AniA Collection

Real Bride: Anne Johnson (now Lamping)

2012-01-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

Our next real bride feature is the awesome Anne Johnson!

The Gown: Jim Hjelm "Double Bubble" 8057
Bridesmaid dresses: From AniA, all navy and each bridesmaid got to pick her own style!

The Shopping Experience:
Emily was amazing. The first time I came in was with my mom and was actually one week before I was engaged. When my mom came to visit my husband, Curtis, nonchalantly said he thought it might be fun if we went dress shopping together :). I felt comfortable with Emily instantly and she kept MY dream dress in mind, even when I got distracted by other dresses. I only had a four-month engagement and wanted some custom work done on my dress and AniA made it happen in time. Also, Emily always answered my calls quickly whenever I needed anything. When it comes to the dress it is very nice to have such prompt attention and service.

What did your fiancee think about your gown?
Even though it was perfect, I tend to second-guess myself. He had never seen the dress I picked, not even in a picture. I was a little nervous but he loved it and could not stop looking at me. He also got it preserved in a display box as a surprise for me after the wedding!

Dress Emergency!!
I didn't try to dance in it beforehand. The inner skirt was too long causing me to constantly be stepping on the front of the dress whenever I tried to walk too quickly. Right before the father-daughter dance I realized something had to be done. I found the wedding planner and asked her to cut the under skirt by my feet. She looked so scared, saying "you want me to cut your dress"?! But she did it. It was just a tiny bit of tulle that you couldn’t even see and the rest of the night I danced to almost every song and had a fabulous father-daughter dance!

The Vendors
Photographer: Mark VanDonge
Venue: Waterbrook Winery
Florist: Amoré Floral Designs
Wedding Planner: Carrie Brennan, Without a Hitch
Hair: City Slickers

The Planning Process:
The beginning was fun, looking at pictures, trying on dresses and picking vendors/venues. But after that I was a mess. I am a zookeeper, NOT a wedding planner (for a reason). I did not like making tons of tiny decisions. Thankfully we found Carrie, our wedding planner, she got things under control, which allowed me to enjoy getting married again.

The most stressful part of the process was trying to please everyone. Everybody tells you not to try to please everyone but it was our wedding-- we wanted everyone to be happy. Also managing the vendors and details, that’s where having a wedding planner saved us.

A Few of Her Favorite Things:
I truly didn't think every thing would go of perfectly but it really did... no joke. If I had to pick one it would be the "outdoor church" (the hanging lanterns that were strung from the altar all the way behind the guests). I dreamt it up but my brother-in-law made it happen. It looked like it came out of a fairy tale. Thanks Wylie.

Anne's Advice for the Newly Engaged:
Get a wedding planner. They will save you money in the end and allow you to enjoy the process. But find a good one that is focused on you and is not overbooked. Also make sure you like them and they seem to get your vision. And dance in your dress at the store :)

Real Bride: Nicole Snell (Warneke)

2011-12-05T12:53:00.001-08:00

This is the first of many posts we will be writing about our glorious REAL BRIDES! We love our brides! Each of the consultants here at AniA recommended a couple of brides to be featured. Nicole Warneke (now Snell) was at the top of the list! Check out her INCREDIBLE photos (courtesy Jennifer O’Donnell) and her interview!

The Gown and Dresses
I purchased the lovely WTOO Maria gown to wear on my big day. When I first started trying on dresses I could not take myself seriously. I felt like a little girl playing dress up. Until I found "the one" all of a sudden, I felt like a confident and sophisticated woman.

I wanted to keep the dress simple so I could have some interesting and unique accessories. I had a platinum colored sash adorned with thousands of crystals, a crystal cuff bracelet and matching earrings. I wore a simple veil borrowed from my sister-in-law, with a crystal comb in my hair. I really feel like my accessories personalized my look and made it one of a kind! My husband told me it was perfect, and he was very glad it wasn't the ball gown type.

My bridesmaids wore 3 different styles of Jim Hjelm dresses: JH5100, JH5104, and JH5110. The colors were a mix of Fuchsia and Graphite.

A Few of Her Favorite Things
As an Interior Designer by trade, naturally my favorite part of the process was all of the decor for the venue. I loved turning the cool, industrial feeling venue into the elegant affair I had always envisioned for my wedding. I loved how the altar piece (made by my Husband and my Dad) turned out along with the floral arrangements that went along with it. I also loved seeing all of my bridesmaid dresses together, I just loved the variety!

Her Advice: Enjoy the process and the months leading up to the big day....it goes by way too quick!

Vendors:
Photography – Jennifer O’Donnell
Venue- Gerding Theater at the Armory
Florist – Kristin Gobreski of Oregon Floral Farms
Music – John Ross Music and Productions

Sash it UP!

2011-11-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

One of the more modern trends in bridal fashion is the sash. Today's sashes are not the "splash of color" sashes we saw in the early 90's. These sashes are a way to personalize a gown, define a waistline, and do a quickie costume change. Check out some of our favorite sashes!

This incredible, vintage sash is by local designer Emily Riggs:

Sparkles are a girls' best friend, right? Right. Check out this Augusta Jones beauty:

A contrast in color can be lovely- especially when you use a neutral tone like this gorgeous, dark platinum belt from Lazaro:

Long story short, sashes can be an incredible addition to your gown!

In other news, AniA Collection is now open Sundays. This coming Sunday, every bride who comes into AniA will be entered in a giveaway for a custom sash! If you need a gown, this Sunday is the time to make your appointment!

Watters & Watters: Designer Profile and TRUNK SHOW!

2011-10-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Watters & Watters! The name itself harkens visions of flowy organza, floral texture, and incredible full skirts. We love their original line of gowns, as well as their less expensive (but JUST AS FABULOUS) line, WToo. The best part about Watters & Watters is their variety and diversity in design.

Name: Watters & Watters and WToo
Price range: W&W: $1500-$4500... WToo: $900-$1500
Key Design Elements: Full A-line silhouettes, flowy organza, crisp taffeta, floral embellishments and alencon lace.
Check out some of their newest designs!

To Market, To Market

2011-10-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

This year’s New York market was very exciting and inspiring for us here at AniA Collection. At the risk of sounding slightly hyperbolic, it's like a bridal reboot or style mouth-to-mouth, causing fresh inspiration to run through our collective bridal veins! It was a long plane ride from Portland, but it was nothing the excitement of the bustling garment district wasn’t able to remedy.

After a most to-die-for later night dinner at the Japanese restaurant Kasadela in the East Village the previous night (highly recommend, by the way), we spent the first day of market at the Pier. We saw runway shows a plenty and walked down rows and rows of designer booths, checking out all of the Spring 2012 gowns, bridesmaids, accessories, veils and shoes. Highlight runway shows included the fabulous Claire Pettibone and the ever-so-chic Watters.

There was no doubt this year that there are some very specific trends happening. I cannot think of a designer that didn’t have their own take on both the Kate and Pippa dresses from the royal wedding. Long lace sleeves with ball gowns and drapey charmeuse styles with cowl necklines graced every showroom.

One trend that we’re loving this season is color! It was so refreshing to see- especially during bridal week when you seem to be forever surrounded in what I normally refer to as ‘the white sea.' This time, however, we saw waves of pinks, peaches, and champagnes! Delicious!

Bridesmaids weren’t disappointing in the way of color this year either. Watters even had some amazing new prints perfect for a laid back outdoor shindig, while Jim Hjelm bridesmaids stunned this year with an exceptionally clean, fashion forward, yet timeless collection. Any way you slice it, we think your maids will be pleasantly surprised with the selection you’ll see at AniA this season.

Oh, and guess what?! Corset backs are back! And let’s not forget this year’s continuing trend of keyhole and cutout backs. Brides and buyers alike this year were all over any sort of cool back interest.

Another hot trend this season is all over texture, something I love and I think our funky and fun PDX brides will, too.

And finally, HUGE this year is both the short reception dress and the tear away/two dresses-in-one gown. Many of these styles included charmeuse sheaths with lace overlays that you could ditch once the reception comes around, giving brides two looks instead of one. Some were tulle ball gowns with cute minis underneath, making no need for a bustle. Personally, I wouldn’t mind swinging a big ‘ol fabulous skirt around all night long but for some brides and their locations, we think this option might be just the ticket... or maybe a high-low option is just right for you… so much to consider…

I don’t know about you, but here at AniA Collection we couldn’t be more ready for this wedding season! Market showed us all of the latest and freshest designs and ideas in current bridal gowns and accessories. We can't wait to show you the selections we've made and the versatility our unique boutique provides... so you can be YOUR kind of bride.

Jim Hjelm: Designer Profile & TRUNK SHOW!!

2011-10-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

We have the distinct pleasure to be hosting a fantastic Jim Hjelm Trunk Show this weekend. That means we're going to have a bigger selection of their new, elegant Fall 2011 line of gowns. AND! We're going to be offering a discount on ALL of their gowns and some sweet custom changes for free, too. Since he just so happens to be one of our most favorite designers, we decided it'd be a perfect time to give you a breakdown of Jim Hjelm. Just who IS Jim Hjelm, anyway?

Name: Jim Hjelm (part of the JLM Couture design house)

Price range: $2500-$4500

Location: All Jim Hjelm gowns are fabricated in the good ol' US of A!

A few of our favorite new Jim Hjelm designs:

Veil-o-Rama!

2011-09-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

After you have skillfully hunted and purchased a wedding gown, the next big decision is the veil. Though it is not a complicated process to choose a veil (once you have a few on, it's a quick pick), here are some things to think about during the process.

1. Is a veil right for you?

I know that at this point, many brides will have already clicked off this blog, sure that they do not want a veil. Veils seem to be cumbersome and overly traditional, and in this world of DIY weddings, an unnecessary detail. However, many brides who come into AniA absolutely POSITIVE that they don't want a veil end up with a cathedral length, beaded veil with a big blusher in front. There's something about a veil that adds drama and completes the whole bridal look. SO. Before you decide, at least try a few on. If you still hate the idea, so be it:

Some brides are content with veil alternatives. And with these kinds of options from Twigs and Honey, why wouldn't you be?

2. How long will you wear your veil?

Don't forget- most brides take their veil off right after their ceremony. You aren't committing to a whole night of tulle. If you DO want to wear it all night, make sure you pick a veil that won't get stepped on or torn (ie, a shorter length).

Princess Di was doing ZERO partying in this veil.

3. What does your dress look like?

The number one factor in choosing a veil is the gown. If you have a gown with tons of embellishment, we recommend choosing a very simple-edged veil with little or no added goodies. If your dress has embellishment and you HAVE to have a veil with some bling, add it along the very bottom edge or choose a veil that ends below where your embellishment stops. If you have a gown that has a slim fit and a mermaid or trumpet skirt, choosing a veil with a little bit of volume will give your wedding outfit balance.

4. How are you wearing your hair?

This can definitely dictate what kind of veil you get. If you're doing a half-up 'do, you might want to consider tucking the veil into the spot where your hair is fastened. If your hair is going all the way up, you have the option of positioning your veil underneath your hairdo as well. One veil can look lots of different ways depending on its placement, so play with different ideas.

This delicious 'do is punctuated by a gorgeous serged edge veil neatly tucked underneath.

5. Edges and Fabrics and Sparkles, Oh My!

You can get different kinds of edging on your veil- check out Occansey Designs for edging options. There are a few different kinds of tulle and netting you can use as well, ranging from the structured, open French net all the way to the softest silk tulle. Picking what kind of bling or lace you want should reflect what kind of dress you have (see #3).

6. Length Terminology

You may want to know some terminology going in- here's a li'l chart of the lengths of veils. Some may be called different things (and cage veil is not even on here- the nerve!) but this is a good guide. Waist is sometimes referred to as "elbow" and Hip as "fingertip."

6. Still lost?

Browse the interwebs and get some more details on what kind of veil will work best for you. Ultimately, the best time to shop for a veil is either when you purchase your gown, or after it's arrived. You want to see how the gown will interact with the veil. Check out Veil Shop for tutorials on which veil to pick.

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 9

2011-08-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

After you Shop: Try on Appointments

Eventually, after all that waiting, a wonderful thing is going to happen. You'll be minding your own business when out of the blue you'll get a call from your bridal consultant letting you know that your gown has arrived! Oh joyful joyness! Oh happy day! Here's what will happen next:

1. You'll pay the remaining balance. You can do this over the phone when she calls or at your try on gown appointment (see 2)

2. You'll schedule a Try On Gown appointment. This appointment is not a fitting - you won't be meeting with a seamstress, you won't be getting your gown altered. You'll simply be going to AniA to see your actual wedding dress in person, try it on, and talk to your consultant about where to go from here. Maybe you'll look at veils. Maybe you'll try it on with the shoes you bought and see if they match. Maybe you'll just take pictures and jump up and down a little. Either way, this is a fun appointment - enjoy it!

3. You should know that the following things are really, really, really normal at Try On Gown appointments:

The gown doesn't fit perfectly - Only about 1 out of 100 women are perfect standard sizes. Your gown has been ordered to fit the largest part of you - it will probably be too big in some places, and sometimes life happens and it might be a touch small (though your consultants do recommend going with the larger size to avoid that). It is incredibly unlikely that it will fit perfectly, and it will probably look a little funny. Don't worry! You're normal! That's what alterations are for! We're going to hook you up with a seamstress who takes incredible care of you, and that dress will fit like a glove by the time you walk down the aisle.

The gown is too long - Most bridal gowns are long enough for a 5'10" model. If you're any shorter than that, your gown will most likely need to be hemmed. I know it looks impossible with all that lace and beading, but just you wait - seamstresses are magical folks.

The gown seems slightly different - It's okay if it takes you a minute to remember what your gown looks like. 6 months is a long time, and you won't be the first bride to have forgotten there was lace on the neckline or beads on the bodice. Don't panic. You have pictures to compare, if anything is amiss we'll help you fix it, and you bought this dress because you love it. A few minutes of mirror time and you'll be madly in love with it all over again. And if you ever lose faith, come visit it again!

4. Decide where to store your gown. At this point, once your balance is paid, the dress is yours, and you can take it home if you want to! If you'd rather not because you have a cat or a toddler or limited closet space, we will happily store it for you free of charge until you're ready for your alterations. Just let us know!

Meet Your Consultants: Emily

2011-08-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Meet the wonderful Emily!

What are your five favorite gowns?

And your three favorite designers?

Lazaro, Tara Keely, Jim Hjelm

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don’t know.

I am a jewelry designer and trained metalsmith… check out my work! www.ewarnerdesigns.etsy.com

I also cater small events in my spare time. I am a fabulous chef and I love cooking, baking and making old fashioned homemade candies. I also make all my own jams!

What is your favorite hobby outside of work?

I am an avid gardener with a serious green thumb. So in my spare time I enjoy growing my own flowers, veggies and berries…..then I cook and bake some pretty amazing stuff with it all. Nothing tastes better than home gown food cooked with lots of love.

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant?

Well, I love my job!!!! It’s such a lovely, happy place to be every day. I mean for real ….. I am surrounded by the most amazing gowns and the most stunning jewelry all day!! I really love helping brides find their gown, it’s such an amazing experience to be a part of. Nothing is more rewarding than helping girls feel beautiful and helping make dreams come true.

If you could give every bride tips for choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

Follow your gut! You know yourself best, if it feels right, it is! This is an emotional decision – it’s different than shopping at the Gap.
Bring only a few friends, this process can be overwhelming if you bring too may people and the fewer the people the better. Make sure you choose your friends wisely – and always remember you have to love the gown, no one else, so listen to their opinions, but don’t let anyone sway you from what you really love!
Once you find the gown stop shopping! It might not take 100 gowns to find your perfect dress, despite what your BFF, Mom or anyone else says. It could be the first, third or twentieth dress you try on.
Be open minded and let your consultant guide you no matter how much you think you know. Your consultant is a professional.
Lighten up! This should be fun, it’s a fancy dress you get to wear on a special day. Details are important, but it’s the big picture that really matters. If you feel beautiful, and comfortable and would be so excited to wear the gown, you found the winner.

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 8

2011-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

After You Shop: The Waiting Game

A funny thing happens after you purchase your gown: nothing. For the next 4-6 months (or less, if you have special circumstances) a whole lot of nothing is going to go down. Bridal gowns are a specific lot - their made to order, and making couture gowns to order takes time. It's normal to be anxious, nervous, and antsy while your waiting for your dream dress to arrive. In the meantime, here are a few things to do, and a few not to do:

To Do:

1. Shop for accessories! Your consultant will provide you with a swatch of the fabric from your dress - this is the time to use it. Take it shoe shopping - you'll want to have your shoes by the time your gown arrives. Use it to help choose linens, or the shirt for your fiance's tux, or your flowergirl dress - keep it in your purse and use it at whim.

2. Shop for your friends and family. Now is the time to focus on bridesmaids' dresses and mom's attire and a suit for the groom. Go back to step one and repeat the process for your best girlfriends, or assign them a color and let them fend for themselves.

3. Don't wonder. If you have any questions, doubts, or worries about your gown, call your consultant. She would much, much, much rather have you ask her a question that might seem silly than worry about something you shouldn't be worried about. If your mind isn't perfectly at ease, call! We'd love to hear from you.

Not To Do:

1. Do Not try on other dresses. You wouldn't date another guy once you were engaged, and you shouldn't mess around with other dresses once you've committed to yours. Bridal Brainfreeze can still strike. Trust your gut. If you have doubts about your gown, ask to come back in a try the sample again. 9 times out of 10, just seeing yourself in the dress will remind you why you loved it so much in the first place.

2. Do Not make yourself crazy. If you have questions, ask them. If you need something, we'll figure out how to get it for you. Trust your consultant- she's got this.

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 7

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

While You Shop: Placing Your Order

Earlier, we talked about how you don't want to go shopping until you're ready to fall in love with a gown. When you do fall in love, here's what the process looks like (it will vary from store to store, but here's how things work at AniA):

Measurements will be taken: Bridal sizing varies dramatically from designer to designer, so in order to ensure a good fit, we'll need to take your measurements. A consultant will measure your bust, waist, and hip, then share with you a size chart to determine where you fall. Sometimes a length measurement will be necessary for custom hemming - you may be asked to bring in shoes of the approximate height you plan to wear. Most gowns come with standard sizing, so unless you're very lucky, your gown will probably not fit perfectly as ordered - that's where alterations come in. However, it's important that we get it as close as possible. It is always better to err on the side of a gown being to big than too small - be prepared to order up if your bust is larger than your hips or vice versa. Gowns can always be made smaller, but making them bigger can be tricky. And don't be alarmed by the numbers- bridal sizing runs notoriously small. Keep reminding yourself that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14 on these size charts.

Deposits will be placed: In order to purchase a gown, a deposit of half the total is required. The rest of the balance is due when the gown arrives. Be prepared with a card, cash, or a check for this initial deposit.

A swatch will be requested: We'll do our best to get a swatch of the fabric from your gown for you so you can start shopping for shoes and accessories. Same goes for bridesmaids and other party member gowns.

The waiting will begin: On average, bridal gowns take between 4-6 months to arrive, barring rush orders and special circumstances. We'll keep in touch with you and let you know when the gown arrives!

Some celebrating will go on: A champagne toast, a big hug, and a sincere congratulations - choosing your gown is a huge step, and we're excited for every bride! Yay!

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 6

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

While You Shop: Prevent Bridal Brainfreeze

A word of caution: Bridal Brainfreeze, a nasty condition that renders a bride completely unable to tell one white gown from the next and leaves her frustrated, helpless, and gownless, can strike even the most prepared and well-educated shopper. We've seen more bits of sanity lost to Bridal Brainfreeze than any other force in this business, and we want to be absolutely sure it doesn't happen to you. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here's what not to do:

Don't schedule more than two appointments in one day. Family in town or no, after two appointments, you will be hungry, and exhausted, and tired of having opinions. If you want to visit more than two stores, give yourself a day or week's break in between. Gown shopping when you're tired of gown shopping is a fate worse than DMV line standing. Trust us.

Don't try on too many dresses. It's important that you see different silhouettes and styles, and we want you to not have any question marks remaining at the end of your shopping experience, but we've seen many a brilliant bride fall victim to the blur that sets in after you've tried on 50 - 100 gowns. Ideally, and with any consultant who knows her stuff, your perfect gown will show up pretty early on in your shopping - almost always within the first few dresses you try. Have a ton of fun, and choose your own adventure, but we'd encourage you to try to limit your try on selections to no more than 30 dresses, total. Which might mean not letting your girlfriends make you try on those 15 gowns you know you won't like anyway. They'll be okay. Their turn will come.

Don't beat yourself up over someone else's opinion, or walk away from a gown you're sure is the one because you wonder what else is out there. Choosing a gown is like choosing a husband - when you find the right one, you know, you'll feel it, and even though there are hundreds of other options out there, you commit to the one you love. Once you fall in love with a dress, it's pretty unlikely you'll change your mind. That said, don't settle for a gown you don't love just because you've had three appointments today and you're tired of shopping. We'll do our best not to let you.

Don't keep looking after you buy. We call this "cheating on your dress." Bridal gowns are final sale, and shopping around after you've committed to one will only make you crazy. You chose your gown because you love it and it makes you look and feel amazing. Treat it well. :)

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 5

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

While You Shop: Speak Your Mind

You know it happens, because you've seen it happen on countless bridal reality shows: a bride falls madly in love with a dress, only to wear it beaming out to see her posse, who react in horror, tell her it's awful, and crush her dreams. 9 times out of 10, the gown the bride loved is no longer an option, simply because it wasn't her mom's favorite color or her friends thought it was too traditional. It's a sad story.

But how do you keep from getting caught in a bridal gown opinion stampede? Here are the two things you need to remember:

Speak your mind. This is YOUR dress. Say it with me: This is MY dress. Your opinion, solitary though it may be, is by far the most important opinion in this process, if not the only important one. Practice saying "Well I think it's beautiful" and if you love something, don't be afraid to say so. Wearing a gown that makes you feel like your sister or your BFF will leave you uncomfortable and feeling like you're in costume. You must feel like you. A dressed up, unbelievable, once in a lifetime version of you, but still YOU. Don't let anyone else make this decision for you.

Use your consultant. Little known trick: bridal consultants are excellent team mates. If you fall in love with a gown, but you know Grandma or cousin Suzy is going to hate it, confide your fears to your consultant while you're in the room and let her do what she does best - sell the gown. A few quick comments from her about how gorgeous your tiny waist looks, how classic the neckline is, and how unbelievably happy you look, and how no one could argue that you look anything less than perfect, and even your most opinionated relatives will be reaching for the tissues. We're on your side - we're happy if you, the bride, are happy, and we will do whatever it takes to help you get there. Even if that means taking on your Aunt Mary and her love for the puffed sleeves of the eighties. Bring it on.

Real Weddings: Barb and Keith

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

We're so excited about the Real Wedding we have to share with you today, courtesy of the incredible Alice of Mosca Photo. Barb and Keith were married at the breathtaking Gorge Crest Winery (the views are amazing!), and their wedding was so lovely and colorful and alive... we're in love. The beautiful flowers are by Lucy's Informal Flowers in Hood River, and that awesome cake is from Fleur Cakes. Barb is wearing one of our all time favorite gowns, Cheer by Watters. For more information on Cheer, or on gowns similar to others pictured here, please call 503.796.9170. And now, without further ado:

Huge thanks to Mosca Photo for sharing these beautiful pictures! Barb and Keith, we're wishing you the very happiest of happily ever afters!

~AniA

Coming Soon!

2011-07-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 4

2011-07-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

While You Shop: Consult your Consultant

You're here! You've got your posse assembled, your appointment set, your homework done, and now it's time to actually try on some dresses (gulp!). This is also the moment you'll meet your bridal consultant.

A bridal consultant isn't the same as other retail store employees. For starters, she's yours and only yours for the duration of the appointment. It's her job to get to know you - what you like, what you hate, how you feel about your hips, what your Grandma will say, what the church you're getting married in requires, or what necklines are best for you - all her job to learn. If you and your consultant can work together, you're a few easy steps from your dream gown, because she's also a wealth of knowledge. She does this all day, every day.

So how do we get this magic partnership to work? Here are a few tips:

Communicate. The first thing that will happen at your appointment is a brief Q&A with your new consultant. This conversation is your chance to tell her who you are, and you can milk it for all it's worth. Wear an outfit that really represents your style, bring some pictures of things you love, tell her your favorite non-bridal store to shop at, and anything else you can think of to help her get a good idea of you. The more you offer her, the easier it will be for her to steer you quickly and happily through the maze of white gowns to the dress that has been appearing to you in your dreams. Most importantly, tell her the truth! Be honest about what you want to spend, how you feel about tulle, and where you're getting married. She's using your words as her compass - anything other than the truth is going to land you lost and exhausted.

Let her work for you. After you've done your part to clue her in to your desires, it's time to let her work her magic. Your consultant might ask you to try on a gown that you hate on the hanger, or ask you to sit tight while she rounds up options when you're dying to go browse yourself. In the beginning, we strongly encourage you to let her do her thing, say yes, and be open minded. These ladies have seen all these dresses on all kinds of bodies, and often, they know what will look amazing on you as soon as you walk in the door. If she insists, humor her. You might fall madly in love with something unexpected, and she won't make you buy it if you don't like it. You have nothing to lose!

If you have questions or concerns, ask them. Bridal consultants love questions. Seriously. Bring it on.

Happy making a new bridal consultant BFF!

~AniA

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 3

2011-07-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Before You Shop: Make an Appointment

Alright, Bride, you've assembled your posse, you've established that you're ready, and it's time to go shopping! But how to go about it? Wander aimlessly into bridal stores and try your luck? Window shop, browse, and try to figure out what the gowns look like under plastic or through walls? Nah, you've done your homework. You know how to do this. Just consider your W's.

Where - Obviously, we're partial to our own store, but we know you're likely to visit one, two, even three bridal boutiques on your journey. We encourage you to use the internet! Visit the website, check out the designers carried by the store, check out their reviews on The Knot, or Citysearch, or Yelp. If your trying to stick to a budget, call and ask if they carry designers in your range and do a little online browsing. If you have any questions, ask them! You can learn a lot about what your experience will be like at a store by how they handle your phone or email inquiries! Bring it on. We all love, love, love questions.

Who - Ask how the store you're considering functions. Will you meet with a consultant? Can you bring guests? What about champagne? How long is the average appointment? Do they pull gowns for you or have you choose your own? Know what you're getting into. (For the record, as far as AniA is concerned, Yes, you'll meet with a consultant, Yes, but please no more than 6 or 7, Yes, you may bring champagne or sip ours on the weekends, you may expect to stay about an hour and a half, and we'll pull gowns for you (more on that later) but our inventory is all in plain sight and we won't stop you from choosing your own. Phewf.)

When - When you schedule your appointment will depend on your availability, the availability of your posse, and your personality. Weekends are the most popular time to try on gowns, but they're also the most crowded. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere or like your privacy, consider a midweek appointment. Also, if you've fallen in love with a particular designer, ask if there's a trunk show for them in the near future - you'll be likely to get a discount if you shop during the trunk show, in addition to having more of the designer's gowns to choose from!

What - Decide if you want to do a marathon day of shopping (please, please don't schedule more than 3 appointment in one day - it will only make you exhausted and moody), or if you want to schedule a few appointments over a few weeks. Don't be afraid to cancel future appointments if you find your dream gown early on.

Why - Scheduling an appointment is necessary for all the usual reasons. Though most stores will take walk-ins, having an appointment guarantees you time with a consultant, a reserved fitting room, and the kind of attention you deserve. Most places require a consultant to assist you in the fitting rooms, so if you walk in on a busy day, there's a good chance you won't be able to try anything on, which is disappointing for you and super sad for us when we have to ruin your plans. Make an appointment!

One more note on appointmenting: If you're going to be more than 2o minutes late, consider rescheduling. Most days, appointments are booked back to back, and you run the risk of feeling rushed through your visit. We hate making you feel rushed. Hate it. We want you to feel special and awesome and like the star of the show.

Happy making phone calls!

~AniA

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 2

2011-07-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Before You Shop: Be Ready to Fall in Love

We've seen it happen so many times: a newly engaged bride wanders into our store "just to look," consults a talented consultant, and suddenly she's standing in the dress of her dreams! Sounds wonderful, right? Except that now she's found her gown, but she's faced with a myriad of problems: Mom isn't here, she doesn't know what her budget is, she hasn't had the gown shopping experience, and the dress she's in love with is a discontinued sample on sale for 50% off and could leave the store at any moment. Oh calamity! Que horrible! What's a girl to do?

Here's the thing, ladies - bridal consultants are often irritatingly good at what they do. For that reason, we strongly suggest that you don't try on any dresses until you are absolutely ready to find your dream dress. We can't control when that dress will find you, but you will lose your heart to one, and when you do, you'll want to be able to take her home. But how do you know you're ready? Here's a simple checklist for you. When you can answer yes to all of the following questions, it's time to go shopping:

Do you know what your budget is, and are you comfortable sharing it with your consultant? (Trying on gowns you can't afford is an intoxicating, fun, and totally dangerous game. Play with caution.)

Have you done some research and gotten a vague idea of what styles/feelings/designers you like?

Are all the necessary people (your Mom, your best friend, etc.) ready and available to join you at your appointment?

Do you have the funds for your gown in place and ready to go?

Do you have an idea of the location for your wedding, and therefore the style of dress you need (e.g. destination, formal etc.)?

Are your ready to purchase the dress today, if you find it?

If you answered a solid "Absolutely" to all of the above, congratulations! You're ready. We're looking forward to your call. :)

Happy Shopping!

~AniA

How to Shop for Your Gown Like a Pro: Part 1

2011-07-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies-

Today, I'm tickled to announce the beginning of a new blog series here at AniA! For the next few weeks, we'll be posting our top tips for making your gown shopping experience as seamless, stressless, fun-filled, and successful as possible. After all, we want you to find your dream gown, and if the only tears you shed along the way are tears of joy, we'll consider it a job well done.

We'll be presenting these tips in 3 parts - Before You Shop, While You Shop, and After You Shop. Without further ado, here's tip number one!

Before You Shop: Assemble Your Posse

Putting together the right team is one of the most important and most under-considered aspects of bridal gown shopping. Brides tend to go one way or the other: You invite everyone (his family, your family, all your friends) or no one. We can't stress enough how important it is to put a little thought into who you bring along on this adventure. You want, no, you need to be surrounded by people who love you, support you, and most importantly, have your best interest in mind. Here's a little cheat sheet to help you determine who to put on your roster:

To Bring:

- Your loving, supportive mom, whose opinion you value or whose checkbook is necessary for the purchasing of your gown, with whom you have a close relationship and who you trust to value your opinions and put you first.

- Your super encouraging friend or sister. You know who she is - the one who always tells you when you look hot, who warns you when you have spinach in your teeth but then tells you you're beautiful anyway. If you always feel your best around this girl, she deserves to be there.

- Your fashionista friend with the great taste, as long as she's respectful of YOUR taste. If she's not a diva, she's in.

- His mom, if you've been together long enough that you love her like she's your own mom and you know she'll tell you you look beautiful in everything you put on, sip her champagne, and be generally pleasant.

- Your grandma or dad who thinks you're perfect. Totally bring-worthy.

- Your fiance, if you want. We don't mind, and who loves you more than him/her?

To Leave Behind:

- Your cousins/aunts/brothers/nieces etc. Unless you have an especially close relationship with one of these relatives, they'll only add unneccessary extra opinions to your already muddles brain, make a lot of noise, or look bored the whole time.

- Your entire bridal party. Too many girls = too many opinions. It'll be impossible to make all of them happy, someone is going to be resentful or catty, and you'll feel super claustrophobic by the end of the day. We know it sounds like a fun girls day, but trust us... you'll thank us later.

- Your jealous sister. Jealous sisters are tornados of destruction at bridal appointments. If your sister isn't thrilled at the idea of joining you, don't force her to come. Sisters are wonderful, but they're also wonderful at ruining your mood if you drag them places they don't want to be.

- Your mom, if you know having her there will stress you out. It's okay to make this choice without your mom if you don't have that kind of relationship.

- Anyone, repeat, anyone else who makes you feel anything less than special, beautiful, treasured, and loved. Weddings are stressful, and you need support - narrowing your team isn't being a diva, it's being a wise woman. This experience should be about you - no spotlight stealers or bitter Bettys allowed. Period.

The very best bridal shopping stories usually belong to brides who bring 2-3 guests (Mom, Sis, BFF or Mom, His Mom, His Sis - that sort of thing). The more people you bring, the more likely it is that they'll all disagree on what works and what doesn't and you'll wind up confused. Your voice, your opinions, and your feelings need to be audible over the roar of the crowd. We're here to back you up, but there's only so much we can do. :)

Happy picking an all-star posse!

~AniA

Last Chance for Glamour!

2011-07-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Ladies -

Our fabulous, unprecedented, IT'S FINALLY HERE plus-sized trunk show featuring the Glamour Collection by Casablanca is happening right now! This is your chance to get those beautiful curves into the store and into some real girl sized gowns while they're here for the weekend! Don't miss this event!

(Did we mention that Casablanca prices are amazing, and these gowns will be in, at, or near the $1000 range? Does it get any better?)

Appointments are still available for Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th. Please call 503.796.9170 to schedule your appointment.

Happy collecting those ooos and ahhs!

~AniA

Want sample gowns in real girl sizes?

2011-07-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Dear real-size bride -

We think you're beautiful. We think you're beautiful, and we hear you - those sample gowns that often come in for trunk shows are sized for super models. They fit approximately three people well. Though it's wonderful to try them on, and amazing to see them in person, it's frustrating to wonder what the gown would look like if it, well, actually fit.

But (hallelujah!) the answer is here, in the form of the upcoming Glamour Trunk Show, starring a collection of beautiful, figure-flattering, curve-flaunting gowns from Casablanca in sizes 18-30. Because that body you're rocking, the one with the killer curves? That body should be celebrated. We want to help you make sure you dress it up with all the glamour, style, and luxury you deserve.

If you've ever been frustrated because you know a mermaid gown would look amazing on your hourglass, but the samples seem to be cut for Twiggy, this is your trunk show. If you're tired of guessing at what a gown might look like, this is your trunk show. If you're sick of feeling like you have fewer options because you aren't Jennifer Aniston and you've had enough, this is your trunk show. We're pretty jazzed to say it's our trunk show too!

Casablanca "Glamour Collection" Trunk Show

Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th

AniA Collection

419 SW 4th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

Please call 503.796.9170 to schedule an appointment.

Book early! Space will fill up.

Happy celebrating the beautiful, ladies!

~AniA

Short Cuts

2011-07-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Happy sunny Wednesday, ladies!

photo by the incomparable Bryan Rupp Photography

We know you've thought about a knee or tea length gown for your bridesmaids (you kind, thoughtful girl, you), but what about for the bride? More and more frequently, our brides are choosing to wed in less-than-traditional settings, and a full length gown with a 10 foot train isn't always the most convenient when you're line dancing in your uncle's barn, hoping on the back of your fiance's motorcycle, or trying to work the crowd in your favorite downtown brewery. Luckily, some of the best designers in the bridal world are all over the need for stylish, shorter gowns that have just as much luxury and detail as their longer cousins. Take a look at some of our favorites:

Style Kyra by WToo. Adorable, fun, and the best part? WToo gowns range from $650-$1400, which means it also a total steal!

Style 2960 by Tara Keely. A little Mad Men, a little Alice in Wonderland, a whole lot of perfect.

Style Martine by WToo. Classy, timeless, simple, and so very downtown clean.

Style 1106 by Jim Hjelm Blush, for those of us who can't get over the wonder that is cotton lace.

Style Melbourne by Watters. Don't you just want to wear this everywhere? We do.

Happy getting those gorgeous gams out to see the sun!

~AniA

Meet Your Consultants: Lisa

2011-07-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

Meet the positively lovable Lisa:

What is your favorite dress?

My favorites are Chrysanthemum (which has sadly been discontinued) by Claire Pettibone and Lia by Augusta Jones.

Who is your favorite designer?

I love Augusta Jones and, of course, Lazaro!

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don't know?

I make sculptures out of rice. (She's not kidding, friends. This girl is crazy talented.)

Favorite hobby outside of work?

I enjoy hiking and taking photos.

What is the biggest challenge you find in your job?

Working with the designers to fit the needs of the brides. Getting everyone's ideas to line up can be a challenge, but it's a good one!

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant, for you?

Helping brides prepare for the biggest day of their life!

If you could give every bride one piece of advice about choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

There are plenty of fish in the sea, and there are plenty of bridal gowns out there, too! Once you get the feeling about a gown, that it's "the one," and you can't stop thinking about it, it probably is the one! The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed because you tried on all of the beautiful gowns out there. Trust your feelings.

Maid to Love

2011-06-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

Bridesmaids -

You've heard us say it before, but we're not sure you believe us: you don't have to hate your bridesmaids dress! Today's maidswear is so far above and beyond the traditional ho-hum- these gowns have style, fresh color, wearable silhouettes - we dare say you might wear them again!

If you have questions about any of the gowns you see here, or the other beautiful things you'll find from JLM Couture and Watters & WTOO, feel free to give us a call at the store: 503-796-9170. There's a consultant available to answer all your questions, help you find exactly what you're looking for, and walk you through this crazy bridesmaid world.

Happy actually feeling pretty as a bridesmaid!

~AniA

Meet Your Consultants: Rachel D.

2011-06-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

Meet the beautiful and brilliant Rachel D.:

What is your favorite dress?

I love, love, love “Madame Butterfly” by Claire Pettibone. It’s a great blend of classic styling with whimsical details. So awesome! My favorite dress in the store though is by Lazaro, #3818. The back is gorgeous!

Who is your favorite designer?

Claire Pettibone! She has such a range of styles and the details are impeccable. Next question! Lazaro is another favorite of mine. His old world influences are sublime.

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I moonlight as a cellist. I play with a local symphony, string quartet, and even an indie rock band.

Favorite hobby outside of work?

Gardening is the best. I love being outside and in the dirt. Sigh, I want to be gardening now.

What is the biggest challenge you find in your job?

These days, television makes our job difficult. All the shows and movies have created out there stereotypes about the industry that don’t help anybody. If the wedding industry was really like the media makes it seem, I would quit! We are pretty laid back here and we like to have fun!

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant, for you?

I love the team we have here. We work together nicely and we always try to help each other out. It’s great! Go team!

If you could give every bride one piece of advice in choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s not everyday that people get married, so there is no reason that a bride should know everything. It’s our job to know the ins and outs of the industry and if we can’t give you an answer right away, we have the resources to find out. A lot of frustration in the process could be avoided if the brides asked more questions.

Sample Sale Extravaganza!

2011-06-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Ladies-

This is the event you've been waiting for:

This Sunday. June 26th for one day only, AniA will host our biggest, wildest sample sale of the year. All kinds of wonderful, current, to-die-for-or-at-least-get-here-early sample gowns will be marked down by HUGE percentages... you simply can't afford not to be here!

No appointments will be taken on sample sale day - first come, first serve for the best deals on bridal in the city. We'll see you there!

Happy scoring the perfect gown!

~AniA

One Beautiful Video...

2011-06-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

You simply must see this incredible video from Black Label Films of a recent styled photoshoot - it's amazing, inspiring, and just plain gorgeous. Plus, tons of our vendor friends are showcased! Watch it if you'd like to inject a little pretty into your day.

R O C O C O | Wedding Inspirational Shoot | Portland, Oregon from Black Label Films on Vimeo.

Happy dreaming your workday away!

~AniA

Vendors We Love: Jessica Hill Photography

2011-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

Today we'd like you to meet one of Portland's sweetest photographers. Jessica Hill is truly charming, and there's nothing better than having a wedding photographer that you really like on your big day. Add to that charm her incredible eye, talent, and beautiful work, and you've got yourself the best of the best. Without further ado:

Jessica Hill Photography

www.jessicahillphotography.com

Contact: 503.415.1411

What do you love most about what you do?

I love the way I'm invited to tell an extremely personal, unique story with my photos, and I treasure the privilege I'm given to capture a couple's best memories together. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful stories and gorgeous couples I've had the chance to document!

What's the strangest/silliest/happiest/most unexpected wedding day experience you've had so far?

I LOVED the menagerie wedding I documented for Britt & David. The had their dog, Tycho as ring bearer, and a tortoise Matilda present - their venue also had gorgeous peacocks and birds roaming the grounds, so there was lots of wonderful animal life everywhere! It was pretty unique!

What's the one thing you'd want to see/have/do at your wedding?

I love a really simple, intimate wedding, like Alix & Ben's gorgeous Oregon coast wedding. Something small and unique - close friends and family, some breathtaking views, good food and dancing are all I need! While a really considered, event wedding can be one of the most spectacular events, I know for me I'd love a low-key and intimate affair.

What do you know about weddings/brides now that you didn't know when you started your business?

I really appreciate the diversity that your wedding can have - I've photographed everything from quick elopements to full weekend destination weddings, and the variety in what your day can contain is so endless! I've worked with some really interesting, unique couples that have given me such insight into their personalities just with the things they chose to highlight on their day.

What is the best advice you can give to a bride-to-be?

Take your time - if you want a summer weekend wedding, venues will book up the year before, so make it a long engagement :) Meet with your photographer, make sure to have them photograph you before the wedding during and engagement session, so you're at your most

comfortable on the big day!

Show us a picture you're especially proud of, and tell us why.

I LOVE this image from Adrianne and Daren's engagement session. It's so unconventional and a bit photojournalistic - it's really just a moment captured, but from a specific vantage point and I think it tells the story of their love in such a nice way. So simple, but still breathtaking :)

Jessica, thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions and share your beautiful work!

Happy oooing and ahhing over lovely wedding pics!

~AniA

Meet Your Consultants: Jennie

2011-06-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

Meet the incomparable Jennie!

What is your favorite dress?

Lazaro 3102 currently. I also love Maria from WToo and Lazaro 3050.

Favorite Designer?

Lazaro. The JLM corporation in general does phenomenal work. They have fantastic designs, the world’s best fabrics, high quality construction, and are made in the USA.

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I have a 6” by 8” birthmark over my belly button.

Favorite hobby outside of work?

I am writing a teen fiction series about shapeshifters. I plan on submitting for publication next year.

What is the biggest challenge you find in your job?

Keeping my big personality contained when I’m excited during consultations. I think sometimes I am more enthusiastic about all these wedding than the brides! I just love it when girls look gorgeous and I can picture how fabulous their entire wedding will be because of it!

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant for you?

Pictures! I wish more of my brides sent me photos so I could see how it all turned out. When I do get them it feels like Christmas! Haha!

If you could give every bride one piece of advice in choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

Think of dress shopping like dating. Don’t start dating before you are ready. Then when you are ready, date around till you find “the one,” then stop dating and commit. Love your dress, be faithful to your dress, don’t cheat on your dress. There will always be other Brad Pitts out there. Likewise, there will always be other dresses out there, but your dress is perfect for you.

A little bit of lovely...

2011-06-08T08:59:00.001-07:00

Hi ladies!

How lovely is this styled shoot from Melissa of Soul Mates Photography? We'd basically like to hang out in this setting all summer long:

Contributors: Gowns: Lazaro and Tara Keely, exclusively at AniA Collection. Photography: the amazing Soul Mates Photography (click the link for more of their beautiful work). Event Styling: Gather Event Planning and Consultation Floral Design: Rosemary Stafford Floral Design Cake: One Divine Party Hair and Makeup: AJ's Hair Design and Makeup Rentals: Peter Corvallis Productions Menswear: Collier Paper Goods: Paper Bloom

Happy daydreaming!

~AniA

Augusta Jones Trunk Show

2011-06-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, Ladies!

Mondays can be gloomy, but with the promise of more sunshine in the forecast and an Augusta Jones trunk show on the weekend horizon, I think this Monday might just be worth celebrating. Augusta Jones remains one of our very favorite designers - gorgeous gowns, endless customization, shockingly fabulous prices... the list goes on. And this weekend, the newest and best will be here for your shopping pleasure!

**Augusta Jones Trunk Show**

Friday, June 10th - Sunday, June 12th

AniA Collection

419 SW 4th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

Please call 503.796.9170 to schedule an appointment. Space is limited.

All the usual fabulous trunk show discounts apply! We'll see you this weekend!

Happy shopping!

~AniA

Meet Your Consultants: Rachel C.

2011-06-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies -

Meet the delightful Rachel C.!

Rachel Coddington, Bridal Consultant

What is your favorite dress?

Jim Hjelm 8061- it has this amazing ruffled halter that is an unexpected, courageous detail on a wedding gown. I love how out-there it is.

Favorite Designer?

WTOO. They have an incredibly affordable line of gowns that LOOK expensive- and I love their botanical details.

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I can beatbox. It’s no big deal.

Favorite hobby outside of work?

I make paper flowers! I just got married and for our flowers, we made ranunculus out of paper. Now I have an Etsy shop with the flowers and templates for sale. It’s one of those hobbies that’s therapeutic to do.

What is the biggest challenge you find in your job?

When a bride has a super specific idea about what she wants and is unwilling to try new things. This is a challenge for me because I want the process to be fun, and part of that includes trying on quirky dresses you’d never actually wear.

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant, for you?

I’m going to be honest- I love budget brides. We have an incredible assortment of gowns that are really affordable, and I love digging through our inventory and finding a dress that works inside a budget that the bride is comfortable with.

If you could give every bride one piece of advice in choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

BE OPEN MINDED. I would say that 80% of the brides who come in with a specific idea about what they want leave with something completely different. Be willing to put on dresses that you aren’t sure about, and let your consultant guide you. We do this every day! We rarely try on lace, satin, or floor-length ivory clothes- it's important to let your consultant help you figure out what works best with you, your budget and the tone of your wedding.

Designer Spotlight: Emily Warner of e. designs

2011-06-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies!

For today's Designer Spotlight, we'd like to introduce you to the positively lovely Emily Warner of e. designs. Emily's jewelry is stunning - clean, elegant, timeless, with that organic leaning that we Portlanders go nuts for. And wouldn't you know it, Emily herself is every bit as lovely as her work! Enjoy her thoughts:

e. designs

www.ewarnerdesigns.etsy.com

Find her on Facebook!

Tell us a little of your story:

I'm a California native, and I enjoyed an enviably romantic childhood . The sunshine and inspiring landscapes of rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean instilled in me a love of beauty. You can see in my work the way these elements have shaped my vision. These days, I make a point to continue to surround myself with beautiful things. I am incredibly inspired by beauty in every form- trees, a well baked cake, traveling, antique shops, tribal jewelry, nature, gardening, and fresh flowers - all of these things touch my heart. I have the ability to find beauty in just about everything around me.

As a child I was fascinated with everything fabulous, most especially my mother’s jewelry and high heels. I spent hours, as many little girls do, playing in my mom’s makeup and raiding her closet to find the perfect accessories. I am not sure I even knew what I was doing, but I loved the idea of how glamorous the combination of all those things made me feel. I have been obsessed with accessorizing ever since.

I moved to Oregon for school, where I attended Southern Oregon University and studied Art, Art History and Anthropology. It was my senior project (for SOU) that brought me to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I rented a house and studied silversmithing at Sterling Quest School of Jewelry Design and Creation. I traveled around the country, ate yummy food, laughed, danced and swam in warm ocean waters. It was an incredibly inspired summer, I dream of going back to those days!

My jewelry pieces are each as unique as the experiences that inspired them. Traveling has been a big part of my life and inspirations: I’ve been everywhere from the ruins of Greece to the jungles in the Peruvian Amazon. I’m fortunate enough to have been exposed to places and cultures so different from our own in America, which have opened me up to a much grander insight to draw from than I would have, had I not had these experiences. These places, and the people I have met along the way are so incredible. They are my muses. I take a little piece of them with me each time I go, and are reflected in all the creative avenues I pursue.

Tell us about your work:

My pieces are that perfect combination of laid back and sophisticated, traits a west coast girl like myself can achieve best - glamour and elegance with a twist of the natural and organic. The collection embodies perfectly imperfect, one-of-a-kind pieces using sterling silver, gold-fill, semi-precious stones and found objects. Each piece offers women an organic simplicity that combines indulgence and wearability. My designs originate from the heart and inspire the love inherent in true beauty. I can’t help collecting stones and shells and interesting ephemera when I travel. Some of these found pieces I use are vintage, most are from my travels around the world and the rest from gem shows… I do true metalsmithing, building a piece starting with just sheet silver or gold and some wire. Using a torch and hammer as well as a variety of other tools, I create these pieces . In addition to metalsmithing, I also use the wire wrapping method to make beaded jewelry. So when you are purchasing a piece of jewelry from Emily Warner Designs, either as gift or maybe your own wedding jewelry, you can be confident in knowing you are getting something unique, inspired, and showered in good Karma.

And it doesn’t stop with the jewelry. I have always loved being creative not just with jewelry specifically but also with cooking and baking, abstract painting, ceramics, and photography. Even party planning! I love to create beauty in the little things too. The way you set a table, the stamps you use on a card, how you wrap a present - it’s all about the details.

Speaking of inspiration, what are some things that inspire you?

(Emily provided this list to be used as we saw fit, probably expecting us to edit, but we think it's such a perfectly beautiful and inspiring in list, we're leaving it alone!)

sweet potato fries hikes

chandeliers Kundalini Yoga

mani/pedis riding the train

laughing cooking and baking

sunshine black and white photos

down comforters Chelsea Lately

lemonade cocktail parties

summer Sharpies

my dog Nia chamomile tea

California Style Magazine my brothers

going out to breakfast tropical vacations

fancy hotel rooms red nail polish

salty chocolate (thanks Jennie!) stationary

the colors blue and green vintage cake plates

heirloom tomatoes peacock feathers

old barns candles

a sunroof a good workout

gardens really old books

checkered vans cobblestone streets

Greek mythology fresh cut grass

snail mail letters handbags

clean sheet day flowers

picking blackberries fishtail braids

farms acupuncture

the ocean volunteering

party planning fashion shows

wedges DQ chocolate dipped cones

and hoodies and of course jewelry of all kinds!

Thanks for taking the time to share your talent and inspiration with us, Emily! We can't wait to see more of your work at the upcoming trunk show! (Stay tuned for details. :) )

Happy sparkling!

~AniA

Huge thanks are due to Nate Broshot Photography for the styled images above. For more of Nate's work, visit www.licensetostill.com. Thanks also to Petalos for the bouquet, Visual F/X Salon for the model's fabulous hairstyling, Jessica Belknap for the beautiful makeup and YOLO Lounge for being a fantastic place to shoot. And of course, all gowns are available at AniA Collection!

Meet Your Consultants: Morgan

2011-05-27T08:47:00.001-07:00

Hi ladies -

For all out chatting about beautiful gowns and fantastic sale opportunities, we realize we haven't exactly had a lot of face time with you. We thought you might like to get to know the women behind the fashion at AniA Collection, so we'll be featuring one of our consultants on the blog every week. For starters, meet Morgan, our completely fabulous Store Manager!

Morgan - Store Manager, Bridal Consultant

What is your favorite dress?

At the moment? Lazaro 3050 and 3100! The textured skirts are just to die. But my longtime love has to be Chantilly from Claire Pettibone- the lace is so exquisite and the sheath silhouette is just timeless.

Favorite Designer?

Design-err, like just one?! Hm.. Lazaro, Jim Hjelm, Watters, Claire Pettibone… I can’t just pick one, it’s not fair!

Tell us something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

Well, unless you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the glory, you probably wouldn’t know that I can recite the theme songs to an almost disturbing amount of ‘90’s TV shows and commercials! Oh, and I do have a mean Scottish brogue when the mood strikes.

Favorite hobby outside of work?

In addition to shopping, spending time with friends and squeezing my month old nephew’s cheeks, I also really enjoy my hobbies of oil painting, reading classic fiction and making jewelry too (although, it’s not very good!)

What is the biggest challenge you find in your job?

Carrying around those dresses all day long! No, that’s not true. There are many challenges to being a bridal consultant, for example knowing that it’s not always only about finding the bride the dress of her dreams but also understanding that the people that the bride brings with her, i.e. mom, friend, sister, etc need to be on the same page too. Sometimes the bride is completely sold on a dress but if someone important to them doesn’t love it, it can be a deal breaker. It’s always sad to see a bride walk away from the dress of their dreams just because someone else doesn’t like it. Everyone’s opinion is different but at the end of the day it’s about what the bride wants! Despite whatever challenges, it’s worth it to be involved in this exciting part of a brides wedding planning process!

What is the best thing about being a bridal consultant for you?

The best thing about being a bridal consultant for me is getting to meet and create relationships with new people each day while providing them with a truly unique and memorable bridal shopping experience. From the first day the bride tries on dresses - to the fittings and choosing the accessories - to the day we hand off the gown to her before her wedding day, each bride is unique and seeing the excitement on their faces is priceless. Beyond working with the brides, I love our team at AniA, we have so much fun every day even though we are working really hard.

If you could give every bride one piece of advice in choosing their perfect wedding gown, what would it be?

Just go for it! I’m a full proponent of going all out on your wedding look. Achieving drama in an elegant and effortless way is the ultimate bridal chic to me. Don’t be afraid to go a little big, a little ruffley, but at the same time, resist going with all the elements at once or it’s overwhelming. In other words, choose your statement pieces or gown elements carefully and own them!

There's a Sample Sale in your future!

2011-05-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies!

It's Monday, which means we'll have to start saying our goodbyes to those amazing Claire Pettibone dresses we've been hanging out with all weekend. Which is a little tragic. Let's just take a moment.

...

Alright, enough of that, because we have big news! Mark your calendars for June 26th, friends. If you already have plans, reschedule. Because AniA is having a:

And not just any sale. We're talking about a massive, season-ending, unbelievable discounts, blowout of a sample sale. This is your chance to get your dream gown for your dream price. We won't be taking appointments on sample sale day, so get to the store early to secure the best selections and a fitting room!

**Spring Sample Sale**

Sunday, June 26th

AniA Collection

419 SW 4th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

503.796.9170

aniacollection@aniacollecion.com

Happy bargain hunting!

~AniA

Real Weddings: Holly and Craig

2011-05-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies!

This week's Real Wedding made us tear up a little as we made the post, simply because we have so much love for this beautiful bride. Holly was definitely one of those gals who wound up with a different gown than she was expecting, and she had to chose this dress because everyone's jaw dropped to the ground the moment she tried on the sample. They were completely made for each other, Holly and this dress. Much like Holly and Craig. The photos of their wedding below are from the sweet and delightfully gifted Erin Grace of Erin Grace Photography. Check out more of her work at her website: www.eringracephotography.com.

Holly's beautiful dress is by Watters & Watters. You can find it here.

Holly and Craig, we are so thrilled for you and hope your future is full of love, excitement, and all things beautiful. Wishing you a very happy happily ever after!

~AniA

A little Claire Pettibone blog love...

2011-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies, and welcome to Wednesday of Claire Pettibone week here at AniA!

You know how much we love these dresses, and seeing as we're basically dying with anticipation over seeing them in person this weekend, we're taking the Claire-related eye candy whenever we can get it! Which brings me to today's discovery of joy:

Claire Pettibone has a blog!

And not just any blog- a beautiful blog where they post loads of images of real brides wearing their amazing dresses... what a perfect way to spend an afternoon!

Happy drooling over the fabulousness!

~AniA

Claire Pettibone Trunk Show

2011-05-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good Monday, Ladies -

"Unique" and "romantic" are words we hear pretty often in the bridal business. No other designer even comes close to embodying those to words with the flair, whimsy, and just general jaw-dropping creativity that Claire Pettibone does with every collection. These gowns are simply unbelievable. I mean, look at them!

We all do ridiculous happy dances every time a CP trunk show rolls into town, and when bridal consultants are pirouetting around the room because of new gowns, something special is definitely in the works. Call today to schedule your appointment for this unmissable event!

**Claire Pettibone Trunk Show**

Friday, May 20th - Sunday, May 22nd

AniA Collection

419 SW 4th Ave.

Portland, OR 97204

Please call 503.796.9170 to schedule your appointment. Space is limited.

Did we mention they'll be on sale? Well, it's a trunk show. Of course they'll be on sale. We'll see you this weekend!

Happy Shopping!

~AniA

Real Weddings: Theresa and Travis

2011-05-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies-

There are few things as wonderful as a wedding that radiates joy in spite of a multitude of raindrops. Our lovely bride Theresa and her husband Travis had exactly that sort of wedding. Captured by the incredibly talented Rebekah Johnson (follow the link to view more of her fabulous work on her website), this wedding is so full of laughter and spunky color and pure happiness that it just makes us giggle. Theresa is also the cousin of last week's Designer Spotlight feature, Erin Brooks, who made the beautiful hairpin she's wearing. Enjoy these beautiful photos!

Theresa's stunning gown is by Angelina Bridal Couture.

If you want to see more of this gorgeous wedding, which was produced by Ella Event Coordination, check it out on Rebekah's blog here!

Theresa, you looked so gorgeous and we are so thrilled to have been a part of your day. We're wishing you a very happy happily ever after.

~AniA

Our Cure for the Monday Blues

2011-05-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, Ladies-

On this cloudy Monday, we thought we'd take a break from our regularly scheduled programing to give you a good old-fashioned eye candy sugar rush. Here are some stunning beauties from our friends at JLM. For your perusing pleasure.

There, don't you just feel better now?

Happy teaching this Monday who's boss!

~AniA

Designer Spotlight: Erin Brooks of Serephine

2011-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies-

Today we'd like you to meet one incredibly talented gal. Erin Brooks of Serephine creates some of the most perfectly lovely bridal headpieces and fascinators we've ever seen. We're lucky enough to carry some of Erin's pieces in the store, and we can't count the number of ooos and ahhs the receive on a regular basis. So for our first Designer Spotlight, and without further ado:

Erin Brooks of

Serephine

www.serephine.com

The Vesper

The Reina - Image by Sara Gray Photography

Tell us a little of your story:

I'm Erin Brooks and I was born and raised in Portland, OR, went to Scripps College and got a B.A. in Spanish literature in Southern California and now I live in Seattle, WA with my husband Ben and our two cats Mojito and Gimlet. I love fashion, art, history, practicing my spanish, travel, photography and dance.

The Paige

The Olivia

Tell us about your work:

I formed my company in June, 2010 after I had trouble finding the quality and style I was looking for in my own bridal headpiece.

The Eleanor - Image by Sara Gray Photography

Serephine means "fiery one," and I chose the name to represent the women who wear my accessories: women after my own heart who enjoy fashion and like to turn heads. I think my collection offers accessories that are both edgy and romantic--I don't think it has to be one way or the other.
The Kaia

I meticulously handcraft all of my pieces out of premium fabrics, feathers and embellishments, ensuring they are top quality and completely gorgeous before they go out the door and I LOVE working with my amazing, chic brides and sassy fashionista clients.

The Natalie

The Maureen - Image by Kali Lu Photography

The Mallory Veil with the Sabine Hair Flower
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from all kinds of places, nature, fashion, moods, personalities, etc. For example, I have a friend named Caroline who got married last year and based on her dress and her personality, I designed my piece, and her namesake, The Caroline. Sometimes it's just the colors and shapes of the feathers and how I think they would look great arranged, sometimes it's nature (for example the Kelly orchid piece is obviously a feather adaptation of an orchid flower).
The Gemma - Image by Sara Gray Photography

A lot of times I think about my mood and what I would like to wear myself and sit at my desk and start creating. It can be just a feeling I want to evoke or capture. I also like to look to the past and bring a vintage and classic, timeless feel to life with a lot of my pieces.

The Darla

The Daphne

Erin, thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself and your process with us! We feel so lucky to get to work with such a fantastically talented designer. If you'd like to see some of the Serephine pieces in person, you're welcome to come view the collection at AniA!

Happy fascinating!

~AniA

Coming soon...

2011-05-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Alright Ladies,

We know it's early, but we couldn't resist announcing a new trunk show that we think is pretty important.

In the decade or so that we've been in the bridal business, we've been confronted time and time again with how difficult it is for plus size brides to shop for bridal gowns. It's a tough issue, because we so strongly believe that all brides are beautiful, and that all sizes deserve to try on absolutely anything they want, but it's hard to stock multiple sizes of every gown... there simply isn't room in the store! We love our plus size brides, and it breaks our hearts when we can't serve them the way we'd like to and make them feel as gorgeous as we know they are.

Our team has come up with a way to bridge the gap, and this summer, we're thrilled to announce that AniA will be hosting our first ever exclusively plus size trunk show! The Glamour Collection trunk show will feature some of the latest styles from Casablanca, all in sizes 18-30! We simply can't wait for you to come and try them on! It's going to be an amazing weekend, and hopefully the first of many similar shows to come!

Mark your calendars:

**Casablanca "Glamour Collection" Trunk Show**

Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th

AniA Collection

419 SW 4th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

More details to follow. If you want to reserve a spot early, you can make an appointment by calling 503.796.9170.

Happy celebrating those fabulous curves!

~AniA

Real Weddings: Jenni and Kyley

2011-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies!

Oh man oh man oh man do we love this bride and this wedding! Jenni has such a lovely, positive spirit, and the details of this day? Fabulous. We love the black and white with pops of color, the timeless and perfect Alvina Valenta gown that Jenni's wearing, the dashing bridal party... gorgeous! Right down to the gummi watermelons, this wedding seems like it would have been so much fun.

We know Jenni and Kyley will live a life full of laughter together, based simply on their love as captured by the wonderful Jessica Hill in these photographs. Jessica is a total photography rockstar (how gorgeous are these pictures?). For more of her beautiful work, visit www.jessicahillphotography.com.

This beautiful venue is Lakeside Gardens... doesn't it look heavenly?

Jenni and Kyley, thanks for letting us enjoy the photos of your beautiful day! We are wishing you a very, very happy happily ever after.

~AniA

Vendors We Love: Le Cookie Monkey!

2011-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies -

Okay, let's talk dessert: you've seen cakes, sure, and cupcakes are adorable, but your last three bffs to get married all had cupcake towers... what's a girl to do? We'd like to introduce you to the custom cookie! Le Cookie Monkey offers tons of customizable, adorable, tasty, made-to-order cookies for your shower, wedding, birthday party... you name it! We've had these cookies at our parties, and let us tell you, their a total crowd pleaser and sooooo yummy. If cookies aren't your thing, these guys also make fabulous cakes, cupcakes, and all kinds of other tempting desserts! Not to mention the delightful folks at Le Cookie Monkey, who are lovely and so much fun! Without further ado:

Website: www.lecookiemonkey.com

Contact: 503.544.5041

Email: amber@lecookiemonkey.com

What do you love most about what you do?

We love meeting new people, and giving them really fresh baked goods!

What's the strangest/silliest/happiest/most unexpected wedding day experience you've had so far?

We once made a cake for 200 people and only about 50 showed up! (Brides, fight for the RSVPs to avoid having this happen to you... or just enjoy having tons of leftover cake!)

What's the one thing you're glad you did at your wedding?

We definitely recommend having a wedding planner! As for us, we're glad we had a reggae band!

What do you know about brides now that you didn't know when you started your business?

That most of them are easy going and excited about their cake! We definitely get the fun part... everyone is excited about eating cake!

What is the best advice you can give to a bride-to-be?

Make sure you get a chance to eat your cake at your wedding!

Which vendors do YOU love to work with?

We love to work with florists and event planners.

Thanks so much for taking a moment to chat with us, Le Cookie Monkey, and for all the mouth-watering photos! We can't wait for more cookies!!!

Happy munching!

~AniA

Pattis Trunk Show

2011-04-25T10:27:00.001-07:00

Ladies-

Who would you like to be on your wedding day?

A timeless princess?

A modern bohemian beauty?

A daring fashionista?

A sultry siren?

Whichever aspect of your personality you choose to highlight on your big day, Pattis has a gown that will fit your vision. And this weekend, the latest and best Pattis gowns will be back in the boutique for you to try on and dream in! They'll also be on sale, naturally.

**Pattis Trunk Show**

Friday, April 29th - Sunday, May 1st

419 SW 4th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

Please call 503.796.9170 to schedule an appointment. Space is limited.

Happy shopping!

~AniA

Real Weddings: Karyn and Noel

2011-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies-

Alright, I'm usually pretty committed to keeping my authorship of these blogs anonymous, but writing an intro to your own wedding pictures is just too weird. So, just for today, I'm the gal behind the blog curtain, and these are the photos from our February wedding. We hired the incomparable Bryan Rupp, and the photographs are predictably extraordinary. My gown is Blush by Jim Hjelm. The lace is cotton- soooo soft and comfortable. Hair by the fabulous Heather Simon of Tribe. Desserts by the one and only Alissa Rozos of St. Jack. So there you have it. I'm not just the spokesgirl... I'm also a client. ;)

Socks are from Sock Dreams, and Noel's awesome vintage suit is from Avalon Vintage. My boots are from Imelda's, naturally.

There you have it! Thanks again to Bryan Rupp... you completely made our year with these pictures. Not even kidding. :)

No go out there and craft yourselves some weddings, ladies!

~Karyn

Real Weddings: Ashley and Josiah

2011-04-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies-

At AniA, we know we work with the absolute greatest brides in the city. But some of our brides are truly exceptional. Meet Ashley. Ashley is one of those girls who lights up a room, a store, a wedding gown... she and her entire family AND bridal party were so completely delightful to work with - wonderful people all around. And check out these pictures! Have you seen a more gorgeous bride and groom? Wowzers. Photographs are courtesy of their amazing photograper, Mark Galligan. To see more of his work, visit his website at www.markgp.com.

Ashley's gown is by Paloma Blanca.

Her stunning bridesmaids are wearing Watters gowns. How badly do you wish you were in this wedding? Right?

Ashley and Josiah, you are lovely, and we are so glad we had the chance to be a part of your big day! Thank you for being so very wonderful to work with.

Wishing you a very happy happily ever after.

~AniA