Elegant Gowns for Older Brides
Being an older bride and dressing appropriately in no way means being dowdy or conservative. A bride of any age can look incredible in a gowns and bridal jewelry sets which are chic and fashion-forward. What it means to dress like an older bride is to wear something which is sophisticated and elegant, rather than young and frilly. Anything that makes you look like Cinderella is out. Anything that makes you look like Grace Kelly is definitely in.
Sheath style wedding gowns are among the most elegant. The slim silhouette is womanly and sophisticated, perfect for a bride who is a grown-up with life experience. A draped silk satin gown is an especially gorgeous choice. The fabric is the ultimate in luxury, and the weight of the satin along with the draping add a bit of camouflage that other slender gowns lack. The one shoulder style is very stylish right now and looks marvelous on a woman of any age. Bridal jewelry sets which feature dramatic crystal earrings and bracelets complement the single shoulder style beautifully.
Lace is a traditional bridal favorite and it can be stunning for a more mature bride. A lace gown with a fitted bodice and tip of the shoulder cap sleeves is a beautiful option. Look for one which is slender through the hips and then gently flared out into a court train at the hem. Brides who prefer styles which disguise the hips can look for gowns in lace with a great weight such as Alencon which have A-line skirts. Special details such as keyhole backs or scalloped necklines only add to the appeal of classic lace gowns. Finish it off with a waist-defining accent like a mocha colored sash or a crystal brooch at the waist.
Color is becoming increasingly popular for wedding gowns across the age spectrum. This can be a great idea for an older or second time bride who wants a classic wedding gown, yet is not entirely comfortable with pure white. There are numerous bridal gowns coming for next spring which are created in soft colors like pale pink, gray-blue, or even a gentle (and surprisingly flattering) light gray. Many of these gowns are created in very chic styles which are both au courant and sophisticated. All in all, a perfect combination of features for the bride seeking a gown which is elegant, unique, and mature.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal jewelry sets, Grace Kelly, older brides, wedding gowns | Comment (0)Personalize Your Wedding With Embroidery
Every bride is looking for ways to make her wedding really special, down to the last detail. One of the most elegant ways to add character to your event is with custom embroidery. From the smallest accessories to the grandest elements, these are ideas on how to personalize your wedding with embroidery.
The other day, I was looking at pictures of Grace Kelly’s magnificent wedding. Now we can’t all be royal brides (well, maybe we can in spirit!), but any woman can take inspiration from how things are done at the most elegant weddings. For Grace Kelly’s ceremony, she carried a small white prayer book which had been embroidered with a white on white design around a cross motif. The embellishment was created in a mixture of thread and tiny pearls to coordinate with her pearl bridal jewelry. Many brides know people who have needle skills, and could definitely find someone to do the same for their religious wedding ceremony. Add a small cluster of flowers (orange blossoms or lily-of-the-valley would be ideal) to the embroidered prayer book, and you have a very traditional and beautiful alternative to a large bouquet.
Embroidered items make nice gifts as well. One bride I knew picked out a collection of pretty lace trimmed hankies and had them embroidered for her family members with their titles – mother of the bride, etc. This young woman came from a very emotional family, and she knew that the customized hankies would not only be thoughtful, but highly practical as well. This idea could be carried into monogrammed pocket squares for the groom and his father, too. It is an inexpensive way to make something basic into something special.
The wedding gown is definitely a great thing to consider personalizing with embroidery. It can be a little or a lot, depending on your taste and budget. For a simple country wedding, a white linen or shantung wedding gown can be embroidered around the neckline with tiny yellow and white daisies. Seed pearl centers look great with pearl bridal jewelry. If you love monograms, have an all white monogram created on the train of your gown featuring your first initial and your groom’s first initial in an elaborate interlocking script. Plan the the placement of the embellishment so that it will be featured when your gown is bustled for the reception. That will be a detail that all of your guests will want to admire up close.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: embroidered wedding gown, Grace Kelly, pearl bridal jewelry, wedding embroidery | Comment (0)Sweet Vintage Inspired Bridal Gowns
How cute are these vintage style wedding gowns? Simple lines, tea length, and just darling, they would be fantastic for a city chic wedding, a country club reception, or a wedding at home. They call to mind the heyday of ladies like Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly, and look just as good today as they did back in the 1950s. 
Legendary Brides: A Quiz
How much do you know about weddings, and some of the most famous brides? From fashion to style to customs, this quiz will test your knowledge about wedding trivia.
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True or False: Queen Victoria popularized the idea of the “white wedding”, especially the white bridal gown?
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What did Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth all have in common on their wedding days?
a. They married into royal families.
b. They rode in glass carriages.
c. They wore pearl bridal jewelry.
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Which of these famous young brides wore a white silk slipdress that sparked a huge trend in bridal gowns?
a. Mia Farrow
b. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
c. Audrey Hepburn
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Who designed the antique lace wedding gown that was worn by Grace Kelly when she married Prince Ranier of Monoco?
a. her mother
b. Christian Dior
c. a costume designer
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Which of these royal weddings was not filmed and broadcast to millions of viewers?
a. Queen Elizabeth II
b. Princess Diana
c. Grace Kelly
Answers:
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True. Before Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert, most royal brides wore silver gowns, and regular brides wore their best dress in any color.
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c. All three brides wore some form of pearl bridal jewelry for their weddings. In Grace Kelly’s case, it was actually thousands of tiny seed pearls which adorned her veil, while Jacqueline Kennedy wore a single strand of classic pearls around her neck, and Queen Elizabeth II wore two strands of pearls together (they were a wedding gift from the King and Queen).
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b. When photos surfaced of the Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy, Jr. exiting the chapel after their ultra-private wedding, women everywhere went crazy for Carolyn’s gown, designed by Narciso Rodriguez.
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c. Grace Kelly’s wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose, who was a wardrobe designer at the MGM movie company where Grace Kelly had been under contract. The exquisite gown was a gift from the studio to its star actress.
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a. Queen Elizabeth II was the only one of these royal brides whose wedding was not watched by millions of television viewers. Grace Kelly’s wedding was filmed by MGM, as part of the deal that was struck to release her from her contract with the studio. She found the experience very unpleasant, and often said that she preferred the small private ceremony that she and Prince Ranier had shared the day before to the grand Catholic service that was watched by 30 million of her fans. Anyone who was around when Princess Diana married Prince Charles knows that their wedding was a worldwide phenomenon, and it was in fact watched by 750 million viewers, including yours truly!
The Legendary Wedding of Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly is one of the most admired style icons of all time. And why not – she was beautiful, elegant, she married a prince, and even had an Hermès handbag named in her honor. Her 1956 wedding was watched by 30 million viewers on television, and her impeccable taste continues to inspire brides today.
To infuse your special day with a hint of Miss Kelly’s style, let the principles of elegance, timeless beauty, and high fashion guide you as you plan your wedding. Her wedding gown was a fantasy couture creation created from yards and yards of antique Belgian lace, silk, and tulle. For your own wedding, look for a gown with a classic fitted bodice and full skirt. Take a page from the Princess’s book and choose a bridal gown with a demure cut and lace long sleeves.
Prince Rainier presented Grace Kelly with a spectacular diamond and pearl bridal jewelry set from Van Cleef & Arpel as a wedding gift. To achieve similar elegance on a more affordable scale, choose handcrafted pearl bridal jewelry accented with Swarovski crystals. Select classic pieces such as pearl and crystal drop earrings and strands for timeless beauty.
The divine elegance and breathtaking beauty of Princess Grace helped to put Monaco on the map. Even years after her death, she remains one of our top style icons of all time. Grace Kelly’s wedding reflected her exquisite taste, and she serves as a wonderful inspiration for brides everywhere.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Grace Kelly, pearl bridal jewelry, Swarovski crystals, wedding gown | Comment (0)
