Trending 2013 Body Veils

I've seen several blog posts referring to "body veils" that were featured at Bridal Market.  Below are two Reem Acura's gowns with removable veils "coverings" that encase the body. Cover the body for a modest, traditional look and change your look for the reception. What do you think of this trend?

Reem Acura

Reem Acura

Reem Acura

Luxury Bridal Collection for Girls

Dameselfly is a great website for luxury bridal clothing collection for girls. These are the cutest dresses that I have seen made with the finest fabrics - silk chiffon, silk tulle made by hand so each piece is unique. Make sure you check out their bridal collection - swoon!

Silk Chiffon Ombre-Dyed Feather Dress

Silk Organza Emma Dress

Celebrity Wedding - Jade Jagger

Jade Jagger and Adrian Fillary walked down the aisle this summer at a luxury European hotel in Cotswolds. Jade designed her gown that was understated chic. She is a jewelry designer so I really expected a little more jewelry. Her dad Mick Jagger looked dapper in a lavender pinstriped suite and her mom Bianca, a former model decided to stick with a traditional look. Jade's two teenage daughters served as bridesmaids. Cute couple.

Cuff Couture

When they say you can find anything on the Internet, it is so true. Cuff Couture is a trendy fashion accessory. Leave that bag at home and carry everything you need in the cuff from id, cash, credit cards, lip gloss, keys and more. The product was worn by fashionista Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Awards (luv those shoes Carrie). Yep, I could see this as a chic wedding accessory.

Cuff Couture w/Flower emblishment

Wedding Cuff Couture

Carrie Underwood in Cuff Couture

Wedding Renderings

I love seeing ideas go from paper sketches to reality. Here are a few hand rendering made for my client from Savannah florist Amy Harvey Design and Custom Cakes. The couple stood under the floral chandelier wreath during the ceremony. Don't be afraid to sketch out a design even if you aren't a Rembrandt. Visual renderings leave nothing to the imagination and determine how far you can push the limits. Photos by Donna Van Buren.

Floral Chandelier Wreath

One of the three wedding centerpieces 

Cake and cupcake tower

Cake and cupcake renderings

New Venue Alert - Ashton Gardens Atlanta

Ashton Gardens is coming to the ATL or should I say Sugarhill, Georgia! The venue has sites in the Dallas/Fort Worth and the Houston area. Now they are in pre-construction and the Sugarhill location will be a replica of Dallas. The chapel is filled with windows, natural sunlight and there are two large ballrooms with on-site catering. Great addition to the Atlanta market.

Carmel Mini Apples

This is such a cute idea - trying to find me some mini apples. Check out the tutorial Allyson Baker Design's Day to Day Wonderments Blog. Yummy idea for my next dessert table.

How to Make a Veil for a Bachelorette Party

Here's a great DIY project for a bachelorette party or even a bride. I walk you step-by-step through this hands on project of making a birdcage bridal veil. It is very easy to make. I had so much fun making this series of videos for eHow as a wedding expert.

How to Make a Veil for a Bachelorette Party -- powered by ehow

Top Hat - Wedding Style

Have you ever thought about wearing a wedding hat instead of a veil? Well, if you could wear a pleated hat like this - who wouldn't. I love everything about this hat! Don't be afraid to rock your personal style on your wedding day with a bowler, cloche, fascinator or top hat. The possibilities are endless.

Really loving this nail color wore by our First Lady, Michelle Obama and according to the Wall Street Journal it is a hit! The brand is stocked by salons because it requires a UV light source for drying. But after the high-demand, I'm sure we will be seeing this lavender grey color at local beauty stores soon.

A Wall Street Journal reporter has confirmed that the nail polish is Artistic Colour Gloss Soak Off Color Gel in "Vogue." Artistic Nail Design's U.S. headquarters has been flooded with requests from salons interested in stocking this color. 

Artistic Colour Gloss Soak Off Color Gel - Vogue

Would you pay $34,000 for a Pinna Tornal Wedding dress?

Would you pay $34,000 for a runway, one of a kind Pinna Tornal wedding dress? Well, this bride did on Say Yes to the Dress Season 7. Bride Kelly Dooley wanted a one of a kind dress. She saw the Pinna Tornal dress at a runway show that she knew would be the dress of her dreams. I watched the entire episode and was blown away by her over the top Los Angeles wedding. Her mother gave her an unlimited budget, I could only wish for a fairy Godmother with a big purse.

Kelly in her dream dress

Runway Pinna Tornal Dress

Let's Do Coffee Cards

Why text when you can write a personalize note on these cute cards? Just pick out your favorite - let's do lunch, let's do ice cream or let's do cocktails! Leave a calling card to make it an official date. Head over to the Eat Drink Chic website to download your free cards.

Just add Coffee

Let's do Coffee, Ice Cream or Cocktails

Just add the date

A Spelhouse Love - Engagement

A Spelhouse Love is like no other love! It is always a pleasure to work with my Spelman sisters and Morehouse brothers and Dr. Jason and Charli were no exception. Not only are they best friends, but to see a couple so in love is rare. Check out their engagement photos taken by Cayce Callaway Photographer at Spelman College, Morehouse College and Millennium Gate (where it all began). Pictures of their fab wedding coming up soon.

Spelman College

A Spelhouse Love

Morehouse College

Millennium Gate

Fashion Week - Halle Berry

It is Fashion Week in New York and I'm spending so much of my time checking out lifestyle blogs when I came across these pixs of Halle Berry at the Cloud Atlas premier in Toronto. Well, I have to say Ms. Berry is killing the fashion game in this Roberto Cavalli pantsuit.  I remember walking pass her at the mall and thinking to myself OMG what a gorgeous woman. It wasn't until after I passed her that I realized who she was and I mean to tell you pictures don't do her justice - she is stunning. And, that pantsuit - two thumbs up Ms. Berry.

Re-use your Aisle Runner

While brainstorming with my fashionista bride Tene about her aisle runner for her wedding, we decided to reuse her custom runner from Original Aisle Runner.  So, after the wedding, I cut the runner but I made sure to include the part with the couple's wedding name/date. The runner was placed on a table with their broom and a note for guests instructing them to write their best wishes. The bride later framed the piece as a reminder of their special day. Photographer, Donna Van Buren captured all of the wedding pictures at the Mansion on Forsyth Park.

Alternative Guest Book

Real Wedding - Merci & Matt

I'm slowing getting up all of my weddings for this year, so stay tuned for more Real Weddings by Gail Johnson Weddings and Events. Merci and Matt were married this summer at Callenwolde Arts Center. The venue is a historic house that is full of charm and character. The couple picked a black, white and red theme for their color palette. I'm seeing a lot of black and white weddings this year. Floral Design were provided by the talented Ciao Bella, photos by the fab Melissa Prosser, dress from the ladies at Sweet Elegance Bridal, cake by and DJ Tron rocked the reception.

Bride heads down the staircase and down the aisle

Mr. & Mrs

The couple take time out for a kiss

Black accessories dressed the table

Reception area included black/white dance floor, draping and chandelier

A girl can never have enough bling

Painted Bird Alternative Shoes - Bridesmaids

Looking for an alternative bridesmaid's gift, well look no further than Painted Bird website. Forget the flip-flops and order a pair of these adorable crochet shoes that are available in various color combinations. "They are artisan crafted, hand crocheted shoes resulting in a product that is altogether exquisite and unique as well as incredibly comfortable." Perfect for a destination beach wedding too!

The colors combos are amazing

Great travel shoes

So cute!