That's right ladies - but this isn't an ordinary sample sale. This is an insane bridal mecca for all things fashionably fabulous (with some beauty and pampering tossed in too.)
Encore Bridal, known for new and nearly new couture at amazing prices, is blowing out their current inventory on Saturday, June 14th from 10am to 6pm.
This swanky shopping day is taking place at the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Located at 3501 Sepulveda Blvd. 
Prices will be discounted an additional 10-30% from the already affordable online prices. And new inventory will be debuted at the event, so be first in line to take a look at the possibilities.
In addition, get makeup tips and mini trials by makeup artists, skin and beauty tips from skin experts, and complimentary hair consultations from top stylists.
Sign up to win over $1000 in raffle prizes and more!
Bring the gals, shop til you drop, and run away with a fabulous Monique, Vera, Oscar, or other designer gown at a fraction of the price.
Attendance is free, to register for an appointment, please click here. Hope to see you there!
Are you getting married or part of a bridal party? Are you an event professional in the Los Angeles area? Are you a big Bill Rancic fan (remember his Apprentice win?!?!) A&E is taping a tv show hosted by Bill Rancic and they want you to be a part!
A positive reality show based on building an event business is hosting an on-camera open house for one of it's featured businesses.
The details:
When - Friday, May 23rd at 5pm
Where - Berry Elegance
12265 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 105
Studio City, CA 91604
The Dress - California Casual
Why - to be on tv, to get a taste of some complimentary yummy wedding goodies and desserts, and to get out on the town on a Friday evening with fellow brides-to-be and top of the line event professionals.
RSVP - Call The Bridal Bar at 310-858-0119 or email us at info@bridalbar.com and give us your name and number of guests. RSVP not required, but recommended.
Guests are welcome!
Hope to see you there!
One of our favorite industry gurus has designed an event for the industry elite. Sorry brides, this is for event professionals only...
If you've got the time (and the cash) to get to Florida for some fun in the sun and fun with your fellow event professionals, then come visit Engage 08, hosted by Rebecca Grinnals. This one-day event is a high impact wedding business symposium for those with the desire to build your business.
Taking place on June 3rd in Celebration, Florida, you will get an intimate look at the business models and minds of speakers like the famed Preston Bailey! If you can make it, this event will not disappoint!
I too will be speaking at the event on behalf of Get Married. If you make it, be sure to stop by and say hi! We can't wait!!
Kirstie Kelly for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings is next up for fashion. Her couture line is stunning, but her newest collection for Disney (the more affordable option) is absolutely magical! This market the gals and gowns were depicted in scenes from each of the fairy tales. Our favorite would have to be Jasmine or Gisele (the newest princess.) Feel like fairy tale royalty in these sophisticated not-too-disney wedding dresses (and hot little number of a bridesmaid dress.) Can you guess which dress is which princess?
For more fashion week coverage, check out the pages of GetMarried.com...
Part two from Isabel Lawrence Photographers, how to maximize your photographer on your wedding day...
Photographers don't always love surprises so communicate and no surprises will be left un-shot. If you know your ailing grandmother is going to stand and give a speech during the reception, chances are, if your photographer is paying attention, they’ll catch that moment. But if there has never been mention of this event, that just may be when they finally take two minutes to use the restroom, so let them know in advance when at all possible. Also look for teams of two, with two strong photographers watching over your event, when one breaks, many times the other can stay and shoot for those just-in-case moments.
This brings me to another reception topic...guests with the ubiquitous cell phone/point and shoot cameras. There was a day, not so long ago when photographers could capture lively, fun and unobstructed reaction shots of guests. Whether it was during the couples’ first dance or a particularly spirited cake cutting, family and friends used to be present and participatory. With today's modern and instant technologies, more often than not, guests' faces are either half hidden behind their little cameras or half the night is being spent hunched over the LCD screen looking at the day’s catch rather than actually being a part of the event. I don’t know if there is a tactful way of asking your guests to leave their cameras at home but if there is, you’ll hear a collective “Hurrah” from us wedding photographers everywhere. And your end product will be more seamless, more flawless, and more perfect without those pesky little point and shoots popping up in the background.
Since we are on the subject of receptions another key way to keep your photographer happy (and everyone knows a happy photographer is a productive, creative genius) is to make dinner available to them. I’m not talking about a fancy four-course number but a warm meal goes a long way to ensuring that your shooter has enough energy to get through the night. Like all your event professionals, those on-site will need to eat, so don't forget to plan accordingly. Keep in mind that the best time for the photographer to sit down and eat is when your guests are eating (little action is missed.) Sometimes a catering manager will opt to serve vendors at the end of the meal. This is not optimal for your event coverage as once your guests have finished eating, all the fun happens and you will want your photographer there to capture it. So, at some point during the planning stage, convey this message to your caterer, and your photographer will be full of energy to capture all those upcoming wonderful moments.
I hope my insights and handful of observations will help us all provide the best service and experience for all couples out there. Let me conclude with this thought, think of your photographer as a prized member of your wedding team. They has been entrusted to document one of the most special days of your life. If their advice is heeded and they are treated like a member of your family, you will be richly rewarded for many many years to come.
Thanks Isabel Lawrence for sharing your expertise with us!
Congratulations to Jenna Bush and Henry Hager for their not-so White House wedding this past weekend. The couple got married on the family ranch in Crawford, Texas - overlooking the lake at sunset.
We are just loving their organic style, their down-to-earth vibe, and natural event. Check out the released photos (for those of you who haven't already seen them...)
She looked stunning in that Oscar De La Renta gown!! 
Photo credit: Shealah Craighead / The White House
Today we thought we would share with you a recent arrangement that dressed up The Bridal Bar. Eddie from Tic Tock worked his magic for us as usual and we just love this three-piece centerpiece perfect for a bride who thinks outside of the box. Individually or as one, these three pieces really pop! Thanks Eddie!
Today we wanted to highlight some real wedding details from the amazingly talented Linda Pittelli at Eventful. Her weddings are truly magnificent and here are a few to treat you to. To start, the photo above was from a recent wedding she designed and planned at the uber-swanky, and world-famous Maralogo Estate in Florida (Donald Trump's modest home that he too wed in.) And below are more favorites, not too bad either :)
Love how she installed panels and lighting into the fountain at the Richard Nixon Library!
Kenneth Pool is next up on our fashion wrap. Designed by Project Runway's Austin Scarlett is the designer for this absolutely glamorous line. Love the sparkle! Check out our favorites from the collection...
For more fashion week coverage, check out the pages of GetMarried.com, we love, love, love their photos - thanks for letting us share them!
Taking a look back through old photos we came across the beautiful wedding of Traci and Troy Arnsten. One of The Bridal Bar's first and favorite couples. Traci and Troy founded Voluspa Candles together back in 1999 and their shared love of fragrance soon became more. As their company grew, so did their bond until they said "I Do" in 2004 at the Montage Resort and Spa with their gorgeous daughter, Anis looking on from her grandma's arms.
Okay, enough with the love story and back to the wedding (hard not to get sappy when talking about how amazing Traci and Troy are.)
Traci enlisted the invaluable help of Lisa Vorce from Oh, How Charming! to design and execute this romantic wedding with lots of absolutely fabulous details.
From the ribbon sash on her dress to the ribbon on her bouquet, no detail was forgotten. Everything was perfect!
The tables had either high or low centerpieces with a pink and chocolate color scheme carried over from the cliff side ceremony. The table numbers and menus coordinated perfectly with the chocolate brown ceramic VOLUSPA candle favor with matching tag.
The dance floor was a seamless chocolate brown (a must-have for Traci.) And instead of a cake, chocolate cupcakes embellished with rose buds served as dessert. 
Traci and Troy are going strong so congrats to not only the perfect wedding but to what seems to be a pretty perfect marriage!
Photos by Aaron Delesie Photographers, Inc.
Up next on our fashion re-cap is Amsale. After this season she's one of our favs for our brides. Love, love, love the pale pink/champagne high-low skirted gown with train. Her dresses are so feminine but not too over the top. Enjoy!
Thanks again to the gang at Get Married for sharing photos from their fashion pages! Check 'em out for more!
Have you seen the new You Tube sensation of married couples with truly amazing and funny first dances? Check out this one by clicking here.
TLC is looking for lucky couples to team up with our TOP NOTCH CHOREOGRAPHERS who will turn their first dance into an unforgettable production number! If you want to surprise your guests with an awesome performance that will make your wedding truly memorable, contact us ASAP to set up an interview.
We are looking for couples getting married in May, June, or July in the Southern California area.
Send an email to firstdancecasting@gmail.com for more information or to set up an interview.
Good luck!!
Photo by Robert Evans Studios.
Carolina Herrera is next up on our fashion re-cap. Her gowns are simply stunning, simply chic, and simply perfect. "Wow" is the best way to describe her current collection, keeping with the equestrian and riding theme she brought to us last October. Love it!! Wool, lace, fur, shades, coats, vests, hats, feathers, the list goes on...nothing boring, everything original!
For more fashion week coverage, check out the pages of GetMarried.com - thanks for the fabulous photos!
Kim at Papeterie is sharing with us her newest invitation - a second round of shower invites for a second shower for Jessica Alba. Hummm...two showers with similar invitations? Could it be twins? Congrats Jessica and congrats Kim on a fab eco-friendly invite (the invite has seeds in the paper and is meant to be planted instead of tossed!)
Get Married is giving one lucky couple a honeymoon fit for a princess and her prince charming – in a place that even royalty money can’t buy – Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World!
The contest winning couple will enjoy a 6 Night stay at the Walt Disney World® Resort including: round trip airfare for two, round trip limousine transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport, two-7 day Magic Your Way Park Hopper tickets, and 6 nights at a Disney Resort Hotel which includes one special night at Cinderella Castle Suite.
To enter, contestants register on GetMarried.com and submit a :30 second to 2:00 minute video telling why they are the prince and princess deserving of this honeymoon prize. Videos will be available for viewing throughout the contest period which runs from April 18, 2008 to May 26, 2008.
The three videos judged to be the most creative and persuasive will be posted for final selection by registered members on the Get Married website from 6/2/2008 to 6/9/2008.
Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to begin your “Happily Ever After” with a Dream Fairy Tale Honeymoon at the Cinderella Castle Suite!
That's right ladies, we were there with the fabulous crew from Get Married (tv show on Lifetime, you know the one.)
Over the next few weeks you will see some of our favorite shots from our favorite designers. Trunk shows hitting stores soon so keep an eye out for these fresh-off-the-runway looks!
First up, how could we start anywhere else other than Monique Lhuillier!?!? These are a few of our favorites from the collection.
Teal is oh-so-in this season! For the full line, check out the fashion and couture pages of Get Married!
Today is Earth Day, and while every day should be Earth Day, we wanted to remind you of a few fun ways to keep in mind your event impact on our planet.
Looking for out of the box ways to go green? The industry is making big strides, so take note!
The Cotton Bride by Chris Kole takes the comfortable, classic fabric of cotton and makes is classic, couture, and perfect for the eco-chic bride.
Go tree-free for invitations. Couture letterpress studio Hello!Lucky is a trend-setting design studio and going green certainly doesn't mean sacrificing beauty...their work is inventive and environmentally sound.
Location is key, we all know that. So select a natural setting that pays homage to our earth and doesn't destroy it.
Photo by Isabel Lawrence Photographers.
On the beach? In a park perhaps? Why not wed in the day. End your fete at sundown and save on electrical output at your event. You've got the whole evening to spend with your new husband that way...
Photo by Isabel Lawrence Photographers.
With this elegant daytime event, you have the ability to create a rustic-chic tablescape for your guests to enjoy. Opt for a wooden table top that requires no linen (less chemical cleaning required) and dress with minimal florals (locally grown and organic of course) and embellish with soy-based candles and reclaimed containers and accessories. Classic Party Rentals makes a fantastic collection of "descanso" furnishings to fit the bill. The result will be a unique conversation-starter and a detailed decor backdrop your guests will love.
Photo by Isabel Lawrence Photographers.
Photo by Robert Evans Studios.
Photo by Robert Evans Studios.
Part one of two from the masters at Isabel Lawrence Photographers (and we mean masters - think Halle Berry's wedding among others.) Check out what they suggest to make your wedding day flawless and your photos unforgettable:
You’ve found the perfect photographer and you’re ready to hand over enough money to feed a small country in order to secure his services. How do you maximize your investment? Read on for some helpful tips.
First of all, get everything you’ve agreed upon in writing. I know this seems really obvious but if for instance, you and your photographer discussed receiving your negatives or digital files two years after your wedding album is complete and it isn’t written into your contract, there is a very good chance this conversation will be forgotten when that time comes. Save yourself future problems and get all oral modifications to your contract down on paper.
Speaking of contracts: sign your copy and return it to your photographer with the deposit as soon as possible. This is what ultimately secures your day. You may run the risk of losing your preferred shooter otherwise.
Okay, we’ve gotten all of the boring legal stuff out of the way; let’s talk about the fun creative stuff. If your photo package doesn’t include a pre-wedding shoot, consider splurging on one. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other better. You’ll get a sense of how your photographer works, and he or she will be able to get a sense of how you photograph. Some people need a little more coaching in front of the camera than others, some have a knock for blinking just as the shutter is tripped (yes, we have tricks to deal with that). These are all helpful things for the photographer to know before the big day. This fun informal shoot can really alleviate any pre-wedding photographic jitters and you’ll have lots of wonderful photographs to use in ‘save the date’ cards or for your guest book.
As the big day approaches, you’ll want to talk to your photographer about the schedule of events and establish a shooting time line. This is one of the most important conversations you will have with your photographer. He/she will establish how much time they need for shots of the two of you alone and for the formal shots of your families and bridal party. The single most important thing you can do to maximize your investment is to give him/her all of the time that they have asked for. The more time you give your photographer, the better shots you will have. It’s just that simple. 
I’ve shot enough weddings to know that stuff happens and things run late, which is why it is so important to build a little elbow room into the schedule. Planning things minute by minute is, as they say, a recipe for disaster. I have, over the years however, developed a few strategies to combat the wedding time warp phenomenon. First of all, makeup artists and hair stylists can sometimes alter the best-laid photographic schedules. They are there to make you look your most beautiful. Like photographers, they are artists and perfectionists willing to primp and fuss over you for hours and hours. What you need to remember is that every minute they spend beyond their allotted time comes out of another scheduled element, often times with the photographer. When this happens you are not going to forgo photos with parents, siblings, cousins and friends. So the photographer has to perform equally beautiful work in a fraction of the time he had planned on. Keep in mind that you have not hired a magician (unless you actually have, in which case he will be performing slight of hand tricks at the reception and stealing people’s watches). My technique for avoiding these problems is to tell everyone involved that you need to be done half an hour earlier than you actually need to be done. I promise you, you will never be sitting around idly for 30 minutes. The worse that can happen is that you’ll have a little extra time to spend with whomever is helping you get ready or some last minute Spanx emergency will fill that void. I also suggest you use this technique when letting family know what time the formal portraits begin. Always tell them to be ready a little earlier than the planned schedule calls for.
Stay tuned for more tips from Isabel Lawrence Photographers next week with part two of their tips and trade secrets.
A week and a half with no posts must be a record for us! Sorry to have left you for so long, but back from lots of travel and ready to show you what's been going on.
To start, last week we got an inspiring tour of the new Resort at Pelican Hill in Laguna Niguel. Not open to the public until the fall, this hillside beauty will wow you. And what wowed us was some of the decor they provided for the day...
Could this be the new hot spot for weddings? Stay tuned...
Check out some of the hottest aisles we've seen as of late. Love them all! From natural and understated to abundant and elegant, you can't go wrong as long as you give your aisle a little personalized style.
Top left photo of the fabulous ceremony site at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Top right photo by Robert Evans Studios. Bottom ceremony design by Tic Tock Couture Florals.
Top left ceremony by Cobalt Events. Top right photo by Aaron Delesie. Bottom left photo by Robert Evans Studios. Bottom right ceremony by Details Event Planning. 
Top left ceremony designed by Oh, How Charming! Top right photo by Joshua Bobrove. Bottom photo by Robert Evans Studios.
One of our favorite celebrity makeup gurus has a new tv show and you could be on it!
Napoleon Perdis and TLC have teamed up for a new reality competition show about make up. They are looking for a couple that is getting married on May 3 to be a part of the show.
Makeup and Hair will be provided for the bride, bridesmaids and mothers, flower girls and groom (up to 10 people.) They will give you and your maids the royal treatment for free on your wedding day! No drama, no bad hair days, just excellent makeup artists down to the final group of the show. Taping will occur only during prep and the ceremony. They won't intrude on your special day, and they will be gone by cocktails.
The catch? You've got to be getting married somewhere in the greater Los Angeles Area on May 3rd of this year!! If that's you, contact Jill.Garelick@evolutionusa.com for further information.
Good luck ladies!!!
Just wanted to give some big shout outs to the people that helped make The Bridal Bar booth at last weekend's Soolip Wedding event a big success!! I think we had the best booth in the building!
Sticking to our signature pink and white color palette, Eddie from Tic Tock Couture Florals created this magical lounge made of vintage-looking furniture pieces mixed within modern plexi and leather accent pieces. He hung a floral chandelier in the center of the pink-draped booth and created a window-like floral treatment popping through the pink plexi cutouts. The table was dressed with a stunning centerpiece draped in strands of crystals and playfully pink flowers..
Classic Party Rentals was again our partner in crime and they are to thank for the amazing white leather bar, beautiful table top pieces, and their Designer 8 antique sofa. To get these amazing rentals, call the Culver City Classic and have Leticia Ortega dress your dream wedding!
Then Dyal Productions created some amazing mood lighting for the day and hooked us up (literally) with the flat screen tvs (yes, we are high tech.) Carter and his guys always go above and beyond!
Fantasy Frostings baked all weekend long to provide 500 bite-sized cupcakes for guests to feast on, and a little champagne from bartender's Jen and Curtis never tasted so good.
This event is such a labor of love for everyone involved and we just want to thank you for always making The Bridal Bar look so good!!
As we enter into April, Earth Day is on the horizon. So it's time to go green, and not a moment too soon. Check back with us for tips, trends, products, and services to bettering your event and the environment.
Let's work backwards...what's one of the last things on your checklist? Dry cleaning your gown after the big day. Yuck! Chemicals, preservation techniques, tacky boxes, oh my. Think again.
Encore Bridal, now offers greener cleaners for your gowns by Forever Treasured. So, what makes Forever Treasured different from a dry cleaner?
They spot clean your entire gown, inside and out, to remove stains, oils and soils.
Then they perform a specialized wet cleaning process on each gown individually based on the age, color and fabric.
Next, they will air dry your wedding gown to protect the beads and sequins from harmful heat.
After pressing, they place the gown in a specially designed archival museum preservation box, which is acid free, lignin free and buffered.
When the preservation process is completed, the boxed gown is ready for you to view for final approval.
They will instruct you on how you can safely open the preservation box any time and as often as you want, without causing any damage.
Forever Treasured has been recognized by Green Peace as an eco-friendly cleaner and is actually better for the gown too! Available at Encore Bridal in Los Angeles and across the country through shipping.
Your grandchildren will thank you, for their earth, and their preserved heirloom.
Dash DJs have a new website to go with their same great sound! With a resume that includes some of Hollywood's hottest clubs (think Les Deux and Ritual), Nahchey and his guys will take your event til the break of dawn!
Just a little inspiration to get your feet moving...you can do a lot with your decor by a simple dance floor upgrade. Create a beautiful focal point in the room; match it to your colors, your motif, and even your monogram if you like. Check out some of our favorites:
Photos: Robert Evans Studios, bottom right: Aaron Delesie.
Top: Oh, How Charming!, bottom row: Robert Evans Studios.
All photos Robert Evans Studios, except bottom right: Aaron Delesie.
From the Easter display at Harrod's in London. We had the pleasure of taking a few days to enjoy the sights on our way home from Kenya. And speaking of...a few wedding window inspirations from over the pond:
Isabel Lawrence Photographers are artists in the purest form. They capture weddings on film and focus their efforts on preserving this timeless medium. Check out their latest obsession, soon to be yours. It's called Tintype, a mid 1800's process, and they are recreating it just as it was back in 1867. Each plate is completely unique and about as far removed from a point and shoot image as possible. Without getting too involved (cause we couldn't explain it if we tried), check out the result:
Lovely!! Can you say, engagement session?!?!?!
We just came across these adorable mini cupcakes on a stick (technically cake) from the girls over at Bakerella. Love the ideas and the tips to doing it yourself!
Earlier this month, Las Vegas became the hub of the special events community. What a wonderful show, we got a sneak peak at some of the best and brightest new ideas coming soon to weddings near you. There, with our favorite crew from Get Married, we got a few shots of products you don’t want to miss.
Photos from Bedazzle My BonBons.
Photo by Sir Chocolate.
