Carmel Wedding Guide 2010

If you’ve ever planned a wedding, or are currently planning the big day, you know there are many details that go into planning the biggest day of your life. But, where do you start? Carmel is home to many locally owned businesses that can help brides with all of the details that go into the wedding of their dreams.

Here comes the Bride

Suya Mowers, owner of the Brides of Carmel.

For the past year, Brides of Carmel, formerly the Bridal Boutique of Carmel, has been doing business in the shopping center located on the corner of Range Line Road and 126th Street, phone 317.844.1780. Suya Mowers, owner of the boutique, studied fashion design in her native Korea and bought the shop in 2000.

The only salon in the Indianapolis area to carry Priscilla of Boston and Melissa Sweet gowns, Brides of Carmel carries gowns by several other designers and are selling all of their in-stock dresses up to 75% off the retail price. Several trunk shows are planned for the spring including Faviana by David Tutera.

The mother and daughter team do their own fittings and alterations in the store. Not only do they sell bridal gowns, they also carry dresses for mothers of the bride and groom, bridesmaids and flower girls. Grooms and male attendants can also rent tuxedos at Brides of Carmel. The grooms tuxes are free when the remainder of the wedding party rents from the boutique.

Gifts of Memory

Peggy Latta, owner of Heirloom Textile Art

Once you’ve said “I do,” your bridal gown is usually cleaned, sealed and packed away in a closet, never to be seen again. Peggy Latta, owner of Heirloom Textile Art, will create a miniature replica of your wedding gown that can be displayed in your home to remind you of your wedding day.

Using your materials, or similar fabrics and a 10.5 inch tall dress form, she captures the details of your gown and bouquet with her meticulous stitches and applies the bead work and details by hand.

Over the past twenty years, Peggy estimates that she has created close to 500 gowns. These make a treasured keepsake and gift for an anniversary, birthday or holiday and can be a gift for a recent bride, or a woman who has been married for years.

Peggy adds, “It is my goal to create a miniature ensemble that is nearly identical to the original, as well as a piece that stands alone as a beautiful work of art.”

Find Peggy at her website: www.heirloomtextileart.com

Underneath it all

Pillow Talk owner Rachel Davidson

At PillowTalk, Carmel’s couture lingerie boutique, not only will one find lovely lingerie and loungewear, but also organic candles and locally-made organic skin care products, which are great shower gifts.

You may be surprised to know that the store can be rented by the bride and her friends for an after-hours celebration such as a Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party. Owner Rachel Davidson says these parties are a blast. “We have done over twenty parties in the past two years and they are crazy fun!” During your party time, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served, games played and prizes won. Brides will receive a gift card to be used to purchase lingerie for her honeymoon attire or everyday. Shower or party guests can enjoy a discount on their purchases too.

As Rachel says, you will feel elegant, unique, sophisticated, and pampered at PillowTalk. The store has been open for two years at 23 East Main Street, in the Carmel Arts and Design District. For more information or to make reservations for your next party call Rachel at 317.574.8990 or visit their website: www.pillowtalkboutique.com

Sweet Beauty

Colleen Page, co-owner of Dolce Salon & Spa

Get your mind, body and spirit ready for your important day. While you and your wedding party are being pampered at Dolce Salon and Spa, why not relax and enjoy drinks and snacks in their Lounge. This area can be reserved for your Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Brunches or Bachelorette Parties. As part of your celebration, or party, you can visit their spa and select from their menu of relaxing and rejuvenating services including massages, facials, and manicures to list a few.

Dolce Salon and Spa recently opened at 1119 South Range Line Road. Owners Colleen Page and Julia Wilson, along with their staff of hairstylists, estheticians, massage therapists, nail technicians and make-up artists, want to pamper you and make you even more beautiful on your wedding day. Eye lash extensions and laser services are also available.

Now men can be pampered, too! The groom and his attendants want to look their best, and Dolce for Him Barber Shop, is available with all of the amenities the women enjoy.

Dolce Salon has partnered with Grape Inspirations for their signature wine that can be served while you are lounging. Contact Bea Soriano, who is the wedding and special events coordinator. “We will make you beautiful from the top of your head to the tips of your toes,” says owner Colleen Page.

Not just paper

Custom invitations for weddings, showers and rehearsal dinners, save-the-date cards, menus, programs and thank you notes are created at Westwood Paper Company of Carmel.

But did you know that you can also order personalized napkins, custom wine and water bottle labels, seating charts designed to coordinate with your wedding motif, wedding favors and gifts for your attendants? The labels for wine and water bottles can be adhered to bottles for gifts, used as place cards, centerpieces or included in a hospitality bag for out of town guests.

Jill Sowder, owner, has over 15 years of wedding invitation experience and states that seating charts, rather than individual place cards, are becoming a popular alternative to direct your guests to their tables. Framed, or not, place it on an easel at the door and they take up just a small space, unlike a table full of individual cards. You are encouraged to call or email for appointments or with any questions, 317.843.1212 or www.westwoodpaper.com.

The owners of these and other small businesses in Carmel want to help you make your wedding day become the day of your dreams. Most wedding professionals belong to organizations that network with each other and they can suggest businesses that specialize in your needs.