All That Matters
It was a week of emergency appendectomies, stomach bugs, spring flings missed, enormous work pressure, just life’s highs and lows. Chaunce and I got nose-to-nose and prayed and remembered . . . this is all that matters. Happy Mama’s Day!
Little Attendants : The Ringbearers
Boys are sooo hard to dress- trust, I have one. If you are Southern and traditional, or if you aren’t but want that look for the little ones in your wedding, it’s hard to navigate through the sea of black and red sateen. Never fear, I’ve done so below!
THE ENSEMBLE
{A Bryan Photo}
Boys from 2 to 6 should be in an Eton suit (which is really a little jacket, a special collared shirt, and shorts) or a button-on (see above). Think about JFK Jr’s “john-john”, but dressed up a notch. You want to see their cute fat legs, not hide them. In warmer months, linen or cotton lawn is great. In winter months, a gorgeous flannel, velvet, or silk would be fine. But truly, the classic white or off-white cotton is going to be your best bet for material. Yes- boys can and should be in lace, too! A little lace edging to a gorgeous collar is old school and super Southern.
See their sweet little sailor-style shirts with covered buttons? Totally apropos, as are their long shorts. You always add white knee socks, and white leather oxford lace-ups with a wood and leather sole.
See the knickers-style leg? And the champagne embroidered monogram is a cute touch.
The straight sleeve and plaiting are clean and crisp and I love this little short, too . . . though an actual working button-on is a little better in reality. (You can tell this one is a button “just for looks”.)
This is a little Eton suit- as classic as they come and easy to source.
Where to shop:
THE SHOES
The white knee socks can be found almost anywhere, but the shoes are still tough. Best is to find ones with a leather and wood sole, a simple lace up, and a little a saddle style. . . . hence an “oxford” shoe.
Where to shop:
Still more to come . . .
Little Attendants : The Flower Girls
It’s little folks’ week at CCD. We know how hard it is to determine how your wee attendants should be attired for your big day. There aren’t a ton of beautiful children’s clothing retailers out there, nor is there much guidance. It reminds of me of correspondence etiquette- a dying thing! Here’s hoping our thoughts below will steer you on what’s Southern, lovely, timeless, and sure to please the Moms dressing them.
THE GOWN
Think white, think lace, think heirloom quality and handmade. They don’t need to match anyone or anything- they are little ladies in waiting and should be in soft batiste or cotton lawn with sweet details. Each of the dresses above would get a lace-trimmed slip underneath- almost a plain white sleeveless sheath that acts as a liner. A tiny bit of color in a ribbon or sash is fine, though whites and champagnes are preferable.
Length should be somewhere between the mid-shin and ankle. White stockings underneath are great for chillier months. Special touches include covered buttons, gorgeous collars, and fine French embroidery.
Great places to shop and order are:
THE SHOES
White leather Mary Janes are the way to go. No patent, no bells and whistles, leather sole. If you can find the button-over kind (as opposed to buckle), even better!
Above is the Nina Kids Bonnet from Zappos. Other shoe sources are:
THE GIFT
You should plan to give something tiny and charming to each girl- be it a handmade sweetgrass basket from which they can toss petals, or an heirloom handkerchief pillow they can keep on their beds. My favorite gifts are below for inspiration.
L to R:
James Avery Baptismal Shell with Initials (perfect for Charleston!)
Roberto Coin Tiny Diamond Cross
More to come . . .
