Archive for Flowers

Latest Collection To Be Featured At Summer Trunk Show

{ May 21, 2011 @ 8:22 pm } · { Bridal Gowns, Brides, Flowers, Trends, Trunk Show }
{ Leave a Comment }

Wedding gown by Maggie Sottero.

A Formal Affair is pleased to announce that it will unveil the latest collection of Maggie Sottero wedding gowns at a special in-store event. This exclusive trunk show will be held from June 25-June 26 in the Warrenton bridal boutique.

The event will feature gowns from the world famous designer and will also celebrate A Formal Affair’s affiliation with the Maggie Sottero brand. This particular designer is known worldwide for creating beautifully unique wedding gowns with an impeccable and flattering fit. During the event, the store will have more Maggie Sottero gowns than ever before and will feature a spectacular variety of styles. As always, trained bridal consultants will be on hand to answer questions about the line and help brides accessorize.

The gowns available will come from the latest Maggie Sottero collection.  The collection features a selection of gowns that range from traditional beauty to sophisticated chic. Dramatic embellishments are used creatively throughout the collection on skirts and bodices. Fabrics including rich Chantilly lace, opulent taffeta and sumptuous satin are used in this season’s stunning designs.

In addition to the beautiful wedding gowns, A Formal Affair will also showcase a few local wedding vendors at this trunk show. Shelley Campbell of Shelley’s Floral Enterprise will be showing options for wedding flower arrangements and bridal bouquets, Fauquier Springs Country Club and Legends Catering will provide venue and food information and samples, and Wanda’s Cakes will be providing yummy sweet treats for brides!

Debbie Richards, President of A Formal Affair is excited about the trunk show featuring this line of award-winning wedding gowns. “The fit and quality of Maggie dresses is amazing, and we receive requests for this designer daily, so we are pleased to host this exclusive show and give brides the opportunity to preview the latest collection,” Richards said. 

For an appointment to the Maggie Sottero trunk show, call 540-347-5126 or visir www.formalaffair.us to register online.. 

A Formal Affair is a boutique that specializes in bridal, formal and informal wear, as well as accessories for all occasions.  The boutique was honored with awards from The Best of The Knot, The Best of Warrenton, and WUSA 9. WUSA Channel 9 featured A Formal Affair’s Bridal University in their “Smart Living” segment as an educational, fun approach to wedding planning. A Formal Affair has also been featured in articles in Northern Virginia Magazine, Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, and The Fauquier Times Democrat.  A Formal Affair is located at 251 West Lee Highway in Warrenton , VA and can be found on the web at www.formalaffair.usThe store’s phone number is 540-347-5126.
 Maggie Sottero is one of the most recognized bridal gown manufacturers around the globe. The company has been honored with a number of prestigious bridal industry awards, including: six Debi Awards, nine Desert Rose Awards, two Diva Awards, three Dallas Rose Awards, The UK Bridal Buyers Award, Wedding Idea’s Best Dress Designer Award, and The Retail Bridalwear Association Award, along with numerous additional nominations. 

Written by Lisa Miller

Alicia Keys Rocks “Bridal Goddess” Style : Look and Learn!

{ August 11, 2010 @ 4:03 pm } · { Accessories, Bridal Gowns, Brides, celebrity wedding gowns, Flowers, Hair, Shoes, Trends, Uncategorized }
{ Leave a Comment }

Early August featured numerous high-profile celebrity weddings, and of course, amazing bridal gowns! Read on and learn from her flawless style choices!

Alicia Keys chose a  stunning, Grecian-inspired Vera Wang gown in an ivory silk,   for her Mediterranean wedding to mega-producer Swizz Beatz. (Tip for brides: a one-shouldered flowy gown creates an elegant, but exotic vibe, perfect for destination or beach weddings!)

The Grammy winner’s gown featured  jeweled detail on her back shoulder, which perfectly matched her crystal-encrusted flat sandals. (Tip for brides: a dress does not always need a lot of beading to make an impact. Minimal, but perfectly placed beading  can be both beautiful and dramatic. Also- it is ok to wear flats with your gown! As long as your shoes are fabulous, they are appropriate!)

 An elegant headband (this was actually a necklace used as a headpiece) and a bouquet of colorful purple calla lillies completed her modern goddess look. (Tip for brides: be creative with your accessories! It is completely on-trend and acceptable to re-purpose your jewelry and other accessories. If you love something, find a way to work it into your overall bridal look. And remember- your flowers do not have to be white! Have fun with color!)

Written and researched by Lisa M.

Chelsea Clinton’s Beautiful Wedding Gown Choice

{ August 1, 2010 @ 1:25 pm } · { Accessories, Bridal Gowns, Brides, celebrity wedding gowns, Flowers, Hair, Menswear, Mothers, Traditions, Trends, Tuxedos, Uncategorized }
{ Leave a Comment }

Photo from StyleList.

Political viewpoints aside, let’s face it. The wedding of a President’s (or former President’s) daughter is the closest thing to a royal wedding that Americans will witness. The New York wedding of Chelsea Clinton most certainly provided wedding aficionados with much to be excited about!

From the secrecy concerning the wedding dress designer to the mysterious wedding day updo hidden by a large floppy hat, wedding fashionistas FINALLY have the answers they have been seeking. 

Chelsea Clinton wore an ivory Vera Wang wedding dress (as many predicted!) to exchange vows in an interfaith ceremony before a reported 400-500 guests, including Vera Wang herself.

The strapless Vera Wang dress featured a diagonally draped bodice, ballgown skirt made out of raw edged, swirling silk organza, and a train in silk tulle, a spokesperson for the bridal brand told reporters. (Tip for brides: a well fitted bodice atop a full skirt creates a beautiful, youthful, princess-like silhouette that flatters many body types!)

Clinton’s  waist was cinched with a crystal-encrusted belt also by the designer, while her hair was pulled back and accented by a long traditional Vera Wang tulle veil. She complemented her gorgeous gown with a simple bouquet of white hydrangeas.  (Tip for brides: don’t be afraid to add your own personalized accent to a dress! Chelsea added this sparkly belt, which definitely stepped up the formality of the gown. You could add a ribbon sash, an antique pin, or extra beading!)

Mezvinsky reportedly wore a tuxedo by Burberry’s chief creative officer Christopher Bailey, who also designed ties for the groomsmen.

To suit the dressy event, female guests were seen wearing formal floor-length gowns, including the mother of the bride who looked amazing in an elegant raspberry-hued dress with puffy shoulders and a tied waist by Oscar de la Renta. Bill Clinton wore a  black suit and narrow tie. (Tip for brides: let your parents select colors and styles that will flatter them and let them shine! They aren’t bridesmaids and groomsmen (so they don’t need lots of rules), they deserve to feel happy and confident on your big day!)

Post written and researched by Lisa M.

Carrie Underwood: what we can learn from the ultimate fashionista bride!

{ July 21, 2010 @ 2:38 pm } · { Accessories, Bridal Gowns, Brides, Bridesmaids, celebrity wedding gowns, Flowers, Hair, Shoes, Trends }
{ Leave a Comment }

 

Photos of Carrie Underwood’s wedding gown are FINALLY emerging (the image above is from People Magazine) and it appears that Carrie chose an amazing gown! Carrie Underwood’s wedding dress was a full chantilly lace and silk organza ball gown, accented with a pink satin ribbon sash. It was designed by Monique Lhuillier. The dress was then transformed into a cocktail dress right after the ceremony to allow for dancing and socializing at the reception.

Carrie focused on two fun bridal fashion concepts on her big day:

1. She included a subtle pop of color in her wedding gown. The soft pink coordinated with the colors of her flowers, decor, and bridesmaid dresses. Brides: do not be afraid of color! If you have a favorite hue, incorporate it into your look through your jewelry, a sash, or even your shoes (brightly colored shoes with a white or ivory wedding gown are a major trend right now!).

2. Carrie also transformed her look after the wedding ceremony ended. Her full ball gown was a perfect choice for the romantic wedding, but she wanted a more relaxed look (cocktail dress) for the reception. Even if you cannot purchase two dresses for your big day, don’t be shy about changing your look for the reception! Even a change in hairstyle will freshen your look and provide some fun and different photos for your wedding album.

Written by: Lisa

Fall Floral Inspirations for Weddings!

{ October 8, 2009 @ 10:53 am } · { Flowers, Miscellaneous, Uncategorized }
{ Comments (1) }

For all our brides getting married this fall or even next fall, here’s a few ideas for some great bouquets! Hot colors that are always appropriate for fall are burgundy, yellow, orange, and brown. Hope these flowers inspire you!

Written by: Jill Morris

What Your Wedding Flowers Say About You

{ May 9, 2009 @ 11:00 am } · { Brides, Flowers }
{ Comments (1) }

So many flowers, so many choices! When choosing wedding flowers many brides have what they want in mind already when they visit florists, for those that don’t here are a few things to think about when picking your perfect wedding flowers:

1. What colors do you want to incorporate into your wedding?
2. What look for flowers do you want to have? Classic or modern, maybe something in between?
3. How large do you want your bouquet and other flowers to be?
4. Do you want uniformity with your bouquets? Do you want your centerpieces and accent flowers to be the same?
Of course your florist or floral designer can help you answer all of these questions and give you some great recommendations. Here’s some information I found about the most used types of flowers for weddings.
1. Calla Lilies- Using these flowers means magnificent beauty. Calla lilies are dramatic and clean looking, but can also be pricey. They come in a variety of colors including white, flame, yellow, and burgundy. Brides that have these tend to be statement makers.
2. Roses- Using these means love, joy, and beauty. Roses are a classic wedding flower that will never go out of style. They can come in a variety of different colors as well and come in many sizes and varieties. The great thing about roses is that they are available year round too! Brides that use these love all things classic and traditional. Very romantic!
3. Orchids- Using orchids means love and beauty. Orchids have a very distinct look to them and are tropical in origin so they almost always have to be imported. The most common colors are white, green, deep purple and even orange. Not every bride asks for orchids. A bride that uses these is generally nontraditional and has a good eye for art and texture.
4. Lilies- Using lilies means majesty, truth, and honor. Lilies smell great and can come in many bright colors. They are available during the spring and can be imported at other times of the year. Brides that use these love vibrant colors and have outgoing personalities.
5. Tulips- Tulips are known for their meaning of love and passion. They come in a variety of colors and can add the perfect pop of color to any bouquet or centerpiece. However, they can be expensive to import. Brides that use these love all things simple and clean.
6. Hydrangea- There is no recorded meaning for hydrangeas despite their recent popularity. They can come in many different colors including white, green, and of course the classic periwinkle color. However, these flowers do not do well out of water for long, so keep that in mind! Brides that use hydrangea like the soft but clean look. Since these flowers are trendy to use, brides that use these have a love for their colors.
7. Daisy- The daisy means share your feelings. These cheery flowers are relatively inexpensive and are available year round. Be careful if you plan on preserving your flowers since these do not preserve well! Brides that use these are cheery and love to spread happiness to others.
8. Peony- The fragrant peony means bashfulness, determination, and ambition. They can come in a variety of colors and add volume to any bouquet. Brides that use these are much like the meaning of the flowers themselves, determined and like the soft colors, but like the volume and statement they create at the same time.
If any of these flowers speak to you or if you like the look of them, than why not use them in your special day!
Written by: Jill Morris-Asst. Manager and Sales Consultant

The Power of Flowers: Bridal Seminar #7

{ March 20, 2009 @ 5:19 pm } · { Bridal Seminars, Flowers }
{ Comments (2) }

Attention Overwhelmed Brides! The first six sessions of A Formal Affair’s Wedding Planning Seminars were a huge success! We would love for you to join us for Session 7!

We are so excited to have you join us, that we are offering a $25 gift certificate to all participants who pre-register and participate!

The event will be held on Sunday, March 29th at 1:00 p.m., with an information-packed session titled:
The Power of Flowers
Working with a florist to create your dream wedding.
This session will feature local business owner and custom wedding florist,
Shelley Campbell, who will advise future brides on cost savings tips for wedding flowers. Shelley is happy to work with any bride’s budget and offers free consultations to help bridesplan a floral design concept for their special day!Brides attending this session will receive a $100 gift towards their flower purchase (minimum $1000 order).
Prospective brides who wish to participate in the Wedding Boot Camp seminars are encouraged to pre-register in person at A Formal Affair or via telephone (540-347-5126) or email (info@formalaffair.us).

Written by: Lisa Miller- Special Events Coordinator

Posted by: Jill Morris-Asst. Manager and Sales Consultant

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.