Month: February 2016

In some ways, finding the perfect dress is like finding the perfect partner: You have to try on a few before you get the right one. These five brides’ experiences were no different—it took a couple tries before landing on a winner. One even had her gown custom made. If only it were that simple!

The fairest one of all (above)

Karen Adler

Wedding date: October 11, 2014

Groom’s name: Phillip Ryder

Dress designer: Carol Hannah (former “Project Runway” designer)

Alterations (and cost of alterations): The gown was custom-made for me—no alterations needed.

Did you shop around much before deciding? I searched for months for the perfect dress. In the end, I visited eight shops before finding the right one, from small boutiques to discount warehouses.

Why did you choose it? The beauty of being able to buy direct from the Carol Hannah boutique is that I was able to co-design the dress with their team, taking elements from past dresses they’d done but also working in specific points of inspiration on my side. Plus, they were a ton of fun.

Favorite detail about it: The neckline. I asked Carol Hannah to make me look like a Disney villain (à la Ursula or Maleficent) and the team was able to translate that vision into something beautiful.

How it worked out: It fit perfectly, danced well, and I’m still looking for more excuses to wear it.

Perfect pair

Chloe Hodson

Wedding date: November 1, 2015

Groom’s name: Elliott Watkins

Dress designer: Needle and Thread (reception dress); Ahsan skirt by Watters (added for ceremony)

Cost: $1,800 (skirt), $400 (dress)

Alterations (and cost of alterations): $250. I had a slit added to the dress so that the beading moved a little bit more than it did as the standard dress. The skirt I had taken in at the waist and shortened.

Did you shop around much before deciding? I had three appointments scheduled that Saturday. The first was at BHLDN in Georgetown because they opened the earliest. I tried on three or four dresses and my sister brought down the Needle and Thread dress as a ringer just to see what it looked like—I don’t even think she was really thinking it would be for the wedding. I loved the dress, but it didn’t really seem “enough.” When I walked back into the dressing room I saw the Watters skirt and I realized the color palette was similar, so I popped the skirt on top of the Needle and Thread dress and that was it!

Why did you choose it? I loved the color more than anything. It matched my engagement ring, and I loved that it was unusual. I also loved that we kind of made it up…and that I could take the skirt off for dancing later in the evening.

Favorite detail about it: There are so many! I loved the layers of tulle and the way they moved when I twirled; I loved the slightly pink tone of the beading; I loved that I barely had to wear any jewelry (save for a gorgeous Suz Somersall rose gold cuff).

How it worked out: I know everyone says perfect, but it was perfect. I think it took me less time to get my entire look together than it took my husband to get his suit! The women and BHLDN were great fun and all in all it was a great experience. I even came in under budget, which may never happen to me again.

Sparkle style

Shannon Munsell

Wedding date: September 19, 2015

Groom’s name: Kory Swierczek

Dress designer: Hayley Paige

Cost: $3,700

Alterations: About $250

Did you shop around much before deciding? I am not a huge fan of traditional wedding gowns and was looking for something unique but beautiful. I actually first saw this dress on Pinterest and it immediately caught my eye. Unfortunately, the link was not to the designer. By the time I found out who designed it, it took four or five months to actually track it down and find a salon in my area that could get the dress in.

Why did you choose it? I was immediately drawn to the top because of the neckline and the fact that it had delicate straps in the back. I loved that the dress had a beautiful more conservative front but also a sexy back.

Favorite detail about it: The top that was made out of different gems and moonstones was my absolute favorite part of the dress. If you looked closely at the design of the gems, it resembled roses. At my shower my mom surprised me with beautiful matching moonstone and diamond earrings.

How it worked out: It looked unbelievable in pictures; the gems in the top never stopped shimmering. It was actually very comfortable and not too heavy, which was great for both the outside ceremony as well as for dancing all night. I truly felt like a princess in this dress, and am dying to put it back on!

Like it a latte

Adrienne Fadoul

Wedding date: December 31, 2014

Groom’s name: Marks Brewbaker

Dress designer: Johanna Johnson

Cost: $4,000 to $5,000

Alterations (and cost of alterations): Approximately $200, to shorten the length and have it taken in on the sides and back.

Did you shop around much before deciding? I found my wedding gown at Hitched Bridal Couture in Washington, D.C. I knew they were having a Johanna Johnson trunk show that weekend, an Australian designer I had been eyeing based on the simplicity and Old Hollywood style of her gowns. I visited two other boutiques before Hitched, but nothing wowed me the way this Johanna Johnson gown did.

Why did you choose it? This dress combined all the details I love: silk, lace, hand beading and a low back. It also had a sheath silhouette, which I knew worked well on me. The reaction I got from my mom and friends confirmed it: They loved it as much as I did!

Favorite detail about it: The color! It’s called latte and it had this beautiful champagne/gold shine. I knew it would go great with our candlelit New Year’s Eve wedding.

How it worked out: I felt great in my dress all day. It was light and very easy to move around in. I added a Johanna Johnson cathedral-length veil in a super soft tulle for the ceremony and I loved how it looked with the gown.

In her lace

Gina Egbert

Wedding date: April 18, 2015

Groom’s name: Granville Valentine

Dress designer: Monique Lhuillier

Alterations (and cost of alterations): $500. Based on my measurements, I ordered a size 4 in the dress. When I tried it on for the first time, it was huge. I had to move the waist up and take the dress in everywhere. I also added a bustle and had cups sewn in to avoid wearing a bustier.

Did you shop around much before deciding? No, I knew this was the dress for me the minute I tried it on.

Why did you choose it? I saw this dress at the trunk show and tried it on for fun. I didn’t expect to love it, but once it was on I didn’t want to take it off! I loved the long sleeves, illusion neckline and how easy it was to move around in it.

Favorite detail about it: The dress looks like it’s lace, but it’s actually all beading. I loved all the different patterns, especially on the sleeves and neckline.

How it worked out: I wouldn’t change a thing! The dress photographed beautifully and, more importantly, it made me feel amazing.

As an intercultural couple, Lindsey Wilson and Anoop Shah wanted to incorporate elements of both Christian and Indian weddings, without having two separate ceremonies. Their solution? A traditional baraat—a groom’s procession to meet his bride—leading to the Christian wedding ceremony.

You might have seen pictures of it on Facebook: Shah rode a white horse from the east end of the Downtown Mall to the west end, accompanied by a DJ and a dhol player, plus a whole crowd of family and friends contributing to the fanfare.

“It was an absolutely incredible feeling,” Wilson says. “Not to mention all the spectators on the Downtown Mall that day who joined in the fun!”

As is tradition, Wilson waited for her groom out of sight (though, from the Main Street Arena, she could see the crowd approaching).

If you’ve just gotten engaged, no doubt you’re both excited and daunted by the task of planning your wedding. We say, “Relax!” If it’s not in the budget to hire a full-service wedding planner, use this helpful timeline to cross some early tasks off your list (and wait a few months to start stressing about others).—Caite White

One year before

Work out your budget. Know your limit (and how much your family might be willing to contribute) before considering much else.

Set a tentative date for your wedding.

Decide on your wedding style and formality. This may be determined, in part, by how many guests you want to invite, so think about the guest list now, too.

Settle on a ceremony location: Are you headed to the chapel or the backyard of your childhood home?

Put down a deposit for the reception location.

Begin the search for other wedding vendors (transportation, flowers, invitations, music, makeup artist). Photographers and video-graphers get booked early, so start there first.

Once you’ve chosen your wedding photographer, schedule an engagement photo session.

Start shopping for wedding rings.

Reserve your officiant. And, while you’re at it, check his or her availability for the night of the rehearsal dinner.

If your reception venue doesn’t have a caterer, decide who’ll provide the food.

Choose a rehearsal dinner location.

Shop for your dress. It may seem too soon, but it can take several months for your dress to arrive, and then you may need alterations.

After you’ve found the perfect dress, schedule fittings and a delivery date.

Choose your bridal party and invite them to be part of your special day.

Select the bridesmaids’ gowns. These’ll take a few months to come in, too.

Start thinking about honeymoon destinations.

Nine months before

Start finalizing the guest list and gathering addresses.

Choose where you’d like to register and go together to select gifts.

Decide to rent or purchase attire for the groom and groomsmen. Once that’s decided, place your order. (Also schedule the groom’s fittings and pick-up or delivery date at this time.)

Finalize all the vendors and secure your wedding date by putting down deposits. (While you’re at it, confirm when final payments need to be made to each vendor.) With the date set, now you can order invitations!

Send out save the dates.

Finalize the plans for your honeymoon. Update your passport and vaccinations, if necessary.

Six months before

Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception.

Meet with your florist and choose arrangements for the ceremony and reception, as well as bouquets.

If your caterer doesn’t provide one, order your wedding cake.

Begin doing research for your marriage license.

Meet with both sets of parents to coordinate their day-of attire.

Four months before

  Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests. (Consider doing this even earlier if you’re planning a wedding on busy in-town weekends like homecoming or during other local events that draw a crowd.)

Address and send out your invitations and announcements. Include information regarding the accommodations. (Also consider creating a website with all of the accommodation information. Guests might like to get a head start on making those arrangements and most hotels close your block four weeks out.)

Arrange for final dress fittings.

Purchase wedding guest book.

Order your wedding favors, bridal party gifts and other wedding accessories (champagne glasses, ring bearer pillow, cake knife, etc.).

Two months before

Make an appointment with your stylist for wedding day hairstyles for you and your bridal party, as well as appointments for manis, pedis, massages or other spa treatments.

Schedule a trial with your makeup artist.

Start gathering your RSVPs.

Finalize the dates for your last-minute dress fittings.

Arrange a getaway car for after the reception to include all your honeymoon essentials (luggage, tickets, etc.).

Meet with all your wedding vendors to finalize any orders and reservations.

Purchase bridal party gifts and a gift for your fiancé.

One month before

Finalize the details of your rehearsal dinner.

Go over song lists and requests with your band or DJ.

Call guests who have not responded.

Draw up preliminary seating arrangements for the reception.

Have a trial session with the hairstylist and make-up artist you will use on your wedding day.

Get your marriage license with your fiancé.

Two to three weeks before

  Pick up wedding rings.

Confirm all arrival times with vendors.

Confirm hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests.

Have your final dress fitting.

Finalize the seating arrangement for the reception.

One week before

Give the caterer your final guest count.

Have final fittings for your groom and groomsmen.

Give gifts to your wedding party, family and fiancé privately, or at the rehearsal dinner.

Make arrangements for your wedding gifts to be brought to your home.

One to two days
before

Get a mani/pedi.

Get a wax and a spray tan (in that order! See page 81).

Confirm flight, hotel and packing arrangements for the honeymoon.

Make payment envelopes for each vendor and give them to your wedding day assistant along with your marriage license to take care of at the wedding.

Confirm arrangements for the getaway car.

Put together a bridal emergency kit for your wedding day including stockings, sewing kit, safety pins, etc.

Attend your rehearsal dinner.

Your wedding day

Get your hair and makeup done early.

Make sure you get plenty to eat, and drink a lot of water.

Have fun!

Clothing for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is no place to cut corners or scrimp on style. Here are six ways local couples got it right.

For the bridesmaids

Printed (above) When one bride expressed an interest in floral patterns, her matron of honor suggested a dress she’d already purchased as an option. “Once she showed me the dress we all immediately loved it,” says the bride. One stressful dress hunt later (it was sold out when it came time for the other matron of honor to purchase it), they lucked out finding the Eliza J dress at Nordstrom. 

White  Who says the bride is the only one who can dress in white? This clean color palette is unexpected, but tied into the bride’s own dress, which had an illusion back. “All of my bridesmaids and myself are pretty conservative in dress, so the style we chose was ‘business in the front, party in the back,’” she says.

Textured  After eyeing the Sienna dress from BHLDN for herself, this bride decided it might work for her ’maids instead. She liked that it both complemented and contrasted her own dress—with a floral pattern, an illusion neckline and a silk chiffon skirt.

For the groomsmen

Different suit  If the bride can wear a different dress than the bridesmaids, so too can the groom wear a different suit than the groomsmen. It’s basic math.

Good fit  If only this weren’t a novel idea, but we’ve seen too many grooms with baggy, unflattering pants. At this wedding, the couple wanted their big day to be an extension of who they were: relaxed and classy, says the bride. So, the groom and best man wore fitted navy suits from J.Crew and, rather than having the second groomsman buy something new, they allowed him to wear a navy suit already in his closet.

Ties  We applaud couples who take every opportunity to inject personality into their big day, and these coordinating ties were no different.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then we’d like to flatter the heck out of these couples, whose special wedding-day touches provide bushels of inspiration this season.

Living jewelry (above)

After bookmarking a few photos online showcasing flower garlands on animals, bride Karen Ryder discovered that one of the garlands in the images had been created by her florist, Amanda Veronee.

“She took the idea and ran with it,” Ryder says, “crafting eight similar but unique floral necklaces for my bridesmaids.”

Fun and games

As a way of including a bit of her dad—who collected matchbooks but passed away a few years ago—bride Caitlin Pugh and her husband, Ray, invited guests to participate in a matchbook game. “It’s something that my dad had done for many years at our St. Patrick’s Day parties going back about 30 years,” Caitlin says.

Guests wrote down their guesses as to how many were in the lantern and the bride’s sister sorted through the best (and worst) ones. The winner (with a guess of 711, just five shy of the total) got a bottle of Jack Daniels; the loser got a dunce cap.

Under the little top

For this outdoor September wedding, the bride’s mom suggested a photo-worthy way to shade guests: custom parasols. Found on Etsy, they added an extra pop of color to the bridal party pics.

“They were a great addition to the wedding—both functional and a fun prop,” says the bride.

Color your eats

An oft-overlooked opportunity to include more of your wedding colors? The food! These macarons got the royal treatment.

Tiny topper

This couple went to the Museum of Arts and Design in New York to have their cake topper—a miniature 3-D printout of themselves—created.