Fashion Forward

In the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, we featured a story on the stylish nuptials of Doo-Ri Chung and Jeffery Green.  People in the fashion know will recognize Doo-Ri, an accomplished designer who was featured in the Gap's White Shirt campaign and who won the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund Award last year.  Everything at her wedding was as chic as the line that bears her name.  It combined traditional elements from her Korean heritage (both her mother and aunt wore gorgeous hanbok, traditional Korean formal dresses) with more modern touches--the event was held in the sleekly appointed penthouse of Tribeca Rooftop, and Doo-Ri even whipped up her own of-the-moment gown (in a mere matter of days--don't try this at home!). Check out the amazing centerpieces, too.

Baker Extraordinaire

I've been getting lots of great feedback from viewers about the lovely cake that graced the set of our Today show segment yesterday morning.  The simple, fondant-covered cake was created by Sweet Melissa Patisserie, located in Cobble Hill in Brooklyn.  They make specialty and wedding cakes that you can customize using amazing flavors: devil's food cake, key-lime curd filling , and passion fruit buttercream frosting.  Melissa Murphy, the acclaimed chef and owner, also hosts a series of podcasts to teach less-than-stellar bakers everywhere (like me!) how to make picture-perfect pies, tarts, and other baked goods no matter where you are.  Now that takes the cake!

One blog commenter wanted another look at Matthew Robbins' beautiful floral embellishments around the cake.  Here's Matthew at the cake table, placing one last flower into the wreath.

She's a Natural

When I first met Bobbi Brown, she was doing the makeup at one of our early Weddings shoots. I was struck by how pretty yet totally natural she made our bride look and I quickly became a believer in Bobbi’s low-key philosophy on wedding makeup. Her motto: “You should look like yourself at your most beautiful.” Here are her top tips:

• Flash photography emphasizes pink tones, so even out skin with a yellow-based foundation. Start around the nose and mouth where there’s redness, then blend out to the rest of the face.

•Set concealer and foundation with loose powder. This also will ensure skin looks matte in pictures.

• If your dress has an open neckline, warm up your neck and chest with a dusting of bronzer.

• Choose eye products that can stand up to tears: Try Long-Wear Gel eyeliner and Lash Glamour Lengthening mascara. If you prefer a shadow liner, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp brush.

• Lightly pat a pale, matte shadow on the outer corners of the brow bone to make eyes pop.

• Create a pretty flush that lasts by using two shades of blush. Apply a neutral shade on the apples of cheeks, blending up to the hairline, then downwards to soften. Next apply a brighter shade just on the apples of cheeks.

• Neutral and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so opt for a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses, and plums are great choices for brides.

• For a pout that stays put, line and fill in lips with a pencil before applying lipstick.

• Carry a touch-up kit with concealer, pressed powder, lip liner, and lipstick or gloss. Also include tissues, mints, and a mini sewing kit for emergency repairs. Products, such as the Bridal Face Palette, which includes a gorgeous combination of eye shadow, blush, lip color, and gloss, are available on her website.

Today on Today

Our Today show set was over the top this morning! (Did you see the tent? Gorgeous!  It's from Raj Tents.) And with good reason: At Martha Stewart Weddings, we love flowers. As Martha herself said, “Weddings aren’t weddings without flowers!” Our arrangements were designed by Matthew Robbins, who will also do the flowers for Cody and Jessica’s wedding.

For your own wedding, make sure you start looking for a florist early, at least six months in advance. Once you’ve agreed on the design of your bridal bouquet, let it dictate the rest of the flowers for your wedding. Everything doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy, but each floral piece—from bridesmaid bouquets to centerpieces—should complement the others. We united our flowers with a bold, cheerful palette; to cut costs, we used some dainty faux pieces (I mentioned velvet blooms and leaves on the show) for filler.

Floral designer Matthew Robbins put the finishing touches on the set.

The bejeweled bride gets the biggest bouquet; ours is finished with a matching satin ribbon. The bridesmaid’s bouquet (modeled by Sara Parks, our style department's editorial assistant) is smaller and simpler. Both the groom and the ring bearer wear traditional boutonnieres. As a sweet alternative to a basket of loose petals, we gave our flower girl a pomander of fresh pink blooms suspended from a satin ribbon.

Our model newlyweds are ready to drive off. If you’re decorating a rented car), limit the embellishments so the car isn’t damaged. Our foam-core sign is topped with ribbons and flowers.

Martha had some little helpers when she showed Jessica and Cody the rings: two sweet flower girls (one in a short dress and one in a long dress), and two equally adorable ring bearers. (I love the super-casual get-up on the boy to the left!)  The boys' shoes are from Shoofly.

The segment flew by so quickly! If you missed anything—or want more great ideas—check the bouquets and flowers page on our web site.

And don’t forget to vote for Cody and Jessica’s wedding bands. Tune in next Wednesday to see the winning rings, and our segment on wedding dances.

Wow!

I knew as I said in the original post about guests wearing white to a wedding that people have strong and varied opinions on this, and your comments have really underscored that for me.  Wow!  Obviously, I will never choose my outfit for a wedding again without thinking of this "conversation" with all of you.

(For those of you who don't know what we're all talking about, see Monday's post.)

Mind Your Flowers

When brides think about flowers for their weddings, they usually focus on two things: bouquets and centerpieces.  But there is much more to consider, like boutonnieres, aisle runners, and bar decorations, should you choose to have them.  Flowers, especially those that are out of season, are expensive, so you should know which flowers are available at the time of your wedding.  Our Flower Planner, included in the Wedding Workbook in each issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, will help you stay on-target and on-budget; consult it before visiting your florist.  And tune in tomorrow to the Today Show, where we'll feature the beautiful stylings of Matthew Robbins, floral designer and Martha Stewart Weddings contributor.  He'll also be joining us on the radio (Sirius channel 112) tomorrow at noon.

Tough Question

I recently came across a discussion posted on Dress a day, one that I thought you'd all be interested in reading.  It's about wedding attire, specifically, what you should not wear to a wedding.  As you all know, I wrote a few days ago about Susan Spungen's wedding at Blue Hill at Stone Farm; this response references that wedding, so here it is:

I feel like this battle will never be won by anyone.  Just last weekend I attended my friend Susan's wedding, which was held during the day, outside, at a restaurant in Tarrytown, New York.  I had planned to wear a very cute, ivory-colored dress that hit at the knee and had very little embellishment, until Deb Puchalla, editor of Everyday Food (our sister publication), told me that it is unacceptable to wear white to someone else's wedding.  I decided to poll the office; overwhelmingly, everyone seemed to share Deb's sentiment.  But I still wasn't satisfied.

I checked several etiquette books and found that the answer varies depending on whom you ask.  Emily Post (17th edition) says white and black are fine to wear, but the fabric and cut of a white dress shouldn't be bridal at all.  In the end, I think that any color goes.  With weddings today, some rules can be seen as inspiration, allowing you to personalize and go with what you think feels right-whether you're the bride, groom, or guest.  But remember there are many people who still frown upon wearing black or white, even red, though there's been no mention of red in the etiquette books I've looked in.  They may give you looks, and you may become the talk of the town, but if you can handle the scrutiny, then go for it.

As for me, I wore the ivory dress I had planned to wear.  I knew Susan was going to wear a long, ivory gown and veil, so I wasn't afraid I'd be confused for her; then again, I did joke with my husband that I might be bombarded by angry bloggers once I posted the photo of me in ivory.  If people were talking about me, I don't know, but I had a great time, and I know Susan wasn't offended.  And isn't that what really matters, anyway?

Here I am with Susan (center).

Sugar Mama

Those amazing, sugar-topped works of art you see on the covers of Martha Stewart Weddings? Many of them were made by our longtime, uber-talented contributor, Wendy Kromer. Though she packed her piping tools a few years back and moved to Sandusky, Ohio, where she opened her own bakery, she still continues to work for the magazine. Lucky us! Lucky you, too: She ships her cakes nationwide. And if you’d rather not go the mail-order route, she sells decorating kits on her website. So a restaurant or hotel baker can make a plain cake, then top it with Wendy’s mouthwatering marzipan flowers and fruits using the kit. Sweet!

A Gift That Keeps Giving

If four-legged friends have a special place in your heart, why not skip traditional favors, and help out some in-need cats and dogs instead? One hundred percent of the money received by the Biscuit Fund is spent on the medical care and rehabilitation of sick, injured, or abused animals. There are lots of special ways you can let guests know you’re making a donation in their names. Here is one of my favorites. The Biscuit Fund also offers a “registry” service that allows your guests to give in your name in lieu of traditional presents. Now that's puppy love.

New Kid on the Block

Vera Wang is no newcomer on the bridal market, but her store in Millburn, New Jersey, is.  Owner Elga Koehler has just opened a 3,000 square foot boutique-just next door to her Calvary Bridal House-that carries the full Vera Wang bridal line, as well as small bridal gifts from the home collection.  Items include perfume, toasting glasses, and jewelry.  It's hard to believe, but it is the only Vera Wang bridal house in New Jersey!  And I just found out that they're having a trunk show from September 13-15, featuring the newest collection of gowns, which isn't available in stores until next year.  Call and make an appointment today!

Here is a Vera Wang gown we shot for the summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings