Designer Challenge: Tar-jay
Walk in the park- pun intended. Liberty of London, the iconic British department emporium, collaborated with Target this Spring to produce a darling line of just about everything . . . down to a Liberty print bike, which has my name on it.
Quick history:
Liberty of London was founded in 1875 by Arthur Lazenby Liberty. Its fabrics have that distinctly late 19th century English countryside flair, for which they are known the world over.
In the 20th century, Liberty fabrics were used by the best known designers of each decade, from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent, from Cacharel to Jean Muir. The famous Liberty silk scarves and ties are sold all over the world, and the distinctive fabrics are still used by dressmakers today to create their own “Liberty style” in a fashion familiar from the time of their 19th-century forebears.
I still remember thumbing through album after album of photos from my sisters’ childhood days, in which they are perenially outfitted in Liberty print dresses made by my mama.
Soooo- perhaps my little “challenge” wasn’t quite so challenging. It was easy breezy beautiful Cover Girl to pick through the myriad of Liberty steals online in search of wedding-friendly flair, though most of the below can only be had in the store, big FYI.
The clutch: a tidy little bridesmaid gift in which you can slip a heartfelt note thanking each girl for supporting you on your big day.
Target Liberty of London flips: the perfect thing to pop around town in whilst being coiffed and made up on your big day. Hand them off to your planner to stow away while you languish in your stilettos. Reclaim near the end of the night when you just can’t take it anymore.
Fold and place one on every other chair at an intimate ceremony, assuming women will enjoy the touch if your outdoor nuptials are in a breezy month.
Target’s Liberty of London passing tray. Perfect for lavender lemonade at a Springy affair.
Um, I’d totally eat your tuna tartare hors d’oeuvre off of this sweet thing above. Buy 6 or so and ask your caterer to use in place of those nasty old silver plate rounds from the local rental house.
Use these on solid color trays for your signature drink, or down your seated tables as a water glass. You could even drop a few monobotanical blooms in each to punch up high cocktail tables.
I know, I have a slight pillow fetish. But for $16.99, you can’t have anything made at those prices. Darling for furniture vignettes or lining a drab existing seating area at your wedding reception venue.
Gimme. Use them just at your head table. Use a few for tiny cocktail vignettes near your band. I don’t know- just find a way to have them so you can donate them to me when you’re done.
Dot along your bars for that much-needed ambient light.
Target carries these cute little favor boxes in a variety of colors. Just pick up a pack and make sure whatever little edible you’re putting in them fills them perfectly before buying a slew.
Hot or Not
I’ve always loved those “what’s in” vs. “what’s out” columns in the gossip rags. You think you’re kinda cool for picking up a pair of gladiator sandals and some vintage wayfarers last month and you open this week’s In Touch to find out you’re so uncool you’re basically cryo-frozen. Tear.
Wedding design may have a bit longer shelf life, but it still has some stage 5 clingers when it comes to what works, and what should have been in put in the “absolutely not” column decades ago.
What’s hot:
A stylized dessert bar a-la Amy Atlas. Composition, color, varying heights, and tabletop design are just a few points to consider.
What’s not:
Jordan almonds in would-be sachets at each place setting. I really don’t want your crown-cracking vignette o’ nuts. I’ll hold out for cake, thanks.
What’s hot:
Patterned fabric for table linens or tent decor.
What’s not:
Satin rental linens. Let’s cover a basic vocab here, people. If you’re renting anything that has the words “satin”, “sateen”, “crushed”, “velour”, “bichon”, or “lamour” in it, run for the hills.
What’s hot:
Carwash ribbon detailing shot by Jose Villa Photography, from Style Me Pretty. Using ultra-feminine ribbons in a tonal range and a clever way? Très chic.
What’s not:
Tulle bow pew marker. 1982 is calling, it wants its menagerie of ugly back. The “t” word shouldn’t even enter your vocabulary.
What’s hot:
Classic tuxes. Shawl collar (on George), Notch collar (on McDreamy), Wide lapel tux (on Jason Bateman). Add a self-tie black silk bowtie (v. a clip-on) and your men are halfway to dapper.
What’s not:
Coordinating vests and ‘maids dresses. Vests skeeve me to begin with, but that’s the Southerner in me. I prefer the simplicity of a black cummerbund, so sue me. But whatever you do, do NOT color coordinate as such. As my best friend states simply: “NG”. Not good.
What’s hot:
Take a series of vintage cameras or even new film cameras, like the Holga above, and create a little DIY photo table + booth if you have the kind of arty crowd who will participate.
What’s not:
Just because they’ve been “wedding-ized” does not in fact make them okay, nor is it cheap to gather them up at the end of the night and have them all processed. Here’s what you’ll get back: 10 versions of Aunt Gertrude with her eyes closed, plus the requisite arm-stretching-self-taken drunken groomsman nostril shot.
Instead? Hire a fabulous photographer and give him or her creative license and your trust that they will capture many (but not all) of the dearest moments of your day. Breeeeeathe. Some of the best moments may just have to live on in your mind, and that’s okay too.
5 for the Grab Bags
Picture this:
Lone wedding guest drags tired self through numerous airports, winding her way to your wedding. One security frisk, a second-hand US Weekly and 3 lattés later, she arrives in Charleston a bit bedraggled. Said guest checks into a downtown hotel in a city fabled for its hospitality. Greeted by a re-packable tote chock-full of goodies and a big smile from the concierge, her spirits lift and she texts you that she wouldn’t miss Thursday night cocktails on the Rooftop at Market Pavilion for the world, even if it is already 11:00 pm.
You can’t deny the warmth a welcome bag brings, so we’ve decided to share a few of our favorite things to include. We hope these inspire you to craft your own to reflect the things you love as a couple and the town in which you’re marrying. We’ll post a few more like this in the future, too!
Rock it old school with retro candy like the Charleston Chew.
La Fresh bug wipes (they also make sunscreen!) to defend against the dreaded no-see-’ems.
Voluspa travel candle . . . perfect for a tiny bedside table at a B&B.
Barrel matches from For Your Party- totally customizable and so cute.
Starbucks gift card- need we say more?
