HOT NEW HANDBAGS

Stop in and check out these HOT new handbags by Urban Expressions.

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Tre Bella Boutique on Ninth Street.

(624 Ninth Street - next to Brueguer's Bagels).

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We have been searching for a new label to carry at the boutique - something trendy, affordable, and super cute! These arrived yesterday and when Kate put them out I wanted one of each style :) They range from cute small clutches to super over sized handbags - $30-$60.00 (awesome!!!)

SAMPLE SALE !!!!

Tre Bella Bridal has some incredible dresses on sample sale - we are selling off some of the older styles to make room for the new collections! Call to schedule an appointment soon while they last - 919.323.7167!

Thanks to Robin Lin for the incredible image of our shop above and all the images on the Tre Bella Bridal website! (www.robinlinphotography.com).

Peonies In The Gardens

Below is a wedding that we recently did at the Duke Gardens for one our very favorite brides of the year! Her bouquet is a great example of how sometimes simple is spectacular. The fuchsia peonies she carried were incredible (but who doesn't love peonies??). Enjoy the great images from Phreckles Photography (www.phrecklesphotography.com).

Shabby Chic

One of our favorite looks is "shabby chic" with a modern simple touch. Pulling a "look" or "concept" together for a wedding always starts with the dress. Lela Rose is our favorite designer for this look - her dresses are gorgeous and the attention to detail is incredible. Above is an image of The Country (available at Tre Bella Bridal) - LOVE IT. For your flowers consider a simple hand tied bouquet of whites, ivories, and maybe even a very pale blush (flower recommendations below). Always pay attention to the details - above we wrapped the bouquet with vintage lace with an antique broach - especially when "theming" a wedding. The small touches, like using vintage milk glass containers at the reception will help pull the look all the way through your wedding. I found the image of the cake on line and I think it would be the perfect shabby chic cake!

white peonies, blush garden roses, white lily of the valley, white freesia, white gardenias, white double lisianthus

WE LOVE THE DUKE GARDENS

In Durham we are so lucky to have the beautiful Duke Gardens - one of my very favorite locations for an afternoon walk, a picnic lunch, a WEDDING or an EVENT! Where else can you have incredible African waterlilies as your backdrop to a ceremony, or giant bamboo perfect for a bridal portrait, baby ducks, gorgeous flower beds, I could ramble on for a page on everything we love about the gardens :)

Above are the wonderful images (by Penny Noel photography) of the NACE event that we recently did at the Gardens. I am calling it modern garden chic with 4 different centerpiece designs - 1. silver lanterns with loose flowers; 2. 3 cylinders of varied heights with floating orchids and candles paired with 2 mint julep cups with fuchsia peonies; 3. Low wide cylinder with river rocks and floating flowers with a large cylinder set inside; 4. Curly willow branches with three cylinders around the base.

Using different styles of centerpieces makes the room more interesting and also acts as conversation pieces as your guest mingle at different tables. The key is to make them different and unique while keeping some elements the same.

Feature on Style Me Pretty

We are super excited that this wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty! The bride's bouquet was a bold combination of dark purple lisianthus, dark purple sweetpeas, purple freesia & dark blue delphinium. The girls carried a smaller version with the addition of white lisianthus. The centerpieces were a lovely layered look of lace doilies, apothecary vases and (my favorite part) awesome mugs from Anthropolgie with the couple's initials on them. Thanks to Bliss Event group for planning such a funky and unique wedding :)

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES

Bridesmaids come in all different shapes and sizes so why pick one dress for all of them.

Instead of selecting just on style of dress for your bridesmaids select a color and a designer. Let them pick the style of dress that fits their figure the best. If they feel comfortable in the dress they will have more confidence down the isle and in your pictures!

Pear Shape:

A-line skirts or empire waistlines

Straight:

Full skirt or A-line, off the shoulder strap

Full Figure:

Consider a dress with a little more structure and a wider strap, A-line or defined waist line

This bride let her bridesmaids select their favorite style from the Siri Bridesmaid Collection.

FLOWER GIRLS

We love flower girls!

There are a couple of things to consider when deciding on how to accessorize your flower girls:

1. How old are they?

Age will determine the type of flowers you should pick for them. Younger girls might have a hard time tossing petals so consider a basket filled with flowers that match your bouquet. Also, orbs made of hydrangeas, button mums, or spray roses may be an alternative.

2. What type of personality do they have?

Outgoing flowergirls will probably love tossing petals, flowers in their hair - being the star of the aisle. For shy flowergirls consider having someone walk with them down the aisle.

3. What should they wear?

You can coordinate their dress to match either your gown or your bridesmaid's dresses. It is always nice to ask the girls what they would like to wear - but don't forget to involve the mothers :) We also think it is thoughtful to give your flowergirls a piece of jewelry that they can cherish as a keepsake (and maybe use it one day in their wedding).