Wedding Clutch

I'm on the lookout for an evening handbag and wouldn't this Valentino baby blue masterpiece do the trick? A little something blue I can use over and over again. Enough drooling. Time to find something similar:)

Clothes Make the Man

It's not all about the bride... right?!? The groom has to look sharp too. I found a couple of images going through my old MS magazines and I love this look. LOVE IT. It's unfussy and elegant. I'm usually really turned off by the boutonniere's I see out there; men typically look like they have a flower shrub on their chest. Here a single freesia blossom is tucked through the top hole on the lapel for a cleaner look and the pocket square adds a jaunty flair. I think utilizing the pocket square is a great way to add a little punch of style to a man's ensemble. It's the equivalent of the woman's handbag; it completes a look. For men that hate wearing ties you can still keep it stylish by forgoing the tie altogether and adding a pocket square for a sharp and elegant look.

The pocket squares I've looked at typically come in linen and silk. The linen pocket squares are typically "crisper" and more traditional. They have to be ironed out before folding to retain that crisp fold everyone loves. Silk pocket squares like the one below have a more billowy look to them so it really is a matter of preference. I'm not sure if you can see the tie below in detail but it has little fleur de lis on it! The colors also happen to coordinate with my bridesmaid dresses. If only I could get pocket squares with the same design/color! The tie comes from Duncan Quinn and they have a fabulous selection to choose from. Duncan Quinn is known for it's "rock and roll meets Saville Row" style. Check them out!

Keepsake

I think this invitation set is brilliant. Michelle Rago worked closely with Grapevine Invitations to create an invitation suite that takes into account the rich history of the Nantucket area while keeping the set personalized by including the bride's love of books and the bride's fathers fascination with whales. The Nantucket area once had a major whaling industry and the journals whalers used to keep on their voyages served as inspiration. I think my favorite aspect of this set is the gorgeous linen covered book. What a wonderful keepsake!

Beautiful linen covered book that holds the invitation set.

Scent of a Woman

Most peoples memories are strongly attached to certain smells or melodies; both good and bad. This is nothing new; scientists have found the exact location in the brain responsible for connecting certain events or sensations from the present to a distant memory of the past. To get technical it's called the CA3 region of the brain. Which is why a certain scent like perfume or a childhood melody will instantly connect you to a vivid memory from the past. When I smell a fresh new can of tennis balls I think of all the times my brother kicked my ass on the tennis courts when we were kids (both a good and bad memory!). Or the smell of baby powder instantly conjures memories of helping my mom bathe and dress my cute, wiggly green-eyed infant sister (I'm 7 years older).

There is perhaps no other scent in the world like my Mom's. She has the most comforting, lovely and ladylike scent in the whole wide world. Chanel No. 5 and Nina Ricci's L'Air du Temps are her perfumes of choice. And she wears the perfume vs the perfume wearing her. It's not cloying but just right. When I smell Chanel No. 5 I think of all the times I would watch her get ready for a night out with my Dad. Or when I had a bad day she would hold me close and her scent would instantly soothe me. When I turned 16 my mom gave me my own bottle of Chanel No. 5 and it just didn't feel right. I laugh thinking about it now; but I have strongly associated that scent with my Mom. And for a 16 year old it was way to strong; it's a scent for a woman not a pubescent pimply young girl. I think my mom was anxious for me to grow out of my awkward stage and all I can say is we both had a meeting of minds on that score!

So with that in mind I can't help but think that having a wedding day perfume is anything but a silly notion; the memories both Jack and I will have of our wedding day will be tied to the scents and melodies of the day. I really like the perfume I've been using for the past 5 years or so but I'm thinking I need something a little bit more sophisticated. Case in point; here's the website description of my perfume of choice "Petite Cherie" by Annick Goutal: "A fruity-floral fragrance in which vanilla, peach, musk rose and freshly cut grass recall purity and boldness. Like a naive and determined woman-child who both stirs the senses and moves the heart". Enough said.

I have to tread carefully though. Jack has an attachment to Petite Cherie which he helped me pick out. It throws him off in a bad way if I wear anything else. Which I totally understand; if my mom wore anything else but Chanel No. 5 I would also be thrown for a loop. Strange as it may sound I'm asking Jack to help me pick out a perfume for our special day that he will hopefully like. I'll continue to wear Petite Cherie day to day (if I didn't I would be totally remiss) and wear my something new for evening. Who knows, if we are lucky to have kids perhaps one day they will be attached to my scent as I am to my Mom's:)

Are any of you contemplating a wedding day perfume? If so what scent will you use or did use?

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Biedermeier Styled Wedding

I was at the bookstore looking at all the current bridal magazines when I came across an Elegant Bride's piece on a "Biedermeier" styled wedding. Jack could see my eyes pop out of my head and I could hear him thinking "Here we go again...". I think Elegant Bride did a spectacular job re-creating the elegance and feel of the Biedermeier period. But mostly I was tickled pink because I've been obsessed with Biedermeier furniture for years now. After I wiped the slobber off my face and bought the magazine I started going through my huge Biedermeier file at home filled with magazine clippings, historical details and listings of my favorite stores. Yet again, I was re-inspired. Here are some drool worthy pics:

I never thought pink fondant would look this good. And I don't even like fondant. It's the ribbon like ornamentation that makes me weak in the knees. It reminds me of the bows and swags on my lace veil. Also- take a look at those french macaroons!!!!

The blonde veneer commode also makes me weak in the knees. I love the combination of fruits and flowers as a decorative element. The soft pinks pairs surprisingly well with the dark plums and reds of the fruit. The above reminds me of Dutch still-life.

Juggling Act

Sometimes talking about financial obligations and ensuing responsibilities takes the wind out of my wedding planning wings. Being the "dreamer" in the relationship I'm always thinking of bigger and better, although when it comes down to it, bigger is not always better. It's just a mind set I have to slap myself out of every once in a while. Or I can always rely on my little sis to also give me a slap from time to time:) Jack has been very understanding and grounding; he doesn't agree with the wedding industry complex that ravages my poor brain but he understands.

Unfortunately, I would sometimes apply the "bigger and better" to other areas in my life outside of wedding planning. So in order to finance all of my (I mean "our") schemes, it was time for a little heart to heart. All of our obligations; school, wedding, student loans and saving to buy a house ect where screaming for our attention and we had to ask ourselves, "What is most important to us and how do we prioritize?". I remember Jack and I sitting down one day and outlining all of our financial goals together. And most importantly truly listening to each other. For us it was important to be consistent with our payments and our savings goals to insure a financial peace of mind we always wanted but never had. Slowly but surely we started to accomplish our goals; one credit card led to the rest, we had a sizeable but livable bi-weekly withdrawal from our checking to our savings account and we finally paid off one of our student loans. It was a juggling act to cut back on our day to day expenses but still maintain a comfortable standard of living. Out were the daily lattes from Starbucks, trips were curtailed and we made eating Sushi a treat instead of an entitlement (that was rough). It was amazing how much we saved from cutting out the "little things". Turns out they weren't so little after all.

Paying off our sizeable debt in turn helped us save for the wedding. Our wedding fund truly is more than enough for two people to get married. But after all that's been said and done the temptation to get into wedding debt and/or "borrow" from our house fund rears its ugly head. Especially when I read the most current Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine for example. I would look at our wedding priority list and ache to re-arrange it and increase our budget. Yes, I want that award winning cinematographer. Yes, I want that show stopping cake. I want, I want, I want. It's that one special day, everything has to be the best. But I should know better; I can't tell you the thousands... yes thousands we paid in credit card interest over the years. So I snap out of it after replaying our credit card trauma in my head and realizing how nice it would be to fly back from our honeymoon to a home we actually own. Or be able to afford to continue on with school. Not only that but I have to re-assure myself that the details will be great regardless because the best part of my day will be saying our vows. That's the best part and everything else is lagniappe.

So in order for us to pay for the wedding and not get into any wedding debt, its imperative that we stick to our budget. Any suggestions on how to avoid temptation? How and what did you prioritize? {Image Source}

Sitting Pretty: Part II

I was hoping someone would translate John Singer Sargeant's beauties into a photo op and Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2002 did just that. I probably have every Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine since 2000- I'm not kidding. And instead of giving them away I'm saving each and every single one for my little sister when it's her turn to get married. When I do go through the back issues something different always catches my eye and I get re-inspired. In this case... the bridal portrait.

I think the bridal portrait is worth it depending on what you use it for. In the South, portraits of the bride are usually set outside of the reception on giant easels and in the bride's parents home. Vanity aside, it's a tradition that many hold dear, especially the family of the bride. I'm not so keen on having a full sized photo of me to dazzle the world (perhaps out of shyness maybe?), so I plan on buying some really nice frames and making the bridal portrait a gift to my parents and in-laws. If you plan on doing neither, then I would not recommend it. If it's part of a photography package then you can always ask your photographer to allocate it to something else; perhaps an engagement session, a morning after session etc. To get the most bang for the buck, do your hair and make-up trials the day of your bridal portrait. I've heard from others that its fun to do and it's nice to have the focus be on you. So if you need ideas on how to pose (your photographer will help you with this also), then here is some eye candy. Get yourself some rope pearls (yes... fake will do!), a coquettish fan and fabulous surroundings and have fun! Anyone else doing a bridal portrait and how are you making use of the photos?

Colombian Food & Music

Being half-Colombian I really would like to bring in a little Latin flavour into our wedding festivities. Just how wedding traditions here in the United States vary from region to region, the same can be said of weddings in Latin America. We even make our empanadas different depending on whether you are talking to an Argentine, a Colombian, or a Venezuelan (all three variations are great). Jack loves all things Colombian (which immediately endeared him to my Mom) and it goes a long ways in helping incorporate the other half of my family that I adore and love. Here's a little snippet of typical Colombian food and music we hope to include:

1. Torta Negra or "Black Cake": Instead of the traditional white wedding cake, Colombians eat a dark fruitcake called Torta Negra. This dark rich fruitcake is studded with candied fruits, nuts, and spiced with molasses to give it extra flavour and texture. To make the cake look "bridal" it is usually covered in white frosting of some sorts. Fortunately there is a delicious bakery or "panaderia" here in Chicago called Mekatos Bakery that makes Torta Negra that I could bring down with me to New Orleans for people to try. {image source}

2. Food & Drink: I could eat Colombian food every day until the day I die. It's delicious, hearty and healthy. The Colombian diet is comprised of rice, potatoes, beef and chicken (seafood for the Costenos) and most foreigners that try it expect a variation of Mexican food but it's unique in its own way. In Medellin, where my mother's family is from, we have this amazing dish called "La Bandeja Paisa"-it is a typical dish that comprises the essential "Paisa" meal; grilled steak, fried plantains, beans, chorizo, chicharron (fried pork rind), arepa (corn patty) among other things. We are thinking of serving empanadas, arepa and chorizo for appetizers if we can. Like in most cultures, champagne is traditionally served for toasts but for after we drink Aguardiente. It really gets the party going. It's a strong anise flavored liquor that should be imbibed lightly, like a sip instead of a shot. Only in Colombia they like to hold on to the bottle:) {Image Source}


*On a side note; I have to share something really funny. The first time Jack attempted to say "Bandeja Paisa" it came out as "Pendeja Paisa". Let's just say you don't want to be saying "Pendeja" in front of your in-laws:)

3. Music: Bring on the Vallenatos y Cumbia!! Colombians in general, despite their many problems are a very happy people and they love to dance, drink and celebrate with the best of them. Vallenatos, a typical folksy music or as Jack likes to refer to as "Colombian Polka" is commonly played. Well known musicians like Carlos Vives have put this style of music on the map. Another typical Colombian music is the Cumbia- a different tempo that is fun and easy to dance to- anyone can do it. It's a very traditional style of music and dance. Boleros are a must have- they are beautiful slow romantic ballads. Here's a photo of woman dancing the cumbia in traditional Cumbia costume: {image source}


4. As I said in my bridesmaid post, we just don't have them. Just two witnesses or your padrinos to guide you through your marriage ceremony. I'm planning a compromise; have our maid of honor and best man at the alter with us and the rest of the bridal party in the front row.

I'm curious: are any of you planning a multicultural wedding and if so how are you deciding to incorporate your cultural traditions?

Dos Gardenias Para Ti

Gardenias are so beautiful but so fickle; they are very delicate and although their fragrance is strong it is fleeting once plucked. And they quickly turned brown once touched. But I like a challenge. If I was getting married in the spring I would push reason aside and go with the gorgeous gardenia as a focal point. Here are my favorite images and ideas:

These Gianna Rose Gardenia Soap Petals would be great as favors or tucked in welcome baskets:

Wear a fresh Gardenia tucked into your hair: {Image Source}

Smell like a gardenia! My favorite gardenia fragrance is Vintage Gardenia by Jo Malone. It will always remind you of your wedding day:


You can utilize the gardenia in your flower decor in a multitude of ways: {Image Source}



Or play a truly romantic song by Buena Vista Social Club called "Dos Gardenias Para Ti"

Wendy Kromer

The talent behind the red velvet cake shown and the recent Martha Stewart Wedding Cake book is the baker Wendy Kromer. GAH If only I lived in Ohio! She does deliver to the surrounding areas though and for a fee she will fly the cake to you. I think her sugar flowers are amazing and you can actually order them on her website. Here are my favorites:

Cherry Blossoms:

Magnolia:

Hellebores:

Red Velvet Cake

Martha Stewart Red Velvet Cake decorated with Sugar Magnolias

Red Velvet Cake....mmmmm. A sweet light buttermilk infused cake touched with a hint of cocoa and liberally doused with red food coloring, it's slathered with a rich cream cheese icing that's not too heavy or too light... just right. That is if you make it correctly. I've had some pretty horrific red velvets in my time-either the cake is too dry or the icing to goopy. Traditionally served in Southern weddings it's now officially crossed the Mason Dixon line and served in most bakeries. If you want to make a statement, then serve this cake. Your guests won't be disappointed. Case in point: who can forget the infamous grey armadillo grooms cake served in the movie Steel Magnolias?

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Little Buttons

Remember my post on Princess Grace's gown and veil? I was trying to remember where I last saw such an exquisite attention to detail, in this case buttons, and then it came to me. Wallis Simpson. Given that she was a divorcee she wore a pale blue Mainbocher gown with beautiful little buttons on the front for her wedding to Edward XIII, later the Duke of Windsor. The dress fit her lithe figure to a tee.

Style File: Alex Perry

I'm really digging all things Australian these days; fashion, interior design.. you name it I dig it. Speaking of which I think anything Alex Perry creates is sublime. Take a look for yourself:

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Forget Nicole Kidman... her sister Antonia is breathtaking in this Alex Perry blush colored silk and lace gown. Wouldn't this make a beautiful wedding gown?

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Vintage Wedding Ideas

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, orange blossom wedding wreaths were all the rage. Orange blossoms symbolize innocence and purity for the bride as well as a fertility good luck charm. Finding fresh orange blossoms were hard to come by so orange blossoms were either waxed (dipped in wax to be preserved) or made out of wax- "wax orange blossoms". Preserved antique waxed orange blossoms wreaths are a rarity and they usually sell at a high price. Here is a beautiful wreath from French Garden House:

Back in the Victorian era it was very popular for suitors to vocalize their feelings by sending messages to their intended through the giving of a small bouquet of flowers. The art of sending messages through flowers, or Floriography, spawned countless of books and dictionaries on the meaning of flowers. Poesy holders, or tussie mussie holders became all the rage and they are usually handcrafted with lovely patterns out of silver or bronze and sometimes even semi-precious or precious jewels. These are highly collectible items on the antique market. They would also be a wonderful ornamentation to the bridal bouquet and a keepsake for generations to come. Here's a poesy from The Three Graces:

Poesy rings were given as a sign of love and affection and usually had a phrase of endearment, a poem or name etched into the inner band intended to be only read by the receiver. This antique 17th century gold poesy ring from The Three Graces has inscribed, "In thee I finde content of mind".

Bella Blooms Floral

I've got flowers on the brain and these arrangements make me happy and remind me of summer. They were created by my new favorite florist Dee at Bella Blooms Floral . She's creative and fun. She's fairly new to the floral industry but she is taking New Orleans by storm. Check it out:

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Sitting Pretty

I'm thinking of following the time honored Southern tradition of getting a bridal portrait done. I'm painfully shy in front of the camera and I'm worried about how to pose and smile. I have all the confidence in the world in our photographers but not allot of confidence in ME. I've also been thinking of how I want the bridal portraits to look. I don't want it casual but having it super formal is not me either. I've been thinking about it more and more and what better way to get inspiration than from the master of portraits himself, John Singer Sargent. I would love to infuse a little of the styling effect used in his portraits; a touch of whimsy and grandeur in all my finery but still make it my own without coming across as pompous.

Sargent is famous for his portraits of the aristocracy in the age when dressing up for dinner in your pearls and finery was commonplace. I love his gorgeously detailed portraits; you can almost feel the satin, velvet and tulle just from looking at his work. Most of the elegant ladies he painted he styled on his own with very few props but against lavishly draped backgrounds. Furniture was typically used, or architectural details like pillars and windows as backdrops. Props included a dazzling showcase of jewelry, fans, feathers or an Eden like display of flowers. In a city like New Orleans, grandeur, whimsy and the avant-garde are intermixed on a daily basis so the city itself will serve as a great backdrop for what I have in mind.

I think once I'm all spiffed up in my wedding gown I'll hopefully have the courage to channel the languid grace of Sargent's beauties:

Madame Paul Poirson

Elizabeth Chanler

Lady Agnew

Lady Astor

Suzanne Perron

All Images Via Suzanne Perron Website

Oh how I wish I knew about Suzanne Perron earlier! Those that are in the process of finding a wedding gown in the New Orleans area are lucky to have Suzanne Perron at their disposal. After working on the design development team at Vera Wang for five years she came back to New Orleans to establish her own custom bridal business. She works with clients directly at her gorgeous studio on Magazine Street. Here's a peak:





Gorgeous ball-gown style wedding dress

Beautiful lace detail

Chicago Venues

It's been a busy week! I've had my wonderful sister visiting me and my shoes are worn out from seeing Chicago through her eyes. It's fun being a tourist in my quasi hometown. After seeing the best Chicago has to offer it made me think how close we were to having our ceremony here. If we were to get married in Chicago, these unique venues would be at the top of my list for a small to medium sized wedding.

The first is the Ivy Room at Tree Studios. Honest to goodness, if I knew about this place prior to putting down our deposits for our vendors in New Orleans I would have jumped at the opportunity to get married here. The courtyard is nestled between State Street and the Medinah Temple and the allure of having outdoor and indoor space in the heart of the city is hard to pass up:

North Pond Restaurant was another contender. In the summer Jack and I ride our bikes to the lake to goof off for the occasional picnic and to do a little sunbathing. We usually ride our bikes past North Pond Restaurant and it is a beautiful place in a picturesque setting. The food is phenomenal (James Beard Award calibre) with beautiful Arts and Crafts decor and views over the water. It's essentially a smaller version of Cafe Brauer but with better food!

Finally for a little something more formal I came across Club International at the Drake Hotel. It's a member's only place but they accept applications. The restaurant is a replicate of Haddon Hall, one of England's most famous medieval residences, with beautiful wood paneling overlooking Michigan Avenue. It's breathtaking.