* * *

Contrary to popular belief, we rarely encounter “bridezillas” at Hitched… in fact, our brides are usually the complete opposite. We love our brides and always feel so honored to be a part of their special day – but there are some brides who we REALLY get to know because they do everything at Hitched (wedding gown, bridesmaids, invites, etc.) and we affectionately call those ladies FOH— Friends of Hitched.

One of our favorite FOH’s is Kimberly Joy Brown (now Moore J), who walked into our store for an appointment this past March and told us she needed a dress in two weeks (!). The Howard University med student went on to explain that she had just discovered she had breast cancer. Because she would be undergoing surgery, she wanted to bump up her Fall 2008 nuptials in order to have her dream wedding before she began treatment.

One small catch– she had no gown, no venue, and no photographer…. just a date in mind, and, of course, her wonderful groom, James! The Hitched team swung into action and started placing phone calls to some of our favorite vendors, all of whom were ready and willing to pull through in a pinch for Joy and James! While Joy happily chose the perfect gown and veil, a team of DC’s top wedding vendors were assembled to create Joy’s wedding vision. No one thought twice about making this wedding happen in just two short weeks.

We have to share some photos from the event— doesn’t it look like it took years to plan? Joy’s cherry blossom theme was perfect for springtime in the nation’s capitol. Check out the emotion that photographer Ralph Alswang captures in each photo… you can see why we love him so much!

It’s quite a rarity that we visit brides on their wedding day, but Hitched ladies Carin, her daughter Leia, and Lynette couldn’t resist stopping by to see the final outcome!

Joy’s bridesmaids wore adorable dresses from Simple Silhouettes in Strawberry Ice Silk Shantung. Simple Silhouettes is based in New York, and owner/designer Christina was able to have the dresses made and shipped in just a few days so the girls had time to get them altered before the big day.

We always loved Modern Trousseau for their beautifully unique use of lace. Now we love designer Callie Tien even more, because she created Joy’s stunning custom gown, matching bolero, and cathedral length veil in record time!

The folks at the Fairmont (a gorgeous hotel right in the heart of DC) really took care of Joy and James. Alice and Bob pulled the whole event together with total professionalism and the results were incredible.

We’re so glad to end our story on a happy note– Joy is doing well and her surgery went smoothly. She’s enjoying being married to “the love of her life”, James, who’s been so supportive throughout the past year. We still hear from Joy and think of her often…she will forever be a Friend of Hitched.

Thank You, thank you, thank you to the girls at Hitched Salon for sharing this amazing story with us! And for spending the day talking shop on SMP!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bridesmaids Dresses, Callie Tien, Fairmont Hotel, Hitched Salon, Ralph Alswang, Simple Silhouettes
Post categories: Real Weddings, Wedding Fashion

* * *

OK, we’ll admit it. We’ve got a crush on Reva Mivasagar’s bridal collection. His line is new to us here at Hitched (though he’s already quite established in the bridal industry), and we’re falling fast and hard for his exquisitely detailed gowns. What strikes us most are his silk organza dresses, where delicate embroidered patterns seem to melt right into the fabric.

all images courtesy of Reva Mivasagar via Mike Colon

The detail on the train of these gowns alone is mesmerizing!

Reva’s designs are elegant and romantic but have a sophisticated edge—perfect for the modern bride. His gowns are especially fitting for outdoor venues because the light, delicate fabrics create such beautiful movement.

We also love the unique necklines and silhouettes that Reva offers, giving all of his gowns such distinctive beauty.

More to come!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hitched Salon, Mike Colon, Reva Mivasagar
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

To get the ball rolling, I’ve enlisted the help of the girls at Hitched Salon in DC…they own one of the most chic, jump-up-and-down gorgeous shops around, so I am thrilled that they are here chatting about fashion trends!

* * *

As you can imagine, at Hitched we see a ton of different bridal gowns, and we never get tired of white dresses! However, we will admit that we love anything new and interesting that allows a bride to make her dress unique… which is why we’re so excited for the new trend of adding a beaded or embroidered belt to an otherwise simple gown to add some sophisticated flair. We’re loving the detachable belt options that are now being offered by designers like Lela Rose, Oscar de la Renta, and Modern Trousseau.

These eye-catching accessories can really enhance your wedding day look, and since most of them are removable, you can pick-and-choose when to add that extra bit of sparkle during your special day. We love the idea of adding a belt to your gown just for the reception, giving you a whole new, party-ready look.

We’ve even used accessories in non-traditional ways such as a knotted Erin Cole crystal organza headband around the waist of a fitted peau-de-soie Judd Waddell gown to create a totally unique look. Opening your eyes to creative accessory options can help you add just the right amount of pizazz to a gown that doesn’t already have a lot of embellishment. And feel free to be adventurous by mix-and-matching a belt from one designer with a gown from another, which will really make the look your own!

So much more to come!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hitched Salon, Lela Rose, Modern Trousseau, Oscar De La Renta
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion