Save the Veil is a set of 6 magnetic veil weights, in either Mother of Pearl or Swarovski Crystal (oval or round), that simply hold your veil in place. It’s simple and genius!

Happy Planning from your Tucson Wedding Blog! 

Kelly

We start with the Bridal Collection. This strapless taffeta beauty with 3D embroidery is feminine and princess-y

This dress is the most wearable in the collection since it’s features an empire waist cut on the bias

This mermaid dress is my favorite- it seems rather architectural

This elegant strapless satin corset gown with a v-neck overlay and pretty matching sash is ethereal

The lace in this gown makes it a classic while the belt adds a modern touch

All of the Bridesmaids dresses can be found at David’s Bridal as well and are under $200. This one is super chic with it’s navy tone and slim silhouette

Love the modern detailed belt on this frock

This is the prettiest dress!

See more at David’s Bridal- you can find your gown, the bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories all from Vera Wang’s White Collection there

Here’s the reality of trying on dresses: expect that the shop will not have your exact size sample in the store and be ready to improvise!

The Abaco gown from Pronovias is  truly beautiful. The slightly off the shoulder look is feminine and the flowy fabric evokes a goddess vibe.

For a little vavoom, try the Alice gown from Pronovias. The v-neckline is great for bust enhancement and the mermaid shape highlights those gorgeous curves!

Oooh! The Fortuna’s staggered neckline (on the mannequin) is really unique and of course the layered ruffles are very current. Our model is wearing the Alcanar, a beautiful A-line gown with a soft sweetheart neckline. The hairpiece is something we are seeing a lot of. Don’t let it scare you- bring a friend along and experiment with accessories.

(All images above: Chris Richards Photography assisted by Shaun Roby; Gowns: Pronovias; Location/Accessories: Gigi Bridal Boutique; Hair and Makeup: Martina Neal, Artisan Salon;

And from a different shoot, this sweet ruffly dress is so versatile- you can glam it up with traditional accessories or add your own style as our model did, and wear cowboy boots. Notice the hairpiece? No kidding, they are hot these days!

(Image: Ted Hewitt Photography, Dress: Alfred Angelo, Bouquet: Villa Feliz Flowers, Jewelry: Skyline Gallery, Hair/Makeup: Martina Neal, Artisan Salon, Location: Tanque Verde Ranch)

Guillian Bon, owner of Gigi Bridal Boutique shares her best dress shopping tips with us:

1. Do your research. Study bridal magazines, books and websites to learn about fabrics and silhouettes so you can better convey what you are looking for. Clip pictures of gowns or details that you like and take it with you when you shop.

2. Make an appointment. When you are ready to start gown shopping and want proper attention, decide where you want to go and call ahead and visit their website. Don’t visit more than two salons per day; it can be exhausting, confusing and overwhelming. Take anything you know you want to wear the day of, such as a special accessory, veil or undergarments. You will also need the advice of people you trust, but don’t take too many. Invite one or two people, an opinionated crowd can be confusing and frustrating.

3. Location, location, location.Knowing the place and time of your wedding will help narrow the search. The gown you choose also helps you refine the details of your wedding. Is it a casual or formal event? Day or evening? Indoors or outdoors?

As a bride, choosing your dress is a big moment and you want to get it right. Think in terms of longevity- what will you think about your pictures in 10 years? Will you regret the wonky multi-colored dress you went out on a limb with or will you feel like your choice was a solidly classic dress? When considering dresses, we do not advocate making a “boring” choice, but know who you are as you set out to purchase your wedding gown.

Happy Shopping Readers!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

The lovely couple:

Kayla had her florist wrap her bouquet in her mother’s wedding hankerchief and used her great-grandmother’s cameo to adorn it

There was a lot of sparkle used for this winter wedding- you will see the shoes, cake, and decor all enhanced by a touch of shine!

I am completely in love with the girls’ dresses and bouquets

Kayla and Skylar had a sweet wishing tree at the reception where guests could leave a wish for the couple and take a wish that was written by Kayla and Skylar. They were inspired by Tucson’s holiday wishing tree where Tucson residents gather to share messages of hope and love; it’s also where Skylar proposed to Kayla!

Did you spot the sparkle in the cake? I love how it looks like snow!

I got in touch with the newlyweds to get their post-wedding thoughts- here’s what they have to say:

KG: Now that you have had some time to reflect on your wedding, what is your favorite memory from the day?

KC: My favorite memory from the day of the wedding was walking down the aisle and driving away together after the reception and knowing we can finally be alone and fully together.

KG: What was the smartest planning decision you made?

KC: The smartest planning decision I made was to remind myself that when I got caught up on stressing over the details, ultimately it is about us coming together. I then could think about how I wanted it exemplified and what was most meaningful.

KG: Did you go on a Honeymoon?

KC: For our honeymoon, we went to Costa Rica!! We found a rockin’ deal online and decided to take a leap of faith and book it! I HIGHLY recommend the website travelzoo.com and subscribing to their “Top 20″ email list. They send you the best deals on hotels, flights, and cruises. Very awesome.

KG: Now that your day has come and gone, what advice would you offer brides-to-be as far as planning, stress management, enjoying the wedding day, etc.

KC: The advice I would offer brides-to-be is to know that no matter what, your day will be special because you are starting forever with the love of your life. I would also say to let your mother be involved. Just like us brides dream about our future wedding for a very long time, being a part of your wedding is a mother’s dream as well. Your wedding is about a culmination of people who love you wanting to join together and celebrate this new stage in your life. Invite old family friends, your parents friends, and your friends. Everyone loves you and wants to be involved!

KG: Tell us what you love best about being married!

KC: What I love best about being married is getting to spend all my free time with the man I love. I also love getting to know more about him and find out all his cute quirks!

Congratulations Kayla and Skylar and thank you for sharing your very special day with us!

Kayla & Skylar Jan. 15, 2011 from W. Ashley Maddox on Vimeo.

Kayla and Skylar’s Real Wedding Team:

Ceremony Site: Casas Adobes Baptist Church

Reception Site: Skyline Country Club

Photographer: Jen Disney

Bridal Gown Store: Rose Petal Bridal Fashions

Bridesmaids Dresses: Christie’s

Tuxedos: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal Shop

Florist: Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers

Videographer: Ashley Maddox

Invitations: A Fine Line Stationery and Gift Boutique

Caterer: Skyline Country Club

Cake: Carriesmatic Cakes

DJ: Double Play DJ

Make-up Artist: Lynette Rasco, Toni and Guy

Officiant: Winston Maddox

Rentals: Pro Em Party Concepts

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this photoshoot, which took place at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, was a team effort; Villa Feliz Flowers worked closely with Tucson Party Rentals, A Fine Line Stationery and Gift Boutique, Gigi Bridal, Something Blue Photography and Beyond Video to bring these pretties to you today. Now, Let’s explore some fresh floral designs!

Mixing succulents with roses will give you a modern and classic feel

You can also mix more natural or botanical types of foliage with classic wedding flowers to showcase your personal style

The grounds at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort have so many opportunities for decorating- this mix of chile pods and succulents is unexpected and adds interest to your wedding design

Tequila has made it’s case for the spotlight at weddings (read more about tequila and weddings here)

Although the florals in this creamy bouquet have the same tone, it is far from boring due to the variety of textures

Don’t overlook an opportunity like a mantle to decorate- your wedding design will feel more complete if you address all the different spaces at your venue

And of course, for more insights from the team, watch this video from Beyond Video:

Behind the scenes at Tucson Bride & Groom Magazine~ “Organic Chemistry” from Beyond Video on Vimeo.

Thank you to everyone who came together to create such beautiful floral inspiration!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

We took a virtual vacation to France for our latest covershoot and the result exceeded our sweet dreams! Look at our gorgeous new cover:

Can you see why we are doing a happy dance? This shoot was decadent, fun, flirty and romantic. Every person on the set brought their A-game that day and we can’t thank them enough for participating in the creation of one of our most favorite shoots to date.  There are so many beautiful inspirations in the magazine and I can’t wait to share them with you right here!

Here are a few pictures of the crew working hard:

As I write this blog post, Gigi Boutique owner Guillian is in Barcelona for the Pronovias 2012 Collection Debut and I am sure she will come back to AZ full with some amazing stuff. Pronovias is a powerhouse in the dress world and their wedding gowns have been coveted by beautiful brides world-wide.  Tucson gals, luckily you have Gigi Bridal Boutique,  the ONLY Tucson shop to carry the prestigious Pronovias line.

Here’s what Guillian has to say about Pronovias: 

Pronovias is the leading bridal house in the world. They have a flawless reputation; they are creative, innovative and sophisticated. One of the best characteristics is their superb craftsmanship and their attention to detail. I wanted to carry this line because of their sense of tradition. They really strive to be modern but at the same time they remain timeless.

Brides should expect a fabulous gown made of high quality materials with impeccable construction. I can also say with confidence that their lace work has no comparison. 

Here’s my Q and A with Guillian:

KG: What are some of your favorite Pronovias gowns?

GB: They are all my favorites, but if I have to pick I would say Alcanar for its timeless and dreamy look. Alga for its drama and exceptional skirt detail.

Ferma for its architectural elements. Abaco for its easiness and versatility.

And, Fontana for its edginess and editorial feel.

KG: What is the Gigi Bridal Boutique experience and what sets you apart from other bridal shops?

GB: Personalized Service and Premium Brands in a Pleasantly Sophisticated setting. We want to make a Bride’s experience effortless and enjoyable so they can focus on choosing the most unforgettable gown they will wear. We carefully select the gowns we have, which are truly a representation of the entire collection.

KG: What trend(s) in bridal gowns are you seeing for late 2011/2012 dresses?

GB: I see a lot of texture in the gowns, which makes the look softer and hence more romantic. We are excited to go to Barcelona this May to see firsthand the 2012 collections for Pronovias. So far, there is a lot of inspiration drawn from ballerinas, derived from the movie Black Swan. Another major event is the Royal wedding. I think that Princess Catherine’s look will be a big influence as well.

See you at Gigi Bridal Boutique readers!

Chatting Soon~ Kelly

Gigi Bridal Boutique Location and Details:

Plaza Palomino ~ 2920 N. Swan Rd, 118 ~ Tucson, AZ 85712

PH. 520.777.7747 ~ Email. info@gigibridal.com

By Appointment or Mon-Sat 11am to 5pm

Clockwise from top left: (purse) Cory Renee via Etsy; (bouquet) Hollye Schumacher Photography; (lipstick) Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in Honeysuckle; (dress) Dessy/After Six Collections; (cake) Hollye Schumacher Photography; (invitation) Tenuto Photo; (lip palette) Carli Windsor Custom Favors

More pretties in Honeysuckle for a more subdued palette:

Photography courtesy of  (L-R): Patrick Grimes Photography/ Elaine Taylor Fine Flowers, Ted Hewitt Photography)

Take note pink lovers, make-up with a color like honeysuckle needs to be carefully considered. The wrong pink, too much pink, it can all be a mess. Luckily, Martina Neal from Artisan Salon has shared some beauty tips with us that will work with honeysuckle should you choose to use this pretty shade in your wedding.

As glamour blossoms on the aisle, makeup colors are inspired by shades and elements found in nature. Light luminous greens with a hint of mint, pale lemon and soft violets for eye colors as well as washes of muted taupes are paired with the a pop of color on the lips are creating a stunning “new natural” beauty for the 2011 season.

(Laura Mercier Silk Road Eye and Cheek Palette)

(Christian Dior Addict Lipstick in Pink Bustier found at Nordstrom)

I kind of like how the colors Martina suggest all come together:

This glam expert also tell us “Lashes are still here to stay and are a must for every bride to bring out their eyes. If you have never worn them, I suggest you try them at your rehearsal to see what a difference they make and to make sure you feel absolutely comfortable with them. Sculpted, defined eyebrows frame the eyes and finish the look. It’s a “WOW” moment!”

Brides, what can we take from today’s inspiration? You will be seeing lots of pink, you can pair the honeysuckle hue with brighter colors for drama or soft greens for a more natural look and most importantly, watch the makeup!!!  You absolutely need a professional make up artist on your wedding day and Martina is your gal. We will be featuring Martina in her very own “Tucson B&G Friend Spotlight” soon- check back for more advice from her!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

The lovely Rosalind getting prepped and the talented Ted Hewitt  in action:

These two are adorable! Rosalind and Bryan are a real life couple- that might explain their undeniable chemistry…

Gorgeous details (floral by Villa Feliz Flowers, jewlery by Skyline Gallery)

The mysterious  Bryan has convinced me, cowboys are CUTE!

Many thanks to those who contributed their time and talent to our cover:

Photography: Ted Hewitt Photography

Floral: Villa Feliz Flowers

Location: Tanque Verde Ranch Resort

Gown: Alfred Angelo

Hair/Make Up: Artisan Salon, Martina Neil

Jewelry: Skyline Gallery

Tuxedo: A Tailor Tuxedo and Bridal Shop

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Tucson’s feet have seen some beautiful shoes- the girlfriends below are the solid classics, the type who will  help you pick out your perfect LBD:

(Images courtesy of Chris Richards Photography and Ted Hewitt Photography)

The polar opposite: unconventionally bold shoes representing that friend that will drag to you to Las Vegas at the last minute!

(Images courtesy of Something Blue Photography (1&2) and Ted Hewitt Photography (3))

Some “girlfriends” who guarantee a good ol’ time:

(Images courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Something Blue Photography, Ted Hewitt Photography, Chris Richards Photography and Something Blue Photography)

And I think these are my favorite- the subtly different but not show-stealing gal pals:

(Images courtesy of Chris Richards Photography) 

Do you have the perfect friends to walk you down the aisle? If not, you better go buy some ASAP (and bring your girlfriends along)!

Chatting Soon~Kelly