Fashion's Night Out with Vera Wang

Retailers in 13 different countries kick off the first night of New York Fashion Week with Fashion's Night Out, a global effort to promote the retail apparel industry and restore consumer confidence. Thursday, September 10th, Vera Wang will host events at both of her New York stores: Vera Wang on Mercer and the Vera Wang Bridal House.


Uptown at the Bridal House at 991 Madison Avenue, Vera will be joined by industry experts who will be sharing their expertise and artistry. From cake decorating with Sylvia Weinstock, arranging flowers with Michael George, and receiving nutritional advice from celebrity nutritionist Oz Garcia, guests will rub elbows with top tier vendors...what else would you expect from Vera Wang? Oh, but there's more: Vogue's Special Events Director Sylvana Soto-Ward will provide wedding tips and advice, Yves Durif will consult and style hair and make-up, Exhale Spa specialists will perform express manicures, all while you sip Champagne compliments of The Carlyle Hotel and enjoy music courtesy of Elan Artists. Raffle prizes include a 2-hour personal flower arranging lesson with Michael George, a 6 month consultation by Oz Garcia as well as a Glow treatment and Mind Body package from Exhale Spa.


Remember to make your way downtown where Vera Wang will celebrate with American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi and other special guests at her ready-to-wear boutique located at 158 Mercer Street in SoHo. Vera herself will be offering advice and tips as she style guests. Pose for a priceless photo-opp with the designer in the "Studio Booth", while you sip the night's signature cocktail "Vera Vodka's". Hanging with Vera Wang is seriously a prize in itself, but giveaways of the night include Vera Wang Lavender Label shoes, Vera Wang Fine Papers stationery, Vera Wang Rock Princess and Vera Wang sunwear. A big thanks to our friend's at Vera Wang for sharing this fabulous event with Weddings Unveiled!

iPhone App for Virtual Ring Shopping

New iPhone applications out there continue to put the world at our fingertips. Now, we can have diamonds at them too! Louisiana-based jewelry company, Stuller partnered with Gemvision Corporation to create a free iPhone application for future brides called Live Diamond Try-On. A series of steps can lead a user to finding the perfect ring. First, select from carat weight, diamond shape, precious metal and mounting, then simply take a picture of your hand and virtually try on a engagement rings without having to actually go to the store. The application allows users to superimpose the diamond image over their hand and send via Facebook, email, Twitter, etc. There's also a "find a jeweler" function which uses the iPhone's GPS function to direct users to the closest retailer. No excuses now, guys, diamond shopping has never been this easy!

WELLNESS CENTER OPENING AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHARLOTTE

We have been anxiously waiting for The Ritz-Carlton to open its doors in Charlotte this Fall, especially since many of our Weddings Unveiled staffers live in the Queen City! When it opens this October 1, The Wellness Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will provide an environmentally-mindful new spa experience designed to offer peace and balance in the heart of the city's thriving Uptown.

Reflecting The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's commitment to using eco-friendly, all organic products and services, the 13,000-square-foot Wellness Center will include four oversized spa treatment rooms featuring Tempur-Pedic memory foam bed-tops, a complete Fitness Center with personal televisions, a sunlit movement studio offering floor-to-ceiling city views, and a spacious Aqua Lounge with saline-treated swimming pool and whirlpool. The Wellness Center enjoys a bi-level penthouse location atop The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, the first LEED®-built hotel for The Ritz-Carlton and the first for greater Charlotte.

The Wellness Center will offer a contemporary array of eco-friendly guest services and treatments, many unique to the hotel spa experience. Added benefits of the Wellness Center's numerous facial and massage experiences will include use of precious and rare ingredients containing all-natural, certified organic extracts, oils and floral waters, and access to Spa Longer -- a complimentary mid-afternoon upgrade of 50-minute treatments to a 75 -minute experience based on availability. In addition to its array of signature spa treatments and experiences, The Wellness Center will offer personal training and wellness sessions, weekend yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and aqua aerobics classes.

Located in the heart of the city at 201 East Trade Street, The Wellness Center at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will begin accepting reservations in late September for services beginning October 1, 2009. We'll see you there!

E Session ~ Kimberly & Michael

Vue Photography continues to amaze us in many, many ways. When we caught a glimpse of this dreamy engagement session on their blog, we knew it was perfect to share with our Completely Unveiled followers.
Kimberly and Michael have literally known each other since school bus days. Their first "date" was a ride to school early one morning when Michael shared a seat with Kimberly and the rest is pretty much history. Genya and Wesleyann of Vue Photography captured these gorgeous images on the beaches of Panama City, FL. Look for more of Vue's spectacular photography in the upcoming Fall issue of Weddings Unveiled on newsstands October 1st!

Hayden Olivia Modern Trousseau Trunk Show This Weekend!

Hayden Olivia Bridal in Charlotte, will be having a Modern Trousseau trunk show this weekend! View and try on designer dresses from Modern Trousseau and even get 10% off the purchase of your dress and your choice of fabulous shoes! The trunk show will be August 20th - 22nd. Don't miss your opportunity to find THE ONE at Hayden Olivia Bridal!

Images courtesy of Modern Trousseau

How Do We Thank Thee....

Every week we find more great people in the blogosphere that have shown their appreciation to Weddings Unveiled. And we want to show that appreciation right back.... Check out these amazing websites and leave a comment! Thank you!

Big News! Look For Weddings Unveiled at your local CVS!

In addition to our amazing distribution on thousands of newsstands across the south, our special feature promotions with retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Harris Teeter and our national distribution in major bookstores, we are so excited to announce that beginning with the Fall 2009 issue, Weddings Unveiled can also be purchased at over 500 CVS newsstands thoughout the southeast! Beginning October 1st, look for our Fall 2009 issue at your local CVS store!

Subscriptions, back issues and copies of the current issue may also be purchased via our website at weddingsunveiledmagazine.com and amazon.com.

Claire Pettibone Trunk Show: August 21 & 22

Los Angeles designer Claire Pettibone's beautiful silhouettes and intricate details make brides all over the world swoon over her designs. Come see a selection of gowns from Claire's newest and continuing collections this weekend at Charleston's Belle Couture Bridal. Appointments are limited, so call 843.881.3449 or email sarah@bellecouturebridal.com to schedule yours today!

Good Reads ~ Simple Stunning Weddings

Simple weddings can be some of the most amazing weddings to attend. We have always championed the brides who can make simple look so gorgeous, because while it might sound easy to plan a simple wedding, making it stand out can require a little more work. Simple CAN be stunning, which is why we love Simple Stunning Weddings: Designing and Creating Your Perfect Celebration by Karen Bussen.

Karen Bussen is one of Manhattan's most exciting wedding designers. Her work has been featured in such magazines as Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Home, Food & Wine, and Interior Design. In the past six years, she has designed more than 100 weddings and most of them have been simple and stunning. In her book, Bussen highlights elements such as color, personalization and of course simplicity, as she shows couples how to design their own weddings without going crazy or broke.

Focusing her attention on location, Bussen showcases 12 popular wedding settings that can be simple, including the city loft, country inn, art gallery, botanic garden, and private club, and demonstrates how to make them extraordinary. With the setting as the starting point, she creates unifying themes with color, flowers, and personal touches. She explains how to deal with vendors, how to spend the wedding budget, and when it makes sense to hire a specialist.

Thankfully, Bussen shares some trade secrets, teaching brides the power of simplicity and the impact of color, which can be tailored to any budget, and can be done with stunning effect: substituting cotton tablecloths for silk in the same eye-dazzling color combinations, for example, or creating striking flower arrangements using only one or two types of blooms.

No matter what kind of affair you are planning, pick up this book and be inspired to be simply stunning.

Simple Stunning Weddings: Designing and Creating Your Perfect Celebration. $21.45 at Amazon.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Good Morning to all our lovely Completely Unveiled blog followers! We were supposed to reveal the Bliss Giveaway winner to you on Friday, but we have been busy bees working on an incredible Fall issue for you, so please forgive us! Weddings Unveiled staffers and Bliss Bridal Shoes designer Tamara Connell read each and every one of your lovely shoe anecdotes and we came to the unanimous decision that this sentimental entry from CCarbott on AUGUST 10, 2009 9:10 PM was the best of the bunch...

"My favorite pair of shoes were actually not even mine, they belonged to my grandmother. She would come visit every summer and her Sunday shoes were a pair of two-tone, toe-dipped sling-back Chanel pumps in black and beige. The second she would arrive I would beg to put them on and she would tell me "These were designed by a woman who wanted to make a statement, when you wear these shoes you make a statement. Your shoes are a reflection of who you are and they help you walk with a purpose." After that she would let me wear them and I would clobber around the house in them until I fell asleep. Those shoes made me feel grown up and important and while i had them on I embodied every quality that I loved about my grandmother- the sassy, Northern, no time for nonsense woman that I strived to be as a little girl.
My grandmother has since passed and her now vintage Chanel shoes still sit in my closet, still two sizes too big for my feet. Even though she will not be able to be at my wedding, when I put on my wedding shoes, I know she will be there in spirit giving me the sass and confidence to strut down the aisle and to make a statement as I begin my new life with my future husband and best friend."

Congratulations, CCarbott! We know you'll pick out a perfectly sassy pair. Please email us at weddingsunveiled@weddingsunveiledmagazine.com for all the details.

Thank you all for your comments and for following our blog! Look for more fabulous contests coming soon!

The Inspired Bride Event by StudioWed Atlanta

The Inspired Bride event is this Sunday August 23rd! Don't forget to register for it this week!

StudioWed Atlanta is excited to announce their first bridal event, The Inspired Bride. Join them for an afternoon of luxury and inspiration. Brides will have the chance to meet StudioWed vendors, be entertained, and enter to win fabulous giveaways. The event will be Sunday, August 23rd at StudioWed Atlanta. Brides can browse StudioWed's Fall Table Trends, enjoy live entertainment from Joe Grandsen Quartet, appetizers from Hallie Jane’s Catering and Soiree Catering, cocktails from Nuvo and a wine tasting from Hop City Craft Beer & Wine. There will also be a fashion show at 5:30pm showcasing Erica Angeline’s new collection.

There will be a fabulous after party held at the Cellar at 5 Seasons Brewery. The first 100 brides will receive swag bags stuffed with all sorts of goodies, including a complimentary ticket to The Atlantan Brides’ Evening of Bridal Luxury, and all brides will be entered to win giveaways. Space is limited for this event, so please register to attend at http://studiowed.eventbrite.com/.

The Inspired Bride
StudioWed Atlanta
Sunday, August 23rd
4:00pm-7:00pm
1000 Marietta Street NW
Suite 124
Atlanta, GA
Register

Last Day to Win FREE Bliss Bridal Shoes!

It's the last day of our Bliss Bridal Shoe giveaway! Be sure to comment, telling us about your absolute favorite pair of shoes and why - and don't forget to become a Completely Unveiled follower! Leave your comment here.

We all know that Fridays make the Weddings Unveiled team just want to give away some free stuff. Well, T.G.I.F.!!

Tamara Connell, the lovely designer of Bliss Bridal Shoes has partnered with Weddings Unveiled to give one lucky lady her favorite pair of shoes from the main Collection or the Limited Edition Collection. Click here to view the collections online. Which pair will you pick? Some of our favorites are the sexy platform Trulli (pictured below) from the main Collection and Sociale (also pictured below), an ultra-chic, jeweled pump from the Limited Edition Collection. Bliss Bridal Shoes are also dye-able, so even if you're not getting married, you can pick your favorite pair and have them dyed to match your favorite dress.

Wanna win this well-heeled prize? Ok, then here's the deal. We want you to tell us about your favorite pair of shoes in the world. Of all the shoes you have ever owned, which ones were, or are your absolute most beloved. Think jellys when you were little, patent leather Easter shoes, your one and only pair of indulgently expensive designer shoes or even your most comfortable slippers. The winner must be a Completely Unveiled blog follower, so if you aren't following us already, be sure to start! To win, leave a comment with your favorite shoe answer and we'll announce the winner on Friday, August 14th. In addition to our Weddings Unveiled staffers, Tamara will also be reading all the entries to help us select a winner.

How Do We Thank Thee....

We would like to thank this week's set of fabulous people who are loving on Weddings Unveiled! Please check out their sites and leave them some love yourselves!

The Inspired Bride Event ~ StudioWed Atlanta

StudioWed Atlanta is excited to announce their first bridal event, The Inspired Bride. Join them for an afternoon of luxury and inspiration. Brides will have the chance to meet StudioWed vendors, be entertained, and enter to win fabulous giveaways. The event will be Sunday, August 23rd at StudioWed Atlanta. Brides can browse StudioWed's Fall Table Trends, enjoy live entertainment from Joe Grandsen Quartet, appetizers from Hallie Jane’s Catering and Soiree Catering, cocktails from Nuvo and a wine tasting from Hop City Craft Beer & Wine. There will also be a fashion show at 5:30pm showcasing Erica Angeline’s new collection.

There will be a fabulous after party held at the Cellar at 5 Seasons Brewery. The first 100 brides will receive swag bags stuffed with all sorts of goodies, including a complimentary ticket to The Atlantan Brides’ Evening of Bridal Luxury, and all brides will be entered to win giveaways. Space is limited for this event, so please register to attend at http://studiowed.eventbrite.com/.

The Inspired Bride
StudioWed Atlanta
Sunday, August 23rd
4:00pm-7:00pm
1000 Marietta Street NW
Suite 124
Atlanta, GA
Register

Elon Michelle Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaid Dress Sale!

Elon Michelle Couture offers sophisticated and elegant designs for Moms, bridesmaids, and special occasions and they are currently having a sale! The designer is running a promotion on their best selling color, Amethyst, for Moms & Maids. You can order these gorgeous dresses online up until August 31, 2009. Take 15% off all bridesmaid orders in Amethyst Shantung or Amethyst Dupioni. Take 30% off Mother of the Bride Amethyst Pintuck Jacket orders! If you love this color, then don't miss this opportunity to snag designer dresses at a fraction of the cost! Sale is for online orders only.

Good Reads ~ The DIY Bride

Let's face it - in today's economy, planning your dream wedding can seem like a daunting and sometimes impossible task. Scaled back budgets can put a kink in the bride's plan for custom favors or letterpress programs. But smart brides know that they can still get the wedding they want by saving some green and doing projects themselves.

The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding by Kris Cochran is the perfect companion to a bride planning her dream wedding, whether she is on a smaller budget or a bigger one.

From choosing a delicious menu to assembling the guest list, hundreds of details go into planning a successful wedding. The DIY Bride helps brides put their stamp on the big day without breaking the bank. Written by the creator of the number one Web site for wedding crafts, DIYBride.com, this fun, easy guide showcases unique, easy-to-do craft projects that range from beautiful handmade announcements and invitations to personalized favors and much more. Khris Cochran includes valuable cost-comparison sidebars that clearly detail the huge savings involved. She also shows brides how to involve their friends and families in the project-making process, making this a fun journey for all. The DIY Bride is an essential purchase for any woman who dreams of an unforgettable wedding--from the inside out.

The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding. $19.95 at Barnes & Noble.

Bella Figura Sample Sale

The Bella Figura summer sale has begun! Now through August 31, 2009, all samples of Bella Figura letterpress invitations will be just $1 with all proceeds going to American Forests. American Forests works to protect, restore and enhance our trees and forests, with every dollar donated going to plant a tree. Your purchase of Bella Figura letterpress invitation samples will translate into trees that are planted for the benefit of the environment and generations to come! You can read more about American Forests on their website. You can view all of Bella Figura's letterpress invitation designs and order samples online – happy sample shopping!

3 Bees Paperie

What's not to love about this colorful collection from 3 Bees Paperie? Inspired by contemporary South Asian designs, 3 Bees Paperie prints fresh and innovative designs on high-quality, luxury paper. Choose from the ready-to-order Couture Wedding Collection, with each beautifully designed suite printed using modern digital offset technology or you have the option to work closely with graphic designers to create your own Made For You custom invitations, using contemporary aesthetics, printed any which way you want-letterpress, offset, or digital offset. To place an order, visit the 3 Bees Paperie website.

Images courtesy of 3 Bees Paperie.

AVELLE: The New Bag Borrow or Steal

Want to carry this season's IT bag, but seriously can't justify spending your money for something that may or may not collect dust in your closet in six months? Formerly known as Bag Borrow or Steal, the newly named AVELLE is the go to site for renting luxury goods. Indulge in guilt-free designer shopping and infinitely expand your wardrobe accessory options for engagement parties, showers, and not to mention a great upgrade to your wedding day look! Peruse the site for handbags, sun glasses, watches and jewelry with labels like David Yurman, Cartier, Vera Wang, Fendi, Tiffany & Co., Alexander McQueen, and Hermes.

MON AUG 10
60% OFF GUCCI HANDBAGS & JEWELRY

TUE AUG 11
60% OFF CHARRIOL JEWELRY

WED AUG 12
UP TO 70% OFF TOTES
Amazing finds from Dior, Furla, Prada, YSL + more!

THU AUG 13
70% OFF CHLOE SUNGLASSES

FRI AUG 14
70% OFF CLUTCHES

The Free Wedding Sneak Peak

As many of you already know, Weddings Unveiled sponsored the Free Wedding, a super-cool, completely free wedding held in Atlanta, GA this past May, photographed by our good friends Whitney and Jesse with Our Labor of Love. Sixteen amazing Atlanta wedding professionals created a stylish, modern event for the lucky winners, Kaitlyn & Sam. You'll see more of the Free Wedding in the upcoming Fall 2009 issue of Weddings Unveiled, but we couldn't resist giving you a sneak peek before the issue hits the newsstands on October 1st!

Special thanks to Kaitlyn and Sam and all the amazing vendors who donated their time and talents to the Free Wedding. Enjoy!

Credits: Catering and Venue: Sun in My Belly. Photography: Our Labor of Love. Cinematography: Bus33 Films. Event Design: Joy Thigpen Environments. Floral Design: Amy Osaba. Invitations/Paper Goods: Dolci Odille. Event Planner: Ashley Baber Events. Cake/Cupcakes: Chocolate Pink Cafe. Wedding Dress: Joy Thigpen. Bridesmaid Dress: Sohomade. Blue Flower Hairpieces: Oh My Deer. Groom Suit: Sid Mashburn. Ceremony Music: Tyler Thigpen. Reception Music: DJ Mike Zarin. Alcohol: The FlashDance. Going Away Banner: Heidi by Our Labor of Love. Hair and Makeup: Dragonfly Salon.

Images courtesy of Our Labor of Love.