Archive for the ‘Bridal Accessories’ Category

Welcome back to another installment of Real Weddings Magazine’s Partner Profiles!

This week we highlight entrepreneur Sandy Keller, owner of Advantage Bridal. Sandy is an inspiration to all of us here at Real Weddings Magazine! Not only does she run a very successful online retail business, she has also founded 2B Restored, a charity that helps uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. What an amazing lady! Take it away, Sandy…

AdvantageBridal.com

Tell us a little about your company?  Founded in 1992, we operated two bridal shops before moving to strictly online in 2004. We love being creative and designing unique items for our brides, including one-of-a-kind apparel items and personalized gifts only found on AdvantageBridal.com.

What sets you apart from your competition?  Our huge selection of more than 22,000 items on our site, plus thousands of personalized wedding invitations and gifts available on our partner sites. We offer many exclusive items that are only sold on our site and are not available elsewhere.

Where do you find inspiration?  Styles from the fashion industry both in the U.S. and abroad, and we receive many requests from our brides. We love making their dreams come true by creating new items upon request.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  Highly personalized service and the very best prices.

Do you have any hidden talents?  Yes, I can remember all of my former car license plates, phone numbers and other useless information!

What trend do you see coming for weddings this year?  More custom touches, with monograms and custom accessories.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  Yes, site.advantagebridal.com/blog/

Do you Facebook?  Yes, facebook.com/AdvantageBridal

Can you share a funny/embarrassing/touching story about one of your clients (you don’t have to include their name)?  I once had an appointment with a bride, her sister and her mother so they could shop for some accessories. The bride had a headpiece and veil on, and was admiring herself in the mirror. Her sister asked about the significance of the veil over the bride’s face, and her mother replied, “It’s the symbol of virginity.” The bride quickly threw the veil back over her head and said, “Then I cannot wear it!” Her mother yelled, “What?” and the bride realized that she’d just revealed something of a very sensitive nature and turned beet red.

What’s your favorite local charity?  2B Restored, the charity I founded to help uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. Advantage Bridal carries a great line of pink ribbon apparel and accessories which help raise funds for my charity.

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  My children, husband and I love participating in Mustang cruises and shows.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? Yes What is it?  Long, hot showers.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My husband, children and the rest of my family.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  Photos and a video — I would splurge on those!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Don’t sweat the small stuff. There’s no such thing as a stress-free perfect wedding. At the end of the day, you will be married and that is the prize…focus on that!

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  We are eager to hear from brides because we love helping them make their wedding dreams come true. Every bride is unique and her wedding is too. We appreciate the privilege of being a part of such an important occasion!

Find out more about Sandy Keller and her team at AdvantageBridal.com by visiting her Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!

Photos courtesy of AdvantageBridal.com.

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November 26th is a big day at SPARKLE bridal couture! It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses and support their local economy.

SPARKLE bridal couture has a very special offer for this great day! Book your bridal appointment for Saturday, November 26th and get FREE Gown Preservation and specials on jewelry, headpieces and more with your bridal gown purchase made on November 26th!

Hurry, appointments are limited and going fast! Call today to make your reservation, 916.538.6615

For more information on this exciting offer, please visit SPARKLE bridal couture’s Web site, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Does not apply to previous purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 11/26/11.

Photo courtesy of SPARKLE bridal couture.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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If you’ve followed Real Weddings Magazine at all, then you know that we simply adore millinery!  And we love finding interesting pieces — some that are not necessarily ”bridal” —  and pairing them with gorgeous gowns from local boutiques for our cover model contest photo shoot.For the photo shoot for our current Summer/Fall 2011 issue, the millinery house that we discovered is Kitty Andrews Millinery. With fresh, contemporary and flirty design, the team at Kitty Andrews Millinery has some spectacular pieces in their current collections.

To quench our millinery thirst — and hopefully yours too! — we present today’s Eye Candy blog on some of our favorite pieces from their current collections…enjoy! 

Lourdes - featuring a pillbox base, maribou feathers with a merry widow veil. Available in white or ivory.

Persephone – featuring silk organza flower, hackle and eyelash coque feathers, tulle and Russian veiling. Available in white or ivory.

Dartford — we absolutely love this parasisal topper. It is finished with petersham ribbon, a silk organza flower with a Swarovski crystal accent and goose biots. Available in white or ivory.

Nathalia — features sinamay loops, a maribou pouf, royal blue and white striped quills and an arrowhead feather.

Mallory — so cute is this hand-blocked cloche, with polka-dot ribbon and a rose detail. 

See more of their designs at kittyandrews.com. 

Photo courtesy of Kitty Andrews.  

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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If you haven’t already heard, there’s a wedding happening tomorrow (well, the wee hours of the morning for us Yanks). Yes, the day that everyone has been buzzing about for months has finally arrived. Kate and William are tying the knot at Westminster Abbey, and the whole world will be watching. I remember my parents waking us up very early to witness Prince Charles and Lady Di exchange vows over breakfast. Thirty years later we have DVR, and I get to sleep in. But, you better believe I’ll be watching!

What Kate will wear is a secret guarded more heavily than the crown jewels, but no doubt she will look stunning. Let’s play fashion stylist for a bit and pair up some heels to the occasion. British designer Aruna Seth’s divine creations are making the rounds both here and in Europe, drawing the attention of celebrities like Goldie Hawn and Sophia Bush.

In honor of the royal nuptials, we’ve chosen three heels – in the red, blue and white of the Union Jack — we could imagine Kate and party working down the aisle. Let’s take a look:

Byrony Ivory Satin Bridal Heel

These gorgeous heels feature Aruna Seth’s elegant curve that elongates the leg. Plus, they are specially padded for comfort…something Kate will need for that LONG walk to the altar.

Farfalla Royal Blue Satin Butterfly Heel

Something blue? Perhaps maid of honor and lucky charm, sister Pippa, would sport these stunning shoes with dazzling butterfly embellishment and tiny peep toe platform.

Cerise Heel Red Satin

Did you hear they are installing a disco ball at Buckingham Palace? If Kate’s in the mood for a little sparkle, what better shoe to wear to the after party than these made-to-order red rockstars with Swarovski crystals and a signature red bow. Party on, Kate and William, and many more happy years to come.

For more on Aruna Seth, visit arunaseth.com.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Aruna Seth.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Want to look like a million bucks on your wedding day? Well, let’s be real, what bride doesn’t?! But in all seriousness, now you can rock Elizabeth Taylor-like bling without paying the hefty five-figured price tag.

Introducing Red Carpet Jewels, a new jewelry rental site that launched last month. The jewelry featured is fit for royalty, and can be yours for a day at an extremely discounted price. Necklaces, some worth as much as $60,000, can be rented at a cost ranging from $75-$1,800. The site also carries earrings and bracelets.

So, how does it work? Visit the site and become a registered member to view the specific pieces available on the day of your event. Once you pick your pieces, you’ll check out and pay 25 percent of the rental fee (along with the deposit). You’ll receive the jewelry two to three days prior to the day of your event and the pieces must be shipped back within the two days following said event. During that time, the remaining balance will be applied to your credit card, and once the pieces are safely returned, you’ll be credited for the deposit. It’s that easy, so start browsing for the pieces that will help you really sparkle on your big day!

Blog post by Real Weddings Editorial Intern Kourtney Jason.

Photo courtesy of Red Carpet Jewels.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!