Bridal Accents Couture and International Designer Jose Dias - HOT!

So here we are on the way to Bridal Accents Couture in Savage, Minnesota to meet Jose Dias, an international designer for Justin Alexander Couture. Savage, Minnesota is about 10 minutes West of 35W South on Highway 42  near Burnsville, Minnesota.  It's about 3pm and we are figuring it's time for Bloody Mary somewhere in the world but okay not in Minnesota.  We stopped at Champps for lunch if you call 3:30ish PM lunch.  So we hear Jose Dias is a really nice guy and his gowns are unique, stylish and Yummy Red Carpet inspired.  Yes Jose is from LA, you know just down the road from that place called Hollywood.  Yes where the hills are alive with the sound of Sassy talk and Sassy Smart Fashion looks!

So okay focus Bruce it's 8:00pm now, the Presidential debates are on.  We met Jose and he talked to us about designing and what he is seeing hot off the runways.  It's funny to listen to him talk about different parts of the world and what sizes are the average and what people like and don't like.  So here we go.  California, showy and size 2-4 and all about 5'5" tall so don't believe all the stars at 6feet.  In Europe like Germany women average size 24 and in the United States they average 14-16..which is what Princess Diana was like when she first entered onto the world stage.  You didn't know that did you!  See hang with us and you will increase your trivia.  Not sure how important it is but maybe in some parts of the world it is.

Anyhow, we talked about how gowns are becoming less embellished and more - let me hear it loud and clear - "Simple But Elegant"  in other words plain and simple.  Ta Dah!  

Jose Dias is a wonderful designer who has the flair for the original the glamor of red carpet and the understated elegance that is truly today's Bride.  You can tell Jose truly understands the line and look of truly great style and design.  His price points for what you are looking at are amazing if not jaw dropping because it's truly affordable in this day and time of watching your money.  The fabrics are true and his re-embroidered laces with metallic  are stunning.  If you are looking to meet him in person you need to run your fingers quick to call Bridal Accents Couture at 952-846-4496 to set up an appointment with him as it will be the best thing you ever did for your wedding.  He spends real quality time with his brides, always listening to their suggestions, questions and of course praise for his work.  And it's well deserved praise.  I hope to be in Chicago next weekend for Bridal Market so I will be there to see Jose Dias designs on the runway!  Jose you Rock!  Oh, Oh, Oh and when we arrived he was designing a gown with adaptations the bride had requested.  A true designer.  When you see him design it's what you get. PURE TALENT!

Also you can see his gowns on the main runway of The Wedding Fair on October 12, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  Hope to see you there!

Bravo for Minnesota Monthly Best of the Cities

Let's just say this was the week for working late and seeing everyone in many industries which overlap the wedding industry.  We were off to the Minnesota Monthly Magazine Best of the Cities not to be confused with other Best Of or Best of the City whatever!  You know them all!  Could there be one more?  Oh don't forgetthe Best Of which is Better than Best - what ever that means can we stretch this to mean anything more than what it is or does that's magazine make it the Bestist?  That's like using the word thingy.  My head is spinning.  Stop the Madness!

Last night we were the guests of Steve Fox, publisher of Minnesota Monthly as they partied at The Hotel Minneapolis at 215  4th Street South in Minneapolis.  There is a reason why I am giving you this address but will get to later.  Right Brian!  Anywhoooo and I truly mean who because it was the who who of the best at this party.  Not sure about all the other parties but this one was busy!  So many people - congratulations to Apres Party and Tent Rental for their award and our long time friends and Halloween party blast people Liz and Heidi of Bastian Skoog!  Yes I promise I will be at the Halloween Party!  Long time friend and all around great guy Ralph Burnet!  Way to go all of you and congratulations for being Minnesota Monthly's Besot of the Cities.

Now back to Mr. Brian at The Hotel Minneapolis.  Brian Schmechel that is, who is the General Manager.  Matthew and I had the great opportunity to talk to Brian who we have known for years and he was asking if we thought a bride would like to have her wedding in the lobby of The Hotel Minneapolis.  We told him YES of course what an awesome place.  So this is what we need you all to do.  Call Brian and tell him they should allow couples to have their wedding reception in the lobby of The Hotel Minneapolis.  You can reach Brian by calling 612-340-2000 and letting him know you would like to see the lobby to host a reception.  Our thought is up to 250 people with a dance!  Rock Brian real soon and let him know.

Pictures will be coming soon, very soon!

It's that time of the year! Getting Ready For The Wedding Fair - October 12, 2008

This has been a week full of exciting times and very busy social calendar for Matthew and I, The Wedding Guys.  Just as leaves start to turn color for the Autumn season, it's also the tell tale sign The Wedding Fair is just around the corner for October.  Also the sign to start revving up for the show is our  trip to Mestad's Bridal Salon in Rochester, MN with all the models so they can be fitted in the gowns they will be wearing in the Weddings Couture fashion show at The Wedding Fair on Sunday October 12, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  

As always the gowns are beautiful and the models loved having fun playing dress up.  I really get to 

know the models really well while we all drive together to the fittings.  You really get to know them spending 1.5 hours in a car - SUV.  Believe me I get to hear it all, down to who is dating who and they even ask me what I think....I'm protective of the models, we all become like family.

Cathy Mestad and Ingrid Kent were happy to see us arrive and the fittings went really fast.  We are welcoming two new models to the show on October 12th.  Actually one new one and one who is returning.  Both are from Russia.  How exciting.  The gowns are amazing and you will love the styles you will see this fall.  Here are a few examples of the detail and unique silhouettes you will see on the runway.  

If you are interested in being seated for the Weddings Couture Runway Show, it's a different experience than the main fashion show.  You are given assigned seating, brides receive a gift bag, the guests are ushered to their seats by the male models from the main show and you are also given champagne or wine with the show.  It allows you to get closer to the gowns to really see the flow and detail.  Tickets are $10.00 in advance.  See twincitybridal.com for information.

W Minneapolis - The Foshay WOW's The Twin Cities in STYLE! Hurray Ralph Burnet!

Oh Yeah!  Let me tell you one thing after attending the W Minneapolis  - The Foshay VIP Grand Opening last evening with Matthew, the 'W' stands for  WOW! 

Ralph Burnet and his wife Peggy and daughter Stephanie and son Ryan were the perfect hosts!  They not only raised the bar in over the top they brought a party that hasn't been seen in Minneapolis for years if ever!  Ralph and I have known each other for a few years when he and I worked on an event that brought Michael Jordan into Minneapolis.  (If you want to know - Michael does talk very quiet.)  Matthew and I were very honored and proud to be able to celebrate this wonderful event with Ralph and his staff.  

From the moment we received our special leather boxed invitation in the mail with the silver pocket watch enscribed "Who's Ready To Speakeasy?" we knew this was not going to be just any old run of the mill event.  And boy have we seen our share even when they have been promised to be over the top.  Been there seen that, got to go!  From the moment we arrive and a gentleman asked if my name was Vassarella and I said no, it's Vassar but if you want to add "ella" like Cinderella I won't take offense.  We all laughed and Dylan and Nikolai ushered us over to walk the red carpet in W style - purple!  It was pure Purple Reign BABY! 

The camera bulbs were flashing, TV media it was all there.  Ralph was gracious and had a picture taken with us and who was behind us, no other than Las Vegas actress Molly Sims!  There were your Vikings of course and high profile executives from notable TV and radio shows as well as monthly publications (Andrew Rice, Editor -in-Chief of Twin Cities Luxury & Fashion and Lori Storm, Managing Editor - really great people, ride the tide!) it was a part of Hollywood in Minneapolis on a Thursday night.  I know a Thursday night!  Well we all know that Thursday night is when the real party people go out, saving the Friday and Saturday nights for the amateurs.  Robyne Robinson from KMSP FOX 9 once told me.  OK back to the party.  Next step was into the property itself.  So here we goooooooooooo!

The entrance is the most stunning dark shades of black, grey, silver and gold with a Fabuloso chandelier wrapped around a pillar that Matthew noticed..he has the eye for that kind of detail.  As we moved to the living room areas, they transformed these into the dance club.  This is where it gets really good.  The DJ - oh yea!  A female DJ who not only was playing Hot music, but she was HOT!  Her name was DJ Sky Nellor from West Hollywood.  She played Michael Jackson like only somebody could from West Hollywood.  Go to myspace.com/skynellor to learn more about this fab person.

Nextdoor to the sassy dance floor - all in black I may add - striking, was the live vending machine.  Yes an actual vending machine that had live gorgeous models from the era when the Foshay was actually built.  O which reminds me that they also had dancers on the bar from that era along with dancers with canes who would walk around and pour vodka out of the cane just like during prohibition times.  Anyhow one of the girls in the vending machine was a model from The Wedding Fair - yes Jena!  Who found her but another model from The Wedding Fair - Keno!

So it was up to the 27th Floor - Prohibition was the ultimate destination!  Here we are in the elevator and all of a sudden someone says - "It's The Wedding Guys!"   Matthew and I are like 'Oh Man'.  We are just not so used to being recognized like that when we are out at events ok or Target ask my daughter Stephanie.  We all laughed when I said, "Shh Where are they."  The 27th floor was actually the floor that the original owner - Wilbur Foshay, had his personal office suite.  Can we say NICE with a sizzle sound because I am telling you -  it was HOT!   When you looked out the windows you could see the 'W' logo being shinning onto the IDS tower.  I know - awesome - it was like being in another time and place.  Almost Batman like!  I KNOW! I'm telling you it was rock star awesome!  Well let me just say I know where I am having my Birthday Party in 4 more years.  Yes it's a milestone!  That's all I am saying.  Speaketh no more and moving on................

We have arrived back down to 1st floor.  As we walk by beautifully dressed Peekaboo Room dancers from the bygone era of Prohibition and Candy Girls with old time candy favorites like Candy Cigarettes, Sugar Daddy and Slow Poke Suckers just to name a couple.  Oh and the best was seeing the old-time movie projectors with old-time 1920's Follies.  We are now back on the main floor and the focus is food and beverage.  

Now before I get started I want to say something.  This is something I saw and I just want to comment so hopefully people learn new things.  Well and we all like to learn new things right?  Right!  OK  butler passed hors d' oeuvres are just that.  Butler passed.  It's not meant to be a stop gap feeding trough where you make dinner off of one tray!  If you don't think enough food will be served (which there was more than plenty) eat at home before you go to the event.  Now we can move on.  Next!

Manny's Steak House at the W Minneapolis Hotel - The Foshay (I always like using formal names) provided the food and beverage and like everything else we were overly impressed.  I have included a couple of my favorites from the evening and I hope you will all get a chance to experience the culinary expertise and art that we did.  Sue Zelickson was front and center and in the middle of it all.  Spoke with her briefly admiring all the fun food and people.  Love ya Sue!

Butler Passed Menu Items:

Mini Crab Cakes with  Poblano Aioli, Gazpacho Shooter with shrimp, Wild Mushrooms with Fontina Cheese, Chicken Satay with Thai Peanut Sauce, Truffle Deviled Eggs wiht Caviar, Bacon Brats in Puffed Pastry with Black Mustard, Lamb Lollipops with Curried Yoguet Sauce, House made crackers with Chevre, Carmelized Onion and Micro Greens, Rare Seared Beef Tenderloin Crostini, with Smoked Tomato Marmalade, and Roquefort Cheese.  Giant Shrimp Cocktail, Carved Bone-In Rib Eye bites and Braised Beef Short Rib and Scallop Sliders.

Assorted Butler Passed Desserts:

Mini Cupcakes, Caramel Brownie Bites, Lollipop Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, and Assorted Home Made Truffles.

Butler Passed Specialty Drinks:

Epiphany and Behind the Green Door.  Sorry can't give you the recipe!

Photos To Be Added Very, Very Soon!  We Promise!

So I know you may be wondering where all this is going.  What I am expressing is that in any event even like your wedding, there are key elements that really standout.  Much like the Grand Opening your wedding is a Grand Opening of your life together with your new partner.  If you are just starting to plan your wedding.  You want to check out the W Minneapolis Hotel - The Foshay.  Believe me you will thank yourself for taking the advice and the time!  Wav a Wonderful Wedding at the WOW - 'W' Minneapolis Hotel - The Foshay!  

Congratulations Ralph Burnet!  Thank you for bringing this Grand Building back to life in the style and sophistication only you can do!

You Rock!

Bruce Vassar and Matthew Trettel - The Wedding Guys!