Buttonhole Inspiration

Wedding etiquette states that the groom, the best man, ushers, fathers of the bride and groom should wear a buttonhole as well as other important members of the wedding party such as grandparents and paige boys.

The choice is endless when deciding what flowers to use for buttonholes:

• Co-ordinating the flowers with the general theme of your wedding
• Complementing the colours used in your wedding
• Flowers that the groom likes
• Flowers that are in season and easily available or inexpensive
• Herbs such as lavender or even vegetable leaves/blossoms!
• Inclusion of feathers, lace, ribbons...
• Button buttonholes are all the rage too!

Wedding Style Guide searched their archives from Real Weddings to find images of the finest buttonhole inspiration.

Carrie Lynch and Benjamin Flanagan by Infinity Photography

Cate Rayner and David Regazzoli by GM Photographics

Rebecca Isgrove and Nathan Reck by Tealily Photography

Rora Furman and Brian Rom by Dekuji Photography

Sarah Allen and Benjamin Roe by Infinity Photography

Image by Simon Casson

Alice Thomas and Timothy Shepherd by Adrian Tuazon

Amanda Smith and David Esterly by Next Exit Photography

Cherise Angelle and Aaron Hurlbert by Elizabeth Messina

Monica Fiore and Joe Furfaro by Arlene Bax Photographer

Rebecca Gange and Andrew Crow by Elise Kapeller Photography

Roberta Moberg and Matthew Scudamore by Karen Buckle Photographer

Carey Parsons and Brian Provost by Aaron Delesie Photographer

These button buttonholes are available with matching bouquets from Nic's Button Buds www.nicsbuttonbuds.com

Love this one from Nic's Button Buds! You could put a picture of a family member such as grandparents who have passed over but you want them to be remembered on the day. So perfect to place them close to your heart on such a special day!

Please let us know what you think makes a great buttonhole by commenting below!

Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion

From the Victoria and Albert Museum
 London

Presented at The Museum

of New Zealand,

 Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa is situated in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand

Romance

Glamour

Extravagance

Dita Von Teese on her wedding day, 2005. Dress by Vivienne Westwood, hat by Stephen Jones. Photograph by and courtesy of Odessy Barbu.

On Now until 22 April 2012
Admission charges apply

If you are in New Zealand or visiting New Zealand before 22nd April 2012 taking a visit to this exhibition is well worth the effort.

Experience the evocative world of weddings through this extraordinary collection of wedding attire from the 19th century to today. See outfits inspired by tradition, practicality, fashion, fantasy – and, of course, love.

Wedding dress and coat designed by John Bates for his Jean Varon label, London, 1966. Cotton gabardine trimmed with silvered PVC. Worn by Marit Allen for her marriage to Sandy Lieberson in London on 10 June 1966. ©Victoria and Albert Museum

Embroidered silk satin wedding dress by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933. Commissioned by Margaret Whigham for her marriage to Charles Sweeny on 21 February 1933. Given and worn by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Highlights include celebrity gowns by stellar international designers such as Norman Hartnell, Vivienne Westwood, and Christian Lacroix. Also on show are special commissions by New Zealand designers WORLD, Lindah Lepou, and Jane Yeh.

How is it that the traditional western European white wedding dress has become the garment of choice for brides in many countries and cultures? And what do wedding dress styles say about the social and economic conditions of their day? You'll learn some of the answers from this magnificent display.

Embroidered silk wedding dress by Christian Lacroix, Paris, Autumn/Winter 1992-93 Haute Couture. Given by Christian Lacroix. Photograph by Guy Marineau © 1992

Silk brocade shoes purchased from Peter Robinson, London, 1914. Worn by Phyllis Blaiberg for her marriage to Bertie Mayer Stone at the Bayswater Synagogue, London on 9 September 1914. Given by Mrs B. Rackow ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Francis Hooper, Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, and Benny Castles discuss their inspiration for the outfits that appear in Unveiled. Plus, we peek backstage as the dress is prepared for its debut at New Zealand Fashion Week. 

More pictures, videos of interviews with designers, recordings by the curator of the museum and much more is available on their website. Even if you can't make it to Wellington to see this exhibition it is definitely worth a visit to their website:

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/WeddingDress/Pages/default.aspx

Summer Wedding Hint

Hands up whoorganised a Summer Wedding? In Adelaide we are heading towards five days of HOTweather with 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday (100 degrees Fahrenheit) so we atWedding Style Guide thought it was time for a Summer Wedding Hint for your man!

The groom’sjob is to look gorgeous, fresh, unflustered and perfect in every photo all daybut Summer has ways of bringing even the coolest customer undone. 

Guystend to just grab the jacket and go. But when it’s off to be married on asummer’s day, when the thermometer hits record highs, you can’t rely on gettingthrough the most important day of your life without planning for the heat.

Tolook good you must be comfortable. Choose a light fabric for your suit, don’tbe caught in a winter-weight weave. If wearing a vest, make sure it has a satinback which will be more suitable.

You could even choose a vest that looks good WITH the jacket off! 

Checkout the suit without the jacket. In extreme heat and later when dancing, thejacket will probably be removed; the pants have to look flattering.

It’snot a regular day, most grooms are nervous and nerves can lead to more sweatingthan usual. Add in the heat factor and a perspiration condition can really kickin. Carry a crisp, white cotton handkerchief to wipe a glistening brow and damphands. Tissues can disintegrate quickly and leave you without the help youneed. There will be a lot of handshaking, your hands should be wiped dry,nobody likes to touch a clammy paw.

It’sa long, long day with many potential grooming pitfalls like the shirt gettingsoaked with sweat early in the day or red wine being spilled down the frontlater in the evening. It’s all happened before; a wet shirt is not a good look.Hot feet perspiring and starting to smell as if they were in a pair of gymsneakers is embarrassing. Perspiration can be a nightmare on hair, making itfall flat. It’s wise to have wardrobe and grooming quick fixes on hand to makesure you look your best and the photographs show a great looking groom, not adamp one.

Packa smart looking bag and include all the emergency grooming odds and ends thatwill end up saving the day by making you feel fresh and look crisp.

Include:

• a spare pair of socks
• hanky
• a spare shirt on a coathanger, so it doesn’tget creased,
• deodorant,
• hair product,
• shoe cleaner,
• breath freshener.
• If a fiveo’clock shadow tends to appear at 3pm, throw in the shaver and some aftershave.Don’t use a new aftershave for the first time on your wedding day, it won’t smelllike you and it could cause an allergy and skin rash.

Youmay not need to turn to these reserves, but if you do; it will be a lifesaver.Pop the hold-all into the boot of a car of someone you know will be there untilthe end.

Beingone of the two stars on the wedding day is a bit like running a marathon, lookafter yourself from the start with a good breakfast. This will help get youthrough the day and give energy to battle the heat.

Reassessthe wedding day’s morning activities.

A game of golf with mates might soundlike a great idea, but if it’s 40 degrees, you might exhaust yourself and notfeel 100% for the wedding itself. Heat stroke is a real possibility. Take iteasy on the morning of your wedding.

Havebottles of water handy all day, don’t become dehydrated, or you mightn’t feelon top of the world. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated, so drinklots of water.

Most of all have a great day
and keep your cool!

Suitably Dressed Morning Suit Groom's Guide

Morning dress has always been a popular choice for those hankering after a traditional wedding with all the trimmings. But did you know that not under any circumstance should a morning suit be worn to a wedding that starts after five in the afternoon? Morning suits are a great choice for those weddings to be held in the colder months too!	Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Four Weddings and a Funeral	Hugh Grant was the ultra-attractive groomsman in full morning suit regalia in Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's entirely possible that his heartstopping good looks in the formal outfit single-handedly prompted the renaissance of this classic!
Don't worry if it's not a morning event despite the name, morning dress can be worn into the afternoon to weddings held before five o'clock.
The morning coat or cut-away is usually black or dark Oxford grey and has tails. The shape differs from a traditional tail coat and is closer to a frock coat in style, the skirt of the coat is knee length. Formal trousers, traditionally worn with a morning coat, are grey striped with one pleat on each leg and should not have cuffs. Custom prescribes a grey, buff or white waistcoat, double or single breasted; weddings are the only occasion that colour variations are permitted. Braces should be worn to prevent the waistband from appearing beneath the waistcoat. Etiquette dictates that only the father of the bride and the groom wear grey morning coats; other bridal party members wear black coats. These days this rule is rarely enforced but a rule is a rule!
At weddings an Ascot tie or cravat is worn with a wing collar, however in more recent times a plain black long tie is acceptable, worn with a turn down collar. If the shirt has a turn down collar it should have sleeves with a double cuff fastened with cufflinks. On a wing collar shirt there should be a single cuffs fastened with cufflinks; a shirt with detachable collar and cuffs is the more traditional option. The shirt can be either pleated or plain, the most formal shirt colour is white, however if a coloured or striped shirt is worn it should have a contrasting white collar and cuff.	Ascot Tie How to make an Ascot Tie Beautiful "I Do" Wedding Cufflinks
In The Man's Book (2006) by Thomas Fink it states that if ever there was a time to wear a buttonhole, this is it. A simple white carnation or other white bloom attached to the lapel is most appropriate for morning suits.	The Man's Book by Thomas Fink
	Shoes should be a plain black Oxford style with laces and without brogue detail; never patent leather which is reserved for formal evening occasions. Black or dark grey silk or wool socks are appropriate.
For the ultra traditionalist a grey or black top hat and grey gloves completes the ensemble. According to Vogue's Book of Etiquette, in the 1940s a walking stick or umbrella was the height of correctness to complete the tradtional morning suit look.	Vogue's Book of Etiquette

Jack's Back

We’ve always been great fans of Jack London’s hip collections, including his modern and edgy suits. Described as evoking “an unrestrained street cool and strength” (an ideal goal for a nervous groom!), Jack London’s suits range from traditional black to a fresh blueberry purple and everything in-between. Inspired and influenced by the 1950’s seashore of England, the latest collection will leave the gents feeling just a little rock star. Opening the gates for those not able to visit their boutiques, JL is launching an online store in August this year. With a click of your mouse a purchase can be made and delivered straight to your door. Voila! Visit www.jacklondon.com.au for launch dates and collection details.





Posted by Alessia Mercuri

A Groom Well Groomed

Amongst the stress and chaos that is planning a wedding unfortunatley the wants/needs/desires of the groom can sometimes get put on the back burner. If you'd like to shower your groom with a little affection point him in the direction of the blog Well Groomed. Thanks to lovely Twig & Thistle I came across this blog filled with information for the groom that will no doubt inspire him for his special day. I think grooms and groomsmen can often overlook the smaller details like socks, cufflinks, buttonholes, hairstyles etc but here they'll be well informed, helping them to look sharp as a tack come wedding day. Visit Well Groomed at www.wellgroomedblog.com.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Beautiful Buttonholes

There's no excuse for boring buttonholes. If you're in need of some inspiration take direction from these beauties I found on the lovely blog Once Wed. With little details like ribbon, string or foliage you can turn a buttonhole from drab to fab in no time.



Posted by Emilie Harrison