Attention loyal Luxe Events readers! Beginning Monday, August 10th the blog will officially move to our new website, www.luxeeventschicago.com. We have enjoyed our time here on wordpress, but are LOVING the new site thanks to Greenbot!

Would you, could you, dare to wear a non-traditional color wedding dress? Here are some of my favorites!

Red! It is more and more popular here in the US, but has been popular in Europe, Asia and Africa for quite some time now. It is such a romantic, rich color and it makes a very bold and stylish statement! You have to be willing to take a chance, but if you think you could pull it off, it could be so beautiful and unique!

In China, brides wear red to symbolize joy and luck. Japanese brides often line their wedding dress in red silk to embody happiness and a new beginning. In India, red is the most common color for a bride to wear, as it is thought to bring happiness and good fortune.

Did you wear a red dress at your wedding? Share your pictures here!

Top two dresses pictured above by Maggie Sottero. Bottom left dress pictured by Candy Anthony. Bottom right dress pictured by rubypearl on etsy.

By Morgan

Have you been dreaming of a fairy tale honeymoon? Well, wish granted, even if your budget’s tight!

We just found an amazing package offered through Aer Lingus and Adare Manor, in Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland. The package, which is as low as $600 per person for travel between Nov. 1, 2008, and Mar. 31, 2009, includes round-trip airfare from Chicago to Shannon, 6 nights at Adare Manor, and car rental for the week!

From the Manor, you can take easy day trips to iconic Irish locations, like Limerick, Blarney Castle (would you kiss the Blarney stone? I think I’d skip that part), Galway, Waterford (yes, home of Waterford crystal) and Killarney. At the Manor, there’s archery, horseback riding, swimming, a spa, golf, and a lot more.

Check out the package on the Aer Lingus Web site; there are upgrades available, too!

Where are you thinking of going for your honeymoon? I went to Europe and would do it again in a heartbeat, but our next trip will be a tropical vacation—I’m ready for a little sun and sand!

I thought today I would just share a few of my favorite inspirational romantic quotes and poems. You might use one of these for a reading, incorporate it into your wedding, or give one to your future groom!

Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won’t adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words “make” and “stay” become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.  – Tom Robbins

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can in no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love lets so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Love by Roy Croft
I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.

Is there a poem or quote that you love? Share it here!

Starting next week our blog will be available only at our new website www.luxeeventschicago.com! The site is up and running, so check it out!

(A quick note to all our regular readers–Our Web site is up! Our blog will be transitioning over there in the next week or so, but for now you can read entries in both places! www.luxeeventschicago.com Come visit us at our new home!)

I know I’ve written about paper wedding decorations before, but I ran across frazier & wing the other day, and Heather Frazier takes this idea to a whole new level! I just had to share!

frazier & wing hand-crafts these modern mobiles and garlands from cardstock and clear acrylic. Each is made to order from original designs you can see on their Web site, and custom orders are accepted as well.

I think these would make great shower decorations and a lovely gift to the bride or mother-to-be, especially if her décor is of a modern sensibility.

I love especially the mobile featured with the top. What a great baby shower that could be! I’d pair it with cupcakes in these gorgeous liners from CupcakeSocial, invitations similar to these by leahfelicity, and give away colorful bags of marbles (available from megaglass.com) for favors. Wouldn’t that be a fun party?

If you are in major planning mode, then you might want to check out some of these upcoming events for deals or inspiration!

8/7-8/9 Love by Enzoani Trunk Show at Aisle Style Bridals. By appointment only.

8/7-8/8 Paloma Blanca Trunk Show at Mira Couture. 15% off your total Paloma Blanca order. By appointment only.

8/14-8/15 Sample Sale at Dimitria’s Couture. 50% discount during the sale. By appointment only.

8/14-8/15 Roberto Carvalli Trunk Show at Bella Bianca. Savings on your gown and accessories when purchased together. By appointment only.

8/16 Luxury Bridal Expo Event. 11:30am-4:00pm. The Abbington, Glen Ellyn.

8/21-8/22 Amsale Trunk Show at Belle Vie Bridal Couture. 10% off your gown, 25% off accessories and 15% off attendant gowns (when purchased together). By appointment only.

8/23 Wedding Registry Seminar at Crosell & Co. 3pm-5pm. RSVP required.

8/28-8/29- Pronovias Trunk Show at Dimitria’s Couture. Brides receive 15% off their gown purchase.  By appointment only.

8/30 The Bridal Sampler Wedding Expo. 11am-4pm. Advance tickets are free. Tinley Park.

Attending or hosting an August event not listed here? Tell us about it!

Paloma Blanca Image. Amsale Image. Pronovias Image.

Of all the jewels a bride could choose for her wedding day, aside from diamonds, few are as suited for the occasion as pearls! If you’re still looking for your wedding day jewelry and pearls strike your fancy, check out Erin Gallagher today. It’s the last day to get 20 percent off all bridal pearl purchases. Use promo code Pearl20.

Another way to go green at your wedding is to wear an eco-friendly dress on your special day.  You might consider a dress made from linen, hemp, tencel, organic cotton or silk. There are many eco designers out there today, so finding a dress that you love from these materials might be easier than you think, and many of them are reasonably priced as well!

 These are some of my favorites to check out: Morgan Boszilkov: Natural Bridal Collection, Renee Geneva Design, Threadhead Creations, Conscious Clothing, Adele Weschler and Deborah Lindquist.

Another way to be socially responsible is to buy a vintage or used gown. There are several avenues to try: Ebay, ,Craigslist, Encore Bridal, The Dress Market.

Another way to be socially responsible is to choose to buy from a foundation which gives back to charity. Brides Against Breast Cancer sells donated wedding dresses and uses the proceeds to make memories for women with breast cancer and their families. So even if you aren’t into wearing a used dress, you can still do good by making your dress a donation after your wedding! The I Do Foundation is an equally as fabulous charitable option. You can donate your dress and 20% of the proceeds from the sale will go to the charity of your choice. The rest goes to support the foundation, which also links couples to registries, invitations and wedding favors all of which support charities.

Was your dress eco friendly? Tell us about it and share pictures here!

Top dress pictured from Renee Geneva Design. Middle dress pictured from NaturalBridals on Etsy. Bottom dress pictured from Conscious Clothing.

One of the most-often overlooked aspects of a bride’s wedding day finery is her perfume!

Because the link between fragrance and memory can be so emotionally charged, some brides choose to wear their signature scent on their wedding day. Other brides choose to create all new memories by choosing to wear a special wedding day scent, which they can wear again on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries to evoke the happy memories of the day.

If you’re looking for a new fragrance for your wedding events, here are a few that are especially suited to the bridal mood, and all can be purchased on Sephora.com!

Vera Wang by Vera Wang

Vera Wang has captured desire in a modern, floral bouquet. The first encounter is a flirtation that begins with Bulgarian rose, calla lily, and mandarin flower. The flirtation is followed by a passionate kiss of gardenia, lotus, iris, and white stephanotis. The fragrance is wrapped in a final embrace of sheer musks, white woods, and precious floral nectar.

Notes:
Bulgarian Rose, Calla Lily, Mandarin Flower, Gardenia, Lotus, Iris, White Stephanotis.
Style:
Elegant, feminine, and sensual.

The Oneby Dolce and Gabbana

The One is a warm, oriental floral, with modern sensuality – a fragrance with a strong personality, and a contrasting golden sweetness. Created for the ultimate diva, The One is at once tempting, modern, and glamorous, embracing a touch of classicism. The top notes radiate a vibrant luminosity, with a sun-touched citrus, while warm fruity notes of luscious lychee and succulent peach add to the delight. The passionate heart evokes an exploding femininity, with an opulent floral soul, creating a distinct, audacious signature. An unexpected hint of plum glows as the base finally blooms with luscious allure into the lasting warmth of vanilla and sweetened ambery-musk notes.

Notes:
Bergamot, Mandarin, Lychee, Peach, Madonna Lily, Muguet, Plum, Jasmine, Vetiver, Vanilla, Amber, Musk.
Style:
Tempting. Modern. Glamorous.

Miss Dior Cherie by Dior

This is a modern fragrance that captures the timeless couture spirit of Dior. A new interpretation of the original Miss Dior fragrance, Miss Dior Cherie combines pure couture spirit with the audacity of youthful, playful notes for a fresh approach to a timeless classic. Notes of chic, green tangerine, violette, and pink jasmine mingle with soft patchouli, musk, and delectably sweet strawberry leaves and caramelized popcorn for a delicious scent that’s truly irresistible.

Notes:
Green Tangerine, Violette, Pink Jasmine, Patchouli, Crystalline Musk, Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, Strawberry Sorbet.
Style:
Pure. Precious. Modern.

Cashmere Mist by Carolina Herrera

Inspired by the soft, sensual feeling of cashmere against bare skin. Cashmere Mist is a fragrance light enough to wear all over your body, all year long. It seduces the senses – skin, scent, and spirit.

Notes:
Lily of the Valley, Suede Notes, Bergamot, Ylang ylang, Jasmine Maroc, Sandalwood, Orris, Amber, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Musk.
Style:
Sensual. Intimate. Soft.