{Vendor Spotlight} Anna Elyse Bridesmaids

We were so thrilled to add Anna Elyse Bridesmaids to our collection this past October at NY market. Recently, designer Annie Sokoloff shared her amazing journey with us and we just had to share it with you!   "I hope that my story will inspire everyone to follow their dreams because it is never too late"  Annie Sokoloff, Owner & Designer of Annie Girl & Anna Elyse   Founded in 2006, Annie Girl Couture Creations & Anna Elyse Bridesmaids is the story of a 34 year old quest which began in the heart of a teenage girl from Pennsylvania. Annie's interest in fashion design began at an early age when she learned to sew at her grandmother's knee. She soon graduated to learning how to sew on a vintage Singer sewing machine. Initial projects were sewn for her Barbie doll and later, after a summer Singer sewing course, for her high school wardrobe.   In 1969, Annie entered college as a Fashion Design major at a liberal arts college two hours from her home. The college cancelled the major during her sophomore year and unable to afford to attend a college far from home, her dream of receiving a degree in Fashion Design was put on hold. Annie decided to finish school locally,  with a degree in Government and Politics.   Shortly after college graduation, Annie married and moved to New Jersey. She took a job at the American Stock Exchange in Manhattan and later worked in the Options division of the Exchange, training traders. She left the Amex in 1977 for her new career as a "mom" when her son, Peter, was born in October of that year.   The next years were spent being a homemaker, corporate wife and mother. When her son entered nursery school, Annie entered the workplace again, this time as a travel agent and spent 13 years in the travel business.   In 1993, Annie found herself with a new challenge - being a single mom. In 1994 Annie purchased an employment agency that specialized in placing travel agents. In the fall of 1996, while visiting her son during parents' weekend at NYU where he was studying Film and TV production, she looked around and realized that, while she had raised him to follow his dreams and passions, she had not followed her own advice. She immediately sold the employment agency.   In the meantime, Annie had met and married the man of her dreams (they met on a wrong phone number ... another story). She decided to help him build up his investment banking business with the agreement that when it was successful, she could pursue her own passion. Within a few years the business had achieved notable success and Annie enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles in the Spring of 2001. She graduated with an Advanced Degree in March 2003, thus attaining that goal to become a fashion designer she had set 34 years earlier.   When the company was founded in 2006, it began in an extra bedroom in Annie's home with Annie sitting in front of her sewing machine, making each dress by hand. Seven years later Annie Girl & Anna Elyse has recently announced the opening of their storefront Flagship Salon and Design Studio in Old Town Pasadena, CA, which marks the third physical expansion of their headquarters (not counting when we took over the living room and dining room).   Annie Girl & Anna Elyse dresses are all Proudly Made in Southern California.

To view the collection, schedule an appointment with Bliss Bridesmaids here. For more on Anna Elyse, visit their website at www.annaelyse.com

{Thank You Notes} Lauren B

We are always so thrilled to receive pictures from our brides. Lauren sent us a picture from her wedding day and a sweet note that totally made our day! Enjoy!

Hello!

 

I purchased my dress from Bliss back in September of 2012 when I had my October wedding and I just remembered that when I purchased it, y'all mentioned sending pictures of me in on the big day! I've attached an image that I thought represented the dress well!

Thanks again for providing the perfect dress for me! It really was perfect.

 

Lauren

{Tips, Tricks & Advice} StoryMix - compiled wedding video

We learned about one of the coolest things last week! StoryMix Media is an app that your wedding guests use to capture all those special moments they day of your wedding. The app then stores all the files in one place for you to enjoy and they will even compile all the footage into a wedding video.

 

Now, in no way do we think this replaces a videographer at your wedding. They are trained proffesionals that understand lighting, sound and the right place to be at the right time. However, we do think this is a good addition to your fabulous wedding video!

 

 

 

If you want to find out more, check out their website at http://www.storymixmedia.com/.

 

For other fun knowledge, check out the Off Beat Bride's blog about StoryMix!

http://offbeatbride.com/2012/06/diy-wedding-video

&

http://offbeatbride.com/2012/12/collect-wedding-videos

{Venue Spotlight} Hollow Hill Event Center

On March 28th, we had the pleasure of participating in the open house at Hollow Hills Farm and Event Center. Going to a new venue, you never know what to expect and we were amazed at the details the Getcher family thought of!

 

Hollow Hill Farm was established by David and Jean Gechter in April 1983.

 

 

 

 It was originally a part of the Tucker Family dairy farm. Hollow Hill is still a working farm – growing and baling coastal hay at this time. The land has been lovingly tended by the Gechter's over the years, and in recent years they wanted to share their beautiful farm with the world.

 

The decision to open the farm up as an event center was born, and the progress started almost immediately. David has always had a love of building things, and has created many different "vignette" style areas at the Farm including the Great Hall, Old Town, The Hen House (Bridal Suite), The Bunk House (Grooms Suite), Pavilion, Barn and Pecan Grove Ceremony area complete with an old wood cross.

 

 

 It is a place of love, and they share that with everyone who comes out, as you know. Right now the farm is a bustle with a variety of wildflowers, including Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Indian Blanket, Black-eyed Susans, and Mexican Hat. Its just a lovely place to visit, and hold an event.

 

 

 

 

We just loved the Pecan Orchard lit up at night!

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in more information, please visit their website!

 

http://www.hollowhilleventcenter.com/

 

 

 

{New Designer Announcement} Casablanca Bridal

We are super excited to announce the addition of Casablanca Bridal to the designers available at Bliss!

Casablanca Bridal was established in 1997 and has since become one of the fastest growing, well known manufacturers of bridal gowns in the bridal industry.

Casablanca is committed to designing bridal gowns that reflect the quality and attention to detail they are known for.  Every Casablanca gown is made to order one at a time and although that extends the order time for each gown, it also allows for unparalleled customizaion.

As with most bridal designers, Casablanca discourages the sale of thier gowns over the Internet as most are counterfeit or sub par quality. In support for small business in America, they recommend that you visit and place your order with a full service bridal salon that can provide you with the personal service and attention that each bride deserves.

View the latest collections on their website and keep an eye on our Facebook page in September for the arrivals of these stunning gowns!

{Vendor Spotlight} Blossoms on the Bricks

Spring is finally here (!!!! super excited about this!!!!) and we thought it was perfect that this week's Vendor Spotlight was for our friends over at Blossoms on the Bricks! Every Friday, The Bliss Girls look forward to seeing what BotB will bring us to pretty up our front desk! Check out what we had this week....

Blossoms on the Bricks is a super cute flower shoppe located on "the bricks" of Camp Bowie just a few blocks from our salon. From everyday bouquets (thank you, get well, Love You) to full service weddings (see amazing pictures below!), Darla and her staff can take care of your floral bloom dreams! They have over 17 years experience in design and go out of their way to take care of each and every customer.

You probably recognize the super fantabulous dispays that Darla and her crew put together outside the flower shop to display their creative genius. We were so proud of them this past October when they had their open house and ribbon cutting ceremony. (Opening day photos by p31eleven Photography)

We were so excited to see that one of our brides this past weekend (Congrats Naomi!) used Blossoms on the Bricks for her wedding! The theme was lavendar and lace. Here are a few pics from the wedding.....

If you want to see more floral gorgeousness like the following pics,

follow Blossoms on the Bricks on Facebook!

Blossoms on the Bricks 
5023 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76107
phone 817-377-1900
fax 817-377-1030

M-F 9AM - 5PM
Sat 9AM -2PM
Closed Sunday

Website    Facebook

Opening day photos : P31eleven Photography

{Fashion Updates} Markets, Designers and New Friends, Oh My!

What a whirlwind weekend at market we had! Dallas Market Center was all a buzz with designers and buyers in all areas of retail. We had to try really hard not to get distracted with all the fun! (still contemplating going back to pick up a few items!)

We had a great time chatting with some old friends, making new ones and a great surprise to meet the wonderful Jaime from Bella Flora in the middle of the day! She popped over to pick up a swatch for one of our projects together!

One fab gal that we had the pleasure of chatting with was our rep from Intuzuri (http://www.intuzuri.com/)! You know we have an obsession with all things from over the pond and the gowns from Intuzuri are the newest addition to our collection! We can't wait to show our brides this fabulous collection of lace gowns with intricate details and one super low back!

Another great find was some gorgeous mother's gowns and we do mean gorgeous! Just look at the beadwork on this one shoulder metallic number! (www.cameronblake.com)

Of course, we stopped in to see Justin Alexander, Sincerity Bridal and Mori Lee. Simple classic styles that Audrey Hepburn would die over, lace and peplum skirts are taking front stage and the bridesmaids gowns are red carpet worthy! We almost ordered one to wear ourselves!

The biggest news of the market is that along with the addition of Intuzuri, we will be offering our brides two new additional designers! Look for upcoming posts with all the details!

Bella Flora: www.bellafloraofdallas.com
Intuzuri Bridal: www.intuzuri.com
MOB/MOG: www.cameronblake.com
Bridal: www.blissfw.com
Sample Sale:  www.blissofftherack.com