Ensembles: The caped bride

Three cheers for Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar number! Her ode to Jackie Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural ball ensemble was such a refreshing change of scenery from a red carpet that often consists of a barrage of all-too-similar asymmetrical gowns. I thought it’d make a perfect choice for a daring bride. I’ve had my eye on Antonio Berardi’s cream cape from his pre-fall 2011 collection for some time now and since Gwyneth’s Tom Ford version isn’t available to, well, non-Gwyneth Paltrows, it just might do the trick. I paired it with some bright accents.

-Brittany from The House That Lars Built

CAPE  |  RING  |  SHOES

Simplicity at the water-front

Some of the most striking wedding photos are those found near water, whether it’s the beach or a river or a lake and when it comes to decorating I say the simpler the better. Nature is your friend! No elaborate tulle-covered lattice is needed when you’ve got built in (and cheap!) decorations. Living in Denmark I’m always amazed how the Scandinavians embrace nature in many parts of their life and a wedding is no exception. These are a collection of some of my favorite Scandinavian wedding shots shot near water. Notice how they are not over-the-top, but keep to a simple theme like a simple row boat or an unfussy bouquet.

Swedish lakeside wedding by Jonas Peterson

Elaina and Mark’s beautifully simple Danish wedding by Swedish photographer Hilda Grahnat (who’s shooting weddings in the US in June!)

Danish beach wedding (with Hunter boots!) [image by Audrey Smit]

Christian Eide for a beautiful Norwegian setting found via Pretty Chic

by Brittany Watson Jepsen of The House That Lars Built

Decorating with oversized flowers

When I got married about a year and a half ago I dreamed up a reception overflowing with oversized flowers. Together with my mom, we filled the garden reception site with huge paper flower centerpieces, bouquets, and flourishes. To this day, I smile when I think of how it turned out. Ever since then I’ve seen oversized flowers blooming everywhere (pun intended). And now that it’s time to start planning those spring weddings, I thought it’d be nice to show some of the ways that oversized flowers can be added to any wedding.

Top picture: The handpainted flower from my reception as seen here.

Middle photo top left: Paper oversized flowers in vases would be perfect for centerpieces or set in a corner to add volume to a large reception site area.

Middle photo Top right and bottom left: Oversized flowers as a bouquet for the bride

Bottom right: Oversized fabric flower for the bride’s hairpiece from Alexis Mabille or try this version

These are the oversized paper flowers that lined the entrance of my wedding reception site. You could use these as centerpieces or decoration for an empty space for your site. Photo from Ali DeGraff – Brittany

Ensembles: The Old Hollywood Bride

Once again, I’ve chosen a look that I would have loved to have donned at my wedding. It’s part funky, part sophisticated, part humorous, part glamorous, part sculptural, and part deco all rolled into one. It’s certainly not for the princess seeking bride. It’s for the bride inspired by the stars of classic cinemas. Think Joan Crawford or Rita Hayworth. And that leopard hat? I’d wear it every day after my wedding, that’s for sure!

-Brittany from The House That Lars Built

leopard hat  |  dress  |  ring  |  shoes