Category: Fashion

My colleague Denise Auerbach dished with me about the successful wedding of a friend of hers—we’ll call her Debi—at the stunning Viansa Winery. “It was the second place I visited when I was planning the wedding,” reveals Debi, “and I knew right away it was perfect.”

You’re a stand up gal. In fact, you’ve literally “stood up” for virtually all your friends as bridesmaid or the ever-coveted Maid of Honor. If you have a closet full of bridesmaid dresses that rivals Katherine Heigl’s character’s collection in 27 Dresses, do we have a feel-good project for you! First step? Admitting you will never wear that frothy yellow chiffon number again. Face facts—it’s not like you’re going to another homecoming or prom anytime soon. But some girl somewhere is going to prom, and she needs a dress.

Calling all Southern California brides-to-be: what would you do for a Vera Wang wedding dress priced under $1000? What about a vampy Monique Lhuillier creation or a classic Carolina Herrera? If I’ve piqued your interest, clear your calendar on April 5 and 6.

Haute Bride is known across the nation for their stylish wedding accessories—including jewelry, tiaras, hair ornaments, necklaces and veils; lucky Northern California brides can browse these glittering embellishments in person at Haute Bride’s cute Union Street salon.

During wedding season (like, now!) there are more opportunities than ever to meet with designers themselves or their skilled representatives for your personal wedding gown consultation. At a Trunk Show, designers bring their entire current collection to a salon…in trunks! During your private appointment, you’ll get valuable suggestions, and possibly even custom design changes to the wedding gowns. Salons often provide price incentives on wedding dresses purchased during the Trunk Show. Wedding accessories, veils and headpieces also have their own Trunk Shows, so even if you already have your wedding dress, there’s always room for a tiara or bracelet in your closet!

Some years the wedding fashion trends tell us to add colored ribbons to our white gowns, and other years big flowers or poufs are all the rage. The 2008 wedding dress runway buzz is all about the Return of the Sleeve. For years, strapless wedding gowns have ruled the wedding aisle. And why not? They’re sexy, chic and glam, and are the perfect excuse to accessorize with faux fur or wispy shawls

Hanna Hartnell, wedding dress and formal-wear fashion designer extraordinaire, has cooked up six red-hot gowns to fit the bill. Her special collection of attention-grabbing hues range from a deep rose to rich merlot. Hartnell, who is working with the Red Cross to help make the event a big success, is also donating a $3000 gown for their live auction.

I’m particularly impressed with the collections Bridal Bliss is offering the Bay Area’s discriminating brides. One of my favorite designers, Kirstie Kelly for Disney’s Fairytale Weddings, takes brides from princess to free-spirited heroine with an unerring sense of feminine fashion. But Bridal Bliss also introduced me to some new, cutting-edge designers: Have you ever seen the exquisite creations of Sophia Tolli? I love the figure-enhancing cut of the bodices and skirts, and the eye-catching use of color details and embellishments are welcome grace notes in the usual parade of white. The high-fashion glamour of Ahnna B is another pleasant surprise—her collections include Vintage Glamour, The Romantics, and Modern Traditions—in other words, something for every woman.