Punk Rock Bride launches Affordable & Stylish Line “Emma”

If you haven’t check out Punk Rock Bride, based locally here in Washington, DC, let us introduce you by reading about our visit to their studio.

Back in the fall, designer Stephanie Ward launched a new affordable yet stylish new line called Emma.  All of the dresses are under $1,000 and can be purchased in her shop or online. I recently stopped by her studio to check out the dresses myself.

The Samantha. Photo courtesy of Punk Rock Bride

The Emma line uses the same fabrics as her standard collection, so the quality of the dresses are not inferior. Also, when designing this line, Stephanie said that she drew inspiration from the standard collection, using some of the same fun details. The differences are they these designs are more simple and they come in standard dress sizes.

The Jamie. Photo courtesy of Punk Rock Bride

The Allie and the Ashley have been the most popular so far and I can see why. Allie has cool pockets and Ashley has a flirty silk chiffon detail on top.

The Allie. Photo courtesy of Punk Rock Bride

The Ashley. Photo courtesy of Punk Rock Bride

The Sophie. Photo courtesy of Punk Rock Bride

— Happy Shopping ! Vicky

Trunk Shows + Wedding Gowns: the 411

What is a trunk show? Find out in this article and this article by my friend Jessica Fox, who used to own bridal salon, Promise for a Savvy Bride. She also has other insightful articles like ‘what’s the deal with sample sizes.’

When are the trunk shows? Of course, you’ve already subscribed to United With Love, which has a list of trunk shows in the Washington, DC area. The Washingtonian Magazine has a list of wedding gown boutiques also. You should also subscribe to the blogs or become fans of the Facebook pages of the local salons or sign up for their mailing lists. Here are a few to get you started.

You may also want to check out Rizik’s in DC and Chevy Chase Bridal at Mazza Galleria. — Happy Shopping! Vicky

Love Couture Bridal Salon

Photo: Jennifer Lust Portrait Design

For your journey to find the wedding dress you will love, check out the new Love Couture Bridal Boutique in Potomac, Maryland. I had the pleasure of visiting the store last week. Opened in the fall of 2010 by Sandy Ferreira Leone (you might remember her from the 2nd season of The Apprentice), this new boutique is fresh and intimate yet there is a lot of space for the bride and her friends and family to share in the dress shopping experience. There were  several roomy fitting rooms. Look at the beautifully displayed dresses below – they are not crammed together so you can actually appreciate the dress.

Photo: Jennifer Lust Portrait Design

 

Photo: Jennifer Lust Portrait Design

The boutique carries a mix of well-known and unique gown designers, with dresses starting at $1,000 to custom couture gowns, as well as dresses for bridesmaid, mother of the bride, and flower girls and accessories. I was impressed with one of Sandy’s bridal fashion stylist, who had previously worked for several design houses and seemed very knowledgeable. If that is any indication of the service provided by Love Couture, DC brides will be in great hands! — Happy Shopping, Vicky

Photo: Jennifer Lust Portrait Design

All Photos by Jennifer Lust

Garter Girl

Photo by A Britton Photography

My dear friend Julianne Smith, aka Garter Girl, recently held a launch party for her 2010 collection. Julianne makes simple and stylish wedding garters. You can choose from her wide selection of styles (Traditional, Modern, Something Blue) or she can custom make one to fit your wedding style, like the wine one below.

The Eco-Friendly collection is made from recycled plastic bottles,  still stylist and colorful.

The couture garters are incredibly creative and luxurious.

Congratulations Juli! Here is the lady behind the brand with her husband.

Photo by A Britton Photography

Love this photo of me and Evan Reitmeyer from mydeejay.com. We looked like we were having fun, right?

Photo by A Britton Photography

– Vicky

Wear: June Shin Jewelry Bridal Collection

Pearl Cluster

We featured my high school friend June Shin‘s necklaces as gifts for your bridesmaids last year. Since then, June got married herself and started designing a bridal line for her jewelry collection! Check it out on her Etsy page.

June can also custom design a piece for you if you don’t see something already in her collection that suits your needs. A bride-to-be asked her to design a variation on one of her earrings to match the bridesmaids’ yellow dresses.

Custom designed earrings

I just love her unique and delicate designs and have now amassed quite a large collection! I’ve got the Butterfly Migration Necklace and Earrings, Tree of Life necklace, and a Virgo Zodiac necklace. I’m eyeing the Blackened Mariposa next!

Happy shopping! Vicky