Burlap & Bling

A basic rustic element like burlap looks fabulous when paired with luxe elements like pearls and rhinestones.

From Top Left Corner Clockwise { Tablescape, Burlap Covered Table Numbers and Burlap Banded Cake}

{Sparkle and Hay Bride}

From Top Left Corner Clockwise { Burlap and Rhinestone Napkin Rings, Burlap Chair Bow and Studded Burlap Boards}

From Top Left Corner Clockwise {Boutonniere wrapped in Burlap, Ring Bearer Pillow and Moss Kissing Balls with Burlap Handles for Flower Girls}

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Diagnosis: Post-nuptial Dress Stress

After the wedding is over both a bride and a bridesmaid are left with the  arduous task of figuring out what to do with that dress. It takes up a lot of room in the closet and your mother won’t stop nagging you about it – and the thank you notes – and do you know how to properly care for your new Calphalon pots, and do you want her chicken chili crock pot recipe, etc.

So long story short – you have a lot on your mind.  Here are few options to help inspire you after the fact or help you plan ahead.

• You can preserve your dress.  If you want to preserve your dress for sentimental reasons you can have your dress professionally cleaned and sealed. Make sure you or someone you trust has a safe place and room (they are often big boxes) to store the sealed dress.

If you are a bride and the dress was either ruined at the wedding (thanks to your friend doing the running man with a full glass of red wine) or it does not hold sentimental value to you – there are still a lot of great things to do with that dress.

• You can donate your dress.  Bridesmaids dresses can be donated to The Cinderella Project  which is an organization that provides dresses for formals and proms to girls who might not otherwise be able to afford the event. Brides can donate their dresses to local charity thrift stores or Goodwill. One creative blogger put her dress on her blog and donated it to the person who wrote back with the best reason for wanting it.  The winning recipient wanted to gift the dress to her daughter as she would never be able to afford to buy her one.
• You can sell or consign your dresses. If your dress has a designer label and is in excellent condition you can probably sell the dress.  You could take the dress to a consignment store or try to sell it yourself on Ebay or Craigslist.
• Schedule a ‘Trash the Dress’ shoot with your photographer.  This is an opportunity to have some really fun bridal portraits made without having to worry about getting anything on your dress.

• You can make or have beautiful keepsakes made for you.  If you think of your bridal gown or bridesmaids dress in terms of yardage – you usually have at least a yard of nice satin or silk fabric.  For bridal gowns you can create an instant heirloom by having a christening gown or baby blanket made from your dress.  Bridesmaids you can have pillows made.  Imagine Becky’s surprise the next time she comes over.

“Samantha – I just luh-ove these pillows!”

“Thanks Becky – I made them from the bridesmaids dress you said I’d be able to wear again.”

We kid!  But seriously – have you worn any of your bridesmaids dresses again?  What creative reuses for wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses have you heard of?

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The Grace of Lace

There is something so dainty and feminine about lace.  It has always had a star role in bridal apparel but is now a huge trend in wedding decor as well. We found so many lace ideas that is was hard to narrow down our favorites.

This French inspired bridal cap is stunning. Monogrammed hankies are so sweet and perfect gifts for mothers, grandmothers and bridesmaids.  We love the way an heirloom handkerchief looks on a bouquet. This lace inspired bracelet would look beautiful for the wedding and could definitely be worn again afterwards.

Lace and mason jars as votives – Yes Please! And for cupcake liners. And for an inner envelope for invitations!

This invitation suite has a lace pattern in the great color scheme of peach and gray.  A lace clutch would be great for a bride or her stylish bridesmaids.

How clever is the idea of using a doily under a glass plate as a name card?  This cake is simply beautiful with the lace pattern to add texture and contrast. Even the popular trend of bunting can be combined with lace handkerchiefs to create a vintage look.

If you don’t want the lace bridal veil or just want something fun to wear at the reception you could opt for this lace and floral fascinator. These lace shoes are yet another fun bridal accessory.  We adore the detail in this Irish linen ring bearer pillow and handkerchief.  And because we love fans (its hot here and this is fashionable & functional) we had to include this battenburg lace version.

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The Bridal Boot-ique!

Why is there something so charming about a bride in cowboy boots?

Maybe its because boots are an item that many brides have worn (sometimes for years) before slipping them on for their special day? Maybe its the contrast of pretty white daintiness against rustic functionality? Whatever it is – we love it!

This is just perfect.  We love the pleating around the hem of this dress too!

A man and her boots – what more could a girl want?

Now tell us this bride doesn’t look relaxed?

We love this ‘pop of color’ that the red adds.

We love love love how the whole bridal party was included in the boot trend.

And everyone knows boots are excellent for dancing!

And the bride above, who grew up on a ranch, got personal with a pair of boots with her wedding date and new monogram!

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Charming Bouquets

Attaching a keepsake to the bridal bouquet is such a special way to incorporate a memento into a wedding.  Here are a few of our favorite bouquet charms and adornments.

The cameo on this bouquet is made even more stunning by the lace wrapping underneath.

And an antique brooch is not only beautiful but could also be your ‘something old,’ or ‘something borrowed.’

A vintage handkerchief can easily be affixed to the bouquet and can be monogrammed with the date or the bride’s initials to become an instant heirloom piece. We love how feminine this one is with the lace.

If you don’t have a family heirloom locket, several vendors have started to create small lockets exclusively for use as a bouquet charm.  If made of high quality materials the locket could be added to a charm bracelet or chain and worn as a necklace long after the wedding. We love this unique rectangular version from Etsy.

This bride chose to incorporate a family rosary into her bouquet. It is truly a beautiful addition.

Simple lace wrapped bouquets are so elegant. The lace could come from excess from the brides post-alteration gown or a family dress or veil.

This twine wrapped bouquet looks so fresh and organic.

Before bouquets – many brides carried small family bibles.  Today modern brides are keeping up this tradition by carrying these same small bibles but incorporated with their bouquet. Many of these bibles were carried by both their mother and grandmother in their weddings.

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Gowns at a Glance

Flipping through the latest bridal magazines has inspired us to go gown shopping.  We broke them down by theme and here are our favorites.

FUN & WHIMSICAL

This is the Nadine gown by Amsale.  We were immediately in love with the ruffled halter but were completely blown away when we saw those pockets!

TRADITIONAL

Designed by Lula Kate the Ashley dress is traditional in cut, color and fabric.  It could easily be adorned with a trendy sash or hair accessory and if carefully preserved could be passed down for generations.

BOHEMIAN ROMANTIC

This Tiered Analisa dress by J.Crew is stunning and would be perfect for a garden wedding.

DREAMY & LIGHT

This Lazoro dress is fit for Cinderella and her fairytale wedding. The detailed bodice and flowing skirt are simply stunning.

MODERN VINTAGE

This Sue Wong strapless embroidered gown has a modern silhouette with art deco patterns of embroidery and lace. We love the attention to detail.

RETRO

We love this Ann Taylor throw back look to the Fifties. This dress is ideal for a fun casual wedding and the length is a great excuse to show off a fabulous pair of shoes.  Check out our post on blue wedding shoes for ideas.

What is your favorite wedding gown trend?

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Something Blue

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something BLUE?”

Why blue wedding shoes of course!

From Top Left Corner Clockwise {Christian Louboutin Royal Blue Suede Greissimo 85′ Pumps, Christian Louboutin Lavalliere 100 Suede Pumps, Butter Patent Peep Toe Pumps, Kate Spade Chrisette, Toms Blue Womens Glitters, Badgley Mischka Lissa Pumps, Manalo Blahnik Suede Point Toe Pumps, RSVP Jaceline, Lucchese Suede Embroidered Boots and Tory Burch Abitha Patent Flip Flop}

And many don’t know that the third verse of this old saying is, “And a silver sixpence in her shoe!” A quick search on the internet will reveal where you can get a genuine sixpence for your wedding day!

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