September 30, 2010 "Esposita Therapy-Girls' Night In!"

Brides, it's important to keep your cool during this ultra-stressful time. 

Keep your sanity by holding a

"girls' night in" at your place!

Kick off your stilettos, throw your hair up in a pony tail, and get cozy. Just think--you get to have all of the fun of a kids' slumber party, but with adult movies, conversations, and cocktails!

Invite your bridesmaids, and use this opportunity to bond over great food, cocktails and girl talk. Set up a fully stocked martini bar and try out different flavors--who knows, you might even find your signature drink for your big day!

Here's what you'll need:

$11.46 at Target.com

Cocktail Recipe Book

A wide range of liquor flavors will ensure that you'll find some palate pleasing recipes!

 Chocolate, vanilla, mint, strawberry, raspberry coconut....

$19.98 at Target.com

Gotta have the tools to pull it all off!

A little background noise will certainly keep the ladies entertained....

Add these classic wedding films to your collection if you haven't already done so. As a bride, these are a MUST!

Your groom will love this one!

A great pick for the entire family! Invite both sets of parents over for a movie night. They'll love you for it....

Target.com

September 29, 2010 "Rent the Runway!"

Ever dreamed of wearing gorgeous, designer gowns? 

Of course you have!

Now you can Rent the Runway.....

I have found some gorgeous cocktail, party dresses on this site that would be perfect for wedding events and parties. Check out some Esposita FAVES:

Preen Plaza Dress $1300 RETAIL  

Rent for $150

Badgley Mischka RETAIL $520      Rent for $75

 

Save your bridesmaids some bucks, and give them a night of feeling like glamor gals. Check out these Esposita FAVES by Badgley Mischka and Catherine Malandrino!

Badgley Mischka Alluring Aqua Gown RETAIL $725        Rent for $100

Catherine Malandrino Midnight Ruffle Gown RETAIL $1095   Rent for $150

September 28, 2010 "Another Esposita Deal! Prints for only Ten cents!"

Esposita is all about finding brides the best deals on all things "wedding". 

So here we are with yet another fabulous Esposita find!

Many brides would agree that a well justified splurge is usually on the wedding photographer. Some might even say that we can justify this more than a splurge on the dress! Yes, it's true that an outstanding photographer can make even the least expensive dress look like a million bucks. Those wedding images that you store in your mind might last for a night, but those images that end up in your album or scrap book will last a lifetime! Esposita recommends saving your splurge for the photographer, but NOT the prints....

Walgreens.com has a simple solution to help you take advantage of all 800+ prints that your photographer loads to your wedding cd. None of them have to go to waste--with 4X6 prints costing only 19 cents each, you can make a super collage for your bedroom wall, or even the world's best wedding scrap book!

Right now, use code LOTS in order to get 10 cent prints when ordering 75 or more. Check out the other great deals below, and...

                                            Happy scrap booking!

September 27, 2010 "Esposita Deals! BOGO Photo Books from My Publisher"

My Publisher is an amazing Esposita find!

I absolutely swear by this website, let me tell you why...

Not only is the software incredibly user friendly, but they are always running specials on their photo books.  Enter the code SEPTBOGO at checkout for great buy one get one free deals. (This promo ends today 9/27)

If you didn't get to use the BOGO code, don't fret! There will certainly be another one soon. In the meantime, you can register your email with the site for a FREE $20 gift card. You can use this $20 card towards an inexpensive purchase, then save your splurge for when you're ready to show case those gorgeous wedding photos!

Show off all of those gorgeous wedding and engagement photos, and save a few bucks!

September 22, 2010 "Nordstrom Wedding Stylists"

Nordstrom Wedding Stylists
Brides! Call 1-888-300-1295 to make an appointment with a Wedding Stylist at one of the following Nordstrom locations, where you can preview a selection of dresses and apparel for the whole wedding party. Be sure to make an appointment prior to your visit to receive the best service.Participating Nordstrom Locations:
• Beachwood PlaceBeachwood, OH
• Downtown Seattle*Seattle, WA
• Michigan Avenue*Chicago, Il
• Oakbrook Center*Oakbrook, I'll
• Roosevelt FieldGarden City, NY
• The Shops at La Cantera San Antonio, TX
• Topanga*Canoga Park, CA
• Tysons Corner Center*McLean, VA
• Valley Fair*San Jose, CA

Don't live near one of these locations? Don't worry. You can also get one-on-one service from a Wedding Stylist by calling 1-888-300-1295. Plus, enjoy free shipping when you place an online order with one of our in-store Wedding Stylists. 

All information-Nordstrom.com

September 21, 2010: "House of Hargrove-Country Couture for the Modern Bride"

Just think, country couture, vintage chic-revamped for the modern world. 

Elaine Hargrove has an eye for style. She is the creative mind behind the House of Hargrove, and loves to share her passion for style with the world. The moment I saw these shabby chic creations, I envisioned bridal photos against exposed brick walls with a beautiful bride strewn across this striped French Country Settee (shown).  

  

Esposita Faves:

Items available for purchase:

Downtown Historic Mckinney 

Inside the Home and Garden Consignment Store

101 W. Louisiana Street

Mckinney, TX 75069

972-540-7600

 

Contact House of Hargrove:

HouseofHargrove@gmail.com

September 18, 2010 "Winter Bridal Boots"

Brides-Still looking for that perfect pair of shoes for your big day?
Winter weddings can be gorgeous with that crisp clean air of the
season. Keep those perfectly pedicured toes warm with this gorgeous
pair of "bridal boots" from Top Shop!

 

Pearl Lace Boots 

                                                                              Top Shop $210

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=240&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&categoryId=209397&parent_category_rn=208585&productId=1877032&langId=-1

September 18, 2010 "Garden Party Gowns"

September is half way over, and fall is just around the corner! Time certainly flies in wedding world. Spring brides, you must stay focused...As we begin to take our sweaters and boots out of our closets, it's important to remember that you will be married with 80 degree weather, birds chirping, flowers blooming, and tans coming back in full force.

These gowns by Kitty Chen embody Spring garden party, coupled with effortless bridal style.

Garden Party Gowns by Kitty Chen

KittyChenCouture.com

April

Hana

Jewel 

KittyChenCouture.com

Garden Party

Garden Party by Esposita Bridal featuring a vintage brooch

September 16, 2010 "Post Wedding-Wedding Withdrawl"

For the past 6-12 months, you have had only one thing on your mind-wedding.
Flowers, cake, dress, shoes, place settings, linens, hair, makeup, showers, luncheons, registries, vendors, emails, phone calls, wedding party, photos, family....absolute chaos! You are on the go with wedding on the brain for 6-12 months. So, what happens when you wake up the day after your wedding? For the past 6-12 months you have jumped out of bed every morning and raced to your computer to check your inbox. But today-the day after your wedding, you wake up and have to tell your mind to relax. You find that it's surprisingly hard to do! Your new husband is telling you to go back to sleep for another 30 minutes, but your brain is telling you that something needs to be done.
To be continued...

September 15, 2010 "Vista Print is the BEST for Budget Brides!"

 These invites and save the date cards from Vista Print are  so easy to create. For our wedding, we ordered thank you cards, business cards with all of our contact info, as well as "We've Moved" notices for after the wedding.

http://www.VistaPrint.com

Brides, their save the date cards are so affordable. Save the dates are starting at 80 cents! It's almost sickening that some brides have to break the bank for these small pieces of paper. You can request your free wedding sample kit now!

https://secure.vistaprint.com/wedding-sample-kit.aspx

Check out these adorable business cards--Brides, did you know that business cards can have MANY different uses? Seriously, you can put all of your contact information on the cards, then attach them to the back of your save the dates! Vista Print has adorable designs that are great for weddings...

What Inspires Esposita

What Inspires Esposita by Esposita Bridal featuring crystal earrings

Bridal Inspiration

September 13, 2010 Bridal Therapy: "Who are "The Others"?"

Who are "The Others"?

Let's preface this by noting that these women are not necessarily bad friends. They are simply women who are going through a plethora of emotions for various reasons-they just happen to be experiencing these emotions during the most inopportune time for you, "The Bride". Let's explore what emotions might be taking hold of your dear friends during this time...
Bridesmaid #1-"The married bridesmaid"-She might be going through tough times with her husband, so your bridal bliss is only forcing her to relive her bridal nightmare.
Bridesmaid #2-"The wannabe bride"- She is in a relationship that she is hoping to take to the next level. She has been with her boyfriend for longer than you have even known your fiancé'. This bridesmaid might not be ready to accept the fact that you have snagged your prince charming, while she is "stuck" with a man who won't take the plunge. It is difficult for this bridesmaid to stomach the fact that she was once thought to be the first married, now she is falling behind and is lost in your shadow.
Bridesmaid #3-"The It's all about me bridesmaid"-She was head cheerleader in high school, she starts the trends, is always the life of the party, and would certainly be the lead singer in your band if your ever started one. But when it comes to your wedding-she is unable to step outside of her "all about me" attitude and allow you to enjoy the limelight. She scoffs at each dress that you try on at the bridal boutique. She is eerily quiet at your planning pow wows, and she always becomes obnoxious after 'one too many' cocktails at all of your wedding events. 

September 9, 2010 "Bridesmaids Behaving Badly"

"Bridesmaids Behaving Badly"
 One of the most wonderful parts of being the bride is the fact that you get to have a bonding experience with your closest friends for the duration of your wedding planning.Once you obtain the label of "The Bride", you are transformed. People are there at your beckon call, cater to your every whim, and are made readily available for you when needed. Actually, all of these things only take place in a fictitious land called "Wedding World".(You can read more about "Wedding World" on the Esposita Blog from September 7, 2010.) In reality, some bridesmaids might enjoy going through the planning process with you. Some may actually have an opportunity to relive fond memories from when they tied the knot. Some might attempt to live vicariously through you in hopes that they will someday experience the magic of bridal bliss.These friends couldn't be happier for you. They are thrilled to see you in your gown, and want to know every detail of your planning experience. Then there is a group of bridesmaids that we like to call "the others"...Read more about "The Others"

A little dose of bridal humor for this fabulous Wednesday! 9.8.10

A little dose of bridal humor for this fabulous Wednesday! Historically, most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell a little bit....brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married! 

September 7, 2010: "Wedding World""

 Like many brides, I began my wedding journey with one thought in mind; to have the wedding of my dreams. I quickly came to the realization that temptations were all around me. You see, in Wedding World everything is beautiful. It's this magical place that all brides travel to the instant that a beautiful diamond is placed on their finger. The problem is that this magical place doesn't have street signs or gps devices. Brides often float freely on a cloud made of ribbon, lace, organza and silk. All of the food tastes of chocolate and buttercream. There are no bad hair days in Wedding World, and everyone smiles as they tell you how radiant you look.
I admit that I was briefly lost in this World before being rescued by my groom. After our wedding, I came to the realization that there was a vacancy where my wedding planning thoughts used to linger.
Weddings are my passion, and it is my goal to navigate brides through this place we call Wedding World.
                                                                     

September 2, 2010

In need of some color inspiration? MyGatsby.com is a great resource for wedding paper needs. All of their invitation sample orders include over 90 card stock color swatches! With yummy colors like "espresso", "hot fudge" and "berrylicious"..who could resist?

 

September 1, 2010 "Princess Bride"

Brides-resist your urge to want to look like a  "princess" for a day. Yes, it is your day, however, you must remember that it's important that you look like your "most amazing" self that day-not a little girl playing dress up. .

 

 

 

 

 

This bridal gown shown above has the exact features and silhouette as the pink quincenera gown shown below. The problem is that a quincenera gown is worn by a 15 year old girl. A bride should look elegant and sophisticated, not princess-like.

Classically elegant styles such as these from Pronovias will make you look sleek and refined for your big day.