Invitation designed (I’m assuming) by Matt Dorfman, NYC

Okay Unbrides, here’s your chance to pick up an awesome birdcage veil at a fraction of the price. My good friend Kirstin of Castle Bride Couture is currently hosting a sample sale to clear some inventory. I wore one of these awesome numbers for my own wedding…specifically the Marilyn veil.

For more information, go visit the blog at www.castlebridecouture.blogspot.com. Happy shopping!

Hello, Unbrides! Sorry for the sporadic blogging. We’ve had some technical and full plate issues. But we seem to be a bit beyond both…and back to our “un” child.

The following story came from my mother-in-law, who reads our blog, bless her. Probably been passed around the internet a million times, but it got me thinking about what that graceful (un) dress might look like? So this a homage to my mother-in-law MaryLee, who has passed down some absolutely gorgeous vintage numbers to me, including  her own wedding dress. Also, one of the most graceful women I know. So what better to knock that new young wife down to size than with vintage Dior or this gorg 1950’s cocktail dress by Jonathan Logan, I found at Vintageous. Worn with a ravishing smile. After you read the story, let us know what dress comes to mind.

Jennifer’s wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement – not even her parent’s nasty divorce.

Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father’s new, young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!

Jennifer asked her father’s new young wife to exchange it, but she refused.  ”Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in this dress, and  I’m wearing it,” she replied.

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, ”Never mind sweetheart. I’ll get another dress. After all, it’s your special day.”

A few days later, they went shopping, and did find another gorgeous dress for her mother.

When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, ”Aren’t you going to return the other dress? You really don’t have another occasion  where you could  wear it.”

Her mother just smiled and replied, ”Of course I do, dear…..I’m wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.”

BTW, check twitter for our Laura Gibson Earrings winner! Was it you?

credits: debutanteclothing.com, vintageous.com

My favorite of the whole night was Drew Barrymore. Sometimes she gets it completely wrong but this time she really nailed out in this gorgeous nude Atelier Versace with crystal embellishments. So so gorgeous!

I also adore Emily Blunt in this wispy pink D&G number…it sort of reminds me of the Reem Acra goddess gowns we’ve been seeing on brides over the past few years…but the pink color makes it fresh & new.

I thought Kate Hudson looked the most bridal in this white Marchesa. I like how it’s quite structured but her hair just didn’t do it for me. Still, it would make a lovely wedding dress.

Who else rocked my world?

Marion Cotillard looks like royalty in this Christian Dior!

Diane Kruger looks like a beautiful flower in this Christian Lacroix.

January Jones channels Audrey Hepburn in this amazing black ruffled Lanvin gown.

I also thought that Helen Mirren looked absolutely divine but I couldn’t find a picture of her…what gives?

What do you guys think, who was your favorite? Would you consider wearing a couture designer gown instead of a traditional wedding dress?

Photos Courtesy of People.com

Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearl Earrings - Price: $100

As a very special UnBride treat, the folks at Laura Gibson are giving away this gorgeous pair of Sterling Silver and Freshwater pearl earrings, worth $100 to one of our readers. Visit the Laura Gibson site (including her bridal collection) to see her gorgeously colorful jewelry filled with rare and exotic gemstones. Her work has been featured in countless publications including InStyle Weddings, W and Harper’s Bazzar UK, and is very UnBride.

To enter, follow us to twitter and RT our Giveaway tweet. Then come back here and leave us a comment. Winner will be announced via Twitter on Thursday January 28, 2010.

*All tweets must be posted by the end of the giveaway on Tuesday, January 26th, at 11:59 EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via twitter, and announced on The UnBride shortly thereafter. One entry per person. If winner fails to respond within three days of notification, a new winner will be selected. Open to U.S. and Canada residents ages 18 years or older.

(Laura Gibson generously donated these earrings for the giveaway.)

Website: www.gloriawongdesign.com

Gloria Wong Design is a boutique wedding design and consulting company (based in San Francisco) that offers stylish creative services for your big day. We specialize in creating strong design concepts and details inspired by you as a couple. We help you sort through all of your ideas and offer guidance on how to filter, enhance, and translate them into an impressive event that is completely reflective of your taste and personalities. We help bring your vision to life by generating ideas on how to thread your style and your story through to each visual element of your wedding.

Photo Credit: Jen Curtis Photography

Gloria Wong Design is a boutique wedding design and consulting company (based in San Francisco) that offers stylish creative services for your big day. We specialize in creating strong design concepts and details inspired by you as a couple. We help you sort through all of your ideas and offer guidance on how to filter, enhance, and translate them into an impressive event that is completely reflective of your taste and personalities. We help bring your vision to life by generating ideas on how to thread your style and your story through to each visual element of your wedding.

Photo Credit: Jen Curtis Photography

If you’ve never visited Bravo Bride, you’re missing out. What is it, you ask? BravoBride.com is an online marketplace where brides, newlyweds and wedding vendors can buy and sell new or pre-owned wedding items. When I first discovered this site, I immediately bought a never worn hair ornament by Twigs & Honey at a major discount and I literally wear it all the time. You can literally find just about anything on the site though; wedding dresses, jewelry, shoes, favors, reception items etc. etc., you get the idea.

Some current offerings include a Vera Wang gown listed for about 1/3 the original price and a Tiffany & Co. wedding band (usually $1200) listed for $650.  They also just launched a new Bravo Bride boutique section for wedding vendors to sell their own discounted items.

So head on over and have a look…you never know what kind of amazing deal you might find. And if you ever need a good laugh, be sure to check out their blog, which features daily funny and awkward wedding photos!

Here’s a cute picture of Susan & Mark, the faces behind Bravo Bride…how adorable are they!!!

If you’d like to sponsor a post about your own business, please send an email to lauren@theunbride(dot)com for rates & information.

Ceremony:  The Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton www.setonshrine.com

Reception:  The Glass Houses www.theglasshouses.com

Caterer:  Frank Caters www.frankcaters.com

Photography:  Kevin Wynn kevinwynn.com

Flowers:  Thom James  www.thomjames.com

Wedding Gown:  Bridal Garden  www.bridalgarden.org

As one of the leading special event florists in Chicago focused on weddings, our artistry and professionalism exceed our client’s expectations. We offer inspiring, alternative creations in contrast to today’s commonplace floral arrangements. At Scarlet Petal, we lend our expertise to more than just flowers. We understand the importance of looking at an event holistically – our vendor relationships with linen, lighting, and photography professionals ensure the breathtaking ambiance complements your venue and is captured as a beautiful memory for years to come.

Website: www.scarletpetal.com

As one of the leading special event florists in Chicago focused on weddings, our artistry and professionalism exceed our client’s expectations. We offer inspiring, alternative creations in contrast to today’s commonplace floral arrangements. At Scarlet Petal, we lend our expertise to more than just flowers. We understand the importance of looking at an event holistically – our vendor relationships with linen, lighting, and photography professionals ensure the breathtaking ambiance complements your venue and is captured as a beautiful memory for years to come.

Here at The Unbride we support the rights of all adults to marry whomever they choose. So I was actually rather shocked to see that this person instead felt offended that she had paid money for a piece of literature that would show images of a same sex couple being affectionate with one another. Now I understand perfectly well that not everyone agrees with me on this issue, that has been made perfectly clear. But to think that your personal political (almost always religious) views should be followed by a publication just because you read it is ridiculous and small-minded. I read all sorts of things that I don’t believe in but I’m not about to start writing letters to the editor whining about why they don’t only write things I agree with. Sounds like someone out there believes that wedding magazines should be censored? Ridiculous!

So we would love to wish Jeremy & Andrew our deepest congratulations and send some props over to everyone over at Martha Stewart Weddings for being open-minded and inclusive of all types of love. See more of this beautiful couple’s day at www.asgoodasyou.org.

Okay, I admit it…I totally dropped the ball on the whole Facebook fan page for The Unbride. I created one ages ago and then I just forgot to tell anyone or post anything there. So will you please be our fan so that we have a reason to post updates there? Thanks ladies (& gents), adore you all!

xo,

Justine

I would be this dress. With one of my girlfriends back in DC currently planning her own wedding (she’s the last of 6 of us from high school to tie the knot), I can’t help but comb wedding gown designer websites and imagine what I would wear if I were to do it all over again. I just stumbled on this amazing Vera Wang and it made me want to cry. It reminds me of a delicate paper orchid and I wish I could plan a whole wedding around this dress. I love the deconstructed quality and the asymmetrical neckline and the almost sloppyness of the bow on the shoulder. If you are a bride and are going to wear this gown, for the love of god, please send me your wedding pictures.

Breaking news for pinkberry lovers…Pinkberry is now doing wedding catering! To find our if they are doing it in your area, contact your local store. If you are getting married in the south bay area, you are in luck as the Hermosa Beach store is ready to make your event extra cool-get it fro yo? cool? Contact Ray the manager to get you set up.  The event minimum is 25 orders which comes with transportation, set up, team to serve, breakdown and cleanup as well as all the serving bowls and utensils. Seriously loving this idea!! They are offering 6 delicious flavors: chocolate, coconut, pomegranate, passion fruit, original and green tea. They also bring all of their toppings! To get more information contact your local Pinkberry.
Thank you Leila & Kellee for bringing this to our attention!! Photo by Caroline Tran.

Hello Unbrides!!! Today we are super excited to reveal a collaborative effort between myself and my amazing Unbride partner, Ellen Petty. We are both pleased to announce and show off the brand new Studio Diana Photography blogsite. Studio Diana is the Washington DC area studio that I run with my lovely mother who gave me my start in wedding photography about 8 years ago. Although I moved to Los Angeles a few years back, I’ve still been flying back to the east coast to shoot about a dozen weddings a year. In 2006, I started working with an amazingly talented photographer named Jenni Green who started shooting for us as a principal wedding photographer in 2008. Anyway, long story short…after the gradual evolution of the studio, we needed a whole new look and website. So I turned to my favorite designer, Ellen and this (click here) is what she and her amazing team turned out. I hope you’ll all come take a look and leave us a comment & subscribe to our feed because there will be lots of wedding goodness to come.

xo,

Justine

The images capture the feeling of this wedding so perfectly, it almost feels like thumbing through your parents’ wedding album with aged & crinkled photo corners…if your parents were incredibly chic & cool when they married that is.

Zola’s vintage dress was purchased from Etsy at Vintage Castle, while the yellow 1960’s-style bridesmaid dresses were JCrew but purchased on Ebay. Derick & his groomsmen wore baby blue linen suits.

Ceremony Location: Marston House, Balboa Park
Reception Location: Redwood Circle, Balboa Park

I love love love this photobooth!

Zola made these amazing terrarium centerpieces herself.

Thank you so much Noa for sharing your amazing talent with us!!