INSPIRATION MONDAY

A little bit of inspiration this morning from UK designer, Emma Hunt.  I absolutely love this image of a life-sized chess board with the bride as an original chess piece perhaps?  The Chloe gown featured here can be seen in Showroom #1 on her website--one of 4 showrooms in all.  Looking around further you'll find exquisite laces and one-of-a-kind details on all her handmade gowns-- A real eye candy experience  . . .

TODAY YOU'LL FIND ME . . . .

 . . . . Over on One Wed talking about Grace Loves Lace.  If you love Boho you have to check out this new Etsy shop full of lace gowns to die for.  I'm such a total lover of all things lacey and these gowns paired up with some off-the-charts photography make this browsing experience such a pleasure. . . .READ MORE

HEADING FOR SPRING

With all this winter around us it's surprising to think spring will be here in no time.  Here's a look at an up and coming collection offering a bit of beaucoup in head chic.  All these flowers you see here are  hand dyed, hand cut and pressed by the artist, Jenn Wood of Mignonne.   Says the designer, " I love to use lots of interesting bits of vintage this and that to add whimsy and magic, some of the vintage items used have been handpicked by me in the flea markets of France. I incorporate my own aesthetic when creating these flowers and as a result they are not "perfect" factory made looking pieces, they are all individual . . . . ."

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR WINTER BRIDES

 

For both winter brides and gift givers here are some great finds from Etsy.  Love everything here especially  this dress by Muza in the top row--- I totally swooned at first sight . . . .
Top Row: Hand knit wool dress, perfect for the casual winter wedding by Muza
Row 2: Christmas 4-strand everyday bracelet by T Bird Jewelry Designs Hand knit Ivory knit shrug by Lili Thist Winter wedding wreath by Wild Ridge Design
Row 3: Snowflake shoes by Nora Karen  Faux fur caplet by Sew U Designs
Row 4: Winter wedding white bird's nest by A Marigold Life  Vintage-style deer head by The Prancing Fox

WRAPPING UP FOR WINTER

If you're a winter bride and think staying warm while looking chic s might be challenging check out the bridal coat option. If you like the idea of a fitted coat, you could wear one for your ceremony—long or short—over a corresponding sheath. After the ceremony the coat could be removed so you could move freely throughout the reception.   These by Raishma Couture are sophisticated and elegant with some really exquisite detailing.

Raishma Couture

TODAY YOU'LL FIND ME . . . .

 . . . . over on One Wed talking all about awesome UK designer, Terry Fox.  Creating a cross between fairy-tale and shabby chic for over 30 years, Terry has made the corset into a work of art both as a separate as well as component complimenting her full ball gown silhouettes. These pieces from her accessory line, called 'Mine', are a celebration of her love of costume and innovative use of fabrics.  READ MORE . . .

DECEMBER BRIDES

More brides than you realize actually tied the knot in December, combining their nups with a season of Christmas festivities.  Above is Fabiola of Aragon who married Baudouin, the King of the Belgians. Their wedding took place on the cold winter morning of December 15, 1960. Her gown was an absolute masterpiece created by Spanish design legend Cristobal Balenciaga. Peau with a mink collar and twenty foot train, it suited this winter bride well. Balenciaga was one of a handful of couturiers who could actually design, cut, and sew his own designs. A designer's designer, his minimalist creations that were so well crafted they resembled sculptures and were considered the optimal of haute couture circa 1950s and 1960s.

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Remember all the hoop-la when Madonna married Guy Ritchie back in 2000?  They were hitched December 22 in a Scottish castle.  Stella McCartney stepped up not only as her designer but also as maid of honor.  In an ivory strapless, the always over-the-top and shock your-socks-off rock star went with a royal/princess/castle theme wearing a vintage diamond tiara from Asprey & Garrard under a lace veil. 

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Celine Dion married her manager Renee Angeli on Dec. 17, 1994 in Montreal, Canada.  Note that her tiara weighs 7-pounds and has 2000 Austrian crystals covering it.  Her gown was really a splendor by Mirella and Steve Gentile--a work of art that took 1,000 hours to make . . . .

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The 1960s was a decade for Presidential daughters to tie the knot.  Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon who reigned from the mid to later part of the 60s both had a pair of daughters of marrigable age.  Above: On December 9, 1967, President Lyndon Johnson's eldest daughter Lynda married Marine Captain Charles Robb in a White House all decked out for Christmas. Seven bridesmaids were in floor-length red velvet gowns. Among the guests was former first daughter Alice Roosevelt who also married in the White House in 1906.

Lynda's designer was Geoffrey Beene. She chose this empire sheath silhouette in a winter-weight peau satin. Notice the border of heavy lace running vertically up the front of the gown creating an apron-like effect. Trendy at the time, was her detachable Watteau train that fell from her shoulders. Topping it off, she wore a pill box cap with a blusher and very long pouf veil.

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Above: Richard Nixon's youngest daughter Julie was first to tie the knot and did so only a month before her father took office. December 22, 1968, Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower were married by Rev. Norman Vincent Peale in Manhattan's Marble Collegiate Church. Because her father was President-Elect at the time, Kleig lights, the curious and press turned up in droves.  Though a White House wedding with all the trimmings was offered, Julie and David wanted a private ceremony. They managed to keep their guest list a secret amid all the change in their lives. In addition, their Grand Ballroom at the Plaza wedding reception was closed to all press.

Julie's gown was by Pricilla Kidder aka Priscilla of Boston. High-necked with pearls and beadwork, it had puffed sleeves and a long train. The bridesmaid ensembles were brocade overcoats with long Juliet sleeves.