Wedded Bits

Chicago

Saying thank you

Courtesy of Orange Beautiful

Once the wedding's over, there's still one important task that needs to be done: Writing your thank-you notes. I think eye-catching stationery can make the process more enjoyable, and wanted to share these charming designs by Chicago-based Etsy shop Orange Beautiful. The thank-you notes are screenprinted in metallic gold ink and are paired with envelopes in an array of bright hues. The cards are available in a package of six for $10. —Abigail Reid, Editorial Assistant, Brides Chicago

Accessories & Jewelry

More from Claire Pettibone's Butterflies lingerie line

Courtesy of Claire Pettibone

We've told you about bridal designer Claire Pettibone's lingerie line, Butterflies, before. Now she has come out with a new design called "I Do" just in time for Valentine's Day.

Inspired by "love birds in the clouds," says the designer, the print mesh chemise with lace details is available for $110 at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus locations. The rest of the pieces with this design include thongs ($24 each), a tank ($72), a cami ($98), and more. See it at cpboutique.com. —Cari Wolfert

BRIDES Magazine

March Issue of BRIDES On Sale Now!

Naomi Kaltman/BRIDES

California

Sasha Souza's new book

Cover photo by Sherman Chu

I'm a big fan of Northern California-based event designer Sasha Souza's lush, theatrical approach to weddings, so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of her new book, Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design.

It didn't disappoint—the pages are filled with inspiring photos and design ideas, as well as questions designed to get your creative juices flowing. Order your own copy through Sasha's blog, Sparkliatti. —Lauren Matthews, editor, Brides Northern California

Wedding Dresses

Wedding dresses of the decade

Courtesy of Amsale/Dan Lecca

The past decade in weddings was full of defining trends (think colored sashes and sexier styles) and new designers (we were introduced to Angel Sanchez and Amsale in 1999). To honor the styles that were introduced in the new millen- nium, we asked bridal salons around the county (and threw in a few picks of our own) for the dresses that they feel defined the past ten years. Here is what they chose. —Cari Wolfert

BRIDES Magazine

Oscar de la Renta's dresses for Bergdorf Goodman

Jackie Lebowitz/BRIDES

Run, don't walk to see the latest in swoon-worthy wedding gowns by one of our favorite designers: the gracious and always dashing Oscar de la Renta. Available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, the four styles featured in the limited-edition collection are a tulle gown with a colored waistband and a strapless top; an ethereal jeweled-bodice column dress; a mermaid skirt with a sweetheart neckline and lace overlay on the bodice and the bottom of the skirt; and (my personal favorite) a strapless, fitted powder blue gown with lace overlay. The designer hosted a cocktail reception at Bergdorf's bridal salon in New York City to toast the new line with members of the press. —Jackie Lebowitz, BRIDES Features Department

Accessories & Jewelry

Wedding-ready pieces from Milly's new jewelry collection

Courtesy of Nordstrom.com/Saks.com

No longer are the days when faux pearls and crystals adorned wedding-day jewelry. Now, with color becoming more mainstream in weddings, fashion jewelry that may not be labeled as "bridal" is starting to become a go-to choice. One of our favorites is the new line of jewelry by Milly, designed by Michelle Smith. The collection features 18-karat plated gold, crystal, acrylic and enamel pieces ranging in from From $85-$325.

We love this seaglass-colored acrylic "teardrop" neckline ($254, nordstrom.com) if you are marrying on the beach, or these pastel bead earrings ($150, saks.com) for a wedding in the tropics. If you are a little less daring and want to stick with wedding white, these drop earrings ($120, saks.com) would look great with a chic up-do in a classic ballroom. —Cari Wolfert

Real Wedding of the Week

Molly and Bill in Savannah, GA

Timwill Photography

Molly and Bill, who live in New York, wed in Savannah because it wasone of their favorite getaways. The ceremony was held beneath a tent at Mansion on Forsyth Park, a Victorian hotel. At the reception, held in the hotel's ballroom, manzanita trees sprayed with gold paint by the couple at their families were decorated with strings of crystals and votive candles.

Read more about this couple's wedding.

NY, NJ & CT

Blond(i)e Ambition

Courtesy of Hot Blondies Bakery

I'm a redhead, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a brunette or a blondie...especially if they come from Hot Blondies Bakery in New York City. The deliciously gooey treats each come in four different flavors (the Blondies: classic, butterscotch white chocolate, oatmeal raisin and peanut butter chocolate chunk; the Brunettes: classic, s'mores, nutella hazelnut, and espresso white chocolate), plus a rotating flavor of the month. Thank your wedding party or family members by gifting them with a sampler pack ($32 for eight), or package up the mini versions as favors ($40 for 50). Hot Blondies Bakery can also work with you to create custom flavors for your event. Visit hotblondiesbakery.com to place an order. —Lauren Matthews, editor, Brides New York

BRIDES Magazine

Get the Look: February "Color Issue" of BRIDES

We made a beautiful shantung A-line dress from Mikaella ($1,375) stunning by adding a huge gold-and-crystal brooch from Miriam Haskell right at the Empire waist. Other accessories included a veil from Jennifer Leigh Veils, acrylic earrings from Sequin, and a gold-and-diamond bracelet from David Yurman. Mix and match, or use all the pieces together to create your wedding-day look! —Jackie Lebowitz, BRIDES Features Department