Occasions Bridal

Bridal Registry Statistics,

2012-02-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

Bridal Registration Statistics from Bridal Monitor™

Brides who register have an average of 29% more guests at their wedding (143) versus those who do not register (111).
Brides who register tend to have weddings that are more traditional, formal and romantic than brides who do not register.
Brides who register spend 44% more on their wedding dresses than brides who do not register.
Bed, Bath & Beyond is the most frequently used bridal registry.
Cookware is the most often registered-for category in registry.
KitchenAid is the most often registered for brand in registry.
Better educated brides are significantly more likely to register than less educated brides.
Couples who register are nearly twice as likely to go on a cruise for their honeymoon as couples who do not register.
The top 10 largest registry categories have a projected market value of $1.3 billion dollars annually.
Martha Stewart Living is the brand that appears in the most registry product categories.

At Occasions Bridal and Evening Wear Boutique we are noticing that our brides are now registering at our bridal boutique for their wedding attire and complementing jewelry and accessories gift certificates are a very popular item that can be used by the bride to help off set her costs , Guest books, garters ,toasting flutes, can all make lovely gifts for the bridal shower as does a engraved cake knife and server.

Fun Fresh Bridal Headpieces, Bridal floral headpieces

2012-02-08T10:41:00.001-05:00

Romantic soft hair styles are quite the look this year. At Occasions we are noticing that our brides are looking for a more subdued hair piece to change into at their reception.

A bold single flower a cluster of small buds or crystals intertwined throughout a brides undo are the perfect finishing touch. Brides are now also opting for a small veil of tulle or a russian net bird cage veil to complete the look.

One (1) in Six (6) Couples Meet Online

2012-01-23T22:33:00.003-05:00

In a recent survey, the wedding report asked couples if they met online or not; if they did meet online, where did they meet. In their first question, “Did you meet your spouse-to-be online?” 16% (1 in 6) said yes they did, while 84% said no, they did not meet their spouse-to-be online.

Of those who did meet online, 1 in 10, the highest percentage (65%), met on an online dating site (searching a person’s profile). The next highest percentage, 1 in 50 or 14%, met on a social networking site (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.).5%, or 1 in 125, of those who indicated they met online met in an online chat room. 3%, or 1 in 200 met though online gaming or in a virtual world. 1 in 313, or 2% indicated they met their soon-to-be-spouse in either through a personal/classified ad or on an online forum, bulletin board, or in an online community. Just 1%, or 1 in 625, met on a personal website/blog, or through direct contact via email or messaging. 6%, or 1 in 100 met their spouse-to-be online in a way not mentioned above.

Trend Alert: Low Back Gowns

2012-01-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

Low or Transparent backs - Many brides want to show off their back, and designers have certainly delivered on this. The back of the dress is just as important as the front, designers have showcased this by creating very low backs that are either bare or have illusion lace over tulle. As reported by Fox news

Trend Alert Belts and Sashes

2012-01-12T08:08:00.000-05:00

Bridal belts come in many fabric choices such as satin, taffeta and organza to add just the right look to any wedding gown.
You can even add a splash of color in your sash and the color of choice this season seems to be blush pink.
Beading is very previlent and you will see both pearls stones and bugle beading. Lace applicate adds quite another feeling giving your gown a more tradition even vintage look. Flower belts are perfect for a more laid back romantic look. Do you have an antique broach add that to for a sentimental yet old world style.
The wonderful thing about a belt is that it allows you to add your personality to your wedding gown. Enjoy!

New Years Eve Weddings

2011-12-28T22:38:00.001-05:00

With New Years Eve falling on a Saturday this year, more couples are opting for the party of a life time, their wedding. We are seeing very opulent wedding gowns as well as simple evening gowns for the Bride .

Silver , Gold and shades of Red seem to be the colors most brides are choosing for their attendants.

Pantone Reveals 2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

2011-12-11T22:33:00.002-05:00

December 9, 2011 by Accessories Staff

"A spirited reddish-orange": Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

On Thursday, Pantone, an X-Rite company and the global authority on color, announced Pantone 17-1463 “Tangerine Tango” will be color of the year for 2012.

The “vivacious, enticing hue” will succeed this year’s color of the year, Pantone 18-2120 “Honeysuckle,” a color that “encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor,” Pantone said.

But in a deliberate move—not unlike that of a tango step—Tangerine Tango, “a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

‘A Magnetic Hue That Emanates Heat and Energy’

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Orange has grown in popularity in recent years, Pantone noted, and Tangerine Tango already is grabbing attention as part of Pantone’s Fashion Color Report Spring 2012. Among the designers incorporating the color in fashion are Tommy Hilfiger, Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Steffe by Shaun Kearney, Elie Tahari and Adrienne Vittadini.

"A high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” (photo: Frederic Cirou/Corbis)

Yet with its “fun lively take on fun, lively take on a traditional autumnal hue,” Tangerine Tango will surely carry through to fall fashion, too, Pantone said.

Since Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way, Pantone said it is ideal for cosmetics, too. “An unexpected eye shadow color, Tangerine Tango is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown eyes, it brings out an amber cast,” Pantone said.

About the Pantone Color of the Year

The color of the year selection is a very thoughtful process. To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.

Wedding Reception Trends

2011-12-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

Trend Alert:

According to he wedding report they found that, food stations are more in demand than ever before and wedding cake is still most popular dessert at 83%. Even with all the new desserts options, cake is still preferred.

Lucky in Love

2011-11-11T14:57:00.001-05:00

11/11/11 A once in a lifetime date is here and brides across america are excited to get married on this most memorable day. Eleven is known to be a lucky number, Everyone knows that at 11/11 to make a wish .and there will be thousand of well wisher today as 1,000 of brides and grooms say I do.

One of our brides was so excited not only for this remarkable wedding date but she now knows that her soon to be husband can never forget their anniversary date.

Here at Occasions Bethel we say good luck and well wish to all our brides we too have enjoyed making this once in a millennium day special for all of you.

The finishing touch

2011-11-04T21:24:00.006-04:00

Bold exciting jewelry is the trend for todays brides.

Pearls are a traditional polished look.

Crystals come in an array of colors and add a lot of sparkle.

Rhinestones are an inexpensive alterative and come in a wide assortment of settings.

The best time to buy your jewelry is when you are trying on your gown so you are sure that all your elements compliment each other . Enjoy, after all who doesn't enjoy a little BLING.

2011 Wedding Statistics

2011-10-26T20:51:00.000-04:00

The wedding report found that more couples were having their wedding ceremony at a courthouse, private residence, or a wedding chapel more couples were also holding their wedding reception at a private residence or restaurant. They found that due to more unique locations, more officiates are performing the ceremony.

2011 Wedding Statistics

2011-10-15T14:42:00.002-04:00

The Wedding Report recently did a study on receptions of 2011. They found that more couples were choosing the same location to have their ceremony and reception. This is up almost 10% over 2010.

The soft romance of ruffles

2011-03-06T10:37:00.001-05:00

Brides are looking for a softer look this season and the ruffled and tiered skirt treatment in many of our gowns is breathtaking. Yards of organza are cut asymmetrical and make for a very beautiful sculptural feeling.

Satin tiers are also being shown for a more stacked geometrical look.

Valentine Brides

2011-02-16T20:28:00.001-05:00

Cupid was very busy last weekend. What could be more romantic then a valentine wedding? Brides are always looking for unique ideas to make their wedding special. Many of our valentine brides wore a touch of red or pink in their gown as well as accented color accessories. Some brides chose to be less traditional and were married in gold, red and shades of pink evening gowns. Congratulations to all the happy couples!!

Winter Weddings

2011-02-09T19:18:00.000-05:00

Driving to work Saturday morning I happened upon a group of groomsmen in front of the congregational church in Bethel. I could not help but feel sorry for the bride who invisioned a beautiful snow white day but was instead greeted by this sad slushy mess left over from our last ice storm. I was so hoping to get a glimps of the bride, curious to see if she was wearing snow boots and a ski jacket or a fur coat and pumps.

It is estimated that less then 5% of weddings take place in January. We are seeing that more brides are now willing to book their weddings in the off season. A winter wedding can really be beautiful, and as reception halls and other wedding vendors have more availability in the off season maybe a little snow isn't a bad thing after all.

Welcome to Occasions

2011-02-02T17:13:00.002-05:00

Established in 1987, I, Gail, the owner of Occasions Bridal and Eveningwear have had the pleasure outfitting women as flower girls through graduation, prom and even their wedding. Many former brides are now mother-of-the-brides, visiting us once again and bringing their daughters to the store. Occasions offers a unique shopping experience that is both fun and informative, and you will even find sizes 0-32 in stock. We stock many one-of-a-kind gown styles, that you will not find else where. Variety and great customer service is what we strive for and we are loving every minute, because we make our customers dreams come true.

After all my years of experience I would love to share with you,
the ins and outs of bridal and prom's various trends and styles.