Vintage

Monday, April 23, 2012


By now, you can probably guess what I was up to this weekend–Indian food with a glass of Cava, poached eggs and rosemary hash browns at Hayes Valley's The Grove, afternoons with beautiful blogs and in downward dog, and even one heavenly afternoon nap with John. So instead of rehashing a delightful but predictable weekend, I thought I'd share something a bit more personal–my very first wedding!

At least I think it's my first wedding–I was probably 4 in this photo, so there were probably other weddings before Fanny's, but this is the first one I remember. Fanny was our nanny, and lived with us until she got married; she's remained another parent, and when she comes for Christmas dinner or birthday celebration, it feels like my family is all together again. That family includes Kelly, the blond standing next to me (you're not shocked that I'm the brunette with bangs, are you?). Our parents took Lamaze classes together, we were born just weeks apart, and Kelly (and later, her younger sister Megan) came over every day, so we were raised like siblings.

While I remember sneaking frosting from the first tier of Fanny's buttercream wedding cake, and taking that blue Fiat in the background to Carvel for soft-serve ice cream afterwards, I think it's the details that have had the biggest effect on me. The Swiss dot, the pearls, the gloves, even the bateau neckline and high-low hemline with a hint of ankle showing–I have something not all that different in mind for my own dress! As I poured over photos from Bridal Market this weekend, what struck me was how beautifully designers had made old new again, from Carolina Herrera's black and swiss dot gown that could have been pulled from Cecil Beaton's My Fair Lady costume archives and that fabulous pant suit with the outrageous straw hat that belonged on an H.M.S. Pinafore set to Romona Keveza's va-va-voom silhouettes, newcomer Hayley Paige's sweet eyelet lace gown with a demure high-low hemline that's more garden wedding than Little House on the Prairie to Oscar de la Renta's incredible collection: the pearl-embroidered mini and matching car coat, perfect for the second Mrs Don Draper, the high-waisted pants and belly-baring bandeau fit for the chicest Palm Springs nuptials by the pool, and those white lace gowns with blue tulle–as equally appealing to girls in studded Jeffrey Campbell boots as Repetto ballet flats. I think it's safe to say I'm smitten with this season's collections!


Tell me, what gowns or details from Bridal Market have you swooning–or planning a vow renewal?

27 comments:

  1. oh you are just too cute in this picture! i love the look of vintage and tried to find a dress that mixed that with a modern twist.

    life spelled jen

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  2. This is so incredibly sweet. And yep, I just assume that every friday you eat indian food, followed by a sunday yoga. I do love a good schedule!

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  3. I love old photos! Too cute!

    And once again...a lovely weekend. We had Indian, too - finally, been too long. Cheers!

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  4. That is the sweetest picture! I love it.

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  5. This photo is adorable! I can't believe you got away with "taste tasting" the wedding cake frosting :-) Hilarious!

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  6. Oh my gosh Lena! Look at how cute you were! And I love looking at vintage wedding styles. My mom got married in the 70s...and I loved her dress! Kind of bohemian style! xoxo

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  7. Can you imagine looking back at our vintage wedding photos someday?! This wedding photo is just lovely. Your memories of the day are even sweeter, especially swiping cake frosting :-)

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  8. How cute are you!? What an absolutely lovely photo.

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  9. You were the most adorable little girl! How sweet is that! I love this post- goodness. All those memories make up for a wonderful storage of beautiful ideas and personal touches on this awesome blog. Lovely!

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  10. This. Is. Amazing.

    PS I knew that was you in the photo, duh!

    XOXO

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  11. Oh, I love this post! You are precious and I can't wait to go look those gowns up. xo

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  12. Just the way I pictured you to be. Adorable and tres chic!

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  13. Look at you two, so sweet. I never got to be a flower girl and I'm still bitter ;)

    I'm loving all the lace. My girlfriend tried on a dozen lace gowns and then tried her on Mom's and is having it reconstructed. Except for the bell sleeves it's nearly exactly what she was looking for!

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  14. Awww, cutie!! I didn't even go to a wedding till I was 15, and my mom is convinced that my love of weddings is due in part to the fact that I never got to get it out of my system as a flower girl! :P

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  15. You are beyond adorable! Funny, I always pictured you as a super cute brunette with bangs!

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  16. What a wonderful story!!! You are absolutely cute as a button!!

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  17. You are such a sweet kid! Love this picture. I am currently swooning over a fabulous embroidered lace cake that I saw on Martha Stewart Weddings. OBSESSED. xo style, she wrote

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  18. What a perfect photo! Love the vintage label on it:)

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  19. this picture of you is too cute! what a great story!

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  20. Oh my, oh my. How I love this! Thanks for sharing your first wedding experience. I'm getting so, so excited to see your own choice of wedding dress!

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  21. You are so flippin cute in this pic! Seriously adorbs.

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  22. Oh my goodness I LOVE this! The swiss dot, you two cuties in the back, I love it all!!

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  23. I love your expression in this photo: it's like you'd already been bitten by the wedding bug at the ripe old age of 4!

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  24. You're so cute! I am a sucker for swiss dot dresses, myself. Not to mention I adore old wedding photos! Thanks for sharing :)

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