Showing posts with label Short Wedding Dresses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Wedding Dresses. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box...


 (Amsale Little White Dress)

 


 (Melissa Sweet)

And Step into a Hemline Raised to Ballet, Tea, Knee or Slightly Above-the-Knee lengths.   But let's Keep it Tasteful and Always Elegant, whether you're marrying for the first time or renewing your vows.


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I love the Melissa Sweet wedding dress above.  It has a vintage feel I absolutely adore.



Warning, you may start craving a slice of wedding cake after gazing at this white dress with pink flowers on the dress form above.  Well, it should.  It's a cake dress designed by those talented cake designers at the Pink Cake Box.  

It's the perfect example of an out-of-the-wedding gown-box, wedding dress like the ones in our opening scene.  Can't you see them all with a white, ivory or soft pink bird cage veil or fascinator? 

Fascinator - A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery.  It's a woman's alternative to a hat for formal attire.  It's usually a large hair decoration on a clip with elaborate trimmings and decoration like a formal hat.  And it can incorporate a base to make it a miniature hat.  Wikipedia

 I certainly can see a bird cage veil or fascinator with any of the short wedding dresses previously shown.  That's the great thing about stepping out-of-the-wedding-shop-box.  You can add any color you want to a dress.  Wedding shop owners and maybe a few wedding planners are probably frowning at that last statement.  But hey, it's your wedding ...you can add color if you want to!



Popular Hat Designer and Owner of the Granville Milliery Company--Amy Hamilton--designed the next fascinator called the "French Twist."

 (Granville Millinery Company - French Twist)


 A Hat Above the Rest...
Short wedding dresses could even be worn with a stylish hat accentuated with flowers and feathers like the Royal Romance design below, also created by Hamilton.

  







Miracles and Blessings ...Welcome to iCafe Woman Moderne ...Kiki, here.   Once again, we're starting June off with our annual wedding text-webisode.  

This time, we're showing you how to:  Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box!  I'm happy to say I'll be celebrating the big 20th wedding anniversary this July 11.  Hooray!  

What's our secret?  It's really not a secret, but I'll tell you just the same.  It's quite simple ...the couple that prays and worship together has a strong foundation to stay together.   Without it, you'll feel like you're walking on quick sand during the challenging times.  

But first, a quick message from our Sponsor.

"Anything is possible if I have faith."  Mark 9:23
"From Eternity to Eternity.  I am God.  No one can oppose what I do."  Isaiah 43:13 

Now Back to iCafe Woman Moderne's Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box...

KIKI
Welcome back!  But we're not just talking about stepping out-of-the-wedding gown-box.  

Fellas ...freeze.  Don't you dare back out of that door.  Today's text-webisode also have some handsome surprises to help you step out of your tuxedo box. 

So of course I asked four of our iCafe Woman Moderne Divas to drag ...I mean ... cordially invite their hubbies and fiances to join the fun.  

Two are renewing their vows this Summer and Fall.  While the other two are first-time brides and grooms and want to crank up the unique quotient for their wedding. 

Let's check out what's going on in the great room?  Shall We? 


FADE IN:

INT./ ICAFE WOMAN MODERNE - DAY
The camera zooms in on our grooms-to-be and hubbies who can't stop squirming on the sectional.  They're looking a tad uncomfortable.  Maybe it's because they're wearing white sleep masks emblazoned with  "groom" and "groom again" in black letters. 

KIKI
Our first bride-to-be, MARIAH, 25 - a Dental Hygienist -- models her selected wedding dress.  It's a replica of the short, pink wedding dress with matching veil introduced in the movie, The Vow.   

Worn by Co-Star Rachel McAdams and co-starring Channing Tatum, this made-for-movie dress was designed by out-of-the-box Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson .




MARIAH
I'm loving this pink dress.  I found it on ..."  

She glances at fiance, TONY, 27 - Architect.

MARIAH (CONT'D.)
"I found it on ...it's my secret until the wedding day dot com."

TONY(27 - Architect)
Why am I here if I can't see the dress? 
Wait a minute, did you say pink?  
You can't wear a pink wedding gown.
Someone I like to call, Mom ... and your 
future mother-in-law will freak. You're wearing white. 

NATE (28 - Licensed Carpenter)
So, you're cool with it being short?

TONY
Short!  Oh man, Mariah ...what are you doing to me here. You can't wear a short dress on our wedding day. Sure it's in a garden, but a short dress won't cut it with Mom or me.  I always saw my bride in a white gown that looks like marshmallow fluff.

MARIAH
Tulle?  You're insane if you think I'm wearing tulle.  Even though that tulle dress in the opening scene was cute.  Forget it, I'm not wearing anything long that looks like marshmallow fluff.  It's so not happening.

TONY
You're not wearing a short pink dress. 

He snatches off his mask as his future bride screams bloody murder.  He stares at her in shock, speechless.  He walks over to her mesmerized and smiling.

TONY
This is your wedding dress.  You're not wearing anything else.  I'm not kidding.  Baby, you're so beautiful.  I can't wait to marry you.

ICAFE WOMAN MODERNE DIVAS O.S. 
(off-screen-behind the open-concept kitchen)
(in unison)
Awww!

Mariah and Tony passionately kiss.

BART 
(49 - ELECTRICAL ENGINEER)
(laughing)
Hey Tony, I'm pretty sure they can find you a dress like that so the two of you can match. Won't that be nice, Tonya?

The guys laugh.   

TONY
That's okay, Bart Simpson.  I'm borrowing your Pee Wee Herman plaid tuxedo with the high-water pants you wore at your prom and wedding. 


(Pee Wee's Big Adventure)

Bart and Tony crack up, pounding hands. 

Bart's wife, JENNY, 49 - Dietician - (they're celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in August) enters the great room next.

KIKI
Jenny's in a shorter version of the pink chiffon gown you're seeing on your screen that was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.



JENNY (49 - DIETICIAN)
FYI ...Bart's suit was checkered, and Grand-mom let out the hem for our wedding.
(to Bart) 

Don't even think about taking off that mask.  We've got another 25 years to go.

Tony and the ladies check out the long, pink dress on the monitors, as OLIVIA, 28, - Owner of Sweet Olivia's Bake Shop -- joins them in her grandmother's tea length Fifties prom dress.  



OLIVIA
Jenny, your dress looks identical to the Martha Stewart one,  only shorter. 

JENNY
Thanks, my sewing skills definitely came in handy.

MARIAH
Don't tell me you made your own wedding dress.  What can't you do?  You're this amazing gourmet chef ... you make your own soap ... you can even build a deck and tile a bathroom.  You're like this Martha Stewart with Ty Pennington's skills.

OLIVIA
Wow, it looks like a professional did it.

JENNY
A professional did.   I've been sewing since I could sing the alphabet.  My parents were expecting a James, but Daddy still taught me everything he knew.

OLIVIA
Can you help me with mine?  I'd like to raise the neckline and make it a keyhole and update the flowers.   NATE ...hands off that blindfold.

NATE
I was yawning.

TONY
Sure you were, dude.  

JENNY
I'll help you, Liv ...that's not a problem.  Your mother's dress was made for you.

KIKI
Daria, are you ready?

DANNY
I saw her crocheting the dang thing.

DARIA 
It's not the same ...leave the mask on! 

She yells from the changing area O.S. (off-screen)

 (100layercake.com)

KIKI
(to the camera)
Daria was inspired to make this dress by the woman in the photo, on your screen.  She's with her husband and baby at their mountaintop elopement.  She sewed the green dress underneath from a vintage pattern and crocheted the doilies for the overlay in three weeks.

Daria walks out in a coral halter vintage dress with ivory crocheted doilies and white silk gardenias in her hair.

DARIA
It took me seven weeks.

OLIVIA
It's stunning.

DARIA
It'll be perfect for our vow renewal in Bermuda.

DANNY
You mean Barbados.

DARIA
Why would we be going to Barbados 
when we honeymooned in Bermuda?
(to the ladies)
We're celebrating our 35th, poor fella.  He's losing it.

DANNY
(laughing)
Bermuda's already booked.  I'm just making sure you're not slipping, woman. 

KIKI
Okay, ladies ...it's the men's turn.

ALL MEN
Our turn?

Kiki faces the camera, smiling. 

KIKI
That's right, it's your turn to look as handsome as our favorite stars from yesterday. The famous Las Vegas Rat Pack. 

 


A photo of the Rat Pack members -- Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra -- appears on the monitor behind her. 

 KIKI CONT'D.
It's nice to have friends in high fashion places.  My friend, Desmond ...a men's wear buyer at Nordstrom's ...brought over some suits in your sizes and accessories.   Now it's your turn to look fierce.  He's in the back waiting for you.  Go on now.

NATE
Had I known, I wouldn't have eaten that cheese steak and cheese fries before I came here.

BART
You're forgetting those two brownies and Latte you scoffed down once you got here.

NATE
(to Bart)
I guess we're going to ignore that fancy French sandwich and peach milk shake you had.  (snickering)

The guys laugh.  Nate and Bart pat their stomachs, as the ladies shake their heads.

KIKI
The two who didn't eat cheese steaks and brownies ...try on the suits.  The rest ... you'll model the accessories.  

She hands the ladies blindfolds.  

KIKI
Sorry, Divas. We're saving the surprise for your special days.  

Action in iCafe Woman Moderne FREEZES just as the women start to protest.  

ZOOMS IN on a laptop placed on a coffee table in front of the sectional.

SFX:  SOUND OF KNOCKING ON GLASS.

CLOSE-UP of a smiling Kiki inside the laptop.  

KIKI
Over here ...don't you love technology? At a blink, I can freeze that scene and their complaints.

She gestures toward the frozen images of the women surrounding her face inside the laptop.

KIKI
And we can come back to this.

She snaps her fingers.

CUT TO GREAT ROOM
The men leave. Kiki hands the ladies "Bride-to-Be" and "Bride Again" white sleep masks.  They begrudgingly wear them, but don't utter a word.

MOMENTS LATER... 

Kiki is seated on the sectional with the ladies.

KIKI
Welcome back to iCafe Woman Moderne 's virtual cafe inside an Art Moderne home.  Today's New Millennium men can step out-of-the-tuxedo-box too.  Especially, if they're having a destination, beach or garden weddings as you're all doing. 

She leaves the sectional and stands by the open-concept kitchen where the men will emerge.

KIKI CONT'D.
Ladies, I'll describe what they're wearing, so you're not completely in the dark.  But like you, they'll have the final say.  Are we in agreement?  Or do we need a time out again.

The web camera pans their unhappy faces, nodding.

CUT-TO GREAT ROOM
Tony enters dressed-to-impress.

KIKI 
Here's Tony in a blue seersucker suit sporting a navy polka-dot bow tie.




KIKI
He's Rico Suave in a Stetson's Brewster Straw Panama Fedora.  Yes, ladies ...straw hats are appropriate for outdoor weddings.  I didn't think we had time for all four to model the suits, but we do.  So here they are.





KIKI
Nate joins us in a lavender version of the seersucker.  It would look great on groomsmen if the bridesmaids wore lavender dresses.




 KIKI
Nate's also wearing a Stetson Latte Milan Fedora hat with it.  Ladies, I know you're dying to speak.  But please hold your comments and leave the masks on.  




BART
I like this.

Bart enters the great room.

KIKI
Bart's liking his two-button light tan suit and ladybug silk tie.  I understand this design has sentimental meaning and looks fantastic.



JENNY
You could've warn me you were going to make me cry today.

Jenny wipes tears from her cheeks.

JENNY CONT'D.
My first gift from him ...five days after we met ...was a ladybug necklace.  

She touches the ladybug necklace she's wearing.  

JENNY
He found out from my sister that I loved everything ladybug.  That's when I fell in love with him.  Except for our wedding day, I always wear it.

The ladies stop her from staggering over to him. 



KIKI
Bart's also carrying a red and black polka dot tie that looks like a lady bug convention.  



BART 
I'm wearing the first lady bug tie.   It's sharp.  



KIKI
And finally,  Dapper Danny looks stylish in this natural three-button linen suit accented with a coral retro mod tie.  It perfectly matches your coral crocheted dress, Daria.  He's also sporting a Kangol Swirl Pork Pie hat in brown and tan.




DARIA
A Swirl Pork Pie!  It sounds like something I would like eating ...not something I would like to see him wear.

DANNY
Now we're talking.  I'm digging everything about this look.  

SHOPPING TIPS FOR GROOMS-TO-BE 
AND GROOMS AGAIN

KIKI
Guys, here are tips to remember from grooms advice.com when shopping for your special day.  

1.  A well-tailored suit will make you look a million times better than a suit pulled off the rack at Sears.

2.  When choosing your shirts and suits make sure that the shoulder seams fall on your shoulders.

3.  A collar on a dress shirt should fit snugly around your neck, not too tight though.  If you can fit more than one finger between you and your collar, that neck size is not the right one for you.

4.  If you're getting married on a beach and you're going with the golf shirt style, the shirt should end just below your waist.

5.  Go to a higher end rental store if you're renting.  Go to a store that has stock you can try on.  Never order sight unseen.

KIKI
Ladies, let's give a hand for your sweeties and the good sports they are. Now guys head on back and change.  

A FEW MORE MINUTES LATER, the masks are removed and the guys are back.

 KIKI
I hope you're enjoying today's text-webisode.  We're definitely ending on a sweet note, literally.  Now, for those of you who want to step out-of-the-wedding-cake-box. Here are a few alternatives we found on Martha Stewart Weddings that Olivia, the owner of Sweet Olivia's Bake Shop, made for us to sample.

Olivia
Thanks, Kiki.  Here are several alternatives or additions to traditional wedding cakes.

1. Martha Stewart's Bundt Wedding Cakes



2. Brownie Treats


3. Marbled Masterpiece.


4. Mini Cupcakes in Lace Cupcake Towers.

(Martha Stewart Weddings)


TO BE CONTINUED...

FADE TO BLACK.

 


















  




Saturday, April 2, 2011

Not Your Mama's Wedding Dress: Have Your Wedding with a Unique Twist!


You're no cookie-cutter bride.  Not by a long stretch.  You want a wedding that's distinctive, modern and shows off your personal style.    

Did I just describe you?  If so, this puts you on the trendy, short list... a 2011 resurgence of short wedding dresses hitting the wedding venues this Spring and Summer.  

Short wedding dresses, popular in the 1950s, have made a big comeback 61 years later.  



"My beloved said to me, 'Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away.  For the Winter is past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come.  Yes, spring is here.  The leaves are coming out and the grape vines are in blossom.  How delicious they smell!..."  Song of Solomon 2:10-13 



Become a Social Media Expert

 
Miracles and Blessings, Kiki here... how are you enjoying your Spring so far?  It's been a little chilly on our East Coast region, but mostly sunny skies, until this week.

Happy Belated April Fools Day!  Winter played an April Fools' Day trick on some of us North Easterners by waking us up to snow showers.  Fortunately, the snow flakes didn't stick and was over before noon. Good one, Winter... we'll see you in eight and a half months.  Until then, we'll be hanging out with our BFFs Spring and Summer.

Of course with Spring and Summer come a deluge of weddings and wedding renewals... traditional and the not-so-traditional.  Our  text-webisode, "Not Your Mama's Wedding Dress:  Have Your Wedding with a Twist," we hope will get you in the Spring and Summer wedding mood.

You're a soon-to-be-bride, and your goal is to stand out from all the past weddings your guests have attended.  Not only do you want to share your love and this new chapter with family and friends, you want your wedding to strike a distinctive chord in your guests' minds... whether you're having 20 or 200.   (above right - posh girl vintage)

A short and sassy wedding dress makes perfect sense for a destination beach wedding.  Perhaps a slightly below-the-knee or ballet-length vintage style for a morning or noonday church wedding is more to your liking.  Or maybe you're a Sci-Fi fan looking for a futuristic design for your museum wedding that will boldly go where none of your wedding guests have gone before.


Let's take at peek at what our three iCafe Moderne Divas are choosing for their out-of-the-box upcoming Spring and Summer nuptials.

Lara, 25 -- an Advertising Copywriter --  plans to jet off this Memorial Weekend for her Las Vegas nuptials with her 80 guests.
She chose a cutting edge, feather dress that shows off her creative flair.  She's definitely no chicken.  Her maid-of-honor and two brides maids are choosing their own Little Black Dresses to wear for her black-and white Las Vegas wedding.


Jocelyn, 35 -- an Interactive Designer -- will step out from programming codes and "tiptoe through the tulips" in New York's Botanical Gardens this June to start her new life styling in this nature-inspired Monique Lhuillier petal dress.



Viola -- a Corporate Attorney -- celebrates her 40th birthday saying "I Do" to her high school sweetie on a romantic beach in Bermuda.  A few years ago, they re-kindled a high school romance at their 20th reunion.  For this second trip down Matrimony Road, she opted for a non-traditional dress with a playful wink of tradition.


She'll lose the long veil and wear a stylish hat.


Not only are our iCafe Woman Moderne Brides-to-be wearing wedding dresses their way, they're transforming their receptions into one-of-a-kind dining experiences.  

Jocelyn's Botanical Nuptials
If Jocelyn had her way, desserts would always come before the meal.  No, she's not having dessert first at her buffet reception, but will have enough sweets to satisfy every sweet tooth.  

Vendor Ice Cream Cart
After sharing in Jocelyn's garden wedding, guests can cool off with their favorite ice cream bars from a Jack & Jill ice cream cart stationed in the reception ballroom after dinner plates are cleared.

A Chocolate Entree?
Guests will already be on a sugar high by the time they dig into their salad greens.  Who can resist nibbling on candy favorites at a well-stocked candy bar... yes, before dinner. 

But wait... it gets better.  They can have their steak and chocolate too.  One of her dinner entrees is a tantalizing Grilled Spicy New York Strip Steak with Chocolate Merlot Sauce... not surprising for this chocoholic bride. 

Tips on Planning a Candy Buffet 
1.  Select colorful eye-catching candy.  Choose 5-10 types of candy budget.  15-20 pounds.   Buy enough candy and in bulk at wholesalers and big box stores:  BJ's, Sam's Club and Costco's.

2.  Decide on whether you want to have retro candy, candy to match your wedding colors or theme... or you can have one kind, i.e, all licorice in different colors and shapes... all flavored jellybeans or mix and match several kinds, or have an assortment. (See above)
3.  Plan the candy by the size of the table and containers.
4.  Select containers -- clear plastic or glass.  Use different shapes and sizes.  If you plan in advance, or working on a tight budget--shop at flea markets, thrift stores... don't miss out on sales at stores like Target, Walmart and Kmart. (especially their dollar day sales)   Dollar Tree stores (and other dollar stores) are also great places to shop. 

Don't rule out donation centers.  You'll find a plethora of glass and plastic containers at Goodwill and The Salvation Army.  You may find some around the house.  Make sure you give them a good cleaning first, even the new ones.

5.  Place candy on risers.  Cover books, plastic containers, beach pails, or plastic milk crates with fabric to use as risers for the candy.  Make sure they'll hold the weight of your container and candy.
6.  Select a nice table cloth for the candy bar, or borrow one from a family member or friend. 
7.  Decorate the candy bar with a few childhood photos of the bride and groom, or a few items from their hobbies, favorite flower, artwork from children in the wedding party, etc.
8.  Get plastic scoops for the containers and small cellophane bags, or small white shopping bags.
 
Lara's Cotton Candy Las Vegas Reception
Lara loves cotton candy, so it's no wonder she's having Cotton Candy Shrimp appetizers and Cotton Candy as a base for non-alcoholic and alcoholic featured beverages at her open bar reception.  
For a non-alcoholic drink, put a small stick of cotton candy into a cocktail glass, add Mountain Dew or lemon soda and put in a maraschino cherry or cotton candy jelly beans.  

Lara fell in love with the Cotton Candy Martini she saw a chef make on WE-tv's hit reality series, "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," for a "pretty-in-pink" wedding.


(Cotton Candy Martini)

(Cotton Candy Shrimp)
 
Wedding Cupcakes
You're breaking free from the tradition wedding cake mold and choosing the newest trend, gourmet cup cakes. 

 


Lara will forgo the wedding cake for cupcakes, but use a small cake as a topper that she'll freeze for their first wedding anniversary.

TIFFANY BOX DESSERTS 

 (Tiffany Wedding Cake with Matching Mini Favors)
(Made by www.teatimecakes.com)

 (Tiffany Wedding Cake)

Viola's Bermuda Wedding
Like Lara, Viola's nixing the tiered wedding cake and serving individual cakes in the shape of an open Tiffany-style box filled with cream and berries.  To tie in with her Tiffany blue, peach and ivory wedding colors, guests will enjoy peaches and cream wedding dress and tuxedo-shaped cookie favors.  

Since her groom is an elementary school principal and his favorite food happens to be a grilled cheese sandwich, (a cafeteria favorite for generations) they're having a grilled cheese station at the reception where guests can have their sandwiches made right before their eyes and filled with bacon, crab, lobster, salmon, ham, roasted peppers, etc.  

A Different Kind of Bouquet
Try a Mum wedding bouquet dotted with imitation pearls. 












Now let's test your wedding IQ.

DID YOU KNOW?
-- July through September weddings are the cheapest to plan.  
December through June are the most expensive.

-- Morning weddings with brunch receptions are less expensive because there's less alcohol consumed.  You can even eliminate a bar and offer only non-alcoholic drinks or a champagne toast.

Saving on the Dress
 -- You can purchase a used wedding gown from recent brides at the sites:  Wore it Once and Once Wed.
-- Want a high-end-looking gown for a budget price?  Contact a wholesale operation that will recreate a gown based on a photo and made in China.  The material may not be first rate, but if the design is more important for this one day use, it could be a great option.
-- Find an operation where you send them a photo and purchase your own material.  These businesses are found through EBAY under:  Wedding Gowns or type in "Wedding Gowns."