Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bookworm Wedding 2: A Jane Austen Affair!

I know we are all craving Springtime at this point, and nothing makes the flowers bloom and the sun come out like a Jane Austen affair!

Anyone who knows me also knows of my love of all things Jane Austen and Regency England! It's why I chose an empire-waisted wedding dress, and it's also why my life stops come Masterpiece Theater time!

While there are quite a few lovely and utterly romantic Austen-era details featured in this post, I must also confess that I'm using this topic as a personal excuse to showcase one of my all-time favorite bridal designers: Claire Pettibone!
Died and gone to heaven!

There are two Claire Pettibone dresses which particularly embody Regency-era fashion.

The Queen Anne's Lace dress:
And the Emma dress:
Pure bliss!

Other Pettibone beauties of Regency note:

The Akoya dress:

The Cloisonne dress:

And the Kristenne dress:

The following pictures are from a divinely styled photo shoot, also featuring a Claire Pettibone bridal gown:


Such beautiful bouquets!


Jane Austen always reminds me of wildflowers, like lavender!
So Marianne Dashwood!

Could there be a more perfect Austen bridesmaid?

Remember your reticule...

...and your gloves and parasol!

A bonnet?

I think for the modern take on Jane Austen, we should skip the bonnet and go for a hair embellishment instead. Flowers, ribbon, berries, all dainty and sweet!

An Austen wedding reception must be an outdoor affair, preferably in an old country estate with a rose garden and a hedge maze!
Break out the tea and English china!

Now would you opt for a modern wedding cake with vintage details...

...or a cake like Mr. and Mrs. Weston had in Emma?

Jane Austen would adore these invitations, even if they are not hand-written by the hostess! And the escort cards remind me of calling cards, announcing each guest's entrance!

I love a modern interpretation on an Austen theme!

Can't resist! Here are my favorite Austen actresses!

Looks like they approve! Time to throw coins!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Bookworm Wedding, Part 1: Library Themed!

You knew this was coming! Feast your eyes on the bookish beauty of all things library!


Here are just a few sensationally beautiful and historic library settings!

The Karples Manuscript Library on Elmwood & North in Downtown Buffalo! If we weren't getting married in a church, this would be my dream come true!Breathtaking!

The ultimate in library wedding settings! The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue!

This library is in Brooklyn, and I'm in love!

Love the rich color schemes! Oak-paneled libraries remind me of 19th Century men's clubs. Bring on the brandy snifters!

So wonderful!

Dorky love!

Bouquet with roses made with antique book pages!

Such great invitations! Wonder how much the postage cost!

Even better! Old library due-date invitations!


Mmmm... book cake!

A vintage library wedding just wouldn't be complete without a card catalog! Here are some genius ideas for incorporating these hard-to-find gems into reception decor!

I want one so badly!


I love using antiques as unexpected flower arrangement vessels!

Adorable bookplate escort cards!

Such fun table cards!

Even I'm not this crafty!

Books as character-adding centerpieces! This is the new mason jar!

Loving the globe and the owls! Very sweet hipster!

Cardigan and lacy turtlenecks, messy buns and bangs! Library-chic essentials!

...your library wedding!