Under the Radar Drink Inspiration

Mint Julep via Food52 …It was the drink of the decade since it was served in the 1926 published book The Great Gatsby (HERE you find the classic version of this drink).

If you're looking for a little something different to do with the bar at your wedding, or you want to cool idea for a shower/engagement party/after-party/etc, think mixology. Sure, Williamsburg might have been doing it for what seems like a decade now, but Denver's just been hit in the past year with some speakeasy-vibe bars with some cool factor. Look to places like Green Russell downtown or Williams & Graham (literally 3 blocks up from Anna Bé) for bartenders who can flex some serious drink muscle. And we're not talking chair-restaurant "flair-tender" stuff, like down and dirty real deal old school drinks. Egg whites? An absinthe-rinsed glass? Bitters? Expand your palate and treat yourself (and your guests) to some sophisticated cocktails.

Our mixologist at FIVE (our big birthday bash this fall) was busy from moment one and was the huge hit of the night! Encourage guests to leave options open for your specialist, giving them a few keys like and/or dislikes, and let them go to town creating something custom for everyone.

Take it a step further and install a full speakeasy. Secret unmarked door, whispered passwords, dim lighting, really create a special experience that can be like a step back in time!

Weekly Pinterest Board: Breakfast

Wake up to the perfect wedding, complete with a decadent pancake bar, a soft palate of muted colors, and a bike ride off into the afternoon, giving you and your new hubby all evening to celebrate your newly wedded bliss! We wanted a soft, warm looking color story that looked soft and springtime sun-kissed: golden oranges, fresh minty green, and delicate lilac create a perfectly balanced color combination. Treat your guests to sweet and savory all morning, and bring in fresh sights and smells from the garden (if you have time, find a patch of wildflowers and pick your own bouquet that morning!)

Guests will enjoy the relaxed quality of the event, and get to enjoy fantastic warm weather outside before it gets too hot! 

{click here to see this board on pinterest}

How to Strike a Pose at anna bé

Often the pics taken away from the bridal appointment may make your decision between the fantastic lace number you love or the wonderful organza gown you felt stunning in. And while it's unnecessary to strike the perfect model pose in every shot it is important that you like these photos enough for them to be helpful. You want to be able to concentrate on you in your favorite gowns, not the awkward photo your BFF took of you mid- sentence or the weird face your Aunt Madge is making in the background. So here are a few helpful tips to make sure you can focus on how awesome you look in that dress!

1.  Smile! Take a second to compose yourself and flash those pearly whites! I don't know anyone that likes a picture of them self frowning or talking. 

2. Stand up straight. Mom was right, dresses look better with your shoulders back and your back straight. 

3. Keep your hands at your side or resting lightly on your hips. Not only is this pose universally flattering, it keeps you from covering up details of the dress.

4. Be the only one in the photo. I totally get wanting a pic with your mom and bridesmaids next to you in your maybe wedding dress but make sure you get some solo shots too! This goes for folks in the background as well. When possible let the shot be of you only, the less distractions the better!

And one for your photographer of the day...

5. Get up and actively take photos! Your chosen paparazzo should not be taking pictures from a seated position on the sofa or into direct light. In order to show off you and the gown you love have photos taken from multiple angles and in flattering light. If this means taking a walk around the store, do it! And remember, we're always happy to act as photographer so don't hesitate to ask if you want to let your bridal party relax and enjoy the fashion show!

June is Boutique Designer Month! {10% off}

We love supporting great small design houses; their work keeps our industry alive and ensures that we don't lose the legacy of beautiful, handmade products in the US. So to celebrate our small, indie, and boutique designers, Anna Be, your favorite wedding dress destination, is bringing you designs all June that celebrate handmade details, heirloom quality, and small, independent designers, all at 10% off! 

During the month of June, you can enjoy a 10% discount on all Lela Rose,Caroline DeVillo, Tara LaTour, and Junko Yoshioka dresses. Each one of these special, one-of-a-kind dresses are handcrafted in the US, and feature unique elements that will make sure your dress is original. We'll be bringing in extra dresses that aren't here any other time of year to showcase what makes these designers so special, and why we brought them exclusively for our Colorado brides!

Support small businesses, and know that your dress had all the love and attention poured into it that you deserve! And don't miss this special opportunity to see dresses that you can't find anywhere else in the state!

 

 photography of Junko gown by Rebekah Westover

When to Wear White

photo credit

Yes we know that the Victorian tradition has held up for around 150 years, and that white (ivory, ecru, cream included) is the most common color of choice for wedding dresses (over 90% of brides wear some shade of white at their wedding). But what about all the other events? Does tradition demand white for a rehearsal dinner? or a shower? Should you reserve the white for just the wedding day? Well, the answers are about as varied as their are brides, but as a general rule, white is completely acceptable for any occasion about, surrounding, or leading up to the wedding for brides. 

That does also mean it's considered taboo for guests as well. Unless the bride has specified on the invites, wearing all white to someone else's bridal shower or rehearsal dinner is considered inappropriate, though it doesn't have to be completely absent, a pattern where white is one of several colors is fine for these smaller events, though it should probably be avoided completely at the main event. 

We purposely stocked our downstairs ready to wear boutique, Ground Floor, with lots of ivory and white for those brides looking to extend their use of the color to the other events around their wedding, but we still have tons of other options too. So don't feel pressured into being a slave to white for every party, but enjoy being the stand out in the room and wear something bold and beautiful to celebrate these special days. 

Special Edition on Pinterest - 12 pairs of wedding shoes!

Check out our most recent edition of 12 for 2012. This time we're focusing on shoes!!! I can't tell you how many times girls tell me that finding the right shoes for their wedding is tougher than finding the right dress! So why is it so difficult? Well, just like we all have different bodies, we all have different feet. But, unlike wedding dresses that are almost always long and white (about 90% based on a recent survey by the Knot), wedding shoes can be  in an array of colors, styles, shapes, heights, and there's nothing that says what is or isn't a wedding shoe. So how do you begin to decide?

#1: Choose a height and stick with it! You hem will be done to match your show height, so if you change shoes, you change where your hem hits. It's better to choose one conservative height that you can be in all night, than wear something super tall, then drag the bottom of your dress when you switch to flip-flops. 

#2: Consider the surface! If you're getting married on grass, don't get a stiletto that won't allow you to walk. If it might be muddy, keep it closed-toe. Consider both the ceremony and reception sites, and make sure the shoes will work for both places. 

#3: Don't worry about color! Actually I should say, don't try to match. Different fabrics and different sheens means no color is going to match 100%. Anything in the ivory family looks good with ivory. Blush, nude, peach all look great with wedding dresses. And metallics and bright colors provide fun contrast. Don't obsess over matching an exact shade, they're under your dress!

#4: Give yourself a wide (price) range! Like everything else in the wedding, you'll probably have a budget, but remember to stay flexible. Being in extreme pain because you had to go with the more uncomfortable shoes that were $50 cheaper, not worth it. But blowing your budget on Jimmy Choo's that no one ever sees? Unless you're going to wear them again, don't do it!

We hope you enjoy our 12 ideas for wedding shoes, at every color, price, and height. And don't despair if you don't find them right away. Just like finding your dress, your venue, or your fiance, these things take time! 

{click here to see this board on pinterest}

Party! Post-wedding outfit ideas

Are you a party girl? Even if the answer is no, chances are your wedding celebration isn't going to end when your venue closes at 11pm. After all, when else do you get ALL the people you love in one place, and better yet all celebrating you and your new hubby?!  Whether you plan on hitting the bars or having everyone over for a post-wedding after party, you obviously need a fabulous outfit to change into!!  I am currently obsessed with the Elizabeth & James jacket and Alejandro Ingelmo wedge below, and think they would not only be amazing to rock with your wedding dress but also after with any of these little party dresses!!  And, p.s., all dresses below are available now at our new shop downstairs, Ground Floor!

Top L to R: elizabeth james, alejandro ingelmo, shoshanna, shoshanna, rebecca taylor, shoshanna

toodles,

Weekly Pinterest Board: Fabrege Egg

The ultimate in opulence and over the top style is the Fabrege egg. Made famous as the Russian jewelry design house that created encrusted curiosities for the Russian aristocracy. We've taken a cue from the intricate and delicate lines of these pieces, mixed in the eccentric over the top styling, and also gone back to the origin of the inspiration, the classically beautiful form of the egg itself. A little reminder of Easter eggs, spring chicken, the first blossoms of color after winter, and the sheer joy and exuberance of a sparkling gemstone!

{click here to see the board on pinterest}

The Dress Fit, a multiple step process

Since it's now officially alterations season, we've decided to start regularly sharing tips to guide you through the troubled waters of getting that "perfect fit" on your wedding dress. You know the not too loose, not to tight, touches the ground but doesn't drag, streamlined bustle, secure but lightweight beautiful fit. So, how does it happen?

Well, the great thing about wedding dresses is that they're designed to fit you the way garment "use to be made". That's right, the wistful longings of an era where off the rack didn't exist, everything was custom, and everything fit like a glove... it was a very different time with no numbers on the inside tag, and often no tag at all! So, how do we get there?

It all starts with the sample, that's what you try on first with us. Awkward, usually laughably huge or small, with clips, panels, and all kind of contraptions in the back to give you the best sense of what we're working with. This is the stage that requires the most imagination (and explanation) so you know what it'll ultimately look like on you. Most samples in a store will all be one size, and are really there to give you a sense of the big picture: fabric, shape, color, proportion. We talk through anything we see that won't be there on your dress (an off pucker or wear and tear) and help you visualize the end result. Once we've found the sample of the right style, we take measurements to find your size. Basically, we figure out the basic info to get a designer to give us a workable dress, a number size that coordinates with their patterns. That means nothing is too tight, the dress can hang naturally, line up on your body, and get its custom fit from there. Rarely if ever to dresses fit straight in from the designer, this is just to get us close so we can do the finish work with you. 

Then, it's on to alterations. This is really when the dress takes its final shape. Now that a brand new beautiful dress is on you, we can start adjusting everything. Nipping in a bust line, shortening the hem, setting a bustle. This is the custom fit part of your custom gown. It's all an art as opposed to a science, so often there will be choices and decisions to be made: take the hip in or leave it, french or english bustle, cup or no cup? There's not really a right answer, except that you want the fit that's the most secure, makes you feel the most beautiful, and doesn't fight what the designer made. Our seamstress matches the natural lines of the dress with the natural lines of your body, to create something that works for you. 

Things you should know: If certain elements are important to you in your dress, make sure they can be accomodated, and don't fight the design: low backs will usually mean less bust support, open backs definitely don't allow for a cinched waist. A light, floaty gown will not work skin tight and won't hold you in, a fitted gown will probably need to be hiked up a little to allow you to sit. Think of your seamstress as your guide through the wild world of custom garments, and let their expertise steer you in the right direction. And if something doesn't feel right, speak up, because they also won't automatically know if you need something just by looking at the outside of the dress. And in the end, you'll arrive with a beautifully cut dress that's truly been designed to fit you and only you. 

Stop the Insanity! A Practical Wedding

For those of us who are wedding "graduates" (are now happily married) we can probably point to a moment or two in the process where we kinda lost it. I've told a few people about my last minute freak-outs, including calling the Plaza (yeah, like THE Plaza, in NYC) at 11pm to find out if they could host something for us the following afternoon. Luckily no one laughed at loud at my request, and pleasantly informed me that there were no reservations available in the next 24 hours (ridiculous if you ask me) and so we carried on as planned, thank god!

There's something about the planning process that can turn us all a little nuts, and I decided that I didn't want to be part of the problem, I wanted to be part of the solution. So above and beyond making a point to make sure my brides really have a great time finding their dress, I've found my favorite site for my dose of daily zen cum inspiration, A Practical Wedding. 

Meg Keene's website dedicated to remembering that a wedding is a commencement ceremony, not a celebration of arriving at a certain day and having it look flawless, but a blessing to send people into a new, exciting phase of their lives. It's also a great place for wedding professionals  (like your friendly Anna Be staff) to remember that helping brides isn't about creating a frenzy and selling them on perfection, it's about celebrating their love and enjoying a memorable day with their friends and families. While it might not be as sprawling as the Knot, APW does offer loads of advice, from creative DIY wedding projects, to vendor recommendations and selection, to just a nice bit of advice about keeping your wedding manageable. 

And they host local meet-ups too! A great way to meet other like-minded brides and businesses that you can feel good supporting!

Minimoon and Maximoon - Go Big or Go Little Before you Go Home

Right after you've gone through everything that goes into planning a wedding, you feel like you could use a vacation. But, with big weddings, increasing budgets, or planning burnout, the honeymoon of your dreams may look a little different than you originally planned. Here are three classic honeymoon ideas for both the mini and the maxi budget, for both brides that need to get away from it all, and those that need to get back to work. 

The duration of your honeymoon is the biggest contributing factor, so closer destinations that allow for short trips will always save money, or consider taking a short trip now and a longer trip when you've saved back up some vacation time. 

#1 Wining and Dining:
If you're foodies, take the time to soak up the food life and make your meals the star of your honeymoon. 

Maxi - If you're looking for refined dining, fly as fast as you can to Western Europe. Consider a 3-country tour, The Italian countryside with its rustic dining and robust flavors, the high life of Parisian fair, bubbling over with champagne, and south to Spain for some spice. Bike through towns to find the finest, or indulge in European villas and chateaus and enjoy la dolce vita. 

Mini - Go "Sideways" through Napa wine country. Even a weekend at a little B&B will feel like another world after the hectic days leading up to a wedding. Tour the wineries, enjoy a few fabulous dinners with wine pairings, and enjoy lazy afternoons of picnics in the sunshine, or browsing through picture perfect towns. 

#2 Tropical Paradise:
Sea and sand never felt so good than after wedding stress. Let the sound of the sea melt it all away.

Maxi - Water in unreal blues and green surround the Pacific. From Fiji and Bali, to Tahiti, or domestically, Hawaii. Private rooms over the water, snorkeling, and diving. Or rent a private island and forget that the rest of the world exists (this is more affordable than one might think)!

Mini - To make the most of your short stay, just get to the nearest coast! Southern California has beautiful, romantic spots like Catalina Island or Malibu, and the East Coast offers everything from windswept beaches on North Carolina's outer banks, to the sizzle and nightlife of Miami heat!

#3 Out on the Town:
Get your cultural fix by savoring the city and all the hustle and bustle it has to offer.

Maxi - Nobody does big city culture like New York. And while it might not be the first place you think of when going big for a honeymoon, a penthouse with skyline views, dinner at super exclusive restaurants, and tickets to some of the best performances in the world will definitely make you feel like you're living large!

Mini - Consider cities you may never have thought about. Montreal is gorgeous (and cooler) all summer long with gorgeous shops, restaurants, festivals and culture (it's like a mini Paris). San Francisco has endless charm and is under 2 hours away! And Austin could be cool for a music loving couple who wants to hit the town every night!

12 Ways to Thank your Mom around your wedding

It's not easy to see your babies grow up, move on, and get married. And many moms struggle to find the right balance of involvement, while still deferring to your judgement, allowing you to make your own decisions. When you make your mom feel special and important, she much more likely to help the planning process in your wedding be smooth sailing, so in celebration of Mother's Day, here's 12 ways to honor mom at your wedding:

1. Speech - just saying a special thank you to mom at the wedding will make her feel honored and respected

2. One on one time - as much fun as it is to do things with your girlfriends, find a thing or two for just you an mom - from the florist appt to a mani/pedi

3. Editor and chief - include mom on proofreading your invites, use her keen eye to catch mistakes or omissions

4. Corsage - make sure she gets flowers too!

5. Remembering her - if your mom has passed on, consider including a remembrance of her sprit, and asking her to bless you as she watches

6. Let her help - if you and your mom have different tastes, don't marginalize her, give her a meaningful task that'll really help you!

7. Let her relax - don't make your mom your planner unless that's what she wants, often she'll just want to enjoy the day too, and rather spend quality time over coordinating little details

8. Present her with a present! A little bit of jewelry, some perfume, make sure she gets acknowledged along with everyone else

9. Include her special day - no doubt you've heard wedding stories from your mom. ask to borrow something from her day if she has it, or include pictures of both parents weddings at an event

10. Make her day - if you mom is crafty, enlist her help with some decorative items of the wedding, and make sure you mention how she made it every time someone comments on how lovely it looks

11. Don't just send them the bill - if your parents are paying, include a note of appreciation or thanks when you pass along an invoice, let them know you appreciate it every step of the way

12. Unite the moms - bring both moms together for a special date to make them comfortable with each other, and nip potential conflicts in the bud

Weekly Pinterest Board: French Polynesia

The approach of summer has us feeling a little tropical, but we wanted to keep a little French sophistication. Think unbelievable natural beauty, with the grace and elegance of the hand crafted. Beautiful backdrops, and refined details. This study in contrasts offers the best of both worlds. And if you can't make it there, just the spirit and joy of these vibrant colors can be inspiration for your local celebration!

{click here to see the board on pinterest}

12 Unique Gift Ideas for your Groom

Contrary to popular belief (and the majority of bridal magazines) a lot of guys get into wedding stuff. Think of how much they love hanging out with their friends; now they get to supply limitless alcohol, awesome food and music, and live the life for an evening... of course they'll get into it! So how do you celebrate your man and thank him for getting into this whole wedding thing. Here's a dozen ideas of things to get your new husband (and yes, saying "husband" is kinda weird, exciting and scary all at the same time)

1 celebreality: so maybe he doesn't watch E News with the same passion that you do, but I bet he has his idols or heros. If he's got a movie star man-crush, see if you can get to a Hollywood premiere. Or find out how possibly it is to get to a preseason game and meet and greet with his favorite team.

2 grooms cake: if you weren't planning on having a groom's cake, it could be an awesome surprise. i've seen everything from a Yoda cake (delivered by Storm Troopers no less) to school colors, and more. And if he didn't get his favorite flavor on the main cake, let him have his thing on his very own cake!

photo credit - Tee & Cakes {boulder}

photo credit - phoenix spirit

3 a "proper" shave: treat him to a little grooming. if he's never had a warm lather, straight razor, real barbershop shave experience, this is a great time to introduce him to the idea of pampering... i cannot be held responsible if it becomes as regular as your manicures. Try Metroboom here in town.

photo credit

4 "his day" on your honeymoon:  surprise him with a special event while on your honeymoon that he's super into; a special snorkeling trip, tickets to a game, the best bbq place in southeast asia (i'm sure it exists). celebrate him with his very own day right after the wedding.

5 first edition: is he an avid reader? memorializing his favorite book be finding a real deal first edition would mean a lot. even better if you can get the author signature!

photo credit

6 Put (another) ring on it: a jewelry exchange on the wedding day is common, and the default for guys is often watches. it's a great option, but if you want to do something a little more special, think about getting him a ring for his right hand. my mother reset a hematite for my dad that had originally belonged to his grandfather, and he would have worn it in place of his wedding band he loved it so much!

7 man-appliances: while surprising you with a vacuum or dishwasher doesn't cut it for any bride post-"Leave it to Beaver" era, getting him an awesome powertool or ridiculous kitchen appliance might be perfect. The world's most powerful waffle iron? A jig-saw?

8 his suit/tux: even if it'll make an appearance once a year for your anniversary dinner, getting him into custom will help him look and feel his best. there's nothing like having the perfect fit, right? Again, we suggest Metroboom here in town.

9 a tree grows in...your yard: for the eco-logically minded, the symbol of a tree, a new growth, a new beginning could be the right gift your your home together. help him sharpen his pruning skills and give him something that'll last for decades to come.

photo credit - Melissa Beck Photography

10 His favorite liquor, all year long: did your guy get super excited that he'd finally get to splurge on armagnac? did he get a special bottle to celebrate with his groomsmen? Make a monthly gift of the good stuff for your first year, and celebrate your monthiversarys all year long.

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11 The unexpected guest: this is a tricky one to get right, but if he has a friend who wasn't going to be able to attend, see if you can sneak him in. pay for a buddy's plane ticket or get his old college roommate in for the wedding. remember, make sure he'll be 100% glad to see him, but not so glad he'll be more excited about that than getting married.

12 a journal of your wedding experience: men are not completely devoid of sentiment, and if the planning process has been rocky, give him your notes from every day of the journey. Let him know how much you've loved him through every disagreement, joy, mistake, triumph, last minute change, and trying time. And let him know that that these memories are what make your life together special. There are somethings that money just can't buy.

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Spring Market 2012 | Intro

Whew! Just starting to feel settled back in after a whirlwind trip to NYC. Not only did we experience one of the best markets in a long time (seriously beautiful dresses coming soon! well, soon like in 3-7 months), but we experienced amazing weather and perfect few days in the city.

Part 1: Want Some Fries With That Shake?  We start off with seeing an entirely red collection (don't worry, you can get these in ivory) at Vera Wang. As usual Vera took our breath away and wowed us with innovative fabric and hand-detailing techniques. Then, we get to walk right across the street to a sunny park and enjoy the Shake Shack.  Nothing like a burger, fries, and a milkshake to get us energized for viewing the Monique Lhuillier gowns.  Good thing we ate well, we burned off some much energy practically jumping up and down with glee at these gowns. So very pretty and one in particular was Bre's favorite from the trip. 

{Click here for Part 1 - Monique Lhuillier & Vera Wang}

Part 2: Losing Our Minds Over Illusions: Is it the Kate effect? We're not for sure, but we were certainly loving the illusion necklines, sheer backs, and playfulness that we saw with lace and necklines. Two designers that really did this right were Lela Rose and Modern Trousseau. Love, love, love the new gown that is coming in from Lela and our appointment was made that much more fun since we shared it with one of our other favorite bridal boutiques, Hitched in DC. 

{Click here for Part 2 - Lela Rose & Modern Trousseau}

Part 3: Diving Into the Day: We had a limited amount of time on this trip, next time we need to add at least a day! Took the earliest flight out of Denver, followed by a terrifying taxi ride only to land at the Piers. The Piers is a central location where many top designers gather to meet with buyers. And while we love seeing individual designer's showrooms, it sure is convenient to meet a few folks all in one central spot especially when they greet you with champagne (thanks Nicole!). At the Piers we were able to check out new styles from both Nicole Miller and Watters. 

{Click here for Part 3 - Nicole Miller & Watters}

Part 4: Whimsical Details: Two of our more boutique designers Ivy & Aster and Junko Yoshioka wowed us with collections that really focused on the details and interesting fabrications. How sweet are these cardigans and sweaters from Ivy & Aster - perfect for a chilly mountain evening! And you can't quite tell, but Junko Yoshioka had the penthouse in the Hotel Gansevoort - it was our own Kardashian moment. 

{Click here for Part 4 -Ivy & Aster & Junko Yoshioka}

Part 5: Ayes for the A's: For anyone who has ever wondered how do we decide on which dresses we bring into the shop, well it's part science, part gut, and part duking it out over favorites between us! And the collections at Alvina Valenta and Augusta Jones had both us voting aye on many a dress! 

{Click here for Part 5 - Alvina Valenta & Augusta Jones}

Spring Market 2012 | New line - Temperly London

It's a British Invasion in the fashion world and anna be is on board! We could not be more excited to be picking up Temperley London. Temperely Bridal is just making its way to the States and anna be will be one of the first boutiques, and the only in Colorado, to be carrying these gorgeous dresses. True luxury fabrics, the very best in beading and embroidery, yet there is a simplicity and almost boho quality to the dresses. It's no wonder that this designer graces every red carpet event and is a favorite of none other than Kate. 

 

Spring Market 2012 | Part 1

MONIQUE LHUILLIER:

VERA WANG:

Spring Market 2012 | Part 2

LELA ROSE:

 

 MODERN TROUSSEAU:

Spring Market 2012 | Part 3

NICOLE MILLER:

WATTERS:

Spring Market 2012 | Part 4

IVY & ASTER:

JUNKO YOSHIOKA: