Short, long, three quarter, bishop, flutter, cap, puff and yes, even leg-of-mutton sleeves – we saw it all.  Illusion sleeves are still in but when it comes to the reception, brides want their arms to be free for dancing.  Now we see the detachable or accessory sleeve perfect for the ceremony making a surge. Whether it be the big puffy sleeves of the 1980s to the form-fitting sleeves each designer had their vision of what they should be.

Anne Barge

Eisen-Stein

Francesca Miranda

Isabelle Armstrong

Lihi Hod

Romona Keveza Collection

Over the past few seasons, necklines are changing with the help of illusion fabric and now we have statement pieces adorning the neck.

Berta

Costarellos

Gracy Accad

Ines Di Santo

Isabelle Armstrong

Justin Alexander

Reem Acra

New York Bridal Fashion Week – Spring 2020 Collections

Attending the New York Bridal Fashion Week for the designer’s new Spring 2020 collections is always a fun and energetic time. We LOVE jetting off to NYC to see the latest inspiration in bridal fashions. But our scouting doesn’t stop there. In addition to the dozens of shows we see, we also take in the inspiration blooming in NYC. From sights in Central Park to viewing the recent renovations at Bloomingdales, we discover new ideas and inspiration to bring home to our readers and our bridal show attendees.

However, after many fashion shows and presentations sometimes everything can become a blurred sea of white and ivory. We’ve curated the trends we are seeing and are excited to bring them to you, so follow our blog as we share not only the trends we saw at Bridal Fashion Week,  but also ongoing design features!

For today’s bride looking to stand out from the usual silhouettes we have come to expect in past seasons the Spring 2020 collections will surely rock the ceremony aisle with style. As designers diligently strive to be authentically trendy, overall the elements of formality, individuality, and graceful elegance will always win out. As we have said for a number of years, there’s little to be found in the world of strapless, lace-appliquéd, A-line gowns that don’t feel tired or overdone. If the Spring 2020 latest runway shows are any indication the all-over beading, is on its way out for a while. In its place, stately silhouettes in beautiful fabrics, minimalism, a focus on fit, and hand-crafted techniques are rising to the top.

Since Berta hit the runway scene five seasons ago introducing the flowing cape as its signature (besides the see-thru skirts) it has been all the rage.  While a cape can create and enhance a gowns long train, now we have coats added to the mix.  Utilizing crepe or tulle fabrics designers are utilizing the coat to create an aura of mystery and formality as the bride makes her ascent up the ceremony aisle.

Literally topping off the looks for 2020 are the designer’s collaboration with accessory designers for neckline statement pieces, veils, and gloves paired with the specific gown, creating a finished stylized look.

Capes

From Top, Left to Right: Berta, Francesca Miranda, Ines Di Santo, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, Rivini, Romona Keveza Collection and Savannah Miller

Coats

From Top, Left to Right: Anne Barge, Berta, Ines Di Santo, Justin Alexander, Monica Byrne and Savannah Miller

Accessories

Accessories from Isabelle Armstrong

The classic ball gown silhouette will always be a favorite – a classic bridal look.  For Spring/Summer 2020 collections we see them more stately than in seasons past.  Less is more, however, the volume remains the same.  Less this season is all the sparkle from the bold overly embellished bodices of sequins, rhinestones and glittery fabrics.  New is the clean lines and perfect seams and elegant draping.

From Top, Left to right: Rivini, Bliss by Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Justin Alexander, Berta, Anne Barge and Alyne by Rita Vinieris

Lace has been taking a bit of a back seat in the last two seasons, however, in 2020 you will see full-on all-over-lace on ball gowns, mermaid and column silhouettes.  The lace is very delicate and some with a modern interpretation of Chantilly lace are light to the touch and so delicate. As we have seen lace and illusion on mermaid gowns with a sheer bodice and skirts, these silhouettes are beginning to fade to more conservative looks, with fuller skirts and classic lines. Here are our favorites from New York’s Bridal Fashion Week:

Isabelle Armstrong

Reem Acra

Ines Di Santo

Romona Keveza Collection

Monique Lhuillier

Rivini

Savannah Miller

Dainty, delicate and full of flattering feminine fabrics! Remy Quinones CEO, Founder and Creative Director of Isabelle Armstrong is creating beautiful gowns and we are excited to see this week at Spring Bridal Market in New York City. In her latest designs for her Spring/Summer, 2020 collection Remy has pulled her heritage and origins from her birthplace in Spain. Her inspiration for her designs area tribute to the “rich, historical, medieval city of her birth, Lugo, Spain,”. Stay Tuned with us on  Facebook as we attend fashion shows and and private viewings over the next few days.

The Lugo Collection: Inspired by Lugo, Spain—the rich, historical, medieval city of her birth—Remy Quinones draws from her personal heritage to inform the spring 2020 Isabella Armstrong bridal collection. The Lugo Cathedral, built in the 12th century, is of particular fascination. A hybrid of Gothic, Romanesque, and neoclassical architecture, its stately structure and surrounding lush gardens evoke a vision that Quinones interprets with innovative, new silhouettes in weightless, buoyant fabrics; layered floral motifs; and unique details culled from her distinct memory of this ancient province. “Several of our gowns mimic the sweeping structural details of the cathedral’s arches and curves, and are expressed in dramatically-shaped cone skirts and dynamic new sleeves and bodices.”

—Remy Quinones, founder and creative director

Courtesy of Isabelle Armstrong

Check out these amazing dresses we captured from last season!

Wedding Guy, Bruce Vassar takes us to McGregor, Minnesota:

As I traveled down the highway from one resort to another, a left or a right turn would take me down a country road leading me to the next resort. You have to have heard of something called an epiphany, you know when you suddenly have a moment or a great revelation that quickly zaps you out of reality and then back in!  Well, that is exactly what happened to when I came in off the country road to Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort.  I had no idea what to expect with the exception of the images on the world wide web, but whoa, I didn’t expect the beautiful and welcoming scenery to take my breath away!  Yup there you have it breathless and speechless a rare moment for me!

With all the villas, cabins and the main lodge in pristine condition, I felt like I had landed in a different world.  Remodeled from its 1902 historic beauty in 2005, it has been updated to accommodate today’s clientele and designed to blend rustic elements with the comforts of today’s technology.  Isn’t it funny how having access to technology and all your social media now have become a comfort of your stay?  I find the smell of the timbers and logs used in the construction of the lodge invigorating.

Let’s go outside because the weather is beautiful – 80 degrees with a nice breeze off the lake. Who could ask for anything more, especially when you are finally out of the humidity of the Twin Cities.  Well, there is more and the more is, the large decking on the backside of the lodge overlooking the big sandy beach and volleyball court.  This is the perfect ceremony location on the resort property overlooking the beautiful lake – perfect.  But here is a great idea as I sat and looked at the fire pit, how about saying your vows and professing your love for one another at sunset with a roaring fire in the fire pit?  Can you imagine the wonderful pictures and cinematography of your special day – I sure can!  You could even carry a bouquet of marshmallows for S’mores, just thinking outside of the box!

So let’s get to the food and beverage as no reception is a party without either of these components.  The reason I call out the food and beverage is that as I sat on the deck and had my dinner I have to say the steak was one of the best steaks I have ever eaten: to potentially rival Pittsburgh Blue, Manny’s Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Murray’s.  I can’t even imagine how wonderful the food would be for a wedding coming out of the same kitchen.  Wedding receptions are fully catered in their banquet room which seats up to 100. With the additional space of the Timbers Board Rooms and the outdoor lower patio, they can easily accommodate up to 140 guests.

So what were the surprises or what did I see that perhaps very few know about?  First was the fact the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has purchased Big Sandy Lodge & Resort for nearly $7 million, the latest in a series of hospitality acquisitions for the band.  The purchase includes seven cabins, 14 townhouses, the 18-room lodge, a rustic log home, The Pines Restaurant and The Bear’s Den Sports Bar & Grille.

On a more personal note, Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort was the site of the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener this past spring.  To the right, the entrance into the lodge is the reading room where you will find the original 1902 fireplace and hardwood flooring from the original lodge.  But the biggest secret I didn’t know is the entertainment they have throughout the summer.  Well-known artists from the Twin Ports area of Duluth and Superior as well as the Twin Cities travel to Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort to entertain the many guests on the summer weekends.

Hello Spring! And hello to New York Bridal Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2020 Collections. It is always a thrill just arriving on time to a fashion show or private preview with a designer. The Wedding Guys are once again jetting off to NYC today and our Bridal Fashion Week fun will begin Wednesday night! Make sure to tag along with us front row live and in action April 11th-14th on our Facebook page!

We are taking you along on our semi-annual trip to Bridal Fashion Week as we run from fashion show to fashion show.  If the weather doesn’t cooperate like it usually doesn’t this time of year, the rain won’t stop us! If we are lucky enough we will be able to catch a taxi arriving in time to see the very best of bridal fashion the industry has to offer.  From sun-up to sun-down it’s run, run, run!

Each season we select a new emerging fashion designer to watch, so tag along over the next few days and see us New York by joining us on Facebook  and Instagram, (theweddingguys). You will not want to miss all the fun! We’ll be going LIVE on Facebook and Instagram for you to follow us on our adventure, we will save you a front row seat (;

– The Wedding Guys

Spring has sprung! Along with combinations of pastel color palettes and beautifully in bloom flowers were thinking fresh and vibrant, with pops of gorgeous colors in honor of the season changing. With this inspiration in mind, we combined these factors and found some of the freshest spring drink recipes to welcome spring. Cheers!

New Moon Cocktail

• 3 cucumber wheels
• 4-6 mint leaves
• 3/4 oz pink lemon juice (or regular lemon juice)
• 3/4 oz violet liqueur
• 2 oz Gin

1. Combine ingredients in a shaking tin. Muddle, shake and strain over ice into a margarita glass.
2. Garnish with a cucumber wheel and a mint bouquet

Rosemary Flora Greyhound

• 4 oz grapefruit juice
• 1 oz rosemary syrup
• 2 oz Tamworth Garden Flora Gin
• Club soda
• Ice

1. Fill a small glass with ice.
2. Add grapefruit juice, rosemary syrup, and Flora Gin.
3. Top off with club soda and garnish with grapefruit and rosemary.

Rhubarb Mojito

• 1.5 oz London Dry Gin
• 0.75 oz Strawberry Syrup
• 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• Shake over ice
• Fine strain into a stemmed glass
• Top with 2 oz of dry Cava