Graceful Day Design

Hey Chicago Girls - Here's Your Makeup Artist

2010-01-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

I've heard some great things about Bryttannee of BE Beauty - she's a fabulous makeup artist and has included on-site spray tan to her repertoire. Seriously brilliant, a good spray tan (don't think of those awful orange tans, you won't find that here) leaves you looking gorgeous, a bit thinner and just... better. And, you won't be adding wrinkles or years to your gorgeous face, but you'll still look fabulous.

Check out services here.

Photographing Your E-Ring

2009-12-15T08:00:00.001-06:00

He just proposed. You're SO excited. Now what?

You try to shoot a few photos of the ring with your camera, and they look... dull.

You give it another shot, adjust the settings, and still, it just doesn't sparkle like it does in real life.

Augh, what's a girl to do?

Follow these brilliant tips from Anne Rutherford, and you'll be able to capture some amazing shots of your ring to share with friends, family and Facebook (or Twitter).

(our rings, photo by Laura Ivanova - I'll be trying again and will post soon)

Check out the easy DIY steps here.

Something blue - what about glittery shoes?

2009-12-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

I love the idea of turning your "something blue" into something visual that all your guests can see, and your photographer can capture forever.

These low-heel (1" heel) blue glitter shoes do just that. And that little ankle strap adds some sweet visual interest!

They're in low supply - so snap them up fast!

Find them here.

On the cheap: bridal haircomb

2009-12-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

You don't need to spend a small fortune to make an impact on your wedding day. Case in point: Check out this sweet haircomb.

It's reminiscent of something from Tiger Lily, but costs about the same as lunch at your local deli (i.e. under $10). Love it!

Find it at Forever 21.

I found this fabulous, vintage-style bridesmaid dress

2009-11-25T11:32:00.000-06:00

This dress is so awesome - the sheer fabric, bow-top shoulders, tulle-peeking-out-of-the skirt and fabulous vintage-y color. How lovely would it be with golden pumps or cowboy boots. I want to see a line of bridesmaids sporting this dress with their hair down in loose curls. Or, a bride wearing this beauty to her rehearsal dinner.

Find it at Target on December 20th - part of the Rodarte for Target collection.

Put these sweet wedding accessories on your holiday wish list!

2009-11-23T12:09:00.000-06:00

I triple-heart J.Crew, but these accessories just made me fall even more in love.

These little beauties cound add a little sparkle and shine to any wedding - be it casual courthouse or gala event.

I want all four just to add some glam to my winter wardrobe!

Find them here:
Crushed glitter minaudière
Silk bouquet sash
Skinny peony headband
Crystal lattice necklace

This Sash + Your Wedding Dress = Perfection

2009-11-20T08:00:00.001-06:00

We love all the lovely wedding dress embellishments that are in style right now - brooches, sashes, floral details and pops of color make us swoon and wish for a second wedding!

Is it surprising that this custom floral sash from Etsy designer Icing101 catches our eye?

Rue La La - Final Sale Going on Now

2009-11-17T11:50:00.001-06:00

Find your bridesmaid dresses (Nicole Miller @ 75% off), ties for your guys (Ted Baker) or sweet handbags for your big day (or just to fill your closet)!

Oh, and get $10 off your first purchase. Here's your invite code: http://www.ruelala.com/invite/thebest

Check out the Final Sale items from these brands now!

ADAM Adam Lippes	Eva Franco	Pink Tartan
Alice + Olivia	Free People	Rafe
Alice & Trixie	GANT - Men's	Rock & Republic
Bare Escentuals	Halston	Rock & Republic - Men's
Calvin Klein	Hart Schaffner Marx - Men's	'S MaxMara
Calvin Klein - Men's	Julia Knight	Shoshanna
Carlos Falchi	KEEN	Ted Baker London
Casadei	KEEN - Men's	Ted Baker London- Men's
CC Skye	Lunt	Theory
Citizens of Humanity	Marc Jacobs Collection	Theory - Men's
Da-Nang	Mitchell & Ness - Men's	Yoana Baraschi
Diane Von Furstenberg	NAOT	Yummie Tummie
Dolce & Gabbana - Jewelry	Narciso Rodriguez	Zobha
EDUN	Nicole Miller

Vera Wang 2010 Wedding Dresses

2009-11-15T09:15:00.000-06:00

Vera Wang's 2010 collection shows a slimmed-down silhouette on most gowns, with neutral accents (bows, ribbon) around the waist. A few dresses had a pop of color, but the majority of them kept with neutral or tone-on-tone looks. French tulle (one of our favorites!) was used sparingly, avoiding that frothy, princess look of recent years.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Delaney

Dylan

And one of the more embellished and frothier designs:

Dovima

Our take? The Dovima is gorgeous but busy. It would be absolutely fabulous with either the sash or the shoulder-tie removed. The other two? Breathtaking.

Oh for fun! A Double Wedding on Southern Weddings

2009-11-14T08:38:00.001-06:00

When you were young, did you ever dream of a double wedding with your sister, or maybe a best friend? These sisters did just that. Check out Annie & Callie's double wedding on Southern Weddings. So fun!

Photography by Kyle Barnes - featured on Southern Weddings

Vintage-Style Wedding

2009-11-12T09:36:00.001-06:00

How could you not love these photos? Kate & Doug tied the knot in September, 2009. These photos could easily be 80 years old (but Doug's shoes tastefully give it away!). Love Kate's look, love the photography!

Cute Bling for Your Bridesmaids

2009-11-11T09:58:00.001-06:00

I love those wedding photos where all the 'maids are wearing a flashy, blingy ring on their right hand. These sweet little nuggets would be the perfect little gift for your favorite ladies to wear on your big day.

It's part of Haute Bride's new cocktail collection. Find it here.

Wow! Love This Dress

2009-11-07T11:30:00.001-06:00

OMG - this dress is just... breathtaking.

It is simply breathtaking. Find it here.

Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

2009-11-07T08:26:00.001-06:00

Blue is a perennial favorite - it can be warmed with gold tones in the winter, or a crisp, preppy navy in the midst of an east coast clambake wedding.

While I adore Priscilla of Boston & Vera Wang's collections, sometimes, it's fun to find something a bit out of the ordinary.

Here are a few of my favorite blue bridesmaid dresses (or they could even be wedding guest dresses).

From eDressMe

from Windsor

from ShopBop

from Bluefly

Win a $100 gift certificate to The Papeterie Store!

2009-11-06T08:00:00.006-06:00

Show us what you've got! In honor of our newly launched site, we're giving away a few prizes. Submit a wedding inspiration board, and you could win a $100 gift certificate to The Papeterie Store!

We'll choose a winning board and announce a winner on December 20. *** We're extending the date!

We'll share some of our favorites on Graceful Day Design - and maybe they'll offer a little inspiration to y'all!

Feel free to submit more than one board to increase your chances.

Good luck!

^{By submitting an inspiration board, you acknowledge and give permission to GDD to display it on the internet, via www.gracefuldaydesign.com}

Polyvore is a super-easy way to create a inspiration board if you don't have a good photo-editing program.

Please e-mail your submissions to {gracefuldaydesign@gmail.com
gracefuldaydesign@gmail.com} and we'll post them and select a winner.

Here they are:

by Yuri Kashima

Local Jeweler Review: Continental Diamond

2009-11-05T08:00:00.005-06:00

When I buy jewelry, I've got a few sitipulations:
straight-forward pricing
non-schmaltzy, non-pushy sales people
jewelry that isn't marked up to unreasonable levels
bling that I'm not going to see on the hand of every other girl I see

I was unsure of what to expect of Continental Diamond.

On first glance, they are a fairly large store with an excellent selection. I really like that they carry (and let you check out for yourself) loose diamonds. They have some excellent designers like A. Jaffe, Precision Set, Novell and Simon G.

But the thing that makes them better than some (I promise, won't mention their names here) chain jewelers is that the sales people aren't pushy. They are honest and friendly.

And their repair services aren't bad either. I was quoted only $110 to upsize my ring, and that included a full cleaning and a palladium dip. Quotes I'd received at other stores ranged from $125 to over $150, and didn't include the palladium.

So, while this is not an endorsement, it is a recommendation. Continental Diamond really surprised me, in a really good way. Now, I want a bit more bling :)

Your Last Maiden Monogram

2009-11-04T08:00:00.002-06:00

As you walk down the aisle, ready to embrace your new groom and your new name, sometimes a touch of who you are, and where you came from, can be that nostalgic touch that makes a difference.

I ordered one of these custom monograms, not only for me, but as something that my future children could maybe use on their big day. I don't know what it is about it - that something blue that also is a bridge from who you are, to who you're becoming - but it made me a little misty-eyed just thinking about it.

It's strange, my monogram is one of my accessories that I just couldn't do without.

Dress Your Bridesmaids in Yellow - 1 of 3

2009-11-03T08:00:00.002-06:00

Just imagine your bridesmaids, beaming at you from the front of the church, or alongside a beautiful lake, or in whatever venue you've chosen to exchange your vows. Picture them in cheery yellow dresses - how dare any of your guests NOT have a fabulous, fun time?

Need a little inspiration?

Tracy Reece

Welcome to Graceful Day Design!

2009-11-02T15:07:00.000-06:00

Welcome to GDD! We hope you'll find some inspiration for your wedding! Feel free to drop a note or request. To those of you who have already been down the getting-married path, we'd love it if you submit your engagement or wedding photos or share a great idea that you used on your big day.