BRIDAL COLORS FOR FALL/SPRING?

Ladies let's start with the GROOMS.  It's not every year that the men even make a mark on Bridal Fashion, so this year it's nice that they are really stepping out of the box.  And, no it doesn't mean that you give him free reign, but it's nice to see that YOUR BIG DAY is also HIS BIG DAY.   So, if hubby to be comes to you and voices his desire that the groomsmen wear Grey, Brown, Blue, on even pinstripes - LISTEN because he is on to one of the next hot trends in bridal color. 

To further complicate your bridal palette, I've noticed that Bridesmaids are looking at bolder colors like Burgundy, Canary Yellow, Olive, and Royal Purple. Unlike pastels, bolder colors can be a lot more challenging to coordinate, and to add to that the groomsmen don't want to wear black tuxedos and you've got yourself a catastrophe if you're color challenged.

So to help you navigate in the world of color for the Fall and early Spring season here are three of our tops choices:

COLOR COMBINATION 1:  Champagne, Gold, Peach, and Brown. 

MEN:  Brown suits with brown bow ties over peach shirts (if they try to go pink just say NO! It's just too over done and we don't want to startle the older men, lol). Pull it all together with apricot floral corsages.
WOMEN: The women should wear peach or brown dresses with contrasting sashes. The women can accent their dresses with gold heels and jewelry.  A classic gold sequins clutches purse would also be nice. 

COLOR COMBINATION 2: Lavender, Plum, and Platinum 

MEN:  Platinum or charcoal grey suits with lilac shirts.  Plum corsages, bow ties, and handkerchiefs will bring this color palette together for a strong finish.
WOMEN: The bridesmaids can wear lavender with plum accents or vice versa.  Silver jewelry and shoes work well with this color combination.

COLOR COMBINATION 3: Navy Blue, a faint Mint Green, and a Pastel Yellow

MEN:   Navy blue suits with mint green shirts.  A nice yellow carnation corsage would pop with this color combination.
WOMEN:  Navy blue or mint green dresses with yellow sashes, shoes, and accessories.

So please let your imagination guide you.  The above  suggestions will offer you lots of exciting floral and decor opportunities.  I can definitely see a peach invitation with a brown inlay and metallic gold writing; or silver candle holders with layers of lavender orchids and plum fabric, or a lakeside with centerpieces of hydrangea and carnation combinations pulling on the pastel yellow and green theme,  with table setting using rich navy blue accents for an executive finish.

LOVE ROBERT

3 Surprising Trends for Fall Brides.

It's official, brides just can't get enough of THE SASH.  While this trend has been gaining in popularity for almost two years, it's allure is now picking up in more conservative boutiques through out the Midwest.  In fact, Susan from the Left Bank here in Chicago told me that it's hard for her to even keep them in the store they are moving so quickly.  We, at Atha Sharod Bridal kind of seen this one coming though, so you'll see that many of our gowns are coupled with sashes.

More surprising, is the trend towards the MERMAID CUT.  We have been forced to add a mermaid cut to the White Collection - LUXE.  The ballroom cut continues it's popularity, but as thicker brides turn their back on this cut, and opt for the MERMAID and TRUMPET upscale boutique that followed Vera Wang's lead too closely are scrambling for more fitted dresses for their brides who want to show their curves.

And the last trend I'd like to highlight involves a  move away from the ever so popular sweat heart.  I was afraid that because of Kate's dress brides might start requesting long fitted sleeves, and I am glad that as a trend that hasn't seemed to have caught on.  We have noticed that there has been a resurgence of the CAPPED SLEEVE, and as a design consequence  the KEYHOLE back.  We are  proud to have been in front of this trend as one of the more popular pieces in our White Collection - LUXE collection features capped sleeves.

So there you have it my observations of surprising trends for the fall brides: Sashes, Mermaids, and Capped sleeves.

Our Preferred List - after the August 7th "sneak preview"

Often when planning a big event, you learn who is who.  Such was the case with Atha Sharod Bridal's, "sneak preview" held at the Loft on Lake.  I want all brides to know that I take my reputation with the utmost seriousness, and that the people that I recommend to you are vendors that have been tried, and tested by yours truly either through events that I have held or through weddings of my clients.  Below are vendors whom I have worked with, and can wholeheartedly recommend:

Norman's Bistro - caterer
Ceder's Mediterranean - caterer
Rueter's Bakery - bakery
Fancy Candies and Sweet Buffet - dessert buffet stylist
The Left Bank - bridal accessories
Tracey Ballog - makeup
Analise Ojeda - hair
Rosemary Fanti - illustrator
Loreen Hospodar - bouquet preservationist