Wednesday 13 February 2013

Four weddings and no funeral: a Valentine’s Day Special


I know what you’re all thinking: “Not another lovey-dovey Valentine’s Day post, please!” I know because I invented Valentine’s Day dissing. All of you know just how much I loathe all the Valentine cheesiness, the heart-shaped chocolate boxes, the red rose bouquets and the candlelit dinners with white chocolate and raspberry puddings followed by, well, you know, what two people “in love” are supposed to do on Valentine’s Day. Call me cynical, I think love is not best expressed by Nestle chocolates and roast beef served between two candles. But hey, I’m not just cynical, I’m also superficial and looking for lots of new readers, so I’ve decided to give in to the Valentine’s Day hype and do a post on what some people consider “the greatest expression of eternal love”. I consider it a post on “really fancy, cool weddings (with delicious cakes)”.  What does love have to do with it?
Thought weddings were the epitome of “romance”, all sparkling princesses and prince charmings and meringue-like dresses and pink cupcakes? Think again, weddings can be cool, eccentric and… super chic! Here’s proof: these four fashion industry insiders whipped up weddings so fabulous they almost made me lose all my cynicism and wish I was hitched. Take a look at these four different styles and tell me which one is your favourite!

The Countryside Bride: Kate Moss
When it comes to British weddings, there’s only one Kate (and I don’t mean Middleton). Miss Moss exceeded expectations with her 1930’s English Rose-inspired wedding. The girl got everything right: chiffon dress by (a recently outcast) John Galliano, bridesmaids wearing fresh flower crowns, garden celebration and a three-day party that would have impressed Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Tip: Kate served sidecar cocktails (brandy, orange liqueur and lemon juice) all through the celebrations… mixed by her favourite barista from the Ritz in Paris!



The Bohemian Bride: Margherita Missoni
Nozze all’italiana for Margherita: the Missoni heiress chose a dress custom made for her by Giambattista Valli (it’s only natural. After all, who’s ever heard of a Missoni all-white dress) that made her look like a Virgin in a Boticelli painting. Can you think of anything more delightful than that? She could: Miss Missoni made her guests sit on the grass, in signature multicoloured Missoni cushions, to have a picnic under the olive trees. Tip: Margherita hired a fortune-teller who read everybody’s palms. I dare you to be more Fellini than that.



The Avant-Garde Bride: Katie Shillingford
Who said city weddings were only for anally retentive boring bourgeoises? Katie Shillingford proved getting married in central London can be mega cool. The stylist made her appearance spotting candyfloss pink hair (YES!) and a Gareth Pugh wedding gown that took my breath away, looking like a 21st century version of a Pre-Raphaelite muse. Along with her bridesmaids (dressed in black), she partied until the small hours at Eltham Palace and danced to the music DJed by Matthew Stone. Tip: Katie’s wedding cake was all white icing and white flowers on the outside… and rainbow sponge on the inside.



The Sustainable Bride: Pamela Love
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, jewellery designer Pamela Love got married in Long Island. Not one to do things halfway, she showed her commitment to ecological and ethical causes through a Native American-inspired aesthetic (tepees, an acoustic guitar gig, wildfires and Appalachian blankets) and a sustainable dress (which she wore barefoot) and delicious vegan menu. Tip: no need to throw money around, Pamela and her friends organized the party themselves, sourcing the food from nearby farms, mixing juice cocktails and arranging wild flowers in mason jars.