Monique and I meet again May 5, 2008

Somehow in my frenetic weekend schedule I managed to squeeze in a Monique Lhuillier trunk show to try on a few more dresses. Even though I’m mostly decided on my final two contenders it never hurts to exhaust all your options…and I’ve made it a point to do just that. Who doesn’t love trying on dresses?

Since I can never get away from my English major tendencies, let me sum up my experience with an analogy: Monique Lhuillier is to Wedding Dresses as Apple is to Technology. I adore Apple products. They always look adorable and more streamlined than anything else on the market, have relevant advertising with sweet music, and I will put it out there that I’m pretty much addicted to my I-Pod. The issue with Apple is that once you start, it’s hard to go back especially if you’re a sucker for packaging like I am. Of course as Drew very reasonably points out to me, their products cost much more than an equivalent, though less adorable, options do.

The Monique Lhuillier dresses felt the same way to me. Judging on advertising and reputation alone, Monique Lhuillier dresses are top of the line. Her fabric is gorgeous, the details exquisite…I can attest to all of this. However, they do come with an enormous price tag, starting just under $4,000 but most of the dresses running from $5,000 to $8,000.

So really it comes down to priorities. Especially with the style of dress I’m attracted to, there wasn’t anything stellar enough for me to justify the price tag. But at the same time, I’m 99% sure I want to buy a Mac Air so if there had been a dress that felt like the one, I may have been powerless to resist…

This dress is stunning in the picture and on the rack, just not on me. Maybe the sizing of the dress was just too off, or maybe it wasn’t fitting right after so many people trying it on, but the pleating on the bust stuck straight out. I mean, really straight out. I looked like one of those lizards with a neck ruff. Whatever it was, it was more funny than flattering.

There weren’t any parts of this dress I didn’t like. The billowy effect was Grecian and pretty (although I know I would snag the side panels on something almost immediately). It just wasn’t love…

This isn’t the exact dress I tried on, but it’s very close. The bodice on the one I tried on didn’t have beading, and had a slight frayed edge right around my waist, which was a subtle unexpected detail I loved. But again, it didn’t have that little something extra I’m looking for.

Simple Silhouettes April 29, 2008

Like many other wedding bloggers I enjoy checking the search terms people use to bring them to my site. Some of them are fairly hilarious: for example “Dita Von Teese eyebrows,” “what did Mayans eat” and straight up “nude” (I’m pretty sure that person was sorely disappointed). However, one of the more popular hits that actually makes sense are people looking for simple or non traditional wedding dresses. With that in mind, I wanted to share my newest find, Simple Silhouettes. If you’re looking for a classy, no frills dress on a budget Christina Dalle Pezze might be your girl. Like most of the sites I promote, all her gowns are custom made and you can pick from a variety of fabrics and styles, or mix and match. She will also custom make your veil, accessories, and purse. As an added bonus, her bridesmaid dresses are simple and sweet, and could easily be worn again if you’re looking in that department. Happy browsing!

Melissa Sweet Trunk Show April 21, 2008

I went to a Melissa Sweet trunk show this weekend to check out the new line and continue my dress quest. There were definitely some gorgeous options, although nothing that I had to have. Honestly the highlight of the visit was the sweet and bubbly representative from the company who talked about all the dresses as if they were real people. Granted, they are named after girls but I couldn’t quite get used to her chirping to the other saleslady “oh, her bottom is just beautiful!” or “I just love her, she’s so dreamy!” Was she talking about me or the dress?

Had this dress come with a different bottom, I might have been seriously tempted. The bodice (which I couldn’t find a decent picture of) is incredibly gorgeous with a draped sweetheart neckline and tucking around the waist. The pleated bustle was also surprisingly flattering. What I couldn’t get used to though, was the seam right around my knees where the dress suddenly exploded with tulle, mermaid style. The top was so structured, I felt it visually chopped you off at the knees…I think I can count mermaid dresses out for sure.

This was one of the dresses I fell in love with in my very first stack of post-engaged bridal magazines. I love the fringed sweetheard neckline and the lace is so pretty and delicate looking. While I did like it in person, the skirt was a little full and fluffy for my taste. However, the rep said she knew a bride that hemmed the dress to make it tea-length and wore it with ballet flats to a garden wedding. How adorable is that?

This dress is fairly stunning, I will admit. The silhouette is simple but the lace itself is layered in a way that creates depth and movement as do the inset panels of more lace at the bottom. It is also apparently, the Cadillac of an army of similar looking gowns you can buy, priced at approximately $7,000. I would have had to like it a lot more to not flinch at that price tag.

Glamour of Brides Gone By April 13, 2008

There is something so romantic about Old Hollywood, and the brides are no exception. Three of the my favorite classic looks are Audrey Hepburn, Priscilla Presley, and of course Grace Kelly. Of course I’m far from alone in this opinion, so the good news is that if you fall in love with any of these styles, they are quite easy to replicate without much searching.

The Audrey

Audrey’s style is such a fashion staple by now that you can find it everywhere. Amy Kuschel has a wedding gown named after her and Hollywould has a whole line of flats inspired by her. There are lots of variations you can do on this look, but a tea length dress and dainty shoes are a must.

The Priscilla

This look is all about the mod 1960s makeup: the dark eyes, pale skin, and nude lips. The best makeup resource I’ve ever found is a book called Making Faces, by Kevyn Aucoin. The instructions are organized by look (The Starlet, The Ingenue, The Vamp etc.) and the pictures are to die for. It’s an amazing resource if you’re looking to recreate a specific look for your wedding.

The Grace

If I were to wear a veil, I would either go with a short net birdcage or go all out with a lace edged veil like Grace. There is something so demure and pretty about it even though it’s completely opposite of what my usual style. Sassy Chic Boutique has a great selection of vintage inspired veils with a few edgy options thrown in for the more daring brides.

If I were a rock star April 3, 2008

I think my favorite celebrity wedding dresses of all time have to belong to Gwen Stefani and Dita Von Tees. Of course being famous and a fashionista at the same time comes with some great perks, like custom designed couture wedding gowns. A simple white dress just wouldn’t be right for either of these edgy women, hence Gwen’s fuschia dip-dyed John Galliano and Dita’s deep purple Vivienne Westwood ball gown. The look might be a little over the top for lifestyles of the non-rich and famous, but they make pretty good eye candy nevertheless.

Online Window Shopping April 1, 2008

While I always say I am an avid online shopper, I think a more appropriate term for what I do would be online window shopping. Of course when I got engaged, my random browsing took on a new focus. I do feel that in many ways the internet is the best planning tool a bride can have. Not only is it free (which big, glossy wedding magazines are NOT, although I have accumulated far too many already) but there are infinite ideas, inspiration, and tips if you know where to look.

Its also possible to take your online wedding planning to the next level: ie purchasing your wedding paraphernalia from the billion of internet vendors that exist. For things like invitations and accessories I’m all for it, especially because the internet allows you the freedom to shop for what you really want which might not be possible in your hometown. But as I get deeper into planning my own wedding, I’ve found there are some things I don’t want to compromise on.

I’m all for saving money, and I’m certain that there are many reputable online dealers where you can get designer bridal gowns at knockdown prices.Yet while this may well be selfish, I want to splurge not just on the dress itself, but on the experience of buying the dress. I’ve already hinted at my hatred for David’s Bridal, and that mostly springs from the fact that when I tried on dresses there, I felt like an assembly line bride. Not to mention the terrible petticoats and girdles they shove every customer into prior to trying on gowns, regardless of your size or shape. The experience as well as the dresses feel so manufactured.

So far, I’ve had much better luck with small bridal boutiques like La Jeune Mariee in Worthington and Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal department which is much smaller than it sounds. Most of the dresses are more expensive, but the whole process felt individualized and relaxed. Both of the women who helped me sat down with me first to talk about my personal style and devoted their attention entirely to me. As of now I’ve narrowed the dress hunt down to four that have drastically ranging prices from $600 to $5,000. Whether I choose one of these dresses or something totally unexpected, I’m glad I’ll have the luxury of doing it at my own pace and in a comfortable environment.

However, I do want to say, here and now that I don’t believe in either vacuum sealing your dress in a box never to see the light of day again, or saving it for your daughter. The odds that she will want to wear a dress that reflects your style and your taste are slimmer than Victoria Beckham, and the more money you spend on your dress, the more ridiculous either of these options become, at least for me. I’m undecided as to what I’ll do with my dress after the wedding…maybe I’ll get it altered so that I can wear it as a cocktail dress. Or maybe I’ll cater to gutsier girls than me and sell it online.

Whatever I do, it probably won’t be as clever as the site that sparked this unusually wordy post. Check out The Thousand Dollar Dress if you’re in a similar predicament, or you just want some more of those inventive ideas the internet is all about.

“Oh, Swish!” March 27, 2008

If you haven’t already seen this hilarious and in some ways eerily prophetic video posted on YouTube, you should definitely check it out. Narrated by a sassy young man that we people of the future would definitely label metrosexual, the clip shows what different fashion designers of the 1930s predicted our clothes would look like in the year 2000. Some of their guesses are way off (I personally don’t own a climate controlled belt yet) but there is one designer in particular who seems to be oddly in synch with the couture world of today. That model is dressed in a chiffon jumpsuit and reverse heeled shoes, both of which were big looks on the runway this year.

As for the bride of the new millenium, the style is romantic, glamorous, and dramatic….ok really, its just twenty years off. This bride looks straight out of the ’80s but with better hair and an oddly plastic looking veil. And the groom? According to Mr. Saucy Narrator he wears nothing but a “worried look.” I would too if someone told me that in the future I would have to wear this hat.

Bargains and more at Monsoon March 24, 2008

I’ve already posted some fairly gorgeous flower/feather hairpieces as veil alternatives, but the only downside was their relatively high cost. I understand that a higher price tag from designers like Haute Bride and Leah C. comes from the handmade quality and customizable options that they offer, but like any girl I also love a good bargain. These cheekily named hair “fascinations” from the UK store Monsoon are not only fabulous but much cheaper, even with the unfavorable exchange rate for the dollar right now. Sure they may not be made out of quite as luxurious materials but they look lovely to me.

The store itself is also worth checking out, with a full range of pretty things from clothes to home goods, and even some simple bridal gowns! Wrap that all up with the company’s commitment to supporting fair trade and multicultural products, and you’ve got one stop wedding/decorating/fashion shopping with a conscience. Thank you to Harrods Girl at I am Fashion posting about this store!

To the left is an example of one of Monsoon’s bridal gowns. I’m partial to anything with a sweetheart neckline and the textured quality the embossing gives the dress is really appealing too. If you’re looking for this no-fuss, streamlined look for your wedding they have quite a few options and they also offer outfits for bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearers.

On the fashion front, this black openwork top has a chic Art Deco feeling and has the versatility of being dressed up or down easily. Coincidentally it also has another one of my weaknesses, namely fabric covered buttons. I may have to order it.

To complete the shopping circuit, I really like this bedding collection. Since we are in the process of shopping for a new house or condo (very exciting!) I have decorating on the brain. As of now, I’m pretty decided on using calm, tranquil colors for the bedroom and this subtle blue, green, and gold floral print would accomplish that nicely, I think.

Carmen keeps me coming back for more March 20, 2008

I’ve always thought Carmen Marc Valvo made beautiful gowns, and the fact that he doesn’t have a specifically bridal line almost makes his dresses more appealing to me. In fact, I already featured one of his gowns in the post “Non-Wedding Wedding Dresses,” but his website just keeps me coming back for more. Both of these dresses have an elegant structural look about them that seems very high fashion while still being simple and wearable. I’m in love with the hint of lace and the overall look he has created, and I think you would really get as much bang for your buck in either of these as in a Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier. Can you tell I’m a little tempted?

 

Alice in Weddingland March 17, 2008

After seeing the incredible Alice in Wonderland inspiration board from Style Me Pretty, I had to make one of my own. Normally I’m not partial to themed weddings, but Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are high on my list of favorite books, and I really think the whimsical world that Lewis Carroll created lends itself to weddings or parties. Plus, I also happen to be on Spring Break for two weeks so I have lots of free time

This theme is also one of those rare ones that is easily adaptable for kids or adults, or both at the same time (like the cute party hats I had to include!). My favorite part of the board though, not surprisingly, are the dresses. This Reem Acra dress definitely has a fairy-tale quality, the pale blue color is gorgeous, and I love the bubble hem on the bridesmaid dresses. There is so much more that you could do with this theme, hopefully someone somewhere will have a fantasy wedding like this!