Caroline Castigliano Archives - Smashing the Glass

New York Bridal Market Fall 2019 Recap {and Top Bridal Trends for 2019}

16/10/2018 by Emily Sacharin

Ines Di Santo’s afterparty at the Baccarat Flagship Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images

5 days, 18 appointments, approximately 57 million Insta stories (if you missed them, you can catch the best bits in our highlights), and countless fantastic dresses later, New York Bridal Fashion week is over for another season. Basically Fashion Week for wedding dresses, Bridal Fashion Week (aka Bridal Market) is easily one of the most fun times of a wedding blogger’s year.

Some of the collections are presented at full-on runway shows (and Ines Di Santo put on a particularly epic one this Bridal Market, plus the coolest afterparty at the Baccarat Flagship), while others are shown at more intimate appointments for small groups of buyers from bridal boutiques (plus press, of course), sometimes with the designers present.

Suzanne Neville

Limor Rosen

Ines Di Santo Photo by FIRSTVIEW

I had some fantastic conversations with designers and PR reps, learned a ton about everything from who actually buys those epic but unwearable-looking designs you see on the runway (answer: often no one, since some designs are purely intended for editorial impact and never even make it to production) to the differences between what American and British brides are looking for in a gown (according to Sassi Holford, it’s half an inch: Americans invariably want deeper sweetheart necklines, while the Brits prefer theirs with less of a dip). The more you know!

There’s so much fantastic bridal fashion in the pipeline for next year, and I’m so excited to share it with you, along with my take on some of the top trends we’ll be seeing (or, in some cases, continuing to see) over the next year. From classic elegance inspired by Meghan Markle’s gown to a burgeoning range of alt coverups from capes to ruffs (perfect for under the chuppah!) to unexpected bursts of color, 2019’s going to be an exciting year for bridal. Pin your favorite looks!

Caroline Castigliano

Suzanne Neville

From Sketch to Dress: A Q&A with Master Bridal Designer Caroline Castigliano

20/09/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

So you’re a newly engaged bride – yaaaaay! What’s the first thing on your mind (after sharing the big news with your family and friends, of course)?

If you’re like us, it just might be the dress. It may even have been on your mind way before you got engaged – how many of us can truly say we’re not guilty of sneaking the occasional peak at a favorite designer’s website, or in their shop window?

Your dress is such a huge component of your wedding style, and we know finding one that’s the right fit for you is of the utmost importance. So what could be better than having a bespoke gown made? And by master wedding dress designer Caroline Castigliano, no less?

One of our absolute favorite designers here at STG, Caroline Castigliano has been working at the forefront of British bridal design for 27 years. She’s known for her ultra-unique bespoke gowns, featuring all kinds of fantastic details from the finest fabrics to the signature hidden corset (designed to define and balance your figure to perfection).

Every Caroline Castigliano gown is a one-of-a-kind piece, and each is handcrafted in the UK, and the dreamy Knightsbridge store is one of the world’s ultimate bridal destinations.

That’s why we’re so thrilled to bring you a Q&A with the Caroline Castigliano team on what you can expect from Caroline Castigliano’s bespoke design process. Read on for some serious bridal fashion inspo.

Real Blogging Brides – Harlie: Finding My Dream Wedding Dress

10/07/2018 by Smashing The Glass

Harlie will be marrying Ben on 19th August 2018 at the Landmark Hotel, London, UK. Click here to read all Harlie’s planning posts to date.

THREE FACTS: Harlie met Ben on an ‘Aish’ trip to Israel during their university years (2) They will be bringing in lots of Spanish influences into their London wedding, for a variety of reasons, not least because that that’s where they got engaged! (3) They will be having a fairly traditional orthodox London wedding, but are including lots of modern twists.

A lone and eventful journey!

Unlike some girls, I never dreamt about my fantasy wedding when I was younger, and I certainly never thought about my dream wedding dress. Even when I got engaged, I still had no idea what sort of wedding dress I would choose as I couldn’t even imagine myself wearing one. Never did I imagine that finding my dress would be the most stressful part of wedding planning, or that it would lead me on a very long and eventful journey!

In My Dreams by Caroline Castigliano (STG Recommended Vendor)

October 2017

The engagement party was over and the venue was booked, so I set off on my quest to find ‘the one’ (which took just 13 appointments, over 70 dresses and 4 months of searching). I started to gather some ideas on a Pinterest board with my bridesmaids, with a relatively clear idea in mind of what I thought I wanted.

My mum booked a few appointments at some bridal boutiques that she had been recommended, which seemed like a good place to start as it meant I was not limited to just one designer.

Originally, I was looking for quite a particular style: a tightly fitted fishtail shape with a low back and spaghetti straps. The first dress I tried on at The Bride was exactly this; it was a beautiful Suzanne Neville dress in a delicate lace with buttons down the back.

To try on something different, a classic princess-style Sassi Holford gown followed, then an understated, vintage-esque Jenny Packham. I really thought that the first dress was the one for me as it fitted my very fixed brief, but my mum didn’t want me to settle for the first dress I tried – I can only thank you now, mum!

Be Inspired! Join Caroline Castigliano at their Exclusive Inspiration Evening

20/06/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

Here at Smashing The Glass, we always say that sampling, researching and asking questions relating to any element of your wedding (especially your dress) is so important. So when Caroline Castigliano told us they were hosting an event that gives brides the chance to do just that, we couldn’t wait to tell you all about it!

The amazing Caroline Castigliano is inviting all STG readers to a exclusive and intimate evening to preview their stunning latest collection on Thursday 28th June (18:00 to 21:00).

This is the perfect opportunity to sample the collection, meet the designer herself and ask any questions you might have about any of her out-of-this-world-beautiful dresses.

Plus Caroline will be joined by some of the wedding industry’s most talented vendors who will be on hand to answer all your questions too! From make-up to jewellery, to wedding planning and flowers – you’ll have the chance to ask all your burning questions and get them answered by the experts. Continue Reading

Live with Caroline Castigliano from her London Flagship Store – this Wednesday 14 March with Smashing The Glass

13/03/2018 by Karen

What an INCREDIBLE Facebook Live we have coming up for you tomorrow, Wednesday 14th March – live from London’s most exclusive retail district, Knightsbridge!

Yes we’ll be live streaming from Caroline Castigliano‘s London flagship store in the heart of the Capital, talking to the designer herself, and showcasing her latest gowns that we are totally and utterly OBSESSED with. What a treat!

This will also be your chance to ask Caroline all your wedding dress questions, as well as talking all things bridal trends and fashion. Nothing is off the table so ask away!

Comment live during the broadcast, or submit a question in advance by emailing karen@smashingtheglass.com

Tune in live this Wednesday 14th March 2018, at 1:00pm GMT (that’s 8:00am EST, 2:00pm in Europe, and 3:00pm in Israel) on facebook.com/smashingtheglass.

To be reminded just before we go live, click ‘GOING’ here. We can’t wait!Continue Reading