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Posted in News on January 13th, 2012 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
 When I wrote about how to begin planning your wedding, I saw lots of Facebook questions and comments from readers about wedding dresses. More specifically, they were talking about how much they planned to spend on the dress, or inquiring how much one should spend on it.
It’s the question on every bride’s mind: How much should you spend on a wedding dress?
Short answer…It depends. Allow me to explain.
As I have said before, buying a wedding gown is an extremely emotional purchase, to say nothing of the fact that it may be one of the most expensive garments a woman will purchase in her life.
Many forces come into play when deciding how much to spend on a wedding dress. Sometimes the pocketbook rules, sometimes the heart rules. It’s an emotional versus practical decision, or reality versus fantasy. Every woman has a different sense of what is right for her.
I have had conversations where we have mentioned that for a $10,000 wedding it is not unheard of to spend $500 (5 percent) of the total wedding budget on the dress. Now, I bet every bride reading this blog has a different reaction to that equation. What if we said for a $100,000 wedding, the bride should spend $5,000 on her dress? Some brides might think that is totally in line, others might say they could not possibly spend $5,000 on a dress, still others might think $8,000 – $12,000 is more what they had in mind.
The real exercise here is to get in touch with the elements that affect your choice so you can feel more comfortable with the price that works for you.
Are you a visual shopper, a tactile shopper, or both? What’s more important to you: how it looks, how it feels, where it came from, what it is made of, who designed it — some of the above, all of the above? Every bride views this differently. Figure out what is important to you, and coming up with a range of what you are prepared to spend will be a lot easier.
For me, if I have a set limit on what I can spend on an item, I will seek out the highest quality available for that price. Quality is my priority. But I do admit I tend to s-t-r-e-t-c-h.
Many brides start out with the simple notion of “I want a beautiful dress.” Some have a completely open mind. Perhaps they have an old sketch/photo/ad of a dress that has always been their dream since they were a little girl. I have seen more than one bride take a tear sheet out of her wallet that she had been carrying around for years, with the image of her dream gown on it.
But there are some other elements that come into play:
Fabrication -– silk organza, satin duchese, silk faille — the style and quality of materials can really affect the cost.
Point of origin- a hand-crafted gown from a European atelier incorporating silk faille from Italy and Alencon lace from France is going to cost more than a mass-marketed item. Beyond the item cost, import and duty fees may also add to the cost of a dress. A $3,000 dress can quickly become a $4,500 dress simply because of its point of origin (if it is shipped in from Europe). Conversely, a container of dresses from the Far East is taxed by the pound , not by the garment, so the impact on cost is much less.
Designer label – a signature gown from a renowned designer will always cost more than a standard brand. In today’s world, these previously exclusive designers have created divisions that cater to the mass markets. For some brides, having a dress from a particular designer is the first priority.
So, again, what is most important to you? The name on the label, the design, the fabric,
the embellishments, how it feels when it’s on, or how much it costs? Or all of the above?
As I said, it depends.
Posted in News on January 6th, 2012 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
 OK lovebirds, while you are working your way through the first set of choices, here is the second set of elements that work together to create a unique setting that expresses the two of you as a couple.
Your choice of location is the No. 1 variable that impacts décor.
A historical church or home sets an entirely different tone than a white sandy beachfront or tropical garden. Using that as a foundation, let’s build from there.
In the modern world we live in, most flowers today are available year-round. If they are not in season where you live, they are more than likely grown in hot houses or shipped in from another country. So if there is a favorite flower that must be part of your day, chances are you can make it happen. They may, however, be more costly.
How many flowers is a personal choice; some couples want a church brimming with sprays of fragrant flowers. Others like a simple bouquet tied at the end of the front pews. A florist (such as my wonderful co-star Kevin Lee of LA Premier) can guide you in which flowers complement the decor you are going for…i.e. roses and peonies say English garden, while infusing citrus fruits among greens is luscious in the springtime, and adding hibiscus, for example, invokes visions of the tropics.
Lighting sets the mood. Regardless of time of day, your choices can impact how people feel. Keep in mind that blues and greens are modern and cooler feeling. Reds and fuchsias are warm. Use of candles and fireplaces can also enhance a feeling of intimacy. Some people feel that the interior decor of a ballroom or restaurant restricts their choices. My experience has been that once you put your fingerprint on the event, most walls fade away. The focus is on you and your bridal party.
 Cool Blues & Greens
Now comes the music. And as with everything else, a huge range of choices are available: orchestra, classical ensemble, band, guitarist, DJ or combo. When choosing music, think about the celebration you have in mind. Is this a formal dinner, a champagne brunch, a beachfront family reunion or an upscale BBQ? Your musical choices need to be in harmony with the rest of the day.
Another thing to keep in mind, the maestro, DJ or bandleader will very likely be the emcee of your event…you and your fiancé need to be clear on how you desire the event to flow and how active a voice they will have in the day. Will you be providing sheets of direction, or will they be making a few important announcements during the day and improvising when necessary? It’s your day. Make your wishes known.
The officiant plays an important role in the mood of the day and should be featured appropriately. Is a highly traditional religious ceremony going to be conducted, or is the pastor/rabbi a close family friend who will be making a more casual presentation? Whether he/she will be in full vestments or a suit or dress should help you in creating the setting you had in mind.
 All about Officiants!
There are so many more details to include, but deciding on these key elements will give you a great start on creating the wedding of your dreams.
Stay tuned for more tips in future blogs because, you know, the best is yet to come!
Posted in News on January 3rd, 2012 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
Whether the proposal was a surprise or not, I know it is still strangely wonderful to wake up and see that beautiful ring on your finger. It’s not a dream, it’s a dream come true! While it’s been glorious sharing the news and excitement, there is also the reality that you now have a wedding to plan! Your wedding!
So, my darling fiancées, let’s get started! Whether you decide to hire a wedding planner or do the organizing yourself, the best way to get what you want is to start immediately.
Easy for me to say, right? A wedding is so enormous! Where to begin?!
Let’s break it down into two parts: the choices that will help you choose your dress, and the choices that will define the décor. We’ll cover this in a two-post series, beginning with the dress.
Choices That Define the Dress
1. Sit down together and work out a rough draft of the guest list. Is this about family and a few close friends? Do you both have huge families that must be accommodated, as well as mutual friends that just have to be there? The faster you determine the scope of the guest list, the quicker you determine a working budget.
2. Determine the members of the wedding party. Few couples have exactly the same number of siblings and friends, so you have to figure out how to balance that out.
Be gracious when it comes to including family and dear friends on either side. This is both your wedding and his. While the final number many vary as the big day approaches, having a good idea of the size of the bridal party will also help define what styles of wedding gowns will be most appropriate.
 Whom to invite!
3. Have a heartfelt conversation about your shared vision of the wedding. Season? Morning or evening? Indoor or outdoor? House of worship, beach, garden, ballroom? Agreeing to these critical points will rule out some places by virtue of season, size or logistics.
Remember, no matter where your wedding may be, for many of your guests, it will be considered a destination wedding. Therefore, some guests will be in town for several days since coming to the wedding involves travel. It would be considerate of you to plan some optional activities for these guests. If there are more than a few, consider how you will make the guests feel at home and part of the event in the days leading up to the wedding. Perhaps a number of icebreaker events prior to the formal rehearsal dinner and reception? This is part of the budget consideration.
 Seasons
4. The search begins! Knowing how many people are to be invited, how big the bridal party is going to be, what season, time and location you have in mind, will be a terrific help in focusing on what gown not only expresses your personal style, but also is in sync with the other choices that are important to you. Sharing this information with the salons you visit will be very helpful in relation to the styles of gowns they suggest.
5. With magazines in hand, computer printouts and a tight list of 2 or 3 salons that have been highly recommended and/or carry the styles you are loving, you and your maid-of-honor (who is going take her position to heart) can start making your bridal appointments.
 Help!
6. If mom cannot accompany you, or is not available, then either shop alone or with a trusted confidant. I know it sounds like fun, but don’t bring a large entourage with you when you go shopping for your bridal gown; more times than not, It is utterly confusing, frustrating and highly inconsiderate to the salon.
7. My dear bride, before you step foot into the first salon please, please remember this: The No. 1 factor to consider when choosing your bridal gown is love.
You have to fall in love with your gown. It is a garment you will wear for perhaps 8 or 10 hours total. But it is also the one and only garment you will ever wear that you will remember every detail from purchase, to putting on, to taking off for the rest of your life.
Your fiancé will see you in this special gown for the first time as you walk up the aisle to marry him.
8. Once you have chosen the gown you love…buy it. If you find the perfect gown and then figure you can return in several months to purchase it, you may be disappointed. It could be discontinued. So my best advice is to find it and buy it.
9. Bridal gowns should be ordered at a minimum of 6-7 months prior to the wedding. That sounds like an insanely long amount of time, but wedding gowns are made to order (not to measure — contrary to common belief), and then there are a series of alteration fittings to make your dress a custom fit. This is a process you do not want to rush.
10. Bridesmaid dresses should complement the wedding gown in style and reflect the bride’s favorite colors. Once you know the silhouette, fabric and detailing of your gown, the search for the perfect bridesmaid dresses becomes easier.
But more times than not, it is a simultaneous process. So have a fun discussion of what kind of dress you are leaning toward, and listen to everyone’s ideas for bridesmaid dresses. Determine if the expense is something the bride’s family is willing to cover, or if each bridesmaid is to cover the cost of the dress. Either arrangement is fine, but it is critical this be decided before the shopping begins.
Some salons carry bridesmaid dresses. Others do not. Find out who does, and decide if you want to combine the wedding gown search with bridesmaid dresses, or make that a separate trip and allow sufficient time for everyone to try on samples.
 Bridesmaids!!
As with wedding gowns, the more time, the better! I suggest bridesmaid dresses be ordered no less than 5 months prior to the wedding date. Keep in mind that if you have to ship the dresses to bridesmaids at different locations, you might want to build additional time into the schedule. Alterations in every case need to be considered. No bridal party wardrobe is made to measure, except in the most rare of circumstances.
 Alterations!
We’ve gotten a lot done! Date, time, location, guest list and wedding party has led you to the perfect wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.
Next time, we’ll set the stage for a day to remember!
Posted in News on December 22nd, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
12/21/2011
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 It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holidays are celebrated, resolutions written and promises of lifetime commitment are made! ‘Tis the season — I’m talking about the number one engagement period of the year!
Image how nervous Mr. Wonderful must have been around Thanksgiving, planting all the right questions to get an idea of just what type of ring you’ll cherish forever! Maybe having a secret conversation with your mom and dad about what he has in mind. Conspiring with your siblings on setting up the right scenario. And getting the 411 from your best girlfriends on what would really capture your heart. And if that isn’t daunting, how will he pop the question?
Enough about Mr. Wonderful…Let’s face it, it isn’t all about him — you’ll be the bride! And let me guess, you’ve been sneaking peeks online at wedding gowns and venues already? I know you too well! If you are a red-blooded woman, of course you have.
My advice? Take it slow. Enjoy the process. Once you’ve both decided to go on life’s journey as a married couple, the constellation changes pretty rapidly. Your status will change from single woman to fiancee, from fiancee to wife. You’ll be his wife forever, but his fiancee for just just a short while. So bask in the glory, all the attention, and the thrill of saying, “Have you met my fiance?”
And keep looking at wedding gowns!!!!!
Seriously! You should, because right after the first of the year, you’ll start making your bridal appointments. Doesn’t that sound fabulous? Bridal appointments!
The best is yet to come!
Cheers,
Renée
Posted in News on December 20th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
I love working with brides because each one has a story of her own, some just like a Hollywood screenplay — actors and all! Our next two shows prove that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind as many times as she likes.
 Decisions, decisions...
Like the bride in her sixties who came shopping with her high-powered girlfriends for a wedding gown (you remember, Kathrine?), she bought the dress on the strong recommendation of her friends. But, after some thinking, she returned to buy the second dress she fell in love with. Well, that’s one way to solve the problem. What some people can do to keep their friends happy! But in Beverly Hills, some ladies can easily afford to have one dress for the ceremony and another for the reception.
It’s BAAACK — the blue wedding dress! Some love it, think it is the dress of their dreams; some hate it and liken it to something a storybook princess would wear. Talk about your mixed reviews! You have to see it to believe it. So check it out, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
If the man in your life doesn’t want to watch the show, you might casually mention he will miss seeing adult film star Sunny Leone find the perfect dress. Escorted by her brother, this former Penthouse playmate samples some really revealing gowns that not just any girl can wear. It might be TMI for bro, but why don’t you ask your Mr. Wonderful which dress he likes the best?
That’s all for Season 1…The best is yet to come!
Posted in News on December 19th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
Welcome back to my blog ! I have been so busy with our TLC show, it’s been really hard to keep up both blogs. So I am going to share my column with you now. Not everyone goes to the TLC site to read the blog I write, so I hope you get a little insight as to what has been going on! This blog esentially explains why I was the person chosen to star in the show BRIDES OF BEVERLY HILLS…Stay tuned!
A first glance, a shared smile. Some things are hard to put into words, yet those instances can say more than hours of conversation. So it’s best to know how to interpret them.
I’m Reneé Strauss and I count on my ability to read people every day. I have a very unusual sixth sense, and I call it “bridal.”
Having built a business in Beverly Hills introduced me not only to celebrities, designers, film and television producers but some of the most prestigious families of the world. We’ve dressed brides from international locations as far as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan, Korea, France, Italy, England, Brazil, Indonesia, and oh yes, Hollywood.
 Hollywood sign Working in such a high profile market has given me tremendous knowledge not only about the design, construction, trends and styles of dresses, but also the traditions, cultural nuances and customs that make every wedding unique.
I’m also a woman: a daughter, a mother, a sister, an aunt and friend, who has experienced weddings personally and professionally from many perspectives and know that weddings bring out people’s deepest feelings
– which is both wonderful and challenging.
Helping a bride navigate the tricky business of well-meaning relatives and less than supportive or sometimes overly involved friends and family is a big part of my job.
So the minute a bride comes to her first appointment, I’m taking it all in. Not only her height, figure, skin tone, hair and eye color, but her energy, sensibility and day to day style. I know pretty quickly what direction we should head. It’s not about me imposing a style on a bride, but rather finding the gown that best expresses her as an individual. As we like to say,
“Your Wedding. Your Style.”
Buying a wedding gown is a highly emotional purchase, and for many women one of the most expensive garments they will ever buy. Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking for a seasoned professional, let alone a first-timer. With all this on the line, drama is part of the process. Happily, I know the finest locations, as well as industry professionals such as caterers, florists, musicians, photographers and any other service my brides might require.
This is seriously important business — and also a lot of fun!
I want you to come along for the ride!
 Big Brother's Rachel  Mamie Van Doren & Amy Michelson Every episode we meet our brides, confer with designers, try on gorgeous gowns and map out a day to remember. Whether it’s a ceremony in a cathedral or on a remote and exotic beach, highly traditional or au courant, Kevin Lee and I are good to go!
Cheers! The best is yet to come.
Renée
Posted in News on November 18th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
Merry McKenna, Hollywood Pop Culture Examiner
November 22, 2011
Renee Strauss is the triple F status (aka feisty, funny, and fashionable – uh huh!) owner of the sparkling Renee Strauss Salon in Beverly Hills. Fact: One glance at the salon and your eyes and/or heart will freak out – in the best way possible. Try it. Strauss is also the star of TLC’s smash hit new show Brides of Beverly Hills (Get hooked – Fridays at 10 PM)…Which chronicles the Beverly Hills bridal genius and her a-list team (including Kevin Lee, can we say “Fabulous!”) as they help brides hunt for the most dazzling, sizzling and blinging wedding dresses Beverly Hills money can buy. Hello, Heaven.
Strauss took a time-out to talk about picking out the “perfect dress,” getting a Beverly Hills bridal look on a budget, and the secret to becoming a Beverly Hills bride.
MM: How did Brides of Beverly Hills get created? Was there a whole lotta drama going down on the Renee Strauss Salon bridal floor and someone with a camera started taping?
Renee Strauss: TLC fell upon me and liked what they saw! Beverly Hills is the most enviable shopping location in the world, so it’s a natural location for a wedding show. Plus, Renee Strauss Salon is a landmark destination. We get a lot of interesting people at Renee Strauss Salon, and we have a sense of humor about it. “Brides of Beverly Hills” captures the reality of what really happens in Beverly Hills.
MM: What’s your favorite moment from this season?
RS: There are a lot of favorite moments. Almost every episode spoke to my heart or sense of humor. One of the most touching moments was in the first episode, when a young girl got engaged, and her father was there. It was an incredible feeling that by virtue of having a film crew there, this family’s special moments were documented for posterity. They’ll have these moments forever and can watch them again and again.
MM: There’s drama, then there’s Beverly Hills bridal drama aka hectic - which you live every single day. How do you manage non-stop Beverly Hills bridal chaos?
RS: I’ve been doing this for 30 years, so I know what I’m doing, and I try to exude a calmness…Even though it doesn’t look it on the show [laughs]. My goal is to make the bride and her family happy, but that’s not always a reality. In the end, people come to us because we perform and get the job done.
MM: Would you ever be down for a spin-off TV show of you, Randy, and Monty finding the perfect dress?
RS: [laughs] Our shows are very different. Unlike “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta”, “Brides of Beverly Hills” isn’t about finding the right dress. Our show has a campier feeling, and quirkier people than “Say Yes to the Dress.”
MM: Challenge: How can brides on a budget get a Beverly Hills look?
RS: My feeling is that at every bridal salon, every piece of inventory eventually has to be sold to make room for new inventory. So, just be honest and communicate. There’s nothing wrong with asking if the sample is for sale. Or being directed to a cheaper alterations department. Or, you can always go to David’s Bridal and hope for a miracle [laughs].
MM: What advice do you have for single girls who dream of becoming a Beverly Hills bride?
RS: The question really is “How do you nab a Beverly Hills guy?” [laughs] I’ve had interesting things happen. There’s a beautiful boutique in Beverly Hills called Bijan, named after my old friend Bijan, who sadly passed away recently. I did the wedding gown for Bijan’s first wife, and over time I became friends with her. She’d tell me stories about how Bijan sales staff would be proposed to all the time by wealthy clients! So, I think to get a Beverly Hills guy, you need a good work ethic, and then you need to get a job as a saleswoman at a boutique or hotel in Beverly Hills! [laughs]
MM: Quite possibly, every single woman in North America and beyond saw Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress. Even though Kim is now a divorcee, do you think her dress will still influence bridal fashion?
RS: Bridal fashion goes through trends. I think Vera Wang used Kim Kardashian’s wedding as a platform to shake up the industry…which it needed…and bring the 80’s look back into fashion. For example, Kim’s dress has a basque waist – we haven’t seen that since the 80’s. And the Pocahontas on forehead piece that Kim wore was most popular in the 80’s.
As far as other shake-ups in the industry, tulle is very strong again. For 10 years, we couldn’t give a tulle dress away. I just got back from shows in places like Barcelona and Chicago, and I’m seeing tulle everywhere.
MM: What’s the secret to picking out the perfect dress?
RS: Buy a dress that you feel so beautiful in that you can’t wait for Mr. Wonderful to see you walking down the aisle, becoming Mrs. Wonderful.
MM: You have a wildly successful Beverly Hills salon, the hottest celebrity clients in town, and a smash hit show on TLC. What’s the secret to your success?
RS: You have to love what you do every day, and learn from mistakes you make. We get to a certain level in our careers not because we don’t make mistakes, because we learn from mistakes. I also have a retail mentality. Meaning I look at every person in the eye, and greet them by name. And always be progressive. Look forward to things you want to get accomplished, and that will propel you forward. That’s what I do in my life.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Renee Strauss Exclusive Interview – Los Angeles Pop Culture | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-los-angeles/renee-strauss-exclusive-interview#ixzz1e4cW3vta
Posted in News on November 14th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
Father of the Bride wedding scene…Flowergirls, bridesmaids, BRIDE and MOB by Renée Strauss
Making the movie was so much fun! And watching Martin Short’s character Franck and his assistant morph into Kevin Lee was hysterical! My cameo is in the montage just after the cake scene.
Posted in News on November 10th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
Everyone has some comment to make about Kim and Kris’s 72 day marriage…so I’ve decided I’m going to make my observations known as well. But my comments are more about the brilliant move made by Vera Wang to capture the moment and bring back bridal fashion trends. Something the industry is really ready for, and the consumer is ready to embrace.
Vera capitalized on a wedding that garnered as much publicity as any attention-seeking, fame hungry person could ever dream of, and more. Everyone made money on this gig, and tongues are still a-wagg’n.
Kim’s face splashed across tabloids, her chin tilted slightly upward, with her diamond studded headpiece placed strikingly upon her forehead…haven’t seen that in about twenty years, have you?
Is this the look of love?
And what about the basque waist on the gown Kim wore floating up the aisle as Mr. Wonderful, Mr. Forever stood watching her vision approach. When was the last time you saw that waistline on a wedding gown…Let me count…yes, also just about twenty years ago!
 Classic or trendy? You decide...
The all white wedding is nothing new, though…We refer to that as a snowball wedding.
The Kardashian fashion show was fun to watch…Lots of details to oogle over and predictions to make about what will “stick”…What will sneak into the next batch of gowns that ship to the retailers nationwide…What the brides will buy and what styles will die a painful death on the racks.
I predict accessories will get bigger than ever. Rhinestones will dominate the shelves and Pocahontas’s headpieces will have a come-back that would make her proud!
 The cycles just never end.
Posted in News on November 7th, 2011 by rstrauss.blog – Comments Off
When a bride buys her wedding gown she has fallen in love for a second time…The first was with Mr. Wonderful! Days pass, then weeks and after several months her long-awaited gown finally arrives. And while in the dressing room shivering from nerves in her bridal lingerie, shoe boxes strewn around the room and mom waiting just outside the door, the stylist gently unzips the garment bag for the reveal!
“Oh, wait!” she cries as she inches closer to examine the embroidery and beadwork on the bodice. ”But this couldn’t be my gown! My gown didn’t have this thread looping through the lace at the bustline! Impossible! Why I remember every detail of my gown! After all I haven’t seen it for seven months and since purchasing it I have broken up with my fiancé twice, suffered falling outs with my maid-of-honor and bridesmaids and changed the menu 15 times! But in spite of all that I know my gown!”.
 Bride contemplating... As the mystified stylist backs out of the dressing room promising resolution in just a few minutes, she shuts the door and races to the manager heart pounding wondering to herself “what IF the bride is RIGHT?” She is already finding as many reasons as possible not to face this bride again.
The defining moment of true expertise: How to handle a crisis involving an anxious bride and put her mind at ease that in fact her dress does have that thread and many more like it running through the bodice. It is exactly what she ordered and we understand how our memory can fail us…
Just another day in the bridal shop in anywhere U.S.A.
Shooting a TV series in many ways is similar.
Filming begins months in advance and like the shopping experience to find the perfect gown, lasts for days, even months. All of a sudden we are told that entire episodes have been shot and are completed. A little pooped but happy with our accomplishments, we really have no idea how 600 hours worth of footage will be spliced and diced by the editors. We all just want to make sure our hair and make-up look good! And then comes the waiting period…We are patient but very anxious and want to know how things are coming along. Then comes the big day!
The series will air! DVRs are set! Champagne bottles chilled! All gather ’round to watch with baited breath!
As the theme song pounds out and we all see ourselves on the air, we are nervous and excited and totally cracking up as we see the final product!
Beverly Hills is as campy as it feels every single day!
 Romano D'Andrea & Marshall Jay Kaplan of PLANETWORKS Hat’s off to our producers Carolyn, Romano and Marshall! Cheers to a job well done!
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