New gowns from BHLDN

Yes, here I am once again to give you a showcase of new wedding dresses, this time from BHLDN. Looking at their latest collection, I find myself falling in love with this company all over again.

I am particularly enamored by the Elysium gown, which features an illusion neckline filled with embroidery:

Elysium gown

... the neckline actually reminded me of what Emma Watson wore for the London premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I think the tulle/ illusion neckline is in vogue!

The Arcadia gown, meanwhile, utilizes floral appliques made from organza, chiffon, and tulle:

Arcadia gown

The skirt features a slit that gives it a sexy look while allowing your shoes to steal a bit of the show.

The Windswept gown is also one of my favorites, with the feather-and-leaf trims at the bottom:

Windswept gown

And while this isn't a gown per se, the Counterpart Shell top and Tulle Tiers Skirt form an awesome bridal ensemble:

Tulle Tiers Skirt and Counterpart Shell Top

For brides-to-be who'd like to veer from the traditional style, BHLDN offers dresses and separates that are laid-back and adventurous yet still very stunning. Check out their new releases on their website.

Marchesa Bridals - Spring 2012

Marchesa presents its new bridal collection for Spring 2012. The latest design features sheer fabrics, vine-like patterns, and dainty floral flourishes that will surely capture every bride-to-be's fancy.

The Violet dress instantly caught my eye, with its sheer neckline and vine detail from the shoulders to the bodice:

Violet (Spring 2012)

The Eloise utilizes the peplum skirt design:

Eloise (Spring 2012)

With its frilly ballgown skirt, Luisa is sure to be the choice of romantic brides:

Luisa (Spring 2012)

For ladies who want to showcase their hourglass figures, Talitha will definitely do the trick. The lace appliques also spell glamour:

Talitha (Spring 2012)

And for the modern bride who goes for the non-traditional short bridal dress, Sienna is a beautiful option:

Sienna (Spring 2012)

There are lots of other gorgeous wedding dresses in their website, so go there and check out Marchesa's Spring 2012 bridal collection. There's surely one dress that you'll fall in love with.

Toilet Paper wedding dresses

Yes, you read that right. Cheap Chic Weddings held a contest on the best wedding dress creation using rolls and rolls of toilet paper. And you'd be surprised with how creative the entries were.

The winning dress was made of 4 rolls of toilet paper, glue, and packing tape:

Susan Brennan's flower-and-feather strapless dress wins her USD 1,000.

The 2nd place dress was also cute, with layers of ruffles for the skirt. This was made from 1-ply tissue, duct tape, spray adhesive, and first aid tape:

Laura Lee's strapless dress with layered ruffled skirt

I personally liked the 3rd place creation, which used 20 rolls of toilet paper to achieve the flowers and the frilly train:

Wonderful skirt and train details from Cynthia Richards' entry. Her daughter helped create this piece.

It's so wonderful how designers, professional and budding, can come up with amazing wedding dresses like these -- and they're even made from everyday household materials such as toilet paper! Just goes to show that creativity can go a long, long way.

La Sposa's Colecciones Avances 2012

Wedding dress maker La Sposa gives brides-to-be a reason to salivate once again! Their new collections for 2012 can be now viewed on their website, http://www.splasposa.com.

The dresses come in various silhouettes, but all are absolutely beautiful. Samoa, below, features an A-line silhouette:

Samoa - Glamour collection

Samba, on the other hand, features a mermaid/ trumpet silhouette, great for slim brides:

Samba - Glamour collection

Utilizing the sheath silhouette is Sensacion, also from the Glamour collection:

Sensacion - Glamour collection

If you're all for the Cinderella-type of dress, the Saguinto or Sari will surely be wonderful choices:

Saguinto - Ballgown collection

Sari - Ballgown collection

The Selim wedding dress makes use of illusion with tulle over the main dress:

Selim - Costura collection

La Sposa also features wedding gowns with necklines other than strapless. Check these dresses out:

Selva - Glamour collection

Sacha - Fashion collection

Sagaro - Fashion collection

For a dose of romance, choose the Salem dress which features lots of ruffles on the skirt:

Salem - Dreams collection

The Salsa dress will surely be the top choice of the modern bride, with its streamlined design and side pockets:

Salsa - Glamour collection

For every type of bride -- classic, modern, romantic, chic -- there's a La Sposa dress that fits your personality. Check out more dresses from La Sposa's 2012 collection.

Afterthoughts on the Wedding of the Century: Prince William and Kate

Vintage Bentleys and Chryslers, throngs of Britons lined up on the streets, horses and carriages and crazy hats galore, and the big reveal on Kate Middleton's wedding dress -- that probably made up your weekend as you've watched the Royal Wedding unfold before your very eyes last Friday.

After seeing in CNN's live streaming and all the other reruns in the other news channels days after, I realized I kinda liked this wedding.

Prince William in a red Irish Guard uniform and Kate in a lace-and-satin dress from Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

While the wedding had a really big budget, I liked how the couple chose to go for something simple. Nothing ostentatious about their looks and even the bouquet looked simple in white and green. Of course, 1,000++ guests means that this is a really big wedding, so...

I think the one thing that I best liked here is Kate Middleton's dress. Compared to what Princess Diana wore during her wedding, this dress from Sarah Burton was a breath of fresh air. Lace appliques, A-line skirt -- it does say something about Kate's style: simple yet elegant.

William looked dapper in his Irish Guard uniform, but somehow Harry looked more handsome to me. Hehe.

Well, now that the wedding's over, there's only one thing to say to this couple: Congratulations, best wishes, and hopefully your marriage will last.

Modest wedding dresses

My apologies for not having posted anything for the past few days. That's because I went with my parents to their home province in Bohol, Philippines. While there, I got to visit, aside from Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers, the old baroque-style churches. And you know what, aside from their centuries-old artifacts and intricate ceiling paintings, one thing that caught my attention is how strict these churches are when it comes to the dress code.

Those hearing Mass must not wear sleeveless tops and shorts. Those who want to get wed in those churches had to follow a strict dress code of not wearing sleeveless, backless, strapless, and even off-the-shoulder dresses. Yep, all the dresses -- from the bride down to her entourage -- should cover the shoulders. And this is where I get my inspiration for today: modest wedding dresses.

A lot of the gowns you can see in the market feature those strapless or one-shoulder neckline. But for brides who want a bit of coverage, they don't have to fret. They can still be sexy without showing off too much, just like the models here wearing these modest wedding dresses:

Top row, from left: Ian Stuart, Justin Alexander, Vera Wang, Anna Schimmel.
Bottom row, from left: Le Spose di Gio, Tsai Meiyue, Allure Bridals, Juanjo Oliva via iVillage.com.

The sleeves can be part of the dress or a component of a jacket or cover-up. In any case, they somewhat hide the shoulders and the upper arm.

Opting for modest wedding dresses doesn't necessarily mean that the bride's too shy to show some skin. Rather it just means that you're just confident enough that your dress doesn't need to scream how sexy you are. :)

Wedding dress inspirations from the Oscars 2011 looks, part 2

In continuation of the Oscar-based post, here are more red carpet looks that you can emulate for your wedding day:

Scarlett Johansson looked so pretty in her lacy high-neck dress from Dolce and Gabbana. If lace is your thing, the dress on the right from Justin Alexander is the perfect choice for you.

Hilary Swank's Vera Wang dress had feathery details on the skirt, which made it more stunning. For a similar style, pick Fidji from Pronovias' Dream Collection. It's sure to give your wedding gown a unique look.

Mandy Moore chooses the beige version of Monique Lhuillier's Nightingale for this year's Oscars. I kinda like how the color blends into her skin -- it's as if the top part of her body was just showered with glitters and beads. I'd say it's pretty.

Jennifer Hudson looked sizzling hot on this Atelier Versace number. A similar halter-neckline style can be found on this dress from Sarah Houston's Emerald collection.

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine wore a lovely yellow dress from Valentino. Kinda echoed a laid-back, casual vibe, don't you think? If that's your wedding style, then BHLDN's Greenbow Lace Gown is a great dress to wear for your big day.

See, the red carpet offers tons of inspirations for brides-to-be. Hopefully these selections help you choose the bridal style you want to have for your wedding day.

Wedding dress inspirations from the Oscars 2011 looks

Yes, the Oscar fever isn't waning -- and it's here in this blog!

I'm sure aside from anticipating who the winners are (or were, since it's been days after the awards night), people's attention was also on the red carpet, looking at what the stars wore that night. And just like last year, I'm posting amazing dresses on this year's Oscars and wedding gowns that echo the same vibe of what these actresses wore.

Best Actress winner and expectant mom Natalie Portman came in an off-shoulder, empire-waisted purple dress from Rodarte. If you want the same off-shoulder neckline, you can go for Ian Stuart's Costa Rica.

Decolletage -- meaning a really low, revealing, plunging neckline -- became the word of the night as Mila Kunis strutted her stuff on the red carpet wearing an Elie Saab creation. If you're going for the same sexy look, the Clio dress from Jenny Packham will sure make you sizzle as you walk down the aisle.

As one of the hosts for this year's Academy Awards, young style icon Anne Hathaway changed her wardrobe 8 times. Among all of them, the white strapless dress with black beading from the Givenchy Haute Couture caught my attention. The details surely accentuated her lovely figure. You can also get the same effect with this gown from the Demetrios Ultra Sophisticates collection, which also features beading that flatters your waistline.

Fourteen-year-old Hailee Steinfeld made a mark not only for her stellar performance in True Grit but also for donning this beautiful (and age-appropriate) blush-colored Marchesa dress. If, for your wedding day, you want to wear a tea-length dress similar to this, you can choose this style from Sincerity Bridal, which also features the same flowy look.

Helen Mirren looked stunningly regal in her gray Vivienne Westwood dress with 3/4 sleeves. For brides who want to veer away from the usual strapless wedding dress, this Justin Alexander dress with long sleeves exudes the same resplendent look.

I'll be posting more Oscar looks next, so watch out for more. :)

Amanda Wakeley Bridal Lookbook

Looking for a wedding dress that's sexy and has a lot of pizazz? Then browse through the Amanda Wakeley Bridal Lookbook and you just might find the gown that you're looking for.

Divided into 3 categories -- Morocco, Rahjastan, and Desert -- each dress features designs that show some skin yet are still tasteful for a destination or beach wedding. Here are some of the dresses from the collection:

1st row: Looks from the Morocco collection.
2nd row: Dresses from the Rahjastan collection.
3rd row: Selections from the Desert collection.

The first pic on the middle row is for the more adventurous bride, with its bare back design. But if you're a bit shy showing some skin, there are other designs that give you a bit of cover-up without compromising sexiness.

Amanda Wakeley also has other wedding gowns you may want to check out. Take a look at its website today. Who knows, the perfect wedding dress for you might just be there.

Unique bridals from BHLDN

Last February 14, BHLDN launched its online store that features one-of-a-kind wedding dresses, shoes and accessories. Catering to brides who want to stand out, each dress from BHLDN is sure to captivate anyone. See for yourself:

Top row, from left: Pinwheel Tea Dress, Tiered Tulip Gown, Pleated Fantasy Gown, Ethereal Monarch Gown, Eyelet Medley Sheath.
Bottom row, from left: Zinnia Gown, Tulle Era Dress, Floral Artwork Dress, Trumpeted Pavot Gown, Greenbow Lace Gown.

These are just some of the gowns and dresses featured on their website. You can view more gorgeous creations here.

If you're thinking of going vintage or anthropologie-style or just want to have a unique wedding dress that will surely make your guests (and groom) go "ooh" and "ahh," drop by BHLDN and for sure, there's something that you'll fall in love with.

Wedding gowns: Aire Barcelona 2011 Collection

I must admit, the first thing that caught my attention to Aire Barcelona was Penelope Cruz. Isn't she such a doll?

But if you click through their 2011 Bridal Collection, you'll fall in love with the gowns. I like the fact that they offer styles that suit the different tastes of brides-to-be. So whether you're classic or modern, you'll surely find a design that you'll adore to bits.

From left: Namibia, Narila, Navia, and Nazaret

See what I mean? Aren't they gorgeous?

Here's more:

From left: Nectar, Neptuno, Nogal, Nuria

From A-line to ballgown silhouettes, from ruffles to rosettes, Aire Barcelona's 2011 Bridal Collection is just so pretty.

You can find more of their latest wedding gowns here. For sure, there's at least one that you'll absolutely love.

P.S.: The thumbnails look small (goes to show I haven't mastered Gimpshop yet). Just click through to see a larger version of it. Thanks!

J. Crew Fall 2010 Wedding Lookbook

J. Crew's Wedding Lookbook for Fall 2010 contains 20 new dresses for the bride and her, well, crew. Take a look at the wonderful wedding dresses in this collection:

They also have formal/ party dresses that are great choices for bridesmaids or for wedding guests:

Other beautiful dresses can be found in the J. Crew Fall 2010 Wedding Lookbook. For more bridal looks for you and your bridal party, you can check out their online boutique for more dresses and accessories.

Wedding gowns: Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2011 Collection

Oscar de la Renta, one of the foremost names in fashion, presents its 2011 spring wedding gown collection that features beautiful dresses that suit every type of bride. Here, I'll showcase some of the gowns that captured my attention:

If you're all for the classic and elegant look, the strapless lace gown on the left or the silk gazar and guipure one shoulder gown is perfect for you. Both have silhouettes that emphasize your sexy figure.

For those who opt for a short wedding dress, you can choose from either the pink strapless dress with guipure overlay or the silk one shoulder dress. Match them with dangling earrings and a birdcage veil and you're all set.

I actually love these two gowns that makes the bride look like a Spanish Senorita. The one on the right, the silk gazar gown with floral appliques, looks sexy even with the long sleeves while the silk blouse and green taffeta skirt terno gives the wedding gown a modern twist with a splash of color.

Speaking of color, brides who want a different hue on their gowns can pick the strapless gown with pink taffeta draped bow on the left or  the navy strapless gown with metallic ribbon details. These gowns are truly made for the brides with attitude.

The collection also has something for the simple yet modern bride. Featuring unique necklines, soft tulle, ruffles, and even ostrich feathers, these contemporary designs are surely made to reflect your personality and will make you stand out, just as you should on your big day.

There are still more designs that will suit your taste. See the full collection on their official website and find the wedding gown that's perfect for you.

Wedding gowns: Pronovias' 2011 Collection

Here's another wedding dress collection that will surely leave every bride-to-be glued to the screen. Divided into 7 different categories, Pronovias keeps up to their title as the world's leading bridal house with their oh-so fabulous designs.

I guess it helped that the 2011 collection was classified into 7 different categories. Makes it easier to pick which one you'd really like. In this post, I chose to feature one design that I absolutely adore from each category.

Farnes from Coleccion Fashion

If you're the type of bride who wants to wear something that's light and follows your every move, you can pick a gown from Pronovias' Coleccion Fashion. The gowns in this category are made with soft fabrics, feminine cuts, and feather/rhinestone appliques.

Foro from Coleccion City

For the modern bride, the wedding dresses from Coleccion City offers a great selection. Most of the gowns here are short and streamlined, made of Mikado silk and satin, and adorned with jeweled embellishments and embroidery.

Fidji from Coleccion Dreams

A wedding is a girl's fantasy come true, so why not wear a wedding gown that features dreamy silhouettes and embellishments? Gowns from the Coleccion Dreams boast volume via ruffles and beautiful appliques. The result -- a bridal gown that's simply magical.

Frisol from Coleccion Glamour

Wedding gowns from Coleccion Glamour will surely make you the center of attraction, as you should be. Boasting rich fabrics, soft ruffles, pleats and embellished jewels, the gowns from this Pronovias collection speak of sheer sophistication and elegance.

Fez from Coleccion Ball Gowns

The wedding dresses from Coleccion Ball Gowns will surely make you look and feel like a queen on your special day. The satin and taffeta gowns of this collection feature bouffant skirts and corseted waists. For a look that's straight out of a fairy tale, I would suggest picking a gown from this collection.

Finisterre from Coleccion Style

If you want a gown that's super chic and contemporary, the wedding dresses from Coleccion Style is perfect for you. What I like about the design of the wedding gowns in this collection is the silhouettes that emphasize your great curves.

Iman from Coleccion Costura

If you want to go for a classic look, then choose a wedding gown from the Coleccion Costura. The gowns feature romantic silhouettes, not too frilly but still so elegant. Some of the dresses from this collection feature sleeves that may be removed for the reception party.

You can see more of the lovely wedding gowns of Pronovias when you visit their website.