as featured in m magazine

A S
S E E N
I N
what
Dreams
May Come
Local experts dish on creating a fantasy wedding that
highlights the most exclusive bridal trends of 2014
By Jordan Dechambre | Photography by Artist Group Photography
Dress: LZ3307 by Lazaro,
Gigi of Mequon; Necklace: vintage,
stylist’s own; Earrings: Anthropologie
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Reprinted with permission
Vest, pants, shirt, belt:
Shirt, Vest, Pants, Belt,BANANA REPUBLIC;
ZARA; Watch:
Banana Republic; Tie,Tie:
Zara;
SHINOLA; Hat: Fur Felt
Shoes, model’s own; Hat,
Fedora, THE BRASS
fur felt fedora, The Brass
Rooster, Milwaukee ROOSTER, Milwaukee
he perfect wedding: an unattainable dream or a
realistic goal? While no wedding day is ever without
its hiccups, local experts say careful planning and
thinking outside the box are the keys to making a
couple’s wedding one fine day.
“I love that 2014 includes design trends that feature
over-the-top, fantasy-like wedding experiences
complete with gorgeous personal details that, when
crafted correctly, will make each couple’s special day
unique,” says David Caruso, owner of Dynamic Events
in Milwaukee.
So, which trends can take your wedding day from
average to stellar? Read on for the inside scoop on
bridal fashion, catering, photography, flowers and all
the sweet somethings in between.
Many brides already know what kind of
gown they are looking for when they walk into
a bridal shop. “It’s often in conjunction with
the type of wedding they are having,” says
Bev Berson, owner of Gigi of Mequon. “If it’s
a hotel wedding, outdoor wedding or a destination wedding, that all factors in when helping them select a dress.” Cynthia Apfelbach,
owner of Zita Bridal in Milwaukee, says
brides have more options than ever. “Several
Modern Love
of our designers allow customization of their
gowns when they are ordered. For example,
a gown may be sampled with a keyhole
back, but it can also be ordered strapless,”
she says. “This level of customization allows
brides to truly personalize their gowns.” This
year, Apfelbach says designers are continuing to introduce soft colors into their lines,
such as buttercream, latte and soft coral.
Even ombre gowns made an appearance
on the Spring 2014 runways. Vintage lace
dresses with plunging backs are also popular, notes Kate Iggens, owner of Stone Manor
Bridal in Grafton. “The silhouettes are varied
from ball gown to fit and flare to column — but
lace is the dominant fabric. And this season,
the back detail of the dress is as important
as the front.” Berson agrees. “We are seeing very beautiful backs on dresses that are
sheer to the waist and embroidered.”
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Venue Envy
Cocktails for dinner? No, not exactly. But cocktail party-style
receptions are replacing sit-down dinners and buffets as the most
popular wedding reception formats for 2014. “Couples are looking
for a reception style that fits their personality, one that is a bit more
laid back and gives them time to mingle with all of their guests,”
says Amanda Felsman, a wedding stylist and director of coordination at Tailored Engagements in Milwaukee. “This can be a tricky
style of reception to plan correctly, but it is also one that guests really
enjoy. I love that the cocktail reception allows guests to try different
foods, mingle with everyone and nosh at their desire without a set
mealtime. These receptions have a chic yet casual feel that is really
unique.” To keep the party going after the initial cocktail party dinner
reception, Caruso suggests creating a nightclub within the reception
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space. “Use lounge furniture, club DJs, moving lights and specialty cocktails to create the ultimate ‘night out on the town’ that your
guests will never forget,” he urges. Caruso also notes traditional head
tables have been “out for a decade” and this year is all about creating
head tables that make a big statement. “Think outside of the box,”
he says. “They can be round, oval, rectangular, raised, highlighted
with specialty lighting or dressed with special linens and accessories. Whatever you choose, make sure the head table is fabulous.”
Looking for a timely theme? Cheri Davis of Cheri Denise Events in
Mequon is over the moon for Old World opulence in 2014. “It’s appropriate for couples that like lots of glitz with a vintage and antique
motif,” she says. “Designing the space for a wedding brunch, tea
party or garden party can be absolutely gorgeous.”
Food by Shully’s
cuisine, Thiensville
Culinary Creations
Table Design by evenement
planning, Milwaukee
While weddings have traditionally been afternoon and evening affairs, Janelle Meyer-Brown,
owner and planner at evenement planning/lounge in
Wauwatosa, says it’s morning ceremonies that are
on the rise in 2014. “I am excited for morning ceremonies with brunches serving up some mimosas,”
she says. For couples who aren’t morning people,
Meyer-Brown says walking food is another popular trend, any time of day. “Walking tacos, fish and
chips, barbecue in a basket. I am seeing this more
and more in my outdoor weddings,” she says. For
health- and eco-conscious couples, “green” celebrations are a must: farm-to-table cuisine (reducing the wedding’s carbon footprint) and utilizing
organic food and local produce are simple — and
tasty — ways to keep a couple’s wedding day Earth
friendly. Looking for personalization? Meyer-Brown
suggests asking your caterer to re-create a familyfavorite recipe.
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Suit: Zara; Shirt and
Tie: Banana Republic
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Pastries: rocket
baby bakery,
Wauwatosa
Gatsby Ring:
A Trio Jewelry,
Milwaukee
Well Groomed
All eyes may be on the bride on her wedding day, but gentlemen are stepping up their game in
order to create a perfectly coordinated wedding-day pair with their betrothed. Joe Roush, merchandising director at Squire Fine Men’s Apparel in Brookfield, says modern grooms are no longer
seeking to match their ties to the bridesmaids’ dresses or bridal flowers; instead, they are creating
their own unique looks that complement — not compete with — the bride and bridal party. He
says tailored, well-cut tuxedos with narrow lapels and fitted, flat-front pants are both classic and
on-trend. And while black is still the most requested color of tuxedo, charcoal gray is a close second, and navy is a sophisticated alternative. “Everything is very Cary Grant, very Old Hollywood,”
he says. “Bow ties are also becoming increasingly popular and add a very simple elegance.” John
McLaughlin, owner of The Brass Rooster in Bay View, is excited about the return to classic, dapper men’s style. “A white shirt and standard black tux never looks dated. Men look as good now in
a traditional tux and hat as we did 100 years ago,” he says, adding that men’s hats are hotter than
ever. “Guys are realizing it is all right to dress well again. No one wants to be like Dad — everyone
wants to be cool like Grandpa was, though.” Matthew Mackai, creative director at Scottfree Salon
in Milwaukee, says men also need to consider their grooming for the big day. “It’s nice for the guys
to get a little pampering,” he says. Plus, the high-end grooming can continue after the wedding
with a thoughtful groomsmen’s gift, such as safety razors, brushes and shaving soap. “Flasks are
out; good razors are in,” McLaughlin says.
Ring It In
Matching wedding rings? Not in 2014, says Mary Seramur, designer/owner of East Towne
Jewelers in Mequon. “The ‘matchy-matchy’ look is dead,” she says. So what is hot for modern brides and grooms? “Sapphires have been the most popular alternative for center stones
— especially with second marriages,” she says. David Liska, owner of David Liska Custom
Jewelers in Milwaukee, agrees: “Blue sapphires — as well as other exotic sapphire colors, such
as champagne or peach — are increasing in popularity as people are making more bold statements with their engagement jewelry,” he says. “It gives couples the opportunity to afford a
much larger center stone, and those shapes are usually cushion cut.” Bling it on? Not so much.
According to Amy Shallow, owner of A Trio in Milwaukee, many brides are moving away from
flashy rings and instead opting for simple and elegant rings that transition well from day to night.
“These rings are easy to accessorize,” Shallow says.
Party Perfect
The fashionable lace trend is not
exclusive to bridal gowns, says Erin Thull,
owner of Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique in
Milwaukee. “Lace used to be a traditionally bridal gown fabric, but the sheer lace
ready-to-wear trends from the runway
have carried over and many brides are
choosing lace bridesmaids’ gowns,”
she says. “Wedding parties love that
they truly can wear these dresses again
after the wedding.” Another bridal fashion movement finds brides shying away
from matching bridesmaids’ dresses.
“Instead, we are seeing a lot of brides
choosing a unifying shade of colors,
such as shades of gold, blush or gray,
so their bridesmaids can coordinate in a
whole range of colors.” Thull notes only
a few years ago bridesmaids’ dresses
were almost exclusively cocktail length.
However, as the maxi dress has gained
popularity, she is seeing more brides opt
for floor-length dresses for their bridal
parties. “We love seeing the long skirts
come back in style, as they give everyone an effortless look,” she says.
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Camera Ready
Is the key to a picture-perfect wedding fewer photographs? According to photographer
Matt Haas, owner of Haas & Haas Photography with his wife, Sarah, when it comes to weddings, less is more. “Brides and grooms are asking wedding guests to put away their cameras
and cell phones for the ceremony,” he says. “Even for our own wedding ceremony, we had
a sign asking guests to be present with us during our ceremony. Of course, the guests can
go wild at the reception and snap away.” While he stays on the cutting edge of photography
trends, Haas admits his favorite trend of all is simply remaining timeless. “Clients won’t have
any regrets if they stay timeless. Other photography trends die fast. Pinterest is loaded with
them — it’s like a graveyard of the same photograph done again and again,” he says. “Bad
trends can make brides and grooms say, ‘Why did we wear fake mustaches at our wedding?’”
To ensure wedding photography is everything the bride and groom hope for, photographers
welcome inspiration photos and frank discussion about expectations, likes and dislikes. “It
is not that we copy (an inspiration) shot but we can get into their head and see what they are
looking for,” says Katy Rowe of Artist Group Photography. “Sometimes a bride will be getting
married in an urban setting and she shows us a picture of a couple in a field. We would have
never guessed that she was dreaming of this look. Then we find a field in the city and make her
photography dream come true. Some couples will make storyboards to share with venders
with inspiration for the wedding. Color palettes, vintage posters, fashion pictures, table decor
ideas, etc. ... We love to see their creative vision and then capture it with the camera.”
Dress: 519, Martina Liana,
Stone Manor Bridal,
Grafton
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Style Setter
Finding the perfect hair and makeup look
for her wedding day can be a difficult and timeconsuming process for a bride. That’s why
Gina Barrington and business partner Maggie
Kerr founded Wide Eyed Beauty, an agency
that represents hair and makeup artists that
provide on-location services throughout
Wisconsin for weddings and special events.
“It’s important for a bride to work with a stylist on her wedding day because the stylist can
make recommendations to suit the bride’s
desired look and be able to maintain the look
all day based on the bride’s skin type, facial
features, bone structure, and texture and
length of hair,” says Barrington. “The stylist can
also use ‘smoke and mirrors’ tricks to enhance
and add drama to her look, such as hair extensions, false lashes and highlighting shimmer
powers in just the right places.”
Here are some of Barrington’s top bridal
beauty and hair trends for 2014:
•A bright, or deep-colored lip, against a
lightly defined face
•Wavy, textured, tousled and loosely
pinned hair
•Matte skin and lips with a hint of gloss
•White eyeliner on top and inner lids for
a real pop
“Very voluminous hair may also come into
play this year, with the hair being very brushed
out instead of defined — which is complimentary to some of the slim silhouettes we have
seen in wedding dresses for 2014.” Mackai, of
Scottfree Salon, notes that “simple with a twist”
is the best way to describe 2014 bridal styling.
“Classic buns with a braid, great blowouts
pinned all to one side, soft waves with a center part, half back with a fuzzier texture — all of
these are simple yet modern looks.” In the end,
it’s all about letting the experts help brides-tobe achieve their best look. “Weddings are a bit
whimsy and fantasy; a stylist is able to view the
bride objectively,” says Barrington. “The client’s usual look may suit her just fine, but the
stylist is able to envision the bride in a way that
she has never thought of herself before.”
Dress: Little Pretties
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Photographer:
Artist Group
Photography
Stylist:
Laurel Z
Event Design:
Janelle Meyer-Brown,
evenement planning,
Milwaukee
Flowers:
Impressions
by Esther Fleming, Milwaukee
Food: Shully’s Cuisine,
Thiensville
Hair and Makeup:
Gina Barrington,
Wide Eyed Beauty
Models:
Eva, Agency Galatea;
Steven Vetter;
Mia Scarlato
Location:
Ram Horn Farm, Saukville
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Dress: Tchaikovsky
by Peter Langner,
Gigi of Mequon;
Headpiece: BHLDN
Budding Romance
When it comes to bridal blooms, lush, round and romantic are
buzzwords for 2014. Think peonies, garden roses, hydrangea and china
mums as fast favorites, with the inclusion of succulents for an edgy pop.
And these gorgeous blooms are no longer only relegated to table tops.
“Modern venues and reclaimed urban spaces are giving us the opportunity to hang flowers from exposed ceiling beams, or define warehouse
spaces with rows of candles and vases of flowers to create smaller intimate spaces within a large room,” says Emily Neubauer, owner of Belle
Fiori in Milwaukee. Neubauer says flowers are showing a strong trend to all
white or white mixed with very soft pastels, thanks to the casual nature of
many modern weddings. “The attire for the bridal party is a little more casual, with bridesmaids wearing assorted dresses and gentlemen in suits, not
tuxes,” she says. Because of this, the flowers are being used to unite and
reinforce the style of the event. Blush pink and nude bridesmaids dresses
look great with a simple all-white bouquet.” However, notes Neubauer, the
brave bride can still choose a pop of color for flowers and know that the
photographs will be fabulous.
On Her: Dress, Annie by Modern
Trousseau, Zita Bridal Salon,
Milwaukee; Necklace: BHLDN;
Shoes: stylist’s own
On Him: Suit, shirt and bowtie:
Zara; Shoes: model’s own
Vespa, Cedar Creek Motor
Sports, Cedarburg
Cake by THE CAKE
LADY, St. Francis
Eat Cake!
A coral cake? If you want your dessert to be
delicious, stunning — and on-trend for 2014 —
The Cake Lady owner Karen Smith says the light
and ethereal orange-pink hybrid tone is a must,
along with the year’s most popular fabric: lace.
“Whether it’s a piping detail or a fondant appliqué, lace is happening.” According to Smith, the
popularity of lace and coral may be an extension
of a larger trend of using details of the wedding,
from colors to fabrics to a theme, as decoration
for the cake. “If a bride is wearing a lace gown,
use lace on the cake. Beautiful fresh flowers in
her bouquet? Place them on the cake. A heartshaped monogram on the invitations? Replicate
it on the cake. These details will make the cake
uniquely yours.” When in doubt, Smith advises,
go white: The stunning simplicity of a white wedding cake never goes out of style. And while
cupcakes, pies and dessert stations are still popular, Felsman of Tailored Engagements is finding more and more brides are making their way
back to the cake. “There are so many options
for cake design now, and brides are having a lot
of fun creating something that is uniquely theirs;
something that shows off their style. I have to
admit, I do love a beautifully done cake!” Rocket
Baby Bakery in Wauwatosa even has an order
on file for French-style entremet cakes, a multilayer mousse-based cake, says owner Geoff
Trenholme. Looking for a sweet favor? French
macaroons, available in at least 12 flavors and
varying by season at Rocket Baby Bakery, are
a delicious and cost-effective choice at $1 per
treat. m
For more photos and to view behind-the-scenes video of Artist Group Photography’s wedding photo shoot,
go to M Magazine’s Wedding Webpage at www.mmagazinemilwaukee.com
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