Photos courtesy of Claire Pettibone

Cherry Blossom Bloom for Claire Pettibone in 2010

Romantic pieces of art best describe Claire Pettibone’s 2010 collection. Using the Cherry Blossom as her inspiration she captures the Japanese style with breath taking gowns. Using a soft and effervescent palette of snow white, metallic silver and gold with accents of pale pink and Empire Red, “Cherry Blossom 2010” was a luminous vision of purity and exotic innocence.

Go Green with These Eco Friendly Gowns

Alisa Benay gowns are more than just beautiful dresses. They uses eco friendly manufacturing processes when making their dresses to lessen their carbon footprint. “I want my bride to know that the day her dreams come true is also the day she makes the world a better place.  I want her to feel that not only is she the most beautiful woman in the world at the moment, but she has created a more beautiful world through the choices she made in her wedding day purchases,” says Alisa Benay.

Elegant and beautiful with classic sleek lines, Anne Barge, leaves no detail unattended.

The Captain Lord Mansion; courtesy of http://www.captainlord.com/index.html

The Captain Lord Mansion, Kennebunkport, Maine

Begin your getaway at an AAA 4 Diamond B&B in the colonial town of Kennebunkport, Maine. Sweeping lawns, memory garden and location set overlooking the river, the Inn will envelope your senses even before you enter. Built during the War of 1812, this Federal Mansion boasts 16 room accommodations along with day spa services and personalized upgrades to suite your desires. The detailed oriented and dedicated staff will see to your needs while providing the care free and romantic getaway you have been searching for. http://www.captainlord.com/index.html p.800-522-3141

Finding perfect music for your wedding is probably taking as much time as deciding on the right flowers. With literally thousands of songs you could choose from, how could you be expected to find “the one” that says it all for each part of the ceremony? There are the traditional processional songs such as “Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) from Lohengrin” and “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel, two of the world’s most played wedding songs.  For the recessional song, which is commonly less traditional and meant to reflect the personality of the bride and groom, you could play anything from “Wedding March from A Midsummer’s Night Dream” by Felix Mendelssohn to the “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

After the recessional, the first dance is your moment to declare the bond between you.  Searching through song after song trying to find the perfect lyrics can be maddening. There are sites to help you whittle down your decision such as “Wedding Music 101” which has a diverse listing of choices. But what do you do when you still cannot find the right one? You could consider writing your own song. Your words set to a new theme being played for the first time during your first dance. This may seem an intimidating task for most of us; thankfully there are professionals with the talent to help. One such group is the folks at “Love Song Entertainment”. They can write an original custom love song that will convey your love to one another that is truly your own.

Music has always been at the heart of celebrations, but deciding on the perfect song that says it all can be a daunting task. Tradition may be the best path to follow for the ceremony, but afterwards it is time to celebrate with your words. Start your life together expressing your love with a unique song that is all your own!

Calling All Brides: Share Your Wedding Day with I Do for Brides.

I Do for Brides is looking for Georgia, Tennessee and D.C.-area brides to share their engagement and wedding photos to be featured in I Do For Brides’ Featured Weddings section of our website.

Did you break from wedding traditions and put your own touch on your wedding? Tell us about it!

We’re also looking for wedding projects you made for our Bridal DIY section.

Please submit engagement and wedding photos, wedding projects and details about how you did your wedding day your way to the editorial team of IDoforBrides.com.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Cream and beige perforated leather bags are a trend this spring. However, this style has not taken over. Textured and multi-textured patterns have also caught on and are growing in popularity.  One of our favorite designers, Spartina 449,  has a line of handbags to fit any time of day.  Whether it is morning tea or an elegant evening, the multiple styles can be carried to match practically any outfit. Keeping with the cream and beige color trend, Spartina’s “Outer Banks Collection” will certainly let them know your admiration for their role in your wedding.

Handbags have been given as bridesmaid gifts for many years, but until recently, had not grown in popularity. Practicality, uniqueness and the ability of each bag to have a personal touch, handbags are a perfect bridesmaid gift.

1. Relax.
Relax your arms. Let the weight of the bouquet bring your arms down so that the bouquet is at your bellybutton and your arms are resting on your hip bones. This will make you look longer and more relaxed than choking the bouquet up by your neck. Don’t strangle your flowers.

2. Show your bouquet.
Make sure the most decorative part of the bouquet is facing forward – even if your bouquet consists of all of the same flower. Ask your florist (or a member of your party) for tips if you can’t find the most decorative part. (Remember, you’re looking down at the bouquet.)

3. Be graceful.
Hold the bouquet gracefully. You’re a beautiful bride, not a nervous Nelly. Relax your grip and keep from interlocking your fingers. The bouquet is part of your wedding-day outfit, not a clutch to get your down the aisle. Stand straight, put your shoulders back, take a deep breath, relax your grip on the bouquet and keep your eye on the groom. Remember: You’re carrying flowers, not a weapon.

4. Have fun after the ceremony.
The hard part’s over. The planning is done. You walked down the aisle and pledged your love to the man of your dreams. Now it’s time for post-ceremony pictures. Have fun! hold the flowers to your side. Hold them in one hand. Let your husband hold the flowers. Listen to your photographer’s suggestions. Whatever you do, enjoy the moment. And have fun. The fun pictures are the ones you’ll love the best.

Cake Design by Amy Richardson, The Bake Shoppe, Nashville, www.thebakeshoppe.com

Topped with the newlyweds’ last initial, this traditional tower of buttercream and fondant is decorated with fresh roses to match the centerpieces and bouquets. The square design adds an element and symmetry and style.

A bouquet filled with orange and red roses, burgundy mini calla lilies, yellow daises, orange montbretia and red hypercium berries make a beautiful arrangement for an Autumn wedding.

Photo Caption: Chelsea Floral Design, Atlanta; Photo by Andrea Taylor