7.13.08-The beautiful Natalie Gladman, CEO, designer, and director of MIJ Maternity Bridal, is our International Bridal Couture Designer of the month and her amazing interview is now up and running-so check that out down below!
Check out "The Girls!" blogdom for the newest entry from Danielle-she really digs deep and shares her own personal experience as a designer and who and what she's lovin' in bridal trend right now!
Be sure to check out our International Bridal News Section for the latest in what's been going on, trend wise or otherwise on a global bridal scale...and if you missed any of our international bridal news in the past few months, nor worries at all-just hit up "The Girls" Archives section and check it! Have a beautiful week, fans and friends. We love you!

Love,
The Girls
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"The Girls" International Bridal Couture Designer for July 2008:

UK
If you're an expectant mother and bride-to-be, you will not want to miss our interview with Natalie Gladman of Madeline Isaac James Maternity Bridal Couture. This beautiful, hip line of bridal couture proves that when it comes to the most important dress you'll ever buy, frump is out-style and comfort is SO in. Stay tuned!

"The Girls" Global Wedding Favours of The Week:

(Image and Logo courtesy of DCB)
-NYC, NY-US
Chocolate Covered Oreos
Ralph Lauren's niece (Yes..that same guy that puts polo men on shirts), has a niece who loves candy. So much so, that she helped create a candy store filled with her favourite things. She's expanded her candy empire into candy inspired wellies (That's short for "Wellington", for those of us who just call them rain boots..we like 'Wellies' better.) that have been featured on Oprah, and check this-even a candy inspired jewelry line. We love Oreos. That's why we're featuring them as our favourite favour today. If you're looking for a no-fuss, yummy favour to give, buy a couple of tins of these (or more), wrap two of them in cellophane, use ribbon in your own unique bridal colours to tie it all together and voila-Cookie, chocolate, and white filling are as one. And a hit with your guests as well.

Love Quote of the Week
"The virtue of true love is not finding the perfect person, but loving the imperfect person perfectly."-Unknown

"The Girls" Fantasy Bridesmaids' Dress-July 2008

If you have a pregnant bridesmaid or will BE a pregnant bridesmaid, the MIJ Maternity Bridesmaids line is exactly what fits-quite literally! Beautiful designs, trendy colours, and amazing fabrics that flow and allow a pregnant honour attendant to actually breathe (Shock! Horror!) and be comfortable, are what MIJ Couture is all about. Check it out!

"The Girls" Boom Boom Music Room-Music That Makes You Cooler-June 2008
We have two new artists that are an absolute MUST to check out.
Click on the pics to find out more about these up and coming, mega-talented musical acts here!

"The Girls"-Your Q'z....Our A'z

Q: Dear Girls, I once read that you guys are working on a bridal dress line. Is this true?

A: This is true-in future. Right now, we're taking the baby steps necessary to make this a reality. The one thing you don't want to do as a business is to overextend yourself and while the dress line WILL happen, it will be happening in due time..which means we're going to take our time. SO, yes..but not right now. :)

"The Girls" International Cake Artist of The Month-July 2008

Lotus Cake Studio-Philadelphia, PA-US

Vedika Webb is one of the most amazing cake artists in the world.
Obviously, the above examples clearly show you that this professional has a gift. But these cakes are distinctly different...they're completely vegan! Vedika is one of the most sought after cake artists with vegans and non-vegans (YES, even non-vegans go ga-ga over her vegan confections!) alike, because her cakes are reported to be as beautiful in taste as they are in design. It takes a very special person to make a vegan cake taste like its full of everything a non-vegan cake consists of. Vedika IS that person. And we love her! Click on the pics to visit her myspace and world wide web homes!

From the amazing designer who brought us the most photographed wedding dress in the world, comes
Elizabeth Emanuel's newest line of bridal couture. From the sleek and modern, to the insatiably romantic, Elizabeth has created a dress for the most individualistic of brides. We proudly debut her newest line, "Art of Elegance" to those living outside of the UK. You can purchase these dresses online or at any BHS store in the UK!

"The Girls" Must Have Home 'Toy'-July 2008

(Images courtesy of Williams-Sonoma)

US
Kitchen Aid 5 qt. Artisan Stand Mixer
Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Your great-grandmother all the way down to your own mom probably has one of these. And when we say that they probably have ONE, we mean that its the same one they themselves had received as a wedding present or bought decades ago. Kitchen Aid is a name synomous with quality. These mixers are made as they have been from the beginning..and that 'recipe' for success has helped millions create their OWN successful recipes. Just in time for summer bbq's, 4th of July events or even those end-of-the-year block parties, comes the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker attachment. In 20-30 minutes, you can have the perfect ice cream, sorbet, or gelato that you're craving! For more information on these products, just click on the pics!

Wedding News From Around The World-2008-NEW!

UK
The Independent (Online)
July 6, 2008
How To Keep Costs Down At A Wedding

Shanghai, China
CCTV.com- International
July 5, 2008
"Wedding Dress Expo Opens in Shanghai"

India
The Times of India (Online)
July 4, 2008
Rajaram Satapathy,TNN
"Orissa Man Set To Skydive To His Wedding"

Hawaii-US
Pacific Business News
Biz Journals.com
July 3, 2008
"Hawaii Weddings To Require Permits"

AU
ABC News (Online)
July 2, 2008
"Company Offers Wedding Day Blast Into Space"

UK
BBC News-UK (Online)
July 1, 2008
Brajesh Upadhyay
BBC News, Washington
"US Tastes Indian Wedding Spectaculars"

Boston, MASS-US
Boston Herald (Online)
June 30, 2008
"’Man Showers’ Become Popular For Pre-Wedding Bond"

Worldwide
Publication: Forbes.com-Online
"World Wide Weddings: Couples Webcast Nuptials"

PRESS RELEASE
ATTN: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRIDES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leading Bridal Manufacturer and Family-Owned Business Helps Recovery Efforts for Brides-to-Be in Southern California
Alfred Angelo to Replace Bridal Gowns Lost in Southern California Wildfires

PHILADELPHIA, October 30, 2007 – For 75 years, the family-owned bridal company, Alfred Angelo, has dressed thousands of brides and their wedding parties in elegant and affordable designer gowns. Alfred Angelo prides itself in helping brides find the perfect gown for their special day. Once found, to lose that dress in a natural disaster as your wedding day awaits you is devastating and distressing. Alfred Angelo, the world’s leading maker of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, is reaching out to assist all soon-to-be Southern California brides affected by the fires, even as the embers continue to cool.
From now until November 11, 2007, Alfred Angelo’s Southern California stores will re-order and replace all Alfred Angelo and Piccione bridal gowns lost to fire or smoke damage for future brides-to-be, FREE OF CHARGE. The damaged gown will be replaced with the identical style, size and color originally ordered. The replacement dress can only be ordered through the boutique where the original gown was purchased, including all Alfred Angelo Southern California retail boutiques, as well as the independent retailers who carry the Alfred Angelo and Piccione collections. If assistance is needed, brides can find a store on-line at www.alfredangelo.com or by calling 866-8-ANGELO.

In addition, Alfred Angelo company-owned boutiques are extending a 20% discount on a new Alfred Angelo gown to Southern California brides who purchased from another designer but lost their wedding gowns in the fires. These brides are invited to shop and take advantage of the discount in any Alfred Angelo company-owned retail store throughout Southern California. For assistance finding the closest Alfred Angelo store, log on to www.alfredangelostores.com, or call 877-7-ANGELO.

Whether the bride re-orders her original gown, or finds a new Alfred Angelo gown, Alfred Angelo will deliver her gown in approximately 12 weeks.

For those in need of a quicker turn around, Alfred Angelo’s company-owned boutiques are offering the option to select from their “At Your Service” retail collection, comprised of Alfred Angelo’s best selling styles, which are delivered in as little as two weeks after purchasing. If the bride has an immediate need for her gown, the Alfred Angelo company-owned boutiques are happy to extend the option to buy her new gown directly off the rack. For locations, please visit www.alfredangelostores.com, or call 877-7-ANGELO.

The Alfred Angelo and Piccione collections offer brides over 150 bridal styles to choose from in white, ivory, champagne pink, ice blue, and light gold, as well as 55 color options available in the overwhelmingly popular Dream In Color collection. The bride can find a multitude of silhouettes, styles, necklines and train lengths from sizes 2-28W.
Alfred Angelo knows, that for most women, a bridal gown is the most emotional and irreplaceable gown she will wear in her lifetime. By assisting with the recovery for brides-to-be in Southern California, Alfred Angelo is hoping to extend their family to yours, and restore the magic of that special day.
For more information, please contact Amanda Sheronas of Alfred Angelo.

Sydney, AU
Newspaper: Sydney Morning News
June 26, 2008
"Norman, Evert Set For Wedding"

Barcelona, Spain
Newspaper: Sydney Morning News (Online)
"Bridal Fashion Fest"

Sydney, AU
Newspaper: Sydney Morning News
June 3, 2008
"Couple Wed On Top Of Harbour Bridge"

Portugal
Publication: Hello Magazine-UK Edition
June 23, 2008
"Two of Europe's Most Aristocratic Clans Unite As Duke of Anjou Weds"

Jutland, Denmark
Newspaper: Sydney Morning News
May 25, 2008
"Denmark's Prince Joachim remarries"

London, England
Online: BBC News UK
May 18, 2008
"A Thoroughly Modern Royal Wedding"

New Zealand
Newspaper: NZ Herald
May 14, 2008
"Wedding Plans Crushed By The Credit Crunch"

Singapore
News Source: AFP/Sydney Morning News
May 12, 2008
"Cruelty On The Menu"

"The Girls" Destination Wedding Find

July 2008

Go Here!

ATTENTION BRIDES, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT!
"The Girls" Time Warp Wedding Contest 2008
is officially underway!
We want to see your wedding pictures...but, here's the catch: we want to see just how dated your wedding was. Did ya platform shoe your way into your wedding, ultra 70's disco style or did you have a Star Wars inspired storm trooper for a best man? Is hair a big (and we mean 2 bottles of Aqua Net per head) major player in your 80's wedding pictures ? Did your wedding party take on the Nirvana grunge look when you said your "I Do's" out in the 90's? Its all about a time warp wedding and we want to celebrate that. You don't have to be a bride-to-be..you can still be married to your bride or your groom, or you can even be divorced...but we want to see evidence! (Look here for all of the scary details!)

'The Girls' Wedding Photographer of The Month
July 2008

Perry Trotter Photography-NZ
This man has photographed some of the most beautiful, scenic spots in his home country of New Zealand with some of the most dynamic brides and grooms in the world. We were honoured to be able to interview this amazing man with the magic 'eye'. To learn more, just click here!

*Attention Brides:Check out the book that you can't afford NOT to own-I Do..In Style CEO, Writer and Author Mia Johnson and Miami Wedding Photographer and Author Galina Vitols, "Your Picture Perfect Wedding"-Now available exclusively at amazon.com!

"The Girls" Jeweler of The Month
July 2008

Diamonds.com-Worldwide
18k White Gold Three Stone Emerald Cut Diamond Ring (1.66tcw)

So many brides, from celebrity (Actor Nicole Kidman) to maybe your neighbor next door, have embraced this particular form of engagement ring as an eternity/timeless piece of jewelry that signifies a present, past and a future with the giver of such beauty.
(1.00ct CENTER DIAMOND SOLD SEPARATELY.)

Price: $2,349.00

"The Girls" : "It Just Makes Sense" Idea Of The Week

Everyone needs a signature fragrance, especially on your wedding day.

Whether you chose to customize a scent just for one of the most important days of your life or for everyday of your life, the following fragrance is a beautiful alternative.
And while the following is NOT exclusive to just one person, it is quite unique to many. You will be asked what you are wearing time and time again when you slide this onto your pulse points. Keep this one handy for a fragrance touch-up and just wait and watch for the compliments to roll in!

"The Girls" Myspace Vendor Find of The Month-July 2008

DJChef Mark Weiss-NYC, NY-US
This man is gold..and we can't wait to introduce you to him. Coming soon..keep your eye on this space!

"I'm Mom..I'm The Wedding Planner"
Straight from the pen of Mia's dear Aunt Marie, comes a blog of intrigue, passion, and frustration..or in short, the planning of a wedding. Follow the tale of a mom's quest to create the wedding of her daughter's dreams. Meet her here!

A Very Special Thank You Shout Out Goes To....
Wedding Paper Divas.com
We are so flattered and grateful! To see what we're talking about, click on the logo!

"The Girls" Wedding Flower Power Artist of The Month-July 2008

Flowers On Mars-Los Angeles, CA
Yet, another treasure we've found on myspace.
But they're more than just flowers, my friend. Click on the above pic and find a very special offer from Flowers On Mars!

Attention All Myspace/Facebook Addicts

Whether you're a bride-to-be, a wedding vendor, or a fan, we want to know who you are and where you call home! If you'd like us to send you a friend request, please sign our guestbook and place your myspace and facebook 'home in the entry itself. All guestbook entries are pre-screened, so if you'd like to keep your entry private, please inject the word "Private" into the subject line!

In "The Girls" Beauty Zone:

We're checking out the MAC UK website and giving you something new to look at via the miracle of Sephora.com. For those that love a bargain at Target, we're also going to be introducing the amazing UK drugstore that loves a little bit of Target itself AND now has a US online store, Boots! Check it all out here!