We are pleased to announce we’re getting bigger! We’ve added a new website to our growing family! www.oncloud9.com is up and running! We are excited to offer baby couture, baby shower favors, baby shower ideas, and baby gifts! We also offer personalized blankets and personalized baby clothing! So take a moment and look at our newest addition. You’ll be excited and delighted at our newest family member.
Archive for July, 2011
Our family is getting bigger! Introducing www.oncloud9.com!
Sunday, July 31st, 2011Adorable New Zebra Lingerie at Advantage Bridal.com!
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
Looking to unleash your wild side? Nothing does this better than a sassy new zebra lingerie babydoll with matching g-string from AdvantageBridal.com! This adorable babydoll is made from a patterned mesh with stretch lace and accented with a small rose. Personalize it for an added extra special touch. Makes a great gift for a bride, girlfriend or yourself! Also available: zebra camisole with built-in bra, zebra thong, and zebra hipsters. For more selections of fun lingerie or great gift ideas, visit us as AdvantageBridal.com!
Check Out Local Wedding Cake Designer Erica O’Brien
Saturday, July 30th, 2011Wow, we just discovered a fabulous wedding cake designer in our own backyard! Her name is Erica O’Brien and her designs are fresh and fun! We love the bright colors and think that a crystal monogram cake topper would be gorgeous on her cakes!
Of course, her unique wedding cakes have been featured in top bridal magazines, but she also offers classes for bakers looking to expand their skills and learn about the basics of cake decorating. We’ve always loved the look of fondant cakes, which pair so elegantly with our crystal cake toppers. Be sure to check out the online gallery of wedding cakes created by Erica O’Brien and her team – there are some whimsical wedding cake ideas that will inspire you as you begin the process of shopping for a baker who can help your vision come to life. Desserts are such a fun part of planning and guests always look forward to eating the delicious cake and/or yummy goodies. If you’re an LA bride or live in the Long Beach area, be sure to schedule a consultation to see what she can do for you. And don’t forget to visit Advantage Bridal for the crowning touch to your wedding cake!
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New Custom Colors Cupcake Wrappers!
Thursday, July 28th, 2011They’re finally here! We are pleased to offer our customers new custom colors cupcake wrappers in several gorgeous designs, such as butterfly, filigree and vine patterns. Our cupcake wraps lend an elegant air to the simplest of cupcakes and now you can order them in your choice of a great selection of colors.
Butterfly Cupcake Wrappers
Now you can match our cupcake wrappers to your wedding color theme, but allow 3-4 weeks for delivery, as these are custom laser-cut just for you! Enjoy!
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Look Like a Bride on Your Wedding Day
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Erika Koesler Chantilly Lace Veil
A veil conveys the image of a bride. The very word – veil – stirs images of weddings, brides and “Prince Charming.”
Perhaps because it was engrained in us as children in fairy tales or because we remember wedding photos of our mothers and grandmothers wearing the sheer head garment.
Wedding veils have historic and religious roots, but modern brides embrace the tradition, too – although it’s likely a fashion choice rather than a symbolic one.
Sheer fabric and lace would adorn a bride’s head – often with accessories such as flowers, jewels and wreaths – to shield her from her bridegroom. He would unveil her face after the vows.
Interestingly, more emphasis was placed on bridal accessories than the wedding dress in past times. And depending on the country and era, veils weren’t always white. (Advantage Bridal carries some veils in different colors.)
The bridal veil is believed to have originated in ancient Greece or Rome. Though it became a symbol of modesty and purity, veils were also worn to ward off spirits and for good luck.
Today, brides wear veils for various reasons and they continue to be an important accessory to the ensemble. Regardless of what type of bride you are – modern, classic, vintage, romantic, simple – there certainly is a veil out there for you.
There are many types of veils, which vary by length and can be embellished with lace, beads, embroidery, satin, ribbon, rhinestones, sequins or other decorations.
You can go dramatic with a cathedral length veil or retro with a birdcage veil. Your options are endless. Remember, most pictures will be taken from the waist up, and you want to look like a bride on your wedding day. (Click on the picture for more information about each item.)
Beaded Edge Princess Veil
Double Cage Veil with Rhinestones Shown with Bridal Hair Comb
Cage Veil with Pearls in White, Ivory or Black
Bel Aire Bridal Veils & Headpieces
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Culinary Delight: Unique Wedding Favors
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011Unique wedding favors for foodies, bakers, cooks, coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts and wannabe chefs.
We picked out some of our favorite favors below. Advantage Bridal carries hundreds of wedding favors, bridal shower favors, bridal party favors, DIY favors, edible favors and favors for any special occasion.
If we don’t have it, you probably won’t find it! We just love the mini cheese graters, olive oil decanter and pear cooking timer – such unique thank you tokens for wedding guests!
We’ll feature more unique favors that reflect various passions, hobbies and personalities in future posts. Thanks for reading and tell us what you choose to give to guests! (Click on the picture for detailed information about each item.)
"The Perfect Pair" Pear Timer Favors
"Olive You" Olive Bottle Wedding Favors
"Vintage Reserve" Wine Bottle Tealight
Stainless Steel Bar Tool Favors
A "Grate" Love Cheese Grater Wedding Favor
Fleur de Lis Coffee Scoop Favors
"Tea for Two" Tea Infuser Favors
"Love Beyond Measure" Spoon Favors
"Scoop of Love" Ice Cream Scoop Favors
"Whisked Away" Wedding Favors
Homestyle Cookie Cutter Wedding Favors
Advice for Guests: Wedding Gift Etiquette
Monday, July 25th, 2011
Photo: Natalie Shelton via Green Wedding Shoes
Thanks to the Wedding Channel for posting the four Golden Rules of Gift Giving:
RESPECT THE REGISTRY.
Couples register at their favorite stores for a reason: Those are the gifts they want! So save yourself the stress of trying to find the perfect gift by choosing something off their registry. Check the couple’s wedding website to see where they’re registered, and shop early so you’re not stuck with the salt and pepper shakers or the $1,000 high-definition TV.
SHOP & SHIP.
While it’s perfectly acceptable to bring monetary gifts to the wedding, all other gifts should be shipped to the couple beforehand. The last thing a couple wants to worry about on their wedding day is lugging gifts home with them – not to mention, it’ll also save you the time and burden of wrapping and transporting the gift.
DITCH THE PRICE PER PLATE MYTH.
Just because your friend’s having a casual wedding doesn’t mean you can gift less – after all, your gift isn’t a payment for your meal! So scrap the “price per plate” calculation and give a gift based on your relationship with the couple. According to TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com 2010 Registry Study, engaged couples typically expect friends to spend $79 and family members to spend $146 on a gift.
GIFT EVEN IF YOU DON’T GO.
If you’ve been invited to a wedding but you can’t attend, you’re not excused from sending a gift. Send something to wish the newlyweds well with a note explaining why you’re unable to attend. Your thoughtfulness and generosity will go a long way.
Shop Advantage Bridal for personalized gifts and unique wedding gifts. We also carry gifts for bridesmaids, the maid of honor, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearer, mother of the bride and mother of the groom, as well as gifts by recipient and gifts by occasion.
Wedding gift etiquette provides basic guidelines, but giving should always be from the heart 
Bride/Groom Personalized Beach Towels $34.95
Mr. & Mrs. Luggage Tags $7
Custom Wine Glasses $24.95 each
Personalized Bridesmaid Tote $24.95
Engraved Cuff Links Groomsmen Gifts $21.95
Personalized Cigar Humidor $69.95 (30 designs)
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Unique Bridal Bouquets for Every Affair
Sunday, July 24th, 2011
Posy Bridal Bouquet
Did you know there are almost 20 types of bridal bouquets? Neither did we! So you need to think about the flowers and the type of bouquet you want walking down the aisle.
See the different bridal bouquets below, and decide which one will complement your ensemble:
- Posy
- Nosegay
- Tussy-Mussy
- Biedermeier
- Arm Sheaf/ Presentation
- Composite Flower
- Fan
- Crescent
- Muff
- Prayerbook/Bible Spray
- Shower/Cascading
- Pomander/Kissing Ball
- Wreath/Flower Hoop
- Wrist Bouquet/Flower Bracelet
- Ballerina
- Basket
- Scepter
- Cone
Brides once carried herbs and spices before flowers became popular thanks to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840.
In ancient times, garlic and aromatic herbs were often used to ward evil. In Greece and Rome, it was once common for the bride and groom to wear garlands around their neck to signify the start of their life together.
Thankfully, flowers took the place of garlic! With so many gorgeous varieties, brides can carry a bouquet that’s one-of-a-kind.
You can also add bouquet jewelry, rhinestone bouquet picks, wedding hankies or stem accents to make a truly unique floral creation.
Kissing Ball Bouquet
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Personalized Love Padlocks: The Perfect Gift & A Worldwide Phenomenon
Thursday, July 21st, 2011Words don’t always convey how much someone means to us, but small tokens can speak volumes. Personalized love padlocks – a.k.a. Lovelocks – are an ancient custom that symbolizes one’s love for a spouse, soul mate, family member or friend.
Believed to have originated in China, the ancient custom calls lovers to lock a padlock on a chain or gate and then throw away the key, symbolically locking their love forever. Just do a Google search to see this custom blossoming worldwide.
Available in three designs: Symbolic Lovelock, Pet Lovelock and Patriotic Lovelock. Each one comes with a unique card enclosure and without a key – because it’s meant to lock only once.
You can find a romantic spot (perhaps on your honeymoon or where you marry) or wherever you and your significant other are drawn to. You can even hold onto it as a keepsake.
Where words fall short, a love padlock can express how you truly feel during life’s special occasions or just because. Here are just some of moments:
* Proposals/Engagements
* Wedding Ceremonies/Receptions
* Anniversaries/Vow Renewals
* Births/Birthdays/Adoptions
* Unique Gift Ideas/Wedding Gifts
* Graduations/Personal Commitments
* Traveling Souvenirs
Around the world – in cities from Moscow to Rome – fences, gates and poles are adorned with padlocks. ”These engraved padlocks are an expression of hope and humanity, connecting people around the world with the one thing that unites us all: LOVE,” note the artisans of Lovelocks.
Beach Bride: Barefoot Jewelry
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
There’s nothing like the wind in your hair, the sand in your toes and the scent of ocean air. . . that’s why we love beach weddings, and all the details that go with them.
Sans shoes, brides can wear barefoot jewelry. Adorned with pearls, crystals or rhinestones, and dangling from the ankle and toe, barefoot sandals fit the ambiance perfectly.
Casual elegance mixed with nature’s beauty makes for a lovely ceremony in the right season. Brides can skip the traditional wedding dress for something a little less fussy. Swept up hair or loose locks look pretty on the beach bride, who might prefer wedding flip-flops over bare feet.
Destination weddings give your guests reason to celebrate and vacation at once. But there are beautiful local beaches in the U.S., too.
Just look at California’s coastline, including popular spots such as San Diego, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and San Francisco. Check with local municipalities to find out what permits you may need.
Grooms in linen, couples wearing leis, barefoot brides – beach weddings will always be in style.
We all love a little pizzazz, so why not dress up your feet with foot jewelry?
Pearl Barefoot Jewelry $36.95
Crystal Barefoot Jewelry $76.95
