Adele Wechsler's Eco-Couture Wedding Gowns

This fantastic Toronto designer is one of the pioneers of eco-friendly wedding fashion. . . and she and her team are a dream to work with. They use vegetable-dyed silk and hemp as well as remnant fabrics and support fair trade. Everything is produced in Canada. She has also simplified 6 of her gowns for my boutique so they appeal to the less traditional bride. On top of this, if you buy a gown during our trunk show on Jan 8 - 10, 2010, she will send you a hand-painted watercolor of your dress, plant a tree in your honor, and monogram your initials into your gown. All that, AND you support our planet. Doesn't get much better than that! I'll have 10 of her dresses on show during our event in January. See more of her collection at: www.adelewechsler.com

Introducing . . . BCBG Max Azria

I'm excited to have just received my first shipment from this amazing designer. I've got two printed dresses (one of which can double as a tunic) and an absolutely incredible layer cut evening gown in champagne and black. And I ordered some gorgeous gowns for prom 2010 which will arrive in the New Year. Come by to take a look!

Holiday Shopping Night!

Come by and enjoy 15% off the entire store on Friday November 13, from 4 - 8pm. We will have guest jewelry designer Ory here as well as holiday dress samples by Maria Bianca Nero available for special order.

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping and add a little sparkle to your night!

Bridal Trunkshow in January, 2010

Make an appointment to come from January 7 through 10th, 2010 for a bridal trunk show. This dress is one of the new Nicole Miller crinkle wedding gowns, but we will have more than you can imagine. . . from Nicole Miller as well as Siri and Lynn Lugo.
We will also have other wedding vendors here to show you their floral arrangements, photography, jewelry. Call for an appointment and make this a one-stop shop! See you soon!

Robyn's Wedding in Italy

These two were married in Italy last month! Robyn chose a Nicole Miller wedding gown and gave her friends colorful cashmere wraps as a gift. What a beautiful couple. . . and they had a great honeymoon idea: to travel around the country after the wedding with two other couples. Best of luck to you both!

Sarah Giggling In Sibley

I love this photograph. It was taken by a good friend of mine called Anne Kohler--she does weddings, kids, family shots . . . And as you can see, she truly captures the moment. Check out more of her work on her website: www.annekohler.com
In addition to being a great photographer, she is really down-to-earth and fun--an absolute hoot--you'll love meeting her!
Sarah is wearing a Nicole Miller wedding gown and jewelry by local designer Colleen Debratto. Feel free to pop by and see more dresses in person.

Tamara and Oliver's Wedding in NYC

Wow! Another great real wedding shot from Tamara and Oliver. She's wearing the Nicole Miller double face satin cross-back gown with a hair flower by Happenstance Designs, and he's wearing sneakers. I LOVE IT!
Thanks for the great shot . . . and congratulations!

Fashion Shoot at the Oakland Aviation Museum

Maurice Ramirez did a fun photo shoot with a new rose petal bubble dress by Portland designer Amai Unmei. There are five petal color options with matching silk sashes.
London is beautiful in the feminine, flirty pink.

Flowers by Susan Bell

I recently met a wonderful local florist who made this arrangement for my shop. She has a terrific, creative and unusual eye, and is very down-to-earth. None of the crazy wedding racket for her. In fact, she so enjoys what she does that when she passes my windows, if I have a dress which inspires her, she creates an arrangement to complement it. Who wouldn't want someone like this to do their wedding?

Nicole Miller Beaded Yoke Waist Gown--Style EA0008

I have a fun story about this one. . . several months ago a bride called Kate came into the store. And fell in love with this dress. We ordered it. Then she came back with a GORGEOUS pair of light pink and gold shoes. Next, she met with Cathy, our seamstress from Alameda Sewing Cottage, and they chose pink and gold crystals to replace the pearl beading at the waist. And finally, Kate met Colleen, my favorite jewelry designer (www.colleendebrattodesigns.com) and they designed pink and gold swarovski crystal chandelier earrings.
The wedding is at the beginning of October and she is going to be the most unusual and stunning bride ever! Hooray for Nicole Miller with a twist. . . photos as soon as I have one!

Nicole Miller Metal Taffeta Wedding Gown--Style HG0013

This dress has been part of her wedding collection for years, but she just switched to a brighter more traditional color of this interesting fabric. (its 25 % copper). It's perfect for a church or a beach wedding. . . and the wrinkles are part of the fabric, so you'll always look fabulous!

Nicole Miller Stretch Metal Bridal Gown--Style CQ0010

So this dress started as a silk evening gown in black and red. Then it slipped into the bridesmaid collection in a variety of other colors. After that, it moved into the bridal collection in antique white silk where it is still one of the most beautiful simple wedding dresses I've ever seen. And now, it is available in this shiny stretch crinkle fabric with a gold band on the bottom. Terrific to wear, and painless to buy at only $620.
Come and try it on for yourself. Its like wearing your pajamas!
By the way, it does come in other colors too.

Butter by Nadia Satin Wrap Dress

Maurice Ramirez recently borrowed one of my Butter by Nadia satin wrap dresses for a photo shoot in San Diego. This beautiful picture is the result. These dresses are one-size-fits-all and come in a wide array of colors in both satin and rayon jersey. Perfect for a party, wedding or tooling around town on a hot day! You won't want to take it off--trust me!

Nicole Miller Taryn Wedding Gown Style Number DI0014

In a brilliant move, Nicole Miller took her best-selling wedding gown and added a frame of feminine lace, making the dress a little more detailed and bra-friendly at the same time. Pop in to try this one on, or to see the original--style number CO0035.
See you soon!

Amanda's Wedding Gown

Amanda was one of my first brides when I opened in Alameda . . . she is absolutely stunning in the silk Lynn Lugo "Jonna" gown. She's also one of my favorite brides ever!
(Shots are by Real Exposure Photography)

Katie's Bridesmaids

Katie's bridesmaids looked gorgeous in these Butter by Nadia signature wrap dresses. And in a soft rayon jersey that is machine washable, they will definitely wear them again. (I have 2 myself!)

Prom Photo Shoot 2009

Krystal is modeling a Maria Bianca Nero tube dress with beading and feathers at the hem. This dress is a contemporary version of a flapper dress with a sexy, stretchy bodice. Come in to see this dress and a gorgeous version with white beading and feathers!
Thank you Maurice (Mauriceramirez.com) for the amazing pictures!

Prom Photo Shoot, May 2009

We recently had a fun photo shoot (courtesy of Maurice Ramirez).
Monica--an Alameda High School student--is modeling a black organza ruffle mini dress by Maria Bianca Nero. She is one of my favorite designers; all her dresses are flirty and feminine and definitely stand out in a crowd!

Nicole Miller Plunging Halter

This Nicole Miller is an old Hollywood classic. Made from flowing silk charmeuse, it has a plunging neckline and twist-back which drape into a hip-hugging bias skirt. Everyone feels like a million dollars in this dress!

Local Alameda hair accessory designer

"Happenstance" is a local Alameda company started by Clarice Thenard. She designs delicate silk flower hairpieces on headbands and alligator clips and adds a playful touch with maribou and guinea feathers. She can also customize these gorgeous ring-pillows to match your wedding colors. Birdcage veils coming soon!!

(Photos courtesy of another local Alamedan--Maurice Ramirez)

Nicole Miller Silk Cap Sleeve Wedding Gown

We recently had a fun photo session with a local Alamedan, photographer Maurice Ramirez. He truly captured the demure yet flirtatious sensuality of this Nicole Miller silk wedding gown.

The cap sleeve can also be worn sexily, slipped off the shoulder. Nicole Miller's trademark rusching emphasizes the bust and waist, at the same time concealing any imperfections. This is just one of twenty luscious gowns you can try.

Check out some of the other great shots taken in the store on Maurice's blog.

Welcome to the blog of Lilac Dress Boutique

Hi.
We're a small dress boutique in Alameda, California. We specialize in non-traditional wedding gowns, cocktail dresses, black tie and prom. Our goal is to provide sophisticated, sexy and classic wedding gowns at affordable prices.

We carry one of the largest collections of Nicole Miller wedding gowns in Northern California, but also strive to feature local designers like Lynn Lugo and Siri.

Other temptations include sassy, cocktail dresses by Maria Bianca Nero; flirty sundresses by Susana Monaco and Trina Turk; girly frocks by Nanette Lepore; and the eternally versatile and colorful signature wrap dress by Butter by Nadia.