HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JULIE NIXON EISENHOWER

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Anyone brings up either wedding of the Nixon daughters, Tricia's White House Wedding is usually first (and only) to come to mind. Most folks (myself included) were unaware younger daughter Julie was first to tie the knot and did so only a month before her father took office. This day in 1968, Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower were married by Rev. Norman Vincent Peale in Manhattan's Marble Collegiate Church. Because her father was President-Elect at the time, Kleig lights, the curious and press turned up in droves as you can see from these photos.

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Though a White House wedding with all the trimmings was offered, Julie and David wanted a private ceremony. They managed to keep their guest list a secret amid all the change in their lives. In addition, their Grand Ballroom at the Plaza wedding reception was closed to all press.

Julie's gown was by Pricilla Kidder aka Priscilla of Boston. High-necked with pearls and beadwork, it had puffed sleeves and a long train. The bridesmaid ensembles were brocade overcoats with long Juliet sleeves.

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Special thanks to Olivia Anastasiadis, curator at the Nixon Presidential Library in Southern California. She sent me rare sketches of Julie's wedding gown and the bridemaid ensembles. Unfortunately, my scanner is on the fritz so these I promise will be added later on. Julie's gown is the one furthest right in the photo below. Next to it is one of her bridesmaids (probably Tricia).

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HATS ITALIAN STYLE

Nafi De Luca
Vogue Sposa is really a blessing for all us fashion addicts. Borrowing some imagination from the 1940s here are a few pieces of eye candy--or maybe I should call it pastry from the look of the hat below. Whether a headpiece or hat is in your plans doesn't really matter. I see these great little innovations as inspiration points that could take you directions you never dreamed . . .

Frankie Morello

Fratelli Marzi

Frankie Morello

Complit


Gentucca Bini

Fratelli Marzi

Doris Jung

LIVING COLOR

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No, that red dress is not a bridesmaid gown—it belongs on the bride thank you. From the iciest pastels to the deepest jewel tones, some brides are going for dresses in blue, red, purple, yellow or almost any color or monochromatic scheme imaginable. Elisa Motterle
A few years back, a gown like the peach one above would have been considered radical for a wedding. Slowly society is accepting brides in any color, print or style providing that dress makes her feel comfortable on the most important day of her life.

Niche by Suzanne Neville

Elisabetta Polignano.

Valentini

A hot trend: White and ivory laces laid over color like the dress above; also we're seeing a lot of subtle color under white and ivory chiffon giving off that hint of color happening below the surface.

Rosy Garbo
Monochromatic lavender satin chiffon by Rosy Garbo

Marina Mansanta

THE BEST DRESSED GUEST

Morning wedding guest by sassolina

Wedding season will be upon us in a few months. I've seen invited guests stress like a bride when they have no idea what to wear. Whether you're attending your cousin’s holiday nuptials or a wedding this Spring, do check out all your dress options. Unless the invite specifies casual, semi-formal or formal you’ll have to either ask or figure it out on your own. Venue and the bride’s gown are big rule of thumb factors. If you know the bride is going to be in a Reem Acra ball gown, walking down the aisle of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with a reception at the Waldorf, you’re going formal. Where I live (San Francisco Bay Area) sometimes guests show up dressed 'California Casual' no matter the season, venue or what the invite specifies; whereas when I was in New York everyone went a little more cosmopolitan and dressed according to season. While we're all connected to a particular region with a friend and family network, most

differ so here are a few guidelines:



SPRING/SUMMER BEACH OR DESTINATION WEDDING

If you go comfortable, cotton and casual you're not going to miss. Linen and hemp are favorites too for beach scene weddings.

Bridal Shower~ by ☆JB☆

SPRING GARDEN WEDDING

This one is dedicated to the Great Mademoiselle. A light and airy version of the Chanel look ideal if you're a guest at a garden or tea-time wedding with a vintage feel. Great look for bridesmaids too.

Wedding guest by HillaryLogan



THE SPRING AFTERNOON WEDDING

This baby doll in budding green says Spring. And yes, you can do chiffon in the daytime! Indulge . . .

Wedding guest I by HillaryLogan



SUMMER FORMAL OR EVENING WEDDING

These peach and beige tones of Spring move easily into evening dressing with satins, golds and metallics.

A BALERINU(Aleksi)... by KATARINA-KAJA



SUMMER AFTERNOON WEDDING

This look is part 50s, part 60s with another baby doll dress accessorized with the peep-toe floral shoes.

Wedding guest by Torin - back for a while

SUMMER RESORT WEDDING

There are so many of these weddings come summertime along the coasts. Cotton and warm weather are buddies once you're in this great dress by Coldwater Creek. Big surprise is the price!







Wedding Guest by Buster Brown (buried in work)



AUTUMN GARDEN OR RESORT WEDDING

Autumn varys in different places; Here in the wine country, October is hot. This dress is a natural for any vineyard or botanical garden wedding. In a place like Florida, great on the beach.

but a vision in Prada & Pearls.. by Lisa40

AUTUMN AFTERNOON WEDDING

I can actually see this ensemble in almost any venue, formal or semi-formal. Versatile, it would be welcome in a church ceremony, hotel or even garden wedding.

Champagne by Doe Sophia

AUTUMN FORMAL AND EVENING WEDDING

This dress and whole look brings Paris to mind. Imagine this stunner with a black lace wrap.



Untitled by Missy Creations(I cant favorite)



WINTER FORMAL AND EVENING WEDDING

Jewel tones are lush in Winter and add warmth to the low light situation. Accessorized with gold this look is really elegant.

Untitled by charlotte♥

I haven't forgotten theme weddings. How about that holiday bash three days before Christmas? The eco-friendly and Art Deco Wedding? Check them out.

THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING

Marry Me? by *ciara*

THE GREEN WEDDING





meditation by Geralina

THE ART DECO WEDDING



art deco drama by babydoll<3

Thank you Polyvore! This interactive site is a boon to all us bloggers, young girls and women yearning to be fashion mavens and anyone looking for innovations on how to get dressed. Above, are just a few of the inspiration boards the fashion obsessed have put together that would make the editors of Vogue proud. As exceptional as the bridal boards are though, you'll often find me stalking around the funky and sport set sections to come up with inspiration for my everyday garb whether it's coordinating a simple look or something outrageous and over-the-top. All the fashion artists that contributed the boards for this post deserve the highest praise. If you want to leave comments please click through and find the artist on the Polyvore site.

THE STREET CHIC BRIDE

Once I found these images on Fashion Freax I just had to share what the street chic bride will look like might she evolve with the rest of the SC Movement. Coming out of Europe and Asia, these looks are pretty much how I’d imagine her: young, and not so much ‘The Runaway Bride’ as this photo is titled, but maybe ‘Bride On the Run’ would be more like it.

Anna Zaboeva

These lovely satin shoes are by Anna Zaboeva the mini flapper dress by Pleasemachine. The above photos were shot in Budapest. .

Shez
I think of the Street Chic Bride as one who doesn't have a lot of time to wait for her dress to be ordered out of a salon so she'll buy it off the rack a week or two before her wedding. Above is a stellar find from Shez Label of Korea.

Shez
Another gorgeous dress by Shez in my favorite color --peach.

BACK STORY

Rosy Garbo

Ever notice how designers add some well thought out elements to make the back of a wedding gown pop? No matter how simple your gown is, the back is going to deserve as much attention to detail as the front. All you have to do is look at your body from all angles to see one of the most dramatic views will be your back. You’ll be showing it off once you pass down the aisle and the whole time you take vows. Think of your back in components that make up a total picture of you: There’s the veil, back bodice, skirt and train. Choosing the right veil depends on the length of the gown and maybe the interest of the back bodice. You may opt for a shorter veil or no veil if there are some details you want to show off. These details can be as simple as a row of buttons all the way down the back, or as elaborate as silk flowers cascading the length of a cathedral train. How much or little detail you choose is a matter of preference.










Back details of gowns by Clarissa Grace, all variations of lace-up bodices.

Eme di EmeAsymetrical pleats and lace up bodice grace the back of this silk gown.

RS Couture Roma.A detachable silk organza train with cluster of silk florals

Amelia CasablancaA ball gown with lots of length and volume in the skirt will bustle 'big' like the one pictured above.

GalvinA very low draped back on a silk satin crepe. Simple but dramatic.

Amelia Casablanca

A double watteau train falls from each shoulder on this Grecian type gown

Amelia Casablanca Front and back, pick ups create a tufted effect on this organza skirt accented with silk florals.

Bijou by Dem.BUTTONS-A row down the back is classic; either fabric covered or pearl.

Galvin
Bling on straps and bodice accent this gown by Galvin.

ValentiniLace, a row of buttons and a train attached to the low back accent this light blue gem of a dress.

Linea Raffaelli.

A simple drop of embroidered lace at the neck is the only touch a dress this simple needs.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
If you’ve fallen in love with a particular detail you want on the back of your gown like a cluster of florals, but can’t find a gown with it in the style you want, consider two ways you can go about getting it:
1) Go ahead and order the gown then find silk flowers and someone with the skill to attach them. .
2) Have a gown custom designed.
Custom design is the best option if you have a specific back feature that ordinarily would have to be engineered into the gown rather than simply added on. Bows, florals, sashes and detachable trains can all be matched up in color and fabric and added on to a ready made gown with little or no problem. But features like back overlay skirts and lace-up bodices are usually built in and need to be planned out with a skilled dressmaker or designer. Going custom might cost more in time and the number of fittings, but you’ll get that wonderful back feature that makes the gown uniquely yours, uniquely one-of-its-kind . . .