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.
Debunk the Junk
There is so much folklore surrounding weddings, including the month in which you choose to marry.
Below, we paired a seasonally-appropriate idea or item with each month-based myth.
Un caveat: we may have gotten a little cheeky, and it’s time to de-bunk some of this nonsense.
JANUARY : Marry when the year is new, he will be loving, kind and true.
He’d best!
So you’re willing to forego outdoor cocktails for fur? Kudos to you. Maybe your sunset’s a wee bit earlier than you’d hope, so include some pre-ceremony afternoon portraiture with your photographer and pick yourself up one of these lovelies as an accessory.
FEBRUARY : When February birds do mate, you wed nor dread your fate.
I know the whole wee-bird-in-a-basket thang is a little tired by now, but if you’re craving that hand-crafted, discovered-at-the-bottom-of-a-steamer-trunk item, go no further than Goldbug Studio. They produce the tiniest of tidbits that can surely find a home in your reception décor.
MARCH : If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you will know.
Umm, okay- that’s kinda mean- because I love March and it’s simply stunning in Charleston. Ignore whatever crotchety old gnome made this one up! Instead, embrace what’s in bloom for your floral repertoire: flowering plum, quince, pear, cherry- you name it, you’re in luck. Because I say so.
APRIL : Marry in April if you can, joy for maiden and for man.
Finally, I agree. Showers be damned, April is a dreamy month of foggy mornings and crystal clear afternoons, 6:30 sunsets and a dewy quality you just can’t replicate in June (except on your forehead). It’s also the month for dining al fresco and reconnecting with friends who’ve been hibernating. While you’re designing your stationery suite, use your same chic palette and order calling cards with your new married name so you’re “good ‘n’ ready” for proper paper deployment post-wedding.
MAY : Marry in the month of May, you will surely rue the day.
Now what on Earth? I’m rewriting this one. “Marry in the month of May, you will surely have rockstar weather and caviar dreams”. Whatever, I’m annoyed. By May, we typically advise our clients to consider a lovely champagne cocktail or refreshing something as guests arrive- versus the usual wine-and-water brigade. It may be as simple as dropping a single plump raspberry and a splash of Chambord in each flute . . .
JUNE : Marry when June roses grow and over land and sea you will go.
What, so you get to travel more than I? RU’.
Favorite rose: the cabbage rose.
Traveling over land and sea for the honeymoon? Consider Peter Island, in the BVIs:
JULY : Those who in July do wed must labor for their daily bread.
Newsflash: you weren’t born to royalty. Neither were we! July is a super-savvy month to wed, especially in the steamy South. Vendors are eager to negotiate, and there are lovely places to have your reception out of the scorching sun. One such place is right here in Charleston, The Rice Mill:
AUGUST : Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see.
Change is good. Push the boundaries and ditch the usual. Have a morning ceremony under an old oak tree, followed by a mimosa-filled brunch at your favorite downtown café. Reconnect with guests in the evening for bluegrass and barbecue as the new Mr. and Mrs. without all the pressure!
Will this do? (The Angel Oak, Johns Island, SC):
SEPTEMBER : Marry in September’s shrine so that your life is rich and fine.
K, if you say so. September reminds me of sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, a clean slate. Design your affair around whatever memories you treasure most, and keep it simple. I’ll never forget this darling couple whose schoolteacher-inspired wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. Their escort card table:
OCTOBER : If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
Well now it all makes sense. I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. Kidding!
I was married in October, and will never forget that crisp morning and the promise of so much ahead. It is generally gorgeous across the South and Northeast, to be sure. Here’s a thought: gather your girls and have a morning stroll and a quick bite- even if it’s just homemade scones and really good coffee. Throw out some old quilts in the closest park and just vegg before the day’s madness begins. Suggest: Callie’s homemade ham biscuits, a local fave. Bake ‘em up, wrap them in a few linen napkins, toss in tote, share with ‘maids.
NOVEMBER : If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
Listen here, y’all. November in Charleston is fan-tastic, as it is in other Southern locales. Maybe it was some poor Nordic soul who penned these pointers, but they didn’t know about the sub-tropic climes of the American South.
Earlier sunsets means you get to cover your cocktails and reception in candlelight- which those Summery brides just can’t do (daytime votives = daytime sparkle, nooooot good). Take advantage and bathe your fête in an amber glow.
DECEMBER : When December snows fall fast, marry, and your love will last.
If you can squeeeeeze it in around your holiday party roster, I say do it. We rarely get to design intimate winter weddings and there is something so striking and romantic about the idea. The excitement surrounding the holidays is sure to seep into your affair, and there is such abundant greenery for clever use in décor.
Bonus: you get to infuse your reception with the scent of Frasier Fir. We always have one of these lit in our offices at Christmastime:
Happy 1 Year to the Roses!
Happy First anniversary to Alice and Jeff Rose, the sweetest pair who married just before Easter in 2009.
Their beautiful French blue-and-khaki wedding was shot by Tracy Turpen (love) and featured on Style Me Pretty (click here, in case you missed it!)
We wish y’all the very best for the rest of time!
