Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
It's a Nice Day for a Red Wedding -by Shari
I love red as an accent colour for weddings. It looks classic, elegant, and modern at the same time, and looks great on bridesmaids of all shapes and sizes and with all skin tones.
Bridesmaids Dresses
Many times I've stated that bridesmaids shouldn't be dressed in the most vibrant hue of the colour palette, but I think red bridesmaids dresses are an exception and are amongst the prettiest I've seen. Dresses in all styles and fabrics look great in all shades of red. Also, vibrant shades of red look great against all skin tones, and I'm sure bridesmaids would love wearing the dress again.
Ties and Vests
When dressing the groomsmen in red, it is best to keep the tie and the vest the same colour. The only vest colour a red tie should be paired with is black or a very dark charcoal or grey. Against a white dress shirt, a red tie is already going to pop, and a white or light coloured vest only draws the eye more to the floating tie and away from the man's face. Black, grey, or the same hue of red will soften the look.
Ties and Vests
When dressing the groomsmen in red, it is best to keep the tie and the vest the same colour. The only vest colour a red tie should be paired with is black or a very dark charcoal or grey. Against a white dress shirt, a red tie is already going to pop, and a white or light coloured vest only draws the eye more to the floating tie and away from the man's face. Black, grey, or the same hue of red will soften the look.
Coordinating Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Wearing Red
While all hues and shades of red look fantastic in dress form, in vest/tie form, the darkest hues look the most classic. However, if you are set on having your bridesmaids in a bright red colour and want your groomsmen to match, finding the same shade of hue for all fabrics is the key to creating a cohesive picture.
When working with different fabrics and different distributers, red can be a difficult colour to coordinate, since there are so many variants on the shade. When pairing red bridesmaids dresses with groomsmen's attire, consider the colour of the bridesmaids dresses: is it closer to purple, orange, or somewhere in the middle? Compare the bridesmaids dresses below. My perception is that the ones closer to the top have more purple in them, and working on way down, we gradually move closer to the colour orange. They are paired with a coordinating tie and vest.
When working with different fabrics and different distributers, red can be a difficult colour to coordinate, since there are so many variants on the shade. When pairing red bridesmaids dresses with groomsmen's attire, consider the colour of the bridesmaids dresses: is it closer to purple, orange, or somewhere in the middle? Compare the bridesmaids dresses below. My perception is that the ones closer to the top have more purple in them, and working on way down, we gradually move closer to the colour orange. They are paired with a coordinating tie and vest.
Alfred Angelo, Satin, "Claret"
Men's Wearhouse, "Primetime Wine"*********
Watters & Watters, Dupioni Silk, "Ruby"
Freeman Formals, "Crimson"********
Jamines, Taffeta, "New Red"
After Six, Rapture, "Flame"********
After Six, Taffeta, "Royal Red"
After Six, Iridescent Taffeta, "Royal Red"********
Alexia, Satin/Chiffon, "Sierra"
Moores, Deluxe Satin, "Red"********
Getting the hues right
To see how two different shades of red go together, let's pair a bridesmaids dress that has a purplish hue with a vest that has an orange hue:
It's quite noticeable that the dress has more purple hues than the vest and tie. Add a few extra bridesmaids and groomsmen, and the difference is even more noticeable.
Now, let's pair two colours that are the same shade but not the same hue:
Even though the vest is a shade darker than the dress, because they are the same hue of red (one isn't more towards purple or orange), they still create a unified look.
It's important that, when choosing the shades for the bridesmaids dresses and for the men's attire, real-life swatches are seen. I did this this colour coordinating relying on my computer screen, but if I were actually planning a wedding, I would go to each retailer and ask for samples.
Many hues of red are also closer to pink than purple or orange, so consider that as a factor as well!
More on designing a red wedding in later posts!
Many hues of red are also closer to pink than purple or orange, so consider that as a factor as well!
More on designing a red wedding in later posts!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
How to Avoid Hosting a Tacky Wedding -by Shari
Want to host a classy affair? Avoid doing these things at all cost!
-Do not allow your bartenders to serve alcohol in bottles or cans. Spring for the glasses.
-Spring for REAL glasses, not paper or styrofoam.
 |
| The dreaded sea of turquoise |
-Make the brightest colour in your palette your accent colour and avoid using it on bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen's vests, and table cloths; instead, use this colour for the napkins, favours, flowers, etc. If you must feature the brightest colour more, choose either the bridesmaids dresses, the groomsmen's vests, OR the table clothes, not all three; your photographs will look like you got married in a sea of turquoise.
(Neutrals: Brown, white, black, grey, and variations of these colours)
-Do not allow the groom's head and hands to travel up the bride's dress, no matter what he's reaching for. I don't think Grandma would be okay watching this debacle at any other family event, so why is it okay at the wedding?
 |
| The Phantom finally weds Christine |
-Resist the temptation to rent a dry ice or fog machine. This isn't your grade 9 Much Music Video Dance Party, people. If there are no platforms to dance on, fog isn't warranted.
-Rent a nice podium, or make sure your venue has one. Like chairs (see below), don't allow anyone to wrap it in a white bedsheet.
-Avoid chair covers. Ensure your venue has nice chairs that match your colour and decor, or rent plain white chairs. If you MUST use chair covers, make sure the fabric is not satin, to prevent your chairs from looking like they're wearing nighties.
 |
| This chair is ready for bed. |
 |
| This chair is ready for business. |
Friday, September 10, 2010
Top TV Weddings -by Shari
With each passing year, it seems that more and more television is devoted to real-life weddings. After watching another disappointing hour of Slice, I decided to revisit a time when personal wedding budgets weren't posted on TV for the whole country to see, and when your mother had an issue with your wedding dress, she didn't get to announce it for all TLC viewers to analyze. While non-reality TV weddings are scripted, they somehow seem less-so than any episode of "Rich Bride, Poor Bride", and I think we can learn a lot from the writers and designers of these wedding episodes.
Ross and Emily, Friends
DO:
-Pair silver and red.
-For a formal evening wedding, dress the men in cutaway jackets with ascot ties.
-Choose the neutral colour for the men's clothing accessories (here, the vests and ties are silver).
-Put your bridesmaids in red dresses with spaghetti straps and a slight cowell neck.
-Pair your dress with a rounded shrug (but make sure not to add a veil as well).
-Keep the lines of the bridal gown close to the body if you are petite like Emily.
-Chose a meaningful location and adorn it with flowers and candles.
DON'T:
-Allow your mother-in-law to wear a fire hazard with all the candles around.
-Serve steak at a standing reception (thanks Jack Geller!)
-Allow smoking in common areas.
Maria and Luis, Sesame Street
DO:
-Dress your bridesmaids in 1920's-inspired gowns that always look classic.
-Lighten a petite frame with a shorter hem at the front of the dress.
-Choose a dress with asymmetrical features to prevent a dated look.
-Get married and celebrate in a meaningful and familiar place.
-Get married at dusk.
-Host a street reception with musicians in the stairwells (check with fire codes first, and have a back-up plan in case of bad weather!).
-Have muppets on hand for genuine compliments as you walk down the aisle.
DON'T:
-Allow your veil to have any height at the back.
-Make your bouquet compete with a flower crown AND gloves AND a ruffled neckline. Even in the 80's, this is too much. Pick a focal point and stick with it.
Felicity and Gus, Road to Avonlea
DO:
-Wear a bridal gown with a classic square neckline and adorn it with a drop necklace.
-Choose a veil with a soft lace border that doesn't draw focus and place flowers on top toward the back of the head
-For an outdoor reception, dress the groom in light grey, skip the pocket square and have a large boutonniere to tie in the flowers outdoors.
-For a church ceremony followed by an outdoor reception, decorate both places with large (but moveable) flower arrangements.
-Have lots of shade and places to sit for an outdoor wedding (and always have a back-up; it rains even in Avonlea).
DON'T:
-Put your bridesmaids in hats for an indoors ceremony.
-Carry a bouquet bigger than your torso.
Miranda and Steve, Sex and the City
DO:
-As a red-head bride, choose an outdoor autumn setting.
-Feel free to break with tradition and, instead of wearing white, choose complimentary colours and fabrics for the setting and season.
-Pair a charcoal tux with a burgundy tie.
-Invite only your closest friends and family.
-Host a reception in a restaurant where the bride and groom can mingle and converse without being tied to one particular chair.
-Decorate the venue with ceiling-high flower arrangements.
DON'T:
-Clasp the bouquet as a couple as you say your vows.
-For an intimate and casual affair, skip the bouquet all-together.
Ross and Emily, Friends
DO:
-For a formal evening wedding, dress the men in cutaway jackets with ascot ties.
-Choose the neutral colour for the men's clothing accessories (here, the vests and ties are silver).
-Put your bridesmaids in red dresses with spaghetti straps and a slight cowell neck.
-Pair your dress with a rounded shrug (but make sure not to add a veil as well).
-Keep the lines of the bridal gown close to the body if you are petite like Emily.
-Chose a meaningful location and adorn it with flowers and candles.
DON'T:
-Allow your mother-in-law to wear a fire hazard with all the candles around.
-Serve steak at a standing reception (thanks Jack Geller!)
-Allow smoking in common areas.
Maria and Luis, Sesame Street
DO:
-Dress your bridesmaids in 1920's-inspired gowns that always look classic.
-Lighten a petite frame with a shorter hem at the front of the dress.
-Choose a dress with asymmetrical features to prevent a dated look.
-Get married and celebrate in a meaningful and familiar place.
-Get married at dusk.
-Host a street reception with musicians in the stairwells (check with fire codes first, and have a back-up plan in case of bad weather!).
-Have muppets on hand for genuine compliments as you walk down the aisle.
DON'T:
-Allow your veil to have any height at the back.
-Make your bouquet compete with a flower crown AND gloves AND a ruffled neckline. Even in the 80's, this is too much. Pick a focal point and stick with it.
Felicity and Gus, Road to Avonlea
DO:
-Wear a bridal gown with a classic square neckline and adorn it with a drop necklace.
-Choose a veil with a soft lace border that doesn't draw focus and place flowers on top toward the back of the head
-For an outdoor reception, dress the groom in light grey, skip the pocket square and have a large boutonniere to tie in the flowers outdoors.
-For a church ceremony followed by an outdoor reception, decorate both places with large (but moveable) flower arrangements.
-Have lots of shade and places to sit for an outdoor wedding (and always have a back-up; it rains even in Avonlea).
DON'T:
-Put your bridesmaids in hats for an indoors ceremony.
-Carry a bouquet bigger than your torso.
Miranda and Steve, Sex and the City
DO:
-As a red-head bride, choose an outdoor autumn setting.
-Feel free to break with tradition and, instead of wearing white, choose complimentary colours and fabrics for the setting and season.
-Pair a charcoal tux with a burgundy tie.
-Invite only your closest friends and family.
-Host a reception in a restaurant where the bride and groom can mingle and converse without being tied to one particular chair.
-Decorate the venue with ceiling-high flower arrangements.
DON'T:
-Clasp the bouquet as a couple as you say your vows.
-For an intimate and casual affair, skip the bouquet all-together.
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