Im going to use this blog to shamelessly advertise my very talented and inspiring friend’s Finnish handmade business – Onni Designs. My internationally traveled and educated friend, Stephanie Seege recently told me about her jewelry business. We only got back in touch recently but I first met her when I was 17 years old at an international conference in Washington D.C. and New York City. When I checked her website, I was so impressed by the beautiful designs and her story of how she started her business. Onni means luck …

Are you thinking “Oh NO” after you sent your wedding dress in for alterations? I did today. After meeting the lovely shop assistant at the veil store, I got completely stressed out about my alterations service. The last time I went in for my initial alterations consultation, I had a very bad feeling about getting my dress done at the particular service. I was already charged a lot for doing the back and the sides and my budget for alterations did not allow me to have my hems also shortened. …

My cousin and I went to a sweet little shop called “The Silk Society” off one of the back alleys off Oxford Street to look at some veil materials. As soon as I stepped inside, I was so impressed by the sheer variety and colours of all the materials available. I can just imagine why my cousin loved the place so much. The two assistants were also very helpful, particularly the lady who even gave me tips on how to alter my dress and preserve the lace. 
There were only two …

My cousin, the fashion designer, has spring break and as a birthday present for me, I’ve asked if he could make a veil for me. I’ve had a lot of difficulty trying to find a veil to match my dress. Pronovias at Bond Street, where I bought my dress, called to say they had the matching veil. When I arrived, they explained that the veil showed up on the database but they could not locate it in the shop. I have seen some other lace outlined veils but none seemed …

A few days ago, I went in for my appointment at Bridal Alterations, which is part of Designer Alterations at Queenstown Road in Battersea. The Pronovias store recommended this alterations service. If you buy dresses at the Pronovias store, they have their own in-house alterations but for the dresses they sell at sample sales, they recommend an external alterations service company. I looked at their brochure and my cousin, the fashion designer estimated that the alterations would cost about £700. Thats the price of a new dress for some people …

Today I went to see different types of veils to match my Pronovias dress. I had called the Pronovias store on Bond Street to ask if they had the veils to match my dress. The assistant on the phone said she found one designed specially for the “Nerveo” dress and it was £310. I thought that was a bit pricey but certainly cheaper than the veil at Carolina Castiligano which was £1000. I don’t know how these designers charge something that is not even a piece of cloth! Throughout this …

Did you see the Academy Awards and notice the number of stars wearing white? I dont know if its also a trend to wear mermaid style dress. Anyways, I thought that I’d post some photos for inspiration for those still hunting for a wedding dress. If you have a dress that is already mermaid style, you could ask your dress maker to make it more mermaid and puff up the bottom:

My stylist recommended that I buy wedding shoes that have a platform because it is more comfortable. Luckily for us, these types of shoes are in fashion now!
So I went out to buy these shoes from office. I think they look great and I could wear them again in the future…. if I dont mind being 5 inches taller!
But then I went online and found a discount code for 15% off so Im buying them online. So girls, if you find the shoe you want, it might be worth trying …

So my stylist who I raved about in my last post texted me last night to say that he’d love to accept and be my stylist. Yay! So I’ve been thinking of having my hair up as its a formal, important affair but still keeping it flirty and youthful by adding soft curls. My stylist said that I shouldnt get dramatic curls as I’m young and so he would be making curls as though I twirled them in place with my own fingers. 
Here are some photos of a gorgeous bride …

Whilst chatting to another bride last week, I was reminded to book my wedding hair and make up stylist. I thought I would only need to find one in the last few months before the wedding. There is still 6 months more for my wedding so I began looking for one. I soon found out that almost half of them are already booked out for August 2009 – wow, when did wedding hair and make up stylist bookings become so competitive? So girls, get yours booked out. I would also …