Here Comes and There Goes the Bride

Vera Wang is the master of bridal fashions. She really knows how to make the bride look great from all angles. This off the the shoulder, v-neck gown with amazing draped bustline is a perfect example. The empire waist gown with tiered ruffled split train gives the guests a great view from the front and the back.

The gown looks simple as the bride walks down the aisle, but then the drama happens when you are looking at the bride's back side. We all know that at most weddings we only see the backs of the bride and groom, so why not make the "wow factor" be on the most prominent side? Vera has done a superb job as always. The subtle details like the antique wheat embroidery on the back or the bling on one of the shoulders is just perfect for any wedding during any season.

-Percy

Photo from www.verawang.com

Quinceañera at Disneyland

I was at Disneyland the last couple of days...thus the lack of blogs on my site. As I am always looking for "event" related material, even when I am on vacation, I just happened to stumble upon a huge Quinceañera celebration at "the happiest place on earth." Apparently, the Latina version of Oprah, Cristina, was holding a mass Quinceañera celebration for a few lucky girls. Here's a site link, but it's all in Spanish, http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/es_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=QuinceaneraSpecialEventPage

They had Sleeping Beauty's Castle all decked out for the event on Thursday, April 24, 2008. The shin dig including a huge red carpet ceremony (actually it was lavender), for the introduction of these 15-year old girls into "society." Latin media was everywhere covering the event and interviewing the ladies. I never got to see the event, but realized as I anticipated the nightly Disneyland fireworks extravaganza from my hotel balcony, that the Quinceañera event took its place, a little disappointed, but I think the experience for the 15 lucky girls is definitely something they will always remember. It is "The Year of a Million Dreams" at Disneyland, so I guess these girls dreams were fulfilled.

Sponsors of the event included dresses from David's Bridal, transportation from Southwest Airlines, computers from Hewlett Packard, cameras from Kodak and a stay at the Disneyland Resort.

-Percy

Photo from Disneyland.com

Ojai Wedding Fair at the Acacia Mansion

Anyone planning a wedding in Ojai, California or surrounding area should stop by the Acacia Mansion Wedding Fair on Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Meet local vendors, including me, at the beautiful Acacia Mansion, located at 205 South Lomita Avenue, Ojai, CA, 93023. The event is free.

Explore the romantic possibilities amidst Ojai’s newest wedding destination and experience a world of beauty and luxury within this historic Spanish estate. Take a rare opportunity to tour a one-of-a-kind estate in full wedding attire and meet a select group of wedding professionals, while enjoying some delicious food samplings.

The Acacia Mansion can accommodate groups from 2-100 and offers a wonderful venue to host your ceremony, reception or both. For more information regarding the Acacia Mansion, please visit their website at http://www.acaciamansion.com/. I hope to see you there.

-Percy

Photo by Acacia Mansion

Accessory Du Jour

I love these oversized cubic zirconia bobby pins. They come in three shapes: pear, princess, or oval. It's a perfect alternative to a tiara, but still gives a bang. It can double as piece of the grooms boutonniere, to give the flowers a little bling. If you are bold enough to forego the traditional floral lapel decor, why not just stick one of these in the lapel slit?

The Noir oversized bobby pins are available at Henri Bendel, (800) 423-6335, for $38 each.

-Percy

Photo by Davies & Starr

Yummy Bites

I was introduced to a cake company in Thousand Oaks, California back in February 2008 and fell in love with their cakes. They are so yummy that I had more than my share of bites. The company is For Heaven's Cakes.

Owner Lisa Donohue and Pastry Chef Jennifer Shilling has created a quaint little cake boutique that really highlights their passion for cakes and the craft for making them look beautiful. Try the chocolate bomb, lemon, or orange, my personal favorite cake because it taste like a creamsicle. They can create the cake of your dreams.

Additionally, they offer these cute little cake bites and mini cakes that are packaged in little boxes that are perfect for hostess gifts, party favors, or just to tuck away in your refrigerator for future cake cravings. These cakes are as they say, "to die for!" For more information on For Heaven's Cakes, please visit their website at http://www.forheavenscakes.com or call them at (805) 497-6111.

-Percy

Photo from For Heaven's Cakes. Seated, Jennifer Shilling, Pastry Chef. Standing, Owner, Lisa Donohue.

The Girls Got Legs

...and she knows how to use them! Crops of designers are creating these drop dead gorgeous cocktail wedding gowns. They are perfect for a breakfast, brunch, or afternoon wedding, set on a lake with meadows covered in wildflowers...how romantic would that be?

These gowns are reminiscent of Audrey Heburn's gown in the movie Funny Face. Very simple and elegant with a touch of je ne sais quoi. Not every gamine will buy into this look, but for those willing to tone it down and throw it back to a simpler time, this could definitely be the look for you. Gown by Oscar De La Renta.

-Percy

Photo taken from www.idosugar.com

Tiffany in Cashmere

Everyone loves the feel of cashmere and would love to receive that iconic blue box from Tiffany & Co., so why not merge the two? Tiffany has ventured out to wearables and this cashmere silk wrap is luscious enough to wear during the day or evening. It makes the perfect bridesmaid gift or a gesture of love to those special few.

This 27" x 70" cashmere silk wrap will definitely engulf you in warmth. It comes in three colors: Tiffany Blue, Pink, and Brown and embroidered with the Tiffany & Co. logo. Price $250 and well worth it! Available at Tiffany & Co. by calling (800) 843-3269.

-Percy

Picture from Tiffany & Co.

Carrie says, "I Do"

Carrie and the gang will be hitting the big screen in just a little over a month. The Sex and the City movie will open on May 30, 2008. Talk about anticipation! Not only do I love the clothing that Patricia Fields picks for the show but these characters (Carrie, Samantha, Miranda & Charlotte) become like your BFFs. For me it was a six-year relationship that abruptly ended. But like friends on Facebook...I am glad we are reconnecting!

So brides, do you think the show will influence your wedding day attire? In the movie Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie, wears this strapless billowing two toned champagne and white wedding gown designed by Vivienne Westwood. Being the shows main fashion diva, Carrie tops off her dress with a veil and a blue feather number…talk about something blue. She went from large floral lapel ornaments to large feather headdresses. This Lola…we love!

Her dress is regal yet quirky enough to fit her character. The floral diamond brooch is a great touch to her gown. The cathedral length veil will surely be a dramatic part to the whole ensemble. Give me another "Cosmo" missy because I am just crazy in love with this look.

-Percy

Photo: Gardiner Anderson/Steve Sands/Bauer-Griffin, INFdaily.com

Unique Sitdown Dinner Option

I am dying to throw a rehearsal dinner or intimate dinner for 24 on this contraption. Whomever came up with this is a total visionary. So okay, they might not know how to make this world a better place to live in, but they sure know how to throw a unique dining experience. This will definitely transform any meal into a memorable event.

Dinner in the Sky will elevate you and your guests 50 meters (about 164 feet) above the earth. You are served a full course meal while looking at the amazing views. The only thing: if you have to use the bathroom, you have to wait until you get back on the ground.

Unfortunately Dinner in the Sky is currently only available in parts of Europe, Dubai and South Africa. There is talk that they will soon be in Florida and the Grand Canyon, but nothing new has surfaced about those locations. How crazy would it be to eat over the Grand Canyon? Anyway there's hope that one of my clients will want to explore this unique albeit pricey opportunity. If it happens, I will post the photos, but for now you can go to the Dinner in the Sky website, http://www.dinnerinthesky.com/, to enjoy photos and videos of this dining experience.

-Percy

Photo from Dinner in the Sky

Designer Wear for the Groom

Who said grooms can't be fashionable? It's long been known that the wedding day is the bride's day, but why can't it be the groom's day too? Designers are now designing for the groom and giving black tie a little kick into the new millennium.

The following was in the May 2008 issue of Details magazine (Ashton Kutcher cover).

The powder blue shirt under this classic black really sets off the tone. Classic not boring. It offers an alternative to the "color matching" of ties to bridesmaid dresses. Simply a nice twist, especially for the summer. Tuxedo and shirt by Prada. Bow tie by Brooks Brothers.

The khaki suit has become a staple in the last few years especially for beach-side weddings. But a khaki tuxedo with peak lapels and tab-front pants - who would have thought?

This khaki tuxedo really gives "afternoon delight" a new meaning. What groom would not feel totally stylish in this on the beach, wearing some great sandals?

This piece of heaven gives a little formality to the khaki suit. Remember, just like white shoes - do not wear until after Memorial Day. Tuxedo by Calvin Klein. Shirt by Brioni.

Need a bolder statement? How about taking the color and letting it shine outwardly? Far gone are the powder blue tuxedos but this pale pink one will make you want to say, "I DO!" A debonair look to the classic rat pack. All you need is a cigar and a brandy. A total throw back to 1940's Hollywood with a little color flair. Perfect for that estate wedding of your dreams. Tuxedo jacket, shirt, and pants by Michael Bastian. Shoes by Church's.

So all you male fashionista's out there...don't just settle on your wedding day threads, because designers are starting to cater to you on your special day as well.

-Percy

Photos by Erik Swain