Inspired Princess Style

If everything old is new again, we have to find inspiration somewhere.  For Kate Middleton, there was no better inspiration than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.

Kate Middleton, April 29, 2011 - Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

Grace Kelly, April 19, 1956, Dress designed by MGM Costume designer, Helen Rose

On Being a Princess

Tomorrow, Waity Katy will wait no more.  Tomorrow, Kate Middleton, the future Catherine, the Something of Somewhere will be a bride, and the most watched bride of all time.

Kate and William via People.com

I mentioned in conversation the other day that I sort of feel badly for Kate - yea, we're on a first name basis.  It can be tough to be a bride, especially when your every move is scrutinized and then compared to one of the world's most beloved women, your groom's mother.  

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981via People.com

But, it also got me thinking, how unique is her situation, really?  On her wedding day she will become a princess, and on your wedding day so will you.  Stay with me here...

You might hate the idea of being a princess, and what is stands for: the patriarchy, and pomp and circumstance.  

You might be a beach bride, a ballroom bride, a courtroom bride or a castle bride.  

You might get your dress off the rack, at a sample sale, or have it be the most highly speculated gown of the year.  

You might share donuts with your spouse, cupcakes, or a multi-tiered traditional English fruitcake (*yikes!).

You might have a very small budget, be a DIY-er, or be employing a royal army of vendors for your wedding day.

It makes no difference.  On the day you put on your dress (maybe it's red, "diamond" white, ivory, or somewhere in between) and walk towards your groom, (up the stairs of the courthouse or down the long and storied aisle of Westminster Abbey), you will be the only person anyone looks at, the only person anyone talks about, and the only Princess for your Prince Charming.

Mark and I on our Wedding Day, via 1313blog.com

I will be watching tomorrow as William and Kate say "I do" and share their awkward first public kiss as husband and wife.  

If you're in need of more Royal Wedding info, People has done a great job of pulling it all together, and you can watch it live online at 5 AM, EST.  You can also follow the wedding news on Twitter with #rw2011.

Now all that's left is seeing what she wears!

Go Green for Weddings

My standout favorite in the color category was the Oscar de la Renta dress with a sage belt and cotton candy like confection wrapping the model's shoulders.  It has since inspired a Green and White Wedding Board with a focus on texture, color and a bit of whimsy.  Green tulle calls for whimsy!

I really wanted to incorporate the satin-bow as seen on the bride, and featured it on the flower girl and the flower "embroidered" cake.  I wanted lots of texture so I loved the olive tree centerpiece for the escort card table and the freshness of the florals and drink.  And of course for a touch of sweetness and whimsy is there anything more whimsical than cotton candy?

Row 1: Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010, Cake via Brides.com

Row 2: Real Weddings Invitation, via Brides.com, Real Weddings Florals, via Brides.com

Row 3: Fox N’ Lily Flower Girl Dress, via Brides.com, Escort Card Table by David Stark Design, via Brides.com, Plaza Pinnacle Drink by CPS Events at The Plaza, via Brides.com, Green Apple Cotton Candy by AIX NYC, via Brides.com, 

What color combinations are you loving for now, or later?  It's okay to dream (plan) ahead!

Seeing Green, Pink and Blue

This past week was Bridal Market in New York, my invitation was lost in the mail but thanks to the various people I follow on Twitter and Brides.com I had a virtual front row seat.  A few trends really stuck out to me, and the first was the presence of color in a sea of white.

In a conversation I had last night I told someone there is no right or wrong way to get married, only your way.  These dresses are the visual illustration of that theme.  You can wear whatever you want, and now in whatever color.  Here are some of my favorites:

For Spring I love the bold, and the slight touches of soft sage green.  It is fresh, light and a really lovely take for a bold bride.

Oscar de la Renta - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Vera Wang - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Two trends that I loved were the surprising supersized stripes on Carolina Herrera's runway, and the ombre dyed Oscar de la Renta in radiant blue.

Oscar de la Renta - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Carolina Herrera - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

In a more classical turn, the runways were filled with swaths of blush, mauve, pinks and lavenders.  The beauty of the bridal bouquet and some ballerina style have influenced the wedding gown.

Monique Lhuillier - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Reem Acra - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Rivini - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Vera Wang - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Watters - Spring 2012, via Brides.com

I'll Meet You at the Bar

I am not a big drinker, but I love a bar.  I love a cookie dunking, cheese cutting, drink making, ice cream cone stacking, pie slicing bar.  I love it so much that for our wedding I recruited family to make our favorite cookies which were artfully displayed in beautiful glass domes and trays.  

What inspired my cookie bar - Ariel Yve Wedding via StyleMePretty.com

The Viennese table of my bat mitzvah youth, and the all-you-can-eat buffet of my worst nightmares have been elevated to a chic level of sophistication and grace.  You can blame it on food bloggers, food stylists, but Amy Atlas is the pro who has made it an art.  

Gone are over flowing trays of cheddar cheese cubs and sad excuses for French pastries.  In their places are authentic foods, comfort foods, real foods in smaller portions and beautifully displayed.

Ice Cream is amazing, but how much sweeter do you think it tastes when this is how it looks?  Probably a thousand times sweeter is my guess. 

Ice Cream Parlour Chic by Eat Drink Chic

I don't know too many studs who would be plussed by a spud bar, but perhaps the happy homemaker in all of us would make this for her spud loving stud (or little spud stud baby). 

Spud Bar by Botanic Flowers, Photo by TinyWater

Ahh, the cheese plate has grown into a cheese table!  Is this not the most simple and elegant display of some of nature and man's best creations (honey and cheese)?  

Cheese Table by Sunday Suppers

We see a lot of cookies, cakes and pies, but how absolutely delightful to see fruits and vegetables (and their favorite dips) all beautifully displayed and taking center stage?  This shows that eating whole and healthily is beautiful.   

Fruit and Veggie Bar at Ohdeedoh

As I menu plan for the upcoming Passover holiday I can't help but be inspired by the creative presentations and artful edibles.

Be Engaging

So, you're engaged.  Mazel Tov!  Now what?

I was once engaged, and now have friends who are or who will be, and maybe you are, or you have friends/sisters/daughters who are or will be.  Here is where I am going to share some frank advice.

When you are engaged to be married, that is the time between "Will you marry me?" and "I do".  You might have one of these on your finger, or a string, or maybe you're not a ring kind of girl - hey, Carrie wanted a closet, no judgement.

Ali Fedotowsky's Neil Lane Engagement Ring via Stylist.com

Anyway, after you move beyond the proposal and calling your parents, siblings, friends and families, there is a lot to do and consider.  The first thing to remember, tell people before posting on Facebook - some news is worthy of a phone call!

Take the time to enjoy your engagement.  Before buying a magazine, looking at dresses (this might be hard to resist), before even booking a date, take time to enjoy your engagement.  

Be silly, take kissy face pictures, talk with your hands more than normal, tell people you're affianced, introduce your "fiancee", get a manicure.

Happily Ever After by Essie

Taking time helps get you ready to plan, which can sometimes feel like the other definitions of "engaged" such as:

• having ones attention or mind or energy engaged; "she keeps herself fully occupied with vendor phone calls and magazines"
• involved in military hostilities; "she was engaged in a heated battle for the perfectly pink peony bouquet"
• booked: reserved in advance; "she has engaged a room block at every hotel within a 10 mile radius of her reception"
• busy; "she was engaged in all the planning, she forgot to work out, see friends, relax"

To the newly engaged meet some of my favorite friends on the Internet:

• For honest, funny, sad, stress inducing/relieving stories from real brides: Weddingbee.com and APracticalWedding.com
• For the traditional wedding resources, and helpful tips on calendars, budgets, etc: theknot.com, brides.com, weddingchannel.com
• For the drop dead images and inspiration: kissthegroom.com, stylemepretty.com and local favorite ritzybee.com

And when you're ready to start planning and talking and looking for inspiration, don't forget to come here!

Light as a Feather

Inspiration can come from anywhere, a song, a season, and as we've seen here a dress.  Lately I have been piqued by the Beyond Vintage Feather Dress; in silk and dove gray it might be the perfect dress for spring and it would transition seamlessly, with the ease of a feather, from day to night.

Beyond Vintage Feather Dress at Barneys New York

Let's see how a feather inspires an entire wedding scheme.  With the hues of dove gray, creams, golds and the softest shade of pink the look is elegant, sophisticated, soft and airy. 

Dove Grey Feather Wedding featuring: a wing ring; Elie saab dress, $2,696; Miss Selfridge feather earring, 8.50 GBP; Wing ring, $18; Amazon.com: NYX Cosmetics Nude On Nude Natural Look Kit 9 Eyeshadows 2..., $9.75; Amazon.com: Club Pack of 24 Artificial Light Pink Peony Silk Flower..., $75; Amazon.com: Metallic Gold On White Peacock Feathers Paper (Hambly..., $1.22; Votive Candle Holder Windlicht ab 24,95 € im Impressionen Online Shop, 25 EUR; Valentino Lace-trimmed shawl, $1,395

 

Here are some key items that stand out and are easy to replicate for any space: the sweet gilded bird cage for cards, or best wishes; the long table shrouded in twinkle lights and branches; soft and feather light peony flowers; the soft glow of candle light; a feather detail on a boutonniere; the wisp of silk chiffon on a wedding gown; dainty feather earrings as a gift for the girls.

Inspiration can come from anywhere - I hope you are surrounded by things and people that inspire you.

Inspiration for a Beachy Keen Wedding

I spotted this dress by Milly a few weeks ago.

I loved it.  I love the classic shape, the neckline, the full skirt, the playful pop of color and how it just screams, to me at least, "Summertime!"

It is still too cold to dress in a dress this cute, but inspiration knows no season.

Beach Wedding Inspiration by dailybatch featuring strap shoes

I thought sand, cold beers, bright flowers, knot details to "tie-the-knot" with, sweet starfish, birchwood ceremony space, and heartfelt details.  

P.s. you know I am a sucker for all things "cute food" so I could not resist the idea of the mini caviar bites or the packaged s'mores.

What is inspiring you this Wednesday?

Getting Married, for Less

Weddings can become expensive, like shockingly so.  While there are many different types of weddings from the courthouse to the beach to the grand ballroom, they all come with a price and these days there is always a way to do it for less.

When shopping for the wedding dress of your dreams the sticker shock can become a bit of a nightmare.  New online flash sale site, The Aisle New York, has worked with the best in the wedding industry to offer serious discounts on wedding finery including new designer gowns, shoes, veils, jewelry and other accessories.  You'll be hard pressed to find a better deal with dresses retailing for up to 50%+ off.

Rubia Gown by Junko Yoshioka, Aisle Price: $1590, from $3650

The Aisle offers specific sizing guides, and returns for up to 5 days and return insurance.  The dress of your dreams, for a steal!

Don't forget about your friends, and the many other occasions for dressing up when you get married.  My favorite site to browse, for the events and parties not on my calendar, RenttheRunway.com has now joined the wedding party.

The new wedding section offers suggestions for the bride dresses to take her from her engagement party to the honeymoon, all from today's top designers at often 15% of the regular price.  The rental option lets you live like a star with new dresses showing up all the time, without having to pay star prices.

Rent the Runway also has terrific options for bridesmaids, whether you want to go the traditional route or high fashion, they can also get a fabulous look, for much less.

Saving money, is always in fashion!

Something to Think About

A few months ago BrideTide tweeted on a Saturday morning, "Someone, somewhere is getting married today."  It has stuck with me ever since.  

Obviously someone, somewhere is getting married all hours of the day and everyday of the week (Hello, Vegas!) but generally speaking in the United States wedding day is a Saturday.  Not too long ago I drove past a beautiful old church just as the bride and her bridesmaids got out of the car and began to climb up the steps.  

I was overjoyed. I didn't know that bride, I had never been inside of that church, but I truly felt so excited for her and them.  I mentioned that tweet from many months ago in an effort to get everyone to share my joy.  Mark nodded along, and then my sister pointed out other major life things happen all the time too: people die and babies are born.

That is true.  Check for the little sister.

Here's is how I explained it is different.  Marriage is a birth of a new chapter for two people.  In some ways it is the death of their single lifestyles.  But, more than that, marriage (not the wedding) is an active choice.  It is the moment of "I choose you and I choose to go through life by your side.  Literally, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer - when you look around, that's me, right by your side." 

That moment that I caught that bride in, the excitement with girlfriends before the ceremony, the dress shopping, the registry, the ring, the proposal, that is nothing compared to that moment when you make the choice.  Getting married is not being married.  Being married is all that much better.

Check mate for the big sister.

Couples in Costume

Halloween is just four days away!  Oh you didn't get a costume yet?  Maybe you forgot that Halloween is always on October 31, maybe you got busy, maybe you just couldn't decide what you wanted to be this year.

It is too late to order something online, and all that is left in the stores is a witch's hat and a sexy nurse's outfit - boring!  If you and your love are dressing up this year for Halloween here are five easy to execute on a budget ideas.  The couple that dresses together stays together!

All of these costume ideas are built off of items that you probably already own, and every piece is less than $30.00, and able to be worn again - score!

Since it is "Wedding Wednesday" we had to start with a Vegas Bride and Groom.  This costume just screams wedded bliss on the fly, and this time what happens in Vegas comes home with you.

Tees at Kohl's
Hair Accessories by Forever 21

 What couple is more recognizable than Brad and Angelina?  You and your beau can pull from your own wardrobe, lots of gray and black, but these accessories put it own the top.  If you're baby-free don't forget the Brangelina babydoll.

Hats by Old Navy
Gloves & Scarves by Topman

Maybe you and your beau are complete opposites, but together you're the perfect match.  Just like Danny and Sandy.  Layer on the black, add some Grease, and get dancing!

Tees by Gap
Brushes & Combs by Swissco

Are you ready to go back in time?  All the way back to Bedrock?  This costume is a bit more DIY; take the togas you made in college and grab your Sharpie marker to make up the perfect Fred and Wilma.

Pillowcases & Shams by Bed Bath & Beyond
Necklaces by Old Navy

Or, go for glamour as the ultimate glamour girl with her ultimate boy toy: Barbie and Ken.  Load on the color and the 80's makeup to become the Queen and King of Pink.

Polos by Sean John
Pumps by Forever 21

Happy Halloween!

The Most Important Dress to Date

When I reviewed Spring 2011 Fashion Week I touched on how the fashion cycle is a full season ahead; in the world of bridal it is a full year ahead.  Brides are instructed to always have selected their wedding dress no less than six months prior to getting married.  I bought my dress on June 6, 2009 - my wedding date was January 23, 2010 and you wouldn't believe the shock from the store attendants.

Anyway, as we are fully into Fall 2010 it is time to look towards Fall 2011.  This week was Bridal Market in New York, and through the power of the Internet it's like we are all able to attend.

Here are my favorites, so far:

Seriously, I love this dress.  I love the structure, the cut outs, the keyhole at the bust.  I would love it even more Red Carpet in a metallic, or a black.  I'll take it in my size; thanks Angel!

Angel Sanchez

I love this dress.  It reminds me a glamorous swimsuit with an even more glamorous sarong wrapped just so elegantly at the hip.  I like the metallic sheen and the delicate tied bow at the hip.

Priscilla of Boston

The following bridal gowns are for the following brides:

This reminds me of the punk rock princess.  The dress is all princess, and the styling has just enough edge to keep it fun.  I hope she is secretly wearing a pair of Converse under all of that.

Jewel by Priscilla of Boston

This is the dress I pick for the White (as in Snow White) Wedding.  I can't ID for sure the fabric of the skirt but it reminds me of fresh, powdery snow.  The simplicity of the bodice is a perfect balance to the drama of the skirt.

Lela Rose

This is so classic bride.  I love simple shape.  P.S. what you don't see is the intricate cut outs across the back.

Angel Sanchez

I love this shape for bride who wants to walk on the edge.  She wants to play with fashion, she wants an awesome pair of shoes, and want to show of her legs all night long.  It also doesn't hurt that it reminds me of the skirt Carrie wears when she bumps into Aidan in Morocco, err, Dubai.

WToo

The simple bride with an appreciation for the classics gravitates towards this dress.  It is a modern Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, or even Courtney Cox Arquette.  I love the simplicity, and the light puddle of silk at her feet.  If there has to be a puddle at your feet on your wedding day, I'll hope it's a puddle of silk.

Kevan Hall

For the dreamy bride, this dress is a dream come true.  The layers are whimsical and ethereal.  She looks like she is floating in style.

Monique Lhuillier

For the bride with aspirations to float down the aisle like Marion Cotillard, a la her John Paul Gaultier 2008 gown.  Love the scales down the skirt.

Rivini

No matter the style, it is great to see bridal taking a cue from high fashion.  On her wedding day a bride is any thing: a movie star, a model, a princess, and luckily she'll have no trouble dressing the part.

What style do you favor most?

On Finding Inspiration

Thirty years ago today my parents got married.  

My dad had the remnants of an Afro, my mom had stick straight hair and wore a simple polyester gown.  They were engaged for nine weeks - not a lot of time to plan a wedding by today's standards but long enough to plan a marriage.

My bouquet wrapped with lace from my mom and mom's veils, 1313blog.com

My parents follow in the footsteps of their parents; my maternal grandparents have been married for 56 years and my paternal grandparents for 62 years.  As I grew up I would observe my grandparents, and the "funny" things they would do, and now that I am older I see the same things in my own parents.  

They look after each other.  They have stories and memories that could fill books.  They do the little things; pick up the dry cleaning, make the perfect cup of coffee, prepare a sandwich just the right way.  They are for each other the right fit: a partner, a friend, and a love.  They still flirt with each other.  They sing, and share the same music; the music of their own lives.  They are fierce parents (and grandparents) and have created homes that welcome their children, and (grandchildren, and great-grandchildren).  They are still very much in love; my dad proves it to me every time he makes comments on my mom's new hair cut, toned arms, great smile.  

I am so lucky to have an example of a long and fruitful marriage to look at, learn from and aspire to.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, wishing you many, many more years of love, happiness, and health.