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Ask Abby: Men’s Shirts

Abby Larson — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:00:57 +0000

Our next question comes from Abby (another Abby)….

Q. I was hoping you could help me out! I don’t know what color shirt to have my Fiance and his groomsmen wear to the wedding with their black suits. I am wearing a deep ivory cotton mermaid/trumpet gown from Melissa Sweet that has vintage lace.

The dress is not shiny and there is no beading, just the cotton and lace. The boys are wearing black suits instead of tuxes. I am not sure if they should wear regular white or ivory shirts? I’ve heard conflicting views from two different stores.

What do you guys thing…white or ivory?

A. I for one would rather pass this one over to one of our favorite new vendors, the team at 9Tailors. Samantha was sweet enough to offer her insider tips on choosing the perfect hue for your man’s shirt. From 9Tailors…

The great debate: should my groom and groomsmen wear white or ivory dress shirts if my wedding gown is ivory? You’ve probably heard from the salesmen at your rental tux shop that the dress shirts should match. However, I think it really depends.

Here are some points to consider. First, know your shade. There are so many shades of white, ivory and off-white. Some are more yellow. Some are more peach. Bringing a fabric swatch of your gown, will help you figure out which shade of “ivory” will look the best with your outfit. Second, know your accessories. If your groom and groomsmen will be wearing vests and ties where the shirts will mostly be covered up, the question of whether or not the dress shirt should be white or ivory will not matter as much. Third, know your grooms and groomsmen’s skin tone. As we know, white tends to make those with fair-skin look washed out. So, if your groom and groomsmen are on the paler side, I would consider outfitting them in ivory or off-white.

The rules on matching dress shirts with the gown have relaxed a bit. So, it is not always necessary to match. I think the bigger issue is to keep the style of the gown and the dress shirts the same. Subtle differences in the collar, cuff and fabric weave can make the dress shirt more or less formal. It really depends on what you’re going for. For more information about how to dress your groom or groomsmen, ask a 9tailors Stylist at 9tailors.com or at boutsandbowties.blogspot.com

Thank you Samantha…you are as genius as ever!!

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Ask Abby: Altar Decor

Abby Larson — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:34 +0000

Here is question two, coming from Elizabeth…

Q. I am getting married in September and have NO IDEA what to do for decorations at the altar area of our ceremony. I dont really have a theme yet… kinda rustic chic, I guess… I have a vintage lace tea length dress, and our centerpieces are white hydrangeas in mason jars and small potted herbs that double as favors. We are trying to work within a small budget and are interested in eco-friendly ideas.

Here’s a picture of the inside of the chapel and altar area. We’ll have a table behind us, as well as the mantle that you see in the picture.

Any ideas for Elizabeth? Eco-Chic, while being simple and budget friendly?

A. For some reason, all I can see is baby’s breath. After one of our comments mentioned it, I just totally envision two huge baby’s breath arrangements on either side of the altar (or smaller arrangements lined along the top) with hanging votives from the mantle. Hydrangeas would be incredible too. I also think that pillar candles of varying sizes glowing inside the fireplace would be lovely.

photos by Bastian + Skoog, Handmade Weddings and Fringe

I also REALLY love the tall topiary ideas…very, very chic.

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Ask Abby: Pier Decorations

Abby Larson — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:57:43 +0000

It’s been SO long since we’ve had any Ask Abby questions featured, so I figured it was time for a fresh start. Rather than doing a whole day, I am just going to feature 3 questions this morning with the hopes that you guys will be able to help a girl out and give these brides some guidance. The first, comes from Jen….

Q. I love your website, I’ve used it for inspiration in putting together my wedding and creating a “look”… Well I’m getting married on a pier in Poland on the 4th July, my colours are navy and red(entirely coincidental), I’ve already got the dresses, favors etc sorted but am at a loss on how to decorate the pier. The look so far has been contemporary, the invites are modern, I’m wearing the J Crew Goddess dress and the reception is outdoors at a museum.

I don’t want it to look too “4th July” as I’m Australian and my fiancee is Polish. As far as the pier is concerned I know that we have to provide a table for the document signing but that is about it, so decorating options are pretty endless, any ideas?

I’ll have my ideas later today, but in the meantime, we’d love to hear YOUR thoughts!

A. Well, in all of the many, many weddings that I’ve seen, my favorites are those that don’t go overboard with the decor. With an already incredibly beautiful pier, I would definitely recommend keeping it simple. At the most, lanterns with tons of candles to form an alter of sorts, with simple white/green flowers tucked within the candle arrangment. For height, you could do something like this on a tall table.

Here is an example where the couple kept it simple, using their natural surroundings as their decor…

This amazing wedding was sent to us by Mindy of Cotton Idea Studio and photographed by Trever Hoehne

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Ask Abby…

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:28:45 +0000

Question 5: I am getting married May 1, 2010 in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am a woman who has been dreaming about her wedding her entire life. Now that the time has come for me to plan I have begun to feel very overwhelmed. Specifically, I am having a hard time editing myself. I see all of these ideas and details that I like and I am not quite sure how to incorporate these ideas into my special day. The weddings that stand out to me (and I think most others) is the ones that work in small, unexpected details. The details are what I am getting lost in. So, I come to you for help.

I know that I my wedding colors are going to be a bright pink (more raspberry) and white. I will be married in a vineyard and the ceremony will be outside. I am a girl who is attracted to shabby chic styles. I see myself using more vintage chic/rustic type of details and designs. My friends and family would describe me as very preppy and not as trendy as other 25 year olds. While I am not desperate for penny pinching ideas, I also do not have an extravagant budget to work with. Can you help me figure out where to begin?

I think that finding a starting off point is the biggest challenge when coming up with your wedding style? Do you guys have any tips for this reader that might inspire her decor?

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Ask Abby…Mexican Inspired Wedding Colors

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:10:43 +0000

Question 4: I’ve been looking at the inspiration boards and I always find that there is just one color that I just don’t like, but it happens to be a color that completes the look. I’m having loads of trouble finding the perfect color palette to go with my wedding next fall.

We’ve picked a venue; this beautiful Hacienda in San Antonio, TX. The problem is finding colors to go with the already brilliant colors of the venue. The floors are that rusty orange stone color, with dark tan walls and antique iron light fixtures that hold candles. I’m really having a difficult time picking wedding colors to go with the already beautiful scenery !

My bridesmaids are already wanting to buy dresses, my mother is picking out invitations and my fiancee keeps asking “when are we going cake testing?” I don’t want to decide on any of the details until I pick colors. My fiancee’s family is Mexican and I really love all the rich colors that come with this type of wedding. Yet we are trying to go with a more subdued version of such a style of wedding. I want a fresh beautiful look to our wedding, that will go with this hacienda we’ve chosen. I’m looking for a wedding that will have punches of beautiful colors. It’s a very informal buffet-style wedding, with mostly family and friends…but I still want it to be beautiful and somewhat elegant. Any help you can give me (I know I said a lot !) would be AMAZING !

Let’s help this bride who seems overwhelmed with colors! I would love to hear YOUR input, then I’ll chime in a little later today!

Answer 4: I generally fall in love with the Spanish and Mexican weddings that cross my path. The generous blending of colors, of styles, of pure eye candy is enough to make any bride re-think their wedding colors. So, I totally agree with so many of you in that bringing out the pinks and turquoises would be sublime and would go beautifully with the natural coloring of her venue.

With that said, when I was crafting these color boards, I couldn’t decide which direction to go in…

I love the kind of dusty versions of these colors…fuschia with a little less pink, turquoise with a little less blue. I think that these muted tones really make the gold pop. LOVE.

But, then I also love bringing an even lighter turquoise the darker, dustier version in the bridesmaid dresses…

Either way, I think that these colors are off the charts pretty…they give those punches of color that the bride is looking for, without going totally overboard. Love, love, love!

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Ask Abby…Spring Wedding Colors

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:10:50 +0000

Question 3: I’m getting married in a small church in central London at the end of April (Charles Dickens’ parents were married there!), and we’re having the reception on a boat on the Thames. My dress is ivory with a black sash, and as the upholstery on the boat is a dark pewter gray I thought a good colour scheme would be black/white/gray with accents of warm yellow and lots of sparkle. The problem is that my other half doesn’t like it! He thinks that Spring is a great time for colour – for greens, pinks and a riot of flowers… What would you suggest?? Is there another way to use gray and black that’s less funereal (his words!)?

I have a feeling I know what some of your answers are going to be, but I know that this bride would love all of the input that she can get! What do you think? Yellow as an accent color or should they go another direction?

OH, and if you’ve sent me a question in the last few months that you really want to see up here today, shoot me a reminder email and I’ll do my best to get it up!

Answer 3: I think that so many of you are right…it totally depends on the mood you are going for. In my opinion, black/gray/white combination can be utterly chic and gorgeous. Adding sparkle would be the icing on the already lovely cake. But, it’s true…if you are going to go for understated, muted colors, you have to do it right. Common Spring colors like pinks, peaches, greens are a little bit easier to pull off.

Okay, with that said, I was playing around on the GORGEOUS new Bastian + Skoog site today when I stumbled upon this image:

I thought that it just might be the perfect inspiration for this particular question…a very French, girly approach to a muted color palette. So from this image, I came up with this…

dress by Vera Wang on Brides.com, flowers by Bastian + Skoog, Bridesmaid dress by JCrew, Rosemary image by Artfool

Keeping the palette muted and bringing in feminine, wispy flowers, herbs and such would be a nice way to embrace the natural surroundings while still seeming to be light and Springy. I loooooooove the idea of adding a bold stripe into the mix, to really make things pop, either in yellow or slate. Perhaps in the napkins or favor packaging?

Bottom line…if you decide to go with the muted palette, keep things simple and clean. Then, add one big pop of pattern to liven up the look. It could be spectacular if done right. If you decide to embrace a more Spring-like palette, the world is your oyster!

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Ask Abby…A Literary Bride

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:21:26 +0000

Question 2: My fiance and I are English graduate students. We met working as writing tutors at our university, then we traveled to London to study British literature as undergraduates. Obviously we’re a bookish couple – and literature makes up a large part of our own romantic narrative.

I want to incorporate the literature we’ve read into our wedding. We love all the British classics – poetry and novels. I’ve thought that perhaps an old British library look would be a good stylistic fit: leather-bound books, heavy brass-studded armchairs, tweed, exotic artifacts from the East Indies. Problem is, I also want to give my wedding a lot of color. I don’t know exactly how to accomplish both at once.

Are there colorful directions I could take a literary theme? I’m thinking either deep jewel tones (royal blue, deep purple, olive green, magenta) or a more fiery combination (red, fuchsia, orange, yellow). Will these work with Old English, or will I have to sacrifice my more exotic color palette? I’d really appreciate your stylistic expertise here.

Any tips for this cute literary bride??

Answer: I think that designing a wedding based on a mutual loves is, well, brilliant. It’s the perfect way to celebrate something that you love while allowing guests to get a glimpse inside your personalities. For me, there are really different ways to approach a library styled wedding. One, like my dear friend Laurie, you could have your reception in an old, absolutely elegant library. With gorgeous white flowers, timeless china and stemware, cream or taupe colored linens…it would be a study in unabashed luxury.

Or, you can add a touch of whimsy. Here is the board that I came up with based on a more mid-century library style…one part vintage, one part total elegance…

Images, Right Row: Flowers by Bastian + Skoog and Artfool / Left Row: books by Penguin Classics on Design*Sponge, library image from google search on Style Forum

Now, take this same color palette and change out the library image to one that is a bit more classic…

Library image on The Steampunk Home

You get a gorgeous, spirit filled look that captures the essence of what this bride is going for!

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Ask Abby…Wedding Flowers, Grooms Attire

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:54:08 +0000

I thought we would take a mini break from all of the real weddings that we have been doing for a much needed Ask Abby day. I have to admit, questions have been piling up in my inbox, as the days keep slipping past! So, I thought who better to ask for a bit of help than our readers! I am going to be posting questions throughout the day, then later this afternoon will add my own responses.

I know that each of our brides would LOVE feedback from you guys, so please don’t be shy!

Question 1: My partner & I are getting married on Saturday, the 12th of September 2009. The ‘look’ we are going for is vintage chic with a modern twist. The era we are mainly channeling is the 40′s, as we love the whole feel of the 1940′s.

My wedding gown is a Mori Lee dress in a vintage lace & tulle design, in Ivory. My bridesmaids dresses are floor length, silk evening gowns in a deep coral colour with a satin halterneck ribbon ( I hope you can envision them from my rather poor description). The have a very old school glamour feel.

Now this is where my problem starts…I am uncertain as to what flowers to use (I am thinking of picking flowers in very soft colours such as pale peach, soft pink and ivory). However, I still want the flowers to maintain a fresh modern feel?!

I am also unsure as to what I can put my H2B and his groomsmen in. I was contemplating black slim fitting suits but I am unsure whether this will look too dark against the soft colours of the flowers etc. My H2B will not wear an ivory suit and this is not really to either of our tastes…I have also been contemplating gray suits?! I would really appreciate your opinion.

What do you guys think? Flowers? Men’s attire with a vintage feel?

Answer 1: I have to say, this bride has it together. I love the combination of gray and coral, paired with a glamorous 1940′s vibe. I really didn’t have to think too hard to design this board, as I am already convinced that she is well on her way to perfection.

As for flowers, I would up the glamour ante and do tone on tone corals…different shades of coral from a peachy pink to a deep, pink-ish terra cotta. Go for soft, feminine shapes to add a feeling of laid back luxury to the look. To add a touch of modern charm, you could use sleek, lacquered white containers for your centerpieces. Might be a nice contrast to the vintage foundation.

Tip…if you love Peonies and your wedding is in August or September, have your florist source roses that have that same loose, fluffy style. If you are on a budget, go for monochromatic carnations. Sounds like third grade, but I swear, they are gorgeous when presented in one color in a huge bunch.

As for men’s attire, gray suits are a must. Pinstripes would be even better. Then, finish the look with a classic 1940′s Cadillac and man oh man….STUNNING.

* * *

PS…check out Heather Fowler’s (the incredible photographer that we love here on SMP) recent wedding that we are debuting on the Little Black Book Blog. It is all about vintage charm!

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