Mood: elegant, moody
Palette: midnight black, gold pumpkins, candle white
For my annual Halloween inspiration board, I wanted to avoid anything too obvious, so I chose a gold and black palette (instead of orange and black), and let the main decor be pumpkins painted gold plus lots and lots of candles. Other little details nod to the spooky holiday without being theme-y: a skull-and-crossbones bow tie, and a gorgeous gown reminiscent of a spider web.
On a totally separate note: Sending all my thoughts to everyone on the East Coast – I hope that everyone weathered the storm safely, and that things go back to normal very soon!
When I was brainstorming inspiration board ideas for Halloween, I kept thinking of Pierrot and Harlequin, and was inspired to created something from that. Pierrot’s costume was the main inspiration here. His ruffled collar and cuffs inspired a dramatic ruffled wedding gown. The black-and-white palette made me think of whimsical chalkboard typography and calligraphy, but I also added some pale pink for a little romance. Pierrot’s pom poms made me think of this dark chocolate truffle-studded wedding cake, and his painted face translates to real life in the form of black wing-tip liquid eyeliner.
So what do you think? Could you pull inspiration from such an unexpected source?
Every year I try to come up with a new way of imagining a Halloween wedding, and this year I was inspired by the idea of a masquerade ball (I can’t tell you how badly I want to attend a formal masquerade party!). Instead of anything overtly Halloween-y, I opted for a black and white palette and couture masks (I couldn’t resist the skull-and-crossbones bow tie). Candelabra centerpieces, gorgeous gowns, and a parade of sparkling cakes all play into the drama of an event like this. Really, there’s no reason this inspiration board has to be limited to a wedding – if anyone decides to throw a black tie masquerade ball, just say the word…
Mood: dramatic elegance
Palette: white silk, black lace
Top row from left: masquerade party from Vogue December 1997, chocolate cake with coconut cream from Woman’s Day, black lace half mask from Valentino Row 2: photo of black bow tie with skulls via Ritzy Bee, white bouquet with black ribbon from Martha Stewart Weddings Row 3: tulle gown with black opera gloves by Vera Wang via This is Glamorous, black tulle party dress by Oscar de la Renta via A White Carousel, white calligraphy on black paper by Bernard Maisner Row 4: Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, miniature wedding cakes with sparklers from Fete NY
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Isn’t there something totally creepy about Victorian-era things? This inspiration board is probably more appropriate for a Halloween party than a wedding, but why not. Haunted gothic manors, Victorian hairstyles and dress, apothecary bottles and tonic labels, ravens and masks. And Edgar Allen Poe, of course. Anyone have Halloween plans that look anything like this? Oh, and just for fun, check out these witchy, ghosty pics.
Mood: Victorian Gothic
Palette: black, white, sepia, red
Top row from left: creepy tree from Westchester Photographic Society, black and red candy apples by Mattbites, photograph of Victorian lady, abandoned manor
Row 2: photo of women with masques by Ellen von Unwerth, Victorian tonic labels
Row 3: black and white cameo via Newport Weddings, Victorian carte-de-visite, raven and birdcage from Better Homes and Gardens, etching of Victorian Gothic house, portrait of Edgar Allen Poe
Row 4: “poison” wine labels from Martha Stewart Crafts, apothecary bottles from Modern 50, Carter’s advertisement with crow via Welcome Collection, Gould Mansion via New York Social Diary
In some ways, today’s feature is an ode to a dress, but I also love sharing a couple’s wedding day story in their own words, especially when it is put as beautifully as this one was. I enjoyed reading this lovely story from Dmitra and Pascal as much as I enjoyed their amazing wedding ensembles (photographed by the talented Jude Mooney)…
“Dmitra and Pascal finally decided to get married on their 10 year anniversary. Pascal is French and sometimes feels he was born in the wrong century, so they chose to have 18th century ensembles created. She wanted lush and gorgeous clothing that wasn’t too theatrical, while he wanted to retain his punk rock aesthetic. Master San Francisco costume designer and couturier Todd Roehrman helped the couple hone in on their vision through historical costume research, creating sketches and sifting through fabrics. Dmitra’s dress featured a fully hand-built embroidered silk corset and cascading, hand-made silk flowers, one of Roehrman’s specialties. He also created a striking pheasant feather headdress and velvet collar, finished with period silk brocade and buckle shoes. Todd added industrial zipper piping, large clasps and silk flowers to Pascal’s gentleman’s frock coat and pants, paired with an embroidered silk vest and the quintessential black boots. Everyone else got to wear whatever they wanted, which made for an eclectic and originally bedecked audience. The ceremony and reception were held on a friend’s private ranch near Sonoma, surrounded by ancient oak trees and rolling hills. The couple ended the ceremony by jumping over a manzanita broom made by a friend in the African American tradition of Dmitra’s heritage. They have a 9 year old son, Keda Dawn, who would not wear his fancy Indian suit but did come down out of the oak tree to put the rings on his parents.”
Dmitra shares her favorite reading from the ceremony, an Egyptian song dating from 1300-1100BCE, found inscribed on a vase in hieroglyphs and adapted by Robert Haas: This love is as good as oil and honey to the throat / as linen to the body, as fine garments to the gods / as incense to worshippers when they enter in / as the little seal-ring to my finger / it is like a ripe pear in a man’s hand / it is like the dates we mix with wine / it is like the seeds the / baker adds to the bread. / We will be together even when old age comes. / And the days in / between will be like food set before us, / dates and honey, bread and wine.
It’s so wonderful to see such a unique wedding, that is such a reflection of the couple. Thank you so much to Jude Mooney for sharing these photos, and to Dmitra and Pascal for sharing the story of the day!
