New Jersey Bridal Shop Closing After 60 Years

After we recently just posted a blog about The Non-Strapless Wedding Gown, we are saddened to hear about the closing of one of New Jersey's top bridal salon Bridals by Roma, a shop that has been in business for over 60 years! I think what saddens us most though is the unprofessionalism the owner is showing and the heartbreaks that many brides are enduring right now. Customers were not notified. There is nothing mentioned on their website. Many brides found out through Facebook!

We hate hearing stories like this (we can all remember the Celebrations fiasco). It is nice to see some other local bridal shops, like Jaehee Bridal Atelier and Camille La Vie, as well as Hallak Cleaners Bridal, offer assistance to these brides who are at a loss right now.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by this tragedy, click here to check out this link with a more detailed report and video from NBC news and advice on how to file a complaint with Consumer Affairs.

Our hearts go out to you all and we hope this gets rectified for you quickly. Remember, what matters is the fact that you are marrying the love of your life. This is just a bump in the road leading up to a day that will be filled with only beautiful and happy memories.

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Happy Memorial Day

Thank you to all that serve our country! Happy Memorial Day and let us continue to celebrate our heroes not just today but every day!

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Wedding Wire Shares A Honeymoon Upgrade from Delta Vacations!!

Receive a first-class flight upgrade when you reserve a honeymoon or destination wedding package of 7 nights or more from Delta Vacations Romance to Couples Resorts in Jamaica. Simply:

• Book bu June 4, 2012
• Use promotional code DV15367
• Receive complimentary honeymoon amenities
• Travel May 8, 2012 - Feb 28, 2013

Hurry and book now-supplies are limited!

Learn More >>

Happy Mother's Day!!

The Newlywed Game is Casting!!

Did you ever say to yourself, "I could totally be on TV"! Well here is your chance! The Newlywed Game is casting!!! We love that show. It is so great to watch. Here are the guidelines. Good Luck!

Note: The show is in its 6th season, is hosted by Sherri Shepherd (from "The View") and airs nightly on The Gameshow Network. The winning couple of each episode wins a second honeymoon!

Special categories we are looking for:
- Beach / destination weddings
- Fun theme weddings (Fairy tale, Halloween, Pirates...!)
- Traditional Ethnic Weddings
- Couples who met online
- High School Sweethearts
- Jersey Shore-like couples!
- Friends, then lovers
... be creative!

If anyone is interested, please have them email: castingnewlyweds@gmail.com with their full names, location, contact numbers/ emails, wedding date and recent photo(s).


XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Wedding Dresses...The Non Strapless Gown!

Dress shopping. The scary and exciting adventure and probably one of the best parts of the whole wedding planning process. We love when we are with our brides and they find "the dress'! It's a very emotional moment. But for some brides, it can be a very discouraging moment too. Why you ask? Because not every bride is looking for a strapless gown.

Don't get me wrong, strapless gowns are beautiful. I wore one at my wedding. But not everyone likes that style. Maybe they are heavy in the bust. Or maybe they just feel more comfortable with straps and not tugging at their strapless top all night long. Maybe they just look better in a halter style (a style that Rachael wore at her wedding and looked gorgeous!). Whatever the reasoning, when you go to a bridal shop and see rows and rows of strapless gowns, you might just want to scream and run in the other direction. 

In a recent dress shopping trip with our bride, we found that she was not alone. Many brides now are looking for something other than a strapless gown. The very helpful sales consultants at Bijou Bridal & Special Occasion and Jaehee Bridal Atelier (an adorable boutique where our bride found her dress) both had told us that many brides now are coming in asking for some type of strap and it is unfortunate that they do not have an extreme collection to show them. Many are having straps added by the stores seamstress.

We agree with our brides. The stores need more alternative options to the strapless gown. That is why we were so excited to see many of these types of dresses walking the runway from the popular Wedding gown designers from their Spring 2013 collection. Here are some of our favorites!

Alfred Angelo

Lela Rose

Monique Lhuillier

Sarah Hassir

Romona Keveza

I have to admit, Romona Keveza's  collection is probably our favorite. That's why we saved it for last. I mean look at that dress it is absolutely stunning! And the red dress is remarkable as well. It may not be the traditional dress, but what a statement!

So all you brides out there, have no fear. A different style gown is here! Did you have a non strapless gown for your wedding? Show us pictures. We'd love to see them!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

There's a New Party in Town...A Cake Reveal Party!!!

Nothing makes us happier than when we see those happy faces on our clients. And when they come back to us to plan even more special events in their lives, we feel like apart of their family! And that was exactly how we felt last Friday.

We first helped plan Mike and Jess's beautiful wedding 3 years ago (their anniversary is coming up soon!) and we were honored when we were hired to plan the couple's baby shower. When we heard that she was expecting their 2nd child, we couldn't be more thrilled. Since a second baby shower is usually uncustomary, we had to be creative. And Jess knew exactly what she wanted!

When Mike and Jess went for that telling ultrasound on a Wednesday, they told the technician, who happened to be a friend, about the cake reveal party. It was then that the plans went into motion. The technician called our dear friend of Hey Sweet Cakes and revealed the baby's gender. So now they were the only people who held this valuable information. Mike and Jess did not know. Family did not know. WE did not know!! This exciting news would soon be revealed to us all that Friday. 

 The Cake Reveal Party was held in the comfort of Mike's parents home. This was going to be so exciting!! Mike and Jess invited their immediate family. The food was cooked by them and it was yummy! When dinner was over, it was time for dessert....chocolate covered strawberries and the cake! And what an adorable cake it was! Of course there was no doubt that the very talented Tippy from Hey Sweet Cakes would do an amazing job. See for your self : )

So it came to that time. Mike and Jess cut into the cake. And.....It's.....A.....

Well, now we couldn't just tell you that could we!!?? You will just have to watch the video for yourself. But believe me, the excitement when everyone finds out is worth the wait!! Just be aware, there may be some explicit language lol. 

What did you think? Amazing right! We get the chills every time we watch it, and yes we are still watching it even today!!

Are you or someone you know pregnant with their second or third child? A Cake Reveal Party is perfect for you! Contact us and we would be honored to help plan the perfect reveal!!

XOXO,

Aelicia & Rachael

Cinco de Mayo Inspiration

Happy early Cinco de Mayo!! And with this festive holiday landing on a Saturday this year, we are sure the celebrating will be a doozy!! So whether it's an at home party or a wedding that you are looking for inspiration for, look no further! We came across two great finds that we want to share with you.

What is a Cinco de Mayo party without Margaritas!! Check out more pictures from Betsy's home party.

We instantly fell in love with this Mexican elopement shoot seen on Ruffled Blog. View the entire shoot here!


As always, we would love to see pictures and hear about your Cinco de Mayo plans! Have fun and be safe.

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael

Jessica Simpson becomes a mom!

The day finally came! Jessica Simpson and fiance Eric Johnson welcomed daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson early this morning, May 1st - which just also happened to be the same birthday of a very special little man dear to us : ) She announced on her website:

"Eric and I are elated to announce the birth of our baby girl, Maxwell Drew Johns. We are grateful for all the love, support and prayers we have received. This has been the greatest experience of our lives!!"

The newest little bundle of joy weighed in at 9 lbs. 13 oz. and is 21 3/4 inches long. Her name has special meaning too: Maxwell is Eric's middle name and Drew is Jessica's mother Tina's maiden name.

We wish the new parents much happiness with their precious gift (and much sleep whenever possible too!)

XOXO,
Aelicia & Rachael