Monday, December 26, 2011

Twinkle, Twinkle Bright Star

It's the holidays and everything is so bright, festive and warm as family and friends wish us greetings of peace and love! Accepting a wedding proposal at Christmas is such a profound and symbolic declaration of love between two people as it is a time to reflect and celebrate the infinite love of the Lord.
elegant winter look
nicole a chic "snowball" for her
December wedding
ice on the neck by Kristin Morris
We see lots of giddy brides step through our doors this time of year still floating with excitement and staring non-stop at that beautiful, star twinkling on their left hand! Any engagement is special, but during the holidays it conjures a time of "comfort and joy" like no other time of year. The ring is new, light and a fresh chapter for the couple's life together.  Toasts of congratulations around the holiday table for the bride and groom to be are endearing and memorable.
simple accessories capture the season
I adore working with brides planning a Christmas or New Year's wedding. So much inspiration is drawn from the holiday traditions of color and decor with modern twists that reflect the bride and groom. I've seen everything from full on red and green color palettes to soft accents of gold used in these events. I love accenting a holiday wedding with lots of "winter wedding" accessories like the faux muff and stole or pave set deco earrings for that retro glam look. If possible use a "bridal coat" or cloak for amazing drama and style. Faux fur and feathers are my thing and can be done in a simple, delicate presence without overwhelming where they are placed or who wears them.
PINK! floral muff paired with a coat trimmed
with faux cuffs-divine
The New Year's eve wedding is one of the most romantic and equally festive dates to choose. Beginning a life together as husband and wife at the helm of a new year is so rich in meaning. The silver screen "Jean Harlow" black and white aesthetic for New Year's eve is one of my favorites. Everything in the wedding palette is black and white (see my earlier post about the black and white combo) with lots of twinkle from lights and bubbly champagne. It's a built in celebration that is taken to another (literally) brilliant level on the last night of one year and the newborn hours of another. 
I wish you all laughter, love and lots of twinkle during these holidays! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my relatively new, blog and I hope you'll continue to check in throughout 2012!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Jump!

You can't take your eyes off it. It's the one you've dreamed of. You can't see yourself being with any other, but then there is hesitation and maybe shock. The decision you're about to make is like jumping off a cliff! Saying "yes" to your groom was the easy part, but this is another story. Do you jump and get the dress or continue the search hoping for another that tops the one that had you at first glance?

With all the years I've been styling brides and being a bride myself years ago, I know those conflicted feelings well. It really is like jumping off a cliff and much more difficult than saying yes to your groom's proposal. This is your wedding gown. The only garment you'll buy and wear once in a lifetime. It must be perfect and nothing less. So when perfection is on your body staring at you in a mirror in all its glory, why don't you buy it? I've surmised many reasons why. It's a significant financial leap that can be overwhelming. It's your first boutique experience and committing might seem impetuous. You're the type that needs to cost compare and process, which must be done away from the dressing room glare. You have to see yourself in the dress (i.e. a photo someone snapped that, fyi, is discouraged by designers and boutiques). You just like wedding gown shopping because you're a bride once and you're going to hit everyone boutique you can think of. You must show a friend or a family member to help you decide. You're not sure you want to get married after seeing yourself in a gown that makes it all real.

I've never asked brides all the scenarios mentioned, but intuitively I've collected these roadblocks in my mind and believe they are fairly accurate. I absolutely respect the reasons above, please don't misunderstand. However, they are still in fact obstacles in a bride's mind that deprive her of a joyous search and discovery of "her" perfect gown. I emphasize "her" because without attaching the pronoun a perfect gown doesn't exist--really. It is an extremely subjective and yes emotional choice that is as individual as we all are. We are all created as unique individuals with are own taste and style. If you find a gown that matches your unique attributes, it becomes the perfect gown for YOU and only you.  I always tell my clients it comes from the heart. Don't fret or be shocked if it happens sooner than you think. Some actually do purchase the first gown they try on! For those who have visited 50 shoppes and leave disappointed each time do some soul searching. Determine what you love the most in a wedding gown on YOU and choose accordingly.

Sure I can sit back and write about this and make it sound easy, but try to trust that it really is. The experience of a woman looking for her special, bridal gown for centuries has been an adored tradition that should be joyous.  It's a real glimpse of the wedding day as you imagine your groom next to you while staring at yourself wearing the gown.  Make that glimpse a reality and JUMP! Your landing will be soft, airy, sprinkled with sparkle or lace and AMAZING!