Shopping with a Net

Hooray! Net-a-porter, one of my favorite go-to websites for fashion inspiration (that I can't afford of course) just opened up a wedding boutique!
The site offers fashionable options for almost everyone at a wedding, the Bride. . .

Dress, Vivienne Westwood Gold Label, $9875;
Earrings, Chloe, $780; Shoes, Christian Louboutin, $1,045

. . .the Bridesmaid. . .

Dress, Moschino Cheap & Chic $730;

Bracelet, Philippe Audibert, $545; Shoes, Rupert Sanderson, $750

. . . and the Mother of the Bride. . .

Dress, Oscar de la Renta, $1,790;
Earrings, Monica Vinader, $320 ; Clutch, Michael Kors, $350

. . .just to name a few. It's a great place to look if you're not having any luck in boutiques and, let's face it, you've got plenty of cash to burn. While I'm at it, it looks like Bluefly is also getting in on the wedding action. Check out their wedding shop here.

Boutonniere Best Bets

The boutonniere is to the groom what the bouquet is to the bride, and since in general there's just a wee bit less room for creativity in groom/groomsmen attire, it's a chance to bring in a little embellishment. Martha shares some ideas. . .

This boutonniere is made from crepe tissue paper, for you DIY-types Dahlia boutonniere and polka dot tie

Nerines with hypericum berries and miniature cymbidium orchids with jasmine vine
This groom's orchid boutonniere is set off by a tiny Swarovski crystal frog. For reals.

Another one for the crafties: a ribbon boutonniere

Shall we dance?

One of my good friends, Erin, will be getting married this summer and I'm so excited for her - it's going to be a beautiful wedding. Unfortunately the wedding is right around the time the little one is due, so I won't be able to be there in person, but I will be in spirit!

Erin's been trying to figure out just what song to dance to with her dear old dad on the big day and I think that's a tough one for most brides. In most cases you and your dad don't have 'a song' the way you and your future hubby do. And let's face it, you hear a lot of the same cheesy father-daughter songs over and over at weddings.

(Photo by Viera Photographics)

So what's a bride to do? Well first of all, if the dance is important to you don't leave making your choice until the last possible second. . .by the end of the planning process you'll have made so many decisions, you'll be ready to say yes to the first song you think of. Secondly, just remember there are no rules. . .it doesn't have to be traditional, it doesn't have to be classic, it doesn't have to literally sing about a father-daughter relationship, and it doesn't even have to be a slow song. It's about you and your dad - pick something you'll love to spin around to.

(Photo by Greg Gibson)

Personally some of my favorites are, The Way You Look Tonight (classic, yes, but try switching it up playing a different cover), Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles of course) Cheek to Cheek (I love the Fred Astaire version) and You Got It (Roy Orbison. I love me some Roy Orbison).

What are yours?

Try on a pair

I had the best time working with Cindy and Keith on their wedding this past Saturday, and while I was there I noticed a trend. The day was beautiful and clear but it never exactly warmed up, so several of the female guests covered up from the cold in. . gasp. ..pants! And they looked great doing it. Me, I tend to just brave through the low temperatures in tights, but these ladies got me thinking of trying something new. All you need is a great silhouette. . . .

A bold piece of jewelry. . .

Luxe spiderweb necklace, Banana Republic, $150

And the right hairstyle. . .
What do you guys think? Would you wear pants to a wedding?

(All pictures from InStyle)

These are not from the hothouse

It's the first day of Spring! And yeah ok, maybe you can't really tell it is by looking out the window just yet, but that doesn't stop me from looking forward to flowers, flowers everywhere. Right now I'm incredibly inspired by Brooklyn-based florist Saipua and her whimsical sense of design.Her arrangements are sophisticated yet anything but stuffy, with that 'freshly picked from a countryside meadow' look about them.
She really knows how to let the flowers shine. Sigh. It's coming, sooner or later. You can get your own daily fresh flowers from Saipua by visiting her blog.

Something sleek

BR Monogram goddess dress, $275 at Banana Republic

I Maria, take thee Anton

To celebrate the upcoming Broadway revival of West Side Story, Vanity Fair recreated classic scenes from the 1961 film version with the help of one of my favorite fashionistas, actress Camilla Belle.

Dress by Zac Posen
Dress by Oscar de la Renta

Dress by DKNY

I love that first LWD. The girls' got style, I basically just heart anything she wears. See more style inspiration from Camilla, here.

I could've danced all night

Good news for your toesies! Cole Haan recently launched a collection of bridal shoes that are not only gorgeous to look at, but comfortable too. Like others in their repertoire, these shoes use Nike Air technology to support your feet. So good bye blisters, and hello twinkle toes.

Ceci Rose Air Sling, $428

Metro Marriage

It's not often that I see a DC-shout out on Darcy Miller's Bride's Guide, but today I did! Check out the picture below from bride Jenn and and groom Martyn's November 8th wedding. The pair were married at All Souls Unitarian Church and held their reception Harman Center for the Arts. Since both places are conveniently located on the yellow and green lines, instead of hiring transportation or expecting guests to fend for themselves, Jenn and Martyn gave their guests Metro passes and hopped on the train.
Guests and wedding party saved gas and money by commuting together. Photographer, Kate Headley snapped this shot in between stops.

Wings

Cartridge Short Sleeve Dress, Brian Reyes, $1,7950 at Shopbop

Suite-ness

One of my new favorite blogs, poppytalk, just showcased these fab custom RSVP postcards from Etsy shop OhSoSuite.

Custom Vintage Geographic RSVP postcards, $225

These are perfect for the couple looking to really personalize their wedding details. Just send OhSoSuite your guest list, and they'll come up with a customized postcard for each of your guests from their address locations. Check out the shop and see what other paper goodies they have to offer.

Vintage Wedding Suite, $800 for set of 100 invitations, direction cards, rsvp cards, inner envelopes and outer envelopes

Custom wedding programs, $300 for 150

Stamp-ede

The other day I was sending out a thank-you-note (the 'Apple' from Carrot and Stick Press, thanks Alice!) to someone who very much deserves it (for three boxes of maternity clothes and more) and just as I was about to drop it into the mailbox, I realized I'd accidentally affixed an old 39 cent stamp. Oops.
With all the postage -hiking that goes on these days, you really need to keep your eyes on your stamp stash. The District Domestic informs us that Postal Service will be delivering a new increase in the coming months. Take note for your save-the-dates, thank-you-notes, invitations and RSVP cards: new rates start on May 11th. Read more about the new rates, new wedding stamps offered, and stamp personalization options here.

(Pictures by Darling Dexter)

Oh no he didn't

Did you watch? Did you see? Do you KNOW?
So Bachelor Jason 'picks' Melissa. Tells her he loves her, wants to spend the rest of his life with her. And then he does the unthinkable and changes his dang mind! Breaks up with Melissa and goes after runner-up Molly.

The nerve. Thoughts?

(Side note: When this season first aired, my husband and I made an over/under bet as to how many graphic tees Jason would wear. I said 7, he said 23. For the record, we counted 4.)

(Picture via People.com)

Behind the bride

Well what else do you expect? Thousands of brides look to her to find the perfect dress for their wedding day, so it's only natural that designer Monique Lhuillier is sure to look nothing less than fabulous when she goes out on the town.

Monique Lhuillier, at the Frick Collection Young Fellows Ball, in gown of her own design