Sneak Peek...Just a Simple Wedding for Two!

Our next bride, Alexis Conrad, will be married to her fiance, Matthew Black, in just a short 22 days! How wonderfully exciting! Unlike our previous brides (and grooms), Alexis and Matthew are eloping! The pair will say their I Dos in the scenic Cavendish Cliffs in Prince Edward Island, Canada in front of their loyal red headed golden retriever.

To complement the beautiful setting, Alexis will don an elegant gown that she describes as a light ivory fitted flare gown made of raw silk, topped of with a hint of a sweetheart neckline (very enticing)!

I'm also in love with the fact that Alexis and Matthew's wedding colors are simply the rich red hue of the red clay, the blue satin ocean and of course, the lush green grass! --Nature's beauty!

I think Alexis and Matthew's romantic outdoor elopement will go perfectly with a boutonniere from Pomp & Plumage!

What will he wear? Stayed tuned to see what our 3 stylists have created!

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Something Whimsical!

For the next few weeks, Boutonnieres & Bow Ties will feature different wedding vendors so our wonderful readers can learn about other great wedding services!

Our first vendor is an extremely crafty artist by the name of Denise Cole! Denise is the creator of Pomp & Plumage and she is the designer and maker of boutonnieres and other wedding accessories!

Let's take a look at Denise's contribution to the wedding world and what she has to say about weddings!

Where are you located?

Canada

Your contact information and website:

Denise Cole, Pomp & Plumage

What do you love about weddings?

Everything. Seriously.

Tell us a little about your work. How would you describe your style?

Pomp & Plumage boutonnieres are perfect for:
-earthy, outdoor weddings with lush grass, tall trees, paper lanterns and blue Ball jars
-old Hollywood glamour weddings in historical mansions
-garden parties
-literary weddings
-destination weddings (our pieces are heirloom quality and cannot wilt like flowers)

What advice do you have for grooms (and brides) when you are working with them?

I love hearing all the details, seeing photos, learning more about the bride and groom, and discussing lots of options so that I can design a custom piece that fits perfectly with a couple's design concept and personality. Don't be shy to ask lots of questions, send inspiration photos, and - if possible - leave lots of time prior to the big day so that we can create something perfect.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a designer and maker of boutonnieres and other wedding accoutrements for style-conscious brides and grooms who are seeking well-designed pieces made by hand with integrity. It's important to me that my pieces are not only uncommon and well-made but affordable.

My process is very organic. I sit down with my materials and piece things together in ways that highlight the innate qualities of the materials (i.e. letting tulle pouf, silk drape and feathers plume). I am uncompromising in my attention to detail and to the interplay of colour and texture. I love pieces on a grand scale and those that are surprisingly intricate and thoughtful for their small size. I don't like many things that are average, in-between or moderate. I love working on custom orders that reflect a client's personality.

I love design. And I'm obsessed with weddings.

Latest Inspiration:
the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in the asymmetry, impermanence and textures of nature).

Just look at how delicate the Laurel Wreath boutonniere (top right) is! I'd love to get my hands on one. Can you believe everything is handcrafted?!

Like what you see? Click here to contact Denise Cole!

The True Gentleman - Option 3 - by Providence Classic

Historic Saint James Chapel in Chicago? Check. The world-famous Drake Hotel overlooking Lake Michigan? Check. Throw in the December holidays and this is a wedding with ultimate elegance.

Courtney and Chris's winter wedding is destined to be a refined affair. Case in point - her Monique Lhuillier dress: glamour all the way. Since Chris already purchased his Paul Smith tuxedo (yay! great choice!), he just needs a few 'ornaments' to make the whole ensemble sparkle.

First off - black patent leather and suede dress loafers from Dolce & Gabbana. I'll be honest: I am not a fan of traditional tuxedo shoes (probably because the nicest pair is virtually indistinguishable from the rental version). But these are perfect. A vintage-looking James Bond-esque watch adds a dash of stylish masculinity, while Georgetown cufflinks are a nod to where the couple first met. I guess you could call me a non-traditionalist when it comes to men's clothing, because I am also proposing no cummerbund. Who needs it? A crisp white tuxedo shirt and rich black belt are just right. A black silk moire or black velvet (it's cold outside!) bow tie top it all off. For a boutonniere - the classic white dendrobium orchid. Simple luxury.

Courtney's dress is the kind you dream about when you are little. I picture her with something in her hair - an antique crystal comb or pin (to blend with the Drake Hotel location) or a beautiful flower from her bouquet. The perfect wedding party gift? Vintage jewelry that each girl can wear the day of.

And last but not least, my dream wedding gift for the couple - gorgeous luggage they can keep forever.

Happy Thursday! xoxo Abbey from Providence Classic

Need help styling your groom? Click here!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design board by leaving a comment!

The True Gentleman - Option 2

I'm so excited to be working with the next couple, Courtney and Christopher. Their December wedding in Chicago sounds so glamorous and festive with stained glass windows, marble entrances and gilded chandeliers. Outside the window of their ballroom guests can enjoy the twinkly lights of Lake Shore Drive. So pretty.

Courtney describes Christopher as athletic, stylish and slightly preppy. They've already purchased a Paul Smith tuxedo with peaked lapels which I think will be perfect for their big day. I chose sleek and stylish accessories and accent pieces for the groom. Let's start with my favorite piece, the bow tie. The J. Press bow tie is ah-mazing as it is black with little skull and cross bones embroidered on it. In my search, I also found black dress socks with a skull and cross bones from J. McGaughlin. The best way to give your guy's shirt a unique spin is to mix and match cuff links with similar designs or colors. Who doesn't love the duck and dog motif on the cuff link from Paul Smith - manly, yet adorable. While we have some whimsical accessories, Christopher can still keep his outfit classic by adding a pair of sleek, patent leather dress shoes. Finally, I chose a sleek miniature Calla Lilly with Ornithogalum Arabicum and Scented Geranium Leaf boutonniere that's perfectly tied-off with a black ribbon. To pamper your man, get him an old-fashion shaving kit from the Art of Shaving.

Also, I found a vintage menu from the Gold Coast Room that Courtney can draw inspiration from when she creates her wedding stationary. So cool!

Come back tomorrow to see what Abbey of Providence Classic has come up with for the lucky couple.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design board! Leave a comment! - Sam

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

The True Gentleman

I think that a tuxedo would go really well with this beautiful wedding gown. How convenient that Chris has recently purchased a Paul Smith tuxedo!

All Chris needs is to add his own touch to a beautiful, classic tux. For a December wedding that is in the late afternoon / evening, which is set in a beautiful chapel and then in an ornate gilded room, I would opt for a little bit of old-school glamour. Remember those black and white movies where all of the men seem to constantly be wearing some dashing tux or suit? Let's shoot for that but with an updated, modern take on this classic gentlemanliness.

I was inspired by the simple navy and white theme, and took a bit of liberty with this color scheme and added a bit of brighter blue in my design board. I love the ornate yet modern look of this blue chandelier, and got inspired by this piece. I kept the boutonnieres simple and elegant with solitary white orchids. The pocket watch makes you a real gentleman and the silver tone keeps it modern rather than vintage. Other images pictured here are classic patent tux shoes, a beautiful cummerbund and bow tie set, and unexpected yet cool batman cufflinks (to keep it not too formal!). It's fun to have a little element of surprise that really shows off your taste and personality like these simple cufflinks.

Also pictured is a gorgeous blue bra of the most exquisite lace. Brides are supposed to wear something blue, aren't they? Why not pick something a bit unexpected?

I hope you got some good ideas! - Makiko

Like this design board? Leave a comment to vote!

Sneak Peek...A Charming Chicago Wedding

Our next bride, Courtney, is an extremely excited bride because she and her fiance, Christopher, will say their "I-Dos" on December 11, 2010! Courtney and Christopher's wedding will be held in the breathtaking Saint James Chapel followed by a reception in the ravishing Gold Coast Room in The Drake Hotel that overlooks the drive.

The captivation doesn't stop at the venue! Courtney will wear a beautiful and glamorous Monique Lhuillier ball gown that she will personalize with a few touches of crystal accents!

What will he wear? Stay tuned to see our stylists' design boards!

*Vote for your favorite design board by leaving a comment!

Groom (and bride) Style Tip...A Not So Casual City Hall Wedding

Ben Chrisman

While there are many weddings out there, destination weddings, themed weddings, and of course, traditional weddings, we must not forget about those sweet intimate City Hall weddings!

Why might people opt for a City Hall wedding? Well I can think of 3 great reasons:

1. To save money

2. To save time and the stress of planning a wedding

3. Because they are just madly in love and are eager to get married!

Whatever the reason a couple may choose to be married in City Hall, there is no reason as to why their wedding can't be chic and special!

How to make a City Hall wedding fabulous and memorable?

1. One of the downsides (or upsides) of a City Hall wedding is that the time frame is quite short. However, you shouldn't let time quickly pass you by in this ceremonious occasion, but capture it in a photo...or more! Hire a photographer for your nuptials at City Hall!

2. Brides and grooms: you can still look dashing on your wedding day regardless of the location! Remember Carrie's blue satin Manolo Blahniks? Those pumps were surely the icing on the cake to her outfit!

3. The same rules still apply when it comes to flowers! Brides, you can still have the beautiful bouquet you've always dreamt of holding on your wedding day and grooms, splash a taste of elegance on your suit with a delicate boutonniere!

*Please don't forget the requirements and regulations of a City Hall wedding (Identification, license, witness, etc)!