A Short Story: Tea-Length Bridal Gowns and Swanky Heels

Frolic all night long in a sweet, sassy or downright sexy mini-bridal gown with a kicky pair of heels

Image 1: Winnie Couture playful white Rayna strapless dress with sweetheart neckline and charmeuse bodice surrounded by layers of tulle and lace ruffles (also available in pearl and cream pearl), $1,598, Winnie Couture in Beverly Hills. Drop earrings from R-Mine Private Collection, $265, R-Mine in Studio City.

 

Image 2: Hayley Paige satin-faced organza mini bridal dress with ombre pleated peplum, $1,870, Blush Bridal Couture in Tustin, Mira Bridal Couture in Modesto and JLM Couture flagship store in West Hollywood.

 

Image 3: Elizabeth Fillmore fitted Iris cocktail gown featuring soft organza layers over taffeta, with a sweetheart neckline and a tulle and petal peplum with floral embellishments, $2,860, Erin Cole in Costa Mesa. Fascinator on headband embellished with creamy silk metallic organza, gunmetal beading and an embroidered rose, $130, Louise Green Millinery in West Los Angeles. Pour La Victoire blush pink 4-inch Evelia wedge heels with an ankle strap and crisp bow at the toe, $150, My Glass Slipper.

 

Image 4: Cocoe Voci ivory duchesse silk satin Zoe gown with a drop waist bodice and a sweetheart neckline above a pencil skirt, which is overlaid with a French lace flounce that falls into a detachable lace and tulle train, along with a corset feather belt, crystal hand beadwork and a dash of feathers, $4,796, Cocoe Voci in Los Angeles. Badgley Mischka Lucie black satin open-toe 4 and-a-half-inch heel finished with a bow, $215, Bloomingdales.

Image 5: Monique Lhuillier Lili silk faille gown with a natural waist bodice, low V-shaped back and box pleated high-low mini skirt, $2,290, Monique Lhuillier in Los Angeles. Fascinator on headband embellished with copper silk metallic organza, gunmetal beading and an embroidered rose, $130,  Louise Green Millinery in West Los Angeles. Badgley Mischka 4-inch Keeper peep-toe pump with ruched crepe detailing gathered into grosgrain ribbon bow, $200, Last Call by Neiman Marcus. 

 

Credits:

Photography: Zee Wendell 

Styling: Cathryn Van Breene

Hair: Shelia Stone, The Studio Agency

Makeup: Whitney Greenstein, The Studio Agency

Model: Paloma, Industry Models Agency

Photgrapher’s assistant: Dennis Ayuson

Get Your Wedding On: Four Seasons Hosts Twitter Chat

Looking to get inspired and connect with other brides? Log onto Four Seasons #LuxBride twitter chat today, May 8^th at 9 a.m. PST, to gab all things weddings—from cakes to vendors to tabletop décor. The one-hour chat will feature all the Four Seasons properties in the world as well as their Directors of Catering and Events so if you're still scouting locations, this is a great starting point. You can ask questions, get advice, meet vendors and connect with other brides-to-be. All you have to is log onto Twitter and use the hashtag #LuxBride to get the scoop. For more details, visit http://bit.ly/KxZZZq.

JLM Couture Flagship Bridal Boutique - Grand Opening in West Hollywood

Today May 3rd, we celebrate the Grand Opening of JLM Couture’s new flagship boutique in West Hollywood! To open with a bang, this weekend is their first trunk show featuring Lazaro Bridal. You can meet Lazaro Perez personally and experience his new Fall 2012 Collection as he presents his latest inspiration at the JLM Flagship Salon on 352 North Robertson, West Hollywood. The salon features a lovely collection of bridal gowns such as Alvina Valenta, Blush by JLM, Jim Hjelm, Lazaro, and Tara Keely; and their bridesmaid collections Alvina Valenta Bridesmaids, Jim Hjelm Occasions, and Lazaro Bridesmaids. The images featured in today’s post are from a fun evening in late March for the press opening. The dashing dark-haired gentleman wearing an orange and purple bow tie is none other than Lazaro Perez whom you’ll meet this weekend. To schedule an appointment, call 424-249-3909 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rise and Shine: The Perfect Spring Wedding Brunch

Post-wedding brunches often can be the highlight of a wedding weekend, not only does it give the bride and groom a second chance to see their guests, but everyone can relive the event from the night before. We love this wedding brunch held at the Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara created by the team at Good Gracious! Events. The sunny yellow palette was inspired by the phrase, “Rise and Shine, Sunshine!”  and the bold patterns added a modern feel to the elegant setting. And of course, the vibrant color was a perfect choice as it symbolized both the beginnings of spring and the couple’s marriage.

The solid yellow palette, accented with tall geometric-patterned chairs allowed the small group of 30 guests to have a completely different experience from the wedding. The guests sipped on freshly squeezed ruby grapefruit juice with (or without) sparkling prosecco and recharged with the essential pick-me-up organic coffee under a sunny yellow canopy, which added an intimate feel to the setting. Beautiful yellow roses in vases filled with lemons added a feeling of freshness against the crisp white placesettings. And the best part? The food, naturally. The meal began with an appetizer of banana and sweet strawberries drizzled with a white balsamic honey followed by a crispy thin flour tortilla basket filled with scrambled eggs, salsa, poached black beans and scallions and an assortment of toasts and delectable pastries. A perfect ending to a new beginning.

Something Borrowed from the Montage Hotel & Resorts

We all know that diamonds are a bride's best friend but sometimes, a big, beautiful bauble just isn't in the budget. Fret no more, brides and grooms who wed at the Montage Hotels & Resorts from now until December 30^th, 2013 have the option to dazzle up their dress with beautiful gems through the resort's Something Borrowed program. Each location is paired with a jeweler who will help the bride accessorize with stunning earrings, diamond encrusted brooches, intricate bracelets inlaid with precious gems, and even statement watches for the men.

The tranquil beach location, the Montage Laguna Beach offers Lugano Diamonds which includes incredible pieces like the flower bracelet (image 4) and hoop earrings (image 5). Delicate diamonds from Micheal Beaudry (a personal favorite of mine as I wore their jewels at my own wedding) from sparkling diamond bracelets (image 1) to colored gemstones like the autumn earrings (image 2) and men's watches (image 3) are on loan at the Montage Beverly Hills. Best of all, Montage Hotel & Resort's wedding specialist helps handle all the nitty gritty details, from setting up an appointment to view the current collections and select the perfect piece. And yes, if you decide to spring for it, the pieces are available for purchase. The jewelers at Lugano and Beaudry will help you take home a gorgeous, sparkling memento. We recommend you start dropping the hints to your future husband now!