Take the Plunge

Modest wedding dresses are totally a thing, but not for all of us. I was thrilled to have a deep plunge in my dress, but on the right gal, at the right wedding, an even more dramatic v-neck is often the perfect thing. With modern dress designs offering such a wide range of styles, I thought it would be fun to take a walk on the sexy side today. Happy Friday to all!

I am absolutely in love with this effortlessly feminine, utterly romantic Nina Ricci frock. The gauzy fabric with lace edges, the casual yet careful draping, the skin that’s revealed with all the right parts covered… it just doesn’t get any prettier than this. In my next life, I am wearing this at my wedding.

With a totally different vibe than the dress above, this one has an almost vintage feel despite its modern v-neck. The elegant sleeves balance out the skin shown at the front and shoulders, while a body-skimming design is flattering and classic. By Berta; image from WeddingInspirasi.com.

Feeling totally enamored of this easy-to-wear gown available at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite. The straps offer a nice change of pace as they’re sheer but sturdy, and the lace peeking out at the base of the neckline is just lovely. It’s rare to see satin blended so well on a chiffon and lace dress, but the sash here really works, and I imagine makes a gal feel quite thin at the middle. Even though this has a plunging neckline, it manages to be modest. Just darling!

Oh my goodness, it’s a party! Cascading chiffon ruffles are the stuff the dreams are made of, and yet the fitted bodice balances everything out for a seductive yet refined look. The criss-cross motif at the top creates a perfect shape, exposing just enough skin. And with this much going on in the skirt, a form-fitting and slightly revealing top is just perfect. Designer unknown.

Crowning Glory

My bridal look. This mini-crown is from Pronovias.

There are few things that get me like a bridal crown. I mean, is there a point at which you’ve gone too far, and you are literally trying to be a princess? Sure. But, even then — it’s your wedding. If you want to do it, just do it. I’ve been finding a ton of Pinspiration recently with lovely woven, metal, and floral crowns. I just can’t get enough. The headpiece I wore for our big day is resting in a box in my closet; luckily I went with a style that I can totally wear again and again. What are your wedding headpiece plans, if any?

This gold option with flowers and leaves is perfect for her milkmaid-style fishtail braid. Available on Etsy at shop: Ayajewellery, $99

Party in the back! Add major drama — and keep your hair simple — with a vintage-inspired stunner like this.

An array of fresh or dried flowers is boho beauty at its best. Also, consider having a miniature version made for your flower girl.

Absolutely in love with the tulle base on this one, and the fact that it ties with a bow.

Ahhhhh! So ethereal and gorgeous. I mean, why not?

Don’t be afraid of color! Sometimes a burst of blooms can be just the thing.

Fashion Friday and a Hint of Pink

We’ve talked about our passion for all things pink many, many times. And though I always wanted a pink-dominated wedding, I scaled things down and created a palette that was flooded with pastels and not rose-dominant. After all, like my mother told me, this was not an eight-year-old’s birthday party.

That said, I truly believe that you can make an all-pink wedding work many different ways. But it’s your day, and you’re the star. So what if you just decide to harness all of that pink deliciousness and wear it? This girly-girl says, Go for it!

I loved the boho feel of our entire day, but I wanted to punch it out. So, I opted for a pair of bad-ass hot pink shoes by my favorite design house. Here they are. And, below are a more demure pair in a similar style, for the bride who loves pink — but er, maybe not that much.

A princess-like veil is a darling choice. She just looks incredible. Of course, you can see she’s also wearing a blush gown, but you could add a veil like this to any dress and still get your touch of pink in. Check out Etsy for a ton of vendors who can make you something like this.

Or, consider a pink headpiece. This is without the doll-like effect of the veil above, but a truly excellent way to mark your transformation from princess to queen. Her crown of flowers is incredibly bohemian and sweet, but you could also glitz it out with crystals or rose gold.

Or, you could just go all the way there with a pink gown. Below is some inspiration but there is a ton more out there. Speak with your bridal consultant about it and he or she will likely have tons to pull you. And remember, you can always add a flush of blush by having your dream dress dyed or enhanced in other ways with pink. It’s your moment — if you want to see it through rose-colored tulle, you should!

Check out my Pink Wedding board on Pinterest, too!

Throwback Thursday: The Flower Girl Edition

Are you planning to have a flower girl at your wedding? I was not into the dress offerings for ours at any of the bridal shops we went to, mostly because it was a beach wedding and I felt such a little girl would feel stiff and uncomfortable in something too formal. In the end, we went with a gauzy white dress from Saks and baby’s breath crown.

So, what’s the throwback?

Here I am at four, making my way down the aisle at the wedding of one of my mother’s best childhood friends. You don’t need to do the math to figure out what era this was — I believe the floral print on my dress makes that pretty evident. (Note: the bride wore peach). I won’t mortify Mom by including a snap of her in the puff-sleeved, made-to-match ensemble she was forced to wear, but suffice it to say, she is the only person on earth who could have pulled it off.

When selecting the look for the little girl(s) featured at your wedding, I focus on three main elements — theme, comfort, and age — and how the three relate. If you’re planning a fancy-shmancy Manhattan soiree with black-tie requested, and your flower girl is over the age of five, go ahead and bring on the silk satin and the big bow. For winter weddings, velvet is a timeless choice and it will keep her comfortable. Anyone under the age of four needs room under her skirt in case she decides to run around. Or, pull a Jenny and turn at the top of the aisle to go back and collect the flower petals she dropped along the way…

What to Wear to a Wedding

Last night, my maid of honor and I chatted on the phone about the intricacies of our wardrobe planning for the upcoming wedding of a dear college friend. There are many things to consider — it’s a Vermont wedding, so one thinks, a tad less stiff and formal. Perhaps something of the Nantucket variety, a lovely J. Crew number. Then, there’s the obvious — we haven’t seen some of the guests in years… we have to look amazing! But not too amazing, because Josh won’t be joining me. The list goes on.

The invites are piling up and a long list of summer soirees lies ahead; you’re no doubt having a similar conversation with one of your friends. With the season off to a robust start, I think we should dig a little deeper. There is no one magical dress that will work for every wedding you attend, but there are some basic rules we can keep in mind as we shop the racks of our favorite stores– or our own closets, as budgeting might mandate.

this great mini dress from Bec & Bridge is classy and demure from the front …

…and edgy-sexy from the back view. a great choice for cocktail, outdoor or late-night Manhattan weddings. $235, shopbop.com.

Thou shalt not upstage the bride.
This is a biggie, and it goes beyond the obvious, Do not wear white. In addition to not stealing her color, you also should make sure that you are not stealing her thunder. If the invitation states that the attire is cocktail, for example, don’t use this weekend as an excuse to show off the glamorous, floor-sweeping evening gown you nabbed on sale on Barneys last season. The bride is likely the only one who will be wearing a long dress at this more casual affair, and you should stick to something less grand.

dance the night away in this comfy little number made of liquid jersey and available in five great shades. $250, jcrew.com.

Thou shalt leave room for dinner and dancing.
Ok, we’ve all done it. Found ourselves between sizes and opted down one for “inspiration.” Girl, I get it! But anything too tight or clingy is not going to look as great as you envision it looking in your head. And then there’s the issue of dinner…and cake! Make sure that whatever frock you select allows you to sit and stand with relative comfort and ease (I mean, this is not jeans and a tee, so some element of structure is to be expected!) and that your tummy won’t be so restricted as to inhibit the consumption of wedding delicacies. Can you jump up and down in the dress? Twirl? Good. Because after a couple of Pinot Grigios, you’ll likely be doing just that.

this lovely tableau from style me pretty shows off some super-cute couples. notice the pair in pink; his tie looks lovely with her shawl, which is removable. they clearly got ready together, but they don’t look like a sears ad from the 90s. phew.

Thou shalt not “match” your date.
We all know how I feel about matching in general. And coordinating with your husband or boyfriend is just a little tacky. Sorry! Your outfits can relate, and maybe even have one unifying pop of color (your red sash matches his red tie)–personally, I steer entirely clear, but I get it if you want to go there. However, I honestly find that when you work too hard at coordinating your outfits, it sacrifices your true ability to style yourself. Getting caught up in the minute details of your joint colorway could easily keep you from reaching for a look much better suited for the evening.

a smart little clutch like this one from the gap could be the answer to your what-to-wear woes. colorblocked leather with a bright punch of on-trend color makes it a no-brainer and at only $40, it’s a steal. gap.com

A clutch is clutch.
I know women whose closets feature a stack of clutches from here to heaven, in every desirable shade from black to gold. A clutch makes you feel fantastic; so vintage, so chic, so effortless. Hey, I’m the girl who can pack my evening’s loot into this tiny bag! But if you don’t have a clutch that you feel works with your outfit of choice, fret not. Many travel bags (like my favorite little Prada flip flop case) double as clutches. You can also get creative and use your clutch as your accent item. Say you’re wearing a navy dress and nude heels. Work that red bag from the bottom of your pile. Heads will turn! (For what to pack in your clutch, check in with me soon. This is worthy of its own post).

a bold yellow lace frock with cap sleeves is truly divine. metallic stilettos and an easy updo make this look a home run. dress by ABS, $270, saks.com.

Be surprising.
A basic black dress is one of those fantastically versatile items that every women needs. And one of the reasons we need it is so that we can wear it to a wedding in a pinch. But don’t be confined by your little black frocks this wedding season. Think lemon, poppy, hyacinth, turquoise and beyond. Dream in florals and wear them proudly. Go for a vintage look with a great A-line dress featuring a cinched waist. Skip over your Louboutins in favor of something more whimsical. Bottom line: have fun with your choices and sit back with a smile when you start getting tagged on Facebook in a variety of chic little numbers.

Want more tips on how to dress for a wedding? Check out Shopcade, the personal shopping app. They’re having a major Twitter party on June 20th to celebrate Shopcade Wedding Month… and you’re invited. Tons of prizes are being given out, so make sure you’re in on the fun! Learn more at Shopcade.com.

Princess Bride Nails

I think I found the perfect nail color for next week’s engagement shoot. Stark white just seemed too severe in the end, and the creamy pearl I liked wasn’t opaque enough. Geez, have you ever met someone so picky about her polish? In the end I chose a one-two punch of Shellac with two coats of a soft white, “Funny Bunny,” topped off with two coats of a very sheer pale pink sparkly hue called, aptly, “Princesses Rule.”

I think this combination will make for a pretty and neutral look in the engagement photos without being so boldly white that it grabs attention from the most important thing… my ring!

Till then, Josh and I are watching the carbs and cheese intake and shooting emails back and forth with our new photographer to make a plan for which shots we really want to get. I’m looking forward to Christmas with our families, but a part of me just can’t wait to get to Central Park three days later and start smooching my honey in front of the lens. Stay tuned!

All About Hair

Josh loves a bohemian hairstyle, often requesting that I make small side braids or throw a flower in it on our way out the door. For the wedding I definitely want to look polished but still give off the slightly hippie-ish vibe that is representative of our style. I’m not sure yet if we will incorporate a braid (waterfalls are lovely), very loose waves, some flowers or a fabulous hairpiece, but here are some inspirational photos from Style Me Pretty, where I tend to live these days.

On the big day, I just want him to see me and smile. I want him to be blown away by how I look, and any of these goddess-like ‘do’s would definitely work. It’s just a matter of picking one that is effortlessly beautiful and both whimsical and classic at once, something I will love forever when looking back at my wedding photos. Now, the lovely photos: