After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between

The Bridal Party's Vintage Romance Bride tied the knot yesterday afternoon at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington, New Jersey and it was a beautiful event. I'd worked with the couple as well as the mother-of-the-bride for about a year on this 225 guest affair and had been anxiously awaiting the actual day of festivities. We had such a great time swapping ideas for the overall theme, starting with the inspiration board I compiled, and were really able to design a cohesive event.  First, they exchanged vows with full mass, and then partied the night away at the One and Only Westmount Country Club in West Patterson, New Jersey.  Truly a great way to start a magnificent Halloween weekend. Everyone had a blast! Below are a few of my snapshots, but professional photographs are coming soon. - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Don't forget, today is DAY ONE of GILT GROUPE 's Wedding Shop! GILT GROUPE is the fabulous members-only luxury sample sale website that offers the hottest luxury designer products at 70% off ... and for brides, they're even offering Reem Acra gowns. GILT GROUPE 's Wedding Shop will end at midnight on Saturday, October 23rd, so hurry. A new category of bridal sales will launch at noon each day and they will be offering everything a bride or groom could want for their special day, from dresses and accessories to suits and cufflinks to deals off photographers, wedding planners and even honeymoons. Happy Shopping! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Fall 2011 bridal collections will be hitting the runway soon! Exciting, indeed. When Spring 2011 graced the catwalks with its soft flows and layers in April, we were "wow'd" for sure, so I'm expecting Fall 2011 won't disappoint. Let's take a quick look back at my favorite pieces from Douglass Hannant, Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang. DOUGLASS HANNANT OSCAR de la RENTA   VERA WANG (photos courtesy of Coutorture) - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Not only are many of the most popular hotels, resorts and restaurants now offering wedding packages, but Hong Kong has become the first place in the world to offer wedding packages at McDonald's!  My husband brought an interesting CNN International article to my attention today and I couldn't help but share. Hong Kong will be the first city in the world to roll out McDonald’s nuptial packages for couples starting January 1 next year. The package has all the details to attract a wedding banquet cynic or a Golden Arches obsessive: a baked apple pie wedding cake, dress made out of party balloons, kiddie party favors for guests, and of course, catering by McDonald’s. Alcohol is banned to make sure there won’t be drunk party guests acting inappropriately at the family venue, so newly weds will have to toast their union with soft drinks instead. The cost will be a few thousand Hong Kong dollars, depending on what guests order on the spot. It’s unlikely that the couple will b...

I'm sure many of our faithful readers and subscribers have wondered why After YES, Before I DO and Everything In Between's blog posts have slowed down.  Well ... late afternoon on September 22nd I officially added the role of MOMMY to my other commitments and, needless to say, I've been diligently preparing for this awesome job for many months. My husband and I welcomed our beautiful boy/girl twins, Jonah William and Gia Milan, on the last day of summer.  We couldn't be happier ... couldn't be more thrilled!  And as I settle in, I promise THE BRIDAL PARTY's blog will return to its normal cadence very soon. My Sincerest Best, Rashana

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten how to utilize the spell-check feature ... I'm talking about GILT GROUPE , the fabulous members-only luxury sample sale website that'll soon be targeting brides! Everyday the hottest luxury designers offer products at 70% off and on October 20th they'll open a Wedding Shop, so Save-The-Date. GILT GROUPE 's Wedding Shop opens on October 20th and will end at midnight on Saturday, October 23rd. A new category of sales will launch at noon each day and they will be offering everything a bride or groom could want for their special day, from dresses and accessories to suits and cufflinks to deals off photographers, wedding planners and even honeymoons....all at prices up to 70% off! Happy Shopping! P.S.  If you'd like a special invitation to join GILT GROUPE, please email us and we'll send you one right away. - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Shop the Kleinfeld November SAMPLE SALE! Sunday, November 7, 2010 (One-hour appointments only) Save up to 70% on select sample gowns from top bridal designers at Kleinfeld's November Sample Sale! Designers include: Alvina Valenta, Amalia Carrara, Amarilidine, Amsale, Amy Michelson, Anne Barge, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Christos, Claire Pettibone, Danielle Caprese, Edgardo Bonilla, Eve of Milady, Henry Roth, Ian Stuart, Jim Hjelm, Judd Waddell, Justina McCaffrey, Kenneth Pool, Lazaro, Liancarlo, Marisa, Melissa Sweet, Michelle Roth, Monique Lhuillier, Peter Langner, Pnina Tornai, Priscilla of Boston, Reem Acra, Rivini, Romona Keveza, Stephen Yearick, Tara Keeley, and many other famous Kleinfeld exclusive European designers! Plus, receive up to 50% off a select group of accessories! Call (646) 633-4300 today for your sample sale appointment! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

TheKnot.com and The Empire State Building recently launched the “Wedding with a View” contest! Would you like to get married, renew your vows or affirm your commitment at the world’s most romantic building, the Empire State Building, on Valentine’s Day? If so, submit your story and you could be one of the 14 lucky couples. How do you become a finalist? Submit your story now through October 25, 2010 . Winners will be selected based on the originality and creativity of their submissions, as well as their connections to the world’s most famous building. Winners of the wedding ceremonies will be announced on November 1, 2010. How can you win? From November 1 - 5, America will vote for their favorite couple. The couple with the most votes will win the grand prize. The grand prize winner will be revealed on November 9, 2010. What would you win? 13 couples will win wedding ceremonies within the building. ONE lucky couple will win the Grand Prize – the ULTIMATE wedding ceremony on the 8...