Our Wedding Wednesday series just got kicked up…several notches! The fabulous Rolf’s Salon and Arizona Weddings magazine will be filming a series of bridal videos where I share my favorite tips, tricks and tools for creating your own Glamorous Desert Wedding. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at my wedding planning, too! (I’ve even dragged my handsome fiance along for the ride!)
Whether you’re on a budget or money is no object, I’ll show you how to create sizzling style on your Big Day! Here’s episode 1! Check back to this post and I’ll keep posting more videos each week.
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21-Our Wedding!
If there’s any questions you have for me or things you want to hear about for your bridal planning, I would love to hear them! Most of you know I’m a freelance writerand have been writing about the bridal industry for nearly a decade. But now that I’m actually going to be a bride, it’s a whole new ballgame to explore.
Anything you would like me to answer in the videos? Leave a comment below! I’m excited to be able to share these with you guys so be sure to stay tuned and check this post for more each Wednesday!!
You’re engaged, you shop for and buy the dress of your dreams! You have your beautiful Big Day and the next day, a photo shoot with a professional photographer capturing moments of you rolling around in the mud/sand/water/whatever destroying your wedding dress.
Yes, “Trash the Dress”, “Rock the Frock” or whatever you wanna call it is apparently a huge growing trend. Forgive me for saying this but, am I the only one who just doesn’t get it?
Why, under any circumstances, would I want to don the Most Beautiful Dress and probably most expensive dress I will wear in my life for what’s likely to be one of the Best Moments in my life ever and then have someone take pictures of me destroying it. I mean, really?
The idea is to wear your dress “one last time” and do something that shows off your personality. That and to get magazine-like editorial photos of you in a stunning dress and an odd locale. Maybe I’m the odd one out, but I have a few issues with this.
1. It feels a little narcissistic
Look, I’m probably as narcissitic, vain and self-involved as they come. I’m an only child. I have a blog. Really, the list could go on. But even I can recognize that when I actually sit down to think about it, what the heck am I going to do with a bunch of pictures of myself in a pool with a wedding dress on? It isn’t the kind of thing you can really frame 10 photos of and put around your house. You’ll have your actual wedding photos, for one, and eventually family photos which will far supercede these and most any wedding pictures anyway.
2. It feels kinda greedy
O.K. The odds of you wearing the dress again are nill. And the odds that your daughter or other family member will want to wear it are pretty slim also. That’s fair. Who would want a dress sitting around collecting dust? But ya know, there are other things you could do with it. Really, if you have thousands to drop on a wedding dress and another thousand or so to spare to have a day-after photo shoot, wouldn’t it be a much better deed to donate the dress to someone in need who isn’t as fortunate to be able to have these things? Just something to think about…
3. It feels kinda disrespectful
Call me old fashioned, but I feel like at least some things should be sacred. Again, you don’t have to box the dress and hide it, but finding a better use for it than tearing it apart may be an idea worth exploring. And speaking of better use…
4. It feels like you could use it for something else
Like say, your first child’s christening gown. Maybe somehow incorporated into your future daughter’s wedding dress or Prom dress. Even selling the dress on sites like eBay or RecycledBride.com seem like a much better option.
This week, I’m excited to share I was featured in IFB’s Links a la Mode again alongside some other very talented bloggers. It’s always an exciting honor to make the list! Please enjoy this week’s top posts below!
Can you believe that it’s almost February. Fashion week is right around the corner and that means that the IFB Conference is right upon us. The IFB Conference has opened so many doors and channels for fashion bloggers to connect and expand their *ahem* influence. Fashion week is another great avenue to network and work with brands, the media and other bloggers. In our fast-paced digital (and fashion) worlds, connection is key.
Check out this week’s Link a la Mode and connect with our 20 selected bloggers. Read their post, comment and build relationships that will last past fashion week and beyond.
THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: JANUARY 26TH
It’s stylish here, I promise. There’s potential here, I promise. There are plenty of men and women who are enthusiastic about fashion and can see past the rhinestones and skulls and Ed Hardy, I promise.
But mostly, it’s because there’s plenty of us trying not to melt in this forsaken desert while simultaneously proving we can look cute too. And we’re writing about it. And though the waters may have been somewhat murky in the past as far as finding any of local fashion influencers, it’s changing. Even if it is slowly.
This morning I met with Courtney of The Phoenix Style Collective (who also runs Phoenix is Haute), an idea I also actually had clipped away in Evernote, and never really got around to actually implementing. In short, it’s a way to link the local tastemakers in the community. And tomorrow night is the launch party.
Stop by for food, fashion, drinks and to mingle with your favorite local bloggers. It should be a pretty fun event so don’t miss out!
Will you be there?
For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Last week, I wrapped up my travel story to Costa Rica. And looking at the pictures kind of makes me wish I was still there…
Yup, I even tried the zipline!
Costa Rica is hardly your typical island vacation; it’s much more for your adventurous type and I am hardly adventurous. In fact, my idea of the “outdoors” is anything with a cocktail and patio involved. This trip, however, was the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation and just the right dose of adventure. I can order drinks poolside, there’s a personal chef-onsite, I can book a beach side massage and, as you can see, I even dared to try the zipline!
On our first full day there, we went to the Langosta Beach Club (pic above) which has a restaurant right on the beach. They also have a private pool with cabanas to veg around all day. Very much reminded me of a Vegas-style hangout except swap out the vodka with tequila bottle service and the bimbos and douchebags for surfer dudes and Costa Ricans in bikinis.
But don’t even think that means I didn’t also enjoy that cool cocktail! Hey, I needed a reward for all that hard work braving the outdoors, right? The pool and beach photos are where I spent my three days, hosted at The Palms Private Residence Club, a members-only fractional ownership community that’s really the ultimate in luxury. It’s a blend of hotel-like amenities with all the benefits of private ownership. The two-bedroom villas can sleep 6 people comfortably and are about 2,500 square feet (which I had all to myself!)
And as you can tell from the pics, sunsets were absolutely stunning. It’s literally just a few steps from Flamingo Beach and the only property in Costa Rica on this beach. I could hear the waves crashing against the sand every night.
Bust out your very best YSLs ladies, Simon Doonan is coming to Scottsdale Fashion Square’s Barney’s to sign his new book, Gay Men Don’t Get Fat.
With Simon Doonan @Arizona Biltmore
I had the pleasure of meeting Simon a few year’s back when he was in town promoting his last book, Eccentric Glamour. He is really such a character; if you have a chance be sure to stop in and say hi! You can RSVP for the event at 602.337.6000.
Barney’s New York, Scottsdale Fashion Square
January 14, 2pm-4pm
For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.
Planning a wedding is a ball of fun. But it’s also a total ball of stress. Really until you dive in (head first, preferably) you have no idea what you’re getting into. One way to check a lot of those pesky “tasks” off your Knot.com or Wedding Wire checklists is to check out local bridal shows where you can one-stop shop for all your vendors.
If you’re planning a wedding in Scottsdale, you won’t want to miss the Scottsdale Wedding Walk on January 29 at The Venue of Scottsdale. There will be tons of vendors on site, fashion shows and giveaways too!
Speaking of giveaways, I’m giving all StyleSizzle readers $2 off your ticket! Just use code “sizzle” when ordering tickets online. (Tickets are $8 online, $6 with the code and $10 day-of at the door.)
Not in the mood to spend? I’m giving away a few FREE tickets too! Just leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite part of the wedding planning process has been. I’ll announce a winner online and on our Facebook page on Monday, January 23 by 5PM MST.
Every Wednesday, I’ll be updating the blog on all things bridal. Arizona bridal news and events and, of course, my own trip to the altar too!
This weekend, you may also want to check out the Lian Carlo Trunk Show at Destiny’s Bridewhich if you haven’t been, is one of my favorite Scottsdale bridal boutiques.
And lastly, speaking of Scottsdale bridal boutiques, newcomer Schaffer’s Bridal is celebrating their grand opening at Kierland Commons by offering 10% off all purchases made through the end of the month!
I personally haven’t had a chance to check out Schaffer’s Bridal as of yet but know they carry dresses, tuxes, bridal gowns and accessories too.
Schaffer’s Bridal-15222 North Keirland Blvd
(480) 998-2298
Don’t forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to the Scottsdale Wedding Walk! Tell me, what’s your favorite part of the planning process?
For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on Facebook.
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