David's Bridal

We all know that Malia, Sasha and FLOTUS (First Lady of the U.S.) looked absolutely stunning at the President’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, so how can they top that? Well, they did it in style at the ceremony yesterday as well as the Inaugural Ball last night.

The nation’s leading bridal and special occasion authority, David’s Bridal, has a selection of Inaugural-inspired looks fit for anyone! You too can channel your inner First Family without breaking the bank!

The ever-stylish FLOTUS showed her own sense of fashion by pairing this beautiful coat with a nice shiny belt! Sashes or belts have always been a very popular way to change an outfit instantly. Emulate her style with this beautiful beaded platinum sash G21757 ($69) or show your inner fashionista with multi-colored stone sash G21847 ($39).

The First Lady wowed the Inaugural Ball guests with a fantastic floor-length red gown. It was sophisticated and stunning and really stole the show! This apple red high neck gown F12732 is the perfect way to channel your inner First Lady on budget for only $119.99!

We all loved the way Beyonce belted out the National Anthem and she looked absolutely spectacular while doing it! Her classic black gown with peek-a-boo design was top notch!  A short version with cap sleeves is perfect for any after party! And the best part, LR758M, is only $109!

Jennifer Hudson sang her way through the Inaugural Ball last night in this black figure-slimming dress. The halter neckline and long bell shaped skirt was very figure flattering on the signer. For only $99.99, a similar version, F12688, is the perfect dress for any occasion!

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.

Good Afternoon DB Bloggers! Happy Wedding Wednesday! As you know Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake recently tied the knot in Italy! Following in the footsteps of Anne Hathaway and Blake Lively, news has just been revealed that Jessica Biel also chose to wear a beautiful blush bridal gown on her big day!

David’s Bridal identified this trend seasons ago and offers a variety of gowns in all-over color hues as well as soft touches of color—allowing brides to get their dream dress at a fraction of the price of designer brands. Here are three gowns that emulate Jessica’s stunner, and the last gown is a sneak peek into our Spring 2013 launch!

Style WG3412

Style T3267

New for spring 2013—Whisper Pink (launching in December 2012)

Celebrity-Inspired Fall Formal Styles For Less

by Cassandra Morris

My favorite fashion score is when I find the red carpet look for less…a lot less! Whether it’s a look-a-like dress, similar shoes or jewelry that makes the same bold statement, you can bet I’ll snatch it up if the price is right. Here are a few of my favorite celeb-inspired fall formal styles for less!

Watching the Emmy’s made one thing clear: all-over sparkles and sequins are here to stay! Kerry Washington wore a gorgeous sequin gown on the red carpet, and this David’s Bridal style is very similar. Bonus: it’s only $159, and the silhouette is flattering on almost every body type!

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Old Hollywood never really goes out of style…but this fall celebs seem to be embracing it more than ever. This floor-length gown is totally glamorous with its keyhole neck, floor-length hem and slit. It looks exactly like something the very first movie stars would have worn, and the price is right at $119!

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Strapless dresses are taking a backseat this fall. It’s time for the one-shoulder silhouette to shine. Carly Rae Jepsen, Sarah Hyland and Victoria Justice have jumped on board with this trend, and you can, too! This dress is only $79, which leaves plenty of money left over for cute new shoes and a matching clutch!

Style 60690

This fall, it’s all about the skirt drama. High-low hems, tiered skirts and hanky hems are all over the red carpet, and it’s super easy to copy the look with these styles!

This white dress is exactly like one Taylor Swift just wore.

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Love the high-low hem look that so many celebs sport? This pink and black number is perfect.

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Zooey Deschanel wore a gorgeous tiered ruffle gown to the Emmy’s. Here’s the trend in mini dress form, for only $99!

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Hello DB Fans! Happy Wedding Wednesday! If you haven’t already heard, Blake Lively wed Ryan Reynolds this past weekend and we’ve been left completely in the dark to figure out the details of her dress!  Well, according to Huffington Post, her dress was NOT a Chanel, and Blake and her whole bridal party were decked out in custom made Marchesa’s!

Lively apparently wore a one-of-a-kind couture bridal ball gown with a hand-draped silk tulle bodice adorned with crystal and rose gold embroidery.  We are hoping to see pictures of her gown soon… we’ll be sure to keep you updated!

Welcome back from the Labor Day Holiday! Trendy Tuesday is all about what’s going on in the fashion/bridal world, and we were shocked to hear about Avril Lavigne’s engagement to Chad Kroeger! Even more so that she didn’t meet his parents before the proposal, but we are thinking it in the heat of the moment! We want to know- would be accept your significant other’s proposal if you never met their parents? How important is the approval of your loved ones when thinking about marriage!? Fill us in!

To read more about Chad and Avril, click here!

Planning a Celeb-Worthy Wedding for Less
by Katrina Mitzeliotis

While so many celebs are known for throwing over-the-top affairs, lately we’re seeing a shift when it comes to saying ‘I Do.’ Rather than go all out, the celeb set is really into weddings that are both intimate and personal. Brides like Camila Alves to Drew Barrymore prove that you don’t need an extravagant affair—it really all comes down to the details. From the invitations to the place cards, read on for ways you can throw an affair just like a celeb, without having to break the bank.

Invitations:

We’re seeing a huge DIY trend lately, and it’s a great way to save a little money on your special day especially when you’re having a smaller wedding like Camilla and Matt did. Come up with a creative and personal way to share the news of the big day in your own words with a DIY invitation kit like this one.

Style DB50039KIT

Place cards:

I recently attended a wedding for a bride who loves vintage-inspired details, so she incorporated that into her special day. Rather than have place cards on a table, guests took old fashion keys hanging on the wall with their table number. If you are looking for a creative way to display your place cards, try putting them on decorated clothes pins—it adds such a nice natural touch.

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Well wishes:

Having guests sign a large photo or frame at a wedding is a great keepsake for the bride and groom to remember who attended. I once went to a wedding with a photo booth, where guests snapped a shot and then glued the image into a book next to their well wishes—it was such a fun way to share in the special day! A great alternative to the book is this card box—I love how compact it is.

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Decorations:

A lovely alternative to small candle votives are lanterns, especially if you’re planning a rustic wedding like Drew did. They add a nice touch to the table and really tie the whole affair together.

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Bridal Boot Camp Part 3: Customize Your Workout for Your Wedding
by Nicole Brewer

Starting a fitness program is a big deal, so having your dream dress as motivation can make customizing your workout fun! Whether you choose a traditional dress that reveals your arms and shoulders, or a style that showcases your back or legs, stick to your fitness program and you will look and feel your best on your big day.

If your gown has a non-traditional hemline that reveals your legs, chances are toned gluts are important to you, too. Using your own body weight and heavier free weights, you can sculpt your best lower body. Here’s how:

• Donkey Kick: Position yourself on all fours, hands directly under shoulders, knees beneath hips. Isolating one leg at a time, elevate your thigh parallel to the ground, bend your knee and kick your heel toward the ceiling, returning thigh to parallel position. Repeat 25 kicks, and switch sides. Do three sets, 25 reps on each leg.
• Squats: Holding 10-15 pound weights in each hand at thigh level, stand with feet hip width apart. Slowly lower your body, as if sitting in a chair, until hips are parallel to the floor, resting weights at waist level or on thighs. Keep all your weight on your heels and be sure that your knees are directly above ankles. Return to standing position and repeat three sets of 25 squats, being sure to keep your head and chest in an upright position.

If your gown is backless, these are specific exercises that can help you tone the muscles in your back:

• Bent Over Row: Holding 8-12 pound weights in each hand at thigh level, stand with feet hip width apart.  Bend at the waist with arms toward floor, knees slightly bent. Maintain a flat back and lift weights toward your ribcage, squeezing shoulder blades together and release. Do three sets, 15 reps.
• Reverse Fly: Holding 8-12 pound weights in each hand, stand with feet hip width apart. Step forward with one foot, bending slightly at the waist with your torso 45 degrees to floor. Without standing upright, extend arms outward as if to open the pages of a big book, elbows slightly bent. Squeeze your back muscles together and release. Do three sets,15 reps.

In addition to strength training 2-3 times a week, I also signed up for my first half marathon and a triathlon to keep my wedding gown workouts exciting and challenging. I felt beautiful on my big day knowing my hard work paid off, and you can too!

Be the first to know about new trends, celebrity style tips, real weddings and exclusive offers on David’s Bridal Facebook and Twitter pages!

Amy Oselkin, Celebrity Style Expert

1. Forget the double stick tape: Contrary to popular belief, double stick tape can cause more problems than it solves. For starters, it can ruin delicate fabrics and wreak havoc on your skin. Instead of relying on tape to hold everything in place, take the time to get clothes altered and fitted to your body. Even Dancing with the Stars costume designer Randall Christian refuses to use double stick tape on the show. He told me that a properly fitted garment is really the only way to avoid a wardrobe malfunction.

2. Come prepared: “I always carry bobby pins in my purse,” Twilight star Ashley Greene reveals. As Ashley knows, unexpected occurrences are bound to happen so it is best to be on guard. If a gust of wind should mess up your hairstyle or wild dancing leaves you looking disheveled, a handy bobby pin will have you looking refreshed in no time. Plus, it gives you an excuse to carry around a cute clutch.

3. Elongate with neutrals: Rachel Bilson jokingly refers to herself as vertically challenged so to add the illusion of height she wears nude heels. “If you have a skirt on, nude shoes elongate your legs,” she explains. “It really helps us short people.”

4. Timing is everything: Kim Kardashian told me it takes her two to three hours to get ready for a red carpet event. Granted we don’t all take that long, but we know rushing is stressful and frankly, no fun. Whether you are getting ready for your wedding or for a date, just make sure to leave ample time for primping.

5. Matchy makeup: Gossip Girl Jessica Szhor knows how to avoid being the butt of bad gossip. Her advice: “Never wear eye shadow that matches your dress,” In other words, if you are wearing a bright blue dress, don’t wear bright blue eye-shadow please. The whole matchy-matchy thing just doesn’t work.

6. Don’t forget to accessorize. Accessories can totally transform an outfit, especially if it is something you have already worn. Even Kate Middleton breathes new life into clothes she has already worn by pairing them with a different shoe or hat.

7. Serious about Shapewear: Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively swear by shapewear to suck in their tummies, avoid panty lines and lift their butts. While shapewear is no longer a Hollywood secret, it is still a necessity. The proper body-shaping undergarment is imperative to creating a picture-perfect look. There’s an overwhelming variety of styles and fabrics available now including less expensive lines like Assets, sold at David’s Bridal.

8. Get some shut eye: As boring as it might sound, everyone from Madonna to Mandy Moore has told me the best red carpet secret is going to bed early. No matter how tempting it is to party the night before your wedding make sure you squeeze in some sleep. That way you’ll be under-eye- circle-free when you walk down the aisle or into an event

9. Skip the soft drinks: While a Diet Coke is tempting every now and then, resist the urge to have one before a big event. Seriously! The carbonation causes major bloating.

10. Pictures don’t lie: No matter how much time and money you spend on hair and makeup, if you don’t feel good about yourself you won’t look good. As Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas once told me, “Even if you are taking a risk, own it. Be true to yourself.” Confidence truly is the best red carpet secret.