Anniversary SALE!!!

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A Short History Lesson: The Wedding Gown

Wedding dresses are a relatively new item; until the 1900s, brides just wore their church clothes or best dress. The traditional white gown was made popular in 1840 by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert.

Whether the bride is desirous of a fairy tale dress or simple gown, nothing else in history compares to the wedding gown. Gowns are inspired by movies and their stars, royalty, culture and haute couture, the runway, and fairy tales.

On June 26, Christie's auctioned Elizabeth Taylor's first wedding dress (her wedding to Conrad Hilton), for... drumroll please...

$187,931

That's right. $187, 931. Mere pocket change.

Grace Kelly's gown was a mere $7266 (minus design fees) in 1956. Her veil alone had 90 yards of tulle.

Jackie Kennedy wanted a simpler gown, but the Kennedy clan insisted and she relented.

Fifty yards of ivory silk taffeta.

Coco Chanel brought us the tan and broke with fashion dictates (or created them) in her short gown in the 1920s.                                 

Perhaps the most memorable gown is that of the gorgeous Diana Spencer, also known as Princess Diana. 

Ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, Diana's gown may be that fairy tale gown every little girl dreams of. 

Gown trends for 2014 are slim and elegant. Resplendent with metallic beading.

Gowns by Maggie Sottero. 

Ombre hues by Maggie Sottero

The Gianna - delicate gold metallic beading

The Gianna from the back

Gorgeous!

 Back detail is phenomenal!

Maggie Sottero Spring 2014 Collection

                                             Cinderella still lives! Can a dress get more beautiful?

Whether you go short, long, slim, or full-skirted, your wedding gown is one unique treasure sure to draw oohs and ahhs! It may not sell at Christie's or hang in the Smithsonian, but it's sure to draw attention.

Who is The Bouquet Lady?

The Bouquet Lady is Teresa.

When I got engaged in 2011, I knew I wanted a bouquet unlike any other that I could keep and cherish for years to come. And I knew I wanted to make it. So I did. Eleven times. (I am a bit of a perfectionist.) A few months later, I was contacted by Charisse, a bride who needed a wedding bouquet for her wedding – two weeks away.  I made “The Charisse” – a beautiful pink bouquet honoring her mother, a breast cancer victim.  Charisse’s wedding bouquet is with breast cancer brooches, three pink pearls for her three daughters, and three pink crystals for the pure, sweet love of a mother and grandmother for those girls. Elegance On The Avenue Custom Satin Bridal Bouquets was born.

“The Charisse” Photography by comfortphotography.com

I love to personalize wedding bouquets. I enjoy getting to know each bride and creating not only an heirloom bouquet, but a memory, a lasting commemoration of her, her fiance, and their love.

Elegance On The Avenue was born of a need to create, to take a piece of fabric, a ribbon, a jewel, and design something wonderful. Birthed from the knee treadle sewing machine my mother purchased for her 12 year old daughter for $35 (including the cabinet!) in 1972, my need to create is hungry, now fed on a daily diet of double faced satin ribbon and brooches. A few crystals are thrown in to maintain a good, healthy, well-stoked creative diet.

Dear Hubby turned a storage shed attached to the house into my studio last summer and I am already bursting at the seams. I am thankful for that generous gift of space every day as the business grows.

Elegance On The Avenue serves brides in Central Virginia in our studio. We  consult with brides nationwide via phone and email.

Visit our Bouquet Gallery to see custom satin bridal bouquets and ready-to-ship bouquets. Start designing your own bouquet here.

Elegance On The Avenue.

Memories not just for a day, but for a lifetime.

  

Teresa’s bouquet after 11 “edits.”

Gowns! Glorious Gowns!

You can't wait to wear it. It took weeks, maybe months to find. Then that lengthy ordering process and fittings. 

The Gown. 

Capital 'G' gown. You know it the minute the assistant zips it up.

The Bouquet Lady's favorite gown manufacturer is Casablanca Bridal. Oh, I just drool. I even bought one of my own. I wanted a gown that didn't make this half a century old bride look ridiculous.

Dear Reader, Casablanca made me look fantastic.

 

The BouquetLady's Gown was Casablanca 1975. 

A champagne beauty with gorgeous back detail. 

Casablanca 1975

After all, 

shouldn't you look fabulous going up the aisle and standing in front of everyone to say your vows? 

And Dear Reader, the back is very sexy. 

Yes, I said it.

Just look at what I found from Casablanca Bridal.

Casablanca 2099

Casablanca 2110

Backview 2110

Sheer elegance!

Casablanca 2128

2128 back

Casablanca 2130

WOW!

Casablanca 2135

2135 back! Oh lala!

 If you choose a dress with an open back or plunging back, why not some back jewelry? A necklace with a back drop. TheBouquetLady made hers. You can add a back droop to your bridal necklace.

TheBouquetLady's back drop necklace made from Swarovski crystals and pearls.

No matter if you DIY or buy, don't neglect your back. You will be standing in front of people who will only be able to see your backside. Dress it up!!! Check Etsy. Check Pinterest. Just check it out. Your guests will!

Love. Honor. And Cherish 3.

Wow. The Bouquet Lady just can't seem to stop finding incredible handmade gifts for your bridal party!

Today's artisan is one The Bouquet Lady knows of personally. The Bouquet Lady purchased a set of this incredible work for her own wedding!

This elegant, hand-painted stemware from Handpaintedgifts will be perfect for your toast. Frances does gorgeous work. The Bouquet Lady and Dear Hubby own champagne flutes and cake server and knife from Ms. Bouffard.  Here we are with Dear Uncle Brian, who called himself the world's oldest best man. We are holding our hand-painted champagne flutes from Handpaintedgifts found on Etsy, like all of the other handmade gifts pictured. Aren't these two men adorable?

Our glasses!

                                                                                          

I LOVE the color!

And it just keeps getting better!

Visit Frances's shop today!

Love. Honor. And Cherish 2.

When it comes to gifts for bridal party attendants, I tend to think practical.

 I have, over the years, a collection of memorabilia that was really special or neat on the day of the event, but now, uh, not so much. How many embossed napkins does one girl need? How many "Thank you for being my bridesmaid!" necklaces? Hmmm.... Not so exciting 12 years after the fact, is it?

TheBouquetLady has a few solutions. Caring, memorable, yet, and I hate to use this word in connection with a gift, practical solutions.

This necklace by GorjessJewellery is one piece that can be worn and treasured for a long time.

Now, I know this isn't "wedding" looking, but it is useful. Have Marcia of emmepurses make them in your wedding colors or better yet, your bridesmaids' personal favorite colors. They are inexpensive, too. $12 each!

I love this next item! Personal AND useful! A set of eight, monogrammed robes is $224 from OccasionsEmbroidery.

Letter Locket Necklace Envelopes from Caroline Nassour in South Wales, Australia are very unique and timeless gifts for $22 (USD).

And of course, why not her own Elegance On The Avenue custom bridesmaid bouquet? Personalize it with a special memento of your friendship or relationship. This set was designed for a bride and her twin sister maid-of-honor.

We at Elegance On The Avenue wish you happy gift hunting! Make a memory for a lifetime, not just for a day.

Love. Honor. And Cherish.

Love...
Wedding days are about the bride and the groom, especially the bride. The dress. The hair. The ring. The love.  Let your beloved know your deepest feelings with these beautiful cards from Stefani at marrygrams.

Honor  those who helped you become the person you are.

   Lovely mementos of a life, not just a day.                        

And Cherish. 
Many people nurture and pour into our lives selflessly, and help to make the wedding day shine.

Stefani creates all sorts of lovely wedding day Thank You cards, signs, invitations, etc. LOVIN' her work!!!

www.eleganceontheavenue.com