Looking through the camera's lens, former photographer Stephanie Kennedy once captured for posterity the joyful smiles of brides in their "I do" designs. The fruitless search for her own wedding ceremony silhouette convinced the creative Californian to step away from her wedding photography studio and into a new career as a fashion designer as began her new life with the man she loves. Partners in business as they are in life, the couple married their two first names together and Stephanie James Couture was born.
Arriving at the Huntington Beach boutique, the checkerboard floor hints at the Alice In Wonderland adventure retro romantics embark upon as they stroll among the store's vintage-influenced visions. Offering a wide range of bridal attire, full length gowns such as Evelynn, a champagne-tone salute to Hollywood's glamour goddesses and Stella, a lace-accented number, offer nuances of the 1930's, while '40's-style suits, with their flirty skirts and jaunty jackets, are looks worthy of silver screen luminary Lauren Bacall. Tea-length dresses offer the ultimate in femininity, with the playful petticoats of the Audry and the flared skirt of the Lucille providing a fantasy of the 1950's.
The following video clip features an interview with designer Stephanie Kennedy, proprietor of Stephanie James Couture. To find a wedding dress as unique as your upcoming union:
Baltimore Ravens Star Daniel Wilcox Shares Wedding Day Memories
Although thousands of football fans usually fill the seats at M&T Bank Stadium whenever Baltimore Ravens team member Daniel Wilcox takes the field, on June 28, 2008 only a crowd of 300 friends and family members were on hand as the tight end made his way to the 50-yard line and exchanged vows with his love, Shauna Chine. The couple's special day, from the moment the bride stepped out of a Cinderella-style coach in a Pnina Tornai gown to the flutter of dove's wings as the pair were pronounced husband and wife, was captured for posterity by the Style Network's Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?, which celebrates its new season premiere on October 7, 2008.
Its facade reflected on the waters of Green Lake, Spicer Castle Inn in Spicer, Minnesota (near St. Cloud and Minneapolis/St. Paul) offers travelers a chance to step back in time. Built in 1895, the descendants of the inn's original inhabitants have lovingly preserved their ancestor's Victorian vision, both in the main house and on the various guest houses that grace the property.
Visitors feel like one of the family in the main house's eight guest quarters. Each named after a family member of the Spicer clan, patrons who admire the artwork of Amy,Agnes and Eunice Spicer-- each a daughter of the castle's creator-- can rest their heads on queen sized beds in rooms that bear their names, while those wishing for a true castle experience can book a stay in the octagonal tower which bears the name of yet another daughter of the home's original owner-- Jessie, a ticket holder for Titanic's maiden voyage whose last minute change of plans spared her from the ship's tragic fate.
Situated on five acres, the inn also offers a carriage house, which features four bedrooms; the honey house, which has two guest rooms; John's cottage and the rustic charm of Raymond's cabin.
While the rap group 2 Live Crew were "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" back in the '80's, on July 19, 2008 former band member Luther "Luke" Campbell was an angel as he exchanged vows with Kristin Thompson. From the bride's stroll in her Monique Lhuillier gown down the aisle of Saint Luke Community College's chapel to the cake cutting at the Hotel Palomar reception, see the "I do" details in this VH1 clip from Luke's ParentalAdvisory:
On September 12, 2008 Sandy Leah Lima exchanged white and yellow gold wedding bands with her long-time love, musician Lucas Lima in a ceremony which many Brazilians have deemed "the wedding of the year." The bride, famous for her years as one-half of the brother/sister duo Sandy & Junior as well as for her performances alongside such international stars as Andrea Bocelli and Enrique Iglesias, has shared photos of her special day in the following clip:
This video, narrated by Sally Grigsby, the owner of Belle Bridal, answers some common questions brides have when trying on gowns such as:
• does it matter what type of undergarments you wear?
• does it matter what hairstyle you wear?
• should you wear makeup?
• are these gowns sized differently than my usual clothes?
Your friends have stood by you through thick and thin, and now you've asked them to stand by your side in the role of bridesmaids on the most important day of your life. When shopping for attire that will please all of your attendants, keep the following in mind:
1) Involve your bridesmaids in the selection process. Flip through bridal magazines, research online wedding sites and have an all girls afternoon browsing through local bridal salons.
2) Consider the style of your wedding dress when choosing silhouettes for your attendants. Although today many brides opt for the flexibility of multiple styles in order to flatter the physiques of various members of the wedding party, all the dresses should complement the bride's wedding gown without drawing attention away from the woman of the hour.
3) Color is a major factor when choosing the look of bridesmaids' dresses. Brides can select a shade that coincides with the season, or a hue that highlights a wedding theme.
4) Focus on a fabric that will be comfortable for your friends. Although velvet adds a regal touch to any occasion, remember that your bridesmaids will melt in such heavy material in a wedding held in the summer months or at a locale that is not climate controlled. By the same token, chiffon gives an air of innocence to any dress, but the gossamer fabric would offer little warmth for a bridesmaid at a winter wedding.
5) Once your decision has been made, order all of your bridesmaids dresses at the same time to guarantee that the same material will be used for all the garments.
Learn more about choosing your bridesmaids' dresses in the following video clip:
