TRUNK SHOW!
Dress Code Decoded: What to Wear to Other People’s Weddings
We’re so proud to introduce you to our friend Lauren from Where The Style Things Are! Lauren & I met at a Marie Claire event last week - and essentially - she’s my “sister from another mister.” I immediately swooned over our shared Hermes Clic-H bracelets, and once I got over the girl crush - I realized - she has an awesome style blog! We’ve exchanged blog posts - so go ahead and hop on over to her site to see our guest posting as well!
-Brittany
Hey y’all! I am so excited to be posting on Happily Ever BorroWED about my favorite seasonal topic – what to wear to weddings. I know that most of you, like me, go to loads and loads of other people’s weddings throughout the year and sometimes it’s hard to decode the dress code for an invitation. It’s not always stated, but there are little clues to help you out along the way and I’ve got you covered. Below, check out my suggestions for any invite you may get this year. (And yes, I have gotten some of these special attire requests!)
REHEARSAL DINNER:
Beach Chic
$290
Go for bold with this play on tie-dye. It’s not your traditional strapless maxi dress most girls reserve for an occasion like this, so you’ll stand out even more.
Colorful Cocktail
$49.90
Colorful is just a playful word they probably added to make the invitation look snazzier, but no matter. While everyone else’s purples and pinks fight with each other, an icy blue makes the right impact.
WEDDING:
Garden Location
$110
I know, I know – traditional floral dress for a garden wedding – boring! But not in a cool, slightly pixilated floral maxi – the twist on a classic makes it look fresh, and you can dress it up with an updo and heels or make it more casual with hair down and chic sandals.
Destination
$168
A destination wedding usually means beach, but sometimes you want another option outside of the floral. Try this pretty yellow number with colorful accessories.
Creative Black Tie
$200
Creative black tie is one of those insane, new-agey tag lines that sometimes feel like they were made to drive us nuts. However, I know what it means – plaid bow ties and cummerbunds at holiday weddings, loudly printed ones during the summer. To avoid the confusion overall, I’d go with a simple, reliable dress and add fun colorful shoes that might otherwise be gauche at such a fancy wedding.
Formal
$320
Lace can always be relied on to really turn up the volume and I love the sleek, sexy silhouette of this dress. If you go with lace, keep it short with a higher neck, which will help elongate your shape and bring attention to your assets.
Black Tie
$414
Formal and black tie are basically interchangeable for a woman – it’s the man who can wear a tuxedo or dark suit to the formal event and only a tuxedo to the black tie. Surprise everyone and pick a navy instead of boring black, and use the beading to counter the shorter hemline.
Family Wedding
$268
Sure, the invite won’t say “family wedding” but you still need to dress accordingly if more than 50% of the attendees are your family. Keep your “top goodies” covered to keep wayward relatives from talking. You don’t have to go totally frumpy though – the shorter skirt livens up this dress.
High Noon Wedding
$115
Yes, more lace – but it’s the hottest fabric for Spring/Summer 2012! And colored lace is just so unexpected. A high noon wedding involves morning suits for the men in the bridal party, but what’s appropriate for the women in the pews? Stay safe with a classic fit-and-flare shape, but use the color to have some fun.
City Hall ceremony
$89
The court needs to be as revered as a church, and show your reverence by this softly printed, knee length stunner – perfect for a city club or tea room reception after.
Palm Beach Chic
$425
And finally, my favorite dress code – Palm Beach Chic! This is not always reserved for Palm Beach, but it just means have fun with it. Throw color, pattern, and a little wackiness into it and try this awesome frock.
Have any other wedding attendee questions? I am always willing to help – you might even inspire me for posts! Check out my site to contact me.
Lauren is a freelance fashion editor and events consultant working in New York City. She has worked extensively in both luxury and fast fashion and runs her own blog, Where The Style Things Are, where she showcases her fashion knowledge alongside interiors, food, and other lovely interests.
Click here to win this stunning statement necklace (valued at over $700!) from Enchanted Atelier as part of our 31 Days of Giveaways on Brides.com!
Wedding Hair Consultation Tips
Deciding what your hair will look like is very important. It not only makes the pictures, the dress and the make-up come together, but it defines your entire wedding ensemble and sets you a part from your wedding party. This is why it is crucial for you to get a hair consultation.
Your first consultation should be at least 3 months before your big day. This way you can make sure that your stylist gets it right-or feel free to change your mind. However many appointments you want after that-that is between you and your stylists. We recommend 2 to make sure you have it perfect.
Lastly, don’t forget to take PLENTY of pictures! You may forget what it looked like the first time that you went (and the stylist certainly won’t remember with all of the clients they have) and you don’t want to start completely over the second time (or you may, if you decide later that you do not like it).
Our advice:
*Choose someone who has experience doing hair for photo shoots, TV, film or theater. (or obviously weddings) They understand what is necessary for those up close glamorous shots throughout your big day as well as how much time your hair will take when working with a budgeted amount of time.
*When you go for your pre-wedding consultation, bring a picture of both the front and back of your wedding dress, as well as the jewelry that you plan on wearing to your wedding, as both of these can factor in how you want your hair to look. Whether it be up or down, these details matter as you do not want your hair getting caught in your jewelry or if you are going without jewels, you may want to go for a down look, with your hair sweeping against your neck.
*If your wedding gown is strapless, wear a tube top to the consultation so that you can get a visual of what your hair will look like against your bare shoulders.
*Don’t forget to bring your vail-as this may affect how you want your hair styled.
*Plan a night out the evening of your trial to make sure the style doesn’t fall out after an hour—or two minutes. Go dancing after and get drinks with the girls to make it a fun night for everyone. If your hair falls out after an hour or two-that’s a sign that something needs to be fixed.
*Don’t forget to bring your vail-as this may affect how you want your hair styled.
*Plan a night out the evening of your trial to make sure the style doesn’t fall out after an hour—or two minutes. Go dancing after and get drinks with the girls to make it a fun night for everyone. If your hair falls out after an hour or two-that’s a sign that something needs to be fixed.
-Chelsea
I’ll Take One In Every Color, Please!
Can you even grasp how fabulous and utterly breathtaking Kate Middleton looks in this number?! I love this color and can imagine this gown in so many different hues, but of course one in particular is sticking out in my mind: white. This gown is so on point with 2012 bridal trends and would look as ah-mazing (!) walking down an aisle as it does on the red carpet! Designer Jenny Packham really out-did herself with this one. I just love when great designers team up with fashion icons to make something fabulous happen for all of our eyes to feast on! Can’t wait to watch for Kate Middleton’s next oh-so-perfect fashion appearance and to continue loving Jenny Packham’s beautiful creations grace runways and red carpets, alike!
-Mary
Look of the Day: Malin wears our 40” mixed gobstopper pearls necklace. Pow! (Taken with instagram)
We like it!
La Gartier
The garter toss has been around for ages, but the tradition has changed. It used to be that the bride and groom had to show proof of their wedding consummation, and in order to do so, it was common tradition to have people such as family and friends come into the room with the couple. The “witnesses” would obtain the garter as “proof” of the consummation. Another tradition of good luck was obtaining a piece of undergarments from the couple, so onlookers would try to grab them. This, however, was not a tradition that the bride or groom were found of, and so the tradition moved from the bedroom to the reception room. This is the tradition we know today- where the groom removes the garter from the bride’s leg and tosses it at all of the single men.
Now, much like other accessories the bride wears on her big day, garters have become a staple of fashion. Bows, lace, rhinestones, pearls-etc-La Gartier has brides covered with the most glamours garters you will find! Don’t see exactly what you want? No problem! Brides can get a customized garter to fit her style and personality. “Brides have the opportunity to pick from a wide array of materials to create an entirely unique, personalized garter for her special day—to keep for the rest of her life. Pick from silk trim to grosgrain ribbon, from fresh sea water pearls to swarovski crystal rhinestones, all the way to the designer’s collection of vintage jewelry….La Gartier has everything you need to make a garter that says ‘YOU’”, says their web site.
Now, much like other accessories the bride wears on her big day, garters have become a staple of fashion. Bows, lace, rhinestones, pearls-etc-La Gartier has brides covered with the most glamours garters you will find! Don’t see exactly what you want? No problem! Brides can get a customized garter to fit her style and personality. “Brides have the opportunity to pick from a wide array of materials to create an entirely unique, personalized garter for her special day—to keep for the rest of her life. Pick from silk trim to grosgrain ribbon, from fresh sea water pearls to swarovski crystal rhinestones, all the way to the designer’s collection of vintage jewelry….La Gartier has everything you need to make a garter that says ‘YOU’”, says their web site.
Need some inspiration or want to take a look at their collection? Visit their catalog or “custom gallery” for ideas on the perfect design for your big day! Below are 2 from their unique collection.
-Chelsea
The Met Gala (à la bride)
…here’s how we’d style these ladies in some of Happily Ever Borrowed’s unique bridal accessories!
Leighton, we wouldn’t want anything to cover up that shiny, sexy chest of yours! But we’d add a little extra something to complete your golden mermaid look, and these Martine Earrings by Justine M. Couture would do just the trick:
Jessica, it’s hard to critique such a gorgeous gal, but we’d stick to one color on the accessories, lose the bangle, and sweep your hair back gently on the left with this Mary Kate Comb by Avant Bride:
Emma Roberts, we’d add our beautiful Black Velvet sash by Elle & Jae to this stunning goldenrod gettup for a little more pizzaz:
Emma Stone, you are cute cute cute! We wouldn’t want to glam up your short dress with anything too heavy, but we love your hair all pulled up so we add Justine M. Couture’s Send Me Three Shooting Stars:
Sophia, our hourglass hero in this knock-out…you’ll have to teach us how to strike this pose one day! We love the bracelets and earrings. But we’d add something to diva-fy this one even more - Kitty Andrews’ Claire Headpiece. After all, we know you can pull it off!
-Deirdre
Here’s a stunner! As seen in the stylemepretty.com gallery
Reminds me of thisstunner…. Our Carrie B Necklace from Enchanted Atelier!
Our favorites are on Brit’s list too! Check it out ladies!
-Deirdre
brit:
Newly engaged and already have the food processor of your dreams? Are you and your darling a pair of do-gooders, travelers or foodies?
Then check out these 15 non-traditional registry options, and forget figuring out which butter knife you like best. :)
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