Saturday, April 30, 2011

Introducing the Duke and Duchess...

OK, after debating all day about a post-Royal Wedding blog entry, I decided that while I fell royally in love with the wedding (I loved it all!!), I'm not going to sit here and give you a royal minute by minute rundown of the nuptials. Nor am I going to blast you with dozens of photos and factoids (only a select few) :)  Everyone has something to say about this wedding, so I will try to be brief and keep my joyous ramblings to a minimum (but no promises).

If you must have your continual fill of wedding fun (as I must), I recommend People Magazine or the Official Royal Wedding website.

Her Dress:  Very appropriate for the occasion!! Her ivory, McQueen gown with hand embroidered detailing was beyond gorgeous and moreover, fitting for both the occasion and location. In the days leading up to the wedding many fashion "experts" were pining for Miss Middleton to strut down the aisle in a more form fitting (mermaid, trumpet, fit and flare) silhouette...OR they had her in ultra modern/avant garde fashion piece. Now, I agree there is no doubt she has an amazing figure that would look equally amazing in a fitted gown, but the fact of the matter is that she is...

A.) Becoming royalty. There is a certain protocol and there was no way the ever slim Catherine was going to slink it up for the Queen.
B.) Most form fitting gowns are not going to work in Westminster Abbey, she would have become lost. This is also a tip for all brides to consider, always keep your wedding location in mind. Sleeker gowns usually have smaller trains and in such a grand location a bride needs some volume and length to her dress or else the aisle is going to swallow her up.



Initially there were whispers that she had played it "safe" but personally, I am glad she did. The clean lines of the pleating on the dress paired with the veil and unobtrusive accessories created a very simple and elegant look. 

Bridesmaids In White: It isn't a common practice in the bridal world to put your bridal party in white, but I think it looked stunning. While stereotypically the bride is suppose to be the only one in white, the bridal party looked angelic and their dresses only played into the beauty of the Bride's gown. Keeping the styles simple and clean really worked well with the location and overall feel of the wedding.


Flowers + Ceremony: Aside from the austerity of the royal procession and not including the much anticipated receptions, the wedding itself seemed modern and, dare I say almost, simple. She carried a small, wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, Sweet William, and hyacinth; it did not overpower her, it merely acted as an accessory. :) The flowers and trees brought into the Abbey were plenty but subtle, lush and green. Even the cake, while regal in it's size was not over done; each tier had a different floral theme but the cake was not overly covered in flowers in any sense. The white and ivory cake details remained ornate and discrete.


I'm sure this wedding will start a boatload of wedding trends, but nevertheless it was a beautiful day for the couple. They seemed genuinely excited, adorably nervous and very much in love. Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!!


(All photos credit of Getty Images)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Royal Couple Does It Their Way

With less than 2 days left until the ultimate Royal Wedding, we are still clamoring to grab details of this awe-inspiring affair. While we know the couple is offering a much more modern spin on royalty, this begs the question of how are they remaining true to their tastes and styles while organizing a ceremony that is so entrenched in pomp and circumstance? Many of the details will soon be revealed, however "news" broke this weekend that the couple will not be serving beer at their upcoming reception, opting instead for champagne and wine. 

According to The Mirror, beer has been deemed unsuitable for such a prestigious occasion, with a source stating, " There won't be any beer. Let's face it, it isn't really an appropriate drink to be serving in the Queen's presence at such an occasion." The source later added, " It was always their intention to give their guests a sophisticated experience and they have chosen the food and drink with this in mind." 

I say kudos Prince William and Kate! It's your day, you can serve whatever you feel is best (this goes for all future event hosts as well, don't feel pressured to serve items you don't feel are necessary...others can do what they want at their own parties). 

Additionally, the couple has agreed to stay sober throughout the celebrating in order to savor the occasion. Again, this is a charming idea and I wish more couples would focus on savoring the experience; your wedding day is a grand celebration that will seemingly flash before your eyes, just enjoy it. 

Although, if I were in Kate Middleton's shoes, I would most likely need a very tall, very stiff drink after all that intense wedding planning :) Cheers!!  

Princess Bride

Alright, alright like many folks, I am waiting (almost) patiently for the Royal Wedding this Friday morning. I'll admit, I am sitting on the edge of my seat to see Kate's dress, all the while planning to live vicariously through her via my television set on the big day (I mean, really, who hasn't at least wondered what it would be like to be royalty). I have watched my fill of William + Kate tv specials, seen the kitschy souvenirs, and been inundated up to my eyeballs with Royal Family news coverage (I'm sure my fiance can't wait for it all to be over). And while we all are dying to know what Kate will wear, let us not forget about the best perk of being a princess....the sparkling accessories! 

So,while I try to figure out what channel to watch and DVR come this Friday, let's take some time to peruse some glittering tiaras in honor of Royal Wedding week!  



(Cartier, Princess Margarita of Romania)

(Queen Victoria's Diamond and Sapphire "Gothic" Tiara)

(Cartier, Kokoshnik-style Tiara, 1908)

(Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara with Cambridge Emeralds)

(Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, reproduction)


(Cartier, Manchester Tiara, 1903)

(Portland Tiara with Sapphires, reproduction)

Monday, April 25, 2011

A Touch Of Vintage

I'm a little bit of a sucker for vintage, so I thought I would take a minute to share the love... 

Whether you favor the roaring 20's or the mod infused 60's (I have a passion for the 1940's and 1950's myself), tapping into a little bit of yesteryear is not only fun, but a great way to add a theme to any celebration.   

Now, if your still looking for an appropriate cocktail dress for your next vintage party, I invite you to visit Couture Allure Vintage Fashion and Posh Girl Vintage. Both websites offer a variety of dresses, shoes, lingerie and accessories spanning primarily from the 1920's to the 1970's. The clothes are gorgeous and are true authentic vintage pieces (generally priced from about $100-$400). ModCloth is also a great pick if you're looking for a unique twist on vintage and retro fashion. ModCloth does offer a selection of authentic vintage pieces, but also focuses on vintage reproductions and interpretations, as well.




(Photo: CoutureAllure.com)

(Photo: ModCloth.com)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Cherry Blossoms!

Spring is here and that means it's cherry blossom season. So take a peek at this new cherry blossom inspiration board, enjoy!!

(Photo credits: 1. Rebecca Huss 2. The Knot  3. The Knot: Photography by Vanessa  4.Caroline Tran 5. Martha Stewart 6. Las Vegas Wedding Favors 7. Favors Studio 8. Shoji Lamp)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Paint Swatches ---Not Just For Walls

      
Having trouble picking a theme for your next party? Stuck on a color scheme for your wedding?  I recommend taking a trip to your nearest home improvement or paint supply store and looking at the paint swatches.

Sounds silly, but standing in front of the colors may inspire you! Not to mention, it may open your mind to colors and combinations you didn’t necessarily consider; don’t be afraid to pick a color that POPS.  Plus, the best part is you can grab the swatches for free and use them later as a reference. 

The swatches are usually organized by warm, cool and neutral colors and grouped near colors that work well together. It’s a great way to see various shades and makes it easy to mix and match to see whether you like a color paired with another. Swatches are also helpful to have on hand when searching for decorations, color coordinating outfits, working with your party planner, or dealing with vendors.  

If looking at a wall of colors seems overwhelming, focus on a specific grouping of colors (such as only the blues or reds) and pick out your favorite shades from that color category.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Welcome!!

Thank you for stopping by to check out Blue Jeans Or Black Tie, an event/wedding planning resource for tips, tricks, and trends that will make your next celebration SPARKLE!  

Check back soon for more fun ideas and ways you can get artsy-craftsy with your next party!!<3 Remember, events are reflections of your personality and style.

Also, stay tuned for the launch of the Events by Amy Lynn website offering freelance event planning services (no uber-corporate event planning here) to the Northern Virginia and D.C. area.