Bustle Bride: Lindsey O'Quinn Davis

Our newest Bustle Bride is the beautiful Lindsey O'Quinn Davis. Lindsey and her husband Jay Davis said, "I do," on a beautiful August day at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, AL.

Lindsey and Jay met on the last day of their freshman year at Samford University; however, is wasn't until the first day of sophomore year that they started to get to know one another and go on dates. They finally became "official" on October 9, 2014, and the rest is history! 

Lindsey chose a gorgeous Ivy & Aster strapless gown with tulle skirt and lace detailing bodice and hem, and we're so thankful we had the opportunity to be a small part of Lindsey's special day!

“Other than walking back down the aisle with Jay and the surreal feeling that we both experienced, my favorite part of the wedding was the reception where I got to dance the night away with my spouse, friends and family all by our side! It was such an incredible night that we will cherish forever and ever!”

Vendors:

Venue: Aldridge Gardens

Photography: Leah Grace Photography

Catering: Savoie Catering

Florals: Vera Flora

Linen: Décor to Adore

Cake: Cakes by Kim

Entertainment: Act of Congress

Prop/Lounge Rentals: Prophouse

Lighting Design: Lighting the Way

Tent Rental: Special Event Rentals/Gameday Events

Car Rental: Coats Classic Cars

Bustle Bride: April Miller Atchley

We're so excited to kick off the new year, and to celebrate 2018 we have the sweetest new Bustle Bride! April met her now husband during their freshman year at Samford University. John Kelly says it was then that his crush on April started, but it wasn't until a year later when he asked her on a date, and the rest is history. April and John Kelly said, "I do," on a beautiful September day in North Carolina.

April has the most genuine heart and the sweetest spirit to match, and we so loved helping her find her dream dress! She looked absolutely stunning on her special day in her Anne Barge tulle ballgown with a beaded lace bodice. Also, her lovely bridesmaids wore the champagne Eliza & Ethan multi-wrap gowns that we carry in store! 

“It’s hard to narrow it down to one thing, the whole day felt like an absolute dream. Aside from marrying my best friend, the dance floor is high on the list and maybe only second to having everyone we love and treasure all in one room celebrating with us. At one point we took a moment to look around at all the faces around us and let it sink in. Joy does not even begin to describe how we felt!”

Vendors:

Venue: Charlotte Country Club

Photographer: Christine LeGrand Photography 

Flowers: Tina Bondurant 

Wedding dress & Bridesmaid Dresses: Bustle

DJ: Mike at Split Second Sound

Expert Tips: How to Choose a Wedding Cake Style

Trend Alert: The Most Beautiful Wedding Cakes Right Now

Wedding planning includes making a lot of decisions. Some of them are downright boring, such as choosing the seating arrangement and making a realistic budget. Some can be truly wonderful – there is nothing boring about trying out wedding dresses or choosing a wedding cake by looking at pictures that come quite close to being a work of art or coming up with your own unique idea for the cake style. If you are having any doubts about the cake, here are some trendiest wedding cake styles you should know about.

Images courtesy of Unsplash

Floral Cakes

Floral wedding cakes are always in vogue, but the style, texture and dimension of flowers are changing depending on the current trends. These days “the rosette” look is taking over the wedding cake world, with its allover textural sugar roses. Since they are very rich in texture, they are usually subtle in color, mostly only white, pale pink and beige. Fresh flowers are still on top of their game (and on top of many wedding cakes), and sugar-made flowers made a huge comeback in the form of bouquets.

Rustic cakes

Rustic wedding cakes are usually associated with a woodland theme. Their main characteristic is that they are mostly minimalistic and the color of choice is almost always white or ivory. The decoration is subtle, yet very eye-catching, because it contains fresh flowers and leaves. What truly makes these cakes stand out is the display which fits in with the theme perfectly. A wood tree ring is the ideal rustic cake display, and it can be further decorated with foliage and moss.

 

Illustrated cakes

Do you want to have the concept of your first date drawn on your cake? Maybe the theme from your wedding invitations? Would you like to have the lyrics from your favorite songs written on the cake? How about an illustration of a superhero? A classic art masterpiece? A graffiti from your neighborhood? With the new trends of hand-painting illustrations on wedding cakes, anything is possible.

All-white

It’s always a nice day for a white wedding, so why wouldn’t it be a nice day for an all-white wedding cake? You may think that white wedding cakes are boring and not worthy of such a major event, but there are beautiful ways to make them more outstanding, by adding all-white embellishments. White details like sugar flower cascades, piped embroidery, jeweled decorations or quilted fondant can transform the plain white cake from monotonous to impressive.

Fruity

If you are one of those wedding guests that always choose fruit instead of chocolate cake, fruity cakes which are not only made with fruits, but also embellished with fruits, could be the thing for you. A pear on a cake top instead of a flower, might sound silly now, but when you see it in reality, it may blow you away. All fruits can be used to make the wedding cake more beautiful, including plums, strawberries, raspberries and oranges.

 

Ombre design

From hairstyles to fashion and interior design, ombre style of painting has found its way into every aspect of our lives, including the weddings. This glamorous and whimsical way of color transitions is truly an artful idea. Depending on your taste, you can opt for a rich saturated hue that fades away toward the top or the bottom or make a transition from orange to yellow and then to white. For the most subtle and sophisticated effect, choose a cake that goes from ivory to white.

No wedding cake at all

If you want to make your wedding day as unique as it can be, you can consider giving your own twist to the traditional cake:

●      Many catering companies are offering an interesting candy bar station, where you will have bottles and jars filled with homemade sweets and decorated so that they match your wedding theme.

●      In some confectionaries you will even find individual wedding cakes that can be made with special inscriptions for each guest.

●      A three-tiered cupcake, macaroon or donut tower has become such a popular choice that you can find it anywhere.

These were some awesome wedding cake (or not) trends you should consider if your wedding date is getting closer. Each of them is beautiful in its own way; you just need to find the one that suits you the best.

 

Georgia Selih is author @highstylife.com. By nature an artist, by profession a journalist. An irreparable print lover who is enjoying this hot digital affair.

Bustle Bride: Kathryn Dinsmore Marcum

We're over the moon to announce that Kathryn Dinsmore Marcum is our Bustle bride of the week! Kathryn and her husband, Austin, began their happily ever after at a gorgeous covered outdoor venue at 4-H Center in Columbiana, AL on August 6, 2017.

Austin and Kathryn have known each other for years! They met at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL in the second grade! "He is the most fun person to be around and we quickly became friends in middle school. Our friendship continued to grow and we started dating our sophomore year of high school! We dated long distance through college, as he went to the University of Alabama and I went to Auburn.  Shortly after graduation, this past August, we got married! It was the best day celebrating with family and friends!"

Kathryn was an absolute dream in her Ivy & Aster Organza scoop neck gown! She also made the gown a one-of-a-kind by adding lace to make beautiful sleeves to add a little something extra and tie in the lace at the hem of the gown. She also chose a plain edge ivory veil to complete her bridal look!

“Looking back on our wedding day, one of our favorite parts was celebrating with the people we love dearly!  We are so unbelievably grateful for the people who have prayed for us, supported us, and encouraged us to look more like Jesus throughout our relationship and as we became a family on our wedding day!  It was the sweetest blessing and joy to be surrounded by family, friends, and a bridal party who we have known for years to celebrate with on that hot August day!”

Vendors:

Ceremony and Reception Cite: 4-H Center

Wedding Coordinator: Kristin Maynard

Flowers: Susan Milner Design

Photography: Mandy Owens Photography

Videography: Alan Harned

Food: Full Moon BBQ

Cake:  Magic Muffin Bakery

Bustle Bride: Elle Parker Rist

On this lovely December day we're featuring the beautiful Elle Parker and her hubby Tyler Rist. Elle and Tyler began their happily ever after on July 28, 2017 at Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL. Elle explained that the way she and Tyler met, "is every father's dream." Her dad introduced the pair at church! A few months later, they reconnected through mutual friends. But according to Elle, her dad takes all the credit! 

Elle looked absolutely stunning in her Anne Barge lace gown with an organza overskirt, and we're swooning over photos from the day she and Tyler tied the knot!

“The morning of the wedding it was pouring rain and there were flash flood warnings, I was pretty bummed. But it cleared up! It was a great gift from the Lord! Walking down the aisle, was very special. Everyone was singing “In Christ Alone” I will never forget that feeling walking towards Tyler and feeling the support and love from all our family and friends. We also, had the best band! I didn’t want to stop dancing or leave our reception! Lastly, it was great marrying my best friend!”
“The morning of the wedding it was pouring rain and there were flash flood warnings, I was pretty bummed.  But it cleared up! It was a great gift from the Lord! Walking down the aisle, was very special. Everyone was singing “In Christ Alone” I will never forget that feeling walking towards Tyler and feeling the support and love from all our family and friends. We also, had the best band! I didn’t want to stop dancing or leave our reception! It was great marrying my best friend!”

Vendors:

Photography: Lauren Bailey Photography

Videography: Four10 Films

Hair and Make Up: NeoMode Salon

Church: Southwood Presbyterian

Reception: Baron's Bluff

Flowers: Theresa Green

Wedding Coordinators: April Boodie and Cathy Mayer

Suits: J Crew

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom

Band: Creativity

Bustle Bride: Lauren Sullivan Wright

It's a new week, and we have a new bride to feature -  Lauren Sullivan Wright! Lauren married the man of her dreams, Drew, on June 3 at Brookwood Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL.

Lauren and Drew have the sweetest love story, which you should read from Lauren herself...

"Drew and I were set up on a blind date.  His cousin's mother-in-law works with my mother at The Blue Willow and they played matchmaker (without my knowledge) and then surprised me next time I walked into the store asking me if I wanted to go on a date with him.  I said yes and he called me that night and set up our first date at Starbucks for the following Monday.  When I walked up to him at Starbucks, Drew stood from his seat and, unfortunately, his feet got tangled under the legs of the table. He tripped and said, 'Well that was smooth. Hey, I'm Drew!' Because of that, he likes to say he fell for me the first time he saw me."

Lauren has the most genuine personality, and we loved helping her find the perfect gown for her special day! She said "yes" to a beautiful Paloma Blanca ballgown with a strapless draped bodice with ribbon at the waist, and an organdy ruffle skirt with sweep train.

“My favorite part of the wedding day was walking out of the ceremony, driving to the Club, and then having a few minutes with Drew to catch our breath and eat some snacks before we went into the reception. I was so happy to finally be able to call Drew my husband and have a few moments alone with him to reflect over the day and relax. It was also a relief to know all the pre-ceremony festivities and the actual ceremony had gone according to plan!”

Vendors:

Photographer: Rachel Coffey Photography

Ceremony Venue: Brookwood Baptist Church

Reception Venue: The Club

Flowers: Bronwyn Cardwell

Wedding Hair: Micah Hooten

Band: Jimmy Allen and the Reminder Band

Cake: Magic Muffins

Invitations: Fine Paperwork

Menswear: Mr. Burch Formal Wear

Bustle Bride: Sara Katherine Bracewell Miller

Sara Katherine and Sam's love story began on the other side of the world in the land down under. They met in Brisbane, Australia when Sara Katherine took a year-long internship with Campus Outreach at the University of Queensland. Sam just started working on staff the same month that Sara Katherine moved and began her internship. 

This sweet couple exchanged vows on July 22 at the beautiful Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church and danced the night away at the Avon Theater in Birmingham, AL. Sara Katherine looked nothing short of incredible in her fit & flare, french chantilly lace gown by Paloma Blanca, and we're over the moon that she found her dream gown at Bustle! 

“One of my favorite part about our wedding day/weekend was really how worshipful it all was. Saying our vows may have been the coolest moment for me. The most impactful line of mine were “Where you go, I will follow, your people will be my people, and your God, He is my God.” It felt very big and significant because two weeks later I moved permanently to Australia to do ministry with Sam.

Along with this, my favorite part was how the wedding brought together people from two very different cultures. We were able to have our close friends and family fly over to celebrate with my American friends and family. This will likely never happen again until heaven, and so we were soaking in every moment.”

Vendors:

Ceremony- Oak Mountain Presbyterian

Reception- Avon Theater

Photographer- Lauren Bailey

Videographer- Frank Daley

Flowers- Allison Kynerd Thomas//AKT Designs

Caterer- Happy Catering

Cake- Pen and Pastry

Makeup- Emmy Carswell//Emmy Hunt Makeup

Hair- Merrell Hubbard

Expert Tips: Alterations for your Dream Gown

You've found the perfect dress but it doesn't fit!

Relax, you’re in the norm! Almost every bride needs alterations to her dress, but there’s no reason your dress can’t fit like a glove, even if it’s several sizes too big.  Here’s what you need to know:

Photos courtesy of Derek Phillips Photography

 

1. Hire an expert

There isn’t a school for alterations, so everyone has different ways of doing things. Taking a dress apart, resizing it and putting it back together is not an easy or quick task, especially if the dress has beading, lace, an open back or plunge neckline. The final finish and quality of work should be as good or better than the factory.  Your typical walk-in clothing alteration shop may not have the experience or customer service that you need and deserve for this most important garment alteration.  Make an effort to hire the best specialist, with the best reputation you can find for the job, as your overall experience and final results will be a direct reflection of them.

hollow to hem alternations alabama

2. Make room for alterations in your budget

It can take several hours or even days to complete all the alterations your dress might need.  Remember, you’re paying a local person for their skilled labor.  The cost won’t be proportionate to the wages paid to the factory workers who put your dress together.  The total price will vary depending on who does the work, so don’t be afraid to ask for a quote.  You’ll need to provide details on what needs to be done and likely need to bring the dress in person or send detailed photos for an accurate estimate of alteration costs. Plan ahead- Don’t wait until the last minute to think about alterations.  Not many people can do this type of work well, so the best will get booked up early.  Ask what the turnaround time is, we recommend one week.  Waiting several weeks or months for your dress to be finished is not only stressful, but in our experience produces less accurate results.  A good time to start alterations (if the turnaround is quick) is six to eight weeks.  If your size and weight are always consistent, start the alterations process earlier.  Many brides worry that they will gain or lose weight just before the wedding and their dress will no longer fit.  Don’t worry, this very rarely happens in our experience.

hollow to hem alterations alabama

3. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion

If your alterations person says “it can’t be done”, it may just be that they don’t know how to do it.  Many seamstresses aren’t professional dressmakers and won’t have experience with complex dress customizations and alterations, such as making sleeves, altering the curve of the bust or adding material to make a dress larger. Find a patternmaker (dressmaker) if you can, they will have the technical training to complete these more complex tasks with less effort.  

 

Sammie is a seamster and consultant at Hollow To Hem, where he and his wife specialize in bridal and competition dress customization, alteration and pattern making.  Appointments: Hollowtohem.com  Phone/Text: 205-MY-DRESS  FB/Instagram: hollowtohem

Custom Gifts For Your Groomsmen!

Finding the right gifts for your groomsmen can be difficult, but we recently discovered a site that offers personalized, manly things and we really like what they do! The money clip/cuff link combination is practical, hip and comes packaged in the coolest personalized wooden box. The price is right and your groomsmen will love them! Visit groovyguygifts.com

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personalized groomsmen gift cuff links
personalized groomsmen gift money clip engraved

Bustle Bride: Katie Murrell Reeves

Bustle bride Katie Murrell and her husband Jeremy Reeves became officially husband and wife on April 8th, 2017 at The Sonnet House in Leeds, AL. The pair initially met when randomly assigned to the same kickball team - adult intramurals for the win! Katie and Jeremy were friends for several years before they started dating. 

We loved having Katie at Bustle, and we're so glad we could help her find her dream gown! She said, "yes!" to a beautiful Paloma Blanca ballgown with a beaded lace bodice and a white silk band at the waist which she paired with a fingertip veil with satin edge to complete her overall bridal look!

“My favorite part about our wedding day was just being with all of our family and friends, and knowing that so many people had traveled so far to celebrate our marriage. We really felt their love, and had the sweetest night celebrating with everyone. ”

Vendors:

Venue and Catering: The Sonnet House

Photographer: Love Behind The Lens

Florals: Corey Daniel Florals

Wedding Cake: Magnificent Cakes

Ceremony Music: Cahaba River Strings

DJ: DiJital Entertainment

Bridal Hair and Makeup: Amber Wright at Morgan Ashley Salon

Tux: Brooks Brothers