In light of last week's big inauguration, I thought we should take a look at some past First Lady inaugural gowns. It just so happened that I was in DC last weekend and ran into the American History Museum right before closing. I was really excited to go in because it has been closed for the past year and a half for renovations. Anyhow, the place looked amazing, and I ran to the second floor to take a peek at the First Lady section. I was a little disappointed at first because there weren't very many gowns, but I did manage to snap a couple photos. Please try to ignore the horrible flash photography.
Helen Taft's 1909 inaugural ball gown is the first gown showcased when you walk into the room. It is absolutely gorgeous (This photo does NOT do it any justice). It is made out of silk chiffon appliqued with floral embroideries in metallic thread and trimmed with rhinestones and beads. It was made by the Frances Smith Company. I could not believe how this gown sparkled!!!
The only other gown that inspired me wasn't actually an inaugural gown but an evening gown that Jackie O wore to a state dinner in 1961. The gown is made out of yellow silk with an overlay of crepe chiffon. Oleg Cassini designed it. I would wear this gown in a heartbeat!
I'm still so in love with the one-sided shoulder strap gown. I think it would make such a chic and classic bridal gown. I really want MILLIE to design one!
I finally had a chance to talk to my mom to get the skinny on what she thought of the Golden Globes (the poor thing has been so sick this winter). She was surprised at the lack of color compared to last year (I personally loved all the whites). She did mention she thought the skirt on Drew Barrymore's John Galliano's gown was beautiful.
By the way, if you're looking for some red carpet inspiration you have to check out the blog http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/ . She does a fabulous job!!!
photography by Christy B. Anderson
MILLIE has sailed over seas and has landed in Italy.....Can you believe it? (For the full story please click here.)
FINALLY! A picture of the gorgeous Oscar de le Renta gown Ms. Henry Hager (Jenna Bush) wore for her wedding nuptials on May 10, 2008. 
YEA!!! That Bride received her MILLIE box on Thursday and do you know that crazy girl sent me the cutest email and pictures that day??!! That's what I love about her....her enthusiasm for life! I love it! I have to share the pictures and a snippet of her email.......
Millie,
The dress came today! It's so amazing, and I swear it's hanging on the closet door laughing at me because there is no one around to help me try it on. I even tried putting it on by myself, but that is kind of impossible. I am going over to this girls house tonight, so hopefully she will have time to help me put it on and take pictures so I can post what it looks like on. I didn't know that you would be sending it in Ivory, I am so obsessed with it! Such a great surprise. I always thought that I would be this really picky bride who went through thousands of dresses, but I am so in love with this dress, there is a good chance I won't want to send it back!
When I opened the pictures my jaw dropped!! I couldn't believe how gorgeous she looked...I mean, the dress fits her like a glove!! I was so worried she might not like it or it wouldn't fit....(Worrying is such a waste of time, isn't it?) The best part is she was so excited she didn't care if her hair was done or if she had any make-up on. Gotta love it! It's so much fun to see a MILLIE on a real live bride!! (Not living in Colorado, I only get to go to the store a couple times a year, if I'm lucky, so my experience with MILLIE Brides are few and far between... That's why I love the Internet!)
For That Bride's side of our little story, please check out her great post here. She's having a tough time deciding on which MILLIE bolero (Yes! my mom designs awesome boleros as well) goes best with the Aurora. I actually think they both work...it would just depend on what time of day and where you would be getting married...so for this photo shoot it's kind of hard...Outdoors in Italy....Hmmm?? What do you think?
Okay, after I read the always inspirational Perfect Bound's response to my "6 things about you" tag (Thank you for responding and the link!) I realized first, I totally cheated and number two, how come I can't be that creative??? It's not fair for one person to have that much creativity...Share the love Perfect Bound, share the love!!! Seriously, I really love that woman...I mean, I think we were separated at birth...It must be an Italian thing?? I'll work on my list; until then, here's a little ditty about MILLIE.
You might be shocked, but my name is not MILLIE....This is MILLIE with her three girls; my mom, Judy, is the oldest.
Mildred Shrum to be exact, is my grandmother and my mother's inspiration for the name of her bridal gown collection, 'bridal fashion by MILLIE'. In fact, all of the gowns are named after special women in my mother's life. Kinda sweet huh!?? The granddaughters get a kick out of it!
As you may have guessed, we are extremely family-oriented...Family always comes first. My mother, Judy Panozzo (and may I say she is amazing?), gave birth and raised 7 beautiful children...yes 7 (I'm the baby). Being a go-getter..she not only stayed home and raised her kids, but she always had something going on the side....if it wasn't "Desserts by Judy" she was selling beauty products and if she wasn't selling beauty products she was cutting someone's hair....The list goes on... To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how many jobs she has had. Her motivation and determination might make one sick..... Tell me, why do some people have it and some people don't?
I could write a whole book about my mother, but I won't keep you here all day.... I think this will be a new label.....WHO IS MILLIE? We'll start off slowly... Have a good one and think positive!
Okay.....I need to stop trying so hard and just write......Having a business blog is so much different than a family blog. I'm very new to the blogging world; I started a family blog two years ago, and then all of a sudden one day I woke up and said, "I'm going to start a blog for my mom's business!" I call these "Manic Millie Moments"...they come and go....one day I'm full of inspiration and the next day I'm wondering what the *BEEP* was I thinking??? AHHH! (I actually sign my emails to my sister, who is my editor-in-chief... she's an English teacher-go figure, MM, for Manic Millie HA!). She thinks I'm crazy, but she still keeps helping me and thank goodness for that because I would not even attempt this blog if I didn't have her for back-up. She is not only my sounding board but my BFF. Thank you Sista!!!
I'm truly obsessed. I love the whole blogging world. The networking possibilities are amazing to me. There is so much potential here.....but you have to do it right.....I have so much to learn!!! (The Smart Planner is another new BFF of Millie's right now.) I'm so obsessed with it being "professional" that I'm not being me....."Houston, we have a problem." So I have a couple new mission statements for MILLIE;
1. "If you build it, they will come." I have to believe this for my mother's sake. I truly believe in her and her bridal gowns and I'm her #1 fan. Just relax, it will happen.
2. Think positive, be inspired, and be me! Write from your heart...don't worry if it's going to show up in the Google search....Just write.
So there it is...a fresh start......ahhhh........ It always feels so good to start fresh! I implore change!
Blog on!
Let me introduce you to MILLIE's new BFF....... {a little snip it from their site}
Oooooohhhh....... I can feel it now.......Watch out world- here we come!!!!
I've been tagged by the adorable Style-ish.
RULES:
1) you link back to the person who tagged you. {link above}
2) post these rules on your blog.
3) share six things about yourself.
4) tag six random people at the end of your entry.
5) let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs
My 6 random facts about Millie:
1) My mother started Bridal Fashion by Millie in 2007.
2) Millie is named after my grandmother, Mildred Shrum.
3) All of the gowns are named after special women in my mom's life.
4) There are 10 gowns in the collection.
5) A Millie gown only costs between $500 and $700.
6) You can purchase a Millie gown on the Internet.
I tag:
1) Creature Comforts
2) Peonies and Polaroids
3) Black Eiffel
4) Perfect Bound
5) Style me Pretty
6) Blue Orchid Designs
Monday, April 14, 2008
By Rosemary Feitelberg with contributions by Bobbi Queen
NEW YORK — First Daughter Jenna Bush is not expected at Oscar de la Renta's bridal fashion show today, and for good reason: The designer has already created the long wedding gown she'll wear for her May 10 nuptials to Henry Hager at the Bush family's Crawford, Tex., ranch.
Ahhhh...... so she didn't pick a Millie wedding gown but at least she has some good taste. Gotta love Oscar!
{"A bride should treat the purchase of her wedding gown
~ Oscar de la Renta
{images from showbizz.cbs.com}
What little girl didn't want to be a princess one time or another in her life? If I had to pick the most famous wedding gown, I would have to say Princess Diana's wedding dress would win. I've never seen so much information about one lonely wedding frock. There are tons of photos, news segments, and even a book dedicated just to the gown itself. Amazing.....
According to the IcWales.co.uk, Elizabeth Emanuel (Diana's wedding gown designer) just came out with her own high-street wedding dress collection. It's everything you would expect from the Princess's designer- frilly, puffy, and full of romance. Not exactly Millie bride material, but if you dreamed of looking like Cinderella on your wedding day you might enjoy these fairytale styles.
Here is a taste of a few of the more simplified gowns from Elizabeth Emanuel's collection~
{images from elizabethemanuel.co.uk.} 
{Click photo to enlarge}
At a booming 5"3, I really like the short wedding dress trend that is walking the runway right now. With my legs probably being my most slimming feature, I think it would make sense to show them off a little??? It's definitely not for your traditional bride but if you were going casual, I would think this style would be fitting. Loving the '50's inspired dress from the Vineyard Collection.
{image from people.com}
{image from about.com}
{the Isabella gown from bridalfashionbymillie.com}
One thing that has stayed relatively "sacred" in the world of wedding dresses is color. It's all about white or ivory; however, more and more women are using color as an accent to their overall look. Many opt for colored sashes or ribbons that either matches their bridesmaids or reflects their personal style. A dash of color certainly adds flavor to the traditional white!
{photos by Rodney Smith}
My true love is photography. That is what 'sparked' me to Millie. My mother was spending so much money on photography and not getting the results she wanted. She is determined to offer her brides photos with good detail of the gowns (it drives her crazy in the bridal magazines when you can't see the fine detail on the dress). The problem is when you focus on the fine detail, you tend to lose the artistic image. My quest is to create a beautiful image without losing the fine detail. Is it possible??? I'm not sure.....but I'm going to try.
I wanted to mention our friend Kim Knox Beckius at Outdoor Wedding (okay, I haven't really met her, but anyone who talks nice about Millie is a friend:) Back in January, she did a post about us. We were so excited to be featured on her blog. Thank you so much!
Kim Knox Beckius is the author of The Everything Outdoor Wedding Book and is Senior Writer for Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine. If you're planning or thinking about having an Outdoor Wedding, this is the place to start!
We've had the hardest time with photography. It's really hard to get good detail on a white dress and not completely lose the overall 'image'..... These photos, I'm afraid, do not do the gowns justice! Any photographers out there with suggestions??
Designing Millie was featured on "Unveiled" today- A bridal blog society where all wedding related blogs can be listed. Yea!!! The "Unbride" started this new blog last week and I jumped on the opportunity to be listed, never expecting her to do a feature on us!!! So sweet of her. I knew I liked her from the very beginning....(Yes, I'm a confessed bridal blog stalker. Ha!)
Check it out baby!!!! Designer Spotlight - Bridal Fashions by Millie
{information about the gown from John F. Kennedy Library and Museum }
{image from Dailyville's photos on Flickr}
After I posted the picture yesterday, I realized it was kind of funny because I'm the only one lighting the Unity Candle (yep, that's me!). My mom and sister thought I better tell the story-
If I have any good wedding tips to give from my own experience, it would be to make sure you dig out the wick of your Unity Candle before the ceremony. Ha! I'm not sure how long it took us to light our candle, but it felt like ETERNITY! We could NOT get the candle to light. I finally took the matter in my own hands and lit the sucker (leave it to the woman to get it done, right? Ha! Ha!)! I remember jokingly asking Father while we were trying to light the candle if it was a "Sign"? Later, at the reception, someone came up to me and told me they couldn't believe I had said that during the ceremony. HA! That makes me laugh now thinking about it.... Ironically, not giving up on the Unity Candle truly represents our marriage today. We've been married for 10 years now; we've had our ups and downs like every marriage, but we never give up!
{photo by Chad Mahlum}
TAA DAH!!! Here she is, the new blog title...... DESIGNING MILLIE (sorry for the short delay- I was trying to have a new header to go along with the new title, but that's going to take awhile).
I did a little poll on my family blog, and the winner was clearly Designing Millie. My mom actually thought of it, so I'm really glad it won. I also like it a lot because it will stand out from the other million and one wedding blogs. As soon as I jumped on the "Wedding Blog Express", I realized that all this world needed was ANOTHER wedding blog. But, I also noticed something was missing from all these beautiful, inspirational wedding blogs... Don't get me wrong; I love these blogs as much as the next girl. I could drool all over these 'picture perfect' wedding images all day long, but I was looking for something more....
Are we forgetting what the wedding is really all about? It's so easy to get lost in this BBB (Big Bridal Business) world. I'm not even a bride and got sucked into it. I really feel for these girls; it's so hard not to feel the pressure of putting on some fabulous rock star wedding.
This weekend I talked to one of my dearest friends who is getting married in August (the Miranda is her favorite). She has opted to do the destination wedding instead of the hometown wedding like she had originally planned. She explained to me how expensive it was going to be and how there was no way she could live up to what society was expecting these days. All she wanted was to get married in the church with a full mass. That's all she cares about (oh yea, she needs a dress too. Ha!). So they have decided to have a small wedding in Mexico at this beautiful Catholic Mission. Believe it or not, it's going to save them a lot of money. Now, I understand why the destination wedding is becoming so popular.
The more I thought about this, the more it made sense to me. Less is more. My Mom always says all you really need is a man and something to wear to have a wedding! Ha! Funny but true and exactly what Millie is all about- simple yet elegant and it's not going to cost you a fortune.
It's going to be tough to tie fashion and virtues into this BBB world. Almost sounds like an oxymoron these days. But I truly believe there is a connection. My challenge is going to be how to reveal this connection in a way that is interesting yet still helpful.....Hmmmm.... You'll have to keep reading to find out!
I have to say Friday nights are my favorite for watching TV. Say Yes to the Dress and What not to Wear are my favorites!!!! Guilty pleasures I suppose, but I can't help it! I was looking on the TLC website and found that Stacy and Clinton had a "Wedding Spectacular" episode. Did any of you see it??? It looked like a great show. Click on the link to get some great tips. Don't forget to watch tonight, and we'll talk on Monday.........I'll be revealing my new blog title!!!(Drum roll pleeeaase!!!!)
What a great blog for brides!!! Your own little "Beehive" where brides can "Buzz" all they want with other "Buzzing Bees". Mrs. Bee (the founder) was definitely on to something when she was getting married and created this "Buziful Blog". If you want ideas and other bride's opinions, this is a great site! (How's that for linkage? Ha!)
I'm quickly discovering that the posts on wedding dresses are the most popular. Last night, a guest blogger did a great post asking for some help on finding her wedding gown. I couldn't believe the response she got. So many opinions! How in the world is she going to decide?
My mom often talks about brides in her shop and how quickly they can get confused (I have witnessed several "Confusearilla Brides"). It really is a tough choice for brides these days. So many gorgeous gowns...and of course, you want to try them ALL on! "BIG mistake, HUGE!" (Pretty Woman). I know it's so tempting to try every last wedding gown on, but this will be a step in the wrong direction...Trust me!! It will only make you more confused.
Here are a few quick tips to help you decide on your wedding gown:
I saw this commercial on Sunday during the Academy Awards and loved it! I realize it's an American Express commercial but couldn't help relating to the designer, Diane Von Furstenberg. It's wonderful watching a bride try on a Millie wedding gown and seeing her face light up- knowing that the feel and fit of that dress is fulfilling her dream of being happy and beautiful. There is something to be said about self confidence. I agree, self confidence should come from within. But isn't it true when you find that one piece of clothing that fits you perfectly....does it not make you feel like a Supermodel??
I loved my wedding gown, but it didn't fit great (this was before my mom started designing). When my sister got married, six months after me (my poor parents!), I remember being envious of my sister's gown. It wasn't a dress that would have looked good on me, but it fit her like a glove.... and she knew it. My sister is gorgeous anyway, but that day she looked like she stepped straight out of Brides Magazine. It wasn't because of the makeup, jewelry, or hair. It wasn't because of the actual dress. It was because of the way the dress made her feel. When something fits good, it makes you feel good.
I could get so much deeper on this topic. Of course, you're already going to feel wonderful because you're marrying the man of your dreams. And of course, that should be where your self confidence comes from on the day you get married. I get that 100%. But I will be the first to admit, when I look good, I feel that much better. Call it whatever you want.....I just call it how I feel it.
[images from http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com/]
[images from http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com/]
We were very excited about making the newspaper last month. My mother has been getting a lot of publicity from it. In the world of technology, it's a wonder how the newspaper is still effective. Check it out: GJ Bridal Parlor Owner Launches her own Wedding Dress Line .
[image from Brides magazine]
Sure, any girl would love an Oscar de la Renta wedding gown, but who can really afford one? With the average wedding costing over $27,000 these days, it doesn’t make sense to overspend on your wedding gown. Unfortunately, brides with real budgets have to turn to the “Wal-mart” of the bridal industry and end up with something they do not love and is anything but original. That’s why Judy Panozzo, bridal shop owner in Grand Junction, Colorado started designing her own label, MILLIE. She wanted to offer brides a unique and fashionable gown without the scary price tag.
By now you have probably tried on some wedding gowns and are probably unpleasantly surprised on how heavy and uncomfortable they are (not to mention, the bra and skirt you have to put underneath it). Why do we have to sacrifice comfort for fashion even on our wedding day? Well, with a Millie gown you don’t have to. Millie gowns are amazingly comfortable and lightweight. We use the finest construction so the gown supports the girls body to flatter her figure.
The Millie line is ideal for your outdoor destination wedding; simple yet elegant. Instead of your typical overdone run-of-the-mill gown with too many beads and heavy long trains, Millie’s are made with a mixture of fun, gorgeous fabrics. To pick up some light and to add some sparkle, elegant brooches or a few sequins are added. The popular Isabella gown even has a colored ribbon belt. The perfect way to coordinate your wedding colors.
Ranging from $500 to $700, there is a style to suit the real bride’s budget without sacrificing style. Remember, your wedding dress is the single most important piece of clothing you’ll ever wear. You’ll want to look fabulous so you can truly feel your very best on the happiest day of your life!
How Did it Start?
In the not so distant past, marriages were arranged, sometimes before a person was born. The groom did not see his bride until after they were pronounced Man & Wife. The veil hid the bride's face from view. This was how Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel in the book of Genesis.
Symbol of Innocence
The veil is the one thing a second time bride is suppose to relinquish since it is a symbol of innocence, not the white dress. Many second time brides will wear the veil but do not cover the face.
Two Traditions
Many brides prefer to give their father the honor of lifting the veil. The bride comes down the aisle with her father with the veil covering her face. At the front of the church the minister asks, “Who gives this woman?” The father says, “I do,” lifts her veil, and gives her a kiss before taking his seat.
The second tradition is to keep the face covered until the kiss. The minister says, “You may kiss the bride,” The bride turns to her maid-of-honor and hands her the bouquet. The maid-of–honor lifts the veil. The bride turns back to her new husband for the kiss. The minister introduces the new Mr. and Mrs. ________ to the congregation. The music starts and they then proceed out of the church. This can be a very dramatic conclusion to the ceremony.
The next six to twelve months will be a very exciting time for you. There are many things you should do now and many that will have to wait until the last minute. What’s first?
In my opinion, the most important thing you can do right now is get a three-ring binder with pocket dividers. You’ll use this to keep contracts from all of the vendors you will deal with. Also, cut out pictures of gowns, flowers, cakes, decorations, colors, and anything else you like. “A picture is worth a thousand words” maybe an old saying, but it is still very true. Show your vendors what you like. It’ll be much easier. Start collecting names and addresses early. Sending your invitations is the hardest job of all.
The second thing to do is get a good wedding planning book. A planner will give you a list of details that you would never think of yourself. Keep a notepad and pencil by your bed. When you wake up in the middle of the night with another detail, write it down so you can go back to sleep. If not, you will stay awake all night trying to remember.
When you are able to locate all of these pieces easily, you’ll be so glad you started out organized.
Toni was originally in taffeta. We changed to satin, added a chapel train, and removed the key-hole in front to make a sweetheart neck.
For Jessica we changed the body of the dress
from taffeta to chantilly lace. We've added a chapel train and a beaded belt.
For Mallory we removed the pleated chiffon from the midriff, did inverted pleats in the skirt and added a balloon bottom. 
The bodice of Avery was beautiful but the dropped waist was too long and the ruffles were tulle. We raised the dropped waist by 3" and changed the pleats to alternating layers of chantilly lace and pleated chiffon.
