Dress fitting results

Do you remember the great bustle debate? On our last visit to the bridal salon, the consultant demonstrated two bustle options: American and French. Bridesmaid R and I were pretty much sold on the French style. When I asked the hive, you guys responded with an emphatic "American!" Even your words of wisdom and combined years of experience weren't enough to move me from my stubborn French position.

American! No, French! The Great Bustle Battle waged war in my brain for weeks. Images via the CIA World Factbook: USA &
France

Dress fitting tomorrow

Tomorrow is my first dress fitting! What I'm feeling tonight is a mix of excitement and hesitation. Excited, of course, because it's my dress. (We're getting close, hive!) Hesitant because of the what if's. Off the rack, the dress fits... in the loosest definition of the word. Taking it in at the waist and bust will surely help but will it create the desired curves?

Undergarments, oh my. They're something I'd like to avoid, if at all possible. June will be hot and sticky. Does the bride have to be hot and sticky too? Less layers, happier me.

And then there's the bustle. Going into the fitting, I haven't entirely decided which style it will be... I'll have my listening ears on as the dress-maker makes her recommendations. Ever helpful Bridesmaid R is making the introduction (thank you!) and will snap photos so I can show you guys.

Wish me luck!

Any insights or recommendations for a bride the night before her first fitting?

Ties for the Guys

What is it about men that allows an otherwise PITA chore to be so effortless?

Case in point: On a errand-filled Saturday, I suggested we pop into Macy's to just browse through the ties. And half an hour later, Mr. PaC had found not only his tie, but coordinating ties for his groomsmen!


From left: Ties for Mr. PaC, best man/brother M, and groomsman J

Splitting Hairs

I'm experiencing a bit of hair indecision. Confession time! I haven't had a hair trial yet. I booked my hairstylist without meeting her! Don't worry - I will have a hair trial, eventually. But because I haven't tried any of the hairstyles below, I'm not sure which is best for my gown, hair flower and personal style. So, I'm looking to you ladies for recommendations and advice! You can weigh in at the end of the post.

Image via 100 Layer Cake / Photo by Eric Lundgren

If you're going to San Francisco

Around the time Miss Lox discussed the possibility of becoming the Imelda of hair flowers, it dawned on me that I hadn't even thought of what I'd put in my hair. Long ago, I decided that a veil was not for me. (I gave it 1, 2, 3 tries. Three tries, ladies. Moving on.) I needed something bridal on my head. If it wasn't going to be a veil, then a hair flower it would be. So began the search...

PrimandPosies - "Anna Double Ivory Flower"

A perfect pair?

I thought once my dress came in, I'd have my jewelry figured out. I mean, the wedding is in four months. That's practically four weeks in wedding-land. But I haven't been slackin' -- I've tried, honest!

Before the dress arrived, I purchased some J. Crew pieces. When we visited Priscilla of Boston to pick up the girls' dresses and I slipped on Wallis with the J. Crew earrings and bracelet, but the metal finish and rectangle shape didn't go.



Ooops. Guess I'll just have to find new pieces! But I wasn't sure where to look for inspiration... until I saw a pair of earrings from my own jewelry box a little differently. Of course, they were too casual but why not look to the rest of my collection for inspiration.

My taste in jewelry trends from bold baubles, like multi-strand pearls the size of gumballs...

A dress for the other mom in my life

Who doesn't love shopping?? FMIL's search for a mother of the groom (MOG) gown continued and she asked if I minded tagging along. Uhm, do I?! Our destination: King of Prussia Mall. It's the largest mall on the East Coast -- if we couldn't find something among the high-end retailers and boutiques, we couldn't find it anywhere. (Which turned out to be the case...)

source via Chester County CVB
Looking for a formal gown for a summer wedding isn’t easy in the winter. Most of the inventory was black or other dark colors. And since black is her go-to clothing color (borderline favorite), she wears it quite frequently. On the opposite end of the spectrum (hah!), there's me. Wearing black suppresses my color-loving nature so I avoid it. Keeping in mind that it is a summer wedding and she is not mourning the marriage of her son, I’ve asked her to please, pretty please, wear anything but black.

My mom, grandmother and aunt found their gowns last summer. None of them wanted to take their chances and wait for the 2011 spring/summer collections. Mom is wearing this dress, only in deep pink.

London Times @ Macy's

BHLDN: Photos!

Glamour has released photos of Anthropologie's new wedding line, BHLDN, yesterday evening. I'm a little remiss in reporting this, but figured I wasn't the only one who missed it last night. Here's the article with waaay more photos.

Texture lovers rejoice!!


I cannot wait to get my hands on this to-die-for box pleat gown. I bet it moves like a dream!

And fear not, girls who love Fiesole...


Here's Anthro's answer!

Would you wear a BHLDN dress for your wedding?

(Photos: Via Glamour, courtesy of BHLDN)

Unveiled: Anthropologie's Wedding Label

Coming February 14th...

Bhldn.com
{discovered on Effortless Anthropologie}
Sneak peek? - source
... Anthropologie's wedding brand! Squee!!!

Sharp Dressed Man

I never realized menswear had so many nuanced variables. A suit was just a suit... and then I looked closer. Spending a solid Saturday suit shopping (excuse me while I untie my tongue) with the future mister will do that to a girl.

Going into it rather blindly, a grey, preferably slim fit, suit was my pick. He wanted ABB (anything but black) since "black is too severe and doesn't go with [his] coloring." Funny how this stuff comes out now. I had no clue he felt that way.

Store 1: Jos. A. Bank
Mr. P's go-to store for work suits was a logical first stop. Here, the suits lean toward traditional fabrics and cuts. Which is fine for work, but a little too boxy for a semi-formal wedding. Winter is probably not the best time to go hunting for a summer suit, but there we were. Lots of black, brown, charcoal and navy, but not a lot of lighter grey. Our favorite suit was this medium grey number.

Another kind of PWC

Not long after ordering my dream gown, I had an idea. An idea that wormed its way into my brain and wouldn't dislodge. Considering my guilt over the money invested in it and obsession with it, it would be a damn shame not to wear my lovely again. So I would.

But how? Not again as a wedding dress. You only get married once. (Well...) Not for a trash the dress shoot.

source

Accessorize me

What was the one thing I wanted to do before leaving the Priscilla of Boston store? I bet you can guess on the first try. Try on my lovely gown again! The sample has seen some wear since the last time I visited, but the gown still delights me. (Even after the Vera beauties.)

I brought accessories (and my camera) to see what would work with the gown. In tow were my Seychelles wedding shoes, several pairs of earrings and a bracelet. First up were my favorite earrings and bracelet:

My clear crystal earrings & the pink J. Crew version
My crystal and gold cobblestone bracelet and a similar black J. Crew version

It's party time!

Our annual NYE party is just around the corner. As such, I've convinced myself I need a new cocktail dress. One with sequins. Because sequins are festive!

Here are a few gowns (under $250 please) worthy of co-hosting duties:

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Fun color, chunky sequins - source