Getting Married on Long Island Wedding Advice » Fashion Front

Trade in Bridesmaid Dress Service FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:44:29 +0000

Great news for your bridesmaids! NEWLYMAID.com offers bridesmaids a way to turn a gently worn garment into a new, ready-to-wear little black dress like the ones below. Just pack up a bridesmaids’ dress and turn it into a trade-in value towards a new, ready-to-wear ‘any occasion’ dress. NEWLYMAID accepts bridesmaids’ dresses from most bridal industry brands including bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride, social occasion and prom dresses.

The process is fairly simple: Visit NEWLYMAID.com and purchase a trade-in mailer for sending one garment. The mailer includes two types of packaging, one clear bag for the dress and one shipping bag. A prepaid return shipping label is also included, along with packing and shipping instructions. Once NEWLYMAID receives the garment and the criteria for trade-in credit are met, special pricing (30 to 50 percent credit) for a new dress is unlocked for that customer’s account on the NEWLYMAID.com site.

(This new service is courtesy of The Dessy Group, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid dresses, social occasion dresses, flower girl dresses and destination wedding gowns under the labels Dessy Collection, Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses.)

An $8.5 Million Wedding Gown, at Bridal Reflections FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:29:29 +0000

Have you made your appointment for the premiere showing of the incredible Yumi Katsura Couture collection at Bridal Reflections’ Fifth Avenue salon, January 20th – 22nd? If not, call 212-764-3040 now! Special pricing is available during this exclusive event. (This collection is brand new to Bridal Reflections.)

Background: Yumi Katsura is one of Japan’s and the world’s most prolific designers, whose wedding dresses are considered modern masterpieces. Katsura will showcase the most expensive wedding dress to date, valued at one billion Japanese yen (US $8.5 million). Made from silk-satin and embellished with zari-embroidery handiwork, the dress is decorated with 1,000 pearls, a green 8.8 carat diamond emblem, and a 5 carat white gold diamond, one of the two existing in the world. Check out some of the more, shall we say, accessible gowns below:

Kleinfeld Blowout Sample Sale! FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:17:41 +0000

Save up to 70% on select sample bridal gowns, headpieces, veils and accessories from top bridal designers at Kleinfeld’s Anniversary Blow Out Sale!

Tuesday, January 31st 3:00 p.m. – Doors close at 7:00 p.m.

No appointment necessary – First Come, First Served

Gowns starting at $899, Veils & Headpieces starting at $99

Take an additional 25% off already marked down prices. No regular priced merchandise will be shown. Sample gowns only! Cash/Credit Card and Carry!

Please Note: Due to space limitations, Kleinfeld can only accommodate one guest per bride and please be prepared to share a dressing room with other brides.
And Long Island brides, here are some great tips from Randy Fanoli on how to handle this amazing sale:

Unlike what images you may have seen on TV from other stores sales, the Kleinfeld blow out sales are actually quite organized and orderly.

Brides line up hours in advance and get a number that puts them in the queue. When your number is called you meet with a consultant who walks you through the racks of dresses which are separated by price. Most of the samples are sample size 10, a selection of plus size gowns are featured on another rack. After choosing 3 dresses to try on, the consultant takes you to her room for you to start trying on your picks. If you do not find a gown that you love in the initial pull, you may browse through the dresses again and select another 3 and continue the process until you find a gown or exhaust all the possibilities. Keep in mind that this is not a full service appointment and our regular samples are not out or available to try on.

Here are a few of my tips for navigating our Blow Out Sale:

1. It’s best to have a pretty clear idea of what style you’re looking for before coming in. For example, narrowing your choice of desired silhouette, fabric, or details can really help you focus in on the right gown quickly.

2. Bring in a couple of photos of styles that you like. Our consultants can quickly look at your photos and lead you to similar looks.

3. Be sure to know how much you would like to end up spending on your gown so you can stay within your budget.

4. Bring with you the one person you need to make this important decision. You may become frustrated if you find a gown you love but need your mother with you to see it first. Also don’t bring a group of people, this isn’t the time to entertain your friends.

5. Please wear the proper under garments! Besides the obvious reasons, you also may be sharing your room with another bride.

6. Be ready to make a purchase or you may lose the gown of your dreams.

I hope this helps! I look forward to seeing all of you price-savvy girls this Tuesday!

Use AmEx for Bridal Reflections Discount! FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:51:39 +0000

If you’re getting married on Long Island, now is the time to shop for your wedding gown! And check out this great deal from our friends at Bridal Reflections: This Saturday (tomorrow) only, in accordance with American Express‘ program that boots business for independent retailers, you can receive 10% off any purchase of a bridal gown with an American Express card. This offer is valid at all three Bridal Reflections locations this Saturday, November 26th. So shop local — it’s worth it!

Want to Look Like Kate Middleton? FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:22:36 +0000

The British are coming! If you want to look like Kate Middleton for your upcoming Long Island wedding, check this out: Five major British bridal designers – Louis Mariette, Johanna Hehir, Matthew Williamson Bridal, Stephanie Allin Couture, and Vivien Sheriff – will be showcased at the British Pavilion of New York International Bridal Week, which runs this weekend, from October 15-17. These five designers will join a number of other British brands showcasing their collections to the US bridal market, including: Amanda Wakeley, Aruna Seth, Caroline Castigliano, David Fielden, Ian Stuart, Jenny Packham, Nicki MacFarlane, Polly Edwards, Sassi Holford, Halo & Co, and Paradox London.

Now, this show isn’t open to the public; only to fashion professionals. But, it is an indication that we’ll be seeing a lot more of these designs at American bridal salons in the coming months.

Budgeting for Your Wedding Gown FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:37:29 +0000

This article in Sunday’s New York Times indicates that some brides are spending less on their wedding gowns, and more on accessories, such as veils and glittery belts. I suppose this is a reflection of companies like J. Crew getting into the bridal gown business by offering inexpensive collections. (J. Crew’s starts at $300 for a short dress and goes to $500 for a gown).

So we’re wondering if this is a trend on Long Island, too. How much are you budgeting for your wedding gown and what sort of accessories are you purchasing?

Amsale Fall 2011 Bridal Collection FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:23:23 +0000

These are gorgeous! Amsale Fall 2011 bridal collection…

Shehnaai Couture to see the fashion show featuring the designs of Geetanjali Singh and Sabah Arenja of Saa.n.shé. Alongside gorgeous bridal lehngas and saris, we also saw embellished gowns and suits in bright, vibrant colors. The event was sponsored by Bibi Magazine, a bridal and fashion magazine focusing on South Asian designers.

Our thoughts on the show? For those brides-to-be on Long Island who are not Indian, do think out-of-the-box when shopping for a wedding gown. We saw several incredible, embellished gowns that would work beautifully as wedding dresses. And some of the designs would be fabulous for other wedding-related parties, such as the rehearsal dinner. Just look below –

New Sexy Bride Intimate Wear from Victoria’s Secret FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:49:42 +0000

We’re not sure what took so long, but Victoria’s Secret has just introduced their Sexy Little Bride collection. The line includes intimate wedding day and honeymoon garments that are super frilly and well, just downright seductive! Babydolls, bras, lace panties and thongs, “Bride” kimonos, teddies…you get the idea, so make sure your gal pals are in on the “secret,” as these make perfect bridal shower and bachelorette party special gifts for the bride!

New Lazaro Bridesmaids Collection at Bridal Reflections FASHION FRONT

Claudia G. Copquin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:03:32 +0000

You have to take a look at the new fall 2011 NOIR by Lazaro bridesmaids collection! This collection of sophisticated and refined evening wear includes cocktail and floor length silhouettes with beaded appliqués in rich jewel tones and choice fabrics – perfect for weddings (and other social events and special occasions).

So where can you see these lush designs? At Bridal Reflections, of course! They’re holding a trunk show which includes special pricing, this weekend, August 19th-21st, at the Carle Place location, 80 Westbury Ave., Carle Place. But you must call ahead of time for an appointment so do give them a call now at 516.742.7788.