Creative Montage: Follow the Bride: J. Crew’s Bridal Boutique and Wedding Tips from Martha Stewart’s Darcy Miller!

Here I am with Darcy Miller. My shirt's not nearly as fancy as her's!

J. Crew recently opened their first bridal boutique on Madison Avenue. When I heard Martha Stewart Weddings was hosting the grand opening and their editorial director, Darcy Miller, was going to be there, I practically ran the 30 blocks from my apartment to be the first in line. I have had my eye on a few of the bridesmaid dresses and was really excited about a chance to scope them out in person. I also heard there would be armloads of amazing wedding day accessories and champagne! There were both. Alyson, my close friend and bridesmaid came and helped me browse through the racks of chiffon, taffeta and tricotine dresses in just about every color. We loved the blue and eggplant shades and found one really amazing strapless number in beechwood. I’m still so far away from making a decision on bridesmaid dresses so it really helped to finally see some in person. I can’t wait to go shopping with my bridesmaids so they can try them all on.

How hip would I be if I wore this down the aisle?

All of the displays looked so vintage and romantic.

Alyson helped me search the racks. She's also newly engaged! Congrats Al!

I love these rhinestone belts!

Of course I couldn’t leave J. Crew without introducing myself to Darcy Miller. I was really hoping that some of her chic wedding sense would rub off on me. Her anniversary is May 5—two days before our wedding—so that has to help! I had read how Darcy filled large glass jars with cootie catchers (or paper fortune tellers) and wrote dares in them—like “kiss the bride” or “meet someone new”—to encourage mingling during her wedding reception. I love the idea of engaging your wedding guests with something fun during the reception and I asked her a little more about it. She suggested adding pictures of the bride and groom to the inside flaps of the cootie catchers. What a fun way to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can find a blank template online or use this romantic version from Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/goodthings/lip-smacking-good