THE PRE-OWNED GOWN OPTION

Want a top-of-the-line couture look on your wedding day but don't think you can shell out the bucks for a designer label? Well, check out these gowns from Pre-owned Wedding Dresses.com where you can actually order online. You can also visit consignment a bridal shop. Now if the word 'consignment' conjours images of 1980s gowns full of the usual pouf and paste of sequins, perish that thought. Most dresses in consignment shops are actually cutting edge and you'll find it more like going to a high-end designer salon. With catchy names like One More Time, these places offer some elegant, gently worn gowns in better shape than your average designer sample. In fact, the proprietors can get real persnickety about what they take in—some only accepting top designer names like Vera Wang and Reem Acra in all natural fibers. In addition, once gowns are accepted they’re cleaned and pressed (Ask where though. More shops are specializing in environmentally safe cleaning)

Pre-owned Wedding Dresses

If you’re price conscious going for a pre-owned gown is the way to go. Gowns that retailed last season for $3000-4000 are typically half off but sometimes can go for as little as $500-600. More good news. You’re going to get very personalized assistance—the same as in a full service bridal salon. Though there will be re-altering involved, you won’t have to wait 4-6 months for your gown. Bear in mind once-worn gowns have already been pre-fit and altered to someone else’s body. Just make sure they’re once-worn; an over altered dress that’s been on more than one body could lose its original shape after a while. Ask how many and what kind of alterations the gown you want has had. Typically, if it’s gone through more than two brides, forget it. In addition to alterations your shop may offer customizing services (for a fee). Shops realize with previously-worn gowns, there’s a kind of possessive energy the new purchaser wants to create to make the gown her own. Therefore some shops focus on customizing.

FYI: Naturally bridal consignment shops don’t stock set sizes like salons do. Small and larger brides might have to work closely with staff and keep a lookout locating a gown in their size

BLUSHING BRIDE

Credits: Olivia Leigh, W. Scott Chester Photography, Marla Aufmuth, Orchard Cove Photography, Myrtle & Marjoram, Koelle Art via Poppytalk, Dollface Studio

Special thanks to Shana Wilson over at SMP Style Circle for putting together these delicate Spring inspirations for us. Particularly love the gossamer feel of all the apparel shown here. You can find all kinds of chic and cutting edge ideas on her blog, Baubles and Bubbles .

VINTAGE SUNSET

I hope this board inspires a vintage feeling in all of you looking toward a Gatsbyesque or Hollywood style wedding. The pale salmons and beiges suggest sepia tones evocative of the start of the last century when lace and intricate embroidery applications were more commonly used. If you can find just one vintage item or accessory to work into your wedding day it will make a real difference sentimentally (especially if the item is passed down from a loved one) as well as adding panache to your look . . .

Gown Friday!

in honor of J. Crew opening their first bridal store (no, not here in Oregon, but of course Madison Ave, Manhattan) and the Memorial Day Weekend ahead of us, here is J. Crew's 2011 bridal collection. you know i love my Crew! this collection nothing short of what we crave from this rising fashion powerhouse--simple beauty with unexpected details that give brides a little more of a modern touch to the traditional white dress.

i hope you all enjoy your long weekend. i am thoroughly looking forward to some family time!

{images: marthastewartweddings.com}

ONCE UPON A TIME

One of the nicer aspects of aging would have to be 'remembering when' and actually seeing ads like these in daily papers back in the 1970s when fashion illustrations were still the norm. Thanks to Wendy Hartigan of Bridal Affairs in Philadelphia,we have these great fashion illustrations.. She sent me these clippings along with some editorials from Bride's from her mother's files. The above photo of the bride in a helmet-like headpiece and waterfall veil is from the late sixties; the bottom image late seventies when the gypsy-chic of Oscar de la Renta and YSL was all the rage; this is the era I cut my teeth in . . .

Dress of the Week

San Patrick 2011 Preview Collection

Rifle Paper Co

i gasped when i came across the work of Rifle Paper Co. this morning! i haven't seen anything quite like it before! oh my! Anna Bond and her husband Nathan head up this Florida based boutique stationary and design studio, and their work often includes hand-painted illustrations and lettering by Anna herself. these uniquely nostalgic and charming designs bring a sense of honor back to the handwritten letter craft. they are planning to launch their custom wedding and event templates later this year and i cannot wait!

below are a couple of their featured recipe cards. in the midst of all the craziness generated by wedding showers and events leading up to your big day, the traditional sharing of recipes can truly be a sweet occasion. i love the symbolic of passing down from the older generation to the younger, in continuing long-standing and new traditions in the kitchen. if you are planning on hiding away a little recipe card your shower invitations, these are a wonderful fit!

{images: Rifle Paper Co & Paper Crave}

MEET ME IN THE PARK

CREDITS

Photography by: The Renegades:

Larry Placido; Danielo, Ivan Yudhi, Jeff Hoang, Diane Villanueva Photography, Martha Blanchfield

Gowns and Veils: Amy-Jo Tatum

Makeup: Aliya Qazi

PR: Martha Blanchfield

Venue: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

Models: Jen and Sujan

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is home to a couple of the the city's museums, the De Young and California Academy of Sciences. Next door is the Japanese Tea Garden, an outdoor botanical garden steeped in a serene and peaceful beauty. After you've visited this 1000 plus acre landmark you'll find yourself asking, 'where else can you find year round greenery in so many fields of open space?' Because Golden Gate Park has a unique landscape, there are scores of special places to get married indoors and out. The most romantic of all would be Shakespeare's Garden the spot that pays tribute to all the the plants and flowers mentioned in the Bard's poems and plays. You'll find lady-smocks, hemlock, violets, and other florid representations of Shakespeare's works.

Opting for spots in full bloom as well as architectural interest, we also improvised along the way and had a real day of it . .

Jeff Hoang

In front of the De Young Museum

Danielo

Martha Blanchfield

Special thanks to all the Renegades, a Bay Area group of photographers on the edge, finding the nuance in recording everything from daily life to the surealness of fashion . . .

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOING VINTAGE

The above gown is from Amy-Jo Tatum's collection of authentic vintage gowns. This one is from the 1960s Balenciaga era. Photo by Lirette Photography

If you're flirting with the idea of wearing that dress from your favorite era, here's the lowdown: Many vintage clothing stores stock actual gowns from by-gone eras as well as ‘retro-inspired’ selections that are brand new. The bride in love with a particular era of clothing usually checks vintage clothing stores first. Not all opt for an actual gown that survived the ages though. Some go for a newer style reflecting the period in natural, sustainable fibers. Why? Because that authentic 1916 Shiffli lace blouse may be so delicate, without proper restoration it could literally fall apart. Think of gowns belonging to the ages like you would certain antiques: some so precious to be considered museum quality. Depending on restoration, the rule of thumb is, the older the gown the less they should be worn. If you are set on wearing that 1910 dress find a specialist in restoration who can advise. At this point you may have to decide whether or not going green or wearing a repro Art Deco (possibly in synthetic or made in overseas sweatshops) is the more important.

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

Above is a reproduction of 30s-40s vintage

The New Issue of Belle

Open publication - Free publishing - More green

RAPSODY IN BLUE

While there are many shades of blue, these pewter and slightly aqua hues do inspire a light muted spring mood found in gardens and sea refuges. Adding light pastels and the texture of berries to your bouquet gives this floral piece real individuality . . .

Blossoming Inspiration

happy monday! i hope this gives you a little morning inspiration. oh how i wish our sun would come back to us and we could see the beautiful blossoming branches and enjoy a romantic dinner out amongst the trees...soon, right? *sigh*

{images: dress, design & decor}

MINIMALIST

Bottega Veneta

Not every dress out there is about flounce and bounce this season. Strip away the ruffles and layers and these simple styles reflect the women who knows less is sometimes more and feels best in a dress that shows her off to the best advantage

Calvin Klein

Emilio Pucci.

GianFranco Ferré.

Luisa Beccaria

Yves Saint Laurent.

Images courtesy iosposa.it

HEART OF GOLD

Kudos to Naomi Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for giving us this stunning set of inspirations. Old and new are fused together here to create a sense of the classic always having belonged to us no matter where we are in the portals of time . . . .

Gown Friday!

yay for friday! i have been wondering if any of you out there were thinking about wearing a short dress for you wedding? the trend is obvious, but i am interested to know how that translates into the average population. is a short dress too modern and not enough wedding-like? or do you love the idea of showing off your personality in a shorter fashion? :)
here is Melissa Sweet's spring 2011 collection. full of short and full-length gown options...the one above is my favorite--gorgeous!!!
see you monday!