Wedding Ideas & Tips, Wedding Blog

13 Jan

Dear ESB: Can I get married in my sister’s dress?

categories Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Wardrobe

Oh hello, East Side Bride! We’ve missed you! We’re thrilled to have her back with a question about “THE DRESS”.

Dear ESB,

What are you thoughts on wearing my sister’s wedding dress to my wedding?

I absolutely love hers, and it fits perfectly. My mom wore her sister’s (mainly because she was broke as a joke), and I like that slight tradition, but will people think, “wtf?” or “her sister looked better”?

*****

Do you look like your sister?

Even if the dress is really great — ESPECIALLY IF THE DRESS IS REALLY GREAT — I’m afraid everyone will get weird flashbacks to her wedding in the middle of yours, which, you don’t want that, do you??

Photo by September Pictures. (The amazeballs ruff dress was found at a vintage trunk show, then altered.)

62 comments

13 Jan

Bohemian couple’s shoot

categories Bits + Pieces

We don’t like to pass up the opportunity to feature the work of an amazing photographer, so imagine how stoked we were when we found out the photographer behind this shoot was one of our past brides! Remember when we featured this sexy styled couple? Well, the bride, Mariana is back. This time she’s behind the camera and sharing these beautifully nostalgic photographs. They look like they could have come straight out of an editorial shoot for an international fashion magazine.

If these two were in a band together, they’d easily have their album cover in one of these shots!

Photography: Porcelaine Project

9 comments

12 Jan

California cottage wedding: Arno + Nadine

categories Neat Venues, Real Weddings

When it comes to throwing a kid-friendly wedding, Arno + Nadine know how to roll: historic cabins along the river, tug of war, football, kayaking along the Russian River, croquet and a piñata. Their wedding, largely focused on the concept of family and integrating children into all activities, makes us happy. The work the two of them do makes us want to give them hugs. Nadine runs an incredible non-profit medical center for low income children in San Francisco and Arno works in solar energy with a successful company in Marin. If after you swoon over their wedding you feel a sense of nostalgia, it’s because Nadine wanted the wedding to feel like summer camp on the set of Dirty Dancing. Their venue, Dawn Ranch was perfect and really lended that campy summer vibe.

california cottage wedding

To dine amongst apple orchards is such a heavenly way to dine.

california cottage wedding

Nadine grew up with piñatas at every family function, as her mom used them at every possible party (birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.). So, they crushed a big silver piñata to kick off the wedding reception. All thirty of the kids at the wedding went wild!

california cottage wedding

Sweetest father daughter dance we’ve ever seen!

california cottage wedding

Congrats Arno + Nadine! You can also find more info in SF Brides Magazine!

Photography: Jesse Leake Photography / Venue: Dawn Ranch Lodge / Planning + Design: Alyssa Brown of Alison Events / Flowers: La Fleuriste / Catering: Dawn Ranch / Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Videographer: Thomas Hughes Films / Rentals: La Tavola Linens + Wine Country Party Rentals / Invitations: Petite Alma via Wedding Paper Divas / Day of paper goods: Hello! Lucky / DJ: Killer Miller / Ceremony, cocktail and dinner music: Coconut Hut Steel Drums / Hair + makeup: Yvette Beebee + Karen Chong Chan / Cupcakes: Sift / Brides dress: Vera Wang / Brides shoes: Rene Caovilla

18 comments

12 Jan

ShoeMint

categories Sponsored Post, Vendor Spotlight, Wedding Wardrobe

Cakelets, let’s talk about shoes (and how adorable Rachel Bilson is)! What’s ShoeMint? It’s a shoe collection designed by actress and fashion icon, Rachel Bilson, and visionary celebrity stylist, Nicole Chavez in collaboration with global shoe mogul, Steve Madden. With those names involved you know you’re getting impeccable style and quality craftsmanship. The best part is, you get a luxury shoe that you could pay hundreds of dollars for at a price that works with any budget! Which of you fashion-forward brides will be wearing a pair of these cuties under your wedding dress?

How It Works
* To become a member, visit ShoeMint.com and take their super fun Style Quiz so they can get to know your unique style.
* Each month, a new collection is released and ShoeMint members receive new styles in their online showrooms.
* You simply chose the style you love for $79.98 and if you don’t find that perfect pair, simply skip the month for no charge.

The Shoes
* Every month, ShoeMint designs capture each season’s most exciting trends as well as classic, timeless designs that are always in style.
* Each shoe is made from premium materials, including real leather and real suede.
* ShoeMint offers hard to find sizes, from 5-11.
* Shipping is FREE.
*ShoeMint membership is FREE and offers access to Rachel’s exclusive shoe collection each month, insider tips on how to style and behind the scenes access. Each style is $79.98, though there is never an obligation to purchase.

Don’t forget to use the code, “cake” to get 20% off!

This post was sponsored by ShoeMint.

6 comments

11 Jan

Reverie Magazine launch

categories Bits + Pieces

We’re super excited to announce the launch of Reverie Magazine, a new online publication based in London and founded by Mary Herrington of Forever & Ever Events. The inaugural issue features weddings from Max Wanger, Elizabeth Messina, Caught the Light, Polly Alexandre, Kate Headley,and Aneta Mak. Talk about an outstanding line up!

And a little DIY project by our very own Jillian, natch!

Here’s a little peek:

reverie magazine launch