Frederick's of Hollywood Blog

Welcome back to Wedding Wednesday! Today we’re talking about options. Namely that today’s brides have so many, they are choosing to break with tradition. From theme weddings to bridal Uggs (that’s another post, for another day), you can find almost anything your heart desires for your big day. Having seen some gorgeous non-white bridal gowns, crazy shoes and quirky oddities around on Pinterest, Etsy and bridal blogs, we decided to put together some of some of our favorites! Take a look below:

Photo via Etsy shop, Little Retreats.

Photo booths are becoming more and more popular at weddings. Whether you have intricate ’20s themed sets or a simple streamer background, it’s all about the props! Featured in Lucky Mag and Bride to Be, Little Retreats custom makes there props when you order. Visit abeautifulmess to see a cute example of a photo booth in action.

Photo via skunkboy creatures.

With a cursory search for custom wedding toppers, we were able to turn up adorable dinosaurs, hilarious bride and groom vignettes and many other previously unknown (to us) options. The above photo is from skunkboy creatures who, in our humble opinion, make some of the cutest we ever seen. Check out the blog where in her own words you’ll find “plenty of handmade, fashion, and rambly goodness”.

Photo via Etsy shop Ouma. 

Handmade, frothy and in a delectable shade of pick, this gown is the epitome of romance. Equal parts ballerina, princess and wedding dress, the layers of tulle and detailed work are sure to make your wedding day unforgettable. They offer many other options and colors, if this particular dress isn’t for you. We especially love this hand-dyed skirt.

What do you think? Should tradition rule the day or should a bride be able to do whatever she pleases?

Nosegay or corsage? Tea-length or full skirt? Do lavender and gray really go together or is it too Golden Girls?

As anyone who has planned a wedding can attest, these are the kinds of thoughts that will keep you up nights. When you’ve hit the wall and making a simple decision is enough to cause a meltdown of epic proportions, it’s time to turn to Pinterest. If you need help organizing your ideas, a fresh boost of creativity or just want to de-stress and look at gorgeous photos, it’s the perfect tool to reset your thoughts. We’ve  put together some of our favorite pins from our very own Wedding Inspiration board and rounded up some top pinners to help you get started. Go ahead. Relax and feel free to indulge in a little daydreaming.

Frederick’s of Hollywood

Style Me Pretty

Martha Stewart Weddings

Scoots Lovely

Share your favorite Pinterest boards in the comments below!

This week we’re looking at the biggest post-wedding day activity—no, not the clean up: the honeymoon. After the wedding, most couples head off to a gorgeous destination agreed upon by both of you. If nothing has struck your (collective) fancy yet, you may be excited to know that there are trendy honeymoon spots. Wedding magizines, blogs and travel sites put together compilations of the top 10 each year in fact! We scoured the web for the best and most recommended. Whether you choose to use these as guidelines for travel or as a surefire way to escape the crowd is entirely up to you!

1. Thailand

Photo via goodwallpaper

From forested mountains to white sand beaches, Thailand is a varied and lush place to get away. No wonder it made so many lists!  Visit this site for tourism info.

2. Maldives

Tell us: Where does your dream honeymoon take place?

Ask 10 brides what the most important part of their big day is going to be and you’ll most likely get 10 different answers. However, one thing we think all brides-to-be, wedding guests and married couples can agree on is: cake! The cake is the centerpiece to your reception, and if you chose wisely, the one thing that will stand out sweetly in everyone’s memory.

Photo via pinkcakebox.com.

In the past, you were generally stuck with the basic options of vanilla or chocolate, fondant or flowers all rendered in a pastel or ivory hue. But nowadays you may order whatever strikes your fancy. Want a cake modeled after the board game you two loved to play? Not a problem! But with so many choices comes an increased risk of being overwhelmed. Here’s some tips to help you figure out the perfect confection you want:

1. Select a style of cake. Now is the time to start hashing out whether you two can agree on chocolate or if one of you is going to insist on red velvet. Don’t forget that there can be tiers of cake and they don’t have to match. This is one of the times that the phrase “pick your battles” comes in handy, so if one of you is uncompromising when it comes to flavor, remember there are ways to work around it.

Photo via goo.gl

2. Taste the cakes. It’s important to meet the bakers to find out if they’re capable. The fun part is going to bakery to bakery and tasting each offering. Seriously? Days of eating cake sounds amazing! Or maybe that’s just us—we aren’t currently planning a wedding right now…

Photo via pinterest.com

3. Cost can be a big issue since wedding cakes are generally priced by the slice + designers labor. It’s best to do one gorgeous creation and have a sheet cake or two to feed the rest of your guests. Especially if you are having a large wedding. Fondant, flowers and other accents are far more expensive than a basic buttercream frosting.

Photo via pinkcakebox.com.

4. Having an outdoor wedding? Consider asking the baker about icing options. Buttercream, though delicious does not hold up to heat. Nor do whipped cream or meringue.

Photo via abeautifulmess.com

5. Costly Confections. If price is truly an issue, get creative! Shy away from traditional toppings and try to include fresh fruit or flowers from the florist. And never rule out the mighty cupcake! Towers of cupcakes take the place of sheet cake in a cute, cost-effective and delicious manner!

Did you have a gorgeous wedding cake? Share photos in the comments below!

We’re heading down star-filled path this week for Wedding Wednesday! With tabloids, blogs and all of Hollywood buzzing over Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s upcoming nuptials, let’s take a look at the best and brightest celebrity engagement rings starting with Angie’s, of course.

Photo via Popsugar.

Designed by Robert Procop with help from Brad, Angie’s ring is a sparkling stunner featuring conflict-free emerald cut diamonds.

Photo via Popsugar.

The best surprise ever? While on vacation, Hilary Duff was shocked by boyfriend Mark Comrie’s offering of a platinum 14-carat radiant-cut ring.

Photo via Popsugar.

Perhaps when Beyonce advised single ladies everywhere about the benefits of putting a ring on it, she was inspired by the flawless 18-carat diamond that Jay-Z presented to her. Designed by Lorraine Schwartz, it’s reportedly worth a cool $5 million.

Photo via Popsugar.

J-Lo may not want us to be fooled by all the rocks that she’s got, but when she accepted an 8.5-carat diamond from ex-husband Marc Anthony in 2004, it cued a collective eye roll.

Photo via Popsugar.

Kate Middleton had princess-wannabes everywhere turning green with envy when Prince William proposed with the 18-carat sapphire ring worn by his mother, Lady Di.

Photo via Popsugar.

Goop may be her thing, but surely Gwyneth Paltrow took off her stunning Asscher-cut diamond before making one of  her signature dishes… Right?

It’s one thing to wish for a huge engagement ring, but the practicality of such a thing has always thrown us for a loop. Think of all the sweaters it would snag!  Or worse, imagine what happens when you run your hand through your hair. Ouch! Even more nerve racking, what happens if you lose it? So many questions.

Do you think gigantic rings are impractical, or will you accept nothing less? Tell us who’s ring you covet the most and share your opinion in the comments below!