Blush Weddings

DO NOT BUY DIRECT FROM CHINA!

2011-08-05T11:58:00.002+02:00

DO NOT BUY DIRECT FROM CHINA!
Fake dress warning

We have been gathering websites that offer our dresses - that we DO NOT sell to. These websites offer very low prices on wedding gowns - but you will also get a very sub-standard dress! We have even bought from these sites to see the quality! It's really difficult for us to do anything about these factories - and their websites seem to keep just "popping up" all over the web. We have responded to countless emails of brides who THOUGHT they were getting a Bonny gown! Please remember the old saying "If it's too good to be true, it usually is!" We will keep an update of these sites as we find them. We ask for your help spreading this word to all your friends and family so they do not get duped!

http://www.bridaldreamdress.com/
http://www.dressale.com
http://www.shopofdresses.com
http://www.judybridalshop.com
http://www.tiffanybridals.com
http://www.viviennebridal.com
http://www.sharonbridal.com
http://www.cinderellaswedding.com
http://www.lightinthebox.com
http://www.charliesbridal.com
http://www.goodgoodschina.com
http://www.idealweddingdresses.com
http://www.Helenebridal.com
http://www.buyer100.com
http://www.bridaldresses2010.com
http://www.eweddingdressshops.com
http://www.cheap-wedding-gowns.com
http://www.idealweddingdresses.com
http://www.dresstimes.com
http://www.peridress.com
http://www.usadressretailer.com
http://www.beautifulweddinggowndress.com
http://www.wholesaleweddinggowndress.com
http://www.marriagebridalgown.com
http://www.trueloveweddingdress.com
http://www.beautifulpromgowndress.com
http://www.buyweddinggowndress.com
http://www.prettypromgown.com
http://www.weddingdressretailer.com
http://www.trueloverbridal.com
http://www.thebridalgowns.com
http://www.endenbridal.com
http://www.topbridaldress.com
http://www.weddingdressbridal.com
http://www.weddingdresscity.com
http://www.weddinggowncity.com
http://www.weddingdressmart.com
http://www.goodweddingdresses.com
http://www.shopforlover.com
http://www.21bridal.com
http://www.bridalsbay.com
http://www.wedding-dresses-gowns-shop.com
http://www.vponsale.com/
http://www.inweddingdress.com
http://www.wedding-dresses-gowns.co.uk
http://www.wholesale-weddingdress.com
http://www.7bridal.com
http://www.queenisagirl.com
http://www.fashioninthebox.com
http://www.blessbride.com
http://www.wedding.sh/
http://www.plussize-wedding-dresses.com
http://www.wholesaleprettypromdress.com/
http://www.vivedresses.com
http://www.nicobridal.com
http://www.wedding-bridalgown.com
http://www.bridalweddinggowns.ca
http://www.moonbasabridal.com
http://www.bonnybridaldresses.com/
http://www.kimlybridal.com/
http://www.weddingdresses100.com
http://www.daphnebridal.com
http://shop.storeofdress.net

For more info please contact us info@blushweddings.co.za
Good luck & happy planning!
The Blush Girls

Wedding Wisdom & The Meaning Behind Traditions

2011-06-06T14:48:00.011+02:00

Today I’d like to discuss wedding traditions, how they came about and the meaning behind it all…

It’s also to answer the Modern-Day Brides’ questions, like “Do I really have to wear a veil?!” And “Why do I have to toss the bouquet? I want to keep it…!”

The Dress:
Wearing white also dates back to Victorian times when Queen Victoria abandoned the usual royal tradition of wearing a silver gown, instead choosing to wear white. Before that time brides simply wore their best gown. White was also thought to ward off evil spirits. Why white you ask? Well, some believe that not only is it to symbolize your purity (virginity) but back in the day, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France in 1559. She chose to wear a white gown because it was her favorite colour. Imagine that! Even though, at the time, white was the color of mourning for French Queens. Although, Philippa of England was actually the first documented princess in history to wear a white wedding gown during a royal wedding ceremony. In other cultures, brides wear traditional clothing, print and colours.
For Example: The traditional Chinese wedding dress in northern China usually is one-piece frock named Qi Pao, embroidered with elaborate gold and silver designs. Brides from southern China usually wear two-piece dress named Qun Gua, Kwa or Cheongsam, also elaborately adorned with golden phoenix and dragon. These traditional wedding garments are usually brightly coloured. For instance; red, which is considered good luck, a strong colour that can drive away evil spirits.

Another Example: In South African Tradition, a bride wears Shwe Shwe fabric, which is usually lots of different colours like blues, browns, yellows and reds. Not all together, of course. Their head is covered too. Nowadays, most brides where a white or ivory gown in many different shapes. So where do I ask did the strapless gown or a “boob-tube” come from? You know that you DON’T have to wear a strapless gown or “boob-tube”, right?

The Bouquet:
Have you ever thought as to why a bride carries a bouquet? Because it looks pretty? It aint so ladies! Back in the day people only bathed once a year! Yip, really! They would bath on their wedding day but for good reason, one bath doesn’t always get rid of the smell. So one clever little lady decided to pick flowers wrap them together and carry it down the aisle with her so she would smell nice. Some also believe that it’s for fertility.

The Veil:
This too was to ward off evil spirits but it symbolizes youth, modesty and purity.

The Bridesmaids:
Your bridesmaids are there to protect you once again from any evil spirits. Traditionally, back in the day, the bridesmaids wore the same outfit as the bride so if there was any evil, it would get confused as to which was the bridesmaids and who was the bride. Of course, we all know that bridesmaids are there to assist the bride in planning the wedding too. A bit like “To Protect And Serve” if you ask me…

The Engagement Ring:
Medieval Italians believed that a diamond was created in the flames of love. Nowadays, any precious metal and precious stone is common.
The Wedding Ring:
Romans believe that your wedding ring is worn on your finger second from the left on your left hand because the vein running through that finger leads directly to your heart.
Today, the circle/ring symbolizes eternity. There is no beginning and no end. The gold represents purity of intent.
Wedding Breakfast:
Why some call it this, is because it’s the first meal together as Husband and Wife.
Wedding Cake:
The wedding cake is a tradition that began back in the Roman Empire. At the time, it was a loaf of bread that the groom broke over the bride's head as a symbol of his dominance in the marriage and over her. The symbolism of this is the first domestic duty performed by the newlyweds as a couple. The top tier of the wedding cake represents the couple. The middle tiers represent the children to come. The bottom tier represents the couple as a new family.
It was the custom in England for unmarried wedding guests to put a slice of the cake, traditionally a dark fruitcake, under their pillow at night so they will dream of the person they will marry.

Where did the Best Man come from?
Historically marriages were accomplished by the Groom capturing the Bride to be. To do this, a friend would be roped in to help off other would-be suitors and to prevent the bride’s family from finding the couple.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…
Old = Signifies continuity
New = Signifies Optimism for the future
Borrowed = Future happiness
Blue = Love, fidelity and modestly.

Honeymoon:
The word “Honeymoon” dates way back past Medieval times. At special occasions, especially weddings, there was a type of alcohol served called Mead which was made of honey. And the moon part, well they would go away for a whole “moon” or month on holiday.

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…

2011-05-21T11:32:00.001+02:00

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…
Know your stuff!

The tiara is OUT and vintage glam is IN! Unless you’re Royalty or you’ve just won a beauty pageant, there is no need for you to wear a tiara on your wedding day. Besides that, let’s face it girls, the tiara is just naff! But before we get into what’s HOT and what’s certainly NOT, let’s talk Veils.

We find that most brides these days opt not to wear a veil at all, which is absolutely up to you.
However, we’ve done our homework and have decided to give you some much needed info about veils.

A little bit of History for you:
The first recorded instance of veiling for women is recorded in an Assyrian legal text from the 13th century BCE, which restricted its use to noble women and forbade prostitutes and common women from adopting it. The Mycenaean Greek term a-pu-ko-wo-ko meaning "craftsman of horse veil" written in Linear B syllabic script is also attested since ca. 1300 BC. Ancient Greek texts have also spoken of veiling and seclusion of women being practiced among the Persian elite. Statues from Persepolis depict women both veiled and unveiled, and it seems to be regarded as an attribute of prostitution under their belief.

Sjoe! Quite a mouthful! Well, there are many different types and some have a few different names. So are you ready… here we go!

Blusher Veil:
This veil is a short, one-layer piece of fabric or tulle that is wrapped over the head and face. It ends just below the chin. This is commonly known as a Birdcage Veil.

Chapel Veil:
This veil is typically two layered. The first piece is approximately 2,5 yards long which covers the face. The other layer covers the back of the head and extends to the floor. This is more formal and is worn with a wedding gown that has a Chapel Train.

Cathedral Veil:
This is the most formal veil of them all. It is similar to the Chapel Veil which also has two layers but quite a bit longer than the Chapel Veil. The layer that covers the face is 3,5 yards in length and the other layer covering the back of the head extends to the floor but flows past the train of the wedding gown.

Elbow Veil:
Enough Said! The Elbow Veil is more common with Western Brides. It is typically a to layered tulle, mesh or veiling veil where the longest part that covers the back of the head ends at the elbow. The layer that covers the face is slightly shorter.

Finger Tip Veil:
Pretty self explanitory! This is similar to the elbow veil but longer in length and ends at the finger tips.

Waltz Veil:
This is a very formal veil like the Cathedral Veil but shows a bit more status than the others. The length, however varies according to taste. The shortest length of this veil ends at the knees. And the longest length ends at the floor the waltz veil only has a single layer of fabric.

Flyaway Veil:
Now these are fun! But maybe not to everyone’s taste…
It is less formal than the others. It is made up of several layers of tulle. It is typically worn with a simple gown that is floor length with no train or shorter.

Mantilla Veil:
This is a single layer circle-shaped piece of tulle or fabric which rests on top of the head. The edge is bordered with lace that frames the face. It was typically worn with an ankle – length gown. Some insight and history for you: A Mantilla is a lace or silk scarf worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb, popular with women in Spain. It is particularly associated with traditional devotional practices among women in Catholicism. The lightweight ornamental mantilla came into use in the warmer regions of Spain towards the end of the sixteenth century, and ones made of lace became popular with women in the 17th and 18th centuries being depicted most notably in the portraits of Diego Velazquez and Goya. In the nineteenth century, Queen Isabel II (1833–1868) actively encouraged its use. The practice diminished after her death, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to special ceremonies, such as bullfights, Holy Week and weddings.

Russian/Fishnet Veil:
This is similar to the Birdcage. It is short in length and usually attached to a headpiece. This vail typically falls asymmetrically across the face. It is a single layer of material. The netting or tulle usually has larger holes (Like a fish net or fishnet tights). The Russian Veil looks best with short dresses. So if you’re into the short, 50’s wedding idea that’s very on trend at the moment, then the Russian and Birdcage Veils are just right for you!

Because some brides choose not to wear a veil then, let’s talk hair accessories…
Here are some pictures of pretty Alice bands, combs, flowers and vintage looks. Blush Weddings custom makes all types of veil, fascinators, birdcage veils and we have a wide selection of hair accessories like the diamante Alice band. The one thing we don’t have, however, is tiaras. THEY’RE OUT!

The same Alice Band shown with an Up Style and natural

Satin & Bling headpiece

References:
www.haircomesthebride.com
www.google.com
Wedding Magazine (UK)

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day…

2011-02-14T11:17:00.002+02:00

Love, hearts, red roses, doves & cherubs. That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about these days. No sooner are we over Christmas when kitsch cards and gifts start to swarm the supermarket shelves when we get Valentine’s Day goodies shoved down our throats…

Call me a cynic, but I don’t particularly love it when red and pink are shoved in my face (at the same time, no doubt). But Valentine’s Day really is a money-making scheme! Here’s a hint: Don’t ever get married on or around Valentine’s Day if you’re on a tight budget!

I want to discuss the origin of Saint Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day as it’s commonly known…
In 313 A.D. Roman Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and ended Rome's persecution of Christians. In 380 A.D. Christianity is made the OFFICIAL state religion of the Roman Empire. These actions not only enabled the teachings of Christianity to spread unhindered within the empire, it encouraged non-Christians to convert to the once-persecuted religion.
The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pop Gelasius i in 500AD. However, it was deleted from the Roman calendar of Saints in 1969 by Pope Paul Vi, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards which are known as valentines.

This day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer (whom was an English poet and author) in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Hand written valentines only came about in the 19th century.

So instead of wasting money on roses and silly kitsch gifts, rather put that money aside and pack a picnic and go on a hike instead. If you’re not into the exercise idea, then stay in with your loved one and have a picnic in the comfort of your own lounge spending the night telling them what you truly love about them. If single, then round up your friends and go for dinner, share with your friends what you love about them.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Communicate! Communicate!! COMMUNICATE!!!

2011-02-03T13:40:00.002+02:00

Communication (v): The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
There are various types of communication in life. There is verbal or oral communication; nonverbal communication; visual communication; written communication; human communication and nonhuman
communication to name a few.

Do you remember playing that popular game as a child “Broken Telephone”? Life can often be like that. The communication breakdown or failure happens because we’re all so overwhelmed in life today. And maybe that’s due to technology? Here, I’m talking about the communication between you and your loved ones. We’re so pre-occupied with our busy schedules that we forget to breathe!

Communication is a very important to function in every-day life. No matter where you are, who you are or what you’re doing, you are communicating.

In this day and age, technology is bringing us closer together and making the world a smaller place. With video calling, Skype, BBM and so on, it really is very easy to communicate with loved ones, colleagues and clients too. But are we really communicating? For example, your body language plays a very big part in communication. I am currently reading an ebook called “What is Every Body Saying” and it is certainly a very interesting and fantastic book on what our body is saying to other people face to face. Body language just adds to every-day life communication.

Over the past year, I’ve noticed with the Brides that come into Blush Weddings, how important Wedding Communication is.

Written Communication is used when sending out your wedding invitations. Throughout the Wedding Day itself, there is even more written communication such as the Order of Service, The Menu, The Table Seating Plan and The Name Place Cards. If you didn’t send out your Wedding invitations, how would you inform your guests that you want them there to celebrate your union? Sure, you could email or SMS your guests but that’s not very personal. Some couples opt out of a traditional wedding, but they still have wedding invitations sent out. Not every couple getting married has order of services or even name place cards but all weddings have a table seating plan. It would be utter pandemonium if people were asked just to sit wherever they like. It’s simply not realistic. If you didn’t communicate to the caterers or the venue, your wedding day will be in absolute chaos!

It’s all very well having the written communication down to a T, but the most important communication is between you, the Bride & Groom. It is imperative that you both communicate your wants and needs for your special day, to each other and to all involved in making the wedding day work and work well. As the bride, you may dream of releasing pure white doves after the ceremony but your groom may think they’re disgusting creatures riddled with vermin. If you don’t talk about it and discuss your wants and needs, it may land up in an argument. Most people think that the wedding day is all about the bride, but it’s really not that restricted. There’s far more to a wedding than people assume. It’s about you, the Bride and Groom as a couple, but it’s also about two families joining. And you might also start your own family one day.

At Blush Weddings, we’ve noticed another big failure in communication is not informing the bridal party of their duties. Bridesmaids and Mother’s – of – the Groom are often not told what their roles and duties are and for very different reasons. Lack of communication causes confusion and disinterest which can lead to tears…

It’s a typical cliché but the Mother – of – the – Groom is often left out of a lot of things. And the Mother – of – the – Groom is often referred to as “M.I.L.D.E.W” which stands for Mothers In Law Do Everything Wrong. That “label” as such, is wrong in itself! Yes, planning your wedding is generally done between you and your mother, but you are marrying into another family and you need to include your future Mother – In – Law too. You may hate the silly bitch, but make her feel special and needed. Remember, her son is getting married too!

Many Blush Brides have had difficulty communicating with their bridesmaids.
If you don’t allocate, designate and stipulate exactly what you want out of your retinue, then you can’t blame anyone but yourself. Yes, bridesmaids are there to add fun to the wedding planning stresses, but more importantly, they are there to be at your every beck and call (realistically of course). Most bridesmaids these days don’t see it as an honour. They simply see it as throwing you a Hen Night and getting trashed on champagne at your expense. No! They are supposed to attend your Wedding Dress Fittings, help with the running around, attend your hair and make – up trial and so on. Some brides these days have close to ten bridesmaids. That, in itself, is a communication disaster waiting to happen! If you don’t sit down with your ladies in waiting and discuss the details, then the days leading up to your Big Day will be a disappointment. You don’t need drama on your special day! (Watch this space for our next blog which is all about Bridesmaids and their duties...)

So remember Brides, talk to everybody. Don’t only communicate using with today’s modern technology. Talk and make your wishes and desires known and then there’ll be no room for disaster!

Rands and Sense

2010-04-30T16:25:00.002+02:00

Rands and Sense

After the excitement of the engagement is over and the wedding date is set the most important task to begin your wedding planning is to calculate a wedding budget.

Do some research on costs and prices of venues, décor and wedding gowns. Be sensible. Work on a budget that is affordable with realistic prices. Once you have come up with a total that is manageable, don’t be tempted to overspend. You want to start married life without loads of outstanding bills.

Here are some tips to keep costs down:

Keep your wedding small by keeping the number of guest down. Singles don’t have to bring partners.

Most venues offer discounted prices during the winter months. Midweek weddings can also beat the budget.

Don’t have a large retinue. Keep the numbers of bridesmaids and groomsmen down. This saves on outfits, bouquets and gifts.

Consider creating your own invites and favours. Ask a creative friend or relative to help.
Get the bridal party together for a fun evening to assemble the wedding favours.

Photography is an essential part of your big day. One way to cut expenses is to ask the photographer to give you your pictures on disc. You can then make up your own album or book. Inexpensive software is available to make up photo-books – a project which can be a fun for you and your groom after the honeymoon.

When it comes to choosing flowers, check out what is in season at the time of your wedding. Flowers that are out of season are far more expensive. Less exotic flowers are also more cost effective Watch out for occasions like mother’s day and Valentine’s Day – flowers are very expensive at this time.

A fun and colourful alternative for table décor is fruit such as lemons, limes or apples placed in large glass vases.

A cash bar is perfectly acceptable today. Provide a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne per table. The guests can then use the cash bar facility for any other drinks. Just remember to state on your invitation that a cash bar will be available.

Have the wedding cake as dessert. Just check that the venue are happy to do this. A fun and economical alternative to a traditional wedding cake is cupcakes.

With all the costs covered don’t forget about your honeymoon! Why not sign up for a Honeymoon Registry. Instead of guests buying you another toaster or kettle ask them to contribute to a honeymoon registry. You choose your destination and your friends and family can contribute to a memorable start to your new life together.

Happy planning!

NEW ARRIVALS

2010-04-06T15:22:00.008+02:00

We at Blush Weddings are so excited! Our new Bonny Special Occasions dresses arrived about an hour ago. We couldn't wait to unpack the box.......and we weren't disappointed!

These sophisticated styles can be worn by bridesmaids, matriculants, debutantes and even the Mother-of-the-Bride. The elegant designs offer affordable and quality options for any formal occasion.

Please pop in sometime to see our fabulous new dresses!

2010-03-15T16:34:00.004+02:00

Know the Shapes

Walking into a bridal boutique can be quite a daunting experience for any bride-to-be. All those white and ivory gowns hanging beautifully on the rails! But where and how do you begin?
It is useful to know the shapes, or silhouettes, of the wedding dresses as well as your own shape and body size when considering which style would be best for you.

The Gown Shapes:
Wedding gowns and dresses fall into six basic silhouettes, namely Ball Gown, Empire Line, A-line, Sheath, Mermaid and Trumpet.

Ball Gown: this gown has a fitted bodice and waistline with a very full skirt which usually has numerous layers of petticoats.
Empire Line: a high waist, just under the bust-line, with a slim-line skirt is the characteristic of this style of dress.
A-Line: An A-line or Princess shape is cut close to the hip with a slight flare at the hem creating an A-shape.
Sheath: This slim style closely follows the lines of the body
Mermaid: A body-hugging silhouette that flares below the knee.
Trumpet: The fit-and-flare trumpet skirt gradually flares at mid-thigh.

To get a wedding dress with the perfect fit, it is important to choose the most flattering shape for your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you'll also look and feel your best.

Your Shape:

Hourglass
Hourglass figures have curves in all the right places! You have a big chest, big hips, and a thin waist
Wedding Dress Dos: A dress with an A-Line has a dropped waist will show off your figure. Together with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. For a more curvaceous look, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A ball gown or Empire-waist silhouette may make you look out of proportion.

Short Waist
Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.

Wedding Dress Dos: An A-line silhouette -- fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt -- elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.

Thick Waist
This shape has an undefined waistline

Wedding Dress Dos: An Empire Line weddings dress will take the emphasis away from your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: An A-line or basque waist will draw too much attention to your middle.

Full Figure
A voluptuous figure with full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.
Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.

Pear Shape
You're small on top and heavy on the bottom.

Wedding Dress Dos: A basque waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will be unflattering and a trumpet- or mermaid-style gown will draw attention to your bottom.

Thin
Short or tall,. You boast that certain kind of ballerina beauty whether you are tall or short.

Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from off-the-shoulder or halter necklines if your collarbones are too bony.

Petite
You have a tiny frame and are not very tall.

Wedding Dress Dos: It's best to keep it simple -- when you're small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it's wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may be overwhelming.

But the most important thing to remember, whatever your shape or size, is to have tons of fun picking out the perfect wedding gown for you!

Source: TheKnot

2010-02-18T17:06:00.005+02:00

Don’t Compromise on Your Wedding Gown.

The wedding gown you choose says so much about your personality and the style of your wedding day. Whilst your wedding day is only one day, it is possibly the most important day of your life with memories that will last forever.

It is best to choose your venue and decide on the theme of your wedding before choosing your dress, For example a bride getting married on a beach should choose a classic and informal style whilst an indoor, more formal venue would suit an elegant or vintage gown. But don’t leave choosing your gown to the last minute! Most gowns are imported and can take up to four months to arrive in South Africa.

Spend as much as you can on your wedding gown – the bride is the one thing from the day that everyone remembers. A rule of thumb is to spend not less than 15% of your total wedding budget on your dress. Even if you are on a budget (like most modern brides are today) remember not to skimp on the one wedding gown.

The best ways to get ideas of styles you like is to search wedding and designer websites on the internet as well as local and international wedding magazines. Certain styles flatter some figures more than others. Try on various gowns to get an idea of what suites your body type and makes you feel most confident. Don’t get locked into the idea of having a white wedding dress. White doesn’t suite all skin tones and a “boob tube” doesn’t suite each bride – to – be!

If possible, don’t shop alone. Take someone with you, like your mom, maid of honour or bridesmaid whose opinion you value completely.

But most of all - have fun choosing your wedding gown!

It's Sale Time at Blush!

2010-02-02T11:33:00.007+02:00

It's hard to believe that we are already in February! January ended well with the Blush Sale which started on 28th. ALL our wedding gowns are marked down anywhere from 10% to 50% Accessories & shoes are discounted by 25%. Blush Weddings is making way for our new 2010 wedding dresses which we can't wait to show you all.

The 2010 styles are vintage, elegant and very feminine. The 2010 catalogues arrived towards the end of last year and we spent hours looking at the new gowns on offer. A new collection of bridal shoes will be arriving at Blush at the end of February. We have seen a sneak preview of these too and they are wonderful - still the same comfort and quality. Some of the firm favourite styles like Gwen and Saskia are also available. After listening to comments from brides, the heel heights of the new range are a little lower, offering even more comfort.

2010 Promises to be filled with many new and exciting happening at Blush Weddings with beautiful new gowns and many other new developments. Watch this space!

REMEMBER: THE SALE ENDS ON SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY SO HURRY ON DOWN TO LINKSFIELD TERRACE CENTRE, LINKSFIELD ROAD, EDENVALE, JOHANNESURG GAUTENG (JUST OFF THE N3)

A Dream Job

2009-11-09T11:23:00.005+02:00

Penny says:

"The past six weeks have been fantastic! We are delighted with the response to our shop and more importantly to our beautiful gowns!

Claire and I can't believe that this is called "work". We love meeting the brides and helping plan their day to remember whilst sharing in the excitement. Each day is different and every bride that visits our boutique brings new and fresh zest.

Trying on wedding gowns can be quite overwhelming. We recently read that a bride should try on no more than 10 dresses. Trying on more dresses only creates confusion and uncertainty. So often brides end up buying the gown they tried on first anyway.

We like to give our brides all the personal attention they deserve in selecting their dream gown. We truly do enjoy assisting in their choices and the brides have been relaxed and friendly too. We are yet to find a bridezilla!

If this is a dream job..... I think we have found it!"

Winston Churchill said:
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

The Transformation

2009-10-05T22:24:00.010+02:00

" But what was this he saw mirrored in the clear water? He saw beneath him his own image, but it was no longer the image of an awkward, dirty, grey bird, ugly and repulsive - he himself was a swan!" Expert from The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

BEFORE

Our "ugly duckling" has been transformed into a beautiful, graceful swan! It is hard to believe that in a relatively short space of time our shop went from this green apparition to an elegant bridal boutique. The toil, sweat and some tears, have been worth all the effort.

Blush Weddings officially opened it's doors on the evening of Wednesday 30th - celebrated by a gathering of friends and family. Claire and I truly feel blessed to have such a wonderful boutique and our first few days of trading have been evident of that blessing.

We opened our doors to the public on Thursday morning and throughout the day well wishers, from the centre and the public, popped in to give us their support. We were thrilled at the response and the tremendous support has not waned since.

Our first four days have been filled with brides-to-be calling on us to view the beautiful gowns, to look at the catalogues, enquiring about shoes and some just to browse. Even just interested passers-by have dropped in to see the boutique. We have been so busy that the days have flown by and we are thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Claire and I would like to thank everyone who played some part in getting the boutique ready for the opening, but most of all we would like to thank Clive (husband and dad) for the many long hours he spent working in the dust to transform our ugly duckling into the swan it has become.

2009-09-15T09:18:00.012+02:00

A BLANK CANVAS

Penny says:

"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos" Stephen Sondheim

The weeks are flying by and our opening day is fast approaching. Just like an artist with a blank canvas, it is hard to know where to begin.

Our shop has been empty for about two weeks now but we have not been able to begin work as the previous tenants had some repairs and restoration to do - like replacing the grass green ceiling!

As an artist researchers his topic and plans his work we have had to do the same. Our shop is coming together one brush stroke at a time - one idea developing into another with the whole picture coming together.

Through this new experience we are learning all the time - learning how to be an importer, become an expert on tiling, understanding the challenges of electrical installation and much more. Many, many hours have been spent on the Internet researching decor, shop fittings, marketing and a bride's wants and needs. Late nights are the norm at the moment. After hectic days running around looking for the right decor for the boutique, Claire and I spend most nights catching up on what we have discovered during the day and making decisions about what is right for our store.

The contractors started yesterday! The tiling and painting should happen over the next week and then the finishing touches. Tons to do in only 15 days! Yikes!!!

So our work is underway - one baby step at a time. Hopefully when all is done we will be able to stand back and admire our work............ just like an artist.

" Art is the desire of man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in" Amy Lowell

To Dream, continued...

2009-09-02T16:14:00.005+02:00

Claire says:

“The key to happiness, is having dreams. The key to success, is making your dreams come true.” Anonymous.

I am an ex-art student. Never furthering my art career has always bothered me, that I didn’t pursue my dream of becoming a full time artist. Now, I have the perfect break of expressing my creative side in something that I have become so passionate about: Blush Weddings!

I have spent the past 9 years in the sales, service & hospitality industries. I was taught, from an early age, what it means to work, work hard and earn my own cash. Not only to buy the things I wanted, but to really know and experience the “real world”! To my folks, Penny & Clive, I am eternally grateful! They have been grand teachers.
At the age of 16, I worked as a shop assistant on weekends, selling kiddies’ furniture. This was my very first job. In my Matric year, I held four different jobs. The reason for this, there was a new, exciting adventure on the horizon for me…
I gained my independence because my family gave me the wings to fly. In December of 2002 at the tender age of just 18, I flew to Aspen, Colorado to work on a Winter Ski Exchange Program. This was the best 6 months of my life to date! Shortly after my return to South Africa, my sister, Lyndsay and I, flew together to the UK. There I was, for two years on a Working Holiday.
Since my return to South Africa in 2005, I’ve had three different jobs, experiencing four different types of industry. The exposure and experience gained from these industries, has brought me to where I am today. Whilst abroad, I always dreamt of getting back into the art scene. Sadly,this never happened. When mom recently came up with the idea to start a “One – Stop – Wedding – Shop”, I was thrilled! For years, she’s wanted to do something in the Wedding Industry. When mom asked me to be her partner, I was over the moon! And here we are, starting a new and exciting adventure, together.

There are many people I would personally like to thank that have helped make the Blush dream come alive:
To Michelle Hobson for her creative streak in designing the floor plans and helping out with colour schemes.
To Michelle Tyson for her creative input
To Lena of “Brides Only” for introducing us to the “Eden Bridal” collection
To Samantha of “Everything But The Groom” for all the advice and assistance.
To Diane of “Bonny” for all her assistance
To all our family & friends, for their undying love & support
And I would like to thank my parents, for giving me wings and letting me fly! I love you, Mom & Dad!

To end off, I found a wonderful quote that I would like to share with all our Blush Weddings fans.
“Wind to thy wings. Light to thy path. Dreams to thy heart” – Anonymous.
When I read this, it meant so much to me. I can’t wait to start a new adventure with Blush Weddings. A dream, truly lived.

To Dream........

2009-08-27T19:07:00.020+02:00

Penny says:

C.S. Lewis said: "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream"
Well that could not be closer to the truth for me. For many years I have thought of, or perhaps even dreamt of, being in the business of wedding planning but the time was just never right .......

......but it is now!!

My dream is now becoming reality! Some months ago I was looking for a new project or a new venture and came across an opportunity to open a wedding boutique. It has been a steep learning curve and many hours have been spent researching..... on the Internet, in magazines and in various other media to learn all about the industry. My best inspiration seems to come in the darkest, quietest hours of the night.

Realising that this was a giant step, I felt that this was not something I could do on my own and a partner was what was needed. My instinct was to ask my youngest daughter, Claire, to join me on this journey. She is creative, enthusiastic, energetic and can identify with the young brides and grooms. Claire was delighted and I was thrilled that she didn't hesitate in agreeing to join me in this new venture.

Our planning started only two short months ago and can be quite overwhelming at times. First on the never ending "to do list" was to find a name for the business, get the name registered and design the logo. We both came up with the name virtually simultaneously and all the exciting ideas just grew and evolved from there. The logo was also a joint effort and we are thrilled with the look. Hope you like it too.

And so Blush Weddings was born!

The next task was to find premises. One would think in a recession empty stores would be plentiful, but this is not the case. And you know what they say: "Location, location, location....!"

We found a store which was becoming vacant. The challenge was to imagine the bright green and orange store being transformed from its present state into a sophisticated, upmarket bridal boutique. Our Blush Weddings Facebook page has some pictures of the store before the renovations.

Lying awake at 3am seems to ignite one's creative process and with help from a creative interior designer, Michelle Hobson, a plan was drawn to transform the store into a stylish, welcoming boutique. Watch this blog for our progress and news!

The opening of Blush Weddings at the beginning of October in the Linksfield Terrace Centre, on Linksfield Avenue, just off the N3 motorway, is no longer a dream, but reality!

" A life without dreams is like a garden without flowers" Unknown-