Bridal Fashion Week

What could possibly make New York’s Waldorf-Astoria even more elegant? How about dozens of runway shows from the world’s best wedding designers? With its epicenter in the Waldorf, Spring 2010 Bridal Fashion Week has descended on Manhattan, providing inspiration for brides nationwide. Both theknot.com and Brides.com/blog have extensive coverage.

Romantic gown trends that keep reappearing on the runway include regal ballgown silhouettes, intricate pleating and ruching, retro stylizations, and the extensive use of organza and tulle. Luxe detailing such as diamond encrusted bodices, floral embellishment, and ostrich feather plumes are popping up in many collections. Designers from Ramona Kaveza to Lela Rose have added short reception dresses to their collections.

To add the finishing touches to your wedding day collection, check out the many accessories on the runway. Monique Lhuillier’s entire collection sported hats that would make jaunty veil alternatives to a destination bride’s ensemble. Many designers featured gloves of all sizes and materials in their show. Always a ladylike addition, short gloves are being paired with casual and daytime dresses while long gloves look fresh and modern in sheer organza or textured silks. A practical and attractive element, the boleros and coats of the season are fashionable ways of making a gown more seasonable as we head into cooler months.

Enjoy the looks of the season this fashion week, use them for inspiration, and remember to use your own sense of style to navigate the typhoon of style that is of Bridal Fashion Week.

Walk Down the Aisle in Style

Wedding shoes at the Oahu Moana Surfrider

Shoes provide an opportunity to personalize your wedding ensemble and highlight the aesthetics that make your celebration so special. Colorful shoes provide whimsy and surprise beneath your wedding dress. You can use your shoes to highlight the palate of your celebration.  Study the shades of your flowers, attire and even your venue for color cues.  Use pattern, floral, stripes, or animal print to reinforce your theme. Blue shoes, like Carrie Bradshaw’s bright Manolos in the Sex in the City movie, give you your ‘something blue’.

Destination Wedding Shoes

While you’re thinking outside of the shoe box, don’t feel that you need to stay with traditional pumps.  For a beach wedding, flip-flops and sandals are both practical and fun.  Flats and slippers are comfortable choices for a day that will require you to be on your feet for hours. Your wedding party can join in the fun and sport footwear choices from high-tops to flip flops to bare feet.

Wedding shoes from destination weddings

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Hawaiian Circle of Love

“From the earliest times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never ending circle symbolizes a commitment of love that is also never ending.”
–Michael Barlow-Sparkman

Circles represent an eternal cycle. The circular form of wedding bands symbolizes the everlasting love between the bride and groom. One special way to incorporate this theme into your Hawaiian wedding is the Circle of Love, a Hawaiian wedding tradition. The bride and groom stand in the center of a circle of flowers as they exchange their vows. The circle is usually made of bright tropical flowers, which are one of the greatest symbols of Hawaii. Some wedding agencies and hotels even offer customized Circles of Love as a part of the wedding package. You can also invite your family and friends to participate in this special tradition by having special guests add a single flower to the arrangement that will encircle the happy couple. The Circle of Love will add a Hawaiian sentiment to the destination wedding you’ve been dreaming of!

Wedding day fitness

Your special day is fast approaching, and you’re worried about looking your best in that perfect dress. There’s no need to panic – making a few tweaks in your diet and adding some physical activity will go a long way. All it takes is a little motivation and discipline!

If you have some room in your wedding budget, you could factor in some sessions with a personal trainer. Research independent trainers in your area for the best prices. If you belong to a gym, there should be several trainers to choose from to fit your needs. Some places even offer group discounts, so drag along the MOH or some of the bridesmaids who are probably also watching their waistlines before the big day! Adding group exercise classes to your schedule can help motivate you, and they are much more fun than spending an hour on the treadmill or StairMaster! One of my personal favorites, Spinning, burns hundreds of calories and reduces fat in just one hour a class. The lively music and energetic teachers pump you up, and you will feel great afterward. Pick up a class schedule and give them a try!

If you don’t belong to a gym, no need to worry! Walking or running outside for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, should be your goal. Fitness DVDs can be rented out at the video store, or you could buy them at fairly reasonable prices at Target. Yoga and Pilates can do wonders for your figure. Try adding Yoga or Pilates DVDs to your fitness plan to elongate and strengthen muscles and appear leaner. They can also help with relieving stress! An hour session will enhance your breathing and calm your mood. There are several other DVD options to help tone your “problem areas” or to improve overall fitness.

Whatever you decide to do to get your heart pumping, start now! Exercising releases endorphins, so you will feel and look great.

Smart eating is essential to your wedding day prep. Trade in white flour for whole wheat or whole grain choices. Drink as little, if any, alcohol as possible leading up to the wedding. If you do attend a few happy hours, opt for lower-cal choices such as white wine spritzers or a glass of red wine. Cutting out soda can make also make a big difference in a short amount of time. Water is your best bet – increase water intake and stay hydrated. Lots of water will be especially important because now you will be more active. Eating at home saves you money and calories, so try to limit dining out. When you do go out to eat, skip the bread basket and dessert. Eat every couple of hours to keep you from bingeing later. Choose smart snacks, such as 100-Calorie packs, low-calorie popcorn, low-fat string cheese, vegetables with hummus, or single servings of nuts. Cutting out some of your favorite things and replacing them with healthier alternatives will reap great benefits when it comes time for your last dress fitting!

Working out and eating healthily will have you looking and feeling your best on the day you’ve been waiting for. Your commitment and hard work will all pay off when you are enjoying that beautiful wedding cake that you so deserve with your new husband!