~by Lisa

It’s been a month since Market Week, but there is still so much to talk about!

The Spring 2010 collection of Badgley Mischka Bride was seen at the beautiful Badgley Mischka showroom.  Jessica & Jennifer were great to work with as we previewed the newest additions to the collection.

Badgley Mischka’s gowns were, as always, stunning.  Fine detail, incredible beadwork, perfectly matched veils with encrusted jerels, and fabulous exaggerated jewelry.

Badgley Mischka is all about making you an exquisitely elegant bride.  We also love working with them as they redesign their amazing gowns for those of you desiring shoulders and sleeves on your gowns.

Here are some of our favorites:

~by Nancy

Many of you may know the character “Martha” in the movies High School Musical 1, 2, and 3. She was played by the Salt Lake City actress, Kaycee Stroh. I first met Kaycee in July of 2008 when she attended the La Caille bridal show. She told us she was getting married, and asked me if we could make her seven bridesmaid dresses. We used a dramatic red silk charmeuse, and the bridesmaids felt “just beautiful!”

[The wedding gown was provided by designer Maggie Sotero of Salt Lake City.]

While we were making the bridesmaid dresses, Kaycee mentioned that she would be attending the premiere of High School Musical 3, and would need a gown for the red carpet. I offered to make one for her, and she was delighted.  The gold gown pictured below was everything Kaycee desired. She said, “The dress for the High School Musical 3 premier was stunning; everybody loved it and saw exactly what we were going for—that classic Hollywood movie star elegance! Your work is flawless and comparable, if not better, than any Italian, French or Hollywood designer I have ever worn.”

We also created these waterfall earrings from freshwater pearls and swarovski crystals just for her:

My husband and I were able to attend her ring ceremony and wedding reception held at the La Caille restaurant and wedding center. Such a beautiful venue and an exciting day for Ben and Kaycee!

On a personal note, it was a privilege working with Kaycee. She is a beautiful person inside and out. She and her bridesmaids are such excellent, delightful people. We had a blast working together. I sincerely hope the best for Kaycee and Ben in all that they pursue!

~by Cheryl

We had a blast yesterday at InStudio Photography for the Utah Valley Bride photo shoot!

Internationally renowned photographer Kenneth Linge and his wife, Marylyn are great to work with, and their expertise is  flawless! Be sure to watch for our in-depth interview with them in the next few weeks.

Briana Stewart, the editor of Utah Valley Bride, was gracious –as always–and simply gushed over the dresses being photographed. We all did!

Suggestions Salon was right on hand with owner, Darcy Moody. The fabulous Natalie and Brittney H. also helped with hair and make-up, creating stunning brides out of our models, Ashley (Liancarlo gown; style 4816) and Mary (Verde by Junko Yoshioka).

Busy, busy, busy perfecting the gowns.

Thank you, Lisa, for helping out with my baby!

Lisa (our Managing Director) and Nancy (our Artistic Director) enjoying the shoot.

Be sure to pick up the next issue of Utah Valley Bride; I promise you’ll love it!

~by Lisa

Hot new trend from Market Week: Big Necklaces!  Large and detailed neckalces were all the rage at Rivini and Badgley Mischka. They were spectacular!

See our collection of wedding jewelry at the Avenía Bridal boutique.

~by Lisa

It is always a pleasure to visit the design house Liancarlo!  We love working with Irena, Alan, and with the creative genius behind Liancarlo, Carlos.

The Spring 2010 collection was an exquisite assortment of elegant silhouettes, romantic laces, beaded belts, and delicate petals and feathers:

Another trend for this season:  one-shouldered gowns.  This fabulous gown from Liancarlo will be coming to Avenía in January.  Available as pictured, or Carlos will redesign the bodice for those wishing customization for religious or personal preferences:

Designer Carlos with Avenía Artistic Director, Nancy Barrus:

~by Lisa

We could not bid farewell to New York City without stopping to see David, Samantha, and one of our favorite designers, Junko Yoshioka.

Junko’s Spring 2010 collection was phenomenal, as usual.  Her inspiration for this collection was the wind and this was evident in the movement of the gowns, the fabulous, flowy details, and some of the silhouettes. We found this season’s trends beautifully reflected in her collection – feminine flounces, floral detail, one-shouldered gowns, and more –as well as Junko’s unique additions to this season.

We loved the gown Juno! It is a strapless, natural waist, full A-line gown with a duchess satin bodice. The best part is the flounced fan at the back of the bodice and a fabulous satin striped organza skirt. So lovely!

Juno is available as pictured, or with a redesigned, customized bodice to include shoulders and sleeves.  Look for Juno to arrive at Avenia Bridal in January!

~by Lisa

Lobby of the Intercontinental Barclay hotel – not your typical weekend, not your typical centerpiece!

Badgley Mischka

Here Comes The Sun

Monday in the city.  The clouds parted and the sun came out.  We love New York!

Affordable Couture

One of our favorite models, Jersey-girl Courtney, in one of many new favorites from Angelina Couture:

Tara Keely

We love Tara Keely designer, Edric Wu.  The new collection was young, feminine and fresh, full of amazing couture details, as usual.  Coming soon…..here is a preview.

Not preview enough?  Okay…..here is a keeper.

Tara Keely’s talented creator and designer, Edric Wu.

~by Lisa

Rain, wind and blustery cold? 14 hours in high heels? No problem. It is Bridal Fashion Week in New York and it is all worth it! Over a hundred wedding vendors, bridal stores from across the country and abroad, genius designers, photographers and journalists aplenty, fabulous gowns, veils, jewelry, and shoes. Our mission? To preview and select exciting, exquisite gowns for you, our one-of-a-kind brides. Stay tuned this week for more photos and finds in New York. We love it all (even in high heels)!

Bridal is going green……this may be not be headed our way, but what a fun work of art!

Priscilla of Boston Runway Show:

The Utah Wedding Expo is being held this Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.

Avenía Bridal will not be participating as a vendor this year, but we will have several gowns on display. Look for our gowns, and tell us you were there in the comments below! Be sure to tell us which gown was your favorite, too.

~by Cheryl

As mentioned in our earlier post, Avenía Bridal participated in the Utah Valley Women’s Expo. The event itself was, according to Nancy, “very well attended and so much fun! I visit so often with just brides and their mothers, it was exciting to communicate with so many other people in an event that wasn’t exclusively for brides.” In fact, Avenía Bridal ended up handing out  dozens of cards (as per request) to many different people who knew of a bride; mothers, sisters, grandmothers, friends, –even three grooms-to-be!

The Expo was an excellent opportunity for Avenía Bridal to show the community that Utah does have access to amazing designer gowns, and (better yet!) the gowns can be customized into whatever the bride needs them to be. This was easily done by participating in four different fashion shows where Avenía Bridal’s models were able to introduce gowns for the Fall 2009 season. However, even from the time Avenía was setting up the booth, people were delighted with the uniqueness and quality of the wedding gown designs; they were impressed to see something from the couture fashion world that could be redesigned to meet their own preferences.

The following are some pictures of our models:

Below: Gabby wearing Dove by Rivini; Natalie Barrus; Stephanie wearing Whitney by Badgley Mischka; Piri wearing a Tara Keely

Above: Piri wearing Cashel by Rivini; Ashley wearing Mallory by Badgley Mischka; and Gabby wearing Argel by Rivini

Nancy Barrus

Brides Revisited (i.e. Fun Stories!):

Crystal Busath, a former bridal customer, approached Nancy at the Avenía Bridal booth and presented her with her own wedding album. Crystal said, “I’ve never seen another dress like mine, before or since my wedding” and since she was so happy with her unique gown, she wanted to let other people see pictures of it at the booth.

Here is the gown:

One of the Emcee’s at the Expo happened to be in the home of another previous bridal customer, and, seeing photos of the bride in her custom-made bridal gown asked, “Who made your wedding dress?” She was told it was Nancy Barrus. When Nancy introduced herself at the Expo, the Emcee said, “Oh, I know you! That dress you made for Courtney S. was absolutely incredible!”

Here is the gown: