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the weddings edition

january 2011

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Contents L’ I m a g e

JANUARY 2011

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SOMETHING OLD How to find the perfect vintage wedding gown

8 BRIDAL NETIQUETTE

Hair and make up packages available for wedding parties.

Wedding etiquette in the era of social networking

11 ECO-WEDDINGS Hosting a “green” ceremony

13 PICTURE PERFECT Trends in wedding photography

FASHION PLATE Mix-and-match china patterns

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Something Old BY

L E E

A VINTAGE WEDDING GOWN HONORS THE PAST WHILE MAKING A UNIQUE STATEMENT.

C U T R O N E

very bride dreams of looking radiant in a wedding gown that captures the aesthetic and ethos of her special day. For some, that means wearing a gown from an earlier era. Whether an heirloom with historic and sentimental significance or a fashionable foray into the look of times gone by, antique and vintage gowns allow brides to express their individuality and leave a lasting impression.

“Girls want a statement dress that reflects their personality and the type of wedding they’re projecting,” says designer Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 866-9666; www.yvonnelafleur.com), whose eponymous store sells vintage-style bridal gowns of her own design. “Antique dresses never go out of style. They’re period pieces.”

Good quality vintage dresses often feature details and materials, such as handmade cotton or silk lace, that can be hard to find at affordable prices today. Brides who haven’t inherited a wedding dress can shop a variety of resources including Internet retailers, vintage clothing stores, consignment shops, estate sales and thrift stores. Local dealers, conservators and collectors offer the following advice for finding a dress special enough to make the grade.

STYLE

AGE & CONDITION

The oldest dresses are fragile because of their age, but they also tend to be the most well made. “The quality of lace really determines the integrity of the gown,” says Lafleur, who notes that older European laces are better quality than American laces.

Dresses made before the advent of synthetic fabrics in the 1940s also are easier to clean. “Technically, it’s easier to restore some of the older gowns than some of the vintage gowns,” says Leigh Reveley of Gentle Arts (1833 Jena St., 895-5628; www.gentleartsnola.com), a second-generation textile conservator. “The older gowns are all natural fibers, and it’s much easier to get stains out of natural fibers.” Some older synthetic gowns go through what Reveley calls “reverse foxing,” a process of developing brown spots and losing sheen. Acid from tissue paper, boxes and wooden chests gradually

P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y S O V I N TAG E PAT T E R N S

erodes the fabric’s integrity, so carefully inspect a gown, try it on and move in it. Movement will give you an idea of how the seams are holding up and the dress’s overall condition.

Vintage dress collector Crickett Lapeyre frequently searches for batiste or French hand-sewn gowns on eBay and has purchased many for less than $100. “You’re taking a risk that it’s so old it’s rotten,” says Lapeyre, who was inspired by her great-grandmother’s collection of early 20th century white lawn dresses. Lapeyre was able to professionally restore the one gown she received in poor condition. Still, exercise caution when ordering online via sites like eBay, because gowns may not be returnable.

It’s easier to assess a gown’s condition when shopping in person. “Make sure the dress is sturdy,” Hourguettes says. “Seams can be fixed, but once the fabric dry rots, it’s pretty much gone.”

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The style and silhouette of a 1920s dress will differ dramatically from a 1940s dress. Having an idea of the shape that flatters your body type can help determine which decade might be a good match for your figure. The inventory on websites like TheFrock.com, which carries dresses from renowned 20th century designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga, provides a window into the history of design and can help you develop a clearer picture of the look you want.

Once you have an idea, search for dresses from those decades or ask a local dealer to keep an eye out for you. “The right vintage gown can be difficult to find,” says Laura Hourguettes, owner of Lili Vintage Boutique (3329 Magazine St., 931-6848; www.lilivintage.com). “So you should give yourself some time.” A vintage gown is one of a kind, so when you find one you love, you should seriously consider making the purchase, Hourguettes says. Once it’s gone, there won’t be another. She also suggests dresses that weren’t specifically tailored for weddings. “I’ve had customers who’ve used vintage nightgowns and cocktail dresses,” she says. “And for a barefoot beach wedding, chiffon is an easy look.”

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Sewing a dress from a vintage pattern, like those pictured here, is an accessible way to achieve an authentic period look.

silk,” she says. Gentle Arts cleans heirloom wedding dresses using one of two techniques: wet cleaning (the garment sits atop a water table in a surfactant) and hand dry cleaning (a mild solution of mineral spirits and surfactant is applied with cotton swabs). “Most of the effect of cleaning is going to be to remove dust, dirt and acid,” says Reveley, who warns that antique and vintage gowns should never be washed. Professional cleaning by a conservator costs around $300, while restoration usually costs $1,000 and up (still less than the cost of most new gowns).

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FIT

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Know your measurements when shopping online. The older the dress, the smaller it will be. “Figure types have changed so much,” Lafleur says. “The waistlines [of the older gowns] were all smaller.”

If you fall in love with a dress that has a 20-inch waist and your waist is 28 inches, it’s likely to be a deal breaker unless you can take fabric from another part of the gown. The bias cut, slipper satin dresses of the 1940s offer more latitude. Among the easiest to remake, they satisfy the desire for a look that’s both vintage and contemporary. “From a historic standpoint, if it belonged to someone with historic significance, [remaking] shouldn’t be done,” Reveley says.

“But from a sentimental standpoint, there’s no better reason to take something old and fashion it into something new and useful on one of the most important days of your life.”

CLEANING AND REPAIRS

Lafleur recommends using a bar of old-fashioned white Ivory soap to remove yellow spots and stains, including nail polish and crayon. Apply a paste of soap and a water to the spot, then put the garment in the sun for a little while (or keep it inside if you prefer). Finally, rinse the dress with hot water. “You shouldn’t use chlorine-based (cleaners) on anything lace, old or fragile, and also not on

To preserve wedding gowns, Reveley advises removing them from plastic bags and cardboard forms that are not acid free and storing them in an acid-free box that allows air to circulate, like those on Gaylord.com. Use acid-free tissue to wrap the dress and pad it where there are creases. Store it in a climate-controlled environment. Veils can be stored in pillowcases.

CONSIDER A NEW DRESS DESIGNED TO LOOK VINTAGE

An alternative to a vintage gown is a reproduction gown made to look old or a gown with vintage elements. “A lot of girls want a fresh, contemporary dress with a vintage component,” Lafleur says. Brooches, sashes, shrugs, cummerbunds, gloves, bouquets, veils and how a dress is bustled are all ways to introduce a touch of the old. Lafleur also directs brides toward ready-to-wear gowns inspired by another period. “It depends on what their look is,” she says.

“Whether they have an old-fashioned Grace Kelly look or sexy 1940s, I try to show them that feeling.” For sewing patterns, www.sovintagepatterns.com offers an extensive bridal collection.

Whatever the period of the dress, wearing an ancestor’s gown or referencing the look of another time can bridge the history that shapes a bride and the person she is today.

“It’s a way of honoring your past and your present,” Reveley says. L’I

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WEDDING ETIQUETTE IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

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C H A R B O N N E T

hile certain wedding mainstays never go out of vogue, new times demand new traditions. Social media and wedding websites have shifted etiquette for just about everyone involved in the ceremony, from engaged couples and guests to wedding planners and vendors. Even The Emily Post Institute, a leading etiquette authority, now recognizes the acceptability of wedding websites and electronic “Save the Date” notices. But navigating the antiquated wedding guidelines of the past and the wild no man’s land of the Internet demands caution and interpersonal sensitivity, as social missteps can sneak up like a pothole.

Melding the Internet and wedding etiquette requires extreme selectivity, says Anthony Lala, a New Orleans wedding planner since 1979. For example, emailing Evites in lieu of snail-mailing formal printed wedding invitations is acceptable for only the most casual, simple, “no pomp and circumstance” affair.

“According to the rules of etiquette, a wedding is an elegant formal occasion,” Lala says. “If (the bride) is going to have an elegant wedding on any level, it’s appropriate to send a formal, written invitation.”

Though social networking applications Social networking can yield convemay supplement wed- nient or catastrophic results when it ding traditions like invi- comes to wedding planning. tations, gift registries and guest books, they are not meant to replace them. “I don’t think it’s all about getting rid of what our mothers and grandmothers did,” says Kelly Sherlock, whose blog, The Proper Planner (blog.kellysherlock.com), is devoted to etiquette tips and planning advice for brides. “It’s being open enough for our parents to understand that we’re not where we were 50 years ago,” she says.

Although the convenience of using social networking websites for wedding planning and documentation is undeniable (Facebook and Twitter are efficient ways to probe friends for suggestions pertaining to florists, bands, caterers and other vendors), they can create as many pitfalls as advantages. Posting wedding-related status updates and pictures online may also generate remarks from uninvited guests.

Eric and Toya Walter recall the Facebook commotion prior to their September wedding. The couple learned months in advance that some out-of-town relatives would be unable to attend the ceremony, so the Walters chose not to mail them invitations. As the date approached, other guests began “Facebooking” their excitement about the wedding. Soon thereafter, the couple received rude comments from the relatives who declined their invitation months earlier. The online spat ended in the rela-

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tives “defriending” the couple on Facebook, and the two parties are no longer speaking.

“That was one instance where Facebook showed how childish some people can be, especially involving a wedding,” Eric says.

In addition to adding an element of publicity to etiquette broaches, wedding websites can sometimes overcomplicate the very process they are meant to streamline. When Lafayette resident Traci Pecot had only eight months to plan her New Orleans wedding, she relied, in part, on Facebook and the bridal website TheKnot.com to gather band and venue recommendations from savvy locals and friends. She used the timeline feature on TheKnot. com to keep on schedule, but after a few months, the website became more of a hassle.

“It became a headache. I had 200 tasks left to do, (according to) The Knot. But, in reality, I had 50,” Pecot says. “(Social networking and wedding websites are) good tools in moderation. You’re getting extra pictures and advice from people who have done what you are about to do, but they’re not going to replace your needs and desires in everyday life,” says Sherlock, who started her wedding planning company almost four years ago. “It’s still a computer.”

Despite the drawbacks of social media and wedding websites, these tools have become almost indispensible for wedding planning. Whether digital faux pas will exceed traditional wedding blunders is yet to be seen. Still, 21st-century newlyweds exhibit no sign of renouncing social networking websites.

A case in point: During the limousine ride to the Walters’ wedding reception, Toya Walter updated her and her groom’s Facebook statuses to “married.”

Says Walter with a laugh, “It’s not official until it’s on Facebook.” L’I

SUSH I BAR

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GreenWedding HOSTING A BY

J E S S I C A

E/The Environmental Magazine Distributed by Featurewell.com

K N O B L AU C H

ach year, more than 2 million brides and grooms get married in the United States and Canada. That’s a lot of food, flowers and party favors — and a whole bunch of waste and carbon emissions. Luckily, it’s becoming easier than ever to green your wedding. Here are some ways to do it.

GO LOCAL . Using local vendors cuts down on the miles your wedding essentials must travel and puts money back into the local economy. Purchase food from farmers markets, and buy regional wines and brews for your celebration.

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USE SEASONAL FLOWERS . “Buying [flower arrangements] in season means they’re going to be fresher ... and you will also usually save money,” says Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide (Sourcebooks). Purchase organic flowers to avoid pesticides and artificial scents. If you’re set on a specific type of flower, only buy a limited amount.

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BUY USED ITEM S . Make use of consignment 7 and resale boutiques such as Prima Donna’s Closet, On the Other Hand, the Encore Shop, Bloomin’ Deals, Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing, Lili Vintage Boutique, Buffalo Exchange, Rebirth and others. There are plenty of wedding reuse sites like Weddingbee.com and BravoBride.com, as well as traditional resale sites like eBay.com and Craigslist. com. BrideShare.com, a social networking site, is another great resource for brides. “I bought a pair of Vera Wang shoes for $50 on eBay,” Harrison says, “and resold them for $50. This kind of recycling allows you to enjoy a luxury item with minimal environmental or financial impact.”

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CHOOSE A G R EEN ER DR ESS . Making a wedding dress can take up to 16 yards of fabric, typically made from petroleum products and bleached with toxic chemicals. In addition to vintage, thrift and consignment shops, sites like GentlyUsedBridal.com can help you find the ideal dress. There are also hemp, organic cotton or

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PL ANT YOU R CENTER PIECES .

Peace lilies are easy to grow and act as wonderful air purifiers. Other centerpiece ideas include pots planted with herbs like mint and rosemary or glass jars filled with candles and fruit. If you’d still like flower centerpieces, fill jars with locally grown flowers.

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GIVE PRACTICAL WEDDING FAVORS . Avoid the waste of kitschy wedding charms by creating edible favors filled with Fair Trade chocolates, colorful candies or fresh fruit. Or, bypass the wedding favors altogether by making a donation to a charity in your guests’ honor.

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MAKE AN INVITATION STATEM ENT. E-vites are the greenest route for wedding invitations, but other light-impact options include invitations made with recycled paper, organic cotton or options like bamboo and hemp printed with vegetable-based inks.

“We had family members who objected to not receiving a physical invitation as a keepsake, so we ordered recycled paper invitations and skipped the reply cards, asking guests to RSVP via email or phone instead,” says Stacey Kenny, who hosted her green wedding in New York in April 2009.

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even bamboo wedding gowns available. And after the wedding, consider donating your dress to a good cause like Brides Against Breast Cancer.

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GIVE BACK TH ROUG H A GIF T R EGIS TRY. Lots of couples these days are getting married in their late 20s and 30s, which means they may have all the kitchen wares they need. The I Do Foundation allows for a range of charity registry options, including donating 10 percent of purchases to a charity, creating a charity registry and offsetting your wedding’s carbon footprint.

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DITCH TH E DIAMON DS . Diamonds are forever, but so are their negative social and environmental impacts. Consider rings made with a moonstone, pearl or piece of sea glass. Some jewelers also use wood to create handcrafted, inexpensive wedding bands that can be inlaid with gems. Check the craft site Etsy.com for ecominded jewelry artists. L’I

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ENCOU RAG E LOW- IM PACT CLOTHING . Wedding apparel is often so occasion-specific that it’s only worn once. Keep your bridal party and the environment happy by allowing flexibility in design. “I asked our wedding party to wear a dress or tie in a certain color palette [so they could] wear something from their existing wardrobe rather than buying (something) new,” says Mary Supley Foxworth, whose green wedding was held in Virginia in 2004. “I loved the result!”

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icture PPERFECT FROM PHOTOJOURNALISTIC CEREMONY IMAGES TO MODEL-FOR-A-DAY BRIDAL SHOOTS, TODAY’S WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TAKES CUES FROM ART AND FASHION. BY

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PAGE 15

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PHOTO BY SCOTT MYERS

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Ideal for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, & engagement parties, at Race & Religious, your event will ring with romance. Built in the 1830’s and nestled along the Lower Garden District riverfront, the property is comprised of a two-story Creole cottage, a three-story rowhouse, & a two-story “Slave Quarter” with a downstairs bar. The grounds feature a fountain-surrounded pool, palms, & brick courtyards, lit by the flicker of gas lamps. Accommodating up to 275 visitors within 4,000 sq. ft., the space includes two commercially-equipped kitchens, working fireplaces, interior & exterior speakers, & balconies overlooking the courtyards & downtown. Packages range from basic location rental to event planning to an extended stay, allowing as much flexibility as is desired. Offering luxurious amenities, the nostalgia of home, & a rich New Orleans history, at Race & Religious your gathering will be like none other.

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PAGE 13

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS BY SCOTT MYERS Michael Caswell, a Slidell-based photographer, shoots weddings in one of today’s most popular styles, the photojournalistic style.

Photojournalistic photographers take fewer staged shots of the bride and wedding party and instead capture the action in a more candid way.

“I don’t run around to people and tell them to look at me and smile. It’s fake,” Caswell says.

“There’s no life to a picture like that. The pictures I love are of people interacting with each other, not aware of me taking their picture.”

This style of photography sidesteps long photo sessions that keep the couple away from their guests. But for Caswell, its real virtue lies in the emotional resonance found in unstaged shots.

“It brings back those emotions of the actual day, rather than the more bland, camera-aware photography,” he says.

Other photographers have dreamed up highly orchestrated, artistic approaches. Photographer Darren Trentacosta proposes shifting the photo session to a different day than the wedding entirely, creating the opportunity for a set of wedding photos influenced by the world of high fashion. “(Bridal clients asked) if we would be willing to treat them as a model for the day,” Trentacosta says. “Kind of like a day in the life of a celebrity, but for wedding photos.” He describes wedding photos that look more like fashion editorials, incorporating behind-the-scenes footage of hair and makeup preparation, wardrobe and makeup stylists, and on-location shooting at an atypical venue.

The pampering effects of the fashion-style shoot both soothe and flatter the bride and

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n a digital era of heavy social documentation, when reception videos are uploaded to YouTube and bridal images are tweeted before the cake is gone, the wedding photographer’s role has shifted. “People know they will get a lot of fun snapshots from their friends, so they want the professional photographer to really deliver something creative and evocative,” says photographer Scott Myers. “Something that has a real sense of a work of art.”

Through wedding photography, brides can project visions of themselves and their weddings that are creative, unique and capture the emotion of the moment. Whether that means a fashion-forward engagement photo or a photojournalistic approach, there’s a photographic style to suit every couple’s vision.

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groom. Photos from the actual ceremony lack the benefit of staging, lighting and design that accompany this style of wedding photography.

“It takes so much work leading up to the shot. The actual shooting is the fastest part,” Trentacosta says. “(Previously at weddings) I was expected to capture a moment and make it flawless, when it doesn’t work like that.”

These kinds of artistic, fashion-forward bridal portraits are consistent with what Myers calls “a more creative way to think about documenting an event.” This modern philosophy can be seen in the rise of supplements to wedding photos, such as engagement photos. Taken either before or after the wedding, engagement photos feature the bride and groom exclusively in a romantic location.

“It’s you celebrating the love you have and the giddiness and anticipation before the wedding. It really captures that emotion and that twinkle in your eye,” says Mandeville photographer Abby SandsMiller, who suggests engagement photos as a way around weddingday chaos. To cut down on wedding-day responsibilities, some couples may choose to forego professional wedding photos and enjoy their engagement portraits exclusively.

An experienced wedding day photographer can be a valuable asset in making sure things run smoothly (and photogenically). “Make sure you don’t schedule things too tightly, as (photographers) need a few minutes to set up and break down when changing location. Make a list of the group photos you want to take, and have a family member help out who knows everyone’s names and is bossy in a friendly way,” Myers says.

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art event

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PAGE 17

PHOTOGRAPHER INFORMATION MICHAEL CASWELL, 453-8029; WWW.MICHAELCASWELL.COM ABBY SANDS-MILLER, (985) 951-8868; WWW.ABBYPHOTO.NET SCOTT MYERS, 444-8193; WWW.SCOTTMYERSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM DARREN TRENTACOSTA, (917) 968-4300; WWW.DARRENTRENTACOSTA.COM

When selecting a photographer, consider not only those with the experience necessary to capture your special day, but also those whose work resonates with you emotionally. “Look at several full weddings the photographer has shot, not just the best of the best that makes it to the website,� Myers says.

If the couple chooses wisely and plans ahead, wedding photographs can become both cherished mementos and works of art. Fortunately, today’s wedding photography trends reflect this need for low stress, flexibility and above all, personal expression. “[Weddings today] are about breaking rules, mixing high and low culture, and mixing and matching,� Trentacosta says. “It’s not your mother’s wedding any more.� L’I

PHOTO BY DARREN TRENTACOSTA

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OF $43Y RATE .50

L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

VOTED

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BEST OUTDOOR DINING

4 YEARS

PHOTO BY: DAVID DAIGREPONT

IN A ROW. -GAMBIT

THE PERFECT SETTING TO C E L E B R AT E Y O U R N E W L I F E T O G E T H E R Call to make arrangements for your REHEARSAL DINNER, WEDDING RECEPTION

Wedding Ceremony & Receptions, Luncheons, Showers, Teas, Dinners & more

or BRIDAL SHOWER.

5908 MAGAZINE STREET (CORNER OF MAGAZINE & ELEONORE) 891-8495 · WWW.MARTINIQUEBISTRO.COM

www.Chateaugcc.com

•

504.467.1351

FRIDAY LUNCH • SAT & SUN BRUNCH • TUES-SUN DINNER

Fashion Plate BY

M A RT H A

P I T TS

or those not lucky enough to inherit fine china, local stores offer contemporary and classic formal and informal dinnerware in a kaleidoscope of patterns to accent tables for every dining occasion.

Gone are the days when brides preferred ornate, flowery patterns on china and flatware with intricate borders. The current trend in fine china is simple and plain patterns, says Linda Hobbs, who manages the tabletop bridal registry at Adler’s Jewelry on Canal Street.

“Most brides are choosing plain, versatile plates that will be complementary (with other pieces),” she says. However, many brides still want china patterns similar to their mothers’ and grandmothers’ pieces. At Adler’s Jewelry, it’s not uncommon for mothers and grandmothers to accompany their granddaughters and daughters to select china.

For example, the hand-painted Herend line is one of Adler’s 3 best-selling porcelain five-piece place settings, because many brides have had that brand in their family for generations.

Herend and Anna Weatherley are bestselling brands in formal and fine china at Friend & Company. “(Herend) is more well-known, it’s older, and it’s very Southern,” says Nina Friend, owner of Friend & Company.

Bob Satterlee, manager in Macy’s bridal

Bridal Boutique at the Metairie Store New and Consigned Gowns • Formals • Dresses

1

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This Bernardaud Elysee dinner plate, $165, and salad plate, $140, are both available at Adler’s Jewelry.

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A Reed & Barton Francis First sterling silver four-piece place setting is $482 at Adler’s Jewelry.

2

Pieces in the Lenox Opal Innocence collection, available at Macy’s, range in price from $22 to $397.

3

the perfect

FLOWERS

“I DO”

What about the Guys?

to say

call about our bridal bouquets & wedding arrangements

For the Groom and his Buds!

And the Bride too

Metairie 3213 17th Street (504) 835-1120 Uptown 1206 St. Charles Ave. (504) 522-3327 French Quarter 927 Royal (504) 875-4437

ContaCt randall weddinG Consultant

815 FOCIS STREET [OFF VETERANS ]

837-6400

www.bestofneworleans.com L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011

NOW OPEN!

A PRIMER ON TRENDS IN FINE CHINA AND FLATWARE

5537 C a n a l B l v d . • 486.8255

open late til 8

& on mondays

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L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

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@ @

Cajun Ballroom @@@

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Located in the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit in Audubon Zoo, fun & unique for rehearsal dinners and engagement parties

With hardwood floors and private garden, this elegant ballroom is just steps from the colonnaded Sea Lion Exhibit: perfect for that magical wedding ceremony.

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Herend pieces in the Rothschild Bird pattern are $285 for a salad plate and $425 for a dinner plate at Adler’s Jewelry.

Audubon @@@ Tea Room

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5 Hand-painted

our unique facilities offer exceptional on-site catering services, professional and caring staff to plan your special event and ample free parking for your guests.

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Antoinette pattern is $524 for a five-piece setting at Friend & Company.

If you began the New Year having said Yes…

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department, says fewer brides are selecting fine china for their wedding registries.

“They either think they are not going to use it much or they are inheriting (fine china),” he says. Many of those who select china from Macy’s choose the Opal Innocence five-piece setting by Lenox, a simple and sophisticated line, in addition to the subtle patterns designed by Kate Spade and Vera Wang.

More customers are choosing yellow gold borders on their china versus the platinum and white gold of yesteryear, Friend says. In terms of casual dinnerware, square plates are a strong trend because of the rise in popularity of al fresco dining and sushi, which is often served on square plates.

According to Friend, most customers have no idea what kind of china they want when they visit her store. The family-owned business, which has operated on Maple Street since 1976, sells more than 40 lines of china and sterling silver and encourages people to bring inherited china pieces if they have them.

“We like to find out about their lifestyle and try to complement already owned pieces,” Friend says. She encourages mixing and matching items versus having the same design on every piece in a five-piece place setting.

In addition to mixing china patterns, styles of sterling silver flatware, like the popular Towle Old Newbury, can be combined with more casual pieces. Friend says sterling silver is making a comeback despite the metal’s increasing price.

“It’s a good investment, and it’s a great keepsake,” Friend says. L’I

Friend & Company

7713 Maple St., 866-5433; www.friendandcompany.com

Macy’s

Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 484-4600; www.macys.com

With sweeping verandas and vistas off the mighty oaks, rehearsal dinners and receptions couldn’t be more intimate and personal.

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Adler’s

722 Canal St., 523-5292; 343 Royal St., 581-6379; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 523-5292; www.adlersjewelry.com

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STORE INFORMATION

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Special discounts apply when you book both your rehearsal dinner and wedding with us.

www.auduboninstitute.org/events/private

6500 Magazine Street • 504-212-5301

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Audubon @@@ Clubhouse

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Est. 1985

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL 26 YEARS!

Come celebrate with Chef Andrea

WEDDING RECEPTIONS PACKAGES 50 People 75 People 100 People 150 People 200 People 300 People

2,500.00 3,400.00 4,700.00 6,900.00 9,000.00 11,600.00

PRICES ARE FOR 3 HOUR RECEPTION & INCLUDE TAX AND GRATUITY

Wedding Packages Includes:

FREE* COMPLIMENTARY LIMO AVAILABLE FOR 3 HOURS

FOOD • BAR WEDDING CAKE

*ONLY DRIVER'S FEE REQUIRED

Served on an elegant Silver Chafing Dish

OFF PREMISE CATERING AVAILABLE

FRIDAY JANUARY 14 thru SUNDAY JANUARY 30 LUNCH & DINNER 3 COURSE MEAL $26

Includes a Complimentary Glass of Champagne

A new

L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

engagement parties | rehearsal dinners ceremonies & receptions

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tradition has begun…

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering for 25 or an elaborate reception for 400, our ballrooms will make your day unforgettable.

1901 MANHATTAN BLVD • 504-644-4100 WWW.ROYALPALMRESTAURANT.COM

Fancy That ELABORATELY DETAILED GOWNS ARE A STRONG BRIDAL TREND FOR SPRING. B Y

M I S S Y

STRAPLESS TIERED GOWN WITH FLOWER DETAILS

BY ESSENSE, $1,200 AT BUSTLES & BOWS.

www.bestofneworleans.com L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011

hough Oscar Wilde proclaimed to have the simplest taste (“I am always satisfied by the best”), he might modify that statement if he were confronted with spring 2011 bridal trends.

The best gowns of the season are undeniably the most elaborate. A bevy of details and ornamentation options like elaborate draping, tulle and lace overlays, cap sleeves, tiered skirts, crystal detailing and three-dimensional silk flowers are indications that, although their silhouettes are clean and flattering, these exceptional bridal gowns are anything but plain and simple.

W I L K I N S O N

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Personalize a spa package with complimentary Chakra™ Sensory Journey.

Chakra™ Balancing Body Mists were created with aromas to help you focus on these personal growth energy centers.

Chakra™ 1 - Grounded Chakra™ 2 - Nourished Chakra™ 3 - Intention Chakra™ 4 - Harmony Chakra™ 5 - Expressive Chakra™ 6 - Insight Chakra™ 7 - Wisdom

free $20 gift card* L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

with purchase of $100 in gift cards

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* valid through 2/14/11

3330 veterans memorial blvd | new orleans 504.454.1400 | AvedaInstituteNewOrleans.com All services are performed by students under the supervision of licensed educators.

find us on facebook - Aveda Institute New Orleans

TOP RIGHT: ALFRED ANGELO GOWN WITH CAP SLEEVES, $749 AT PEARL’S PLACE. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO INC. © 2010-2011/ PHOTOGRAPHER LUKE WALKER

RIGHT: STRAPLESS SATIN GOWN WITH TIERED SKIRT BY PALOMA BLANCA, $2,350 AT PEARL’S PLACE. ON THE COVER: GOWN BY ESSENSE, AVAILABLE AT BUSTLES & BOWS.

www.bestofneworleans.com L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011

ABOVE: STRAPLESS GOWN WITH LAYERED ORGANZA SKIRT

BY ESSENSE, $1,400 AT BUSTLES & BOWS.

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Rhinestone

Runway

50

$

OF F

PROMS, PAGEANTS

(OR 15% OFF)

on all formal purchases for Mardi Gras or Prom with AD.

& WEDDING

BOUTIQUE 819 W. Esplanade Ave.

EXPIRES FEB. 15, 2011

Suite J• Kenner

504-465-4884

C E L E B R AT E THE

L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

AT THE

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Art Wedding OF THE

OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART

Your wedding is a masterpiece, so why not have it among masterpieces?The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is the perfect setting for events with a unique flair.

WEDDINGS RECEPTIONS REHEARSAL DINNERS E N G AG E M E N T PA RT I E S B I RT H DAY S O I R É E S C O R P O R AT E E V E N T S

Contact Elaine LaCour at 504.539.9607 or elacour@ogdenmuseum.org

925 camp street · new orleans, louisiana

ABOVE: ONE-SHOULDER GOWN WITH LACE OVERLAY

BY ESSENSE, $1,500 AT BUSTLES & BOWS. TOP RIGHT: ALFRED ANGELO STRAPLESS GOWN WITH WAIST DETAIL, $899 AT PEARL’S PLACE.

RIGHT: GOWN BY VERA WANG, PRICE AVAILABLE

BY REQUEST AT MIMI. PHOTO: ©2011 VERA WANG FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.VERAWANG.COM OR WWW.MIMINOLA.COM

STORE INFORMATION ALFRED ANGELO BRIDAL (2380 TOWNE CENTER BLVD., BATON ROUGE, 225-927-4727; 7555 YOUREE DRIVE, SHREVEPORT, 318-795-8088; 877726-4356; WWW.ALFREDANGELO.COM) BUSTLES & BOWS (3230 SEVERN AVE., METAIRIE, 780-7090; WWW. BUSTLESANDBOWSBRIDAL.COM) MIMI (5500 MAGAZINE ST., 269-6464; WWW.MIMINOLA.COM) PEARL’S PLACE (3114 SEVERN AVE., METAIRIE, 885-9213; WWW.PEARLSPLACE.COM)

www.bestofneworleans.com L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALFRED ANGELO INC. © 2010-2011/PHOTOGRAPHER LUKE WALKER

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The Legendary Jazz Club is now available for your own legendary event…

L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011 www.bestofneworleans.com

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Reverend Suzette A. London • • • •

Beautiful Services Non-Denomonational Itinerant Female Minister Location of Your Choice

"It's Your Day...Say It Your Way!"

suztherev@aol.com

466-6766

The most memorable New Orleans weddings always have a Real Live New Orleans Jazz Band!

We can provide all of your music and can also provide your “Second Line Parade” Music!

Keeping People Dancing Since 1995 !

References and Demo CD available.

Please call Louis “Bicycle Louie” Lederman for your price quote at (504) 874-3195 or louislederman@yahoo.com

bar & grill Attiki Experience the Mediterranean

Weddings | Rehearsal Dinners Engagement Parties | Anniversaries Birthday Parties & More!

across from the House of Blues

11am-4am daily • www.attikineworleans.com

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Everyone’s Favorite Wedding Favors

5707 Magazine St. 504.269.5707 www.BlueFrogChocolates.com

www.bestofneworleans.com L’IMAGE JANUARY 2011

230 decatur  587-3756

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say goodbye to your tattoo

Decorative tattooing can be traced back thousands of years. So can the desire to remove them. Today, 36% of 25-29 year olds have tattoos, more than half regret them, and would like to have them eliminated.

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Dr. Marilyn Pelias now provides a safe and effective way of removing tattoos. While eliminating tattoos, Dr. Pelias will leave your skin looking more natural, with little chance of side effects.

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