For as long as anyone can remember people have been turning to movies, television shows, and books for inspiration. This seems to be especially true when it comes to things like weddings and proms. Wedding days and prom nights are special, and every woman wants to look her best.

Everyone under the age of 35 has felt the influence of Harry Potter. The character of Hermione Granger proved that girls don’t have to be shy and sweet to be liked. Hermione proved that she could hold her own, be extremely smart, and also enjoy being a girl. When it comes to picking a role model, you’ll find worse choices (*cough* Bella Swan *cough*).

If you ask most girls what their favorite Harry Potter moment was, they’ll almost always tell you that it was the dance that took place about halfway through Goblet of Fire. The dance was the first time that Hermione stopped becoming a tom-boy and showed Hogwarts that she was a beautiful woman. This is just the kind of reaction every girl dreams of getting when she is searching for her prom dress.

Hermione's Elegant Dress

Any girl who wants to channel her inner Hermione on her prom night will want to take care when looking for a dress. She’ll want to stay away from fussy, frilly dresses that make dancing difficult. You’ll want to look for something that’s pretty and elegant.

Chiffon is a great choice when it comes to a prom dress. Chiffon is light enough that it makes moving around easy, but also pretty and very feminine. Chiffon shows off your figure without being clinging or two tight.  Stick to a single color of material which will not only allow you to show off your body, but will keep the dress from becoming too busy, just make sure that the color flatters your skin tone.

Get The Look: Liz Fields Style 361

When you’re looking at prom dresses you should also think about how much dancing you expect to be doing that night.  Strapless dresses can be beautiful, but the worry of it slipping while you’re dancing might not be worth it to you.

A final tip for emulating Hermionie’s elegance is once you’ve selected the perfect prom dress, don’t wear so much jewelry that it distracts from the dress and your natural beauty.

Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!!

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by guest blogger, Bella Gente Bridal, in Tampa FL

We asked our friends and Liz Fields authorized retailer, Bella Gente Bridal, what they would want to tell their brides if they could tell them anything, this was their response.

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Eight years ago, is when I can pinpoint where my madness as a lover of anything and everything non-profit started. A recent trip to the beautiful West Coast allowed me to become the sponsor of a little Guatemalan girl, my heart swells with every glace at her picture. Trust me when I say that if I had it my way, it would have been a one-way ticket that was initially purchased, and I would currently be protesting deforestation in South America with Green Peace and saving the orangutans! I’ve always been one of those girls who thought all drinking glasses in the world to be half full, and throw the gender classification out the window darling, ‘cause rose colored glasses would be the perfect finish to every outfit! I admit that I am somewhat naïve, and maybe there will always be people out there who don’t want what’s best for you, but I just smile and ignore them now. I entered college as a fresh faced youngster, delicate to the new world around me. I put my heart and faith into every class project, every student organization, and every open door life decided to throw my way. What I was not prepared for, was the overwhelming sting I felt after realizing those others with the same textbooks as me, the same collegiate sweatshirt as me, did not share my cheerful views. I lost a couple “friends”, even a boyfriend to my eternal optimist bent. They didn’t want to deal with me- found it exhausting to be around someone who couldn’t be realistic, normal.

For a while, I found me questioning myself. I know you brides will undoubtedly do the same throughout your wedding planning. Well, please let me save you the year I lost to questioning myself and hoping to fit into a category acceptable of others… the answer is simple, don’t do it! Now, more than ever, this is the time to know yourself- to be confident in who you are.  What you’re really looking for, is a style aesthetic reflective of that amazing person. Look through a couple old photo albums and you’ll find the answer. One of my favorite Beatles’ songs, All You Need is Love, says it all- because on your most important day, love is all that matters. From the heart-stopping love found in those beautiful green eyes standing next to you at the altar, to the unconditional love pouring out from your parents in the front row, love is ubiquitous on this day. I didn’t know a year ago that life would lead me to this bridal consultant position, but as I reflect back on the brides that this job has brought into my life, I cannot deny the feeling of love I’ve found from these amazing girls. Besides, I get to help them live out their childhood dreams about a certain white gown every day, and they don’t look at me crazy when my enthusiasm hits its peak- they scream for joy over the layers of lace and chiffon with me!

Speaking of happy people, I recently stumbled upon what may be the most innovative and heartfelt non-profit project I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering, The World Needs More Love Letters. Hannah Brencher decided to leave love letters to strangers who looked like they could use a boost on her daily train in NYC, and has since brought over 2,000 love letters throughout the globe. Truly inspirational, it has inspired one of my own. Only the third I’ve ever written (I don’t count those intricately folded and overly colored with markers from the 6^th grade)…This is my love letter to all of my brides- former, current, and those I have yet to meet or may never will.

Dear Bride,

You with the superiorly organized wedding notebook divided into sections for color palates, floral arrangements, and wedding cost estimations; yes, you hurling into the elevator with three bridal magazines in hand as you make your way to the next venue location… you are a woman of innate strength and beauty, whether you realize it or not. In this hectic, modern world we live in, you still manage to find time out of your day to coordinate seating arrangements and seamlessly arrange caterer tastings over the phone while answering work emails. Trust me when I say that you girls never cease to amaze me with how much you have it together. Perhaps what is even more important is the trust that you have given me, a stranger you’ve only met a few minutes ago to find the wedding dress of your dreams.  Thank you for your faith in me.  What starts as a bond over wedding day attire, almost always blossoms into a real friendship.  The same kind of love you would see from your bridesmaids standing alongside you in your wedding portraits, it is a friendly love that wishes you nothing but the best and the brightest future possible after the wedding.

I usually ask my brides during the initial consultation for the background on their fiancés, and I cannot express to you how it touches me when I can feel the palpable love between two people that I barely know. One of whom, I’ve never even met! Perhaps it is a way to fill that currently empty position in my own heart, but nevertheless, you add to your bridal consultant’s happiness and you probably didn’t even know it. No matter how many tasks you need help with or how many people you may have to ask for their opinions, never lose who you are. Your wedding is a celebration of you and your fiancé’s love for each other. Don’t let the potential fights over budgets, guest lists, and the need for perfection take away from that. Celebrate life and celebrate your loving relationship every day. Even if the wedding photographer you’ve been eyeing for months ends up unavailable, and it is impossible to afford that gorgeous Marchesa gown that just walked the runway, it is not the end of the world. There are dozens, if not hundreds of people cheering for you to make it to nuptials day- people who you may not know would even care, but we do. We all want you to have the wedding of your dreams, and we are not expecting you to end up on the pages of Platinum Weddings. You are in the pages of the hearts of your beloved family and friends, in the hearts of the bridal boutiques who are proudly showing off your p

ictures to new brides, and in the heart of the very designer of your own wedding dress.  Yes, details are important, but remember what led you here in the first place.  Don’t feel pressured to compete with anyone else, you are individually beautiful and your gown (and wedding) will naturally reflect that. Keep your head up, and I promise you will definitely get through it!

No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, don’t forget all that you have accomplished. Just like lace, you may be extremely vulnerable and even the smallest tear will cause major setbacks to the overall design, but the beauty lies in the fragility of it. Intricate beading and treads weave throughout the fabric, holding it together- just like the many people you have supporting you in your corner. You will be absolutely gorgeous on your wedding day, period. I’ve been blessed to meet my vegetarian soul mate, my bubbly style sister, my hot yoga companion, and a brilliant Ph.D student to name a few- all of whom inspire me so much every time they walk through the doors. They’ve shown me that love can be cultivated from the least expected places, and that it is more than okay to don my bright pink shades daily. I am grateful that I get to share in a part of your special days. I love you all- maybe it is the flower child in me, but I highly doubt it.

With Much Love,

A.

Bridal Consultant

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Thank you to “A” and Bella Gente Bridal for sharing your expertise on the Liz Fields blog.  We loved having you!  For more bridal gown inspiration and tips be sure to check out Bella Gente’s blog here!

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When it comes to picking a wedding date, looking to holidays is natural. If you’re of Irish descent, the temptation of a St Patrick’s Day wedding might prove too tempting to resist.

St. Patrick’s Day is an excellent choice for a wedding date. Not only is it a happy holiday, but it’s also considered a lucky one. In Ireland, it’s the luckiest day of the year for you to get married. Everyone, even the happiest of couples, can use a little luck as they embark on a new life together.

Liz Fields Bridesmaid Style 360 - Also available as Destination wedding dress style 8360

If you’re interested in a traditional St. Patrick’s Day wedding, you might want to rethink your dream wedding. Brides who chose to wed on St. Patty’s Day aren’t supposed to wear a  white wedding dress. Blue is the preferred color, preferably a pale blue that looks a little bit like the sky. It’s an innocent color that looks flattering against most skin types. The idea of wearing a white  wedding dress is a relatively new concept originally introduced by Queen Victoria (who chose white because it was economical). Prior to her wedding, the Irish felt blue was the color of purity.

While wearing your hair down and loose about your shoulders might be tempting, you should resist. Irish brides prefer braids. The braid is considered the symbol of feminine power. In addition to the braid, you should also think about adding some wildflowers to your hair, instead of donning a veil. The flowers will give you a youthful appearance, and also allow people to see your face.

One of the Irish traditions that’s making a comeback, particularly in St. Patrick’s Day weddings is hand fasting. Hand fasting was one of the pagan ceremonies that managed to wind its way into Christian services. It fell out of fashion for a while, but more and more brides have started to include it in their ceremony.

For updates on Liz Fields newest lines like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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For most of history, Anonymous was a woman. – Virginia Woolf

Happy International Women’s Day ladies of the world!

This is a day about celebrating, respecting, and appreciating women for their economic, political and social achievements.  So be proud of yourselves and your fellow women!

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As a designer of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and now prom dresses, there isn’t a lot of TV more fun than watching the stars get all dressed up and walk down the red carpet.    It’s a time, not only for Hollywood’s more elite to show off their personalities through fashion, but for the other designers to try out next seasons styles on the viewers.

Here were my Top 5 favorite styles from the 84th Annual Academy Awards

1.  Angelina Jolie… She always looks amazing!

2.  Gwyneth Paltrow looks stunning. Very chic!

3.  Mila Jovovich looks beautiful. So elegant!

4.  Glenn Close looks stunning!

5.  Stacy Kiebler’s dress was a major fashion highlight of the show!

Notable Mentions

Michelle Williams

Ellie Kemper

Octavia Spencer

Emma Stone

Viola Davis

What did you think? Who were your top picks for best dressed?

For updates on Liz Fields newest lines like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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So far, we have had a very busy start to 2012!  Not only did we launch our new Liz Fields prom line for Spring 2012, but we also greatly expanded our presence in Canada to over 50 locations!

Of course, with any new location comes new customs and traditions.  For example, we never knew that In Canada, while most schools do have a prom, it is only held only for the graduating class.  Because of this the terms “grad formal” and “grad dress” are used more often than our prom and prom dress.  There is no prom held for Grade 11 in Canada, It is strictly a ceremony celebrating the graduation from high school, so don’t expect to be asked you your junior prom if you move to Canada!  We also learned that the shopping for grad dresses begins much earlier in Canada than in the US, starting in early January, something to think about ladies!  No matter where you live, it’s never too early to start trying on prom dresses!

Of course, learning all of this has perked our interest, what do other countries do for prom?  So, we did some research, here are a few of our favorites:

South Africa – Their version of the American prom is the “Matric Dance.”  The Matric happens during the matriculation year of high school, hence the name.  The Matric dance takes place shortly before the spring break, and before their final Matriculation Examinations begin.

Russia – Their prom is called “Vipusknoy vecher,” which literally means “evening of graduation.”  This takes place at the end of June after all of their Sate exams have finished.  The opposite of when they have their celebration in South Africa.

Belgium – Instead of prom the senior class celebrates their last 100 days of high school with a special day called “Chrysostomos” or “100-dagen feest” (100-days party).  The tradition for the 100-day celebration is that on this day, seniors are allowed to pull pranks on their teachers and fellow students.  In the evening, students head to a rented club to party.

Norway – They call their celebration “Nyttårsballet” which means “The New Year’s Ball.”  It is normally held during the winter months.

Peru – In Peru, their Prom is called “Fiesta de Promocion.”  Now get this, they are normally held at hotels where students might choose to stay the night!  While some parents and teachers are often invited, but they don’t normally stay the whole night.  Not only is dinner served at the party, but breakfast is often served the next day!

(source: Wikipedia)

Liz Fields Prom Style 80002

Now it’s your turn!  We would love to know; where are you from, and did you have a prom?  If so, when was it, and what was it called?

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It may be hard for some of us to admit, but it is that time of year again!  With all of the presents that need to be bought, and elaborate dinners that need to be planned, who has time to figure out what to wear!?  So, here is another little formal wear style guide that I have put together for the holiday season.  If you missed last year’s you might want to check in here too.

The Cocktail Party:

This is the perfect time to bare a little skin and have some fun.  Try an evening dress with an iridescent fabric, or an interesting back to ensure all eyes are on you!

 Liz Fields Bridesmaids Style 432

 Family Dinner Party:

A common mistake people make is to be so focused on being conservative for this event that they lose their sense of style along the way.  Aim for an evening dress that keeps you covered where you need to be, but also has that extra something, maybe a flattering sash, or some feminine and flirty ruffles!

Liz Fields Bridesmaids Style 430

The Office Party:

This can be tricky, if your party is going to be directly after work, try sometime that you can layer over without looking silly.  To achieve this, the dress should be a simple and flattering silhouette, in a festive color.  Always remember to keep your look professional under all circumstances!

Liz Fields Bridesmaid Style 403

Tip: Try out our color change tool to create your very own color combinations!

The New Year’s Celebration:

To me it does not really matter if you are staying in with your friends and family, or spending the night out on the town, you’re still going to need a look that makes you feel amazing on the last night of the year!  If you too live in the land of Facebook, you might also want to be sure the dress  looks great in all angles, for all of the photos you are about to be tagged in.  Last but not least, what better way to stand out than to add some sparkle?

Liz Fields Prom Dress Style 80006

Happy Holidays from all of us at Liz Fields!

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I am very excited to announce that this weekend I will be visiting one of our authorized retailers Selina’s Bridal Boutique, in Des Moines Iowa, where we will not only be having a trunk show, but also showing our Liz Fields Spring 2012 collection at the The Bridal Show on Sunday!

Liz Fields Trunk show at Selina’s Bridal Boutique:  

WHEN:  NOW through the 23^rd!  Call today to make your appointment 515-274-1120

WHERE: 3708 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

The Bridal Show:

WHEN: Sunday, October 23, 2011  from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm

WHERE: Des Moines Botanical Center

There will be many more of vendors attending with expertise in catering, fashion, floral and more.  Of course, there will also be a FASHION SHOW featuring Liz Fields 2012 wedding dresses & bridesmaid dresses, and our NEW prom dress collection!

If that is not enough to get you excited as I am, there will be door prizes and goody bags too!  I hope to see many of you there!

To purchase tickets to this The Bridal Show follow the link HERE

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It is the last week in August and some of you may be noticing a slight chill in the air as you walk outside in the morning.  For many, high school will be starting next week, and you know what that means… prom is right around the corner! Well maybe not “right around”, but it is certainly not too early to start planning what you want to wear!

Of course, I’m excited about prom season because this will be the year we premier our Liz Fields prom collection!  I hope you will love it as much as I loved creating it.

What I want to share with you today is some of the inspiration behind our prom line, and the trends that we at Liz Fields predicted for the prom 2012 season.

• Bold colors, such as bright purples, turquoises, and shades of red.

• In contrast, we noticed that white dresses were going to be another trend, possibly influenced by Pippa Middleton wearing a white dress to her sister Kate Middleton’s wedding.  On a side note, if you are looking for a dress inspired by Pippa Middelton’s fashion , take a look at Liz Fields bridesmaid dress style 400.

• Showing a little skin is a prom trend that is continuing on to Spring 2012.  This could be anything from a flirty slit on the skirt, to a cut-out on the back of the dress.

• Sequined dresses have been around for a long time, going in and out of style. This year you will be seeing the sequins used to create a larger pattern on the dress, in addition to the all-around shimmer that is classically known.

For updates on Liz Fields newest lines like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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Mimi Weingart first contacted us at the end of May, desperately in search of Liz Fields bridesmaid dress style 237 which she had fallen in love with and wanted to wear to a wedding.  We were able to locate a Liz Fields authorized retailer in her area and got the dress to her just in time for the event.  However, the more I corresponded with  Mimi the more I realized that she had a story worth sharing with everyone. Please enjoy this edition of “Who is wearing Liz Fields” as told by Mimi.        

"I did nothing to the garment but take up the hem. It fit me like a glove.”

“Culmination to Victory” 

By Mimi Weingart 

You’re born a girl. You have girl dreams. They are good dreams not illusions as pessimists claim. Cartoonists of the world have created a billion dollar industry putting girl dreams onto paper, film and video and yet when a live and flesh girl wishes on a star this is called silly. Oh. Well. I guess that makes me a “silly” too because Cinderella is my hero. People laugh when I confess such but then I explain. Cinderella has made Faith her servant and that’s pretty powerful stuff. Think about it. She continues to believe and trust in the unseen things even when the worst is upon her. So irresistible is her faith that those unseen things can’t help but to bear fruit to her hearts deepest desires. 

Don’t we all wish we could cultivate such fortitude? And while doing so, shouldn’t we dress the part? When I donned my Liz Fields dress it was the first time in my life I had worn such a bold vivacious color. After a series of personal grievances staged breathlessly back to back over a period of 8 years – a failed marriage, a child diagnosed with autism, the death of a beloved grandparent, I found solace in Hagen Daz and potato chips paying a dear price for it. My physical and spiritual health suffered with each pant size gained apexing in excess of 70 pounds. My choice of clothing, all blacks, grays and a neutral cream here and there, reflected my desire to blend in unnoticed, desperate to hide my tiredness. I had lost faith in those unseen things. I no longer wished on stars. What a un-Cindy thing to do. 

Recently, my 5 year old daughter Delilah, popped in a Cinderella tape her babysitter had borrowed from the Library and a flood of memories of who and what I used to be came rushing back to me. I watched Cinderella with my beautiful daughter 3 times in a row, seeing with eyes anew and becoming renourished and recommitted with every play. I decided to go back to working my Cinderella plan exactly as I thought I should as a child when my dreams came from an unadulterated place. I continually tweaked as I exercised new muscles, slowing putting all my ducks in a row, breaking new ground while keeping older proven ground fresh. It became effortless this new staying committed to my seemingly insurmountable weight loss endeavor because spiritual well being came first. The new size 8 is side benefit as far as I’m concerned allowing me to wear the colors not the style of garments per se I’ve always desired to wear with confidence.  

I’m still working my plan but I can see graduation on the horizon. I now sneak a wish on stars again. I think celebration of my metamorphoses will be a blood rose red stunner. Don’t recall if there is a corresponding Princess to such a hue but tell Liz Fields that she should most certainly make one up.  

"This is a picture of my daughter Delilah. She's the light of my life!"

If you have any photos or stores to share, please send them to LizFields @ LizFields.com

To find an authorized Liz Fields retailer near you visit: www.lizfields.com

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