to have and bhldn…

A new favourite website I find myself visiting is bhldn. Part of the same group that owns Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters I first found out about bhldn while searching for something to wear to a friend’s wedding. Based out of the states with a retail shop opening in Houston, Texas this summer, I am so excited as they are now shipping to the uk.

Primarily a bridal shop, they stock a beautiful collection of vintage inspired and bohemian wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, lingerie, jewellery and accessories. They are definitely worth a look for something a bit different and perfect for brides looking to make a statement. Since they launched at the beginning of this year, they now offer wedding decorations as well as a personal styling service with inspiring ideas to help pull your look together. Also worth a visit is ‘my bhldn’ a place for you to upload your own images or use theirs to create moodboards and share them with other members – perfect for organising your wedding vision.

two birds with one stone…

Bridesmaid dress shopping can sometimes be fraught with more anxiety than shopping for the bride. When you take a group of girls and try to find one unifying dress it can seem like the world’s most impossible task. Do you dress them all the same or allow different variations on the same colour or like some modern brides are doing, just let them wear whatever pretty dress they’d like?

A really fantastic brand which I discovered is two birds. Originally set up in the states by Ariane Goldman, it came about after Ariane was trying to source affordable bridesmaid dresses for her own wedding that would allow her friends to look and feel beautiful while maintaining consistency and elegance for the pictures. The solution: a multi-functional dress that doesn’t compromise on style that can be worn in 15 different ways to suit each and every one of your bridesmaids and can then be worn again and again.

Available in a wide range of colours as well as different lengths and 15 different wrapping options so whether you have two or six bridesmaids there is guaranteed to be a style to keep everyone happy. Make an appointment at the shop in Nottinghill or visit online to order swatches and samples.

second time around…

A great way to gain inspiration for your wedding is to look to your favourite celebrity. While some aspects may be a bit ott or simply out of reach for the everyday bride, you can get some great ideas especially when it comes to the fashion. With so many recent fabulous weddings like Kate Middleton, Kate Moss and Charlene Wittstock – now Princess of Monaco; I’m sure we’ll be seeing many vintage and lace inspired numbers on brides in the near future.

The latest celebrity nuptials rumoured to be happening later this year according to this week’s grazia is Jennifer Aniston. If this is true what do we think she’ll wear second time round? Last time, according to celebrity bride guide, she wore a stunning Lawrence Steele halter neck silk and satin wedding gown with her hair in soft loose waves – the epitome of california cool. This time perhaps she’ll go for something like this sexy draped number by alberta ferretti or this simple yet stunning bow back silk dress by valentino, a favourite go to designer who she famously wore at the vanity fair post oscar party. Second time wedding dresses are tricky as you still want to feel special but perhaps don’t want to go too over the top so dresses like these strike the perfect balance. Then again, why not throw caution into the wind and wear whatever makes you feel fabulous. If the rumours of Jennifer Aniston’s wedding are true I only hope we get more photos of the dress than we did last time round… 

 

on a rainy day in london…

So on a very rainy day in London (so much for a barbeque summer) I headed off to give my ‘expert’ opinion in dress shopping. The first place we visted was Ritva Westenius, a beautiful boutique tucked away on Connaught Street. Her gorgeous dresses have something for everyone from the park avenue princess inspired organza a-line dress to a vintage inspired embellished number. 

It’s quite tricky negotiating the mindfield of dress shopping especially as an observer as you have to strike that balance of offering enough useful opinions beyond just ‘lovely’ and ‘gorgeous’ yet still allowing the bride the time and space to make up their own mind. It’s like the age old question ‘does my bum look big in this?’ but the best advice I’ve had so far is to bear in mind the location, the fabric, the theme of the wedding and whatever makes the bride look like the best version of herself but I’m sure I’ll have many more handy tips to add along the way.

i’m a bridesmaid…

I’ve always loved weddings, not simply from the romantic aspect but how so many elements can come together to create a magical day combining the best of both the bride and groom. As I enter the age of friends engagements and weddings, it has only sparked my interest even more.

Most recently I was asked to be a bridesmaid for a very close friend of mine and so begins the journey shopping for dresses, food tastings and planning the hen party and I find myself using this as the perfect place to start sharing my latest inspirations and findings in the all encompassing world of weddings.