Elegant Affair
June 25, 2010 by: Laura
CS Brides certainly pulled out all the stops for this one. Walking into the launch of their fall/winter magazine was like stepping into an elegant bridal scene complete with tablescapes, flowers galore, delicious food and desserts and a multitude of brides!
Favorites were:
Museum Field Trip
June 15, 2010 by: Laura
As Etta Jones’ signature song “At Last” floats through the air, we are greeted by the iconic wedding couple – a woman in a white dress and a man in a black tuxedo. This is the opening scene of the current exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot. With a costume collection dating from 1853 to present day and with over 50,000 pieces in its inventory, Tim Long oversees the second largest costume collection in the U.S. With Tim leading us through this exhibit, we learned more about the traditions and history of weddings than even us, industry experts, knew!
Starting with the language of courtship and proposals from the 18th century (and following Faith Hill’s “This Kiss”) we learned about the silent language of the fan, sharing a lock of hair with your honey and the risqué tradition of drawing your loved ones silhouette. As we progressed through the exhibit to the infamous Pachabel’s Canon, we saw traditional garments and religious pieces, shoes, corsets, men’s wedding vests, even various trousseau dresses that were worn when the tradition of changing into a “leaving” outfit was still practiced.
Attending a Summer Wedding
June 15, 2010 by: Laura
Dress for the occasion that it is – a celebration! Be festive in your clothing choices for a summer wedding. With the warm weather and the sunshine, color comes to mind. Try not to match the wedding party or the colors of the wedding, but don’t be afraid of a bold cocktail dress. Or, wear a bold print maxi, but save floor length gowns for a more formal, black tie affair.
Even if you aren’t a dance floor fanatic, wear comfortable shoes. Aunt Millie might hold you hostage by the bathroom door and tell you all about her family history and heaven forbid the bride’s father comes to talk to you about his new son-in-law and you are fidgeting on teetering heels thinking only about the chair that is located a mere foot from where you are standing!
Tips for Finding Mom a Dress
May 04, 2010 by: Laura
Everyone agrees that “the day” belongs to the bride, but who doesn’t want to be shown off by fashionable parents? After all, every man looks fabulous in a tux, dad being no exception, and shouldn’t you want mom to be showcased just as well? You weren’t the only one doing calisthenics and last minute arm toning exercises for this event.
Traditionally the hunt for a “MOB” dress is a nightmare as mom doesn’t want to be showcased in a polyester, puce colored gown, but the times are changing and designers have heard your cries for help! New looks are hitting designer runways for chic, sleek, even sexy gowns for the Moms of the Wedding.
"White Out Sale" Inventory
April 23, 2010 by: Laura
Did you hear about our WHITE OUT SALE?! Below is a first look at some of what you can expect to see on the racks for Moms dresses.
Check back as we update and add more inventory to the list!
Dry Cleaning Tips
March 30, 2010 by:
Dry cleaning your dress is imperative as soon as possible after your wedding. So, before you unpack the bikini from the honeymoon, take your gown in to the dry cleaners.
Some things to keep in mind:
Let Your Proposal Sweep You Off to Greece
March 04, 2010 by: Laura
Our top honeymoon destination can now be YOUR reality! If Greece is calling your name (I think I even hear it over here!), enter this contest!
OneWed.com is holding an "Ultimate Engagement Proposal Contest." Simply enter your proposal story for a chance to win a trip to Santorini, Greece AND some platinum jewelry. Who doesn't want to travel through the Greek isles and sport some new bling?!
Recessionista Bride Event
January 22, 2010 by: Laura
Who knew being a "recessionista" could be so popular and so chic? 45 stylish Chicago recessionistas came out to meet 6 wedding experts Wednesday night. Amidst the St. Germaine champagne cocktails (thanks Binny’s!) and plates of Spring rolls and Spanish meatballs courtesy of F.I.G. catering, engagement rings sparkled, unveiling the true reason they were gathered (although the food definitely could have been enough), to get expert advice on planning for and executing every aspect of their wedding, while sticking to a budget. Where to skimp, how to do it yourself, what to ask when booking space, how to combine finances and have the “money talk” – these are just a sampling of the questions we heard. Each expert gave advice pertaining to their wedding industry specific experience and their responses were both heartfelt and showed how they really have seen it all! After filling up on both knowledge and champagne cocktails (served generously by Carol's Event Staffing), one lucky bride took home a Groom Mojuba wedding kit and Fritz Pastry pulled out all the stops for a macaron grand finale – you have got to stop by and have some of those, they were divine!
Thank you to all the experts that answered everyone’s burning questions about budget wedding planning.
Winter Wedding Trends
January 12, 2010 by: Laura
Winter brings to mind cold, dark and bleak – especially in the Midwest, but winter has a lot to offer! It is always fun to make a snowman or go sledding or ice skating and then come in to hot chocolate (next time try it spiked with vanilla vodka – idea courtesy of Fig). It also provides a perfect, pristine background for a wedding. Not only are they less popular, which is great for the budget conscious bride, but they also allow you more options for flowers, dress fabrics and even footwear! Below are the Winter Trends we are seeing with the start of 2010:
- Silk satin: This fabric is heavier than other silks and is a great option for a gown. Once pressed, silk satin looks gorgeous and even all night long.
Holiday Wedding Proposals
December 16, 2009 by: Laura
The holidays are a very popular time to get engaged; its chilly outside and you don't ever want to loose that person you cuddle up next to, you're reminded of what really matters in your life and it's all about new beginnings. We have 12 holiday proposals that guarantee a "YES!"
12. 12 Days of Love – This is a romantic variation on the 12 days of Christmas, in reverse. 12 days before Christmas begin sending gifts. Each day send a messenger to either her work or home bearing an anonymous gift. First, 12 roses, then 11 Godiva chocolates, 10 love letters, 9 scented bath candles, 8 champagne glasses, 7 CDs of sexy love songs, 6 pairs of silk panties, 5 golden bracelets, 4 bottles of perfume, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 silver earrings – and finally, on the twelfth day, you arrive in person, bearing 1 bottle of champagne, 1 very important question and 1 diamond ring.
