Wedding Wednesday: World’s Longest Bridal Train

Some say the walk down the aisle will feel like the longest walk of your life, and with a nearly 2-mile bridal train it actually might be! Weddings are a time to celebrate love and a life-long promise between two people, but weddings are also a chance to break a Guinness World Record. Romania’s Andree Salon fashion house spent 100 days creating the record-breaking 1.85 mile long ivory lace and taffeta train costing a total of $7,364. The train was constructed by 10 seamstresses and was unveiled (without a veil) in this dramatic spectacle. We’re not sure if a hot air balloon is the most reliable source of transportation for your big day, but it does make for a grand entrance!

The blushing bride is 17 year old model Emma Dumitrescu of Bucharest, Romania. Fun model fact: Emma is the winner of the 1st Romanian’s Next Top Model Cycle. Guess she’s on her way up! (Literally.)

Honey, are you there?

For more astounding (unnecessary?) records, check out our Guinness Book of Spa Records.

Wedding Wednesday: Top 10 Dress Trends for 2012

Congratulations, you’re getting hitched in 2012! It’s hard enough finding balance in every day life, but now that you’re engaged you have a lot more to juggle. Most importantly: finding the right balance between your own personal style and what’s hot and current. This is especially true when it comes to your wedding dress. But don’t stress. Here’s the plan:

First, knead out those knots of stress with a wedding planning massage. (We insist!)

Then, narrow down the gazillion wedding dress options by knowing the top trends of the season, as told by The Knot.

Here’s a glimpse at what’s timeless yet modern – check out the top 10 wedding dress trends for 2012, according to theknot.com.

1. Sheer Lace Capes

Alfred Angelo

Last season it was all about long sleeves a la Kate Middleton, but the latest craze is gracefully draped capes. Try this trend for a modest, traditional look on your big day.

2. A Hint of Tint

Rivini

Peach, champagne, cotton candy, sorbet, lavender and mint – you’ve seen stars like Gwen Stefani and Portia de Rossi rock partially-tinted wedding dresses and brides like Kholé Kardashian and Reese Witherspoon add colorful accents to their gowns in the past, but this year the runway is totally dipped and dyed with a rainbow of feminine and romantic hues.  This trend is definitively not for the faint of heart.

3. Embellished Bodices

Anne Bowen

It’s all eyes on you with a glitzy bodice paired with a soft and simple skirt. This style option is great for pear figures who want to enhance their chest, cinch their waist and hide curvy hips.

4. Illusion Necklines

Ines Di Santo

According to The Knot, “Sheer bateau necklines continue to be all the rage on the bridal runways, and this season, crystal and pearl appliques give these see-through styles a more glamorous vibe.” This style is perfect for showing off toned shoulders, arms and back.

5. Hi-Low Hemlines

Oscar de la Renta

Often refereed to as a “mullet dress,” this style of gown is incredibly fashion-forward and edgy (and all business in the front, party in the back, ha!) ; perfect for a beach or outdoor wedding. Plus, the peekaboo hemline is the chicest way to show off amazing wedding shoes.

6. Romantic Ruffles

Pronovias

Use ruffles and ruching to your advantage! Fluffy fabric and cascading frills – when used properly – can accentuate or diminish curves where needed, in order to create a perfectly flattering shape for your individual body type. Plus, they will add the perfect amount of fairytale drama to your special day.

7. Cap Sleeves

Reem Aarca

By opting for a dress with cap sleeves, the eyes are drawn upwards towards the face, elongating your appearance and creating a flattering balance between the lower and upper halves of the body. Depending on the style, cap sleeves can also mask a bra stap, if you need the extra support.

8. Voluminous Ball Gowns

Maggie Sottero

For a traditional, princess-themed event, the bigger the ballgown skirt the better. This style is great if you’re a confident, all-eyes-on-me bride who wants to accentuate that tiny waist you worked for during your engagement. Show it off, girl!

9. Soaring Slits

Monique Lhuillier

Try this sexy trend if you are on the taller side and/or have great gams. Sky-high slits are great for adding drama to fashion-forward or old-Hollywood themed weddings. Want to try the trend but apprehensive about baring so much skin at the service? Save the slit for your reception dress and dance the night away with the freedom to shake a leg.

10. Cold Shoulders

Marchesa

Off-the-shoulder gowns can help you get the look of a strapless neckline and show off those collarbones without the awkwardness of always having to pull up your top. This style is perfect for larger busted brides.

Images via

 

Wedding Wednesday: 7 Lessons from Twilight


Who said vampires can’t teach us anything? They taught us that love surpasses all (even if there’s a 90 year age difference). While the new Twilight installment Breaking Dawn was raking in $140 million at the box office this weekend… we were all dying to see the wedding! And it definitely had all the drama of Bella and Edward’s relationship. Here are some lessons we learned from the nuptials:

1. Your natural surroundings provide a great backdrop

2. Can’t go wrong with a family crest on the invitations

3. Jewel tones look great on fair skinned bridesmaids

4. You can never have too many flowers

5. Leave the drama behind you (replica of custom Carolina Herrera gown)

6. Wear something blue in your hair

7. Go to Brazil for your honeymoon! (But maybe don’t play chess)

Images via, via and via

Wedding Wednesday: Kate and Pippa Action Figures

I grew up playing with dozens of Barbie dolls. I would dress them up for a date with Ken or for her new career (President Barbie!). But secretly, wasn’t Princess Barbie your favorite too? I couldn’t have been the only one who acted out my fairytale wedding on my bedroom floor (please say no!). Well now women everywhere have a real life princess to play with: Kate Middleton. The hysteria of the Royal Wedding still hasn’t worn off. If you thought all the memorabilia with Kate and William faces were overkill… just wait. Now they’ve created Kate and Pippa Middleton “action figures.” Dig out your old Ken dolls and relive those little girl dreams of being a princess!

The Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, doll features a handmade recreation of her Alexander McQueen gown for $189.95.

Don’t forget about the sister, Pippa! She’s available in that scandalous (action figure butts are cute too?) bridesmaids dress of hers for $49.95.

Now you just need Prince Charming.

Images via and via

Bridal On a Budget: Vera Wang for David’s Bridal

It’s as if the the famous Disney film Cinderella miraculously came to life — YOUR life! For what we can expect to be a very limited time, Hollywood’s go-to bridal gal, Vera Wang has lent her expertise to the econo-bride’s haven David’s Bridal.

The collection launched just a few days before Valentine’s Day, and now you blustering brides can get your hands on any of the gowns in stores! The dresses are available in sizes 0-14 and range from $600 to $1,400. In other words, a steal! Many stars have chosen Vera for their walk down the aisle including Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and most recently Chelsea Clinton.

Check out the complete collection on InStyle.