Now for some reason floral prints have gotten a bad rep in the past of being stuffy and granny-like. Just recently florals have made a massive jump forward in an extremely chic way. I am a fan of all floral prints, especially the granny kind, I do tend to stray away from their panties though...hmm. Florals really have a sense of whimsey while remaining sweet and not too outrageous. I have blogged about mixing and matching your bridal party before, but I thought that this go around I would take a closer look at color combinations and how that works. I have a thing for color, I dig it. I studied interior design for about a minute in college, but the one thing that sank in was color theory. Perhaps it was my scary antique professor asking me if I was colorblind when trying to pick out the perfect shade of white...who knows? All I can say is I am a champion when it comes to color...please believe me!

   For me, when it comes time to pick a pattern,for photos, I would suggest choosing a fairly large and deliberate pattern, too small can come across spotty instead of flowery. Once you find a pattern you are pleased with the next step is developing your color palette. Really, if a color is used even the tiniest amount in the pattern I say it’s fair game to use as a complementary color. Just make sure when you decide on your color that you match the tone. On the color wheel colors are either warm or cool...basically all colors have a blue or a red undertone to them. So when shopping for your solid color dress, the color needn't be the exact same shade, but it should at least be in the same family. It’s not rocket science...trust me. If you spend too much time getting things matchy-matchy it’s going to look uptight. The point of this look is to that is appears effortless and easy.

Also, don’t be afraid to make interesting choices. I love the pairing of the deep orange chiffon with the pale icy pink, together with the silk pattern the colors are lively and full of depth. I think that it is an unexpected and chic color combo. Mixing the olive and purple is also a bold choice, but they are such complementary colors that the gowns really seem to flow together. Now mixing soft colors can be just as interesting, I loved the soft peachy-pink and silver combo. Although subtle, it is far from a common color combo at your typical wedding.

I did all of my shopping for this article at Shopbop, J.Crew, and Nordstroms. All dresses are under $450, but most hover around $250 and less. If you have any specific questions on a certain gown or color combo please don’t be afraid to ask.

Until we meet again, stay bridal and please toss all of your granny panties...

Lauren

For all your customizing needs, My Own Labels offers you so many different options to choose from. If you don't see something they have a template for already, they would be more than happy to custom create exactly what you need. Here are just some examples of what they can be used for.

 

   What more? They even give you ideas and recipes for the DIY bride that wants to get creative. From baking, beer, drinks, canning to favors and their fun packaging ideas.Here is just one of MANY examples….You can see many more ideas here.

Pesto

• 1-1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 6 cloves fresh garlic
• 3/4 cup total, blend of olive oil and water to your taste
• 3 Tbsp pine nuts
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

In a blender, put basil, garlic, oil, water and pine nuts. Blend until garlic is chopped very fine. Pour mixture into mixing bowl and stir in Parmesan cheese. To serve: toss pesto and freshly cooked hot pasta together, add more pesto to your taste. Serve as a side dish, or top with sautéed prawns or grilled Italian sausage for a main dish.

Package pesto in glass jars. Kerr canning jars can be found at most grocery stores, or specialty jars can be ordered online at Specialtybottle.com.

 

Don’t for get the details…and trust me….these are details you don’t want to overlook!

 

 

So if you haven’t seen a film staring Elizabeth Banks in the past year...then you haven’t been to the movies, this hilarious hot lady is everywhere. Her 2003 nuptials to college sweetie Max Handelman was a stunning creation of girlie modernism, if that is even a thing. The wedding is soft and romantic while keeping a modern and fresh.

The Bride: So I love Elizabeth’s retro glam look, her gown was Christian Dior and her veil was handmade by her mother, so stinking sweet. To find similar dresses look for V neck sheath gowns, if you want more body in the skirt, the most I would do is a modified A-line. Look for light weight fabrics so it appears your floating down the aisle. I found fantastic options by Melissa Sweet, Nicole Miller, and Lela Rose. Banks wore her hair up with a few curled pieces framing her face, showcasing her amazing art deco Neil Lane earrings. Now we all can’t borrow jewels from super famous jewelers, but we can find great looking crystal jewelry. I like designs by Perfect Details and Tejani, pretty and inexpensive. She kept her skin fresh and dewy, so to get this look add a few drops of luminizer to your liquid foundation, Smashbox and Stila have nice formulas. For the eyes I would use bronzy shadows with a heavy sweeping of black mascara. I love Bobbi Brown long-lasting eye cream, I wore this for my wedding and it stayed fresh all day without creasing or getting crusty. I wore sand dollar all over and beach bronze in the crease. To finish off the look, I would find a gloss or sheer lipstick just a shade darker than your own lip color, and pouf! perfect wedding day look.

     The Flowers: The bride carried a stunning hot pink bouquet of ranunculus and cockscomb. I love nothing more than a bright bridal bouquet. You can get similar looks using hot pink peonies and garden roses. I like mixtures of the pale pink and the bright fuchsia for a bit of depth.

The Reception: Planner Jo Gartin of Love, Luck, and Angels created the couples magnificent modern reception. This is one of my favorites. It is so simple. The tables were left uncovered with only simple matchstick table runners. The centerpieces were very simple clear vases filled with fuchsia orchids. The walls were lined with a beautiful pinky-orange iridescent fabric, probably shantung. This wedding is so simple! The great lighting,orchid-covered hanging lights, made the room seem so dramatic, but really it was so easy and clean. I love how the hot pink comes across more sexy than girly.

The Food: This menu sounds fierce, there guests munched on empanadas, coconut shrimp, tuna tartar, and washed it all down with tasty mojitos. Perfect party food, you can eat and jam to the seven-piece funk band.

The Cake: The couple had a traditional cake iced with butter cream,which I love! I HATE fondant, it tastes so gummy, even the good stuff, maybe it’s just me? Hansen’s Cakes created a three-tier chocolate and vanilla stunner decorated with fresh orchids. STEAL THIS IDEA: The guests didn’t go home empty handed, at the end of the night all 180 guests were offered a box of Krispie Kreme doughnuts! Isn’t that awesome. I love food favors because unless you donate to a cause...very rarely are favors worth it, at least food is consumed and enjoyed.

So if you want a wedding with serious personality and very little fuss, then please take some advice from Elizabeth and Max.

It’s no secret that I love the movies! I do so much, I would love them even more if someone would pay me to be in them...but I digress. I adore all romantic comedies NOT starring Katherine Heigl...I love them in all of their cheesy, predictable glory and when they end in a cheesy wedding, forget about it! How many times have you been watching a movie and thought I would love my wedding to look like this? Well, I am going to spotlight some of my favorite movie wedding looks and how you can steal these looks for your own big day.

The Casual Bride

Rashida Jones as Zooey in I Love You, Man

I totally loved this movie...not your classic romantic comedy...more like a Bromance, details. Anyways, Rashida Jones is so super cute, as was her character Zooey. She was sweet and breezy in her adorable preppy chic wardrobe. The wedding was super casual, but oh so elegant.  This is totally a J.Crew wedding in the making for bride and her sunny little bridesmaids. Just gonna put this out there but, movie bridesmaids wear yellow a lot, seriously, I wonder if there is some crazy reason...lighting? Any-who, I just love how easy everyone looks. And if you can get your groom in a blue tux, then do it...Paul Rudd was a total stud.

The Classic Bride

Julia Roberts as Maggie Carpenter in Runaway Bride

Who doesn’t love Julia? Right!? I dare you to say that you dislike her...we will tussle and I will win. Now I don’t fully approve of her wedding day attire...it’s a bit early 90’s, but I totally get the look it’s just that classic traditional bride. Think about Platinum and Vineyard collections, both are designed by Priscilla of Boston and they both offer great classic options at a variety of price points. I am in love with the rest of her “look” the fresh face and loose, wild hair is just the epitome of sexy. I like the mixture of relaxed and glam. Just make sure you don’t go to far one way or you may end up looking unbalanced.

The Dramatic Bride

SJP as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City

Carrie, Carrie, Carrie. Well, her Vivienne Westwood gown up the ante and the guest list sending Big into a nervous frenzy...Men! Costume designer Patricia Field held back nothing with this wow gown, add a crazy turquoise bird in her hair and you have Bradshaw perfection. I honestly am not crazy about the neckline of this gown for anyone that isn’t Sarah Jessica Parker or someone super high style, but the drama is attainable by everyone! Look at designers like Caroline Herrera and Oscar De La Renta, focusing on statement ballgowns with any bit of defining flare. The makeup should be bold and hold up to the drama of the gown. Carrie is the tops when it comes to letting your bridesmaids wear awesome gowns. They all looked smoking hot in their solid Zac Posen’s. Help a sister out, look at chic gowns that your girls won’t dream about setting on fire. I like Amsale, Melissa Sweet, and Vera Wang for formal bridesmaids gowns.

The Hippie Bride

Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

So I should confess that I haven’t actually seen Mamma Mia! and I can safely say that two hours of ABBA is not something I can handle, but how cute and ethereal is little Sophie? She looks like a mermaid or something that little girls around the world strive to look like when playing dress up. I love this look and think designers like Jenny Packham, Claire Pettibone, maybe even a few gowns by Monique Lhullier. I love the crazy headpiece and the long flowing curls...so Daryl Hannah circa Splash. I also loved her bridesmaids fabulous taupe gowns. They are super chic and delightfully 70’s. This might have to be a retail purchase, you would be hard pressed to find a bridesmaid dress with such character. Check out designers Resort wear lines to find a good match.

Until we meet again, stay bridal and go watch some romantic comedies with a pint of ice cream...as long they’re Katherine Heigl free you are guaranteed a good night...she really bugs me.

Lauren

           

Thanks to Tracey Brown Photography for most of the fabulous images. (the ones that look like non-professional took them….are mine. I know…blah!)

Erika and Berry were married on April 5, 2009 in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. The Savannah Riverfront was the perfect backdrop to their Savannah Wedding on the Westin property! Erika had a love of all things colorful and fun, which was a strong influence on her wedding colors and decor. This wedding made me fall in love with the color purple over and over again. The ceremony was due to take place on the walkway of the Westin but at the last minute we had to turn things around and use our backup plan due to the rain not letting up. Never the less, it was a beautiful ceremony and reception.  What was most inspiring was that Erik and Berry had to over come and deal with many obstacles throughout their planning process and life in general leading up to their wedding, but nothing stood in their way and they came out stronger and even more in love than before and it was very apparent on this day! It was such an honor being a part of this momentous occasion with them.

Check in tomorrow for the amazing reception details!

    

Let me start by saying that, for years at Christmas, my mother insisted on putting baby’s breath in our tree and I HATED IT each and every year! I thought it looked cheap. I think that started my dislike for this filler flower. However, I recently was with some friends and we were going through one girl’s pictures of her puppies on her phone, when all of a sudden, I came across this picture (above). Gerry Rogers, from The Petals Edge, had the challenge of creating a decadent feel with this ever so  unorthodox and normally undesired filler flower,  for a prestigious wedding magazine. Now, if you are like myself, the first words out of your mouth would be “There is NO WAY”. I admit I am now a reformed baby’s breath hater. I LOVE IT! She used baby’s breath as the charger plates, in the arrangements on the table and then as the main show stopper with the topiaries. I wrote a few months ago about carnations being a great budget flower option and different ways to create an elegant feel with them (to keep them from looking like funeral flower arrangements) and I am back to do it again with baby’s breath. The trick is simple, use it in bulk and to create full looking arrangements. Take a look and tell me you too, are not a reformed hater of this filler flower!