Dresses: from the runway

Check out InStyle online for their top picks from the spring runways that can cross over as wedding dresses. Great ideas here!

Beauty: Oscars 08

Barely There makeup was a definite trend at the Oscars this year. Here are some great examples - which by the way don't mean no makeup, but makeup that makes me look like I'm not wearing any. I love that. These looks would be great for your wedding day. My favorite trick in these is the white/silver pencil on the inside corner of the eyes...

Color: Pantone Fall 08

With New York's Fashion Week in swing from Feb 1-8, 2008, Pantone released their colors for the season. "Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright exciting undertones." While blues and purples are not traditional shades you think of for fall, they can be a stunning choice for your wedding any time of year.

Just so pretty...

Don't you think? It's from Gertrude and Mabel Photography. They've been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Town and Country, San Francisco Bride and more. Their work is relaxed and visually beautiful. We're just suckers for red shoes though...actually any great shoes.

Trend: Pale and Embellishments

Valentino's Spring Couture 2008 show brought with it some trends that have found their way into bridal fashion too. Some of the big ones are pale colors and embellishments. The dresses above show that range of pastel-inspired colors from pink to blue to yellow. Also, embellishments in all shapes and sizes are being shown - such as surface dimension in the yellow dress above or 3D rosettes or whirls. These influences can be seen in the spring collections for Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier.

Headpieces: Toni Federici

We are clearly on a fashion roll this week. Here is Toni Federici, wedding headpiece designer. We are in love with his old-school wide mesh veils - whether it's a short over-the-face style like the first picture or a combination of wide mesh and tulle in the second picture (note: apparently on the married one of us can try on veils...). We also swoon for his feather hair combs. What a perfect accessory to a simple dress or for a sassy bride.

Wedding Dresses - Amy Kuschel

Check out wedding dress designer Amy Kuschel. Her collections, called "clever couture", are all created in her San Francisco salon. Amy pours her creative energies into designing a collection of wedding gowns that have a combination of modern elegance, sophisticated sex appeal, and a couture quality - like the bride who wears them. And they run $1500 to $3400. She believes in offering value - it is unique to find a gown that is well crafted using the finest fabrics and trims and also well priced. Yeah! Her wonders are also available at other exclusive salons across the country (at Macy's in Minneapolis).

Vera Wang Sashes

This past weekend we were at a Macy's Bridal event in Minneapolis (where it was so cold that they had a water main break and had to move some events up a level!). They had a great fashion show hosted by their trend correspondent, Laura Schara, (who's been featured in People and Cosmopolitan magazines). Here is one of our favorite finds. They are beautiful sashes from Vera Wang. They have flowers made from several types of fabric which are attached to either a velvet or silk ribbon. They also come in different neutral shades. Cost is $450-$595. While we are over the colored sash trend, this flower sash is beautiful subtle oomph. Match it with a simple low-cost dress for added interest - or to a more expensive dress to add a personal touch. Love, love, love this. (we actually want to buy one to wear with our jeans :)

2008 Trend: Fringe

That's right. The favorite of the 70's is back, but in a new way. No leather fringe vests here. Subtle uses of fringe can be found in lots of fashion lines for the spring and summer. A way to incorporate this into your wedding could be in a bridesmaids dress (a fun flirty skirt with fringe would be a blast) or a fun wrap for yourself (the bride). Or there could be small fringe elements used in your flowers. Be creative!

Best for Less

Today we're thinking style and beauty for less. First, look at this gorgeous silk dress from JCrew for only $225! It's empire waist and v-neck is universally flattering to most figures. Add a gorgeous necklace or brooch to it to make it more you. Then there's the always perfect Cetaphil face wash for $5. There is no need to buy those expensive face washes when this cleans without drying out...and it's always a top pick by dermatologists. Finally, Rimmel mascara for $6.79. The genius woman who did my makeup for my wedding hands down recommended this over the expensive alternatives. And now I've replaced my $25 mascara with this one - and like it better! Moral of the post: sometimes the less expensive things are actually the best.

Dresses: Sonia Rykiel

OK, when we saw these we couldn't resist sharing them. These dresses from the Spring 08 Paris show for Sonia Rykiel brought everyone to their feet. They are so feminine and fun. The chiffon flows with a breeze and the accents of chiffon flowers are beautiful. Add the amazing feather-like oversized shrugs and the palest of colors - grey, cream, rose - you have a great look for this coming season. While she may not be the "budget" choice, take cues from her lines, colors, fabrics and accessories. (If you do want to know where to find her dresses, send us a comment.)

Vintage Pins

Here's a great alternative to a necklace or even a silk sash. A great vintage (or new yet looks vintage) pin. My daughter actually wore a vintage pin I found in Atlanta on her bridesmaid's dress sash - it was a beautiful touch that pulled all the colors together. Top pin from etsy, bottom pins from anthropologie.

Dresses: Giles Deacon

We just stumbled onto this cool fashion designer, Giles Deacon. Here are some of his pieces from his Spring 08 line. The feminine lines and materials such as tulle and satin feel ethereal together. And the colors and patterns add to that feel. Plus we're a sucker for those hats! Imagine these as bridemaids dresses or maybe longer as a wedding dress. And don't forget the hat...

Fashion Inspiration

We found the coolest site! It's called Polyvore. It's a free web-based tool for creating collages. And a community of creative and stylish people. You can either look through all the amazing collages for ideas, or you can pick boards by a color palette! And all items are tagged so you know where they came from. Style outside of weddings can be great inspiration. Be careful on this site though, once you start looking it's hard to stop.

Buttons: Inspiration

During this time of year it's hard to think that a red & green wedding combination wouldn't make people think about Christmas trees and Santa. But take a look at these vintage buttons we found on Etsy. By using a mixture of many shades of green with red and the addition of a metallic and maybe a bit of black, it becomes a rich mix of colors that could work for any celebration! Just steer clear of any holly...

Stylish Organizer

I LOVE this tote bag from russell+hazel! You can use it to store, save and organize all of your wedding files - from pictures of dresses to menus. And in white it is the perfect bridal accessory for the stylish-at-heart.

Wedding Dresses - Jenny Yoo

So how can you look beautiful for less? Check out Jenny Yoo's wedding alternatives. Best known for bridesmaids dresses, she's translated these designs into wedding dresses. They have simple beautiful lines and are made with rich fabrics like shantung silk and silk duponi. And the styles here are only $715! Add a stunning necklace and your look is complete. You don't need to spend a lot to look good on your wedding day...you just need to be you.

Patterns from Wallpaper

How could wallpaper influence your wedding? Well look at these gorgeous patterns and color combinations. Wallpaper is making a comeback (probably because we've never put it up before and then had to take it down like our parents have). We'll bring you other wallpaper examples we see that could be inspiration for your wedding! Remember inspiration comes from everywhere...

Joynoelle dresses

I love this Minneapolis clothing designer, Joy Teiken. Her line, Joynoelle, is amazing. Not only does she do wedding dresses, but couture and beautiful jackets. She travels the world to find unique fabrics which make her clothing extra special and rich. Plus the lines you see in these dresses show her genius in sophisticated yet girly design.