Style to the Aisle - Attention MD/DC/VA Brides

To all of our brides in the MD/DC/VA area, we wanted to make you aware of a very special event coming your way! On April 29th, 2012 at 3pm you can be a part of a special runway event that will benefit the national charity we support, Wish Upon a Wedding. This event is a bridal fashion event created to showcase some of the hottest trends in bridal fashion and you will see some of our best selling styles on the catwalk! Style For the Aisle is where you want to be on April 29th!

This will be a great afternoon for brides and their girlfriends to mingle, sip cocktails, enjoy tasty hors d' oeuvres and preview some great fashion that will be coming down the white carpet! What else can you do at this unique event? How about a makeup tips and tricks area and swag bags with booty for your beauty! It sounds like SO much fun! Don't miss this event! Get your tickets here now!

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Wish Upon a Wedding Organization which grants wedding wishes to couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances regardless of sexual orientation.

Photo Booth Fun!

The image gallery from the photo booth are up! Wow! So much fun looking through all the images and the silly shots! Here are a few of my favorites:

Your silly staff of bridal consultants at Bonny Bridal: Erica, Alicia and Mallorie:

Diana (general manager at Bonny), Bella (daughter of store manager) and Helen (customer service):

Bella with Emily (accounts receivable)

Suzanne (customer service) and Ivette (shipping supervisor)

Jerry and Esther Lu, owners of Bonny Bridal

Kerrie (store manager) and Michelle Gregory, owner of the Jones Victorian Estate in Orange, CA

Diana (general manager) and her niece Amanda

 Two of my most favorite people: Ashley from Ashley Bee Photography and Michelle Gregory from the Jones Victorian Estate

To view the complete album of images from the photo booth please click here! Thanks again to All Star Photo Booth, Monica and Josh (the fun makers)

Grand Opening Gala - Recap, Thank You and Winners!

We would like to thank everyone who came out to the Grand Opening Gala for our Flagship retail bridal salon on Saturday, February 18, 2012! We were thrilled to show off our new store to our friends, family and brides in Orange County! Thank you all for coming out and celebrating with us. We would also like to thank all the amazing vendors who helped make the day extra special for our guests. The girls and I were able to draw the names for the raffle prizes that were up for grabs on Sunday evening. We would like to congratulate the following:

Grand Prize: Bonny Bridal Gown - Corina S.
Antique Brooch Bouquet from Blue Petyl: Serena H.
"Lucy" hair piece from Tessa Kim: Jenny B.
"Neva" hair piece from Tessa Kim: Estrella P. 
Engagement photo session from Ashley Bee Photography: Kelly M.
$100 Gift Certificate from My Cake Plate: Mabel T.
$100 Gift Certificate from My Cake Plate: Angelica S.
"Mrs" Wire Wedding Hanger from Lila Frances: Jodi B.
Little Birdie Necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs: Erin L.
Bold Love Necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs: Lauren H. 
Lots of Love Necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs: Gina C.
$1000 Gift Certificate to Lucero Photography with purchase of photography/videography package: Fran W.
$50 Gift Certificate from Buca di Beppo: Nikole M.
Full Package of Wedding Goodies: Dollie J.
Includes:
Engagement Session from Jeannie Dahlhausen Photography
Full face engagement makeup for photo and wedding trial makeup from Makeup by Yvette
Free Wedding Website from Mangrolia
Full Day of Wedding Coordination and Complete Wedding Planning package from Kays Inspired Events & Stylish Event Design

Congratulations to all the winners!

We also need to thank all the vendors who were here to support us and make sure that the guests had a great time! These vendors made the Gala so much fun and pictures will be available soon!

• Ashley Bee is a Southern California wedding photographer (she does family and senior portraits too!). Ashley has worked with us on several projects. We always feel blessed when she agrees to work with us because she has a talented eye and captures all the amazing memories for us! Ashley took a ton of photos and documented the day and I can not wait to see all the great photos she captured! Ashley Bee Photography - http://ashleybee.net
• We had the most amazing servers strolling through the store with yummy food from Anders Catering. My favorite item was the pulled pork sliders (yum!) but, I know everyone else was loving the white truffle mac 'n cheese cups, the coconut fried shrimp, crab cakes, merlot beef tips over gorgonzola mashed potatoes and so much more! The food was amazing and we would just like to say a HUGE thank you to Larry and the sweet staff from Anders Catering! http://www.anderscatering.com
• We received the most amazing flowers from Fullerton florist Flower Allie. Allison and her team are the preferred florist for Bonny Bridal - http://www.flowerallie.com/
• The husband and wife team from All Star Photo Booth were the HIT of the event with everyone! They are so FUN and every time I looked over someone was waiting for their turn in the photo booth! Photo booths are a must have at your wedding (or any event!) and if you are local to Southern California All Star Photo Booth is a must-book vendor! http://www.allstarphotobooth.com
• Hiring a DJ for your event can be pretty tricky. I know from experience! When I booked the DJ for my own wedding I was really happy when we interviewed him but, I was so disappointed the day of my wedding. I know how important it is to find a GREAT DJ. Chris, the owner and operator of Silver Disc Entertainment is so much fun! I am a HUGE fan and I know you will be too! http://www.silverdiscentertainment.com
• Leanne from Sugar Shack Baking Co. created an amazing (and delicious) 3-tier wedding cake for our event. The girls and I had fun cutting the first slice together. Each tier was a different flavor and Leanne, who noticed I always have a Starbucks coffee with me, made the bottom tier Chocolate cake with an Espresso mousse filling! That is attention to detail! Thank you so much Leanne - http://www.sugarshackbakingco.com. A new friend to us here at Bonny Bridal is My Cake Plate. They are friends with Leanne and they provided the gorgeous stone cake stand that Leanne's cake was displayed on. As with many special wedding items, this concept came about when the owners daughter was getting married and they wanted a special memento of their day - something that could be used again in their new home as Mr and Mrs. The stone cake stands are now available for all brides to use on their big day.
• Judy, the owner of Classic Candy Buffet, has a knack for putting together amazing candy displays! She has this GORGEOUS bling table that the multiple candy jars sit on. The display fit right in with our store! I know everyone enjoyed their little treat bag, based on the line of people I always saw talking with her, that just proves that Candy Buffets are still a hit with guests - http://www.classiccandybuffet.com
• I met Kay last year when she created some delicious push cakes and cake pops for my daughter's birthday party. I asked Kay if she would make up some of her delicious cake pops for our guests and she delivered! The lovely cake pops were chocolate cake, dipped in white chocolate and decorated with little white balls and, of course, a little red heart that ties in with our Bonny Bridal logo! We had this awesome cake pop stand made from Etsy seller Mcreations4u to display the cake pops. Kays Kupcakes makes fresh, delicious cupcakes as well as cake pops and she is also one of the hosts of Cupcake Camp OC - a grassroots organization that brings together cupcake lovers and cupcake bakers to raise money for their charity, Children of the Night. http://kayskupcakescakery.weebly.com

We would also like to thank: Blue Petyl, Tessa Kim, Lila Frances, Lisa Leonard Designs, Sally at Buca di Beppo in Brea, Jeannie Dahlhausen Photography, Mangrolia, Kays Inspired Events, Stylish Event Design Designer Specialty Linens and Create-A-Party rentals!

The Magic Room - a Novel by Jeffrey Zaslow - Win a signed copy!

We have a special treat for all of our friends and fans! We were contacted by Jeffrey Zaslow, author of a new book titled "The Magic Room". He traveled to Fowler, MI and our retail partner, Becker's Bridal set the stage for this book. Within the pages of this book you will read about love, life and what goes on behind the scenes - how each and every bride who walks into a bridal salon has a story. More importantly, you will read stories just like yours...about women who are taking the same steps you are...what a journey it is on the road down the aisle! 


As a special gift, we are giving away a signed copy of the The Magic Room! Just leave a comment about your visit to the magic room - because every store has one. The room where you look into the mirror the first time and you feel it...you see it...you have finally gotten to that moment...you are a bride!



About Becker's Bridal: Becker's is located in Fowler, Michigan. It is a town with more wedding dresses (2,500) than residents (1,100).The store has remained in the same family since it was founded in 1934. Becker's Bridal is run by a daughter, her mother, her grandmother, and her great–grandmother. Becker's has carried Bonny Bridal gowns for many years and we are so thrilled to share with our friends and fans their very special story.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK!

HOW TO ENTER

• Leave a message on this post about the 1st time you saw yourself as a bride

This giveaway will end on: January 21st, 2012 at 6pm PST and the winner will be posted and contacted shortly there after! If we do not hear from the winner within 3 days, another winner will be chosen. PLEASE, make sure you leave me a way to contact you!!

What you win: A signed copy of The Magic Room, a novel by Jeffrey Zaslow

Value of giveaway: $27.00

Shipping Charges: Included

This giveaway is open to US RESIDENTS only!

Good luck to everyone and thank you for sharing your stories with us!

Bid Your Wish For Wedded Bliss - Final Update

A HUGE thank you is being sent out to all of our wonderful friends and fans who helped raise money for the national charity we support, Wish Upon a Wedding. 

Bid Your Wish For Wedded Bliss is the yearly auction fundraiser for Wish Upon a Wedding. All proceeds of the auction are used to help grant wedding wishes to couples who are facing a terminal illness or other life altering circumstance. Bidding ended on October 31, 2011 and the tally is in! With your help Wish Upon a Wedding earned a whooping:

$35,724 

We are so grateful to everyone who participated in this auction - the vendors who generously donated items and to the 1000's of folks who bid on the items! Your winning bid will be helping grant wishes and, well, that's pretty awesome!!

We donated a wedding gown - ANY wedding gown from 1 of our 4 collections. The winning bidder was Dana H. She will get her pick of any Bonny Bridal gown from:

• Essence, our couture bridal collection
• Bonny Classic, the collection that started it all!
• Unforgettable, our award winning plus size collection
• Bliss, our modest collection 

We look forward to working with Dana and can't wait to find out which dress she chooses for the BIG DAY! We are lucky that we get to follow Dana (and all our awesome brides) down the aisle! 

San Francisco Brides - You could save $13k on your wedding!

If you live in San Francisco you can plan most of your wedding using items donated to Wish Upon a Wedding! It starts with your wedding at the Ralston Hall Mansion on a  Friday evening in June or July, 2012. Up to 200 guests can be invited to this gorgeous venue. 

Now that your location has been chosen, the date set, it's time to get more details checked off your list! You have found your perfect Bonny Bridal wedding gown for the big day.

Start your day by getting your hair and make up done.The Glamourist will come and get you and 4 other girls ready for the big day. 

You've met with some photogrpahers who will capture the images of the big day! Photos by Sabrina has a photojournalistic style...she tells a story, not in words but with pictures:

Jodie Fisher Photography also has a photojournalistic style,with a modern flair. Her wedding photography package also includes an engagement session. 

In addition to your photography you don't want to miss one minute of the action! So, you have decided its a good idea to hire a videography company. You have two to choose from: Newman Media or Cinematt. It's a big decision, just like any decision you will make for your wedding. The videographer will capture the moments you don't see - the guests arriving while you are tucked away, waiting to make your grand entrance, the wishes and thoughts from your guests, even your own thoughts of the big day...all moments that you will be able to look back on as the years go by and later share with your children.

Another important decision you will need to make for the big day is who will marry you? Do you have a favorite pastor or perhaps a special family friend? If not, you might think of looking to a professional officiant. Luminous Events will work with you to create the perfect ceremony for your big day and they will make your wedding official in front of all your friends and family.

So, let's get down to the cost of your wedding. Here is the break down of what your wedding day would cost you:

• Wedding for 200 at the Ralston Mansion - 6500.00
• Bonny Bridal Wedding Gown - 1600.00
• Hair and Makeup for 5 people - 1750.00
• Photography - 1600.00 (Photos by Sabrina) or 1500.00 (Jodie Fisher Photography)
• Videography - 4000.00 (CineMatt) or 2500.00 (Newman Media)
• Professional Officiant - 650.00

Your grand total would be about $16,100

(Depending on which professional you went with for the photography/videography). 

But, you have decided to Bid Your Wish For Wedded Bliss using the auctions available helping Wish Upon a Wedding! 

The amount you would pay for all of the above services (as of this posting) are:

• Wedding for 200 at the Ralston Mansion - 1500.00
• Bonny Bridal Wedding Gown - 320.00
• Hair and Makeup for 5 people - 125.00
• Photography - 149.00 (Photos by Sabrina) or 149.00 (Jodie Fisher Photography)
• Videography - 270.00 (CineMatt) or 250.00 (Newman Media)
• Professional Officiant - 49.00

Your grand total would be about $2413.00

(Depending on which professional you went with for the photography/videography). 

You could save a WHOPPING $13,687.00 from your wedding on just these few items. Of course, you will have other costs involved in your wedding (catering, bar service, flowers, cake, etc). But, your budget at this price for 200 guests is about $12.07 per person. WOW. It makes me want to get married again! 

I hope all brides - no matter where you are - will check out the auctions! You will get an incredible deal based on the generous donations from wedding vendors and you will be helping Wish Upon a Wedding with their mission: to grant wedding wishes to couples facing a terminal illness or other life altering circumstance.

Happy planning...and please let us know if you take advantage of these wedding deals! We would love to hear ALL about your wedding!

Bid Your Wish For Wedded Bliss!

On my gosh...where did the time go? You have, as of this writing, only 6 days left to bid your wish for wedded bliss - helping out Wish Upon a Wedding with their annual online fundraiser. Vendors across the US have donated items for you to bid on...things you will need for your big day! There are so many wonderful items...and DEALS!! We have donated a wedding gown - any wedding gown you choose! Right now, the bid on our auction is up to $320.00. What dress is YOUR dress? 

Style 8106, for example, is a very popular gown in our Essence Collection with a suggested retail price of $1625.00. You could choose this gown - and save over 70%...wow...what a serious deal! 

Style 8106

But, it's not just about getting a good deal - it's about doing a good thing! You winning any auction will help Wish Upon a Wedding continue to grant wedding wishes to terminally ill couples or couples who are facing life altering circumstances that prevent them from having a wedding. We are very proud supporters of Wish Upon a Wedding and we are committed to helping them with their mission...and we hope you will join us! 

Happy Birthday to Blush Weddings in South Africa!

Blush Weddings is owned by mother and daughter team, Penny and Claire. They believe that choosing your wedding gown should be fun and exciting. When you make an appointment with them you will get a professional one on one consultation. Penny and Claire are passionate about what they do and they will look after you every step of the way!  We are so happy to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on this special day and we look forward to celebrating many more with you!


Contact:

Website: Telephone:		http://www.blushweddings.co.za 011 264 2793
Email:		info@blushweddings.co.za
Visit their boutique at:		Shop S011 Linksfield Terrace Shopping Centre Linksfield Road Edenvale Just off the N3 Motorway
Contact CLAIRE directly:		082 392 0189 or claire@blushweddings.co.za
Contact PENNY directly:		082 456 4230 or penny@blushweddings.co.za

Winery Wedding: Keyways Winery of Temecula

On a gorgeous, sunny Southern California day wedding photographer Ashley Bee set off for Keyways Winery in Temecula. She writes: "A tufted blue velvet couch and an empty garden. An ivory gown and shimmery golden heals. A pretty girl with a big dream. Every girl wants a love story, and hers was to be written." Thank you Ashley for these gorgeous pictures of style 112. We loved working with you on this shoot - and we look forward to seeing much more of your creative style in the future...just stunning!

Style 112 from the Bonny Classic Collection

This gorgeous headpiece was created by La Couture Amore

Ashley, "The bee", is a gentle soul with an amazing talent. She captures beauty and grace because it's what she is. Talk to her and you will see what we mean. She has a heart full of love and it enables her to capture it with a camera...a moment saved forever in a picture. Ashley shoots all over Southern California and, well, pretty much anywhere in the world! Have camera, will travel. Visit her website and blog to see more of her work and connect with her...you will be happy you did (we sure are!)

Venue: Keyways Winery / Wedding Photographer: Ashley Bee Photography/ Wedding Dress: Bonny Bridal style 112 from the Bonny Classic Collection/ Headpiece: La Couture Amore

Wish Upon a Wedding: Nominated for Charity of the Year!

We have just been notified that the charity we support, Wish Upon a Wedding, has been nominated for Charity of the Year! We send our heartfelt congratulations to them for just being nominated - what an honor! But, we can help them win! Wish Upon a Wedding grants wedding wishes to couples who are facing a terminal illness or other life altering circumstance. Bonny Bridal has supported WUW since the beginning! We are a wish granter for our local Southern California chapter, and we have been able to grant two wedding wishes so far by helping the brides find their wedding gown for their special day!

With more than 2,000 nominations submitted, this year's CLASSY Awards judges had their work cut out for them. For the past 2 weeks, they've been reading some of the most incredible stories about people and organizations working tirelessly to change the world. Today, it was announced that Wish Upon a Wedding was selected as one of the Top 25 Finalists in the prestigious category of CHARITY OF THE YEAR!

From now until August 26th at 11:59 p.m. EST, anyone can visit www.classyawards.org and vote once per category for their favorite Finalists. You can help Wish Upon a Wedding by clicking the link below. It only takes a minute, and we would be so grateful for your help!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

Good luck to ALL the finalists!

Blissful Wishes Ball - Save The Date

Bonny Bridal gratefully supports the non-profit charity Wish Upon a Wedding. WUW grants wedding wishes to couples who are facing life altering circumstances, including terminal illnesses. It has been our honor to fulfill two wedding wishes in our local area - providing the wedding gowns for Sandra and Lisa. Wish Upon a Wedding holds a major fund raising event each year called the Blissful Wishes Ball - a black tie event that is open to wedding professionals as well as the general public. We just received notice that the Southern California Blissful Wishes Ball will take place on September 21, 2011 for ticket information click here. The magical evening is taking place at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California. We will continue to provide updates on the event - as well as the online auction that coordinates with the event. Last year, we donated a wedding gown for the online auction - which was won by a local bride - Velvet, who just got married - you will get to know her and see her amazing wedding pictures soon! 

Featuring  a Special Design Challenge

of

Royal - Inspired  Vinyettes 

from Around the World.

Wednesday September 21, 2011.

Richard Nixon Library

Yorba Linda California

FOR MORE INFO ON PARTICIPATING IN THE DESIGN CHALLEGE OR EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES,
Please contact: laevents@wishuponawedding.org

TABLE of 8 SPONSORSHIP INFO:

PLATINUM - $1,500

Logo listed on eventbrite and event collateral
Logo listed in program 
Special name WUW ribbons 
Exclusive Seating 
Logo on table tent in lieu of number or table name 
Guaranteed gift bag at each seat of table 
An extra 5 minutes at end of Silent Auction close 
2 bottles of wine at table 
Mentioned verbally when thanking sponsors (at respective level) 
Waived gift bag inclusion fee 
Can take centerpiece home 
Custom sponsor level ‘button’ for your webpage or blog
Listing in Advetorial

GOLD- $1,000

Company or Individual name listed on eventbrite and event collateral 
Company or Individual name listed in program 
Special name WUW ribbons 
VIP Seating 
Company or Individual name on table tent in lieu of number or table nameGuaranteed gift bag at each seat of table 
Mentioned verbally when thanking sponsors (at respective level) 
Custom sponsor level ‘button’ for your webpage or blog 
Listing in Advetorial

Bonny Bridal Launches New Website!

We've got some BIG news today!

Our new website has finally launched! Check it out and let us know what you think.

Our completely new and improved website is LIVE after months of preparation. The new site features many useful tools, such as an interactive chat feature, better search features: you can now search by:


SILHOUETTE
WAIST 
NECKLINE
BACK 
SLEEVES
FABRIC 

We have also changed the way you can view the dresses - you can view all on one page, there is a zoom feature and also we have added an interactive catalog! 

We invite our friends and fans to sign up for our promotions and contests! Be the first to know about what is going on! You will find a newsletter section, a re-designed "About Us" and so much more! 

For our retailers: We are still working on improvements to your area! We have listened to your feedback and we are making things a lot easier for you! Stay tuned for more information. 


This was a huge undertaking and we know there are bound to be some kinks to work out - so if you notice something please make sure you let us know...we value your feedback and have tried really hard to create the website you all have been asking for so, we hope you love it!

Check out the new and improved Bonny Bridal today!

 http://www.bonny.com

Wish Upon a Wedding - Lisa and Doug - Part 2

In part 1 of this story - you got the background leading up to Lisa and Doug's wedding day - which took place on May 26th, 2011. We asked Lisa to tell us about her feelings and we recently just got a "thank you" card from her that read:


"The dress was the most important thing on my list. I was anxious and nervous about finding the perfect dream dress. When I took one look at your website of gowns I felt a sense of relief as every gown was stunning and beautiful. When I went to try the dresses on I fell in love with my gown. Everyone loved it! When I took it to David's Bridal to buy a slip other people wanted to buy it. Everyone loved all the details, the beading and especially the train! When the wedding day came I could not wait to put it on. Wearing it I felt amazing and more beautiful than ever! I love that dress! I had it boxed because all I wanted to do after the wedding was wear it and looking at it just brings back that day and all of the amazing moments of my wedding. I thank you and all of Bonny Bridal for your generosity and for giving me such a stunning dress and making my dreams and wishes come true. With much love and thanks, Lisa Wang May 26, 2011 Wish Upon a Wedding"

Many vendors worked in the quick time frame to put this gorgeous wedding together! The photographer, Jim Kennedy Photography, were able to capture so many beautiful images of the special day!

Venue: Bella Collina / Caterer: Jay’s Catering / Wedding Planner: Once Upon a Time Weddings & Special Events / Wedding Photographer: Jim Kennedy Photographers / Wedding Videographer: New Classic Films / Floral Design: Fantasy Floral / Officiant: Rich Anderson / Wedding Invitations: Paper and Thread / Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Sweet Fuss / Wedding Cakes: Sweet Gems / Photobooth: Shutterbooth/ Favors: Dough a Deer / DJ: Vive Entertainment / Rentals: Fusion Linens / Linens: Wildflower Linens / Wedding Dress: Bonny Bridal / Hair Accessory: The Wedding Pantry / Groomsmen Attire: Friar Tux / Ring Bearer Pillow + Flower Girl Basket: Bella Bambino /Cake Stand: Raise the Cake / Veil Weights:The Pampered Bride / Calligraphy: Calligraphy Katrina / Hanky: L’il Inspirations