With all the hype and intrigue surrounding Chelsea Clinton’s wedding
(last weekend in upstate New York) on which celebrities would attend
(no Oprah or Obama), the cost of the cake ($11,000) and the designer
wedding gown of choice (Vera Wang), it got me thinking about all the
brides-to-be out there currently on the hunt for their dream dress.

First of all, remind yourself that the hardest part is over. Most
importantly, you found your soulmate, the man of your dreams. Before
you get started, take a moment to visualize your wedding day. This is
the moment you share your love story with those who mean the most to
you. What are you wearing? There’s your first clue.

If you’re drawing a blank, don’t panic. Call on a trusted friend or a professional. Most people don’t realize that James + Dunne’s styling services do extend down the aisle. In working with a client or
a bride, one of the first questions we ask is, “How would you describe
your style?” You’d be surprised how many women feel they don’t have a
style – until we uncover it together. One of the best places to start
is taking a good look at your wardrobe and singling out your go-to
dress that makes you feel most comfortable and confident. This go-to
dress is often times the haute hint in determining which silhouette and
style wedding dress will look best on you.

PHOTO:

Shannon Dunne in a bridal portrait by Wilmington photographer Harry Taylor. Shannon was one of Jan Wutkowski of aMuse’s very first brides as a trained milliner!

Here are a few more tips from James + Dunne that we learned from our own stint as brides-to-be:

* Enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Even if you think you found “the one”
in the first shop or click of your mouse,  let this moment linger.
Grab your sister, your mom and your best friend and go on a bridal
boutique crawl – try on things you never imagined wearing, don a tiara
and let your mom have her happy cry.

* Accentuate your best features and downplay your flaws. Don’t feel
that you have to wear a strapless and keep in mind the importance of
creative altering. Add a cap sleeve, slimming darts or some lace to
downplay a plunging necklace.

* Your wedding is not the best time to try any radical experimentation
- especially when it comes to your makeup (see makeup artist Andrew Petersen’s beauty tips below). When you look back on this day in 20 years, you don’t want to cringe. Think timeless and elegant.

* Don’t drown in tradition. Who says you have to wear white? I searched
for weeks on end for the perfect wedding band, but couldn’t find
anything I felt didn’t detract from the simplistic beauty of my
solitaire. My husband-to-be smartly suggested I find a ring I love
instead. I’ve worn an antique aquamarine ring with a filigree setting
from the late 1800’s everyday since. Looking for something custom? Give
Brad Bass from Lumina Gem a call.

* Is your wedding budget dwindling with each click of your wedding
planner’s pen? Luckily, there are plenty of options for brides on a
budget from high-end consignment shops  and clearance sample sales
(like A Boxed Event’s “Running of the Brides”) to transitional evening dresses and designer dress rental services (RenttheRunway.com).

Once you say “Yes” to the Dress, we promise – everything else will
start to fall in place. From the design of your invitations, flowers,
cake, complementing bridesmaids dresses and overall event decor will
come to life inspired by the look, design and style of your dress, your
sartorial soulmate.

PHOTO:

Jess James and Joel Finsel make it official under the trees at The Willows estate outside Philadelphia. Photo by: Rachel McGinn Photography

Beautiful Bride

“You may now kiss the bride.” These words have sounded in countless
women’s wedding-day dreams. But now that the moment at the altar is
fast approaching, they may have become something of a nightmare! Have
no fear: International makeup artist Andrew Petersen of Trish McEvoy (based in Charleston) has some test of time tips for flawlessly kissable lips.

Pucker Up

* Begin with a smooth, hydrated surface. “Two nights prior, dip a clean
mascara wand into your facial moisturizer and gently scrub your lips,
removing any dry or flaky skin,” says Andrew.

* After washing, apply a lip moisturizer containing shea butter and
vitamin E. “This ensures that when you wake on the morning of your big
day, your lips will be supple and prepped for the perfect pout,” he
suggests.

* Before lining your lips, start by adding a neutral primer to and
around the lips. “Always use a liner that matches the shade of your
lips so that, as the color wears off, you aren’t left with a line,”
Andrew advises. Follow the natural shape of your lips, then color in
the lines completely.

* Take a lip brush and fill in your lips with your chosen color. Make
sure to press a tissue over the lips, then reapply the color and blot
any excess once again.

Andrew’s favorite part of the process entails revisiting your lips with
liner to define and shape them perfectly. “Focus on the corners of the
mouth and the Cupid’s bow of the upper lip for a sexier look,” he says.
“And spice it up with a touch of shimmer gloss on the center of your
lower lip.”

* For the finale, trace the edges of your lined lips with a
powder-dipped brush. “This keeps lipstick from bleeding, covers any
mistakes, and frames the shape of your perfect lips.”

Luscious Lip Dos & Do nots

* DO go with pink: “It’s feminine, elegant, and romantic,” says Andrew.
And every bride out there, from the most natural to the most glamorous,
has a “perfect pink.” (It photographs well, too.)

* DO get the products from your makeup artist so you can touch up throughout the day.

* DO keep it simple. Your hubby-to-be wants to kiss you, not your lipstick.

* DON’T choose a darker color if you have small lips. Brighter shades make for a fuller-looking pout.

* DON’T be daring! You’ll be looking at these photographs for a long time.

WIN IT! * FREE WEDDING DRESS *

Photo: Maggie Sottero dress / A Boxed Event

A Boxed Event,
an Eco Chic Event & Floral design Atelier offering fine stationery,
custom lounge areas, draping & select bridal couture is gifting a FREE WEDDING DRESS and a jewelry set to one lucky FASHION FIX reader and bride-to-be. “Style Girl” Jess James and Shannon Dunne of James + Dunne Styling
will help the bride pick out the “one” among A Boxed Event’s designer collection including gowns from Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, Sophia Tolli and more, as well as a jewelry set from the Victoria Lee for
Maggie Sottero Collection.

Total Package Value: $1,650+

To win:

You must be a fan of both “style girl FASHION FIX” and “A Boxed Event” on Facebook.

2) Post a photo of you and your fiance and a brief summary on why you should win to the “style girl FASHION FIX” Facebook page.

Best love story wins! Contest starts today and ends Friday, August 27th.

Wilmington’s own Edge of Urge had a big week on the world wide web of fashion with two prominent mentions in both Refinery29 and Who What Wear.

Kudos to Jessie and the gang!

Refinery 29: Stylish Rain Gear for Drizzly Days

Who What Wear:

To replicate Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio’s chambray and neon sandals look,

WWW recommended Edge of Urge’s

Callie Crochet Gladiator Sandals (now only $39!)

Julie Wheat, Charleston-based designer of her line, Cavortress,
is one of 12 finalists being considered to participate at St. Louis
Fashion Week’s emerging designer competition.  If she is selected
as one of the top six designers (determined by online voting) by August
19th,  she will be the first designer South of the Mason Dixon to
present at this event!

Let’s show Julie our support! Please sign up and vote.  CLICK HERE.

August 7

“Acting Up” with Legacy Talent Management

WILMINGTON

WHAT:
A fun, interactive acting/modeling seminar for ages 7-17. Lunch, snacks
AND photo shoot are included! Featured guest NYC Ford Model and Legacy
Talent Model / Actress Hannah Jelinovic, will work with aspiring models
& actors on: How to Walk the Runway, How to WOW the Casting
Directors & How to Work in Front of the Camera.

WHEN: Saturday, August 7th, 11am-3pm

WANNA
GO?: Space is limited! Contact Leslie Corriher to reserve your space at
leslie@LegacyTalentMgmt.com or by calling 910.795.7753. For more info,
visit www.LegacyTalentMgmt.com

August 12

Taashki Trunk Show

Monkee’s of Daniel Island

CHARLESTON

WHAT: Monkee’s of Daniel Island is hosting a trunk show featuring the Taashki Fall collection by handbag designer Natasha Madan. The collection was
inspired by Natasha’s own journey across Asia – the rich golds from
Thailand’s temples, the orchid pinks and oranges of the Balinese
sunset, the blue-black midnight sky from the Taal Volcano in
Philippines and the red silks of Indian saris.

Join Natasha and friends for cocktails, nibbles and mingling and of course, shopping!

WHEN: Thursday, August 12 / Noon to 7pm

WHERE: Monkee’s of Daniel Island / 186 Seven Farms Drive

August 19

STYLE SWAP

128 South

WILMINGTON

WHAT: The time has arrived -
Style Girl is hosting Wilmington’s first Style
Swap of 2010!!

Hey Recessionistas – Ever wanted to raid the closets of Wilmington’s
most fashionable women? If you want to look good without feeling the
pinch on your pocketbook, come to Wilmington’s ultra stylish,
eco-friendly STYLE SWAP, produced by “Style Girl” Jess James.

WHEN: Thursday, August 19th / 7-9pm

WHERE: 128 South located at 128 South
Front Street / Downtown Wilmington

ENJOY:

* Yummy Bites and complimentary “Style Swap” cocktail from 128 South

* “Beauty Station”- Massages by Hannah Simmons

* Shop new collections from Bordeaux Jewelry, Melicious Tees and Ziabird

* Networking with Wilmington’s stylemavens

* Sponsored “swap” outfits + fabulous prizes from your favorite boutiques

and emerging designers

* Introducing “Couture Corner” for high-end designer swapping

* Music from DJ Brian Hood

* Arrive in STYLE ready to be on film with CapeFearTours.com

BRING:

Fashionable (designer + vintage) items that have been hibernating in your closet.

1 gently worn item (on hanger) + 1 accessory

* Introducing “Couture Corner” for high-end items

DONATIONS:

Additional and untagged items will be donated to Bargain Box to benefit The Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter.   All proceeds from raffle prizes will be donated to Good Shepherd. www.goodshepherdwilmington.org

TICKETS: ON SALE SOON!

$15 online: www.styleswap.net / The first 50 women to purchase tickets online receive VIP Swapping
Status (aka: you get to shop 10 minutes before everyone else!!)/ $20 at the door

QUESTIONS:

Email styleswapinfo@gmail.com

September 10

Bargain Box Bop Fun-raiser

Church of the Servant

WILMINGTON

WHAT: Bargain Box of Wilmington,
located at 4213 Princess Place Drive, celebrates 10 years of sharing
with a night of fun and fashion. Come dressed in threads from your
favorite decade (and get your vintage gear at the Bargain Box, natch),
dance and sing along with DJ and Karaoke master Jerry Surprise, enjoy
light refreshments and fun for the entire family as well as a prize for
“Best Dressed,” chosen by “Style Girl” Jess James of “Fashion Fix” as judge.

WHEN: September 10 / 7-10pm

WHERE: Church of the Servant / 4925 Oriole Drive

WANNA GO?

Tickets are $10/person or $25/family. All net proceeds provide “Gift
Bargain Bucks” to help those in need. Call 910.362.0603 for more
details.