A gallery of lucious ideas at Lola Grace....

Rachael Gross is the CEO of lolagraceEVENTS, and we love her insoucient style. She even states on her site that she does Anti-Bride weddings, fashion and special events. We couldn’t agree more! We welcome Rachel as our guest blogger!

It isn’t about the décor, although, it makes for fabulous photos. It isn’t about the shoes… that in the most perfect shade of purple, scream “BRIDE REBEL”! It goes beyond the barbecued ribs, the pulled pork, and the delicious homemade cornbread. And it certainly isn’t about the fusion of the venue’s urban architecture with the rustic-country table-top design.

Cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony? Opting out of the bouquet toss? No cake cutting ceremony? Insert “GASP” here! These are just a few of the many non-traditional details of  “Living the Life of Riley” a recent lolagraceEVENTS wedding, celebrating the love between Courtney & Josh!

At lolagraceEVENTS, we love individuality, creativity, and stress-free engagements. When you are doing what YOU want, you are less likely to find yourself in the planning pitfalls that many engaged couples experience when they try to plan a wedding within the lines that society has drawn for us over the years. Contact our event planners to plan your Anti-Bride wedding today!

About

Rachael Gross is the founder/owner of lolagraceEVENTS , a Boston based event planning boutique that specializes in ANTIBRIDE weddings, fashion, and special events. Over the years, Rachael has planned numerous weddings, parties, fashion shows, and special events. Through the sweat & tears, she has developed a love for working with the non-traditional bride, committing herself to the creative process, stepping outside of the box and taking risks that shock clients (in a sophisticated way) and their guests.

Hey Anti-Brides, tired of returning that vase you’ll never use, or the gravy boat that will wallow in obscurity? Want to make sure that those wedding presents actually go to work for you? Here is a fantastic wedding registry that gets you closer to what you really want, a house (not just stuff to put in it. Read on!
From Erin-Marie MacEwen, Founder

Beep. Click. Beep. Click. Click. Scannnnn. Beep. Click. Click. Scannnnnn. Beep. Click. Oh, the sounds of a traditional retail wedding registry. I remember it like yesterday. Walking into Macy’s in downtown San Francisco, it felt like we were embarking on a shopping spree. Who can argue with the fun that comes with that? I can tell you, it was fun. But, was it practical? Was it fun for the moment and frustrating to deal with afterward? Was it confusing and completly overwhelming? Absolutely.

My now-husband and I registered at a few places for our wedding. Being part of a large, traditional family it was important that we registered in the traditional way – at a retail store. Some guests simply prefer to give a physical gift, so for the few things we really needed – a duvet cover – it was great. For the things we didn’t necessarily need, well … it was confusing. Do we register for china and crystal  because we’re ‘supposed’ to? Do we register for things just for fun, for things that we don’t need? Can we return gifts later if we decide they don’t work in our home?

Luckily, out of this confusion came a bit of clarity. When we really thought about it, what would be helpful for us was money towards down payment on a home. It’s been a lifelong dream of ours to have a home of our own, so any help towards that dream was a dream in and of itself. The problem was that it wasn’t very fun to tell guests we wanted cash towards a home. In fact, it was a little awkward and felt a little rude. To help alleviate this problem, we asked ourselves, how could we make this fun? After brainstorming a bit, we came up with Hatch My House– an online, interactive registry to help us – and other couples – save towards a home.

Map out your future dream home.

Hatch My House enables couples to create a visual representation – a picture – of their future home. Using this picture, wedding guests donate towards the couples’ house fund by purchasing a part of that house, such as a window, the front door or even a set of wineglasses. Guests get to have fun while donating and couples get to design, visualize – and hopefully realize – their ‘dream’ home.

Hatch My House ended up being the perfect solution to our wedding registry dilemma. By using it as our wedding registry, we were able to save a few thousand dollars towards our future home. We’re hopeful that you’ll be able to save as we did, so please check out the details – How It Works and Benefits – as outlined below.

HOW IT WORKS
•To set up a registry on Hatch My House, couples first write a welcome note to their guests describing the goal of the house fund in Step 1.
•In step 2, they customize their ‘dream’ house, selecting their desired setting, style – craftsman or brownstone (with more on the way) – and color.
•Couples finalize their registry in step 3 by linking their new or existing PayPal account to HMH. By completing a simple form verifying their PayPal email, they’re ready for step 4 – to publish their registry.
•In step 4 couples pay a one-time sign up fee of $24.95 to publish their registry and get directed to their personalized URL link.
•By copying this link, in step 5, they direct family members and friends to their registry – and start saving towards a home immediately!

BENEFITS
By using Hatch My House, couples take advantage of PayPal, reaping the benefits of being aligned with a 10-year money transfer service business and a built-in security infrastructure, which includes data encryption and fraud prevention tools.

They also benefit from lower transaction fees in comparison to other online gift and down payment registries. Hatch My House is one of the few online registries that offers a 0% to 3% transaction fee.

Not only that, but by using Hatch My House, couples get to benefit from an easy-to-use, convenient online registry without any hassles!

•    No shipping charges!
•    No sales tax!
•    No parking fees!
•    No long hours spent scanning items at the store!
•    No returns!
•    No hassles!

As a special thanks to Antibride, we’re offering anyone who signs up this week a 20% discount. Sign up HERE and use the coupon code:  ANTIBRIDE.

About Hatch My House

Erin-Marie recently discovered Antibride.com. She wished she had known about Carolyn’s awesome site and books when she was a bride as it would have helped her navigate through the confusion of the ‘traditional registry’. Luckily, she and her now-husband got clarity when they developed Hatch My House, an online wedding registry where anyone can save towards a home in a fun and interactive way. Using Hatch My House for their wedding registry, they were able to save a few thousand dollars towards their future home. Now, they hope to give others the same opportunity by launching Hatch My House for public use (as of Dec. 2010).

Edgy street glam in Ella

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2010

Punk Rock Bride continues its mission of offering brides an alternative to the traditional wedding dress, offering five new designs in its newly released 2010 Collection. A few common themes tie this collection together, including the use of layering, corseting, and unexpected details.

Punk Rock Brides Alex dress

The mixing of fabrics and textures has been a part of PRB’s approach since the beginning, and this year is no exception. The new collection utilizes eight different fabrics – many of them unlikely choices for bridal, including silk brocade, silk wool, silk cotton, and a hand-knitted piece. Only one of the dresses is made of a single fabric; the rest combine two or more. When limited by color, these different textures are what keep things interesting.

Pretty Jenny dress is pure and sweet

The corseting elements, while subtle, give the new collection two welcome characteristics: structure and shape. While one of the dresses, Ella, employs a completely separate corset that rests on top of a draping A-line dress, two of the other dresses – Jenny and Alex – use a simple corseted backing to achieve a sculptural effect by targeting specific isolated areas of each dress.

Princess Grace is a punk rock goddess

Of all three PRB collections, the most time and attention to detail were given to the dresses of 2010. There was a conscious effort from Day One to focus on ways to add interest, value, and fashion-forward elements to each design. Some of these details include the addition of pleats, tucks, and insets, as well as unexpected components such as pockets, belts, and keyholes.

Overall, the 2010 Collection is an ambitious extension of the past two collections. The dresses maintain simple silhouettes, comfort, and a light airy quality, without sacrificing drama or style.

About

Punk Rock Bride was founded in 2006 by RISD grad, Stephanie Ward.  Since then the company has received coverage in Brides Magazine, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, and Real Simple, as well as numerous bridal blogs.  In 2009, it was voted the #2 “Best Of” bridal shop by Washington Post Express readers.   Headquartered in Washington, DC, the company’s creations are designed and manufactured in the U.S.

Punk Rock Bride
320 3rd Street, NE Rear
Washington, DC 20002
202.506.3126
info@punkrockbride.com

The Knot calling the shots, 2010.

When my publisher of Destination I Do Magazine sent me an link on Tuesday and said, “Hey! Look at Trend #10 on The Knot Top Wedding Trends!” I hopped onto the net and checked it out. Low and behold, I saw the following:

Trend #10. The Anti-Bride
The ’80s are back in a big way, and weddings are not immune. Fingerless gloves, neon graffiti, and ’80s prom music will be huge at fashion-forward receptions and after-parties.

Wow! I love the 80’s, the music, and everything about it, and although I never really thought of Anti-Bride as a trend (or even an 80’s trend), rather a philosophy, but I’m happy The Knot feels it rates mentioning. Thank you The Knot! Now let’s look at some of the other trends, which I can also totally get on board with: Mad-Men, Retro, Rat Pack. Envision: Supper Clubs, speak easy-esque libations, vintage glam, Don and Betty Draper, and I am over the moon with the possibilities. I like where The Knot is predicting 2010 is going, and I’d happily engage in any of their suggestions, on or off the aisle. Except for the cupcakes, and I can’t be convinced otherwise. Enjoy and happy Friday!

Excerpted from The Knot:

February 1, 2010 NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Amidst all the new technology in the world of weddings, from Twitter proposals to Facebook engagement announcements, the season’s biggest trend is a throwback to the past: ’50s-inspired glamour. According to #1 wedding website and wedding trend forecaster The Knot, couples are looking to mix this vintage glamour wedding trend with their own personality.

“Many of the year’s top wedding trends reflect an obsession with the sophistication of the 1950s and ’60s. Homespun Chic will be giving way to Retro Glamour,” predicts Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot. “Many of the year’s top wedding trends reflect an obsession with the sophistication of the 1950s and ’60s.”

But, despite all the elegance, brides still want to give guests something to talk about! Quirky surprises, inspired by couple’s unique personality, or of-the-moment pop-culture crazes — like 3-D!

Here’s a look at what’s coming down the aisle in 2010:

Retro Glamour

1. Black, White & Ball Gowns
From black-sashed dresses and ball gowns to tulle and high waists, the look of the season is all about Grace Kelly elegance, right down to the accessories: ladylike gloves and pearls. For the guys, traditional tuxes are back.

2. Mad Men Inspired Beauty
Channeling the likes of Betty Draper and Audrey Hepburn, brides will be opting for statement-making hairstyles, like bouffants, French twists, and even beehives, with chic cage veils. As for makeup, matte base, black eyeliner, and red lipstick complete the look.

3. Rat Pack Cocktail Receptions
Couples are skipping the sit-down dinner and going for supper club-style cocktail parties instead. Think: big-band music, heavy appetizers, and old-fashioned cocktails, like Manhattans, sidecars, and dirty martinis.

4. Art Deco Colors
Black – paired with emerald green or ruby red — will give weddings a dramatic, sophisticated feel.

5. Statement Cakes
Cupcakes will always be cute, but the big news right now is stately cakes, from towering layers to splashes of metallic details.

Quirky Surprises

6. Interactive Elements
Blame it on Avatar, but the 3-D craze is also hitting the wedding scene with 3-D save-the-dates, menus and more. And, the interactive phenomenon doesn’t stop there. Guests can look forward to crossword puzzle-style save-the-dates, video announcements, and special performances.

7. Glee-inspired First Dances
Inspired by the hit show, Glee, couples are taking their first dance to a whole new level by opting for a “mash-up” (or medley) of songs instead of a single one.

8.Over-the-Top Wedding Exits
Forget the sparklers, confetti canons and hot air balloon sendoffs will be all the rage.

9. Style Surprises
A pair of high-top sneakers peeking out from under his tux! A glimpse of a pink petticoat under the hemline of her dress! Pairing bright-green socks for the groom and bright-green shoes for the bride! Couples are really showing their individuality, underneath it all.

10. The Anti-Bride
The ’80s are back in a big way, and weddings are not immune. Fingerless gloves, neon graffiti, and ’80s prom music will be huge at fashion-forward receptions and after-parties.

About The Knot

The Knot is the nation’s leading wedding resource, reaching over a million engaged couples each year through the #1 wedding website, TheKnot.com, The Knot national and local wedding magazines, The Knot books (published by Random House and Chronicle), and television programming bearing The Knot name. The Knot is the flagship brand of The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT), a leading lifestage media company targeting couples planning their weddings and future lives together.

Reprinted with the permission of The Knot public relations division.

Heavy Metal Glamour Puss

If you are bone tired of those red carpet girls dripping with their predictable Harry Winston Queen Mum gems, (valued at 10 years wages) cast your eyes on Rock Candy Design.

Reinterpreting what “fine jewelry” is, and truly pushing the envelope, Sheryl Gould takes jawbreaker sized “gem shapes” and casts ‘em out of sterling silver (in a send up of traditional boutique ateliers) rendered in a classy, modern and ironic way. What’s not to adore about wearable glamour puss day-to-dinner dazzlers, that deliver you from the cubicle to cocktail party effortlessly? What’s not to love about friends and foes alike asking where on earth did you get that big hunk of glam hanging around your neck?? Blessedly, not at Tiffanys, because if you’re reading this, we’re pretty certain that you’re a little hipper than the girls who shop there anyway….

This hunk of gorge will be taking up residence in my jewelry box.

Sheryl so impressed us here at Antibride.com, that she rocked our runway at the Operation Aisle Style event at the W Hotel SF this past March. Our runway models who wore her creations had everyone drooling….and scrambling to get their orders in tout suite….

Extra Credit: If I were a bridesmaid, and I was given this Rock of Love necklace, pictured left, I would forgive any bridesmaids dress transgressions upon receipt of gift….

You can’t get it at Barney’s, Harry Winston, or any chain store. To own and adore this under-the-radar artistry and rock your own runway go here:

with http://rockcandydesign.com

Rock Candy Design is a sexy jewelry collection, ranging from raw & chunky to refined & chic. Designer Sheryl Gould, inspired by past & present pop culture, rock n roll & fashion, combines sterling silver, original cast designs, semi precious stones & vintage finds, to create unique “unisexy” necklaces, bracelets, rings & earrings.?? In the spirit of rebellion, ignoring norms, morals, & design rules, delicate items are turned heavy, common goods are turned precious. The collection pairs seemingly unrelated elements, resulting in the pleasantly unexpected. Dubbed “elegant rock ‘n’ roll” by an adoring client, the edgy, glam line has attitude, beauty & style.

No safety pins required: a fabric mashup makes for a hip corset and skirt combo

Okay, there isn’t a hint of leather, lace, safety pins or plaid, but we’re still in love with Punk Rock Brides interesting new collection with comfortable silky fabrics, natural fibers, no itchy lace, and clean lines, resulting in easy and wearable dresses you can practically sleep in (says some of their clients). With all the boning, tulle, bows, bustles, and extraneous surface noise on more Vera-type gowns, it’s refreshing to see designers that actually consider the girl: it’s going to be a long damned day, and you’d better be comfortable (in equal measure with being beautiful…).

Being from Washington, DC, widely considered to be a fashion void (until Michelle Obama moved in anyway), I am heartened to see a design firm that rejected the predictable New York/LA fashion industry trajectory and pitched their tent here. I love them even more because some of the best punk rock bands ever came out of DC, so to have Punk Rock Brides new offices next to the ghosts of some of my favorite punk clubs brings a tear to my eye. I salute them for having the courage to stay the course in a fashion challenged city (which they will soon rule). So to quote Nancy Reagan, Just Say NO! to the wedding industrial complex with Punk Rock Bride.

An added bonus: how badass are you, when queried at the water cooler by the girls in the office:

Office Girls: So where are you getting your wedding dress?
You: PUNK ROCK BRIDE, that’s where!

Grab your coffee, and watch their jaws drop as you head back to your corner office….victorious….

Check out the collection and recent ink:

Punk Rock Bride Takes a Vow

(VOWS MAGAZINE, JULY/AUGUST 2009): For the bride looking for a less traditional wedding dress, Punk Rock Bride has launched five new designs for its 2009 Collection. The new collection is a continuation of the last in its use of classic, simple silhouettes and lighter, softer, more non-traditional fabrics. Designer Stephanie Ward has introduced separates into the mix this year, as well as some unexpected details, including pockets and belts.

“We’re reaching out to a more fashion-forward bride who is looking for something unique and comfortable, but still bridal and still affordable,” Ward said.  “We’ve found that, to a new generation of young, urban brides, personal style has become increasingly important and something they don’t want to sacrifice on their wedding day.  We’re here to give them more options.”

To view the complete collection, visit www.punkrockbride.com.
For more information, contact info@punkrockbride.com or 202-506-3126.

Hot Date

Hey, stop planning your wedding for a nanosecond and go on a date! Yeah, that means you: put down the wedding magazine, look at your sweetie, put on a cute sundress and some slammin shades, grab your mister and go on a real, honest to goodness date! Dating is how you two started out as a couple, and our Hot Date section will remind you periodically that to keep the heat on in a relationship, you need explore new haunts, try new things, and get your groove on together no matter where you live. Today, we’re looking for fun in the City of Lost Angels. There is no better place to do that than CHAVOLOT this weekend FREE Saturday + Sunday. Come on down to a neighborhood oasis during the Sunset Junction Street Festival!

CHAVOLOT “Conjunction Junction”
is this weekend 8/22-8/23 4pm-10p
Enter through pedestrian gate at 4441 Sunset Boulevard, LA 90027

FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY
Shade! Wading Pools! Sandbox!
Taco Cart! Lets Be Frank Hot Dog Truck!
Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck! Beer and Sangria $4
Margaritas and Cocktails $5

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT ALL DAY
Delicious Selection of DJs Both Days!

AND “everyone’s very be favorite” Cumbia band on Saturday
In the parking lot of El Chavo Restaurant
+++21 and over only. Please enter from pedestrian gate on Sunset Street. Walking distance from the Sunset Junction St. Festival

Festival lineup: http://www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair_schedule.html

http://www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair_schedule.html

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE……

As an added attraction, our beloved Rocker Bride, Ms. Heidi Richman, featured here in the SF Examiner, will be a Muy Caliente Mixologist, adding her pixie dust to her fab Wente Sangria recipe. Read on for more reasons to get up and go to Chavolot: http://bit.ly/WenteJunctionSangria

An Alterna-Bridal Fashion Event
W Hotel – San Francisco March 12

You’re invited to an Exclusive Evening of Music – Alterna-Wedding Fashion Design, and Libations

W San Francisco March 12, 6 pm-11pm  - After Party, XYZ Lounge 11 pm?181 Third Street      415.817.7856?www.whotels.com/sanfrancisco

WATCH AND COMMENT ON THE SHOW! 7 PM PST! CLICK HERE

W San Francisco in partnership with Antibride.com and Destination I Do Magazine is ready to add some WOW to weddings by hosting its first Operation Aisle Style event, a fashion show and multi-media event highlighting the philosophy of tying the knot outside of the box and exploring the road less travelled when saying the words “I Do.” Operation Aisle Style will showcase the hottest emerging fashion talent, signature cocktails by Kai Vodka and divine wines by Napa Valley’s notorious Somerston Winery. The mood, the music, and the magic will be webcast by Skout.com, and documented in a hip photo booth (and book) by Blurb.com. The evening will culminate in a blistering performance from SXSW bound band, The Hooks.

Operation Aisle Style hits the runway with two separate fashion shows: one showcasing the designs of Project Runway contestant, Austin Scarlett, lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the second by The Art Institute of California’s future “rising star” fashion design students. Celebrity judges will jury twenty fashion design students as they show off their interpretation of “the alterna-wedding dress.”

One lucky winner will enjoy a 5 night stay in an Ocean Front Studio with breakfast at the Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club located on the tropical island paradise of Curaçao.

After March 12th, the entire notion of “Wedding” will change…join us and make fashion history!

Festive Attire Encouraged!

We’ve set aside a certain number of tickets for our friends from Upcoming, Facebook, Destination I Do, the Anti-Bride Community and other social communities. Please RSVP in advance of the event to oas@skout.com. You can also get updates from the “Operation Aisle Style” Official Facebook page.

Event sponsors include: W San Francisco, Anti-Bride Productions Inc. (antibride.com,) Destination I Do magazine (destinationidomag.com,) Skout.com, Austin Scarlett for Kenneth Pool, Blurb.com, The Art Institute of California, Britex Fabrics, The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, Bad Habit Wine, Priest Ranch Wine, High Flyer Wine, Kai Vodka, The Hooks (thehooksmusic.com), Clarisonic, NeatReceipts, Craft magazine, Make magazine,  Cal Med Spa, Chronicle Books, Shannon Clark, Nearness Function, Paul Robertson Floral Design, Rubener Bautista Fine Jewelry, and the Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club in Curacao (kurahulanda.com).

Operation Aisle Style hits the runway with two separate fashion shows: one showcasing the designs of Project Runway contestant, Austin Scarlett, lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the second by The Art Institute of California’s future “rising star” fashion design students. Celebrity judges Katie Rice Jones (Style Expert, In Touch Weekly magazine, Style Network, E!, TV Guide Channel, Oxygen); Samantha Durbin (FabSugar); Laurent Gerin (Head Designer, Williams Sonoma/Williams Sonoma Home) and Daniel Carter (Creative Director, Craft magazine, Make magazine) will judge twenty fashion design students as they show off their interpretation of “the alterna-wedding dress.”