Where did my posts go?

WOW...so I've just noticed that several of my posts haven't posted. I'm sorry!! Let me tell you what's happening. I'm in the process of moving things and getting a bigger, brighter, most amazing site (can you tell I'm excited!!) up and running.

Do ya want to know what's different?

A Celebrity Corner
The "Perfect Pair"
Grooming-the-Grooms
Many more give-a-ways - including a 2011 designer original!!
...and of course honest reporting on the places and things you need to make your wedding process easier.

So while I'm in the process of changing formats, please forgive me but I promise it will be worth the wait.

Have a great weekend and the New Company "Yours In Bridal" will be launching on a server near you very soon!
Yippie!!

LaLa Vazquez chooses Bridal Reflections and Romona Keveza for wedding reception attire

LaLa Vazquez marries Carmelo Anthony photo by Getty

With several celebrity weddings this past weekend, none had more sparkle or style than the wedding of former MTV VJ LaLa Vazquez to NBA star Carmelo Anthony. While you’ve already seen LaLa in her bridal gown, it is her ‘reception/change outfit’ that she purchased at Bridal Reflections NYC, that you will hear about and see in the slideshow here first!

Brides, remember it’s not just where you purchase your wedding gown, it’s the service that comes with it. The impeccable service that each and every bride receives at Bridal Reflections makes it the most sought out bridal salons in NYC for couture dresses and five-star service. Often you’ll see my postings about ‘trunk shows’ because you just may find your dream dress. This is true and happened unexpectedly to LaLa just a few days before her wedding.

Original gown by Romona Keveza - front.

LaLa already had her wedding gown(s) (by Vera Wang), but after accompanying her bridesmaid to Bridal Reflections on Thursday, July 8th for their bridesmaid dresses, LaLa fell in love with a Romona Keveza gown displayed in the salon for their trunk show and tried it on. This particular gown was featured in Romona Keveza’s 10th anniversary collection and you guessed it; LaLa immediately fell in love with it, but…wanted just a few small changes. Bridal Reflections in their effort to have yet another happy bride, worked in overdrive to get her alterations done in time for her big day (which was just 2 days later!).

I had the opportunity to speak with Cristina DeMarco from Bridal Reflections who worked with LaLa on creating her dream dress. The vision was “to create a very fashion forward look. Changes were made to the a-line chiffon skirt, changing it into a hi-lo skirt (short mini front into ankle length in the back), which gave the gown a bubble hem finish creating a soft draping in a puddling effect. She truly has a one of kind gown!” Why did LaLa want a shorter front? I would suspect to show off her killer legs and dazzling shoes.

The original Romona Keveza gown was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, which highlights a voulant-textured bodice made of silk chiffon scattered with delicate Swarovski crystals. The soft flared skirt is made of silk chiffon. Accented at the waist, is an attached Swarovski crystal belt – just a little extra bling. The 2011 collection is equally beautiful and I hear the fall collection is one of her best yet.

Original gown by Romona Keveza - back

Bridal Reflections is a favorite known as a full-service bridal salon, willing to go the extra-mile for all their brides. This is what I mean about service so I wasn’t surprised that they did this for LaLa. They create an environment that makes each of their brides feel like a celebrity.

I’m thrilled to once again keep you in the loop on exclusives as well as tell you about upcoming trunk shows. Here are a few that are at the Bridal Reflections NY flagship store, but check their other two locations in Long Island for upcoming dates and designers.

What: Simone Carvalli Trunk Show
When: July 15-17
Where: Bridal Reflections - 260 Fifth Avenue (At W. 28th St) To schedule an appointment, please call 212-764-3040

What: Ines DiSanto
When: July 22-24 Note: Ms. Ines DiSanto will appear in person
Where: Bridal Reflections - 260 Fifth Avenue (At W. 28th St) To schedule an appointment, please call 212-764-3040

Congratulations to the happy couple and to Bridal Reflections for making yet another brides dream come

Romona Keveza spring 2011 Legends are made bridal collection

Romona Keveza photo's by FirstW

Inspired by blossoming of a flower, this collection flourishes and is completely designed around a full, rich and beautiful life.

Her direction for 2011, plays with lengths, colors and cuts that range from feminine to flirty. The flower blooms that are on some of the collection seems to ‘open up’ and create a beautiful shape in each of the gowns. These are for the couture and modern bride who appreciated meticulous craftsman ship. This is also for the woman who may see her gown as a heirloom piece for her daughter.

She also showed her romantic film noir evening gown collection. Her silhouettes are reminiscent of the romantic films of the past, highlighting lustrous fabrics that are feminine yet super sensual. When we viewed her line the looks were a contrast between architectural and organic shapes mixed with a bit of fantasy.

Worn by starts like Angelina Jolie, Juliette Lewis, Julia Roberts, Angela Bassett and Marisa Tomei just to name a few. You can find her eveningwear and couture bridal sold at only the finest stores in the US and Canada like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Stanley Korshak. Of course, you can always visit her site directly for shops in your local area.

Fabric trends: silk chiffon, silk organza, silk crepe, silk taffeta lace and French net/lattice embroidery
Color trends: Crème brulee, pearl, ivory, blush, white, Ivory, Blush, Ice Blue and Champagne
Style trends: One-shoulder, sweetheart neckline, strapless, fluted skirt, detachable side tails, mermaid and chapel-length ball gown

Evening gown color trends: Twilight black, purple, cobalt blue, Bordeaux, peacock blue, antique pewter and antique gold

...and if you wanted it in black....

Wine Wednesday: Choose your wine, like you choose your diamond

Which will you choose?

Is it hot enough for you? These beautiful wines served icy-cold will be a refreshing delight on days like today or throughout your special wedding events. While this may vary slightly, if you follow these 4 rules, you’re guaranteed to pick great wines every time.

The Bubbly:
See: For sparkling wines, look at the bubbles; they should be tiny rather than big and gassy. Remer this is champagne not ginger ale.
Sniff: Look for aromas of orange blossom, Asian pear, ripe peach and Bing cherries
Sip: The bubbles should feel creamy and rich in your mouth.
Summarize: Once you swallow, your mouth feels refreshed and happy. If not, then you’re possibly not drinking the best there is out there.

Chardonnay:
See: Look for a medium-golden color which indicates the intensely flavorful wine.
Sniff: Stone fruit aromas along with pear and tropical fruit are truly characteristic of Chardonnay.
Sip: This wine should fill your mouth with richness. Think buttery and full.
Summarize: The finish lasts and lasts, but the wine ultimately refreshes your palate thinks to it’s crisp acidity in it’s finish.

Pinot Noir
See: Pinot Noir is a more delicate red wine, so it won’t be super dark or opaque.
Sniff: Raspberry, cherry and plum are all found in Pinot, If you close your eyes, you’ll also smell hints or red, red roses.
Sip: This is much lighter in taste than a Chardonnay.
Summarize: Pinot is one of the lightest red wines, so the finish will be smooth and round instead of a big red.

Chardonnay and Riesling
See: The Chardonnay will be more golden while the Riesling more straw-yellow.
Sniff: While the Chardonnay will have peach, nectarine, and tropical fruit aromas, the Riesling will be more apple and floral.
Sip: Chardonnay – Big, Richer, think buttery! Riesling – Elegant more like a whisper.
Summarize: Both are bright with acidity but the Riesling will also have a touch of sweetness (to extreme sweetness) that will compliment spicy or sweet foods.

Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
See: The more delicate (lighter) Pinot is almost the complete opposite of the Cabernet (King of the Reds)
Sniff: Bright red fruits like cherries and strawberries characterize Pinot. The Cab has darker fruits like blackberries, and black currant, along with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and spice.
Sip: Pinot is light-bodies, especially when compared to Cabernet.
Summarize: The Pinot’s finish will be smooth and round. The Cabernet will have more bite and leave more of an impression when you’re drinking it.

Just to give you an idea, these are a few I would recommend:

Champagne - Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne NV
Chardonnay - Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
Pinot - Kenwood Pinot Noir Russian River
Cabernet - Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Indian Wells

San Rocco NYC continues to offer a specialty cocktail every Wednesday in July for my readers, along with their FREE aperitivo bar from 6:00-9:00pm. It's a beautiful day and too hot to cook, so eat, drink and be merry!

As always please remember to enjoy your cocktail BUT, be responsible in your consumption.

Monique Lhuillier creates a field of bridal dreams

Oh my gosh!! It is hot enough for you?! Well let's enjoy the cool and whimsical style of one of our favorite bridal designers - Monique Lhuillier

Butterflies, branches, wheat stalks and feathers; all delicately woven into the collection. There are lots of textures and for Monique Lhuillier and she says, "the trumpet silhouette is very strong this season". Yes in deed, romance is back.

Let me just take one step back to remind you of my Fashion Week prediction about the final piece in Ms. Lhuillier’s show. It was a beautiful cherry-red gown. BREATHTAKING! I remember saying to the person sitting next to me, that this piece would be in the springs collection – I didn’t k now if for sure, but it was so beautiful – how could it not. Sure enough, there it was in a beautiful ivory and equally spectacular.

Fabric trends: Satin Organza, Embroidered illusion, embellished lace, Chantilly, feathered tulle and pebble georgette
Color trends: Ivory
Style trends: Strapless, trumpet, ruffle skirt, feathers, tulle overlay, embroidered skirts, ruffle flowers, slide slit, tulle roses and drop waist corset bodice.

All photo's by Lisa M. Barr.