Wedding Trend for 2009 - Rustic Wedding Venues

A wonderful trend has already begun for 2009 - brides are taking advantage of the breathtaking rustic venues in their areas for weddings. Below are pictures from local Seattle venues, such as Treehouse Point, Pickering Barn, and Pravada Studios.

Its a beautiful pairing of roughened woods with soft white fabrics, and I'm so happy to see brides making this move. Most of these venues often cost hundreds, even thousands, less than traditionally used hotels and country clubs. There is a little give and take in that though these venues boast less frills, any frills you do want you'll have to bring in yourself. But it doesn't take much to make it look great - and companies like Prop Gallery West have great experience making your rustic venue imbue just the right amount of elegance.

When looking at a venue that's a blank canvas, bring your rental company and your wedding coordinator with you - we've got the experience and eye to help come up with those creative ideas to create a great wedding space.

These spaces also work great as a ceremony location, saving you money on two venues, and your guests only have to drive to one location. A pairing of the ceremony outdoors and reception indoors (or visa versa), will help delineate the parts of the wedding from each other.

Have questions about what's around Seattle? Check out this great new wedding planning website: NW Bride TV. It lists a lot of locations other websites don't, and even has video interviews with some of Seattle's greatest vendors.

With the Oscars, it's Always Winning Fashion

Last night's Oscars was it's usual incredible night - so much fashion and beautiful faces I'm glad it comes only once a year. A couple of my hopefuls didn't win, but my #1 did - Heath. I was so happy to see him recognized for one of the most incredible acting performances I have ever seen (and honey, I've seen a lot).

But the one thing I wanted to share today was my happy surprise at the number of white gowns worn last night. Ladies who love fashion, here are your wedding gowns! Love it!

First, here's a sampling of white (and flavored white) dresses from last night, courtesy of MSNBC.



These are all great examples of gowns not made by "wedding gown designers" that would each make a beautiful walk down the aisle. My two favorite gowns from the evening were the Versace worn by Marisa Tomei (left picture) and the Roberto Cavalli (love it!) worn by Taraji Henderson (right picture, on the right). These are such lovely gowns, each playing with layering in their own ways.



So my message to you brides out there - don't limit your wedding gown search to what's in your bridal boutique. If you want to find something a little more unique, look at what designers are making outside of the "wedding" label and you can find some incredible gowns, maybe even that perfect one. And remember, great gowns can come in gentle 'flavors', such as Sara Jessica Parker's mint dress (top picture, 3rd from right), and still imbue the virtues of a wedding gown.

Events This Weekend

There's so many incredible things happening over the next couple days it's got me all a twitter! Like what, you ask? Well...

All weekend long check out the Blue by Enzoani trunk show at A Princess Bride Couture Bridal Salon. Brides purchasing an Enzoani gown get some great gifts from the salon too!

For brides in Eastern Washington, check out the South Hill Mall Bridal Show going on all day tomorrow. For more info call the organizer at (360) 894-1758.

Seattle Bride, a company that manages historic properties for weddings, is having their big annual wedding event, taking place Saturday in Bellevue at two of their properties. Check out the venues, try their eight exclusive caterers, and see if they've got just the right venue for you!

Sunday, oh my, is an incredible wedding show I've been looking forward to, the Skansonia Wedding Show - FREE TO BRIDES!! Sip mimosas and nibble amazing treats as you stroll around the historic ferry visiting with some of Seattle's most wonderful vendors (like Midnight Blossom - my favorite Seattle florist).

And it all accumulates to the big wedding gown give-away at Lululemon on Monday. Adele Wechsler has teamed up with Lululemon to give away a free wedding gown from her green collection in cities all across the US. Check out Adele's website for Lululemon's address and what time everything starts!

Wedding Events This Weekend

Still looking for something to do this weekend to help with your wedding planning? Well you are in luck! Tonight only, at La Belle Elaine's Bridal by the Space Needle, True Colors Events, Simply Wed Events, and me, helping you come up with the style for your wedding and how to create it. This fantastic event is called "Something Old, Something New, Something You!". Come get some great advice, and some yummy chocolate! It's free, so just come by at 7!


Another great wedding event is the grand finale for the Battle of the Betrothed, Seattle's own wedding race giveaway! Everything starts at 11 at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle, and ends at the Cococabanna at Pike's Place Market. Watch the finalists battle for the last big prize - a free honeymoon!


With Valentine's Day this weekend, guys everywhere are getting themselves ready to pop the big question. Need a place to propose? Here's a list of some great places to get down on one knee. And if nothing sounds quite right - think back to all the places that had special moments for you both: where you first kissed, where you told her you loved her for the first time, the place you were when you realized you loved her. Nothing is sweeter than just the simple plan and an open heart.


There's lots more events still this month, so come back next week for info on a FREE local wedding show!

The Gentleman's Shave is Back

Oh thank goodness! Finally, once again, gentlemen can easily find quality razors, shaving soaps, lotions, and a quality barber. What a relief!

The most fantastic thing about the return of quality shaving is that guys are once again starting to really care for themselves. Sorry guys, but you went on a hiatus for a while there. A few months ago, my fiance decided it would be economically smart to switch to a straight razor, saving money on disposables, and it's less garbage too. So now he has a badger's hair brush, a bowl of shaving soap, a straight razor, sharpening strap, etc. And he looks forward to making himself look clean and professional. Lovely!

And barber shops are right in with this too. There's lots of great places now to purchase your shaving needs, from Excalibur's to The Art of Shaving, and salons for men are now offering shaving experiences, complete with hot towels and massaging their jaws. One place here in Seattle, Capelli's, even offers a groomsman's package to help the guys look their best on the big day.

On behalf of women everywhere, thank you!

Capelli's Gentlemen's Barbershop - Seattle's Premier Men's Barbershop Experience - by bekahross on Polyvore.com