Calling in Sickly

I was planning on creating this lavish post (okay, it's wordy, but lavish just sounds better) about a Winter Wonderland themed wedding, but sickness is among us and, alas, I've been busy. Quite frankly, I'm exhausted. But I don't mean to leave you empty handed.

I found this article on Alfred Angelo's site about their 75 (yes, seventy-five!) tips for wedding day fashion. So, take a looksie over here while I go grab more tissues... Hopefully I'll be back up and running, and my blog, too, very soon!

Invitation Wordage

I just found this awesome site with TONS of ways to word your invitations to reflect specific situations and styles. Need help wording your invites? Check it out here! (you're welcome)

Alice in Wonderland Wedding

     With Halloween creeping up behind us, I thought it would be fitting to discuss an unconventional wedding theme: Alice in Wonderland. This one is a bit tricky as things can get kitchy, or birthday party-esque very quickly. The trick is not to foucs on making the theme into a wedding, but to focus on making it a wedding with a theme. So let's get to it...

 

The Ceremony: A wedding is a story between two people. It celebrates who they are, but more importantly, who they are becoming. Similarly, a wedding can become a story within its theme in order to enhance the essence of the day. The tale of Alice in Wonderland is timeless, fun, and a bit whacky--but a wedding shouldn't be the latter. For this wedding, I'd like to see the ceremony decked in everything white. White chairs, white draping, a white aisle, and white flowers. I'd like to see all white pomander topiaries upon white columns, spaced out down the aisle. Perhaps the aisle runner won't be fabric, but instead an elegant design laid out in white flower petals? It would create whimsy without tackiness, and it would be unique. A white chandelier, or many small glass spheres with tealights inside, over the alter would be nice, as well. White is a symbol of peace, purity, and elegance. But the reason for all the white is to give a nod toward the roses Alice sees in the palace garden of the Queen of Hearts. This nod simply gestures toward the theme without it being so blatently obvious. The bridesmaids dresses and all the bouquets, however, would be red, in order to bring the story into its next chapter: the reception.

 

The Reception: Alice originally sees those rose bushes in the Queen's garden white, but her servants are painting them all red (or off with their heads!). I would like to bring this into the reception by making virtually everything red. Red table linens, red flowers, a red-enfused cake. The chairs would remain white in order to add a little pop of color, but their coushions, or covers, would also be red. Another fun accent would be boxed topiaries to separate the table areas (for this, the tables should be round and seat no more than ten guests). Imagine an English garden lined with green hedges, or perhaps a hedge maze? Guests will have the feeling of their own intimate eating spaces with the topiaries placed just right. I was thinking red uplighting, as well, but you know... That might look like a vampire's lair, so how about we make that white instead? The dance floor, oh the dance floor, will be black and white checkered. Once again, a touch of whimsy without suffering class. I think that the cutlery should be gold in order to express the opulence of the Queen's majesty, and the table centerpieces? Hmm, a red pomander topiary to offset the white ones of the ceremony, but much larger (I surprisingly could not find a picture for this). Plates and glasses should also reflect red and gold hues, or be entirely clear to let the linens do the work of showing color. The cake is where couples can always get a little crazy in expressing their personalities, so have fun with it!
To have even more fun (because that's what the reception is all about) brides can now think of their guests. You not only want them to have a good time, but you want to thank them for joining in on the celebration of your marriage, right? So let's talk favors. For this wedding, I'm thinking we need to introduce the White Rabbit in a vision of chocolate. Yes, white chocolate rabbits for your guests to take home, enjoy, and remember your fabulous wedding day. But wait, there's more! Your cake might be an edible masterpiece, but how about we add something guests don't usually expect: personal sample platter of tea cakes. Once again, a nod toward the theme, as in the Mad Hatter's tea party, but not crazy kitchy. Guests can have fun trying new flavors and textures (think various fruits, creams, and even nuts) at their tables when endulging in their mini cakes.

The Fashion: Let's not forget what the bride will be wearing on her special day. For an Alice in Wonderland theme, I'd like to see the bride in something for fun, girly, young, with a touch of whimsy. Keep flowy fabrics in mind, bows, asymetrical lines, and oversized flowers when finding a gown. Trying something you never thought you'd pick, such as a short-length gown, may be a good choice in finding the right gown for this theme. But remember, it's a wedding with a theme, not the other way around. Trying new things is awesome, but don't make sacrifices for what you love. Gowns with a pastel hue may fit the bill here, or ones with a colored sash or colored trim. Try on gloves, experience different lengths of veils, or even try a white top hat. Keep it fun, but make sure it makes you feel beautiful. If you'd like to go with 'something blue,' I like the idea of having a touch of blue on the bride's shoes, or on her garter underneath the dress (I LOVE the little Alice touches this photo has on its garter). Sapphire or aquamarine jewelry can also be included as something blue. For something old, I like the idea of having an antique pocket watch on a chain wrapped around the bride's bouqet. If you have a family heirloom such as this, this is the perfect theme for it. A pocket watch goes back to the White Rabbit again and not wanting to be late for "a very important date!" It can also be used to hold a small photo of a lost loved one who cannot be there for your special day.



For the bridesmaids, I'd like to see them in a deep red. Hot pink, black, or a deep velvety purple would also work nicely. Try not to mix-n-match the colors and styles of the girls' dresses and shoes too much, though. We don't want a circus parade on our hands. If the bride's dress is full length, then I think the bridesmaid's dresses should be short (and vice versa). I like that it just adds visual interest and makes the bridal party less stuffy if they don't all match. Implementing rosettes on the girl's dresses would be a nice touch, as well, in order to go back to the Queen of Hearts a little bit. They would also add a romantic touch to the ceremony and, honestly, can there be too many flowers in a ceremony? If not on their dresses, bridesmaids could also have a flower in their hair. If brides are looking for a more funky look, their girls could have dresses with one strap, no straps, or even Victorian sleeves (I know, the last one sounds crazy, but trust me). They could also have a great shoe--what girl doesn't want one?--like a high pump or peep-toe bootie. Remember to mix simplicity with accents, however, so as not to go overboard.

The Locations: So where will this all take place? Ideally, I would like to see the ceremony outside, weather it be at a park, a meadow, at the botanical gardens, or in some grand courtyard of a fabulous hotel. Cocktails and reception should probably be indoors in order to let the lighting (candles, chandeliers, uplighting) the give your celebration it deserves. When outdoors, certain details can be lost to a reception, and the space also may not feel as intimate. The sound of your DJ or band may also not be as profound as it should to dance the night away. Keep these things in mind--as well as the distance from the ceremony, the parking, and the weather--when planning for your reception. And remember... You've got just one day to express yourself, and to relish in the beginning of the rest of your life... Enjoy every second!




Photo credits: squidoo.com, ebay.com, pinterest.com, blog-kerantran.com,brides.com, dressale.com,flikr.com, lagartier.com, redhotplants.co.uk, weddingzidea.com, wedeclectic.com, wehartit.com, and winter-brides.livejournal.com.