Fashion's Night Out with Vera Wang

Retailers in 13 different countries kick off the first night of New York Fashion Week with Fashion's Night Out, a global effort to promote the retail apparel industry and restore consumer confidence. Thursday, September 10th, Vera Wang will host events at both of her New York stores: Vera Wang on Mercer and the Vera Wang Bridal House.Uptown at the Bridal House at 991 Madison Avenue, Vera will be joined by industry experts who will be sharing their expertise and artistry. From cake decorating with Sylvia Weinstock, arranging flowers with Michael George, and receiving nutritional advice from celebrity nutritionist Oz Garcia, guests will rub elbows with top tier vendors...what else would you expect from Vera Wang? Oh, but there's more: Vogue's Special Events Director Sylvana Soto-Ward will provide wedding tips and advice, Yves Durif will consult and style hair and make-up, Exhale Spa specialists will perform express manicures, all while you sip Champagne compliments of The Carlyle Hotel and enjoy music courtesy of Elan Artists. Raffle prizes include a 2-hour personal flower arranging lesson with Michael George, a 6 month consultation by Oz Garcia as well as a Glow treatment and Mind Body package from Exhale Spa.Remember to make your way downtown where Vera Wang will celebrate with American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi and other special guests at her ready-to-wear boutique located at 158 Mercer Street in SoHo. Vera herself will be offering advice and tips as she style guests. Pose for a priceless photo-opp with the designer in the "Studio Booth", while you sip the night's signature cocktail "Vera Vodka's". Hanging with Vera Wang is seriously a prize in itself, but giveaways of the night include Vera Wang Lavender Label shoes, Vera Wang Fine Papers stationery, Vera Wang Rock Princess and Vera Wang sunwear. A big thanks to our friend's at Vera Wang for sharing this fabulous event with Weddings Unveiled!

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iPhone App for Virtual Ring Shopping

New iPhone applications out there continue to put the world at our fingertips. Now, we can have diamonds at them too! Louisiana-based jewelry company, Stuller partnered with Gemvision Corporation to create a free iPhone application for future brides called Live Diamond Try-On. A series of steps can lead a user to finding the perfect ring. First, select from carat weight, diamond shape, precious metal and mounting, then simply take a picture of your hand and virtually try on a engagement rings without having to actually go to the store. The application allows users to superimpose the diamond image over their hand and send via Facebook, email, Twitter, etc. There's also a "find a jeweler" function which uses the iPhone's GPS function to direct users to the closest retailer. No excuses now, guys, diamond shopping has never been this easy!

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WELLNESS CENTER OPENING AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHARLOTTE

We have been anxiously waiting for The Ritz-Carlton to open its doors in Charlotte this Fall, especially since many of our Weddings Unveiled staffers live in the Queen City! When it opens this October 1, The Wellness Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will provide an environmentally-mindful new spa experience designed to offer peace and balance in the heart of the city's thriving Uptown.

Reflecting The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's commitment to using eco-friendly, all organic products and services, the 13,000-square-foot Wellness Center will include four oversized spa treatment rooms featuring Tempur-Pedic memory foam bed-tops, a complete Fitness Center with personal televisions, a sunlit movement studio offering floor-to-ceiling city views, and a spacious Aqua Lounge with saline-treated swimming pool and whirlpool. The Wellness Center enjoys a bi-level penthouse location atop The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, the first LEED®-built hotel for The Ritz-Carlton and the first for greater Charlotte.

The Wellness Center will offer a contemporary array of eco-friendly guest services and treatments, many unique to the hotel spa experience. Added benefits of the Wellness Center's numerous facial and massage experiences will include use of precious and rare ingredients containing all-natural, certified organic extracts, oils and floral waters, and access to Spa Longer -- a complimentary mid-afternoon upgrade of 50-minute treatments to a 75 -minute experience based on availability. In addition to its array of signature spa treatments and experiences, The Wellness Center will offer personal training and wellness sessions, weekend yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and aqua aerobics classes.

Located in the heart of the city at 201 East Trade Street, The Wellness Center at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will begin accepting reservations in late September for services beginning October 1, 2009. We'll see you there!

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FALL INSPIRED

♥ Doğum Günün Kutlu Olsun Dilekcim...=) ♥ by @ Nermin @ featuring Vince Camuto shoes

Desi Fashion Police: Clutchdesifashionpolice.com

Pink Sequin Bow Prom dress - Lunacy Clothing Boutique$224 - lunacyboutique.co.uk

Carolee Pearl & Crystal Earrings$38 - dillards.com

$80 - piperlime.gap.com- Round toe pump 4" covered heel, 1/2" hidden platform Man made lining Leather outsole Black upper: 100% patent leather Gold upper: 100% metallic nappa leather.

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SUNDAY INSPIRATION . . . .

Leaving you with a little inspiration here from that inventive designer, Yumi Katsura. These scrumptious images hail from her 2007 -08 Paris show. For me they're inspiring and truly unforgettable.

All images courtesy Fashion Week Photos

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ONE OF A KIND DETAIL

sourceTaffeta is one of my favorite fabrics for bridal gowns, especially here where it poufs and folds beautifully as a a French Bustle. A truly original gown, I just had to share . . . .

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THE PETITE BRIDE

Spose di Gio

Recently I was out shopping for fabric and surprised at how many huge floral and big prints are out there. For brides over 5'8, these work fine but what about the so-called average and petite bride? Here's an example of the kind of email I get from the concerned shorter bride : I'm very small boned. Most gowns I’ve tried on are for women that are 5’6’’. This means whenever I get in front of the mirror I’m swimming in the dress. Almost any sleeve, belt, print or lace looks magnified on me. What are my options?One of the most important things for the vertically challenged to remember is scale. If you’re petite and in shape, you can wear just about any gown as long as you scale down to the right proportion. Also thinking vertically (up, up, up) it will be easier to figure out which treatments suit you best. For instance, choose a bodice and neckline that draw the eye up to your decolletage. Here’s some more to consider:GO FOR* a gown with a panel or seam(s) running up the front. The unbroken lines give you height.*Empire waists are one of your best options considering you go floor length. You want to keep that vertical line going.* A V or U-neck, it gives the impression of a longer neck.*Modified Mermaid. The to-the-floor sash on this gown below draws the eye up.

Gown by Amy-Jo TatumSmoot Photo

*A mermaid. If you’re slim and petite consider this style. It’s fitted like an evening gown up top and has all the bounce and swirl of a ball gown below.*An A-line. Think of it as your very own scaled down version of a ball gown.*Sheath and evening gown silhouettes, long and columnar; they will flatter you.* Length over volume in your skirt*Sleeves that are long and straight.* Best proportion is a floor length gown with veil or train of the same length.*Prints and laces as well as any motifs should be scaled down and worn on the upper portions of the body. Busy designs below the waist (even small ones) draw all eyes downward.*Soft and sheer fabrics like crepe and chiffon that drape to the body.PASS UP:*any ball gown. The volume in the skirts will consume you.*heavy, elaborate fabrics like brocade or any print or design that is large.*Wide belts, sashes and cummerbunds interrupt the vertical lines you want to create. If you do wear a sash or belt go thin (1-1 ½ inches) and as close to the shade of your gown as you can get.*any design with big puffy sleeves or shoulder pads.*Any train longer than a sweep.

AmandaWakelySheath and evening gown silhouettes, long and columnar will flatter you.

Bruce Oldfield

Fitted like an evening gown up top, this mermaid has all the bounce and swirl of a ball gown below.

Caroline Parkes Think of the A-line as your very own scaled down version of a ball gown.

Ben di LisiEmpire waists are one of your best options considering you go floor length. You want to keep that vertical line going.Spose di GioSleeves that are long and straight flatter you

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E Session ~ Kimberly & Michael

Vue Photography continues to amaze us in many, many ways. When we caught a glimpse of this dreamy engagement session on their blog, we knew it was perfect to share with our Completely Unveiled followers.Kimberly and Michael have literally known each other since school bus days. Their first "date" was a ride to school early one morning when Michael shared a seat with Kimberly and the rest is pretty much history. Genya and Wesleyann of Vue Photography captured these gorgeous images on the beaches of Panama City, FL. Look for more of Vue's spectacular photography in the upcoming Fall issue of Weddings Unveiled on newsstands October 1st!

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JASPER CONRAN: NOT JUST FOR BRIDES

All those gorgeous bridal gowns Jasper puts out are to be rivaled only by these suits he launched last year year with his line of formal wear. I have to say I haven't seen groom chic on this level til I ran across these images on Brides UK.

All photos courtesy of Brides UK

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CLAIRE PETTIBONE GETS ACCESSORIZED

Untitled by Elise_lili featuring Mario Bologna shoes

I'm a true fan of Claire Pettibone's work and her imaginative use of all those light, whispy laces like Chantilly and peau d'ange. The Forget me not dress here is a beautiful charmeuse under tulle. Simply stunning. It's beautifully accessorized here with gold and champagne tones . . .

$270 - net-a-porter.com. 18-karat gold-plated gypsy chandelier earrings with moonstone embellishment. Isharya earrings are ovoid, have concentric circle detail and a hook fastening suitable for pierced ears.Forget Me NotBlush bias cut silk charmeuse gown with lace bodice and tulle overskirt trimmed with scattered flowers and leaves with lace edged sweep train.$2,500 - clairepettibone.com$794 - mercedeh-shoes.com MARIO BOLOGNA - Sandals : 1710182 SETA - BEIGE - 793.88$ : Mercedeh-

J Furmani Metallic Gold Pleated Designer Clutch Bag$35 - shoes.com

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LATE SUMMER BEACH CHIC

birnbaumnandbullock.com

We're on the last lap of summer out here in California where Beach Wedding season can go from early March and as late as November if its a good year. Whether you re planning a destination wedding in the tropics or coast wedding in California, Mexico or somewhere else exotic, check out these beach-worthy gowns and accessories. Chanel on the beach? Who'da thought?

ChanelAmsale

In one of my very favorite fabrics, point d'esprit

this halter gown by Amsale has the halter neckline so synonymous with beach wear and summer chic. Angel SanchezWhite silk satin and organza tulle gown with whisper gray lining, taffeta ribbon and crystal embroidery. Angel Sanchezecho designiridescent head wrap/scarf by echo design. Jewelry by Stephen Dweck.YoulinGold silk satin and beaded lace gown by Youlin.

Helen KaminskiRaffia braided clutch with hand-cut glass crystals.

Anne BargeA beautiful opalescent strapless chiffon with gathered skirt. Pink and silver striped chiffon wrap by elizabethfillett.com

Eric Javits

The white picture hat--a classic; this one by Eric Javits donning a thin gold chain. Great for keeping the sun off. The earrings are gold mother of pearl and blue topaz by Simon Alcantara .

Sposa by St. PucchiWhite pleated silk organza halter gown with dropped waist, Alençon bodice and court trainj. MendelJ. Mendel Tri-tone white, nude and blush hand-draped silk mousseline gown with pleated tulle skirt.

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