The Fab Bride | Philadelphia's Premier Wedding Blog

Real Wedding: Amanda + Christopher, Vintage Glam!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Such a gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous wedding submitted to us by Amanda the stunning bride!

Amanda and Christopher are both trained chefs who met on Match.com (Amanda owns Sweet Ruminations Custom Cakes Desserts Shop). They also both happen to share purple as their favorite color. They connected and scheduled a date for drinks and the rest as they say is history!

Date: May 13th, 2011
Ceremony: Abington Presbyterian Church Abington PA
Reception: The historic Stockton Inn, Stockton NJ

Details
Wedding Dress: $20.00 reworked vintage dress with a simple blush satin A-line I found at a local thrift shop. Black trim added by Amanda

Bridesmaids: Dresses by British retailer Oasis. Paired with signature black tights and cute t-straps, they evoked jazz era glamor with a modern twist

Groomsmen: Cutaway tuxedos by Ralph Lauren's Chaps label from Ashley's Bridal, Warminster PA

Bouquet and corsage flowers: Kremp, Willow Grove PA

Photography: Mary of Modern Flare Photography

Hair and Make-up: Gorgeous Guys and Gals salon

Food: Chef Abe at the Stockton Inn

Cake: By the bride's shop, Sweet Ruminations Custom Cakes &Desserts Shop, Warminster PA

More details after these gorgeous photos!

Where and when they got engaged (by Amanda):
For his thirtieth birthday, he insisted on having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. A little pricey, but it was where we had savored our first real dinner date together. He loved their selection of wild game and unusual meats. I liked their wide array of wines and chocolate desserts. Throughout dinner, at the corner table where we always sat, he kept reflecting on how his life had changed since we had met. I naively interpreted it as experiencing a thirtieth birthday crisis, and kept changing the subject. Finally when dessert came and I attempted to divert the direction of conversation for the thirteenth time, he interrupted me. "Let me finish what I'm saying," he said abruptly. Confused, I looked at him as he pulled out a ring. His hand quivering a bit and a hint of a gleam in his eyes, he told me that for his thirtieth birthday, what he really wanted was for me to marry him. Stunned, I put the ring on my finger and tried not to cry. The waitstaff, apparently aware of his plan, immediately brought out champagne with my slice of chocolate torte. It was the first time in my life I couldn't touch my dessert.

Their wedding budget:
Amanda and Christopher's wedding was very DIY on a strict budget. The reception was decorated with vibrant Bluecoat Gin bottles re-purposed as vases, compliments of the wonderful people down at the Philadelphia distillery, filled with antique hued carnations. The garden patio's waterfalls, lush flowers and twinkling lights set the mood.

Amanda's advice for future brides:
Take time to enjoy it all. Don't let anyone tell you what you must do. Remember that it is your wedding and your story.

Photography by Modern Flare Photography | {modernflare.com/blog}

Win 2 tickets to Wedding Wednesday at the Philadelphia International Flower Show!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:38:00 +0000

How would you like to win 2 tickets for Wedding Wednesday at the Philadelphia International Flower Show this year? Well we have two tickets worth $40.00 each to giveaway!!

Details of Event:
Wednesday, March 7, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Wedding Wednesday Sponsored by Philadelphia Wedding magazine, the Flower Show invites brides-to-be for a special evening. Bring your bridesmaids and get advice (and take-aways!) from local fashion, music, catering, honeymoon, and photography experts.

Sample champagne and snacks while you check out a variety of DIY demonstrations for planning the perfect wedding. Click here for additional info

How to Enter:
Send an email to us at TheFabBride@gmail.com with the title "Philadelphia Flower Show" and tell us in one paragraph why you'd like to attend the Wedding Wednesday event.

The Lucky winners will be contacted via email on Friday March 2nd.

Goodluck everyone!

Everything you need to know about wearing a vintage wedding dress!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:11:00 +0000

The lovely ladies over at Mill Crest Vintage were kind enough to have a Q&A session with us and provide us with answers on all things related to vintage bridalwear. The session is very informative and we hope you thoroughly enjoy it! We look forward to featuring more vintage themed weddings on the blog!

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What does vintage mean and does wearing a vintage dress meaning wearing an "old looking" dress?
In general terms, any piece that is between 20 and 100 years old and is representative of the era in which it was made is considered vintage. A bride who chooses vintage typically does so because she is looking for a classic style that not only looks fabulous on her figure, but is also unique and suits her own personal style. The vintage wedding pieces from our collection are chosen for the level of quality, construction, design, fabrication and wearability.

How fragile are the fabrics on vintage dresses? I'll be doing a lot of dancing at my wedding and I'm worried about accidents like rips and tears!
Indeed, some vintage pieces are a bit more fragile than others. Age and fabric type can be a huge influence on the fragility of the dress. Construction is also important in determining if the dress can stand up to dancing. We first recommend that the dress not be too snug. A little wiggle room can go a long way. If a bride wishes to marry in a particularly fragile piece, we also recommend that she consider a second dress for the reception. She can choose a piece that is a bit more sturdy, without compromising the style of the era she wishes to bring to her special day.

What are the most popular era's for vintage wedding dresses?
The designs from the 50's tend to fit the majority of figures, while the 60's seem to be more popular among second brides. The most important thing to remember when choosing a wedding dress, is to find one that both flatters the figure and feels comfortable on the body.

Is it faux pas to wear a vintage veil with a brand new wedding dress and vice versa?
In this day and age, anything goes! We encourage our brides to express their individuality and sense of style. For the majority of brides, this is one of the most special moments of their lives. Our motto is "Go for it!!!"

How do I match my grooms suit to my vintage wedding gown?
The tuxedo is such a classic, that it compliments just about any style and era of dress. However, why not have a little fun? A bow tie, fun shoes or even the color of the tux/suit can play up or complement the dress and complete the look of the couple.

How affordable are vintage wedding dresses?
When seen in magazines they are always super expensive. Wedding dresses, as we all know, can be quite pricey. Experts say that the budget for a wedding dress should be between 12-15% of the cost of the wedding. In many cases, by choosing vintage, one can actually save a bit of money without having to sacrifice style and quality. The bridal collection at Mill Crest Vintage ranges in price from $285 - $2,250. However, the majority of our dresses are priced at around $600.00.

Stop by MillCrestVintage.com or visit them in person in the Philly area at -
72 Bridge St.
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone: 609 397 4700

Real Wedding: Erin and Jim Ridley, Creek Mansion PA by Love Me Do Photography

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Sit back, relax and enjoy this sweet wedding from the fabulous ladies over at Love Me Do Photography!

Couple: Erin + Jim

Date: October 15th, 2011

Ceremony & Reception: Ridley Creek Mansion, Newton Square PA

Wedding Details
Dress - Dolly Couture,Tarzana California
Caterer and Cake - Diverse Catering, Philadelphia PA
Florist - Media Florist, Media PA
DJ - Nicholas Centrella, Evolution

Photography by Love Me Do Photography | {www.lovemedophotography.com}

Wedding Registry Ideas: An Unforgettable Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (The Fab Bride Two) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:28:00 +0000

How about some registry fun! These items will make you want to plan an incredible and unforgettable dinner party and will fit nicely into any wedding registry.

***

Table Topics is a cube of questions that can spur interesting and fun dinner conversation.

Imagine serving your guests or hubby on this gorgeous Kate Spade Larabee Road Platinum Bone China Plate set

Polish off your dining room decor AND serve some delicious wine with these Looking Glass Wine Decanters from Anthropologie

Some pretty wine glasses from the Mikasa Stemware Parchment Platinum Collection would go perfectly

And if it all goes up in smoke at least you can still look cute in this Cuisine Couture Apron!

Tips to have a great Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentines Day! What better way to celebrate this "all about love day" than with your better half (or loved ones). There is no rule book on how your love should be expressed but here are some (uncomplicated!) tips on how to have a lovely Valentines Day:

Source

Watch a romantic movie or his favorite action flick
Whip up a romantic dinner for two or enjoy take out with a bottle of wine
Exchange gifts with each other or do something extra special to brighten up their day
Get dressed up just for the fun of it and eat dinner in front of the TV
Take a romantic walk around your city or neighborhood and stop by a few of your favorite places
Don't forget to say I love you!

Have a wonderful Valentines Day everyone!

Five Ideas to Get Fabulous Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (The Fab Bride Two) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:37:00 +0000

We’ve narrowed it down to five simple concepts that can make all the difference for picture perfect moments...

1. Add the finishing touches. A beautiful hanger for your dress. Your mothers wedding dress or a family heirloom.

2. Lose yourselves in the moment. Take a minute together and be yourselves. Exchange cards or gifts, but do it AFTER the ceremony. Let your photographer capture it all. See if your caterer can set up a small private room for just the two of you before the cocktail hour or reception starts.

3. Get a little emotional. Joyful tears, bursts of love, etc.

4. Be playful. Let your inner child shine through. Flash a cheesy grin or make a silly face.

5. Show off your inner model. Fake it till you make it and the best time to do that is when its time for your portraits.

Thursday Wedding Cake Inspiration!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

We adore Sprinkle Bakes. Her baking is amazing and so we just had to share a couple of her most recent cakes to hopefully inspire your wedding cake :)

Enjoy!

All images from Sprinkle Bakes | {sprinklebakes.com}

Casey Annn and Borja's Sweet Lancaster PA Wedding Video from Dorothy Cinema

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:35:00 +0000

A sweet wedding video from Dorothy Cinema. Enjoy!

Couple - Casey Ann + Borja
Ceremony - Elizabethtown PA
Reception - The Inn at Leola Village, Lancaster PA

Videography by Dorothy Cinema | {www.DorothyCinema.com}

Styling Your Wedding: Shoes As Inspiration - guest post from Two Wedding Belles

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Recently, a friend of TWB had her eyes on a specific set of heels for her walk down the aisle, but the shoes were on final sale and you know what that means. The supply was dwindling and the right size/color combo was hard to find. Luckily, the shoes were finally located after several different attempts were made, and I can't wait to see the shoes, the dress, and the headpiece all come together this summer. Since this epic shopping search had me focused on shoes for so long, I thought it would be fun to pull together an inspiration board based on a particular set of heels.

I chose these Brian Atwoods, with their bright colors and embroidered pattern detail, and the resulting board is full of coordinating wedding ideas. Turns out shoes don't just make an outfit...they can help make a wedding, too!

source

sources (clockwise from bottom left): garlands, earrings, escort cards, bridesmaids, tiled cake, invitation, flowered cake, invitation, paper decorations

-- Jessica,
Two Wedding Belles

Bridal Inspiration - Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Elie Saab's latest collection is STUNNING! Check out our favorites below and make sure you stop by Style.com to see the full selection.

All Images from Style.com

Real Wedding: Jenna + Bobby, Washington Inn Crossing PA

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Jenna and Bobby
October 2011
Washington Inn Crossing PA

Photography by Onada | {http://onadaphotography.net/}

Go all out with a "Super Glam" engagement session

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Super glamourous engagement session are not very common and we wish more people would do them! Really, why not?!! The pictures turn out gorgeous and you get to go all glam before you wedding! Check out our inspiration photo below and some ideas on how to create a fabulous look -

Image Courtesy of Essence.com

Look 1

Vivienne Westwood Gold Label long evening dress, Rupert Sanderson high heel pumps, Drop earrings, Yves Saint Laurent chain bracelet, D&G Velvet Suit Jacket

Look 2

Oscar de la Renta dot dress, Rupert Sanderson high heel sandals, Bride jewelry, D&G Velvet Suit Jacket

Look 3

Notte by Marchesa silk evening dress, Miu Miu high heels, Monet crystal drop earrings, Manumit gold bangle, D&G Velvet Suit Jacket

Real Wedding: Allison + Sheldon, Philadelphia PA

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Beautiful photography, gorgeous wedding - courtesy of the uber talented Daniel Moyer of Daniel Moyer Photography. Enjoy the photos :)

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica, Philadelphia
Reception: Sheraton Downtown, Philadelphia

Other Details

Dress: Irma's Bridal, NJ
Veil: Bride's something old and borrowed - made by great-grandmother for grandmother's wedding

shoes: Nina.com
Jewelry: Macys / Handmade Indian Jewelry by Mr.Gomes
Bridesmaid's dresses: Nordstroms.com
Tuxedos: Men's Warehouse
Florist: Chartruse, South Philadelphia
DJ: Synergetic Lighting & Sound
Cake: Bredenbeck's Bakery (chestnut hill PA)

Photography by Daniel Moyer | {http://danielmoyerphotography.com/}

Designer Shoes Designed by You

noreply@blogger.com (The Fab Bride Two) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

“A pair of shoes can change your life. Just ask Cinderella.” -Anonymous

We recently stumbled across ShoesofPrey.com and couldn't wait to share it with you.They allow you to create the perfect pair of shoes whether you are shopping for shoes for the big day or your engagement session.. to cut a long story short - they are the fairy godmother of shoe websites! With a variety of heel and toe options, you can create your ideal heels with a wide selection of colors and fabrics.

Take a look and tell us what you think :)

Favorites from Oscar de la Renta Bridal Spring 2012

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Our 3 favorite dresses from the Oscar de la Renta Bridal collection for Spring 2012. What say you?
These dresses are so classic chic - we love them!

All images from Oscar de la Renta Bridal | {www.oscardelarenta.com}

Gorgeous Wedding Dress Cover Ups for the Winter Bride

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Getting married in the Winter can be quite beautiful but you could ruin your wedding photos if you look like you are freezing in them! Not to worry, a toasty yet gorgeous wedding dress cover up will keep you nice and warm and uber stylish at the same time. Below our favorites ones this season!

BHLD Ostrich Feather Bolero

Maris Lucia Hohan LILIA Bolero
BHLD Well Mannered Cardigan
Sue Wong Faux Fur Stole

Delicious baking project for the long weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:57:00 +0000

Monday is MLK day! How about whipping up some of these delicious cupcakes for afternoon tea, a bridal shower or just hanging out with your friends? They'd also make perfect cakes for a wedding cupcake tower.

They each look so delicious - Stop by Ming makes Cupcakes for all her wonder cupcake recipes!

All images and recipes from Ming makes Cupcakes | {mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com}

Slipping into Silver - Guest post from Two Wedding Belles

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:18:00 +0000

From the sparkly glitz of New Year's Day to the icy shine of the cold winter nights, January seems like the perfect time to slip into a bit of shimmery silver inspiration. Brrr, it's cold out there...but with finds like these, that's alright with me.

sources (clockwise from bottom left): chairs, Douglas Hannant gown, sweets table, mini cakes, tiered cake, Theia gown, banner, invitation

Enjoy!

-- Jessica,
Two Wedding Belles

Shiri and Matt's Wedding Video - The Horticulture center, Fairmount park, Philadelphia PA

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday!

Enjoy this sweet wedding video of Shiri and Matt's beautiful wedding that took place at The Horticulture Center in Fairmont park Philadelphia sent over to us by the talented Noah Stoner of stonermediaweddings.com

Videography by Noah Stoner | {stonermediaweddings.com}

Sonya + Brandon - Joseph Ambler Inn PA from Vida Carson Photography

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

How about a great start to the new year with this absolutely sweet wedding from the talented Vida Carson of Vida Carson Photography.

Enjoy!

Couple: Sonya + Brandon
Location: Joseph Ambler Inn, Bucks County PA

Photography by Vida Carson Photography | {http://www.vidacarson.com/}

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Wishing all our Philly wedding professionals and brides a wonderful and prosperous 2012!

Image Source

Fab Last Minute Holiday Gifts For Your Special Guy

noreply@blogger.com (The Fab Bride 2) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:05:00 +0000

Struggling with last minute gift ideas? One of the biggest holiday challenges can be coming up with unique ideas for gifts. The guy in your life might be the most difficult person to shop for or maybe you need a few suggestions for groomsmen gifts. Lucky for you, we've found options for a variety of interests, whether he is a musician or a golfer. Here are a few classic gift options and a few new ideas that might just win you some major points (click titles to see where to buy):

Swiss Army KnifeiPhone Case/WalletPortable Sound System for iPod or iPhoneAbingdon Laptop Bag Personalized Collar Stays
Personalized Guitar Picks
Map Cuff Links Marshall Headphones Golf Trunk Organizer

The Prettiest Flower Girl Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

How cute are these pretty dresses from Fiona’s Children’s Special Occasion! Your little flower girl is sure to feel like a princess in a gorgeous dress and you can tie her hair accessories and shoes into your overall color scheme too! what say you? We say...adorable!

Dresses above can be purchased in Philadephia at:
Fiona’s Children’s Special Occasion
The Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties,
1050 N Hancock Street,
Philadelphia PA 19123

Get Married & Give Back - Guest post from Two Wedding Belles

noreply@blogger.com (TheFabBride.com) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:42:00 +0000

'Tis the season for giving, right? Why not find a way to carry this sentiment through to your wedding, no matter what time of year you are getting married? Here are some of my ideas, but they're just a start. You can come up with so many ways to get married and give back at the same time.

Nix the gift registry. Much like you can with gifts at your favorite store, you can also set up a charity registry. I Do Foundation lets you choose a charity, and your guests can easily give to that designated organization through their website.

Skip the reception favors. Using the money you would've spent on favors to instead make a monetary donation to a charity of your choice has been a popular trend for a while now. Customized tchotchkes are fine, but this is another way to show your guests a little bit of what you and your new spouse are all about.

Don't just trash the flowers. Coordinate with your wedding planner or a family friend and have them deliver ceremony and reception flowers to a church or nursing home the next day. Sure, the flowers won't last forever but at least someone else will be able to enjoy them before they get tossed.

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Round up those craft supplies. If you took on DIY wedding projects and are left with excess materials, call around to area schools, camps, or after-school programs to see if they could use the supplies. You might not have much, but someone could surely use the paint, glitter, ribbon, paper, etc. that would otherwise just be hiding out in your closet.

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Chop off that ponytail. Maybe you're on a mission to have lengthy locks for your wedding day. If you're looking for a new style once you're officially a newlywed, don't forget that you can donate your hair if it's long enough. Locks of Love requires a donation of 10" and Beautiful Lengths asks for 8". Both are worthy organizations great and you can help just by going to your salon.

Donate your wedding dress. I know some ladies like the sentimentality of keeping their gown stashed away, but if you don't mind parting with it than why not donate it? I actually sent my Melissa Sweet dress away to Brides Against Breast Cancer, and the donation process couldn't have been easier. Also think of your local thrift stores and the causes they benefit if you're looking for something closer to home.

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Do you have any other ways you have given/are planning to give back with wedding related items? Let us know in the comments!

-- Jessica, Two Wedding Belles