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May 17, 2013

Behind the Seams: Nicole Miller

OK, we’re pretty excited (read: really thrilled) about this! We recently chatted with the fabulous Nicole Miller to bring you the details of her design inspiration, the hottest trends and how she got started in the bridal business. Plus, she tells us which dresses she would pick for different wedding destinations. Juicy! Read on, friends!

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The Wedding Suite: When did you decide to start designing wedding gowns? What kicked it all off?

Nicole: It was a natural progression. Friends of mine began asking me to design custom wedding dresses, usually loosely based off styles already on the line, in white versions. I realized the demand was there, and the rest is history… bridal is a big part of our business today!

Now you’re designing for the modern bride. We’re seeing metallic fabrics in a few of your designs, as well as the peplum trend. Any other trends you’re excited about for 2013?

Nicole: Many of my new gowns feature back detailing—lace continues to be a huge trend, but also scoop-backs, delicate beading and button accents as well as unique trims. Brides want to look gorgeous from all angles, especially from behind, when facing the altar!

Nicole Miller ‘Elizabeth’ Gown

How do you start designing a new gown or collection? What’s your first step?

Nicole: Now more than ever, bridal trends are mirroring ready-to-wear runway trends. Since designing my Artelier and Collection lines, I often adapt the trends and feelings of those collections and put a bit more of a bridal spin on them. I always take feedback from our brides and vendors into consideration while designing, too.

Are there any specific places where you seek inspiration for bridal design?

Nicole: I find inspiration in the most unexpected places! I love looking at vintage photographs and watching old movies, and I also sometimes find myself inspired by new technologies.

Pick your favorite dresses for these types of weddings: laid-back beach nuptials, modern hotel affair and classic garden party.

Nicole: Our ‘Aneka’ lace gown is perfect for a classic garden party, and has that beautiful back detail. The ‘Merril’ peplum silk faille gown is understated and chic for a modern city wedding. The ‘Sharon’ techno metal gown is the ultimate destination gown—the fabric does not wrinkle, is lightweight with a hint of beading and is extraordinarily comfortable.

Nicole Miller Peplum Silk Faille Gown

Nicole Miller Strapless Techno Metal Gown

Nicole Miller ‘Aneka’ Gown

Any advice for brides-to-be shopping for their gowns?

Nicole: The most important thing is to feel comfortable. Then, of course, you have to feel gorgeous. Then you will glow with confidence!

Well said, Nicole!

Shop Nicole Miller wedding dresses online or in our 18 in-store Wedding Suites.

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May 8, 2013

Bridal Fashion Week: Trends We Love (Part 2)

We’re back with more from Bridal Fashion Week! In addition to the latest fabrics and decorative details, we saw some interesting new trends in customizing wedding dresses. One way is to add a cover-up. Whether it’s for modesty, warmth, style or all three, wearing a light layer on top of a dress is a beautiful way to change your look. The best part is that you can remove it later for the reception, so you’re basically getting two looks in one!

Here are a few of our favorite types of cover-ups, straight from the runways and the designer showrooms:

Lace: At Hayley Paige, a dainty removable capelet was soft and feminine. At Vera Wang, it was loose and dark. (Fun fact: this black topper is called the “bubble tee.” Cute, right?)

Long: At Monique Lhuillier, it was all about length, in both solid and sheer fabrics. These floor-grazing capes are especially dramatic.

Tulle: At Lela Rose and Anne Barge, full-skirted gowns were topped with a sheer, airy layer of tulle.

Don’t miss Part 1 of our trend recap, as well as a “day in the life” of our bridal director Andrea at Bridal Fashion Week!

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May 2, 2013

Bridal Fashion Week: Trends We Love (Part 1)

At last week’s Bridal Fashion Week, designers showed the latest and greatest in wedding gowns, including fresh ideas for fabrications, silhouettes and customization. It’s always a thrill to see this first peek at what’s to come, and we loved many of the new trends. We think brides will, too!

Here are a few that caught our eye:

Sparkle: We saw lots of gorgeous embellishment coming down the runway. Think beading, sequins and metallic embroidery, for the bride who loves her bling.

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Detailed Backs: Expanding on what we saw last year: low, lace, and bejeweled backs were everywhere. We love this idea, as brides tend to stand with their backs to the audience during the ceremony.

Lace Appliqué: This lovely fabrication was on everything from little white dresses to veils to gowns. Perfect as a romantic, feminine alternative to allover lace.

Check back for more trend recaps in the next few days!

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April 23, 2013

Bridal Fashion Week: Structural Sophistication at Amsale

Wedding designer Amsale is always a favorite to see during Bridal Fashion Week, and this year was no different. Our buyers took in the show from the front row and captured Amsale’s fresh silhouettes coming down the runway. A clear trend emerged: sophisticated, tailored, structural dresses—a perfect mix of modern and feminine.

We love: the nod to a retro sheath dress, and stunning flared skirt.

We love: the gorgeous silk faille texture and bateau neckline.

We love: the drop waist lace appliqué and amazing shape of the full skirt.

We love: the fitted top and flowy skirt connected by a sweet bow.

We love: the perfectly cut V-back and modern, tiered skirt.

To check out our current collection from Amsale, browse the lookbook of our exclusive line, Nouvelle Amsale. To make an appointment with a free Wedding Stylist, call 1.888.300.1295 or book an appointment online!

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April 13, 2013

Behind the Scenes at Our Ultimate Dance Party Shoot

One song. One dance floor. One hundred Nordstrom employees.  Two hip-hop stars.

If you think this sounds like the makings for a rockin’ party, we’d have to agree. And while it may have started at 9 a.m. instead of 9 p.m. (and was technically considered work!), we had a really, really, really good time. There’s nothing better than filming a wedding dance video with your friends and co-workers—except when Macklemore & Ryan Lewis make a cameo appearance to lend some well-dressed style and hot moves to the scene!

Now go behind the scenes to see the making of the video and get a glimpse into the Best. Day. Ever.

Oh, and did we mention there was a photo booth on set? We had so much fun hamming it up for the camera, we just had to make a lookbook out of the shots! Check out our employees modeling looks from our wedding suites here!


Haven’t seen the full video yet? Don’t miss it! You can watch it here.

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April 5, 2013

It’s a Dance Party…with a Cameo by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

You know that moment at a wedding, after all the romantic words have been said, glasses have been raised, the cake has been cut, and finally, everyone—from the bride and groom to Grandma and Grandpa—is on the dance floor getting down. Music is pumping, shoes are kicked off, hips are shaking, hands are in the air, the maid of honor is showing off her moonwalk, Uncle Bob is breaking out the robot…

The Nordstrom Weddings team loves that moment of energy and joy on the dance floor. We want to celebrate like that every day with our friends and family! So, we thought we’d bring the best wedding dance party to life.

We got our official dance squad (aka: our own employees with some serious moves) to rock out to a track we’re sure will be the next wedding anthem: “And We Danced” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis—who just happened to do a little rocking out themselves in a special cameo appearance.

The result? You’ll have to see it for yourself!

We had brides-to-be, married couples and single ladies and guys all dressed up in our favorite big day looks—including new wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses from our Wedding Suites.

We also want to say a special CONGRATS to Macklemore and his new fiancée! We’re so excited for the happy couple—and we totally offer to send our dance squad to his wedding. We have a feeling that would be a dance party for the record books!

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March 28, 2013

Behind the Seams: Get to Know Kelly Faetanini

Hers is a name you should definitely know, because her gorgeous wedding dresses will sweep you off your feet! We are so excited to officially introduce Kelly Faetanini as a new designer in our Wedding Suites across the country. This month, we have four of her gowns debuting: Georgina, Reid, Becky and Felicity. (How cute are those names?!) Browse them all online in our new lookbook, and get a closer look (and try them on) in store.

Because we adore Kelly herself as much as her designs, we thought you should have a chance to get to know her too. Here’s our Q&A with the New York-based designer—and newlywed—on all things bridal!

The Wedding Suite: You were married in May last year. Tell us how you stayed cool under all the pressures of your big day.

Kelly: We were married on May 5th, 2012, and the launch of my collection was two weeks prior—needless to say, there was lots of pressure from both ends! The first thing I did to stay calm and collected on the big day was to delegate as many tasks as possible to my wedding coordinator and my bridesmaids. It was wonderful, because not once did I have anyone running to me with emergencies on my wedding day!

My second-best piece of advice is to let go of everything and savor the moments. When you allow yourself to melt into the moment, you can focus on the wonderful things surrounding your day, rather than focusing on how hectic it is. Of course, there were little things that went awry throughout the day, but I made sure to let go of anxiety so I could enjoy all the amazing memories!

How much time did you spend designing your wedding gown? What did you discover about yourself and your design signature during this process?

Kelly: Creating my wedding gown was the hardest design I’ve ever had to do. I typically design collections about a year ahead of their launch dates, so my mind is always swarming with new ideas. It took me about two weeks to design my gown, and once I did, I decided it had to be final. I didn’t want to drive myself crazy by changing the design over and over, so I stuck to my instinct, and the gown came out beautifully.

During this process, I discovered the true mentality of a bride. I wanted a style that would be unique yet classic, sophisticated but romantic. I’ve always heard brides use these terms, but I learned their true meaning when I was designing my gown. This really shaped the way I design now. I try to ensure that every gown has a timeless feel with a modern touch.

You’ve said that your mission is to create a magnificent luxury experience for each bride. How do you go about doing this?

Kelly: Finding your dream gown is an emotional experience. I’ve witnessed brides struggling to find the perfect dress, and I believe that every bride should have exactly what she wants in her wedding gown. My brides can customize their gowns to make them uniquely their own, which I believe embodies the luxury couture experience. Brides can choose different fabrics, opt for beading or no beading, and experiment with removable necklines and embellishments. All of these little details make the experience of finding the perfect dress a luxurious one.


When it comes to gown selection, which one thing do you see brides struggling with the most? How can they overcome it?

Kelly: One thing that I see so often is brides struggling to choose a gown that their friends and family like. Everyone has their own taste—and sometimes what friends and family want to see is different from what the bride envisions for herself. Ultimately, brides should remember that they need to follow their hearts and choose gowns that they truly love themselves. At the end of the day, a bride’s family and friends will think she looks beautiful no matter which gown she chooses.



Which unique elements set your spring/summer 2013 collection apart from others?

Kelly: We strive to have a fresh perspective on designs each season. There are many beautiful gowns available by other designers, but we always offer something that’s unique. One element that’s become my signature is detachable components: each season, we offer gowns with detachable necklines and skirts. This is such a fun feature, and it allows a bride to have two or more looks for her wedding day.

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March 19, 2013

Inside the Showroom of Rosa Clará: Our Buyer Recaps Her Trip to Barcelona

Last week, our bridal buyer, Sharon Wikstrom, traveled abroad to meet with Spanish wedding gown designer Rosa Clará. A new designer to the Wedding Suites, Rosa Clará is known for creating elegant gowns with ’50s-style structure and silhouettes, voluminous silk satin skirts and soft sleeves in lace and tulle. Sharon has said she could see herself in a Rosa Clará gown if she were getting married today!

Sharon’s trip included a visit to the showroom to look at gown collections and meet with the Rosa Clará team, plus some time spent playing tourist and taking in the sights of beautiful Barcelona! Here she shares photos and notes from her trip.


A little jealous of Sharon’s trip? We are, too. But you can get a little taste of Spain by seeing these beauties in our Wedding Suites now! Dresses and cover-ups from the Rosa Clará Bridal and Two by Rosa Clará collections are brand-new in Nordstrom Wedding Suites, so make your appointment to check them out! Adiós!

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March 14, 2013

Real Wedding: Erika & Jason

We’re excited to share the summer wedding of Erika and Jason, taking place in our own hometown of Seattle!

How it all began: Twenty-two years ago, we lived just a few miles apart and never knew each other. Ten years ago, we lived just blocks from each other near the University of Washington and never knew. Four years ago, we met and, over the course of a couple of years, knew that we were supposed to be together forever. And now we’ve made it official with our wedding! Funny how those things work!

Through the years of dating, we’ve learned many things about each other. Some are profound, some pretty silly, but the most important thing we learned is that we belong together—as our personalities, our individual wills and our goals and aspirations in life are the ultimate complement to one another.


The scene: August 18, 2012, Pan Pacific Hotel, Seattle, WA

I chose the somewhat mixed theme of modern/vintage/whimsical/elegant because I love mid-century design, which I feel is evoked by the warm wooden walls of the Pan Pacific Hotel, but I also love eclectic and clean design elements, which we incorporated to make the venue feel fresh. I wanted the floral design to be seasonal and rich, so we used lemons for organic accents and a summery color palette of coral, gray, raspberry, light blue and butter yellow.

Instead of a guest book, we had vintage post cards from around the world, which we’ll now frame into a collage. Some of our other details included succulent favors in egg cups, lemon accents on the tables and trees at the altar, and Glassybaby candle holders. Wands with bells and ribbons were used to celebrate our exit!

Additionally, after having a very difficult year what with the passing of my father, we wanted to bring the summer to a close with a wonderful celebration that he so badly wanted to attend, with elements incorporated throughout the ceremony and reception that celebrated his memory, whether the guests were aware or not.


My look: I wore a strapless taffeta trumpet gown by Nouvelle Amsale. It had a gorgeous sweetheart neckline and an asymmetrical bodice with a full skirt. I absolutely LOVED my dress! One of my favorite moments of the process was trying on the dress and immediately being able to perfectly envision it in the aesthetic we wanted to convey.

I wore special jewelry around my wrist to celebrate family members who have passed away: a cross made of the diamonds that were in my grandmother’s wedding ring on a white gold chain and a locket with a tiny gold heart inside that my father gave me before he passed away in the spring of 2012.


My Wedding Stylist: Ari from the Downtown Seattle Wedding Suite

Ari was amazing. I felt like I had a girlfriend with me, helping me along the way, giving me honest feedback and support. She was extremely knowledgeable and made both my mother and me feel incredibly comfortable with the experience. Ari understood the feel and ambiance I was looking to achieve for the wedding, and she provided me with options that fit my vision with 100% accuracy.

I booked a Laura Mercier make-up artist through Nordstrom, and the day of the wedding, she did make-up for me, my mom and my bridesmaids. She was fantastic and provided make-up for each of us that was consistent with the fresh-faced look I was going for, but she tailored the look for each bridesmaid. I gave my bridesmaids Dogeared necklaces as gifts, each one with a different charm based on our friendship.

My mom loved her look, too. She wore a dress by Rachel Roy, Majorica pearl earrings, and a Judith Jack bangle. It was important for us that we work with local Seattle businesses for our wedding, and Nordstrom was one of those—it was one of the best decisions we made for our special day!

A favorite moment: Our wedding party was tasked with creating movie soundtrack-themed entrances for the reception: songs from Footloose, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Top Gun. Jason and I entered last with the Star Wars theme and our dogs dressed as Darth Vader and Princess Leia—a bit of cheesy fun that my husband was in charge of! We loved having our dogs be a part of the wedding processional, ceremony and reception!

Photography by JKoe Photography

Did you find your wedding gown at Nordstrom? We love a good wedding story! Email Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a wedding stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

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March 12, 2013

Guest Post: Grey Likes Weddings

Our girl crush and bride-to-be Summer (a.k.a Lady Grey) of the amazing wedding site Grey Likes Weddings shares her tips on shopping for the perfect dress and her experience at our Wedding Suite in Brea, California!

Dress shopping was one of the first things that my mom, sisters, and I did as soon as I was engaged. It’s the kick off to wedding planning, right? While I knew I wouldn’t be able to make a decision until we had nailed down our venue, I knew I wanted to actually try on gowns and get an idea for what I liked on me. It’s pretty normal for brides to see dresses they love in a magazine, come in to try it on, and realize they totally hate how it looks on them!

I spent TONS of time dress shopping–I think I’m pretty particular. But I wanted to share with you a few tips for a successful experience and share with you images of our experience at Nordstrom Wedding Suite, which I highly recommend. (Yay for fun images by my sister, Hayley of T&H Photography!)

So here are my dress shopping tips:

1. Dress up. Go in with your hair and makeup looking fabulous, and with all the right undergarments. This makes a huge difference in how you feel and look in the dress!

2. Take just a few people you trust. I brought my sisters, mom and two girlfriends. That sounds like a lot, but it was nice to have the girlfriend perspective, mixed with the sisters and the mom. Either way, narrow it down and remember that YOUR opinion matters most.

3. Narrow down your silhouette favorites. If you walk in to a store and try on every single dress, you’ll feel exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of the experience. Trust me! I was able to figure out pretty quickly what I’d love and what I’d hate, so I was picky. That meant I tried on less dresses, but it was easier to save myself time and heartache trying on a dress that would look awful. (Like that belt above??? Click here!)

4. Be patient. Sometimes I’m surprised how quickly girls pull the trigger. If you are pinning tons of dresses with flowy tulle, make sure you track down that dress style and try it on! Don’t get distracted by dresses that look great on you and forget to go for what you’ve been obsessing over.

5. Take advantage of trunk shows! I didn’t realize this until I worked for a bridal atelier, but trunk shows are an opportunity for you to have access to a designer’s full line of gowns. Often times, designers make only one gown of each design, so the gown takes turns at each store. In order to have a chance to try on ALL of a collection, look for trunk shows in your area. Plus, you have the chance to possibly meet the designer, and/or get bonuses like discounts on things like alterations, accessories or your veil. (Obsessing over that necklace like I am??? Get it here!)

6. Try out Nordstrom Wedding Suite! Honestly, I ended up finding two dresses I loved–one for my shower and one for my get away! But both of them were not available in my size at the store. Our consultant got on the phone immediately and by the end of our appointment had located my sizes–one of which had to be found at a Nordstrom Rack–yes, they’ll do that for you! So I got this dress on a crazy sale and OF COURSE it was sent to me with no shipping charge. You can’t beat that. I mean it. Crazy crazy good customer service.

The other thing that is great is that they’ve got soooooo many dresses for bridesmaids and mother-of-the-bride. ALL of us ended up trying on dresses, so it made for a really fun appointment! They also have every accessory you’d need for the big day–from a get away dress, fur caplets, jewelry, shoes–the list goes on. So you can get it all done in one place. (Love that sandal above on the right? So do I!!! Find it here!)

7. Lastly, if all else fails, bring your flower girl for comic relief. This is my niece Norah Mae–just shopping with the girls and having a grand time. She stole the show. She even tried on a few dresses and accessories. She’s as excited as I am about the wedding. It’ll be her big debut.

 

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