Celebrate 2010 with 'new' designers who will knock your socks off

Photo credit AcQuachiara Bridal

There is something to be said about a ‘newbie’ that not only comes on the scene, but one that makes such a dramatic impact, you’re left with saying “surely they’ve been here for years?” Well I’ve been über lucky this year to be at the launch, or to ‘discover’ some of the winners of my first “New Kids That Rock The Bridal-Block” award.

What makes them amazing? Let’s face it, this industry is tough. In a lot of way, tougher than the fashion industry, because you only have one shot to make a first impression. Impress these folks did. It was the hot, hot, hot bridal designs bringing a bit of their cultural flare to the drawing board, which eventually became the actual creations that caught my eye. It’s fresh, it’s hip, it’s WOW and it’s the newbies who will be on the lips of everyone in 2010. That’s a bridalease prediction and I’m willing to place a bet on.

There are about 20 photos in the slide-show below and the one time I really wish, you could reach in and 'feel' the quality...AMAZING!!

Jorge Perez - photo by Lisa M. Barr

Jorge Perez de la Habana does Cuba proud in the debut of his collection. There is something that is so '1940’s Cuban romance' that will immediately call to you. It’s so caliente, all your groom will need, is a cigar to transport you to this Caribbean island. You can tell every stitch is placed with love and care. I can’t wait to see what his sophomore collection brings.

Minna K - photo by Lisa M. Barr

MinnaK is the next bridal designer you will know on a first name only basis. Clean lines, supple fabric and innovative design. Her cut and color have already captured many in the bridal world this season. MinnaK is truly on her way to bridal stardom.

Photo credit Shanghai Tang

Shanghai Tang for the Bride and Groom (yes a double winner!) for a bit of Asian-chic without flying to Shanghai yourself. Pick your fabric, your design and a few weeks later, a custom one-of-a-kind creation. With options for the entire bridal party, this may be the ultimate one-stop-shop.

Photo credit AcQuachiara Bridal

AcQuachiara Bridal – direct from Italy, their exquisitely made fabrics, rich textures and unique styles were truly a standout for me. There are gowns for everyone – and I do mean everyone. While they have been on the scene in Europe for years, this was their freshman year in the states and I’m sure their sophomore collection will be an immediate hit. The only problem for brides, which one to pick.

I am so thrilled to have been a part of introducing you to these designers. Will they continue to knock your socks off, absolutely. What I really want you to take away from them is, if you truly want unique, one of a kind bridal attire, these are among the designers you should seriously consider.

Congratulations to the winners, I look forward to all the new, new kids on the block for 2010 and tomorrow the best of my ‘Grooming the Groom’. Have to show love for the men in our lives. Until then…

Happy New Years Eve. Be Safe and Have Fun!

Top 2009 eco-friendly and eco-chic vendors

The cotton bride dream dresses for the bride and momthers

I love the overwhelming response I received when I started eco-Wednesday. You folks ROCK!! It proved that there are couples that are truly committed to making this planet a safer place. You are dedicated to finding vendors who had the same belief in your values and you know what – you have the buying power and boy did it show.

Recently, I’ve been asked to write some articles in an upcoming eco-wedding magazine and I’ve been hard at work gathering information for it. What that means for you – you will have another medium to find the best there is in eco-chic wedding information. Don’t cha’ love it? I do.

Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly folks and know that narrowing it down to these was a really, really tough job. I hope that the people, places and things that I highlight in 2010 will be just as exciting and dedicated to saving our planet.

The Cotton Brideand Adele Wechsler both have couture bridal collections for the lifestyles, interests of today’s eco-chic bride. That means they are fun, flirty and good to the environment.

My Personal Artists - uses of original one-of-a-kind hand-painted / hand-illustrated artwork, to create a lovely keepsake for you and your family.

Milo Paper - colorful, fun, innovative, and spunky are just some of the words that come to mind when you choose Milo Paper.

Creative Custom Card Boxes - When you want something beautiful to collect your wedding envelopes that is truly personalized these unique and eco-friendly boxes are the key.

Aglow Soy Candle - Soy is so good when it comes to lighting your future together. Adding a bit of bling creates something that creates additional sparkle to your special night.

Dogeared Jewels and gifts - Most designers suggest that gems worn on your wedding day, be simple and meaningful. Dogeared meets both requirements along with being super stylish and provides enough styles for the entire bridal party. You will be giving and wearing those good vibes.

2009 planner, party dress and wine to match

Marc Wilson Design wedding blooms

We are just a few days until 2010 an if you are looking for someone to design your wedding (or maybe you need someone to get your last-minute New Years even party…), then by all means call Marc Wilson Design. Marc gets to know you, your vision and then brings it to life. When we met this summer – before the colors for 2010 were announced, he told me what he thought would be hot for this upcoming season. Sure enough his predictions were true. If he has that much insight on colors, six months before they are announced, imagine what he can do to make your dreams a reality.

This is not to say that there aren’t lots of wonderful event design houses out there, but remember I don’t and WON’T recommend anyone that I wouldn’t use myself. Marc truly creates an event that is elegance personified.

Wedding designers/planners:
Marc Wilson Design

Twobirds Bridesmaid

The trend is to have your bridesmaids look comfortable and stylish. This means that the dresses you pick are comfy, pretty; in the colors you want – in the multitude of sizes to compliment every girl and yet, allow them their personal style. When I first saw the dresses at Twobirds Bridesmaid, I wanted one for myself. In three words, these dresses are hot, hot, hot! This company listens to and knows what is flattering to your body and best yet, your girls can and will want to wear these dresses out again and again.

Bridesmaids gowns: Twobirds Bridesmaid

Bottlerocket Wine and spirit

Bottlerocket Wine and Spirit, a wine specialty shop who serves brides/couples that have an interest in wine or just want to add an element of fun and elegance to their events. For all couples that are interested in purchasing specialty wines, this company has a great selection of organic, biodynamic and environmentally sustainable wines. You know how much I love a good eco-find!! A wedding registry of wines and spirits can be opened at the 1year, 5year and 10 year anniversaries or compiled "starter cellars" giving the gift of daily wine pleasure.

A different kind of party: Bottlerocket wine and spirit

Cocktails to bring in the New Year

Toast 2010 in style. Happy X-Rated Fusion New Year

Whether you’re throwing your own party or crashing one, offer a delicious twist to the inevitable midnight toast.

After the requisite bottles of champagne have been secured, opt to add a spirited and playful splash of pink to the glass and the party with X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. This is a yummy fusion of ultra premium French vodka and blood oranges, mangoes and passion fruits and one of my new favorite flavors. These fun cocktails are from some of the hottest spots in the US so a big thanks to the Bartenders who created them and are sharing them with me.

Of course you may be going to a party and do want to bring a bottle of the bubbly or two. Make sure you see the wonderful gifts that Moët & Chandon have to offer. I especially love the minis…can’t go wrong with them. These are really great ideas for your receptions so bookmark this page and refer to it often.

This is the dawn of a new decade…make it yours. Congratulations to all you newly engaged couples and remember if you ever wished for a bridal fairy godmother, I’m here. Contact me if you have any special requests. Here’s wishing you every good thing in 2010. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Bitter Bubbles

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
0.5 oz SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.25 oz Campari
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Pink Fusion – originally served at Carlucci Lombard, Chicago

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz SKYY Infusions Citrus
Splash of Fresh Lemonade
Top with Champagne, serve in martini glass with lemon twist

Passion Punch

2 parts X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 parts SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.5 parts Passion Fruit of Mango Puree (or orange juice)
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Bessito - originally served at Asia De Cuba, New York

1 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
Top with Champagne, serve in a flute

Love Letter - Created by Adam Wilson of Beretta

1 oz Campari
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.75 oz Cointreau
0.25 oz Maple Syrup (should be 1:1 with water)
0.25 oz Small Hand Grenadine
3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
Shake. Add Soda. Pour over ice in highball. Garnish with a lime zest.

Red Hot Chocolate - Originally served at 116 Crown in New Haven, CT, created by mixologist John Ginnetti

1 ounce Campari
2 ounces Brandy
3 ounces Whole Milk
0.5 ounce heavy cream (optional)
2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips

Put milk, cream & chocolate in a milk frothing cup used for espresso.

Froth milk as you would for cappuccino. When milk is hot remove frothing wand and whisk or stir vigorously until chocolate is completely melted. Add Campari and Brandy. Pour into heat-resistant cup. Can be garnished with 1 large hand-cut marshmallow or a red peppermint stick.

Perfect sippers and great individual bottles. Yummm

Not forgetting the bubbly, Moët & Chandon keeps celebrating this holiday season simple and chic with the Buckets of Bubbles champagne gift set. The clear carrying case cleverly doubles as an ice bucket, containing four mini champagne flutes that can be attached to the top of the four small bottles of refreshing Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial bubbly included in the set. Buckets of Bubbles retails for approximately $34.99.

Don't you love this 'chill box? 2 gifts in one!

Let Moët & Chandon help you navigate your way through your busy social calendar this holiday season with a simple gift that is sure to leave a lasting impression on each and every recipient. The Moët Chill Box consists of a bottle of Moët & Chandon Impérial enclosed in an elegant gold container, designed to maintain the champagne’s ideal drinking temperature for two hours. A stylish yet practical gift, the Moët Chill Box is your go-to item all the way from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. This item is available in most fine wine and spirits stores this September at no added cost when you purchase a bottle of Moët Imperial for $39.99.

Highlight of destinations and locations for your wedding day

Neckers Island - BVI

I’ve been looking through the almost 200 articles I’ve written since March 1, 2009. I’ve gone through and checked them twice. I’ve compiled my list of some of the many amazing vendors and/or locations I wanted to highlight once again. Why, because some of you are at the very beginning phase and others are toward the end. You never know if one of these vendors could be the answer to that last ‘thing’ you need.

I will say right up front that none of them are compensating me in any way to pick them, re-post anything about them. These are truly just a few of my favorites. This also doesn’t mean that I don’t love them all and think that they are all worthy it’s just…well, I wanted to do a round-up.

The Crosby Street Hotel - NYC

There are so many hotels, but I absolutely love the Crosby Street Hotel, NYC because of its British flare and fun. From a proper Hi-Tea, to a martini perfectly shaken, to your own private screening room, this is the place for you. Also, I picked this hotel because of their commitment to the environment as they will soon become GOLD LEED by the US Green Building Council making it one of the first hotels in NY to do so. We love a GREEN hotel that exceeds our comfort expectations right?

The Liberty Hotel - Boston MA

The Shorham Hotel, NYC – Chic, sophisticated and the ability to have your own red-rope makes this a modern space where the only limits would be based on your imagination.If you are looking for a little south beach flavor, the Shoreham is the place for an evening cocktail and where you can enjoy a little bit of Miami in midtown NYC.

The Liberty Hotel, Boston, MA – Gives new meaning to a lifetime commitment. A converted prison in the historic Beacon Hill section of Boston is beautiful. Exposed brick and yes even some of the original jail bars add a unique touch and added fun for your pictures.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Gansevoort South Beach Hotel, Miami, Fla – It’s south beach – what more can you say. The food, flavor and flare is hot, hot, hot!

Mandarin Oriental NYC – If you are looking for couture with a view, this is it. The Mandarin Oriental pays attention to every major and minor detail. Your wish is fulfilled almost before you speak it. With cuisine that cutting edge, it is a blend of the something old with something new.

Neckers Island

Neckers Island, BVI - If money is no object this private island can be yours. All I ask is if you do choose Neckers Island I'll happily take care of all the arrangements for you. The staff, food and beauty of the island are only the beginning. Private coves, warm breezes, your own wait-staff. To say that you honeymooned on Sir Richard Bransons island...priceless when it comes to bragging rights.

What locations and destinations are coming up in 2010 – you won’t believe it!! I will say that they are the locations, destinations, venues (and lots more of the things) YOU are asking for. So feel free to email me at bridalease {at} gmail dot com, and ask away. I can hit to my first destination...it's truly a winter wonderland with french flare. Tomorrow I’ll highlight my 2009 wedding planner and event designers and bridesmaids’ gowns. See ya then…