Wedding Wish Wednesday: Mark Ingram from The Bridal Atelier

Having spent a lovely weekend looking at wedding gowns with a dear friend, this week's Wedding Wish Wednesday couldn't be more appropriate. I am so excited to tell you this week's expert is none other than Mark Ingram - yes, the Mark Ingram.

As you know Mark Ingram is the gown guru and the personality behind the most chic bridal salon in Manhattan. The Bridal Atelier is home to some of the most sought after names in bridal like Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Packham, Angel Sanchez, and Lela Rose, just to name a few.

Here are his tips on the process of shopping for a gown:

When to start: Although it is understandable to want to start shopping right away for your gown, it is imperative to finalize a date and a venue for your wedding before you begin shopping. The time of year and location truly dictate the theme and style of your overall event and your gown. A gown for a morning garden wedding and a gown for a formal evening ballroom affair are very, very different! Also, do your research before you begin by collecting tearsheets from bridal magazines and websites of styles you like.

Where to shop: You should begin your shopping process at a reputable bridal salon that carries gowns that are in your budget. Make sure you ask about their price range, fitting costs and selection while making your appointment. Asks your friends and family, where they shopped and where they had the best experience. You are not making a one time purchase at a salon, but may be going back for fittings and accessory appointments. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and enjoy the atmosphere of where you will be spending so much time during your engagement.

Who to shop with: In general limit your shopping companions to one or two people you trust and whose opinions matter most to you. Too many opinions may confuse you. If you feel you need to include all of your bridesmaids, you can always bring some of them back for a fitting or two.

Selecting the gown: Don’t reinvent yourself on your wedding day. Be true to your own style. Make the process, not just the day, memorable and enjoyable.

Thank you so much Mark! To book your appointment at the Atelier, please contact them below:

110 East 55th Street, 8th Floor
New York City, New York
212.319.6778

Image via New York Magazine.

Mr. Porter, I Presume?

Ladies get ready to rejoice! After ten years of bringing celebrated women's fashions to closets and wedding days around the world, the Net-a-Porter group is thrilled to announce the launch of their men's wear site, Mr. Porter.

Mr. Porter will launch for the Spring/Summer 2011 season in January 2011 and will offer an edited product selection of the best in men’s style, from global designer labels to niche specialist brands alongside original editorial and style advice.

Designers like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, YSL, Margiela, Balmain, Dunhill, Margaret Howell, Rick Owens, John Lobb and MR by the designer Roland Mouret will be the first to rescue your gent from any fashion disasters. The unique product offer will feature approximately 60 of the best men’s wear brands with a balance of global must have brands together with local specialists and discoveries from around the world.

And with the site powered, curated, edited and served by an independent world class team who will benefit from the global infrastructure of the Net-a-Porter group, rest assured that your man is in good hands.


Image via Net-a-Porter.

An Afternoon at The Plaza: Part II

Hello lovelies! I'm still on cloud nine from my wonderful trip to New York City filled with wedding festivities. Seriously, how could any gal not be completely over the moon with an afternoon at The Plaza?

In addition to the unparalleled decor was the haute cuisine prepared for us by Chef Marc Spooner. We wedding bloggers feasted on amazingly prepared delicious tapas style eats. Check out the following pics below that will have you salivating at your computer . . .

In addition, here's some tips Chef Marc had for the big day:

• The idea with the small plate stations is to create a breezy, lighter feel to receptions where guests have much more interaction with one another and are not limited to their assigned table. And yet, they still leave full having eaten delicious food.
  
• The dishes selected were all seasonal using fresh spring ingredients. Brides, having your caterer prepare your dishes with local, fresh ingredients is not only delicious, but also helpful for the local economy.
  
• Chef Marc also made an effort to include vegetarian (and even vegan) options along with meat and fish. Specially prepared cuisines are great for those guest's dietary needs because no one wants to eat the bland pasta dish for lack of knowing. This small attention to detail will have your guests feeling extra special and welcome on your big day.
• Think outside the box. For dessert Chef Marc served fresh fruit pops and liquid caramel corn. Both desserts were a pleasant surprise!
  

Images via Johannes Courtens.

Fab Frocks Friday: Grey Glamour

Grey skies here in an otherwise sunny L.A. calls for grey glamour!

And links I know you'll love for the week's end . . .

• To fondant or not to fondant? That is the question!
• A Rose is a Lela Rose
• Time to go a little window shopping
• The prettiest garden wedding!
  

Image via Elle France Lily Cole by Kayt Jones in Aime le Cinema.

I Want You Back

Enamored by these gorgeous backs from Vera Wang.

Images via New York Magazine.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Crystal from The Huntley

I'm just thrilled have my friend Crystal from The Huntley Hotel share her tips on wedding planning with the cinderella project. Crystal's an expert in the industry and having worked with countless brides and wedding guests, she's got the perfect perspective on several things you should consider when planning your wedding:

Beginnings

Wedding size: It’s important to have an estimate of how many guests you would like to invite so that you are looking into the right size venues. The Huntley is ideal for a wedding of 75 – 100 guests. All the ballroom spaces along with the outdoor terrace and rooftop restaurant are all newly renovated and serve as ideal spaces for the ceremony and reception.

Budget: It’s important to know how much you want to spend and what is expected for the event. The Huntley Hotel has wedding packages put together, but if they are not necessarily what the bride and groom envisioned for their wedding, we can customize a package for them to fit their needs and price point.

Timing: Try as best as you can to make a timeline and stick to your deadlines. Wedding venues should be booked approx. 8 to 12months in advanced. Dinners/Brunches should be booked approx. 3 months in advance. And hotel accommodations should be contracted approx. 6 months in advance. Of course, booking everything sooner the better.

Receptions

Liquor packages: If you would like to have open bar at your reception, but are a little bit more price conscious, you can opt for a beer and wine package over a premium liquor package. Also keep in mind most guests will not be drinking the entire time. If you do go for a premium liquor package, you can save on costs by limiting the hours it is available and possibly start it at a later time so the liquor is available all the way until the end of the reception.

Rehearsal Dinners & Brunches: Don’t feel obligated to invite EVERYONE. You’re practically paying for another wedding if you do. Try to keep your guestlist intimate and for the people that really helped in your wedding and made an impact. The Twilight Room, in the Penthouse Restaurant, is perfect for a small intimate dinner of up to 30 people and the Skyline Room is perfect for larger parties of up to 80 guests. Both are semi private rooftop dining areas overlooking the LA cityscape with wall to wall windows and stunning panoramic views.

Hotels

Guestroom blocks: Have a good idea of how many of your out of town guests will need accommodations and also will want to stay at a hotel. Most hotels do require a contract and a credit card guarantee for special rates for room blocks. At the Huntley, we have two options of setting up arrangements for out of town guests. We can block off rooms with a credit card guarantee or extend a courtesy rate with no guarantee with no rooms will be held. Also, remember to ask about suite upgrades for the bride and groom if you plan to stay at the hotel. Each hotel has different policies, so be sure to check with the ones you’re looking into.

Take advantage of your surroundings!: There are many local attractions for out of town guests to experience while they are in town for your wedding. It’s always a good idea to choose a hotel where they can see and experience everything else the city has to offer. The Huntley Santa Monica Beach puts you just steps away from Santa Monica’s renowned “Third Street Promenade” offering a variety of shops, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and theatres. The beach is just a block away and you can take a bike ride up to Venice Beach along the famed Pacific Coast Highway.

Thank you Crystal! And for all you readers dying to get a little taste of Southern California, click here to enter The Huntley's 2 night stay giveaway.

The Huntley Hotel
1111 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.394.5454

Images via The Huntley Hotel.

An Afternoon at The Plaza: Part I

Isn't it every New York City bride's dream to get married at The Plaza? The grand ballrooms, the chandeliers, the storied history - it's enough to get your imagination racing! And luckily that's exactly what happened last Thursday afternoon when a few wedding bloggers and myself gathered together to see the latest innovations in design, decor, and cuisine the wedding experts had to offer.

Like this elegant and modern tablescape by David Beahm Design. Jeremy from Team David had these tips to share with us on florals and design:

• Silver and baby blue are a popular color combination
• Different levels in your centerpieces creates a more dynamic piece.
• Being able to talk at the reception table is key - low lying centerpieces allow for an easy flow of conversation, especially at such an intimate affair such as a wedding.
• The team used plate glass to cover the table surface to reflect the light across different surfaces - because doesn't everyone look beautiful in the soft, romantic glow of candlelight?
• Various sizes of clear vases in similar geometric shapes are a must! Incorporate florals (like the roses and orchids seen above) for a decadent look. Or strip it down and float candles across the for an effortlessly chic and budget savvy modern effect.

I'll be sharing more tips later on so don't forget to come back for some more eye candy!

Images via the cinderella project and Johannas Courtens.

Theurel & Thomas

Delicious goodies are a sight for sore eyes!

Images via Theurel & Thomas.

Fab Frocks Friday: Evening Glamour

An absolutely wonderful week in New York City. Enjoy the weekend lovelies!

Image via Wenn.

Vera Wang at Bloomies

Some people go to New York to see the Empire State Building, I go to New York to see the bridal salons! When I found out I was heading to NYC for a few wedding events I knew the Vera Wang 20 Year Retrospective at Bloomingdales was an absolute must see. Just hearing the name Vera Wang gets my heart (and I'm sure all of yours) all a flutter.

Here are just a few of the gorgeous gowns from the Vera Wang archives and a few shots of some lovely tabletops decked out in Vera Wang for Wedgwood dinnerware . . .

Images by the cinderella project.