This morning, the talented Wedding and Event Stylist Michelle Kelly of 'Pocketful of Dreams' shares her vision of a Bridal Mood board that has been inspired by the beautiful new film, 'Water For Elephants' – a movie I have yet to watch but am lusting over after seeing these images.
Enjoy folks…
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Last weekend I dragged my long-suffering man along to watch the film 'Water For Elephants'. I won't spoil the film for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but in short, it's a tear-jerking, love-story, set in a Depression-era 1930's circus. Featuring vet student Jacob (Robert Pattinson~Swoon) who meets and falls in love with Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the star performer in the circus.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Image via Water for Elephants Film Poster
The film really does take you back to that bygone Old Hollywood era full of glamour and elegance, when a lady really knew how to dress. As I was watching the film I kept thinking, this lady reminds me of someone, who could it be?…..that's right none other than the platinum-haired bombshell herself – Annabel of Love My Dress, so with this in mind I promptly set to work on a 1930's Vintage Circus design for my next bridal inspiration board.
Style Vibe: 1. WFE Film 2. Circus Poster 3.WFE Film 4. Dress Designs 5. WFE Film 6. Benzini Trucks 7. Circus performer 8. & 10. Vogue 9. Circus Poster
The circus in the 1930's was a chance for families to forget about their worries and for one day be a part of the 'most spectacular show on earth'. And so vintage circus style is all about theatrical eccentricity and opulence, with entertainment galore, from trapeze artists to stilt walkers to lion tamers. Of course I'm not saying get out there and find your own lion-tamer for the day, but you can still take inspiration from this style.
It really is 30's glamour at it's best, with Marlena rocking some mighty-fine, bias-cut slinky gowns, designed by costume designer Jacqueline West, as well as that gorgeous marcel wave.
Jacob for the most part had a rather well-worn hobo look, in trousers, casual shirt and waistcoat (and yes he looked mightily hot for ooh about 99% if the time – for me this is reason enough to go watch this film) but he also sported a rather dapper, black-tie, evening ensemble that perfectly matched the sultry, vintage glamour of Marlena.
Look Book: 1 & 2. Cecile by Charlotte Casadejus 3. Biba Cape 4. Francesca from Emmy 5. Emmy statement blush vintage rose hair band 6. T-bar dance shoes in black satin 7. 3-piece smoking suit 8. & 9. Anoushka G
1930's style of dressing was all about emphasising the female silhouette with ankle-length, bias-cut dresses that gently draped and clung to the body in all the right places, with bare-backs, halter-style necklines and most definitely sleeveless. Beige stockings and dance shoes are all that's needed to complete the look.
To replicate the beauty of this era the marcel wave is perfect, French Hair Stylist, Severin Hubert recently spoke to Love My Dress about this look here.
Bride: For the bridal look I have chosen the 1930's inspired Cecile dress by Charlotte Casadejus. The bias cut Cecile dress is made from a luxurious, heavy, oyster-coloured silk and has a deep, v-neck revealing back and original vintage buckled belt. Priced £2200, available from Charlotte Casadejus and Luella's Boudoir in Wimbledon village. The shoe has to be the Francesca from Emmy £695 – they do the most beautiful and well-designed wedding shoes and this design is perfect for the 1930's look.
The finishing touches include a feather cape draped around the shoulders like this one from Biba £85.00, an Emmy statement blush vintage rose hair band £350, oh and of course a dazzling smile.
Bridesmaids: In my mind I see a line-up of glamorous maids, all with a different yet co-ordinated, floor-skimming slinky dress in black or red. Wouldn't they just look like little starlets? The dresses featured here include Black Anoushka G Black Dress £266, and Red Anoushka G Dress £192.50. Shoes are specialist T-bar dance shoes in black satin £69.00 – so your maids can dance the night away in their posh frocks.
Groom: The men in this era were just discovering three-piece suits and dressing was certainly dapper. So I think it's only fitting for the men to look just as fabulous as the ladies and don their 3-piece smoking suits, with black tie. A vintage-inspired utility look could also work well, particularly if going for the big-top, circus atmosphere to match.
Decor & Details: 1. Big-Top 2 & 3. Parasols and Flowers 4. Steampunk style decor 5. Flowers 6. Kissing booth 7. Coupe Champagne Tower 8. Invitations by Royal Steamline 9. Ceremony 10. Vintage Popcorn Cart 11. Gramophone 12. Circus Tickets 13. Circus photobooth props
Stationery is so important to set the tone for your day, if you intend to go all out with the decor and details then having co-ordinating stationery is a must. Circus inspired wedding stationery can replicate the look of those old Circus posters, inviting your guests to witness the 'wonder of wonders', 'the strange and the curious', 'the most stupendous day ever known'. This one here is by Royal Steamline, available on Etsy.
If you want to recreate that big-top atmosphere – well why not go ahead and hire your very own big-top? This is especially great as it means you can go really wild and creative with the decor inside as you are literally hiring a dry space, ready to do what you want with it.
Decor-wise think 'vintage eccentricity meets opulent glamour'. Mismatched antique pieces will work well in this setting, particularly the old Gramophone. Decorate the tables with deep-red luxury flowers and gilt tealight-holders everywhere to give a twinkly, enchanting effect.
Replicate the 'spectacle of the circus' with creative details, some ideas include: hanging vintage parasols from the ceiling, having a vintage popcorn cart for guests to help themselves, setting up your own kissing booth. And don't forget the vintage photobooth, this is where those 'moustaches on sticks' really belong. You can even take this one step further and create your very own circus inspired props from clown masks to bearded ladies. Instead of formal assigned seating consider giving each guest their own Circus Ticket on arrival, 'admits one' and it's pot-luck as to where they sit for dinner.
The Champagne coupe is a must for this occasion as the 1930's is when this gorgeous glass really came into fashion. Why not create your own decadent flowing champagne tower as a totally glam drinks reception. If champagne's not your thing then go wild with Moonshine cocktails, of the legal variety of course!.
So that's my take on the Vintage Circus wedding I hope you have enjoyed. It was such fun to put together, I really did drift off into this world for a few small hours….. after all wouldn't we all love to just run away and join the circus, even if it's only for one day? And if Robert Pattinson is waiting for me when I get there, well I think I may just stay there forever.
Michelle x
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Visit Michelle's Pocketful of Dreams blog for more inspiration from this clever lady, and be sure to see the other Bridal Inspiration Boards on Love My Dress here.
Much love all,
Annabel xXx
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Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
