M&J Trimming’s new series of DIY videos are such a hit, that we decided to show off our bridal salon with a video tour!  M&J’s Bridal Salon is our best kept secret and has tons to offer brides-to-be.  Our showroom is a relaxing environment, ideal for making decisions on the important details to finish off your wedding day look.  Walk-ins are welcomed and since the salon is open 7 days a week, even the busiest bride can fit this into her schedule.

Preston Bailey is one of the most praised event planners in the industry. For nearly 30 years he has created out of this-world events for celebrity clientele that includes Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Donna Karen, Michael Douglas, fashion designer John Galliano, Uma Thurman, Victoria Secrets and even royal families.

Preston Bailey’s work is an inspiration to anyone who attends the events or sees photos. His detail to themes draws from simple and easy techniques, such as folded paper flowers, and ribbons to new technology and more complex creative designs, such as lighting, furniture making and architecture.

Many of us may not have his skill to recreate his over-the-top joyful room escapes but as he stated in Simply You magazine, “Bailey believes in a single dramatic statement- one stunning centerpiece or colour on a grand, impermanent scale, echoed through hundreds of tiny details to create a successful party.”

The second most important accessory to a bride is her bouquet. Your bouquet should balance out with your dress and fit into the them of your wedding.  But the selections are endless. Here are a few tips to help you along the way when picking out your beautiful flower bouquet.

First Step: pick your flowers

Calla Lilly   –   Dahlia   –   Japanese Toad Lilly   –   Lily –   Orchid  –  Phalliney  

Ranunculus  –  Rose  – Stephanotis  – Sweet Peas – Tiger Lilies –White Peony 

Second Step: Pick a bouquet there are 6 different bouquets to choose from

Beidermeir is a nosegay made up of concentric circles of diferent flowers

 Cascade is a waterfall- like of blooms and greenery that’s anchored in a hand-held bouquet 

Classic Hand-tied bouquet is a dense bunch of blooms in a bouquet holder, wired or hand-tied.

Composite is a handmade creation in which different petals or buds are wired together on a singler stem, creating on giant flower

Nosegay is a small, round cluster of flowers. Usually made with one dominant flower or color, and then wrapped tightly with ribbon or lace for a delicate effect.

 Pomander is a bloom-covered ball suspended from ribbon  

New Trends:  Saturated, bold and bright colors are a perfect way to make statement. Pinks reds, greens, and blues continue to run the bouquets. Orchids are the flower of the moment, especially since there versatile and come in nearly all colors and sizes. Royal purple and deep lilacs tones are also returning.

Tips: To really focus on color try arrangements in one dramatic shade and varying the textures and types of flowers. Also add a bright colored ribbon, rhinestones, or pearls to your bouquet for elagant touch.

He proposed…You Set the Date…Now it is time to start the search for your wedding gown!  Since you want to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience; I have a few tips to help you through the process.

 1.  Research:  Start by looking through bridal magazines and searching online to get ideas.  Keep a folder with print outs and clippings of anything that interests you to bring to appointments.  For example, if you like the silhouette of a gown, the details, or the overall look save the photo for future reference.  These will be helpful when you are trying to explain to the bridal consultant what you are looking for. 

2.  Set a Budget:  Figure out the overall budget for the wedding and decide how much of it you want to use for your look.  This means, the dress, Alterations, accessories (headpiece, veil, garter, handbag, jewelry, etc.), undergarments, shoes, honeymoon lingerie.  Everyone has different views on how much they want to spend on these items, just keep your budget realistic.  Don’t forget that some of these items can be borrowed.

3.  Make Appointments:  Research what designers you are interested and where they are sold.  Create a list of stores you want to go to and keep in mind what designers/stores will be within your budget.  Don’t waste your time or the consultants’ time going to places you can’t afford.  The worst thing is falling in love with a gown you can not get.  Make appointments at least 2 weeks before to ensure the date and time you want is available. 

4.  Who to Shop With:  decide whose opinion really matters to you and whose doesn’t.  Don’t bring a crowd.  Many brides make this mistake and regret it.  The more people you bring the more opinions you will have to hear.  If a jealous bridesmaid or negative mother-in-law says they hate the gown you love, those comments might affect your final decision. Bring one or two people at most.  To include people, offer to invite them to your first fitting. 

5.  Come Prepared:  Bring your folder with magazine clippings and ideas on what you’re looking for.  Skip the red panties, black bra, and thong that day.  Wear seamless nude colored undergarments.  Try to look your best so that you feel good while trying on gowns.  Do your hair and makeup that day and bring extra hair ties to keep your hair out of your way.  Bring a camera just in case they let you take photos (most place do not).  The photos will be helpful to look back remember what you liked and didn’t like.   

6.  Keep Lists:  Keep lists of your favorite gowns from each store and search for photos of them online.  It will be easier to narrow down your list, when you have photos to help you remember.  

7.  Attend Events:  Many events for brides are held every year.  These events will provide you with great gown ideas and keep you informed about the latest and greatest for everything wedding related.  Plus, who doesn’t like free stuff and discounts!  Most venders will give out special offers, taste tests, or free hair and makeup trials. 

8.  Sample Sales and Trunk Shows:  These events provide brides with the opportunity to get designer gowns at a discount.  Most gown designers have sample sales once or twice a year, where they sell their samples at greatly discounted prices (usually 15-75% off).  Keep in mind that sample sizes are typically bridal size 12 (about 10 in ready-to-wear clothing) or lower.  Gowns can usually be taken in, but they cannot be let out.  Trunk shows happen more frequently, and typically feature a certain designer.  They offer discounts if you purchase that day (usually 10-15% off).   

9.  Choose the Dress and Stop Shopping!  Once you find the dress, don’t confuse yourself by continuing to look at other gowns.  Move on to the next step… Accessories! 

This week M&J Bridal Salon is featuring our chic gold accessories.  Gold is making a huge comeback and we are excited for brides to start embracing this new look! 

The feeling of gold accessories is warm and vibrant and works with many skin tones.  Of course the accessories have to flow with your gown.  If you have lace, warm colored fabric, gold beading or embroidery, gold accessories will work for you!  Also, if your gown is simple gold can make a bold, yet classy statement.

I know gold sounds scary to many of us, but it is not the same as the super shinny gold of the 70’s and 80’s.  Try pieces with amber and taupe tones or dark ivory colors.  Less is more with gold pieces.  You do not want to wear too many pieces or pieces that are overly chunky, because you will start to look like Mr. T.  Have fun choosing accessories for your big day!

 

We Went, We Saw, We Survived to Tell the Story!

 Every year Filene’s Basement holds a Running of the Bride’s event, as I described in my previous blog. M&J Trimming partnered up with Filene’s to help brides-to-be get there perfect wedding dress.  

The doors opened at 8a.m. and we had to help the staff hold the racks down full of dresses so the running brides wouldn’t knock any of them down. Here’s a clip of the exciting event, that words couldn’t describe.  

For all the attendees there, Thanks for making this day an experience we will always remember!

As many may know, Filene’s Basement   is most famous for its annual Bridal Gown Events  when brides-to-be can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on designer wedding gowns.

And it is with great pleasure to announce that M&J Trimming will be working alongside Filene’s Basement in Union Square, NY on February 5th for their annual Running of The Brides Event.

Their huge selections of designer dresses are beautiful, but sometimes brides might think the one they chose is just a little plain. Well that’s where M&J Trimming comes in. Our bridal specialists will be there with samples of bridal trim to help give suggestions on embellishing the wedding dress fashionably with our newest bridal trim, and accessories.

And that’s not all, M&J Trimming will also be handing out Discount Cards to all attendees at the event, giving Brides-to-be another discount to save on trimmings, embellishments, veils, headpieces, custom gloves, silk flowers and more! So once you’ve picked out your designer dress and decided on your favorite trimming, come to M&J Trimming in New York with your card and purchase your selected trim at a discounted price!

Working with Filene’s Basement is a partnership we are very proud of. We cannot wait to help Brides-to-be get their ‘Dream Dress’!

Store Locations

M&J Bridal Salon is the go to place for custom veils and headpieces.  Our commitment to helping our brides create the perfect day has caused us to expand our inventory and now we’ve got your flower girl covered too.   When planning a wedding every detail is important and we understand that every member of the bridal party should be as polished as the bride. We now offer an assortment of flower girl hair accessories including tiaras, hair vines, tie back style headbands, and hair sticks.

A wedding with Lace

Weddings are full of romance and dreamy moments that will be remembered forever. I believe any classic, romantic wedding begins with lace. Different patterns of lace give a vintage classical look to any wedding. Lovely Grace Kelly, wore a lace wedding dress to her royal wedding.  Now, she is one of the most inspirational and iconic brides. Incorporating lace into your wedding theme will give you a beautiful and memorable wedding.

Here’s a great inspirational board

Be sure to make some of your own wedding decorations for a personal touch. M&J Trimming Company started with lace before anything else. So when it comes to specialists we know what were doing. Visit our showroom or take a look at our website to find you inspiration for you wedding.

Your perfect day wouldn’t be perfect without the right music. If you haven’t had time to find the right music, here are a couple of songs to get you started for those special moments, on your special day.

Some of my Favorites

• Etta James – At last
• Elvis Presley – Can’t help falling in Love
• Edith Piaf – La Vie En Rose
• Ray Lamontagne – You are the best thing
• Sade – No ordinary love
• Bob Marley – Jamming
• Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
• Kylie Minogue – In your eyes

Click here to listen to the playlist Wedding Songs