Trashing the dress? Trashy.

We were just asked what we think about this new phenomenon of "trashing the dress". First of all let me just say that I hope this picture is a Photoshop miracle and not some crazy fireproof bride. Anyway, for those not familiar, "Trashing the dress" in something new that brides are doing, where they destroy their wedding dress after the wedding to obtain a cool picture. Here is my view:
I don't like it. I say there are 2 ways to go after the wedding. Go traditional, keep the dress, love the dress, stare at it, whatever. These are the people who want to hold on to that day forever and it serves as a memory. The other half who doesn't care about tradition, the people who would consider a photoshoot like this, I say to you, SELL your dress! Make some money back on that expensive purchase and make some other bride who can't afford brand new, very happy. I recommend Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses.

I completely agree with the post on WeddingBee from Mrs. Peppermint. There is no good symbolism that comes from trashing your dress. It seems like it would be something you may do if you found your husband making out with his secretary. But I can't see why you would do this just for a unique picture. Well that's my point of view. What do you all think?

Hooray for Gray!

It's finally catching on. Jcrew has added a slew of new bridesmaid dresses and colors and for the fall they have included GRAY as a selection! I am so very happy. Here is a little inspiration. You are going to start to see gray events mixed with pops of color everywhere. As my fab graphic design friend Pat said, "gray is totally the new brown." Here is some inspiration. Shoes and dress are from Jcrew and bag is Forever21 (gotta keep it affordable for your ladies!).

Oh, P.S. the rest of the colors follow the Pantone post I had weeks ago almost to a T. Check it out!

Bridesmaids with style

So you're about to pick the dress for your bridesmaids. You want them to look chic, stylish and beautiful. You also want them all in the same dress. OK. Done. But please, listen to me closely. Stop there. Don't force the shoes, don't force the hair, don't force the jewelry. 1) they are not robots 2) it won't look as stylish 3) they may not be your friends anymore after your wedding. People are afraid that if they don't insist on every detail and accessory, they won't look good. I'm here to show you how it can be done. One service SocialDesign offers is wardrobe styling. (Lyndsi was a menswear consultant for Neimans). But if you're doing it on your own. Give your girls a color range, pick one dress and let them have fun with the rest. Here I chose brown, red and gold. Everything is either from Jcrew or Forever21. Oh, those awesome shoe clips in the 2nd pic are from Absolutely Audrey. Cheap and good!

Secret Time...

OK Ladies, here is one of the biggest secrets in this wedding industry and probably the last thing some of you will want to hear. Bridesmaid dress companies are THE biggest rip off this side of theknot's "store". I'm serious girls, hear me out. These companies get away with manufacturing the worst quality clothing at horrific prices. And the reason the get away with it is because of brides who like the color selection they provide. This is a terribly old fashioned idea, pre-internet where you couldn't browse through 100's of dresses from home. Do yourself a huge favor. If you are having a warm weather wedding, look online now for dresses from your favorite retailers. They are all on sale and you will do your girls a huge favor. They can get a designer dress, of your choice (color, style, the whole thing...) that they can alter just as well as a regular bridesmaid dress, save some money and YOU will look better for having a chic wedding when you tell people "Oh, they are all Marc Jacobs". Trust me on this one girls! All the dresses listed here cost less than a standard BM dress and they are all from Neimans.

top to bottom left to right

Milly Cherry print on sale for $210.00

Nanette Lepore Strapless on sale for $156.00 (I heart this one so!)

Ya Ya Alfalo on sale for $231.00

Kay Unger on sale for $258.00

Reader Mailbag!

We have a doozy of a post today in honor of our very first reader request. Here it is:

Hi Amanda and Lyndsi!

I absolutely love your blog. I'm going to be a short dress bride and was wondering if you could give me some inspiration or have any chic ideas since I'm not crazy about what I have seen so far...Great job and thanks!Luz Andrea

Well Andrea, we like to consider ourselves fairly good in the world of fashion as well. Lyndsi was a personal stylist with Neiman Marcus back in the day and I just love clothes. So we certainly did our research for you!

Now when I think short dress for a wedding I think totally bold, chic and amazing. I also think vintage! These first set of dresses are from my favorite vintage site Vintageous. The key with this site is getting to it early because they sell out. These are probably already sold out but they update weekly! Please please please tell us you will wear a birdcage veil! These are also all incredibly cheap as well, most under 200.

Here we have the few from traditional bridal designers. From left to right is Melissa Sweet (my fave), Romona Keveza and Claire Pettibone.

These are selections from major retailers, Neiman Marcus and Saks. From left to right, top to bottom, Teri Jon, Carmen Marc Valvo, Kay Unger and Temperley London,

Last but not least (my fave in fact!) is my good friend Deb who had a destination wedding and changed into this fab number for the reception. She had this custom made from a picture she found. She took it to a dress maker and had it made to fit her perfectly. Couture!

Stunning dresses!

OK I confess...I still stare at wedding dresses and wish I could wear one again. I sold mine after my wedding, which made my husband happy and me sad. I totally would have worn it around the city at 2pm on a Sunday. Totally. Anyway, these dresses make me extra sad because I ADORE them. How cute are these 3 below? Especially this Amsale one with the belt because it's so different from the dress that I had. (Sigh...) Enjoy.