Real Wedding: Mary and Stefan

Sunday, October 31, 2010




































I have a confession to make about this wedding-I have been saving for almost a year, especially for today! Mary and Stefan's wedding took place on Halloween, so I knew as soon as I saw it that no matter how delicious, it would simply have to wait until the perfect day. I hope that seeing it now, you agree!

So many beautiful weddings begin with an amazing dress, and this gorgeous bride's gown is a knockout. Mary designed it herself and comissioned Monaco Couture to execute this fashion forward gown with a sweetheart neckline, asymmetrical hemline and fabulous black and white bow. Along with a pair of sparkly Christian Louboutins and a Juicy Couture headpiece, Mary looked absolutely phenomenal, and she made sure her groom looked equally sharp in his Prada suit and coordinating black and white striped bow tie. This generous bride also gave a lot of thought to her maids' outfits, and was inspired by a May 2008 issue of Vogue to give the girls free reign. Obviously if you have such chic girlfriends, there's no need to make them match! The only girl she dressed was her flower girl; wearing an orange tulle tutu by Lily Anna for Girls, she made the most adorable pumpkin of the night!

Of course, a Halloween wedding could have fallen victim to all-pumpkin centerpieces and cauldrons of wine, but Mary and Megan of La Partie Events (who coordinated the event and designed all the flowers) made sure this autumn wedding was nothing but chic. In the ceremony space, large cloth lanterns, draped fabric that echoed Mary's sash and Stefan's bowtie and a pumpkin-lined aisle gave the space a playful, modern take on Halloween.

At the reception, pumpkins and black and white stiped runners echoed the ceremony space, and punches of bright color kept the tables looking splashy. Bright coral peonies, orange parrot tulips, deep pink and red roses and dahlias and red and orange berries gave the arrangements life and texture, and were nestled into mason jars, goblets and mercury glass vases.

The caterer, Auntie Em, made British-inspired hors d'oeuvres like mini shephard's pies as a nod to Stefan's heritage, and served a family-style buffet at dinner that kept conversation flowing. Mini caramel apples and Halloween candy were a sweet touch, and the bride and groom skipped a traditional wedding cake in favor of cupcakes topped with charming ballerina and pirate figurines, spotted at a local knick knack store for 75 cents a piece!

Of course, we wouldn't be able to enjoy this wedding without the absolutely stunning work of Erin Hearts Court, and I'm in Once Wed's debt for featuring this gorgeous wedding so many months ago! Pretty amazing, wouldn't you agree?

All Hallow's Eve

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Don't you wish Halloween looked a little more like Candice Bergen at Truman Capote's 1966 Black and White Ball, and a little less like the stars of the Jersey Shore? I, for one, do!

Last night, after an afternoon of estate sale shopping (I found a gorgeous set of etched sour glasses and a fabulous mid-century modern wooden ice bucket, while my partner in thrift found two gorgeous milk glass mixing bowls and an adorable vintage handbag) John and I threw an impromptu cocktail party. This morning, in addition to recovering from an evening of spiced ciders and mint juleps, we're gearing up for the Tulsa vs. Notre Dame football game-John's little brother Mike is a Golden Hurricane, so we're proudly wearing our blue and gold! Hope your Saturday is shaping up well, my darlings!

Photo by Elliott Erwitt.

Whiskey Sour

Friday, October 29, 2010

It's finally Friday, my darlings, and "relieved" doesn't quite seem to cut it after this hectic week. This afternoon, a girlfriend and I are planning to pillage an estate sale and let John be our bartender-is it too much to ask him to put on a bowtie when he's mixing up cocktails?

When it comes to entertaining, I love to make a guest feel welcome. For this cocktail hour, we'll be pulling out the whiskey, since it's Jessica's favorite. While she probably end up sipping it neat, I'll ask John to make me a whiskey sour.


Whiskey Sour

1 1/2 oz of bourbon
3/4 oz of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
1/2 oz of simple syrup
White of 1 egg

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for no more than 10 seconds, and strain into a cocktail glass, or shake for no more than 5 seconds and pour into a short glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.


As always, you're welcome to cut out the egg white, but it gives the drink a wonderful texture and a beautiful, foamy top. As for the liquor, pick anything you (or your sweetheart) like!


I hope you all have wonderful Friday evenings ahead of you; any big plans for the Halloween weekend?

Photo by Romulo Yanes for Gourmet.

Cascading Confetti

Thursday, October 28, 2010

When I saw this Cakegirls confection on Martha Stewart Weddings, I yelped with glee-how perfect is it for yesterday's bride? I love the cascade of brightly colored confetti, and that vintage champagne coupe topper is divine, don't you agree?

Mr Sandman, Bring Me a Dream...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010



What better way to show off your fabulous patent leather white Louboutins than in a kicky, short wedding dress? These knock-outs by Amsale are mod-inspired crowd pleasers, and would be perfect for a chic elopement!

a Match Made in Heaven

Love this pairing from A Bryan Photo; the bouquet is so classic and feminine, and the patent leather Louboutins have just enough spunk!

Oh, Oscar!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010








I just can't help it-I'm crazy for Oscar de la Renta's fall 2011 Bridal collection. That amazing goosedown skirt, the gorgeous sheath tied with a ballet pink sash and that divine point d'espirit gown (which comes in white, too!)
What dresses have you been loving the most lately?

Photos c/o Martha Stewart Weddings.
 

A Crimson Kiss – Timeless Events and Classic Cocktails by Ana Degenaar : Blogger