So, its’ been well documented here how much we just LOVE Heather Waraksa and her work. But Heather is not just a photographer, she is a true artist, in the best sense of the word. She pushes herself, is creative in every aspect of her life, has an open and sensitive heart and very high standards. She’s an outstanding photographer. So, when she and Jonathan got engaged, after we asked what we could do to help, we of course asked “Who are you going to have shoot it?” Not surprisingly, she chose the incomparable Angelica Glass, just named to American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographer’s of 2012. We are working with Angela on a destination wedding this summer and, when I saw Heather’s engagement shots, I just got so excited! They absolutely CAPTURE Heather and Jonathan’s personality and style AND they are totally outside the box, sexy and rock and roll. Some selects below, but Angelica Glass’ site has the full gallery here!

Have I ever told you that Mayra is really cheap?  Oh. My. Goodness. She practically squeaks!  And, while it’s good for business (“What’s wrong with the calculator we’ve got? “That’s a great idea, Xochitl, but you’re going over their budget, so… NO.”). It’s admirable and annoying all at the same time: admirable, because I am completely lured in my “luxury” anything, and her ability to see if something is “worth it” or not, is fantastic.  Annoying, because when planning her wedding she gave me Phaedra Parks Side Eye over every little freakin’ thing I wanted to “add on” to the wedding.

And, actually, her wedding was an enlightening process for me because, I had almost forgotten how, no matter much you prep and plan, the last few weeks before the Big Day you remember about a hundred tiny details that all can add up to another few hundred or even thousands of dollars.  Special Earrings, the BAG you are going to carry, flutes you want to toast with, how you will display your cake.  So, I often have recommended on this blog $800 earrings or (just last week) a $4,000 clutch bag….but as Mayra said to me during her wedding planning “You know what Xochitl, I’m tired of spending money and I frankly don’t care if I have a photo of Christian Laboutins, so please shut it.”

All of this is to say that when I started getting little email blasts from Edisen, and I would notice these fabulous accessories, shoes, hair pieces and delightful entertaining items, I made a mental note to check it out.  Then, the other day, I saw this amazing little pin of a hot hair balloon, clicked to open the site and was STUNNED at the prices!  Not just for the little adorable pin, but of nearly everything on the site.  The designs, style and simplicity of their offerings make it the perfect place to stock up on little “extras” that you maybe don’t want to break the bank on, but you also care about not looking cheap or trashy.  Here are a few of my favorite finds! And when I tell you, the PRICES! The clutch, $48; The hair clip $16.. even the shoes are less than $100! If only I would have discovered this site before Mayra got married….

Fantastic, right?  Totally “pin” worthy!  Speaking, of, starting today, you can find our items from the blog on our Pinterest Board “On Always a Blogsmaid”, to make for easy Re-pinning! So be sure to follow us, or follow our board!

So, here is my thought:  Gossip Girl + Royal Wedding + McQueen at Met = Adventures in Bridal Millenary.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a Cathedral length veil of tulle, or a nice, adorable birdcage, but I am particularly adoring the new wave of fashion forward headdress for brides.  I see TONS of 1920′s influence, some 1930′s and a whole lot of Haute Hippy in this new wave of “veils”, and I love that brides are embracing them.  I can’t help but think it’s our general growing level of comfort for headpieces, headbands and fascinators that has been all over the streets in the last few years, but whatever the reason, I just love it. Below, 8 of my favorite fashion forward headpieces.

Top, Left to Right:  Twig and Honey (via Chic Vintage Brides) , Outrageous black feather and White Dahlia head piece by Mesela Studios, Take me back to the original Romeo and Juliet Movie STAT… I just love this Juliet Cap by Dolores Petunia.

Center: Showstopping hat right out of Bonnie and Clyde by Yolancris, The Ashley Veil from Sara Gabriel

Bottom, Left to Right: Lace “scarf” veil by Yolancris, Adorable Gabrielle D’Amico veil on Real Bride (from Stone Fox Bride), another Twig and Honey veil.

You know, honestly, before Mayra’s wedding I sort of thought that a bridal handbag was an unnecessary item for the bride that eventually would become an extra thing for one of the girls on our staff to have to hold onto. But, after Mayra’s big day, it actually proved not only a useful accessory (for hotel room keys, safety pins, some blotting tissues, believe it or not, some cab fare) but ALSO a highly photogenic accessory !  A great prop to make bouquet photos and walking down the street pics more interesting and pretty.  It’s also a way to really establish your “bridal look”, my adding another detail to drive home the message of the kind of bride you want to be. Below, some of my favorite clutches on and around the net right now.

This fabulous Judith Leiber Monica clutch is perfect for a “sweet” bride. I can imagine this with a Carolina Herrera or an Oscar de la Renta gown… Perfectly bridal and perfectly sized. Perfectly pricey too- it’s $995 at Neiman Marcus

This perfectly glam clutch is an amazing $56! at Accesorize (via Polyvore)

This clutch is simply TOO MUCH FUN! It’s a great way to add a little whimsy to your look. It’s also an evening bag you will use again and again. It’s $120 from Cusp.

This Satin bag with black beading is a FANSTICALLY bold way to add some drama to your bridal look. Great if you have black accents and again, a statement bag you will re-wear. It’s a Valentino, it’s $350 only available at Decades (the vintage and consignment mecca)

This is for the EDGY bride. The Fashionista. The bride who wants to punch you in the face with a statement.! Ha, get it? Punch you… it’s a KNUCKLE RING clutch. It’s also a major addition to any closet: the McQueen Gold Leaf Knuckle Ring clutch is whatever price you can find it on Ebay! Via Fashionista.

Our office is around the corner from the NYC Marriage Bureau, a.k.a. “City Hall”, so when I say to you that we are literally always surrounded by Brides, it’s actually true!  In fact, sometimes when the weather is nice, we get tacos at the taco stand by the Brooklyn Bridge and “wedding watch”- sit around and watch all the cute and adorable couples of all ages heading to or coming from tying the knot.   I love City Hall Style, so I was particularly excited when not one, but SEVERAL of my friends emailed me this, touching, adorable Refinery 29 Slideshow of City Hall Weddings… made even more exciting because we RECOGNIZED one of the couples! She was so very cute, and and looked just a little nervous, and her adorable face was burned in my memory!

For the full slideshow (a must view) click here. For my personal favorite highlights, see below. All photos by Winne Au.

The adorable couple we were observing en route to Pongsri. So sweet!