You know it had to happen

So everyone is on the Wedding of the Century wagon right now!  In fact, I've heard the clock is ticking, literally - there is actually a website completely devoted to a clock countdown to the royal events!  Geesh. Well, the biggest mystery of all is, of course...the dress.  Something the bride chooses with great care and shows only her closest friend or family member.  It's the best kept secret for the event.

So, Bride Magazine recently posted some fantastic designers' choice for the soon-to-be Princess and I couldn't help but share it!  It's the closest I get to following a wedding, short of eating scones with clotted cream and jam!

Enjoy!

Reem Acra

Amsale design

Augusta Jones

Priscilla of Boston

Platinum Priscilla

And me?  Well, I think gone are the times of women in princess styled dresses, especially those that have left the nest, reside with their beloved and are career women.  Kate seems to have a modern but classic design style, and considering her recent choices of some less-known Italian designs, I think she will go with something slim, streamlined and classic in the front, but with miles trailing behind her in true Princess-to-be form!  Definite sleeves of some sort.  That said, here is the closest to my choice

Watters Brides

So, what do you think?  The bets are on!

For Jamie

This blog's inspiration came directly from a conversation I had with my soon-to-be step-daughter-in-law (Jamie) last night as they stayed with us while enroute to their wedding destination in Canmore, Alberta!  As the wedding approaches, Jamie has decided to create her own bouquet with her wedding swat team.  I found some great ideas and tips a la Martha.  I hope you enjoy them, Jamie!

This is the CLASSIC style gathering:  A tight dome of roses is made even more beautiful when finished with an opulent satin ribbon and bow. A few more buds are sewn in the trailing ribbon ends.

This is an EXPOSED STEMS bouquet:  After taping stems just below the blooms, a length of ribbon is wrapped around the stems and finished with a crisscross of thinner velvet ribbon, secure with pin.

Then, a SQUARED stem arrangement:  Stems are completely wrapped in textured, patterned, or beaded fabrics, and embellished with ribbons and rosettes.

The ever-interesting and sentimental FABRIC COLLAR:  Using a beautiful handkerchief or napkin to wrap your wedding bouquet gives you a chance to show off a sentimental heirloom. The stitching is easily removed, and a solid wrapping of floral tape protects fabric from stains.

And finally, an ARCHED styling:  The arched contour of this arrangement is achieved by wiring both flowers and berries. Jewel-tone viburnum berries accentuate the fluttery lightness of the purple hybrid delphiniums, as slender brodiaea blooms hang from the bouquet’s edges. A vintage green satin ribbon adds a finishing touch.

I always believed that the stems of the flowers are as important as the blooms, and can be styled to represent anything from a modern-themed wedding to housing family heirlooms or a special gift from the groom to his bride, and everything in between!  Dressing your flower bouquet is a beautiful way to complete the brides look, from head to toe.

K

We all know that the wedding industry has a license to print money.  But what I am happy to report is to see some major players in the "everyday" fashion world bridge the gap between tacky prom dresses hanging in the mall and designer gowns with mortgage-sized price tags.  I really think that couples are moving away from the expensive all-out weddings and focusing on having a more tailored and personal event that represents the couple, not what the latest Bridal magazine suggests.  Thank goodness, logic prevails! 

With that, for those about to say "I do" (and I wish this was around for our nuptials) be empowered by the almighty J. Crew.  Yes, I completely understand what I just wrote, and no, I did not have a seizure - Leave it to J. Crew to seam the gap between wedding attire and fashion. Its latest Fall 2010 wedding collection is the ultimate line for brides and everyone in the bridal party. Brides will undoubtedly fall head over heels in love with the brand’s top-notch fabrics—which hail from Europe’s most famous mills—and spectacular hand-made embroidery. And in true J Crew marketing style, as you browse the collection on the website, it offers you everything down to shorts and sneakers for the honeymoon!

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Wedding.jsp

The downside: for those who want the "try on the dress with the girls experience", the bridal boutique is located in New York.  That said, I can think of worse things than having to jet over to NYC for a few days to go shopping!  With the current seat sales (check out http://www.travelalerts.ca/) and lack of inspiration sometimes found in our local stores, it's a great option!

Here is a snapshot on what J. Crew offers in their Fall 2010 line:

A beautiful embossed organza gown

A silk chiffon, dreamy dress

Silk taffeta for the more traditional

A silk tricotine gown

I wonder what mastermind line will be next to break the barrier and offer those brides-to-be alternatives for their special day?  Until then, way to go J. Crew!

Celebrate with Flowers - It's time for a Wedding!

Much to our family's excitement, my husband's oldest son recently announced that he and his girlfriend are getting married THIS July 31st!  Needless to say, we are thrilled!  We love them both and they have a beautiful seven month old little boy that fills our world with another level of joy!

I have to say, this couple is very level-headed and laid-back over the whole event - no Bridezillas here!  And the guest list comprises of about twenty guests that will witness the two exchanging vows in a simple but beautiful ceremony in Canmore, Alberta! I think it will be an intimate and loving exchange that my husband and I are honoured to be a part of.

Well, one of the first things I think of when I hear wedding besides food, is FLOWERS!  I love flowers!  Flowers have the ability to lighten your spirit and mood with one glance, transform a room or simple table, fill a garden with a beautiful aroma or deliver a symbolic message to a loved one.  And when I think of wedding and flowers, good ol' Martha Stewart comes to mind!  Now, I know Martha is the cornerstone of many jokes and gets mocked with her OCD behaviour, but I knew Martha back in the days when she was a well-known caterer in New England and began writing cookbooks.  Our relationship began when I read an article on Christmas dinner and continued for many years!  In fact, it is her perfectionism and OCD that makes her a reliable source - if you need a great cookie recipe, Martha will have one.  If by chance an ingredient has the wrong measurement, feel comforted at night that a head or two rolled for that error.  But I digress...

Martha Stewart does weddings that are beautiful, elegant, well thought of, imaginative and comfortable!  Take a look at her website and you will experience everything from the Victorian bride to the Modern bride; centerpieces by tradition, with branches, fruit, vegetables and candles just to name a few.  I have included some beautiful examples of floral centerpieces that really set the mood for such an occasion.

Consider a mix of traditional pinks with something not-so-traditional, like cherry blossoms

A beautiful spring wedding lends itself perfectly to the Tulip - the first sign of spring.  A symbolic statement is made here, as a couple enters into something new, being reborn or an awakening

Not big on frilly flowers and trying to keep the cost down, consider going modern.  What a stunning arrangement using branches and vases.  The various heights on the branches and delicate blossoms are truly a work of art

Here is a wonderful summer arrangement done free form, perfect for the deconstructed wedding, a casual outdoor gathering or a dinner alfresco in the mountains

How about focusing on your guests and combining the centerpieces as favors for them to take home?

A stunning red centerpiece with candles in between

How about adding some fruit in the mix?

Or try a green centerpiece that brings the outdoors, inside

For something more intimate, I love a collection of smaller arrangements

Try this look with a number of flowers: peonies, lilacs or roses but keep the arrangement to a single variety - it has more impact!  Also consider a variety of containers, pending the theme of the wedding: terracotta pots for an Italian outdoors celebration, a selection of latte bowls, various sized silver vases for something more elegant or even an eco-friendly container!

The list is endless, only by the restrictions of geography, time of year and the wallet book!

James and Jamie, enjoy this time together, thank you for sharing this special day with us and we wish you all the happiness in the world!