Colorful ties, for the colorful groom...

So obviously if you are the alternative bride I am guessing that there is a chance that you are likely paired up with a groom that is probably just as fun and colorful. In honor of your wonderfully alternative grooms, I would like to share these gorgeously off-beat ties. I think they would be a great way for the groom to inject their personality into their outfit, that way the bride is not the only one that is having fun after all , despite the fact that we often forget, it is their wedding too! These ties, have so much personality, funk, and pizzaz, that any alternative couple would be thrilled to have the option to use them on their special day.

If you want some more information , check them out at www.etsy.com/shop/tuxandtulle

Romantic Boleros...who knew?

I have always thought that boleros are a good idea when you are out hanging out with your friends on a spring day or even a cool summer night, but not so much for weddings and I will tell you why. In general most of them are made to be cover ups in the sense of 'hiding something' which is why they are recommended as a good idea for brides in church weddings that would like to keep a modest look or in traditional settings. I have always thought it would be so cool if they were not made to look a bit dowdy and to bring down the beauty and frankly the sexiness of the bride and her otherwise often beautiful gown. Well, I found someone who agrees and not only agrees with my sentiment but actually makes them, I found boleros that are not just beautiful, but that are sexy and romantic, which means they can be worn purely for the beauty and choice of them and not just to be coverups, yey!!!

For the bride that still needs to pull off modesty, you get to do that and still look fabulous as opposed to covered up in some ugly matronly lace thing that is supposed to be a bolero.

Take a look at these, and visit the store at www.etsy.com/shop/maryandangelika and see what other sexy and beautiful things you might find for your unique and colorful wedding. Enjoy!!!

Vintage as an alternative...

I have always thought that there was something really cool about fashion in all the eras that preceeded ours, and as I have learned more about it, I have actually found out that, a lot of the things that we think are so cool and hip for this day are things that our predecessors not only invented but often times actually wore better than we do now. Now don't get me wrong coz I think that we are doing pretty good and sometimes even give them a run for their money, but I think it is just amazing to me to realize that they started it all, and that we are simply reaping the benefits of what they started and created. As a result of this, I was thinking how cool it would be to share some vintage items that would be so fabulous in this time as a wedding dress for an alternative bride, so here we go. These are from vintage frocks of fancy on etsy, and you check out a bunch more at www.etsy.com/shop/vintagefrocksoffancy. In the mean time sit back relax and let your imagination run wild as you see yourself as today's alternative vintage bride.

Flowers and the bride on a budget...

I wanted to share this blog with you all because I am big on people working within their budget to get what they want, and while that is looked down upon by some, I think it is a very wise thing for a new young couple to do when they are starting out. It makes no sense to go broke or get in debt because of one day when you have an entire life to live and look forward to.

So I wanted to share this really cool idea I found in a store on etsy for the bride who loves flowers and romance but needs to stick to their budget. Flowers are very easily one of the most expensive things you will spend on for your wedding, and if you don't, you are likely to end up with a very scaled down version of what you want, or not so great looking flowers which let's face it always looks pitiful and sparse.

The good news is that you don't have to give up what you want, you just have to think outside the box and be a little bit more creative, but for those who feel a little challenged in that area, that is what I am here for. So an easy solution to this problem is to use fabric flowers. These are made in various ways and styles and all have different looks and feels. They are fun, creative and actually allow for more flexibility as you can have them any way you want them...with variations on colors, patterns, prints right down to textures and the material they are made out of.

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what I am talking about as well as to inspire you to find something that works for you. If you are a crafty kindda girl, this should be a fun project for you and the bridesmaids, but if not take a look at www.etsy.com/shop/reallybadkitty on etsy and www.etsy.com/shop/jillianns for options and really good prices.

Colored crinoline for the Bride, I mean why the heck not?

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have been a little sparse with my entries but I am told this comes with the territory for new businesses, so please forgive the absence. I intend to blog more regularly from now though, I think I may have come up with a schedule that allows for it, so we will see, I will keep you posted on how it goes.

But now that the apology is out of the way, let's talk color for the bride, and some fun ways to inject it in to your attire.

I am in love with colored crinoline and love the various things that can be done with it as well as the fact that it really is one of the easiest ways to introduce a new and fun color in your outfit. But the best part is that it is not just one color that you can do, as you may have noticed in 'confessions of a shopaholic', you can do more than one and go as crazy or as light as you would like. This would work for the bride who has no fear of pushing the boundaries as well as the one who may have or want some limits within which to play... There is something for everyone so check out these pictures and see if you get inspired and go with it and see where it takes you.

Oh, by the way, in case you are wondering about where to get such an item, the first place I would look is in a vintage store or a costume store. If however you have no luck with either of these options, then buy one in white and have it dyed to whatever color or colors you want...You can do that (have it dyed) at 2birdstone on etsy for a really great price, so check them out and have fun with it!!!

Ring Pillows for your creative wedding...

So, I haven't blogged in a while due to the business of running a business and launching a new bridal rental line, but I am back now and wanted to share some cool traditions with a bit of a twist. This is for the bride who likes both tradition and creativity as well as the out right creative bride.

Ring Pillows are my topic of choice today as they are a tradition that I often find boring because they seem to come in one color and one color only and they all seem to be designed the exact same way...you know, like they were made for your great grandmother's wedding ...then of course the ones that aren't one color only are designed in a way that is still uninteresting as the only element that seems to make them stand out is color.

Well, I found some that are gorgeous, and have character as well as great design. Yes you guessed right, they are on etsy...my favorite place to shop!!!

The store is called white thistle bridal and http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteThistleBridal is where you can find more of their stuff. I love the creativity that goes in each design and the detail with which it is executed...there is something for everyone really, wheather you are traditional with a bit of a twist or more out there and risky with what you prefer...check it out!

Alternative to the Bouquet?

So I saw these really cool purses and was originally thinking that they would make awesome bridal party gifts for your bridemaids, until it occured to me that they are the prefcet item to pull double duty for the bride that is on a budget. They are so wonderfully designed as purses but have the perfect decorative item that would double for the bridal party in place of a bouquet of flowers. This is a very fun and savvy way to save money on flower costs as well as a neat way to do something possibly quirky and different if you make it your own. Take a look at some options at http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollusa. I personally enjoy the use of color and various textures that give them such a uniquely refreshing and stunning look.