Casablanca Trunk Show for Plus Size & Curvy Girls

We are very excited to host a weekend fully dedicated to glamorous curvy girls in the area! April 5-7th is the Casablanca Trunk Show at Ellie’s Bridal Boutique. We will have an extended collection of new designs, highlighting Casablanca's bridal sizes 18-30.  In addition to our daily selection (we will feature 14+ from other designers), many of these new designs can only be seen in our store for one weekend only!

Have no fear about sample sizes in the bridal industry, we'll have stunning dresses that real women can fit in. This event is not only for "plus size" women, but also for curvy brides that are an overall smaller size with hips and a booty don't always cooperate with a bridal sample sizes. This event is for all women who are frustrated with sample sizes offered in most bridal shops. Stop freaking out about what size you may or may not be because this process is actually really fun!

And in case you thought it couldn't get any better, all Casablanca gowns purchased during the event will be 10% OFF!

Call us at 703-683-VOWS(8697) to reserve your appointment now.

Appointments are required for this event and spaces are limited!

P.S. All the links above are totally worth clicking on.

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.

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

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?

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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!**

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.

Out With the Old, In With the New

New York International Bridal Week

Now that things are finally calming down from the bustling excitement of last weekend's Back to Savings Sample Sale, we want to show you just what all the fuss was about from our end.

Brides are not the only ones shopping for wedding gowns year-round. In fact, bridal salons are required to purchase bridal gowns twice a year: every Spring and Fall season. And trust me, just once a year is more than enough to keep our inventory quite alive. If you have visited before, you know exactly what we mean. We simply have too many wedding dresses. The solution? You guessed it: sample sale.

We love sample sales because they are a win-win for brides-to-be and bridal salons. Not only do you get the opportunity get great deals on gorgeous gowns, but it allows us to clear the racks in preparation for the next season. This is also why our sample sales also include gowns that have been in our boutique for less than a full season - we simply don't have enough space!

So now that we've made a little room, here's a an exclusive sneak peek at a few of the gowns we seriously can't wait to show you. None of these gowns have been even been advertised yet, so I hope we don't get in trouble for this from our designers!

Between the fabulous fit-n-flare silhouette, fun pick-ups, and detailing of this illusion neckline, we're sure that brides will love Mikaella's modern twist to this simple, classic look.

Mikaella 1752 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Mikaella 1752 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

For something just a bit sexier, we are loving this fitted, chiffon gown by Sincerity. Just wait until you see the back!

Sincerity 3736 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Sincerity 3736 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Sincerity also has this fantastic tea-length gown that we know brides will absolutely adore. The lace top can be detachable so you can even go strapless if you want to update this dress to a more contemporary look.

Sincerity 3749 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Sincerity 3749 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

One of the gowns that we are probably the most excited about is this Justin Alexander. The crocheted lace detail gives a dramatic twist to this otherwise traditional ball gown.

Justin Alexander 9710 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Justin Alexander 9710 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Having a destination wedding on the beach, or thinking that these gowns are just not your style? Sweetheart has just the gown for you.

Sweetheart 5978 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)
Sweetheart 5978 - Ellie's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria, VA)

Can't wait to see our new collections? Neither can we. Unfortunately, we aren't expecting these gowns to arrive in our boutique for another couple months but we still have plenty of other styles to choose from. The good news is, now you know we have a bit of everything. And if this post isn't enough for you, see what we currently have in our store.

No matter your taste or style, call us at 703-683-VOWS(8697) to schedule your appointment.