking class or host a baking party at home; either way, guests will love the fun, social interaction that seemingly flows easier over a batch of cookie dough or wine-infused pasta sauce. Plus they'll get to take home delicious food and new ideas to try in the kitchen!








4. Spa Getaway
No girl, in her right mind, would turn down the opportunity to be pampered for a day, and we're certain that the bride will appreciate the chance to finally take a break from all her wedding planning. You can book a party at a local salon, but if there isn't one available, you can easily pull this theme together at home. All you need is some soothing music, cucumber infused water, and the fixings for a proper mani-pedi. Check out this adorable shower gift for the ladies who aren't ready for their relaxing spa day to end: Spa in a Jar!

5. Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Not to be confused with the garden party theme, this Alice in Wonderland inspired gathering is one of my personal favorites. Your guests will praise the unique and adorable decorations which can include a royal setting fit for the Queen of Hearts, or a more vintage-twist feel for those who wish to venture down the rabbit hole. Regardless of which route you choose, this theme is best suited for those who love serious fun and fantasy and specifically for those who are truly mad. I'll let you in on a little secret, though: "all the best people are."

Have you recently attended a ridiculously fun bridal shower? Tell us all about it!

Photo Credit: stylemepretty; hwtm; rachelaclingen; theglamoroushousewife; 
theglampad; allibeeme; theperfectpalette; thoughtfullysimple; catchmyparty; yesmissy; jennycookies; ultimatebridesmaid; hwtm; 100layercake

How to Wear Your Hair with Your Prom Dress

April showers bring May flowers! This month our theme is centered around showering the bride so we plan on showering you with ideas for gifts, themes, and so much more! Also, make sure to keep an eye out for information about our awesome in-store events and special savings this month.

Get This Necklace!

Since Easter is just around the corner, we are kicking off the month with a blog post that features a special treat for our prom girls! We want you look fabulous when you walk through those doors and even if you already have the perfect dress, your look simply isn't complete without the right hairstyle. Here are some tips on how to style your hair to compliment the neckline of your gorgeous gown!

Strapless
Whether your dress has a straight or sweetheart neckline, the back won't typically draw the eye. For a strapless gown, the best look for your hair is to keep it all down. Soft curls or voluminous, beachy waves are the perfect way to frame your face and bare shoulders plus, it's super easy!

Jewelry Tip:
If the bodice isn't heavily beaded, pair this style gown with a statement necklace and a pair of stud earrings!

V-Neck
If you've chosen a prom dress with a v-neckline, you don't want your straps to get completely lost in your hair, but they're not always necessarily worth drawing too much attention to, either. The best hair style we've found to compliment this neckline is to have it half up. Long cascading curls will fall gracefully over the straps without completely covering them, and a cute bump will add a regal touch. A braid or sparkly clip would make a great addition to secure the style in the back.

One Shoulder
One shoulder dresses are some of our favorites. The side sweeping neckline looks best when paired with an equally soft hair style. We've found that a messy bun or ponytail secured on the opposite side of the strap looks best, but a low centered bun works just as well!

Schedule an Appointment to Try on This Dress!

High Collar
Prom gowns with high collar necklines are super popular this season and we are obsessed! With so much going on around the neck, you don't want the added weight of your hair to look constricting, so we highly recommend an all up hair style. A simple braid or clip is all you need for a finishing touch since the top of your gown is going to capture the most attention!

Jewelry Tip: 
A high collar gown means there's no need for a big necklace and long earrings aren't necessary either. We suggest a simple stud and a bold bracelet to compliment this type of dress!

Scoop Neck/Open Back
If the back of your gown is open or intricately beaded, you don't want your hair to cover it! Our favorite way to showcase an open back is with a slicked back bun or side pony tail secured so that it drapes over the front of your shoulder. No other dress captures the business in the front, party in the back look quite like this one!

Get These Earrings!

Jewelry Tip: 
If your dress has a relatively plain front, don't be afraid to play with long, drop earrings; the added touch will have you looking old Hollywood classic!

Don't see the style of your prom gown on our list? Send us a comment and we will tell you how to do your hair and what jewelry we think would compliment it best!

 

Photo Credit: Jovani Prom; teenvogue; elle; stylemepretty; hair-sublime;harpersbazaar

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors

 Happy Blog Post Thursday; I hope you all had a wonderful Saint Patrick's Day! Since you're already thinking green, we thought this would be the perfect time for some Eco-Friendly Wedding inspiration!

As the weather breaks and we spend more of our time enjoying the outdoors, we all start to appreciate the beauty of nature. Whether you're planning an Eco-friendly themed wedding or simply wish to give your guests a memento that won't go to waste, we're showing you our favorite environmentally friendly favors. We want to help you pay homage to the Earth, so get ready to reduce, reuse, and recycle with these adorable gift ideas that feel brand new and unique!

Check out the website!

First on our list are these modern and elegant wedding invitations. Although the metallic feel may not strike you as Eco-friendly, we promise they are! These invitations are perforated and delivered flat so that your guests can sculpt it into a piece of art. Since most paper invitations end up thrown away or lost, these are an excellent alternative that functions in a multitude of ways: They save paper, are a lovely wedding favor, and can be used as a unique decoration in the homes of your guests!

Snag these jars!

We are obsessed with our next idea for a spring barn wedding! Glass mason jars and burlap bags are perfect take home gifts for your guests. They can fill them up with cookies and treats laid out on a cookie table and can re-use them at future gatherings. You can even have them personalized for an added special touch!

Really thinking green? Nothing says Eco-friendly like seeds! Seed paper favors are a trend that's definitely on the rise and you can purchase adorable designs from websites like this one which use biodegradable paper. Your guests take them home, plant the seed paper directly into soil, and the rest is up to mother nature. Your friends and family are sure to remember your special day and the love that bloomed when they see their plants sprout! You can also personalize packets of seeds made from recycled paper or hand out heart-shaped bird seed ornaments to appeal to the animal lovers in your crowd.

In the mood for a little D-I-Y? Here are some ideas for you crafty folk who want to get hands on with your wedding favors. Your guests will appreciate the personal touch of hand made favors that are also functional. Soaps and candles made from natural ingredients like soy, and even tasty treats like honey are unique favors that won't go to waste. If you're really ambitious, you can even put together these tiny terrariums that are sure to make your attendees "ooh" and "aww."

Get This Soy Candle Recipe!

Bonus:
 Planning an eco-friendly wedding? Instead of tossing bird seed, rice, or confetti, check out this awesome new idea we found! Make all your fairy tale dreams come true with a paper lantern send off straight out of Tangled! This company makes lanterns that are biodegradable, aren't made with metal wire, and are flame retardant; mother Earth will definitely thank you for this one!

Attending an eco-friendly wedding and need a gift for the bride and groom? This website makes great products and home decor from recycled materials that your Earth friendly friends will certainly appreciate! 

Have any environmentally friendly wedding ideas that you'd like to share? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Photo Credit: etsy; loverly; buzzfeed; etsy - seeds; etsy - customize; Nature favors; Project Wedding

Brilliant Bohemian Bridesmaids

Don't look now, but it looks like spring has finally sprung! The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and soon we will see the first colorful blooms begin to sprout. This week we've been focusing on the Boho-Chic theme because it's absolutely perfect for a spring wedding. It's fun, laid back, and often ties in some of the best elements of nature.

A wedding theme that is more relaxed is a breath of fresh air and one of the top trends for boho weddings is the mismatched bridesmaid ensemble. These options are a great way to have fun and flirty dresses to match each of your girls' personalities, while also complimenting you and your theme. Here are some great ways to shake up your wedding party and maintain a chic, coherent look.

Pretty in Prints
Having each bridesmaid wear a different print is an adorable alternative to the normally plain style, as long as you keep some elements to tie them all together. Some ways to do so include having your girls wear the same shoes, doing their hair in the same fashion, or wearing matching pieces of jewelry! You can also have them in the same print, but varying colors. One of the best ways to showcase this option is with lace or floral dresses. You can even add sashes of the same shade to really pull the party's look together. 

Coordinating Colors
Another approach to the mismatched bridesmaids is to play with color. Many designers have dresses with similar bottoms and varying tops, which makes it easy to choose different dresses in the same color that flow together seamlessly. If you want to add a little more of a boho vibe, then choose gowns in the same neutral color with differing lengths and necklines. You can always add fun accessories like hats, flower crowns, and chunky jewelry if you want to take it up a notch!

If you really want to accomplish a unique but chic bridesmaid party, we love the idea of mixing both patterns and colors. A great way to let your girls stand out while maintaining a flawless look is to choose gowns within a similar color pallet like jewel tones or pastels; that way the dresses still compliment each other and no one looks like they don't belong!

Tip: Mixing up colors and patterns are a great tool if you want your maid of honor to stand out in the crowd. Her dress can be the only one with a pattern or the only one with a solid color depending on which combination of styles you choose!

Go Convertible
If mixing colors and patterns isn't your thing, the convertible bridesmaid's dress may be the perfect route! We adore our new selection from Allure Bridesmaids. The versatile design and flowing fabrics means that the possibilities are stunning and endless, giving you and your bridesmaids the freedom to be as conventional or alternative as you like! As an added bonus, your bridesmaids can wear and change their dress again and again. Schedule an appointment to come try on these new trendy dresses; we promise you won't be disappointed!

Photo Credit: bicycletteboutique; ruffledblog; brit.co; weddingbells; weddingchicks; allurebridals

5 Ways to Put a Vintage Twist on Wedding Traditions

Happy first week of March, ladies! We are kicking off the month with one of my personal favorite wedding themes: Vintage! Like they say in the fashion world, old trends never die, they simply get recycled. Well bust out the pearls and pop in your DVD copy of The Great Gatsby, because this theme is back in style and we've compiled a list of our 5 favorite ways to put an elegant, vintage twist on some popular wedding traditions.

1. The Bouquet
The bouquet has long been a symbol of fertility and good fortune, and we love the idea of incorporating it into your theme. Adding pearls, lace, flowers made from old books, and even metals are a fantastic way to add a fun flare to this passé tradition.

Bonus: You don't have to worry about your flowers wilting and the bouquet can easily be preserved in a shadowbox or used as a decorative centerpiece for future gatherings!

2. Something Blue
Your "Something Blue" symbolizes the love and fidelity you share with your partner, and there's no better way to showcase these values than with a blue stone wedding ring! With options like blue topaz, sapphires, and even blue diamonds, you can be as subtle or as bold as you want. Check out some of our stunning favorites; the delicate setting and pop of color are the perfect combination of old and new!

Already have your rings picked out? Try a touch of blue with a pair of earrings or a vintage inspired bracelet!

3. The Veil
The veil represents modesty and youth, and was originally thought to ward off evil spirits. If you want to add a retro spin on this tradition, ditch the cathedral veil and opt for an exquisite birdcage veil, fascinator, or intricate headband! These chic headpieces give you the freedom to honor the custom while also getting a little playful. 

Bonus: After you've said "I do," the netting of a birdcage veil can be folded, scrunched, and secured in a low bun for a unique reception-hair embellishment!


4. The Getaway Car
When looking to make a grand departure from your vintage wedding, we recommend keeping it classic; classic car that is. What better way to make an exit than speeding off in a Model T or blowing kisses from a refurbished Volkswagen? Go a step further by stringing decorated, old-fashioned cans to the bumper for an added touch of old school vibes.

5. The Dress
 Traditionally, brides wear a white dress on their wedding day to symbolize purity, but a tea-length gown in ivory might be just the ticket to perfecting the antique look. Furthermore, the great thing about a vintage theme is that it's the ultimate throwback, meaning that your mother's and grandmother's gowns are fair game. If you don't want to wear their dress as is, ask a professional to help you sew pieces of their gown onto yours or create a one-of-a-kind jacket (assuming you get their permission!)

Bonus: Wearing or incorporating a loved one's gown is the perfect way to get your "Something Old" or "Something Borrowed!"

Getting inspired? Tell us about your favorite vintage wedding ideas!

Photo Credits: bluepetyl; buzzfeed; rocknrollbride; etsybouquet; thecluelessgirl; etsyring; ylang23; etsybracelet; etsyring; thebridaldetective; etsyheadband; praisewedding; blogof.francescomugnai; confettidaydreams; tbstyles; ianstuart-bride