Category Archives: Wedding Style Trends 2011

The Royal Wedding -gown speculation continues!

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There are only four days left until the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and I am giddy! I’ve said before that I am obsessed with  this wedding but, in reality I am really only obsessed with the details of the wedding itself, mostly her gown. I am so  super-excited about this wedding that I will watch the entire thing  on the DVR… probably more than once and also more than likely bore my husband to death with the details over and over – that’s what I do. He’ll nod and pretend to care while I talk – that’s what he does.

Not knowing either of them personally or having any interest in the future of the British Monarchy, I am still riveted to the tv whenever there is talk of the royal wedding. I was watching when Diana married Charles in July 1981. That was when there were no HDTV’s or DVR’s or even VCR’s. That’s when there were no 24 hour news channesl and the paparazzi actually had some limits. That was way back in the day when the princess was supposed to marry prince charming and  live happily ever after. I thought that was the way it was.  Diana’s future was not as simple as a fairy tale. But the wedding? It was something to behold.

I still get chills when I see the images of Diana coming out of that glass coach for the first time wearing Elizabeth Emmanuel’s silk tafetta creation, smoothing the skirt slightly as she stepped forward trying to manage  the 25 ft detachable train. Detachable trains became big in the 1980’s as a result of her decision to incorporate it into her gown. For her, it was the only plausible decision since it would be technically impossible to bustle 275 yards of any fabric  successfully! Two hundred seventy five yards of fabric. Mathematically that gown today would cost over twenty thousand dollars in material alone, not to mention the hundreds of hours of labor invlved in hand-sewing pearls and sequins onto lace.  The style of her gown became quickly known as meringue and similar gowns were immediatley copied around the globe, using every fabric imaginable.  That gown transformed Diana Spencer into Princes Diana and single handedly turned her into a fashion icon. The tight bodice, full skirt and puffed sleeves eventually fell out of fashion in the bridal industry as strapless took over. Honestly I can’t wait for this trend to take a break and I know I am not the only one.

Catherine is more mature and has an obviously independent spirit. She has been co-habitating with the future king for some time now…. something that was completely taboo in 1981. She has decided to arrive by car and not the glass coach, much to the chagrin of the public. The designer of her gown has been kept secret, an impossible feat to be sure. Her hairstyle, tiara choice and jewelry choices  are all top-secret. However, every  night there is another deisgner speculating on what she will wear and who is really designing it. Most agree that it will not be strapless. All agree it will be a British designer.
Someone I know ran into someone who  knew firsthand that the designer is absolutely Sarah Burton of the Alexander McQueen label. Hmmmm. But, just yesterday I read an article on the Huffington Post that states (matter of factly),  “I can reveal that Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label is designing Miss Middleton’s gown”.  Last month it was Bruce Oldfield, when Catherine’s mther and sister were spotted leaving his boutique  and then there were the  rumors of Stella McCartney. Today I read that Miss Middleton’s gown is of her own design. It’s all very confusing and if you have a scorecard, don’t even try to keep up.

Why all the speculation? Because believe it or not, this one gown will change the designer’s life and the entire fashion industry for many years to come. It will be something that history books, talk shows, news channels and people around the world will use to catapault into the next big thing. Can you imagine that kind of pressure? No wonder the designer wants to remain secret, they have work to do!

No matter what she wears, I have a feeling there will be bits of Diana incorporated into the style. Whether it is the sleeve, the train or the fabric, she will want the bond that began with her acceptance of Diana’s engagement ring  to remain intact.  I am waiting with anticiaption and hoping this princess gets the ‘Happily Ever After’ that everyone deserves.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Proud as a Peacock-themed wedding

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For the past several months I have been wondering what is up with the  ‘peacock thing’. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, let me enlighten you; peacock themed weddings are the hottest trend in color schemes right now. From invitations to shoes decorated with actual feathers, the peacock  topic is hotter than Vegas in July!

The peacock  is known for its beautiful feathered tail,  which includes shades of iridescent blue and green but also sprinkled with rich red and gold.  But did you know that the peacock also has very spiritual and cultural significance in all parts of the world? Whether it is ancient Greco-Roman mythology, Buddhist spirituality or modern Christianity, there is no doubt that the Peacock and Peacock feathers (by default) symbolize refinement, royalty,  integrity and the beauty you  can achieve when you choose to show your ‘true colors’.  A bonus is that domestic peacocks are monogamous and also assist in raising and nesting their young ones. Sound familiar? In case you were not aware, the peacock is the male bird only, the female is called a peahen. Animal activists can rest assured that peacocks do not have to give their lives in order to fill a feather order, the feathers are harvested by simply picking them up off the ground after the bird has finished molting.

I have no real idea where or when this trend began but, I have my own theory. Remember Carrie Bradshaw’s headpiece from the  first Sex in The City movie? It was a very feathery concoction with a blue bird on it. Was it a real bird? Was it a plastic bird? Was it dead, stuffed bird or merely movie magic? So many questions…. so few answers.  One thing we do know is that headpiece must have struck a chord with brides around the globe because since then the whole peacock thing has taken flight (pun intended). As unlikely as it may sound that this was the genesis of a peacock awakening, it is equally unlikely that  women across the world simultaneously decided en masse that peacock themed weddings were in vogue. We may never know.  

Just like other themed weddings and parties, the approach is simple; decide which elements you want to use to incorporate the peacock and have at it. A theme should run through уουr entire day frοm уουr invitations tο thе flowers thаt уου сhοοѕе tο thе favors thаt уουr guests take home. In order to achieve this you will need to stay very focused and keep a bridal planner at all times to avoid two major pitfalls:

 Use the any theme too sparingly and no one will know whats going on. A good example would be using peacock feathers on the table centerpieces and no where else in the room.  Whats the point?

 You need to stop short of having  bridesmaid’s  nails airbrushed to resemble peacock feathers. However, the invitations, a cake with peacock feather designs, bridal party gowns in iridescent peacock colors, a feathered boutonniere, carrying a peacock-accented bouquet and incorporating all of the rich colors into the decor of the room will add layers of the  theme throughout the night without overwhelming the guests at every turn.

For more ideas on how to carry out your themed wedding, call 847-428-3320 to get tickets to a show in your area where you can see, touch and feel all of the wonderful wedding details our vendors have to offer.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago