David's Bridal

Karen Bussen, Celebrity Wedding Planner and Author

If you’re celebrating your wedding in a beautiful outdoor garden, chances are you’ve imagined your guests mingling among flowering blossoms surrounded by lush greenery and softly shining sun.

But like any outdoor celebration, a garden wedding requires some extra care and planning to make sure it grows into the big day of your dreams. Here are a few of my favorite tips and ideas:

Blossoming Bridesmaids. Dress your bridesmaids in a sophisticated natural hue that will complement your surroundings. I am in love with this Clover green David’s Bridal frock. Green is everywhere in nature and works well with any color of bouquet flowers.

Flower Girl Power! Choose dresses and accessories with a chic floral motif for the little ladies in your bridal party. Consider this satin ball gown with laser-cut floral appliques or this glamorous budding basket.

Pick pretty floral details to accent the party. Serve a signature cocktail infused with lavender or verbena. Ask your caterer to sprinkle edible flowers atop a salad or on your wedding cake. Adorn your aisle with a personalized floral runner, like this one with a bright late-summer cosmo motif. I love the border of petals too!

Plan for weather, just in case. Of course it will be beautiful on your wedding day—but you still need to think about what happens if a quick shower passes through. The biggest concern is rain (which, by the way, is good luck on your wedding day!), so ask your venue representative what has worked best in terms of moving folks inside, and walk through the space with an eye to how you’d like buffets and décor to be repositioned if it must be moved. But beyond rain, think about sun and wind. If the sun will be hot during your ceremony or cocktail hour, perhaps you’ll want to provide some paper parasols for the ladies, or put out a great basket of funky sunglasses. For wind concerns, consider decorating with candle lanterns that are deep or have a door to protect flames from blowing out, or just opt for one of the new great LED pillar candles, which are powered by batteries and will last through the whole party.

Now that you have the tools you need to create the garden wedding of your dreams, here’s my most important piece of advice for making it all perfect. As the old saying goes, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses!” On your big day, take time to notice all the beautiful details and be mindful of the great love that has blossomed in your heart.

Dan Rentillo, David’s Bridal Design Director

Season to season, brides seek out the latest trends for themselves and their bridal party with the hopes of making their day extra perfect and uber stylish. Each season our design team at David’s Bridal unveils styles that can be tailored to every bride’s unique vision. Our luxurious Spring 2011 collection is no exception, truly complementing both the bride and her bridal party’s personal styles, body types and budgets.

Here are a few of my current favorite spring looks based on two of the must-have trends of the season – feminine detailing and fanciful fabrics:

• The Blossoming Bride: This season, bridal silhouettes range from sleek, sexy flowing styles to dramatic, jaw dropping voluminous ball gowns. A major trend is gorgeous details including three-dimensional flowers, modern laces and ruffles. This Galina Signature strapless taffeta ball gown is a glamorous example of what’s on trend. With a form-fitting bodice and dropped waist, the gown also features cascading floral appliqués, shaping the breathtaking skirt. Brides can personalize her look with dramatic crystal jewelry, long white gloves and/or a floral headpiece.

• Fashion-Forward Bridesmaids: This spring, brides and her bridesmaids will love the fashion-forward, feminine wear-again bridal party styles. Playful, girly prints and bright colors are key and this David’s Bridal strapless charmeuse dress is a perfect example of this trend. The slim skirt and ruched waist creates a silhouette that is both flattering and versatile for the entire bridal party. Brides can even add some flair to their party by mixing this print with solid dresses in the same color – Horizon.

• Delicate Flower Girls: New Flower girl styles featuring ruffled skirts and three-dimensional flowers mirror the feminine bridal and bridesmaid designed dresses. This David’s Bridal angelic full-length ball gown includes a charming floral detail on the shoulder. Plus, the pop of color in the sash (a key trend for flower girls) gives the bride an easy way to seamlessly incorporate the flower girl with the rest of the bridal party.

• Modern Mother of the Bride or Groom: It’s all in the details for Mothers of the Bride and Groom with modern designs reigning supreme. Figure-flattering ruching, sleek off-the shoulder necklines and multi-tiered skirts, finished with shimmer and shine in metallic soft chiffons and taffetas, truly let mom sparkle on this special day. This stunning off-the-shoulder style showcases what’s on trend at the moment. Finished with a center broach, the stretch taffeta fabric is comfortable, flattering and chic.

Happy Shopping to you and your bridal party!

Dan Rentillo, David’s Bridal Design Director Season to season, brides seek out the latest trends for themselves and their bridal party with the hopes of making their day extra perfect and uber stylish. Each season our design team at David’s Bridal unveils styles that can be tailored to every bride’s unique vision. Our luxurious Spring 2011 collection is no exception, truly complementing both the bride and her bridal party’s personal styles, body types and budgets.

Here are a few of my current favorite spring looks based on two of the must-have trends of the season – feminine detailing and fanciful fabrics:

• The Blossoming Bride: This season, bridal silhouettes range from sleek, sexy flowing styles to dramatic, jaw dropping voluminous ball gowns. A major trend is gorgeous details including three-dimensional flowers, modern laces and ruffles. This Galina Signature strapless taffeta ball gown is a glamorous example of what’s on trend. With a form-fitting bodice and dropped waist, the gown also features cascading floral appliqués, shaping the breathtaking skirt. Brides can personalize her look with dramatic crystal jewelry, long white gloves and/or a floral headpiece.

• Fashion-Forward Bridesmaids: This spring, brides and her bridesmaids will love the fashion-forward, feminine wear-again bridal party styles. Playful, girly prints and bright colors are key and this David’s Bridal strapless charmeuse dress is a perfect example of this trend. The slim skirt and ruched waist creates a silhouette that is both flattering and versatile for the entire bridal party. Brides can even add some flair to their party by mixing this print with solid dresses in the same color – Horizon.

• Delicate Flower Girls: New Flower girl styles featuring ruffled skirts and three-dimensional flowers mirror the feminine bridal and bridesmaid designed dresses. This David’s Bridal angelic full-length ball gown includes a charming floral detail on the shoulder. Plus, the pop of color in the sash (a key trend for flower girls) gives the bride an easy way to seamlessly incorporate the flower girl with the rest of the bridal party.

• Modern Mother of the Bride or Groom: It’s all in the details for Mothers of the Bride and Groom with modern designs reigning supreme. Figure-flattering ruching, sleek off-the shoulder necklines and multi-tiered skirts, finished with shimmer and shine in metallic soft chiffons and taffetas, truly let mom sparkle on this special day. This stunning off-the-shoulder style showcases what’s on trend at the moment. Finished with a center broach, the stretch taffeta fabric is comfortable, flattering and chic. [Insert image of style 48070H].

Happy Shopping to you and your bridal party!