Pomp & Plumage (& Pearls).

Photo: Irene Suchocki

A little bird sent me this listing on Pomp & Plumage's Etsy shop--is that an Oysters & Pearls dress? I do believe it is.

We have moved (about 10 feet).

If you've been on our block lately, you may have noticed the mysterious workings in the space to our west--it's our new home! The English Dept. has officially relocated one door down to 1128 Alder. Our old space will be home to Lille Trousseau, a branch of our most favorite-favorite lingerie shop. In addition to their always-lovely selection of underpinnings, you'll find wedding-appropriate accessories (shoes!) curated especially to coordinate with our gowns. We couldn't be more excited. Lille Trousseau is set to open early May--watch this space! Now, on with the show...

Clara and Lauren will not let window vinyl get the best of them!

Wedding Dresses

Wedding Dresses

Over the centuries wedding dresses have changed, but a bride has always wanted her dress to be special, to make her look more beautiful. Centuries ago, only the rich could afford materials of red, purple, and true black; therefore, the wealthy brides would wear dresses of color adorned with jewels. The bride would actually glitter in the sunshine. The dress with flowing sleeves or a train was a status symbol, for the poor had to use material as sparingly as possible. Factory-made materials, with their lower costs, caused the lost of the original meaning of the train of a wedding gown, but it became a tradition over time.

Fashions changed from gowns of color to ones of white, or a variation of white, but since it wasn't a practical shade for most purposes, blue became another favorite, as did pink. In the 1800's, gray became a color for wedding gowns for brides of lower classes because the dress became re-used as the bride's Sunday best. For those who had to wear a dress that would be used for regular occasions after the wedding, many brides would decorate the dress for the special day with temporary decorations.

The History of Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

The History of Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

These days, many people take wedding bands and engagement rings for granted, and although they give these beautiful items of jewellery with integrity and love, they are often given with no real knowledge of the meaning behind them.

Both wedding bands and engagement rings are very special items of jewellery; in fact, they are more than just jewellery - they are the symbols of many emotions and promises such as:

• Love
• Commitment
• Fidelity
• Eternity
• Honour

But where - and why - did these popular and sentimental pieces of jewellery stem from?

The History Of Wedding Bands

These items of jewellery have a history that spans many centuries and passes through many countries from all around the planet. Below, you will find a brief history of the wedding and engagement ring, as reported from country to country.

Giselle in Brides Magazine.

 

At the shop we call Brides "the mothership" because it is the biggest, bride-iest, most venerable wedding publication on newsstands. So I was awed and proud to see Giselle in the March issue. Paired with a big splashy peony, which tells me that Brides gets Giselle. All hail Brides!

An antidote for wedding anxiety...

 I LOVE Carrie's story--such a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that you really can get married your way:

Hello Elizabeth and ladies of The English Department!

I have been meaning to write since I got married in February, but haven't had the chance. I was originally going to get married this summer, but wedding stress made us get creative. My fiancé (Martin) and I ran off to New York City, and on February 18th we had a fabulous guerilla wedding inside MoMA (in front of our favorite painting, Vincent vanGogh's Starry Night). We're both artists, and not really the most conventional couple. So to scrap the big wedding and do something crazy suited us well. We did have a few family members show up to be a part of the fun. It was really the best day of our lives.

You made me a Giselle dress with a matching bolero, and I actually also ended up wearing a Twigs & Honey custom headband. I've never felt more lovely in my life. So again thank you, and I am attaching a few photos of our special day for you all to see.

 I didn't even know you could have a guerrilla wedding inside a museum! This changes everything. Thanks, Carrie! You look so happy.

 

Thank you, Lovely.

I truly had a magical time at Lovely last weekend. Thanks to all you ladies who came and played dress up at my trunk show!

 

Thanks also to Cassandra, Lanie, and the smashing Lovely crew for making me feel so welcome. 

It's great fun for me to see dresses from my collection modeled by honest-to-goodness brides (left: "Tempest," right: "Honeychurch")...

...and I always like to bring a few new things (left: "Tea/Blush" gown, right: "Lizzie Swift" gown). So nice to see my work come to life! Now back to the studio...

Sunday Brunch Weddings

I absolutely LOVE weddings that are held on "off" days and times. Something about switching it up from the typical Friday or Saturday evening excites me. Not only are "off" days/times extremely cost-effective, but you also have more opportunities to set your wedding apart from the rest. Think: Sunday Brunch! Then, think about all of the amazing delicious treats you could serve your guests...pancakes, anyone?! Sunday brunch weddings are becoming a bit more popular than they were in recent years, but they are still not considered mainstream by any means. I've seen Sunday brunch weddings out West and down South, but haven't seen many up here in the Pittsburgh area. I'm just dying to have a couple interested in a Sunday brunch wedding come my way! Any takers?! :) 

More on Sunday brunch weddings coming later this week!

Photo credit # 1 :: One Stylish Bride

Photo credit # 2 :: One Stylish Bride  

Photo credit # 3 :: Green Wedding Shoes  

See you at Lovely!

Tomorrow begins my spring trunk show at Lovely in NYC--hope you can make it! Check the Lovely blog for more details.

French Macaroons

You've probably seen these colorful little beauties popping up everywhere in wedding magazines and blogs lately. These cookies really are just about the cutest cookies out there, so today I thought I would share some macaroon inspiration with you. Enjoy!

Photo credit # 1 :: Rowell Photography
Photo credit # 2 :: Talia Events
Photo credit # 3 :: New Zealand Weddings
Photo credit # 4 :: Bakerella

Wheat Grass Inspiration

Wheat grass is such a simple little thing, yet versatile in so many ways. You can use wheat grass for almost every element of your wedding design - centerpieces, escort card displays, place settings...you name it! Pictured above are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate wheat grass into your wedding. Talk with your floral designer for more ideas.

Tip :: Looking for a fun eco-friendly project? Try growing your own wheat grass at home. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Sweet Monday Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo credit # 2 :: Unknown  

Photo credit # 3 :: Hostess with the Mostess

Photo credit # 4 :: Wedding to Be 

Photo credit # 5 :: Park Place Design  

New York trunk show April 15th - 17th

For those of you planning a wedding in New York area, I'm having a trunk show at Lovely! My entire 2011 dress collection will be available to try on and order. I’ll also be bringing some special one-of-a-kind dresses and accessories that you can walk away with that day. Contact the dear ladies at Lovely for more info. Hope to see you there!

Sarah in Eventide.

Photos: Inbal Sivan

Rose/Dust has sold.

Rose/Dust might be the best-loved dress I've ever made--thank you for all your inquiries and love letters! I took her to my trunk show in San Francisco, where she found a new home. I must say, I had a bit of a hard time parting with her. Hopefully Melissa, her new owner, will send us all some wedding photos to remember her by. Meanwhile, back to daydreaming...

Leah in Storyville.

So pretty.