Celebrity Inspired Wedding

Many times we lust after celebrity bridal gowns, anxious to see the custom made designer looks. But did you know that you can find many of the best celebrity wedding looks at a more realistic price & still look just as stunning (if not more!) as your celebrity inspiration? We found some of our favorite celebrity looks to inspire your very on wedding day dress! 

 

 Celebrity Inspiration: Fashion model Rhea Durham

Looking for a simple shape & flowing fabrics (perhaps for a beach wedding?!) Then look no further than Mark Wahlburg's wife Reha Durham for your wedding style inspiration! The elegantly simple look of this dress needs only a little sparkle to draw attention up towards her face. Just like Rhea's, our Mori Lee dress is for a carefree bride who wants just the right amount of glamor.  

Our Pick: MoriLee Style #6745

 

 

 Celebrity Inspiration: Actress Hilary Duff

Hilary's dress had a slimming silhouette with voluminous bottom while marrying husband Mike Comrie. This dress put all of the focus on her gorgeous body & stunned guests. This dazzling shape inspired us to pick a Maggie Sottero dress with an equally jaw dropping va-va-voom shape. The simplicity of the design allows you to show off your shape without all the extra sparkle.

Our Pick: Maggie Sottero "Primrose"

 Celebrity Inspiration: Chelsea Clinton

 The fitted bodice & full skirt of former first daughter Chelsea Clinton's dress perfectly combined romance & elegance, adding just enough sparkle. We picked a Sottero & Midgley dress that has all of that and more, with a slightly lighter fabric. This means our pick won't weigh you down the way Chelsea's did, without compromising on overall look!

 Our Pick: Sottero & Midgley "Jerrica"

Celebrity Inspiration: TV Personality/Designer Lauren Conrad

Lauren's wedding day dress was a perfect combination of lace & beading, with just the right amount of subdued prestige. The highlight of this relatively simple dress is without a doubt the daring illusion back. Our Maggie Sottero pick has all of these qualities but steps them up another notch with full beading throughout.
Our Pick: Maggie Sottero "Cassidy"

 Celebrity Inspiration: Actress Gabrielle Union

 Gabrielle kept it simple & romantic while marrying Dwyane Wade in a princess silhouette with a low back. Our pick, a Mikaella gown, has the same effortless elegance with an added touch of interest in the unique brocade fabric. 

Our Pick: Mikaella 1858

Celebrity Inspiration: TV Personality Kim Kardashian

You no doubt heard all about Kim's amazing wedding gown when marrying rapper Kanye West. The dramatic shape & elegant lace work together to create a modern twist on a traditional bridal look. Our Maggie Sottero pick maintains the drama of Kim's dress, while opening up the claustrophobic neckline for an even more dazzling look.

Our Pick: Maggie Sottero "Kiana"

Celebrity Inspiration: Singer/Designer Gwen Stefani

It was the colored ombre effect on the skirt of Gwen's dress that really caught our eye when she married husband Gavin Rossdale. Our Mori Lee pick still has the incredibly unique look of an ombre skirt, without making it so bold, instead keeping the focus on you & your look as a whole!

Our Pick: Mori Lee Style #5101

See something you love? Call to set up an appointment today 319.360.7270!

Best of Bridal Fashion Week

We've been busy this week keeping up with everything happening at Bridal Fashion Week as designers debut their Spring 2015 collections. We're absolutely loving everything we've been seeing from all of our favorite designers. But we want to know what all of you lovely ladies are loving as well! So we picked a few of our favorites & want to know what you all think! See one you love or think we missed one? Let us know in the comment section! 

Sottero & Midgley

View the entire Spring 2015 collection full of classic silhouettes & beautiful lace here!  

Maggie Sottero

View the entire Spring 2015 collection full of romance & delicate details here!

Desiree Harstock for Maggie Sottero 

A new favorite of ours! You can view these gorgeous & feminine dresses individually here!

MoriLee

The entire spring 2015 collection is full of show stopping glamour, which can be seen here!

See one you love or think we missed one? Let us know in the comment section!

Finding the Right Dress For Your Body Type

 It can be hard to know how to accentuate your best assets while shopping for a wedding dres,s but worry no more! We've put together a cheat sheet for each individual body shape that focuses on which design details are best for your shape as well as key features to avoid.

Busty

• If you're looking to elongate your neck and shoulders without showing off too much, look for a dress with a draped cowl, subtle V, or square shaped necklines. 
• Balance out your bust and frame by looking for a dress that has a sweetheart neckline with straps and a full skirt. The proportions of the dress will accentuate your lower half while minimizing your assets.
•  Another way to minimize your assets is with an off the shoulder or a straight across strapless neckline. 

Hourglass

• A fit and flare dress will accentuate your hourglass curves. A glitzy belt is a glamorous way to highlight your small waistline
• With your shape you can pull off a true mermaid silhouette, one with asymmetrical tiers is an especially fun and unique option.
•  An elongated dropped waist and over sized tulle skirt will keep all eyes on your feminine form
• Structured materials like silk satin are an ideal choice for a form fitting gown

Lean & Straight

• Create the illusion of curves with a voluminous peplum skirt or contouring seams.
• A high neckline paired with a full A-line skirt will help showcase and balance your height at the same time
• With your taller figure, you can pull of an over the top ball gown without being overwhelmed
•  Consider a gown with a slit to show off your great legs!

Petite

• Avoid overwhelming your small frame by choosing an airy sheath dress or a structured trumpet style without 3D accents. Instead favor embroidery, light beading, and one -dimensional appliques.
• Opt for more slim, structured skirts over wide poofy ones when looking at dropped waist or mermaid silhouettes.
•  Horizontal details will shorten your frame, so look for vertical panels that will elongate you instead. Straps on a V-neckline and a dress with an empire waistline will also serve to lengthen your frame. 
• High-low hemlines are a fun way to make your legs look longer 

Plus Size

• Asymmetrical pleating and neckline-to-knee embellishments make curving hugging gowns more slimming
• Empire waistline will create a lengthening effect while a basque waistline will enhance your hourglass figure.
• Minimize your waistline with design details that draw the eye inwards. A dark colored sash is another simple way to make your middle look especially trim.
• A high neckline, a sheath silhouette and a slight train are the ultimate trio to creating a look that's long and lean
• A scoop neckline will show off your voluptuous shape while letting you avoid having opt for  strapless bra.

 Call today to make an appointment 319.277.5655!

Ceremonies Through The Seasons

As the seasons change so do the desires of our brides & the look and feel of their individual weddings. So we put together a few "inspiration boards" which piece together & highlight different aspects of each season.

Winter:

The cozy romance of winter allows for deep warm colors like this decadent Merlot to maintain liveliness and color in a season of otherwise cold colors. The black tux & enchanting ballgown allow for a formal affair, even in the dead of winter. 

 

Gown: Sottero & Midgley "Jerrica" Bridesmaid: Jim Hjelm Occasions Style # 5414 in Merlot.

Spring: 

As the snow melts and the trees begin to bud, so does the look and feel of your wedding. The beautifully detailed lace on a dress like this Maggie Sottero will give your wedding a look of fresh elegance. Gorgeous pastels will be set off by the deep navy, but will still appear fresh and springy. Shake off those winter chills with this bright spring look. 

 

Gown: Maggie Sottero "Boston" Bridesmaid: Jim Hjelm Occasions Style # 5357 in Blush & Rose

Summer:

Keep things easy breezy in the hot summer sun in a lightweight dress like this Maggie Sottero slip dress. Guys can ditch the jackets & colors should be bright & joyous like lavenders, bright pinks, and oranges!

 

Gown: Maggie Sottero "Lark" Bridesmaid: Jim Hjelm Occasions Style # 5413 in Lavender & Rose

 

 

Fall:

The rich tones in the Mocha colored lining of this Maggie Sottero wedding gown pair perfectly with the rich jewel toned Jasper colored bridesmaid dresses. The sunflowers add a seasonal accent of color, while the light neutral grey of the tuxes keeps things from getting too heavy.  

 

Gown: Maggie Sottero "Lucinda" Bridesmaid: Jim Hjelm Occasions Style # 5376 in Jasper  

See something you love? Stop in or make an appointment today & we'll help you set up your individual look! 319.277.5655!

Wedding Worthy Red Carpet Looks

During this past week's Emmy Awards we couldn't help but notice a lot of major red carpet looks resembled some of our favorite new dresses! Check out our favorites:

Claire Danes: The backless look on both of these dresses not only wows on the red carpet, but down the aisle as well! (Mori Lee Style #6784)

Sophia Vergara: Sophia was "Va-va-voom" on the red carpet, you'll make jaws drop on your special with this fitted shape & touch of sparkle. (Sottero & Midgley "Lola")

January Jones: The exceptional weave in the fabric turns the simple & flattering ballgown shape into something to be remembered for its uniqueness. (Mikaella Style #1858)

Taylor Shilling: The drapey bodice & dainty beading on both of these looks speaks to a style of effortless elegance. (Maggie Sottero "Gemma")

Camilla Alves: The unique & stunning embroidery detailing set off with sheer detailing makes both of these dresses breathtaking show stoppers. (Mori Lee style #5262)

Uzo Aduba: It's all about the dramatic train & effortless elegance with both of these clean looks, you'll be a natural beauty! (Sottero & Midgley "Viven")

Mayim Bialik: The ballgown shape in lace is a new way to amp up your lace, & the bolero makes for a bit more modest option that can be taken off after the ceremony! (Mikaella Style #1857)

See something you love? Give us a call at 319.277.5655 or stop in today!

Annual SAMPLE SALE at An Elegant Affair

It's that time of year again...time for An Elegant Affair's Annual Sample Sale!

 

We will have hundreds of designer bridal gowns at exceptional clearance prices starting at $99!  This is a great opportunity to find your dream dress at a dreamy price!

 

Doors will open at 10 a.m. Monday, July 21st, and the sale will run through 4 p.m. Saturday, August 2nd. All dresses are first come, first serve, and we will not be taking appointments for this sale, so be sure to get here early to get the best deals!

 

Below is a preview of just a few of the great dresses we will have featured at the Sample Sale!

 

 

Don't forget, the sale is Monday, July 21st through Saturday, August 2nd. All dresses are first come, first serve, so get here early before the deals are gone!