Brought to Rent the Runway by Brazilian Blow Out and Argyle Salon’s Alec Kara

You’ve found the perfect dress for your walk down the aisle, now all you need is the perfect hairstyle.  Stylist to the stars, Alec Kara of the Argyle Salon & Spa in West Hollywood, California, tells us his favorite ‘dos to compliment your dress for the big day.

Halter + Pin Up Style

With a halter dress, it’s best to keep the hair up and off the neck otherwise the look can become too busy.   Having your hair swept up also accentuates the neck and torso.  It’s very flattering for the female figure and what woman doesn’t want to look her best on her wedding day?  A pinup style up-do with a soft wave is a perfect pair for this dress.   Add some sparkle with a beautiful hairpin or two; instant glamour.

Cap Sleeve + Loose Curls

For a cap sleeved dress, try a teased, side swept hairstyle with big, loose curls. The hair will draw your eye to the bust line while still showing off the delicate cap sleeves. 

Asymmetrical + Chignon

You want your hair to show off the style of your dress.  With an asymmetrical neckline I suggest pulling the hair back into a low chignon. It’s classic and timeless. Let a few pieces in the front fall loosely or keep the hair tightly pulled back depending on your personal style.  

Strapless + Waves

Soft, beachy waves are a favorite among brides these days. This hairstyle makes a woman feel sexy but not fussy.  With a strapless dress, there is a lot of room to have fun with the hair and why not take advantage of this playful style?  If you don’t have long locks but are dying for this ‘do, I suggest getting a few hair extensions to achieve the same look.

To book your appointment with Argyle Salon & Spa call 310-623-9000 and to learn more about their services, please visit ArgyleLA.com

As I sat down to plan outfits for the weekend, I pulled out the triple card stock invitations to review: Rehearsal Friday night (cocktail attire), ceremony on Saturday afternoon (semi-formal!), and a reception later that night (black tie!!).  With loads of new arrivals on Rent the Runway, I felt like a kid at the candy store.

Friday night seemed like the perfect opportunity to try a Preen dress I had been eyeing.  Definitely go a size up with this designer!  It was a warm night for October in NY, so no tights and a pair of high heels and I was on my way!  It was super fun to wear a bright color in a room full of black dresses.  Jessica Rabbit was on the right track… red + ruching = hot!

Tibi’s High Tea Dress was perfectly appropriate and adorable for the ceremony.  I paired it with some micro-fishnet stockings and Tory Burch suede flats for a girlish flair.  Loads of compliments from the highschool pals I ran into after the ceremony… yipppeee!

A few hours later, I was ready to put on my third outfit for the weekend, Temperly London’s stunning Queen of the Nile dress. Amazing beading, wonderful draping, dainty low back, and easy to dance in… love love love this dress.  Who says you have to go long for black-tie?

After a wonderful weekend of wardrobe changes, there's only one question - which dress was best? Check out my pics and tell me which dress you like the most – I can’t decide! -- Chondita

With the bride in Preen Plaza Dress

 In the Tibi High Tea Dress running into my high school tennis doubles partner

Feeling festive in Temperley Queen of the Nile Dress 

Occasionally, a Rent the Runway story comes along that’s so amazing we just have to share. This one’s a heartbreaker. Imagine its three weeks before your wedding.  Everything’s going well and you’re doing all you can to stay calm. Then you find out that the store holding your bridesmaids dresses burned to the ground!

When this happened to her, Svetlana Sobol turned to Rent the Runway for help. Could we outfit her bridal party with gorgeous dresses and only two weeks notice? Of course! Our stylist Ashley picked out a fabulous Tibi dress that all of Svetlana’s bridesmaids looked amazing in and her wedding pictures were saved! Such a beautiful bride and such an amazing story… --Lara

Brought to Rent the Runway by Christian Oth

It’s week two of my photo tip series, Booking Your Wedding Photographer: Tips Series by Christian Oth. I launched the tip series with a strong focus on a photographer’s versatility and this week will focus on your photographer’s strength.  Following these tips will get you one step closer to getting great photographs that you’ll be able to cherish for years to come.

Week 2: Photographer’s Strength

What genre are they strongest in?  Take a look at your photographer’s background.  Do they specialize in fashion, editorial portraits, still-lifes, fine art or photojournalism?  Every photographer has special strengths in certain genres, but for weddings they must be able to take great photographs in all other genres as well.  Personally, I feel that it is good for a wedding photographer to have a strong background in photojournalism, because they are accustomed to capturing natural moments in an instant as they occur, rather than waiting to create posed, manufactured moments.

Can they take creative portraits?  A talented photographer should be able to take beautiful creative portraits not only of the bride and groom, but of the family and wedding party as well.  Formal portraits are often the most overlooked, but they are essential to every wedding.  Instead of a boring line-up, look for creative group and couple shots that have the feel of a fashion magazine spread. 

To see Christian’s work, book him for your wedding and learn more about him, visit ChristianOthStudio.com. To view the tips from the past, click here!

We received some requests for styles that would suit an over 40 woman – well, we’ve got plenty! Here’s some complete looks that will work for women of all ages, including our more sophisticated set. Let us know what you think. -- Lara

Rehearsal Dinner:

This midnight blue Nicole Miller will make a mark without upstaging the bride. Add these stunning Elizabeth Cole earrings and KJL's Black Tie Bracelet and rent the complete look for just $145.

The Main Event:

The Lela Rose Portrait Collar Dress is a classicly chic statement. Complete the look with sparkling earrings and bracelet for a total cost of $220.

Brunch:

This Christian Siriano winner cuts a striking silhouette for all ages. Silver or gold goes well, but for a elegant look, add Ciner's Old Hollywood Glamour Earrings and Bracelet. Complete look can be rented for $200.

One cake, one groom, one bride, one love. Lots of dresses! At Rent the Runway, we know that one dress is not enough. Many of us in the office are active on the wedding circuit, and just like everyone else, we used to stress about what to wear to the myriad of events that surround each set of nuptuals.

This weekend, I myself have a bridal shower and a bachelorette party to attend. Of course, I want to celebrate in style (without breaking the bank) and without spending all of my time thinking about what to wear. If you’re in the same boat, our stylists have put together some great affordable looks that will help you survive any event this wedding season. Enjoy! -- Lara

Bridal Shower:

An easy and chic style from Tibi with a bracelet and earrings to tie it all together for just $70.

Bachelorette Party:

Sparkling Sequins are the perfect statement and you can add this bangle set and hoops to accessorize for all the festivities. $75 for the total set.

Rehearsal Dinner:

This versatile style can pass for glamourous and elegant or beachy casual. Picture perfect with this Rachel Leigh necklace and Ciner Bracelet. Complete look can be yours for $105.

The Big Event:

Another beautiful dress that can easily be dressed up for a fancy formal affair or dresses down for breezy beautiful. Shown here with sophisticated yet stylish earrings and bracelet with the whole look for $155.

Sunday Brunch:

Cap off the weekend with a burst of brightness in this Tibi dress. Rent with this gorgeous gold bracelet and precious pink earrings for $120.

Normally I try not to play favorites, but occasionally a beautiful piece deserves a small shout-out. Take, for example, this beautifully structured bustier from Bibhu Mohapatra. The details are divine, and it offers the perfect peek of color to take it beyond basic black.

The style manages to be stunning and yet utterly wearable at the same time – definitely a chic cocktail choice. I’ve got a wedding this weekend that this dress will be attending, paired with Janis Savitt’s Starburst Earrings. Any ideas for a bracelet? -- Lara

Brought to Rent the Runway by Kwiat.com

Love is in the air… even in Hollywood, where love sometimes seems fleeting. Right now, there’s no lack of celebrities falling head over heels and saying yes! to love and a beautiful engagement ring!  But what kind of ring do you want? That depends on the woman, and we're spotting some trends emerging among the recently engaged.

Trend 1: Fancy shape diamonds are hot! While round diamonds have been the traditional choice for engagement rings for many years, we’ve recently seen a lot of interest in other shapes, like cushion cuts, emerald cuts, asscher cuts, ovals and radiants (which we in the biz refer to as “fancy shapes”).  For a woman who wants an engagement ring that’s unique, a fancy shape diamond is a beautiful choice. No question about it – this is one trend that’s not slowing down.

Celebs fans: Leann Rimes, Shania Twain, Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Duff, Katherine Heigl and Victoria Beckham.

Trend 2: Leading ladies are seeing color! To personalize your ring, consider using color as either a center stone or as accent stones around a center. Sapphires and rubies are very popular and also make a good choice because of their durability. And who could possibly say no to a colored diamond in yellow or pink (gasp)!

Celeb fans: Carrie Underwood -12 carat yellow diamond, Jessica Simpson- bright red ruby, Kate Middleton- Princess Diana’s divine oval sapphire.

As they prepare for their 2011 nuptials, Hollywood’s leading ladies are embracing love and setting some trends. If you’re thinking about your engagement ring, ask yourself – is your style classic, modern or vintage? Just remember to drop a few hints for your special someone. Celebrity or not, proposing is a leap of faith and it sure would be nice for him to know if you’re a “classic round” or a “vintage cushion”. Ahh love… isn’t it grand?

All rings featured are from the Kwiat Bridal Collection. If you’d like to learn more about Kwiat and view their exquisite assortment, please visit Kwiat.com!

Brought to Rent the Runway by Cheree Berry Paper

At Cheree Berry Paper, our passion lies in helping couples create a personalized wedding stationery suite that feels like their own and stands out from the run-of-the-mill wedding invitations. These are our top five tips to figure out how to interject your personalities into your wedding paper and create a fun and unique set of wedding stationery.

 5 Fun Ways to Incorporate your Style into your Wedding Stationery

1. Hidden details! We love incorporating unexpected and hidden details into the invitation suite. If you have a pattern on your invitation, it is always fun to hide your initials in the pattern! Do not use your married monogram yet - use your first name initials (it is etiquette-proof)! You’ll be surprised by how many of your guests will love and notice these small surprises.

2. Similar Interests? Do you and your fiancé share a mutual love of food, running or music?If so, let it show in your paper! One couple had golf clubs and golf balls hidden in the border of their wedding invitation. If you love food and wine consider backing your invitation in real cork! Or showcase your pet under the reply envelope flap…

3. Customize your postage stamps!  Don’t forget that the first thing your guests will see when opening your save-the-date or invitation is the envelope. Create custom postage stamps that compliment the invitation design or use vintage stamps that represent you as a couple or your wedding location.

4. Use your venue/location as inspiration! Whether you are getting married in Vermont, Las Vegas, or on the beach in the Hamptons, use your location and its unique details to help inspire your wedding stationery. Check out the barn invitation for a Vermont wedding and the library reception card for a wedding at the Boston Public Library!

5. Embrace your favorite color!  Many brides and grooms shy away from color in their invitation suite because it feels less “traditional.” However, you can most definitely incorporate pops of color even if you want your invitation set to feel formal and traditional. Incorporate your favorite color in more-subtle ways such as a colored reception card or hand painted edging on the invitation.

Do not be afraid to tell your stationer about you as a couple. The more info we know the more we can help create the perfect stationery suite for you!

To check out Cheree Berry's Paper and learn more about them, visit ChereeBerry.com!