Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon renewed their vows yesterday on their fifth anniversary (and 2nd birthday of their twins!) in a princess-themed wedding that closed Disney for the evening! Nick and Morocco, dressed as footmen, watched as their ladies arrived in the Glass Carriage.

Mom and daughter wore matching gowns, Monroe in an Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo Royal Blossom gown and Mariah in a gown very similar to our Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo Style 209. Or maybe Style 217? Let us know in the comments below.

Amanda and Kenny Lewis – A Hawaiian-themed wedding in West Palm Beach, Florida.

They did an amazing job of introducing a wedding theme without making it hit-us-over-the-head overbearing. It’s classy, beautiful and meaningful. Isn’t that what we all want for our weddings?

Amanda’s grandmother is from Hawaii – and clearly an expert Lei maker.  (She made a special Lei for the bride and groom) Amanda and Kenny spent a romantic summer vacation in Hawaii after their engagement so the theme was meaningful to both of them.

Wedding colors of light yellow and white suggest the warm sun of the island.

Alfred Angelo Sapphire

Alfred Angelo bride tries on her wedding dress

Now comes the fun part…you get to shop for your wedding gown!  You’ve been driving by your local bridal shop for years.  Is it the right place for you to shop?   To help you along the way, we’ve compiled the top tips from some of the most experienced bridal consultants.

1. Find a salon near you that has a great reputation for service. Chances are you will find your dress there so don’t waste your time with stores that you don’t want to do business with over the long haul.  This can be a very stressful time and the #1 priority must be keeping you happy. Check out their website before you visit. It will give you a good sense about what to expect there.

2. Make an appointment.  Most stores do accept walk-in customers but you don’t want to be shuffled around and juggled by a consultant with too much on her plate.  You want one-on-one attention. For the best service, shop midweek during the daytime when retail stores are quietest. All the attention will be on you!

3. Consider the chemistry between you and your sales consultant. Did she/he get to know you and what you want your wedding day to be? Did they thoughtfully consider your wedding vision and personality?  If they aren’t listening to you now you can’t expect they will listen when there’s a problem down the road.   If the feeling isn’t right, ask for another sales consultant or leave and go somewhere else.

4. Tell your consultant approximately what you have to spend on your gown. The average price of a gown is about $1000 but there are many options for more and  for less.    Price is typically is tied to the type of fabric, amount and quality of the embellishments.  (remember alterations are often as high as $200-$300 so save money for that!) Don’t be embarrassed about your budget — stay true to it. The store you visit will be able to tell you whether they have styles that will work for you.  You can try on some that are a little bit more and less than your planned budget just to see if the difference is worth it to you.

5. Listen when the consultant suggests styles recommended for your body type. Try them on.  Your sales consultant has probably dresses hundreds of brides so take advantage of their expertise.  You should try on ones you like, of course but keep an open mind!

6. Wear your good underwear.  You might want to wear tights, spanks or whatever you feel comfortable having your consultant see you wearing. She is going to be in your fitting room with you.  It is a pretty intimate experience. It’s really hard to get into a gown yourself, and many shops wont let you try because they don’t want their samples damaged.  (who could blame them for that?) The shop will probably offer you a strapless bra but if you would rather not use theirs come with your own.

7. Bring along photos from websites and clip out photos of styles from magazines that you like.  Even if the shop doesn’t have that exact dress you brought with you, they will probably have something similar that you can try.

8. Ask about delivery options. Most gowns will take about 12 weeks or more to make and you need time after that for alterations. You want everything finished in time for your portrait date…not just your wedding, so order early. Even if you’re not planning for a portrait now, have your dress ready early because you may change your mind!   Many manufacturers offer rush delivery but it will cost more so why bother with that? You will find it much easier to sleep at night if you know your gown is safely in your closet!  Besides,  it’s fun to look at it too.

9.  Find out if your bridal party will get a discount if your party purchases their gowns from there.  Many stores offer discounts on accessories, alterations, tuxedos or bridesmaid dresses if you continue shopping with them.  In the long run it could save you and your party a lot of money!

10.  Be selective about who shops with you.  Bring one or two people with you and THAT’S IT!  They should be supportive of YOUR decision.  Everyone has an opinion but yours is really the only one that matter.  Picking your gown is kind of like the sorting hat from Harry Potter.  The gown picks you.  You’ll feel amazing wearing it. When you find it, you’ll know!

Picture yourself on your wedding day.
Are you inside, outside? What colors do you see?  Is it a formal affair or loose and breezy? Daytime or night?  What does it look like, feel like, sounds like, smell like?   After about 3 minutes write down all of the words you can remember from that experience.   Go back and circle the 3-4 words that are the most important to you.  Use them to complete your wedding day VISION statement.  “My wedding will be xxxxx and xxxxx and xxxxx.”

OK, now close your eyes again for another 2-3 minutes.  This time think about yourself and your partner.  What is your couple personality?   Fun? Active?  Smart?  Serious?  Sporty?  Literary?  Artsy?  Outdoorsy? Romantic?  Glamorous?  Cozy?  That’s the feeling you will want your guests to take away from your wedding.   Open your eyes and write it all down.  Now pick the one (or two) words that best define your couple-hood.
That’s your wedding day PERSONALITY. “Our wedding must be xxxxxx.”  OR “Our guests should share in our love for xxxxxx on our wedding day.”

Now you have the most critical part of your wedding day planning finished!  Your Wedding Day Vision and Personality is yours and only yours.  So when you start reading and hearing about what you could do and should do, bounce these ideas against your Vision and Personality statements.  If they don’t fit, they might be cool but they might not be right for you.  Stay true to yourself.

When it’s time, share your Vision and Personality with your bridal party and your wedding day vendors so they can help to make your day exactly how you want it to be. Remember, this is your day and it should be all about fulfilling your dream!

Today, I am sharing a preview of a few styles/silhouettes I tried on at my first appointment, and why I thought these would be a good fit for my body shape.

As I said in my last post, I chose Alfred Angelo because of the amount of variety they have in both wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.  The fit is fabulous (as I found out at my first fitting) AND, they have a wide selection of different styles to fit every shape and size that will make every girl feel beautiful.

After trying on wedding dresses, my top four came down to: 2240, 1136, 801, and 758.

I love the one-shoulder design of Alfred Angelo style 2240.  The overall look and shape of the dress hugged my curves perfectly, and I loved the mix of fabrics.  The asymmetric bodice flatters at the hips, and the embroidered lace skirt flows effortlessly.

Alfred Angelo 1136 (an Alfred Angelo top seller!) really let me express, what I like to call my inner “Elvis” with all that crystal beading at the neckline!  And lets face it, what girl doesn’t love a little sparkle?  The satin fabric falls beautifully on your body, and the draping at the waist slims and will make your waist look, I think, two sizes smaller.  Just an overall great dress!

Alfred Angelo Sapphire style 801 really screamed “Megan”.  The texture of the beautiful re-embroidered lace, in ivory, appealed to me because it matches the theme of my wedding, Country Chic, SO well!  The sweetheart neckline shows off your décolletage without being too revealing, and the sheath style is a classic silhouette.  I really loved this dress!

Alfred Angelo Sapphire style 758 was just absolutely stunning!  It has the perfect amount of sparkle to stand out, but not over-the-top.  It also fit my hourglass figure like a glove, and the corset style was very flattering.  The train is jaw dropping, and overall, there were so many intricate details that pulled it together to be a perfect wedding gown.  This dress is very elegant and I truly felt like a princess in it.

You, too, can try on these Alfred Angelo styles at any Alfred Angelo Signature store, or any Alfred Angelo Partner store, located all across the US.

I went to Alfred Angelo Partner store Margo’s A Wedding Place in Union, Missouri to try on my wedding dresses. I worked with an AMAZING associate named Rachel, who made me feel like she truly cared for me, my bridesmaids, and what I was looking for in my perfect dress.  I was feeling under the weather the day I had my appointment, but Rachel made me forget all about it!

Toward the end of my appointment, I was having the HARDEST time choosing between my top two dresses, but Rachel was able to assist me in making up my mind!  Margo’s had a magnificent selection of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.  The boutique is very clean and cozy, and I was very comfortable the entire time (despite being ill).  I can’t wait to go back.  If you are shopping for a dress and ever in the area, check them out!

After an hour of trying on my top 4 dresses, I was FINALLY able to choose “the one”.  Stay tuned to find out what style I decided on for me big day.

What styles/silhouettes are you looking to try on on at your first appointment?

I hope 2013 is off to a great start for you!

All the best,

Megan

Brides, did you know you can browse tux styles, register your wedding, and monitor the status of groomsmen’s orders with the click of a button?   Jos. A Bank, the expert in men’s apparel, has launched an innovative new website that allows brides (and  grooms) to manage the tuxedo rental process from the comfort of home.

On the new website, you, the bride, can focus on picking the perfect style to compliment your dress and your bridesmaids dresses. And with more than 385 tie styles and 175 fullback vests, matching your girls’ dresses is never a problem.

When you register, your groomsmen will also automatically receive emails reminding them to get measured and place their orders (less follow up work for you!)   And, you’ll get emails updating you when a groomsman is measured or has picked up his tux.  (No more pestering your groom’s guys to order their tuxedos, or calling the store to see if they’ve been in yet!)  Jos. A. Bank handles it all for you!

So with some of the work done for you, you can focus on finding the tux style for your groom and groomsmen.  Do you want dashing and traditional, or modern and sleek?  Jos. A. Bank offers a variety of tuxedos to ensure that your groom and his guys look their best.

Here are some of our faves:

The Slim Fit – Modern and chic

Steel Grey – the “it” color right now

The cool and casual Alfresco tuxedo – perfect for Destination weddings

The Classic Notch Lapel

The Chocolate Tuxedo

The Bow Tie – Always a Classic

Coordinated Style – Bring it all together with a matching tie, vest and pocket square

Log on today to get started!

Megan will share her shopping insights and tips with our readers, as she prepares for her wedding as an Alfred Angelo bride.

Enjoy!

Alfred Angelo

Hello Alfred Angelo brides!  My name is Megan Stone.  I was a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Season 13, where I competed with my mother.  I am very proud of what I accomplished on the show and how far I made it in the competition (lasted 13 of the 17 weeks), as it helped get me to where I am today.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my wedding planning and shopping experience with you, as I too, am an Alfred Angelo bride!

First things first, a little about me….I am a down to earth country girl who was born and raised on our family farm in Dittmer, Missouri.  I love to hunt, fish, hike, work around the farm, and compete in rodeos.

On September 28th, 2013, I am getting married to my best friend and soul mate, Michael Leady!

Alfred Angelo guest bride blogger/Biggest Loser contestant, Megan Stone and her fiance

After I got engaged, I began thinking non-stop about wedding dresses, probably like most of you.  When selecting my bridal gown maker, I wanted a brand I knew would offer me a wide range of styles to select from, not only to view online, but also to try on in-store.  And, I wanted a company who would have an amazing selection of bridesmaid dresses for my bridal party, in silhouette and color range.  That was, hands-down, Alfred Angelo.

They have so many different styles to fit every shape and size just the right way that every girl will feel beautiful.

So, off I went gathering style numbers and pictures of gowns that could be “MY” dress.  As I was searching through the Alfred Angelo collections, I found, no matter what type of wedding you’re having or theme, you’ll see Alfred Angelo has the perfect dress that defines you and your personal style best.

I have a good idea of wedding dress styles I like as top contenders, so I made my first appointment to try on gowns at an Alfred Angelo partner store close to my home, Margo’s A Wedding Place!

Now, all I have to do is wait for that day to arrive!

Brides, what are some of your top wedding silhouettes/styles you’re thinking about for your wedding dress?

Looking forward to sharing all the news from my first wedding dress shopping experience soon!

All the best,

Megan

Backstage at our recent runway show, Keila gave us the skinny on the looks from the fashion show, and how to make your wedding day styles look runway ready.

Keila said direction for the hair styles for the fashion show were “soft, romantic” mermaid-like styles.

Keila’s number one tip for real brides preparing for their wedding day was to keep their hair healthy.  She stressed the importance of trimming and conditioning hair leading up to the big day.  Keila said often brides want to let their hair grow in preparation for their wedding hair, but this can be “disastrous.”

Another way to create the up-to-the-minute runway looks is with hair accessories.  For the October 2012 fashion show, satin and jeweled headbands, rhinestone pins, and big jewels completed looks.

And, you ask, what products did we use to achieve these gorgeous looks?  All of the products used on the models for the runway show were made by Surface Hair, a vegan hair product line based in Canada.  Surface Styling products provide style with inspiration, creativity, control, confidence and enthusiasm.  Sugars and corn starches provide resilient humidity resistant hold.

Brides, another important tip: Do a trial run of your hair before the wedding day so that you know exactly what you’re getting from the hair stylist.  This way, you can ensure that you both are on the same page with the vision you have for your special day, the stylist can achieve the look you want, and can both  avoid any surprises or disappointments on the actual day.

Look no further than DSW.  The company recently launched its “Glass Slipper” shoe collection, in conjunction with the DVD release of the classic Disney film, Cinderella.

The shoe collection includes open toe, closed toe and platform styles in satin and crystal satin.  Bugle beading and crystals accent the shoes, as well as rhinestone brooches and delicate touches of tulle and lace.  The shoes are available in an array of colors, from ivory and pale pink to bold eggplant and teal.

And like Alfred Angelo’s  Cinderella Diamond Collection of wedding dresses, DSW’s Glass Slipper collection is available at DSW stores for a limited time!

Brides can see the entire Cinderella Diamond bridal collection at exclusive trunk shows taking place at Alfred Angelo Signature and Alfred Angelo Partner Stores from October 2012 to March 31st…then back in the vault they go!  See all of the trunk show info here.

Cinderella Diamond Collection

This unique line of limited-release wedding dresses consists of five exquisite styles in soft shades of “Glass Slipper” blue.  Each gown represents the iconic Disney Princess character from a unique point of view, including timeless ball gowns that sparkle with every turn, and modern fit and flare silhouettes that look as if they were bathed in moonlight.

Whether you’ve found your perfect Alfred Angelo gown, or will wait to find it in the exclusive Cinderella Diamond Collection wedding dresses, you know you can find the perfect finishing touch with DSW’s “Glass Slipper” collection.

Wedding Dresses Available for Limited-Time Only, Starting October 2012

Philadelphia, PA– (September 17, 2012) Alfred Angelo and Disney Consumer Products celebrate the release of Disney’s Cinderella Diamond Edition, available on Blu-ray™ for the first time this Fall, with a one-of-a-kind Cinderella- inspired bridal collection.

This unique line of limited-release wedding dresses consists of five exquisite styles in soft shades of blue.  Each gown represents the iconic Disney Princess character from a unique point of view, including timeless ball gowns that sparkle with every turn, and modern fit and flare silhouettes that look as if they were bathed in moonlight.

The Cinderella Diamond Wedding Gown Collection will be unveiled initially at Chicago Bridal market on September 29, 2012, where bridal shops and industry press will get the first view of the collection. The Cinderella Diamond collection will make its runway debut on October 12, 2012, at a press-only show during Couture Bridal Market in New York City.

Cinderella Diamond Collection

Beginning in October, the Cinderella Diamond wedding gowns will be available to brides through special engagement bridal trunk shows to be held in Alfred Angelo Signature Stores and Alfred Angelo Partner Stores in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK that carry the 2013 Disney bridal line.  For tour dates and locations, brides can log on to alfredangelo.com.

Commenting on his design inspiration, Alfred Angelo vice president of design Michael Shettel says, “Ever since her launch onto the silver screen in 1950 girls around the world have grown up with Cinderella and idolized her.  I wanted to focus on many facets of her character as well as combine my research from the Disney archives.  I had access to original sketches and concept art for the film.  The sparkling glass slipper, Cinderella’s blue eyes and her blue ball gown set the tone for color, inspiration and themes that are carried throughout the collection.  I wanted to make each gown a unique interpretation and give brides-to-be several visions for their wedding day.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Alfred Angelo on another beautiful, timeless bridal collection and to bring Disney magic to brides on their special day,” said Robert Oberschelp, director of Disney Collections at Disney Consumer Products, “Cinderella’s story is a classic tale of romance and enchantment, and Alfred Angelo’s collection captures those magical storytelling details. The Cinderella Diamond Wedding Gown Collection is a fairytale wish come true.”

The “Glass Slipper” blue fabric is perfect for brides who embrace subtle color for their wedding.  But, each gown is also offered in ivory and white for brides with more traditional tastes.

For more information please visit: www.alfredangelo.com/Disney or www.disneybridal.com.

The Cinderella Diamond Edition Blu-ray will be available October 2^nd.

About Alfred Angelo

Founded in the 1930s by Alfred Angelo Piccione and his wife, Edythe Piccione, Alfred Angelo is one of the world’s leading makers of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses and is committed to providing beautiful, high-quality bridal and formal dresses at affordable prices. In addition to manufacturing dresses distributed in over 2000 wholesale stores worldwide, the company operates Alfred Angelo Signature Stores located in Arizona, Alabama, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. For more information about Alfred Angelo, please visit www.alfredangelo.com or follow us at www.YouTube.com/AlfredAngeloBridal, www.Facebook.com/AlfredAngeloBridal, www.Twitter.com/AlfredAngelo, and www.Pinterest.com/AlfredAngelo.

About Disney Consumer Products

Disney Consumer Products (DCP), the world’s largest licensor, is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney and Marvel brands to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books to food and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. DCP develops Disney entertainment franchises into 365 day-a-year product opportunities at retailers worldwide. DCP is comprised of three businesses: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around six strategic brand priorities: Disney Classic Characters & Disney Moms and Babies, Disney Media Networks & Games, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Disney Live Action Film, and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, magazines, and digital products. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business, which includes over 35 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental learning book program. DPW’s growing library of digital products includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe, and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive merchandise tied to key Disney and Marvel entertainment offerings. www.DisneyStore.com and www.DisneyStore.co.uk are Disney’s official online shopping portals. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products or follow us at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving, www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving and www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving.

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Media Contacts:

Alfred Angelo

Amanda Sheronas – Director of Public Relations

Office: 267-948-1160

asheronas@alfredangelo.com

Disney Consumer Products

Marisa Martinez

Office : (626)773-5375

Marisa.l.martinez@disney.com