Article from Division of Consumer Affairs-Wedding Scams

Anyone planning a wedding should know that there are scammers out there. This article will hopefully make you a little wiser about some of the choices you make while in your planning stages. The article below is from nj.com

State Division of Consumer Affairs Reminds Couples to Beware of wedding Scams NEWARK – Planning a wedding can be fun and exciting, but it can also be a monumental task. Hiring a photographer, booking a reception hall, arranging for entertainment, making hotel arrangements for overnight guests – these may all be elements in making the day a success.
With wedding season fast approaching, the State Division of Consumer Affairs recently announced it has launched a two-page Consumer Brief brochure, “Planning Your Wedding: Tips to Avoid Scams,” available at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf . The announcement is made as part of National Consumer Protection Week.

“At the Division of Consumer Affairs, our top priority is to empower New Jersey consumers. Couples put enormous amounts of time and effort into planning the perfect wedding. Consumer Affairs is reminding them to take precautions to help ensure they create a day they’ll remember as one of the best in their lives – a memory that will not be marred by shoddy services or outright fraud,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Important tips found in the new Consumer Brief include:
Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to find out whether any potential vendor – such as a photographer, videographer, DH, band or caterer – has a history of consumer complaints, or has been cited for violating any consumer protection laws.
Take the time to carefully review every contract before signing. Note the terms of cancellation.

Remember that paying by credit card, as opposed to cash or other means, can generally help you resolve any future disputes.
Beware of wedding scams, such as phony exhibitions. Before paying to attend a bridal show, try to verify that the event is real by checking the organizer’s credentials or checking with the owners of the venue.
Before buying engagement or wedding rings, conduct your own research to learn about precious gem quality and ring settings. This will help you find the best deal to match your budget and your style.
Before buying a wedding gown, learn whether the seller is following Federal Trade Commission requirements on providing information about the garment’s fiber content and country of origin.

For more information, view the full Consumer Brief at state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf.
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions. NCPW 2011 takes place March 6 through 12, 2011.

Dress Pick of the Week: Principessa by JCrew

You may say this is a very simple style, but I love the silk and the fact that it has pockets!

The gown features a wide shoulder straps for easier wear and an interior corset for a flawless fit. Guaranteed to make you feel (and look) like a princess on your special day. Pure magic in midweight Italian silk radzimir—a very rare fabric usually reserved for royal weddings and haute couture (so rare, we could make only a few of these beautiful dresses). Fitted bodice. Full skirt with inverted box pleats and shirring for volume. Back zip with covered buttons. Hidden on-seam pockets. Fully lined. Falls to floor.

To Learn more about this gown, visit Jcrew

Dress Pick of the Week: Priscilla of Boston

Priscilla of Boston- I love the bottom of this dress!

Style: Fiona
Asymmetrically draped strapless mermaid gown with full skirt with ladder technique. Available in Ivory

Top 10 Hair Mistakes Brides Make

I wanted to share this article I found on ProjectWedding "Top Ten Hair Mistakes Brides Make". See below:


It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life. As the bride, you’ll be the center of attention, and not only will your friends and family be present, but your photographs will capture the moment forever. On the big day, you want to look like yourself, only better. There’s nothing worse than a bride wearing a gorgeous gown, in the perfect location, whose hair is so dreadful that guests can’t keep their eyes off of it. Neil Weisberg and Amanda George, co-owners of the celebrity-filled Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills, say brides should always have a consultation with the stylist who will be doing their hair one to two months before the wedding date to ensure that their dream hairstyle fits in with their dream day. Weisberg and George advise staying away from these 10 common hair mistakes that brides make.

1. You forget your veil or headpiece. The veil factors into your overall look, and its length and style may determine if you’ll want to wear your hair up or down. If the veil hasn’t arrived yet, ask the bridal salon to loan you a sample, or at least bring along a photo when consulting with your hairdresser.

2. You cut your hair days before the wedding. Stay away from the scissors and don’t plan on getting a haircut right before the big day. Instead, do it a month or two prior to the wedding to ensure that you like the cut and it will work with the hairstyle you’ve chosen.

3. You don’t carefully choose your stylist. You will remember your wedding day forever, so choose someone you trust to style your hair. If your hairdresser doesn’t typically do wedding hairstyles, ask him or her for a recommendation, or speak with friends or other brides who have had hairstyles you’ve admired.

4. You experiment with hair color.
Talk to your stylist about how you envision your hair on the big day, and let your colorist know if you are planning on wearing your hair up or down. It’s also not advisable to dramatically change your hair color before the wedding. You want to look like an enhanced version of you, not someone completely different.
5. You only try one style. Just as you tried on several wedding dresses (even if you knew the first one was the best), have your stylist show you at least three different looks based on your description of what you want.

6. You go to your consultation without any ideas. Pictures speak louder than words. Gather photos (e.g., from magazines) of hairstyles you like. This will give the stylist an idea of the kind of style you’re seeking. The stylist can’t make you look like the person in the picture, but he or she can attempt to copy the hair as long as the texture and length are not an issue.

7. You forget about touch-ups. If it’s in your budget, consider having the stylist stay after the ceremony and throughout the evening to do touch-ups to your hair—or even give you a completely different look. If the expense is too high, ask the stylist for tips on how to touch up your own hair during the reception.

8. You forget about the dress. Your hair should always complement your gown. Select your gown first and then decide on the hairstyle with your stylist.

9. You think short hair is your only option. If your cute bob doesn't jive with your dream of having long locks on the big day, ask your stylist for extensions. This temporary fix can be a perfect solution.

10. You forget about the groom. Although you’ll be the focus of the big day, you will want his hair to look just as good. Make sure the groom gets a good haircut a week before the wedding.

Designer Bridal Gowns at Costco

We all love Costco...but for bridal gowns? Check out this article "Costco gets hitched to Kirstie Kelly Couture for in-store bridal trunk shows" from LA Times by Susan Carpenter




L.A. designer Kirstie Kelly calls her new line of couture bridal gowns Costcouture. A partnership between Kelly and the Costco membership warehouse club, the Kirstie Kelly Signature line will be sold through in-store trunk shows, allowing women to try on gowns with bridal experts in jewelbox salons set up inside Costco stores.

The trunk shows began in Northern California last month and will make their way to Southern California beginning March 3, with four-day salons at Costco locations in Torrance (March 3-6), San Bernardino (March 10-13), L.A. (March 17-20) and Van Nuys (March 24-27). Appointments are recommended.

Kelly designed six gowns for the collection. They cost $699 to $1,399 and are available in sizes 2 through 24.

"The Costcouture line is for the bride who wants to wear Kirstie Kelly Couture but get a phenomenal price point. We're starting at 40% off regular retail," said Kelly, whose gowns normally cost $2,000-$7,000.

Each of the Costcouture gowns features a fully constructed bodice, or corset, inside the gown. The fabrics range from lush satins to silk organzas to Alencon lace, incorporating crystal and pearl beading as well as handmade details such as flowers. Fingertip and cathedral-length veils are also available.

The pop-up salons are staffed with Kirstie Kelly employees. The salons are walled and carpeted, or, as Kelly says, "You can't see the person with the roasted chicken and the toilet paper."

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Kirstie Kelly Signature bridal collection for Costco. Credit: Kirstie Kelly

Dress Pick of the Week: Oscar 2011

Did you see the Oscar's last night? How fabulous was Halle Berry's gown? She wore this nude and crystal encrusted corset Marchesa gown with organza and silk tulle ruffles. I absolutely love!

Image from: Red Carpet Fashion

Best Woman or Man of Honor-What do they wear?

These customary roles are being reversed more and more lately. But what is the proper etiquette as far as what the Best Woman or Man of Honor should wear? According to Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, the solution is quite simple. A male honor attendant should wear the same attire as the groom and groomsmen. A woman may wear a dress in the same color family as the bridesmaids', or she can choose a dress in black, gray or whatever the primary color worn by the groomsmen. Her attire should be within the formality of the wedding, but she wouldn't wear a tux or dress like the groomsmen. A man would wear a boutonniere, and woman would usually wear a corsage featuring the same flowers as in the groomsmen's boutonnieres.