Project Wedding :: Healthy Bride Workshop

Our next Project Wedding Workshop is scheduled for April 30 at 6:30 pm.  Registration is now open!

If you are planning a wedding in the next year, you won’t want to miss this fun and informative evening that we are planning for you.  The workshop will be filled with our planner’s tips and local experts’ advice for achieving a healthy body, glowing skin, and positive mental and emotional attitude as you prepare for the BIG day!

As always, we’ll sprinkle some fun wedding planning ideas and yummy food into the evening’s plans as well.

Bring along your Mom, Sis, Bridesmaids…any other ladies who want to learn about prepping for the wedding, and then feeling and looking great beyond the big day.

Our Lead Planner, Rachel Ramos, will be your hostess for the evening.  She has invited these local experts to share…

Pamela Zinn, nutritionist and owner of the Holistic Nutrition Center

Val Oonk, personal trainer

Michelle Timlick, esthetician at Engedi Salon

Take some time out for yourself and join us at this fun workshop…you can register here.

2012 Prom Tuxedo Special

Prom season has arrived and now through June 30 September’s Bride is offering a Prom Special: Tuxedo rentals at 49.00$! Rental will include coat, pants, shirt and any color cummerbund and tie. Come in now to get measured, choose the style and place your order. Need help figuring out how to ask a certain girl to be your date? We have a staff full of girls who would love to give suggestions!

                                                                                                                              Dunhill Tuxedos

Rest To Be Your Best!

A question often asked is: How much time should I take off before my wedding?

Finding the best answer to this question for you is going to depend on the amount of days available to you considering you will not want to sacrifice any time already reserved for the honeymoon and post wedding day relaxation. Here are a few things to consider:

Your wedding day goes by unbelievably fast! Although you spend months planning, the actual day is still only a quick 24 hours (thankfully you will have the rest of your lives to enjoy the marriage!) so if you do have the luxury of taking time off before hand, do so and you will be able to calmly enter the actual day and enjoy the festivities leading up to it.

If you carefully budget your time leading up to the wedding, with the assistance of a planner, you should be able to tie up any last minute details in 1 or 2 days. Consider taking another couple of days if possible to just relax and enjoy those celebrating with you; remember, many of them have probably traveled several hours to be a part of your special day.

On those final days: consider treating yourself to a massage or day at the spa, surround yourself with those whom you want to be with, and do whatever it is that will relax you and allow you to build excitement for the marriage that is ahead!

Bridal Market Report

On Monday, March 26, Rachel and I took off for the day and traveled (with our awesome husbands) to Chicago to shop at the National Bridal Market.

Imagine walking into a huge warehouse room just filled with wedding gowns, veils, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and other gowns…separated into the individual designer’s booths.  There are fashion shows and meet-and-greets going on constantly, and buyers from bridal salons and boutiques all over the country.  We met two lovely ladies from Montana at the Casablanca booth; it’s always wonderful to make new friends in the bridal biz.

We also met Robert Bullock, an up-and-coming American wedding gown designer.  We spent some time at the Paloma Blanco booth, and were very impressed with their lines.

Of course, we did more than look at Casablanca and Maggie Sottero!  We chose some new gowns to bring into the boutique.  We can’t show them to you quite yet, but our brides are going to love them!

I can show you this lovely little veil that Rachel modeled at the Jennifer Leigh booth…(always one of our very favorite stops!)

We also were introduced to a brand new bridal gown line…Callista-for Brides With Curves.

Callista is designed expressly for the plus-size bride and constructed to help her look and feel her best in the gowns.  They are available ONLY in sizes 16-32, so it is definitely an exclusive Curvy Collection!  We are proud to be just one of a few stores in Michigan that offers this line.

Speaking of plus-size gowns, we also bought larger sizes in our bridesmaid and mother collections!  We found garters that will be more comfortable for curvy brides, as well.

Keep watching our blog and our Facebook page…we’ll be sure to let you know when the new items arrive.

Events by September’s Bride Tip of the Week: Color Choices

We get a lot of brides in at the shop that don’t exactly know how to go about choosing the colors for their wedding; either because they don’t know which colors go best together or the mere fact that there are too many color combos to choose from. One easy and simple way to make the choice is to look at the colors you are choosing when you register for household items and go from there. Think about what color scheme you are hoping to use in your new house and go with a wedding color combo that will compliment your home decor. That way once the wedding is done you can display all your wedding paraphernalia in your home from framed invitations to a collection of your centerpieces. Still in Doubt? Neutrals paired with one bold color work great and look fresh in both a wedding and in your home.  

Blues, tan and Oranges

Courtesy of Martha Stewert Weddings.com

Yellows and Grays

Courtesy of Pinterest

Stephanie James Couture Trunk Show!

We are so excited to announce the dates for our next Stephanie James Couture Trunk Show!

From June 25-30, 2012, we’ll have some of the most beautiful and unique America-made bridal gowns in the store for your shopping pleasure!  Brides have traveled to our store from Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Indianapolis to buy these gowns.

Take a few moments to browse gorgeous Stephanie James website.  There are beautiful photos there and the blog has great inspiration as well.

We are already scheduling appointments for this Trunk Show; follow this link to schedule yours!

Beyond the Bride :: Moms

Some of the most FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) at September’s Bride are about Mothers of the Bride & Groom and what their apparel should be on the big day. Today’s Moms are chic and stylish; they want a gown that makes them feel like that on their son or daughter’s wedding day. To help you, at September’s Bride, we have a Mothers’ Gown Specialist, Bernice, who has helped countless moms feel confident and beautiful at the wedding.  Bernice is available for appointments; just call us at 616-355-1433.

Bernice Strotter, Mothers’ Gown Specialist

Let me also answer some questions that are frequently asked at our store:

Mom: As the mother, am I supposed to match the wedding party?
SB: No, but you should not clash with them, either. Wear a color that makes you feel pretty and confident.  There seems to be alot of angst lately with moms who are trying to coordinate all the colors of the wedding and the other mom with their own attire.  Remember that the dresses will not all be hanging in a row at the wedding.  There is lovely skin, pretty hair, guys in tuxes, and lots of flowers breaking up the dress colors.

Mom: Who chooses first, the bride’s mother?
SB: Traditionally, the bride’s mother chooses her dress first, and then informs the groom’s mother of the color and formality of her gown; the groom’s mother then chooses something complementary in color and length. Today, however, the lines are blurred with step-moms involved and couples who are from different parts of the country, and sometimes, world. It is still a good idea, however, to allow the bride’s mother to set the standard.  The moms do not need to match or coordinate, as long as their dresses are similar in formality.  Each mom should wear what makes her feel pretty and comfortable.

Mom: Is black an appropriate color for me to wear?
SB: Yes, black is totally appropriate, especially for a formal, evening wedding. The key is to wear accessories that are more festive than somber. Metallic shoes and handbag would be a great thing to add. A sparkly brooch, chunky pearls, and chandelier earrings, perhaps. For an outdoor, summer wedding, black may look a little out of place, unless it is a black linen sundress. In this case, add a yellow or blush shawl, and you’ll do great!

Flower Power

Want a fun DIY project that can get everyone involved in wedding fun? Picket Fence Floral and Design in Holland, Mi now offers  Do it Yourself Floral Arrangement packages. Brides can select the flowers they wish to use for their wedding then bring their maids and mothers and spend an afternoon at Picket Fence arranging bouquets and centerpieces all by themselves.

Brides have the option to take a class by Picket Fence that will instruct them how to create everything from bouquets to corsages and boutonnieres. The shop is very flexible in the degree of help offered from a hands off, let the bridal party take control manner to a more guided, structured approach that gives Brides the choice to create some of her wedding’s floral pieces while Picket Fence takes care of the rest.

Get advice on the perfect varieties and color options for your big day, rent vases from the shop or bring in your own and much more. The sky is the limit at Picket Fence so if you are looking for a way to involve your bridal party in the creation of your wedding, want to save some money on flowers or simply want a relaxing afternoon arranging flowers then contact Picket Fence for more details:

 616-355-0229

www.picketfenceflorals.com

For other DIY projects, wedding inspiration or help planning the rest of your special day contact September’s Bride at:

616-355-1433

www.speptembersbride.com

Bouquets and Boutonnieres created by bride Elisabeth Vanderwall and maids at Picket Fence.

Beyond the Bride :: Bridesmaids’ Shades

For 2012, there seems to be a trend towards sophisticated and elegant colors for bridesmaid gowns.  Neutral colors, such as shades of ivory, champagne, and silver, are very popular.  Also, the royal colors of blue and purple are the choice of many brides.

What are the other popular colors for 2012 wedding parties to wear?

2.  You can’t go wrong with black tuxes for the men in your party.  YES, they definitely need to wear a jacket for the ceremony, and NO, they do not have to have their vests/ties match the bridesmaids.  They are not going to prom

Destination Weddings in Your Backyard: Macatawa, Mi

If you love the idea of a wedding with beautiful views of the water and a relaxing time on the beach then consider doing a destination wedding in Macatawa Mi. Just minutes from downtown Holland and large beaches like the State Park and Tunnel Park, Macatawa provides a quaint little spot for a gorgeous, low-key yet elelgant wedding weekend.

The Piper restaurant is the perfect spot for both a ceremony and reception site as it sits right on Lake Macatawa Harbor with the calming sight of ships sailing out to Lake Michigan from almost any seat in the restaurant. Hold your ceremony outside by the docks for a great lakeside backdrop then treat guests to appetizers directly after your nuptials usptairs on the deck or in the loft. For dinner seat guests inside in The Piper’s banquet hall that can hold up to 135 people with access to a deck, or for a more intimate wedding couples have the option of the Loft that can seat around 35. Placing the head table against the wrap around windows that look out onto the harbor will make a beautiful picture as you and your wedding party enjoy the evening. The Piper has dinner options of buffets, seated meals or grazing menus for the more casual and mingle weddings.

Treat guests to an entire weekend of wedding fun by renting one of the numerous cottages available in the area. With room for twelve  on average, cottages can be rented for an entire bridal party or familes and will give guests the comfort of being in a home but the fun of being on vacation. As the Macatawa community is right on the water guests will have access to a number of yacht charters and boat rentals to get around the lake. On land Macatawa is close to several lakeside activities from beautiful boutique shopping in downtown Holland to the famous Big Red Lighthouse and Dutch attractions such as Veldheer Tulip farms and Windmill Island.

At EVENTS by September’s Bride we would love to help you plan a lovely lakeside wedding and are experts in the area. If you are intrested in a Macatawa Wedding contact us at 616-355-1433 or by email: rachel@septembersbride.com, tiffany@septembersbride.com.