September 2015

Connecticut Bride Magazine

By |2017-04-22T17:46:06+00:00September 16th, 2015|Magazine, Wedding, Wedding Bouquets|

Erin Brady and Antonio Capasso were supposed to be married on Nov. 9, 2013 — but there was one slight conflict: the bride-to-be, who was crowned Miss USA in June 2013, found out that she would need to be in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 9 in order to compete for the title of Miss Universe. (And that, oh yes, Miss USA is not allowed to tie the knot during her year-long reign anyway.) Not a problem.

“Tony and I may be complete opposites — I’m very chatty and he can be quiet and shy — but we take one another out of our comfort zones,” says Erin. “We push each other to succeed.” Success in this case meant that the wedding was postponed until Dec. 13, 2014, when the steadfast pair stood at the altar of St. Augustine Church in Hartford to joyfully and at long last say “I do.” (12/13/14 is a way-cooler anniversary date to have anyway!)

“I wanted the day to be about elegance, romance and glamour,” says Erin. “The essence of sophistication.” The stunning trumpet-style Danielle Caprese gown with cream lace and intricate beading that Erin said “yes” to at Kleinfeld in New York (on an episode that aired in season 12 of the popular TLC show) set the tone. As did her elaborate bouquets: One, a heady flow of red roses and cream calla lilies with diamond accents, designed by Flowers by Danielle in Trumbull; the other, a bejeweled and bedazzled number made from brooches by Jeweled Bouquets in Preston. “I love that I get to keep it forever,” says Erin.

As for their reception at Aria in Prospect, it was quite the par-tay — as Erin and Tony’s 470 (!) guests can most certainly attest. DJ That’s Entertainment of Harrison, N.Y., had the dance floor in the grand ballroom packed — and even managed to talk the bride and groom into spinning some tunes of their own and launching themselves off a set of speakers to do a little crowd surfing. “When I watch the video, it looks like we’re in the middle of a night club,” laughs Erin. A lavish night club bursting with red roses that also happens to have a sushi bar, a lamb-chop bar, a four-course dinner spread, a crêpe bar, a gelato bar and a candy buffet by Treat Me Sweet of Tuckahoe, N.Y., “with more sweets than I could ever dream of,” says Erin.

And at the end of the night, Miss USA 2013 even had a new title: Mrs. Capasso — and a new “pageant” sash, designed by the best man, to prove it.

“This is the best title of them all,” admits Erin. “Being Miss USA was a year-long fairytale — but at the end the pumpkin goes back to normal. This is reality. This is the beginning of my true life. Our life.”

venue Aria, Prospect
photographer Studio 1923
videographer Inspiration in Motion
floral design Flowers by Danielle
broche bouquet Jeweled Bouquets (Danielle Aspinwall)
candy bar Treat me Sweet
dj That’s Entertainment
moving statues TEN31 Productions
cigar bar Connecticut Cigar Company
hair/makeup Naomi’s Studio & Salon, Newington (makeup: Naomi Martinez; hair: Tonya)

Kleinfeld Bridal Q&A

By |2017-04-22T17:46:06+00:00September 3rd, 2015|Magazine, Wedding, Wedding Bouquets|

The Jeweled Bouquet trunk show is happening today and Thursday at Kleinfeld Bridal. So we caught up with Jeweled Bouquet designer Danielle Aspinwall to get all the details. Danielle wants brides to have something that will last, and something they can pass down. Being able to add that personal touch on a brides wedding day is really important to her.

Q: What inspired your new collection?

A. I get inspired by textures, colors, time periods, and by the fine details on wedding dresses.

Q: Why did you decide to launch a bridal collection?

A. A jewelry bouquet is a great way to add personal touches to your wedding. I wanted brides to have something that would last, that they could pass down, something unique and special that they could look at every day.

Q: Do you have a favorite bridal piece?

A. Yes, I love them ALL!! But my all-time favorite is one I created with a designer in mind that I used for a staged wedding. I call her Cecilia. This bouquet screams wow, and has so many intriguing details that you can stare at it forever.

Q: How did you begin working with Kleinfeld? What makes Kleinfeld different from the other boutiques you are in?

A. My husband gave me a little nudge to leave some information at Kleinfeld Bridal when we were in the city one day. Kleinfeld Bridal is the whole package. They focus on the little touches, bend over backwards to make sure everything is perfect and offer you to walk into a world you’d only imagine in a fairytale.

Q: What are your most popular bridal pieces?

A. My Audrey bouquet, it’s a classic, timeless, elegant piece that makes a gorgeous bridal statement. It features tons of Swarovski crystals, set on white flowers, with some of my hand made white brooches, AB crystals and tapers into a medium cascade. Finished off with a silver handle called a Tussie Mussie.

Q: What do you think are the next big accessories trends for brides?

A. It seems like the bridal market has shifted towards a 50’s feel with short dresses, cascading bouquets, and tons of greenery.  So I think we will see more hat type veils, wristlet gloves and of course my favorite Jeweled Cascading Bouquets.

Q: How can a bride use accessories to transform her wedding look?

A. Accessories are so important. They allow you to dress up a simpler gown.  You can take that dress and make it a showstopper by adding in the right jewelry, a bold statement necklace, and a jeweled bouquet filled with crystals!

Check out the article and Kleinfield Bridal here

August 2015

April 2015

Couture Jewelry Bouquets with Ann Nyberg

By |2016-02-29T19:26:11+00:00April 21st, 2015|Wedding, Wedding Bouquets|

Take a small business in Connecticut, in this case a company called Jeweled Bouquets of Preston and add three great experts in innovation and entrepreneurialism and you have a great show. It’s called “On Deck,” a kinder and more gentle “Shark Tank” that seeks to really help passionate business folks in the state get to the next level. The little guy is so busy slugging it out day-to-day trying to do everything on their own, they just need a little leg up. Experts help you stand back and take a look at where you’re headed and pitfalls that may lie ahead. Danielle Aspinwall, the founder of Jeweled Bouquets has a stunning product, a rhinestone over-the-top bridal bouquet for gals who want a show-stopping walk down the aisle. She is trying to let the world know about her. Jim Boyle/Director, Yale Entrepreneurial Institute, Kathy Rocha/Ex. Dir., Entrepreneurship, Innovation Consortium, UCONN and Kevin Bouley/Pres. CEO, Nerac, are among the top in the state of the folks who can help her do that. They are angel investors, they are innovators, they help build small businesses, they work with venture capitalists and on and on and on. Me, I’m the story-teller that keeps the conversation going on an even keel so that in the end it’s wrapped up with a bow and folks have a good time and the business owner feels refreshed. This is the RIGHT thing to do for Connecticut.

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