Mix and Match

June 20, 2011
Matching dresses are a thing of the past so let your friends mix it up! However, mixing it up a little should not stress you out. Here are a few ways to make sure your bridesmaids can be unique but still look fabulous standing side by side.1. Choose a color palette with swatches of fabric from a fabric store. These colors should all complement one another as well as your wedding theme. Then, let the girls decide what colors are the most flattering for their body type as well as skin and hair color. They can take the swatches with them and find dresses that show off their own personality.

Tip: Give the girls a few guidelines such as dress length, formality level, or a general silhouette, but let them do the rest.

 

(Courtesy of weddingbee.com )

2. For a bride who is a little more conservative, change the neckline and silhouette of the dresses while keeping the same color and texture. Also, use different jewelry in the same colors for each bridesmaid and let them pick their own shoes.

 

(Dresses can be found at David’s bridal)
Top Necklace: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lakeshorecreations4u
Bottom Necklace: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoreleisAtelie

3. For bold brides, choose a color palette and let the girls pick their own prints. This goes really well with a wedding that has a vintage or whimsical theme.

 

(Courtesy of Perfectweddingtouches.com)

Filed Under: bridesmaids, colors, wedding party

The Perfect Bridal Gown

May 25, 2011

Looking for the perfect dress for your big day? Well, at As you wish… we are aware that trends are ever changing. New York’s Bridal Fashion Week showcased many of the upcoming trends such as texture, silhouettes, and accessories.

Designers are beginning to realize their brides are more interested in a fabulous fit and softer fabrics rather than the often used taffeta. Also, soft, asymmetric draping helps to compliment the bride’s figure while eliminating the extra embellishments.


A sweetheart neckline is still the bodice of choice although many brides are beginning to also add the one shoulder trumpet shaped dress into the mix. Organza overlays, ruffled skirts, ruching, and a side gathering bodice will be featured on many of the gowns depending on the brides personality and personal preference. Texture is going to be seen through ruffles, tulle, flowers, layers, and lace. However, beading is a thing of the past and is less likely to be seen on most wedding gowns.


During New York’s Bridal Fashion Week, we saw a ton of sleeves and tiaras. Each designer had at least one of each showcased on the runway however; many designers had multiple dresses with sleeves. Many styles from the past are coming back in while wedding dresses and ceremonies are becoming more formal and conservative. When choosing a dress with sleeves, you have two options: a dress with the sleeves attached or an overlay you could remove for the reception.

Due to the Royal Wedding, we will also begin to see many tiaras. To the bride, they may resemble a jeweled mini-crown.

 

(Images courtesy of: Unique Bridal Supplies and David’s Bridal)

 

Filed Under: style, wedding dresses

Simple Inspirations

May 20, 2011

Inspirations Boards are one of the easiest ways to show your vendors your personal vision of your Big Day! Not only are they extremely helpful, they are super easy to make:

1.Search on Google Images for general wedding terms. Example: “wedding cake”, “wedding flowers”, “celebrity weddings”

2.Use the color tool on your left to find pictures in the different colors. This will help you develop a color palette or theme for the wedding.

3.Simply copy and paste images on to a Word Document and arrange the pictures so they tell a story of how the night will come together.

4.Add details such as wedding date, time, venue, and an inspiration title, to give your own personal touch.

Here are a couple of examples of Inspiration Boards we have created for our brides.

Filed Under: colors, style

Photo booths

May 8, 2011

What wedding trends are more and more brides and grooms having fun with? Photo booths! Having a photo booth at your reception is a fun way to get guests to interact with each other and is a great activity that guests can do during the cocktail hour, while the bride and groom take their wedding photos!

Photo booths can also be an expensive piece at the reception and in your budget.So why not create your own custom photo booth?With just a creative back drop and a camera man, all your guests can join in on the fun!

Here are just a few different ideas that are adorable, fun and beautiful to include in your wedding celebration.

Hang a large panel of fabric on the wall. This idea is cheap, fast and beautiful! You can match the backdrop with your wedding colors to make the whole design of your wedding seamless.
Hang a sheet, quilt or large piece of fabric on a clothesline outside for an outdoor wedding.

And don’t forget to add some fun with props and accessories! Provide guests with an empty picture frame, umbrella, top hat, mustache or lips on a stick and/or a small chalkboard for silly messages.

We’d love to help you incorporate these fun ideas into your own wedding! Contact As you wish… for more advice and wedding planning!

Filed Under: pictures, trends

BHLDN by Anthropologie

April 25, 2011


If you have ever walked into an Anthropologie store and wished they offered its style in wedding gowns and accessories, your wish just came true! Anthropologie has its own wedding store, called BHLDN. This online collection will feature everything from heirloom quality wedding gowns to bridesmaid and party dresses, vintage-inspired jewelry, feathered headpieces and lingerie.


These dresses are to die for! And of course, there are the shoes! Everything is so sweet, stylish and beautiful.

Anthropologie doesn’t disappoint when it comes to accessories either! From jewelry to headpieces and clutches, they have you covered.


In May, BHLDN will be carrying invitations, decorations, glasses, plates and much more for your big day. You will see the same Anthropologie-essence in BHLDN, including soft colors, draping fabrics, and ruffles, florals and lace, oh my!

For more advice with all your wedding planning needs, remember to contact As you wish…!

Filed Under: bridesmaids, lingerie, shoes, style, wedding dresses

Guestbook 101

April 13, 2011

One of the first things your guests will do when arriving at your wedding is sign your guest book. But a wedding guest book doesn’t have to be filled with plain white pages lined with signatures for the creative bride!

Your guest book is more than just a register of who attended your wedding. It can also be something unique and full of memories that you will treasure for years to come. Here are a few ideas for the creative bride and groom to replace the “traditional” guest book.

Turn your guest book into a scrapbook. Provide guests with small cards on which to write well wishes and their signature. Then put the cards into a scrapbook that contains wedding photos and keepsakes.


Not sure what to do with a book after the wedding? Have guests sign an item that you can display in your home.Some favorites are river rocks, picture frame mats, platters, or a flower pot or vase.


Have a photo album for guests to insert their pictures into near a photo booth at your wedding reception.

Always put your own personal touches to the details of your wedding day! Make sure to find a way to remember your guests in a way that you will treasure through the years.If you need more advice, you can always contact us at As you wish…!

Filed Under: receptions, trends

Natural Centerpieces

March 23, 2011

Every now and again at As you wish… we get requests for centerpieces that are not the traditional flowers. We love how creative our brides can be, and when it comes to planning your wedding there are no limits, except your own imagination! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for non-floral table centerpieces: branches, shells, fruit, wheat, we love it all! These designs are elegant yet simple. We’d love to help you incorporate some of these natural design elements into your own wedding!


Images via Martha Stewart

Filed Under: receptions, trends

Brilliant Bridesmaids’ Gifts

March 15, 2011

Planning your wedding can feel like a whirlwind. It’s so easy to get caught up in the cake, the flowers, the band, the color of your mother-in-law’s dress, you name it! Don’t forget to put the same thought and creativity into buying gifts for those nearest and dearest to you to say thanks for participating in your big day! We have assembled a few of our favorite gifts that would work great for your bridesmaids, your mother, aunts, shower hostesses, you name it! If you need more advice, you can always contact us at As you wish…! The Satin Keepsake Clutch by J. Crew works double duty: you can stuff it with goodies and they can use it the night of the wedding!

We love OPI’s new Texas-inspired nail polishes! On the left, Big Hair Big Nails, on the right, Guy Meets Gal-veston!


A wrap or pashmina is always a good idea, especially useful for outdoor weddings on breezy spring and summer nights! Pictured: Refined Silk Cashmere Wrap by J. Crew.

It never hurts to throw in a pair of flip flops for the all-night dance party at the reception! We love these by Havianas.

Filed Under: bridesmaids, bridesmaids gifts

Tie It Up!

March 8, 2011

For most women, we could file this topic under “who knew?” but it is something our guys have to think about on a daily basis. That is – how to tie a tie! Here we break down the different ways to tie a knot and give some guidance on what is appropriate for your wedding day!


This Windsor Knot is great for a formal affair since it works with spread collars to accommodate a large knot.

 


The Half Windsor is a smaller, more asymmetrical knot than the Windsor.

 

The Four-in-Hand knot is a simple, narrow knot that is even more asymmetrical and suitable for all occasions.

 

The Pratt Knot is symmetrical with medium thickness, and works great for shorter ties. Typically, this is used less often than the other three examples.

Lastly, we have the bowtie. We love the classic, elegant feel the bowtie brings to your guy’s formal wear! For tutorials on how to tie the knots correctly, visit here: http://www.totieatie.com/

Filed Under: grooms, groomsmen, style, trends

Charming Wedding Jewelry

March 1, 2011

Pictured:Heirloom Bracelet by Stella & Dot

Each season, we see updated versions of beautiful classic wedding jewelry.This year, there’s an emphasis on delicate, vintage, heirloom pieces in all the fashion and bridal magazines. Here are some of our new favorites!

Deco Drop Earrings, Freshwater Pearl Dangles, Glint Flower CZ, Josephine Cascade Earrings, Delicate Drop Earrings, Pearl Bouquet Earrings.

These bracelets would look fabulous on a mother of the bride!

Avery Cluster Bracelet, Grace Pearl Bauble Bracelet, Pearl Bouquet Bracelet

We love these brooches for a wedding gown, or attached to the wedding bouquet for a keepsake heirloom!

And don’t forget about your best friends! These matching earrings and cocktail rings would make a great gift for the bridesmaids!

All jewelry is by Stella & Dot and is available for online purchase here.

Filed Under: bridesmaids gifts, gifts, style
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »