Tis’ the season of giving, so what better than to receive a gift of glorious, glamorous, sparkle-n-shine inspiration to help spread plenty of holiday cheer this season? Whether you’re planning a holiday party, or sprinkling on the final sugary details to your winter wedding, we hope to help inspire you to make every little detail an absolute delight!

Bling in the holidays with a few of our favorites from the winter blog wonderlands aplenty…

Think 'Pretty in Pink' Cheer!

The Perfect Party Dress is a MUST!

And don't forget a mistletoe-ready mane!

Ring in the Bling!

Prance like a Party-Perfect Princess!

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and VIXEN...

Wishing for a Wonderland of Winter White...

Festive table decor - just add tinsel!

Make everyone on your list an Angel...

Deck the halls with sticks and candles...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LITTLE WHITE DRESS BRIDAL SHOP!

On such a spooktacular day, we can’t help but fondly remember all of the frightfully fun and creative Halloween brides we’ve had throughout the years!  And, like the eyes of a Jack-o-Lantern, we’re all lit up with excitement and energy (could have been all the candy we’ve eaten) by the gorgeous Halloween wedding inspiration pictures popping up around the web today.

Below, a few of our favorites…

A Ghoulishly Glamorous Wedding Storyboard

Even Tom Burton Would Love THIS Halloween Bride & Groom

A Haunted Halloween Venue...Be Careful Where You Roam...

Spooktacular Sweets are a MUST!

The Mysterious Murder Mansion Venue...Will You Be There When The Lights Go Out?

Gorgeous & Glam Halloween Photo Props - We LOVE These!

Vampiressly Vibrant Spiderweb Table Decor

Beetlejuice-esque Beauty

Signature Croak-tail Glasses

Try a Perfect Pumpkin Signature Cocktail, Praying Mantis or a Corpse Reviver!

A Haunted Halloween Wedding Storyboard

So, as we prepare to ourselves for the loads of eye candy we’re already guaranteed to be sweet on – layers of lace, tousles of tulle, aisles of organza, seas of satin and so much more – we fondly reflect on some impressionable trends of the past century…

Bridal in the 1940's

1940′s: A common trend of this decade was the sheath dress, thinner waists and cap sleeves.

Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, kick-starting new Bridal Trends in the 1950's

1950′s: The emergence of ballgown-esque dresses with shorter hemlines, quite similar to the poodle skirts that were popular for everyday wear, along with defined necklines, cap sleeves, very intentional sharp angle cuts in the fabric, and a smaller waistline.

Carolina Herrera's 1968 Bride Style

1960's Bridal

1960′s: Enter the revived empire wedding dress, a high-waisted dress, gathered near or just under the bust with a long, loose skirt, which skims the body – especially flattering to pear-shaped women.

Bridal in the 1970's

Margaux Hemingway's 1975 Wedding

1970′s: Two major trends marked this decade: an off-the-shoulder shawl or high neckline (as pictured above, many times used to make spaghetti-strapped dresses more modest) or Grecian-inspired gowns.

Donna Karan herself captures Bridal Style of 1980's

1980′s: Three words: Big Hair, Big Shoulders, Big Day.

Carolyn Bessette's Bride Style in the 1990's

1990′s: Big and bold are two words that come to mind. Elements of the late 80′s – noteably big shoulders, puffy sleeves and bows – stayed for a few years, embellished with excessive embroidery and beading, before brides started asking for more free-flowing, fluid materials, sexier and streamlined looks, plunging V-necks, strapless necklines and sleeveless gowns that showcased bare arms.

Color is IN in the 2000's

Portia de Rossi stunned the guests in a pink blush ballgown during her vows to Ellen DeGeneres

Gwen Stefani WOWed in a pink, hand-dyed gown

2000′s: Color! In many ways, adding color is reflective of the new millennium trend toward individuality. Also, silhouette becomes a focal point with the introduction of the ‘Fit & Flare’ gown.

2010 is a Bridal Style Decade Remix!

2010 Bridal Style - Destination Diva

2010′s: Don’t call it a comeback! This is when we see past styles from every decade emerge with sexier, slinkier silhouettes, belted waistlines, tea-length and asymmetrical necklines and waistlines.

What's To Come In 2012???

2012: What’s to come this year???

With a completely full appointment book for the Claire Pettibone Trunk Show, LWD was buzzing with excitement, “It’s The ONE!” wedding dress anticipation, overwhelming amounts of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from admiring friends & family…and SO many favorite Claire gowns!

Here are just a few of the gorgeous gowns that our brides picked as THEIR most amazing wedding gown this weekend, paired with fabulous matching accessories by Love Veils, Maria Elena and many more!

Claire Pettibone's Luna with a Maria Elena headpiece

Claire Pettibone's Cassandra with a Veil Trends hair piece

Claire Pettibone's Constance with a Love Veil

Claire Pettibone's Lydia with a Love Veils headpiece in Minneapolis

Claire Pettibone's Nocturne

Claire Pettibone's Kristene

Claire Pettibone's Cloisonne

Stay tuned into our Event Calendar for more fabulous events to come!

Little White Dress Bridal Shop was recently selected as the exclusive home of Justina McCaffrey’s Haute Couture Bridal Collection in Colorado, so we’re through-the-roof thrilled to host our first-ever Justina McCaffrey Trunk Show this month, July 11-24th!

Described by Conde Nast Traveler as “a riot of swirling white silk,” Justina McCaffrey designs are perfect for the bride who wishes for a romantic dress that exudes an air of tradition, simplicity and elegance. On the runway, Justina has continually launched a high-art blend of movement and silk. Her vision of beauty and grace shine through in a magical way, presenting each bride with a blend of her own Prince Charming, a touch of Alice in Wonderland and a dash of Disney’s Fantasia.

On July 23 and July 24th, Justina HERSELF will be here to help brides find their own, perfect, fabulous and AMAZING wedding gown from her collection. Make your appointment today to meet the designer, shop the collection…and find The One!

Make your appointment today to try on ”Pam” and our entire Fancy New York collection at Little White Dress Bridal Shop!

Fancy New York, as seen in Unveiled Magazine's Spring 2011 issue.

A close up of Fancy New York's "Pam", seen in Unveiled Magazine.

As seen in Martha Stewart Weddings, our Justin Alexander (style 9665) radiates pure bow beauty with a crystal embellished bust-line bow. This looks fantastic on smaller busts to provide balance and subtle bling.

Our Justin Alexander 9665, as seen on page 120 in the current Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

In store, we have SO MANY options for adding bows and accessorizing with bows to perfectly AMP up your special occasion outfit and wedding day look! See the below options, then make your appointment to bow-tique yourself!

Maria Elena Bracelet - Style 4057 with Satin Bow

Sondra Roberts Clutch - Style R47809B Satin Bow Purse

Love Veils - "Charleston" Bow

Avine Perucci - Style 541 with Sash Bow

Alvina Valenta 9034 with Waist Bow

Alvina Valenta 9082 with Shoulder Bow

You're invited to our William & Kate Wedding Date Party!

When: April 29, 2011

Time: 6:30am!!!

Where: Little White Dress Bridal Shop, 3420 W. 32^nd Ave., Denver, CO 80211

Beginning at 6:30am, we’ll be watching live coverage of the Royal Wedding and warmly invite all of our brides, friends, family and industry peers to join us for the fabulous celebration!

Channel 2/Fox 31 and Channel 9 will be here filming LIVE broadcasts at 6:15am, 6:45am, 7:15am, 7:45am, 8:15am and 8:45am. This is an event NOT to be missed!

We’ll be serving assorted breakfast pastries and quiches, scones & jam, tea sandwiches, crumpets & English tea…AND to top it off, everyone who comes will be crowned with a bejeweled TIARA – it’s mandatory to watch the wedding in style!

Call us at 303.814.8972 to let us know you’re coming – we KNOW it’s early, but we’re going to have FUN and look forward to seeing you!

And before we get into the FABULOUS details, you must know this: LWD has SO much in store for brides in the coming months, so JUST WAIT until you see the new collections by Justina McCaffrey (um, she’s the cutest thing ever!), Anaiss On Weddings and – yes, say it ain’t so – the one and only Badgley Mischka! Also to come?  More stunning jewelry and beautiful hair ornaments by Paris by Debra Moreland and Maria Elena Headpieces, and fab handbags by Sondra Roberts.  June-September will be an exciting time with all of the new arrivals!

So, back to telling you about Bridal Market last week…!!!

Unlike the Bridal Market (called “Market” in the wedding industry) that takes place every October in New York, April’s Market is much quieter, yet – fortunately for us – SO MANY fabulous gown and accessory designers were on hand throughout the city, from the Wedding Channel Couture Show at the Intercontinental Barclay to New York International Bridal Week at Pier 94, the designer showrooms on 7th Avenue, and ultra sophisticated Essex House.

Venues:
The more relaxed, intimate vibe of April’s Market is super conducive to spending quality time with each designer. Pier 94 tends to centralize designers in one location so that buyers (like LWD!) don’t have to travel all over the city to get things done. Thank you New York International Bridal Week at Pier 94!

Accessories: Crystal, sequined and floral sashes and belts remain a super popular bridal fashion trend with most bridal gown designers including sashes in their new collections. (Wait until you see the Badgley Mischka sashes that we’ll have in store…STUNNING!) From
fascinators to hats, and russian blushers to feathered flowers, designer accoutrements were in abundance!  There will always be a special place in our hearts for the traditional veil, but alternatives continue to grow in popularity. Fancy New York’s new collection includes one-of-a-kind vintage bridal hats with netting and feathers. Some of New York’s finest millinery houses have even added vintage inspired couture bridal hats,
fascinators and retro headpieces to their collections.

Fancy New York Separates & Blusher

Bridal gowns: Over-the-top dresses with amazing, elaborate skirts for the fashion statement bride, and quite plain dresses with asymmetrical rusched bodices and no lace or beadwork for the keep-it-simple bride – both available in their own unique variations with most designers. Several dresses in the new collections balance these two extremes very nicely in modified mermaid or fit and flare silhouettes, with simple rusched bodices and stylized, beautiful skirts together in one dress. Head-to-toe slender lace silhouettes are still available and seem to
become more beautiful each season.

“Pick ups” on skirts continue to be a trend that is ending or has ended, and skirts now have softer drapings of fabrics or elaborate, statement features.

Ready-to-wear influences are noticeable in a more “relaxed” collection by some designers, including Fancy New York’s new bridal separates – mix-and-match skirts, blouses and sweater options – ideal for the unconventional, casual or 2nd/3rd time bride! (Recently featured in WWD!)

New gowns from St. Pucchi

Badgley Mischka gowns!

Justina McCaffrey

Claire Pettibone continues her MAGIC and presented a well-edited selection of five new gowns, three of which are priced under $2,650.

Claire Pettibone

We look forward to showing you the results of April Market buying trip at LWD!

Here’s a look at our upcoming designer events:

May 20-29, 2011: Badgley Mischka Trunk Show at LWD!  See the new collection straight off the runway

June 25-26, 2011: Sassi Holford English Tea Trunk Show at LWD!  Kate Middleton visited Sassi’s shop in London several months ago!

July 11-24, 2011: Justina McCaffrey Trunk Show at LWD!  Meet the designer of the number one best selling gowns at Kleinfeld 3 years in a row!

June-September: Stay tuned for MORE new arrivals from Paris, Maria Elena, Claire Pettibone, Anaiss on Weddings, Justina McCaffrey and Badgley Mischka!

With all this talk about Royal weddings, we thought it would be fun to fancy a few Royal wedding facts…and our favorite was all about the color white!

Did you know that Queen Victoria popularized the use of white lace in bridal gowns at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840? Instead of wearing traditional brocade, which was popular at the time (in any color!), she said her vows in a white satin gown  and veil made from handmade Honiton lace.  The only spot of color was a sapphire brooch that the Prince had given her as a wedding present. After that, even common women – those other than Royalty – chose a royalty-inspired white gown instead of the simple Sunday-Best dress that used to be good enough.

Today, white lace takes on an entirely new view – be it amped up and sexy on the runway, or toned down into a casual cotton eyelet for the perfect summer sundress – in every way it’s overtly feminine and the drama is in the details. Why? Texture on timeless white is one of those luxurious elements that adds the kind of intimate, curious dimension that makes you want to reach out and touch it!

So how do you wear white lace without looking like Grandma’s coffee table doily? Sexy or sweet, follow these helpful tips:

• Try lace with clean accessories! Adding a veil or headpiece with too much ruffly or beaded frou-frou may overpower the beauty of the gown, so be mindful!
• Control your urge for over-the-top accessories! Baubles should be simple and delicate, and handbags should have a bit of structure and discreet hardwear. Remember, anything else on you body could snag the lace if you’re not careful about your selections!
• The perfect shoe? Typically light neutral colors work best to not overpower the lace, plus they’ll match the airiness of the lace. Don’t be afraid to show a little toe!

Below are a few of our favorite lace details right now!

A Moyna bag, available at Little White Dress.

Claire Pettibone's Orange Blossom, at Little White Dress.

Veil Trends Chapel Length Alencon Lace Mantilla

Siri Supper Club Dress with lace-like texture. Siri is available at LWD!

Manuel Moto for Pronovias "Atalaya" at LWD

Sassi Holford Hayley Shrug

Christian Louboutin laser-cut lace platforms