Category: Fashion

It’s a shame, really. All that time, effort and money spent on finding the wedding dress, and you really only ever wear it the one time. Fashion designer Hanna Hartnell of HARTNELL Santa Monica feels you, and has come up with an ingenious solution—the Double Dare Gown.

Even some of the best designers can have an off day. A few of the wedding dresses that premiered at the 2009 “Wedding Week” in New York certainly looked like their creator was either PMSd, drunk or filled with delusions of grandeur.

You’ve done it—found “the dress.” Now it’s time to pull the rest of your look together. Before you proceed, it is useful to identify which shade of white your dress really is. (This article should help.) Then you can begin to add the finishing touches like jewelry, shoes, and hair accessories.

Did you see the article in the New York Times about pre-owned wedding dresses? I wouldn’t have either, if it wasn’t for my colleague Jennifer who forwarded the link to me. Anyway, the upshot is that while it’s still “all about the dress,” many brides are watching their budget and shopping for gently used or bought-but-never-used wedding gowns. Not only does this save money, but eco-conscious brides are doing their part in the “reuse, recycle…” mantra.

A short dress can have a life after the wedding, and it’s also a perfect second-wedding choice.

The teachers at TWU are top Bay Area event professionals, many of them Certified By The Guide. With their expert advice, you’ll learn how to set up a realistic wedding budget, get inspired by the latest trends in wedding decor, and learn practical tips for saving money on your wedding. This is a fantastic opportunity for couples to get up close and personal with some of the best event pros in the wedding industry. Because class sizes are small, you’ll have time to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge on wedding planning.

Forget dainty and delicate—today’s jewelry is getting larger, with fresh combos and bold new presentations. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store for the year ahead:

As Maid of Honor at my best friend’s wedding, I carried a Japanese parasol instead of the usual bridesmaid bouquet. I really loved this idea, because the bride was able to save money on her flowers and parasols look great in pictures. On top of that, it was a hot September day in Sacramento and these refreshing accessories provided a nice shield from the sun.