Designer Spotlight: Elizabeth Fillmore
I came across the designer Elizabeth Fillmore’s work while looking for some inspiration for a client. I love her modern take in vintage style. Her collection is full and versatile… with so many romantic, whimsical, and vintage inspired pieces.
From top left to right: Cora, Cecila, Sophia and Thea
I love the vintage, Hollywood Glamour inspired look to these gorgeous gowns.
From top left to right: Ophelia, Eden, Winter Garden and Willow
Can’t you see these gorgeous lace and ruffle gowns at a garden inspired ceremony or rustic reception? I absolutely love them! All the appliques and detailing are just fantastic. Elizabeth is known for her beading, attention to detail, and the way fabric sits against the body. It makes me want to crawl into one of her gowns and get married all over again!
Elizabeth’s gowns are not available in any boutiques in Connecticut. You can find them at Saks Fifth Ave, Bergdorf Goodman and Mark Ingram in the city. Her collection is also available at l’elite in Boston.
Happy Sunday!
xoxo
Spotting Trends: What is New in Food
There was a lot of yummy food on display at BizBash by some of Manhattan’s top catering companies. We got to sample a variety of signature drinks, chocolate confections, and petite appetizers. The main trend? Food as art.
I think a lot of couples underestimate the impact that food has on your event. We all know it is the largest expense and the single element guests are guaranteed to remember from your wedding day. Still, people tend to neglect the idea that food can be as much a part of your wedding day theme and décor as flowers, candles, and table linens. If you are having a French country themed fete, why not serve a variety of French food and wine? A rustic, evergreen style wedding could serve these petite paper cones filled with a variety of nuts and a spring of evergreen as garnish.
You can create a fusion of food to suit your theme and stylize it in a way where it fits in with your décor. It is an inexpensive way to continue your wedding style into other elements of the day. I recommend that you sit down with your caterer or chef and discuss options to liven up your dishes and add an artistic flair. Think about shapes, color, taste, and texture. Here are a few ideas:
Going Old Hollywood? Stick with classic cocktails (which are making a huge comeback) such as the classic martini, gin and tonic, or whiskey sour. For food, serve canapés with different spreads (avocado, blue and cream cheese spread, ham and olive), welsh rarebit toasties, cocktail sausages, and silver dollar hamburgers. For dinner, serve wedge salad or classic cob salad with a classic steak, chicken, or Italian dish.
For a rustic, late summer evening wedding outside, consider serving a variety of chilled wines or sangria’s in pitchers. Champagne flutes served with a few blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for flavor and color. As an appetizer, antipasto platters with cured meats, cheeses, peppers and mushrooms. Parmesan stuffed mini artichokes, crab cakes with tarter dipping sauce, and dates stuffed with goat cheese. For dinner, a light cesaer or garden salad with braised lamb shank with rosemary, beef tenderloin with port and chestnut sauce.
Another trend that is evident already in recent weddings are miniature foods. Shot glasses filled with bisques, soups, and little deserts. Tiny french fries, burgers, sandwiches, and cheesecakes. I love the idea of miniature foods, especially deserts and hors d’oeuvres; it allows your guests to sample a lot of food without getting too full!
Often times these are more of a customized menu verses the wedding package variety. If you can’t stray from your prepackaged meal, ask the chef if they would be willing to plate the food in a unique and artistic way. Chefs are artists by nature and most of them welcome putting new spins on the same old dishes!
Signature Cocktail: Ginger Snap
I love this martini. I think it would be perfect for an autumn themed wedding / party! I also think it has a bit of Old Hollywood Glamour behind it. I don’t know if I am just channeling Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, but I think it would be a fabulous addition to your old hollywood themed fete!
The Gingersnap Martini
* 75 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
* .5 oz. ginger brandy
* 4 oz. eggnog
Combine rum, brandy, and eggnog in a blender. Blend to desired consistency. Garnish with a ginger snap for dunking.
Recipe courtesy of TheBar.com
Wedding Gown Style: Old Hollywood Glamour
For the past few nights I’ve been entrenched in finding some old hollywood glamour inspired wedding gowns. I really love the classic silhouettes of screen sirens past, and fully believe that it is every woman’s right to channel Rita Hayworth or Marylin Monroe on her wedding day! Some elements you should look for in a gown if you are planning an old hollywood based soiree are sweet-heart necklines with mermaid, drop-waist, and curve accentuating gowns. Stick with satin, Silk-charmeuse and Chantilly lace. Delicate bead work and crystals are also a signature component of this style. I also recommend a faux fur or feather shawl to add an extra bit of glam!
For more inspiration, read our post on Dita von Teese , the ultimate fashionista who infuses the glamour of the 40’s and 50’s into her style.
Old Hollywood Glamour: Dita von Teese
I love to look to fashion forward celebrities to find inspiration on wedding day style. If you admire the look or persona of a celebrity, you can really find some creative ideas to use for your wedding day look or to enhance the décor. No matter which celebrity style you idolize, remember to remain true to your own personal style. You never want to look back on your wedding day pictures and feel like your day followed too many fads or trends (giant poufy sleeves from the 80’s anyone?)
A look that is really hot right now is “Old Hollywood Glamour.” Taking style que’s from screen siren’s like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth couples are incorporating retro styles into their wedding. Along with the famous beauties of the past, you can also look to modern day Hollywood for inspiration. I love the style of Dita von Teese and I believe she marries “old Hollywood” with the new millennium beautifully. Check out the slide show I’ve compiled that showcase some of my favorite red carpet looks of hers.
