Wedding Dresses and Bridal Gowns For 2011

A Royal Hollywood Wedding: Jane Cha and R.J. Cutler in the Hollywood Hills!!!

A Wedding To Remember...

Say "Beautiful Wedding": David Paul, R.J. Cutler, Jane Cutler, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen and Karen Kwan-Oppegard

Well, following on my "Wedding Fest" (see previous posting), I thought, it would be perfect to write about a FABULOUS wedding I actually attended: Last month, my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul and I attended one of the most elegant--and fun--weddings we've ever been invited to (and very A-List to boot!).

Bridal Gorgeous: Jane Cha in her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, with her father, walking down the aisle

The Bride: My very good friend, the gorgeous Jane Cha, Founder and Executive Vice President of Full Picture--and one of the executive producers of Project Runway (Yeayyy!!!). She wore a strapless silk organza and hand-embroidered wedding gown from LA-based Fashion Designer (and FIDM-alumni) Monique Lhuillier. Her hair and makeup were done by Uber Glam Squad Linda Hay and Michel Aleman. She even had an "outfit change" and wore a Christian Siriano (Winner of Season 4 Project Runway) gown for the reception.

The Groom: Well, kids, it was none other than R.J. Cutler. Yes, THE R.J. Cutler, Producer of "The War Room", "American High" and Director of "The September Issue", nominated for an Academy Award, won an Emmy as well as a Peabody! (I know, tell me about it!!!). He's also my "bearded brother...from another mother!", but that's another story.

Hollywood Hills Chuppah: The Wedding Ceremony Scene, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

Bridesmaid Boys: Michael Moore and Chad Rothman

Well, kids , they got married! Both David and I almost didn't make it, because we were supposed to show our collection at an event in San Diego--as well as make a special appearance--which was scheduled the same evening but it was suddenly canceled TWO DAYS before, and well, it was time for us to find something to wear...

Dinner Time: Nick Verreos enjoying the dinner service, Jane Cha-R.J. Cutler Wedding

The wedding occurred at R.J.'s beautiful home in the gorgeous Hollywood Hills. There was a Chuppah set up in the beautiful lawn of his home, where the ceremony took place. And the Dinner Reception that followed: On TOP of the sprawling pool! They covered the pool and set up many, many, many tables and transformed it into the most beautiful Wedding Dinner Banquet.

The Guest List: Miss Klum: Heidi wearing a dress from my line, NIKOLAKI *not what she wore at the wedding :)

Well kids, the one and only Heidi Klum (love her!) was there, and walked down the aisle in a very fitted Yves Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" black suit:

Heidi was the Numero Uno Bridesmaid at the Wedding of course! Her husband Seal was there of course, front row taking care of the kids, who were the "Flower Boys and Girls". The "Flower Girl"--Leni (Heidi's gorgeous daughter)--wore a custom dress designed and created by Jewelry Designer Courtney Prince Miller.

Now, speaking of Seal: He sang to the Bride and Groom! It was UNBELIEVABLE to A.) Hear Seal sing live (Hello!) and B.) Just to be there to witness it. My arm-hairs (and I have many, I'm half-Greek remember!) were standing up! All of Jane and RJ's guest were VIP: They included Full Picture Founder and President Desiree Gruber and her husband actor Kyle MacLachlan...

Dancing Queen: Elle Creative Director Joe Zee and the bride, Jane Cutler, wearing Christian Siriano rose-pink strapless gown (her outfit change!)

Elle Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee; Lory Johansson, who designed the interior--and exterior--of R.J.'s (and now Jane's as well!) home; David Kirsch, Victoria's Secret Supermodel celebrity trainer; actress Amy Brenneman and her husband; Director Brad Silberling; and President of Entertainment for Showtime David Nevins.

Posing Kids: David Paul, Nick Verreos, Jimmy Nguyen, Karen Kwan-Oppegard and Peter Oppergard

Also on hand were Karen Kwan-Oppegard and her husband, Peter Oppegard, Figure Skating ROYALS!!! So you know, we spent a lot of time DISHING about them figure skating costumes!!! Karen wore a slinky bias-cut dress. She looked fabulous of course, but I told her that next time, she needs to "Call Me" for a dress from our line if she ever has a "Figure Skating" Red Carpet event (LOL!!).

I wasn't the only Project Runway Alumn invited: The statuesque Laura Bennett (above with moi) Finalist from Season 3 (and my fellow MSN.com Style Studio expert) was also there!

Who Wants Cake: Bride and Groom exchanging cake

It truly was an amazing wedding! The entire night was perfect. From the ceremony to the dinner to the dancing and "midnight" pizza afterward: SUBLIME!!! All the food was by Jon Shook of Animal Restaurant fame. Thank you Jane and R.J. for allowing David and myself into your lives. We were truly honored to have been part of such a wonderful evening!

Congrats, Felicitaciones, Mazel Tov & Ch'u-k'a-dŭ-rim-ni-da! 축하드립니다!

Eva Longoria's Wedding Dress--My vision

Early this month, as everyone knows, actress Eva Longoria got married to sexy San Antonio Spurs basketball player, Tony Parker. A writer for the San Antonio Express News, Michael Quintanilla, contacted me to draw a sketch of what I, Nick Verreos, would design for Eva , if I was the designer doing her wedding gown. He was doing a story regarding all the craziness revolving her fabulous and ultra chic million-dollar wedding in France. Quintanilla wanted to include design visions from local San Antonio fashion designers , as well as a "celebrity designer" (I'm sure he was using the term very loosely!). Several years ago, Eva wore one of my NIKOLAKI designs to an event (in a photo captured here), way before she became the star of "Desperate Housewives".

I obliged his request with this illustration you see here. I wanted to do my "Nick" silhouette--very 1930's bias cut Hollywood Starlet with an asymmetrical cowl draped back (similar to what I designed for her costar, Brenda Strong for last year's SAG Awards. I envisioned it in a off-white silk crepe that would be hand-beaded--heavy to light-- throughout the gown. The finishing touch would be a French lace veil very reminiscent of the Mantillas the Spanish Duquesas wear, to give a nod to her Mexican-Spanish heritage. The sketch was published-along with the other San Antonio designer's visions in the aforementioned San Antonio Express newspaper the same weekend of Eva's wedding. She ended up wearing an amazing silk gazar gown from Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez, who for years deigned all the gowns for the Miss Venezuela's and now has become a go-to guy for gorgeous wedding dresses. Good choice Miss Eva!