Throwback Wedding Style: The 1960’s

For today’s TBT wedding edition, we’re visiting the super-chic 1960’s. I am obsessed with the mod dresses, wild lashes, white eyeliner, and of course the men’s fashion, too. There is so much Pinspiration on this one I will just tone down my own remarks and let y’all oggle over all the gorgeous photos I’m finding. As always, if you’ve thrown a fun vintage wedding or been to one and have the bride’s permission, please send me some pics. I love seeing what my readers are up to! xx

Every little thing about this montage via Want That Wedding is amazing — the colors, the eyes, the veil, the dress. Yes, yes, and more yes! Perfect.

Have a little fun with your tablescapes, as seen here. Image via 100 Layer Cake.

A casual Brooklyn or backyard affair is made extra-special with period-right hair, a lacy minidress, and those fabulous shades. He looks pretty darn cute, too. Image via Love My Dress.

The softer side of the 60s is totally fabulous. I love these hippie-dippie dresses and hairstyles. Image via FabYouBliss.

This is EVERYTHING.

Super-easy party hack: get a vintage suitcase from the era, fill it with a few period books, and leave it open for guests to toss their cards in. Purchase from Etsy vendor Vintage Atmosphere.

The beautiful place where boho and mod meet — this is just amazing. Image via GreenWeddingShoes.

About The Dress: Fabric

From fit and finish to fabric and fashion, there is so much to think about when it comes to your wedding dress. After all, this is the most important (and likely most expensive!) article of clothing you’ve worn to date. So, how to sort through the madness and pick The One? It takes trial and error, for sure, but going in as an informed shopper with some research under your belt and inspiration pictures in your arsenal surely won’t hurt. Today we’re kicking off a new series at the request of a reader. We’ll be talking dress selection from every point of view. For the first installment, it’s all about my favorite fabrics:

Silk and silk satin
Probably one of the most commonly recognizable wedding gown fabric options, silk has been popular throughout history. You need to be careful about quality if you go this route, as poorly made or imitation silk can ride up, bubble, or fray easily. However, there are satin replicas of the fabric that can work if you dig hard enough. Remember that silk will show every bump, so don’t be afraid to size up a bit and have the dress altered down to you. Also, reach for heavier silks like the one shown above. This might not be ideal for weddings in the height of summer, unless you plan to get married indoors. Silk will also wrinkle and show sweat, so be careful. That said, when done right it is one of the lushest and most beautiful options around. This stunning design in heavy-weight “latte” silk features hand beading done in Paris. Johanna Johnson 2011.

Tulle
If you’re all about the romance factor, I highly recommend seeking out layer upon layer of tulle. There is something so effortlessly girly and quietly dramatic about a poofy ballgown with this semi-modern twist. Make sure that the under layer of your gown is a soft, gauzy material that breathes. Cotton, linen, and so on will all do, as will the right synthetic blend, as long as it is nice and thin. Surprisingly, you might find you won’t roast in a tulle ballgown, because the airiness of the fabric itself allows you to breathe right through it. These dresses are especially pretty with a fitted bodice in a contrasting fabric like silk or lace, but I also can’t get enough of this all-tulle version above, the “Marie” by The Bridal Tree on Etsy. $800.

Lace
We all know there is a special place in my heart reserved for lace wedding gowns. Mine, from Pronovias, featured three different types layered over each other and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever put on my body. Remember that the term “lace” applies widely so bear with me on this one — you’ll want to search through the racks and find the fits and fabrications of the laces that work best for you. Most commonly, lace is made of cotton these days. But you will also find silk and linen available, as well as synthetic options. This is all a matter of budget, construction, and the look and feel of the gown, so trust your instincts. In my humble opinion, it’s difficult to go wrong with a lace dress — unless it just isn’t your style in which case, I’d avoid trying any on to keep your posse from falling in love and pressuring you into it! The elegant lace gown above was featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs and I am unsure of the designer. I do know, however, that Amsale and Monique Lhuillier play with lace a lot. Carolina and Oscar also put out lovely options, Pronovias is a top pick, and there are countless more affordable lace gowns available on Etsy, too.

Jersey
Definitely a modern option. Uber-flattering on most figures, but you’ll want to seek out a thicker or double-skirted version to avoid any see-through factor. This fabric will drape elegantly for a pretty, often Grecian effect. Also, if your budget is limited you might want to check out this option. Very beautiful gowns can be made much less expensively in a cotton or other stretch jersey construction, meaning you can get the details and shape you seek, even from a top designer, at a fraction of the typical cost of a dress. I really love the Badgley Mischka beaded option above for its simplicity and elegance of design. And, at only $595, the price is right. Available at Saks.

Chiffon
There are countless ways to make chiffon work, and whether it’s an entire overlay or just a back detail, this is a timelessly beautiful element to seek in a dress. Chiffon is a sheer fabric and doesn’t breathe great, so you’ll definitely need a gown that has a more breathable layer underneath. If the bodice or back of the gown is constructed exclusively in chiffon, make sure when trying it on that you move your arms around a bunch and practice sitting and bending over a bit (as if dancing) to ensure that the fabric has enough give to keep you comfortable. Your seamstress might need to alter it a bit to add more length for accommodating a range of motion. The dress shown above features a chiffon overlay with a double polyester lining. I don’t recommend poly for weddings in high summer, though, because you’ll sweat. A lot. This is an Etsy find at the steal of only $299. Vendor: Folded Roses.

For a detailed list of wedding dress fabric terms that will make you feel truly knowledgeable at your appointment, check out The Knot.

Let’s Color

One of the things I love most about Pinterest is that it brings the concept of the inspiration board to everyday people — not just artists and designers. I’ve been a massive fan of the inspiration board for years and love getting inspired for many things — from character development in a piece of nonfiction to party planning for a friend’s birthday — by creating mood, color, and concept boards.

As you plan your wedding, you might know automatically which colors speak to you and nail them down right away. I thought I had it all figured out — navy and pale pink — until I looked at all the inspiration I was gathering and realized I was way off. In addition to your pinning, which is ridiculously fun, I recommend making some actual mood boards to get you feeling inspired. Grab lovely images and scraps of fabric, ribbon and magazine pages — throw in an old selfie of you two, and so on. Roll up your sleeves and start working on a massive collage of what your wedding means to you. You might just find, as I did, that your perfect palette emerges.

You can also check out how mine developed on my personal wedding board, We Were Married By the Sea.

If you love lavender, seek inspiration photos that include deeper purples and other accents like the cream in this table setting. The lime flowers also call to mind multitonal greens, which can be worked in multiple different ways.

Love isn’t always a matter of black and white, but if your wedding will be, consider warming things up with gold or cooling off with silver. The subtle glow of coral-brown in the stairwell picture above could be inspiration for the perfect, complimentary flowers to fit your wedding day.

Don’t choose between red and pink — just find ways they can work together. This bold and super-sweet palette is rockin’ … and timeless in its own, wild way.

Images used in this post have been borrowed from Pinterest. Collages were created by Jensy.

Sparkly Things

During my brief stint on the main floor of Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue flagship, I learned many things. Among them — many tourists view their first time in the store as an absolutely magical experience, public engagements make me cry, gossip and drama can thrive among peer groups that span well into their 50s, and probably most surprisingly — there are women all over the city, nay, the world, who choose. their. own. engagement. rings.

Tiffany Embrace engagement ring, priced from $13,9000. Tiffany.com for information.

Until I saw it with my own eyes, I literally had no idea this was a thing. Sure, Josh and I were at the two-and-a-half-year point, my mom and I often spent Sunday afternoons on the phone discussing the would-be nuptials like they were a natural, though far-off, thing. And every time a friend got engaged, I would say a secret prayer that she’d let me try her ring on (thank you, Kate, for letting me wear yours for stretches of time. I’ve never forgotten that kindness). But I never, ever, dreamed of hinting at Josh on what I might like. In fact, for such a style-minded girl, it’s kind of shocking that I don’t really remember thinking about what I might like. I just wanted a diamond! Or, more precisely, I wanted an engagement!

Cartier Ballerine solitaire, 1-800-227-8437

I saw girls traipsing into Tiffany’s with their wide-eyed boyfriends at their sides, often looking like terrified deer in the headlights of what would be an expensive and dramatic undertaking for which no one could be sure if they were ready. And the aggression! And the sighs of, “But I want platinum….” To me, it seemed really self-important and uncool. But there must be a gray area between pushy wannabe brides and other unattached girls who just have certain styles they gravitate toward.

The good news is, you can let him know what you like without being a pushy brat. If you’re close with his best friend or sister, that’s golden. Slip it in after a couple of cocktails: “In case you ever need this information down the line, I love a three-stone ring on a rose gold band.” They will remember it when they’re called upon whenever he is ready. Or, that handy Pinterest board that those of us engaged before 2012 did not have? Use it. Just leave it open on the shared computer. Trust. He’ll get the hint.

Vintage ruby and engagement ring, ErstwhileJewelry on Etsy.com

I lucked out because my husband has fantastic taste. Maybe it’s because he’s a product of a mom who works in the fashion industry, or maybe it’s because he made it to his early 30’s before getting engaged, watching friends left and right propose with rings that were either hits or misses. But either way, when he presented me with my 2-carat, round brilliant, four-prong stone on a narrow platinum band, I gasped. I did not really have an idea of what I wanted, but in abstract terms I had probably pictured more drama, something busier. It never even crossed my mind that a stone that perfectly cut and simply adorned could be mine — and better yet, could be the symbol of our lifelong commitment. It became (and remains) my favorite thing to stare at. Its beauty intensifies every day. He really, truly, nailed it — and without a word from yours truly.

3-Stone round style in a platinum setting. Build your own at BlueNile.com.

Browse the rings in the bridal magazines, swing by Tiffany’s yourself, build that dream engagement board. But please remember that when you receive your most sparkly thing, all of your dreams are increased, multiplied, and changed. It won’t matter one lick if the ring is “exactly what you wanted.” The engagement will be all that and more.

Check me out on Pinterest for a ton of wedding and engagement inspiration.

New Year, New Hair: The Deets

So, having nothing whatsoever to do with weddings, I thought I would share with you my latest BIG CHANGE. I’ve been wanting bangs for, gee, ever. More like seven years since I grew out my last set. I was thisclose to getting them in 2012 but we got engaged and I knew I should wait, just in case I didn’t end up loving them. A word on that.

If you’re engaged and contemplating a hair overhaul, I strongly suggest waiting until after the big day. Some face-framing highlights or even extensions that can be ditched if they aren’t right? Great. But don’t lop your hair off two months before the wedding because I can pretty much guarantee it will lead to tears later on.

The original hair, photographed late August so add about an inch…

That said. I am married now and the glorious wedding is behind us. I’ve been plotting about the bangs for months, and revealed the plan to Josh on the honeymoon. My incredibly chic partner in crime or at least in life and in passion did not hesitate to give me the okay. He even responded energetically and cast his vote as I scrolled through a slew of fringe ideas on Pinterest.

The haircut inspiration — just perfect! (Thank you, Pinterest)

This weekend we were home in Manhattan to celebrate Josh’s birthday. On Saturday morning, I nervously rode the subway en route to my personal heaven, Sally Hershberger Downtown. At this chicer-than-chic salon, you’ll never receive anything but the absolute most cutting-edge (no pun intended, really!) services and style. I am enamored of my brilliant colorist Justin and long-time stylist Matt. Sadly, (well, happily for him!) Matt was basking in a post-engagement glow this weekend and unable to cut my hair. But my bangs were ready to be revealed — and I put them in the able hands of newer stylist Eddie.

When Eddie sidled up pre-color to chat to Justin about my locks, I divulged my plan to do bangs and he was totally in it. Then, lifting a sad section of my worn and tired, bleached-out locks, he asked, “And what about the rest?”

The modified inspiration — Alexa Chung (love her)

The rest? That hair had spent a long weekend in Paris with me. That hair had been curled to perfection and braided at the sides, fitted with a headpiece and a veil for my wedding. That hair had tumbled, carefree, down my back as I soaked up the sun off the coast of Tuscany. It had been tied up in bandanas, bows, and braids, from Dallas to Nashville to DC. I’ve been taking prenatals, even though I’m not pregnant, to keep that hair as long as humanly possible. The rest? Eek!

“Oh, you know,” I answered breezily. “The usual. Just a trim.” Silence. “Or, maybe, I don’t know, do you want to do a whole inch?” The word “inch” without its usual “half-” beforehand came out as a little squeak.

Eddie and I exchanged a look with Justin watching cautiously. There were no more words — the truth revealed itself in the ratty ringlets that I’ve been ignoring in the mirror since September. “You want to take all of this off, don’t you?” I asked, clutching the bottom five inches in my ice-cold hand.

“It’s time,” Eddie nodded. He paused briefly to convey a sense of seriousness, but I couldn’t help but catch the glimmer in his eye.

The next thing I knew, scissors had been retrieved and the first few inches were gone so that Justin could get to work on the color without wasting time or product on what would soon find its way to the black wood floor beneath me. I looked at my reflection. It wasn’t that short. It was longer than shoulder length. And, wow! It looked so thick, so healthy. There was nothing straggly at the end. Okay, I thought. I did it! This is great.

Natural-looking highlights painted expertly on and second glass of water down the hatch, I headed over to Eddie’s chair for the moment of truth. Much like at the doctor, when they chat brightly with you about your work and friends to distract you from the fact that you’re being examined and it sucks, Eddie chattered away with me about New Year’s plans, our significant others, etc.

Then, the first snip. The bangs were underway. And after the bangs, layers. Inches. That long-past-shoulder-length style I’d seen in the mirror just twenty minutes ago? That was just a base. There was so much more hair to say goodbye to. I don’t think I’ll ever forget peering down at my lap and watching the sheer volume of hair that fell into it in the moments that came next. When I first saw it, a strong wave of nausea washed over me — I literally thought I might throw up, in front of all these chic people in their black leather and wool. But I kept thinking about Alexa Chung and Patti Smith and a long list of other insanely cool girls that have made a lob with bangs so freaking cool over the years, and I talked myself out of the panic. Mostly.

The result!

All told, I can’t express the freedom and bad-assery I felt upon departing the salon and hitting the streets. I wished for a limitless credit card so I could go buy a Helmut Lang bomber, or hell, an entire black Isabel Marant wardrobe, to go with my awesome new hair. Instead, I hailed a cab and bought a $3 round brush with which to style my new bangs.

It’s been three days and the compliments (and looks of confusion) have been pouring in. While my sweet husband was not expecting to find a short-haired wife at his birthday dinner on Saturday night, I think he gets a little thrill from my new look. (He even shared, after a few cocktails, that I reminded him of Amelie and he felt a little like he was in Paris. I’ll take it!)

Nothing lasts forever, and I’m sure my hair will be long again one day. But for now, I can tell you two things — I absolutely love my Alexa-meets-Patti-meets-Jensy new hair…  And sometimes in life, you have to just do the thing that scares you. You might find it’s exactly the thing you needed.

PS — Book your appointment at Sally Hershberger by calling (212) 206-8700.

Back in Action on Fashion Friday

For those of you who were mildly concerned that perhaps I choked on a piece of gluten-free wedding cake and perished, allow me to quell your fears. I am very much still alive, though my new schedule is killing me. After five weeks of working for myself, from home, I secured a full-time editorial position in DC. While our furry children are outraged that I chose intellectual and social stimulation over the thrills of at-home-pet-momdom, this was definitely the right choice. Josh is mildly disappointed by the less gourmet meals that have found their way to our dinner table each night, but proud of me nonetheless. And I’m extraordinarily grateful to have my shoe budget back intact.

Incredibly panicked selfie on my first walk to the metro: will i make it there? will they like me?

But wow, am I dead tired. It’s remarkable how after six years of working full-time jobs with part-time jobs on top of them, racking up as many as eighty hours a week (don’t forget those Fashion Week events, Saturday afternoon scrambles, and babysitting to afford my Chanel makeup), a mere month and a half can get you out of the routine. On Day One of my new nine-to-six job, I found my eyelids feeling heavy during a 2 pm meeting. On Day Three, a colleague caught me on my third run to the complimentary coffee station (holler) and declared me a “slave to the bean.” I’m starting to adjust and am feeling a bit more like a human, but I imagine it will take another week or so before the new routine becomes natural.

So, now that we’ve gotten that lengthy explanation about why the h*** I haven’t posted in over a week, let’s get back to what we love most: weddings! In honor of Fashion Friday, I’ve decided to break down some of my favorites from the ever-expanding pool of modern wedding gown trends. You down?

Boho lace
It should serve as no surprise that I absolutely adore a bohemian lace gown. Mine fit a little closer to the body than what I’d originally envisioned–mostly because my mom and Pookie refused to let me get anything too flowy. But I loved the nightgownish feel and open back. I believe my Pronovias gown earned high marks for elegance due to the three different types of lace used in its construction. Here is another boho lace look I love:

A vintage cut gives this Elise Hameau gown lasting impact.

Ballgown with a dose of whimsy
While a dramatic wedding gown would have been totally wrong for my venue, if you’re going to do it, you should go all out. Make sure your selection has plenty of fairy tale-esque details and a soft skirt or flowing sleeves to avoid looking stiff in photos–and on the dance floor.

This off-white stunner by Vivian Luk Atelier is made dreamy with layer upon layer of soft chiffon on the skirt.

Color, especially pink
If a classic white aesthetic just isn’t for you, fear not. There are scores of beautiful options with hints of hue or full-on color to fulfill your grownup-girly dreams. My personal favorites are pink, but there is something incredibly special about sky blue or even mint in a wedding gown.

Temperley London wows with this style from the RTW collection. No, it’s not intended as a wedding dress, but um, it totally works!

Party in the back
Okay, it might not be the most practical for the dinner portion of the program, but if we’re being honest, you barely sit down for a minute at your own wedding. Consider a dress that’s very classic and sensible in the front, and wildly unique from the rearview.

This Lanvin bow-back gown stopped my breath when I first saw it. It doesn’t get much more fantastical!

If you haven’t had enough, check out tons more inspiration on my wedding boards on Pinterest. Some of my favorites are Modern Fairytale, Bohemian, and Glitzy.

Wintry Mix, Bridal Edition

Has anyone else been “grounded” by the Nor’easter? Joshy and I were supposed to head North yesterday afternoon, stay the night in New Jersey with his best man’s family, play with the baby all morning today, and head into Manhattan around lunchtime. But when he arrived home last night after a commute twice as long as usual, with the weathermen warning everyone to batten down the hatches, we decided to throw the plan in the trash, order Greek salads, and watch Newsroom On Demand instead of traveling.

My guys watching the rain come down yesterday afternoon… so sweet.

So, here we are on the day before Thanksgiving planning to leave tonight for New York instead. It might be masochistic to travel in these crowds, but the wintry mix was a much worse thing to face. All this talk of flurries has me thinking of winter weddings though. I thought I would dedicate today’s post to some of the stunningly lovely things I’ve been seeing on Pinterest and elsewhere of late. And have I mentioned that Josh, my mom, Noah and I have been invited to one such wedding this January? I am bursting with excitement to see my sweet friend Tara say “I do” with a beautiful DC winter backdrop in two months.

Here’s what I love:

DARK and vibrant colors. So much of winter wedding decor can be covered by a blanket of white. That’s gorgeous, but you need certain items to stand out. How stunning is this bouquet? I am picturing bridesmaids in similar hues–possibly in lace or floor-length silk.

Stormy weather. You may not be able to plan the snowfall, but if you’re lucky enough to get it, embrace it. A white umbrella is a lovely prop for this divinely romantic shot. Winter brides: have one at the ready!

Long sleeves. You may be tempted by your childhood visions to go strapless, but a long-sleeved wedding gown is a luxury only the winter bride can fully enjoy. I guarantee you will swoon every time you look at your photos in years to come. This design is from Jenny Packham, one of my favorite designers.

Ice princess. This is your day — why not make it a royal one? An icicle-inspired headdress is absolutely stunning and you can find them on Etsy at great prices. This piece is just beautiful. $45 here.

S’mores martini. Because, um, why not?

Find tons more inspiration, updated daily, on my Winter Weddings board on Pinterest.

All-White Wedding

Many brides feel it is wildly disrespectful for a guest to wear a white dress to their wedding. As a rule, never do it. But the occasional bride prefers a clean, white aesthetic for her celebration, and thus the bridesmaid dresses follow suit. I went to an all-white wedding this summer and it worked beautifully. The bride donned an off-white, vintage-look boho gown and her maids were in all different white lace frocks. Theirs were short to make a distinction. The look was exquisite.

If you’re thinking of an all-white wedding, I totally applaud your choice. The look is timeless and stunning–and it photographs amazingly. For your bridesmaids, you’ll want to make sure you stand out like my friend did. Whether it’s a matter of hemlines, cut, fabric or shades of white, there must be a differentiation between you and them.

Her bridesmaids are in short, cream dresses to ensure she remains center stage.

You can put your bridesmaids in long white dresses and still stand out. With a boho look like this, I would do more dramatic flowers for the bride, and make sure your dress has a different fit from theirs to avoid blending in.

The flowers, cake and table settings will be gorgeous in all white, too. Be sure to include a variety of textures and finishes–matte, shiny, woven, etc in your planning so that the light creates pretty shadows to show off all the details, and to translate into the photographs.

This bride let the green stems of her flowers show through clear vases to break up the white just a bit.

A pure white cake is so elegant. The detail on this one adds interest.

If you’d like to see more all-white wedding ideas, check out my White Weddings board on Pinterest.

Making a List (Checking it WAY More than Twice)

As we get closer and closer (the wedding is just over four months away!), I’ve decided the best way to keep my priorities and deliverables straight is with a constant running check list. It was my MOH, Pookie, who suggested putting a few items on there that are already done, so I can feel the satisfaction of checking them off. Brill!

I put the list together on Monday and emailed copies to my groom and wedding planner/Mom. As we continue to work through the list, I’m sure more things will come up. But there is a certain sense of control that comes from this four-month checklist. With all the big-ticket stuff figured out, Josh and I can really focus on the details now, and as lovely as the venue and dress are, I can’t describe how excited I am to plan and finalize things like the dessert table, paper goods, centerpieces and more.

not to give too much away, here is a tiny snippet from the three-page list. i recommend sub-categorizing meticulously to ensure every last detail is covered.

Of all the pretty little details, here are some of my favorite things we’re hoping to incorporate into the big day. What about you?

Check out my Pinterest (Jensy Studenroth) for a ton more fun ideas!