Strut Bridal

5 Tips for a Fabulous Wedding Up Do

If you're looking to wear your hair up for your wedding, keep these five tips in mind:

• Always have a trial run: Bring a photo or two to a trial run with a hair stylist you know and like. If you don't like the results from the first attempt, be sure to speak up so s/he can make it right. You may want to photograph your hair from several angles to see how it looks, and be sure to note how it holds up over the next few hours.
• Don't wash your hair the day of the wedding:Wash your hair the night before your wedding so your hair isn't so slippery and up do will hold better.

• Pick a hairspray with a low alcohol content: The low alcohol content will help prevent hair from getting that crunchy feeling. Start with just a little bit and add more as needed.
• Think about your reception look:If you're taking off your veil post-ceremony, consider leaving in your tiara or adding in a jeweled comb. Be sure to have your hair stylist show a member of your wedding party how to add or change accessories without messing up your 'do. Some combs are heavy and may need extra pins for support.

 

• Consider your face shape when planning your style:A rounder head looks slimmer with an up do high on the head. Wisps of hair around the face can soften angular features.

Remember, this is your day to go big and fabulous, so consider trying a bold up do!

How to Choose a Necklace That Complements Your Wedding Gown

Martha Stewart Weddings recently did a nice spread on different wedding dress necklines and which necklace worked best with each type of neckline, so we thought we'd pass that along and add a couple of extra tips.

The first couple of photos show a strapless wedding gown with a rather plain (non-beaded) bodice. Both of these dresses look great with a bold necklace, as seen below:

 
 
We love these bold pieces. You could even consider adding color, if you want to make a splash. But if your bodice has more details, such as lace, beading, ruffles, a crumb catcher, etc., you'll want to pick a piece that's a bit more dainty. You'll still want a round shape, but you'll probably want pearls or crystals that aren't so big.

If you have a v-neck wedding dress, you'll want to keep the same shape with your necklace and get something dangly, like this:

 
Finally, if your wedding gown is a one-strap, you'll probably just want to stick to a pair of killer earrings:

 

Generally speaking, it's too much to wear a bold necklace with chandelier earrings if you have an ornate gown; simpler styles can sometimes handle both. And remember to keep things in proportion: if you're a busty bride or have a rouder neck, you don't want a teeny chain that will get lost.

Once you pick your wedding dress, then it's time to start shopping for accessories (or asking to borrow Grandma's pearls!). Feel free to bring your jewels with you when your gown comes in and you try it on. We love seeing your ideas for your final look, too!

Down the Aisle with a Personalized Touch

So many brides are finding clever ways to infuse their wedding with their personality or items that represent the couple: how they met, where they like to travel, their favorite hobbies and more. We love the idea of incorporating something fun and different down the aisle, so consider replacing the traditional ring bearer pillow with one of these clever ideas from Brides magazine:

• A piece of coral (our thoughts: for your beach wedding, also consider using dish of sand from your favorite bach, seashell, or a bowl carved from driftwood)
• A kid-size fishing pole with rings tied to the hook
• A coconut shell
• A pincushion (our thoughts: especially an heirloom one!)
• A box lined with a matching pillow (our thoughts: brides who have significant alterations done to their dress or have a lot hemmed off the bottom may be able to craft a pillow cover from wedding dress leftovers for a matching look!)
• A book of poetry
• A cross-stitched embroidery hoop
• A slice of tree trunk
• A bed of moss
• A small vintage bowl or teacup
• A horsehoe
• A bird's nest
• A paper fortune cookie
• A tiny pumpkin (our thoughts: or non-pokey cactus, for our southwest brides!)
• A baseball mitt (our thoughts: or any artifact from your favorite sport)
• An antique jewelry box
• A vintage key
• A top hat
• On the ring bearer's lapel

We also love the idea of using a chalice, for our Shakespearean-themed wedding brides. Our shoe lovers could send their rings down the aisle in fancy footwear. Thespians could use a dramatic mask. Music lovers could send rings down the aisle tied to the favorite instrument. If you already have children, consider using one of the bowls they made as a child. You know, the ones with the adorable handprints!

What other objects have our Phoenix area brides used? Let us know!

 

Wedding Jewelry Trunk Show this Saturday!

Strut is super excited to announce the launch of a new jewelry collection: J. Bond Wedding Jewelry. We first met local artist Stephanie Bond at a networking event and were so distracted by her table full of sparkly, glittery that we could hardly hold a conversation with her. Everything was so pretty!

Then we looked at the prices. And did a double take. Seriously? Hand made jewelry starting at just $16 for earrings?! It was unbelievable! Then Stephanie offered to a line just for Strut and we were... well... smitten!

 
Stephanie uses gorgeous pearls and Swarovski crystals. She also uses this totally cool magnetic clasp for her necklaces and bracelets. That means her stuff is way easier to put on (not just for brides--think about moms and grandmas who would love her easy to wear pieces!).

We think it's pretty cool that we're the only bridal store in the Phoenix area to carry her line. We love that she takes custom orders, too. But really we love her because she gets us. I tried on a couple of bracelets that were a bit snug. Not a problem, she said. She took them back, made them a bit longer, and now we have a cool sizing device in the store.

It was that easy. Same with necklaces--on curvy and plus size brides, you need pieces that will stand out again buxom chests or strong shoulders, and Stephanie was quick to suggest pieces that would work best for us.

 

We always carry a number of pieces in the store, but Stephanie will be bringing a whole lot more to our trunk show this Saturday. Here are the details:

TRUNK SHOW at STRUT

Saturday, November 6th, 11am-4pm. No cost to attend; reservations not required.

And what's a trunk show with a special offer? Yep--buy three pieces and get one free on this one day only. Stop on by!

 

Design Your Own Wedding Shoes

Yes, our latest shoe obsession starts with the Nina website where you can actually design your own wedding shoes. You can pick from several different styles, and then pick the heel height, and then choose colors for the different parts of the shoe, including--are you ready??--your SOLES.

Yep, you could save your pop of color for the soles of your shoes, letting your wedding photographer and guests just catch a fleeting glimpse under your wedding dress.

It's fun to play around on the site.

Addictive, even.

I started with the Electra shoe, 4" heel height, in size 8. In keeping with my recent interest in black and white weddings, I did a black satin shoe (including the heel) with a white bow. Then I did Strut pink soles.

 

Then I did it again and kept the whole shoe white with a black bow. Then I added clear sparkles to the bow (you can even choose the color of the crystals). And made the soles Strut pink. I think these could easily be a business expense, right?

Ideas for Your Black & White Wedding

I love the crisp, clean look of a black and white wedding. It's such a versatile trend--you can go spare and modern or add some vintage accents for a warmer feel. It's a blank slate that you can totally make your own. So when I saw the black and white wedding spread in a bridal magazine, I just had to share some of their awesome ideas with our Strut brides!

 
The black and white wedding bouquet is so striking. I love the stems wrapped in black ribbon. I'd carry it against an all white dress, though, not one with a black sash. I also adore the black and white shoes. You can probably find similar shoe clips to add to any pair you find.

 
The black and white candy buffet and black and white take on the classic martini are pretty darn cool. But it's the box favors that really caught my eye. It's hard to tell on this image, but that heart? It's the couple's THUMBPRINTS. Talk about amazing--the blending of families, the union of a couple, all expressed in overlapping thumbprints. Well done!

Plus Size Wedding Garters Have Arrived at Strut!

The wearing of a garter on the wedding day is a tradition that dates back over 600 years. While some of our Strut brides are moving beyond the groom removing the garter and tossing it, we still think it's a sexy little secret you can let your beloved discover after the revelry has ended that night.

And now, even our curvy and beautiful plus size brides can partake in this wedding date tradition because we got in custom made, just for us plus size wedding garters! Woohoo!

Here are the details:

• They are available in 2 sizes, medium and large
• The size large stretches to nearly 30"--perfect for wearing just above or below the knee
• Prices range from $20-$30
• If you're looking for something in particular, we have a full catalog to share with you, so don't hestitate to make a special request!
• They are made in the USA!

We have a revolving selection of regular and plus size wedding garters in white and ivory. We have some with a touch of blue, and, right now, have that beautiful black and white garter in stock for you brides with the black and white wedding theme!

Take a look at the garters--they're out on display because we think you should be able to TOUCH your wedding day merchandise (it's the same reason we don't put our wedding dresses in plastic bags). You can even try them on to find the size that's right for you!

A Quick Guide to Wedding Bouquets

I found this little cheat sheet on wedding bouquets in one of my wedding magazines and had to share. It's much easier to see the styles next to each other for fast comparison. Here they are:

Now, we always think in terms of our curvy and plus size brides, so let's talk about each type and how it relates to Strut brides.

1. Posy: These are smaller and less formal. These are great for bridesmaids as they can save a bit on floral costs. These are coming back in style and would look great for an outdoor wedding.

2. Round: This is a classic style that works well for beautiful plus size brides. While posies and nosegays will have a similar look, you have to be careful about balancing the flowers to your dress silhouette. As we've advised in the past, a size 6 bride in a slim trumpet would need a different size bouquet than a size 26 bride in a ball gown.

3. Nosegay: These are very popular and usually feature the tied stems, which can show off pretty ribbon or wire accents with a charm or family memento.

4. Pomander: Usually left for bridesmaids or flower girls, or used for less formal weddings. Remember, you need to carry a good size ball if you're a plus size bride.

5. Cascade: You might be thinking they were left in the 80s, but they were not. In fact, major wedding dress brands are featuring them in advertising today. Keep yours modern looking by avoiding lots of pieces hanging down.

6. Pageant or presentation: These days you most often see a lily (or several) cradled in the crook of an arm. This is an elegant look; just don't let a single bloom get "lost" against your dress!

As always, speak with your wedding planner and/or florist about what style would look best for you based on your personal style, wedding theme, and size (of you and your dress!).

Custom Cake Toppers Made to Look Just Like You!

The best weddings have the best details just right. So when we stumbled upon these awesome custom cake toppers, we had to share them with you. They're such a unique way to personalize your wedding! Check this out:

1. You pick a theme, such as your favorite hobbies or your profession,

2. Send in your photos,

3. Voila! You get a one of a kind cake topper that reflects your job or interests AND looks just like you.

Here's an example:

The coolest part? They'll even add in your pet! Yep, Strut pup Dakota could've graced the top of cake... If only we had known!

Clever and cute AND so... YOU TWO. And that's what your wedding should be about.

By the way, these make a great gift!!

Something Blue... And Sparkly!

Even as a not-so-traditional bride, I still wanted to follow the old "something old, something new" tradition, complete with a sixpence that was my mom's (alas, we pinned it in my dress, because the shoes were uncomfortable enough without a big coin in them). So I was flipping through the newest Bride magazine (looking at the wedding dresses!!) and found these:

Yep--blue heel rings. They have stretchy silver backing with blue crystals, and I think they're such a cute way to wear your "something blue".  A little odd? Perhaps. But hey, each bride gets to show her individuality in different ways. These would look awesome on white, ivory or silver shoes under your wedding dress.

If you're not into blue heel rings, how about a little rhinestone kiss peeking out from under your wedding dress? Check out this:

Truthfully, "real world Ann" kind of rolls her eyes at these, but "bride Ann" would've rocked them. In a heartbeat. Because your wedding day is your one day to have big hair, outrageous gemstones, smoky eyes... anything you want to wear with your dream wedding dress!

These awesome shoe clips (and other slightly odd accessories, such as boot sleeves) can be found at Erica Guiliani.