Every aspect of your winter wedding is planned and coming together. You can hardly wait to slip into your perfect gown, backed by the colorful beauty of your dearest friends as bridesmaids. The men have picked up their tuxes. A crackling fire is a cheery greeting in the venue’s fireplace (after all, it’s 22° outside!), and things are bustling with the D.J, your trusted team of helpers, the bartender setting up the bar.
Flowers and romantic candlelight wait to delight you; your carefully-selected menu is underway in the kitchen; the getaway car is arranged; and now the photographer has arrived–a sure sign that you can stop feeling like someone should pinch you: The Day is really here. And yet as your maids lace up your gown and position your veil, something–just a flash that you can’t put your finger on–goes through your mind.
It nags you again once or twice during your preparations, then the thought is lost as things get under way and your attention is given over completely to your ceremony, the crush of congratulations, the combination of tradition–can you really be cutting your wedding cake?–emotion, and fun that is your reception. As everyone has told you it would, it whizzes by in a flash; and suddenly you’ve tossed your bouquet and your garter is being sling-shotted into the crowd of single men.
Time to go. And then the evasive little thought that tried to tapped you on the shoulder before, crystallizes into very clear focus: it’s now 20 degrees outside and you are wearing a silk dress. Even if the “escape” vehicle is warmed up and only 20 or 30 feet away, it will be 20 freezing and heavily-photographed steps; will you wrap your arms around yourself and hunch your way through the rice or bubbles, clenching your teeth instead of enjoying the moment? Will you suffer the indignity of your mom’s practical olive-green all-weather coat draped over the top of your beautiful gown?
No, and no.
If worse comes to worst and you actually find yourself in this situation, the problem is easily solved: Mr. New Hubby drapes his tux jacket over your shoulders–a protective and endearing gesture that photographs well.
But why not avoid the whole should-have, would-have, could-have scenario by putting this on your to-do list and taking care of it ahead of time? Let’s take a look at some of the options.
The storybook winter-bride would depart in a velvet cloak, lined in satin, with a hood (whether up or down) trimmed in fur (there are fabulous fauxes, these days)–particularly if there’s snow on the ground. The cloak could be full or waltz-length; or even go elbow-length and make it a cape. And the picture-perfect accompaniment for the cloak would be a matching velvet muff. The amazing thing about this cloak is that it’s not just for show; it will actually keep you covered and fairly warm. If you’re doing anything over-the-top, such as departing in a horse-drawn carriage, this IS the way to go. Velvet is costly, so if you were to find one online, be prepared to pay in the neighborhood of $200-250 for it. Because of the high price of velvet, making it (or having it made) can save you about half, but half may not be worth it for the trouble. To drop the price further, panne (crushed) velvet is a less-expensive way to go, and still gives you the look. However, it may come out a bit shinier than you’d like in the photos. Here is an example of a cloak found online; because it is of costume-quality, this cloak is probably not lined, but looks good for only $150. That brings up another possible source: if your city has a good costume-rental shop, you would likely find just what you need at a fraction of the cost.
If unable to find a muff, and it appeals to you, it could easily be made from 1 yard each of velvet or white faux fur and satin (you could theroretically make it from half the amount, but because these fabrics have a “nap” (the direction of the vertical threads that make up the fuzziness) you need to have it going the right way (it usually “lays” one direction or the other–see how two pieces of velvet, one upside-down, reflect the light differently). Cut to size, and lay the fabric, right sides together, pinning every few inches all the way around. (If you want a very “plump” look for your muff, add a layer of batting onto the back side of the satin, and pin before stitching.) Stitch, leaving a 6” opening for turning. Turn it right side out, clip excess fabric from the corners, and slip-stitch the opening in the lining closed. Turn it into its cylindrical shape by putting the right sides of the ends together and stitch by machine. Turn inside out, and slip-stitch the lining closed.
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photo credit: www.princessbridetiaras.com
Bridal shops may have bolero jackets, which may be just enough to get you to the car in comfort and in style, depending on the cut of your dress. An example from David’s Bridal is shown here. If your gown is strapless & you’re chilly, this popover jacket can be worn at the wedding and/or reception, or it can be put to use only for the dash to the waiting car. The bolero jacket would also go nicely with a matching muff.
If you want some coverage, but would like to take the easiest way out, consider a shawl made of velvet–just a long strip about 70” long (meaning it will require a seam in the center back); this should still be able to be made from 1 yard each of velvet and satin. Cut the velvet into equal strips horizontally, and make the seam in the back, and the same with the satin. As with the muff, lay the two fabrics right-sides together, pin around the edges and stitch, leaving a 6-inch opening for turning it right-side out; close the opening with hand-stitching. Lay face down on a towel on the ironing board, and press by holding the iron just above the lining (not touching), and giving it a burst of steam. This should be about 16-17” wide, a nice tidy wrap in a luxurious winter fabric, and warm enough to do the trick. If you prefer the rich look of the satin (delustered is finer), make both the outer side of the shawl AND the lining of satin, with a piece of fleece on top of the lining as you pin it together; when sewn and turned, it will be satin inside and and out, but have enough thickness with the fleece inside to provide some warmth.
Another inexpensive and adorable topper is a faux fur shoulder-shawl, such as this one from Amazon.com. Other vendors also have white, but this “silver” shade is quite elegant. Cost: $14.40, plus shipping.
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Finally–I know, I know, and I wholeheartedly agree for all the same reasons that everyone does: real fur is verboten fashion. But back in the 1940’s to the mid-60’s, this had not yet become a consideration, and the special-occasion gift of every housewife’s dreams (even my mother, I discovered much later, and she was NOT a frivolous filly) was to own at least a fur stole (like a shawl, but with just a bit more structure). And with the healthy post-war economy of that period, many of them had their dream come true, and still treasure them today. So–many brides today have grandmothers who want so much to be included or contribute something that they themselves have treasured, to a granddaughter’s wedding. If it would “make” the event for your grandmother and give her something to talk about with her friends for weeks, and a photo to cherish, why not turn it into an elegant, vintage “something borrowed” for its last five minutes of fame as you make your departure?
In exiting your winter wedding, don’t leave your last impression as a shivering blur of white broad-jumping into seat of the waiting car. Plan ahead, so you can take your time, kiss a couple of people for the last time before leaving, laugh at a bubble popping on your nose–and look fabulous.
