Top Wedding Trends of 2012

          Today I wanted to share some of 2012's most popular trends in case there are any brides who may still be in need of some inspiration! If you are a bride and you have NO idea what is popular right now in weddings then look no further!

           This year brings wedding ceremonies that are becoming more intimate and personal than has been seen in the past few years. Gorgeous bling and over-the-top glam and tons of attention to detail make this year's weddings really something special.  Modern Vintage themes will dominate and help to add a timeless romance to this year's shindigs.


            It is all about lace when it come's to 2012's most popular wedding gowns. With dresses taking  their cue from Kate Middleton's gorgeous ensemble we are seeing a much wider variety of different necklines and sleeve options.  Less strapless gowns and more one shoulder.  Illusion necklines, and deep v necks are super popular this year as well.  Though more romantic and elegant than last year, this year's gowns still come in a vast array of cuts and styles to fit any bride. To finish the look brides are opting to pair their white dress with none-white shoes! 

           Gone is the trend towards simple and in is the glamour! Everything from sparkly accents to faux fur shrugs, this years weddings are looking more expensive and have that little something extra to give them some opulence.  Bejeweled details are also popular, such as cool brooches on bouquets, decorated candle holders, and adorned invitations. Pair these elements with refined clean lines for a unique combination with a wow factor!  Not only that but all the metallic accents this year pair nicely with the vintage vibe that is so present.


           Making a comeback in the floral department this year are big and lush bouquets. A wide variety of textures and a mixture of hues make this year's bouquets nothing less than enchanting.  Centerpieces are following suit to the bouquets but are not necessarily matching (matching is OUT for 2012).  Some couples are still opting for flower substitutes such as paper or silk flowers but you can bet the arrangements are no less innovative and unique.  


             The ever popular trend of having a food station is here to stay, however with a few minor adjustments.  A bigger emphasis is being put on presentation with sleek signage and details to dress it up.  Couples are  focusing more on their guests with station's like a "make your own midnight snack" station with popcorn, candies, cookies etc.  Cupcakes have been popular the past couple of year's but this year it is more about bite sized desserts and pastries alongside the, still important, wedding cake. 


             Copper is the new metallic and is being used to accent the soft neutrals like blush, taupe, beige and grey color schemes being seen in this year's weddings. 2012 has brought with it a total polarization of color trends. From creamy lush neutrals to super bright pops of color like red-orange, citrus green and deep blues and jewel tones, wedding's this year have it all.  Even black is being used as an accent color.  Vintage and Rustic themes are still very much in style but this year they will definitely be taken to the next level.  Couples are still loving the personalization that D.I.Y. affords but are now purchasing the D.I.Y. Details and having their florists and other visionaries put it all together.

           Less symmetry and more free form artistry is being seen in everything from the dresses to the flowers to the venues. No cookie cuter layouts here! New and unexpected and fresh are indeed in every detail of weddings this year , but in most cases there will still be a unifying theme to pull it all together. Being polished and stylish is still important. Unique venues, modern music, and breaking with tradition can aide couples in creating their perfect wedding vision.  

            This year a lot of couples are straying from the impersonal, albeit impressive, wedding events of the past  and opting for a more inclusive personal feel.  To make this happen some couples are slashing guest lists while others are opting for communal dinning tables and creating smaller spaces within a larger room. No matter how it is being done, couples are definitely leaning towards more intimate gatherings.

As you can see 2012's weddings are sure to be a blast!  No matter WHAT your dream wedding looks like it is certainly important to make it your own! Happy Planning from the Bella's Team and may your day be perfect!


Sources
www.mywedding.com
www.theknot.com
www.weddinglovely.com

Designer Feature: Maggie Sottero

         Here at Bella's we offer our brides a wide variety of gowns from an array of well known and fabulous designers. One such designer is none other than the award winning Maggie Sottero.  Today I wanted to spotlight this one of a kind label and share just a few of the amazing dresses available from their collection. 
          Maggie Sottero is one of the world's most recognized and sought after bridal gown manufacturers.   With accolades such as six Debi Awards, nine Desert Rose Awards, two Diva Awards, three Dallas Rose Awards, the UK Bridal Buyer's Award, Wedding Idea's Best Dress Designer Award, and the Retail Bridal Wear Association Award, a bride can expect nothing less than sheer quality and gorgeous designs from this 2010 Debi Hall of Fame Inductee.
        
           THE MAGGIE DIFFERENCE.  Not  only does a bride get the highest quality fabrics and painstaking detail in a Maggie dress, the collection's innovative and stunning designs are sure to please as well.  Luxurious couture looks without the couture price tag is what Maggie Sottero strives to provide to every bride.  With the renowned signature Maggie fit, hand sewn embellishments, and Swarovski crystals Maggie Sottero wedding gowns are any bride's dream come true.  

Here are just a few of the available designs 

from the Symphony Collection by Maggie Sottero...

Style: Trudy

Style: Reba

Style: Monterey

Style: Dixie

Style: Kristin

Style: Dynasty

If you want to know more about Maggie Sottero or to see more styles visit their website HERE. 

To see what styles we have available here at Bella's just give us a call at  806.793.3884 or Email us and we will schedule you an appointment to help you find your perfect dress! 

I hope you enjoyed learning more about this fabulous designer!  Check back often to see our next designer in the spotlight! 

Wedding Timeline: 2 Weeks Before

            The big day is JUST around the corner! Take some time this week to just relax and be happy!! All your dreams are about to come true!  Now that you are relaxed and ready to go it is time to get down to business! Here is a helpful list of things that are best done a couple of weeks before the wedding.  Not there yet?  Here's the timeline for 9 to 12 Month Before, 6 to 9 Months Before, 3 to 6 Months Before,  2 Months Before, and one Month before.

Go over any necessary details with attendants.

Confirm all travel documents with travel agent.

Go over rehearsal dinner times with wedding party.

Make sure place cards are written out if necessary.

Pick up wedding rings and ensure they fit properly

Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts

Final confirmation of all services

Address your announcements to mail on the wedding day.

Attend to business and legal details

Get necessary forms for name change

Give change of address card to the post office.

          You're almost there! Tie up those few final loose ends and confirm once more with all your vendors and people you've hired to help you.  Just relax and breathe and every thing will fall in to place!
       Remember, every wedding is different. This list is a guide, but don't be afraid to deviate from what's listed here. Different places, seasons, and events will need things done on different time frames. This is meant to help you get started, but it may not cover everything you need for your event. If you aren't sure when something needs to be taken care of, ask questions early. After all, it's better to make your arrangements early than to scramble to pull things together at the last minute

Memorial Day at Bella's

Memorial Day is upon us!  To celebrate, Bella's will be open on Monday May 28th from 10AM-3PM by appointment only! We look forward to helping you find that perfect gown for any occasion and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Updo Tutorial

Check out this super cool tutorial for creating a sophisticated updo for a girl with medium length hair!

Registry Rules

It's finally time to do your wedding registry, but where should a bride start?  There are so many places you can register, and so many things to register for!  Here are some general rules to follow when starting to do wedding registries!

1. Register at more than one location, but don't overdo it.  No more than THREE locations.  Any more and you're likely to confuse guests (not to mention appearing greedy!)
2. Choose a high-end store, and a moderate or low-end store.  The idea is to provide a wide range of item value.  Don't fill your registry with only gifts that cost $300+.  Be sure to provide options for guests, no matter how much they want to spend.
3. It's okay to have big-ticket items.  Dying for a new flatscreen tv?  Go ahead and scan it onto your registry.  It really IS okay to register for a few really expensive things, but be sure to keep these few and far between.  Most guests aren't going to drop thousands of dollars on your wedding presents.
4. Have a game plan.  It's better not to go in blind.  You and your fiance should talk about the things you need, the things you want, and the things you hope to replace.  If you go in with a list in mind (or find a list to start with), you're less likely to miss things.
5. Register for about twice as many items as there are guests invited to the wedding.  Remember that guests will tap into these registries for bridal showers, engagement parties, and more.  Many places will maintain your registry for up to a year since the last activity.  Some guests will tap into these lists for birthdays and holidays even after you're married.
6. Split the list evenly.  Make sure to include things for Him AND things for Her.  It's okay to add that fancy hair straightener, but if you do, don't begrudge him that expensive new baseball bat.
7. Try to choose at least ONE store that has an online component, especially if gifts can be ordered online!  Grandma and Grandpa will probably want to go into a store and pick out the present by hand, but the busier people on your guest list may not have the time, or know where to start looking.  Providing an online wedding registry will save your guests time, money, and trouble.
8. No matter how tempting it is, DO NOT INCLUDE REGISTRY INFO ON YOUR INVITATIONS!  Wedding etiquette isn't as strict as it used to be, but this is still definitely a faux pas!  Include the information on your wedding website, and rely on your best man, maid of honor, and parents to pass the information along to curious guests.

 Keep these things in mind when starting the registry process.  Only you can decide what items, and what stores, are the best for you as a couple, but a few basic starting rules like these can make the registry process a little easier (for both of you!)

Choosing Your Bridesmaid Dresses - Part 2

Choosing your bridesmaid dress can be one of the most difficult parts of your wedding planning experience, especially because other people may not be happy about your choice.  Careful consideration must be given to the matter before a decision is made because so many different factors are involved.  I've already discussed length, fabric, detail, shape, and style in Part 1.  Today, I'd like to talk about your approach.

When considering your overall look for the wedding, there are a few approaches you can take to addressing your bridesmaid dresses.

• Copy the Wedding Dress - The idea behind this approach is to choose a bridesmaid dress as similar to the wedding gown as possible.  Think of your attendants' dresses as simpler versions of your dress.  On the plus side, the bridesmaids dresses definitely won't clash with your own dress.  But you may have to sacrifice a little individuality to do it.

Mori Lee Voyage Wedding Gown 6703 with nearly identical bridesmaid style 885

• Match the Wedding Dress - The happy medium approach, try to choose something with some elements similar to your wedding gown, without matching your dress exactly.  Maybe the bridesmaid dress has the same waist and neckline as your wedding gown, but it's ruched and fitted while your dress is draped and flowy.  The idea is to have just enough similarities to tie in with your dress, with just enough differences to let your dress stand apart from them.  Like any balancing act, this is probably the hardest approach to use.

Mori Lee Voyage Wedding Gown 6703 with similar bridesmaid style 857 that has the same sweetheart neckline and natural waistline, but no flower appliques, and a halter strap.

• Mismatch the Wedding Dress - On the other end of the spectrum, you can also approach your decision by choosing something that is as different from your dress as you can get.  On the plus side, this will only serve as a contrast to the wedding dress, making the bride stand out all the more.  But be careful, because it's hard to create a unified look with vastly different styles.

Mori Lee Voyage Wedding Dress 6703 with vastly different bridesmaid style 891

• Let the Bridesmaids Decide Together - This is simultaneously the easiest and the hardest way to approach this decision.  Letting your bridesmaids pick their own dresses has a few distinct advantages.  They'll all be relatively happy with the dress, and they won't feel forced into wearing something they don't like.  However, it isn't easy to make everyone happy all the time, and sometimes a decision just can't be reached peacefully (especially if some of your bridesmaids tend to butt heads with each other).  Too many opinions can make the final decision more difficult than before, especially if your bridesmaids aren't willing to take the decision from your hands.

•  Let the Bridesmaids Pick their Own - If you let them all pick different gowns, each bridesmaid will have their own unique look and can choose the style that flatters their body the most, without worrying about everyone else. Unfortunately, this takes the most coordination and communication. If you let them pick different dresses, coordination becomes difficult, because certain things must remain the same to keep the look cohesive.  Consider choosing a designer's line, a fabric, and a color before letting your girls choose their looks.  This will help the look be more cohesive.  When choosing this approach, it's best to reserve the right to veto a bridesmaid's choice, so you can be sure that one dress isn't substantially different from the others.  Also, be sure you know your priorities, because if more than one girl wants the same dress, and you don't want duplicates, you may be forced to choose who gets what they want, and who has to choose something else.

Mori Lee Wedding Dress 6703 with similar but different bridesmaid styles 894, 896, and 808.

 Regardless of which approach you choose, be sure to start early!  Bridesmaid dresses take anywhere from 3 - 5 months from the order date before they even leave the factory.  Factor in time for alterations, and time to get all your girls in to get sized and pay for their dresses, and you'll be just fine.  Take too long, and you'll risk paying rush fees, or not being able to get the dresses in at all.