Holiday Themed H20

As the fall season sets in & the temperature starts to drop, I automatically start thinking about winter. My two favorite seasons are Fall & Winter simply because I love to layer clothes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that one of the many fashion designers that I admire Christian Lacroix has a Limited Edition 2008 Evian Water bottle. {Crazy huh?} I also {heart} Evian & Lacroix!

This luxe bottle comes decorated with glittering snowy crystals that charmingly symbolize the purity of this natural spring water. The coppiced lace pattern provides the bottle with a classic frosted feel and is reminiscent of the flora that can be found at the French Alps. Distinguished, understated and so very Lacroix, it will add that final touch of chic and elegance to every festive table.

It so gets you in the mood for chilly fall days & snowy nights!

If you are a Luxe bride, having winter themed showers this water would be a perfect favor or drink of choice on your special day. The bottles are priced at $13.95/bottle or $118/case of 12.

A little birdy told me....

Over the past few months, I have really developed an attraction to birds. Bird pics, invites, you name it, I may like it! Not sure what all this stems from, but I stumbled across the site Unless Someone Like You & I think they share my love for birds too! Unless specializes in wedding invites, custom art & graphic design & they also have freebies so check out their site often for great free downloads.

Unless-also has a Nashville connection....take a peak at their Nashville Wedding Poster! This would be great for showers & even themed Nashville weddings. *Check out the Nashville Skyline on the Poster*

In search of the perfect LBD

The Little Black Dress or LBD, is a staple in a womans wardrobe. This weekend, it was a mission of mine to find the perfect LBD for a upcoming event. I set my mind on one that could be dressed up or down & that was timeless. However you as a bride to be, if you decide to have an "after 5 ceremony & reception" you so could dress your attendants in a LBD & they would be able to wear it again! {Bonus}

Wikipedia defines it as:

A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often with a short skirt, originally made popular in the 1920s by the fashion designer Coco Chanel. Intended by Chanel to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color. Its continued ubiquity is such that many refer to it by its abbreviation, LBD.

The "little black dress" is considered essential to a complete wardrobe by many women and fashion observers, who believe it a "rule of fashion" that every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: for example, worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more ornate jewelry and accessories for evening. Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the style of the little black dress ideally should be as simple as possible: a short black dress that is too clearly part of a trend would not qualify because it would soon appear dated.

Here are a few of my favorites from Nordstrom & White House/Black Market:

Nordstrom:

White House\Black Market:

Which one is your favorite???

All up in the mix

Completing your bridal registry can be a fun & exciting time! I mean what other time do you get to select things that you want others to purchase for you? It use to be so entertaining for me to watch newly engaged couples come in to Target{I was an Executive w/Target for 7 years} and start their registry shopping. The bride-to-be would go straight for the home/housewares selections, while the groom-to-be would head to sporting goods & electronics. I mean who does not get scanner happy when you have all that power in your hands??

Here are are a few rules to thumb to remember as you register for your wedding:

1. Only Register for things that you really want & need!
2. Never register for items that are on clearance. - Your guest will not have a good chance at finding them when they are ready to purchase.
3. Try not to register any earlier than 6-8 weeks prior to the start of your showers, leading up to the ceremony. This will eliminate items going clearance & you will have a easier chance at returning them even with a gift receipt, since the average receipt history is 30-90 days from the date of purchase.
4. However, if you are a bride that will have multiple showers, its an option to create multiple gift registries depending all on the dates.
5. If you register for seasonal items....remember they are just that..seasonal & could possibly not be available.

One of the most popular items on any couples registry is a Mixer!

There are so many varieties in this popular small appliance, but of course the most popular is the Kitchen Aid. If you are an avid baker/cook, then yes I would register for what I call the "Cadillac of Mixers" However, if you are not a true cook, take a look at a few other options.

Sunbeam 250 watt 6 speed- Sleek hand mixer

KitchenAid Pink 7-Speed, 200w hand mixer. $8 of the cost will be donated to Susan G. Komen Oster 6speed Hand Mixer w/additional attachments Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Stand Mixer

KitchenAid 4.5-qt. 300w/ Ultra Power Stand Mixer - Empire Red -"Cadillac CTS"

KitchenAid Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer 325 watts and 10 speeds -"Cadillac DTS"

So many mixers & so many decisions, just remember to only register for what you think you will really use and remember the power of the scanner is all in your hands!!!

Photo Credits: Target.com

JHud Our prayers are with you!

Please keep Jennifer Hudson & family in your thoughts and prayers, as her Mother & Brother were killed today. For more information please click here!

Tweet, Tweet...Twitter

I am really turning very Tech Chic! You can now follow Bridal Opulence on Twitter, under the name of BridalOpulence!

Looking forward to connecting!

Wordless Wednesday Cafe Press T-Shirts

Questionable?

As you are planning for your big day, I thought I would recommend a great game that I have to help you & your Beau learn more about each other. For every great relationship to succeed, communication is the key! For some men communicating their inner thoughts can be a challenge, so this makes it fun!

The Ungame is a great game to learn more about each other & trust me there are questions I would have never thought about! There are also several other versions, such as the family & girlfriends version.

Hope this helps you to keep things fun & creative!

Fab Fall Day + College Tradition=Fab Fall Wedding

This past weekend I hit the road to Bowling Green, Kentucky for a fall inspired wedding & reception on the campus of my Alma Mater, Western Kentucky University! Many of the wedding vendors had a WKU Connection which made things extra special, since the bride is a huge WKU Fan!! Special Guest Appearance by Big Reg-the school mascot, at one point during the reception the crowd was actually singing the WKU Fight Song! There is nothing like that Red Towel Pride/Big Red Spirit!!!

Couple: Destiny & Patrick

Brides Bouquet: Lynn Doyle Flowers {Michael Doyle}, Memphis Tennessee

Wedding Cake: Elegant Occassions {Carolyn Spitz}

Reception Entertainment: Tyrone Dunn Experiment- Simply Wonderful!!

Reception Catering: WKU Catering & Events {Ashley Hart}

Photography: Jennifer Creed Photographer- I can not say enough about Jenny & her professionalism & quality!! She truly is a gem!!

Enjoy!

Congrats, Patrick & Destiny!

Family Jewels

Jewel tones are hot for this wedding season....Just to inspire!

Its in the shoes

I remember the ol' commerical of Michael "Air" Jordan flying through the air to the basketball goal & the Nike commerical would simply say...."Its in the Shoes"! That made every guy I know back in high school want a pair of Air Jordans!

You can learn alot about a woman by her shoes & her attitude for the day! Your shoes can make a bold statement to any classic clothes pairing, by giving it a lil' kick! As you are selecting your shoes for the wedding maybe consider adding a 'lil kick' or spice of color, they are sure to create a conversation piece & get your beau involved by adding a splash of color with his socks.

Sigeron Morrison is one of many of my favorite shoes designers & they now have a collection for Target!! Take a peak at these pairings for inspiration:

Photo credit: Target & Burlington Photo credit: Target & J.Crew

So spice it up & don't be afraid to add color!

Sole 4 Souls

Photo credit: my shoe closet's wall decal...I can't think of showing you my shoe collection!!!

Just had to post this since we were talking about shoes!! I am in the process of cleaning out my closet (mainly shoes & accessories this time) but I remembered that my friend Kristen over at The Uncommon Garden in Hermitage is collecting shoes for Sole for Souls! Kristen's boutique is wonderful, she does all my monogramming for me & has great candles!! (Try the Mango Peach candle.... Simply divine)

I appreciate all my readers & would like to challenge you clean out your closet & head over to The Uncommon Garden to donate your gently used shoes & you will receive an additional store discount for your support to such great cause!!!

We all love discounts!!!

And the winner is.....

In August the Refuge Center & The Domestic Violence Intervention Center hosted their Legends of the Flame Event.

The event was a silent auction & was hosted by Eddie & Taj George, Kevin Dyson, Frank Wycheck & other memorable Tennessee Titans. This event raised over $36,000 for the Refuge Center!! Bridal Opulence donated a Day/Month of Coordination Package for the silent auction!

I had the pleasure this week of meeting the bride to be & I am so excited to work with her, knowing that all proceeds went to a very special cause near & dear to both of our hearts.

• The wedding will take place in May 09'
• Ceremony & Reception Site in Historic Downtown Franklin at O'More Design College
• Wedding Theme: Simple Elegance

Stay tuned for more details!!