WEDDING STYLE: recap of budget dresses

If you missed out on lasts weeks budget winter wedding dresses, don't fret, here's a recap of five alternative winter dresses for the bride in need of something un-bridal like but still wants to feel like a bride.  Best part, all five are under $500. Yep. So that leaves room for some lux splurges on accessories, items that you mos def will wear again. I'm sure you can find one that will fit your wedding style but if you don't see a perfect fit and don't know where to look, let LWB help you out.  Drop me a line and I can will do my very best to point you in the right direction.

1.)  winter beige  2.)  winter green & red   
3.) winter lace & diamonds   

4.) winter navy velvet   5.) winter fashion forward bride

FLOWER SPOTLIGHT: meaning behind the petals

So you're picking out your flowers and don't know where to start. Instead of choosing your blossoms by color, why not choose the stems based on their meaning? If your a sentimental sap like me (and superstitious which I blame completely on my Irish heritage, newly adopted Italian one) this might be the way to approach the wedding bouquet. Here are a few of my fav meanings.....

• Anemone — forsaken, unfading love, truth, sincerity, anticipation
• Baby's Breath — everlasting love, pure in love
• Camellia (white) — you're adorable (this is my 2nd fav meaning)
• Clover (four leaf) — good luck, be mine
• Daffodil — regard, respect, unrequited love, you're the only one, the sun is always shining when i'm with you
• Eucalyptus — protection
• Fern (maidenhair) — secret bond of love
• Forget—me—not — true love, memories
• Gardenia — you're lovely, secret love
• Honeysuckle (yellow) — bonds of love
• Lily of the Valley — sweetness, tears of the virgin mary (let's no go there), return to happiness, humility, you've made my life complete
• Mimosa — sensitivity
• Mistletoe — kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of india
• Orange Blossom — innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, wisdom
• Pansy (all colours) — thoughts, love and happiness
• Peony — bashfulness, shame, indignation, happy life, happy marriage
• Rosemary — remembrance, fidelity
• Sage — wisdom, long life, domestic virtue (it just has to be excused, what is this 1950? I don't think so)
• Snowdrop — hope
• Violet (blue) — watchfulness, faithfulness, i'll always be true, modesty (of course my fav)

What's your favorite flower and meaning? Your flower not on this list, for more, go here 
 I have to be honest, there are a few that I would very much like to rename, I feel like this list is a bit outdated, no? What do you think? I've already started to edit. 

(photography: Lily of the Valley bouquet by Marie Labbancz)

little weekly finds.......

magical BHLDN winter wedding dresses 

and you might want to check out their shrugs and caplets, I'm a fan of this blk one

someone should rock this pantsuit for ya nuptials

short chic

vintage lace veil

how do you know if he or she is the one? 

elopement bride carries single magnolia, love the idea of single blossom

Have a wonderful weekend

WEDDING STYLE: fashion forward bride

1.) dress via Erin Fetherston  2.) earrings by Lulu Frost  3.) coat by Vanessa Bruno  4.) posy of pansies and lambs ear  5.) shoes by Vionnet 

For the fashion forward bride you simply can't go wrong with this Erin Fetherston dress and its magical price of apprx. $350 (256 euros). And who could say "no" to anything designed by Vionnet, like these black and midnight blue trimmed in gold heels?  Top it off with a sweet little posy, of amethyst colored pansies mixed with lambs ear. I know BIG bouquets are usually the way to go but there's something sweet and romantic about petite ones, especially if you're choosing a delicate flower like the pansy, which are a very winter friendly flower......

Wedding Style: Navy Velvet

1.) crepe silk dress via Browns  2.) navy blue caplet via Nicole Farhi  3.) rhinestone belt by Lanvin 

4.) bouquet: Amaryllis 5.)  navy velvet shoes by Alexander McQueen 

Day 4 of the budget unbridal winter wedding dress continues........

Crepe silk dress for $492 adorned with a winter white Amaryllis bouquet and really lavish accessories....it's a look but don't buy kind of winter wedding style inspiration.....but srsly, isn't that Lanvin belt ridic? Not only can it be worn as a belt but it's also designed to be worn as a necklace, can we say, GORG? For another glam ivory and navy wedding inpiration let's take a look back in LWB archives.

WEDDING STYLE: winter lace and diamonds

1.) lace dress by DVF  2.)bouquet: snowdrop flowers  3.) gold flats by Loefeller Randall  

4.)  fake fur by Co-Op Barneys 5.) vintage earrings via 1stdibs

The hunt for a stylish, budget, winter wedding dress continues....

Diane von Furstenberg lace dress with a price point of $345 might allow you to pair up with some lux accessories, like a cozy fake fur, gold loefeller lovelies and real antique diamonds. I mean, they are forever, the diamonds that is. Who says you can't mix fake with the real deal? I personally think it's a divine combo.

WEDDING STYLE: Winter Red & Green

1.) hunter green coat by Dries Van Noten  2.) gold byzantine earrings 3.) cream long sleeve dress  by Rag & Bone 4.) flowers by Ariel Dearie 5.) red suede shoes by Rachel Zoe

Day 2 of the "winter wedding style budget dress"...........
Have you ever seen Christmas colors look so chic? Long sleeve, clean line cream colored Harlow dress by Rag & Bone. My fav detail of this beaut, is the exposed zipper up the back, how hot is that? And with a charming price tag of, $450.00, maybe there's room for a big splurge, say, for that warm, stylish hunter green, coat by Dries Van Noten. Might be hefty on the wallet but you know you'll wear it fo eva. If ya missed yesterday's style check it out here.

WEDDING STYLE: Winter Beige

1.) dark grey shrug via Nicole Farhi 2.) beige dress $424 via matchesfashion.com 

3.) earrings via Otte 4.) black peep-toe shoes via matchesfashion.com

This week I will be posting various "budget" friendly dresses as alternate winter wedding options for the little lady in need of something a bit, well, unbride-like but still wants to feel like a bride, make sense? I thought so. This beige number would be lurvely and mos def get more uses out of the style in the future. (I said "budget" dress but I'm going all out with accessories, um I can't hold back) Here in Italy you have two choices, church or civil ceremony this wedding style would be perfect for either but I'm leaning towards civial ceremony, which is the equivelant to courthouse wedding except here you might be in a GORG fresco on the wall kind of place....

Happy Halloween

You may be yay or nay for Halloween but I'm quite the fan. hello I have a black cat.
Sadly, we don't get trick or treaters here in Italy but I did manage to get a pumpkin which I cannot wait to carve tonight along with watching some scary classics.
So, keeping up the today's holiday theme, let's dip into the LWB archive and around the wedding blog web for some Halloween wedding inspiration

How about vintage Halloween wedding invites?

Southern Halloween inspired rehearsal dinner

This couple opted to have their wedding on the spooky day

Would you consider getting married on Halloween? I kinda did but could not convince the hubs. I do think it would make for a festive, costume-like ball, no?

Stop by later today for some "budget" wedding style winter dress alternatives.....

(image source: Illustration by Edward Gory via learning to share)

little weekly finds.......

airplane proposal

Autumn wedding treats for your desert table

polka dot vintage wedding dress 
blk and wht stripe party dress
vintage 1930s french tulle, sequined bolero  
 or this blk sparkling number
sweet sparrow earrings
watch how sweet this grooms reaction is when he sees his bride for the first time. hell ya!
I have a whole appreciation for the little weed called: dandelion found via unruly things

 What spooky festivities are you up to this weekend?
We have a long holiday weekend, yay! "Morti" (day of the dead) is an observed holiday here in Italy.
I plan to spend the weekend relaxing and djing with the hubs...and maybe some pumpkin carving... and maybe roast chestnuts...hmmmmm, paired with vino and cheese. it's our fav.

Be sure to stop by next week for a line up of "budget" wedding style winter dress alternatives.....

TREASURE HUNT: Poupette

How would like to have a profile pendant of your lurve? Maybe a secret word that's shared only between you two lovebirds? Or how about wearing your sweets initials around ya neck? Designer, Poupette, creates custom orders of your choice: sterling silver, gold filled or 14 karat solid gold necklaces. Oh and for an extra $50, have your pick of a white or black diamond. Ba-ba-bling! Anniversary gift done. Now all  you need is your sweet significant other to see this post so he\she can secretly place an order.

(images via Poupette)

STYLE: Little Black Velvet Dress

Don't worry, I found that perfect black dress you've been needing for all those holiday shin digs ya got lined up this winter.  It could even double up for some of those winter weddings you've been invited to....

Now, for those fab shoes to go with.......

(photo via Oak)

VENUE: Villa San Carlo Borromeo

Let's face it, weddings that take place here in Italy, don't need much, "decor" especially if your lucky enough to host it in a mega historical like Villa San Carlo Borromeo. Aside from a glowing bride and groom that ooze lurve, delish food and vino being served, one doesn't have to get all crazy with extra details to make this spot special, I mean it's pretty spectacular on its own. The grounds, architecture and chandeliers are enough to mesmerize your guests the minute they arrive. And how enchanting would it be to have it in winter? I know that it's not the most popular season for Italians, they seem to stick close to tradition, choosing spring or early summer for their big day but come on, just look at Villa San Carlo Borromeo covered in a blanket of fresh snow, how magic is that? And you don't have to run off to the trendo hills of Tuscany for an Italian villa scene (cause I know most destination brides do, let's branch out, okay?) this pretty locale is just 30 minutes outside Milano city center and looks magnificent any time of the year......

Although Milano is pretty wonderful and festive during the winter holiday season, just sayin....

What winter location is your favorite? would love to hear

 (images via villa san carlo borromeo)

ACCESSORIES: Silver Lace Caplet

 

 This silver lace caplet is just begging for a whimsical, winter, bride. Oh right, that's you. Aren't you glad you took that much needed coffee break to check in with me today? Now, go make a bid. For more silver lace inspiration, perfect for a winter wedding, check with the LWB archives here and here.

(the lace caplet reminds me of Ms. July's fab outfit in this film)

(image source)

LITTLE WHITE DRESS: Tibi

 How sweet is this blush and gold lace shift dress? $396 it's a steal and all you need for your courthouse nuptials.

Oh, that and these lovelies along with your lurve. I mean, he or she is the numero uno reason you're getting all dolled up, right? Be sure to check out more of Tibi's fine frocks: something gold, something lace and ya can neva go wrong with some ruffles

(image source Tibi)

lush greeens and fancy frocks

Morning eye candy, nothing more, nothing less.

fancy frocks and plant life.  

(images: Vogue)

JEWELS: Green with Envy

And the green jewelry hunt continues.....

Two gorg rings, take your pick emerald or jade...

(image source 1stdibs)

little weekly finds.......

imagine being able to get your hands on a j.mendel dress for your wedding?

if you have a GORG back, you should consider rocking this style

re-use that tin can and make a magical tabletop

....and the obsession for green art deco jewelry continues or any green jewelry for that matter

a black and white wedding dress

itsy bitsy ring
vintage black velvet party dress for the holidays
moody blue and gold inspiration via Snippet & Ink, Kathryn always nails it with her boards.

Have a lovely weekend!

WEDDING STYLE: Winter Wedding Greta

Who says you need a meringue-like ball gown for ya nuptials? I don't but I do believe you should marry in style. My fav 2011 winter wedding picks are: short, chic and a pop of that peacock color we all keep seeing around this season. (Yes, I too fall for trends. shhh) Color not your thing? try winter grey. And don't fret if you're still at a loss finding the dress, cause that Lulu Frost seems to be the necklace that will prettify anything or anyone. Heck, I suggest ya build your wedding style around it. It's freakin dreamy, no?

1.) wool crepe dress  via net-a-porter  2.) necklace via lulu frost  3.) alpaca coat via match fashions  4.) bouquet by florisity via brides.com  5.) shoes via match fashions

Note: This winter wedding board was inspired by my grandmother, Greta. For fancy festivities she always rocked her rhinestone necklaces and kept warm in my grandfathers hand me down camel coats. 

She is still quite the lady at 99.

 

(Greta and dad New York City circa 1943)

JEWELS: Chrysoprase rings

Traditional gemstones not your thing? Let me introduce you to my new little friend, chrysoprase. Um can we say gorgelicious?  This unique gem created by Zoe and Morgan, set in a gold surrounded by white sapphires is a stunner. Or even this one, created by the same designer. I'm pretty sure either one would fulfill the desire for something unique.  For more chrysoprase jewels go here, here, here and here and hey what not  coral as an alternative?

(photo via matchesfashion.com)