Posts Tagged ‘Always a Bridesmaid’

Santa Fe has often been described as a magical place…a Mecca for art lovers, naturalists and those in search of a spiritual awakening. We can’t think of any place more suited to help you reconnect with your inner self than the stunning Inn and Spa at Loretto.

Reflecting the culture and sophistication of New Mexico, this special property effortlessly blends old-world charm with world-class luxury. One of the state’s most photographed buildings, this resort is an architectural recreation of an ancient Pueblo, built at the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail amid the spectacular Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Recommended Resort:  Inn and Spa at Loretto. An exquisite AAA Four Diamond Santa Fe hotel and spa, this retreat features 134 guestrooms, three art galleries, a full-service spa and a highly acclaimed restaurant, the Inn and Spa at Loretto is centrally located just steps from Santa Fe’s historic Plaza, galleries and museums.

The internationally renowned design team of Zimmer Associates International, Robert Zimmer and his partner Dolores Hundley Zimmer, designed each room with a vision to transcend space and time in order to capture the Pueblo Indian’s spirit, character and reverence for life — through design. “Forrest Essentials” in-room amenities from internationally recognized Gilchrist & Soames offer a clean and inviting botanical line that embodies a range of elements evoking images of nature and the outdoors. Enjoy some personal time hidden away in the spa or reconnect with your loved one at a romantic dinner for two under the desert stars.

Check In:  211 Old Santa Fe Trail
in Santa Fe. 800-727-5531, innatloretto.com

Check Out:  Luminaria Restaurant. At this culinary epicenter, food is considered an art form. Run by Executive Chef Matt Ostrander, Luminaria Restaurant features a menu of dishes symbolizing the crossroads of modern and traditional southwestern soul cuisine, inspired by the Anasazi culture.

Luminaria’s regional menu includes dishes from a juicy cowboy rib eye to New Mexican paella. The menu’s flavors and aromas stimulate diners’ senses, while the restaurant’s décor plays a strong role in creating a traditional, yet elegant, ambiance. Diners can experience the softly lit restaurant or outdoor patio that reflects the rose colored landscapes of Santa Fe. With strong flavors and a sense of southwestern heritage, Luminaria Restaurant creates a memorable culinary experience for each guest.

Don’t Miss:  The Spa. An invigorating blend of exotic Balinese and Thai rituals, the spa offers signature indigenous New Mexico indulgences for guests. The warm, Southwest environment features a candlelit fireplace, warm earth tones, honey-stained wood floors made of eastern white pine, cream and terracotta diamond faux-finished adobe walls and amber crystal-beaded sconces.

Five spacious Spa Suites designed for individual or couple’s massage, facials, manicures and pedicures await your bliss and a wet room with Vichy shower rinses all your troubles way. All body treatments use indigenous herbs and minerals for a truly authentic Santa Fe experience.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Contributor Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Inn and Spa at Loretto.

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

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Greetings my gorgeous Real Weddings Brides. If you’re like me, you look to multiple medias for wedding ideas… including the tube. As of late, my partner and I have become infatuated with David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding” on WE TV. The affairs are grand, the brides are thankful and the host is more than generous. Now David’s getting in the gown business, offering a lovely line of designer bridal looks. The best part is, you can find David Tutera here locally at Always Elegant Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo in Yuba City! Let’s take a gander, shall we?

Dress 1:

Strapless organza full A-line gown with softly curved neckline, asymmetrically ruched bodice with hand-beaded waistband encrusted with Swarovski crystals, hand-cut bias flange skirt spills into chapel length train. Detachable spaghetti and halter straps included.

Dress 2:

Strapless soft lace and silk chiffon slim A-line gown, ruched chiffon over lace bodice features a ruched chiffon Empire waistband with side Swarovski crystal hand-beaded embroidered lace appliqué, matching scattered appliqués trail down skirt to scalloped hemline, gathered chiffon Watteau train with matching lace detail. Detachable spaghetti and halter straps included.

Dress 3:

Strapless sweetheart lace and luxurious satin slim A-line gown, soft lace bust line features accents of re-embroidered hand-beaded lace appliqué, slightly curved back bodice with covered buttons, pleated midriff with asymmetrically dropped waistline, allover soft lace skirt with accents of matching appliqués and chapel length train. Removable wide lace shoulder straps included.

Dress 4:

Strapless soft satin slim A-line gown with softly curved neckline, delicately hand-beaded and embroidered bust line accented with Swarovski crystals, directionally pleated bodice with dropped waistline, low dipped back bodice features covered buttons, softly draped skirt with beaded accent, cascading side ruffle and chapel length train. Detachable spaghetti and halter straps included.

Dress 5:

Strapless Venice lace, chiffon and tulle A-line gown with softly curved neckline, directionally ruched chiffon bodice with hand-beaded Swarovski crystal Venice lace and asymmetrically dropped waistline, curved back bodice features covered buttons, matching beaded lace skirt with scalloped hemline and chapel length train. Detachable spaghetti and halter straps included.

Shop David Tutera at Always Elegant Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo, 229 Clark Avenue in Yuba City. 530-755-4282, alwayselegantbridal.net.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of David Tutera Bridal.

Do you have the new Real Weddings Magazine iPhone and iPad App?

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Let’s start this week of on a lively note, shall we? The gorgeous Blooms by Martha Andrews caught our eye and we just had to share the beauty with all our Real Weddings brides.

The Lincoln-based event and wedding floral designer gets a little help close to home.

“We really are a family business, here I am in my workroom with my seven children (10 to 21 years old),” she shares. “I have a chic little consultation office in town, but do all the hard labor here in my property out in the country. That way my kids still know they have a mom come wedding season! My youngest even has his own Lego cupboard out in the workroom.”

In addition to serving the greater Sacramento County community with her lovely creations, Martha started a blog to share some of her designs, tips and inspirations with her fans (us included!). Check out some of her stunning designs here!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of Blooms by Martha Andrews.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Last year, author Donna Guthrie encouraged women to share their wedding gown stories through a national essay writing contest called “THE WEDDING GOWN PROJECT, One Day, One Dream, One Dress.”

So inspired by the entries, Donna began creating a documentary about women’s stories of their wedding gowns. With the help of cinematographer Erin Hudson, she followed women into “dark basements and dusty closets” to locate their treasured dresses and the stories they hold.

Here Donna talks about the projects roots, her own wedding dress story and her thoughts on the fanfare behind the wedding dress purchase. A must read for the bride-to-be on the hunt for her special garment.

Read Donna’s story here!

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of The Huffington Post.

Do you have the new Real Weddings Magazine iPhone and iPad App?

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Planning a wedding can be a stressful affair for any bride. So we’re in awe of those who pull off the grand Southeast Asian style nuptials that look straight out of a Bollywood film. Beautiful!

Well, that’s exactly Amrit Dhillon-Bains’ forte. The successful local wedding planner of Anaïs Event Planning & Design specializes in these rich, colorful productions…a feat she consistently pulls of with expertise and grace.

So smitten were we of her gorgeous results, we started following her blog, Shaadi Curry, for more inspiration.

With a background in graphic design and business management, artistic Amrit’s talents serve her operation well, creating lavish experiences for her brides with that authentic regional touch.

We love the bold, saturated colors, elaborate patterns, dramatic lighting and ethnic styling she incorporates into her design. Whether you’re planning an Southeast Asian event or simply want to take inspiration from one, Shaadi Curry is for you!

Check it out at here!

Find out more about Amrit and Anaïs Event Planning & Design by visiting her Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of Anaïs Event Planning & Design.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!