Now is the time to plan those fall weddings, here are some fun ideas and trends for this season.

As always-incorporate the weather and season into your wedding. Use the colors of the season; red, orange, yellow, brown, bronze, beige, gold and accent them with rich plum, emerald, grey, pewter, jewel tones, or other neutrals.

Bright Palette

Neutral Palette

Leaves, trees, and produce are great inspiration for decorating. The local farmers market could provide you with all you needed to decorate your wedding. Twigs, pumpkins, apples, nuts, and wheat bundles are great options. Mason jars filled with candles are perfect for lighting the table or hanging in branches.

Mixing muted tones with bright flowers creates a soft dreamy look

Go with rich, comforting, warm, flavorful foods and for dessert try fresh apple pie, pumpkin bread, or caramel apples.

Fall weddings are beautiful and can be decorated from nature which cuts down prices. They don’t need to be themed around Halloween or Thanksgiving or have strictly “autumn” colors, there are a lot of ways to play around with the season and find the right mix for you. Bright vibrant colors as well as muted soft neutrals both fit into the fall season perfectly.

Bright vibrant colors

Muted soft neutrals

Pictures from greenweddingshoes or ruffled

Call Avenia Bridal today to schedule an appointment 801-373-0194

Shopping for a wedding gown is a new, exciting, and sometimes overwhelming experience for most brides. Our goal here at Avenía Bridal is to help each bride live their fairytale and find a perfect dress! We have come up with a few pointers that should be helpful when preparing to shop for a designer wedding gown.

Once the decision to start shopping is made, call Avenia Bridal to set up an appointment: 801-373-0194. This is important because a bridal consultant will be ready to assist you when you arrive. If an appointment is not made there may not be the opportunity to try-on gowns at that time and therefore the bride may need to come back at a later time or day. Simply call with a day and time in mind and we will schedule you with one of our wedding gown specialists.

It is always helpful to research silhouettes and styles that best suit your body type and personality. If you’ve seen pictures online or in magazines of what you like, (and who doesn’t like looking through bridal magazines??) we would love to have you bring them in with you so we have a better understanding of how we can best help you find your dream gown.

The main silhouettes for gowns are; A-line, Basque Waist, Ball Gown, Empire, Mermaid, and Sheath. A great way to discover what you like is to simply look in your closet and see what you have. If you tend to pick a pencil skirt over a full/flared skirt then you might look into a mermaid or sheath style. If you choose fuller loose fitting clothes then the ball gown, empire or A-line would suit you best. The best advice we can give is to be open- minded and try on many options – you may be surprised what you find!

A-Line

LIANCARLO- 4868

This shape flares out from the waist to the floor creating an “A” shape. An A-Line silhouette is very popular because it is flattering on most body types. This shape looks great on petite brides because it can make them appear taller. It is also great for a full figured bride who wants to de-emphasize their hips.

Basque (Dropped) Waist

Lis Simon- Camilla

This style is characterized by a low waistline that begins a few inches below the actual waist line. This shape is great for taller brides who are hoping to create an hourglass appearance. Since the waist line is dropped it may not be best for petite brides because it will only make them appear shorter.

Ball Gown

Lis Simon- Constance

This silhouette is the most traditional and formal. The ball gown has a fitted bodice and a waistline that leads to a full skirt. This dress is a great choice for the taller bride and for a bride hoping to hide her hips. Since this full shape is overwhelming it may not be best for a petite bride, unless the proportions are balanced.

Empire

Junko Yoshioka- Mona

This style has a high waistline and a skirt that starts under the bust and falls to a straight or A-Line skirt. This style is best on brides with a small bust and slim figure. The shape can give the impression of longer legs and can de-emphasize the waist area.

Mermaid (Trumpet, Fit-and-Flare)

Tara Keely-2101 (with seam line)

This style fits closely to your body and then flares out at around the knees. It can either have a seam line at the flare point or it can be continuous. This dress is perfect for one wanting to accentuate her curves.

Sheath

Badgley Mischka- Coco

This style is very form fitting, following the body closely. A sheath dress has a straight skirt and no waist. This silhouette is recommended for brides who are tall and thin.

The Knot put out a great guide that explained what gowns look best on each body type.  Click here to see what they suggest.

Our gowns at Avenía Bridal are “Sample” gowns. This means that we usually only have one of each style and when your perfect dress is found, we will take your measurements and order it for you in your correct size and color. This process takes a bit of time because once the order is placed the gown will be made and shipped back to us. This usually takes approximately 12-18 weeks. If you need the gown sooner, most designers can deliver it in 6-10 weeks with an added rush fee.

Since we work directly with our designers and because we have in-house seamstresses we are able to add sleeves and shoulders to almost every gown we carry. These “build-ups” are designed and executed so that the design of the gown is not compromised – not strips of fabric thrown on a strapless gown.  The designers themselves will either add the changes in their factory or we will do it here at Avenia. Necklines, sleeve lengths, and minor design details can all be altered for an additional cost.

On our tags we have two prices. One is the original gown price and the other includes a build-up with sleeves and shoulders. Alterations are not included in those prices. Also, we are currently having a Sample Sale and many of our dresses are reduced 20-50% off. In those cases we would sell the actual sample as is for the reduced price.

What happens at your appointment?  Once a few gowns are selected, you start trying them on!!   The consultant will help you in and out of the gowns. This preserves our delicate gowns and ensures that all questions can be answered and that when you come out to show your friends and family, the gown will look and fit the way it should.

Many different headpieces, veils, shoes and jewelry can be worn to help complete your whole look.  We are here to help make your wedding day everything you dreamed it would be.

Start the exciting process today by calling Avenia Bridal, 801-373-0194, to schedule your appointment!

We are so excited for the wedding trends coming this 2010-2011 Winter season.  Bright, bold pops of color and DIY wedding receptions come together to create weddings with personality.

Wedding gowns with belts and pockets are a hot trend to warm up this Winter season.  Gowns with luxurious fabrics and textures make the perfect winter gown.  These gowns and more are available through Avenía Bridal:

Dari by Rivini

Madison- The Vineyard Collection

Liancarlo

Maeve- The Vineyard Collection

Winter capes, feathered hairpieces, blushers and birdcage style wedding veils are popular trends for the coming season.   Find these styles at Avenía Bridal.

Below are a few Winter wedding ideas we love from MarthaStewartWeddings.com:

Winter Spiky Pinecone Cake

A sweet reception treat: Hot Chocolate and Mini Donuts

Classic Christmas Bouquet

Snowflake Cake

Silvery Winter Bouquet

Winter Wedding Wreaths

TheKnot.com recommends these great winter wedding ideas:

A classic, white wedding cake with a pop of bright color.

Themed engagement photos make keep your wedding personal.

To view and try on Avenía gowns and bridal accessories, call our boutique to schedule an appointment: 801-373-0194.

Stay tuned for photos from a winter photo shoot featuring an Avenía gown and bridal accessories, coming soon!

Autumn- warm, golden colors, crisp,cool air, scents of pumpkin spice, and the season of harvest and plenty.  What a perfect season for a wedding!

Fall 2010 bridal trends offer flirty ruffles, luxurious textures, tiered skirts and detailed necklines.  Below are some of the Fall 2010 bridal gowns available through Avenía Bridal:

Below are some fabulous autumn wedding ideas we love, courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com, solanobride.com and theknot.com:

To view and try on bridal gowns, call Avenía Bridal to schedule an appointment:  801-373-0194.

At Avenía Bridal, we’re all about the details.  As a full-service salon, we offer more than your dream dress.  We strive to provide you with everything you imagine, from head to toe- and everywhere in between.

In addition to bridal gowns and accessories, Avenía carries slimming intimates for our brides.  Our own Nancy Barrus provides custom-made corsets for any shape and size.  Built with metal spiral boning instead of nylon, Nancy’s corsets provide hours of all day support and last through multiple wearings.  And the best part, Nancy Barrus corsets reduce 1-4 inches from the waist and high-hip area!  Combining comfort and practicality, a custom corset could be just the thing to smooth lines and significantly improve the way you look and feel in your dream dress on your wedding day.

We are also pleased to announce that Avenía is now carrying Spanx, new, slimming intimates by Sara Blakely.  These sheer-shapers smooth and compress with soft-to-the-touch fabrics, controlling problem areas with powerful yet comfortable compression.  Even Oprah can’t get enough of what she calls the “miracle product” that “sucks it all in”.   Spanx body shapers can be layered to customize shape and compression, smoothing thighs, hips, tummy and rear!

Photos courtesy of spanx.com.

Call Avenía Bridal for more information on our slimming intimates or for an appointment:  801-373-0194.

~by Nancy

When it comes to beauty, balance is key. It doesn’t matter if the person is dressing formally or casually; it doesn’t matter if the entire ensemble is deconstructed (unfinished edges for a high fashion look), second-hand clothes, or separate pieces; when it’s all put together with balance in mind, it will be beautiful. Applying this to a bride is no different. Using different aspects of the ensemble (gown, veil, jewelry, shoes) in a collaborative way will enhance the bride’s beauty, and bring focus to the most important part of the bride: herself.

Veils:
Unfortunately, veils are a dying breed. The blusher has lost it’s significance because of advances in our modern society. Since this tradition of a veiled face in an aisled walk has been diminished, so too has the veil itself. In fact, the trend lately has been to do away with veils altogether. This may be the result of the desire to simplify, but the veil has another important feature when it comes to fashion, and that is the significance of balance! The wedding gown itself is white and draws the eye without effort. However, the focus is upon the gown, and not the bride. Adding a veil can change this. With a veil, the eyes are brought up to the face because the face is framed in white as well as the body. The balance helps complete the picture.

Jewelry:
Sparkle needs balance, too! Again, the current fads and trends are to simplify, and this tends to equate no jewelry. Necklaces, like the veil, are dying out. Of course, it will depend upon the neckline of the gown, but considering a necklace with the bridal ensemble is a good idea.

Shoes:
One of the most agreed upon pieces of advice when it comes to the bridal clothes is to wear classic shoes. Fads will fade and trends will change, but a classic perspective will be timeless. Shoes should not be chosen based on casual, flippant, or convenient trends. The sound the shoes make (flip-flops?) can distract from the beauty of the wedding day –as can discomfort. Of course, if the shoe has some important significance (evoking memories, ties to the groom, etc.), choices increase. But choosing a classic, comfortable, and timeless shoe will complete the beauty of the bridal clothing and keep the photos of the day timeless. Nothing dates a picture more quickly than the fads of the time!

Rule of Art:
The best art is designed to keep the eye moving around; the beauty is found all over the piece of art, not just in one place. When the balance is there, the observer sees everything in movement –it is fluid. The eye does not fixate on one piece; the observer can see many perspectives. In the best works of art, this is what is shown: a balance of beauty. Photographers love veils (and trains!) for this reason; it gives the photos more dimensions to work with. When ensembles are stilted with one piece of beauty (a great gown), it is harder to create those timeless and beautiful photos.

Proportions:
Proportion is everything for balance. If there is a big, full dress, then have a big veil (flowing, long, etc.). If the gown is small and simple, then simplify the veil (head pieces, shorter length, etc). Facial features are the same. Larger ones equate larger jewelry. Smaller features equate smaller jewelry.

When the bridal ensemble comes together with balance in mind, the result is visually stunning. It creates a work of art that enhances the already present beauty of the bride. After all, this is the desired result –to showcase a beautiful bride upon her wedding day!

Just in time for Summer, Avenía is having a sample bridal gown sale!  Beautiful designer wedding gowns with discounts of 20-50% are available now at Avenía Bridal Boutique.

Avenía chooses bridal gowns from the latest collections at New York Bridal Market.  Periodically, we make room for the newest collections by discounting some of our sample gowns.  Purchasing a discounted sample gown is a great way to get an amazing, designer look for your wedding day.

Sample gowns are available to view and try on.  Please call for an appointment: 801- 373-0194.

Spring and Summer are exciting seasons to get married!  Whether your wedding is coming up this season or in the warm summer months, this year is full of chic tips and trends to help you plan your day.  And, of course, Avenía will supply the perfect dress to match your style.

Spring 2010 Collection by Junko Yoshioka- Available at Avenía Bridal as shown or with sleeves and shoulders if desired.

An array of soft colors, delicate flowers, delightful party favors and feminine accents embellish Spring wedding trends this year.

Bright colors, refreshing fruits, romantic accents and fun favors adorn trends for the Summer season.

Call Avenía Bridal Boutique at 801-373-0194 to set up an appointment to see and try on our Spring 2010 wedding gowns.

Visit marthastewart.com for more information on these and other wedding trends.

~by Cheryl

This was found recently in Annie’s Mailbox, and is something brides should consider when choosing a wedding gown:

Dear Annie:
I am a photographer who has done many weddings. The current trend of strapless dresses, however, has presented wedding dress horrors. Please tel all brides looking for dresses to consider the following:
Strapless dresses don’t look great on everyone, especially overweight or large-busted women. If you feel even remotely uncomfortable in the dress, you will look it. If the dress slips down at all when you walk, imagine spending your entire wedding adjusting it and pulling it up. These things are not attractive. More than once, I have seen a surprise appearance by “the girls,” especially when the bride lifts her arms while dancing or to throw the bouquet. Bending over to talk with children or kiss Grandma presents a whole new problem. I have spent hours Photo shopping out creases, dimples, stretch marks, and unattractive cleavage.
So try a dress with spaghetti straps or a halter, or wear something that shows off your back, but please, no more strapless gowns.
-K.R.

Dear K.R.:
Thanks for your words of wisdom. Brides, take note. Just because it looks good in a magazine doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

Although not every bride needs to say “no” to strapless gowns, it is important to make sure your strapless gown fits correctly! This is one area we know well. Nancy and her team work hard to get an excellent fit to make sure the gown doesn’t slip down. A well constructed gown will stay up better than many bargain dresses that don’t have a lot of structure in them –this is because each gown we alter or custom-make is formed to fit the bride’s unique body shape. As Nancy said, “If strapless is not for you, we are happy to add straps, halters, or an off-the-shoulder option to add ‘security.’”

The whole point, as K.R. pointed out above, is to be comfortable in your gown. Comfort does not have to be compromised for beauty –nor should it!

{Gown by Liancarlo}

~by Cheryl

It is a common scene: the lights of the Christmas tree are glowing, Bing Crosby or Karen Carpenter sing quietly in the background, and he hands you a wrapped giftbox. A tiny giftbox! Nervously, you open the wrapping just as he drops to one knee…

(image courtesy of Sierra West jewelers)

Many brides have found themselves saying “Yes!” to the most important question amid mistletoe and snow. The nature of the holiday makes sense that there would be romance in the air.  With a brand new year just around the corner, Christmas creates the perfect time to plan for a new future –together.

Last month, we posted some great winter wedding ideas. However, since Christmas engagements usually mean a spring or summer wedding, here are some great gown ideas for warmer weather!

[Shoulders and sleeves can be added to each gown if desired.]

(Liancarlo)

(Vineyard Collection by Priscilla of Boston)

(Verde by Junko Yoshioka)