Archive for January, 2011

Pantone Spring Colors, An Exotic Journey

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Spring Wedding Colors

Citing exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey as inspiration for spring 2011, designers continue to satisfy consumers’ need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands. These hues can inspire wedding colors, wedding flowers, bridesmaids dresses and reception decor.

“The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “By cleverly combining complementary colors, those that are opposites on the color wheel, they have created a striking intensity to the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall, with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes.”

Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season’s palette. This vibrant pinkish-red for both apparel and cosmetics makes consumers feel alive, and is a perfect post-winter pick-me-up.

Spicy, gregarious and persuasive describe Coral Rose, a sophisticated orange that, much like Beeswax, a warm, honeyed yellow, conjures up feelings of faraway lands and locales. Pair either of these piquant hues with a cool, refreshing color-wheel opposite like Regattafor a vibrant color combination that will add zest to any wardrobe. Romantic, fanciful Lavender implies sensuality with its subtle hint of red undertone. Combine it with Beeswax or Coral Rose for a unique counterpoint.

Alluring Blue Curacao evokes thoughts of tropical destinations and pays homage to the 2010 Color of the Year, Turquoise. Practical consumers can continue to incorporate enticing Caribbean blues into spring by pairing Blue Curacao with warm, complementary colors like Honeysuckle or Coral Rose. Peapod, a fresh yellow-green, brings an organic element to the palette and is reminiscent of the green shoots that signify change and new beginnings traditionally found in spring.

Trans-seasonal neutrals ground this season’s palette and provide a stable backdrop for all the other colors. The so-called “nude hues” are represented in the range of ethereal Silver Peony to dramatically deep Russet. Another dependable background color, Silver Cloud, is the quintessential neutral that consumers can rely on to coordinate with everything in their closet. For Pantone wedding accessories and bridal accessories in every Pantone color, visit Advantage Bridal. (Press Release from PANTONE).

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Lovely Mini Wedding Cakes: Cake Centerpieces

Friday, January 28th, 2011
Wedding Cake Centerpieces

Photo by i am baker

These absolutely adorable wedding cakes by i am baker should inspire brides to think beyond the traditional wedding cake. These mini wedding cakes are perfect for spring weddings and summer weddings but, more important, the concept makes them lovely reception centerpieces. As i am baker notes, they’re all sooo cute why not put a different wedding cake on each table? Love the idea! Brides can choose different wedding cake decorations and flavors for a unique centerpiece that won’t be wasted and will totally be adored by wedding guests! Or, why not have a dessert table with various mini cakes for guests. The photo below is a concept for individual wedding cakes accented with a lovely fondant icing flower (rose). Consider different cake colors, cake designs and cake shapes when going this route – the possibilities, of course, are endless! Dare to dream. . .Add a unique cake topper or monogram cake topper to the wedding cake on the sweetheart table for a whimsical touch.

Individual Wedding Cakes

Photo by i am baker

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Real Housewives Star Reveals Unique Wedding Dress

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Shimmering platinum might not be the first color brides consider for a custom wedding dress, but it’s what The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey wore when she walked down the aisle last summer with new husband Peter Thomas. While she is not an A-list celebrity, plenty of fans tune in each week to follow the lives of The Real Housewives. She made our list for the unique wedding dress featured in the February issue of ESSENCE magazine.

Model Cynthia Bailey Wedding

Model Cynthia Bailey married entrepreneur Peter Thomas on July 24 at the Fernback Museum of Natural History. Rubin Stinger designed Cynthia Bailey’s nontraditional, custom wedding gown that featured a neck wrap and bow. Chunky drop earrings and bangle bracelet complete her runway look. We applaud Cynthia Bailey for wearing this interpretation of a wedding gown and think she looks fabulous! The groom wore a light grey tuxedo with a chocolate brown bow tie for added contrast. On January 30, their wedding will air on the season finale of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

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Amsale Bridal Collection

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Amsale’s 2011 wedding dress collection features beautiful details, textures and designs.  We hope these designer Amsale bridal gowns inspire brides as they hunt for the perfect wedding dress. Amsale’s bridal niche perfects “elegant and understated” wedding gowns, and this year’s no exception for the “forever modern” style Amsale is known for. The Amsale Blue Label Collection features bridal gowns with more complex construction that require more work, finer fabric, laces and trims, and intricate beadwork. The Blue Label gowns are created individually and are available at select bridal retailers. Amsale also includes several short, cocktail length wedding dresses in this year’s lineup, a trend Advantage Bridal has noticed among many of this year’s bridal designs. For upcoming Amsale trunk shows held in various states this month, click here.

Asha Wedding Dress by Amsale

Asha by Amsale

Taryn Wedding Gown by Amsale

Taryn by Amsale

Sabrina Bridal Gown by Amsale

Sabrina by Amsale

Bijou Bridal Dress by Amsale

Bijou, Amsale Blue Label Collection

Rhiannon Wedding Dress by Amsale

Rhiannon, Amsale Blue Label Collection

Sierra Bridal Gown by Amsale

Sierra, Amsale Blue Label Collection

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R&B Singer Monica Marries Lakers Guard

Monday, January 24th, 2011
R&B Singer Monica Marries Lakers Guard

R&B Singer Monica and Lakers Guard Shannon Brown

R&B singer Monica confirmed her secret wedding ceremony to Lakers Guard Shannon Brown to HipHollywood.com with the following statement:

“This is a very special time in my life. I am blessed to have married the man that God sent me, he’s loving, compassionate, strong and supportive of my children, family and career. I look forward to our lives together.”

Monica and Brown tied the knot last November, following rumors after Monica tweeted a photo of her large diamond engagement ring from fiance Shannon Brown.  The two first met on the set of her music video “Love All Over Me.”

Reportedly, the couple still plans to hold a ceremony this summer, and Monica also hinted at the possibility of extending their family.

Brown is working hard on a three-peat with the Lakers and running all of his businesses, while Monica is excited about being nominated for two grammy awards and finishing her new album “New Life,” due to be released in the summer.

For those recently engaged, check out Advantage Bridal’s selection of “Just Engaged” apparel and accessories, such as the custom rhinestone tank that says, “I got the ring!

Monica Engagement Ring

Monica's Diamond Engagement Ring

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2011 Wedding Color Combinations

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

Beautiful color combinations are in store for 2011 weddings. According to a wedding expert on Wedding Aces, this year’s wedding color combinations are as follows:  Stone, Shell, Navy; Honeysuckle, Plum, Mercury; Peach, Ivory, Mint; and Gold, Teal, Deep Blue. What wonderful colors to celebrate a wedding; these wedding colors are sophisticated and elegant with a pop of color in deep hues. Note the Navy, Plum, Teal and Deep Blue. Wonder what the wedding colors will be at the royal wedding? The Pantone wedding accessories at Advantage Bridal help brides choose the perfect color combinations.

Wedding Color Combinations

Row One: Vera Wang Maids, Fall 2008; Floral Photo by Anna Rozenblat Photography; Bridesmaid Image by Our Labor Of Love Photography Row Two: Mercury Glass Image from Adrienne dePitera Blog; Escort Cards from 100 Layer Cake; Invitation Image from 100 Layer Cake Row Three: Shoes photographed by Jose Villa; Decor Image from 100 Layer Cake; Floral by JL Designs Row Four: Bridesmaid Image by Ryan Phillips; Bouquet Image by Marisa Holmes Photography; Taffeta Ball Gown with Layered Tulle Skirt Style (WG3057) by Galina for David’s Bridal

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Stunning Details: Luxurious Lace

Friday, January 21st, 2011
Lace Wedding Gown

Lace Bridal Gown

Lace is making a comeback in the wedding community, from stunning lace bridal gowns and lace embellishments to elaborate lace wedding accessories. Lace wedding gowns are no longer considered outdated, but rather exude opulent luxury. Wear a beautiful lace veil to complete the look.

While choosing a lace wedding dress can be a difficult challenge, it helps to know what type of lace is most flattering on you. With strong European influences and centuries old pattern designs, lace has been revived through technological advancements and market development. Lace wedding gowns look gorgeous in day or evening weddings, indoor or outdoor weddings and, of course, seasonal or traditional weddings. Lace is also the perfect choice for vintage weddings. Search lace samples for inspiration and to find what kind of lace best suits you.

Different Types of Lace

Re-embroidered Alencon: One of the most popular types of lace for weddings and also one of the most expensive. Re-embroidered Alencon lace is embroidered Chantilly lace. It is a heavy-duty type of lace; capable of handling large quantities of crystal, glass and beaded embellishments.

Chantilly: Features flowers and ribbons on plain netting or organza. Chantilly is the most inexpensive type of lace made.

Duchesse: Belgian lace made in Brussels and named after Marie-Henriette, Duchess of Brabant. She was also later queen of the Belgians. Duchesse is a bobbin lace motif

Guipure: Needlepoint lace made with a heavy buttonhole machine stitch. The motif pattern layout is on a coarse mesh net. Guipure is a French bobbin lace.

Ribbon: A cord of ribbon is used to draw and tie together two opposite edges at random over netting or mesh.

Schiffli: This lace is a type of embroidery made by modern machines, but evolved from a hand version.

Spanish: Venetian needlepoint lace. The Spaniards imported this lace from Italy in the 1700’s. Designed with flat roses on a mesh background.

Venetian: Otherwise known as Venetian needlepoint lace. The motif is a combination of acute-angled points, individually worked separately and linked together by a narrow band, or “footing” stitched with buttonholing.

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Preparing for First Communion

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

First Communion marks a special time for families, as they watch their son or daughter prepare for the holy sacrament. This special day – First Holy Communion – is one of the first sacraments in the church, followed by the Sacrament of Confirmation in their early teens. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is a time of spiritual celebration and occurs after the Sacrament of Baptism. It is an exciting time as your child prepares for this momentous occasion, and we are here to make it easier. Advantage Bridal carries a large selection of 1st Communion dresses, First Communion gloves, Holy Communion veils, Communion gifts, First Communion rosaries, 1st Communion tuxedos, Holy Communion shoes, First Communion invitations and much more. Advantage Bridal is a one-stop shop for everything First Communion so you can dress your little boy or little girl like the precious gem they are.

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Sweet Endings: Wedding Cakes Galore

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Wedding Cake

Fantasia Wedding Cake by Jacques Fine European Pastries

The wedding cake is the star of the reception and popular TV shows, such as Cake Boss, Fabulous Cakes, Ace of Cakes and Cupcake Wars (to name a few), have catapulted the baking industry into the limelight. This has launched the ideas and possibilties for wedding cakes into a new realm. If brides and grooms can dream of the perfect wedding cake – no matter how seemingly impossible the concept might be, chances are there’s a local or regional baker who can create a showstopping wedding cake. Oh, and don’t forget to peruse through Cake Central Magazine where the award-winning Jacques Fine European Pastries in New Hampshire has been featured. This European bakery specializes in perfection and the quality shows. Check out this amazing bakery’s wedding cake gallery for some inspiration, including theme wedding cakes, funky wedding cakes, traditional wedding cakes, monogram wedding cakes and many more. Below is some inspiration while you think about what kind of wedding cake to serve guests. Monogram cake toppers or unique cake toppers personalize any reception cake. Brides.com also features some stunning wedding cakes, including cakes by color, season, theme and the Best of 2010. Advantage Bridal carries special occasion cake accessories, including round, square, pedestal and tiered cake stands.

Wedding Cake

Cherry Blossoms Wedding Cake by Jacques Fine European Pastries

Wedding Cake

Mad Hatter Wedding Cake by Jacques Fine European Pastries

Wedding Cake

Dotted Swiss Orchid Wedding Cake by Jacques Fine European Pastries

Wedding Cake

Sea Coral Wedding Cake by Jacques Fine European Pastries

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Wedding Trends for 2011

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

 

Model 2022 from Benjamin Roberts with trumpet skirt

Everyone wants to be in the know when it comes to setting trends.  Advantage Bridal has been watching the newest collections for 2011 and has spotted some styles, features and embellishments that we think are going to be big for 2011.

In 2010 it was predicted that sleeves would make a showing but it didn’t happen as big as was anticipated.  However, romance continues to be the theme in collections of such designers as Reem Acra and Vera Wang.  These designers are trying to capture the inner royalty of us all and we trend followers think that the royalty reign will continue for some time!

The influence of vintage on the bridal world translates to lace continuing to be a major part of this year’s gowns.  But don’t think that everyone will go the way of the past.  Short, cocktail style wedding dresses will be adorning those city-style weddings!

For the curvier bride, trumpet skirts are coming to the rescue.  Much like the antiquated mermaid style of bridal gown, the trumpet skirt adds a modern flair by marking out the curves on the bride while adding a great touch of flair at the bottom of her gown.

Ruffles and off the shoulder dresses are sure to be huge this year!  Which can only mean one thing…look for interesting backs on gowns.  Details are important as is the use of color in this year’s gowns.  Veils are sure to get more dramatic and add interesting touches to otherwise simple gowns.

Keep checking and relying on Advantage Bridal for up to date insider tips to the wedding industry!

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