Accessories: Preparing for the Season

Getting married in January I need to be practical – it’s going to be cold and probably wet!

Following on from yesterdays post, I want to share with you my provisional thoughts on the other accessories I have had to consider to weather proof my outfit.

Wellies 

Ok, lets be realistic, I’m having a indoor wedding, and even when I am outside it will be on concrete/paths, I don’t NEED a pair of wellies. But then I think about my heels, with very little grip and my flats made of satin and the fact that a winter wedding is THE perfect time to buy a pair of Hunter (http://www.hunter-boot.com/) or Joules boots.

My sister has already bought a pair of (childrens) Hunters to co-ordinate with the colour scheme and I've got a cute pair of purple spotty wellies for my Goddaughter/Bridesmaid, so I just have to decide which pair I want to buy.

Let it snow (or rain):  Hunter RHS Original in Violet, Navy Golf Umbrella, Clear dome umbrellas,
Weddington boots with bow photo from here, Edwardian Style Umbrella (Pagoda) photo from here
 and Hunter Original Gloss wellies in stone photo from Amazon

If you follow me on Twitter you will be aware that the wellies have caused me some distress. About 3 weeks ago I discovered that the Joules Spring/Summer 12 range had wellies in the perfect shade of purple, I started hunting and eventually I found a pair at Topshop, advertised as purple but when they arrived they were Navy Blue. Finally, on Sunday I managed to win a pair on ebay and I got them a little cheaper than if I'd got them in the shops.

Umbrellas

This is the one area where I could get carried away… In an ideal world I want a white umbrella for me, a purple or taupe umbrella for my sister, plain children’s size umbrellas in lilac and black/taupe for my Bridesmaid and Pageboy and 4 black umbrellas for the ushers to use to help escort people. In reality I am hunting Ebay for the best options.

Wrapping Up

I have thought long and hard about this and a wonderful friend came to the rescue. A ‘normal’ coat would not work with my dress and I cannot afford to spend hundred of pounds on one for the day. While I like cloaks I think I am the wrong age to wear them, I look at photos of women in their mid to late 20s and I think they often look daft and it would suit me dress.

Staying stylish keeping warm (left to right): Shawl with rose detail, Lace overlay Imam by Pronovias,
Coat with fur collar and sparkle belt, Fur lined hooded cape, knitted short shawl
and full coat with fur collar and cuffs Madeline Issac-James 2012 photo found here

I then started looking at knitted shawls, when I was younger I would have a couple in my dressing-up box and loved them. So I contacted my amazing friend Jill, who owns North Star Yarns (http://www.northstaryarns.com/), for advice and she offered to make me one as my wedding gift – how cool is that? Yet another fabulous handmade item for the wedding! I have since realised that a shawl would be able to have a second life if we had children, I love the idea that something made for our wedding won’t just sit safely in a box.

The wedding getting closer and now I have all the elements of my outfit sorted I'm getting really excited.

TTFN ~ Kate xxx

Accessories: hair, jewellery and shoes (oh my!)

In a post for Dotty Vintage Wedding I have discussed the dress and I thought I would also do something here about my accessories.

Jewellery

My original idea had been to make all my jewellery. However, once I started trying on dresses and really imagining what I would look like, I realised that I already owned my wedding jewellery.

For my 21^st Birthday I was given a pearl necklace from my parents and the matching bracelet by my sister. They are simple stings of beautiful creamy pearls. Since deciding that I would wear these I have been told ‘not to worry about earrings’, which I take to mean someone has already said they would like to get me something to match.

A beautiful and simple pearl jewellery set, similar to mine.
by Highland Angel Weddings on Not On The High Street

Hair

I have long curly hair, something that I thought I could loose after it started falling out during a period of very ill health. So once it started growing back in, I knew I wanted to wear my hair down and in some sort of curls.

Stunning hair  accessory ideas (clockwise from top left)
Antique Gold Side Tiara, Feather Art Deco Birdcage veil, Crystal decorated Hair ribbon,
Pearl headband with side flowers and pearl nature inspired headband

After looking at the options on Bridal shops and browsing many beautiful options online, I decided I wanted to make my hair pieces myself. I purchased some pearls and Swarovski crystals, as well as the relevant findings. After a couple of practices I soon found that both items I wanted to make were easy.

The tiara/hair band I made, a single line of alternating pearls (natural potato) and Swarovski crystals (clear and pale lilac), is identical to what the local Bridal shop stocks (£50) and I made it for a fraction of the price (approx £10) in less than an hour.

Paradise Jewellery UK have this elegant Swarovski pearl
and crystal  hairband/tiara

I am also considering wearing a veil and my thoughts on this can be found in my previous post Veiled in confusion.

Shoes

I love shoes, if I had more money I would have a wardrobe full of them! So when it cam to choosing me shoes I got carried away. At first I fell in love with a pair of Diane Hassell shoes from Elegant Steps called Buttercup, but the price tag was a big issue, and while they were still available I hadn’t yet chosen my dress.

Buttercup

Then a few weeks before I went dress shopping I was looking at Irregular Choice shoes, and saw a pair that were stunning. After choosing the dress and talking through the final look with my Mum and sister, I went ahead and purchase the White and Gold Courtesan shoes which were limited edition to Schuh. I also managed to find a matching Irregular Choice bag on Amazon.

I have also got a pair of flat shoes, ready for dancing!

My shoes and handbag

Getting married in winter has led to lots of other accessory choices including wellies, brollies and how to keep warm. My thoughts on these can be found here.

TTFN ~ Kate xxx

4 Somethings

Most English/British Brides know the rhyme:
'Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrow, Something Blue
And a sixpence in my shoe'

Being a traditionalist at heart, I really wanted to make sure I met the 'somethings' criteria, and I wanted to do it so I had an item (or items) to cover each point. The Knot suggests these are tokens given at the last minute by close female relatives, however most Brides I know have pre-planned the items.

Something Borrowed
I know the logical thing would be to cover this in order, but my something borrowed is my most important item and I want to explain why it is borrowed and not old.

My parents on their wedding day

Meaning: by carrying/wearing something borrowed from a happily married woman you are hoping that their good fortune and long lasting, happy marriage will be carried into your future.

I cannot find the link, but I read somewhere that a good item to borrow is a veil, as this was the item to keep evil spirits from the bride.
 I really liked this idea so set about asking the women i am close to about their veils. Getting married within 4 years of each other my Mum, future MiL and Auntie all had some sort of late 70s/80s Juliet cap - while this look is going through a revival, it does not fit with the simple, classic feel I'm aiming for.
I am still considering a veil and to read more thoughts on this,                                                        please see my previous post.

Silver coin purse

Instead I have selected to carry a silver coin purse. I have no idea how old this coin purse is, but I do know it has been carried by my Great Grandma, my Grandma, Mum, Auntie and sister at their weddings. All have happy marriages that are an example to me of what it takes to make a relationship work and all are important women to me. My Ma & Pops have been together 58 years, some of that good fortune would be welcome in our future!



Something Old

Meaning: By Carrying something old a Bride is carrying continuity to the past and the family she is 'leaving'

I have a sting of Baby Pearls, they are a short necklace of small beads that I was given on my 1st Birthday from my Mum & Dad, they had previously been my Mum's and were given to her on her 1st Birthday also.
They date from the late 50s/early 60s and are the oldest piece of jewellery I own.
I can't wear them as they are too short for a necklace and too long for a bracelet, but I am looking at options for how I can incorporate them into my day.

Something New

Meaning: Looking forward with optimism for the future

Brides today will wear many new things on their wedding day and I have been mulling over what i should count as this item. My shoes will have been broken in. My dress will only be worn on the day, and I want my 'something' to be something I wear/use during our marriage. My Jellewery was a 21st present (see up-coming post on Dotty Vintage Weddings).
However I have been told that someone will be getting me earring to match my pearls, I don't know when I will get these (there's still Christmas and my Birthday before the wedding), but if I don't wear them until the day, they will be brand new and something I will use for years to come

Blue bead as
part of hair piece

Something Blue

Meaning: Blue in British tradition represents love, fidelity and purity. Other colours carry the same meaning around the world, tho I do wonder if this was put in place so it rhymed.

I have chosen to make some items for my hair and incorporated into one of these are 2 blue Swarovski crystals.

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Flowers Finalised

Buttonhole, Hair wreath,
Bouquet, Table Wreath
Corsage on bag.

While I was at my parents for a few days, I finally managed to meet up with my friend Fay, who is a talented florist and who is kindly doing my flowers for the wedding.

What I love about having a friend do the flowers for you is that you can discuss the details over a cup of tea and a giggle.
Fay's known me for years, so as I sat there explaining the theme and the look I'm going for, she could follow me and begin to picture what I'm after.

I knew exactly what 'items' I would like her to create and, even though I am doing the church decoration, there was quite a list:

1x buttonhole for groom, using both flowers.
4x buttonholes for grooms family, Best man and Ushers, using one type of flower
4x buttonholes for my family and friend, using the other flower
4x girlie buttonholes for 'team Bride'
3x corsages for Mums and BH sister
2x hair pieces for bridesmaids
2x flowers to carry for bridesmaids
1x bouquet for me
12x table centers
decoration for around cake
20+x sprigs for the choir
and possibly 4 small vases for around reception

The thing I love about Fay is that she has known me for years, so she very quickly caught my vision for the look of the day of a magical/fairy tale woodland. I was also able to show her the plant my Grandma's been growing for use at the wedding and tell her exactly what flowers I would like - thankfully she agreed that it would all work well together and would be in keeping with the 'theme'

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Tricky Traditions

The Marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert:
The start of most British wedding traditions

In last few weeks I have 'met' some lovely fellow brides and one of them wrote a very moving post about why she won't be following all traditions, and this got my thinking about the traditions we have chosen to follow and why.

Before I go on I want to explain something about myself: I love the pomp and ceremony of British customs, I spent my time at uni going to formals, enjoying the dressing up and 'rules' of etiquette we followed.
At heart I am a traditional girl, I like that there are things that have been done by generations (albeit since the Victorians), therefore we have chosen to follow most traditions, but not all...

My Home Village
As well as being traditional, I am a home bunny. When we started talking about weddings I knew I wanted to be getting ready at my parents house & my childhood home. For me a hotel room in a unfamiliar location
                                                                 would not have felt right.

Village church - at the bottom of my road

4 things
I am keeping to 'Something old, something new, something borrowed and something new'; there are many way to do this, but I have chosen to have an item for each 'something' - once my 'something old' has been located I will share all four with you.

A proud Dad at my sisters wedding

Given away
My dad will be giving me away - I am very lucky; I have amazing parents who are supportive and encouraging in all parts of my lift and who are still happily married. To have anyone else other than Dad walking me down the aisle would be odd.

Speeches
My worst nightmare would be lots of people speaking, I think the traditional combination reflects all the key groups; the couple, family and friends. BH would be ok if I wanted to do a speech but I feel I would of had my moment and the speech is his.

There are many other traditions we are following: wearing white dress and matching bouquet with BH buttonhole, cake cutting and first dance, but there are a couple I'm 'messing with':

                                   Top Table
In the Guildhall there is a raise Dias and they would normally have a long, one sided top table for a wedding. We, however, have chosen to sit at a round table (still with our parents, best man and maid of honour) in the middle of all our guest, we have invited them to celebrate with us so we want to be with them not 'Lording' above them.


Master of Ceremonies
I do not like Toast-masters! They are not a British tradition from what I can tell and I find them naff (sorry if you're having one, this is obviously just my opinion). I had originally asked my FiL (to be) if he could do this role and was told that "it would not be appropriate" as parents are hosts - who will do this role is still up for discussion.

Team Bride
I have never wanted a fleet of girls walking in front/behind me as I process down the aisle: I have the world best sister (yes I'm biased) and a collection of amazing friends, so when it came to choosing my adult bridesmaids I decided to get creative - my sister is my only bridesmaid, but my fabulous friends (including one guy) are my 'Team Bride' they are all taking an active role in the day, will have a buttonhole/small corsage and are joining me and my family for dinner the night before the wedding.

I think every bride & groom need to plan their day their way, traditions and etiquette change over time and there's every reason to break out the box. A traditional day has always been what I dream about and so I happy to have a formal wedding that can include many of the customs.

TTFN ~ Kate xx

Bridal Beauty: Under Pressure?

Like most Brides to be I have a full time job and in the last few weeks it's been really busy as I've been planning and organising the Holiday Club (which turned out great). This was followed by a long weekend at my parents where I thought I'd get time to do lots of blogging, however between wedding shopping, wedding crafting and seeing friends this blogging time didn't materialise.

So here I am on my lunch break, wearing a face mask and typing my apologies.

Coming back from weekend of party food, roast dinners and take aways, I am aware that I have a few extra pounds to loose before W-day. I don't think I have ever felt so confused about my size...

Growing up I was a BIG girl and by the time I was 16 I was ok with that, that was me. Since then I have been diagnosed with Crohn's, lost a lot of weight due to the disease and nearly died.

Is it really important for me and other brides to be their thinnest on their day? If I watch the Wedding Channel it is sponsored by weight watchers and each break is framed by an ad showing a beautiful girl shrink to a size 8 for her day - do we need to be told 8 times an hour we are fat and have to be a thin bride?

Yes we all want to look and feel our best, but is conforming to societies standards of beauty the way to do it?

If you are a girl where you have been thin and that's how you feel most beautiful, then returning to that size is great. But I don't see why I should strive to get down to my previous small size when that meant illness and hospital. As long as my dress fits and I'm healthy that will be enough to me.

However, I am obsessed about my skin and hair. After my first turn in hospital my skin is in a never ending cycle of breakouts and I have a weird shelf of hair on my left side as I suffered some hair loss through the stress of the illness. To return these back to their previous good condition involves dedicating time and finding the right products, I have to remember to keep to a daily skin regime and take the time to care for my hair. I need to spend time weekly pampering - oh what a shame!

I also have to eat a healthy balanced diet to make sure my body is getting everything it needs to restore my skin and hair and to keep it healthy.

My beauty must haves: 1) Lee Stafford hair growth products, 2) healthy meals inc fish and lots of veg,
3) selection of my face products, mostly Soap & Glory, 4) I must remember to drink lots of water, 5) body pampering products even more Soap & Glory. I buy all my products from Boots

So for the next 4 months, I will be eating healthily and exercising, not because I want to be thin, but because I want my body to be healthy and strong - ready for the start of the next chapter in my life.

TTFN # Kate xx

Veiled in Confusion

Variation on a Birdcage Veil

To veil or not to veil...? It's a question that I think every bride asks, even if its only for a few seconds to confirm her choice.
I remember when I was a teenager, being in the car with mum and driving past a wedding. Mum made a comment about the bride in a veil and Lorna (my sister) and I both said we wouldn't wear a veil when we got married, this slightly shocked my mum at the time, as for her a bride wears a veil.

Since I've been engaged I have known how I want my hair - down and curly with a homemade hairpiece or two, and I remained adamant I didn't want to wear one, right up to the point I started trying on dresses.


Then the world of veils was open up to me....
I knew there was a selection, but I would never have dreamed of the detailed terminology there is in the area.

Firstly what length do I want?
I knew I definitely didn't want a birdcage, having a traditional full length gown and a formal wedding, I knew it was not right for the occasion. I also think a shoulder length veil (especially a very poofy one) looks ridiculous on short girls, & I'm only 5'3"!
Likewise a veil that is as long as my dress (chapel, cathedral or regal) would not suit the small, intimate village church we had chosen.
This still left me with a host of length options from elbow to knew length. I have to admit to standing in a mirror with a tape measure trying to imagine what they would look like.

Clockwise from top left: Beautiful Birdcage Veil, Veil length Guide, Shoulder Length
Cathedral Length, Kate Middleton (my favourite)

Next, decision is material, trim and scatter...
Some veils come in a fine net, these tend to quite stiff, the thread thick and a honeycomb pattern to them. The other option is tulle; there is a choice of 'standard' or silk, some companies (especially in America) offer 'Bridal illusion' but I think that's just the non-silk tulle. In some cases you also have a choice of fine or firm...

Trim is how the veil is edged and there is a long list: from cut edge to lace or crystal, and scatter if the amount and spread of crystals across the material.
I have found the easiest way to understand the options is to look at a veil websites Wedding Veils Direct were very helpful.

L-R: 1) Lace Edge Veil 2) Coloured Ribbon edge 3) Crystal scatter 4) Pearl edge

3 Tiered Veil

Gather, blusher and tiers
These are the two elements that I find the easiest to understand.
Gather is simply how much the material is pulled together at the comb. The more gather the narrower it is at that point & the poofier the veil. There are 3 options: no gather, part or half gather and full gather.
The blusher is where the veil covers the face.
The tiers are how many layers, often different lengths down you back, of veil you would like.
If you have a blusher you will have a 2 tier (at least) veil, but you don't have to have a blusher if you want 2 or more tiers.



Just as I started to get my head around the choices, vintage styles began to become popular, Kate Moss and Lily Allen both wore beautiful 1920's Juliet cap designs; during the 1980's a variation had been popular, and were worn by my mum, future mother-in-law and my Aunty, which incorporated a solid hat or wide band with the veil attached.
I don't this the very loose version would suit me, nor the dress & wedding, but perhaps the 80's version would suit. Maybe I should try my mum's veil and see if I could wear that?

Kate Moss' beautiful boho Juliet cap veil
sourced here

Drop veil
Not the Bridezilla!

Shortly after I started looking into wedding dresses I saw an episode of Bridezillas, normally I'm not keen on their choice of outfit, but this bride was wearing a very simple veil that fell over her, no comb or gather. As I tried to describe it to mum i found myself saying 'imagine a child dressing as a ghost under a sheet, it sits like that'. I like this style, and its not dissimilar to the veil the Duchess of Cambridge wore, except she used a tiara to secure the tulle. While I'm trying to avoid 'Kate does Kate', I would be happy to heve her veil as it was stunning.

Off to research more options and seeing what would be within my budget.

TTFN ~ Kate xxx