With feather hair extensions being the hottest thing on the market these days, incorporating feathers into your wedding can add a whimsical and romantic essence.  But let’s think beyond the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces…what about your hair and your bridesmaids’ hair?

“They can be brushed, blow-dried, straightened and curled (up to 450°F) – basically, they can be treated like natural hair,” says Fine Featherheads founder Dakota Hills.  This versatility is crucial in the styling process of bridal hairdo’s. The feathers look gorgeous in elegant updo’s, flirty ponytails, spun into a bun and especially in a glam braid.

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Fine Featherheads are easy to find, effortless to install and could be a fabulous, fresh addition for you and your bridesmaids to celebrate in style!  You can purchase the highest quality, original “featherheads” at FineFeatherheads.com or check on their website to find a salon near you.  What a special way to create unity in your bridal party, by spreading the feather love…

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Are you more of a DIY type?  Installation is a piece of cake.  With a few simple tools (you can purchase a small tool kit online) you begin by threading the micro-link onto the hair hook.  Then you simply draw a small section of hair from the scalp and slide the micro-link onto the hair.  It is key to find the proper place on the head so the feathers lay flat.  Viola!

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These beautiful, weightless hair accessories could be the perfect gift for a bridal party that screams personality!  Since the feathers can last for one to six months (depending on care), the feathered bridesmaids have a constant reminder of the special times they shared on your wedding day.

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One of the best parts of being a bride?  Trying on all the gorgeous, dreamy wedding gowns of course!  But wedding dress shopping can also be overwhelming with all the different shapes, fabrics, and styles to choose from.  Let us help – here is a little breakdown about the most popular fabrics and some of the silhouettes best for them…

Charmeuse:
Charmeuse is the lightest of all satins. It has a glossy finish that drapes and clings to the body.  Charmeuse works best in an evening gown or slip dress style.  If you are looking for a form fitting sexy dress then Charmeuse is the material for you!

Cotton:
Cotton is a breathable and comfortable fabric.  Cotton is not commonly thought of as wedding gown material but it does create very beautiful gowns.  It can be very easily manipulated so it can be in an array of dress designs.

Dupioni Silk:
Dupioni silk is thick with a slight sheen and a coarse, knobby finish.  Dupioni is a natural pure silk made from double cocoons.  Since Dupioni is a thicker fabric, it works best for fuller silhouettes and modified A-line dresses.

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Photos: Charmeuse: Alix & Kelly, Cotton: Chris Cole, Dupioni: Pronovias Rania

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Duchesse Satin:
Duchesse Satin is a classic wedding gown material.  Duchesse Satin is more affordable than pure silk because it is blended with rayon.  It has versatility because it works for full as well as straight gowns.

Lace:
Lace is a very delicate and decorative fabric.  Lace is typically made from cotton or synthetic materials.  Lace is commonly used in wedding gowns as an overlay on top of solid fabrics or even more lace.

Linen:
Linen is typically thought of as a more casual fabric because of its breathability.  Linen dresses are common for beach weddings but can also be perfect for a Tahoe wedding.  Linen can also be dressed up, depending on the cut and style, and used for more formal gowns.

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Photos: Duchesse: Jim Hjelm, Lace: Amsale, Linen: J Crew

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Silk:
Silk is the most common, cherished, and priciest wedding gown fabric.  Silk is a smooth natural fiber.  Silk threads are also woven in different fashions and combinations to create tons of other fabrics, such as satin, duchesse satin, charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and even tulle.

Taffeta:
Taffeta is crisp, stiff and a light-weave fabric with a slight rib.  It can be made from synthetic fibers or pure silk.  Taffeta is an ideal choice for ball gowns and A-lines because it adds volume without adding unnecessary weight.

Tulle:
Tulle the traditional material used for bridal veils.  Tulle is a fine mesh netting that is made from silk or nylon.  Tulle has become popular in bouffant skirts, Vera Wang popularized this ballerina-inspired skirt style. 

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Photos: Silk: Alix & Kelly, Taffeta: Liancarlo, Tulle: Vera Wang

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There are hundreds of different wedding gown materials and combinations available.  Hopefully this will help begin to simplify choosing the perfect dress for you.  The best way to find the “one” is to try on as many gowns as possible!

We thought this new bridesmaid dress website, Weddington Way, would be a perfect follow-up to our post on floral frocks.  More often than not, when planning a destination wedding, your closest gals and BFF’s are not down the street or even in the same area code.  This can make selecting bridesmaids dresses more of a logistical nightmare rather than one of the fun details of the wedding.  

Weddington Way is a new web site that is dedicated to bringing together brides and their bridesmaids – no matter the distance.  At Weddington Way, you and your bridesmaids can connect, shop and share the perfect dresses without complicated travel and multiple dress appointments.

This shopping site is the brainchild of a former buyer of Bloomingdales who noticed a need for better online resources for brides-to-be and their bridal parties.  This will simplify the way brides shop for the bridesmaid dress.  Anyone, a bride (or a bridesmaid) can register on the site for free and then invite the rest of the party to join her.  Your personal bridal party page allows you to custom write messages to your bridal party through out the selection process.

Shop:  There’s a hand-selected collection of dresses from top designers.  You can filter your search by style, theme, color, price and more.

Compare:  You can mark certain dresses as your favorites and share them with your bridal party.  A drag and drop feature allows you to see your potential dress lineup.

Share:  You can select styles and share opinions on the shared social page between your entire bridal party. 

Track:  As a bride, you can see how your bridesmaids rank different dresses and track their ordering activity.  This way, it’s easy to stay on top of the process with very little direct communication. 

Weddington Way also allows you to virtually see a chosen bridesmaid dress in different styles.  If a bride was leaning towards one color but not sure the perfect cut for everyone, then this will allow each bridesmaid to select the style that flatters her the best.  Or the bridesmaids can select the dresses that they like and would compliment their curves the best, and the bride can choose which style(s) she prefers.  Genius!

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Are you in love with color, lots of color?, and can’t decide on just one shade for your bridesmaid dress?  With a floral bridesmaid dress you can have it all.  It is fresh and playful but can also be sophisticated depending on the colors and floral design you select.  Add a carefully chosen bouquet and you have created a stunning and unforgettable look for your wedding party.

The floral design is ideal for garden weddings but with the right pattern, it is equally at home at an outdoor wedding on a vast lawn or with a tropical twist, a beach wedding.  Nothing seems more cheery in the summertime!

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You can even carry the floral pattern over to the groomsmen with matching ties for a coordinated, polished look.

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How to accessorize? By pairing your bridesmaid dress with a monochromatic bouquet you have a winning look. Maybe you are drawn to patterns and like the look of a black and white design while color spotting your bouquet?  Subtle flowers, vibrant flowers or a retro pattern – this is where your wedding style comes into play.

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Mix it up by selecting one floral pattern yet have different dress style/cut options which allows your bridesmaids to chose the style that flatters her the most.  Project Runway competitor, Jesse LeNoir, designed these one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses for his wedding in March 2010.  Each dress was designed to complement each bridesmaid’s body type and personal style.

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Personally, I love this look when pulled off correctly and even selected it for my own wedding.  I chose a simple silk Tommy Bahama dress with a subtle tropical pattern – after all, we were in Maui!  My gals carried green cymbidium orchids with callas which were slightly smaller than my own bouquet.  One of my favorite getting ready pics below.

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Our Top Picks:

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BHLDN Bubble Floral Dress

Chiffon Orange/Pink Floral Pretty Bridesmaids.com

Chiffon Floral from Pretty Bridesmaids.com

Long Version of Chiffon Pretty Bridesmaids.com

BCBGMaxAzaria - Ivory Dress with Floral Adorned Rosettes

Poppy Galore by Tommy Bahama

Anemones Dress by Tommy Bahama

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Dogs for many of us are our loyal companions giving us unconditional love every day and are an intrinsic part of our family.  It is only natural to want to include your canine in your wedding day.  It has become more and more common for dogs to be included in the wedding ceremony instead of a flower girl, ring bearer, groomsmen or bridesmaid.  Or better yet, create their own role in the processional as Top Dawg!

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Not only can your dog be a memorable and personable part of the ceremony but they just look so adorable.  Wedding style and color palette does not stop here either.  Don’t miss another opportunity for adding detail! 

Options range from color coordinating the leash and collar to adding a floral collar, a bow tie or even accessorizing with a leash made out of ribbon.  Your pooch will be sure to look their best.  We couldn’t resist these photos of a few our top dawgs that have graced our Merrily Wed aisles.

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Your family portrait on your wedding day wouldn’t be complete without man’s best friend, so add a spot in your wedding party for your top dawg!  The memories and photos will last a lifetime…

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With plenty of white snow glittering and dancing as it drifts down from the sky in Tahoe these days, we found inspiration everywhere for a sparkling winter wedding!

This winter white wedding inspiration board, fashioned by our fabulous intern Alex, creates a very luxurious and glamorous winter style.  The all white affair is complimented with a few platinum accents.  From layers of pearl beading to dangling crystal prisms to frosted ornaments, the key is in making the most of the minute details.

A winter wedding in the mountains would not be complete without a white cashmere bridal hoodie to wear and a few gorgeous outdoor pictures of the couple playing in the fresh snow.  Of course in Tahoe a ski lift photo shoot is a must! 

We wish you and yours a very merry Holiday Season!

Photos Courtesy of:
Top row: Jim Hjelm, Style Me Pretty and Tiki Lounge
Second Row: The Knot, Tastefully Entertaining and Zinke Designs
Third Row: Tastefully Entertaining, The Knot and Tidy Flowers
Bottom Row: Blavish, Elizabeth Anne Designs and Rock n Roll Bride

After finding your dream wedding gown (and possibly falling in love again…), don’t forget about your main squeeze and his entourage.  The formality of your gown will easily dictate what your groom and his groomsmen should wear.  At MW’s lakefront weddings we have seen different types of attire ranging from formal to semi-formal to casual.  There are so many choices for the men to choose from so take care with these details and they will be sure to look amazingly dapper!

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Formal:

The most classic attire is the tuxedo or Black Tie.  The tuxedo usually includes a black coat, trousers with stripe on leg seam, white tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, black bow tie, cuff links and black leather dress shoes.  For a quirky spin - ’Creative Black Tie’ - on the traditional tuxedo, replace the black bow tie with a fun color that compliments the color palette of your special day or sport a black shirt for a modern look.

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Photo Courtesy of Ben Chrisman Photography, Dave Getzschman of Ben Chrisman Photography & Jennifer Baciocco Photography - All Merrily Wed Weddings.

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For the utmost formal event, it must be White Tie complete with a white bow tie, vest, possibly jacket with tails and a white tuxedo shirt.

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Semi-Formal:

The most common style that we see at lakefront weddings is semi-formal.  Semi-formal usually includes a well-planned suit and tie.  This style can be personalized by using a different color suit besides black.  Some of the popular suit colors we have seen besides black are: navy blue, charcoal gray, chocolate brown and tan.

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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Kate Webber Photography, Lisa Leigh Photography, Mulberry Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.

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Another fabulous look we love is a “By the Lake” style by combining a navy sportcoat and khaki slacks.  This nautical trend is a favorite for many reasons including the adaptability to fit your personal taste.

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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Christa Hoffarth Photography, Jennifer Baciocco Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.

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Don’t forget the details!!  All of these semi-formal styles can look great paired with a tie that pulls from your wedding color scheme.

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Kilt:

Another dapper look for those willing enough (and with the legs!) to pull this ensemble off is the kilt.  A kilt is a classic Scottish and Celtic garment.  It is a knee-length garment that is pleated in the rear and made from wool in a tartan pattern.  Many grooms choose to wear a pattern in their family clan’s tartan to represent their Scottish or Celtic culture on their special day.  Tradition has it that nothing else is worn underneath the kilt…

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Photos Courtesy of Photography by Monique, Organic Photographs and Ben Chrisman Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.

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Semi-Casual:

A semi-casual wedding calls for a more relaxed style.  A khaki linen suit or pairing a nice collared silk shirt and slacks are perfect looks for a laid back feel.  If it gets chilly during the evening, a sportcoat is a great addition to the shirt/slack combination.

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Photos courtesy by Ben Chrisman Photography. Merrily Wed Wedding.

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Your groom and groomsmen are sure to look as unforgettably stunning as you (well, almost as smashing!) with just a little care in choosing their stylish look.

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Claire and Cole met each other, of all places, in the Reno International Airport.  Walking past him, Claire gave him a double look, and not for the obvious reasons, but because of Cole’s certain man accessory.  What was the accessory you ask?  A fanny pack.  A few jokes and banter led to seats together on the plane…

This past August they said their “I Do’s” above the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe.  Claire’s color palette was ivories, creams, champagnes and touches of black.  Her inspiration for the day was her beautiful Enzoani wedding dress which has a glamourous vintage feel to it with the rouched bodice accented with gorgeous beaded floral rosettes.

She complimented her gown’s style by adding a bronze sash with beaded floral rosettes to her bridesmaids’ black dresses.  Cole and his groomsmen sported black suits with the retro addition of black Converse’s on their feet.
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Photography by Kendall Price Photography. Florals by Diana’s Floral Design.

For larger images – click here.

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Elements of black lace, black and champagne feathers, antique pearls and sparkling beading were woven throughout the ceremony and the reception.  Ivory and champagne feathers graced the black vintage ceremony urns and within Claire’s bridal bouquet.   The black feathers also added a striking contrast within the bridesmaids’ bouquets.  Black petals carved a “W” in the ivory petal carpeted aisle and the adorable flower girl carried a black basket.

Champagne linen with black lace toppers dressed the cocktail tables, centerpiece vases wore cream lace and black ribbon while black sequined pillows sparkled on the white couches in the lounge area.   The center of their super cute dessert buffet was a simple and stunning double tiered wedding cake accessorized with lace and pearl-beaded floral rosettes.

Claire wanted all her guests to sigh and say, “That was so Claire!” at the end of the day and I think we succeeded!  In tribute to their fateful first meeting, everyone departed their reception each with their own ‘man bag’ fanny pack!

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