I instantly knew that Paige would be a GiGi bride when we first spoke on the phone to schedule her appointment. Her happiness and excitement was so contagious! I couldn't wait to be part of it. She then told me about the surprise Tim had for her - 'We are eloping to Paris!' - #OMG! Their love story is beyond amazing and inspiring. I am sure there were lots of 'Oh là là' while Paige walked the streets looking gorgeous in her Pronovias gown. And let's not forget about the groom, tall and handsome. By the look of it, Paris gave this perfect couple a perfect Parisian day! Those who know me, know that Paris is a great love of mine. So, needless to say, I am ecstatic to have been part of Paige's special day in the City of Love! xoxo, GiGi Location: PARIS, FRANCE 9.28.16
Photographer: Fran Boloni www.theparisphotographer.com/ Gown: Pronovias To honor a true gentleman, a legend, an icon of style, here is THE advice you need as a bride-to-be. Thank you Oscar! Renowned designer headquartered in NYC he was a master in elegance and chic style. He built his career around ready to wear, evening wear, and bridal gowns. His designs make any woman feel her best. A few years back, Novias InFashion magazine interviewed him in his Manhattan atelier to learn about his take on wedding gowns. Novias InFashion: If you would have to use only three words, how would you describe the ideal wedding dress? Oscar de la Renta: Romantic, very feminine, wonderful. For the bride, choosing the bridal attire is possibly the most important decision she is taking, amongst others. And this decision has to be au par with personal style and fashion. N IF: What should the bride avoid when looking for a wedding gown? OR: I have learned that when I do exclusive designs, the brides generally come with their mothers and many times this is a problem! Their sense of style and vision of that day can be different and the bride forgets what she wants and likes to please Mom. The best thing to do is to go with a person that is honest, that knows your style or to establish boundaries with whomever accompanies the bride. N IF: What advice do you have for the bride that is ready to look for her wedding gown? OR: Choose a gown that is 'YOU'. This way you will feel comfortable and secure and it will show when you walk and move that day. Don't be 'artificial', with a gown that looks out of place. It is important for the neckline to complement your body type and your sense of style. The same goes for the fabric. It is a good idea to try on different styles, this way you will know what suits you best. Many times, brides are surprised that the wedding gown they had in mind it's not the appropriate one for them. N IF: What should a wedding gown do? OR: Make the bride pretty! I also think that the design should be au par with the occasion. Personally, I have always liked the traditional aspect of weddings, the idea of the father walking his daughter down the aisle, etc. I don't like brides that show too much skin, like if there were going to a party or club. That is why, most of the time I have my gowns paired with a jacket or bolero so it can cover the shoulders or neckline. N IF: What are your favorite styles? OR: There is a lot, and each one is for different types of women. For example, I like the designs with straps; I also like the ones with sleeves and round necklines, like bateau or V necks. I love narrow silhouettes for tall, lean brides because it makes them look special. For less formal occasions I go for the short gown. I like to combine a simple top with an embellished skirt, maybe some flower embroidery or flowy fabrics. It is important for the gown to have special movement, that is beautiful. Details like these are things that make a wedding gown create an impact. N IF: What is a beautiful and unforgettable wedding for Oscar de la Renta? OR: A wedding that irradiates joy and happiness between the couple as well as amongst the family and guests. A wedding where you can feel harmony in the place, the couple's attire, the flowers, the music, the ambiance, etc. Everything should 'clic' and the guests will leave with the feeling of having had a great time. Source: (2007) otoño-invierno Novias InFashion, pgs.40-43 (excerpts) If you’ve visited our boutique lately, you’ve probably seen that our racks are full to the brim these days!! The latest dresses from the Pronovias 2015 collection have arrived, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them on display!! Maybe you were lucky enough to make it out to our Fashion Show at the end of June that was right here at GiGi Bridal. There, we showcased some of our favorite gowns in a special VIP night for brides-to-be, past brides, families and local wedding vendors! As beautiful as these dresses are on the hangar, they are absolutely stunning to see on a bride in real life. We had an amazing turnout at the event as your can see from the pictures below! Yes, this is our boutique transformed into a bridal runway!! So why are we so excited to have the 2015 dresses in our store? Well there are some new styles that, while timeless and most beautiful, are more different and unique than anything we have seen before! Gone are the days of a strapless-only dress option. One of of our new dresses has gorgeous sheer cap sleeves with beaded detail. Another has sheer, three quarter sleeves with ruching and pearls ever so slightly adorned throughout the top of the dress. Another favorite is a boat neck A-line gown, with sheer lace accents and an illusion neckline. For those brides looking for lace, something Pronovias is known for, this year’s collection does not disappoint. The type of lace is unique to each dress and helps to compliment the cut and design of the gown. But for the bride looking for a non-lace option, the 2015 collection has dresses for you too! Whether it’s just gorgeous classic beading you want or perhaps a clean sophisticated ball-gown look, you will be in luck! And maybe that is our favorite thing about this year’s collection. There truly is something for every bride. While she may think she knows what she loves, sometimes it takes opening up and exploring other styles to help her really discover the gown of her dreams. …
So come in and let us help you find YOUR perfect gown. XOXO! Did you know that one in every 10 wedding gowns sold in the world is Spanish? This has consolidated Spain as a world leader in bridal wear. Spain is the second largest exporter of bridal wear to the world. Barcelona Bridal week is like fashion week in Paris. The leader: Pronovias. The catalan group – Pronovias Fashion Group – sells the most wedding gowns around the world. They represent 90% of Spanish exports in bridal wear with annual revenues close to $250 million dollars. The secret to being the leader is not only the 182 stores and 3,600 points of sale in more than 104 countries but also the fact that they have created and solidified a brand. Ungaro, Valentino and currently Elie Saab have been part of the evolution to place the brand in a high standard. Supermodels Karolina Kurkova, Andrej Pejic, Irina Shaky have graced the runway making it a worldwide recognized event. With distinguished guests and front row personalities international press abounds in every year’s fashion show. In 2014, Pronovias celebrates 50 years. The head of the family owned business – Alberto Palatchi, reaffirms his commitment to continue making the most beautiful wedding gowns in the world. The primary goal, always, is the quality of gowns over the quantity. The various collections and the different distribution channels within the brand allow it to be accessible to a wide variety of consumers. The headquarters are in Barcelona where all designs happen and all materials are chosen for every single gown in the collection. Depending on the collection, some gowns will be made in Spain while others will go off-shore. Those that remain in Spain are primarily part of the collections from Elie Saab and Atelier Pronovias. Details and finishes are much more intricate at an artisanal level. Thus, the prices for gowns in these particular collections range from $6K up to $25K. Rest assured that gowns from the rest of the Pronovias collections – Costura, Fashion, Glamour, Dreams and White One get the same level of love and attention. A 2013 tour of the Barcelona office and headquarters with the facility’s director and the US & Canada director revealed that they considered all their gowns – Made in Spain or not – ‘their children’ and that ‘they are all treated equally’. Absolutely all gowns go through the same quality control standards and same distribution processes. The operation is very impressive and their attention to detail is second to none. So Made in Spain or not, with all certainty you can be sure that a Pronovias gown is made with passion, love and commitment to dress your dream. After all, this motto is what they have been working towards and they are celebrating 50 successful years later – ‘Pronovias: A Dream Factory’. Sources: S Moda, EL PAIS; The knot; Women’s Wear Daily, La Nueva Espana
Spring has sprung here in Southern Arizona! It may not be as apparent to us since we had a nearly picture-perfect mild Winter season, but flowers are definitely blooming, and those sunny skies and crisp morning temperatures are a clear reminder of what time of year it is! Spring is one of the most popular times of year to get married, especially here in Tucson. Whether you get married indoors or outside, and whether you prefer a formal or casual event, everything works here and will be just beautiful in the Springtime! You and your guests are sure to enjoy yourselves! So today, we want to share with you just a few easy tips for planning a Springtime wedding! Wedding Colors Pastels are great for Springtime weddings, but if you're tired of seeing the same old peaches and pinks, you can pair up those pale colors with something bright and vibrant! Just stick with two to three colors, and continue to use that color scheme throughout your night. That pop of bright color will really bring a lot to your decor! Reception Sites Keep in mind a guest count when deciding where to hold your wedding reception. An outdoor reception may lend itself to more flexibility when it comes to the number of guests you’ll have at your wedding and reception. When it comes to something indoors, too many people in a small space can be a bit suffocating, and it may prevent guests from being able to socialize throughout the night. On the same token, a large room with a small number of guests can feel empty and impersonal. So just make sure you have a guest count in mind before you start shopping venues. Lighting Tips Votive candles are a sure bet for any time of year for an evening wedding and/or reception. Dim light is flattering and romantic, and it sets the tone for a very elegant evening. However, colored light bulbs and LED lights are also an option to throw a little more soft color into the night. Rain?? Even though rain on a bride’s wedding day is good luck, no bride wants to worry about the chance of rain on her big day! The good news is that here in Tucson, the chance of precipitation is pretty slim in the Spring! But if you're planning that outdoor wedding and want some piece of mind, make sure you find a rental facility that can provide a back-up tent for you and your guests just in case you should need it! These are just a few tips to help ease your mind when planning your Springtime wedding!! Enjoy the process because it really should be fun!!!
And enjoy this amazing Southern Arizona weather because Summer will be here before we know it! Hello beautiful brides! Today we are excited to announce a very exciting addition to our website, and it may just be the answer to finding that dream dress!
The 'GiGi's Closet' link, can be be found on our website, Gigibridal.com, includes some of our favorite one-of-a-kind sample dresses no longer available to order, BUT they can be purchased right off the rack to take home, and they are amazing!! At GiGi's Closet, you can view pictures of these beautiful dresses, along with a brief description of the style and material, AND the best part is, these dresses are being offered at a special purchase price! And just to give you an idea of the amazing dresses you can find, here is a preview! Today we want to share with you just a few (but VERY important) suggestions when shopping for your bridal gown. Follow these rules, and you will not only enjoy your shopping experience, but you will also find the dress of your dreams! FIRST...Find the best wedding dress silhouette for you!! Details matter on a dress...BUT not as much as the fit of a dress! The trendy dress of the moment may not be the most flattering on you, and that is ok. Find a style that compliments your body type and you'll feel great! Keep in mind the part of the dress people (and pictures) will see most.. The majority of wedding photographs are taken from the waist up. Couple that with a packed church and reception hall, and most people will never see more than the top half of your wedding dress. Keep that in mind when shopping. :) Take pictures during your fitting! Looking in a mirror is definitely necessary BUT not as necessary as seeing how the dress photographs. The dress will appear different. Materials will reflect light a certain way with flash photography, oh...and cameras don't lie. Mirrors sometimes do. :) Don't try on too many dresses! Wedding dress overload can and WILL happen if you feel the need to try on racks of dresses at each boutique you visit! Find a boutique that fits your style and price range and stick with that. You won't regret it. An audience is NOT necessary when trying on dresses. Reality TV has given brides the perception that an audience of guests is necessary to find the perfect dress. And while you may have family, friends, cousins, co-workers and bridesmaids that want to come along to be a part of your experience, keep in mind it will also come with multiple opinions, ideas, and suggestions on what YOU should be trying on and loving. To prevent that and to maintain a stress-free experience, LESS guests are MORE. Do NOT stress about wedding dress sizing! Bridal gowns run on a completely different size chart than off-the-rack clothing we buy on a day to day basis. Do not be worried if the size gown your stylist recommends to order is not your regular size. All that matters is that it is going to look amazing on you when you receive it! Ask questions!
Ask us questions! We are happy to answer them! We want to make sure you find the perfect dress for your most special day! With all the recent exciting changes here at GiGi Bridal, including our big move to La Encantada, we thought it was the perfect time to launch our latest ad campaign showcasing some of our favorite Pronovias bridal gowns, found right here at our salon! A special thanks to Chris Richards for capturing these beautiful images! As you'll see in some of the pictures we've included, we wanted to integrate multiple elements into these images to give them more of a 'lifestyle' feel in this season's campaign. You'll see a grand piano, flowers, and champagne, just to name a few things. These items really helped to capture the feel of being IN that special wedding day-moment! How gorgeous are these images? We are so pleased with them and hope you enjoy them as much as we do! We also included a few fun 'behind the scenes' images!! There definitely was work AND play involved during the shoot! Makeup, wedding accessories, and camera equipment galore!! Bridal Gowns / Veils: GiGi Bridal
Photographer: Chris Richards Hair and Makeup: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa Venue: Westin La Paloma Floral: Celebrations by Silvia Flooring: Arizona Party Rental 2014 already has been full of wonderful excitement and change here at GiGi Bridal! For those of you who don’t already know, we have made a big move to La Encantada and are about to celebrate two fabulous weeks in our new home. Located on the lower level next to Armitage Lounge, we are so excited for you to visit us and find the wedding dress of your dreams!! Keep checking back as we will continue to share current bridal events and discussions on our blog, Wedding Talk. We also will be hosting a fabulous Trunk Show here at our salon at the end of February, where brides-to-be can check out an amazing extended collection of Pronovias and White One bridal gowns. More details to come soon! We are also very excited to introduce you to the two new wonderful members on the team to help you make your wedding day absolutely picture perfect! Please Meet...Laura and Gina… Hello brides and fans of GiGi Bridal! My name is Laura Dean and I am over the moon to be GiGi Bridal's Senior Bridal Stylist! I was born and raised in Tucson, but spent the past four years living in Gainesville, FL and learning tons about the wedding industry. I've been helping brides find their dream wedding day look for over four years now and can truly say I love everything about my job. I believe that every bride deserves a beautiful and stress-free experience when shopping for her perfect dress, and make it my mission to help brides find a gown that reflects their own personal style and beauty inside and out. Since, I've moved back home to Tucson, I've enjoyed spending time with my little sister Rebecca, seeking out live music, exploring our breathtaking desert and moving into GiGi Bridal's stunning new store at La Encantada! Q&A Favorite spot in Tucson? La Cocina Color? Green Lace or no Lace? Lace, lace, lace! Flowers? Succulents Cake Flavor? Vanilla with raspberry filling If you could meet anybody, who would it be? Stevie Nicks A honeymoon at the beach or in the mountains? Mountains My passion: Being mindful of our planet’s natural beauty Favorite Holiday? Dia De Los Muertos – All Soul’s Procession is a Tucson classic! Most iconic bride? Jackie O A tie or a bow tie? Skinny tie Casual or black tie? Casual Indoor or Outdoor? Outdoor High heels or flats? It’s a tie! Most important piece of makeup? Mascara I cannot live without my…. Music collection Classic or modern? Modern Hi!! My name is Gina, and I am sooo excited to be a part of the GiGi Bridal Team!! GiGi has really made a name for herself in the bridal industry here in Southern Arizona, and I am so excited to work with her to help brides find the dress of their dreams! A little about me… I did most of my growing up in Florida and attended The University of Florida (GOOO GATORS!!) before moving to Tucson almost eight years ago for a job in television news. It was here that I met my Prince Charming, fell in love and got married!! Looking back, my bridal dress shopping experience was such an amazing one. I am so grateful for meeting and working with an amazing consultant who made shopping for the MOST important dress of my life such an unforgettable memory! And that is what brings me to where I am today!! I hope to give brides the amazing experience that I was lucky enough to have. Planning a wedding is one of the most special times of a bride's life and nothing tops finding that perfect dress!! Q&A Favorite spot in Tucson? JW Marriott Starr Pass Color? Green Lace or no Lace? Lace!! (and rhinestones!) Flowers? Star Gazer Lillies Cake Flavor? Cake flavor doesn’t really matter, as long as it has LOTS of vanilla butter cream frosting! If you could meet anybody, who would it be? Prince William and Kate Middleton, they seem like such down to earth GREAT people, even though they are royalty!! A honeymoon at the beach or in the mountains? Beach My passion: FOOD! Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving Most iconic bride? Princess Diana A tie or a bow tie? Bow tie Casual or black tie? Black Tie Indoor or Outdoor? Indoor High heels or flats? High Heels Most important piece of makeup? Mascara I cannot live without my…. Sleep mask! Can’t sleep if it isn’t totally dark! Classic or modern? Classic What else can we ask for? New Year, New Location, New Talent.....we are blessed and thankful to be surrounded by so much Love and Support. We are all excited and ready to fulfill many bridal dreams! Many new and exciting things to come! Here is a to all brides near and far! Cheers!!
xoxo, GiGi We are celebrating our 2nd anniversary with our very own AD campaign! The purpose of the campaign was to photograph feelings rather than to showcase gowns. Those larger than life feelings that you experience as a bride; that ‘I can’t believe it!, I am getting married today!’ moment. Your day is finally here and you can’t handle the amount of excitement you feel and the gorgeous you look. This is what we were looking for, the idyllic feeling of being a bride. As easy as the purpose of the campaign sounds, we knew that it was not going to be easy, because it is such a genuine and unique moment that we knew it was no easy task to enact or replicate. Fortunately, we paired up with AMAZING people, and everything came together. PHOTOGRAPHY: Who better than Chris Richards to capture happiness? We knew he would be the perfect fit for the campaign because that is what he does BEST. An explanation of what we were looking for was not necessary. He knew. HAIR & MAKEUP: were EXTREMELY important to have a look with a sense of effortlessness and elegance. We wanted something soft, classic, and young. What a delight it was to have the girls from the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa as collaborators. They knew exactly what to do. Shannon immediately knew what to do for hair. Her three looks were perfect! Hillary was our makeup artist and Oh my! All the goodies she had. It was like makeup galore. As you can see her work was flawless. She managed to have all the beauty trends in place for the ideal look – a fresh face, glowing cheeks, ruby lips and elegant eyes. FLOWERS: Then there were the flowers, a beautiful classic white roses bouquet. Having the best roses in town, the Villa Feliz bouquet personally made by Georgeanne Fimbres was the perfect touch to add elegance to the set. And then, there was our beautiful model – Claire. She showed up with the best attitude and gave it her best. It was her first bridal shoot and she was as excited as we were. She embraced the idea of the project to such extent that you can see it in the photographs. She had fun with it and that made every single shot a winner. We extend our special thanks to Liz Puente from Tucson Bride & Groom magazine and Katie Yaeli, Assistant manager at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, for their invaluable help, input and collaboration. What you will see in our ad campaign, are the XXL feelings we want you to have in your big day. It all starts by having the best experience when finding your gown. Be You.Be Gorgeous.Be GiGi.
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