In Honor of Mother’s Day May 12, 2008

Sadly, most manufactured “Mother of the Bride” dresses are sack-like and unflattering, which is a disservice to the woman wearing it more than anything else, because a wedding day is almost if not more emotional for a mom as her daughter. I understand the urge not to overshadow the bride, but I think my Mom deserves to look fabulous too. I completely accept that we have different styles and that ultimately I want her to pick what makes her happy, but I plan to have her try on more than just floor length pastel chiffon sheaths with matching beaded boleros. I have no idea what we’ll end up with, but here are a few ideas I love...

Badgley Mischka, Diane von Furstenburg, Donna Karan, J Crew, JS Collections

Another Ode to the Nordstrom Catalog May 10, 2008

Every time the Nordstrom catalog shows up I find myself brainstorming different reasons why I might need whatever fabulous things are featured on the shiny pages. It isn’t the most productive occupation in the world, but this time I did manage to scout a few (somewhat) wedding related items.

I think this necklace would make an adorable bridesmaid gift, and at $58 you wouldn’t break the bank either. There are several varieties with messages like “peace”, “love”, “cherish”, and “accomplish great things” if you want to personalize the gift for each girl, although my favorite is wish with the less kitchsy shape.

We’re planning to honeymoon in Greece, and I’m already bursting with excitement although we have plenty of time to wait. At least a year will give me lots of time to conjure up images of sightseeing in Athens, late night dinners in Santorini, and lounging by the pool. A cute cover-up is definitely on my shopping list as well as the perfect bikini which is another of those elusive shopping items.

I have a deep love for Stella McCartney but am far from being able to splurge on her designs, so I was thrilled to see that she is collaborating with Le Sportsac for a line of handbags and luggage. I think the Small Camera Bag would be perfect for toting my new laptop around town, although that would bring the number of bags I own with chains on them to three…this may be a little overboard but I love how they balance an otherwise feminine look. And the purple-gray color is so pretty. Even though this isn’t wedding related I thought it was well worth sharing!

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!

More Pretty Things April 23, 2008

Given my love affair with unusual engagement rings (or just pretty jewelry in general) I was immediately smitten with Ylang23. Their collection is eccentric and beautiful and their prices seem very reasonable for the quality of designers they carry. Definitely one of the better online sources I’ve found for chic gemstone and diamond jewelry, especially of the more offbeat variety. I don’t really know what “blackened ruby” entails but it sounds intriguing and looks fabulous!

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.

Pretty in Pumps April 12, 2008

Last night I came home to a shiny new Nordstrom catalog, just waiting to seduce me with pretty things. Not surprisingly I was most tempted by their Spring shoe selection…lots of candy colored or chintzy patterned heels that would convince me to buy a tea-length wedding dress just to show them off.

Just when I thought I had Photoshop skills… April 8, 2008

The internet came along and stole my thunder. Not really, actually. I’m very thankful for the girls at Junebug for spreading the word about Polyvore, because it’s awesome. Basically it’s a mecca for all things fashion and design. Not only can you browse countless shoes, clothes, and accessories, but you can easily collage and publish them with pretty backgrounds. It’s totally user friendly and their selection is endless. As a test run I put together an artistic vision of my what my beautiful bridesmaids might wear on the big day.

Registry Shopping April 7, 2008

Granted we still have over a year to go before the wedding, but in my opinion its never too early to start shopping for free stuff! I’m especially keen on this idea because if all goes well we’ll be buying a condo within the next few months, so I’m of course now obsessed with things like colored glassware and and kitchen appliances.

I was surprised to hear from a few of my already married friends that registering is not the cakewalk you might expect it to be. From my small taste of shopping today, I can definitely understand that it can be overwhelming. How do you even choose where to register?

So far there is one place where I will NOT register, for a variety of reasons. I’ve always had a bit of a vendetta against Macy’s. I think anyone with a beloved local store that gets bought out and then bastardized by a giant chain feels the same way (for me it was Frederick & Nelson’s in Seattle, but in Columbus its Lazarus, in Chicago Marshall Fields etc). The New York Macy’s is lovely, and I want to believe its all like Miracle on 34th Street but at all the local stores I’ve been too the merchandise and salespeople are just tired and sad. So despite the fact that Macy’s is certainly the largest and most convenient place to register, I won’t do it.

Now that my personal rant is over, on to the fun stuff. Drew and I spent several happy hours wandering through stores this weekend, and tentatively decided on registering at Target and Crate and Barrel. Since we already live together we have a lot of the basic stuff we need, but I also break glasses like nobody’s business so it never hurts to have extra! I figure those two places will give a wide range of price points for our guests, and cover us from everything to basic kitchen appliances to more stylish glassware, flatware etc. Maybe we’ll even throw in the odd piece of furniture for luck, like the awesome copper dining table I’m just a little in love with…

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.