Dress {Check} Shoes {Check}!

While I was busy planning the details and trying to forget that I even needed a dress for the wedding, I somehow stumbled across the perfect one! It's a bit edgy, a bit fun and the exact style I want! I can't post any pictures here, but I assure you, it's a totally awesome gown by Melissa Sweet from the upcoming Spring 2011 collection. I went to the Pricilla of Boston store about 4 times in a week, and yesterday I finally purchased the dress! Ian's brother and sister came into town on Sunday, so I was able to try on the dress for his sister and his mom. It is being custom fitted to me, we are adding a few buttons and making it a sweetheart neckline. The best part about this whole trip, I got 20% off the dress! It was still rather expensive, but I still feel good about getting a deal!

Somehow I stumbled across the shoes out of nowhere and purchased those as well. The deal?? 75% off! I only spent $200 on this fantastic pair of statement heels.

Can't wait to wear these babies at the wedding!

I tried on most of these Melissa Sweet dresses. Though they are all gorgeous, there was something was wasn't wowing me like it was on the dress I choose! Which is your favorite?

And now let's introduce Melissa Sweet to Christian Louboutin since they will be partnered up on my wedding day. These are a few of the runner-up shoes styles that I was deciding between.

Ok, enough about me! How was everyone's weekend?? What items did you check off your wedding to-do list?? Try on dresses, finish the favors, send out the invites, tie the knot?? I would love to hear about your weekend.

Ranch Weddings Shoes

This could very possibly be my FAVORITE photo of the moment. I love the moment so much.

Source: J Andrew

As you may have noticed, that photo really inspired me to do a whole post on wedding shoes, or more specifically, wedding boots! This is a trend is a ranch trend that I will most likely be leaving behind. I have never worn cowboy boots in my life, and I am not sure that my wedding is the place to try it out. That being said, this is still an incredibly fun little trend!

Source: Blue, Shoes in Window, Photo

I love shots of the bride holding up her dress for a little peek of what is underneath. Whether they are statement pumps, or cowboy boots, it's a really fun photo idea. I definitely want to do a ton of those (well not a TON because that would probably be rather boring, but I definitely want to play around with it!)

Source: Shoes, Flowers, Doorstep, Putting On, Bridesmaids, Bridesmaids

So what do you guys think?? Anyone adding this trend into their ranch style wedding? Any recent brides who did this trend??

Can't get enough of shoe trends?? Well, luckily I have put together a whole shoe post for another blog I write for! So, you don't have to end your shoe satisfaction of the day because I have tons of shoe eye candy over there, like literally tons! Here are a few of my favorite favorite shots from the post. (I NEED to do these shots on my wedding day!!)

Check out the post over at smartbride.net

{Bridesmaid Cental} Picking the Perfect Dresses

Ahh the bridesmaids. You don't want them to look better than you, but they can't be looking bad either. With current budget trends, bridesmaids are less willing to spend the once normal pricetag of $200+. That leaves the bride shopping for great style on a tiny budget! I'm here to tell you that it can be done! The dress I wore to Lizzie's wedding was actually from Forever 21! Yep, I fully lucked out. So did the other girls too, lots of the dresses were from H & M or express with a simple 2 digit pricetag. (Mine was only $19. Score!) I actualy found the dresses my bridesmaids are wearing from H &M for just $30 a pop! They were exactly what I was looking for with the pricetag to match. So, it really can be done! Here are a few of my fave dresses that I would love to see as BM dresses! They are both a little bold and both a little unstructured, and best of all, they are both statement! While you may be falling in love as well, these are both from J Crew with a larger price tag than your party may want to spend. Use this as inspiration and shop places like Forever 21 and H & M to find something similar.

{Source: First Dress, Second Dress}

Here are a few ruffle options. Two of these are $20 dresses and the other 2 are a bit more pricey. I personally love that black number.

{Source: Black Dress, Purple Ruffle, Gray Dress, Blush Ruffles}

Ok, I admit I went a little crazy with the J Crew options here, and if you are looking for budget dresses then I apologize. They are just so pretty and so perfect for BM central! These two are a bit more structured and chic, but I love them just the same. These would be gorgeous at an old barn wedding with some ultra-chic decor.

{Source: Dress 1, Dress 2}

Don't get discouraged with the bridesmaid dress shopping! There are tons of options out there. Send some inspiration photos to your bridesmaids and have them do the search for something in their budget. This is one thing you can relinquish control on because as the bride, you have a lot of things to focus on other than finding your girls dresses! But at the end of the day, great looking bridesmaids will only enhance your look and make you stand out amongst the already great style of your girls!

Anyone else out there have bridesmaids dresses picked out??? Post some photos on the Engaged & Inspired Facebook page so I can see! :)

Let’s Talk Dresses

Ian has gone camping for a few days. This means three things for me. First, that I have no sense of bedtime and ended up working far far into the night last night (but got SO much done!) When I finally did decide to go to bed, I couldn't sleep. Sleeping alone is slightly uncomfortable and a little scary actually, especially since it was the first time being alone in the new house. Second, that I couldn't watch any TV because I don't know how to turn the darn thing on! I'm telling you, this TV has more cords/connections/etc. than I have ever seen before. It's confusing and since we just moved in I have yet to figure out how to turn it all on. And finally, the third and BEST part about him being away...we can talk DRESSES on the blog today!!!! :) So, without further ado, let's get it going! I was all for the Vera Wang Diana Dress, but recently decided to change up my style a little bit to get something that makes me look skinny. But, I am not a fan of a really big transition from pencil dress to Cinderella dress. I want something right in the middle. Oh I kind of like the idea of a tafetta or something like that. Not a fan of satin and not a fan of lace. Ok, that was me babbling about the tiny bit I know about my dress....which I realize may not make any sense.

Oh and I totally plan on getting a recycled dress. Why am I doing that you ask? Because I'm on a budget and I refuse to give up my Vera Wang style for a "budget" dress. It's all about being smart about the money, but the wedding doesn't have to look like I was skimpy! So, that's my reasoning.

First off is a Nicole Miller dress which looks incredible in this professional photo shoot. I have seen a few pictures of the dress and I don't totally know if the fabric is the right choice, but I love the shape of this one.

This is a Marisa style. This one may be a little too trumpet for me, but I love that back! It just flows and is gorgeous! Again, I am fully getting pulled in by the photos thinking maybe it will look the same on me!

And finally, my favorite, the Melissa Sweet option! Just like the others, I may be slightly obsessed with this one because she looks so amazing in it but this one has something to it that I think it would look great on me. That top right photo is exactly what I mean with the style dress I want. It does a little bit of both in a great transition. The seller lives in LA (5 hours away) but I may take a little trip down to try it on.

So what do you guys think? First of all, are you considering buying a recycled dress or planning on selling yours after the fact? Any current dress obsessions?? I have to hurry and find the dress seeing as the wedding is just 7 short months away!

Wedding Dress Shopping - Or the Lack Thereof

Ok everyone! Now that I have finally (almost) found the venue, I am getting re-inspired by everything I can do with the space. But, I do have one more daunting task ahead of me. The Dress. There are some amazing dresses out there, but let's face it, a majority of the dress selection in the world is pretty hideous. I feel like this is going to be "venue search number 2" because it is one thing that I refuse to waiver on, and I refuse to have not be perfect.

I'm hoping to just find a really good deal on a dress online without even having to deal with going actual dress shopping. I know what I want and I know what looks good on my body, but now it is just a matter of someone actually MAKING that!

So, if anyone finds a dress (or HAS one!) that looks similar to these styles, send them over! Oh and I am totally ok with the whole recycled wedding dress thing, so don't be shy people!

This dress is incredible.

Other than that, I love the fabric of the one above. And I love how she is UBER skinny on top but it is still nice and full down below. It's like a mermaid cut, but a little bit more full. Oh and always strapless!

In other news, I am SO excited about this venue meeting tomorrow.:) Just had to throw that out there.

Oh and in more other news, what are you guys looking at wearing?? What styles, fabrics, bodices, etc. etc???

{Guest Post} Boudoir Shoots

Today we have a fantastic guest blogger here for you all. I have a writing project due at the end of August and I'll be logging about 100 hours of work each week, so from now until then I am going to be sprinkling in guest posts to help me keep up with everything. I hope that's ok :) Today we have Katherine from Henry & Masci Photography here to talk a bit about boudoir shoots! Check out their boudoir website or their blog for more details! All photos were taken by Henry & Masci Photography

(I'm obsessed with this photo BTW!!!)

Ever want to have pictures taken like the Victoria’s Secret models you see in the catalogs? With boudoir photography becoming more and more popular you now have a way to do it. With an upcoming wedding or anniversary you also have the reason! A boudoir session could range from fun and flirty to sexy and sultry. It’s really up to you and what you want to take out of your lingerie drawer.  If your man is a big sports fan it could be fun to pose in his favorite team’s jersey. Maybe he’s a musician and you could pose with his guitar…and only his guitar.

Boudoir photos make a great gift that your honey will never forget. Not only are the photos a great wedding day gift, but you could also surprise him with an album on your honeymoon. Maybe he’s in the military and will be overseas for a while? You could tuck some photos into his bag before he leaves. Then you know he’ll be thinking of you every night!

You might be nervous about the idea of taking photos in your lingerie - who wouldn’t be? Making a whole event out of it with your girlfriends is a fun way to get over the nerves. Hit up the mall for some outfits, enjoy the royal treatment with hair and makeup and sip some champagne. Your photos will be fab! (Your man will totally agree!!)

Ideas for before the boudoir session:

• Have your nails and toes freshly painted

• Look online and through magazines for examples of style and outfit choices you like

• Hydrate and moisturize

• Wear loose fitting clothes to your session- you don’t want to have imprints on your body from elastics

What to bring with you:

•  Sexy heels

• Printouts of photos to show your photographer and makeup artist

•  Fishnets, garters and tights to spice up an outfit and add variety • Something belonging to your guy as a prop; shirt, tie or even his guitar are nice options

What to ask your photographer:

• Ask to see examples of work

• What is her privacy policy

• Are photos retouched

• Can you bring a friend

• How many outfits to bring

• Is makeup and hair included in the price

• Does she recommend a specific makeup artist/hair stylist

• What type of spaces are sessions held in

• How many people are on the set while photos are taken

There you have it! So, who is planning a boudoir shoot?? Anyone??

If you want to guest post on E&I just send over an e-mail to allison@engagedandinspired.com with ideas of posts!

Make-Up and Your Big Day!

Today I thought it would be great to get some tips from a professional make-up artist to help you with the look for your big day. Tamra Marie works in the Bay Area, CA doing bridal make-up professionally. I have asked her to contribute a few tips to help all the brides out, and believe me, I have my paper and pencil out and taking notes! Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day but don't stray to far from your usual look.  I’ve had minimalist makeup wearers request a red lip vintage look for their trials and had brides who normally wore heavy eyeliner ask for a natural look, but neither usually feel's themselves when it’s done. I’m all for playing around with makeup, but your wedding day isn’t the day to do it. If you want to try a smokey eye for the first time, save it for your bachelorette party!

There are a few tips that you should really take into account on your big day to make sure you are camera-ready.

Pre-Wedding Beauty Basics:

·       Facials should be scheduled one week prior

·       Avoid using Retin-A products or any other strong skin treatments

·       Avoid salt, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. They can cause puffiness throughout your face and body.

·       Plan to get your eyebrows and body waxed at least 3 days before; Redness can be tough to cover, and some people stay slightly swollen for a couple days post-wax.

·       Drink eight to ten glasses of water for at least five days before

·       Get a massage a day or two before the big day

·       Have a long, leisurely bath the evening before, and get a good night’s sleep

Source: Tamra Marie

Vera Wang - Spring 2011 Wedding Dress Collection

And here I will end off the day with her latest collection, Spring 2011. Again with the soft ruffles and edgy yet classy silhouettes! Her latest collection literally is to die for!

Now that I have shown you a glimpse of my dress obsessions, what brand, style, look are you going for with your bridal look??

Vera Wang - Fall 2010 Wedding Dress Collection

Next up in my "obsession with Vera Wang" day would be the Fall 2010 collection! I love so many of these dresses! The way nothing about them is conventional is just amazing to me. I most definitely want a dress that is so unlike any other, but still classy and chic.

And let's give her a few brownie points for the photo shoot of thus collection. The small black accents are so well thought out!

I think I want black amazingly cute black accents now! :)

Vera Wang Wedding Dress Collection – Diana and Dorothy {My Faves}

Today I am in a major Vera Wang mood! I have been looking at her newest collections over and over again. Just when I thought I was safe in picking the dress I want, she has to come out with more to-die-for choices! She really can't go wrong when it comes to bridal, or really anything else for that matter! The thing I am definitely looking forward to the least is the dress. Weird huh? I know, but I have a good explanation. Basically this is probably the one thing that I won't settle on. This is the one aspect that has to be exactly the way I want it to be, no matter the price range. The thought of trying on "off the rack" dresses and then not being satisfied, eeks!

I KNOW I want Vera Wang, and these were the two I have picked. The Dorothy and the Diana. Both are BEYOND incredible works of art, and I would probably be happy with either.

So, I started checking out the "recycled gown" scene a bit to see what I could find. Luckily, there are tons of "Diana" dresses around, so that's good. But the less known, more artistic and definitely more "statement" of the two dresses, the Dorothy (top left) is no where to be found at all. I am going to keep the search going since I have a bit of time though!

Later to come, the collections since her Spring 2010, more to-die-for eye candy coming on the dress front!