When Sample Sales Meet Alterations

She found the dress of her dreams, and even had to try it on "just to see." Of course, she fell in love even more. She loved everything about it: the lace, the color, the quality and fit, even the little "eyelashes" of the scalloped lace trim were a detail she couldn't live without. Devastated that the price tag was over $4,000, and certainly over her budget, we had to find another solution. Welcome, sample gowns with great savings to save the day!

This was the gown of her dreams, but with price tag over $4,000 it was way over her budget.

This gown was the gown she found instead...

Details of the “original” gown our bride purchased at our Sample Sale

Envisioning the gown she asked for.

The gown we had on sale was not quite what she wanted, but still had the same fabrics and fit that made her fall in love with Jim Hjelm in the first place.

A few Alterations sessions later, and voila! The gown of her dreams for a price she could afford!

Wedding day perfection!

The original gown she couldn’t afford. Looks like our bride wore her dream dress, after all!

During the Alterations there was another surprise! Our bride found out she’s pregnant!!

Wedding Bouquet Video Camera

6 months before our wedding, my wife and I decided to hide a GoPro HD Hero 2 video camera in her wedding bouquet. The wide angle first person viewpoint of her walking down the aisle is something we can look back on many years from now.

What a neat idea to add a camera in your bouquet! It shows you in first person your point of view of what you saw during your exciting moments. If you are thinking of using videography to capture your wedding day memories, this is a must.

Comment below and tell us how you will keep your Wedding Day alive for years to come.

March 9-10 – Stella York Trunk Show!!

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Visit Ellie's Bridal Boutique March 9-10, 2013 to view Stella York's newest bridal collection and enjoy 10% OFF the purchase of any Stella York gown for one weekend only! Be sure to click here to read about why we love Stella York so much.

Many of these gowns will be in our boutique for ONE WEEKEND ONLY so call to make your appointment now! You don't want to miss your chance to try on these fantabulous gowns and get the exclusive *trunk show only* price!!

Appointments are required to attend this event. Call 703-683-VOWS(8697) to book your appointment today.

WIN your Dream Wedding Dress

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Ellie's Bridal Boutique is so excited that another one of our designers, Justin Alexander, is having a contest that will provide one lucky bride a FREE Wedding Gown!!

Can you believe it? We are so excited for all of our soon to be Brides out there and we had to share this opportunity! Make sure you visit Justin Alexander Dress Giveaway on Facebook to register and pick your gown today. We are unsure how long the contest will run for, so register today before it's too late!

P.S. If you are in love with Justin Alexander wedding gowns like we are, come book your appointment today at Ellie's Bridal Boutique in Alexandria, VA.

Why We Choose Stella York

Glamorous. Sexy. Extravagant. A Stella York wedding dress is more than just a designer label. It’s an indelible mind-set — with each creation a perfect complement to a bride’s attitude, style and spirit.

That's what Stella York is all about. Previously known as Ella Bridals, Stella York is an Australian-based company that never fails to bring in fresh designs that are not only merely beautiful but a statement of your spirit. Their light weight and comfort ensure that you will feel free enough to let your personality truly shine it's best on your wedding day. We also love Stella York because their mission fits our own: quality of fabric, fit, and finish at a competitive price. Here at Ellie's Bridal Boutique, we truly believe that it is possible to find a high quality gown for under $1500, and Stella York is proof of that.

Stella York is designed for the bride looking to find the magic that only she could create on her wedding day. She's a bride full of spirited dreams and an energy that radiates around her. See what we mean and view our gallery below to share the magic these three Ellie's brides experienced with their Stella York gowns this past year.

Needless to say, we are so excited to have Stella York Trunk Show at Ellie's Bridal Boutique! Make your appointment today for March 9-10, 2013 to view Stella York's newest bridal collection and enjoy 10% OFF* the purchase of any Stella York gown.

Many of the featured wedding gowns will be in out store for ONE WEEKEND ONLY !  Spaces are limited, so don't miss out by waiting to book your appointment for this exclusive event!

Appointments are required to attend this event. Call 703-683-VOWS(8697) to book your appointment today & RSVP on our Facebook Invitation.

*Purchases must be made March 9th or 10th to qualify for the discount.

Featured Weddings: Lisa's Destination wedding in Greece, Jenny's Old Amusement Park wedding, Jeorjina's Grand Caymen wedding

Spring is in the Air!

Well... almost.. We've had a BEAUTIFUL February so far, so I think it's fair to say it's pretty much spring already. And with Spring comes... NEW DRESSES! We have our brand new Spring 2012 dresses out on the floor, ready and waiting for you!

Here is just a preview of what this season has in store:

Designer: Ella

This is one of my very favorite dresses in the store! You can get it with or without the belt pictured above and you can wear it with another belt or just simply elegant on its own.

This gown says "Princess" without going over the top. The light fabric of the skirt and the way it drapes across the body make this dress look magical and ethereal. The shape is absolutely stunning on any body type and the style is versatile to many weddings. This dress isn't tied down to any labels as a "Garden Wedding Dress" or "Beach Wedding Dress" or "Formal Wedding Dress." This dress lets the woman who is wearing it define it!

This dress is ideal for a girl who wants to feel like she has just stepped out of a fairytale... but also wants to show off her great figure!! The romantic feel of this dress will help you create your very own modern fairytale with your personal Prince Charming.

Designer: Mikaella

If you are a Bride who is DESPERATE for some pockets... Mikaella is the designer for you! She has several gorgeous gowns with pockets!

In the store, I have put these dresses on girls who didn't even specify they would like pockets because they automatically assumed that any dress with pockets would probably be ugly. But when they put these amazing Mikaella gowns on, their eyes would absolutely light up as they quickly shoved their hands into the pockets.

So believe it or not folks... Pockets and Pretty are NOT mutually exclusive!!

Here is another very sweet gown from Mikaella... and with MORE POCKETS!! I hope you guys are eating up all this pocket talk. Just think of it! You could be standing up at the altar with your sweetie with you Iphone in one pocket, ready to change your relationship status on Facebook as soon as the recessional starts!

Ooorrrrr not... ;)

Either way, you can't go wrong with this sweet and simple Mikaella!

Designer: Justin Alexander

The other day, I had a bride trying on a couple Justin Alexander gowns and her mother asked who the designer was and I told her, she looked at me funny and questioned, "A Boy?" She just couldn't believe that a man had created such stunning wedding gowns! But I guess those men get it right once in awhile... or else none of us would even be looking at wedding dresses in the first place!

This gown is probably the MOST fashion-forward dress in our entire shop. It just screams fashionista. If you have dreams of walking the runway or the red carpet, this is the dress for you.To me, it has an almost iconic look to it. It reminds me of Audrey Hepburn! What she might wear if she was getting married in 2012! In this gown, Justin has wrapped up elegance, sophistication, and pure style.

Justin Strikes Again!! This is another example of Justin Alexander's simple elegance and stylish design. You can kind of see this in the photo, but in person this dress shines like candlelight. You will be the one setting the mood as you flicker softly like a candle flame. This is another pick that I think Audrey would snag for her 2012 wedding as well. If you are looking for timeless and iconic, Justin is your man.

All of these dresses (and sooo many more Spring 2012 dresses) are available at Ellie's Bridal Boutique in Old Town Alexandria. As always, you can call us at 703-683-8697 to schedule an appointment if you want to make a date with one of these beauties.

And if you are looking for more wedding inspiration, you are in luck! Because Ellie's Bridal Boutique now has a Pinterest!! Click Here for hours and hours filled with nothing but awesome wedding inspiration! And if you need an invitation to join, feel free to tell us on Facebook or right here on Tumblr!!