The AAB Weekly Reader

Here are some of our favorite wedding and style links from around the blogosphere:

OK, you know that Chelsea Clinton tied the knot this weekend. But did you know about the nuptials of T.I. and Tiny???

And our friends at Aisledash are hearing that Alicia Keys might be wearing a Vera Wang gown for her upcoming wedding to Swizz Beatz.

Now let's say you didn't get an invite to any of these celebrity weddings or to a wedding you felt you should have been invited to. Yvonne and Yvette have some tips about taking the high road and being left out might be a good thing.

Take a peek inside a great, real-life bridal shower on UrbanFusion.

Still looking for more wedding-ish love songs? Check out this old school Jesse Powell classic on Chocolate Brooms and Bouquets.


And... controversy! Should you impose your dietary restrictions on your wedding guests? Weigh in on Eatocracy.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Budding Talent: From Fatima With Love

This week we were contacted by a lovely and talented young lady named Fatima Spencer who makes beautiful silk flower hair clips and accessories. Her creations are sold online at Flowers From Fatima and we think they would be perfect for many brides, flowergirls and wedding attendants. Take a look at some of our favorites and tell us what you think.

Themed Wedding Invites

-sponsored guest post

Shopping for wedding invitations can be more difficult than what meets the eye, especially when you trying to stay within the vibe of your wedding and your budget. I decided to check out the invites over at Invitations by David’s Bridal to find some inexpensive, yet classy invite ideas that would suit the various wedding day moods and themes you are all celebrating.

Autumn Feelings

Fall is creeping up and many are looking for a crisp look for your autumn vows. Details of leaves and candy apple colors are perfect for October and November weddings.

Lakeside Nuptials

Overlooking the water from a dock or lakeside home? Whether your color scheme is warm or cool tones, most invites will come in various color schemes. There were some great choices of seaside ceremony invites for Cape Cod type ceremonies.

Great Outdoors

I absolutely love these scenic cards highlighting the wilderness and landscape. They would fit perfectly for a Mid-western, ranch-style wedding or even a mountainside, log-cabin celebration.

Winter Wonderland

Just in time for the holidays, snow and winter white are perfect choices for the cooler months. Especially for those to wed in the north, a snowflake scene will still be fitting for couples walking down the isle after the festive season.

Destination

The dropping temperatures give any bride and groom the perfect excuse to escape to an island getaway to tie the knot. Get tropical with seashells, blue waves and palm trees that will get the guests longing for the set date.

Wordless Wednesday: Love Is Family

Mia & Torin
July 2010
Boston, Massachussetts
Courtesy of Person + Killian Photography

Musical Monday: Nina Simone

This post was inspired by one of our bloggy friends, though we can't remember which one. But somebody posted the Nina Simone song last week - and as soon as we can recall who it is, we're going to give credit where it's due! Happy Monday.

Figure Flattering Dress Tips & Trends

-sponsored guest post


Wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses can be difficult to search through when looking to compliment your best features. So here are some ideas for all you “soon-to-be” brides and your bridal party!



Full Figure

The best route is to not only highlight your best assets, but to tailor it to your figure. Like this David’s Bridal dress, an A-line, empire waistline gown is sophisticated and stylish, but choose your fabric wisely. Make sure it’s gathered in the right areas to accentuate your curves. If you do go for an empire waistline, make sure the waist isn’t too high underneath your bust.


Pear Shaped

A full, A-line wedding dress is the best silhouette for wider hips and narrow shoulders. Try a gathered, asymmetrical waist that will show off your curves in a glamorous way. A V-neckline will flatter your bust and an ordinate sash to draw attention to you mid-area. It’s best to avoid column dresses; they tend to emphasize your hips.


Small Bust

There is nothing wrong with creating a little illusion. You can use this season’s trends of bows and rosettes to add interest to your bust area with empire waistline. If you want an A-line silhouette, keep the bodice loose and consider slight padding to balance out the full skirt.



Boyish Figure

Showing off you best features, such as your legs and tummy are perfect for brides looking to create curves on their wedding day. Embrace this year’s runway trends and opt for a mini or shorter hemline. Sheath, column and A-line silhouettes will unexpectedly show off your best features while creating the appearance of a fuller figure.


Chic Maids

Is your bridal party a mix of sizes and body types? A great option for your bridal party is to do bridal separates that will flatter each body type. You can keep the same color palette and skirt length, but have each bridesmaid decide whether they would like a strapless, V-Neck, halter, blouson, or asymmetrical cut top.