For Lovers Only: The Newlywed Trash-The-Dress Photo Sesh

Here’s what we love about trash-the-dress photo shoots: the chance to get out into nature, in your gown, with your new hubby, for a series of pix that capture the sexy, exhilarating rush of newlywed romance in all its wild glory. Yowza. Here’s what we don’t love about the trash-the-dress photo shoots: um, trashing the dress.

It sounds awfully destructive, but a trash-the-dress photo shoot doesn’t actually have to involve turning your wedding gown into garbage. Depending on your bridal gown’s material and embellishments, it can usually be cleaned and preserved post-shoot (though it probably won’t retain its pristine pre-wedding glory, you’re not likely to wear it again anyway). And even if it can’t, it just may be worth the wow of a set of gorgeously sensual trash-the-dress photos.

These unbelievably romantic TDD pix from around the globe—which, depending on where you work, are kinda NSFW—say, “Oh, yes.”

Natural, unposed, unabashed–no wonder this beautiful South Florida TDD is from Jessica Loren Organic Photography.

You can just feel the day-after-the-big-day languor and love in this Ocho Rios, Jamaica, TDD pic from Ontario-based photographer Melanie Dreidger.

How much fun is this UK TDD by Freeman Photographics? The bride looks like a mermaid!

This desert shoot from California photographer Kerry Garrison is SO HOT, no?

After that scorcher, how about cooling off with a plunge into romance from award-winning Riviera Maya, Mexico-based Del Sol Photography?

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To Do This Week: Simone Carvalli @ Brickhouse Bridal, WestLake Club Open House, Northwest Forest Open House

Nothing to do this weekend? Yeah, right. When you’re a bride planning her wedding, there’s ALWAYS something to do. And this weekend, there are three more exclusive bridal events to add to your calendar, so mark the dates, grab a bridesmaid or two, and get out there. PS: RSVPs are always appreciated. But then, you knew that. You’re a bride-to-be, after all!

This Friday and Saturday, check out high-glamour, high-fashion, figure-hugging gowns from Simone Carvalli at Brickhouse Bridal, and get 15% off when you nab your Carvalli creation during this event!

Simone Carvalli Trunk Show

Brickhouse Bridal

Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21, 2010

200 Valleywood Drive

Suite A300

The Woodlands, Tx 77380

For more information and to RSVP call 281.681.3430

Looking for the perfect indoor-outdoor wedding venue? Lakefront lawns and opulent ballroom space for up to 350 of your nearest and dearest await you at the conveniently located WestLake Club. Come see it (and taste it!) for yourself this Saturday.

WestLake Club Bridal Open House

Saturday, August 21, 2010

11AM to 1PM

570 Westlake Park Blvd.

Houston, TX 77079

For more information or to RSVP call 281.556.5100 or e-mail

It may be located on 80 spectacular rural acres in Cypress, but Northwest Forest has all the modern amenities to make your wedding the event of a lifetime. Check out its unique ceremony and reception spaces—we especially love the Old West-style Settlement House with its big ol’ Texas-size ballroom and delightful wraparound porch—this Sunday afternoon.

Northwest Forest Bridal Open House

Sunday, August 22, 2010

2PM to 4PM

12715 Telge Road

Cypress, TX 77429

For more information or to RSVP call 281.256.4249 or e-mail

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Personalize Your Wedding Stationery With Three Designing Women

We always say the best wedding ideas are born and bred in Texas! Like Three Designing Women, for instance. The Dallas-based boutique stamp-and-stationery company—already a favorite of ours for its monogram embossers and gorgeous custom stamps—just introduced a fabulous Wedding Design Kit that makes personalizing your wedding stationery a snap. Included in the kit are a self-inking stamper, ink cartridge, six stylish interchangeable stamp designs and a variety of stationery that’s just waiting for your imprint—or use your own stationery if you prefer. Pair the kit with an elegant embosser, and you’re all set to personalize save-the-dates, bridesmaids’ gifts, thank-you notes, favors and more.

In town, you can usually find Three Designing Women at The Pretty Penny and Pressing Events, or visit their site for a list of online retailers.

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Winter Wedding Cover-Ups We Love

We know it’s hard to think about cold weather when the heat index is hitting 105 and the air is more liquid than gas…in other words, Houston in August. But all you winter brides (you know who you are) have less planning time left than you might think. Which means you better start thinking about how you’re going to stylishly cover up those bare bridal shoulders and arms when our temps FINALLY take a dip, as they tend to do, November through February.

Here’s a suggestion: Crank up the A/C, pour yourself a frosty beverage—heck, plunk yourself down into an ice-water bath (not just refreshing, but GREAT for the pores). Whatever you do, just cool off before you check out these lovely winter wedding outerwear ideas. Brrr…. in a good way!

We love the Old-Hollywood glamour of this marabou wedding stole, which gets an added bit of pretty from a chiffon-scarf front tie.

This snug, sophisticated faux-fur shoulder wrap has a handy hook-and-eye closure for easy on and off. And it’s a steal at under 60 bucks!

A longer faux-mink style from another one of our Etsy faves, Vldana. Be sure to check out her other items—she makes lovely wedding capelets and wedding shawls, too!

There’s a dreamy, lavish, Dr. Zhivago-esque romance to this faux-fur-trimmed wedding cloak, don’t you think? Matching muff included!

For lighter coverage, we’re wild about this gorgeous ruffle-edged double silk taffeta stole. Wrap it up, we’ll take it!

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To Do This Week: Judd Waddell Trunk Show @ Mia Bridal Couture

We’re big fans of bridal designer Judd Waddell’s “Notice the woman first, the dress second” philosophy of wedding gown design. After all, what bride wants to be upstaged by her own dress??

If you like the idea of crisp, chic, refined elegance and impeccable, understated detailing, designed by one of the best in the biz (not to mention the former head of bridal for Carolina Herrera), you might want to make an appointment to visit Mia Bridal Couture this Friday or Saturday, when Judd Waddell gowns are in town for an exclusive trunk show.

And lest we need remind you: Get 15% off when you purchase your Judd Waddell gown during this special event. Cha-ching!

Judd Waddell Trunk Show

Mia Bridal Couture

Friday, August 13 – Saturday, August 14, 2010

1958 West Gray

Houston, TX 77019

For more information call 713.622.2022 or e-mail

Judd Waddell
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