accessorizing the bridal party

August 5, 2013August 5, 2013 | circadee

Hello! Hello! How was everyone’s weekend? We are enjoying some unseasonably cool weather here. It is like a fall preview. I LOVE it. But enough of the small talk. I’m sharing more pics and deets from our wedding along with another DIY.

Today we are chatting about accessorizing your peeps with flowers. When to go fresh and when to go fabric.

In the name of organization, we knocked out a few boutonnieres months prior to the big day. If you are a Circa Dee diehard, you may even recognize some of the fabric used. I didn’t get crazy about sourcing the perfect fabric for these flowers. Instead, just pulled scraps from previous upholstery projects in blues and neutrals that would complement the color scheme. Bridezilla? I think not.

Hunter, our ring bearer, and Wilson’s escort has a more playful color palette with a splash of pink and aqua – kind of like the centerpieces. His seersucker vest is from crewcuts.

Wilson opted for a more traditional look with a matching seersucker bow tie and leash from etsy.

He decided he’d like to take a seat during the ceremony rather than stand up front. Seriously, I know.

I’m obsessed with this dog. Judge me if you want. But first, just look at that face…

Oh, hey! Look at these dapper guys. They went fresh in the flower department.

Shawn, the best man, sported a throwback baby’s breath boutonniere that matched Leigh’s bouquet.

That was a bit of a vintage spin on the personal flowers. The baby’s breath bouquet and boutonnierre were easy to DIY. I gathered a bunch and constructed them with floral tape covered with ribbon just a few days prior to the ceremony.

What’s a wedding without a little air guitar? Huh? I can only imagine some Journey was being belted out of my gaping open mouth. Don’t stop believing, friends.

So Ryan and I went with fresh flowers. (I’m really tempted to say “fresh to death” here because we were at the Jersey shore after all but I am refraining. Or am I?) Anyway, a fresh flower bouquet of with a pale color palette of thistle, roses, lisianthus, sweet pea, ranunculus and seeded eucalyptus…

to match Ryan’s ranunculus boutonniere.

These I cannot take credit for. Our flowers were created on our wedding day by my very talented friend, Renee.

She also helped construct the fabric boutonnieres months prior (among many other things!).

Now for the DIY… we simply cut long fabric scraps – say about 2 feet x 2 inches. Twirled the fabric tightly round and round, hot gluing with each pass and strategically folding the fabric over to create the look of a blooming rose. We garnished each a little differently with either lace ribbon (left from the invitations), mossy green wire or green raffia wire to create “leaves”. Once complete, it was glued to felt backing and then to safety pins. Easy. And not just for weddings. This DIY can totally be used to deck out kids backpacks, hats, etc.

I leave you with this image. Aqua chucks. The must have reception accessory for my dad. For those who know him, you know Chucks are absolutely his style. The aqua part is all mine.

Photos by Love Shack Photo

wedding wednesday with BHLDN

May 22, 2013May 22, 2013 | circadee

Most brides hope to select a dress their bridesmaids will actually wear again. BHLDN fashion guru and stylist, Angela, offers some tips to increase the odds of making this hope a reality in the last installment of our guest post series Wedding Wednesday with BHLDN.

BHLDN, the two year old sister brand of Anthropologie, provides attire, decor, and accessories for any special occasion from an enchanting wedding to a sweet birthday soiree. With a selection of delightful gowns, stunning party heels, delicate jewelry, vintage-inspired wedding decorations and more, BHLDN is a one-stop shop for brides-to-be…or really anyone planning a fete!

You can review the first post on choosing bridesmaids’ dresses here and the second post on accessorizing bridesmaids’ dresses here.

Check out HOW TO RE-WEAR BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES! I have a closet full of bridesmaids’ dresses so I will definitely be taking some notes…

Be Realistic

Brides and bridesmaids alike should be realistic with their expectations about re-wearing a bridesmaid’s dress.

Keep It Simple

Since most women aren’t gallivanting at formal affairs every weekend, selecting a tea length or shorter style automatically opens up the opportunities for bridesmaids to wear their dresses again.

The better fit, the more likely they’ll wear it again. An easy-to-wear style such as A-line or fit-and-flair is more universally flattering to different body types. (To that note, bridesmaids: the key to a perfect fit is professional alterations.)

Pictured Ebb & Flow Dress

Fabric choice is also important to re-wearability. Lighter and more casual fabrics such as cotton and silk are often used in everyday dressing. Shinier fabrics like satin or fabrics embellished with metallic threads or beading may be more difficult for the average woman to incorporate into her regular wardrobe.

Pictured Calliope Dress, Wingspan Dress

…Or Mix it Up

Bridesmaids’ dresses with a print or interesting texture are more like the dresses you’d find in a store and more along the lines of what you’d see women wearing on the streets.

Or, go the mix and match route and allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own attire; if she’s picking it, it’s very likely she’ll select a dress she’ll want to wear again.

Pictured: Candy Dot Dress, Marguerite Shift

And for the bridesmaids…

It’s All in the Accessories

Have fun playing with the accessories and add-ons that already live in your closet to extend the life of your bridesmaid’s dress.

If it’s a shorter style, simply adding a cardigan can take a dress from aisle style to Sunday brunch, a fitted blazer and basic pumps can transform it for the office, and a lightweight leather jacket and ankle boots can toughen it up for a night out.

Swapping out your sparkly jewelry for more everyday accents – a patterned scarf, chunky jewelry or ballet flats – can transform the look, too.

Loving all of this dresses and ideas! Thanks for all of the great tips, Angela! Which is your favorite? I’m digging the Ebb & Flow Dress.

round two with BHLDN

May 15, 2013May 13, 2013 | circadee

We’re back with Angela, stylist from BHLDN. She offers some Dos and Don’ts for choosing accessories to coordinate with your bridesmaids dresses! HOW TO CHOOSE BRIDESMAIDS’ ACCESSORIES in our guest post series Wedding Wednesday with BHLDN. Don’t forget to check out last week’s post on choosing bridesmaids’ dresses here.

A great way to personalize your bridesmaids’ attire on your big day is through accessories.

DO trust your bridesmaids and give them some freedom to select accessories that express their personal styles, especially if you are choosing the same dress for each.

DON’T be afraid to set some parameters. For example, choose color for your girls to work with when shopping for bridesmaids shoes but leave the rest up to them. Soft, neutral colors or metallics are easy to find in a variety of styles and price points.

BHLDN_SterlingPeepToes

BHLDN_RosebrightPeepToes

BHLDN_SupperClubSandals

Pictured: Sterling Peep Toes, Rosebright Peep Toes, Supper Club Sandals

DO use accessories to add texture and shimmer to your bridesmaids’ ensembles. If your bridesmaids’ dresses are simple, adding a beaded belt or sash in a contrasting color is an easy way to turn an ordinary bridesmaid dress into something extraordinary.

DON’T go overboard with accessories for your bridesmaids. If you select more unique bridesmaids’ dresses with lace detailing or other embellishments, a simple pair of studs or small drop earrings adds that “just enough” touch.

BHLDN_SorbettoDress_Rose

BHLDN_GerberaStuds

Pictured: Sorbetto Dress and Gerbera Studs

DO gift wedding-day accessories to your maids. Your bridesmaids’ jewelry is one way to allow for personalization and is a great way to say “thank you” for their roles on your special day. A sparkly clutch is another gift that your ladies will look forward to using again!

BHLDN_CupolaBracelet

BHLDN_DecoBeadedClutch

Pictured: Cupola Bracelet, Deco Beaded Clutch

DON’T forget to consider the setting of your wedding. For an outdoor summer wedding, especially if it’s in the grass or sand, a wedge or flat sandal is the best option. A pretty cover up is a must for a winter wedding or to cloak bare shoulders during a modest ceremony.

BHLDN_MaromaSandals

BHLDN_CremedeMentheTopper

Pictured: Maroma Sandals, Crème de Menthe Topper

Thank you Angela! I’m obsessed with that deco beaded clutch! Which accessory is your favorite?