The Great Gatsby Bridal Show

Flappers, fur, and Fitzgerald, you guessed it! Our last bridal show was inspired by the classic and popular story of The Great Gatsby. Now more than ever the roaring twenties bridal look is booming! Brides everywhere are demanding art deco, drop-hip dresses, feathers, beaded bands, and every glamorous aspect of the Jazz Age. We did our best to bring you the latest twenties inspired bridal looks straight from Mary Me Bridal to the stage. Check out this video to see it all...

A big THANK YOU! To our team who made this possible.
Including:
Premier Bridal Shows
Production: Solano 888 Productions
Make up: Arte of Makeup
Hair: Salon 5150
Bouquets: Nadege Barnes of Mon Joli Bouquet
Photography: Alanifoto Photography
DJ: Renowned Events

High-Low Hems: The Bridesmaids Trend for 2013

       As the new 2013 bridesmaids collections have been pouring into our store, there's one style that somehow finds it's way into every box. The style dubbed by the fashion industry as, "The High-Low Hem".  It's a fun new trend for bridal parties looking for a more unconventional and playful look.  And it's perfect for Spring/Summer weddings coming up just around the corner.  (Not to mention it looks great in photos if you can catch that light afternoon breeze.) 
       In addition, many of these styles you can actually wear again! I know, I know, it's been said one too many times before. But really, this time it's true! It's just formal enough for a wedding, and just casual and trendy enough for a night-out with friends, a dinner date, or even holidays. And you don't even have to hem it shorter. 

Designers showing this trend include Jim Hjelm, Bari Jay, Dessy, Watters, and Jasmine. Come to Mary Me Bridal's bridesmaids salon to check them out!

 

 

 

Something Blue

"Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue"

             How about a gorgeous wedding gown with pale blue accents from up and coming designer Tara Lauren? This post is sister to our last post, about the new colored wedding gown trend that almost every wedding designer is showcasing. This new whimsical, feminine, and romantic gown is made with delicate pale blue lace across the bodice and a thin veil of pale blue tulle layered throughout the skirt.  To top if off the beaded hand made sash across the waist is a muted yellow to complement the gorgeous blue. Truly a dress from a fairytale. This dress can also be custom made to match your color preferences. Prefer blush pink? mint green? pale yellow? soft lavender?  Almost any color you prefer, this designer can accommodate.  But here's the thing, this gown is exclusively available at Mary Me Bridal! Try checking anywhere else in the world, you won't find it unless you're in our salon. I promise! Come in to see and try on this beautiful gown, it's truly one of a kind...

Photography of top five photos by Alanifoto Photography

Q & A with Photographer Valentina Glidden

Saying a Photographer is only as good as their camera, is like saying a baker is only as good as their oven. Valentina Glidden is a talented portrait and wedding photographer located in Southern California, who photographed the wedding of one of our own bride's, Krista Moline, and her husband Derek Jacobsen. The wedding, as you can see, from the photos below, was beautiful. But it takes a skilled photographer to capture those memories as beautiful as they were in the moment to last forever.  I asked Valentina a few questions about her experience in wedding photography including how to get compelling shots, advice for the camera shy, and her experience of the Moline and Jacobsen wedding...

Check out her blog: http://blog.valentinaglidden.com/ 

Me: What made you want to become a photographer?

Valentina: I grew up in a photography world. Both of my parents are photographers but I never really thought about becoming one myself. One day I started playing with my husband’s camera and asked a friend if she would model for me. I honestly didn’t think I was going to love it as much as I did but since that day photography has been my passion.  

Me: What is your favorite thing about shooting weddings?

Valentina: My favorite thing about weddings is the smiles and tears. Happy tears, of course! I absolutely love being able to capture the emotion on the bride, the groom and their family and friends. I love that I get to capture a celebration of love and the union between 2 people who absolutely love each other.

Me: What moments or shots do you look for? Or what are the most compelling shots for you?
 

Valentina: I love being able to capture emotion. I think crying photos are my favorite! I also love ceremony photos. They tend to be my favorite photos from a wedding. I remember from my own wedding being on cloud 9 as I said “I do” to my husband, and it makes me so excited knowing that in that moment, that couple is feeling that much excitement and joy. It shows in their faces and I get to capture it so they can treasure that forever!

Me: What are three words that describe your work?

Valentina: Classic, elegant and romantic

Me: Describe your experience shooting the Moline and Jacobsen wedding.

Valentina: Krista and Derek’s wedding was beautiful! The details, the location, the dress, the bride and the groom. Everything was spectacular! My absolutely favorite part was their vows. They wrote them themselves and they had me tearing up behind my camera. Their reception was also a blast!  

Me: What advice do you have to those who are nervous to have their photo taken or do a "photo shoot"? Do you often have customers who feel this way?

Valentina: I think it’s normal to be nervous before photo shoots. I get nervous whenever I step in front of the camera. I think my biggest advice is for the couple to trust the photographer. My best work comes out when couples trust me and trust my work. The great thing about couples is you have your significant other by your side and I think that helps the nerves. I definitely have had clients be nervous! I always tell them we’re there to have fun and I plan to capture their love in the process.  

(Krista wore a beautiful gown by Jim Hjelm style 8063 from Mary Me Bridal)

(All photos in this post are by Valentina Glidden Photography)

Chriselle Lim Official Wedding Photos (Part One)

             Check out part one of the official wedding photos from Chriselle Lim's wedding! Her bridesmaids dresses, if you're just tuning in now, are from us, Mary Me Bridal, by the designer Lela Rose! They look beautiful and stunning on Chriselle's bridesmaids. Go check it out!

Photo by Jana Williams

When is creative freedom, a creative cage?

            Many brides today are opting for the creative mix and match route when it comes to their bridesmaids. They tell them to "pick any design you like as long as it's blank fabric in blank color by blank designer".  OR They give their maids even more freedom with  "get any dress you like as long as it's in blank color!".  But while this may work for some bridal parties who enjoy spending time being creative or having control over what they are wearing, many bridesmaids arrive to our store stumped. They scan through the endless dresses thinking, 

"Someone just tell me what to wear already!!!"

Here's the thing, sometimes taking the creative route can end up looking really nice and it can make your best maids very happy. But not every group of bridesmaids are the same. As a bride, get a feel for your group of girls.

Are they very opinionated? Easy to make decisions? Know what they want? Naturally drawn to creativity? Individualistic? Then you can probably opt for a more creative freedom route.

Are they "go with the flow" types? Do they want "whatever you want"? Is it hard for them to make decisions? Are they more group-oriented? Do they like cohesion? Then you probably want to take a less creative freedom route, with more boundaries.

          Even narrowing the choices to three dresses, that have to be in blank fabric in blank color by blank designer makes it easier on the latter group.  If you are a creative bride yourself, you can even decide the individual style/color of every one of your bridesmaids for them. Gage what kind of group your bridesmaids are, and go from there. Just remember to keep your bridesmaids comfort and happiness in mind. 

(we do not own any of these photos)

Youtube Star Chriselle Lim's Wedding Finale

Over the summer we were honored and delighted to work with Youtube Star Chriselle Lim, in finding the perfect bridesmaids dress for her bridal party. The girls seem to be very dear to her, and so, she wanted them to be happy in their dresses as well as compliment the overall theme of the wedding. A soft romantic vintage look. She and her bridesmaid Sara Sohn had a great time trying on different dresses in  part 1 & part 2 of the Youtube videos dedicated to their search for the perfect bridesmaids dress at Mary Me.  However, they kept the dress they chose a secret until the actual wedding finale. Here it is! Watch to find out which dress they chose...

DOWN THE AISLE WITH CHRISELLE LIM

   At Mary Me Bridal, we were fortunate enough to have Youtube Star Chriselle Lim come in with the goal of finding the perfect bridesmaids dress(es) for her gal friends.  Chriselle and her good friend Sara Sohn were sweet and full of laughs. They went through many different dresses until they found one that worked for them.  Although you won't see it yet in this video, as it is in two parts, be sure to follow Chriselle's videos to find out which one she chose...

Check out part 1 of the video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IbMYzUj214&feature=colike#

                                                             

  One of Chriselle's obstacles was similar to what many brides are encountering today; one of her bridesmaids is pregnant. Sara, to be precise. So of course she wanted a dress that flattered her Mommy-to-be maid as well as her other bridesmaids. When looking for that dress your best bet is to:

A) Stick to chiffon. As one may know, fabric lays on the body in different ways. Chiffon falls beautifully around a baby bump.  Satin and taffeta often don't compliment a baby bump, and can result in your friend feeling frumpy. Silk may sometimes work depending on the bridesmaid. Delving more into chiffon, however, crinkle chiffon can be a little difficult. The designers who offer crinkle chiffon have different interpretations of what that is. Sometimes it's very light and airy, which is nice when the air isn't too dry as it can become clingy or static-y, but, sometimes it's a bit heavier and falls similar to regular chiffon.

B) Find dresses with Empire or Natural Waistline. Empire waistline is ideal, however, a natural waistline with a gathering can be brought upward (an alteration we provide right at Mary Me!).

C) Choose different dresses with a cohesive tie. This is an option that is growing in popularity these days. As long as you stick with one designer and one type of fabric you can let your bridesmaids choose the style that works best for them! You also want to stick with either one color, or one color combo. You can keep it even more cohesive and choose a select few styles from which your bridesmaids can choose which they like best. We suggest sticking with the same length. Different lengths can throw your pictures off and that sense of cohesiveness off.

  

Whatever you decide, always remember to keep your bridesmaids feeling comfortable and pretty. Here's a few well known ladies with the right idea!

(we do not own any of these photos)