Paprika Event Design » fashion

Low cost, high fashion

heather — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:52:26 +0000

I would mix this…

with this…

that amazing little shoulder wrap could va-voom any simple silhouette.

Carmel Wedding

heather — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:01:36 +0000

I saved this wedding when I first saw it on Style Me Pretty and have gone back and drooled over it several times since. Guess that means I should share the visual love. I love the juxtaposition between the modern bride and groom and the rustic setting. The bride has impeccable style (guess that’s why she’s a party planner) and it takes just such a woman to pull off that short dress and headpiece. She totally rocks it. She made the shoes, well bought them and then added the ribbon to replicate a pair she loved but couldn’t afford. Genius.

Gorgeous photos taken by Melissa Diep.

Happy New Year

heather — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:47:46 +0000

It’s been too long since I’ve said hello to my friends online. What can I say, being a new mom around the holidays is all encompassing. None the less, I wish you all a Happy 2009.

This New Year it’s no secret that everyone is cutting costs and weddings are no exception. But I’ve always believed that you can create big dreams with any budget. That’s why I get so excited when I come across websites like Once Wed. I’ve seen other used wedding dress sites, but this one really rocks. They carry all of the best designers and most of the dresses I recognize from recent collections.

So go ahead and wear that Monique Lhuillier gown you’ve been drooling over, only at half the cost.

Petaline — Fabulous local fashion designers

heather — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:43:46 +0000

Daily Candy recently featured Vancouver designer Elroy. I fell in love with all of her designs especially when I learned many of her fabrics are soy and bamboo. If you haven’t worn something bamboo, it’s like pulling on butter! New Elroy dresses are available at the Seattle based online boutique Petaline. Petaline, Alison Brownrigg’s online boutique, features innovative Pacific NW designers who really care about where they get their materials and where their garments are manufactured. Here are some of the fabulous things I’ve put on my Christmas list.

Elroy Buxus Dress :: Elroy Phoenix Dress :: Prairie Underground Bow Dress

Suzabelle Krona Dress :: Suzabelle Marin Coat

Jessica Iverson – Eco Couture

heather — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:14:52 +0000

Sometimes when I see eco-friendly clothing I’m left feeling disappointed. Either the fabric looks too “earthy” or the construction just isn’t modern. Nothing excited me more than finding fashion forward looks that are also sustainable. That couldn’t be more true with wedding dresses, especially because you only wear them once. I was gleeful when I saw the designs of Jessica Iverson. I had such a hard time deciding which dresses I wanted to showcase for the blog they are all so fabulous.

Just goes to show you don’t have to sacrifice style to have eco-chic fashion!

Eco-friendly wedding dresses

heather — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:52:23 +0000

I first came in contact with Jen at Blue Sky Bridal about a year ago and I instantly loved her and her boutique. She has an eye for previously worn couture wedding gowns. They range from $250-$2,500 and even include some Vera Wang, Jenny Lee and Monique Lhuillier as well as some gorgeous vintage gowns. You can get an idea of what dresses she has on their website, but it’s best to make an appointment and meet Jen at her Ballard boutique. Here are just a few of my fav’s from the website.

I loved the bead detail on this Alfred Angelo gown.

This Monique Lhuillier gown is just stunning.

Classic, modern Vera Wang gown.

This would be the perfect dress for the vintage bride, Oleg Cassini.

She also is the only boutique in Seattle to carry Conscious Clothing, a wonderful eco-chic wedding dress designer.

Fun Summer Dresses

heather — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:03:27 +0000

Whenever I’m asked about bridesmaids dresses I always offer the same advice. Pick dresses that fit your bridesmaids personality and a dress that your bridesmaids are comfortable wearing. Trust me, if they don’t like the dress, you’ll see it in the photos! I will almost always recommend picking a color that goes with the tone you’re trying to set and finding individual dresses that are in that color but fit your girls style.

Here are some fun summer colors to inspire. These would make such beautiful, fun wedding photos and your girls are sure to wear these again!

This is my new favorite color scheme this season — yellow black and white! LOVE IT!

top row: Anthropologie :: bottom row: JCrew

Another bright modern summer color.

top row: Anthropologie :: bottom row: JCrew

Best Dressed

heather — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:38:45 +0000

One of my favorite photographs in a wedding portfolio is the shot of the dress. The dress really sets the tone for the rest of the day and that shot is in a way the calm before the storm (a good storm of course). Take a look at these best dressed shots and see if they don’t invoke some emotion in you…

This is from Our Labor of Love — a new recent obsession of mine. Their blog is so addicting!

This photo touched me when I first saw it. You can see the wheels turning in the little girls mind. It also happens to be from Starr ’s first wedding ever and she just happened to be passing by the pastors office and caught the little girl in there alone looking at the dress. Precious.

The next two photos are from a local pair of photographers, Jennifer and Scott of Red Fish Blue Fish. Added bonus – they have “A Very Green Wedding” package which purchases carbon credits on your behalf!

This is a perfect example of setting the mood. I see vintage garden with some red shoes for pop!

This is actually a bridesmaids dress, but I couldn’t resist!

Our Labor of Love — need I say more?

Natalie Moser is definitely one of my favorite photographers. Even though she’s not in the Seattle area, it’s so self-indulgent to browse her site. I love the different patterns in this photo from the vertical striped drape, the lace and horizontal lines on the dress and the dots on the floor.

This is another photo from Starr. The textures are amazing and you really get a feel for the vintage inspired wedding that’s about to take place.

The amazing Leigh Miller took this photo — I see a spanish inspired beach wedding in this dresses future.

Almost 27 Dresses

heather — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:13:53 +0000

I recently watched “27 Dresses” and laughed out loud every time a bride said “Do you love the dress? The best part is you can shorten it and wear it again.” There seems to be a never ending battle for the perfect bridesmaids dress. Well, search no further. I came across this Butter by Nadia dress a year ago and thought it was such a brilliant idea I bought two for myself in the slinky satin material.

I was reminded of how much I love this dress during a recent shopping trip where I tried it in the jersey version. Like the satin it comes in the tea or ball gown lengths but is a little more casual. There are so many great things about this dress it’s hard to know where to start. They’re made in the USA. They look great on pregnant bellies. There are limitless possibilities for tying the dress which makes it unique to the bride and bridesmaid. They come with a raw hem so they truly could be shortened after the wedding. It is just a sassy, fun dress that will be worn again and again!

Here are just a few ways to wrap the dress. I bought one in navy jersey — what color will you chose?