BRIGiTTE AND MIGUEL'S MUIR BEACH WEDDING

Near and dear to my own heart is a place close by called Muir Beach here in Marin County, California with beauty beyond anything imaginable.  Brigitte and Miguel are avid campers. In their search for a venue, they wanted something that had a very personal connection with their personality. And so they came upon Slide Ranch. The landscape was rich and beautiful, overlooking the Pacific Ocean at their ceremony site and reception area. They and their guests even set up camp between the Ceremony and Reception as the evening would turn into a post-wedding camping excursion. The details and design were kept modest and simple as they wanted to rely primarily on their surroundings to set the scene. DIY sign posts made were from broken down wood pallets, scrap wood and leftover paint; the flower arrangements were created by the Bride with Flowers purchased from Etsy; the table centerpieces were craft projects with purchased and collected items; wine barrels were purchased off of Craigslist, refinished and used as poles for light strings. After the reception dinner, the party moved into a Yurt which hung off the side of a cliff over looking the California coastline. The sun burst in just as they began their first dance, creating the perfect light and atmosphere to kick off the dancing.

Photographer:

 Duy Ho Photography

Reception Venue:

 Slide Ranch

Event Planner:

 Pretty In Pink Events-Chic Designs

Caterer:

 Classic Catering

Cake Designer:

 Susie Cake’s

Hair Stylist:

 Salon Amour

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

THE PARASOL

Did you know even before Marie Antoinette, the parasol was considered a necessity in every woman's wardrobe to ward off the sun. By the mid-1800s when they hit their zenith in the Western World, it was at least known then sun prematurely ages skin. A century later we have scientific proof exposure not only ages but can cause melanoma. So our grandmothers had the right idea flaunting beautiful accessories (before sunscreen). And so evolved the parasol; at it's most chic it can be an art form full of intricate treatments and applications just like hats, veils, purses and shoes.

CREDITS

Top Photo via Romantiska Hem

Photo 2 by Bryan John Hendon Photo 3 by Ryan Chua/Parasol from Priscilla's Parasols

Photo 4 by Dior/Photo 5 by  Miranda Laine Photography via Style Me Pretty (Pinterest)

Bottom Photo by Bryan John Hendon

HE LOVES ME!

 

 

Okay, I might be a tad bit early here with daisies but if you're perchance planning a summer wedding I promise it will inspire.  And, it might just get you thinking about a Summer of Love or Field of Daises theme.  For me  Daisies evoke youth, sunlight and whimsy.  The daisy was prominent in 1960s fashion and became one of the the symbols of peace and love . . . .

CREDITS

Top photo: Daisy hat by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Daisy shoes and purse photo via tumblr/ Daisy Dress and earrings 

Daisy floppy-brimmed hat and belt by Amy-Jo Tatum

Daisy hair photo/ bouquet by Heavenly Blooms

Daisy cake photo via Pinterest/ Daisy bouquet from Ruffled Blog via Pinterest

Daisy cupcakes via Daisy Pink Cupcake Blog/ Daises in bike basket photo via Pinterest

Table setting photo via Stone Gable Blog

Yellow macaroon photo via Pinterest/ Daisy cake via Pinterest

SOMETHING IN LACE

I don't know about you but I've been watching the lace out there just get better and better with every passing season. So what is it about lace we so love? Maybe we're craving femininity and want to add a certain lady-like quality to our dressing.   We're seeing more originality as well as intricacy in lace patterns like never before.  While pieces showing up in designer collections sport traditional patterns like Chantilly and Alencon, we're also treated to crocheted and Cluny versions that jazz up the overall selection..  Here are a few I found on BHLDN that really struck my fancy. . . .

Top Photo: BHLDN's newest addition to Spring 2013, the 1960s Swing style  mini with bell sleeves. Photos 2 & 3 from BHLDN  Dress with lace parasol/Chantilly lace appliques decorate at wide-brimmed hat paired up with embroidered eyelet lace dress.Photo 4: Rose beige Chantilly lace dress from BHLDN

THE ABBEY FACTOR

 Anyone out there following this blog for any length of time knows I'm totally wrapped up in vintage fashion. Yes, Sunday nights my cream puff deserts have been replaced with sixty minutes of the kind of eye candy found in these images.   Spot on and spectacular is how I've previously described the costuming in Downton Abbey, the breakout British series laden with some of the most delectable mixes of fabric and laces you'll see anywhere.  Now that we're into Season 3, the Ladies Mary and Edith show up in different episodes in wedding gowns so similar, frankly I was disappointed. Not disappointed because of the designs--they were marvelous and Downton's designer, Caroline McCall did a stunning job on both-- but I felt when Edith walked down the stairway a couple nights back I was looking at Mary's wedding dress all over again.  Here though is where Edith's ensemble varied: Once she returns home from getting jilted at the altar, she runs up the staircase ditching the silk gauze veil, frantically throwing it off her head. Then it actually floats to the floor like a dropping parachute in the wind.  This where I love costume design.  McCall used that silk gauze  to create a mood, a feeling, some drama

For brides out there wanting to create some Downtown Abbey drama here are a few of my own tips for getting it right.

* The early twenties era started out proper and ladylike and by mid-twenties went 'jazz age' with flapper style skirts going above the knee.

*Go for accessories that polish off your look like long ropes of pearls you can tie, knotted or fringed shawls and cloche or picture hats.

*  The 1920s was the era of a dropped waist that sat either on the hips or fell into no waistline at all found in the shift and chemise styles.

*If you're going for authenticity and your hair is long (like Lady Mary and Sybil), wear it in a styled chignon.  A hairdresser will know how to add those dramatic rolls and Marcelling (deep waves).  If your hair is short try to get it going into a Bob. Great hairstyling lays the just the right groundwork so you can add a great headpiece or veil.

*The costuming on Downton Abbey is top drawer so look for exquisite workmanship.  For me the standard 1920s silhouette isn't complimentary to most women unless they're built like Audrey Hepburn or the actresses who play the Crawley sisters.  It was however an era known for incredible detailing on clothing such as intricate smocking and hand embroidery, lace insets, pleats, draping, etc.

CREDITS

Photo 1 & 2 via The Jane Austen Film Club

Photo 3 via Elle UK

Photo 4 via

Photo 5 via Fanpop

THE LITTLE GIRL WEDDING

Imagine a parade of pretty little girls ranging in age from 3-13 processing their way through a garden in delicate organzas and festoons of florals in hand. The ‘little girl’ trend is definitely on, different and delightful for 2013. For those of you considering adding some ‘wee chic’ to your wedding, I hope these photos inspire you. 

 
 
 

CREDITS 

Header photo by Tindale Images via Polka Dot Bride via Pinterest
Photo 2 via Chic Vintage Brides via Pinterest
Photo 3 by Michelle Edmonds Photography via Style Me Pretty/Pinterest
Photo 4 by KT Merry  via Pinterest
Photo 5 BY KT Merry Photography via Style me Pretty/Pinterest