Etsy Virtual Bridal Show: Bouquets and Florals

Welcome to the Etsy Virtual Bridal Show with links for readers to donate to Wish Upon a Wedding and For Japan With Love.

“Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.” -www.wishuponawedding.org

When I originally came up with this idea, it was solely to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding. However, given the recent disaster in Japan, I am aware that some viewers might want to donate their funds toward relief efforts. Well, thanks to Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, the wedding and event blogging world is coming together to support For Japan With Love. “For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” -http://www.utterlyengaged.com/please-help-for-japan-with-love-update/

No matter where you direct your donation, be it Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love, you will be making a difference in the lives of those facing life’s most difficult of circumstances. If you are unable to donate monetarily, your thoughts and prayers will truly touch the hearts and lives of those affected. I send my thoughts, prayers, and strength to those affected by such life altering circumstances.

Legalities:
While I am a volunteer with Wish Upon a Wedding and a participant with For Japan With Love, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love in any other capacity and is not an official representative of Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love. In addition, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Etsy or the vendors featured and is not an official representative of Etsy or of each of these vendors. I am simply a fan of these artists/vendors and a volunteer with a passion for what I do and for organizations I have chosen to donate my time and finances to. I have sought permission from each and every vendor featured to use their products and their photos. Please do not use these photos for personal gain or copy the designs presented. These products are the livelihood, passion, and intellectual property of each artist and to copy these items or to use them for person gain is both illegal and unethical.

Our first artist in this category is Krissy from Make Believe’N. “Unique and personalized handcrafted fabric wedding flower bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, accessories, and centerpieces. An original wedding is certain with these keepsake flowers. Custom one of a kind creations are a specialty.” “Positive is an understatement! Krissy was amazing and the final products are equally wonderful. I was basically dumped by my original fabric floral vendor and had a complete bridal meltdown. Someone on Offbeat Bride recommended Krissy and I am eternally grateful. She was so quick to respond & amazing with all forms of communication. Texted photos through out the process, from piles of fabrics, to center baubles, to completed individual flowers. She just “got it”. She created rustic chic beauties that I adore. I said I wanted coffee bean bead centers and she made it happen. I said I would love bits of burlap, she worked it in perfectly. I wanted an organic but dressy, vegan, purple, hints of black and champagne, no matchy-matchy, some thing or other and Krissy took my pile of wants and turned them into the most perfect bouquets, boutonnieres, hair accessories, & flower girl wand EVAR (for us). I was %100 comfortable and confident with her understanding of what I wanted and her abilities. She just exudes trustworthiness through emails! I’m sorry if I am gushing but you have to know – She’s a bride’s dream. For Reallies.”

Next, we have Desicra. “I am a lover of all crafts and craft supplies 🙂 I really enjoy creating detailed, slightly vintage and whimsical looking pieces for special events 🙂 I have been crafting all of my life and have a BFA in Industrial Design. Currently I am loving my job as a freelance wedding designer/florist in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina!” “We loved our wedding flowers, and you were so great to work with. you understood exactly what i wanted, and kept me appraised of how things were going. you arranged to ship the flowers overseas in time for our holiday wedding, and you packaged them so carefully! you even made a special little pin for my baby daughter. your flowers were perfect and one of my favourite parts of my wedding. thank you!!!”

Here we have Hair Bows Wonderworld. In addition to amazing hair accessories and headpieces, Hair Bows Wonderworld does some of the most amazing brooch bouquets and feather enhanced bouquets I have ever seen. “Most beautiful creation I’ve ever seen! It’s absolutely stunning. And better than I could have imagined. I can’t wait to show this piece off at my wedding! The seller is a pleasure to buy from and would do so again in a heartbeat. Shipped quickly and packaged with care. TY so much!”

Our next artisan on the show is Ardesign. “Having been part of an award winning team and having the pleasure to design pieces for TV, Movies, Magazines and celebrities including Her Majesty The Queen. I love to create new and interesting pieces for anyone that is willing to give me free reign. Giving an artist the freedom to create what comes from the heart is the best way to receive the most beautiful piece you can imagine!” “When I opened the box with my wedding flowers in it I got tears in my eyes!!!! They are BEAUTIFUL. Ardesign has just made my wedding!”

Here we have Accents and Petals by Grail Casilen. “My passion is to create with recycled wood and paper, making Accents and Petals all about flowers, bouquets, and accessories created with these materials.” “Beautiful flowers, arrived ahead of schedule! So excited to use these on the tables at my wedding this spring! Thank you!”

Noaki Jewelry brings back the glamor of the Great Gatsby era not only through jewelry, but through amazingly beautiful brooch bouquets. :It began because I was trying to figure out what to do with pieces of my grandmother’s old jewelry that I’d held onto for decades — scraps of the forgotten excess of the Art Deco era that were too lovely to discard but too old- fashioned to wear. Eventually the pieces I created led to my little shop.” “I just received my bouquet and it is breathtaking. I can’t wait to walk down the aisle with it in September. The service was great and it was packaged perfectly to make it from California to Ohio in one piece. I would definitely recommend Noaki’s site to everyone.”

Enchanted Bouquets says, “Everlasting paper rose flower bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages for the bride and her wedding party! Our absolute, greatest endeavor is to make your special day a little more unique and magical by creating you and your wedding party one of a kind/custom bouquets and boutonnieres that suit your wedding ceremony, and more importantly YOU!” “Amber was wonderful to work with, Full of great ideas and really took everything i was picturing and turned it in to a BEAUTIFUL bouquet! I can’t wait to show it off on our big day! I definitely recommend Enchanted Bouquets for every bride!”

Here we have The Panache Bride by Juliana. “I always love figuring out new and exciting things to do with weddings and flowers so that each bride can be unique. I came up with my custom Swarovski crystal bouquet handles when we were asked to design the flowers for “the wedding of the year” in our city. Everyone couldn’t stop talking about the crystal handle. It couldn’t have been more beautiful. She was beautiful, the flowers were beautiful, the day was perfect.” “ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! The meticulous work by this seller is perfection. If you want to add a unique feature to your bridal bouquet THIS IS IT!!! Thank you so very much!!!”

Really Bad Kitty is a mother and daughter design team from North Texas. “Getting married? Let us know your colors and we will create a bridal bouquet for you! And don’t forget about the rest of the wedding party. We also make bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, ring bearer pillows and flower girl bouquets! (And much, much more!)” “I received the bouquets and stems today, I absolutely LOVE them, pictures don’t even do them justice! It was so nice to work with you on these bouquets, I will be HIGHLY recommending you to others. I am sure people will be asking us where I got them from and I’ll be sure to let them know! Thank you so much for all of your help!”

Michele from Amore Bride says, “MOST popular question I’m asked? “Are your flowers real or silk?” This is SUCH a compliment to me!! All of my designs, bouquets and florals are “Silk”, NOT Real or Fresh!! BUT I do have years of experience as a Floral Designer in BOTH Fresh and Silk Florals, keeping my silk floral arranging style very “FRESH” looking!!” “ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! I love it…I’m already getting compliments on it and I haven’t even used it for the wedding yet…I only showed it to co-workers and family so far. I can’t wait until the wedding.”

New Hampshire Woods Creations: “We specialize in birch & moss items for your nature, eco friendly weddings. We have a variety of birch bark vases with custom engraving available. Many Flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows. Now taking orders for spring and summer weddings. Custom orders welcome…We try our best to run an eco-friendly business…All our Birch bark is harvested from dead logs, we never take bark off of live trees. We never use chemicals or insecticides on our products.”
“The baskets & ring bearer pillow are AMAZING 🙂 i want to keep the baskets for myself! Your dedication and creativity really show through! Thanks again.”

Finally, we have Fruits of the Forest. “I am constantly in awe and wonder of the magical mountains and forests around me. I try to instill appreciation for Mother Nature and her natural forms in my designs. I try to use found, recycled and repurposed materials as often as possible to lessen the environmental impact of my designs. All natural found materials are meticulously cleaned and preserved when appropriate.” “We just received the boutonnieres and they are gorgeous! Thank you SO MUCH for all your work! These are going to make our wedding even more special!”

Etsy Virtual Bridal Show: Shoes

Welcome to the Etsy Virtual Bridal Show with links for readers to donate to Wish Upon a Wedding and For Japan With Love.

“Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.” -www.wishuponawedding.org

When I originally came up with this idea, it was solely to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding. However, given the recent disaster in Japan, I am aware that some viewers might want to donate their funds toward relief efforts. Well, thanks to Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, the wedding and event blogging world is coming together to support For Japan With Love. “For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” -http://www.utterlyengaged.com/please-help-for-japan-with-love-update/

No matter where you direct your donation, be it Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love, you will be making a difference in the lives of those facing life’s most difficult of circumstances. If you are unable to donate monetarily, your thoughts and prayers will truly touch the hearts and lives of those affected. I send my thoughts, prayers, and strength to those affected by such life altering circumstances.

Legalities:
While I am a volunteer with Wish Upon a Wedding and a participant with For Japan With Love, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love in any other capacity and is not an official representative of Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love. In addition, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Etsy or the vendors featured and is not an official representative of Etsy or of each of these vendors. I am simply a fan of these artists/vendors and a volunteer with a passion for what I do and for organizations I have chosen to donate my time and finances to. I have sought permission from each and every vendor featured to use their products and their photos. Please do not use these photos for personal gain or copy the designs presented. These products are the livelihood, passion, and intellectual property of each artist and to copy these items or to use them for person gain is both illegal and unethical.

Our first artisan is Arbie of Paris XOX. “While preparing for my own Wedding in Switzerland and a Blessing in England I wanted something to wear with a bit of romance and history. I purchased an antique gold horseshoe brooch studded with diamonds and pinned it onto a silk ribbon to wear as a choker… And there is the very small beginning of our company.” In addition to Paris XOX, Arbie has two other shops Waikiki XOX and London XOX, both are wedding related, so please check them out. “My shoes are perfect and glamorous! Arbie is amazing at what she does! Thank you for making these beautiful shoes for my wedding!”

Next on the show, Nora Karen, who says, “I studied graphic and Fashion Design in Argentina.Painting and designing is a true passion for me. I owe this to my Father, whose love for life,art and the needed inspired much of what I am today as an artist,person and believer.” “I bought these shoes for my upcoming winter wedding and they are absolutely AMAZING. They are so perfect it is hard to put in to words exactly how much I appreciate Norakaren’s work. Beautiful craftmanship. I was also touched by the packaging they arrived in as well as the sweet hand written card left by nora. I would highly recommend anything created by norakaren and I hope to be back soon for more beautiful unique items. Thank you so much again. Both shoes and clutch will add so much to my wedding day. Also I should mention that the shoes fit and are comfortable!!”

Here we have Sofisticata’s beautiful shoe clips.” Each piece is delicately handcrafted using the best quality materials available. My designs incorporate gemstones, beads, sequins, crystals, feathers, wire, and metal findings. These flowers are hand-stitched and handcrafted, each one will be unique (small variations are only natural to find).” “What can I say…your are talented and a true delight to work with for an extremely customized request! I sent my family tartan to add a special detail to my wedding attire and I am quite pleased. I also enjoyed the collaboration, patience and positivity during the design process. THANKS AGAIN! I will certainly provide pics from my wedding day to share your creation in action. Hope to work with you again soon.”

Brigitte Chung is a shoe designer from San Francisco. “Custom handmade crystals jeweled shoes. Perfect for wedding, pageant, prom, and party. Mix & Match our rhinestones heels, height, and colors with the shoes.” “Be-au-ti-ful sandals and experience. Great communication from Brigitte and the quality is excellent. I will treasure these shoes made for my wedding day.”

Our last shop is Chloe and Maddie “The perfect place for adorable handmade accessories for women and girls! Vintage inspired headbands, hair clips, combs and wedding or party accessories and gifts!” They have some seriously unique shoe clips that I just had to share. “LOVE these clips, they are so pretty! Can’t wait to wear them – will send you a picture of them on our wedding day.”

Etsy Virtual Bridal Show: Jewelry

Welcome to the Etsy Virtual Bridal Show with links for readers to donate to Wish Upon a Wedding and For Japan With Love.

“Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.” -www.wishuponawedding.org

When I originally came up with this idea, it was solely to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding. However, given the recent disaster in Japan, I am aware that some viewers might want to donate their funds toward relief efforts. Well, thanks to Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, the wedding and event blogging world is coming together to support For Japan With Love. “For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” -http://www.utterlyengaged.com/please-help-for-japan-with-love-update/

No matter where you direct your donation, be it Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love, you will be making a difference in the lives of those facing life’s most difficult of circumstances. If you are unable to donate monetarily, your thoughts and prayers will truly touch the hearts and lives of those affected. I send my thoughts, prayers, and strength to those affected by such life altering circumstances.

Legalities:
While I am a volunteer with Wish Upon a Wedding and a participant with For Japan With Love, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love in any other capacity and is not an official representative of Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love. In addition, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Etsy or the vendors featured and is not an official representative of Etsy or of each of these vendors. I am simply a fan of these artists/vendors and a volunteer with a passion for what I do and for organizations I have chosen to donate my time and finances to. I have sought permission from each and every vendor featured to use their products and their photos. Please do not use these photos for personal gain or copy the designs presented. These products are the livelihood, passion, and intellectual property of each artist and to copy these items or to use them for person gain is both illegal and unethical.

Our first jewelry artisan is Sol Bijou. “My love of jewelry began when I was a child and through the years this love turned into a burning desire to create unique jewelry for beautiful women around the world. In 1996 I began crafting unique pieces for friends and family. The demand for my creations was so great that, in 2008, this hobby turned into my occupation.” “Maricel has been incredible to work with! Her pieces are amazing, and I am so grateful to have found her to make very special gifts for my bridesmaids! Thank you, Maricel, for your time and talent! I am so happy!”

Next, we have Kathi of Vintage Inspired Jewelry. Kathi says this about her work, “When I step Into my studio I am able to create pieces from my heart, my mind goes places that I’ve never been. I see colors and textures merging Into one and my little creations are born.” “I am so happy with the ring colors I chose for my bridesmaids. They all turned out beautiful. I love the size of the flower and the brass ring is pretty too. I am so excited to gift these to my wonderful bridesmaids. I had the girls choose their favorite color from a list I gave them, so they are all getting a different color. They will look perfect with beachy theme :)”

Here we have Beads Story, which features vintage inspired jewelry made from vintage bits and bobs. “Such an exquisite silver necklace! It will go with everything so looking forward to showing it off. Customer service is A-1! Happy to recommend this seller as there will be no disappointment here.”

QA Create is our next artisan who “specializes in niche artisan-made jewelry. We try to create jewelry with an edge and style, recycling lost and forgotten items into something fashionable.” “I LOVE them! I am giving them to my fiance for our wedding day – this way he can show a little bit of his own style. He loves Captain America. They look great!! Thank you!!”

Next we have Little Blue Studio. In reference to her art, Maria Louise says, “I am sure it’s genetic…if I do not make something every single day with my hands I will expire. I come from a family of building builders, Singer sew-ers and garden growers. Hands make magic.” “Maria is fabulous!!! I ordered 7 flower brooches for the bridesmaids in my wedding 2 matching headbands for the flower girls and a large flower for my hair and the whole process was a pleasure. Maria wanted to make sure I got exactly what I wanted and through great communication with samples and pictures, etc. along the way, she exceeded my expectations. THANK YOU!!!”

Here we have Renaissance Jewelry. “Renaissance Jewelry is new to Etsy, but we have been around for years. We manufacture titanium jewelry by hand at discounted prices to help you save!” “This is an absolutely gorgeous ring and we are so happy with our choice (it is my partner’s wedding ring). Even better in person!”

Next on the show is EDM Desgins. Ricky says, “You will find designs and jewelry pieces that touch the spirit of those with an appreciation for the lifestyle and old world adornments of the vintage eras. Influenced by my utmost respect for the brilliant and skilled craftsmanship of vintage watch movements, master artisans of yesteryear hand created these intricate and fascinating little worlds of synchronicity and artistic beauty. To be able to repurpose them and allow these mini landscapes of art find new life in today’s times gives me tremendous pleasure.” “Ricky at Edmdesigns was absolutely lovely to work with. He made me the most beautiful necklace for my wedding day and the staff was super friendly on updating me. I’ve never had a more accommodating seller and such a pleasant purchase. Thank you so very much!”

Our next artisan is Jewelry by Johan. Jewelry by Johan specializes in wedding bands made out of truly unique and stunning materials such as meteorite. “What a beautiful work of art. We couldn’t be happier with this unique and special purchase. Thanks a lot!”

Darcy George of True Rebel Clothing has this to say about her creations, “I have always had a passion for Paris and the Parisian look. I have designed a new jewelry, and Accessory line with the french country Parisian Theme. Hope you enjoy looking and buying as much as I have enjoyed creating.” One of her customers had this to say about her purchase: “Holy cow! I love this necklace! The seller put it in the mail immediately. Beautifully crafted! First day wearing it, and I’ve already received seven compliments. Can’t wait to order more things!”

After Dark Jewelry creates handmade romantic Victorian jewelry, accessories for bride, bridesmaids, special occasion jewelry, wedding, custom, renaissance, and medieval inspired jewelery. “I have been passionately designing and crafting my own unique jewelry items since early childhood, slowly honing my creative style over a 20 year period. After Dark Jewelry is the culmination of a life-long dream: to develop an artistic business based on uplifting, inspiring and adorning the female form. My goal throughout the creative process is to encourage women to be bold, daring, and utterly extraordinary — to embrace their own unique qualities, both inside and out.” An After Dark customer says, “This is hands down the most beautiful necklace I have ever or will ever own. I am so glad you came into my life so that we could both share in each others beauty. I loved working with you and hope your life is magical, like the art you make. Thanks I love it and am proud to be its new owner. Happy walking girl.”

Next, we have Hengameh of Toranj Design. “I love to combine all my talents and abilities in my creations and I hope you see them as a piece of art not only a piece of jewelry. Art and fashion is my passion, my life & I thank you for the opportunity to do it every day” “I purchased “royal highness” a couple of weeks ago, wore it to a charity ball and received SO MANY compliments on it. Even Miss America stopped me to tell me that “Your dress is lovely, but I LOVE your necklace!” So thank you, thank you ToranjDesign! I’ll be shopping with you often!”

Yutal Jewelry Fusion is our next Etsy vendor. “With a view to fusion between east and west, old and new, traditional work-tools with technological innovations,diverse metals with semi-precious stones. Our creation is the result of two artists who live and create together,but grew up and were raised in different cultures. Diane was trained as a classical jeweler and formed a strong affinity for “Art Deco”, whereas Ehud is a scion of eight generations of Yemenite filigree jewelers.” “You are right. This is the most comfortable ring ever! I am wearing it as my alternative wedding band. It is so beautiful!”

Azure Treasures’ shop is approaching it’s third year on Etsy and is run by a stay at home mom who not only has beautiful designs available immediately in her shop, but also does custom work. “I love my necklace and earrings! They are perfect for my wedding day. Thanks so much!”

Now for the Bohemian bride, we have Gypsy Moon Designs. “Gypsy Moon Designs has been creating jewelry since 1994. I lived in the busy San Francisco Bay Area and longed for a slower more creative life. So I packed my bags and moved to the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. The light of the high desert has this amazing golden glow, and the sky is so blue you feel like you can touch heaven. Under this sky I found the creativity I so longed for!” “My sweetheart and i LOVE these! the antiquing, the colors, the sun motif – can’t wait to wear them on the coast, but going to wear them now to carry that bit of sunshine with me everywhere. 🙂 Gypsymoondesigns is the perfect combo of professional – done to every exquisite detail – and person – she is simply the best! and takes care to exceed customer satisfaction every time. Etsy is lucky to have her!”

Finally, we have Ilan, Oded and Ev of Artisan Look have this to say about their work, “We dedicate ourselves to our creativity and skills through drawing, sculpting and handmade jewelry. We have developed techniques that resonate powerfully through our contemporary jewelry designs, with the craftsmanship and detail of old Yemeni and Middle Eastern cultures, creating a distinct look to each piece of jewelry. By working with sterling silver, gold and gemstones we create an unconventional mixture of contemporary and ethnic designs.” In addition to Artisan Look, they have other shops featuring their beautiful craft: Artisan Impact(sterling and mixed gold), Silver Crush (sterling silver), and Artisan Field (14K gold filled designs). “Wonderful wedding ring for husband-to-be! The rings are even more beautiful than imagined. Thank you so much!”

Etsy Virtual Bridal Show- Gowns and Dresses

Welcome to the Etsy Virtual Bridal Show with links for readers to donate to Wish Upon a Wedding and For Japan With Love.

“Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.” -www.wishuponawedding.org

When I originally came up with this idea, it was solely to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding. However, given the recent disaster in Japan, I am aware that some viewers might want to donate their funds toward relief efforts. Well, thanks to Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, the wedding and event blogging world is coming together to support For Japan With Love. “For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” -http://www.utterlyengaged.com/please-help-for-japan-with-love-update/

In addition, I am participating (along with many other bloggers), in the Bloggers Day of Silence on Friday, March 18th where there will be no blog posts for that day to honor the memory of those who perished in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami and those displaced and devastated by the events that occurred in Japan. On that day I will light a candle at sunrise and will pray on the hour every hour until sunset. If you are another blogger reading this, I hope you will participate and spread the word.

No matter where you direct your donation, be it Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love, you will be making a difference in the lives of those facing life’s most difficult of circumstances. If you are unable to donate monetarily, your thoughts and prayers will truly touch the hearts and lives of those affected. I send my thoughts, prayers, and strength to those affected by such life altering circumstances.

Legalities:
While I am a volunteer with Wish Upon a Wedding and a participant with For Japan With Love, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love in any other capacity and is not an official representative of Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love. In addition, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Etsy or the vendors featured and is not an official representative of Etsy or of each of these vendors. I am simply a fan of these artists/vendors and a volunteer with a passion for what I do and for organizations I have chosen to donate my time and finances to. I have sought permission from each and every vendor featured to use their products and their photos. Please do not use these photos for personal gain or copy the designs presented. These products are the livelihood, passion, and intellectual property of each artist and to copy these items or to use them for person gain is both illegal and unethical.

We begin the show with the item many purchase or seek first when first becoming engaged, Bridal Gowns. Each post has a little bit about the vendor, actual feedback from one of the vendor’s customers, and then a slide show displaying the best of their wares. Each slide show is linked to the vendor’s Etsy shop via Slide.com.

Our first designer is Michi ofToccata. “Your dream wedding dress done just the way you’ve always envisioned it to be. Just send me a convo and I will show you how easy it is. I have been designing and creating exquisite wedding dresses for eighteen years now. Here at Toccata, exquisitely designed and handcrafted pieces marry the incredible couture experience online.” “ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY BOLERO! Will wear this with so much pride at my wedding. Michi was friendly, answered all my questions and has produced the most stunning bolero I have ever seen. THANK YOU!”

Next, we have Upoppy who’s favorite artist is Gustav Klimt. “I think that the dress speaks for itself–the talent, workmanship, attention to detail, pride that clearly went into making it. And although I had the pleasure of wearing this gorgeous dress to mark one of the best days of my life, what I will remember most about the dress itself is the process of working with someone so genuine, visionary, skilled, gracious and a true pleasure to communicate with. Designing this dress with Val was truly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I had during my wedding planning–this process makes the dress truly precious. All I can say is: imagine it and Val will work tirelessly, enthusiastically and mutually to make it real and beautiful.”

Here we have Ellana Couture. “We are a small group of designers dedicated to creating unique, elegant, and interesting ladies apparel that showcase the beauty of fabric, such as naturally luxurious silks and quality laces.” “I received the dress today and have to tell you that it is PERFECT! I mean GORGEOUS! Looks like it was custom made for me. The first time I tried it on was driving from the post office to my seamstress and I put it on and we both looked at it and decided that nothing whatsoever needed to be done. I am so impressed beyond words. The fabric is rich and the brooches are great too. Thank you for your expediency and craftsmanship, it is more lovely than I could have possibly imagined.”

Tova of Wedding Dress Fantasy has this to say about herself and her shop. “I’m a professional bridal gown designer and the owner of WeddingDressFantasy.com. My bridal salon, Couture De Bride, was voted BEST BRIDAL SALON in 2010’s “BEST OF BERGEN” in 201 Magazine. I create custom wedding dresses in over 50 colors. I work out of my bridal showroom in Teaneck, NJ where I design all of my gowns. On the lower level is my workroom where my dressmakers and I cut patterns and sew many fabulous wedding gowns for our beautiful brides…I love unique and non-traditional styles, so feel free to send me ideas of what you want. I can even create Medieval Wedding Dresses, Renaissance Wedding Dresses, Gothic Wedding Dresses, Pinup Wedding Dresses, Vintage Inspired Wedding Dresses, Tea Length Wedding Dresses and so much more.” “I love my wedding dress–it’s absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to wear it. Tova is exceptionally skilled and it’s clear she dedicated herself to creating this piece perfectly. I am so thankful that I found her.”

Our next artist takes us across the pond (at least for my US readers). Ruby Noir states that An English Affair is, “a collection of handmade design from U.K independent designers. The collection of beautiful knits, vintage and accessories are beautiful” “Not only is her product completely beautiful and professionally done, she goes way above and beyond to make her customers happy! Even though the mail system was backed up (and not in her control) she booked a special DHL delivery to ensure I got my bolero in time for a wedding I needed it for. I have never worked with someone so willing to make her customers so completely happy! I will definitely use her over and over again!”

Ieie’s Dress Shop has a great selection of traditional bridal gowns and a few not so traditional. She also can design and make a custom creation for you unlike any other. In addition to “I am here to create your perfect wedding gown! If you’re one of those brides who have fallen in love with 2 or more wedding gowns or simply can’t find anything in the stores, contact me to discuss a dress customized not only in your size, but also in design, to reflect your personal taste!” “This dress is absolutely beautiful! Wendy did such an amazing job and took photos along the process and kept me up to date with how she was, sometimes random “hellos” and completion and shipping information. ABSOLUTE DOLL!!! I loved working with Wendy and she really does have a special talent for bringing to life a photo or a recreation of an actual dress. I’ll be posting a photo soon (within a few weeks after the Ball) so please keep and eye out. I had a custom dress made to mirror (with Wendy’s touch) Camilla Belle’s YSL dress worn at the Metropolitan Opera Gala Premiere. Stunning!!!” Ieie is offering free domestic shipping: use the code KSRAVEN.

Our next artists are KMK Designs. “We are a mother daughter collaboration, based is Stillwater, MN with over 35 years experience who love creating alternative wear.” “The dress is amazing!!! It’s very flattering, gives me curves, and makes me look like I actually have a rear end.. which I sooo don’t. 😉 I love how the corset has a zipper.. it made it so much easier for me to try it on while I was by myself. The sleeves are gorgeous.. just the feel I was going for! And the way you re-purposed my mother’s wedding veil… breathtaking!!! I can’t thank you enough! I really took a leap of faith having a dress made across the county, but I made the right choice 100 times over. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who laid hands on my dress!… Pictures will follow as I can manage to get them… And then again from the wedding in Scotland just as soon as possible. 🙂 ~Beth.”

Next on our show, Ting Bridal. “TingBridal is a US home based studio owned by myself, Ting, and my beautiful little sister Jojo, we focus on making dresses and accessories for brides who are looking for something a little more special and custom than what you can find from many bridal retailers. Many of our brides have a destination, outdoor, or some other non-traditional wedding, and they want the dress, jewelry, or vail to be just as special. We like to use organic and natural material, such as 100% silk, cotton, as well as vintage lace and fabric from vintage wedding gowns.” “Ting was a pleasure to work with. The dress is absolutely gorgeous, the perfect length, the perfect poofyness, the perfect balance of sexy and fun!!! Came wrapped up in a dress bag secured with a satin ribbon… it was almost too cute to open. The craftsmanship of the garment is fabulous, fits true to her sizing chart she provided, had the perfect thickness of built in padding/cups. I could go on and on about how wonderful this transaction was!!! I am so excited to wear this at my wedding this July!”

Next we have Cupid’s Arrow. Cupid’s Arrow features one of a kind vintage gowns and accessories and was recently launched to separate their growing Bridal Dept. away from their other Etsy shop: Lipstick Whiskey. “We are two sisters in law married to Brothers. We share a love of all things Vintage, especially wedding. Together we have worked to bring you the most beautiful Vintage pieces and hope to pass on a timeless tradition with the purchase of one of our unforgettable Gowns.”

Here we have La Costurera. “La Costurera specializes in Bespoke Bridal Gowns, Tailored Silk Suits, Evening & Prom Wear, Swarovski Crystal Tiaras, Fascinators & a range of individually designed jewelery as well as a new ’boutique’ range of clothing.” “This is a beautiful and well made lace jacket and my teenage daughter loves it! Great communication – seller is very responsive and easy to work with. Thanks again!”

Next, we have Sash Couture. “Sash Couture provides customers with the opportunity to design their own dresses and the chance to own an item of clothing that is truly unique and suited to their tastes. Shauna’s World was founded in July 2008 by the Austrian entrepreneur, Dagmar Klosenski and lounged into “SASH COUTURE” in 2010 with 2 new dressmakers on board: Beverly and Bonnie.” “After looking for months for a dress that would fit my casual and simple wedding day, I started looking on Etsy and found shaunasworld’s. I fell in love with their dresses and placed an order for my own. They were a pleasure to work with and everything was done in a timely manner! The dress is incredibly well made and fits perfectly. I love my dress! shaunasworld has created a beautiful and unique dress that will fit my day perfectly! Thank you!!”

Our next Etsy artist/shop is Natural Bridals. “Morgan Boszilkov is the designer and owner of the Natural Bridal Collection, a new line of eco-friendly designer wedding gowns and accessories. The dresses and accessories are handcrafted with love in the United States, and 5% of profits are donated to environmental causes. Morgan uses sustainable fabrics and strives to apply green and socially responsible principles to all aspects of her business.” Morgan’s designs have been seen on/in: Bride and Bloom Magazine, Get Married Magazine, Brides New York Magazine, Brides Atlanta Magazine, CNN, TLC – winner of “Who are you wearing?” show, TheKnot.com, Skirt!, Daily Candy, InStyle, Utterly Engaged, StyleMePretty, Brides Chicago, Brides Southern California, and Southern Distinctions. http://naturalbridals.com

Next, is Bound by Obsession. “I take exceptional pride in every stitch that goes in to my corsets and clothing. I have put decades of research in to the patterns and construction. Every piece of fabric that I will work with has been specifically selected and all of the materials that go in to the construction are of the highest possible standard.” “I wish there was a double-plus awesome rating on Etsy. When I almost couldn’t get something in time for a themed wedding, Susan really came through! Her design was beautiful, imaginative and on budget. And despite customs delays and the vagaries of the US postal service, I got it in time. It is everything I wanted and more – well made, beautiful quality fabrics, and fits perfect. I will be back again many times I am sure.”

Here we have Retro Vintage Weddings “featuring Wedding Dresses & Bridal Gowns, Jewels, Accessories, Headpieces & Veils, Gloves & Bouquets, all Original or Vintage from every era! Everything a Bride planning a Vintage Inspired Wedding will need!” “I consider each client my personal work of art! Along with her Bridal Boutique, Paula also functions as a Wedding Florist & Bridal Stylist.”

Glam House says, “Every bride deserves the best and it is our goal to deliver one of a kind designs to our stylish haute brides.” I included the sashes here instead of in the Accessories category, because the sash becomes an integral part of a wedding dress and can transform the dress itself. “Extremely fast response on my questions and extremely fast shipping!!!! It’s even more beautiful than the pictures. I can’t wait to wear it on my wedding day!”

Our next vendor is Alex Bridal who specializes in hand-made wedding boleros, wedding jackets, wedding wraps and wedding capes. “Amazing!! This matched my wedding dress so perfectly, can’t imagine wearing it without this bolero, so many compliments. Last minute miracle!!”

Here we have Angels Bridal Boutique by Angela Vaden. Angela is currently taking orders for August submissions. In addition to her Etsy boutique, Angela maintains a website that not only features her gowns, but her photography as well: http://www.angelsbridalandphotography.com/. “Positive” is not even close to the rating you deserve! I absolutely LOVE the dress, it’s perfect in every way! Thank you SOOO much. I’d highly recommend you to ANY bride!”

Finally, we have Very Tres Chic, another shop owned by Paula of Retro Vintage Weddings. “Paula was attentive and kind. I had a ton of questions about this dress and she ensured that I understood exactly what I was getting and under which conditions. When the dress arrived, it was packaged beautifully and with a ton of care, just as a wedding dress should be. The dress itself is exactly as shown and easily alterable to my specifications, exactly as Paula said it’d be. Paula’s attention to detail, and her desire to see a bride happy, is exactly the reason the bar is set so high for me now in terms of Etsy sellers. I hope everyone has as good an experience as I did.” Be sure to visit the shop for Paula’s beautiful accessories as well as dresses in color if you are wanting to wear something other than white: http://www.etsy.com/listing/54384874/sale-1920s-inspired-red-beaded-flapper.

Thank you so much for participating in the Bridal Gown portion of the show. Tomorrow, it will be veils, hats, and hair accessories. Again, if you are able, please make a donation to either Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love.

Etsy Virtual Bridal Show- Bridal Gowns and Dresses

Welcome to the Etsy Virtual Bridal Show with links for readers to donate to Wish Upon a Wedding and For Japan With Love.

“Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.” -www.wishuponawedding.org

When I originally came up with this idea, it was solely to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding. However, given the recent disaster in Japan, I am aware that some viewers might want to donate their funds toward relief efforts. Well, thanks to Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, the wedding and event blogging world is coming together to support For Japan With Love. “For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” -http://www.utterlyengaged.com/please-help-for-japan-with-love-update/

In addition, I am participating (along with many other bloggers), in the Bloggers Day of Silence on Friday, March 18th where there will be no blog posts for that day to honor the memory of those who perished in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami and those displaced and devastated by the events that occurred in Japan. On that day I will light a candle at sunrise and will pray on the hour every hour until sunset. If you are another blogger reading this, I hope you will participate and spread the word.

No matter where you direct your donation, be it Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love, you will be making a difference in the lives of those facing life’s most difficult of circumstances. If you are unable to donate monetarily, your thoughts and prayers will truly touch the hearts and lives of those affected. I send my thoughts, prayers, and strength to those affected by such life altering circumstances.

Legalities:
While I am a volunteer with Wish Upon a Wedding and a participant with For Japan With Love, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love in any other capacity and is not an official representative of Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love. In addition, Parties by Kristen is not affiliated with Etsy or the vendors featured and is not an official representative of Etsy or of each of these vendors. I am simply a fan of these artists/vendors and a volunteer with a passion for what I do and for organizations I have chosen to donate my time and finances to. I have sought permission from each and every vendor featured to use their products and their photos. Please do not use these photos for personal gain or copy the designs presented. These products are the livelihood, passion, and intellectual property of each artist and to copy these items or to use them for person gain is both illegal and unethical.

We begin the show with the item many purchase or seek first when first becoming engaged, Bridal Gowns. Each post has a little bit about the vendor, actual feedback from one of the vendor’s customers, and then a slide show displaying the best of their wares. Each slide show is linked to the vendor’s Etsy shop via Slide.com.

Our first designer is Michi ofToccata. “Your dream wedding dress done just the way you’ve always envisioned it to be. Just send me a convo and I will show you how easy it is. I have been designing and creating exquisite wedding dresses for eighteen years now. Here at Toccata, exquisitely designed and handcrafted pieces marry the incredible couture experience online.” “ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY BOLERO! Will wear this with so much pride at my wedding. Michi was friendly, answered all my questions and has produced the most stunning bolero I have ever seen. THANK YOU!”

Next, we have Upoppy who’s favorite artist is Gustav Klimt. “I think that the dress speaks for itself–the talent, workmanship, attention to detail, pride that clearly went into making it. And although I had the pleasure of wearing this gorgeous dress to mark one of the best days of my life, what I will remember most about the dress itself is the process of working with someone so genuine, visionary, skilled, gracious and a true pleasure to communicate with. Designing this dress with Val was truly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I had during my wedding planning–this process makes the dress truly precious. All I can say is: imagine it and Val will work tirelessly, enthusiastically and mutually to make it real and beautiful.”

Here we have Ellana Couture. “We are a small group of designers dedicated to creating unique, elegant, and interesting ladies apparel that showcase the beauty of fabric, such as naturally luxurious silks and quality laces.” “I received the dress today and have to tell you that it is PERFECT! I mean GORGEOUS! Looks like it was custom made for me. The first time I tried it on was driving from the post office to my seamstress and I put it on and we both looked at it and decided that nothing whatsoever needed to be done. I am so impressed beyond words. The fabric is rich and the brooches are great too. Thank you for your expediency and craftsmanship, it is more lovely than I could have possibly imagined.”

Tova of Wedding Dress Fantasy has this to say about herself and her shop. “I’m a professional bridal gown designer and the owner of WeddingDressFantasy.com. My bridal salon, Couture De Bride, was voted BEST BRIDAL SALON in 2010’s “BEST OF BERGEN” in 201 Magazine. I create custom wedding dresses in over 50 colors. I work out of my bridal showroom in Teaneck, NJ where I design all of my gowns. On the lower level is my workroom where my dressmakers and I cut patterns and sew many fabulous wedding gowns for our beautiful brides…I love unique and non-traditional styles, so feel free to send me ideas of what you want. I can even create Medieval Wedding Dresses, Renaissance Wedding Dresses, Gothic Wedding Dresses, Pinup Wedding Dresses, Vintage Inspired Wedding Dresses, Tea Length Wedding Dresses and so much more.” “I love my wedding dress–it’s absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to wear it. Tova is exceptionally skilled and it’s clear she dedicated herself to creating this piece perfectly. I am so thankful that I found her.”

Our next artist takes us across the pond (at least for my US readers). Ruby Noir states that An English Affair is, “a collection of handmade design from U.K independent designers. The collection of beautiful knits, vintage and accessories are beautiful” “Not only is her product completely beautiful and professionally done, she goes way above and beyond to make her customers happy! Even though the mail system was backed up (and not in her control) she booked a special DHL delivery to ensure I got my bolero in time for a wedding I needed it for. I have never worked with someone so willing to make her customers so completely happy! I will definitely use her over and over again!”

Ieie’s Dress Shop has a great selection of traditional bridal gowns and a few not so traditional. She also can design and make a custom creation for you unlike any other. In addition to “I am here to create your perfect wedding gown! If you’re one of those brides who have fallen in love with 2 or more wedding gowns or simply can’t find anything in the stores, contact me to discuss a dress customized not only in your size, but also in design, to reflect your personal taste!” “This dress is absolutely beautiful! Wendy did such an amazing job and took photos along the process and kept me up to date with how she was, sometimes random “hellos” and completion and shipping information. ABSOLUTE DOLL!!! I loved working with Wendy and she really does have a special talent for bringing to life a photo or a recreation of an actual dress. I’ll be posting a photo soon (within a few weeks after the Ball) so please keep and eye out. I had a custom dress made to mirror (with Wendy’s touch) Camilla Belle’s YSL dress worn at the Metropolitan Opera Gala Premiere. Stunning!!!” Ieie is offering free domestic shipping: use the code KSRAVEN.

Our next artists are KMK Designs. “We are a mother daughter collaboration, based is Stillwater, MN with over 35 years experience who love creating alternative wear.” “The dress is amazing!!! It’s very flattering, gives me curves, and makes me look like I actually have a rear end.. which I sooo don’t. 😉 I love how the corset has a zipper.. it made it so much easier for me to try it on while I was by myself. The sleeves are gorgeous.. just the feel I was going for! And the way you re-purposed my mother’s wedding veil… breathtaking!!! I can’t thank you enough! I really took a leap of faith having a dress made across the county, but I made the right choice 100 times over. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who laid hands on my dress!… Pictures will follow as I can manage to get them… And then again from the wedding in Scotland just as soon as possible. 🙂 ~Beth.”

Next on our show, Ting Bridal. “TingBridal is a US home based studio owned by myself, Ting, and my beautiful little sister Jojo, we focus on making dresses and accessories for brides who are looking for something a little more special and custom than what you can find from many bridal retailers. Many of our brides have a destination, outdoor, or some other non-traditional wedding, and they want the dress, jewelry, or vail to be just as special. We like to use organic and natural material, such as 100% silk, cotton, as well as vintage lace and fabric from vintage wedding gowns.” “Ting was a pleasure to work with. The dress is absolutely gorgeous, the perfect length, the perfect poofyness, the perfect balance of sexy and fun!!! Came wrapped up in a dress bag secured with a satin ribbon… it was almost too cute to open. The craftsmanship of the garment is fabulous, fits true to her sizing chart she provided, had the perfect thickness of built in padding/cups. I could go on and on about how wonderful this transaction was!!! I am so excited to wear this at my wedding this July!”

Next we have Cupid’s Arrow. Cupid’s Arrow features one of a kind vintage gowns and accessories and was recently launched to separate their growing Bridal Dept. away from their other Etsy shop: Lipstick Whiskey. “We are two sisters in law married to Brothers. We share a love of all things Vintage, especially wedding. Together we have worked to bring you the most beautiful Vintage pieces and hope to pass on a timeless tradition with the purchase of one of our unforgettable Gowns.”

Here we have La Costurera. “La Costurera specializes in Bespoke Bridal Gowns, Tailored Silk Suits, Evening & Prom Wear, Swarovski Crystal Tiaras, Fascinators & a range of individually designed jewelery as well as a new ’boutique’ range of clothing.” “This is a beautiful and well made lace jacket and my teenage daughter loves it! Great communication – seller is very responsive and easy to work with. Thanks again!”

Next, we have Sash Couture. “Sash Couture provides customers with the opportunity to design their own dresses and the chance to own an item of clothing that is truly unique and suited to their tastes. Shauna’s World was founded in July 2008 by the Austrian entrepreneur, Dagmar Klosenski and lounged into “SASH COUTURE” in 2010 with 2 new dressmakers on board: Beverly and Bonnie.” “After looking for months for a dress that would fit my casual and simple wedding day, I started looking on Etsy and found shaunasworld’s. I fell in love with their dresses and placed an order for my own. They were a pleasure to work with and everything was done in a timely manner! The dress is incredibly well made and fits perfectly. I love my dress! shaunasworld has created a beautiful and unique dress that will fit my day perfectly! Thank you!!”

Our next Etsy artist/shop is Natural Bridals. “Morgan Boszilkov is the designer and owner of the Natural Bridal Collection, a new line of eco-friendly designer wedding gowns and accessories. The dresses and accessories are handcrafted with love in the United States, and 5% of profits are donated to environmental causes. Morgan uses sustainable fabrics and strives to apply green and socially responsible principles to all aspects of her business.” Morgan’s designs have been seen on/in: Bride and Bloom Magazine, Get Married Magazine, Brides New York Magazine, Brides Atlanta Magazine, CNN, TLC – winner of “Who are you wearing?” show, TheKnot.com, Skirt!, Daily Candy, InStyle, Utterly Engaged, StyleMePretty, Brides Chicago, Brides Southern California, and Southern Distinctions. http://naturalbridals.com

Next, is Bound by Obsession. “I take exceptional pride in every stitch that goes in to my corsets and clothing. I have put decades of research in to the patterns and construction. Every piece of fabric that I will work with has been specifically selected and all of the materials that go in to the construction are of the highest possible standard.” “I wish there was a double-plus awesome rating on Etsy. When I almost couldn’t get something in time for a themed wedding, Susan really came through! Her design was beautiful, imaginative and on budget. And despite customs delays and the vagaries of the US postal service, I got it in time. It is everything I wanted and more – well made, beautiful quality fabrics, and fits perfect. I will be back again many times I am sure.”

Here we have Retro Vintage Weddings “featuring Wedding Dresses & Bridal Gowns, Jewels, Accessories, Headpieces & Veils, Gloves & Bouquets, all Original or Vintage from every era! Everything a Bride planning a Vintage Inspired Wedding will need!” “I consider each client my personal work of art! Along with her Bridal Boutique, Paula also functions as a Wedding Florist & Bridal Stylist.”

Glam House says, “Every bride deserves the best and it is our goal to deliver one of a kind designs to our stylish haute brides.” I included the sashes here instead of in the Accessories category, because the sash becomes an integral part of a wedding dress and can transform the dress itself. “Extremely fast response on my questions and extremely fast shipping!!!! It’s even more beautiful than the pictures. I can’t wait to wear it on my wedding day!”

Our next vendor is Alex Bridal who specializes in hand-made wedding boleros, wedding jackets, wedding wraps and wedding capes. “Amazing!! This matched my wedding dress so perfectly, can’t imagine wearing it without this bolero, so many compliments. Last minute miracle!!”

Here we have Angels Bridal Boutique by Angela Vaden. Angela is currently taking orders for August submissions. In addition to her Etsy boutique, Angela maintains a website that not only features her gowns, but her photography as well: http://www.angelsbridalandphotography.com/. “Positive” is not even close to the rating you deserve! I absolutely LOVE the dress, it’s perfect in every way! Thank you SOOO much. I’d highly recommend you to ANY bride!”

Finally, we have Very Tres Chic, another shop owned by Paula of Retro Vintage Weddings. “Paula was attentive and kind. I had a ton of questions about this dress and she ensured that I understood exactly what I was getting and under which conditions. When the dress arrived, it was packaged beautifully and with a ton of care, just as a wedding dress should be. The dress itself is exactly as shown and easily alterable to my specifications, exactly as Paula said it’d be. Paula’s attention to detail, and her desire to see a bride happy, is exactly the reason the bar is set so high for me now in terms of Etsy sellers. I hope everyone has as good an experience as I did.” Be sure to visit the shop for Paula’s beautiful accessories as well as dresses in color if you are wanting to wear something other than white: http://www.etsy.com/listing/54384874/sale-1920s-inspired-red-beaded-flapper.

Thank you so much for participating in the Bridal Gown portion of the show. Tomorrow, it will be veils, hats, and hair accessories. Again, if you are able, please make a donation to either Wish Upon a Wedding or For Japan With Love.