Bridal Buzz

Cake by Lauren Kitchens of Fancy Cakes by Lauren.

Thanks to Lauren Kitchens, owner of Fancy Cakes by Lauren, for answering this week’s reader question:

I have an appointment with a wedding cake company coming up. What are the important questions to ask them?

By the time you meet with prospective bakers, most of the design elements of your wedding and reception should be decided. This will make the job much easier with your baker. Designing the cake is the easiest thing to do once your decor is locked down.

Ask to see their wedding cake portfolio and find out if they are willing to get creative and customize a cake to compliment your reception, instead of just offering a design from their catalogue.

Make sure you feel comfortable with their customer service.

Ask what they recommend for the amount of servings needed for the wedding cake and the groom’s cake based on the number of guests you have. Keep in mind that serving a heavy meal and alcohol will lessen your need for a lot of cake.

If you are working with a commercial bakery who is known in the wedding industry then questions like”when do you bake your cakes, or how do you put your cakes together” simply serve to waste your time.

Get into the design process with the baker. If you don’t like the direction they are going then ask them to switch gears and try again. The more creative you can get with the baker, the better your cake will be. And you, as well as the baker, will be proud of the cake in the end.

Get this gown and more at the White Gown Showroom sale.

We first told you about the White Gown Showroom’s big sale here. And now, we’re happy to let you know that the sale has been extended through June 2nd. There are still lots of great gowns to grab at deeply discounted prices. Appointments are required so call to make yours before the best styles are gone.

Add a little sparkle to your big day by heading over to Bachendorf’s for the Lisa Nik trunk show this weekend. With eclectic designs ranging from delicate to bold, Nik utilizes “colored gemstones, diamonds, and artful elements to create fashionable jewelry that women can enjoy on any occasion.” Surprise your ‘maids with bright gemstone necklaces, pick up a pair of earrings for mom, or maybe even find the perfect wedding day bauble you’ve been searching for. Lisa will make personal appearances at both locations throughout the event, call Bachendorf’s for more information.  Additional details here.

(NOTE: The May 12 trunk show will take place at the store’s Plano location.)

When Anita Haar first met Michael Brown (who moved from California to Texas for work), she mistakenly took on the “wing woman” role and tried to set him up with her best friend. In the beginning, Anita only saw Mike as a friend, but as time went on, she realized how lucky she was that her attempted blind-date setup fell through, because she would have been handing off the love of her life.

After dating for two years, the couple had a trip planned to visit Mike’s family for a few weeks over the holidays. Mike knew that Anita was suspicious about him popping the question, so he did his best to throw her off. He arranged for them to visit a beautiful winery close to his family’s home during lunch one day, and within twenty minutes of being there, he lead Anita outside and got down on one knee. Completely shocked, and thrilled, she happily accepted his proposal.

Anita graduated from the University of North Texas where she studied business communications. She now works as a professional makeup artist and is the owner of Elan Makeup Studio. Michael attended CalPoly State University where he earned a degree in finance, and is currently the Regional Vice President of Berkley Advisors, LLC, in Dallas. The couple will tie the knot on Friday, September 28, 2012 in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

Welcome back to your weekly “Dream Dress for Less” where we feature gorgeous wedding gowns under $1,500. It takes some digging but they do exist. Let us do the legwork so you can relax and enjoy one of the most wonderful times of your life. Take a look at this week’s find:

J. Crew has always been known for their classic yet modern style. And their wedding gowns are no different. This dress, Fleur, has a flattering sweetheart neckline with an adorable point d’esprit overlay on the skirt. (If you read this Dream Dress for less post then you know how much I adore point d’esprit.) This dress is a little more formal that that one so if you’re having a semi-formal spring or summer evening soirée this could be perfect. Get it at J. Crew for $1,500.

Trunk shows are a great way to see more of a designer’s dresses than are normally carried in a store. You’ll have more to choose from, so don’t miss out! Click the links below for all the details.

Alvina Valenta at de ma fille – A Bridal Boutique

Thanks to Nicole Cox for this week’s wedding wisdom:

“Have the DJ go over the bridal party names prior to the wedding day. We had some unique names that our DJ butchered and it was all captured on video. Also, be sure to save enough time to party. We were so busy making the rounds that we didn’t get to dance nearly as much as we would have liked to!”

Photographs courtesy of Vera Crosby of Photography by Vera.

Even a few rain drops can't get this adorable couple down. Matthew shares an umbrella with his smiling bride.

Photo courtesy of Ben Garrett.

Thanks to Prashe Shah, Owner and President of Prashe, for answering this week’s reader question:

“I am not of Indian descent but love the bright colors and festive décor of Indian weddings. How can I tap into that look without having it look like an Indian wedding?

Indian design elements will add glamour and regal elegance to your wedding and are sure to dazzle your guests. Accomplishing this can be as easy as projecting scrollwork patterns or designs on your walls, incorporating bright colors and crystals into florals and centerpieces, or adding a paisley design with gold writing to invitations, place cards and cakes. Instead of traditional white, set jewel toned linens (like fuchsia, rich reds, orange and gold) on your tables. Or, use neutral linens with a little shimmer or embellishment in deep gold and amber tones. Throw pillows made out of vintage saris will provide an ethnic flair as well.

You can also have a lot of fun with your makeup. Indian brides always play up their eyes with dramatic dark liner and a colorful eye shadow palette to give them a royal look. We work a lot with the Mac team at NorthPark and the Dallas Galleria. Henna is a wonderful Hindu tradition to incorporate and really makes for beautiful photographs.

We also encourage all-American brides to mix their modern white wedding gown with dazzling ethnic jewelry like dramatic chandelier earrings and bangles with colorful stones or gold with diamonds.

For the most adventurous brides-to-be, consider a bridal gown made of ornate fabric. Silk brocades or even jewel-tone fabrics with embellishments like Swarovski crystals, pearl embroidery, paisley and  gold beadwork will do the trick.

Lastly, follow the Indian tradition for party favors. Make up a box of Indian sweet and savory snacks along with fruit for your guests. You can use mirrored or beaded boxes or make pouches out of sari fabric.

In 2008, Jackie Gattenby was enjoying lunch at a local Subway with one of her sorority sisters when she first noticed Ben Luckett, who was also dining there at the time. His cuteness factor was off the charts and it was definitely a crush at first sight. For the next few weeks Jackie would joke with her friends about the adorable “Subway guy,” but she never expected him to show up at her doorstep with some fraternity friends to help her move. Turns out, Ben was Jackie’s Little Kappa Alpha brother’s roommate. She knew in her heart that fate had made their paths cross again, but she took matters into her own hands to guarantee a third run-in by making the boys brownies as a thank you for their help. Soon enough, the two were hanging out, then dating, and before long, they were completely in love.

Two years later, after receiving Jackie’s father’s blessing, Ben hatched a plan to propose. He teamed up with Jackie’s mom to arrange a gathering at her grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve of 2010. With her entire family there to witness the momentous event, Ben got down on one knee and asked Jackie to be his wife.

Ben and Jackie both attended Texas A&M University – Commerce. Jackie earned her degree in English and secondary education and is currently employed at a Dallas real estate investment firm. Ben studied business management and now works as a technician at Teller Machine Services. Their wedding ceremony and reception will be held on June 23, 2012 at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas.