Here area few fab photos from the day ::

Photos by Laurel McConnell Photography & Barbie Hull Photography

When it comes to choosing wedding shoes the rules no longer apply. The most important thing to remember when choosing your bridal shoes is self-expression, stay true to your personal style and have fun with it. Especially if shoes are your forte. One of the biggest trends for 2010 is colored shoes. If you are wearing a white dress, then why not add a splash of color to your feet, since you won’t be running the risk of mismatching. Purple or black are the two most popular colors for the wedding season, however it’s your day so choose whatever color you want. Whether pink is your favorite color, or the same shade of yellow as your bridesmaids dresses, don’t be afraid to make your feet pop! Another great trend for shoes right now are embellishments. Shoes nowadays are far from boring with accents like flowers, bows, feathers, bling, just about anything that tickles your fancy can be put on a shoe. These embellishments also add more character to the overall bridal look, a bow adds a touch of girlish sweetness, feathers for timeless elegance, or some gems just to show how much of a princess you are.

The second most important thing to remember when choosing shoes is comfort, walking in a bride’s shoes isn’t easy, (figuratively speaking) so let’s not prove that to be literally true either. Shoes may be beautiful on the outside, but you may find that they can feel like a torture device for your feet if you are not careful. Try the shoes on and walk around in them for a few minutes before you make your purchase decision, be sure that you get the right size, and width for your foot. And above all make sure you break in your wedding shoes before the day of! Otherwise you may be in a world of hurt. No one wants to be standing at the alter gazing into their grooms eyes while secretly flinching on the inside because her feet are pinched. If you decide to wear heels the break-in rule is about four days, this means you should wear them for at least four to six hours for four days before the wedding. When it comes to the groom’s shoes color and comfort of the two main things to pay attention to. The groom’s shoes need to match the color of his suit as closely as possible. The groom’s comfort is also very important because we don’t watch him to be flinching on the inside either. When the groom is looking for shoes first match the color, then the size, and break-in his shoes as well. The break-in rule for leather or men’s shoes is generally three days.

Photos by Laurel McConnell Photography & Barbie Hull Photography

*Erika Phipps is a Bridal Stylist at La Belle Reve in downtown Bellevue. She is about to complete her degree in Fashion Merchandising and aspires to be a creative director one day. She has a knack for putting together ensembles for any occasion, and believes that styling is not only about self expression and style but an art form as well.

www.labellereve.com



Photos top left & bottom right :: Barbie Hull Photography Photos top right & bottom left :: Alex Studio

When it comes to weddings, all brides want the same thing: for everything to go perfectly! It’s a tall order: you spend months upon months preparing and planning for this major event, and before you know it, it comes down to the day when it’s all supposed to come together like magic! The stress, the worries, the what if’s…its all up to fate now! And although the nuances of planning a wedding can be overwhelming, there is one thing you shouldn’t fret: looking gorgeous!

Looking beautiful on your wedding day is simple, especially when left up to a professional! As a bride, hiring a professional makeup artist for your wedding may not seem important (after all, most of us do our makeup every single day…why should the wedding day be any different)? But having one less thing to worry about on your wedding day makes all the difference in the world! Leave it up to a professional to work all the tips and tricks for long-wearing, beautiful makeup and you’ll be confident, relaxed and ready to party!

Below is a collection of tips to help you find the right makeup artist for your wedding day!

1. RELAX. Yes, it’s a big day. Yes, there will likely be tons of people staring at you. But make the most of it! This is your time to shine! Having a relaxed approach to your wedding will benefit you, your groom, and all of your guests! Life isn’t always perfect and unrealistic expectations will only make you feel stressed. Accept the fact that things might come up and focus your energies on enjoying all of the special moments that weddings have to offer.
2. Ask for referrals. There is no better way of finding an amazing makeup artist than to ask your friends and family for their referrals! Word of mouth is the most powerful means of securing yourself a reliable artist. Websites won’t tell you what a person’s demeanor is like or if they’re punctual or use good products. These are all things that are discovered by trial and error and using someone else’s experience to your advantage is often the best way to go!
3. It’s your wedding day, look like YOU! Now is not the time to be trying crazy, new things! Hold off on that bright pink hair or Cleopatra cat-eye makeup until after the wedding. I tell every one of my brides that the goal is for you to look like you! Years down the road when you’re looking at your photos you want to be able to recognize yourself! Styles and fads come and go, but a beautiful you is forever!
4. Always, always, always book a consultation. A consultation is an absolute necessity; it gives you a chance to meet your makeup artist, talk about your likes and wants, and try different things to perfect your wedding look. Most makeup artists will insist on a consultation because it limits wedding day surprises; knowing what I’m going to do for a bride before her wedding day takes pressure off of her and myself and makes for a smooth, easy day! Be sure to ask any questions you may have!
5. Do a chemistry check. After your consultation, do a chemistry check. Did you get along with your artist? Did he/she listen to what you had to say? Were they punctual and professional? Did you like their artistry? Do you feel comfortable with them? These are all questions you should ask yourself to ensure that you’ve booked the right artist. Everyone is different and sometimes people don’t see eye to eye. It’s very important that your makeup artist understands your desires and can meet your expectations! And if you feel like the chemistry is just not there, keep looking!

Finding yourself a fabulous makeup artist for your wedding day is paramount to looking your very best! Let a professional makeup artist work the details of your wedding day beauty routine and save yourself the worry! A happy, confident bride is a beautiful bride, so relax, enjoy and don’t sweat the small stuff!

By Guest Blogger :: Michelle Chappron, Makeup Artist

About Michelle: 

Michelle Chappron is the Owner of Michelle Chappron Makeup Artistry and has been specializing in wedding and special event makeup for the past eight years. She’s worked with multiple cosmetic lines, including Clinique and MAC and loves all things beauty and weddings!

Wedding planner: Janel Schlitt of Occasions LLC

Venue: Hotel 1000

Photography:  Michèle M. Waite

Location:  Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale, WA

We just love these gorgeously created custom wire hangers from LilaFrances!! Not only has her lovely wire craft been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Victoria’s Secret, but she donates 10% of profits to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in honor of her lovely mother.

Whimsical and unique, these hangers will show off your wedding gown beautifully during those must-have getting ready pictures. From a photographer, this is me pleading with you Ms. Lovely Stylish Bride To Be – PLEASE don't commit the wedding day style sin of having an ugly plastic hanger to hold your beautiful wedding gown!!!

Even better yet – how about giving these to your bridesmaids as a fun and personal gift?

Get Hitched Give Hope is giving away a personalized lingerie/dress hanger from LilaFrances THIS FRIDAY June 25th! Visit their blog for details on how to enter, and we hope to see some of our lovely brides with LilaFrances bridal gown hangers this summer!!!

The Northwest bride is sophisticated as well as educated in the politics of local and sustainable.  We are lucky to have such a vast amount of beauty and bounty here.  Everything from neighborhood farmer's markets to our beautiful gardens and city parks. 

This knowledge and care with our choices guides my philosophy with flowers.  They are like beautiful jewelry.  The right color, bloom, and placement at your event adds the finishing touch to your overall design(outfit).  If you choose seasonally, the flowers feel "right" on an emotional level; they quench your appetite, and also give us more for our dollar. Just remember back to spring when we all breathed in the wonderful perfume of lilacs in the air!

TJ Montague launched Garden Party in 1995 with the credo that every client deserves beautiful flowers and professional service.  Her education in architecture and garden design provided a natural transition into the world of flowers, where she truly shines.

Visit TJ's website at: www.gardenpartyflowers.com

Melanie Blair Photography