A fresh and eye-catchingly beautiful approach to a wedding gown is a long white dress with a graceful neckline and spaghetti straps, topped by a gathered silk short jacket trimmed in white fur that can be worn again and again, $499; and finished with lovely earrings of pearl encircled with rhinestones, $79, both from Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 866-9666). To complete the look, she's wearing strappy sandals with rhinestone accents by Martinez Valero, $132, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367; 1400 Poydras St., 561-1100; 806 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-0025). See description of tuxedo on p. XX.
The bride will be all smiles when she sees her husband-to-be in this pleated-front shirt by Nigel White, black bow tie, matching black cufflinks and button covers, a button-front silver-and-black patterned vest, and suspenders with leather buttoners for the first two layers of this classic wedding tuxedo. A shawl-collar jacket and pleated-front pants with a side stripe and, of course, patent leather shoes complete the outfit, $80 for 24-hour rental (all inclusive), from Perlis (6070 Magazine St., 895-8661; 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 674-1711).
Also shown on the cover: The popular style for wedding dresses today is simple lines, elegant but minimal ornamentation and alternative headpieces. This off-white silk wedding gown melds traditional lines and a long train with more contemporary embellishments of gold and cream embroidery and iridescent crystal beads on the fitted bodice with spaghetti straps, $1,175. The perfect accompaniment is a wide choker made of three sizes of pearls woven into a lovely lattice design, $329; all from Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 866-9666).
There's something irresistibly romantic about a man dressed formally in tails. This tuxedo features a fitted back with pleat buttons and pleated-front tuxedo slacks with a side stripe. It is coupled with a crisp white pleated shirt (see front view on p. XX), vest, bow tie, and cufflinks and button covers. White gloves and black patent-leather shoes included, $80 for 24-hour rental (all inclusive), from Perlis (6070 Magazine St., 895-8661; 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 674-1711).
Bridesmaids (left) will never mind wearing shades of pink in your wedding if you select a strapless lilac, drop-waist gown with an abbreviated split train and a subtle gather and bow in the back by Vera Wang, $390, from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367; 1400 Poydras St., 561-1100; 806 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-0025).
The bride gives her friend one last look at her ring set before she sets off on her honeymoon. To get her there in style, she's chosen a flatteringly fitted white suit with top stitching and bell sleeves on the jacket, $895, and a fitted skirt, $295, by Italian designer Gianfranco. She completed her outfit with gold earrings with a pearl drop by Diane Katzman, $65, and a matching necklace, $355; all from Rubenstein Bros. Women's Store (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; 5700 Read Blvd., The Plaza, 242-2880; www.rbros@rubensteinbros.com).
Friends celebrate an upcoming wedding with a rehearsal dinner at Lemongrass in the International House hotel. Suitable for any special occasion is a black Italian silk suit by Armani, $1,495; with a white dress shirt by Kenneth Cole, $65; and a silver silk tie by Armani, $95; all from Rubenstein Bros. (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; 5700 Read Blvd., The Plaza, 242-2880; www.rbros@rubensteinbros.com). The women have donned long and short versions of three-piece suits that can be used as fashion separates or coupled with other coordinating pieces after the wedding and are great as party apparel, or mother-of-the-bride (or groom) outfits.
Choose from a peach-colored contoured jacket, $355; a strapless top with a fabric basket-weave design, $345; and a knee-length skirt with a triangle basket-weave fabric accent at the hem, $210. Shades of blue and aqua intermingle in a wrap bustier that ties in the back, $270; worn over a long aqua skirt, $250; and matching long-sleeve aqua jacket with a contrasting baby blue collar, $300; all by designer Marisa Baratelli. A seven-strand crystal and silver wrap-around necklace adds drama, $200. Both outfits from Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367; 1400 Poydras St., 561-1100; 806 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-0025).
As sleek as silver and ready to go almost anywhere is a shiny silver suit by Peter Cohen with circles top-stitched on the front of the jacket, $660. A knee-length straight skirt, $460, and elegant white blouse, $275, complete the vision. For emphasis, she's added a double-strand of pearls with a vintage clasp by Diane Katzman, $310, and a matching bracelet, $320. All from Rubenstein Bros. Women's Store (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; 5700 Read Blvd., The Plaza, 242-2880; www.rbros@rubensteinbros.com).
It's hard to go wrong with a classic shawl-collar tuxedo, especially when it comes from designer Ermenegildo Zegna, $1,950. It's accented with a cummerbund and bow-tie in a black-and-silver geometric design by Novia, $125, all from Rubenstein Bros. (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; 5700 Read Blvd., The Plaza, 242-2880; www.rbros@rubensteinbros.com).
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All photographs were shot on location at the International House hotel lobby, Lemongrass Cafe, and Loa bar. Swirling lobby topiaries were provided by Urban Earth.
Models: Kasey Bazil for del Corral, Sofia Cassis, and Shaun Vincent for Model & Talent Plus
Hair: Jonathon Baxter and Patty Toledo for Paris Parker Salon and Spa
Makeup: Gina Miller and Tosha Lafont for Paris Parker Salon and Spa
SOURCES:
Ballin's Ltd. (721 Dante St., 866-4367; 1400 Poydras St., 561-1100; 806 E. Boston St., Covington, 892-0025)
Del Corral (130 S. Telemachus St., 486-6335)
International House Hotel (221 Camp St., 553-9550)
Lemongrass (221 Camp St., International House Hotel, 553-9550)
Loa (221 Camp St., International House Hotel, 553-9550)
Perlis (6070 Magazine St., 895-8661; 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 674-1711)
Romney Photography (By appointment, 366-1808)
Rubenstein Bros. (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; 5700 Read Blvd., The Plaza, 242-2880; www.rbros@rubensteinbros.com)
Sofia Cassis (By appointment, 905-5934)
Urban Earth (1528 Jackson Ave., 524-0100)
Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 866-9666)
