To blush or not to blush?

That is the question. So ladies, quick poll. What do you think about a blusher? Old fashioned in a fabulous way or snow monster-y?

These days I'm finding that none of my friends are interested in using a blusher, but I think that it can be a beautiful look, provided that the veil is made with high quality tulle or silk and is very transparent.

I'm not a fan of the "I threw a blanket on my head" look, shown below, although she does look rather fairy-like and pretty in her diaphanous garb.
Check out this black veil! Wow, it actually works on her!

(I picked up the first and third pictures from Practical Pinay Bride.)

Veil: Finalized after complete 180

I know, right? An elbow length, double layer, ribbon edged, pouffy-topped veil?

Yep.

This is a looong way from the birdcage, and the cathedral length lattice lace number. But it's going to be awesome. See above picture [single layer version, sample of my dress].

And the BEST part? The reason I can rationalize going so very over budget? It's actually two pieces in one. 

Famed Priscilla of Boston sales lady Ellen [who was actually in a nightmare of mine last night, no joke] was redeemed when she showed me how to turn the VEIL into a WRAP. Whoa! Tuck the comb into the back of the dress and wrap it around your shoulders. Secure with an "heirloom pin" [words straight from the southern grand dame's lips]. Seriously, it looks incredible. But I can't find any images of others who have attempted this. So stay tuned! Til October.

Headpieces!

After reading Victory's post about head gear, I got to looking at some photos of 1960s brides to see if I could find any inspiration. Check it out! Maybe you could bring back the idea of the interesting headpiece, which seemed all the rage. Or maybe you could do this!! Yikes!!

Head gear

Originally, I was sure I would jump aboard the birdcage veil train. With my simple, retro dress, I though that would be a sassy way to dress it up.

But the more I thought seriously about it, the more I realized I wanted a classic look [and the 40s inspired bird cage technically does not synch with my early 60s inspired gown] [and I'm not sure I want some netting hanging in my face ALL DAY LONG].

Enter: the simple cathedral length veil. Such a huge 180-reversal-of-mind-for-me, the one trying to avoid looking like a bride. But what can I say? It's dreamy.

Notice the utter lack of crystals, beading or trim. Does not intrude on the face. May possibly not hate it in 10 years.

So I went and tried several traditional veils on at Kelly's Closet in Atlanta. The cut edge cathedral was perfect. But surprisingly, I also liked an elbow length number. It did have an appropriately retro, sweet and un-dramatic feel. Though the sales girls decided that it would cut off my dress funny, and recommended the cathedral length.

But wait, there's more! This incredible Etsy seller, VeiledBeauty, makes simple, cut edge numbers in this AMAZING fabric called Lattice Lace. So unique! And of course, the only images I can get are of it in this shorter length. [It comes in all lengths, however]

So, what do you think?

Cathedral or elbow? Will I get annoyed when people step on a long one? Will the short version cut off the back of my dress? 

Help please.

Curious combination

It would seem that this solves the age old dilemma of traditional long pretty veil or fun trendy birdcage veil. Just have both!

Do you think it works? I'm on the fence.

Photos by John Rozier via Brooklyn Bride

Wedding, I'm done with you for a while. We need some time apart.

Yesterday, I made some major decisions and was so relieved. I had researched all of the following elements endlessly and decided to just bite the bullet and just book these services! After all, I leave next week for Hawaii and will need to focus on finding gainful employment, not on finding the perfect ribbon.

On Wednesday, I walked into a bridal shop and asked a woman about veils, flower girl dresses, necklaces, shoes and headpieces, all in the span of about one minute. I think she may have suspected that I had either downed 2304923 cups of coffee or was on speed. This is when I realized that I was turning into...not Bridezilla...but the OCD Bride. Enough! I want my personality back!

Voici, my accomplishments of Friday:

1) I bought my veil-- it is long and very, very glamorous! I purchased it from White Swan Bridal in Vienna, VA. I'm not re-veiling what it looks like though (get it? re-veiling? I crack myself up).

2) I booked my florist. This has been in the works for many months now, but we've finally engaged the service of Melissa Sylvain, owner of Sylvain's Florist in Reston, VA. I'm am going to have a beautiful pale peach, pink and ivory bouquet with some sort of gorgeous ribbon yet to be determined. The bridesmaids are going to be sporting red dahlias, red roses and red lilies with a rich ribbon (I'm thinking velvet). At our reception, we'll have dendrobium orchids and curly willow on each table, we think!

3) I booked my photographer. I'm going with Bella Photography. Their concept is pretty cool- the company first sets you up with a consultant, who interviews you, collects vital information about your style and then helps you to make decisions about which package works best. At that point, you go online to rate up to 200 photos, which will help the consultant match you with a photographer. Bella is a national company, so they could theoretically bring a photographer from New York City to DC at no extra cost to the couple, if that NYC person's style was the best fit. Bella exclusively employs 300 people in the DC area alone and so if your person gets sick, there is always a backup. Also, they give you ownership of all your photos and you don't have to order through them- they give a you a CD that does not have watermarked pictures. Also, if a couple can't afford to buy an album at the time (hello! that's me!), you can order it years later. Finally, it only takes 28 days to get photos back! I'm hoping that this works out because pictures are important. Just in case, I'm going to encourage lots of outside picture taking of family and friends! Below is Princess Sophia of Spain at her wedding! 4) I ordered a cake. Pastries by Randolph makes SUPER delicious cakes and has fantastic reviews. Each tier of the cake has five layers and four layers of frosting, so it's very moist (ugh! hate that word.) Their prices are fair and they make very pretty cakes as well. I like the idea of integrating a cascading ribbon into the cake as well- perhaps I'll use the same ribbon as my bouquet? Hmm! Mom likes the separated tiers, so seperated tiers it is. I think we'll have some flowers in between. I toyed with the idea of cupcakes, but I think I'll encourage someone to get them for some other pre-wedding event!

5) I chose invitations. Although we were initially deciding between William Arthur and Crane paper, we decided that they were too expensive, so we're going to order from Invitations by Dawn. Since they are an online company, we requested a sample to make sure that the quality and thickness of the paper is up to snuff. I love traditional stationery and the invite we've chosen is actually quite beautiful and the most old-fashioned, of course!

OK, that's it. Now I'm happy:

(my little niece! love her!)