I'm a sucker for bridal gowns. You can catch me watching 'Say Yes to the Dress', 'I Found the Gown', 'Something Borrowed, Something New', and even 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' on Friday nights; because if you didn't know, Friday is Bride-day on TLC. I've learned all about the many different designers, some of which I've blogged about before; Pnina Tornai, Vera Wang, Allure. So, needless to say, when I saw this article on Boston.Com about the history of wedding fashion, I was truly intrigued.
Margaret Chalfant and Myra Walkerwent through history, did a little research of what brides wore during different time periods, and started a collection of gowns to showcase. Wedding dresses from the 19th century to the present day are featured at their exhibition "American Brides: Inspiration and Ingenuity" in Denton, Texas, which showcases the changing styles of American brides. At the exhibit, they have many exquisite gowns on display. One shown in the article is a 1993 wedding dress designed by Victor Costa.
Chalfant and Walker describe it as ‘‘not really being about the white wedding dress; it’s really about the essence of American style’’, and adding that ‘‘it is fashion history, social history, the birth of modern fashion and the birth of the American woman and the American woman becoming a fashion icon". All very evident when looking at the gowns.
One of the older dresses on display is from 1878, and spoiler alert: it isn't even white! My how things have changed. The oldest dress they have in the exhibit is from 1844. It is a beautiful champagne color with a unique waistline. A gown from 1982 with billowing sleeves that's on display was inspired by the dress Princess Diana wore the year earlier when she married Prince Charles. There is also a Gibson Girl-inspired gown from 1894 being shown with similarly voluminous sleeves.
If you want to educate yourself on the history of wedding dress fashion be sure to check out Boston.Com and the "American Brides: Inspiration and Ingenuity" exhibition as they both truly devoured the details with this research.
One crucial element to any wedding is the music selection. From the wedding reception entrance to the mother-son dance, each song needs to grab the attention of your guests and even make them get on their feet! I did some research and found some tunes from various artists and genres that will make your wedding attendees move in their seats. Check them out below!
I Wed Solutions put together a fabulous list of songs for a grand wedding reception entrance. I liked this list because it is definitely a mix from pop to rock.
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started Pitt Bull ft Christina Aguilera – Feel This Moment Pit Bull ft T-Pain – Hey Baby (Drop it to the Floor) U2 – Beautiful Day Cascada – Evacuate the Dance Floor Chris Brown – Forever T.I. ft Jay-Z – Bring ‘Em Out Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You) Pink – Get The Party Started Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull – On the Floor Kool & The Gang – Celebration Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger Madonna – Holiday LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) Beyonce ft Jay-Z – Crazy In Love AC/DC – Thunderstruck Beatles – All You Need Is Love Taio Cruz – Dynamite Queen – Another One Bites The Dust Dropkick Murphys – I’m Shipping Up To Boston Guns N’ Roses – Welcome To The Jungle 2 Unlimited – Get Ready For This Europe – The Final Countdown Sister Sledge – We Are Family Michael Jackson – The Way You Make Me Feel Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy Run DMC ft Aerosmith – Walk This Way Tone Loc – Wild Beats Kesha – Tik Tok Coldplay – Viva La Vida Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer Queen – You’re My Best Friend Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony Justin Timberlake – Sexyback Usher ft Will.I.Am – OMG Usher ft Ludacris & Lil’ Jon – Yeah! Usher – More Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours Nat King Cole – L-O-V-E Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine Jason Mraz – I’m Yours Vitamin String Quartet – Bittersweet Symphony ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man Alan Parsons Project – Sirius Bill Conti – Gonna Fly Now Kevin Rudolph ft Lil Wayne – Let It Rock Darkness – I Believe In A Thing Called Love Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers – Why Do Fools Fall in Love Flo Rida ft Kesha – Right Round Flo Rida – Good Feeling Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love Smash Mouth – I’m A Believer Daft Punk – One More Time Fergie ft Ludacris – Glamorous James Brown – I Feel Good Earth, Wind & Fire – September Beatles – With A Little Help From My Friends Ozzy Osborne – Crazy Train AC/DC – Back In Black Kevin Rudolf – Let it Rock Frank Sinatra – Love and Marriage Rob Base & DJ E.Z. Rock – It Takes Two Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger
After that amazing entrance comes the most important dance of the night; the first dance as newlyweds. TheKnot.Com provides a list of 2014's hottest wedding songs. What a great selection.
"All of Me," John Legend "Safe and Sound," Capital Cities "XO," Beyoncé "Treasure," Bruno Mars "Somebody Loves You," Betty Who "Happy," Pharrell Williams "Who You Love," John Mayer featuring Katy Perry "Same Love," Macklemore "Closer," Tegan and Sara "I Don't Dance," Lee Brice "Mirrors," Justin Timberlake "The Moon Song," Karen O Next we have the Father-Daughter dance. This list comes from a Baltimore radio Station, Mix 106.5.
Darius Rucker – “It Won’t Be Like This For Long”
John Mayer – “Daughters”
Fleetwood Man – “Landslide”
Luther Vandross – “Dance With My Father”
Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’"
Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”
Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole – “Unforgettable”
Celine Dion – “Because You Loved Me”
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole – “Over The Rainbow”
Edwin McCain – “Walk With You”
Paul Simon – “Father And Daughter”
Beatles – “In My Life”
Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight”
Steven Curtis Chapman – “Cinderella”
Rascal Flatts – “My Wish”
Louis Armstrong – “What A Wonderful World”
Bob Carlisle – “Butterfly Kisses”
Temptations – “My Girl”
Tim McGraw – “My Little Girl”
Heartland – “I Loved Her First”
Lastly, the Mother-Son dance. I love this list by Bridal Guide because it gives awesome descriptions of the songs and what types of moms they'd be good for!
For Soulful Moms "A Song For Mama" - Boyz II Men A bit of a tear jerker, but this 90’s hit is a classic for the groom who is still a proud mama’s boy.
"God Bless The Child" – the original Billie Holiday version or Tony Bennett’s version A classic, plain and simple. Both Billie and Tony do it justice; pick the artist your mom likes more.
"My Mother's Eyes" - Etta Jones A jazzy and sweet song for a slower mother-son dance.
"To Zion" – Lauryn Hill A great choice for a modern mom with a big heart.
For Country Mamas
"I Hope You Dance" - Lee Ann Womack A new country classic that hits a sentimental yet joyful note.
"Coat of Many Colors" – Dolly Parton A whimsical but touching country classic that your mom probably already knows and loves.
"My Wish" – Rascal Flatts A modern country hit with a great melody and a positive message.
For Sentimental Moms "Beautiful Boy" – John Lennon
A great tribute to a loving son.
"In My Life" – The Beatles The quintessential song about the bond between parent and child.
"I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" – Jim Croce A simple song with big meaning for this special moment.
"Teach Your Children" – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young A great choice for moms who remember (and love) the music of the 60’s and 70’s.
"What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong This is the classic mother-son dance song. It’s not "fresh," but it never gets old.
For Moms with a Humorous Side "Take Your Mama" – Scissor Sisters A really upbeat and fresh song for a lighthearted dance that guests will love to watch.
"Mama Tried" - Merle Haggard A great track for the formerly rebellious groom who wants to tease his mom a little bit.
"Your Mama Don't Dance" - Loggins & Messina A humorous twist on the occasion with a song everyone knows and loves.
For the Rocker Mom "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses A fun song for an upbeat mother-son dance.
"Simple Man" – Lynyrd Skynyrd A slower rock song that’s a mom tribute.
Essentially, it's all up to you on what you decide but I hope these lists inspire you to devour the details of your wedding music selection!
Be the gracious host or hostess you've always wanted to be with a rosé inspired party. Invite over some friends who enjoy rosé (filled) colored glasses and catching up. We all know how hard it is to stay involved with one another when everyone has jobs and crazy schedules, so why not plan a fun gathering?
Urban Grape owners Hadley and TJ Douglas hosted a rosé wine tasting lunch for their crew to welcome in summer and provided awesome tips on how you can do it too! Urban Grape usually shows 5-7 different rosés and drink them progressively from lightest to darkest when hosting a tasting. They note that the general rule of thumb with rosé is that the darker the wine is, the longer it has been macerating (or sitting) on its skins gaining color, texture, and body. But for a relaxing day of eating and drinking with friends, it’s also fun to compare rosés made from different regions in the same country, which is definitely something you can do at this get-together.
The owners made some lovely food suggestions that can either complement or contrast when paired with the rosé. One rosé they had from Provence was described as a “lovely, light rosé with bright acidity,” and was served with an antipasto platter for a contrast. They also prepared rosemary sirloin kabobs to match the fragrant aromatics of the rosé. The kabobs were joined by a grilled peach and arugula salad, also complementing the fruity notes of some rosés.
Rosé can also be used to create delicious cocktails. Owner Hadley prepared the 'Porch Pounder' for her friends to enjoy and shared how to make it.
The Porch Pounder Serves one
2 ounces Rosé 1 ounce Cocchi Americano 1/2 ounce lemon juice 1 ounce prosecco Garnish: lemon wheel and mint sprig Glassware: wine glass
Add rosé, Cocchi, shrub and lemon juice to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain over ice into a wine glass. Top with prosecco.
Check out their feature on Boston.com for more information and remember to devour the details all summer long when planning your unforgettable parties!
