Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Wedding Movies We Love

Don't you just love wedding movies? The dresses, the romance, the drama! Next time you're in the mood to watch a chick flick, check out our list of favorite wedding movies and indulge yourself.

Father of the Bride (starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, & Kimberly Williams-Paisley, 1991). LOVE the custom-made sneakers under the wedding dress!





My Big Fat Greek Wedding (starring Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, 2002). One of my favorite romantic quotes came from this movie: "I came alive when I met you." Sigh...





27 Dresses (starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden, 2008). Who doesn't love the scene where Jane (Heigl's character) tries on every one of her ridiculous bridesmaid dresses?!





My Best Friend's Wedding (starring Julia Roberts, Durmot Mulroney, and Rupert Everett, 1997). "Each morning I wake up... Before I put on my makeup... I say a little prayer for you!" Enough said.




The Wedding Singer (starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, 1998). Can't go wrong with an '80s style Adam Sandler singing his heart out to Billy Idol and Madonna.




Wedding Crashers (starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, 2005). While not the most romantic of wedding movies, I can't resist these guys as they charm the pants (and dresses) off everyone in sight!




The Wedding Planner (starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, 2001). I think the Tango scene is my favorite! That Matthew McConaughey can dance.





Bride Wars (starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, 2009). These girls take the term "bridezilla" to a whole new - and hilarious - level.





Made of Honor (starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, 2008). I'll watch "McDreamy" battle it out for true love against a handsome Scottish bloke anytime.





Runaway Bride (starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, 1999). If disarmingly handsome Richard Gere can't convince Julia Roberts's character to get married, it must not be humanly possible.




(Images, imdb.com)
Is there a wedding movie you love that we left out? Let us know in the comments!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

How to Avoid Creating Bridesmaid-zillas

Your bridesmaids are the friends that have always been there for you, helping you through everything. One thing you want to avoid while planning your wedding is making your bridesmaids feel unappreciated. So, here are a few ways to let your bridesmaids know you love them.

-Compromise on their dresses. You may want your bridesmaids to match, but don't forget that each woman has a unique body. One popular idea is to select a color and fabric from a store or designer, then let your bridesmaids select the cut that looks best on her. J.Crew, the Dessy Group, and David's Bridal are just a few places that offer this option.

-Don't make them spend an arm and a leg. As many of you know, there are a lot of expenses to being a bridesmaid. Try to help out where you can, like telling your maids that they don't have to get you an expensive wedding gift. Or, use websites like kayak.com to help them save money on travel expenses.

-Give personal bridesmaid gifts. Do you have one bridesmaid loves spa treatments while another won't go anywhere without a book in her purse? Giving each bridesmaid a small gift that suits her personality (a gift certificate to a spa, or the latest bestseller by her fave author) will let her know how much you appreciate her.

Your wedding is certainly a time where you'll need your friends more than ever. Don't forget to let each bridesmaid know that first and foremost, she's your friend.

Friday, January 15, 2010

More Pics: Abby + Rafik!

Even though Abby + Rafik are almost three months happily married, I feel the need to share more pictures from their wedding day.

{Source of all pictures in this post from Lemongrass Photography's amazing blog!}



Above: Abby + Rafik had an Egyptian Coptic wedding ceremony, which was extremely beautiful and full of cultural traditions.



Above: The couple's reception was held at the Indianapolis Zoo's Dolphin Gallery, which was the perfect setting for Abby + Rafik's peacock color palette! Floral design was done by Posh Petals, who were amazingly creative and fun to work with. Abby decided florals was a "splurge" item, so we really went all-out with centerpieces! Catering and linens were provided by Centerplate Catering.



Above: Abby + Rafik's beautiful cake was created by Classic Cakes. I love how there was no need for a cake topper because the top layer was shaped like a pretty, blooming rose.



Above: Another highlight of the night (in addition to the dolphin show, live animal greeting and photobooth) was Erica Dominguez's flamenco performance. Rafik and Abby went on a trip to Spain when they were dating and fell in love with flamenco music and dancing, and Abby surprised Rafik by hiring FlamencOle! to perform. It was a blast. Erica is a fabulous performer and involved all of the guests.



Above: One last picture that perfectly captures the love between Abby + Rafik... It was such a pleasure working with them and helping them plan their amazing wedding day.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Styling an 'Old Hollywood' Wedding

Getting married, and need a little inspiration? Bustle Event Design is here to help. At least once a month, we're going to discuss an inspiration or theme for a wedding or event, and offer some ideas to help you with the details. First up: an "old hollywood" themed wedding.

The dress: Here's an incredibly glamorous dress from designer Elizabeth Fillmore.

The draped neckline is beautiful, the silhouette is sexy without being overbearingly so, and the ruffles down the back of the dress give it just the right amount of romance. Add some chandelier earrings, red lipstick, and you're set.

The hair: Charlize Theron's Hollywood waves would be an excellent complement to a dress like the one shown above. InStyle.com even gives you the how-to! If you've got longer hair, gentle waves and a faux bob might be a perfect 'do.

Color scheme: First find something to use as an inspiration piece. For an "old Hollywood" theme, keep it simple and classic. If you're stuck, browse around a fabric store and ask for swatches of fabrics you like. Black and white with hints of red, silver, or gold can create plenty of drama if executed correctly.
Other details: Deep red roses, white gardenias, or calla lilies would be an excellent bouquet choice for both you and your bridesmaids. For centerpieces, something structural would not only save you money, but they'd also give your reception some extra glam. Check out this amazing tableware from Juliska:

You could copy this look on the cheap, using old tableware found at yard sales and spray-painting them black. Adding white candles would look lovely, or filling the different-sized bowls with decorative mirrored balls would be fun too. Then, with your wedding guests dressed to the nines and sipping champagne, your wedding and reception will get rave reviews!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Keeping Warm at Your Winter Wedding

If you're a winter bride, one dilemma you may be facing is how to keep warm in a stylish way, while not compromising your dream dress. Here are some options for staying warm and chic at the same time.

This lovely cape from House of Brides is adorable.
Your dress still shows beneath it and as a bonus, it's super easy to put on and take off.

Here is a mink jacket by designer Amanda Wakeley that is just gorgeous.
While a bit more revealing than the first option, this high quality cropped jacket would definitely put you in the spotlight.

Take a look at this amazing full-length coat from Vera Wang.
(Source)
This designer look is obviously quite expensive, I can't help but imagine how elegant it would look, both indoors and out.

All of these looks are so great, you might find yourself wanting to keep them on, even when you get inside!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Going to a New Year's Eve Wedding

As the guest of an upcoming New Year's Eve wedding, I have to say I'm excited to see what's in store for the event. Here's what I'm doing to prepare:

*Before skipping town, I'm getting a mani-pedi in my new favorite shade, Dark Room.

*I wish I was wearing these shoes. Reality check: I'm wearing these shoes. Still cute, right?!

*The attire is black tie optional, so of course I'm getting all dolled up in something with a little shimmer.

*I'm staying at a boutique hotel, so I'm ready to feel pampered.

*As a wedding gift, I'm bringing these champagne flutes off the couple's gift registry. Très chic!

The reception is at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, featuring an evening of jazz music, hors d'oeuvres, old-fashioned sodas, ice cream, wedding cake, and of course, a champagne toast at midnight. Sounds classy! What are you doing to celebrate New Year's Eve? Whatever you do, have fun and be safe!!

Top Gifts for the Bride-to-Be

As most 2009 holidays are now behind us, we're guessing you put your gift lists to bed weeks ago. Just in case you're giving any belated holiday presents, or know a bride with an upcoming winter birthday, here are a few great gifts received by some of our engaged friends.

1) A name-changing kit. MissNowMrs.com is a website specializing in making name changing a breeze. You can find other kits on Amazon.com too. For around $30, that gift won't burn a hole in your wallet either.

2) A tote bag, bathrobe, or a makeup bag featuring her new monogram. Depending on her style, Neiman Marcus, L.L. Bean, or specialty retailers offer great options for monogramming practically anything. Check out these adorable cosmetic bags from beau-coup.com:
One bride-to-be we know is giving these to each of her bridesmaids as part of their bridesmaid gifts. Genius!

3) One friend and her fiancé received some cool artwork. Landmark photos are one popular gift idea, sold online or at specialty boutiques.
Isn't that sweet?

Another creative gift idea we heard about was a gift basket containing a few chick flick DVDs, popcorn, and coupons for a girls' night in. And when in doubt, a gift off her registry or a gift card to a store she likes are also sure-fire winners.