Jim Hjelm Spring 2013 Collection Trunk Show

Supple fabrics, sultry fits and sassy lace gowns will adorn our show room floor this weekend, (Feb 1st and 2nd).....I could not be more thrilled!! 

Jim Hjelm Bridal's Spring 2013 Collection has been a media hit, and has been receiving the highest of recognitions on various bridal outlets....rightfully so, I might add. Check out just a few of my favorites standouts!! 

JH8307

JH8313

JH8302

JH8308

JH8301

JH8315

JH8320

Be sure to schedule your appt today with one of our bridal stylists to preview this collection and receive trunk show discounts!! 

Red Carpet to Bridal

The SAG Awards are among my favorite of the season. The nominees are seated among friends, it seems to be much more laid back making the comments more candid, and the fashion is always fun.

Congrats to our beloved, Watters Bridal, for representing on the red carpet!! Mayim Bialik, (will always be Blossom to me), was radiant in head to toe cobalt lace, and the addition of Thomas Kroll's hand crafted belt added some needed edge to this otherwise uber feminine look. Love, love, love!!

Watters' "Coriander"  is a fabulous choice for an ultra formal event, or a super sassy Mother of the Bride. 

Here are some other red carpet to bridal aisle looks:

Watters' "San Diego" offers a similar sultry feel with a little more symmetry. 

The supple satin is total Hollywood Glam! The added texture to the top of this Jim Hjelm stunner is the perfect addition of texture for fantastic photos!  

This might have been my favorite look of the night....naturally it mimics one of my favorite Wtoo gowns from the Fall 2012 collection. "Angelina"  is a modern bride's dream come true! 

Another Wtoo stunner in a welcomed sheath style is "Elba". With a shape like this, there are no frills necessary. Simple elegance at it's best.

Metallic is a trend that is here to stay...and that makes me a happy girl! ;) Sarah Seven perfected this golden girl gown with this number from her 2013 collection. 

Wedding Gown Fittings

So, here you are. 4 to 6 months down the road from the time that you ordered your dream gown. Any minute it will arrive at the bridal salon and be waiting for you to unveil every gorgeous inch. You might ending up asking yourself....well, what now?

Fittings. If you are not used to going to a tailor to perfect the fit or your retail clothing, this might be a whole new ball game for you, and the task could seem daunting. Don't fret. Here are some simple tips to follow to ensure that your dream dress gets the VIP treatment that you both deserve.

1. Determine whom will be your seamstress.
         If you have purchased your gown through a reputable bridal salon, then they should have a seamstress on site, or professional referrals for you. Rest assured that the salon wants to guide you through the easiest and most successful route of tailoring, so trust what they say. Not just any tailor or seamstress should be trusted with a wedding gown.

2. Schedule your appointment at an appropriate time frame.
        Once the eligibility of your chosen is seamstress is determined, be candid and forward with them about what you have planned before your big day. Do you have bridal portraits scheduled? Are you planning on losing weight? Are you going under the knife to enhance your, ahem, curves. These events will dictate how far in advance you should begin the process. The Knot and Martha Stewart Weddings recommend giving yourself a 2 to 3 month window before the gown is worn for the wedding or pre-wedding day photos. If you don't have this amount of time, don't worry. Bridal professionals will know of seamstresses that can perform miracles to ensure that your dress is ready in time. You might end up paying a bit more, but it will be worth it.

3. Speaking of paying....Set an allotted budget aside for alterations.
         It's pretty simple. You get what you pay for. A master seamstress will often cost on average $400 for alterations. That is simply a ball park figure, given that every body and gown are individual cases, but this is a good average of what to expect. This will usually include 3 fittings. The first will be to determine exactly what is needed and how long it will take to complete. The second will be to ensure that the changes that have been made are accurate, and the third will be your final fitting. Be sure to bring somebody with you to learn how to perform the bustle requirements. Every look will be different.

4. What to bring.
         For your first fitting, it is of upmost importance that you show up prepared, or it will be a waist of time. Bring the shoes that you plan on wearing during the ceremony AND reception. If you do anticipate changing kicks during the event, be aware that if the heel hight is not the exact same, the hem length will change as a result. Bring your undergarments. It is my recommendation that brides always wear a seamless longline bra. Many seamstresses will adhere the bustline of the gown to the bra ensuring a flush fit to the body, and an extra lift. With the addition of a corset type bra, there is always concern that the bottom of the bra will show in a tight fitting gown. For this reason, I recommend Spanx . May not be the sexy lingerie that you were imagining for your wedding night, but pack pretty undies in your luggage and be done with it. Nobody wants to see panty lines in wedding photos. If you are unsure of how the bras will fit with your gown, then bring a few sizes and variations. Most specialty stores will allow you to return the unused items.

Here are some other helpful articles discussing bridal gown fittings:

Brides
My Wedding

Sarah Seven Trunk Show!!

That's right ladies, Sarah Seven is bringing herself and her AMAZING 2013 collection to Serendipity Bridal!!

So proud to be the only boutique in Texas that carries these lovelies! Sarah has proven to be the upcoming star in bridal fashion, and celebrities, press and brides are taking notice.

With the addition of handcrafted accessories such as headbands, bracelets and belts, this well rounded collection is any boho beauties' dream come true. I know it's mine. :)

Be sure to secure your appointment on Friday the 25th or Saturday the 26th to hang with Sarah and preview these glorious gowns.

photos by: Matthew Moore Photography

Golden Globes Red Carpet

Awards season has officially begun, and I am sooo excited to see what the Starletts are strutting on the red carpet.

Last night's Golden Globe Awards was sprinkled with a little this, and a little  bit of that. There were some consistencies as well as some gowns that stood apart from the pack. It's time peek at the fashion and grab some bridal inspiration from these stunning looks. 

First, um shall we say, "Globes" trend that stood out on the red carpet was the plunging neckline. Daring and deep, these v-necks left little the imagination. 

Bridal fashion tends to play it a little more safe and demure when it comes to this look, and the addition of lace softens this otherwise edgy, chic neckline.

Another consistent fashion statement of the evening was a fitted blush toned gown...which I adore. There is nothing more flirty than a va-va-voom silhouette paired with the most feminine

and prettiest of pinks. 

These shapes and shades are fabulous for the blushing bride.

There were a couple standouts in fuller skirts, that well...stood out. 

Such a classic and flattering shape, the fuller A-Line can do no wrong. 

My favorites of the night??

 Jennifer Garner wins for best bodice and Amy Adams hold the crown for best dressed....in my book at least. :) Check out how these two looks translate to bridal.

The Right Bridal Gown Silhouette

So, everybody spends hours on Pinterest correcting false wedding gown silhouette descriptions, right?!?

Ok, so I might be slightly obsessed with politely calling out unknowing pinners, but it is not because I am a silhouette snob. Hardly.

The cause behind my addiction??

Simple really---shapes and silhouettes DO NOT MATTER. Sure it creates rhyme and reason to categorize all the gowns out there, but, too many times than I can count, brides will enter the salon with a predetermined notion of what gown shape she should be looking at based on her body type or the description tagged with wedding gowns pinned from Pinterest. Fact of the matter is, these are consistently incorrect, and like I said have before, until you try the gown on for yourself, do not rule out anything based on articles or pictures of somebody else in a dress.

Instead, look at your tagged photos or dog eared magazine pictures and take note of any consistent similarities. It could be fabric, shape, straps, sleeves...or it could be a group of gowns that are totally and utterly different. If you share these ideas with a trained bridal stylist, they will be able to come up with a great grouping of gowns to try on, no matter what the descriptions allow. Truth be told, Lazaro's "fit and flare" may not be consistent with Paloma Blanca's "fit and flare." Every designer prides themselves with their individual styles, and silhouettes are no different.

I invite you to check out our Pinterest page, and get inspiration for your bridal gown shopping experience! 

Voted Knot's Best of 2013

What a way to start the new year! We are so pleased to be voted yet again, The "Best of" Bridal Boutique from The Knot for 2013.

What sets us apart from the rest??

Where to begin-

First of all, we pride ourselves on our knowledgable, seasoned staff and impeccable customer service. Being in the business for 25 years can do wonders for being on top of the bridal fashion game. We give back to our community as much as possible. Just one example, we worked hand in hand with the SIMS Foundation to style and design an on stage wardrobe for a talented femme to wear in a once in a lifetime performance. (Jazz Mills photographed below in Jim Hjelm Blush tulle bridal gown)

We are a bride-to-be's "go to" bridal salon because of our haute designer selection, and our diverse price point is appealing to a large array of budgets.

Here are a list of our beloved designers from least to most expensive, and everything in between:


Carrafina
WTOO
Anais
Jim Hjelm Blush
Pronovias
Paloma Blanca
Watters
Sarah Seven ***Only salon in Texas***
Jim Hjelm 
Lazaro

Our newly renovated show room allows for beautiful and spacious dressing rooms, and more than adequate space for beloved guests of the bride. Our comfortable decor and Austin chic surroundings allow for a fun time had by all!

Thank you to all of our beloved brides that voted for us!! We truly cherish each and every one of our lovely ladies, and strive to maintain our extraordinary presence in bridal fashion!

XOXO

Pronovias 2013 Trunk Show!

Did someone special just pop the question?? Say yes?? CONGRATS!

Turns out, it was just in time. We are so excited for the presentation of the Pronovias Bridal collection of 2013 to come to our salon on Jan 11th thru the 13.

As always, this dominating bridal design house has taken the press by storm with their most current collection of European inspired gowns. Lace, beadwork, feathers and unmistakable flattering fits keep these gowns a step ahead of bridal fashion.

DUENDE

DOROTHY

URUGUAY

UMANA

Be sure to schedule your appointment with one of our seasoned bridal stylists now before they book up! Enjoy one on one personal assistance and discounts during the trunk show!