Encore Bridal Supports Children in Haiti in May

If you’ve ever visited our showroom, you’ve probably met Rachel.  Beside having an eye for fashion (a FIDM graduate) and a love for wedding dresses, she is caring and compassionate.  This is evident in how she interacts with EB’s brides, but also what she does outside of her work here.  At the end of May, Rachel is going to Haiti.  She will be volunteering at Maison de Lumiere – a home orphaned and at-risk children in Port au Prince.  Maison de Lumiere is just one of the programs supported by financial donations given to Child Hope International – a non-profit organization committed to providing a loving, nurturing, and safe environment to Haitian children.

Why Haiti?  Because it is there that you find 450,000 orphans and 300,000 children in slavery.

Child Hope International is the sole supporter of Maison de Lumiere, but also funds other programs including medical relief and feeding the homeless.  After the earthquake in January 2010 Child Hope used earthquake donation  funds to help people get out of tents and back into homes. They formed construction crews comprised of previously unemployed Haitians to assist in the effort.   Over the last year, they have issued grants to people to cover one year’s rent, repaired over 75 homes, built numerous pre-fab wooden homes and assisted with moving expenses for those who wanted to move out of Port-au-Prince and back to their villages.

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A Word from Rachel:

What inspired you to volunteer in Haiti and with this organization?

“For years I have had a heart for missions and working with children around the world, and when I heard about this opportunity to go to Haiti I could feel God leading me there. After reading about Child Hope and speaking with people who have served there in the past, I had completely fallen in love with the children and story of the Massaserro family who gave up everything to follow God and serve the people of Haiti. Even before the 2010 major earthquake, Haiti was a broken,  poverty stricken, malnourished, and violent nation in need of love and attention by the world and people around them. My heart aches for the Haitian people and the devastation and suffering they endure in their lives. Child Hope has been a beacon of light for Haiti and its children through all of the programs, services, and love they provide. These children at the orphanage will the the future leaders of their nation. For all of these reasons, I am inspired and blessed to be able to go and serve God, Child Hope, and the people of Haiti.”

What do you hope to accomplish?

“The greatest things the Haitian people and these children need is to be loved…not only that we love them, but to be shown that God unconditionally loves them. I am going over there with an open and serving heart for these kids and for what God wants to do through me. Its not a matter of what I want to accomplish, but rather what God’s will is for our team going and the people of Haiti. I have two hands  and one big heart, so whatever the orphanage needs done or however God wants  to use me, I’m in and ready.”

In support of Rachel’s big heart and the work she will be doing in Haiti, Encore Bridal will be donating 5% of our profit from each gown sold in May, to Child Hope International.  We thank you for helping us make this possible.

Want to make a personal donation?  Donate Online

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Want to know more about Child hope and planning your wedding.  Katie Tiffany, former volunteer at Maison de Lumiere,  and wedding planner extraordinaire will be our Sunday Style Salon special guest, May 15th.  Have questions about  venues?  Want some planning tips?  Want to know more about Child Hope International?  Katie will be there to answer  your most burning questions.

Tags: charitable donations, Child Hope, haiti, Maison de Lumiere, non-profit organization, orphanages

Our Special Guest- Los Angeles Photographer, Aaron Gil, FotoNouva

Encore Bridal is proud to present to you photographer Aaron Gil, owner of FotoNuova Photography

I met Aaron a few years ago at a bridal event in which we both participated.  He graciously photographed the event, taking pictures of brides in their top dress picks.  He also turned the camera on me for an impromptu head shot session – what fun! My first impression was – wow!  look at these photos! But I was, and continue to be impressed with how he shoots.  He’s not an “in your face” photographer – where it’s all about him and what he needs to accomplish.  Rather, he is comfortable having you shine and capturing moments in a very organic way.  I’m thrilled to have him as Encore Bridal’s special guest this Sunday, February 27th.

FotoNouva photography is inspired by classical paintings and historical images. Their main focus is to create classic and graceful images that endure a lifetime. Former clients have used the words, “genius, stunning, superb, great-eye, and personable” to describe Aaron and his work.

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A South Pasadena native, FotoNuova Studio owner Aaron Gil has been practicing personal photography since 1988.  Gil strives to capture crisp, clean and timeless imagery within each photograph, and is dedicated to capturing the natural grace behind each subject he shoots.

If you want to see more of FotoNouvo visit their website or blog.

Meet Aaron Gil this Sunday, February 27th between 11 and 3 at our Manhattan Beach showroom.

Tags: Fotonuova, los angeles photographer, los angeles wedding vendors, wedding photographer

Our Special Guest- South Bay Wedding Planner, Katie Tiffany

Encore Bridal is proud to introduce Katie Tiffany of Tiffany Weddings!

Not only do I love her name, Katie Tiffany, which makes me think of diamonds, I love her enthusiasm and creativity.  Katie Tiffany is a South Bay Los Angeles based wedding planner and owner of Tiffany Weddings.   She started Tiffany Weddings in 2002 and has planned, coordinated, and designed over 100 events since.   Having a destination wedding?  It won’t be hard to get Katie to travel, some of her favorite weddings have been on the beaches of Mexico and castles in England.

Katie Tiffany

Tiffany Weddings strives to give personalized planning for your big day. Katie is all about getting to know her couple and helping them create a wedding to reflect them, their love, personality, and history together.

“Wedding planners are designed to ease the stress of the bride, offering time, resources, and expertise to make the planning process smooth and enjoyable…”- Katie Tiffany in brides.com

Now, nine years after starting her company, Katie Tiffany has worked with countless amount of couples for weddings all across the globe including some celebrities. Tiffany Weddings have been featured on Brides.com, TV show Million Dollar Weddings, INSIDE Weddings, InStyle Weddings, People, and more…

For brides who have the time and desire to plan their own weddings, but know they want a someone there to relieve the “to do” stress the month and day of the wedding, Katie has a “Month Of” package.

Meet Katie at Encore Bridal’s Sunday Style Salon on February 13, 2011 from 11-4.

Tags: los angeles wedding planner, south bay wedding planner, wedding coordinator, wedding designer, wedding planner

Sunday Style Salon Special Guest- Carly Cylinder, December 12

Encore Bridal is proud to announce Carly Cylinder, owner of Flour as a special guest at our next Sunday Styling Salon, December 12. Looking for a great florist for your wedding? Looks no more, you found Flour.

Flour is an LA based floral design studio offering arrangements and designs for many different events, including weddings! At flour, an emphasis is placed on being eco-friendly and innovative. Flowers bought are local, organic, Rainforrest Alliance and Fair Trade certified when available.  You know we love that!

For weddings, clients receive an unlimited number of floral design proposals, emails and two on-site consultations. Flour specializes in working with both bride and groom to create a vision together. Themes are inspired from everything from the Rat Pack to Alice in Wonderland.Traditional design is always available too- classy and elegant, from winter wonderland to bright summer nights, the creativity never ends.

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Cindy Cylinder- Owner

Carly Cylinder developed her creative skills at some of the most prominent florists in Los Angeles over the past seven years. After graduating UCLA with a degree in Psychology, she worked for OneLegacy, a Donate Life organization, during the planning and expansion phases of flour floral design before devoting full time to the studio in Los Angeles.

“Working with flowers is the perfect balance of creativity and working with the community.”- Carly

Flour has been featured on Daily Candy, Martha Stewart Weddings, Blooming News, MyFoxLA, and participates in many editorial photo shoots. Clients include Mattel, Bollare, DirecTV, Conde Naste, and La Force and Stevens.

To check out more information on Flour and see pictures of her beautiful arrangements visit their website here.

Tags: floral arrangements, flower arrangements, flowers, LA Florist, wedding floral arrangements, wedding florist, wedding flowers

Sunday Style Salon Special Guest – Proskalo Inc., Sept. 26th

Encore Bridal is thrilled to announce that Nicolle, founder of Proskalo Inc., will be the special guest at our Sunday Style Salon September 26, 2010.  Looking for special and unique invitations, place cards, or accessories? Well look no more. Proskalo Inc. is the answer to all your needs.

Proskalo Inc. is a full service paper event company who creates exquisite designs just for you! Proskalo specializes in couture invitations with the best and most unique papers, ribbons, fabrics, and prints. Designs are made to your liking and to perfectly portray your event or special occasion. All invitations and event stationary are gorgeously  handmade including the paper! Although Proskalo specializes in couture invitations and stationary, they also create customized accessories such as napkins, coasters, stir sticks, and more! You can’t get anything better than this. Proskalo does prints for not just weddings, but also party, holiday, baby, thank you, and business events.

Proskalo Inc. has been featured as Bride's Choice of 2010

Nicolle Jacobs, founder of Proskalo Inc. has said “Custom-designing invitations and event stationery for celebrations of life’s best moments is a job, but it never really quite feels like one. Our company goal is to capture and communicate the joy and sophisication of the event to your guests from the first introduction, the invitation, to the final memories, the favor and thank you card.”

Nicolle- Founder of Proskalo Inc.

To read and see more of Proskalo Inc, visit their website  www.proskalo.com.  Do you have questions about invitiations?  Visit Encore Bridal on Sunday Sept 26th (11am – 4pm)  at our Manhattan Beach showroom to meet Nicolle, try on gorgeous gowns, and find the perfect bridal accessories.  A fun-filled day!

See for yourself!

Tags: custom invitations, wedding invitations