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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr6y5TvKAdjm6FcslNSrcv9-KNe4g8VBdNS-Mzk7K9r4NFuvMajY__mwdRP6r9qENbs8tCLusgFoIhANchd7wTR1dWd8EnuPM8s6km64-RVVSS6XZQ0pxdJxExHGLpI9UVSIJ098yla6s/s400/+_White+Temple+Portraits+eliselphotography+%252837%2529.jpg)
. . . . . . .
brandon didn't have too much opinion about the wedding. Okay...he might have had a little {a lot} more than the average guy, after all, he is an artist and aesthetics are instinct. I'm really grateful he had such good input, it helped me make a lot of decisions and made the over-all feeling of our wedding "us" not just me :) We decided he could dress the men and I'd dress the ladies, a fair deal right? All the wedding party men wore black tuxes & bow ties.
they looked dashing
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETXekzTG0ik6ZXqChhLxCWLUVrtTVP8bxyyXR57a9yCUvTbVWF2-L6mILD8xknBKa6P_YJFFM5zjkGFH9-fvaPuckht0YDkwOPJwvPhNipDbykPTF8g7uog6CEhP6TalOPcnK7yZRmCGe/s400/+_White+Temple+eliselphotography+%2528178%2529.jpg)
SHE
{my look is a little more complex, naturally}
I incorporated 6 generations of wedding wear from my mother's side into my ensemble.
(some borrowed. Many I'm blessed to now call my own. Thank you Grandma C.)
6 Generations: wedding pin
chose to pin it to my bouquet rather than wear it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeH2RtwxZtar098xuvP-rmi_Yv7ZbonE1NRkvHN4rc3iPGx-ui4JO9Jt8LvOnZVuzNRWUYnpOllBtMzgWEqn2lQ1jGX-ajWiLg2ooyRu93R3Lz3vdsqlRwwxyyjnmSDR-Er2wuYGKcIrk/s400/White+Reception+eliselphotography+%252858%2529.jpg)
5 Generations: Aunt Roba's wedding lace
leftover from the dress her mother made her
used some in the hairpiece (that I made the morning of my wedding!)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoA3NqB1MoNqzJ_jJG4ibtXxQZR-Wt51nREZaq6OToUvtvN_jgbCH_tNOovWmlWIQBidTgK1jZUcyW3Qy9bojSYd9_jJGOSaIi6-f0PVYA9pwXg4mxRIfZ9yO_wZEUC09OBxDIx-7wmjW/s400/White+Reception+eliselphotography+%252861%2529.jpg)
4 Generations: My Great Grandmother's engagement ring
did she have great taste or what?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVprNC-jBXiaO-zjAfrhcEhFyveuec_BCZtO4s8UpWGMfCnlJ3Z6jN_gWKM8UtC49cRTHf2vKkWtiUwoXnExhHPxW4i0sdc6rNleO6IAW5dUAja_8SZH0thB69KYU9kiNHwrhqUCdC0HUM/s400/White+Reception+eliselphotography+%252860%2529.jpg)
3 Generations: My Grandma C's Handkerchief
used to wrap around my bouquet (in photo with wedding pin)
2 Generations: from my mother
lace from her wedding dress (she made) secretly stitched inside my skirt
+ her dainty diamond necklace
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1 Generation: the dress!
I had plans A-Z about my dress, all of which included my mother making it. I had worked for a bridal shop before and felt I had tried on every dress in the book. I wanted something "me" not "her" ya know....typical bridzilla stuff. our hunt for the perfect lace had been a big fat failure and the wedding was getting closer. I even {almost} resorted to this idea (which I still think would have worked....maybe). But when I chanced upon a dress at JCrew.com whilst looking for the perfect hooneymoon bathing suit (which I also found)
the dress struck me:
it was simple
it was timeless
it was original
it was so me
I ordered two sizes (online mind you) and my mother and I crossed our fingers hoping it would work. When I finally tried it on, my mom and I got all waterworks and I refused to take it off for at least an hour. I said "yes" to the dress in my parents bedroom :) it was almost perfect. I still desired a handmade touch: my mother added the chiffon ruffle at the neck and bottom of skirt.
perfect.
oh and can I mention how comfortable I was all day! This dress is so light and airy! and a cinch to put on. with my homemade hairdo and self applied makeup: getting ready on my wedding day was as easy as pie. and that's just how I wanted it. No stress, no timetables, no looking like someone I'm not. Just me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRK0pW7KhDa3rZVqmfHAj2-tf826Hb8lVxRFWJn1h_woYTP5J3jziiFh6rvmaLrm7ZRg2XqXSfm4ah-GarPW7KnlKocYUVkfNRYy50rttElv9tqBMoL0reVQHoiU7sReHNfUQt8LF2Z5q/s400/White+Reception+eliselphotography+%252831%2529_2.jpg)
{shoes were also jcrew but from downeast outfitters}
BRIDESMAIDS
a question I got asked again and again while planning my wedding was "what are your colors?" and I had the hardest time answering. reason being: I didn't pick any. I didn't want my wedding to scream a color but instead, a feeling. Turns out that "feeling" showed itself in pastels and muted broken color. My mother found the dresses at Sundance Catelogue. I love them so much I even got one for me :) (they were a killer, knock-the-wind-outtaya, steal of a deal. but what else can you expect from my mom? :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUGB_THYMI0vhE0NqANseHv8S7aQjFnE_j-gia4snXPf92fJaDsnm33dVZLH0uKKKYS2djoPQBO-zq2Fyn5QxgpPIVPoc2i6p4q2Q5GVBcjRqty_XNPFTIPTyXELl7yuMBaJDJgpVxiOg/s400/+_White+Temple+eliselphotography+%2528154%2529.jpg)
we hemmed the dresses so they'd hit just at the knee instead of mid-calf. I used the excess fabric to make each girl a headband (each a little different) as well as little flower poms that we attached to their matching ballet flats.
and that is what we wore
more wedding diary entries coming soon!
***
all flowers done by this lovely lady
{minus the bouquet of all peonies, made by me}
all photos taken by this lovely lady
Love it Claire!! What a beautiful wedding!! So perfect!
ReplyDeleteYour dress is gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteok, your dress.
ReplyDeletethat is THE perfect dress. i love it.
everything looked amazing!
i love how you are talking about your weddings. weddings are so so fun!!! i love your idea about the brides maids being in printed dresses. i might steal that idea if you don't mind. i can't wait for the next post!
ReplyDeleteso neat! i loved all the original touches. and i LOVE your dress. so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteyou are flawless.
ReplyDeletemake babies, please. they'll be little angels.
i love what the bridesmaids are wearing! so perfect (: i don't think couples pay enough attention to those anymore
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what you're even talking about when you say you were a bridezilla. To this day, you were one of the easiest brides I've ever worked with. And your flowers turned out so great, that's the first wedding in my portfolio.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention I am OBSESSED with your wedding gown. Obsessed, I tell you.