You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Bridal Fashion’ tag.
TCBA Member Expert:
Fashion & Jewelry / Custom Apparel
JenMar Creations
Interview with Jenny Wrage / Mary Chalupsky
What inspires you?
Our own imaginations / Our Grandmothers
Who is the person you’d most like to meet or spend the day with and why?
Randy Fenoli (Say Yes to the Dress) He knows everything about wedding gowns and he is so nice!
How did you get your start in the business?
Love of sewing and creating gowns for our daughters
What is the most unique wedding you have been a part of?
That would be hard to say, they are all unique in their own way.
Do you have any kids? Tell us about them.
Jenny: 2 boys, 3 girls. They are all very artsy and we made all of their wedding gowns, even daughters-in-law. They are all very musical. Mary: 3 daughters. They have a great love of animals (3 dogs/1 cat) and music!
What is the most unique thing about you?
Mary & Jenny are sisters and really complement each other.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Family get-togethers, we are the only 2 girls with 9 brothers, 63 cousins on one side and 45 on the other.
Who is your favorite sports team?
The Wild
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Grandma’s cabin
If you could visit any place in the world where would that be and why?
New England (History)
What is your most cherished possession?
Our children
What is your motto or favorite quote to live by?
Life is short eat dessert FIRST!
What has been your favorite wedding and why?
Our own. We both had over 500 people at our weddings (Great Parties)
If you could describe yourselves in 2 words, what would they be?
We’re Fun
What are your hobbies, outside of your business?
Antique shopping
Are you involved with Charity work? Tell us about it.
We haven’t done much yet. We do Military discounts and would like to mae one free dress a year for the Military
What is your favorite color?
Jenny – Red, Mary – Royal Blue
What is your favorite movie?
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye)
What is your favorite song?
White Christmas
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Learn a little bit more about JenMar Creations
JenMar Creations is an alterations and design company that will create a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind wedding gown that will make your wedding day unforgettable.
JenMar is on the forefront of the upcoming trend ofWedding Gown Redesign. We specialize in updating a sentimental wedding dress for the trendy bride. This is an eco-friendly use of fabrics that turns vintage gowns into incredibly chic bridal dresses that will fit every bride’s vision.
We also design bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, handmade purses, rustic antique handkerchiefs, and adorable ring bearer pillows. Whether you need wedding gown alterations or wedding gown redesign, JenMar is the one stop wedding attire shop!
Contact Information:
5630 Indiana Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
PH: 763-536-8645
Email: info@jenmarcreationsmn.com
Visit us on the Web
KM Hats
TCBA Member Expert:
Fashion & Jewelry / Custom Apparel
Interview with Karen Morris
What inspires you?
Stephen Jones, the famous British milliner, inspires me a lot because his work is extraordinary, simple, clean and high quality. His designs are unique, extravagant and experimental. Mr. Jones does a fantastic job of mixing little pieces of daily life into his hat designs, which I find to be exciting and inventive. He also changed the culture of wearing hats. To quote him, “A hat makes clothing identifiable, dramatic – and, most importantly, Fashion… It’s the cherry on the cake, the dot on the “I”, the exclamation mark, the fashion focus. Everyone from showgirls to dictators knows that by wearing a hat they will be the centre of attention.”
Who is the person you’d most like to meet or spend the day with and why?
The Queen, for sure! I’d love to see her hat and glove collections and talk to her about hat culture.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
Yes, I do. I have two Yorkshire Terriers. Their names are “BB” and “Mui Mui”. They are in my parents’ home in Hong Kong. I love both of them but “BB” is my baby because he lived with me for three years before I moved to America. I bought him from a pet shop, I saw him growing up every day. He was such a sad, weak puppy because he was the smallest pet in the shop and most of the time the other dogs ate all the food, leaving him none. When I saw him, I told myself that I must bring him home and give him a warm family and shelter. He’s going to turn five in January. He’s so adorable and smart, sometimes I’d say he is crafty… =) I love him, I love BB.
What is your favorite Childhood memory?
In Hong Kong, we are a multi-racial and multi-religious society. Christmas is one of our big festivals for celebration. My favorite childhood memory is when my parents took my brother and I to have a nice dinner on Christmas. Then we went to see the beautiful Christmas lights on the windows of all the tall buildings.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Barcelona, Spain. This is a great place to get art ideas on interior design, fashion design and architecture.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would that be and why?
Finland. Because I like to hide from the crowd once in a while to refresh myself and get new ideas for my hat creations. Plus, I just love the snow.
What is your motto or favorite quote to live by?
“No pain, no gain.“
What has been your favorite wedding and why?
The Royal Wedding. Because the hats were incredible.
If you could describe yourself in 2 words, what would they be?
Hard-working and Emotional
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Learn a little bit more about KM HATS:
KAREN MORRIS IS A MILLINER (British for hat maker) living in Minneapolis. Her haute couture ladies hats are 100% custom designed and handmade in Minnesota of exotic materials sourced from primarily England, Australia and South Africa.
Karen is carrying two brands: “Karen Morris Milliner” – haute-couture hats and “Obsession by Karen Morris” – an accessible and easy-to-wear range of hats. She has produced commissioned headpieces for bridals, mother of bride and maid of honors around the world. Karen is a “celebrity blogger” for ELLE magazine and is also featured in the October 2012 issue of the British publication HaTalk Magazine. She recently completed a video fashion shoot of simple DIY bridal headpiece for ELLE magazine, and was recently selected by the American Craft Council for an eight-week installation of her work at their headquarters.
Karen Morris Milliner offers exclusive consultation services and creates unique hats and headpieces for women. Whether you’re looking for traditional wedding headpieces, or something more extravagant cocktail hats or fascinators, Karen uses a high level artisanship to create your own bespoke headpiece or hat in specific color, shape and style. Let Karen tailor an heirloom quality hat for you that is just as unique as you are.
Karen is part of these organizations:
- Twin City Bridal Association
- Northeast Minneapolis Art Association
- National Association of Independent Artist
- MN Artist Organization
- American Craft Council
Please do not hesitate to call 612-839-4857 or email to Karen@kmhats.com for more information.
Contact Info:
Karen Morris
32 Evergreen Road
St. Paul , MN 55110
PH: 612-839-4857
http://www.kmhats.com
karen@kmhats.com
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Peruse their Pinterest
Mestads Bridal & Formal Wear
TCBA Member Expert
Fashion & Jewelry / Apparel
Interview with Cathy Mestad
What inspires you?
What truly inspires me in my line of business is all the creative new innovative fashions that keep coming out!
How did you get your start in the business.
In 1980 a bridal store was for sale in Rochester so I jumped on the wonderful opportunity to help brides find their dream wedding dresses!
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
My absolute favorite vacation spot is St. John in the Virgin Islands… it is such a gorgeous vacation destination!
What is your motto or favorite quote to live by?
“A dress without jewelry is, well… just a dress. Paired with the PERFECT pieces, though, it’s an ensemble!” Cara Sullivan (Martha Stewart Weddings)
What are your hobbies, outside of your business?
I LOVE spending time caring for my Alpacas and showing them at competitions.
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Learn a little bit more about Mestads Bridal & Formal Wear
Mestads is the premier bridal salon in southern Minnesota. With hundreds of different gowns to choose from, you are sure to find just the style you have been searching for. We carry beautiful gowns by Eve of Milady, Rivini, Pronovias, Amsale, Birnbaum & Bullock, Christos, Lazaro, Judd Waddell, Ramona Keveza, Amy Michelson, Paloma Blanca, and dozens of exclusives.
For your convenience, you can finalize all your wedding attire in one place: your gown and all it’s accessories, bridesmaids, flower girls, and tuxedos for the groom and his men.
Mestads is proud to introduce our Exclusive Tuxedo Delivery Service, complete with on-site fittings and alterations. It will save you time, money, hassle, and worry. Please call our Rochester location for details and to book your appointment. This is an opportunity that you will not want to pass by!
Mestads also offers oversized fitting rooms for your comfort. You will be assisted by highly trained and knowledgeable consultants who can make choosing your bridal gown simple and relaxing. The store is also host to a professional and skilled in-store alterations department where no project is to big or to small.
Please call for an appointment or stop in at your convenience.
From Minneapolis: 494 to 52 south. Upon entering Rochester, take Civic Center drive and take a left at the first light. Mestads is located in the Barlow Plaza.
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10-9pm
Sat 9-5pm
Sun 12-5pm
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Contact Mestads Bridal & Formal Wear
1171 6th St NW
Rochester, MN 55901
PH: 507-289-2444
2716 Division Street
St. Cloud , MN 56301
PH: 320-252-9634
info@mestads.com
Keep current with their Blog
Luxe Bridal Couture
TCBA Member Expert Category:
Fashion & Jewelry / Apparel
Interview with Shayna Clute
How did you get your start in the business?
I was a wedding planner for 5 years in upstate New York. It was so much fun working with brides all the way through their wedding. That is when I knew it was my calling to work with brides.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
Yes, I have three yorkies! They have so much personality. You will often see Emma in the store, she loves to greet brides at the door with a smile. It’s so cute!
What is your motto or favorite quote to live by?
Enjoy each day like it’s your last!
If you could describe yourself in 2 words what would they be?
Passionate and Creative
What are your hobbies, outside of your business?
I’m a little bit of a foodie, so I enjoy checking out new restaurants and going to cooking classes. My husband and I often plan our vacations around places we want to check out. I also LOVE wine tasting and hiking.
Are you involved with Charity work? Tell us about it.
We often foster dogs who are looking for homes, we have worked with Small Animal Rescue and Last Hope. It’s so rewarding because you are giving a dog a second chance that they might have not had. I hope to one day contribute more the cause and make a real difference.
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Connect with Shayna Clute:
Learn more about Luxe Bridal Couture at: http://www.luxemn.com
Visit Luxe Bridal Couture on Facebook
Follow Luxe Bridal Couture on Twitter: @LuxeCurvyBride
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Luxe Bridal Couture
Luxe Bridal Couture has an exclusive selection of breathtaking wedding gowns designed especially for the curvaceous bride. We offer private appointment suites and provide highly personalized attention in which brides can choose from an array of beautiful wedding gowns. No detail will be overlooked as we help you find THE DRESS and accessories.
At Luxe Bridal Couture we cater to the bride with curves and have a wide selection of couture wedding gowns in sizes 14 – 28. Your visit to Luxe will be unlike any other bridal salon experience as you immerse yourself in the quiet luxury of your appointment.
We have a diverse range of couture gowns from such designers as James Clifford, Essence of Australia, Jacquelin Exclusive and C.C Elaine. Modern, sophisticated gowns designed for the bride that craves luxury and style. At Luxe Bridal Couture we want brides to celebrate their curves!
Luxe Bridal Couture
info@luxemn.com
2401 South Dupont Avenue
info@luxemn.com
2401 South Dupont Avenue
Minneapolis , MN 55405
612-353-5941
RAFFINE BRIDAL & FORMALWEAR
TCBA Member Expert Category: Fashion & Jewelry / Apparel
Interview with Jamie Heiser
How did you get your start in the business?
I have always wanted to be in the bridal/wedding industry. I started working at a bridal store during college, and fell in love with it. While still in college my family and I came across Raffine Bridal for sale! My mother and sister said that they would love to do it with me, so the three of us have owned it together for 3 years.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
I have a dog named Millie, she is a yorkie. She only weighs 6 pounds, but she thinks she is much bigger. She is very fearless for her size.
What is your favorite color?
Pink, all of my kitchen small appliances are pink and if I could paint the store pink I would!
What is your favorite movie?
The Wedding Planner, I watch it all the time.
Who is your favorite sports team?
Minnesota Twins
If you could visit any place in the world where would that be and why?
Monte Carlo, France. I have always wanted to visit France, and Monte Carlo looks like it has the perfect mix of beaches, shopping and history.
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Connect with Raffine Bridal & Formalwear
Visit them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raffine-Bridal/236523675203
Peruse their website at: www.raffinebridal.com
A brief introduction to Raffine Bridal!
Your wedding day is your most important focus right now. We are pleased to offer you multiple product lines, plenty of time to browse, and personal attention that you deserve. We are certain our large selection of wedding gowns will fulfill what you have envisioned. Whether you are looking for extravagant, simplistic or even unique, our selection is just what you are looking for. Our large assortment of bridesmaid dresses will also compliment your wedding gown as your expectations are continually met.
It is our priviledge to offer you beautiful designs exclusively by Jim Hjelm. Other designers we are proud to carry include: Paloma Blanca, Mikaella, San Patrick, Blush by JLM Couture, WTOO Bridal, Essense of Austrailia, Marisa, Watters and Watters, and Tara Keely.
We make it convenient for you by offering wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresss, veils, hair accessories, flowergirls, and tuxedo rentals. In addition, January through May we offer one of a kind prom dresses.
Our guests come from all over the Twin Cities and outer areas of St.Paul and Minneapolis, as well as from out of state. We thank you and hope you tell your family and friends about us. We recognize it as a privilege to serve you.
Please call for your appointment at 651-430-0990. Our customer service is unlike anywhere else, with qualified consultants ready and wanting to help you find the dress of your dreams. We are a family owned store where a mom and her two daughters take pride in giving you the highest quality of service. Our ultimate goal is to help you and your bridal party have a convenient and unforgettable experience
Contact Raffine Bridal & Formalwear:
Jamie Heiser
200 East Chestnut Street, #103
Stillwater , MN 55082
PH: 651-430-0990
www.raffinebridal.com
info@raffinebridal.com
Heartstrings Bridal
TCBA Member Expert Category: Fashion & Jewelry / Apparel
(they also carry some Wedding Accessory & Decor rentals too!)
Interview with Meghan
What is your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in the city, but owned a house in the countryside and would spend hours horseback riding with friends.
Who is your favorite sports team?
My favorite baseball team is the Minnesota Twins and hockey is the Minnesota Wild.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Cancun, Mexico. It’s warm, tropical and where I got married in February.
What is your most cherished possession?
It’s a ring that has been passed down in my family from my grandmother.
What is your motto or favorite quote to live by?
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
We have 2 cats, 1 is a tiger-striped male named Mauer and the other is a black and white spotted male named Schneider. Both are complete trouble! 
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Connect with Heartstrings Bridal
Visit them on Facebook! www.facebook.com/heartstringsbridal1
Follow them on Twitter! heartstringsbri
Peruse their website at: www.heartstringsbridal.com
Read their Blog at: www.heartstringsb.wordpress.com
A brief introduction to Heartstrings Bridal!
Heartstrings Bridal carries luxurious, but affordable, bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and tuxes. We also carry a large selection of jewelry and wedding accessories that encompass our essence; style, elegance, and beauty.
Heartstrings also rents beautiful but affordable rental items (our chair covers rent for ONLY $1.95)! Our focus is to provide exceptional service within a friendly and fun atmosphere. Buying your wedding attire will be fun, exciting and Unforgettable with us!
Consulting: Heartstrings… Helping You Tie The Knot! AS FEATURED ON INSIDE EDITION AND NBC! Every bride has her own style, like most you are probably value-conscious, have a busy life and now you’re faced with planning a wedding…something you’ve never done before. Most couples don’t consider a wedding consultant because they believe only the wealthy can afford one. Not true with Heartstrings. Saving you time, money and guiding you through the detail filled process of a great wedding is what we do. Call Heartstrings to see how wedding planning can be AFFORDABLE!
Rental Items: Heartstrings is a full-service wedding rental company. Our aim is to create a well-designed, creative, carefully coordinated, and flawlessly executed wedding or event that reflects your individual style and taste within your budget. We are passionate about every wedding or event we plan and strive to deliver them with the embodiment of elegance, style and beauty. We rent everything from ceremony candelabras to chair covers (We have the best price anywhere)! Heartstrings prides itself on a high level of professionalism and personalized service within a friendly atmosphere. Our services will save you time and money and provide you with peace of mind.
Heartstrings Bridal
www.heartstringsbridal.com
info@heartstringsbridal.com
1605 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 932-9090
Social Media Contest!!!
Heartstrings Bridal LOVES social media! Did you know that we have a facebook page, our own blog, and you can follow us on twitter to receive the best tips in the wedding industry and special discounts?
To promote our newly redesigned website at www.heartstringsbridal.com with amazing 24 hour shopping experience we need your help to spread the word through social media!
To reward your hard work, we will be giving away two $50 gift certificates to two lucky people that you can use on any in-store or online merchandise at http://www.heartstringsbridal.com . All you have to do to enter is “like” our facebook page, follow our blog, or follow us on twitter. You will get one entry for each medium you follow.
Nearly 200 wedding experts and members of Twin City Bridal Association, along with a record-attending crowd gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the Wedding Fair! Known as the largest and most-respected bridal event in Minnesota, the January Wedding Fair was a huge success and we’d like to thank all who Attended, Exhibited and Sponsored!
The theme of the event was “Modern Glamour,” which combined Modern Style, Sophistication and a little Glitz and Glam! We had an amazing time showcasing this theme in different ways in our Experience areas, spilling over into the Fashion Show Theater as well.
Attendees were immersed into a complete thematic “Experience”, as soon as they entered the doors to The Wedding Fair. Midway Party Rental and Richfield Flowers & Events decorated the long hallway of the Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Experience areas with theme-specific ideas that Brides and Grooms can use at their own wedding! Mike Macken Music & Entertainment provided a Pianist, who played background music in the Cocktail Reception area. Metro Ice Sculptures provided an Ice Sculpture, complete with customized logo, along with Escort Cards, created by A Milestone Paper Company.
We had an excellent variety of different types of Exhibitors and the Booths were busy with discussions of upcoming weddings! It was definitely a packed hall, but our smartly-spaced Exhibit Booth quadrants provided plenty of space to walk freely about and helped to silently direct traffic through the floor.
The Reception Experience Area was newly revamped with the attendees in mind! This area became a feature area for all of the Decor Exhibitors, of the show, to design a beautiful thematic tablescape of their own design. Not only did it showcase their creative abilities, but also it provided the attendees with tons of creative details and ideas for their own wedding. A Milestone Paper Company provided Table Numbers, Menus and Place Cards for some of the tables. This proved to be quite a hot-spot of activity during the show and also featured Heartland Concert Artists providing a Jazz Band to provide background music for this area. A central focus of the Rotunda was a beautifully designed Cake by Lunds/Byerly’s. It was stunning! Event Lab provided the sleek, glitz and glamour decor feel of The Reception Experience area in the way of 22’ tall hanging chandeliers! They also provided decor for The Bar area, along with an array of stylish Tuxedos by Savvi Formalwear. We noticed a lot of people taking advantage of the sitting areas and we were glad to be able to provide a “break” place for our attendees as they mapped out their next steps and sipped on a beverage.
The Bistro also provided a break, and a place for attendees to get a bite to eat, too! Midway Party Rental provided the linens, centerpieces and chair covers and they provided another creative idea for the attendees with simple, yet practical ideas!
The Fashion Show Theater offered attendees a first-hand look at Bridal & Tux Fashions from our Sponsors. The Main Fashion Shows (Noon and 3pm) featured Angelique’s Bridal, Savvi Formalwear, and The Wedding Shoppe. The Couture Show (1:30 pm) featured Mestad’s Bridal & Formalwear. The shows featured some of the hottest 2011 looks and they were absolutely stunning! Forever TV was on hand to launch their Internet television website, all about weddings and they taped live on the Fashion Show stage prior to the start of the shows! Staci Matthews, from KS95, kicked off the shows as our Host & Emcee and she did a fabulous job!
Faces Etc of MN provided the models “Glam” hair and make-up and the styles were sophisticated and modern, keeping the looks Bridal focused. To play up the Modern Glamour theme, we chose to bring in some LED panels that we fed low-resolution video imagery through. We had 4 rectangular LED panels on each side of the stage with (2) large 12’ diameter circle screens. The center screen was 15’ x 20’ in size and provided a stunning backdrop with high-resolution, slow moving video footage during the entire show! The video imagery also featured the Sponsor’s logos during each segment. Richfield Flowers & Events provided the models bouquets and also stunning white flower balls on pedestals to add a little dimension and height to the corners of the runway! Overall, the look and feel was modern, glitz and glamour, with high-energy music and visual eye-candy to complement the Tuxedos and Bridal Gowns and our beautiful models! The video opener was a brief, but exciting, intro to “Modern Glamour” and our first song was a special remix and edited version of Katy Perry’s “Firework”! The music throughout the show was an upbeat mix of positive music, focused on keeping the energy level up!
Thanks to Coppersmith Photography for capturing this event for us!
Don’t miss your chance to attend or exhibit at Minnesota’s largest and most-respected bridal event! The next Wedding Fair is on March 20th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Don’t miss The Wedding Fair!
Special Thanks to our Sponsors:
Angelique’s Bridal Salon
Arthur’s Jewelers
Coppersmith Photography
Delta Vacations
Heartland Concert Artists
Mestad’s Bridal & Formalwear
Midway Party Rental
Richfield Flowers & Events
Savvi Formalwear
Simplicity Gourmet
The Wedding Shoppe
Special Thanks to:
Event Lab
Forever TV (www.forever-tv.com)
Glen Arvin (Glen VOX, Voice Services)
Heroic Productions
Mike Macken Music & Entertainment
Staci Matthews, KS95 (www.girlzinwhitedresses.com)
We are so excited to showcase Part II of our 2011 Wedding Dress Trends as we look to Mestads Bridal and Formalwear for their expertise, as they pride themselves in ensuring the local Bridal market sees the latest in trends and styles while we take a peak inside Couture fashion! Part of 2010 found their Fashion Team traveling to seek out what will be HOT in 2011 at Bridal Fashion Shows… most notably NY Bridal Fashion Week and recently Couture Bridal Week as well! We love the couture style and sophistication of Mestads and the experience we have when we walk through the doors! You are greeted by the friendliest of faces and get to experience the comfort of their spacious Changing Rooms and super-friendly staff! Mestads is a long-time Sponsor of The Wedding Fair and supporter of Twin City Bridal and we absolutely love having them as a partner, to showcase to you some of the latest in Bridal fashion!
Mestad’s reported that the 2011 Collections they were seeing from the designers were a focus on the feminine looks of tulle, lace and organza (showcased at NY Bridal Fashion Week) and sparkly, jeweled belts are HOT, as they saw recently at Couture Bridal Week! There was also a focus on lots of clean, structured lines, with emphasis on a great all over fit!
All in all… we are LOVING the 2011 looks and are excited for Brides as they have a lot of beautiful options!
Here are a few of our favorite of the 2011 Trends, which are available at Mestad’s Bridal and Formalwear!
Jeweled Stones & Beaded Belts provide SPARKLE! And… Lace makes a fresh new comeback!!
Taffeta gown adorned with jeweled stones (Two by Rosa Clara, Oconor)
Organza gown adorned with jeweled stones. (Two by Rosa Clara, Oasis)
Modified A-line Fantasy gown made of gorgeous organza with a layered skirt (Two by Rosa Clara, Origen)
Embroidered lace and organza gown with jeweled stones (Two by Rosa Clara, Ohio)
Lilly Pulitzer pushes the “color” envelope with this latest dress, a touch of pink with a stunning lace overlay – WE LOVE IT!
Modified A-line gown with beaded cord lace with a dropped waist, accented with a beaded band (Two by Rosa Clara, Oriental)
Fitted modified A-line gown with beaded cord lace, jeweled stones and buttons going down the back (Two by Rosa Clara, Orion)
Organza gown with a touch of embroidered lace. (Two by Rosa Clara, Oria)
Slimmer Silhouettes/Clean Structured Lines
Organza gown with ruffles, with clean structured lines. (Two by Rosa Clara, Ocarina)
Taffeta gown, with stunning floral & jeweled appliques and perfect structured lines. (Two by Rosa Clara, Ocaso)
Exclusive luxury designs, very creative, imperial, classical and romantic silhouettes. Whether smooth, framed in gemstone straps, silk satin sleeves or wrapped in feathers, the neck becomes a jewel shining with its own brightness. Both in gowns and accessories, from lightweight silk chiffon, the Mikado silk and rebrodé lace to Jacquard silk organza, embroidered tulle or lace. (Illusion from the Costura Collection, by Pronovias)
Very thin and light wedding gowns, both in fluid, sheer style and mermaid cut. All made with soft fabrics like chiffon, pleated chiffon or morbid tulle. And on silhouettes of feminine curves, details that make a difference, asymmetrical necklines, floral applique, feathers or richly gemstone embroideries.
(Festin from the Fashion Collection, by Pronovias)
Breakfast at Tiffany! Tailored A-line dress with organza overlay and pleated trim on the skirt. (Style 49030 by Henry Roth)
Silk organza gown with structured fabric lines (Two by Rosa Clara, Olvido)
Silk taffeta “WOW” gown, with structured lines (Two by Rosa Clara, Ocre)
Sassy, Chic & Short!
Thinking of sophisticated brides beautiful and sensuously tight designs appear. Short dresses boast of dimensional ruffles, lace, floral appliques and unique touches. To make it chic, transparencies of organza with feathers, embroidered tuft and exquisite embroidery brooches with precious stones accent the dresses. A tribute to elegance as shown in these Short dresses from the City Collection by Pronovias.
(Finlandia from the City Collection, by Pronovias)
(Foro from the City Collection, by Pronovias)
(Figueras from the City Collection, by Pronovias)
(Figaro from the City Collection, by Pronovias)
Vintage, Short Dress, with colored Red Belt! (Lilly Pulitzer)
Tulle Ball Gowns (oh my!) and Feminine looks make a comeback with a fresh approach on Layers, Ruffles, Dimensions, using Soft Organza fabrics!
Few tissues contain at its core as much power as the lace. Traditional in its essence and in the form of transparencies or applications, when coupled with tulle it can create the most suggestive silhouettes: tight waists, flared skirts and sheer trains will turn you into a real princess of style.
(Flauta from the Style Collection, by Pronovias)
Glamorous draped dropped waist gown, spills into layers of soft organza, tiered ruffles, with satin bias detailing. (Nevada, from Henry Roth)
Organza ball gown with deep sweetheart neckline accented by an organza one-shoulder strap (Two by Rosa Clara, Osiris)
Here are a couple of dresses from the Christos line, which have some fun with Tulle!
If you want to see some more fabulous Gowns, Mestads sent us the link to Designer Bride www.designerbrideinc.com – Check out 4 HOT designers’ Wedding Gown Runway Fashions! (Angel Sanchez, Carmen Marc Valvo, Lilly Pulitzer and David Meister!)
For more information on Mestads Bridal and Formalwear, visit www.mestads.com!
Check them out on Facebook or see them on the Runway at 1:30 pm on January 16th at the Wedding Fair!!!
It was a Modern Fairytale Dream with record attendance at the recent October Wedding Fair!
There was a certain excitement, a renewed energy at the recent October Wedding Fair that we can’t explain! We received excellent feedback from Brides, our Exhibitors and Sponsors and if you missed it, here’s your chance to see a glimpse of what all the talk was about!
Nearly 200 wedding experts and members of Twin City Bridal Association showcased their best work at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Known as the largest and most-respected bridal event in Minnesota, the October Wedding Fair was a huge success and we’d like to thank all who attended, exhibited and sponsored! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
The theme of the event was “Modern Fairytale,” which we combined with very earthy and muted colors of purple and blue, a hot 2011 color combo trend in these very specific hues! The theme allowed us to be open to interpretation and showcased this theme in different ways in our Experience areas! While guests waited anxiously in line at the entrance to the Exhibit Hall, Phil Thompson played well-known songs, with his own twist, on the beautiful Grand Piano, accompanied by his Saxaphonist, Scott Dorff. Event Lab decorated the beautiful Archway and hallway leading into the Exhibit Hall and directly into the Ceremony Experience.
Guests were then immersed into this complete “Experience”, as soon as they passed through the doors to the Wedding Fair. Midway Party Rental and Indulge & Bloom decorated the Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Experience areas with theme-specific ideas that Brides and Grooms can use at their own wedding! Guests felt like they were actually experiencing what their wedding could look like and we saw lots of note-taking and inspired looks on the faces of excited Brides as we walked around the floor! Mike Macken Music & Entertainment showcased a wonderfully talented Harpist, Trudy Harper, who provided music on the “Altar” as guests made their way through the Wedding Ceremony Experience.
It was definitely a packed hall, but our smartly-spaced Exhibit Booth quadrants provided plenty of space to walk freely about and helped to silently direct traffic through the floor.
The Reception Rotunda was a central focus as the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra provided background music and Cinema Ballroom supplied dancers for some added entertainment! The Rotunda was beautifully decorated by Midway Party Rental and Indulge & Bloom, with stunning Table Numbers, Escort Cards & Menus by A Milestone Paper Company. We configured the table layout into an X, with side table rounds and a small sweetheart table. The center of the X design, featured a large floral centerpiece by Indulge & Bloom, surrounded by A Milestone Paper Company’s escort cards. This area provided a fresh idea on table layouts, a trendy color combination and showcased the Modern Fairytale theme perfectly and also gave Brides lots of ideas on ways to decorate for their Wedding Reception and Dinner! A central focus of the Rotunda was a perfectly color-matched Cake by Lunds/Byerly’s. We sent over the linen color (we were using) to the Chef and she matched it to a T! It was stunning!
We had some fun with the Bar area as we met with Event Lab to come up with some ways to make it a comfortable meeting place and sitting area, while attendees went through their notes, mapped out their next steps and sipped on a drink. We loved the idea that they came up with to make it a bit more cozy, by adding a large ottoman in the center of the bar. It was functional, fun and comfy! We noticed a lot of people taking advantage of the sitting areas and we were glad to be able to provide a “break” place for our attendees!
Photo by Coppersmith Photography
The Bistro also provided a break, and a place for attendees to get a bite to eat, too! Midway Party Rental decorated the tables and chairs in this area and it really helped to, not only, provide additional ideas for wedding decor, but also a warm feel to the otherwise “concession” atmosphere. The centerpieces were simple, yet practical and provided an excellent idea for the budget-friendly bride.
The Fashion Show Theater offered attendees a first-hand look at Bridal & Tux Fashions from our Sponsors. The Main Fashion Shows (Noon and 3pm) featured Angelique’s Bridal, Savvi Formalwear, and The Wedding Shoppe. The Couture Show (1:30 pm) featured Mestad’s Bridal & Formalwear. Staci Matthews, from KS95, kicked off the shows as our Host & Emcee and she did an amazing job! She has such a passion for weddings and we love having her participate in the Fashion Shows! The shows featured some of the 2011 looks and they were absolutely beautiful! We were so excited to see these fashions on the runway and loved how our models showcased these looks! Faces Etc of MN provided the Models hair and make-up and came up with a high-fashion look for this fun theme that perfectly fit. They proved they could not only provide the typical modern, sophisticated Bridal looks, but could also take it one step further if a Bride wanted to push the envelope a bit! Richfield Flowers and Events provided the stage & scenic design and it was a great deal of fun working with them to come up with the idea that originally was seen in a Miss America pageant. With that being our inspiration, we worked together to come up with a budget-friendly design that was definitely different, but beautiful in it’s own way. The end result was a stunning, flowing, and soft backdrop and a crisp white carpeted stage for the Fashion Show. Long-standing vendor partner, Heroic Productions, provided the a/v effects and did an amazing job to make it all come together in the areas of lighting and theatrical effects, stunning video and superb audio! We were pleased with the flexibility of the Set in regards to lighting design as we were able to light it different colors for each segment. A large 15 x 20 center screen adorned flowing fabric images, along with our Sponsor’s logo, to provide a soft backdrop, plus Sponsorship recognition. (2) 10.5 x 14 Screens flanked the Stage and gave all attendees a way to see the dresses and tux fashions up close! Overall, the look was a flowing, colorful Modern Fairytale Dream! The video opener was a brief, but exciting, intro to “Happily Ever After Starts Here” and our first song was a special remix of Seal’s “My Vision”… it started with “Tonight… wonderful things are about to happen….” it spoke true to the “wonderful” visions of Modern Fairytale styles they were about to see! The music throughout the show was an upbeat, current mix of feel-good tunes, focused on “Love and Romance” and a bit of fun, club style tunes for the Tux segments, which prompted some playful fun with our models on the runway!
Photo by Coppersmith Photography
Don’t miss your chance to attend or exhibit at Minnesota’s largest and most respected bridal event! The next Wedding Fair is on January 16th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Don’t miss The Wedding Fair! Call 952-WEDDING or visit twincitybridal.com!
Special Thanks to our Sponsors:
Angelique’s Bridal Salon
Arthur’s Jewelers
Cinema Ballroom
Coppersmith Photography
Delta Vacations
Indulge & Bloom
Mestad’s Bridal & Formalwear
Midway Party Rental
MN Jazz Orchestra
Savvi Formalwear
Simplicity Gourmet
The Wedding Shoppe
Special Thanks to:
Event Lab
Glen Arvin, Voice Over Talent Services and “The Voice” of Twin City Bridal, PH: 612.432.GLEN
Mike Macken Music & Entertainment
Phil Thompson Music
Richfield Flowers & Events
Staci Matthews, KS95 (www.girlzinwhitedresses.com) for her book, dedicated to wedding dresses)
Heroic Productions
Experience… The Wedding Fair (the ultimate wedding planning experience!)
Nearly 200 wedding experts, members of Twin City Bridal Association, gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center for another successful Wedding Fair! Known as the largest and most-respected bridal event in Minnesota, guests came to the right place to visit with some of the best wedding vendors in Minnesota! The smartly-spaced quadrants of Exhibit Booths allowed for maximum ease of our attendees to freely walk the space and visit with our wedding experts!
To break up the monotony of the Exhibit Booths guests were immersed into a complete “Experience”, as soon as they passed through the Entrance to the Wedding Fair. Twin City Bridal Association Sponsor’s decorated theme-specific areas that provided helpful tips and ideas that Brides and Grooms can use at their own wedding! We worked with Event Sponsors to come up with a trend-focused, stunning array of idea-prompting decor featured in areas we call: “The Entrance” “The Ceremony Experience”, “The Cocktail Reception Experience,” “Reception Rotunda,” and “The Bar”. Guests felt like they were actually experiencing what their wedding and reception could look like being exposed to these highly-decorated, practical, yet visually-stimulating areas! As our “spies” perused the area, we saw many brides taking notes and talking about the ideas presented in our Experience areas that they could use at their own wedding, leading them to have some additional ideas to talk to the wedding experts about, and hopefully expand on them with their own creative touch!
Experience… The Entrance
Guests passed through a themed entrance, specific to our overall Event Theme, which was “Vintage Garden.” The focus was on decor that Brides & Grooms will actually be able to use at their own outdoor-themed Wedding!
Ushers, dressed in stylish Tuxes stood by at the Entrance to hand guests a Show Program and welcome them to The Wedding Fair!
Experience… The Ceremony
As guests entered the doors to the Exhibit Floor, they passed underneath a rod-iron Archway and experienced a 90’ long area that was set up to look like an actual Wedding Ceremony. The sidewalls were lined in beautiful white, sateen drape, uplit in garden-fresh green and accented with ficus trees.
The guests walked underneath a rod-iron floral-embellished Archway and then “down the aisle,” passing a perfect row of wooden folding chairs, typical of an outdoor wedding theme and simple, stately rod-iron candle holders as aisle markers, in an effort to keep the focus on the beautiful Gazebo just ahead.
We covered the exhibit flooring with a tuxedo dark/light green carpet that represented the grass of an outdoor Vintage Garden-themed wedding. Guests made their way past the Altar, which was a rod-iron Gazebo, decorated with stunning floral-embellishments.
Experience… The Cocktail Reception
Immediately after passing by the Gazebo, the experience continued as guests were immersed in a 50’ long Cocktail Reception area, uplit in a vibrant pink color and full of dramatic, but practical decor ideas. A Water Fountain, with floating florals, centered the area, along with seating areas of Park Benches and scattered cocktail and high-boy tables, covered in our theme colors. Ficus trees continued to line the walls, to help create the outdoor feel. Simple, yet elegant floral centerpieces adorned the tables. The dramatic effect of a customized Ice Sculpture adds to the beauty of the Reception area by backing the Bar, along with “mock” fruity drinks and rod-iron candle holders and floral enhancements.
Experience… The Reception Rotunda
The Reception Rotunda was definitely a center-focus of the Exhibit Floor, showcasing table decor and dramatic tenting and draping to bring a feel of an actual Wedding Reception, complete with a live Orchestra and dancers! The tables were setup to give Brides & Grooms ideas on table linens, place settings and centerpieces within the overall theme colors – a stunning showcase of our Sponsors items! Our Wedding Cake table was a highlight worth mentioning, as it added the perfect touch to the experience!
Experience… The Bar
As guests made their way around the Exhibit Floor, they found The Bar to be a nice break and an area where they can sit, sip on beverages, view Tuxedo ideas from one of our Sponsors, and discuss what they’d seen so far.
The Bar was setup to provide additional, more modern ideas for them in Bar & Lounge Decor and it also provided a comfortable area to sit and jot down ideas. Once they’d had a chance to relax, they mapped the rest of their route through the Exhibit Floor, in a very strategic way, to meet the Wedding Experts who were anxiously awaiting their visit!
Experience… The Fashion Shows
Our Main Fashion Shows and Couture Show offered attendees a first-hand look at Bridal & Tux Fashions from our Sponsors. The stage was set in an elaborate trussing, complete with shiny, colorful eucalyptus garland and foliage. Beautiful 12’ high columns were wrapped in the same garland and foliage to tie in the look of the dramatic trussing. A 6’ high Water Fountain was center stage, just underneath a projection screen, showcasing Vintage Garden imagery and a heavy focus on our Sponsor logos within the scenic imagery. With the production quality of a Paris-style Fashion show, attendees were wowed by some amazing dresses, stunning tuxes and were able to have maximum visibility and up-close video shots of these dresses on our large Projection Screens, with calculated, precise camera angles! The music was a perfect mix of upbeat romantic songs that were specific to a Vintage Garden feel! Staci Mathews, from KS95 was on hand to host the event and giveaway copies of her book… “Girlz in White Dresses” and also Bridal Gowns and Tuxedos!!!
Don’t miss your chance to attend or exhibit at Minnesota’s largest and most-respected bridal event! The next Wedding Fair is on October 24th from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center! ”Don’t miss The Wedding Fair!”
A special thanks to Coppersmith Photography for capturing the Wedding Fair experience with some amazing photos!
Thanks to our Sponsors and Event Supporters, listed below!
Angelique’s Bridal Salon, providing the Model’s Bridal Fashions for the Main Fashion Show
Cinema Ballroom, providing dancers in the Reception Rotunda Area
Event Lab, providing the Entrance and Bar decor
Faces Etc. of MN, providing the Model’s Fashion Show Hair & Makeup
Falula’s Maple Grove Floral, providing Aisle Floral table
Ice Sculptures by Tom Doyle, providing Ice Sculpture for Cocktail Reception Area
Indulge & Bloom, providing Gazebo and Arch decor and the Floral and Centerpieces in the Ceremony, Cocktail Reception and Reception Rotunda Areas
Lunds and Byerly’s, providing the Cake in the Reception Rotunda Area
Mestad’s Bridal & Formalwear, providing the Model’s Bridal Fashions for the Couture Fashion Show
Midway Party Rental, providing Decor for Ceremony, Cocktail Reception and Reception Rotunda Areas
Minnesota Jazz Orchestra, providing music in the Reception Rotunda Area
Phil Thompson, providing music at the Entrance
Renaissance Floral, providing Aisle Floral table
Richfield Flowers & Events, providing Aisle Floral table and stunning Fashion Show Stage Decor
Savvi Formalwear, providing Tuxedos for Ushers, Welcome Staff, Musicians and the Fashion Show Models
Sweet Peas Floral – providing Aisle Floral table
The Wedding Shoppe, providing the Model’s Bridal Fashions for the Main Fashion Show
