| rain, sleet or shine |

it is bright and sunny this saturday morning, and we are busy getting ready for tomorrow's event with karen bussen. come rain or shine we hope to see you. scroll down for the rest of the details. . .

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| march 1st giveaways |

We wanted to highlight the great giveaways that will be at our first be engaged event on March 1st, featuring the lovely Karen Bussen.

Every bride that registers for the event will qualify for a drawing to win one of the following:

Wedding Luncheon with Karen Bussen

This is one lucky bride's chance to have one of America's top wedding planners and

entertaining experts all to herself for two hours! You'll dine as a VIP with Karen and

one guest at Le Train Bleu, a vintage dining car restaurant set in the home department

of Bloomingdale's flagship store in Manhattan. You can choose any topic to discuss

with Karen--decor, dresses, invitations, etiquette, food, logistics--whatever you like!

Bring your notes, questions, and inspirations and Karen will share inside advice and

tips with you to help you personalize your celebration and streamline your planning

process.

Monique Lhuillier "Joie" Toasting Flutes

This extraordinary refined collection from designer Monique Lhuillier proves that elegance is all in the details. The Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton collection is extremely durable, intended for everyday use and is also highly sophisticated for special entertaining. Inspired by Monique's best-selling bridal gowns and fabrics from her evening gowns, the collection appeals to a wide range of personalities and tastes. Owning them is a joy forever.

Karen Bussen's Simple Stunning Wedding Collection

The Simple Stunning Weddings series of books has everything you need to know from start to finish including resources and insider advice on all the details from one of America's hottest wedding experts! Simple Stunning Weddings is a design book with 200 color photographs to inspire you, plus hundreds of tips and tricks.

Simple Stunning Wedding Organizer is filled with checklists, a customizable calendar, and plenty of notes pages, plus pockets to keep swatches, contracts and business cards at your fingertips.

Simple Stunning Wedding Flowers is a must-have guide to wedding flowers for every bride. Filled with gorgeous photos, beautiful budget-friendly centerpiece ideas, and easy flower reference charts to put you in-the-know.

Simple Stunning Wedding Etiquette is the real-life guide to hosting your celebration with grace and style. This practical etiquette book is jam-packed with Karen's advice on tons of "sticky situations," along with the ins and outs of formal attire, invitations, and all the details ...

Simple Stunning Wedding Showers is filled with inspirations for twenty fresh shower themes, plus pages of recipes and activities. Perfect for your bridesmaids!

| space is limited, so please RSVP today by calling 860.669.4596 |

please scroll down for more info

| New Yoo! |

Introducing The New 2009 Maids Collection from Jenny Yoo.


We are excited to announce that new Jenny Yoo maids have arrived! See below for a sampling of the new beauties.

Please ring us at 860.669.4596 to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Hope to see you soon!

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| be engaged in 2009 |

Join us this March for our Be Engaged series of conversations — two exclusive panel discussions and book signings happening at the newly renovated second floor at the White Dress by the shore.

The first event scheduled to take place on March 1st from 1:00-3:00 PM features Karen Bussen, event planner and celebrated author of a series of wedding related books entitled ‘The Simple Stunning Collection.’

The panel will also include Justin and Mary Marantz, wedding photographers and founders of Portrait House, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a house for Habitat for Humanity along with yours truly—Beth and Christine.

Moderated by WTNH anchor Ann Nyberg the panel discussion will focus on the topic of Personalizing Your Simple Stunning Wedding. The discussion will last about an hour and give brides the opportunity to ask the experts their own questions. It will be followed by a champagne book signing sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers of Madison, featuring six of Karen Bussen’s Simple Stunning Collection.

The second event will take place on March 22nd from 1:00-3:00 PM and features Michelle Rago, acclaimed destination event planner and author of 'Signature Weddings, Creating a Day Uniquely Your Own.' The day will begin with a panel discussion moderated by Brides.com editor and author Anne Chertoff. Beth and Christine will also join the conversation to talk about Perfect Planning for the Perfect Wedding. The discussion will last about an hour and give brides the opportunity to ask the experts their own questions. It will be followed by a champagne book signing sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers of Madison, featuring both Michelle's Signature Weddings book and Ann's wedding organizer from Russell+Hazel.

There is limited seating at both events. Reservations can be made by calling 860.669.4596. Books can be pre-ordered through RJ Julia at 203.245.3959 or may be purchased at the events themselves.

Hope to see you there!

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| winter celebration |

On December 3^rd we brought together an amazing mix of brides and vendors for a wonderful Winter Celebration!

The evening began in our newly renovated salon space with a fashion show featuring the magnificent bridal and mother of the occasion collection of Connecticut-based bridal designer, Modern Trousseau. The crowd then gathered downstairs in the boutique to sip champagne and enjoy savory treats from Gourmet Galley. The evening was capped off a tasting of delectable wedding cakes by Elizabeth Hodes of New York City and a visit to Gourmet Galley's candy bar that was on display in Chic by the shore- the studio that houses our bridesmaid collection and our invitation atelier Stonington Design + Paperie.

Our guests generously donated to The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation and we were able to raise over $1400 for an incredible cause. It was an evening of fashion and festivities and it was the perfect way to launch the holiday season.

A special thanks to our event planner extraordinaire, Allison Salvati, of Something Blue Special Events and to our very generous sponsors:

Beneath the gown
Brides.com
DD Nickel Makeup Studio
Elizabeth Hodes Custom Cakes & Sugar Art
Flower upon Flour
Grayden Thomas
Gourmet Galley Catering
Hana Floral Design
Jamie Collins Photography
Just in Case Gift Kits
Liberty Rentals
Modern Trousseau
Steven Fowler Films
Timothy Pamment Salon

and enjoy these pics from the talented Jamie Collins below

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| winter celebration pics from jamie collins |

| so much to celebrate |

yes, we feel very grateful this time of year and are throwing a party to show it!

beth is unveiling her new expanded salon space at 104 east main street in grand style.

come join us on dec 3rd where brides are honored, fashion is admired and mingling transpires; exclusive engagement for the soon-to-marry and the finest wedding vendors around. learn more here and to rsvp,
but do hurry as space is limited.

you can also catch the details today on martha stewart's blog. . .thanks much to darcy miller for her support.

hope you to see you on dec 3rd for the feast and merriment!

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