Will+Kate=One Amazing Wedding

After all the fuss surrounding the so-called "Wedding of the Century" of the brand new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wasn't exactly sure what new perspective I could possibly bring to the table.  But, after watching the ceremony (like, 8 times) I've decided to keep things simple and just discuss the things I loved best.  I had set my alarm for 3am, but slept right through it.  Luckily I left the tv on and woke up abruptly to the sound of horns announcing the bride's procession and panicked when I thought I missed the whole thing.  However, I was  just in time to watch Kate's live decent down the long red aisle in Westminster Abbey and was mesmerized while I groggily watched the elegant, yet surprisingly warm and natural ceremony unfold.  There are so many things I loved and here are some of the highlights.

The Dresses

 Image via Vogue

 

 Image via People

 Image via The British Monarchy's Flickr

Like most of you, I couldn't wait to see what Kate chose to wear on her big day.  I spent a lot of time trying to imagine what route she would take.  A simple sheath?  A Cinderella ball gown?  A style that I'd never even heard of before?  The first thing I saw in my sleepy, panicked state was her flawlessly fitted lace bodice and breathed a sigh of relief because I knew she'd nailed it.  I was even more thrilled when I found out that Sarah Burton, the replacement creative director at the late Alexander McQueen's fashion house, designed Kate's two gowns and her sister, MOH Pippa's, gown as well.  Kate's first dress was a perfect combination of classic royal inspiration (Princess Grace, anyone?) and modern details.  Burton created the pleated skirt to resemble a blooming flower and added padding (a very McQueen touch) to the hips to create a stronger hourglass silhouette.  Her second dress was simple, elegant, and looked comfortable enough to party into the wee hours of the morning.  Pippa looked lovely as well and wore her bias cut sheath flawlessly.  I'm so glad Kate chose the late McQueen's successor to create her looks and I think Ms. Burton did a great job filling such big shoes.

The Trees

Image via Vogue

It's kind of random, but I absolutely loved the trees inside the Abbey.  Even without them, the nearly 1,000 year old church is still incredible, but the trees added an element of warmth to the otherwise cavernous space.

 Kate's Makeup

  Image via People

I've read some criticism, saying Kate had a bit of a heavy hand while applying her wedding day makeup, however, it totally disagree!  Is she wearing more than she normally wears?  Sure, but she's also wearing a couture gown and an antique diamond tiara, things she also doesn't normally wear.

The Hats

All via People

What's an English wedding without fantastic millinary creations?  London's mad hatters were hard at work the last few months creating these incredible headpieces and I love each and every one!

The Beckham's

 Image via Vogue

 

I also felt there was some ill-deserved critisism toward Victoria Beckham's ensemble.  Some felt the her trapeze dress was dowdy and boring, but I though it was a refreshing departure from the sea of buttoned-up suits and jackets.  And Mr. Beckham looked dapper as usual in Ralph Lauren.

The BBC

I don't really have a photo for this one, but I switched back forth between coverage yesterday.  My favorite broadcast was on the BBC channel because they showed their enthusiasm without losing their calm.  Some of the other programs I tuned in to tending to get a little obnoxious ("There she is! She's wearing a veil!!  Her hair is down!!!  She's got a train!!!!)  Chill!

Kate's Ride to the Ceremony

Image via The British Monarchy's Flickr

I don't know if anyone noticed, but while Kate was travelling with her father from the hotel to the Abbey, she was waving a little bit more frantically than what would be considered "royal".  It was obvious she was super excited and a little nervous and that made her even more relateable and likeable.  

The Clergy

Image via People

I know there were a few gentlemen involved in the ceremony (the Dean of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London) and they all had amazing speaking voices!! They were like the English versions of Morgan Freeman. 

Pippa Middleton

Image via The British Monarchy's Flickr

Between that train and all those tots, she did an outstanding job of keeping everything in the right place.

The Cartwheeling Priest

 

Priceless. 

The Kiss+Frowning Bridesmaid

Image via People

Also priceless.

The Getaway

Image via People

At first I thought Kate was driving and thought that was super awesome but then remembered they drive opposite of us Americans.  Still an Aston Marten Volare is such a cool way to make their escape to Clarence House for a bit before the second round of festivities. 

The Official Photos

 Image via The British Monarchy's Flickr

  The official photos were released today and this one was definitely my fave.  It keeps with tradition and yet there is a little hint of joyful chaos, which hopefully the couple will continue to share with us for a looooooong time to come.  

 

Color Inspiration: Personal Style Edition

As you all have probably figured out by now, I am a big advocate for making your wedding special and unique.  Choosing your colors in relation to your personal style is a great way to incorporate your individuality into your inspiration.  I've taken eight different personal styles and created color palettes to fit.  Enjoy and let me know in the comments which ones are your favorite and which personal style categories I should include next time!!

Preppy: Nantucket Red, Gray, and Cobalt

 Wedding Dress by Lilly Pulitzer "Lane"

Bridesmaid dresses left to right: Ann Taylor #247710, Priscilla of Boston PB428, J Crew "Erica"

Center photo: Martha Stewart Weddings, side photos: The Knot

...

Spring 2011 Bridal Preview

I can't believe it's already this time again, but here you go- a gorgeous cross section of what the spring collections have to offer!  Enjoy!!

Alfred Angelo

Alvina Valenta

How to Dress Your Body Type: Apple Shaped

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting anything for the last week!  It's been such a busy few days, and I couldn't find the time to put out any quality posts.  Don't worry, though, I'm not going anywhere!!

Last Friday I began a five part series of posts helping you find gowns that will flatter your body type most.  This week I am going to focus on the "apple" shape (I know, what's with all the fruit comparisons??  I have no clue, I didn't make them up).  Like I said last week, the key to flattering any body type isn't necessarily about "masking your flaws", it's more about creating balance.  Once you figure out which body type you have, you can then find ways to balance your figure, making it look more proportioned.  Because every figure is different, these posts are meant to act as a guide, not a list of hard-fast rules.  Once you start trying on gowns, utilize your consultant because she will be able to find gowns that will look great on your specific figure.  Remember, these are just to help get you started, if you love a dress and it doesn't fit these rules, try it anyway!  You never know how it will look until you try it on!

The Five Major Body Types: Pear, Apple, Wedge, Rectangle, & Hourglass... and yes, you should be jealous of my drawing skills hehe

What is an apple shape?  a wider waist compared to a shoulder and hipline that are narrower. It's also known as the "O" body shape. 

How to flatter a apple shape:  Create the illusion of a slim waist, making a balanced hourglass shape

Some styles to try:  ruching, empire waists, corset style bodices, a-lines and ball gowns, v-necks,

Some styles to (possibly) avoid:  sheaths, mermaid styles

Some famous apple shapes: Queen Latifah, Mia Tyler, Mo'Nique

Styles for Petite (aka 5'4" and under) Apples Shapes:

David's Bridal style# 9T3060

How to Dress Your Body Type: Pear Shaped

I've been planning to do a "dress your body type" post since I first started writing The Ethereal Bride, but have been a little unsure on how to go about it because it's a relatively large undertaking.  There are a few different body types and factors like height and waistline that come into play, so it would be hard to cover everything in one post.  After a lot of thought, I've decided to do a series of 5 posts, each focusing on a major body type- pear, apple, rectangle, wedge, and hourglass.  Within each post, I will focus on three height categories: petite, average, and tall.  The key to flattering any body type isn't necessarily about "masking your flaws", it's more about creating balance.  Once you figure out which body type you have, you can then find ways to balance your figure, making it look more proportioned.  Because every figure is different, these posts are meant to act as a guide, not a list of hard-fast rules.  Once you start trying on gowns, utilize your consultant because she will be able to find gowns that will look great on your specific figure.  Remember, these are just to help get you started, if you love a dress and it doesn't fit these rules, try it anyway!  You never know how it will look until you try it on!

For my first post (these are all in no particular order), I've decided to focus on the pear shaped body type.  A person with a pear shaped body type has a larger hip in relation to a smaller shoulder width.  Please keep in mind, the shape has nothing to do with weight, just how your bone structure is- you could easily be a size 4 or size 24 and still have a pear shape.  It just depends on your proportions and bone structure.

The Five Major Body Types: Pear, Apple, Wedge, Rectangle, & Hourglass... and yes, you should be jealous of my drawing skills hehe

What is a pear shape?  Larger hips in relation to a smaller shoulder width; It is also known as the "A" body type

How to flatter a pear shape:  Create an illusion of a wider shoulder and fuller bustline, in order to balance out the lower half of the body.

Some styles to try:  halters, A-lines, sweetheart necklines, ball gowns, v necklines, ruching

Some styles to (possibly) avoid:  sheaths, straight across strapless necklines, some (but not all!) mermaid styles

Some famous pear shapes:  Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Shakira, Jennifer Love Hewitt

Styles for Petite (aka 5'4" and under) Pear Shapes:

First of all, I seriously can't say enough about the power of ruching (the diagonal/horizonal pleats running across these bodices).  Ruching is one of those miracles of design that flatters EVERYONE.  It makes curve-less girls look curvier and curvier girls look svelte.  I featured three ruched gowns (the first 3) for petite pear shapes because the key is to flatter a wider hip by wearing a fuller skirt yet without overwhelming a short frame.

Alfred Sung style# 5259

Style Icon Inspiration: Marie Antoinette

Like many others, I became fascinated with ill-fated Marie Antoinette when the movie came out four years ago.  The combination of the saturated pastel colors, rich fabrics, and over the top decor of Versailles grabbed my attention and hasn't let go since.  I figured I'd get away from 20th century style icons for a change and use Marie- the movie character and actual person- as inspiration for this post.  Note the similarities between some of her portrait gowns and movie costumes!

Another lovely does of ethereal inspiration...

Once again, I've googled "ethereal bride" to learn more about what those words mean to different people.  I came across this great photo shoot on Wedding Obsession featuring gorgeous gown and stunning scenery.  Enjoy and happy Friday!!

Fifteen Dresses Under Fifteen Hundred

I'm not going to lie, I get really annoyed when I watch TLC's Say Yes to the Dress and a bride tells her consultant that she wants to stay around, say, $1800 and the consultant acts all put out.  Don't get me wrong, I ♥ Randy and Keisha and The Gang (seriously, I really do!!), but they can be so snobby!  To most people, an $1800 budget is on the higher end of things, and the average brides spends around $1000.  Although, on the other hand, maybe they aren't necessarily being snobby.  Afterall, Kleinfeld is a luxury bridal retailer and most of their dresses are priced well over $2000, so a bride looking to stay under that is going to have a tough time finding something there.  In which case, they should probably quit looking for their 15 minutes of fame and stick to looking for their dream dress, preferably in a retailer that sells gowns within their price range.  Ok, so this was a totally roundabout lead-in for today's post, but anyways, here you go.... 15 stunning wedding gowns that are all under $1500 (and many under $1000)!!  Because you don't have to spend a million bucks to look like it... just as long as you stay out of Kleinfeld.

Justin Alexander style "8490"

No need to buy a separate cocktail dress for the reception- the skirt on this one is detachable!

Allure Bridals style "8700"

Style Icon Inspiration: Edie Sedgwick

First of all, I can't believe that it's been two months since my last "style icon inspiration" feature.  This summer flew.  Second of all, this was a really tough post.  Edie Sedgwick is a tough chick to imitate without veering into either costume-y or even sleazy territory- for example, Edie could easily get away with not wearing pants (apparently Lady Gaga isn't quite so original afterall?!), whereas most bridesmaids probably can't.  So, why did I choose such a tricky icon to feature, then, you ask??  Well, mostly for selfish reasons.  As much as I love Marilyn or Grace or Audrey (and believe me, I do!!!), Edie's style is the one I'm personally most inspired by.  From her crazy eyeliner/shadow/row of false lashes and nude lipstick to her mod fashion style, I love it all and am consistently inspired by it. 

So, who is Edie Sedgwick, many of you may be wondering?  Well, she was basically an American socialite turned 1960's youthquake icon and one of Andy Warhol's factory superstars.  She was in some of his films and was featured in Vogue magazine because of her unique style.  She typically wore things like black leotards, black tights, and huge chandelier earrings- her own spin on the mod look.  Edie later started to incorporate more bohemian styles into her wardrobe as well. Sadly she, along with so many others in that era, died at the young age of 28 due to complications from alcohol and drug abuse.  To find out more about her, click here.

Edie, along with Andy Warhol and another factory patron

Best of EB: Get inspired by... The Costume Institute Ball's Red Carpet

Originally posted on May 4, 2010

Last night was the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Annual Costume Institute Ball, pretty much known as the the year's biggest night in fashion.  As usual the night was filled with amazing designs, creating an amazing source of inspiration for you wedding.  Here are some of the best looks translated into wearable styles for your biggest night in fashion!

Camilla Belle in Jason Wu (with the designer)                   Watters style# 6345 in "Cardinal"

Get inspired by... The 2010 Emmy's Red Carpet!!

Mad Men's January Jones in Versace; Priscilla of Boston style PB428

The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev in Zuhair Murad; San Patrick style Cabal

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen; Bari Jay style 125

Top 20 Iconic Celeb Brides

So, as promised, I've come up with a list of 20 iconic famous brides, with your help.  My only rule was that they had to be real (no fictional brides allowed) and their wedding gowns had to be influential on some level. I know I'm missing a ton, so please put your additions to list in the comment section below!! 

Here you go, in chronological order...

1. Queen Victoria

 Up until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert on February 10, 1840, brides wore pale blue to symbolize purity.  Then she wore a white gown and we haven't looked back since!

2. Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark on November 20, 1947 in a gown was made using rationing coupons to pay for the material since the country had not yet rebounded from WWII.

3. Elizabeth Taylor

As we all know, Liz has been married eight times (two of them to Richard Burton) but the photo above is from her first marriage to Conrad Hilton (Paris and Nicky's great uncle) on May 6, 1950, wearing a traditional 1950's silhouette.

Best of EB: 21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown

So lately I've gotten into the routine of not posting anything on Monday's because, let's face it, everyone needs a day off.  But then I got a bright idea- I will start re-posting some of my old features from when EB was brand new, because many of those posts went relatively unread since I didn't have a whole lot of visitors in the beginning.  It's a win-win situation- I still keep my day off and you get a chance to catch up on what you may have missed! So, for my first Monday re-post, I bring you "21 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Shopping for Your Gown"!  Enjoy!

 

 {Image via WEtv}

Before you shop:

1.   Know the difference between the types of gown retailers.  There are many different places to purchase your wedding gown, and the trick is  knowing what you can expect from each type.  Always keep in mind that you get what you pay for.  Think of it in terms of how your purchase your everyday clothes.  If you shop a little boutique, you will pay a higher price, but you will (hopefully) get exceptional customer service because they are a small business and their reputation is on the line.  If you shop at large chain retailers you will probably score a great deal but won’t get a whole lot of insight from sales personnel, and if something goes wrong they will be less likely to help you out.  Think about what is most important to you- either getting a great bargain or getting great customer service and go from there. 

2.   Research boutiques in a widespread area.  Just because there is a boutique five minutes away from your house, doesn’t mean it is the right one for you.  Ask around and research online for boutiques within a ten to twenty mile radius and find ones that fit they type of store you are looking to buy at.  Trust me, it is so worth it to travel a little farther away in order to get what you want and have a great experience!

3.   Always always always make appointments.  You will have a better overall experience when you make an appointment, rather than just walking in to a shop.  Even if you only call a few hours ahead of time, it will give the salon a chance to prepare for your visit.  When a salon knows you are coming, they will have a consultant and a fitting room waiting for you.

4.   When you book the appointment, ask if you can do an hour and a half instead of only an hour.  Every place is different, but most book a standard one hour appointment.  Usually this isn’t enough time, at least for your first time out.  It can’t hurt to ask for a longer appointment, and as long as it’s not on a super busy day they will most likely be more than happy to oblige you. 

5.   Avoid weekends if possible.  For obvious reasons, weekends are the busiest days for bridal salons.  Even if you make an appointment ahead of time, you may still have to share the 3-way mirror with other brides and that can be frustrating.  Do yourself and your sanity a favor and try to go during the week when it’s way less chaotic and overwhelming.  Tuesdays are typically the slowest days of the week and many shops have one or two late nights during the week to accommodate the “after work crowd”. 

6.   Look at gowns ahead of time.  I can’t tell you how many brides I’ve worked with who came into their first appointment having zero idea as to what kind of gown they wanted.  I’m not saying you need to come in knowing exactly what you want, but at least have some clue about what type of message you want to send.  Are you going for a modern, minimalistic vibe?  Something soft and romantic?  Is dramatic and edgy more your style?  Look through magazines and websites like The Knot and Brides and tear or print out pictures that catch your eye.  Even if it’s just certain elements you are drawn too (like a certain type of lace or an interesting neckline), it can really help your consultant pinpoint what styles to show you. 

7.   Know your budget.  Hopefully your consultant will ask you what you’re looking to spend at the beginning of your appointment, but if they forget make sure you tell them.  There is nothing worse than falling in love with a gown and then discovering that it is way out of your price range.

8.   Keep your eyes out for trunk shows.  Trunk shows are when a gown company sends the entire current collection to a store for a few days.  Usually bridal shops (at least small ones anyway) only purchase certain pieces from each collection, but during trunk shows give you the opportunity to view the pieces you may not otherwise get to see.  Also, many times shops offer a 10-20% off if you purchase your gown during the trunk show.  You can find trunk show information on bridal shop and designer’s websites. 

Inspiration Board: Peacocks!

They're so gorgeous!  And even the little white one is cute!

click to enlarge

There's a reason why peacocks have inspired people for centuries- they are incredibly gorgeous birds!  They sport such amazing rich colors and textures.  Use this lovely birdie as a jumping off point by incorporating rich blues, turquoises, greens, bronzes, and dark aubergines.  Peacock feathers make great accents in floral arrangements, headpieces, and as a cake motif.  Top it off with rich maids dresses and a wedding gown that will turn heads!

Top left gown: Mikaella "1508"
Top left maids dress: Alvina Valenta "AV9021"
Blue shoes: The Knot
Top right ring bearer pillow: Project Wedding
Top right maids dress: Watters "7726"

Middle left boutonnieres: Ekaminsk on Etsy

Green shoes: The Knot

Middle ring bearer pillow: The Knot

Middle invitation: Paper Olive

Middle right cake: Brides

Middle right centerpiece: The Knot

Bottom left maids: both Vinyard "1508" and "1507"

Hairpiece: Neva Plume on Etsy

Bottom middle cake: Cake Coquette

Bottom right bouquet: Barb Cameron Photography

Bottom right gown: Lazaro "LZ3050"

{Peacock images via Google Images}

{Trend board images via the listed websites}

Thoughts on this inspiration board?? Put them in comments section below!!

Fall 2010 Bridal Gown Trend Report

Last spring I did a post featuring the upcoming fall bridal collections that had just debuted.  Now, I've gone through the photos again, actually made some sense of them, and a few clear trends really popped out at me!  Take a look...

Click each spread to enlarge

Designer links at bottom of the page

Edwardian Silhouette

It's essentially a high waisted fishtail skirt paired with a fitted corset top whose waistline hits right below the bustline.  This style looks fab on brides who are on the taller side

Clockwise from top left:  Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Ines di Santo, Judd Waddell, Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra