The Black Dress Traveler

And The Bride Wore Alexander McQueen: Congratulations Prince William & Catherine

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Every Wedding Can Be Royal: 3 Fab Finds for Brides to Be

Unless you are living under a rock, you've probably heard that a certain beloved British Prince will wed a certain comely commoner on April 29th. Granted, this is not a wedding blog but it is nearly impossible to ignore the hoopla and even yours truly must recognize the phenomenon that is the Royal Wedding. Truth be told, I have great memories of Princess Diana walking down the aisle when I was a little girl and I am curious to see what Kate's dress will look like.

According to VisitBritain royal weddings boost tourism and 10- 20% more tourists are expected to visit Britain this April than last year. The media is obsessively following every detail of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding arrangements - What will she wear? Will her hair be up or down? Has she lost too much weight? I've never been married but it occurs to me that these are the same dilemmas facing all brides, Kate just has to deal with the burden of the entire world watching her prepare for her walk down the aisle and up the social ladder.

I know that some of my readers are brides-to-be and whether you are tying the knot in your hometown or planning a destination wedding, here are a few essentials that will make you feel like a princess on your big day. I learned about these products at the event  "Accessorize for Your Royal Wedding hosted by Pamela Pekerman."
(Photo of Pamela courtesy of Irina Smirnova of Sigen Photography.)

Find your Dream Dress at Bridal Reflections
Let's face it, next to the groom, choosing the perfect dress is perhaps the biggest decision a bride will make. Bridal Reflections has 3 salons in New York, including one on Fifth Avenue, and was named the "Most Chic Wedding Salon in the NY Area" by Brides Magazine. If you can't make it to their salons, Bridal Reflections also hosts trunk shows around the country. Bridal Reflections has been featured on David Tutera's hit show My Fair Wedding. More than just wedding dresses, Bridal Reflections also offers designer evening wear, shoes and accessories.


Glam Up with a Custom Garter by The Garter Girl
Ahh, the garter. This little piece of fabric is a big part of a traditional wedding ceremony and is said to trace back to the Dark Ages. In addition to custom styles. The Garter Girl has an amazing selection of traditional, modern, eco-friendly, and couture styles. Need that traditional "something blue" to complete your wedding ensemble? The Garter Girl has a bounty of blue garters to choose from. And, The Garter Girl is a real person - Julianne Smith designs and hand crafts all of the garters in Washington, DC. "The Garter Girl is about making wedding garters fun and bringing the tradition back…with a little style!

Lengthen your Locks with Effortless Extensions
Commitment to your soul mate is one thing but do you really want to commit tons of time adding extensions to your hair?  I am a big fan of extensions and so glad that the stigma attached to wearing them has virtually disappeared. What I am not a fan of is the amount of time that it can take to have extensions sewn in. Just like the name implies , Effortless Extensions gives you all the glamour with virtually no effort - they provide length and volume in just a few seconds. No clips, no glue, no tape - Effortless Extensions are attached to a monofilament that you slip over your head and then blend in with your own hair. Effortless Extensions are available in human and synthetic hair and in a variety of textures.

 

A Chic Beach Wedding is a Breeze at Casa Marina

Many brides dream of a destination wedding but orchestrating these long-distance fantasy nuptials can be an expensive and logistical nightmare. If your wedding vision includes a venue with history and charm set against a beautiful ocean backdrop, Casa Marina in Jacksonville Beach, Florida merits your serious consideration.

One of Florida's premier wedding venues, Casa Marina offers top notch dining and a staff committed to making your wedding a day to remember.  A member of the Historic Hotels of America, Casa Marina first opened its doors in 1925. Not just for weddings, Casa Marina is great for anyone who wants to pamper themselves with a vacation at Jacksonville Beach's endless expanse of pristine sand.

I am not one of those girls with elaborate wedding fantasies but you can't visit the Casa Marina without getting a little swept away. Certainly, Casa Marina's courtyard that faces the ocean would be the perfect setting for me to say "Indeed, I Do" to (insert groom here). After our pledges of eternal love, photographer Damon would capture our joy with some candid snapshots on the beach.  Sand in our toes, we would head back to the Casa Marina's dining room for a grand meal prepared by Chef Aaron. A decadent buttercream confection by Classic Cakes would be a sweet ending to this perfect day. At the end of the night, I would reluctantly toss my Liz Stewart Floral Design bouquet to the single ladies. Our feet tired from dancing to the sounds of dj's from McGee Entertainment and live music by local lovebirds The Johnston Duo (Debrann & Kurt), me and Mr. Wonderful head back to our ocean view suite and.....

(Oops, I am just getting a bit carried away.)

Back to reality.

Seriously, if easy elegance is your style then Casa Marina is a wonderful option for a wedding, a romantic interlude, or a solo excursion. Start your day with yoga on the beach and end it with a martini at Casa Marina's Penthouse Bar with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the beach. Simple perfection.

 Here are a few photos from my recent escape to Casa Marina. (www.casamarinahotel.com)

 

A floral centerpiece by Liz Stewart Floral Design.

Chef Aaron works his magic with a red snapper.

Beautiful cakes by Classic Cakes. (904-246-6408) And, they taste delicious too!

A martini outside at Casa Marina's Penthouse.

Sunrise on Jacksonville Beach. This is the "backyard" at Casa Marina!