the creative process ~ update

Saltwater Farm Vineyard at night, image by Joshua Behan Photography

We are gearing up full speed ahead for our event this Sunday (Saltwater Farm Vineyard) with some of the most talented people in the industry, including guest speaker Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty! The schedule of workshops that will run throughout the day have just been posted on the Weddings the Creative Process Blog.

The first 50 guests to buy tickets in advance of the event will receive a gift bag, filled with amazing gifts from all participating vendors and will be registered for a chance to win one of many prizes in the raffle. (some of the prizes include, a Tocca Bath & Body Beauty Set, dress from Twobirds bridesmaid, vintage broach from White Dress by the shore, Gift Basket of products from Life is Good, and many more. You can purchase tickets directly online via paypal.

xoxo TWD

calling fall maids ~ jenny yoo trunk show

Join us May 7th - 9th for a Jenny Yoo Trunk Show!

Jocelyn

Jenny’s stunning collection of bridesmaids and bridal alternatives will be discounted by 10% for the event. The discount is applied to Jenny’s pricing structure based on the number of maids in the party.

Join us on Saturday, May 8th and meet designer Jenny Yoo!

Phoebe

You will also have the opportunity to receive an additional 10% off if you select colors from the shantung color palate below. These are stunning colors that Jenny has taken off of her line. Quantities in these colors are very limited and based on availability.

Call 860.669.4596 to schedule your appointment. Maids do not need to be present for purchase to be made. Sizes can be provided at a later date.

xoxo TWD

hot from the runway ~ modern trousseau

Modern Trousseau's 2010 bridal collection will be joining us this weekend hot from the runway!

Join us for an appointment this weekend, May 1st and 2nd and be the first to view and try on Modern Trousseau's stunning new bridal collection! It will only be here for the weekend, so don't miss out!

Macey

Call 860.669.4596 to set up your exclusive consultation

xoxo TWD

3 amazing lines ~ one event

Vineyard, Reverie and Jewel Trunk Show
April 23rd - 26th | by appointment

A 10% discount will be granted off of any Vineyard, Reverie and Jewel gown purchased during this exclusive event.

Maeve from The Vineyard Collection

Join us Saturday April 25th and meet Kelly Faetanini, the designer of Priscilla of Boston's newest collection ~ Jewel. A stunning line of bead encrusted gowns for the bride searching for opulence. This line has the look of couture at an amazing value ~ prices start at $2500! Be the first to try on the collection, straight from the runway! Check out our Bridal Market post below to view the runway show for all 3 collections!

Trunk Show Hours ~
THURSDAY | April 23 | 12 - 8
FRIDAY | April 24 | 11 - 7
SATURDAY | April 25 | 10 - 4
SUNDAY | April 26 | 11 - 3

Call 860.669.4596 to schedule your appointment

Fiesole from the Reverie Collection

xoxo TWD

your wedding needs under one roof ~ almost

We are excited to announce that we have added two amazing businesses to our space! Our lovely and talented seamstress Josie Jolon has opened a lingerie and foundation boutique called Beneath the Gown. Josie offers complimentary bra fittings and will assist you in finding the perfect foundation for your gown and something a little sassy for the post wedding festivities!

Make-up artist Jennie Fresa has opened a makeup studio in the building next to ours that we affectionately call “The Red House”. Jenny’s aesthetic is best described as a pared-down, natural look. Her makeup philosophy is to keep it simple: know your options, find what works for you and embrace your own unique features.

xoxo TWD

be engaged

We have teamed up with our dear friend Christine Toner from Stonington Design + Paperie to create a series of events called Be Engaged. This series will feature conversations and book signings with some of the wedding industries top experts. Here are a few experts from the Chic by the shore blog (the blog that we share with Stonington Design+Paperie) that discuss the two events that we have held to date. Stay tuned for our next Be Engaged event to take place this fall.

be engaged | march 22nd | michelle rago

The evening wound down with an intimate dinner for the event contributors at the Bee and Thistle Inn & Spa. Innkeeper Linnea Rufo hosted the group in front of a roaring fire while Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral Design and Boutique and Allison Salvati of Something Blue Special Events added more spark to our dinner conversation, not to mention lots of help putting the event together. Accommodations for our guests were generously provided by the Bee and Thistle Inn & Spa while Jennie Fresa treated us all to complimentary makeup sessions the next morning.

That Sunday morning 40 guests gathered in the newly renovated salon space at The White Dress by the shore for an intimate conversation with Michelle Rago, Anne Chertoff, Beth and Christine. Brides had the opportunity to ask the experts their event planning questions, and the conversation flowed as Michelle and Anne were so refreshing and approachable. A range of topics were covered—from wedding gown shopping tips to sending your save the dates to choosing the perfect venue. After the panel discussion, several lucky guests won giveaways sponsored by Crate and Barrel and Hana Floral Design and Boutique. Everyone then enjoyed tea and cheese from Savvy Tea while Michelle and Anne signed their most recent books. Guests were also treated to delicious wedding cake from Ana Parzych in our chic by the shore studio.

We thank Michelle, Anne and all our event contributors from the bottom of our hearts for sharing their talents and wisdom with us!

Stay tuned for the 3rd event being planned for the fall. . .and enjoy these pictures below from Rick Scanlan.

be engaged | march 1st | karen bussen

simple and stunning. . .those are two words that come to mind when we think of the lovely and enormously talented karen bussen. she's a celebrated nyc event planner and author who took the time to come visit us on the connecticut shoreline this past weekend. how lucky are we?

we started the weekend off at the amazing bee and thistle inn and spa with gracious owner and vocal artist, linnea rufo. the stunning ann nyberg of wtnh 8 joined our dinner and moderated the panel with such genuine grace -- we are forever grateful. the talented photography duo justin and mary marantz added a warmth that only newlyweds can exude. plus the fabulous allison salvati was once again kind enough to be a part of our planning team.

but wait there is more. . .

the genius of hana floral design and boutique, yumiko fletcher, brought karen bussen's designs to life. jennie fresa treated us all to her signature services and new makeup line. [how lucky are we?] bloomingdale's showered our guests with lavish giveaways while the generous talents at metro catering poured karen bussen's prosseco punch and designed the delicious delectables. we were also fortunate to have the help of rj julia–the booksellers extraordinaire–to coordinate the signing.

and we had the loveliest of brides, sisters, mothers in our audience mingling with some of the wedding industry's most talented.

again we say, thank you, thank you, thank you to all that helped bring this event to life. hope you'll join us for our next conversation on march 22nd. .

xoxo TWD

weddings | the creative process

We are so excited to announce the details behind this incredible event that True and Wesson with Special Guest Speaker Abby Larson from Style Me Pretty, and an amazing collection of incredibly talented vendors in our area. The event will take place May 3rd at Saltwater Farm Vineyard from 1-5pm, with workshops running throughout the day and an opportunity to meet and greet with the invited vendors when they aren't speaking. The details for the schedule of workshops are still being fine tuned and we will be posting that information soon here on the blog, as well as profiling each individual vendor that will be participating in the event. We encourage you to sign up in advance for the sessions you are most interested in as space is limited. During the workshops you will have the opportunity to learn about the creative process behind selecting and working with vendors in planning your wedding. *Purchase your tickets online. All proceeds are being donated to the Life is Good Kids Foundation, which supports extraordinary charities that create a lasting positive impact on children facing unfair challenges, including the trauma of violence, poverty, and loss.

Featured Vendors
Smell
Hana Floral Design-the art of floral design, the language of flowers, mixing color & scent

Taste
Gourmet Galley-the art of food, creative flavors, display, menus, color
Sugarbelle- the art of dessert, custom wedding cakes

Touch
Jennie Fresa- the art of makeup, painting on a canvas (face), skin care
The White Dress by the Shore Bridal Gowns & Two Birds Bridesmaids- the art of fashion and dressing your bridesmaids in the right colors & fabrics
Beneath the Gown- Custom Designed Lingerie for the perfect fit

The Written Word & Paper
The Copps- Selecting a Justice of the Peace and the art of ceremony writing
Stonington Design and Paperie- the art of paper

See
Video & Photography – the art of the image, posing, shots, creating the images you want with photographers and how to communicate with them.
Maggie Conley & Adeline and Grace Photography
Buzz Media Videography

Sound & Sight
Power Posse Productions- the art of sound and lighting, the art of mixing music and how it affects an event, the art of light and how it transforms the space.

All Five Senses
Mystic Yoga Shala- the art of mind, body & spirit before the big day, plus yoga, nutrition, benefits of using a juicer, exercise, dealing with stress and getting into that dress.

Special Collaboration: Life is Good Kids Foundation, the-e-list.com, Inn at Stonington, Photobooth Planet

**Event Hosted by True & Wesson, and Hana Floral Design

xoxo TWD

bridal market

We recently attended bridal market to view the latest designs for Fall 2009. We are often asked if there is a difference between Fall and Spring gowns, and the answer is really no. The season really just speaks to when the gowns are delivered in-store. We will be receiving the gowns that we purchased at market in August or September. They will be perfect for our 2010 brides! Here are some of our favorite looks from market:

A stunning new alencon lace gown from Judd Waddell in the hot new color of the season- cameo!

Ruffles were everywhere at market! This is a fun new design from our friends at Modern Trousseau. Their collection was outstanding~ for both brides and moms!

Another stunner from Modern Trousseau- and check out the back!!

We can’t forget about Mom’s!! Here are two of favorite mom’s styles. The first is from Modern Trousseau, the second is from Anna Elyse- it can actually be worn 6 different ways!


We didn’t see a lot of new maids this market, as most designers show new styles in October. But, I loved this dress from Melissa Sweet. It is pictured in the hot color of the season- blush!


I was asked to rate the Melissa Sweet runway show for Brides.com.
Click here to view all of the lines from Priscilla of Boston - including Melissa Sweet.

Click on the card below to get a closer look.

xoxo TWD