David's Bridal

Why A Bridesmaid Dress Makes A Great Baby Shower Present

By Lindsey Radoff and Jennifer Manroel, Old New Borrowed Redo

It’s the day after your best friend’s wedding.  As you revel over last night’s festivities, you glance down at the bridesmaid dress that you wore, now on your bedroom floor.  While you ponder where to hang your dress the choice soon becomes obvious – the bedroom closet will suffice, knowing that you probably will never wear it again.

Twelve months later, the former bride announces she is pregnant and the date for the baby shower is set.  You could always play it safe and get her a pre-selected present off her baby registry.  But, what better gift to give than a custom keepsake made from the very same bridesmaid dress you wore to her wedding?

There are a number of uses for a bridesmaid dress after the big day. A cute way to re-use your old bridesmaid dress is transform it into a variety of custom keepsakes- such as a baby blanket, pillow, or picture frame the mommy-to-be will love.  If you want to get creative and incorporate additional fabrics, choose colors that match the baby’s nursery, the colors of the home, or even the former bride’s wedding colors, Old New Borrowed Redo has you covered! We can even add finishing touches like ruffles, piping and bows, or embroider the baby’s name.

Before….

After! A cute pillow that will make a great present for a new baby girl!

Instead of letting the bridesmaid dress take up space in the closet, you can create a gift for the mommy-to-be that captures memories from her wedding day.  The bridesmaid dress actually gets used again, and you can be certain that no other guest will arrive at the baby shower with the same gift.

Lindsey Radoff and Jennifer Manroel are the identical twin sisters, co-owners and designers behind Old New Borrowed Redo™(ONBR), the online service that creates unique keepsakes from sentimental items like bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses or any special dress and turns them into beautiful, one-of-a-kind, custom keepsakes like pillows, baby blankets, throw blankets and picture frames.  Lindsey and Jennifer have been running the company together since the site launched in 2011.

The idea for ONBR came after Lindsey’s own wedding in 2010.  Lindsey, like many brides, was savoring in the memories of her big day while strolling on the beach during her honeymoon and thought about how much of herself went into all the details of the day, especially the time and love that went into choosing the perfect bridal gown.  The idea of stuffing her dress in a storage box didn’t sit well with her; preserving that memory in a tangible way would be much more desirable!  When Lindsey shared the idea with her sister, she was on board and they decided to start ONBR.

The sisters work well together, as they have since they were little girls.  Lindsey and Jennifer grew up in Poway, California, outside of San Diego, with their mom, dad and older sister.  They were always a very close family and the twin sisters followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming attorneys.

Lindsey attended University of Arizona and met her husband Jody there.  She also worked for CBS in Tucson in the sports department, as well as a sports writer for the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

Jennifer attended University of California, Davis and then worked at the Sacramento Kings’ radio station and for Fox Sacramento in the sports department.  Jennifer met her fiancée, Joel, in San Diego and they are getting married on December 6, 2012!

They attended law school together at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

Lindsey and Jennifer believe that all women have one or two dresses that they hold on to for sentimental reasons — instead of taking up valuable space in the closet, now, these items can be turned into beautiful, custom keepsakes that will remind them of that special day. The ONBR girls take pride in the fact that no two keepsakes are alike, just like each customer’s memories are unique to them and their lives.

Look out for an upcoming blog on sentimental gifts that you can customized for your loved ones!

Good Afternoon DB Brides! Today we were featured on Daytime Florida on a segment about budget friendly wedding tips! Since today is Wedding Wednesday, I figured I’d share the segment for you to watch!

Here is the footage of our fabulous manager Joy Williams sharing her tips!

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Other tips that might spark an interest:

ome pointers that weren’t mentioned on the show!

• No need for a wedding planner, everything can conveniently be done online!

• Incorporate your bridal party, family and friends to help back your cake, do your hair and make-up, create decorations, be the photographer, or even DJ! Your guest list is sure to have great talent so utilize them!
• Make a CD of your favorite playlist or have a guest bake treats as your favors.
• Stick to appetizer and dessert, people tend to get full on finger foods anyway.

• You can save a ton of money booking your wedding on a day other than Saturday. Look for a Friday or even a Sunday and compare prices.
• Find a venue that isn’t known for wedding, they tend to be less expensive.
• Buy flowers that are in season, they tend to be less expensive!
• Use your bridesmaid’s flowers as centerpieces.

We hope that these tips inspire inspiration to keep your wedding fun and affordable!

Nicole Brewer, Celebrity and Plus Size Fashion Expert

While scorching temperatures are breaking records nationwide, it’s hard to even think about the fashionable frocks you’ll want to wear this fall. But while you’re trying to stay cool and catch those department store deals for what to wear this summer, here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come in fall fashion.

Red: The New Neutral
This fall, designers have us seeing red! Whether monochromatic or tastefully combined with cream or black, crimson has staked its claim as fashion’s new neutral. Even LBDs get a red makeover with little red dresses in every shape and silhouette to transition from day to evening and from work to weekend. For you to decide: don the season’s hottest color from head to toe or modestly infuse the warm, rich hue with sexy separates like a red hot overcoat? This one-shoulder Apple red dress is a modern and chic way to inject the color of the season into your fall wardrobe.

Wild West
Navajo inspired prints, western plaids and prairie style silhouettes remind us of an era when everything was simpler. Handmade crocheted knits, skillfully crafted lace blouses and fringed ponchos revive age-old techniques in a modern way that’s all about freedom, independence and effortless style.

Disco Days & Nights
A flattering nod to the fabulous sportswear of the 1970s, maxi dresses, full legged trousers, pantsuits, jumpsuits and deep v-necks are back and better than ever. Like the stylish Charlie’s Angels, daring long coats, floor grazing hemlines and belted waistlines create long lean silhouettes with plenty of high slits to reveal sexy leg lines.

Sparkling Gowns
Gowns get gorgeous with all-over sequins and strategically placed palettes that reflect light and capture every bit of glamour this season’s long evening dresses have to offer. With long sleeves, short sleeves or no sleeves at all, the hypnotic shimmering details take center stage. From the simplest scoop neck to the dramatic deep plunge, nothing upstages the subtle luxury of fabrics that shine. This long chiffon strapless dress is the perfect way to incorporate flashes of subtle brilliance and sparkle into your special occasion look.

Geometry Lesson
Geometric shapes are popping up on everything in sportswear and ready-to-wear. Color blocking, 3-Dimensional prints and even argyle patterns look fresh and new on simple knits, retro sweaters, dynamic dresses and skirts and even outerwear. While at times unexpected combinations can be quite puzzling, the resurgence of right angles magically works to create unmistakably clean lines.

Charm School
The royal wedding has certainly made an imprint on the season’s runways with dreamy, delicate details.

Vintage lace, prim and proper pleats, fantasy florals, and whimsical chiffons continue to dominate evening wear looks. Designers have gone beyond the strapless silhouette to create dramatic and interesting arm treatments: one-shoulder, sheer shoulders, lace shoulder appliques and drop shoulder draping overlays. These modest styles are grown up and sophisticated, flowy and fitted in the appropriate places, and ready for the red carpet and your wedding day. This long sleeve lace style jacket is ideal for the bride looking for a bit sheer coverage on the big day.

Show-Stopping Coats
Outerwear often has a strong presence on the runway, but this year designers stretched our imaginations with a wide variety of statement coats separated only by their well -defined details. Oversized cocoon shapes, utilitarian coats, fur embellished bomber jackets, pimped out parkas, this season’s coats stand out with toggles, zippers, fringes, plenty of pockets and futuristic tailoring. From cool, clean lines to voluminous silhouettes, fall coverage options don’t just include coats – parachutes, luxurious wraps, puffer ponchos, dramatic capes and coat-cape hybrids are also on-trend.

Runway Recap
With everything from inventive belted swing coats to long, floor-sweeping dresses, fall fashion welcomes back the waist! The Red, Disco Days & Nights, Geometry Lesson, Charm School and Wild West looks all feature great ways to show off your figure. By placing emphasis on the waistline, long flowy dresses look new, fitted sheaths look edgy and man-tailored suits look better than ever!

Matching is out and mixing is in. So, go for your own style clash and dare to pair prints with stripes, florals with plaids, and geo prints with polka dots. This fall, it’s all about expressing yourself. Complete your look with an unforgettable overcoat and re-define your own signature style.

Karen Bussen, Celebrity Wedding Planner & Author First there’s your fiancé’s question: “Will you marry me?” Once that one has been answered joyfully in the affirmative, there are many more questions to ask and answer, none of which is more important than who will be a part of your bridal party.

Whether your bridal party is made up of friends, family, or a combination of the two, these ladies (and sometimes gentlemen—hooray for ManMaids!) will support you and help you all the way to your Big Day. Here are some of my favorite ways to honor and delight those most dear to you as you invite them to be a part of your bridal party.

One-on-one. Take a moment to have coffee or lunch with each of your potential bridesmaids. Give them a handwritten note on a pretty card (hey, sometimes a text or email just isn’t enough!) about all the reasons they’re so special to you. Then, tell them personally how much it would mean to you to have them with you throughout the weeks and months leading up to your celebration.

Bag it. Take the whole group out for swanky cocktails, high tea, or a divine dinner, and present each one with a personalized tote bag. I love these quilted monogrammed totes for stylish shopping. Tuck a festive card or a computer-printed “invitation” to your bridal party in the adorable little side pocket, and voila! Simple stunning style and substance.

If your celebration has a more rustic feeling, look for something more outdoorsy and casual, like these Go-Everywhere Tote Bags, and fill them with flip flops, sunglasses, or a t-shirt you design at www.customizedworld.com reading,“Will you be my bridesmaid?”

Sweet treats. I love small presents to mark special occasions, and you can achieve a delicious effect with mini-boxes of chocolates, cookies or candies from your favorite patisserie, accompanied with a note reading, “Life would be so sweet if you’d be my bridesmaid!”

Ring-ring. If you have a faraway friend or family member whom you want to include, box up your little gift and add a note that says, “As you know, I already got one ring from the man I love. Next, I hope for a ring from you—I’ve got something important to ask!” When they call, you can pop the bridal party question in a personal and heartfelt way.

Dude, where’s my bridesmaid? If you do want to include a guy as one of your attendants (and I’m all for it!) choose a unique little gift just for him. Cufflinks, a special edition of a book he loves, an MVP sports jersey or a bottle of bourbon—whatever suits him. The rest of the advice applies, no matter the gender.

As you can see, I really think a lot of a handwritten note and a personal touch for such an important moment. These are the times you’ll remember forever, so take the time to find something special for those who are most special to you. Think about what best reflects your style and the spirit of your celebration, and keep your ladies’ and gents’ tastes in mind as you create your own one-of-a-kind way to invite them along on your beautiful journey down the aisle.

Sure, you have a gorgeous wedding gown.  You are planning your event to the very last detail, and even though you are completing almost each and every detail yourself, without the help of a wedding planner or ‘helper’, it is going to be fabulous.  Though the actual wedding ceremony promises to be an elegant and upscale affair, we are still talking about a celebration, right?  Of course!  And what would a celebration be without your best friends?

These are the people who are likely to be standing by your side when you say your “I Do’s”, and the same people who will probably host and join in your shower, bachelorette and bachelor parties.  Have some fun with them before the actual parties and the reception and get them some really cool wedding party gifts.

David’s Bridal carries a host of great gifts, for every guy or girl on your list of friends to include.  They even have novelty clothing for them to wear!  You can custom order t-shirts and other items with personal slogans and names, and have some fun outfitting your friends before they put you in the bridal hot seat with silly bows and a t-shirt and a hat.

You can choose to have their names or their roles in your wedding or both put on so many different items, the choice is yours.  Have fun with it; it’s your chance of a lifetime to have the party of a lifetime!