See You Saturday!

Just a reminder, everybody, that the Bliss Bridal Open House is happening this Saturday from noon to 5:00 PM. At 1:00, the fashion show will start and will feature top designers such as Maggie Sottero, Watters and Wtoo, Mori Lee and more! Participating vendors include but are not limited to:

• Lauthr Salon
• Rick Ouellette Photography
• Crystal Clear Studios
• Photo Booth Blast
• And many more!

This is going to be a great opportunity to get ideas for you upcoming nuptials, make connections with vendors, win fantastic prizes and have a lot of fun. To reserve a seat for the fashion show, contact us at info@theweddingwearhouse.com.

Check back next week for photos from the event!

A Dress for Every Occasion

Years ago, an elderly woman came into the shop looking for something to wear for her birthday. She ended up leaving the store with one of our giant, ruffled, sparkly ball-gowns and we all watched in admiration as she hoisted the overstuffed garment bag over her shoulder and went on her way. Since then, I've found myself, on a number of occasions, thinking about that marvelous woman and musing on her enviable self-worth. The simple act of buying a big, silly, beautiful gown as a birthday present for herself spoke volumes of the high regard in which she, quite rightly, held herself. I have no idea where or to what she was planning to wear her new frock, but there wasn't a doubt in my mind that whatever she ended up doing to celebrate was going to be fabulous.

High-Fashion Flapjack Flipping - Tyson

Inspired by the aforementioned well-dressed lady, we decided to throw together this impromptu photo shoot with award-winning photographer, Tyson Ritter. Ritter brought his impressive talent and creative energy to a concept that was, admittedly, nebulous without his input. We wanted to showcase two current trends for 2013: neons and dressing for your bliss.

Neon

Thanks to pop-princesses like Ke$ha and Nicki Minaj, bright neons are everywhere. While it may seem like a risky move at first glance, on the right skin tone, a bright pink and orange like the ones pictured on this Vizcaya ball gown by Mori Lee can make the wearer appear sun-kissed and glowy. Stick to your color temperature and you won't go wrong. If you're unsure, electric blue and neon coral can be pulled off on just about any skin tone.

Breakfast with a Disney Princess - Tyson Ritter

Dressing for your Bliss

It is the fashion world's version of following your bliss and it is huge for 2013. It is the style inspired by little kids playing dress up in the bathtub and elderly women wearing quinceanera dresses to their own birthday parties. It is the philosophy that you decide your own dress code. If you want to wear a fifties swing dress and Marilyn Monroe hair to the laundromat, go for it. If you want to wear lederhosen to the beach, more power to you. If you want to go to the gym in full hair and makeup, that is between you and your pores. 

Pancakes fit for a Princess - Tyson Ritter

 The point is, your schedule may be taken up with trips to the grocery store and endless housework rather than dancing the night away at a grand ball, but that is no reason not to break out the gorgeous little number you've been saving in your closet for a special occasion. Your day job may be mundane, but there's a princess in all of us. So never mind that you're "all dressed up with nowhere to go," never mind that your favorite dress is hot pink, orange and bedazzled, and never mind that its skirt is so big it may knock over small children as you stroll down the cereal aisle of the grocery store. You don't need a special occasion to wear your special outfits. Let your inner princess out and dress for your bliss.

Blue Bottles - Tyson Ritter

Wedding Gown Guide:

Necklines

We're back with our second installment in our Wedding Gown Guide. It's arguable that necklines play just as big a role as silhouettes in how flattering a gown can be on a body type. As it is the closest part of the dress to the face, it is imperative that the neckline complements the wearer just right, or it won't matter what the rest of the gown looks like. On that note, the following is a comprehensive breakdown of the various options to choose from. Keep in mind, when shopping for bridal gowns, no dress is unalterable. If you've found the silhouette that you love, but the neckline has you feeling dubious, ask the consultant what changes could be made to improve it.       

Strapless

A classic option for bridal gowns, strapless dresses can be straight or curved along the top of the bust and are flattering on most shapes. See also: Sweetheart.

Spaghetti Straps

Thin, spaghetti-like, straps that can be attached to a variety of necklines.

One Shoulder

This modern neckline is also called asymmetrical and lends a sophisticated yet edgy flair to a gown. This neckline can accentuate curves beautifully.

Off-the-Shoulder

This romantic and feminine style is defined by the small straps or sleeves that hit the arms just below the shoulders. It is ideal for brides who want to show off a long neck and beautiful collarbones without going completely strapless.

Halter

Typically featuring straps that tie around the neck, halters are wonderful on brides who want to showcase beautiful shoulders and help elongate the neck.

V-neck

This neckline dips into a V, which draws the eye down to the waist, making it a universally flattering style.

Sweetheart

One of the most popular necklines, the sweetheart is so named because the bodice looks like the top of a heart. It can look fabulous on any body type in the way that it both accentuates a smaller bust and compliments a fuller bust.

Scoop

This is a rounded neck that falls well below the collarbones and, like the V-neck, is well-suited for most body shapes.

Square

This neckline is named for the square shape it creates on the chest and is another nearly universally flattering shape.

Cowl

Reminiscent of ancient roman styles because of the loose-fitted draping, the cowl neck is a sensual style that compliments well-defined collarbones and a variety of bust sizes. Depending on the material used, it can accommodate both formal and informal weddings.

            

Queen Anne

Kate Middleton most recently popularized this regal neckline. It is characterized by a high collar in the back that sweeps into a low neckline in the front. This style is exceedingly elegant and suits ultra-formal weddings well.

Illusion

The illusion neckline is typified by the sheer fabric on the top of the bodice that from far away can cause the dress to appear strapless. It is a romantic look that strikes a delicate balance of coverage.

Bateau

Also known as a boat neck, this neckline hits at the collarbones and features a wide opening.

Jewel

The jewel neckline is rounded and sits close to the neck like a crew neck on t-shirts. It is a chic style that can be quite fashion-forward and allows for emphasis to be placed elsewhere, such as the back or arms rather than the more commonly displayed décolletage.

High neck

The high neck is exactly what it sounds like and somewhat resembles a turtleneck. 

Did we miss any? Do you have a go-to neckline that always flatters your body type? What about necklines that don't work? Leave a comment and let us know.

Announcing the Grand Opening of Bliss Bridal & Black Tie

To Our Valued Customers,

I trust your respective holidays were full of relaxation and delicious baked goods. We, here at the Wedding Wearhouse, are revving up in preparation for another busy bridal season and thought it’d be a good idea to let all our favorite customers know that we will be changing our name to Bliss Bridal & Black Tie starting this month.

We feel that the name Bliss impeccably describes the experience that we strive to create for our clients when they’re here. Finding the perfect dress should not be stressful, harried or discouraging. It’s a right of passage that should be defined by the buzzing anticipation, the unbelievable delight, and the absolute, well, bliss that comes with celebrating your future with the one you love.

So, with that, we would like to invite you to the grand opening of Bliss Bridal & Black Tie on Saturday, January 26^th.

Highlights of the day will include:

• A Fabulous Fashion Show
• Champagne and Catered Hors d’oeuvers
• A Photo Booth
• Exciting Gifts and Prizes
• And Much More!

The event will take place at our new location in historic downtown Petaluma at 145 Petaluma Boulevard North and will last from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  To RSVP, please call (707) 769-8893 or email us at info@BlissBridalandBlackTie.com.

Wishing you all the best the new year has to offer,

Sincerely,

All of us here at Bliss Bridal

To a Memorable Bridal Show

What a weekend! We're still coming down from the excitement of a truly enjoyable and successful bridal show. Thank you to all the participating vendors and contributors to the Sonoma Wedding and Event Show! We also want to thank all the patrons of the show for coming. It was such a pleasure to meet all the future brides and we can't wait to see you all again soon.

Yours Truly,

The Bliss Bridal Team

Wedding Gown Guide:

Silhouettes

Congratulations! The date's been set, the location determined and the colors picked out. It is now time to begin the wondrous, though sometimes arduous search for the dress. With so many designers and styles out there, it can be a bit daunting trying to narrow down all the choices, so before heading out, it's a good idea to arm yourself with a basic understanding of wedding gowns. To get you started, our team of expert stylists have put together a quick guide to the most common dress silhouettes.

A-line

Named for the way in which the skirt resembles the outline of an uppercase “A”, this particular silhouette is widely known as the most universally flattering dress shape. It features a fitted bodice that flows in a continuous line all the way to a wider hem, slimming and elongating the figure. Classic and simple, the A-line is a discerning choice for any occasion.

Ball Gown

The ball gown is perfect for the traditional bride who dreams of a fairytale wedding. Fitted from the waist up, this silhouette accentuates the bust line and waist before flowing into a very full skirt. It is particularly flattering for any bride who wants to draw attention to her slender and shapely upper body. It is the most formal dress shape, making it ideal for large church wedding and evening affairs.

Empire

Most recognized for its place in regency era costumes, the empire gown is characterized by a raised waistline that fits just under the bust, with a skirt that skims over the body. The high waist creates length and draws attention to the décolletage, making it quite becoming on petite or small-breasted brides. The empire gown, much like the A-line, is versatile and can be very formal or more casual.

Sheath

Also known as a column gown, the sheath is a form-fitting dress that closely follows the contours of the body making it one of the sexiest silhouettes. It tends to be lighter weight than other gowns, which makes it a good choice for destination weddings. This dress can elongate the figure and accentuate curves.

Drop Waist

The drop waist gown is fairly self-explanatory in that its defining feature is a waist line that sits right around the widest point of the hips. This can be used to create balance and accentuate slender-hipped brides. The shape of the skirt can vary from quite full, ball gown style to more form-fitting sheath style. The drop waist is also very versatile in the levels of formality it can accommodate.

Trumpet

The trumpet is characterized by a slender bodice that fits close to the body all the way down to about mid-thigh where it flares out gracefully to a wide hem. With its uninterrupted lines and balanced shape the trumpet can be a real show-stopper on full-figured brides. It is also a beautiful choice for the bride who wants the wow-factor of a sheath dress without sacrificing the elegance and tradition of a wide skirt.

Mermaid

Often confused with the trumpet silhouette, the mermaid differs in that the skirt flares out at or below the knee and can be quite dramatic. Flattering on a variety of body shapes, it is particularly lovely on tall brides wanting to break up their height and curvy brides wanting to show off their feminine figures.

Have you found that a specific silhouette flatters your figure more than the others? What about the silhouettes that don't work for your body type? We want to know what you think. Feel free to comment below.