Young Love - Cinemagraphs

Thumbing through all the Wedding ideas, we came across a very different but interesting way to display your photo. It's so cool, we couldn't help but share. This new technology is called Cinemagraphs. It's a way to take 'stills' to move. MailOnline say, " The 'cinemagraphs' look like a still photo but actually feature a subtle area of movement designed to grab your eye and keep looking. The effect is slightly eerie - but utterly captivating.

New York-based Miss Beck told The Atlantic magazine: ‘There's something magical about a still photograph - a captured moment in time - that can simultaneously exist outside the fraction of a second the shutter captures.

‘We feel there are many exciting applications for this type of moving image.

‘There's movement in everything and by capturing that plus the great things about a still photograph you get to experience what a video has to offer without the time commitment a video requires.’

She added that sharing websites such as Tumblr have been essential for helping them publish their work and getting them an audience.

Here is the still photo. Click on the link to see it in action. Would you consider doing something like this for your wedding? What do you think of this new technology?

Remember those moving photos in Harry Potter? Well, now it's real. Cinemagraphs is a new technology to take ‘stills’ that move. - via Ellie's Bridal Blog

Other photos and further details, check out MailOnline or the artist's cinemegraphs page from From Me To You.

Dream Dress Givaway

We just can't help ourselves. We are so excited to share with you a way to win your dream wedding gown! Registertoday to win with Stella York on Wedding Wire before it's too late!

Giveaway Ends: February 8, 2013

Ellie's Bridal Boutique, will have a Stella York Trunk Show on March 9th and 10th! Make your appointments today to try on the gowns before the limited appointments are taken.

January 18-20 — Justin Alexander Trunk Show

We love Justin Alexander for their Quality, Style and Amazing Prices!

Quality!

Justin Alexander gowns are incredibly well made for real woman and they know how to show off women's curves the way we want them to. The quality of wedding gowns starts at the beginning. They’re made of high-quality fabrics — real lace, simple cottons, and elegant silks — and just the right amount of intricate crystals and bead work.

Justin Alexander Trunk Show - January 18-20 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Justin Alexander Trunk Show - January 18-20 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Style!

As much as we love Justin Alexander gowns, we know also know that they are not for every bride -- which is a good thing! These gowns are about mixing the daring and unique with classic, timeless tradition; the vintage with the contemporary; and glamor with elegance. Are you a Justin Alexander bride?

wedding-dress-justin-alexander-spring-2013-8651-3.jpg
Justin Alexander Trunk Show - January 18-20 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Pricing!

Justin Alexander wants their gowns to be accessible for every bride. They are so stylish. Justin Alexander is classic with a modern twist. Most of their gowns prices range from about $1,200 to $2,200 but they look like they would be more than $10,000! You get such great quality at such an affordable price, it's difficult not to fall in love with this collection.

Justin Alexander Trunk Show - January 18-20 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Justin Alexander Trunk Show - January 18-20 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Call 703-683-VOWS (8697) to make an appointment with us today, and be sure to book your appointment now for Justin Alexander Trunk Show in just a few weeks. This collection has such a variety of styles and shapes, it'll be difficult not to fall in love all over again one you try on these gowns.

Trunk Shows Explained

What is a Trunk Show? Has anyone heard of what a bridal Trunk Show is? And why go to one anyway? The term "trunk show" comes from the old days when designers used to carry their entire collection (yes, in trunks!) and provide personal consultations while receiving feedback directly from their consumers.

Trunk Shows Explained – via Ellie's Bridal Blog

Most salons carry only select pieces from any particular collection. During a trunk show, you have the opportunity to see a designer's latest collection in its entirety. If you already know that you are in love with a particular designer it is definitely worth researching if they are advertising any upcoming trunk shows. Trunk shows are usually the only time a boutique will have every gown from a collection available for you to view.

Depending on the designer and time of year, the other benefit to attending a trunk show is that you get to see and try on gowns before most other boutiques can even order them. For the bride that is a dazzling fashionista at heart and values that fashion forward edge, the opportunity to view and order gowns a full season before their official release could be priceless in itself. However, designers won't always tell the salon that they are sending along the unreleased collection so often that part is a surprise!

This is your Royal moment. Take advantage of having designer experts find your dream gown -- it's how the Royals have down it throughout history.

Want to attend a Trunk Show? Ellie's Bridal Boutique will host several in 2013. Appointments are required to attend these events.

Spring Events: January 18-20 -- Justin Alexander Trunk Show March 9-10 -- Stella York Trunk Show

**During trunk shows, brides will get a 10-20% discount on any gown ordered by the designer featuring during the event -- so bring some trusted opinions!**

Sample Sales: Disarming Doubts

Despite popular belief, there is NO such thing as “too big.” With our custom alterations, we’ll make your gown look like it was made just for you. We even have a few tricks up our sleeves to make a gown a couple sizes bigger, too. Our fantastic Alterations team took Ruth’s sample size 12 down to about a size 6!! We were so glad to see she felt comfortable enough for some good old-fashioned bed jumping for her post-ceremony celebration.

Want to make design changes? No problem, our in house alterations department are experts on customizing wedding gowns. Our magic-making Alterations team was able to turn Denise’s strapless sample gown into a form-fitting stunner with detachable straps to fit the mood for both her Catholic ceremony and party-all-night reception!

Click here to see just a few of our veteran brides who recently went From Sample Sale to Wedding Day, and check us out on Pinterest for just a few (seriously, we have way more) of the things we have for you on sale.

Retailer Perspective: Shopping at Bridal Market

How do we shop for bridal dresses for our boutique? What kinds of things do we look for and think about? Much of the process is just like how you would shop for own bridal gown. We are always mindful of quality, price, style and design because we want what our brides want. On the other hand, we are shopping for other people and not ourselves. We are expected to read the minds and tastes of people we have yet to meet and be cognizant of fashion trends a year in advance. So what do we look for? This shouldn't come as a surprise, but often it's simply a matter of you asking us. This past season we thought Ellie's Bridal Boutique had plenty of gowns with keyhole backs to choose from. Brides kept asking for more. We listened. So we will be welcoming Casablanca 2102 (Below: top left) for its keyhole back. On facebook Rachel asked for "lace paired with other fabrics." Even though just one bride asked specifically, we listened to that, too. And so we will soon welcome Casablanca 2108 (Below: top right) for its mixture of lace and tulle fabrics. We even picked out Mikaella 1763 (Below: bottom left) for its keyhole back AND lace straps on satin skirt. Nikki requested "tulle skirts with sparkle... as opposed to sparkly skirts typically being satin." We are proud to now feature Justin Alexander 8638 (Below: bottom right), a gown with ruched tulle covering sequin, which arrived in our store just last week! We got a variety of gowns based on your feedback. You'll just have to wait to see the rest as they trickle into our store over the next few months!

Casablanca 2108 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Casablanca 2102 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Mikaella 1763 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Justin Alexander 8638 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Probably one of the most obvious factors is allowing variety in our selection. We have heard so many brides proclaim, "I want the top of Dress A with the bottom of Dress B!" Our main goal here is to find a feature that brides love in a gown, then give them options to have that. About two years ago, when the strapless trend was still at its height, we decided to bring in something a little different with Justin Alexander 8530 (Below: left image). While we had several necklines to start, the bateau received the most compliments. Unfortunately, the only gowns in our store with that neckline were more fitted sheath or trumpet gowns. It was only natural that we expanded the selection. So as soon we laid eyes on Justin Alexander 8630 (Below: right image) we instantly knew that it had to be part of our collection. In fact, it also arrived in our boutique last week!

Justin Alexander 8530 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Justin Alexander 8630 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

There are so many other details we need to think about when deciding which gowns to bring into our salon. I'll elaborate more on how we think about gown quality, alteration capability, our past experience and reputation, and a host of other factors that come into play at later date. In the meantime, just know that we truly have your interests heart. This is your special day and we really do want to make you feel like you can have it all and turn your dreams into a reality.

And if you haven't already, definitely check out this post for more Spring 2013 previews.