Gatsby Glam Bridesmaid Dresses from Frock and Frill

A little while back, I wrote a post on Gatsby-style bridesmaid dresses, thinking it might interest a few people, but holy moly, it went on to be one of our most viewed posts of all time (and still is). Clearly the embellished flapper look is one that brides have fallen in love with, and who could blame you, because wow, these dresses are gorgeous and even better, they’re so much easier to find on the high street (or in the mall!) these days. You don’t even have to be having a 1920s or Art Deco wedding for these to make sense – they’re pretty enough to work with any elegant wedding style. (Although I do love a Gatsby wedding. After all, a little party never hurt nobody, right?) I recently became familiar with a UK brand that is taking this look to the next level, Frock and Frill. This label carries a wide range of flapper style dresses in a range of colours – all knock-me-down gorgeous – that would not only work for a bridal party but actually could work for a laid-back bride as well, or as a reception dress. I’m in love with the beaded embellishments, the flattering cuts, and the range of colours, so I’ve just had to dedicate today’s post to my top wedding-appropriate Frock and Frill dresses. Good luck picking a favourite – they’re all GORGEOUS! (Oh, and PS: You can also find all of them on our Bridesmaid Boutique board over on Pinterest!) Click on any of the dress images below to shop.

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Frock and Frill

 

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Inspiration Board: Hydrangea & Brass

Good morning, lovelies! Did you have a fabulous weekend? Today’s inspiration board is very much my kind of wedding – an elegant, slightly rustic style, long tables under the vines, lush hydrangeas everywhere, and the genteel vintage kiss of brass detailing. Oh and let’s not forget an absolutely gorgeous cheese cake! Sometimes a board (and a wedding) theme is as simple as combining two beautiful elements, and I think the mix of white and green hydrangeas with brass makes for an absolutely perfect combination, and one from which to build a beautiful understated scheme.

Colours: White, brass, moss & mushroom

Top row (l-r): Brass candlesticks {Ameris/Smart Events}; calligraphy escort cards {Carmen Santorelli Photography/Private Receptions/TucciCursive}; cheese cake {Ocello}; vineyard table {Shannon Stellmacher/Cole Drake Events}
Row 2: Hydrangea centrepiece {LMarie Photo/Galas By Gerry}; invitation suite {Ashley Kelemen/Smitten On Paper}; brass candlesticks on table {Jose Villa}
Row 3: Mirror, frame & crate display {Sonya Khegay/Latte Decor}; hydrangea bouquet {Dawn E. Roscoe Photography/}; hydrangea arrangement on wine barrel {Marisa Holmes/Ninfa’s Flowers}; bride & groom {Emmie Scott}

 

Romantic ART Life Collection 2015

You know that moment in Say Yes to the Dress (go on, we all watch it) when a bride’s all “hmm, I like this dress so much, but I’m not completely…” and a consultant will add a sparkly belt or a hairpiece or a veil and suddenly everyone’s like “OMG that’s IT!”. When it comes to bridal style, accessories matter. The right accent can turn a simple, chic gown into something extra special and completely bespoke. The right hairpiece can add a touch of knee-melting romance. Not just for brides either – this is a perfect way to turn a basic bridesmaid look into a super stylish one. And that’s why I absolutely love this collection of flower accessories from Romantic ART Life. Each piece, from floral hairpieces to sashes, is handcrafted, inspired by the delicate beauty of nature, and created using fine fabrics, soft laces, delicate beadwork and crystals. Swoonage.Read More

15 Free Printable Save the Dates

Free Save The Dates

In the world of wedding stationery, Save the Dates serve a really useful purpose. They mean you don’t have to worry about sending invitations too early (a tough call when, for example, you may not yet have nailed down your style or budget) but equally, they mean your guests have plenty of notice to make sure they can attend your wedding. So kind of a win-win. Of course, lots of brides and grooms these days send their STDs (worst wedding acronym ever) via email, which is a great budget and environment saver. But maybe you’d like to send something tangible, to get your guests excited for the celebration to come. Here’s the good news – while of course getting custom wedding Save the Dates created by your stationery designer is awesome, there are also loads of gorgeous (and free!) printable Save the Dates available online, whatever your wedding style. So today I’m rounding up 15 of my favourite free save the dates. Just click the links to make it happen and take your favourite design off to your fave on demand print service (and if you’d like to know more about wedding stationery timelines, see our feature).

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The New Classic: 20 White Wedding Cakes

A couple of weeks ago, when I rounded up 2015’s wedding trends, I included white wedding cakes. Now of course, white cakes are nothing new, but with innovative techniques and amazingly talented designers around these last few years, as well as an increasing openness to less traditional wedding elements, they’ve taken a bit of a back seat to their colouful, sparkly, and sometimes naked cousins. But this season we’re seeing a swing back to tiered white cakes, and these new classics come with a little twist in the tale. Think white-on-white detailing, from textures and geometric patterns to fondant flowers, leaves, petals, ribbons… your imagination is the limit really. Some cakes even have unique detailing on each tier. They’re impossibly romantic, sweetly traditional, and pretty much perfect for any style of wedding. Get ready for a very welcome comeback.Read More

Julie Vino Provence Collection

So you know how a couple of weeks ago we were telling you all how sexy wedding dresses were one of 2015’s top trends? And how it was all about the details: slinky silhouettes, deep V-necks, low backs, nude lace, and Angelina-style thigh-high slits? Well, Julie Vino‘s latest collection has IT ALL. Last year, when I first introduced you to this Israeli designer, I mentioned how I loved the way Julie mixed red-hot sexy and delicately feminine styles – which pretty much describes this latest collection to a tee also. Beaded and floaty fabrics combine with lavish laces and a touch of vintage, a fitting tribute to beautiful French Provence, but with contemporary cuts and a glamour that is very much of the 21st century. There’s no doubt these are gowns for a confident, modern bride, but while they’re daring, they’re always romantic. And as if the dresses weren’t inspiring enough, the lookbook was shot in and around a stunning chateau in the middle of vineyards and olive groves – très chic! And très sexy.Read More

Get the Look: Little Black Bridesmaid Dresses

Short Black Bridesmaid Dresses

Black bridesmaid dresses are one of those things I get asked my opinion on A LOT. I’ll tell you, people love ’em or hate ’em. But just like I don’t feel like brides HAVE to wear a white dress, I don’t see why bridesmaids shouldn’t rock a little black dress. Especially since I have seen many weddings get this look just right, and not only do the girls look amazing, they also have the best chance of actually wearing their BM dresses again – come on, you know it’s true! So this week in our Bridesmaid Boutique post, we’re looking at some of our favourite little black dresses for bridesmaids, each with the kind of texture, detail or just plain style that makes a bridal party look wow, whether they all rock the same gown or go for mismatched bridesmaid dresses. Yay for the LBD! This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.Read More

Inspiration Board: Orange Blossom

You know, I think orange might be one of the great underrated colours in the wedding palette – less so in the last few years, but still. And I get it, because orange can really be overpowering and very un-pretty when done badly. But when done well, it has such a warm pop of colour that it’s pretty much the most perfect colour for a summer wedding ever. My absolute favourite way to work with strong colours is in their natural state, which might be why citrus has long been one of my favourite wedding motifs. I wanted to pay tribute to that, but also to pair oranges with their beautiful blooms – after all, is there anything more gorgeous than a swag of orange blossom? Add in a Claire Pettibone dress that’s even called ‘Orange Blossom’ and a vintage botanical twist, and you have an orange wedding done absolutely right.

Colours: Orange, white & green

Top row (l-r): Claire Pettibone dress {Vela Images/Claire Pettibone}; orange blossoms {Mowielicious}; cake {Lewis Miller Designs}
Row 2: Centrepiece {Ngoc Minh Ngo/Nicolette Owen}; botanical orange print; chairs with garlands {Aaron Delesie/Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc./ Bella Bloom}
Row 3: Bouquet {Finch & Thistle Event Design/Stephanie Cristalli}; cocktail {Tim Ryan Smith}; orange stationery suite {A Day in May}; wedding dress with orange detailing {Jasmine Star/Bow Tie + Bustle}

 

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2015 {Part 2}

I so enjoyed counting down the first five of our Top 10 honeymoon destinations last week, and I think this week’s post has even more destinations on it where I’m dying to go! Someone give me a private jet or a sugar daddy, please! ;) To come up with the list, we’ve trawled all the ‘best destinations’ lists for the coming year, and then applied the honeymoon test to each of them to figure out which locations would really hit the spot for you lovely newlyweds. So here we go! For a squizz at the first five places to see and be seen, see last week’s post.

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Guest Post: Top 10 Chic Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

Happy Friday, brideys! One of the ‘trends’… and it isn’t really a trend, because it’s a responsible lifestyle choice rather than a fad, of course, so maybe let’s call it a ‘shift’… One of the shifts that I have loved seeing in weddings over the last few years has been eco weddings. In the midst of an extravagant celebration, couples have been looking to introduce elements of sustainability and eliminate waste wherever possible, so that their union treads lightly upon the earth. But HOW? That’s the question I hear most often, and I’ll be honest, I’m no expert. So I asked my friends Madri and Niki from Inkt Marketing Solutions to share their advice and experience on the topic with you today. Take it away, ladies!Read More