You must have been a beautiful baby, cuz baby look at you now!! And look at her everyone will, as she makes that slow walk down the wedding aisle.....hopefully for the first and very last time!
It makes my heart so happy whenever two people really in love tie the knot. I guess it’s the hopeless romantic in me!! So I thought I'd make a few observations about planning a special dream wedding - but not just the ordinary dream wedding - no, it would have to be a real life fairytale-kind-of-wedding, Isn't that what every little girl dreams of?? To assure dreams would come true, I would want to put as much heart into this wedding as a couple had into a relationship, as this day is the symbol of much of what a couple had worked for and all they would become.
Venue: I'd want an intimate setting to celebrate with closest friends and family, the same people who had watched this relationship grow and blossom. Some cities have special wedding mansions or villas, or you might check with notable hotels like the Hyatt Regency or the Four Seasons; any place with impeccable ballrooms and places to wed may abound! Yes, the venue can serve as the most magnificent backdrop, representing the strength and significance of the union and of the special day.
Light-hearted romanticism: It's important that the big day be full of all the heart and romanticism that has gotten them this far in the real life fairy-tale. Playful details like gold escort cards and an aisle dotted with tons and tons of hearts are rendered towards a light-hearted relationship. The months leading up to the wedding should be savored. Hours can be spent planning and crafting different aspects of the event. If you have a DIY mentality, you can make several things for your big day. It can be a big task, but the results can be very rewarding. However, if you have no such desire to do these things, just pick up the phone, clear your throat, and utter those words that can provide instant romanticism - charge it!!
Wedding garments: From that fine Parisian lace bustier to the actual wedding dress, each can serve as a family heirloom that you'd want to pass onto your daughter (or daughter in law) some day. So you will want to choose items that are stunning to ensure compliments galore; these will make your dressing items even more memorable. Lavish on the lace and bring on the dupioni! Beading, hand stitching, lace trims and appliques should be calling your name. And do not forget the special shoes - as if any fashion loving girl could!!
Food: The main cake should be sugary and chic; with a nod to masculinity with chocolate for the groom's cake! Meals served at the after party should have some taste; plain chicken breasts won't do. Think more cordon bleu with wonderful vegetables and breads the guests will love, too. Don't let the lingering remembrance of the event be that of poor quality food.
Flowers: Whatever one loves or loves because it fits the theme will work perfectly well. After all, after hand picking everything else for this affair, why would these lovelies be picked by someone else. Have them bundled beautifully for the bouquets and buttoniers, and make sure there is a generous showing of flowers during the ceremony as well as the after party. And do not be afraid to use a few edibles on the menu, or to throw in something fragrant for the arrangements. Leave fragrance off the bouquets, though, as no one wants it to interfere with their perfume!
Vows: If you're game, write your own vows. Write them them with all the love and emotion your years together have afforded you; sum them up so eloquently and beautifully it will be like packaging the finest present. Then tuck them away after the event, and read them occasionally so you can be reminded that no matter what, this moment was something to be cherished forever.
Photography: This wedding would have to be captured by whoever is the ever-so-talented photography studio in your area. Securing such a firm will assure the result is a celebration made for swooning that you simply can’t miss. And it will be a celebration that can keep on pleasing over the years if your video wishes come true.
Have fun! The most important thing is to have fun! Take time to enjoy every moment of this splendiferous occasion!
Now it's time to turn our attention to our presentation. Our designers have outdone themselves, in my opinion, in designing the most gorgeous wedding gowns!! As you go down the page you will want to click on the images to see larger versions of these dresses. You will also want to click on the link to their shops to view additional pictures, and to shop if that is what your heart desires.
Also, we have taken a light-hearted look and speculated whether our bridesmaidzillas (bz) from another presentation have outdone their bride. Note: Some designers didn't do the bz event so we have given them a bz to work off of, and put a "suggested" note under their description; if the designer made the dress that is noted also. I have made my comments on this blog about Bridesmaidzillas Vs. Bride, and now it's time to see what you think. Don't hesitate to leave us a comment - they are always appreciated!!
Rebecca Castillo
House of RodMichael
Suggested for Rebecca Castillo
Big ol' Bow could not beat out this island beauty
Geneva has been the perfect bride; even stepping aside to let her bridesmaids pick out their own dresses. However, she never dreamed when she and the girls discussed their dresses being made in one of the trendiest colors for bridesmaid dresses this year, soft blush, that there could be any way this could be a problem. Blush is such a soft, elegant, even ethereal color, so Geneva felt confident she'd be the belle of the ball........until she saw the design!!
After recovering from the initial shock, Geneva pondered and eventually concurred with her bridesmaids’ choice. After all, the design is quite appropriate for the venue of her wedding. True to her heritage, Geneva has chosen the exotic resort of Koolina with the turquoise waters of Hawaii as the backdrop. And for her wedding gown, she has engaged the design services of the House of RodMichael who responded superbly with a design that befits an island princess.
Soft, white silk with traditional flower prints, the gown has been painstakingly hand-beaded with cultured fresh water pearls and glass beads, thus enhancing the prints. To flaunt Geneva’s statuesque frame, the bodice is tightly fitted with a flowing balloon skirt that will dance gracefully to the tune of the trade winds. Andm of course, to complete the island themed ensemble is a diadem made of island pearls. Truly a masterpiece - truly Hawaiian couture. Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on Geneva on her most special day.
Jenny Kernan-Catalano
Just Jenny's Crafts
Design by Jenny Kernan-Catalano
Baby blue is sweet, but cannot compete with this beautiful creation
Jenny has never been traditional in any sense; she is unique and so is her dress. She chose 16" Gene Marshall for her model as her red hair is the perfect accent for this special day. The over the shoulder bodice is done in ivory crepe with matching polyester lining. Golden-Bronze beading along the neckline accents the bodice for a sleek look. The drop waist flare skirt is in ivory polyester is trimmed in a coffee dyed cotton lace hem. A gold flecked tulle belt sits at the hip with attached matching tulle train.
The matching cathedral veil has a narrow rolled hem in gold thread. A clear elastic band holds the veil in place and gold tone beads accent the crown. Snap closures are in back. Finishing up the dress is a bouquet done in brown, peach, ivory and yellow satin roses accented with gold flecked tulle and gold ribbon, and there is ivory lace at the base. It has an elastic strap to hold it to the hand. Ivory stretch satin gloves complete the look.
Ina Murphey
According to “The Knot,” a popular bridal magazine, one of the top trends in bridal fashion is a 3-d flower embellished gown. One of the most popular locations for a destination wedding is the beach. With these two trends in mind, designer Ina Murphey has created this two piece flower embellished gown for your doll fashionista’s summer beach wedding.
Handmade flowers, silk charmeuse with sparkling beaded centers, cascade from the right shoulder across the front of the strapless sheath dress. The dress features a removable over skirt of English net trimmed with ribbon and sequin embellished lace. The dress is made of Chantilly lace over silk charmeuse and is lined with silk shantung. It has a back snap fastener closure and is sized to fit the full busted 16 inch dolls such as Tonner’s Tyler sculpt, JAMIEshow, Ficon and Sybarite dolls. A headpiece of matching silk flowers and white feathers complete the ensemble.
Denise Beaudin
Denidolldesigns
Design by Denise Beaudin
Peachy keen is holding her own, but the vintage creation is just a bit better
Cissy is modelling a wedding dress set entitled "Truly Vintage". The dress and head piece are constructed from a very old wedding dress. Beaded detail areas were used in the bodice, and lace sections were converted to appliqué medallions on the skirt. The belt ties into a large bow at the back.
Accessories include a bouquet of white and pink roses, a necklace and bracelet of multifaceted beads.
Cissy bridesmaid dress and head piece are constructed of a lustre peach coloured satin and each is trimmed with white lace flowers.
Design by Maril Adrian
Any bride will fit this beautiful prop
Introducing the Posing Chair by Golidprops, a new line of 1:4 scale accessories designed for the high fashion doll. Crafted by hand in the USA of high quality, sparkling lucite, it's the perfect posing prop for the discriminating bride. Elegant, transparent, barely there; it showcases your doll's exquisite gown and continues to captivate long after the wedding is just a beautiful memory.
Photographers will love the chair's jewel-like reflections and the way the light plays off its polished edges with the use of a small LED flexible neck lamp. Diorama artists will appreciate its sleek, modern lines and its removable Ultrasuede® cushion. Once you experience using this prop for taking your doll photographs, you will wonder how you did without it!!
Gene's romantic look is a one of a kind, "Francesca" original. Inspiration for the wedding ensemble design comes straight from the lure of the 1930's. The dress has been created with vintage, cream, pure silk and a soft, floral patterned, stretch cream lace.The dress is elegant in its simplicity of line with a sheer dart fitted bodice, sheer deep "V" back, three tiered skirt and multi strand bead shoulder caps. The dress back has two tiny silver hooks as well as one tiny silver snap for closure. The fabric has been embellished by hand with hundreds of ivory glass beads from Japan as well as with dozens of vintage beads of pearlized and gold glass, which scallop or outline the floral motifs.
The lace edged, cream toile veil falls in three layers from a beaded lace cap and beaded lace has been appliqued to the short top layer and to the end of the train. The lace edged blusher may be turned back over the lace rosettes on the cap. To accessorize the ensemble is a vintage inspired hand beaded, non-opening evening bag with a gold toned faux clasp and chain; and a pair fingerless gloves, with hook closures, in matching lace.
Mary Watson
When the crying bride came to see Mary at Green Thread Design Studio the day before her wedding Mary was prepared. She was used to hysterical brides by now. Barbie was so upset with her bridesmaid's choice of a black lace dress. Barbie had made it very clear to her to wear a pretty pink colored dress that would complement Barbie's bouquet and the silk flowers and ribbons that adorned her dress.
Mary decided that by going to pure white and cream, the black dress would go nicely with the groom and best man that were wearing black suits. The men's pink ties were changed to white. Mary removed all the pink colored adornments on the bride's dress and added antique lace to the waistline. Barbie ordered cream colored roses for her bouquet and the men's boutonnieres. Luckily, the florist was used to these last minute decisions too. The wedding was saved!
ElizabethFenton
Elizabeth's bride is wearing a strapless two piece taffeta gown with a pleated, loosely gathered peplum. The top is accented at the waist with embroidered ribbon and flowers. It is lined with peach taffeta and has boning for fit. The skirt is a fit and flare with a bow and flower accent at the back pleat.
Karen Daniel
True Romance is worn by a 22" American Model. The fully lined bodice is made from an embroidered bridal satin with hundreds of pearl and crystal beads sewn on by hand. There is a row of pearl beads sewn along the upper edge and lower edge of the bodice, which also has a tiny satin bow with rhinestone detail. The skirt, which extends into a train, is sewn from bridal satin and is lined with an underskirt. The train edge has hand sewn beads along its entirety.
The gown closes in back with a zipper and has a removeable white satin bustle bow that also has the rhinestone detail. The full length white lace fingerless gloves fit perfectly, leaving her finger free for that perfect wedding band. The pillbox style hat has silver veiling and lace, sequin and rhinestone detailing that fit this fairytale bride. The bouquet of white roses has plenty of pearls added to it, and also features rhinestone details. There is also a pale blue garter with matching satin bow, set to please her future husband.
Gayle Chavez
Oohlalaz
Design by Gayle Chavez
Dramatically beautiful beats cute any day
As Gayle created this OOAK June bride ensemble for Tonner's Ellowyne, she continued the yellow trend prevalent in some of her garments lately. In doing so this June Bride dress became a vintage brocade in a soft yellow that is now embellished with Ivory venice, laces, small yellow rosettes; and is accented with glass beads.
The dress is lined and has snap closures. Included are the earrings, veil, bouquet, and the lycra slip with a full lace ruffled hemline. This item will be boxed.
Christine Loff
The Black Ibis
Suggested for Christine Loff
Evidently this BZ didn't get the memo and wore the wrong style
June Bride Siobhan (Tonner Precarious) is wearing a Downton Abbey 1911-inspired wedding dress. The under dress is made of white Shantung silk and features a hobble skirt. It has an over-jacket of white lace, short in front and with a train in back. Her veil features fabric roses, which match the roses on her bridesmaid’s dress. All dressed, she awaits her groom!
Peggy Burney
Barbie decided for her wedding she didn't want a lot of frufru. She wanted simple but elegant with maybe just a touch of naughty. This is what she chose. Her gown is an ankle length, full skirted affair with a deep V bodice. The bodice is constructed of white embroidered satin with a lovely wide collar surrounding the deep V neckline in the front as well as the back. It has peek-a-boo cut-outs at the waist and the sides of the bodice.
The bodice extends below the waist into V shapes with scalloped edges. The skirt is white silk organza with several layers of white tulle for the underskirt. The dress is lined with white silk Habotai. In her hair she chose instead of a traditional veil, a white silk rose with a small spray of netting. The bouquet is red roses in a simple bouquet and the garter is white lace and ribbon with a bow.
This concludes our presentation, so it's back to CoutureDollShop.com for me! See you next time when our designers will be doing their very best to wow you once again!
