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!!

It's a Nice Day for a White Wedding

Billy Idol may have been onto something...check out these classically beautiful but strikingly modern white weddings by one of our favs, End Design. Color can still pop even if it's a single tone as soft as white. Eden and her crew sure now how to make it big!

Bring Out Your Inner Rock Star

Everybody's got a little rock star in them. What better time to show your inner diva than when planning your wedding? Rock Star Bride has the swag fit for rock 'n roll wedding royalty.


From rockin' thank you notes to boot camp caps and sweatsuits, these aren't your everyday bride-to-be tanks.Look out Gwen, Pink, and J.Lo...rock stars in training!

Look Out San Diego!

Just South in sunny San Diego, well, La Jolla (Birdrock) to be exact, is the newest home of The Bridal Bar!! It's been a long time coming, but as of today, the second store is officially open to the public! (please bear with us as we will be updating the website frequently)

Getting married in San Diego? Planning a destination wedding from San Diego? Now, all the resources, the elite pre-screened invited event professionals, and ingenious inspirations are just down the way on La Jolla Blvd. Everything waiting for you - and completely complimentary! From hot, hot venues to fabulous favor finds, our mission is to make your planning experience a stress-free endeavor. We've searched high and low and have the best of the best all under one roof!

To make an appointment to plan with one of our expert bridal concierges call (858) 459-1685.

Bridal Bar San Diego
5646 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037

And are you an event professional in the San Diego Area? Interested in applying to be a part of The Bridal Bar? Email Regina@bridalbar.com for information on our selection process.

Wildflower Linen

Wildflower Linen sure knows how to throw a party. Launching their new San Fran location, we were invited to tour their new studio space and dine among friends. What a great place for a party, from the tufted wall panels, to the couture linen-clad closets, and some of the yummiest food and wine in town; we kept warm while the city filled with rain.

Photographers, please accept our apologies for the photos...we rarely attempt to take a camera out ourselves...
These chairs should have gotten "best dressed" for the evening:Ever seen a linen dress? Young's interpretation of wildflower bridesmaids...And at the end of a long night, Thea and Anne from Your Wedding Day Magazine.Thanks for a great evening and adventure in the Nor Cal weather!

Thank You Riviera Magazine!

Just a quick plug of shameless self-promotion. The latest issue of Riviera Magazine just came out and they gave us a two-page spread. THANK YOU Riviera!!!! The Bridal Bar has never looked so good!

Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show in LA

Yes ladies, it's that time again...Monique is bringing her new collection to her new flagship store in Los Angeles. If you're lucky enough to live in LA you better clear your schedule! And if not, check out her site for other cities and dates.

This week, January 24th through the 26th at:

Monique Lhuillier
8485 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA

Appointments required! Call (323) 655-1088 and ask for Megan

Happy Shopping!

A Day with Diann Valentine

Diann Valentine has produced weddings for celebrities like Usher, Naz and Kelis, and Gary Sheffield, among countless others. Now she's bringing her passion for design and events and sharing her tips and how-tos with you! Want to be a wedding planner to the stars? To start, take her one-day seminar Friday, Jan. 25th at the Sofitel LA. From the woman herself...

"Whatever the reason, through this intensive, interactive and challenging day of discovery, you will learn to conquer the obstacles and roadblocks that are hindering you from exercising your true 'freedom of expression'! And in turn, conquering the roadblocks and eliminating the obstacles will leave you with a new found freedom that will ignite your passion for living and put you back on track to having the career of your dreams! It is designed to challenge your belief systems and the way in which you view design."

Let Diann help you to:

- Learn how to put the love in everything you do. Passion is the fuel for profits!
- Laser in on the details. The smallest elements yield the biggest experiences.
- Ignite your creative giant to propel you and your creative vision to the next level.
- Draw on your imagination and the world around you to see the unseen!
- Utilize traditional elements in non-traditional ways!
- Re-create the Rules of Engagement!

The essentials...

Location:
Sofitel Hotel
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

When:
Friday, January 25th, 2008
10:00am to 10:00pm

Cost:
$295 (1 ticket)
$550 (2 tickets) - SAVE $40!

Click Here to Register
or
Call:
661.943.2516 x.105 (Sylviose Dossous)Be inspired!!

WeddingChannel's Spring Wedding Trends

WeddingChannel.com has some compiled some of the hottest trends in 2008 weddings, inspired by some of 2007's hottest celebrity weddings. Are you a trend-setter??

Dresses with Feminine FlourishesInspired by the striking tiers in “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria’s Angel Sanchez wedding dress, brides tying the knot in 2008 will be donning wedding dresses with a flurry of feminine flowers and sophisticated tiers.

“Whether it was kept understated or embraced wholeheartedly, flowers and tiers were seen all over the spring 2008 wedding runway shows and in the collections of Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, and Claire Pettibone,” says WeddingChannel.com fashion expert and bridal institution Kleinfeld Bridal co-owner Mara Urshel.

Unique Wedding LocationsNothing makes more of an impact than the location of your wedding, and an Art-Deco backdrop is just the ticket. Get on board with what The Oprah Winfrey Show correspondent Lisa Ling and Paul Song had in mind when they got married at Union Station in Los Angeles. From Grand Central station in New York City to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to Chicago Union Station, these historic locales are perfect for the bride who loves the grandeur of an old-world train station.Above Union Station photo from Here Comes the Guide. Other locations from Gianna and Co.

City Hall ChicFor brides who start breaking out in hives at the thought of 13 months of wedding planning, a low-key city hall wedding may just be the perfect solution. Never one to bask in the limelight, “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo and music producer Chris Ivery scrapped the paparazzi madness and had a private civil ceremony at City Hall in New York City. With an off-the-rack dress and loved one by your side, a down-to-earth wedding can sometimes be the most intimate affair of all. (Photo by Red Loft Studios)

Do-Good GiftsOver the years, charity registries have continued to become increasingly popular among celebrities and non-celebrities, from Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, to Billy Joel and Katie Lee Joel, to Nikki Taylor and Burney Lamar. The newest boldface names to register for a charity in lieu of wedding gifts include Sarah Gore and Bill Lee, and Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman. (Photo by Robert Evans Studios)

Recycled, Refashioned Jewelry

Amanda Jaron's jewelry has graced the necks, hands and ears of some of Hollywood's hottest (think Angelina Jolie and Selma Hayek.) But now she serves a higher purpose. Amanda has launched a division of custom refashioned pieces.

“It’s about taking that dated chandelier and pulling off fun jewels,” says Jaron, who then suggests stringing some of Grandma’s pearls on fishing line to create a link that connects the crystal to a necklace. “It’s instantly a one-of-a-kind piece that makes a sparkling statement all its own.” Jaron will take that old broach, add some contemporary elements and create for you a red carpet-ready, elegant piece of recycled jewelry.

Incorporate a piece close to your heart and pay homage your favorite grandma when you walk down the aisle. The possibilities are endless, the concept easiest enough to do yourself if on a budget, and oh yeah, did we mention her designs are absolutely, insanely beautiful?!?!?!

Fun with Dessert, Down with the New Year's Diet!

Okay, so we know that everyone is on a New Year's diet to fit into your summer wedding dress. So live a little, and enjoy (online only!!)

A few old classics that can take the place of a traditional cake:From top left,Vanilla Bake Shop, cakes and cookies from Delilah's Bakery, and donuts by The Fry Girl.

And your childhood favorite - M&M's! Try custom printed and custom colors, packaged in a one-of-a-kind way.From top left, Cobalt Events, Oh, How Charming!, Robert Evans Studios, Robert Evans Studios, Oh, How Charming!

At the end of the night, don't for get to send your guests off with a sweet thanks!
From top left, Karen Smallbone, Shannon's Photography, macaroon cookie cones by Details Event Planning, bakery bar by Oh, How Charming!, Shannon's Photography, Red Loft Studios.

Little Blue Boxes

Seeing that little blue box can make anyone smile, so we thought we would share the little blue box that was delivered to our email last week. Tiffany & Co. has some major bling floating around the internet and this was our favorite photo. Enjoy!!

Moroccan Feast

One of our favorite things at The Bridal Bar is getting the chance to see and share the weddings of the wonderful women that enlist our help and that of our wonderful vendors. It's so fun to see the finished product after hearing about the months of hard work and heart that go into an event. This particular wedding was one of the more unique (and sexy) events we've seen. The lovely Megan and Drew (yes, he was equally as excited to plan) created this vision with the help of the oh, so talented Oh, How Charming! by Lisa Vorce. Aren't they cute!!Some of the unforgettable elements...The room atmosphere just glowed. Oh, and did we mention this "room" was a tent built over the pool at Hotel Figueroa?!?!?And finally, some of the decor details that we just LOVE.CONGRATULATIONS Megan and Drew!!!!