A Wedding Day in Gypsy Shoes

If you've searched the web for wedding ideas, you've definitely run into dresses and themed weddings with over the top style and decor. However, consider what you've seen now topped. TLC's new TV series "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" explores the unique culture of gypsy "traveler" communities within the UK. If you have watched a show or two, you can see that the emphasis as boys and girls grow is on one thing: MARRIAGE.

A wedding day in the life of a gypsy bride...

The wedding celebrations and attire are beyond anything we see within the U.S. by far. The showpiece of the big day for the girl is of course, the wedding dress. Girls within this community marry as early as 16. The designer of many of their gowns, Thelma Madine, designs according to the girls direction, however detailed or simple. It is popular among the girls to choose a fairytale inspired gown. The dresses have unbelievable detail and whimsical design:

For every bride, the design and color is unique. The color choice for the wedding as well as the venue for the reception are kept secret until the day of the wedding.

The arrival of the bride and groom is a big part of the celebration and is no less than extravagant. Horses and carriages resembling Cinderella's coach, Hummer limos, and other flashy means of transportation is part of the package.

Not only are the wedding gowns designed for a specific bride, but bridesmaids have their own gowns made as well. Headpieces, adorned gloves, and other accessories are designed along with the dress.

 

The bride always picks a "jr. bride," who has an identical dress made. A jr. bride symbolizes the girl in the family that could be next in line to be married. It could be a favorite cousin, niece, or younger sister.

The ceremonies are held in a church, and the reception follows: dancing, cake, and then the couple leaves to begin life together as gypsy "travelers."

Every culture has unique wedding traditions and ceremonies. As different as they may seem to us, the brides of gypsy traveler communities celebrate their wedding day with one resounding theme among them all - Go big or don't go at all.

"Flash from the Past"

The latest bridal trends seem to be original and highly fashion forward. However, if we looked back at some of the most idolized movie stars and celebrities, you'd see they were full of class and glamour themselves, even if it was 40-50+ years earlier. These women set the stage for a lot of the designs available today. Classic looks have been modified and brought back around, with a twist of modern. Even if you're the most traditional bride when it comes to your wedding style, there's a dress out there for you that's been inspired by a classy leading lady...

Audrey Hepburn



Audrey Hepburn is know for her adorable yet fashionable tea-length gown. This look gives a sweet appearance and is anything but traditional. The Tea-length gowns have been modified by designers Maggie Sottero, and Sottero & Midgley...


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Sottero & Midgley "Santorini"


Audrey Hepburn's gown in her film "My Fair Lady" has receieved attention since the film was released in 1964. The "sheath" fit of this gown isn't the only thing that gave it a unique look. The gown's crystal work upgrades the gown to couture and glamour.


Allure captured both the sillouette and the romantic gleam...


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Jackie Kennedy



Jackie Kennedy was always a fashion icon. In all of her appearences, her atire was sophisticated yet modern. Her wedding gown was nothing less, with the off-the-shoulder cap sleeves and sublte sweet-heart neckline. Today, designers such as Essense of Australia and Allure have modified versions of this look...



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Bette Davis



Actress Bette Davis was loved for the unique beauty of her eyes and her well-played roles in her films. She knew how to portrude her beauty and her taste in style. This low "v" back and off-the-shoulder look that is subtle but sexy appear in the most modern designs of today...


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Grace Kelly



Actress Grace Kelly, one of the first "Kate Middleton's," married royalty in a lovely lace gown, covered from neck to waste. The romantic lace look is rising in popularity, but with a wide variety of coverage and sillouettes...


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Kay Francis



Actress Kay Francis appears in one of the first versions of a "modified mermaid" fit. Bride-to-be's are leaning more and more to this sexy but tailored look today, 70 years later. The fit & flair takes the lead in popularity, and is seen as the most modern style to brides who are less traditional and follow fashion trends...


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Barbara Stanwyck




Barbara Stanwyck, an actress well known in the 20's-40's models a dress with quite bit of texture in the skirt. Although the lace ruffles are a bit dated now, textured skirts are definitely a new sought after trend that gives wedding gowns personality and a fashion-foward look.


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Maggie Sottero "Miri"


The basic idea in a style always come back around in fashion. Thankfully designers roll with the times and create looks that give a lot more variety for seeking brides out there. Whatever your style, there's a dress out there for you. Stay open, try different styles, and don't be surprised if you fall in love with a gown you never thought you would look at twice. Get inspired by the leading ladies who weren't afraid to take a risk, and don't forget to try on a couple gowns simply to humor mom when she picks out a few ;)

Please contact Pence & Panache about any of the gowns shown and we'd be more than happy to answer any questions and schedule an appointment - (682) 224-3484

What if...

As a future bride you are planning an entire wedding that is unique to you and your groom. You are spending more time planning and more money on your "all-about-me" day than probably any other time in your life. With all the effort, you want everything to go right with one of the major parts of the entire day--the part you've dreamed about since you were a little girl...the showpiece of the event...the part that provokes the "oo's" and "ah's" from everyone ...

...THE DRESS.

It's finally the time to find and purchase your dream dress, but the "dreaming" part turns into “doing” eventually. There's a practical side to purchasing a gown and making sure it comes in safe and sound and on time. It's always important to be prepared when you are putting everything together, so we'd like to share some tips with you that will help you prepare for the "what if" feelings that every bride experiences during the process.

1) Give yourself plenty of time.  Purchasing your gown should be one of the first things that you do after he pops the question. It takes about 12-16 weeks to order and receive your gown. That's roughly 4 months! Unless you're purchasing a custom gown made by Cinderella’s mice, you will need to expect some alterations once your gown arrives. You should allow 4-6 weeks for it to be completed. There's always the option of purchasing a gown off the rack, but it is more limiting and it is always better to plan ahead.

2) Be prepared "3 levels deep."  Not everything will go as planned on the day. If it's not the flower girl crying down the aisle, the cake is bound to arrive later than planned and the wrong song played during the unity candle. Relax! You can't control everything, so the best thing to do is plan "3 levels deep," meaning you have a couple plans for each potential problem that could happen. Start with giving yourself plenty of time to find your dress and order in time, making sure you have more than enough time before the big day. On your wedding day, keep a couple pins for a last minute tweak in your gown, baby wipes for accidental makeup smears on your Maggie Sottero sweetheart neckline, and tissues tucked somewhere on hand for the written vows where he gushes his undying love for you at the altar.

When you are flipping through your wedding album years later, you'll remember that the dress was perfect, everyone thought the flower girl was adorable, everyone loved the cake, and the Bono song played during the unity candle wasn't so bad after all. It's always better to be safe rather than sorry, so if you have months left before your day, get started now and plan along the way to ensure smooth sailing into forever with the man who loves you...(even with your smeared mascara and cake on your face.)