Wedding Dresses: Haute or Hot Mess? [edit]

By kissesandchaos in weddings alli woods frederick guest blogger wedding planning audrey hepbrun chanel designer dresses dior fashion disasters fashion faux pas grace kelly haute hot mess jenny packham kisses & chaos picking out a wedding dress princess di trends trendy wedding dress do's wedding dress dont's ysl yves saint laurent

May 30, 2012

Trying to pick out a dress for The Big Day can be so overwhelming. It seems like it should be easy enough, doesn’t it? I mean, we manage to dress ourselves each and every day with little to no problems or complications. Then why is it that we have so much trouble picking out one dress? Just one. Oh, I already know the answer of course…it’s because that one dress has to be the PERFECT DRESS. It has to be THE ONE. (On a side note it is extremely difficult for me to not make a cheesy reference to the sci-fi movie The Highlander right now…oh forget it…I’m helpless to resist.) “There can be only one.” But how do you know the one is really the one? What if it’s merely the one for right now? Do you want your dress to be haute or a hot mess and how can you be sure which is which?

Rule Number 1:

Avoid Dresses that are Too Trendy

There’s nothing wrong with being stylish and fashion forward but following flash in the pan trends are a one way ticket to a future filled with the mockery of your wedding photos by your children and grandchildren (and if they’re REALLY bad and you’re extra lucky, you’re great-grandchildren). Don’t believe me? Check out these world class wedding dress travesties.

Distracting from the awful wedding dress by using even worse bridesmaid dresses = genius.

The florist must have recognized the fashion faux pas by concealing it behind the insanely massive bouquet. Too bad it couldn’t hide the veil.

Princess Di was lovely. Her gown?…not so much.

Whoa. Just whoa.

The perfect dress for women who are passionate about feminine hygiene.

Rule Number 2:

Even Designers Make Hideous Mistakes.

Even our beloved designers seem to have trouble distinguishing between what’s hot and what’s not. Yes, many runway looks are never intended to be worn as-is, straight off the runway for events. There is usually a bit of tweaking and toning-down of outrageous details that are done before they are worn by those who can afford the hefty price tags…please note the use of the word “usually.” There have been instances of pieces being worn straight off the runway with rather unfortunate outcomes. Here are a few designer pieces which I pray with all my heart never make it onto any bride anywhere…tweaked or not. God save us all if they ever do for it will truly be a sign of the end times.

Really, Yves Saint Laurent? Really? I don’t think Mother Nature herself would touch this with a ten foot pole…no matter how you prune it.

You may now kiss the bride…if you can reach her.

Even my beloved Jenny Packham gets it wrong from time to time…the poor girl looks like she’s been attacked by an ostrich.

Love the 1960’s influence with this Dior gown, but I don’t know very many brides that want to look like the reception tent.

Even those who kneel at the house of Chanel can’t deny that this gown borders on blasphemy.

Rule Number 3:

When in Doubt Ask “What Would Audrey or Grace Do?”

Are you on the fence about whether or not a gown will stand the test of time? Are you worried that good taste mean not being able to express your personal style? Fear not. When in doubt just stop, take a deep breath , channel a classic style icon and ask your self “What would Audrey Hepburn do?” (or Grace Kelly or Dita Von Tease…you get the idea.) Connect with these goddesses of fashion and taste and you can’t go wrong.

Coco redeems herself with a show of exceptional taste with this vintage Chanel gown.

Classic, cute and just a little quirky from my beloved Jenny Packham. So very Audrey.

Do you dream of speakeasy’s and love The Great Gatsby? Then this Jenny Packham dress, though daring, is perfect. (I think this might be my favorite.)

A dress to make Grace Kelly proud.

What does your dream dress look like? Do you already have one picked out? Still shopping around? Feel free to leave comments and links to your favorite gowns (or more fashion travesties) in the comments section.

Kisses & Chaos,

Alli Woods Frederick

About The Author:

Alli Woods Frederick is an artist, photographer, writer, reiki master, intuitive & zombie slayer extraordinaire who blogs at KissesAndChaos.com. She is also the art editor for All Things Girl Magazine. Her feline companion, Mischa the Wonder Cat, is currently being considered for sainthood. She has a deep and abiding love of fancy dress, Bruce Campbell, Bob Hope, Adam Ant, the 1930′s & tea parties. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with ghosts, shoes, zombies, the deep south, England and glitter, though not necessarily in that order. Her photography has been featured in F-Stop Magazine and All Things Girl and her writing has been featured on HelloGiggles.com, The Goods, Kind Over Matter and in The Radical Uprise Issue #021: Grow/Create. Her photography has been exhibited at Springbox Gallery in Portland, Oregon. To view more of her photographic/artistic work visit AlliWoodsFrederick.com.

image credits | | via blog.myjewelrybox.com | via blog.bridepower.com | via rohinews.com | via fashionindie.com | via modernfairygodmother.com | via weddingdressesdo.com | via pics-site.com | via weddingphotosgallery.onsugar.com | via weddinginspirasi.com | via duchka.blogspot.com | via laura-sylv.tumblr.com | via weddinge.net | via handybagfairy.co.uk | via brideorama.com |

Thorncrown Chapel Wedding - Jayson and Brittnea - Eureka Springs Wedding Photographers [edit]

By trinityridge in weddings

May 26, 2012

Still trying to catch up on posting weddings here on the blog! This was another lovely small wedding here in Eureka Springs at Thorncrown Chapel. It was a beautiful fall day - perfect bright orange leaves - warm and sunny. We really enjoyed shooting this wedding - Jayson and Brittnea were such a sweet couple. :) Not to mention, Brittnea is just stunning!!!

On a side note, next Spring is starting to book up! If you're planning a wedding next May or June, now would be a great time to give us a call! ;)

Hope you enjoy these portraits! Love is beautiful. We are blessed to be surrounded by it so often. :)

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Lost to the Ages: Wedding Traditions from Days of Yore [edit]

By kissesandchaos in weddings engagements wedding planning courtship dating history of courtships history of weddings wedding traditions

May 23, 2012

“I do.”

“You may now kiss the bride.”

American engagement and wedding traditions have become pretty cut and dry. You date. You fall in love. The date is set. Invitations are mailed. You exchange rings, light unity candles, pour sand…you get the idea. But courtship and marriage traditions of the past, for all the similarities to the present day, had some rather notable differences…notable differences indeed. Presented below are some of the more unusual, fickle and just plain odd engagement and wedding customs of days gone by – an interesting window into American culture that is, though not that long ago, long forgotten.

Frog Went a Courtin’

Ah sweet, romantic courtship. Most of us think of modern courtship as typical dating. Boy meets girl. Boy asks girl out. Boy brings girl presents of chocolate, flowers, wine or my personal favorite, a masterfully crafted mix tape of obscure but meaningful music. Boy lingers on front porch in the hopes of a goodnight kiss from girl. If the date is successful - Lather. Rinse. Repeat. But as recently as the 1800’s courtship looked VERY different in America.

♥ Northern US courtship traditions were rather surprising. Many would engage in a practice called “bundling.” Believed to be a Dutch tradition, the man and woman would be tucked into bed together, sometimes dressed and sometimes only partially clothed. This was meant to build intimacy between the potential couple without being, um, intimate. As you may have guessed this resulted in more than its fair share of, shall we call them, “early births” in the marriages. Go figure.

♥ Southern US courtship traditions more closely resembled our current dating habits, albeit a more controlled version. A typical southern courtship consisted of visits from the suitor for a pleasant evening conversing on the porch or in the parlor all while under the watchful eye of a chaperone.

2 Strikes = A Home Run

Think modern girls invented playing hard to get? I’m afraid not, ladies. This little love game has been around longer than you think.

♥ In the southern US it was not uncommon, and was actually considered good form for women to refuse her suitor’s proposals not just once, but at least twice if not more before accepting his offer of marriage. That’s gotta be rough. Poor fellas!

It’s a Nice Day for a White Wedding

The often elaborate white wedding dress – an essential staple for most brides and symbol of purity. If you think this is an old, time honored tradition then you are incorrect.

♥ White wedding gowns? No way. Brown or dove grey silk bridal gowns were the colors of choice once upon a time.The bridesmaids were the ones who wore white. Funny when you consider how shocked people were when Pippa Middleton, The Dutchess of Cornwall’s maid of honor (and sister), wore that smashing Sarah Burton gown…in white! *Gasp* White wedding gowns started to gain favor and a very slow acceptance after Queen Victoria rocked a satin one (adorned with bright orange flowers no less) in 1840.

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Brides to be, I can already here your upc scanners exploding from shock as you walk the aisles at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I have some bad news about those wedding gifts you’re so excited about receiving.

♥ Hold on to your seats. Traditionally there were no wedding gifts given to the happy couple. Yup. You heard me. So when you get that god awful bright green and orange glass salad bowl with a duck and hunting dog pattern on it from your third cousin Jaime who you haven’t even spoken to in 5 years, instead of cursing her, her exceptionally bad taste and the fact that she completely disregarded your gift registry, just be thankful you got anything at all. Besides…bust it out at parties and all your hipster friends will find it cool and ironic.