And the Oscar Goes To...

That's right brides, we've got the Oscar decor and details revealed. We were lucky enough (and honored to attend) the DRESS REHEARSAL for the Academy Awards last Saturday night, complete with decor preview, and fabulous menu tastings from Wolfgang Puck!! OMG, what an incredible experience!!! Full wardrobe and costumes, dance numbers, Jon Stewart at his best (dressed in it too) and all the previews to the big night, right in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. And it gets better! We also got to preview the famous Governor's Ball Gala that the stars wined and dined at the very next night. While we were sworn to secrecy until after the event aired (high security like nothing else)...here are some details and images we can share with you now.

Ready for some wedding inspiration? The color palette this year was red and gold with accents of reflective mirror table tops and accessories. All the flowers were a vibrant red, all roses, all pulled open, not a hint of anything else.The tables had rotating linens from gold to ivory to red and mirrored; each with either clear ghost chairs or chameleon chairs in silver and gold at each place set the seating.The table top was regal, gold flatware, fine china, and our favorite? These acrylic lamps trimmed with what else? More roses to make the centerpieces complete.But this party had more than one centerpiece choice, from round, to square, to rectangle tables, the table top decor varied while keeping with the royal theme.
But the theme, according to what the producers told us, was not about being a star. It was about dreaming big. The bubble glass orbs hanging from the ceiling were inspired from a small child blowing bubbles in a park. At the time of innocence when anything is possible.And anything and everything really was possible for these experts! Check out the red rounded sofa seating and lounge appeal in the cocktail hour. And we haven't even gotten to the food!From gourmet mac and cheese, to Wolfgang's signature sliders and an insanely fresh raw bar, those stars were not going to walk away hungry.

While we may not have won an Oscar on Sunday, I think we got something much more. Thanks Wolfgang and everyone who inspired us at this incredible event!

All photos by Yum Sugar.

Bunnies at The Bar

Today at The Bridal Bar men might have actually enjoyed a little wedding planning!

The lovely ladies of The Girls Next Door stopped by for some fun, filming, cake tasting, wedding planning, and gown shopping. They were SO wonderful!! The girls really are as sweet as you see on tv!

But who's getting married?? You'll have to wait for the episode to find out...stay tuned!

Beautiful brides Bridget and Stacie :)

Busy Week at The Bar

The Bridal Bar has been busy this week and it only gets better! Today we shot our second taping in a month for one of our favorite Style Network's shows.

And Friday, sorry girls, we will be closed for the majority of the day for another show...tell you next week!

But the good news is that Saturday morning, we are having a last minute blowout of some of the hottest designer gowns in town!

Encore Bridal Trunk Show!

Saturday, February 23rd

Offering one additional day to take advantage of our huge sale and preview our new arrivals not yet in our e-Boutique.

*10-20% off all current stock

*Exclusive preview of our new arrivals (including several new arrivals this week)

*20% off headpieces and tiaras

When:
Saturday, February 23rd
10:00am-1:00pm

Where:
The Bridal Bar
624 N. Doheny Drive
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(just north of Santa Monica Blvd.)


RSVP to Julie at Julie@encorebridal.com or 310-545-1409.
Appointments required for this event.

Save money, save lives...a portion of the profit made on Encore Bridal purchases will go to Tamika and Friends, Inc.- a non-profit organization dedicated to educating women about cervical cancer.

Don't miss out ladies!!! You won't be disappointed!

Feast Your Eyes on These Feasting Tables

Feasting tables are soooo "in." Smaller, more intimate receptions, or just the feeling of one by seating your guests at a long, banquet style dinner table. Whether one long table, several long tables, or even a square-shaped set of banquet tables placed together; this setup can lend itself to "family-style" food service and more fun during dinner. (Top image from Cobalt Events.)

Check out some of our favorites...

A dramatic, cathedral-like setting - a feast fit for a king and queen, by Special Occasions Inc.
An intimate tented table by Cobalt Events.
A big, modern twist to an old family favorite; by Classic Party Rentals.
A long bridal (or head) table with smaller guest tables surrounding it; by Cobalt Events.
A beer-clad feasting table complete with faux-mink runners and beer filled floral centerpieces; photo byRobert Evans Studios.
And rustic elegance by Oh, How Charming!

Hunter Update

In a day dedicated to charity on our blog, we wanted to share an update for those of you that have followed little Hunter's healing on this site. One of our dearest clients, Zen Todd Photography & Films has faced an unbelievable situation in the past few months.

Since being told their one year old Hunter has Leukemia, the family has moved in and out of Children's Hospital. We've received so many kind letters from complete strangers to Hunter, Zen, and Lenore that we want you to have the ability to check in with them and their progress regularly. To send well wishes, love and support, or just to check in on the little man's progress, check out Hunter's Blog.

Our prayers are with them!

We're Going to Africa!

Packing my bags! The Bridal Bar is lucky enough to be part of a group of Southern California event professionals packing up next week and heading to Kenya!! We are off to work in an orphange and take aid to the people and children so badly in need. The non-profit organizer of this amazing trip is a charity called Heart 4 Africa. You can check out photos from their last pilgramage here. I can't wait to be a part of such an incredible and meaningful experience! Lots of photos to share upon our return.

In the meantime, check out some pics from our little fundraiser down in the OC last week at the Renaissance Dana Point Restaurant.Our hosts, Brooke from Details Details; and Annette from TripleCord Photography; the lucky winner of a pink cruiser; and some of our favorite party guests.Our fabulous DJ for the evening, Nahchey from Dash Entertainment, and more supporters of this great cause.Last but not least, some fun times in the photo booth by Foto Cabina.And as the night went on...Thanks so much to everyone who donated their time, money, and service to be a part of this special cause. We raised a TON of money and will be bringing it to the kids in Kenya very soon.

Valentine's Day Wrap Up

Red is the color of love, the color of Valentine's Day, and the color theme for yesterday's Get Married topic. Check out some of our favorites from their site and some added inspiration from our favorite event professionals. Top photo by Allison Photo.

Photos from top left, Paul Bott & Co; Shannon's Photography; Robert Evans Studios; Paul Bott & Co.

Top row photos, Robert Evans Studios; bottom row from left, Garrett Photography; Robert Evans Studios.Top row photos, Allison Photo; bottom row from left, Mike Colon Photographers/Eventful; Allison Photo.
And from The Bridal Bar stash, check out our favorite red wedding details:

Top row from left, Robert Evans Studios; Mike Colon/Eventful; bottom row from left, Paper Girl; End Design.
Top row from left, Budes & Blossoms; bottom row Robert Evans Studios and Robert Evans Studios; then Fantasy Frostings. Photos from top left, Robert Evans Studios; Red Loft Studios; Robert Evans Studios; Fantasy Frostings. Photos by Robert Evans Studios.No matter what the hue, red is hot, hot, hot!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

For that someone special...and we don't mean your fiance! On this day of love (and Hallmark cards), we thought we would pay homage to all your single maids out there. We know you've found Mr. Right, but maybe they haven't?!?!?! 27 Dresses ring a bell in your bridal party? Then get her a bridesmaid gift she will actually use! Single Tease is the latest 'speak your mind on your shirt' company; created to break the ice for you. Your shirt says ask me out!!! Brilliant!Our favorite?

Can't Choose Your Maid of Honor? Then This Show is for You!

A top LA Production Company is casting Los Angeles-area brides and their bridesmaids, ages 21-35, to be part of a sassy new wedding show for a major cable network.

The show will help out the blushing bride who just can’t seem to choose between her bridesmaids for the coveted role of Maid of Honor. And with all the other stresses of planning a wedding, this show will help her to see who is the best woman for the job!

Through a series of bridal related challenges, our bride will let the women in her life battle it out to prove they are “maid” enough. Do they know the bride better than anyone else? Can they choose the most stylish bridesmaid dress that they know she will love? Can they give a toast that moves even the viewers to tears?

If you are a bride with a big decision to make and between 4-7 bridesmaids to choose from, we want to help! Let us know what has made this choice so tough, and tell us about all the lovely ladies you are choosing between.

If you make the cut, your bridal party will need to be available in Mid-March for 4 days of filming in the LA Area.

To apply, send an email about yourself to skirkland@44blue.com

Good Luck!

Purple, Fuchsia, Green, Oh My!

We got to take part in a super secret photo shoot last week for one of our favorite bridal magazines! We will share all the fabulous pages and final product when the issue drops; but in the meantime, take a look at our (not so professional) photos...could this be the new color trend for fall?!?!?!?!

More Sample Sale Goodness

Weddingish is co-hosting a sample sale of V-Day and W-Day gifts with gowns at Jobyna's Bridal in Glendale.

This one day only event is the sweetest sweetheart sale in town. Shop for a gown, accessories, fun weddingish apparel, and other goodies, all at discounted prices this Sunday only.

Jobyna's Bridal
3325 N. Verdugo Rd.
Glendale, CA 91208
Tel: (818) 248-0026

A Little Goes A Long Way

We love it when wedding professionals get involved and give back. A little goes a long way, and this program is a perfect example of that...

Get Married has partnered with Barilla Pasta to offer couples a complimentary online gourmet cookbook, titled "The Celebrity Italian Table Cookbook." Visit their website in the month of February and get great tips and tools to create gourmet meals for your hubby. Download FOR FREE, their celebrity-ispired recipes and culinary delights and $1 for every download will be donated to America's Second Harvest (a fantastic national food bank organization.) At Second Harvest, one dollar provides sixteen meals to hungry people across the nation. This doesn't take much more than a few seconds of your time and it really does go a long way! Login, download, and help Barilla and Get Married give back! To participate, click here.

Valentine's Day Deals!

Stock up while you can ladies! The Knot is home to a ton Valentine's Day deals...check out all the goods at their shop. Great finds for every element of your event. It's not just for tees anymore; check out their candy jars, one-time-use digital cameras, rhinestone cake toppers, and even a cupcake tree for your shower.Now through Feb. 14th, enter promo code HEART at check out and receive 10% of your order!

Happy Spending!

Lots of News to Share Today

We've been a little behind on congratulating and giving kudos to our rock star wedding professionals, so just 48 hours after another celebrity wedding, we thought we would recap some highlights...

First of all, a HUGE congratulations to Eddie and his team over at Tic Tock Couture Florals for producing what we heard were some insane florals and decor for American Idol's Katherine McPhee's wedding on Saturday! Congrats to the happy couple!

Secondly, congrats to Chrissy and Aaron of Renaissance Studios for their feature on Fox 11 News! The show covered their baby division, capturing moments as your kids grow up. Already in the nesting phase?? You've got to check them out, watch the clip here!

And lastly, check out one of last week's episodes of our favorite tv show, Get Married. The Bridal Bar Los Angeles and San Diego got a great plug and interview. Watch it here. Thanks Get Married!

It's Better than a Hair Care Commercial

The Bridal Bar gals are looking like a hair care commercial these days. Why, you ask?!?! Because we just received this insane product given to us from the man himself, David Gardner of David Gardner Hair. He's tousled the locks of the hottest celebs like Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst, and our favorite bride, Katherine Heigl.

And we've been lucky enough to be beautified by his new line of products. Check them out and order at iamadiva.com. You'll look red carpet ready in no time!Thanks David!!