Finding the Perfect Dress

Finding the perfect gown is not always an easy task, but please try to make it fun!  Most wedded women comment that when they tried on 'the' dress, they knew it was the one.  My advice would be to find a gown you feel beautiful in.  You may not tear up or you may have to limit your choices if you are on a strict budget. The truth is there are lots of 'ifs,' but make sure when you wear your gown you feel incredible, beautiful, and everything you want to feel.  This is your day with your groom, treasure it and take some of the pressure off to be perfect.


A few things to consider when thinking about your wedding dress: What season is your wedding?  What is the location for the ceremony and reception?  Are either in a smaller space, is there room to move around casually in a full-skirted ball gown?  If you are walking down the aisle in a meadow, do you have a runner to accommodate a long train?  Are you having a destination wedding on the beach?  Do you have a themed wedding?  Not that you have to dress for the theme, but do you want to?  Is there a type of material that will work best?  You don't necessarily want to wear a heavy velvet gown during the hot summer for an outdoor ceremony.  Ultimately, the choice is yours to make, but take into account the other elements you want on your wedding day and what dress you will be comfortable in.

from abbyjean.typepad.com

Also look at the different styles of dresses so you can think about what will fit your body type best.  There are so many dress options in the many different silhouettes, fresh and modern, classic and timeless, vintage and lace. 

The basic silhouettes are:

A-line

Ethereal Monarch Gown by BHLDN

Ball Gown

Zara by Lea-Ann Belter

Trumpet or Mermaid

Quinlynn by Maggie Sottero

Sheath, Column, or Slip

Cecilia Gown by J. Crew

A few etiquette rules: Call to book a consult with a bridal boutique, most places require a reservation.  Look, look, and look some more to get an idea of what type of gown you want prior to your consult.  There is nothing wrong with trying different styles, you may be surprised what looks best on your body type, but try to narrow the choices down and have an opinion when you walk in.  Create a budget and clearly state it to your bridal consultant so you are only seeing gowns that you could purchase.  Bring a friend or family member, but don't bring too many so you have a clearer grasp on your feelings instead of 10 of your closest, opinionated friends and family.


The selection of a gown needs to ideally be 6 to 8 months prior to the wedding date.  This permits time for creation and alterations (usually at least 3 alteration appointments after selection).  If you have a shorter time length, make sure to inform your bridal gown consultant.


Again, there are many things to consider when selecting your gown; the bottom line is to make sure you feel beautiful!  Please contact us at info@vintageandlace.com for questions and recommendations.
www.vintageandlace.com

A Symbol of Love

I received an email from a bride this morning looking for jewelers in the Portland area, a common request from a bride and groom hunting for the perfect symbol of their love.  There are many different decisions a bride and groom must make when choosing their wedding bands: style & design, era, metal, rock/gem, etc.  The engaged couple can either choose the rings together (becoming more and more common) or pick the other's band and present it at the ceremony.  When looking for a band that would be a constant on your finger for many years to come, it is important to choose whether you want to go with a vintage or estate ring from a boutique, classic style from a respectable jeweler, or a unique, one-of-a-kind ring from a designer.  Choosing the era or style you are desiring can help direct you where to start your search.  Another thing to consider is if the bride wants a ring that fits with her engagement ring, especially if it has unique architectural elements, sometimes the best option would be to start where the engagement ring was purchased. 

Today I want to look at the different metals you can consider.  Common metals are gold (yellow, white, and rose), platinum, and titanium.  When choosing a type of metal, consider aesthetics/preference, durability, and cost.  With a gold ring you want to have 9kt, 14kt, or 18kt gold because they are the most durable and suitable for daily wear.  Titanium is the most durable metal and still very light weight; it is also good for anyone with allergic reactions to other metals.  One thing to remember about titanium is that it cannot be re-sized.  Platinum is heavier than gold or titanium and is a white, almost pure, metal unlike plated white gold.  It is the most expensive metal. 

Yellow Gold: 

from melissajoymanning.com

Titanium (most common for men's rings):

from shaneco.com

Platinum:

from catbird.com

Selecting wedding bands can be a stressful task, but try to have fun with it!  This is a symbol of your love, remember that the ring is not the most important thing, the love is.  If you need recommendations or help, don't hesitate to contact us at info@vintageandlace.com!

from Antoinette Jewelry, Portland

 www.vintageandlace.com

Signature Beverages

Food and beverages are a very important part of any celebration, and that seems almost double for weddings!  A classic and continuing trend is to have a signature drink at your wedding.  A signature beverage can come from many inspirations: preferences, themes, time periods, locations, desired atmosphere, accent color, etc.  One important thing to consider if choosing a signature drink is to make sure you and your fiance both enjoy the beverage or if your tastes are very different, there is nothing wrong with doing multiple signatures.  Also, you don't have to select an alcoholic beverage, it can be anything from candy-store milkshakes to fresh-squeezed lemonade to lavender-infused vodka martinis (lavender is currently in abundance here in the NW, if you haven't yet made plans you can go to farms all around the Portland area to buy lavender by the bushels!).  

from islanddelightsoh.food.officelive.com

from ggconcessions.com

from creative-culinary.com

When one of my brothers got married several years ago, they went with a themed signature drink - Hurricanes!  My brother proposed in New Orleans, which was always and still is a special place for him and my now sister-in-law.  They decided to add touches of Mardi Gras and New Orleans to their reception, and in continuation of their theme they served the typical Bourbon Street beverage of hurricanes.

from food2.com

In March 2010 a dear friend of mine got married in San Antonio, a beautifully romantic city with lots of color and really good Tex-Mex!  They offered a traditional Mexican beverage that is loved by all - the margarita - as their signature beverage.

from examiner.com

Yet another wedding last year, this time in the fall, had a vintage affair with top hats, lace, and jazz; the bride and groom didn't leave the vintage aspect out of their signature beverage either - a Blue Moon Cocktail!

from ladyviolette.com

Even Rachael, co-owner for V&L, offered a signature beverage during the cocktail hour at her wedding this summer - the Mojito - her personal favorite cocktail.

from drinkswap.com

A couple of fun ideas I have recently seen include:

Strawberry Margarita Popsicles (perfect for summer weddings!):                   

                 

 

from bakersroyale.com

Godiva Chocolate Martini (a perfect desert beverage!):

from delish.com

Brides and grooms also have the option to make their own signature beverages.  I would recommend using a professional bartender for this service unless you are very familiar with mixology. 

For more fun ideas on signature beverages contact Vintage&Lace at info@vintageandlace.com.

Have a great week! Heather
www.vintageandlace.com

Nontraditional Men's Footwear

I would like to take a moment to recognize those brides that give their fiancés the freedom to add some personality to their attire.  Usually, the bride and bridesmaids have all the fun when it comes to footwear; however, the men can make a few statements of their own.  Often the vision or inspiration for your wedding can limit the apparel options for your groom-to-be but when given the freedom, they can really come up with some unique and playful ideas that add a personal touch to their attire. 


For example, I was at a wedding several years ago where the groom and groomsmen all wore bowling shoes, much to the surprise of the bride (don't worry, she took it in stride and they are still happily married today!).

from snippetandink.com

Another men's wedding footwear fashion trend is to have the groom and groomsmen wear Converse shoes. Why not, they're comfortable, right?  If you want to add a casual or quirky flair to your wedding affair, add some casual shoes to a formal suit or shirt/slacks combination.

from theknot.com

In addition to creative shoe options, some grooms are opting for statement socks as well. One example is the argyle, or socks matching the accent color(s) of the wedding party. 

from allegrophotography.com

from beckyjensenphotography.com

from rebekah westover photography

I would recommend adding tasteful personality, something that may add fun to some photos, but not take away from the beauty of group shots that you'll probably hang on your living room wall for the next ten years.  Also, stay within the atmosphere you want to set for your guests, non-traditional footwear isn't for every wedding and may not work as well for a very traditional venue.  


Have fun and enjoy your day!

For more ideas on tasteful options, please contact us at info@vintageandlace.com!

The Real Reason for a Celebration

The real reason to celebrate at a wedding... Love!  Sometimes the bride and groom as well as the many guests can fall victim to paying too much attention to the little things.  I love the little touches that make a wedding unique and special, but I want to say how important a detail it is when everyone in the room can feel the love shared between the bride and groom.  In fact, one of my favorite things to do at a wedding, whether coordinating, attending, or part of the wedding party is to watch the bride enter, then turn to look at the groom's face as he sees his bride for the first time on the wedding day.  It is truly a beautiful moment when they see each other and everyone in the room feels the love that is shared. 

from solarphotographers.com

I was lucky enough to experience true love a little over a week ago.  I was at a wedding that the love between the bride and groom was evident to everyone attending.  My hope is that all the brides and grooms that are planning their weddings have found the love that these two have.  Love is something a wedding planner/designer/coordinator can't manage or fabricate, but we can build a beautiful ceremony and reception that can honor it.