A DBLA Bride Makes Her Debut Down the Aisle!

We're so excited for Heather Hyde and Chris Detert, a great couple who had their fab nuptials at the Inn at the Seventh Ray over Memorial Day weekend. Nestled in Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles, it is a beautiful venue that is known for its natural splendor, and you would never know that you're only a stone's throw from the mayhem of LA.

Heather donned our Jim Hjelm 'JH8903' gown, and it is obvious that she was the most beautiful bride. Their intimate gathering of 60 guests highlighted their special bond, putting the evening's focus on their love for each other and their families. Photography for the event was captured by Sherman Chu.

Heather and Chris own a dynamite PR agency, American Rebel PR, which also represents yours truly. Theirs is a testament that couples who work and play together can definitely create the strongest team there is.

We wish Heather and Chris lots of love and laughter as they journey into this new chapter of their lives!

Tightening the Bridal Belt

Despite this economic slowdown, the show must go on. How can brides today in these tough times have their wedding cake and eat it too? DBLA has some ideas that don't cut corners, but rather smooth the edges.

The Dress. Of course we have to start on this point! Brides today have options for high end designer gowns at price points that won't break the bridal bank. Our inventory of luxury designer gowns average a cost savings of $2,000. That's no small potatoes. Keep in mind that for those 2,000 pennies many other expenses can be covered, such as invitations, the cake, wedding accessories, the bridal suite, party favors...our gowns are fabulous and right for the savvy bride who wants her cake frosted and fabulous: http://www.dreambridalla.com/.

The Invitations. Every bride is drawn to a certain aesthetic, and if you're like me, you love intricate and unusual designs that are eye catching and vibrant. Every bride wants her event to stand out, and invitations are a great way to set the tone. A great alternative to letterpress invites are digital invites. They embody the exact same spirit of a letterpress invite, but at half the price. We love, love, love the digital invite selection at Hello Lucky (http://www.hellolucky.com/). This site provides wonderful options for the bride who craves detailed designs.

The Centerpieces. Flowers are super fun and brides love big and beautiful bouquets. However, when the size of the bouquet gets to the point where it appears it will suddenly walk off of the table, it's time to downsize. If you're dying to decorate with fragrant flowers, keep the vases simple and low profile and vary the sizes for visual interest. Line them with fab leaves and highlight the table with lots of inexpensive tea lights for ambiance. Be sure to discuss with your florist what types of flowers will be in season during your event. This will ensure your choice is more affordable. A fab go to bridal florist with budget options galore in LA is The Empty Vase (http://www.emptyvase.com/).

The Entertainment. A ten piece band is a budget buster for any bride. Shop for an entertainment option that provides a package deal, such as a string ensemble for the ceremony and a DJ for the reception, who also serves as the Master of Ceremonies. This way you cover all your bases using only one vendor. For quality DJs who not only get the party started but keep the party going, Awesome Entertainment (http://www.awesome-entertainment.net/) in LA will do your party right, every time.

Keep in mind there are always ways to get the wedding of your dreams, but at a budget based in reality. The term 'taking the plunge' shouldn't mean into financial ruin. We're here to remind brides that with a little extra planning, your event will remain extra special.