We are thrilled to share with you some exciting news happening at Bridal Accents Couture!

It is official! Bridal Accents Couture is excited to announce the grand opening of its new bridal salon in Burnsville on December 22, 2012. The new location at 12501 Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville’s “Heart of the City” offers greater convenience and accessibility.

This luxurious space will provide the atmosphere that Bridal Accents is known for. With increased square footage the layout will be pleasing to the bride and her entire wedding party; every guest will feel comfortable in all areas of the salon. The amazing finishes, lighting and furnishings create the perfect ambiance and backdrop to feature the exquisite merchandise.

Bridal Accents will continue to showcase top couture bridal designers; Victor Harper, Anna Maier, Liancarlo, Martina Liana, and more. The full service salon also features, bridesmaid dresses, mother’s gowns, wedding accessories, social occasion wear and tuxedos.

The salon has been dedicated to bringing top of the line merchandise and superior customer service for nearly 18 years. Bridal Accents Couture will continue to provide a once in a lifetime couture experience to every bride who visits the salon!

As of Saturday, December 22nd:

Bridal Accents Couture

12501 Nicollet Avenue

Burnsville, MN 55337

Please call to schedule your personal appointment today: 952.846.4496

We look forward to assisting you!
Bridal Accents Couture

Thinking warm thoughts: Spring inspiration

All this cold weather has us dreaming of springtime.  We put together this inspiration board for a Springtime wedding in the Twin Cities.

Bridal Gown: "Sydney" by Watters

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid dress: After Six

Tuxedos: Grey Savoy

Flowers: Ashley Fox Designs

Cake: Gateaux

Hair Flower: "Peggy"

Seting: Como Conservatory

Here comes the MOTHER of the bride!

Shopping for a bridal gown is not only special for the bride, but it can be a special experience shared with her mother. It is so fun to see mothers from different appointments chatting between oohing and aahing over their daughters trying on potential gowns. Their conversations spread to the venue and photographer selections, they begin sharing opinions and offering each others' daughters advice on their gown selections. They congratulate each other on finding the perfect dress for their daughters.

With the spotlight on the bride and her quest for "the perfect dress", mothers (of brides AND grooms) often forget to search for the "perfect dress" for themselves!  Many mothers assume they can stroll the Mall of America and come out with something fabulous.  Too often, they come out empty-handed, or are told to "wait for next season".  When "next season" comes and goes, still leaving them empty-handed, that is when the panic sets in.

Why is it so hard to find a mother's dress, you ask?  Just like a bridal gown, mothers want a dress that makes a "statement" and tells a story about themselves.  They don't want to look frumpy or matronly, but also don't want to outshine the bride on her special day, or wear something guests might consider "inappropriate".  It can be a true challenge to find something that is elegant, classy, sophisticated, yet with a hint of sparkle and that certain "something special."

Gowns like this are not often stocked at your nearest megamall.  A mother who wants a gown made to a specific color that will compliment the wedding party (as well as her eyes), a gown that typifies "classic elegance", or a gown that does not have makeup stains from the previous person who tried it on...that mother is looking for a gown that is custom ordered especially for her. 

While this service can be quite affordable, it does take time.  Most mother's gown orders take about 12 weeks to arrive, and you'll need an extra month to build in time for proper alterations.  Total time: about 4 months prior to W-Day.

Depending on designer, mother's gowns can be custom-ordered for size/color from $189.  The average mother's gown at Bridal Accents Couture is about $350-$500, but even certain bridal gowns can be ordered in color (with no trains) for the truly discerning mother with couture taste and style.

To search for custom-ordered mothers gowns, appointments are often best.  Other key items to bring with you would be: a strapless bra, Spanx or other appropriate undergarments, a swatch of color that you are searching for, an idea of the setting (beach versus ballroom), and a budget that you'd like to stay within.

This one's for the MAIDS

We are eagerly gearing up for the Bridesmaid's Event

happening November 4-6th, 2010!

Although receiving a 10% discount on every bridesmaid dress is excitement enough, we just received confirmation that the Melissa Sweet and Priscilla of Boston bridesmaid collections will be visitng our salon in celebration of this event. These dresses are chic, fashion-forward, and best of all, affordable!

 What is the color to look for in 2011? According to Maureen Griol in the Bridal Guide, bridesmaids are going Plum Perfect: "From low-key lavendar to vibrant violets, the color purple is a naid's new best friend."

Bridesmaid's Event: November 4th - 6th, at Bridal Accents Couture

Fabulous prizes, discounts, and new dresses in-store this weekend only! 

Appointments requested: (952) 846-4496

It's Trunk Show Season!! (What does that mean, anyway??)

Many brides-to-be are beginning their search for the perfect dress for their 2011 wedding.  In order to provide the best selection and exciting shopping opportunities, Bridal Accents is in the midst of trunk show season:

In a nutshell, a bridal trunk show is a traveling collection of wedding gowns. The trunk show is usually in a particular salon for one weekend, which means that if you want to see it, it is important to book your appointment early.

 Trunk shows are very exciting events for several reasons: First of all, the gowns included will often be the newest styles from the designer. This means that you may have the chance to try on dresses that are not otherwise available in stores yet. Oftentimes, the sample in the trunk show is the only one in existence of its kind. This makes a trunk show the perfect opportunity to find a dress that will be unique, instead of ending up with the same style as half of the brides in town.

Brides from all over will come to experience the extra selection, positive excitement, and overall special shopping experience that trunk shows offer.  Brides-to-be are coming to take advantage of these specials and are ready to find their gown.

Trunk Shows give brides the opportunity to view more gowns from the featured designer and often offer show specials and discounts--something a bride with any budget will appreciate. One common discount is for a bridal store to offer a 10% discount on gowns ordered during the trunk show. If you think about it, 10% off of a designer gown would be quite a big savings. If you were purchasing a $3500 dress, wouldn't it be great to save $350? With the money you save, you could buy something special for your attendants, like pearl bridesmaid jewelry. If you save enough on the gown, you could even get a whole set of pearl jewelry for each bridesmaid, and really make them feel appreciated.

Trunk shows are really fun events for brides who are looking for that perfect gown. They are a great opportunity to see unique styles, talk to someone from the company, and maybe even get a discount as well. Trunk shows do move on quickly, though, so when you go, if you find your dream dress, be prepared to order it on the spot or you might never see it again!

Upcoming Trunnk Shows at Bridal Accents Couture:

Martina Liana Trunk Show

October 21-23

Price Range: $1,500 to $3,000

10% off your Martina Liana bridal gown purchase

Don't step on my BLUE bridal shoes!

When it comes to bridal accessories, color is not an immediate thought.  For years, there has been a steady stream of future brides seeking shelter in our shoe department, seeking the PERFECTLY matching shade to create an exact match to their bridal gown.  Comparing seas of shoes in hues named eggshell, candelight, antique, champagne, pale ivory, diamond white, and more, the "traditional" bridal shoe has a new rival:
This season't brides are saying no to the "simple shoe", and opting for fun, flirty, bursts of color.  Here are some images of our favorites!

REMEMBER:

when you find that PERFECT pair of shoes, be sure to bring them to ALL of your alterations appointments with your bridal gown.  You will need them to get the hem length exact, and to get used to moving and standing in them. 

ALSO:

Make sure that you have selected shoes that you can STAY IN ALL NIGHT.  Your dress is going to be hemmed to an exact length for THOSE shoes, and you don't want to trip your hem (and get it dirty!) when the shoes come off!  If there was ever a time to invest in a quality, comfortable shoe, this is it.  You WILL be on your feet most of the night, and are certain to get a workout with all the greeting, posing, and dancing!  Keep you feet happy, and treat them to a fabulous pair a shoes, irregardless of color.

Trend Alert: Summer Hair Florals

Hair flowers are hot right now! Whether for the bride, bridesmaids or even just for fun. It is in part due to the growing popularity of anything vintage. Women from every decade have worn flowers in their hair but the trend seemed to peak in the 1920s and then again in the 1940s.

Adding a hair flower to your hairstyle is like adding the final decorations to a cake. It just takes it to that next level of "gorgeousness". Silk flowers are highly preferred over fresh by stylists, as they can be bent and shaped into your style, and will stay "fresh" throughout the night.

For the true trendsetting brides, a large, dramatic flower is the way to go. Because this bride is not going for the look and feel of a "real" flower, many of our large flowers incorporate feathers and rhinestones.

Hollywood has embraced the hair flower trend!

Colored Flowers: Although white and ivory flowers are classic, many brides want to add a splash of color. Entire silk flowers can be done in color, or more discreet accents can be added, such as a recent bride who added a a "splash" of fuschia in the feathers that accented her hair flower!