What to Wear to a Spring Wedding

The Scene

Jean Bean and I weren't the type of little girls that dreamed about big weddings. I wrote about that four years ago when we went wedding dress shopping (rather awkwardly) after she got engaged.



Sure, boys were cute and all but Bean and I were more the type of little girls who loved us some books. We dreamed about writing them some day. We still do.




So on her wedding day, the sight of her slipping into her wedding dress while her nieces intently read their books, made me smile as I choked up.

It was an incredibly intimate, low-key wedding---the best kind if you ask me.




It was also incredibly emotional. The father of JB's fiancee lost his battle with cancer just two weeks before the wedding. He was to be Texas Cowboy's best man.

The minister, a high school friend of Bean's, did a BEAUTIFUL job of weaving TC's father into the celebration of their love.



Reminding us all that at times our saddest moments converge with our happiest. That's just life.

Commitment is about supporting each other through the bad, cherishing the good and surviving everything in between. Jean Bean and I are blessed to have found two men who have stood by our sides through it all---through our greatest triumphs and our greatest tragedies. 

That day, I realized just how much these men have shaped who we've become.  Helping them through their darkest moments, handing them the best part of ourselves has changed us.




It's made us stronger and wiser and more giving. It's transformed us from the girls we once were into the women we are today.

I was 18 when I met Mr. Diabolina and Jean Bean.
And I was 30 when I met Texas Cowboy.




Yet, I can barely remember a time when they weren't all a part of my heart.




I can't wait for the next chapter of our story.


The Wedding Outfits


The bride of all brides wore Carolina Herrera. After all, this is a woman who has spent most of her career on Paris runways. It's her job to know an exquisite dress when she sees it ;)



With sparkly Manolos underneath





The Herrera was perfect. Simply stunning.

Delicious from every angle.





Best of all: scored at a sample sale for mere pennies.
One of the benefits of being tiny and working in the fashion industry

Another benefit: getting your gorgeous make-up did at Neiman Marcus for your wedding.






Her Dior lips and lashes were KILLING me all day.

Also killing me: these baby dolls. JB's nieces.  Best dressed guests.

Learned it from their STUNNING mama---Jean Bean's sister.

Who learned it from her momma---the only tiny momma who rivals mine in cuteness. Adore.her.face!



Best dressed non-family guests: JB's college besties. Perfect floral and Missoni prints for a spring wedding. The three girls became friends when they all studied abroad for a semester. In Paris. Obvi.

 I wore BCBG to my best friend's wedding. Asymmetrical neckline, drapey, floral, easy. Stella McCartney emerald clutch and my nude Louboutin heels, Neiman Marcus purchased (duh!) 

Loved the necklace. A little LA Fashion District find.  Made the whole afternoon-wedding look less precious, more fierce.



Had to bring it for my favorite fashionista.




The Wedding Guest Inspiration 

Fall 2010 Trend: How to Wear Camel

Nearly five years ago I found the holy grail of coats while thrifting. I couldn't believe my luck. It was in pristine condition, slim cut, an ideal length, a cashmere blend and CAMEL. 

I couldn't believe someone had let go of such a classic wardrobe staple. 

And I REALLY couldn't believe the price: $40.

I was smitten.

That was right around the same time that I befriended a guy at work who was pretty and funny and a rocket scientist.  When I met his girlfriend who was even prettier, funnier and smarter, I went completely gaga. Forget the holy grail of camel coats, I'd found the holy grail of couples ;)

Fast forward to October 2010 and I had the honor of watching two of the loveliest people I know become Mr. and Mrs. Golden.  The wedding was exquisite, on a gorgeous day, against the stunning backdrop of California wine country. Perfection.

The reception was outside and went late into the drunken evening.  And as a lady of a certain age, I had some trouble, um, regulating my body temperature.   

Enter my camel coat to the rescue.




I'd basically whip the coat off for pictures or dance parties and then snuggle back into it whenever I could.

I convinced myself I didn't look like a fuddy duddy geriatric
because camel coats are one of the hottest fall 2010 trends.
So there hot young chicks who never had to put on a coat.

The only snug as a bug in a rug option that might have been fiercer

would've been a camel CAPE. Ugh.  I need.

Also on the Diabolina wish list: those red and camel Valentinos.

An old, cold lady can dream can't she?