Foot Petals: A Bride’s Best Friend

As a New Yorker, I’m constantly running around the city in high heels. And as a stylist, except for the occasional chic pair of ballet slippers, flats are not an option. All that pounding of the pavement is hard on the feet!

But a few years ago, I came across an ingenious little creation: Foot Petals Killer Kushionz. I put them in my stilettos, and they gave me hours of pain free walking. So I started suggesting them to my brides for their wedding day. A little extra padding never hurts, and they have all danced the night away without tears!

I also absolutely love Foot Petals Strappy Strips which will keep your sling back Manolo’s from falling down all night. Trust me…they really work, I use them myself!

Both of these products are included in their Runaway Bride Gift Set (shown above) which retails for $44.95. For more information, their website is: www.footpetals.com

Best,

Julie

Interview with Paul Labrecque: Part II

One of the hardest parts of the planning process is making sure that everything is on schedule. I remember pulling my hair out trying to make sure I got in the final dance lesion and dress fitting. So I thought it would be very helpful if Paul Labrecque, the celebrity hairstylist and bridal guru, could give us a timeline for your wedding day hair. This way, you can check at least one thing off your list. Here is what he suggests:

6-9 months before wedding
Consultation: During this discussion, I find out what the bride wants for her wedding day. I have done all types of weddings from the classic New York Ballroom, to being flown to the Caribbean for the beach blown casual wedding, to the Santa Fe outdoor opera house for a staged operatic wedding. So during the consultation I learn what kind of wedding I am dealing, and talk with the bride about specifics. We deal with everything from weather or not we need to grow her hair to achieve the desired style. And if so, do we have the time, or will hair pieces have to be made to give the brides hair extra help.

3-4 months before wedding
Wedding Trial: This is when the bride and I get to really play. First, if the bride wants to make any changes to her hair color, we will start before the trial. She should bring pictures of styles she may want. I try many different looks and styles until we come up with a final look that we know will be perfect for her special day. We schedule my makeup artist to do the brides make-up to see everything put together as one complete look. And we can try on different hair accessories to see what she likes.

1 month before wedding
Final Wedding Trial: This trial is optional but I always strongly suggest that a test run is done with the hairstylist and makeup artist. If the bride has a hairpiece, extensions, and/or a veil this is the time when they should be brought in and the Wedding Day look can be done, like a dress rehearsal.

2 weeks before wedding: Final haircut

1 week before the wedding: Final hair coloring

The Big Day
By this time I have listened, I have demonstrated, and I am ready to give each bride what I feel will be the most memorable part of their day. I make them secure in what ever look they have chosen so they know they will have never felt as beautiful as they will on their very special day.

Thanks Paul for your great advice!!!

For more information on Paul and the Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa please check out their website www.paullabrecque.com

Best,

Julie

Champagne & Shopping Parties by Kathlin Argiro

I don’t know about you, but every wedding event I had from the engagement party to the bridal showers, had to have the perfect outfit. I spent so much time planning and shopping for each one that I drove myself a little crazy.

Kathlin Argiro, the renowned bridesmaid and special occasion dress designer, has come up with a fantastic solution: a champagne and shopping party! So, you get together your friends and family for a night of drinking champagne and trying on dresses. What could be better?!?! Kathlin’s incredibly chic collection of dresses and separates will provide you something to wear to every event you have to go to. She will even customize something for you, so you can get exactly what you want.

And if you don’t live in New York, don’t despair. You can host the part at your own house, and they will ship the clothes to you! Now that’s service!

To view the collection please visit their website at www.kathlinargiro.com. And for more information about hosting a party, contact Courtney at 212-268-8774.

Bonus: If you mention this blog, you will receive 10% off any in-stock order!

Best,

Julie

Monogrammed Label from BFF Bridal

For a long time I’ve been looking for a monogrammed label that can be sewn into the wedding gown for a keepsake. My friends over at BFF Bridal partnered with the exclusive Leontine Linens and came up with the perfect solution. These exquisite labels, which come in satin and linen, are monogrammed in blue with your initials and wedding date. After the wedding, and before your dress is sent to be cleaned and preserved, remove the label as a keepsake. You can have it sewn onto a pillow or blanket, or even just keep it in a safe place to pass down to your daughter. What a wonderful memento!

Each label is custom made in Louisiana and sells for $95. Allow 4 to 5 weeks for delivery. To purchase please visit www.bffbridal.com
Best,

Julie

Tip of the Week: Who to bring dress shopping

I’ve seen it a million times…a bride goes into a salon with six of the closest people to her hoping to find the dress of her dreams. She leaves empty handed and even more confused than when she started. Why dose this happen, you ask?

Because when you are shopping for a wedding dress, too many opinions are not a good thing!

The best thing you can do for yourself is to bring one or two (at the most) people with you that you really trust. They should not necessarily be the closest people to you, but someone who will give you an honest opinion without imposing their own personal vision on you. When you have more than two people with you, you will have so many opinions that it can make it harder for you to decide how you feel about the dress.

If you feel that this is an experience that you really want to share with them, shop ahead of time and bring them to the salon after you’ve purchased the dress. Maybe even ask their advice on veils or jewelry so they feel included. But trust me on this one, leave the entourage at home before making the final decision.

Good Luck!

Julie

Advice from Celebrity Hairstylist Paul Labrecque

Recognized as one of the industry’s top hair stylists by the likes of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Allure and InStyle, Paul Labrecque is an expert on hair. His salons in New York City are a one-stop-shop for all things beauty, and even have a wedding consultant on hand to make sure all of your bridal beauty needs are met. So in effort to find some answers for the most commonly asked bridal hair questions, I interviewed Paul. He was kind enough to share his insight and insider tips with us so that you can all have beautiful wedding day hair!

When should a bride start thinking about how she is going to wear her hair on her wedding day?

PL: As soon as the bride has chosen her gown, she should begin to think of how she wants to wear her hair for the wedding. The reason for this is that time may be needed to make changes with her hair, like growing it out. Bridal trials with the salon can be scheduled to get ideas and also iron out the kinks of the wedding day itself. At the trial, everything should be rehearsed so its one less thing for the bride to worry about.

What are the most important things to consider when selecting a hair style for your wedding day?

PL: I think the most important thing to consider is how much a bride wants to look like herself. For some girls, the Cinderella complex takes affect, meaning they want red carpet drama; they want to have movie star hair and look like they probably never will again. For other girls they want to look the prettiest they ever looked but want to recognize who they are in the picture. Some brides may want a very down played wedding and want to look no different than a night out for dinner. Once your hairdresser knows where you fit into this scenario, it will all become clearer and the perfect look can be created.

Are up dos easier to manage?

PL: For a hairdresser, up dos can sometimes be the most challenging, but once done, the client knows that they will have the same up do at the end of the night that they had when they left the salon. The reason for this is that the hair is anchored and sprayed into place. It will have less ability to be affected for the evening.

When brides get their hair done half up and half down, it is a good compromise, for a longer lasting, softer look.

When hair is all down, it is most susceptible to perspiration, humidity, and the weather. There is a better chance of it not looking as it did when finished at the salon.

Should a bride select her hairpiece or hairstyle first?

PL: For a bride who has a definite idea of how she wants to look, selecting a hairpiece first is a great way to lead the hairdresser in the direction that she wants.

For the bride who has no idea of how they would like to wear their hair, trying out different styles and getting ideas of different hair pieces that would work with each style could lead her to try something that she never knew existed. I keep a variety of hair pieces in my salon for this exact reason. I try to make it as easy as possible for every bride to try as many looks as possible before she makes her decision.

Thanks Paul! These are great tips, and we appreciate all of your advice!!!

For more information on Paul and the Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa please check out their website www.paullabrecque.com

And check back next week for Part II of our interview with Paul to find out the timeline for getting your hair wedding day ready…

Best,

Julie

A Gift From Eva

White + Warren make the most wonderful cashmere wraps to keep the bride and bridal party warm on chilly evenings. Just ask Eva Longoria, who gave them as a gift to her bridesmaids. Eva did them in red which perfectly matched their Badgley Mischka bridesmaid’s dresses and the rest of her wedding. They retail for $165 and come in multiple colors.

To purchase and for more information their website is: www.whiteandwarren.com

Best,

Julie

Tip of the week: What to bring with you dress shopping

I’m often asked by my clients what they should bring with them when we go dress shopping, so I thought it would be valuable information to share with all of you. Here’s a list of a few things that will make your shopping excursion a little easier:

1) A strapless bra: Even if you don’t want a strapless dress, it’s very important to have a strapless bra with you to try on dresses. Because of varying necklines, it’s difficult to get an idea of what a dress looks like with straps hanging out. A strapless bra will let you try on any type of bodice, and not worry about it. Higher end salons will probably have long line corsets (which are often the best under a wedding gown) there for you to use. These are fine except many other brides have used them, and you may be more comfortable bringing your own.

2) Control-top panty hose: Wearing control-top pantyhose when you are trying on dresses is a good idea for two reasons. The first is that the dresses will look better with a smooth line underneath (not to mention that they are easier to get on and off). The second reason is that a consultant will be in the dressing room with you and if you are modest, the hose will give you a little extra coverage.

3) Shoes: Most high end salons will have shoes there for you to try on with the dresses. But, if you know that you really love stiletto heels or you only wear flats, then bring them with you because they many not have the exact height you are looking for.

4) Photos: It’s a very good idea to bring photos of the reception location and the dresses you like to give the consultant a better idea of what you are looking for. The more information the better.

I hope this information is helpful to all of you, and please let me know if you have any questions!!!

Best,

Julie

Something Old: Antique and Estate Jewelry to Complete Your Look

I’ll confess…I have weakness for vintage jewelry. I love that you are buying something with a history, and that you can make it your own by wearing it with current fashions. Not to mention, they can be stand-out pieces that really express your personal style.

As we all know, finding the perfect jewelry for your wedding day is no easy task. You want it to be beautiful, and compliment your dress perfectly. And many of my clients also want it to become a family heirloom that they can pass down to their daughters.

Doyle and Doyle, the New York based Antique and Estate jeweler is the perfect place to go to find exactly that. Specializing in antique and estate pieces, they look for very special items that have great craftsmanship, quintessential design aspects of the periods they are from, and are unique. Almost all of their pieces are one of a kind, so you’re guaranteed not to see on anyone else.

And they cater specifically to brides by consulting with them about their special needs. After reviewing their dress they hunt around for specific items that match the look the bride wants.

When asked what brides are looking for now, they said “Earrings are always a must-have for every bride. Whether their hair is back, up or down, it is that extra hint of glimmer next to their face that helps their eyes shine. Right now, extra feminine drop earrings are in demand.”

Their retail store is located at 189 Orchard Street New York City 212-677-4170.

And if you’re not in New York City, don’t despair…most of their inventory can also be purchased on their website: www.doyledoyle.com

Enjoy!

Julie

Featured Above:
Deco Diamond & Emerald Bracelet in Platinum $7,500.00
Diamond & Sapphire Cluster Drop Earrings 18k $985.00

Selecting a Bridesmaids Dress: Can you keep everyone happy?

Dressing your bridesmaids is a big task. It is the one day where you get to tell your friends and family what you want them to wear. This is an enormous responsibility especially their happiness on your wedding day depends largely on what they will be wearing. Choosing a style that makes them look and feel beautiful and you will be rewarded with happy bridesmaids that are excited to be part of your big day!!!

You want them to look similar enough so that they stand out as a special part of your wedding, but women rarely have the same body type that will look good in the same dress. My advice is for a bride to choose a designer that provides many different shapes in the same fabrics and colors.

This isn’t a new concept, but the key to having it work well is to give your girls parameters. Letting them have too much freedom sometimes backfires. So define what length you want the dress to be, and the type of necklines they can choose from. If, for example, you are wearing a strapless dress, you may prefer that their dresses have straps.

I’ve found that most of the time this strategy keeps everyone happy…the bridesmaids feel like they have a say in what they wear to your wedding, and so do you!

Did you have trouble with bridesmaids dresses? How did you handle it? Write in and let me know. I want to hear from you!

Best,

Julie

Best of Luck to the 07.07.07 Brides!

Before I head out on vacation, I just wanted to wish everyone getting married this weekend the best of luck!!!

And just remember…something will probably go wrong. But as stylish brides I know you’ll be prepared. Have your emergency kit packed, and your stain stick ready and there’s nothing you can’t conquer!

And really, your wedding is about the marriage and not so much about the party. So who cares if the flowers are a little bit wrong, or Aunt Bea has a few too many gin and tonics?!?! After this day, you’ll get to spend the rest of your life with the most wonderful man you’ve ever met. And that’s the best part!

Have fun!!!

Julie

Links of London: Stylish Gifts for your Groomsmen

Men are tough to buy for. Every year around birthdays and holidays I struggle with what to get the guys in my life. But I have to say groomsmen’s are even more difficult. Buying gifts for your fiancée’s life-long friends to show them how much you appreciate their participation your wedding is a daunting task. You want to get them something nice, and possibly even something they can use on your wedding day.

These mother-of-pearl barbell cufflinks by Links of London are the perfect choice. They are simple, chic and go perfectly with a tuxedo. The “barbell” shape makes them easy to get in and out of the cuffs, and they will go well with any formal attire. Plus, they are reversible so they can be worn on the mother of pearl side for formal occasions, and the silver side for every day. I love that…it’s like two cufflinks in one!

For more information on where to purchase, check out the Links of London website: www.linksoflondon.com

Best,

Julie