Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Not everyone desires gaud and pomp of tulle and lace, so here is a wedding to delight the minimalist's heart. I looked for very clean silhouettes and purity of form, but not without a high degree of sumptuousness, so that each piece is truly special.
THE RING
A circle of pure and perfect gold from Reinstein/Ross ($925), subtly textured, is the most elegant of rings. For a little more fire, it also comes peppered in rubies ($1075)—highly covetable.
THE DRESS
Not even a sweatshirt-and-jeans girl would feel too fussed up in this elegant gown from J. Crew ($995). Absolutely spare, absolutely luxurious—it's far removed from the traditional puff-pastry dresses of less imaginative weddings, but still full of subtle details that make it a very important dress: understated drama from a beautiful drape and minute train, in subdued matte fabric, save a shimmering (and flattering) band at the waist, and a window in the back for a frisson of sex appeal. It's for the kind of bride who, after the ceremonies are over, kicks off her shoes to run barefoot through the grass, the kind of bride who insists on candids.
THE BOUQUET
Tulips, still shot with green from the bud, but faintly blushing pink, have a modest charm that's hard to beat. So simple, but ever so elegant.
THE ACCESSORIES
I'd expect these dainty opal Andrea Fohrman earrings ($980) on a Jane Austen heroine—they will not overwhelm. And instead of boring white satin, use the mild graphic statement of R&Y Augousti's Chevron Minaudiere ($375) to pick up on the warmth of the dress, and these sophisticated teal sandals from Manolo Blahnik ($665) to break up the monotone play on ivories-golds, just a little.
THE SCENT
A fresh, pretty, yet unobtrusive blend of white lilacs and fresh bread dough, Frédéric Malle En Passant ($120) would make the perfect choice for the minimalist bride.
THE SONG
Mama Cass singing "Dream a Little Dream of Me".
THE BRIDESMAIDS
The bridesmaids' dresses should be respectfully subdued, in deep tones of chocolate (3.1 Philip Lim) and navy (Jil Sander), simple, body-conscious shapes with beautiful drape to maintain an air of formality.
So light and sumptuous, in the palest of blues, generally reserved for eggshells, you'll loll about in this Cocoon Baubles Kimono ($625) throughout your honeymoon—and beyond.
THE HONEYMOON
And for your honeymoon, how about cool, relaxed Buenos Aires?
oooooooooo, that gown is just exquisite!!! I loathe strapless wedding gowns,someone should tell a bride who is considering wearing one that in all of her head/shoulder shots she'll look like shes wearing a bath towel.
I have two young cousins getting married this year. Good grief! All I can say is, I'm so glad I have boys to deal when it comes down to weddings! Will you be doing a piece on the bridesmaids dresses? I'd love to see what you'd choose. I've seen what my relatives have chosen for their attendants and all I can say is, "Oh, the poor dears......"
I'm doing my best to host a similarly simple and elegant graduation open house for the 2 boys of mine who graduate highschool in 2 weeks. I'm doing well except when it comes to my dear mother who wishes to purchase every single shiny,tacky, spark-ly piece of decoration out there that has 2008 emblazoned across it. I think she wanted to slap me when discussing the food.... This, is why I eloped!! ;)
I'm trying to channel three very different tastes, but hopefully they're different body types as well, which is a bit facetious, but heck, even Freud says anatomy is destiny. This one is a sort of for a lanky, lean figure. Tomorrow, lots o' curves, and the day after tomorrow, petite.
I did consider doing bridesmaids gowns, but I think I'd just throw them into simple, flowy things regardless of the type of wedding.
Carol
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May 5, 2008 10:15 AM,
oooooooooo, that gown is just exquisite!!! I loathe strapless wedding gowns,someone should tell a bride who is considering wearing one that in all of her head/shoulder shots she'll look like shes wearing a bath towel.
I have two young cousins getting married this year. Good grief! All I can say is, I'm so glad I have boys to deal when it comes down to weddings! Will you be doing a piece on the bridesmaids dresses? I'd love to see what you'd choose. I've seen what my relatives have chosen for their attendants and all I can say is, "Oh, the poor dears......"
I'm doing my best to host a similarly simple and elegant graduation open house for the 2 boys of mine who graduate highschool in 2 weeks. I'm doing well except when it comes to my dear mother who wishes to purchase every single shiny,tacky, spark-ly piece of decoration out there that has 2008 emblazoned across it. I think she wanted to slap me when discussing the food.... This, is why I eloped!! ;)
Excellent piece, I enjoyed it much!
May 5, 2008 10:35 AM,
Thank you, that is very kind.
I'm trying to channel three very different tastes, but hopefully they're different body types as well, which is a bit facetious, but heck, even Freud says anatomy is destiny. This one is a sort of for a lanky, lean figure. Tomorrow, lots o' curves, and the day after tomorrow, petite.
I did consider doing bridesmaids gowns, but I think I'd just throw them into simple, flowy things regardless of the type of wedding.
I have an overbearing mother, too. : )