Bridal Idol: Fashionista's Guide for the Stylish Bride.
Featured Event: Check out our Fashionista's stylish picks for your dream day, then make sure to attend our "Down the Aisle in Style" event that will put you face-to-face with many of these talented designers. Click here for more info.
It's All About the Dress Dedicated to the diva brides of discount couture, About A Dress.com offers ladies the unique opportunity to purchase designer sample wedding gowns from 50% to 75% off retail prices. Some of the most sought after, authentic brands in bridal couture are featured on this hip, fresh site.
Leveraging off of her success as an art director and designer, founder Heidi Rodriguez launched the company as a solution for stylish, yet practical brides who don't want to spend thousands on a one-night-only gown. "These days, women are getting married a bit later in life and are increasingly responsible for wedding costs," Heidi says. "Spending thousands just isn't a sensible option." As a recent bride, Heidi purchased her own $4,000 wedding dress online for $1500. She says it was a decision she'll treasure for a lifetime.
Given that most sample dresses come in sizes 8 and 10, savvy brides can now afford to take the dress to the tailor of their choice for expert fittings. Sample-weary? Don't be. Every dress in Heidi's inventory has been carefully inspected. Gowns have come from some of the best, most reputable wedding boutiques in the nation. Gals who aren't happy with their selection once it arrives can take advantage of the 48-hour return policy. AboutADress.com heidi@aboutadress.com
VERA WANG Gown About a Dress price: $1,600 (approximate retail price: $5,000)
Bridal Bling Jewelry phenom Kristen Amato has been creating and selling her precious gems long before it was cool to design your own jewelry. We could even call her a pioneer of sorts. Kristen is one of the first homespun jewelry makers in a market that's become quite saturated with custom creations. Necklaces and earrings incorporate semi-precious stones like candy pink jade, aquamarine, turquoise, coral, garnet and opal set on sterling silver and gold chains.
Her recent launch of K-AmatoWedding.com allows the fresh designer to collaborate with each bride so she's getting exactly what she's dreaming of for the "big day." While Kristen utilizes freshwater pearls, swarovski crystals and swarovski pearls with sterling silver and 14kt gold, brides on a budget can select less expensive materials like glass-based pearls and crystals for equally dramatic, beautiful looks. Brides are invited to select their particular aisle style, then Kristen will customize the gems to fit the bride's color theme and price range.
The pearl necklaces, earrings and bracelet shown are individual pieces created for past brides and bridal parties. Prices vary on materials used and the number of pieces that are purchased, i.e. if you are buying for all of your bridesmaids, the bridal piece will be significantly discounted. Pieces usually range from $25 to $40 for bridesmaid necklaces and $35 to $70 for the bride's necklaces. Earrings can be created for as little as $15 to $30 per gal. Kristen Amato K-AmatoWedding.com 312.882.1366
One-Stop Shopping It's the wedding store everyone talks about. You'll find everything you need for the big day; you'll probably wish you started here. I Do! I Do! is the sole wedding accessory store listed in Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style five-star directory. Only the top wedding vendors nationwide receive this coveted listing.
Encounter a bride's nirvana of headpieces, tiaras, sumptuous handmade veils, hairsticks, pins and jewelry. Plus, handbags, wraps, gloves, pillows, guest books and much more. Finger through the top 100 invitation books including the new Encore Edge. Other paper goods include announcements, shower, rehearsal dinner and girls' night out invitations, save the dates, map cards, thank you notes, wedding journals, planners, memory books, greeting cards, personalized notes and poetry. That's not all, don't forget you'll need toasting flutes, cake server sets, table numbers, photo frames, matches, napkins, vases, votives, floating candles, favors, candy and petals.
Brides have journeyed here from New York, even London and Paris, to make their search for the perfect invitations and accessories a pleasurable, one-stop event. I Do I Do Wedding Accessories 4704 N. Damen Ave. 773.907.8890 ido-ido.cathysexpress.com
Haute Boudoir The newest boutique in Bucktown has all of Chicago talking about its sassy offerings. Raizy specializes in racy, luxurious lingerie, including favorites like Love Tanjane, Cosabella and Eberjey as well as harder to find designers Leigh Bantivoglio, Wendy Glez, Samantha Chang and Clo Studio (an exclusive in Chicago). In the back you'll find a bounty of beauty - the chicest cosmetic collections from Sue Devitt Studio, Valerie Beverly Hills and Scott Barnes (he's the one famous for giving J. Lo her signature glow, and Raizy also has the exclusive on this line in Chicago). Bath, body and skincare lines include Bliss (direct from the New York spa), Mario Badescu, Caudalie, L'Occitane and Terax (a most luxurious hair care product). Raizy 1944 N. Damen Ave. 773.227.2221
The A, B, C's of Invitations Upscale paperie, Alphabetique, isn't your average paper goods store. Only the most luxurious, handmade imported paper and stationary are found here. And the professional staff handles the whole invitation process with sophistication and flair. Ogle leather journals, handcrafted albums and hip cards along with the ultra-exclusive Marie Papier line from Paris, flower petal inclusion paper that still smells of roses and 100% silk paper from Japan that feels like cloth. Alphabetique 701 W. Armitage Ave. 312.751.2920
Precious Memories While many a bride preserve their wedding dress in an airtight garment bag for decades to come, then rely on their photos for flashbacks, we've found something much more special for preserving these treasured moments. Artist Lindsay Totaro starts with a large blank canvas, then she paints a striking rendition of the bride's dress on a decoupage background of personal items. Her creations are slightly abstract with graceful, flowing lines and a mass of details. Everything from the menu to place cards and pressed flowers to photographs of the event can make up the symbolic background.
After the wedding, Lindsay gathers memorabilia from the event and from the blissful couple to incorporate onto this distinctive keepsake. It's the most artfully sophisticated way we've seen to preserve the beauty and elegance of a bride on her wedding day. Prices are quoted upon request. Totaro.com info@totaro.com 312.965.0181
UnBridal'd Affair If you're of mind to throw your veil to the wind and take things barefoot and beachside ala Cindy Crawford, you're thinking "destination" wedding. Many brides are saying "I Don't" to the traditional grand theme and "I Do" to relaxed, unbridaled nuptials. Vegas anyone? Seems that's a hot ticket too. Check out Vegas to Venice Destination Gowns and Weddings, a full-service bridal boutique where you're welcomed by a glass of champagne.
As you survey handmade gowns customized for traveling, notice the travel-safe materials like simple Swiss cotton blends and woven silks and the easy-packing instructions. Once you have chosen your destination, Vegas to Venice experts research ideal knot-tying spots, and travel agents pitch in with travel planning. Vegas to Venice 1401 W. Hubbard St. 312.850.0111 Vegastovenice.com
The Guest Book Take the stress out of wedding planning by logging onto www.starwoodhoneymoons.com. This free, simple tool was created for brides to quickly book room blocks for their out-of-town guests and keep them informed with the click of a mouse. Brides are assigned a personal wedding specialist who handles reservations and designs a free, customized wedding website for guests to review itineraries, research activities and restaurants, learn about the couple and link to their gift registry. Starwood Honeymoon's wedding website serves all Starwood properties including St. Regis, Four Points, Westin, Sheraton and W Hotels. Did we mention it's free?
Bridesmaid Booty Don't forget about the bridesmaids - they've been your go-to-gals for the last several months. Reward them with a gift that says beauty, femininity and gratitude.
Gucci Envy Me This seductive scent has a playful, provocative spirit. The deeply feminine fragrance arrives in a pink-printed crystal flacon with the signature "GG" logo. Envy Me offers a floral, musky and fruity fragrance with notes that play off of each other in radiant harmony.
Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4oz, $80. Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.7oz, $60.
Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Marshall Field's.
Burberry Brit Red A special edition fragrance, this iconic plaid bottle captures an eccentric, British attitude with a gourmand oriental fragrance. Created from givaudan, sparkling green mandarin and fresh jasmine, infused with voluptuous red roses and warm vanilla.
Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.3oz, $80. Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7oz, $62.
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Burberry.
Jillicious! Jillicous Cosmetics is a brand-new line designed for make-up artists but easy enough for everyone to use. AM Sensual & PM Seductive Eyes ($14.50) are eye cream shadows that are non-creasing, waterproof and long-lasting - that's about 8 to 12 hours without fading. The product also comes equipped with a handy, coordinating retractable eyeliner hidden at the top of the package. Give your lips a treat with La La Lip Lovers ($17), 2-in-1 formulas that have the shine of a gloss with the feel and formula of a lipstick housed in a cute and innovative heart-shaped tube. Bada Bing Tinglers ($12.50) are deliciously flavored and scented lip balms with a hidden vanity and lip brush for easy application. Gloss Lips ($16) create a perfect-tasting pout with flavored, scented and full color lipgloss, a patented formula that uses all natural ingredients and provides non-sticky, moisturizing and long-lasting color with SPF 15.
