xoxo, loveBird

all things bridal & details on Love Bird events!

Andria Bird 6/18/23 Andria Bird 6/18/23

Edith Élan Trunk Show

One of the best parts of supporting North American designers is the incredible relationships we get to build with them. More than just a name and a collection of pretty dresses, we get to know the amazing human(s) behind the line while we work with them to create our brides’ perfect looks.

We’re kicking off a fun Designer Q&A series with Lourdes Castañeda, owner and creative brain behind Edith Élan! Known for blending the past and present into timeless looks for the modern bride, her gowns are lovingly designed and produced in her studio in charming Charleston, South Carolina.

Here’s what Lourdes had to say about the brand as a whole, her inspiration, and her personal favorites!

Q: What type of bride do you feel like your gowns speak to?

A: “Edith Élan bridal styles speak to brides that are searching for pieces that are modern yet timeless, chic, and unique. In other words, our brides possess style and confidence, and exude a joie de vivre. They know who they are and what they want. They are unaffected by passing trends. And instead, seek designs that speak to their unique style and that will withstand the test of time.”

Q: Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs?

A: “Honestly, inspiration can come from anywhere! I've been inspired by nature, works of art, photography, fabric, and even previous collections! I usually know pretty quickly if what I'm looking at will be the inspiration for the newest bridal collection. It's just a feeling.”

Q: What do you love most about the design process?

A: “My favorite thing about the design process is watching flat pieces of fabrics become this beautiful, three-dimensional piece of wearable bridal art! It's like watching magic happen in front of my eyes!”

Q: If you had to choose a favorite gown from your newest collection, which would it be?

A: “From the newest collection, it would have to be Jealine! I really love the mid-century inspired silhouette and the little details that make her so unique. I especially love how what would be the tails of the the bows at the shoulders drape down the back and transform into the trains. Oh, and the fact that the trains are detachable for a two-in-one wedding dress.

If you want to know what my favorite all-time gown is, it would be Milly from the 2020 collection! She's a sleeper on the hanger, but once she's on she comes to life. And again, I love her beaded details on the sleeves, cuffs, and waist. They might be small in size, but they are significant!”

Q: What advice would you give to a bride-to-be?

A: “I have two pieces of advice for a bride-to-be. First, don't be afraid to try on different silhouettes, necklines, fabrics, etc. during your first appointment especially if you don't know what style you want. Only by trying something on will you know if it's for you or not. Also, along the same vein, don't discredit a dress by how it looks on a hanger. Not every dress hangs the same way it falls on a body. Some dresses need a body in them for them to really shine!

My second piece of advice for a bride-to-be is to always be true to your personal style! Don't choose a trendy dress just because it's "what's in" now and you feel like you have to. Trends come and go, but no one can recreate your style. And when you are true to yourself, you will wear the bridal style with confidence instead of it wearing you. In the end, your wedding-day look should be an elevated version of you.”

We’re hosting her newest collection and some classic favorites from the brand for a trunk show at our Branford location June 17th through July 2nd! Book your appointment for then and see for yourself how Lourdes’ words translate into her stunning gowns!

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Andria Bird 6/18/21 Andria Bird 6/18/21

Kentucky Derby

Andria Bird 10/29/20 Andria Bird 10/29/20

Newport // Beach House

When Lisa of Nightingale Events asked me to be a part of a photoshoot with Krista Jean Photography at the Newport Beach House in Newport, Rhode Island, I was excited to be going back to my roots. Newport is where I called home for nearly a decade. My bridal brand began there, and my first two shop locations were there. I figured I could loan a gown from Love Bird for the shoot, but it didn’t feel like enough. So, I decided to take a break from everything to design a custom gown that felt right. And here she is! Paired with an Andria Bird sash, veil, hairpiece, and earrings from my fave Newport jeweler, Duris Studios.

Andria Bird is our in-house bridal gown and accessories collection, which is also available in select retailers. The gown from this shoot made it into our collection, and two brides have already said “yes” to this beauty! Her name is Sydney Jane, and we love her. xoxo

Photography // Krista Jean Photography . Florals // Flowers by Justine . Planning + Design // Nightingale Events . Dress + Sash + Hairpiece + Veil // Andria Bird . Jewelry // Gozzo Jewelers . Earrings // Duris Studios . Purse // Island to Eastside . Gift // Lavender + Pine Gifting . Calligraphy // Wink Pink Ink . Stationery // Serif Sans Designs . Hair + Makeup // Lockstar Weddings . Rentals // Peak Event Services . Venue // Newport Beach House, a Longwood Venue . Car // Newport Classic Car Tours . Suit // Generation Tux . Cake // I Need Sugar Therapy

Andria Bird 2/23/20 Andria Bird 2/23/20

M I C H E L L E // a mountaintop elopement

When Michelle surprised us with the news that she and her fiance had canceled their wedding and opted for an “Adventure Elopement” in Colorado, we were SO excited. Nothing makes us happier than a bride doing their own thing. Okay, one thing makes me happier. Being a part of bringing their entire bridal look together, especially when it is as awesome as Michelle’s was.

They joined an amazing photographer (husband) and officiant (wife) team, The Drawhorns, on a four hour tour & hike of Rocky Mountain State Park in Colorado, where they had their ceremony amid breathtaking views.

Michelle’s vision for her bridal look was to have an amazing skirt with a bodysuit tucked in, and LOTS of warm layers underneath. With the help of our seamstress, Melissa of deMelis Atelier, a custom-made Edith Elan skirt, and some amazing online finds, Michelle pulled off the perfect adventure elopement look. Here are the photos to prove it!

If you are a New England bride looking for something non-traditional, Love Bird Bridal Shop is your place! Let’s do this, party people. xoxo

Andria Bird 4/30/18 Andria Bird 4/30/18

Styled shoot // The Dirt Salon

Love Bird bridal shop had the pleasure of working on an inspirational styled shoot with some amazing Connecticut wedding vendors! The venue (Dirt Salon in Hartford) was just the right amount of down and dirty up against soft, white hues. We fell in love with their super cool event space and could picture it as the perfect venue for an intimate, rad wedding. The florals by Pine & Petal were out of this world gorgeous. Her vision was to create bridal florals that did not require "vessels," so all of the flowers stood on their own, which was honestly impressive to watch. They were truly unique and stunning. In a word, Catherine of Idlewild Photo captured the inspiration perfectly.

Photographer Idlewild Photo Co /\ Florals Pine & Petal /\ Gown Lindee Daniel via Love Bird Bridal Shop /\ Event Design Pearl Weddings & Events /\ Hair UpStyle /\ Makeup Erica Martell /\ Decor Gather & Lounge

Andria Bird 5/25/17 Andria Bird 5/25/17

Trunk Shows // what are they?

You probably see them announced all over Instagram, Facebook, and bridal boutiques' websites, but you may not know what a trunk show really is.

Bridal shops have trunk shows in order to show brides a particular designer’s full collection. It is a great way for bridal shops to display designs they don’t carry yet, and it gives brides who have an affinity for that designer the opportunity to come in and see the entire collection. If I know a bride is very fond of of a particular designer, I am always sure to let her know if I have an upcoming trunk show with that designer so that she can see and try on more styles.

There are two main reasons for brides to come in during a trunk show. First: it gives brides more options. Second: trunk shows almost always come with a discount of at least 10% off the gowns from the trunk show designer. Some bridal shops limit you to just trying on the trunk show designer, while others don't. At Love Bird Bridal Shop, you are never limited to just trying on the trunk show designer, so the gown shopping experience is just as open and stress-free as a regular bridal appointment. You simply have more options!

Be sure to sign up for our email list to be in the know on upcoming trunk shows!