Make-Up Comes To You!

A few weeks ago, I was on my own to get primped for Wedding #9. I used Lifebooker to schedule a cheap and easy blowout, as my hair is relatively easy to style. I'm a little more particular about my make-up, and have had a few bad experiences at department store counters. Lucky for me, a colleague of mine is a freelance make-up artist and so I had her "put my face on." She even came directly to my apartment, so I was able to get ready in the comfort of my own home. As usual, I was running late, booking my appointments too close together, so this was an added bonus that I didn’t need to run all over the city to get ready.

Clara Isabella showed up at my apartment on time and was immediately ready to go. She had already asked the color of my dress and came prepared with a color palette designed just for me. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable about make-up applications, but we had fun talking about her experiences on fashion shoots. She has a variety of different products- finding the right shade and fit for all of her different clients. She was extremely meticulous, making sure every last detail (including my fun false lashes) was applied perfectly.
What makes her a little different from other make-up artists? Well, we all know that when you get your makeup done at noon for a 7:00 wedding, you’ll need a few touch ups. Clara actually helped me look through my own stash of lipsticks, and together we picked out the right shade (and a small enough container) to fit in my bag for the evening. I must admit, that for once it was nice not to be pressured to buy anything, and I loved that she used my own supplies to do my lips! It was a color I knew that I already liked, and looked good on me.

Clara’s eye and artistic talents were spot on, as I got compliments all night long. And as you can see, at the end of the night- my make-up was still looking great!

In addition to day of wedding make-up, Clara Isabella is available for all of your wedding related festivities and special events. (She even does hair too!). For more information, contact clara@claraisabella.com or 908.868.0612.

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Bridal Gowns on A Buck

Ok, I know I've blogged about bridal sample sales before, so you are probably scoffing at another one, but this time it's different. I live near the Housing Works Thrift Shop on 23rd Street, and sometimes pop in to take a look. Recently I went in and noticed they have a roped off area in the back filled with gorgeous bridal gowns (and even a few BM dresses!)

So, I did a little research, and sure enough, this is now a permanent fixture and not a seasonal sample sale. They now offer by appointment only service for help with designer gowns. Retail prices range from $100 to $1,000. This is definitely worth checking out for any brides on a budget (or who don't believe in spending oodles on a gown). Check out the press release for details.

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Bridal Gowns-- on SALE?!!!

As I've said before, one of the most important aspects of being a BM is to help your bride plan her big day. Since not every bride wants to appear on "Say Yes to The Dress", help her get a dress the old fashioned way...on SALE!
Starting tomorrow, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York (50th & Fifth), will have 50% off brand new gorgeous wedding gowns. Ladies- this is not your run of the mill sample sale! So from Wednesday, July 28 through Saturday, July 31- RUN (don't walk) to Saks with your bride and help her get a fabulous dress. And hey, all that help may pay off and she won't make you walk down the aisle in a peach frouffy frock.

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Bridesmaid Dress Shopping

It's official. I have now been asked to be in my 8th wedding. SuperBridesmaid almost didn't have a wedding to stand up in for 2010, but thank goodness Bride #8 got in under the wire and will be celebrating her nuptials December 12. (Congrats S&G). She took three of us out to dinner tonight and asked us to stand by her side on her special day, and we also went BM dress shopping at The Wedding Library.

This got me thinking about the fact that I have yet to blog on a such an important part of the BM process-- the dress! I wanted to share some information with everyone on the dresses of my bridesmaid past, and offer some advice on dress shopping.

Wedding #1: We all chose our own long black dresses
Wedding #2: Champagne long Vera Wang, all the same dress
Wedding #3: Chocolate Brown long Amsale, all the same dress
Wedding #4: Navy t-length Jenny Yoo, all the same dress
Wedding #5: Black long Bill Levcoff, all the same dress
Wedding #6: Royal Blue short Lela Rose, got to pick one of three styles
Wedding #7: Navy short Vera Wang, all the same dress

To see pictures of all my dresses, visit Pictures of My Bridesmaid Past, or visit my Facebook page.

I've gone shopping for the dress a few times to help the bride decide and have learned a few lessons- for both the bride and the bridesmaid. In honor of my 8th wedding, here are 8 tips for BM dress shopping:

1. Chances are this dress will never be worn again. Don't pretend it will. Brides- don't try to look for a dress that your BFFs will wear again, because everyone has different taste. Just look for something you'll like in your pictures and you think your friends will not hate you for wearing.
2. BMs- be honest with your opinion, but be open minded. Remember, the decision really comes down to the bride and she has a lot of cooks in the kitchen. Don't make this difficult for her.

3. Brides- consider having your girls all wear dresses of the same fabric, but letting them chose their own style. This way, all BMs can chose the style that best flatters their body type.
4. When ordering, IGNORE the size. BM dress sizes are so different than normal dresses, so don't freak out if all of a sudden you are in double digits. Bigger is ALWAYS Better! (For bride #3, they accidentally ordered me a dress way too small, and it wouldn't zip! I freaked out, took it to the store and since it was their mistake, they had to alter it for me. It took some major reconstruction and a month full of fittings-- yes, fittings for a BM. Everything ended up ok in the end, but it's an easily avoidable situation.)
5. Remember it's only one night of your life, and the night is not about you-- it's about the bride.
6. If you don't love the dress, you can always make yourself feel better by going spray tanning (SuperB has fair sking and doesn't recommend ruining your skin with sun damage!), getting your hair & make up done, fabulous shoes, or gorgeous jewelry. (And if it's really really bad, check out http://www.uglydress.com/ to remind yourself it could be worse).
7. Make sure your dress fits correctly and it's properly altered. The only thing that's worse than an ugly dress is an ugly dress that doesn't fit right. Trust me, it will help you look your best that night.
8. After the wedding, if you know you'll never wear it again, avoid developing a closet like Jane in 27 Dresses. No one has space like that for dresses they'll never wear, especially not in New York City. Instead, consider donating your dress to a charity, there are many that collect prom dresses for girls who can't afford them. Check out local opportunities at inner-city high schools or donatemydress.org, the first national network to bring together local dress drive organizations across the U.S. They'll help you find one in your area. "One man's trash is another man's treasure."

What's your favorite dress that you've worn?

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Wedding Deals This Weekend!

If you're like me, you have become a recent fan of many of the shopping websites that offer designer discounts for limited periods of time. I know that our inboxes get flooded with these emails every day, but there is a sale this weekend that my BMs (and their brides) can not miss. Gilt Groupe will be partnering with Martha Stewart Weddings this weekend (Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 14) and featuring everything you need for your big day at a discount! They'll also be wedding tips from Darcy Miller, wedding expert. The email (that I rescued from my trash bin after I accidentally deleted it) said: "Get gowns for you, dresses for your bridesmaids, tuxes for your groom, detoxes leading up to the big day, gifts you’ll love to give (and receive) plus exotic honeymoon packages for any couple. Look forward to sales by Temperley London, Thread, Judith Leiber, Vanessa Noel, Lauren Merkin, Prive Salon, Blueprint Cleanse, Tara Pearls, Heather Moore, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman and so many more to make your wedding day an affair to remember."

So, ladies, mark your calendar! This is your opportunity to find a really cute BM dress that won't cost you an arm and a leg. While it's good to let your bride know that she only has limited hours to make the decision and purchase, please remember though not to pressure her. But, this does give you a chance to be your own "SuperBridesmaid" and help your bride get oodles of good deals. Plus, you may even be able to hint at any bridesmaid gifts you like there. The sale starts Friday, March 12 at 12 noon (EST), but you can preview before to scope out the goods. Here's Gilt's sneak peak!

Not a member of Gilt yet? No worries! There's still time to become a member before the "big day" on Friday. A special bonus for SuperBridesmaid fans! Below is a special preview of some of the great deals you can get this weekend.

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Carolina Herrera
Sale Starts 3/12
Original Retail: $5790, Gilt: $1999

Carolina Herrera
Sale Starts 3/12
Original Retail: $5790, Gilt: $1999

Thread Made to Order

Sale Starts 3/12

Silk Faille Strapless Notched Bust Liddy Bridesmaid Dress

Original Retail: $305, Gilt: $228.75

Amsale

Sale Starts 3/12

Satin Strapless Ruched Bust Bridesmaid Gown

Original Retail: $330, Gilt: $165

(FYI-SuperBridesmaid wore this dress in brown for Wedding #3)

Amsale
Sale Starts 3/12
Taffeta Strapless Bridesmaid dress

Original Retail: $290, Gilt: $145

Sergio Rossi

Sale Starts 3/17

Original Retail: $770, Gilt: $128

(Comfortable) Dancing Shoes

Anyone who has been a BM before knows there's a 99% chance that you won't last all night in your heels throughout the wedding reception. I've had this conversation with my mom numerous times. (My mother thinks spending hours in four inch heels is a cinch). I remind her that as a BM- you spend a lot more time in the shoes than your typical wedding guest. First of all, you start way earlier and are in your shoes for pictures and running around doing errands for the bride (fetching water, finding the photographer, keeping early arriving guests far away, etc). Second, while all the other guests are comfortably sitting through the ceremony- you are literally standing up the entire time at the bride's side, rightfully performing your duty as a BM.

So if you were not blessed with my mother's ease in stilettos, like me- you always bring a change of shoes for the party. However, I am always plagued with what to do with my cumbersome flip flops? I've hidden them in the bridal suite, then gotten locked out. I've made mad dashes to the party room to hide them under the table before the ceremony even starts, or made my date carry them in a shopping bag. Not exactly the classiest of moves.

But that will all change for my next wedding, now that I've discovered Rolleez. Rolleez are the answer to a BM's achy feet prayers. They are adorable ballet flats, available in 7 different colors that you can roll up and easily stash in your clutch, since they don't take up a lot of room. No one even knows that you are "packin" an extra pair of shoes. They are absolutely adorable, comfortable and most of all - easy on your wallet! (Plus if it's winter- you don't necessarily want to wear flip flops. No pedicure is required!)

If you are a bride reading this, Rolleez also make an excellent bridesmaid's gift. They come packaged as a gift in a little box with a tote bag. This way you can make sure that all of your BFFs are comfortable and literally have their dancing shoes on. I highly recommend checking them out.

Happy Bridesmaiding!

New York Weddings Event

Any NY bride knows that one of her best resources for wedding planning is New York magazine's New York Weddings, so imagine what a great BM you will be when you give her scoop that they are hosting "the year's biggest bridal shower."

The Spring issue comes out on March 23 (hint, hint--this will make a great thing to pick up as an "OMG! You just got engaged gift!" and their annual New York Weddings Event is taking place Wednesday, April 7 at the Metropolitan Pavilion from 5 PM - 8 PM. This is your chance to help your bride with so much of her wedding planning all in a one-stop-shop. They'll have tons of vendors on hand including photographers, florists, jewelers, bridal gown designers, etc.

Hurry up and buy your tickets ASAP! (There is an incentive for a bride to bring her BMs, as the ticket price is $35 for one, but $50 for two. Plus, they are including a one year subscrption to New York mag!) Have fun and let me know what you thought of the event...

Happy Bridesmaiding!

Stand By Me

In this day and age, it's not only the groom's responsibility to ask his betrothed to marry him in a creative and clever way. No, once that question is asked, it's now up to the bride to ask her favorite friends, sisters, cousins, etc to stand by her on her big day. Without fail, every time I tell someone that I was asked to be a bridesmaid, the follow up question is always "How did she ask?"
Since I have many brides as well as BMs reading, I thought I would share my readers the way in which I was asked to play a special part in each of my brides' days.

Bride #1 invited us all over for dinner. Right before we ate, she said she had a special announcement. One of her (now) sister-in-laws didn't live in NY, so she called her and put her on speaker. She then read us a beautiful and hysterical poem (I may or may not have shed a tear), where we all had our own special stanzas (the groom video taped the entire thing!). Of course we all said yes, ate a delicious home-cooked meal, and got copies of our poem to take home. I still have mine in my memory box today.

Bride #2 asked those who lived in NY individually, but sent the out of towners' their requests in the mail. Bride #2 got married on 7/7/07 and coincidentally had 7 bridesmaids. She made us this beautiful card with a poem asking us to be part of her "Lucky 7". In the card was a folder with seven "Lucky 7" lottery tickets- very creative and so apropos! I may not have made big bucks off the lottery, but was very "lucky" to have been chosen.

Bride #3 works in catering sales, and one of her colleagues was a semi-professional baker. She enlisted her help, and dropped off at all of our apartments a cookie basket. In it there were decorated cookies of a bride (with the bride's name on it), a bridesmaid (with our names on it) and a wedding cake. Included in the basket was the cutest "Will you be my bridesmaid card" asking us to be a part of the big day. You can order similar cookies here.

Bride #4 also dropped off a package at our buildings. This time I got a bottle of champagne with a clever note that said "Groom #4 popped a question to me, now I am popping one to you. Will you be my bridesmaid?" I'll toast to that!

Bride #5 doesn't live in the same city as me- and she wanted to make sure to send her BMs something practical they would use. She sent us all deliciously-smelling dress sachets with a gorgeous handmade "Will you be my bridesmaid?" card- with the most sentimental poem inside.

Bride #6 really impressed me. She is not known for being the planner or organizer in my group of friends- but one Sunday night she organized a group of gals to go for (what else?) Chinese food. We went to a restaurant that does not serve fortune cookies, but at the end of the meal- the owner came over to check on us. She said that as we know, they typically do not serve fortune cookies- but tonight was a special occasion. She handed us all gigantic fortune cookies- and sure enough, the fortune inside said "Will you be my bridesmaid? Love, Bride #6 and her wedding date" How do you say "yes" in Chinese? Like this idea? You can order yours at customfortunecookies.com.

Bride #7 asked all of her BMs in different meaningful ways. I have a group of friends from high school who do "group" dinners every now and then. She happen to organize one shortly after she got engaged so we could all catch up and dish some gossip from our recent 10 year reunion (which some of the girls had to miss). At dinner- she gave us all these really heartfelt sentimental cards and included a friendship poem inside. Her grandfather had recently passed away and while cleaning out his desk- they came across this anonymous poem. It really resonated with Bride #7 and reminded her of all of her wonderful friends, so she included it while asking us to stand up in her wedding.

I was at dinner with another friend last night who is recently engaged and is currently brainstorming about how to ask her BMs. I loved her idea so much, I just had to write about it. She is ordering custom M&Ms. One one, she'll print her and the groom's monogram and wedding date. On the next she'll print "will you be my..." and on the third "bridesmaid". So cute!

Some other ideas I have seen, are build-a-bears with customized printed t-shirts that said "BM Name, Will you be my bridesmaid? Love, Bride", picture frames with a picture of the bride & BM, cookie cakes that say "Will you be my bridesmaid?" and even a Hanky Panky bridesmaid thong.

Any way you do it- the most important part is definitely the card. This is the bride's opportunity to be sincere and speak from the heart. This is where she can tell her BM why she is so important, and special, and why she wants her by her side on her special day. Of course, you can use any card you want- but why not be festive and get one made specially for the occasion, like this "Will you be my bridesmaid" card. (FYI, also available in flower girl, Maid of Honor, etc).

Looking for some easy gift sets? Here are a few of my favorite from yourbestfriendswedding.com.

These are all great ways for your BM to proudly display her title of honor!

Hot Shorts Gift Box Set

Will You Be My Bridesmaid? Tank Gift Box Set

Been a BM before? What's your favorite way you have been asked? Already a bride? How did you ask your BFFs? Superbridesmaid wants to know!

BTW- I am dedicating this posting to Work Bride #2 who recently got engaged, and had asked SuperBridesmaid for advice on how to ask her BMs. I hope she finds this helpful!

Happy Bridesmaiding and Happy New Year!

Bridal Gown Bargain

Wanna know how to be the best BM ever? Help your bride save oodles of money on her wedding gown! You heard it here first (unless you were perusing the Styles section yesterday, and saw it there)...Saks Fifth Avenue is having their bi-annual bridal sample sale Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6 in their New York flagship store. So hurry up, grab your bride and run to the 9th floor where she can save up to 70% off original retail prices on hundreds of designers like Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Anna Maier~Ulla-Maija and many more. Who knows? Maybe she'll repay you by picking out a dress you'll actually wear again.
Happy Bridesmaiding!