Blog Posts by ColinCowieWeddings.com

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

Our infatuation with British style doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon and, with the upcoming launch of the UK-based Pretty Dress Company on American shores, we're convinced that this is going to be a life-long love affair.

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Bridesmaids' dresses from The Pretty Dress Company

It's no secret that the Brits have a way with style. Bold and eclectic, here's a recent run-down of historical sartorial highlights. The late 1950's saw an all-out rejection of the 'mumsy' look that prevailed in fashion when young women and men revolted, spawning the British Youthquake that rocked fashion, beauty and music and turned out to be one of the most prevailingly positive and wildly creative moments in contemporary style. Girls' beehive hairdos, cat-eye glasses and sex-kitten stilettos balanced out their Teddy Boy male counterparts with stylized quiffs and slick rocker style.

The Swinging Sixties' fashion-forward folk

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

The expectations are high when you're walking the red carpet at the Met Costume Institute Ball, but Ashley Greene hit her "mark" in gorgeous glowing style. When you're walking down the aisle, think of it as your red carpet. Makeup Artist Julie Harris tells us how.

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Ashley Greene

Once a year the hottest celebs and cream of the fashion flock gather to pay tribute to the Metropolitan Costume Institute at its glittering gala. Striking young actress Ashley Greene, most notably of Twilight fame and now mark cosmetics brand ambassador, worked the red carpet like a seasoned pro.

A white Donna Karan Atelier gown flowed flawlessly over Greene's lithe curves. The light touch of silver beading was accented only with a shiny silver clutch and diamond drop earrings. Her look was simple, modern and fresh--one that holds universal appeal for all brides-to-be.

For her beauty look, Makeup Artist Julie Harris

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From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

In the history of entertaining, no guest has ever pooh-poohed a host who goes above-and-beyond the call of duty. Now it's your turn.Enhance your legacy with these five easy ways to make your one-time role as a bride brilliant:

1. WEATHER OR NOT
Was it Proust (or a virtuosic bride from flawless weddings past) who said, "A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves"?

If you're hosting an outdoor event, consider offering guests shawls to borrow should the weather turn a touch chilly, sunscreen or wide-brimmed hats should the sun come on too strong, or fans if the temp heats up.

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2. LATE-NIGHT PERKS
When the dance floor is pumping and guests are nowhere close to calling it a night, offer passed trays of late-night libations and snacks. It entices your guests to stay longer and makes them love you all the more.

3. KIDS KORNER
Ah children. To have or to banish tots from your affair is one of the touchiest subjects that arises when selecting a guest list. A

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

Oh, how bridesmaids have changed! Vatana Watters of Watters fame sets us straight on what today's bridesmaids should love and what they should lose.

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While we all loved the movie Bridesmaids (Vatana included), we're pretty sure most brides would prefer to keep those crazy scenarios out of real life. So, how do you satisfy all the personalities and tastes of your girls, while also making yourself happy? We decided to take this burning question, and a few more, to the experts at Watters.

Oh, how bridesmaids have changed! Vatana Watters of Watters fame sets us straight on what today's bridesmaids should love and what they should lose.

Watters started their company in 1986 solely designing bridesmaid dresses, only to add wedding gowns to their collection later on. With so many years under their sparkling and quite successful belts, they understand that brides and their girls today have a number of challenges, the biggest being the time factor.

"With today's busy lives it's so much harder for everyone in the bridal party to

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

Congratulations! You've accepted the marriage proposal with delight. Now, you must face…introducing your families to each other.

Introducing the FamiliesYou two aren't the only ones getting married. Your families will be merging and if they didn't already meet while you were dating, now's the time to make the introduction.

Traditionally, the groom's family is supposed to make the first call to the bride's parents. However, if that makes your fiancé's family uncomfortable or if time is simply passing and no one is making an effort to get acquainted, you and your fiancé can arrange for the two families to meet.

When the bride and groom's families have very different backgrounds, it is important to plan the first meeting so everyone feels comfortable and welcome. Avoid any situation that might embarrass either family.

If your fiancé's family is from a small town and has conservative tastes, don't take them to a sushi bar where the menu might

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

Pop the cork off a vintage bottle of champagne and let your wedding celebrations begin!

A sparkling wine by any other name just may taste as sweet (or dry, depending on your palate).

"Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!" may not, say historians, have been uttered by the French Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Perignon in 1693 in his abbey near lovely Epernay, the center of the Champagne region. But Dom Perignon is widely credited, and thanked, for developing Champagne-making techniques that are still carried out today.

Certainly one taste of the irresistible bubbly and it's easy to join the ranks of Napoleon, Mark Twain, Madame Pompadour, Oscar Wilde, and Dorothy Parker, who all famously adored Champagne. While nothing can quite compare to the taste of the French classic bubbly, there are plenty of sparkling wines worldwide that can be served--and satisfy--when budget or accessibility is in question.

Read on for a crib sheet of the best and brightest in sparkling wines. All are stars in the robust world of

From Inspire Me! on ColinCowieWeddings.com

Who should "give you away"? From going solo to choosing family beyond mom or dad, the options for brides are better than ever.

Who should

When bride Lela McArthur walked down the aisle to marry her beloved Steph Figarelle on Valentine's Day, their union may have appeared unconventional at first glance-after all, they were the first lesbian couple to ever marry at the Empire State Building. Still, Lela's grand entrance was utterly traditional: she chose to be "given away" to her betrothed at the altar.

Folklore says the tradition is rooted in the days of arranged marriages. Women were property of their fathers and so, as part of the transaction (which often included a financial exchange), it was up to the man to physically "give away" his daughter to the groom at the time of the marriage ceremony.

Not the most romantic custom to endure, indeed, but even today, a remnant of this action is still very much alive and well-only now with a