Introducing Mother's at Maya Couture

While Maya Couture has always prided ourselves on making and customizing gorgeous dresses for mothers (and still intend to do so!), we realize that not every mother can picture a custom gown for themselves.  With that said, you've asked, and we've answered!  Introducing Jade, Jade Couture, and Black Label by Jasmine at Maya Couture!  With prices ranging from $220-$500, these lines offer something for every mom.  Whether you want the traditional mothers gown with a jacket, or you prefer something more modern, these lines are sure to have the perfect style for you!  We're having our first Jade & Jade Couture trunk show on December 14-15, so go to www.mayacouture.com and book your appointment today!

Maya Couture Real Weddings: Lisa & Vaughn

We think these photos speak for themselves... check out Lisa & Vaughn's gorgeous wedding shot by Will King Photography.  Lisa wore Sottero & Midgley's Adorae, and Vaughn and his groomsmen wore tuxedos by Jim's Formal Wear from Maya Couture.  Her girls wore After Six dresses in a gorgeous tangerine.  Her bouquets were done by Char's Floral Designs, located right inside of Maya Couture.

Meet Amanda Hedgepeth

In receiving wedding photos from our real brides, we couldn't help but notice that we were getting a TON from a photographer named Amanda Hedgepeth.  While we tend to encounter a lot of the more established Hampton Roads photographers, Amanda came out of the woodwork from Richmond and is taking the Hampton Roads bridal industry by storm.

Meet Amanda and her amazingly adorable daughter, Cammie:

Amanda has proven that you can be a first-time mom to a newborn and a successful entrepreneur all at once- and she does both with grace!  Her brides have nothing but fantastic things to say about her- and why wouldn't they?  Not only is she an amazing photographer, but she's one of the friendliest and personable vendors we know! The most recent bride that we worked with, Brittany Worrell Boyce, had this to say:

"When my fiance and I first met Amanda, we knew she was the perfect photographer to capture our wedding day. She is hilarious, so incredibly kind, and of course - extremely talented! I cannot stop looking at our wedding pictures - she captured every single emotion from our wedding day so perfectly! I would recommend her to anyone...all of my family and friends are now fans of her photography after seeing all of our beautiful wedding photos!"

And we think her photography speaks for itself.  Check out a few snippets from some weddings that she's shot recently with brides from Maya Couture- and be on the lookout for the full blogs from these weddings in the coming weeks!

Ashley Bement Hall in Pronovias and her bridesmaids in Alfred Sung dresses.

Brittany Worrell Boyce in Casablanca and her husband in Jim's Formal Wear.

Marie Arney Strom in Maggie Sottero and her husband and his groomsmen in Jim's Formal Wear

By the way, it's Amanda's adorable daughter's first birthday- happy birthday Cammie!  You should be very proud of your talented mom!

Past Brides Across America

As November 12 is nearing, it's always fun to reflect back on the past years of Brides Across America and the amazing brides that we've been able to work with as a result.  There is nothing more rewarding than being able to give back to the military families in Hampton Roads and help women plan the wedding of their dreams! 

This is Jinger Brinkley, our very first bride from Brides Across America.  She received a gorgeous Jim Hjelm gown, retailing for over $3,000 after waiting in line all night.  She now comes back every year to help give away gowns to military brides!

This is Kayla Brown, one of our brides from Brides Across America 2009.  She wore a gorgeous halter Davinci Bridal gown.  Her photos were by Jill Beard Photography.

Cristy Williams was first in line last year.  She arrived at the store at 1pm the day before the event, and was rewarded with a brand new Maggie Sottero gown, "Kendra", retailing for over $1100.  

These are just three of many of the brides that we've given bridal gowns to in the last four years, and we're excited to keep doing that this year!  If you know anyone, please let them know to pre-register at www.bridesacrossamerica.com, and to show up by 9am on Monday, November 12, 2012!

Maya Couture in Turkey

Ceren's September wedding was located in a gorgeous palace in Istanbul.  She wore a beautiful Pronovias gown called "Bering", with a neckline that our seamstresses customized for her.  She wore a matching lace cathedral veil by Pronovias.

Her wedding was in a historical small palace "Fuat Pasa Palace" in Sariyer/ ISTANBUL - Turkey. The palace was thought to be built in late 18th century by a pasha from The Ottoman Empire. It was restored in The Republican Era (Turkish Republic) and started to be used as hotel and guesthouse in 1930s.

Photography was captured by 3 photographers, all part of MCM Photography. 

A note from Ceren: Getting married might not be everyone’s dream but if you choose to do so, all ladies that I know have imagined a dream wedding… The hardest part of this dream is choosing the wedding dress. It should be the best day of your life and you should feel beautiful. According to all grooms we are all beautiful and this is not a big deal. Actually it is a big deal! I was really lucky in this process, thanks to Maya Couture. I visited six stores in Hampton Roads and DC area. I knew what I wanted but it was still so hard to decide. After two months of looking for the dream dress, I visited Maya Couture for a second time. They have huge variety of gowns and I was specifically looking for Pronovias dresses. When I was looking at the new dresses I saw it! I saw my dream dress!! I tried it on and never hesitated to purchase it.

All the ladies in Maya Couture are so sweet, friendly and helpful. They tell you their honest opinion which you really need when you try a gown. Especially Misty, she is amazing! Since I am a petite woman the dress needed to be altered. I also wanted to change the neckline to suit my small frame.  I am always so scared of alterations.  Misty was very calm and helped me a lot. For the alterations, they are very experienced and understand what you want. I was so nervous but my dress turned out to be better than original version.

My husband and I planned our wedding almost for a year. What I learned is whatever happens; do not forget that, wedding day is your day. You are the princess! If you have fun, all of your guest will have fun, they will feel your energy. It was an amazing day for me and I felt so beautiful. Thanks to Misty and all Maya Couture staff, my dress and veil were gorgeous. I highly recommend all future brides to visit the store, I am sure that you will find your dream dress among huge selection.

LaToya Pumphrey & Dimitry Vincent

LaToya & Dimitry were married on September 29, 2012.  LaToya wore a gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown that she found at one of our trunk shows and customized with a stunning custom belt, and Dimitry and his groomsmen wore tuxedos by Jim's Formal Wear.  Photography was by Keith Cephus Photography.

Maya Couture is the perfect place to shop for wedding fashions including tux rentals. The salon makes you feel welcome and like family. 

-LaToya's review of Maya Couture from www.weddingwire.com

Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero from Maya Couture

Groomsmen: Jims' Formal Wear from Maya Couture

Photography: Keith Cephus Photography

Venue: Founders Inn & Spa

Florist: Daevid's of Norfolk

Wedding Coordinator: Carolyn Stark & Signature Weddings

Cake: Patti Cakes, Inc.

Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting

DJ: DJ Premonition