Carley & Jordan Part II: Vintage Glamour and Croquet

Remember that supercute engagement photo shoot I featured back in September that featured the couple in the Minneapolis Public Library shot by Brooke Ringdahl of  ta'rooke photography?  Well here is their equally adorable wedding!  Enjoy!!

Everyone Needs Etsy!

I am always a little shocked when I come across people who still don't know what Etsy is, and so in doing this post I hope to spread a little Etsy-love and show a few of the amazing ways you can use Etsy for your wedding needs. 

Etsy is, essentially, an online craft fair where crafty people like you and me are able to set up shop and sell their handmade items to anyone in the world.  When searching Etsy, there are over 30 main categories to choose from, anywhere from art to candles to crochet to music to woodworking.  "Weddings" has its very own category also, where you can find anything from accessories to favors.   I looked through the wedding section and picked out a few seller's stores to feature in this post.  I looked for products that were unique and eye catching, as well as looking well made.  I also only chose seller's with 100% positive feedback ratings.  By purchasing some of your wedding items from Etsy, you are helping support independant artists and also coming away with a unique product that will really stand out at your big day.  Also, many times artists are willing to make custom changes, a perk you usually don't receive from mass produced goods.  So take a look, and also remember to check out the thousands of other artists selling their creations on Etsy!

Via Bella Bespoke Custom Clutches

Via Bella's handmade clutches are gorgeous, and she can customize them with embroidery or using your bridal or maids fabric.  These would make great maids gifts!!

Luxury Big Bow Clutch in Cream dupioni silk; $72

Luxury Silk Clutch shown in Tiffany Blue, Chocolate, and Taupe dupioni silk; $56

Luxury Silk Clutch in Retro Blooms in Silver, lined with fuchsia dupioni silk; $65

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My Top Ten Gorgeous Movie Brides

A week or two ago my friend shared a link with me featuring the top ten most beautiful movie brides and so  I've decided to compile my own list of gorgeous, memorable movie weddings.  I included a few from the original list, but I've also added a few of my own.  Take a look and be sure to add your favorites that I missed in the comments section below!

1. Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette, 2006

From the meticulously coiffed hair to the several feet wide pannier skirt, everything about this wedding screamed royalty.  Très magnifique!

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2. Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma, 1996

Even though Mrs. Elton quips that the wedding had a "shocking lack of satin", Emma Woodhouse's simple regency wedding gown is still lovely even by today's standards. 

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3. Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and City: The Movie, 2008

Carrie Bradshaw is equally stunning in both her original Vivienne Westwood wedding gown and aqua feathered headpiece, and in her thrift store suit and blue and crystal Manolos, once again showing she is just as at home in haute couture as she is in vintage, which is why we fell in love with her in the first place. 

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4. Mae Clarke in Frankenstein, 1931

Look familiar? That's because I featured these pics in my Silent Screen Vamps post two weeks ago, but I couldn't resist including Mae Clarke's amazing gown and veil one more time.

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5. Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton in Funny Face, 1957

Even though she wasn't actually a bride in this movie (she played a model on a  location shoot in Paris), she is beautiful just the same.  Her quinessential 1950's silhouette gown and veil were designed by Hubert de Givenchy, Hepburn's personal and professional couturier.  And seriously, how many women can pull of that harsh 1950's makeup and not look overdone? 

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6.  Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Carmichael in Sweet Home Alabama, 2002

The simplicity of her trumpet gown and Russian netting veil creating a gorgeous look that is timeless and still relevant 8 years later.

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7.  Talia Shire as Connie Corleone and Simonetta Stefanelli as Apollonia Vitelli in The Godfather, 1972

This movie featured not one but two beautiful Italian weddings.  The first was the marriage of Connie Corleone (the godfather's only daughter) to wife-beater extraordinaire Carlo Rizzi.  The second was the marriage of lovely donna Siciliana Apollonia Vitelli to Michael Corleone and his black eye.  Even thought the two weddings took place on separate continents, both brides wore gorgeous lacy confections with traditional European mantilla veils.  Belissima!

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8.  Amanda Seyfried as Sophie in Mamma Mia!, 2008

Perfect for a seaside wedding in the Greek Isles, her flowy dress, laurel headpiece, and mermaid hair are downright goddess worthy!

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9.  Robin Wright Penn as Princess Buttercup in The Princess Bride, 1987

Her renaissance ensemble has been the inspiration for many brides since the movie debuted in the late '80's, and for good reason- she's stunning!

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10. Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie Banks in Father of the Bride, 1991

In the middle of the late 80's/early 90's excess, her wedding gown showed marvelous restraint featuring a simple veil and gorgeous Chantilly lace dress.

{Images via Google}

I know there are tons more gorgeous movie brides, so tell me your favorite in the comments section below!!

-Alessandra

Related Posts:

Some Royal Inspiration...

Style Icon Inspiration: Grace Kelly

Style Icon Inspiration: Silent Screen Vamps

Real Vintage Wedding: Frank and Carmela late 1920's

This is a photograph of the wedding of Frank and Carmela Spremulli, who are my great-great uncle and aunt on my dad's mom's side.  I am not exactly sure of when it took place, but I know that was somewhere between 1926 and 1929.  Even though I really don't have any details about this wedding, it is still such a great photo and I wanted to share it.  It was quite the big Italian wedding!

My great grandparents, Leonardo and Isadora, are in the back row second and third from the right.  My great uncles Frank and Eligio are in the middle row on the far right.  My grandma Judy (who I will feature in another real vintage wedding post) wasn't born yet.  I wish I had a better photo of the bride's dress, buta aren't her veil and bouquet so cool? Love!!

Couple: Francesco and Carmela Spremulli

Location: Ohio

Date: Late 1920's

Thoughts?? Post in the comments section!!

Have photos from a real vintage wedding?? Then submit them!!

-Alessandra

Related Posts:

Real Vintage Weddings: Robert and Ann 1952

Style Icon Inspiration: Silent Screen Vamps

Style Icon Inspiration: Silent Screen Vamps

Those of you who know me know I draw a huge inspiration from dark, moody color palettes and vintage styles.  So it should come as no surprise that I've created a style icon inspiration board based on silent film stars.  My final college collection was inspired by 1920's couture and Tim Burton films, so I've included two of the designs in the board because they fit so well.  I know the mood is very dark and not for everyone's taste, but I find it gothically romantic and fitting with current trends (vampires anyone?)  Part of what appeals to me about this era is that it was one of the first times in history where women were finally allowed some freedom in their appearance, as well as their attitudes.  Unfortunately the great depression hit and everyone had to reign in their newfound attitude and style to fit the somber mood of the day.  But for a short while, these female were able to let their hair down (or in most cases, just chop it off) .  They were confident bad girls and they owned it!

Russian starlet Alla Nazimova

The term "it girl" was coined for her- Clara Bow

Gloria Swanson

Louise Brooks

Polish film star Pola Negri

The term "vamp" was coined for Theda Bara, due to her seductive appearance and despite the fact that she led a relatively normal and scandal free life compared to the other film stars of the day. 

Mae Clarke stars in 1931's Frankenstein and wears a figure hugging gown and super long, lace appliqued veil.

Click to enlarge

Get inspired by the silent film era on your wedding day by incorporating moody tones like black, white, red, and silver, art deco accessories, and tons of lace. 

{Images of starlets found via Google Images}

Photo Credits

Top left wedding gown by Alita Graham; style# 31622236

Cake by Christpher Garren's heart panel cake image via WEtv

Top middle wedding gown by Enzoani; style "elena"

Top right viel by Sara Gabriel; style "eve"

Headband by Jennifer Behr; style "irina"

Far right bridesmaid dress by Lazaro; style# LZ3031

Shoe by Bordello by Pleaser at endless.com; style "violet"

Bottom left wedding gown by Claire Pettibone; style "clara"

Bottom wedding gown by Blush by JLM; style# 1006

Far right bridesmaid dress by Love by Enzoani; style# A20

Earrings by Anna Bellagio via The Knot; style "natalia"

Ring by Leigh Jay Nacht via The Knot

Other two gowns by yours truly

All other images via The Knot

What do you think? Gorgeously gothic or just downright creepy? Post your thoughts in the comments section!!

-A

Related Posts:

Style Icon Inspiration: Grace Kelly

Real Vintage Wedding: Frank and Carmela Late 1920's

Style Icon Inspiration: Grace Kelly

I've decided to start a series of inspiration boards based on various style icons.  To kick off the series, I've chosen Grace Kelly, an Oscar winning actress who then became Her Serene Highness Grace, Princess of Monaco when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in April 1956.  She was born in Philadelphia to self-made millionaire parents and starred in some of the 1950's biggest movies including Hitchcock's Rear Window, The Country Girl (for which she won her Oscar), and High Society, a musical remake of The Philadelphia Story.  Some of her most memorable fashion moments were created by the remarkable Edith Head, including her black top and full tulle skirt from Rear Window and the aquamarine silk satin confection worn on the night of her Oscar win.  Her style was so influential that Hermès re-named a bag after her (the Kelly bag) because she was photographed with it.  Her wedding gown, designed by Helen Rose of MGM, included a rounded collar, a full skirt made of ivory peau de soie, and a fitted bodice made from Brussels lace embroidered with seed pearls. The lace was over a century old and had flower designs in it. Twenty five yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net were used in the construction of the dress.  Her patrician looks and timeless style are still relevant inspiration for brides and fashionistas today. 

Grace Kelly, in a publicity from Rear Window, wearing a quintessential 1950's look; designed by Edith Head

 Grace wearing her aquamarine silk satin Oscar gown.  The fabric alone cost over $4000! 

;also designed by Edith Head

Princess Grace on her wedding day.

click to enlarge

Channel classic Grace Kelly elegance on your wedding day by using a clean color palette of pale blue and white, with a splash of champagne.  Incorporate rich fabrics like silk satin, taffeta, or shantung and old-fashioned lace and bead-work with traditional 1950's silhouettes.  Pearl jewelry and simple makeup complete the look.

 {images of Grace Kelly via Grace Kelly Online}

Inspiration Board Photo Credits

Top left wedding gown: Platinum for Priscilla of Boston; style # PL300

Bottom row, middle wedding gown: Stephanie James Couture; style "Josephine"

Bottom row, far right wedding gown: Enzoani style "Emily"

Bottom right bridesmaid dress: After Six by Dessy; style # 6553

Top row, middle bridesmaid dress: Wtoo; style # 759

Flower girl dress: US Angels; style # 130
Earrings:  Ti Adoro

 All other images via The Knot

-Alessandra

Related Posts:
Style Icon Inspiration: Marilyn Monroe
Style Icon Inspiration: Silent Screen Vamps
Real Vintage Wedding: Robert and Ann 1952

Répondez, s’il vous plâit

Basically I don't think this line of invitations could be any cooler or anymore perfect for a vintage inspired bride. Royal Steamline features four different style categories- gothic, vintage, steampunk, and retro and offers invitation sets and save the date cards. They find design inspiration everywhere from Laurel Canyon to Victorian anatomical drawn hearts, tableaux vivants to Coney Island. Designs like the Nouveau Invitation give off a more subtle retro feel, the Para Siempre Invitation has a cool, cultural vibe and features a Mexican calavera de azúcar, while the Phantasique Invitation is just downright creepy (it is inspired by spirit photography- how cool! how random!) You can also design a coordinating wedding website through nearlyweds.com. Here are a few examples of their awesome, edgy designs:

Nouveau RSVP Card 

Ten Thousand Miles Invitation

 

Tell Tale Invitation

 

Petit Trianon Invitation

 

Mecanique Save-the-Date Card

 Phantastique Invitation

Para Siempre Invitation

Victoria Bruised Invitation

{All Images via Royal Steamline}

What do you think?  Super cool or super freaky (or both?)?  Post your thoughts in the comments section!

-Alessandra