Wedding Dress Lesson: Who Needs An Inspiration Notebook?

Sometimes all our clippings, idea boards and swatches can seem like our most important possessions. But in fact, the heart and soul of your wedding is not among your bookmarks, pins, or inspiration notebooks.  My wedding dress was made by a creative, talented woman who basically took the ideas right out of my head. She asked me to pull some photos from magazines, and boy did I! I had a thick reference file all set to go. But at the airport, waiting for my plane to fly home to Chicago to meet her, I realized my treasured idea binder was on my vanity.

My airport wedding dress inspiration photos, and my first fabric swatch.
My airport wedding dress inspiration photos, and my first fabric swatch.

I had to start over. I hit the airport newsstand and picked up whatever random bridal mag they had, and started sorting through ideas on the plane. I found myself drawn to a dresses i never would have pulled out a week before- covered with ruffles? touch of color? I went with it it and told Julia my designer who ran with it. I got a tailored top with gorgeous ruffled skirt covered in hydrangea blossoms.  I don’t know what my dress would have looked like if I had brought the “right” pictures. All I know is that even without my precious design notebook, I knew myself and I trusted the person I hired. And I can’t imagine having worn anything else.

The beautiful final product
The beautiful final product

Who Walks The Bride Down The Aisle? You Get To Pick!

Father’s Day brings walking down the aisle to a wedding planner’s mind. But some brides want a non-traditional ceremony entrance. Here are three suggestions for anyone who is looking for aisle traveling companions for their wedding:

  • Your Mom. She’s been there from the very beginning, loves you like crazy, and will be thrilled to be asked.
  • Your 2nd Favorite Man. Ranked just below the ring-bearing hunk, chances are there’s an uncle, cousin or best friend in your life that you’d love to have with you on that special stroll.
  • Your fabulous self! Trust us- you’re going to be radiant, and perfectly capable of coming down that aisle

 

In the Jewish tradition, both parents walk the bride down the aisle.  Photo by Super 8 Girl
In the Jewish tradition, both parents walk down the aisle. Photo by Super 8 Girl

A Good Gang – Appreciating The People Who Love You

Inquiring after my friendships, my Grandmother used to ask me, “Do you have a good gang?” I never understood this as a teen.  Did she think I lived in a Little Rascals movie? As an adult I understand. She grew up in 1930s Brooklyn (not the movie version) where she needed her “gang” to help her get through what can’t have been the Jennifer-Yanct-photos-011-300x199easiest life.  So how about you, do you have a good gang?  I’m guessing yes.  Friends, family, we have to be grateful for the people in our lives who support us.  Tell them you love them this weekend.

Be well and love well.

Dinah