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Wedding Style With An Edge

Be your own knight in shining armor.

Photographer: Inge Forteyne / Stylist: Juli Alvarez / Art Director: Mary Cate Godfrey / Makeup: Deanna Melluso / Hair Miok / Styling Assistant: Lily Cunicelli / Armor: Costume Armour, Inc.

-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-

Enter Slideshow
  • Your Highness

    Your Highness

    Quinn sculpted strapless narrow ballgown, $2,000, by Besa. Couture Eel Bolero with origami peplum back, $7,200, by Monvieve. Ever More Saints Bespoke Necklace by Donna Distefano.

  • The Royal Treatment

    The Royal Treatment

    Quinn sculpted strapless narrow ballgown, $2,000, by Besa. Couture Eel Bolero with origami peplum back, $7,200, by Monvieve. Ever More Saints Bespoke Necklace by Donna Distefano.

  • Fit for a Princess

    Fit for a Princess

    Deconstructed tulle corset petticoat dress, $3,245, by Meruert Tolegen. Memento Mori sterling silver and crystal necklace Donna Distefano.

  • As You Like It

    As You Like It

    Deconstructed tulle corset petticoat dress, $3,245, by Meruert Tolegen. Memento Mori sterling silver and crystal necklace Donna Distefano.

  • Illuminati

    Illuminati

    Sheer tulle gown, $8,500, iridescent pearl-embellished belt, and armbands, all by Honor. Tulle and pearl head cage, $1,700, by Honor. Sterling silver Italian Boy Key Earring by Donna Distefano. Silver mirror Aurora 90 mules by Malone Souliers.

  • The Favorite

    The Favorite

    Tiered pleat mixed media skirt, price upon request, by Meruert Tolegen. Alaia Crystal Headband with handcut chain fringe by Lelet NY. Last Vampire sterling silver, 22K gold and diamond ring by Donna Distefano.

  • Soldiers of Love

    Soldiers of Love

    Broderie Anglaise capelet trapeze dress in pintucked and embroidered tiered Italian cotton, $5,290, by Ivy Kirk. Ring by Donna Distefano. Stretch lace sock boot with bows by Black Suede Studio.

  • Hold Court

    Hold Court

    Broderie Anglaise capelet trapeze dress in pintucked and embroidered tiered Italian cotton, $5,290, by Ivy Kirk. Coronation Japanese Akoya cultured pearl necklace with Portrait of A Lady pendant; Rings (left) Christine 22K gold, ruby, & diamond ring and Giordana 18K gold and rose-cut diamond ring, and rings (right) Alex and Albert 22K gold bands and Bedilia cultured pearl rings, all by Donna Distefano.

  • Enlightened

    Enlightened

    Rhone basque-waist gown with mosaicinspired shimmering beaded bodice, $5,670, by Enaura. Cream lace jacquard cape coat, $2,190, by Meruert Tolegen. Dorothy cultured pearl necklace by Donna Distefano.

  • Enthroned

    Enthroned

    Long sleeve Norma gown with illusion back, about $2,600, by Justin Alexander Signature. Handmade Donatella Madonna lace veil in Champagne Lustre by Monvieve.

  • Mystical

    Mystical

    Handmade Madonna Lace Ludovica Veil in Nero Argento by Monvieve.

  • Drama Queen

    Drama Queen

    Prism glass beaded gown with exaggerated structured shoulders, price upon request, by Esé Alénabor. Angel of Mercy sterling silver ring by Donna Distefano.

  • The Great

    The Great

    Dianora gown with geometric glitterpattern hand embroidery worn under the Dianora Victorian quilted mikado corset, from $7,600, both by Milla Nova. Swank cultured pearl chain with sterling silver Sirens Key pendant; Rings (right) Last Vampire ring with diamonds and Princess ring in 22K gold with garnet and diamonds, and rings (left), all by Donna Distefano.

  • Beauty Queen

    Beauty Queen

    Embroidered French lace Élysée top with shoulder cutouts, $1,800, by Galia Lahav. Rings (front) Christine 22K gold, ruby & diamond ring and Giordana 18K gold and rose-cut diamond ring; and rings (left), all by Donna Distefano.

  • Crowning Glory

    Crowning Glory

    Pearl encrusted Galene open-knotted gown and embroidered Galene veil, both price upon request, by Idan Atelier. Rings (left) Alex and Albert gold bands and 22K gold Royale ring with amethyst and diamond; Rings (right) Salvatrice garnet and diamond ring, Crowning Glory 22K gold and diamond ring, and Princess garnet and diamond ring, all by Donna Distefano.

  • Princess Charming

    Princess Charming

    Pearl encrusted Galene open-knotted gown and embroidered Galene veil, both price upon request, by Idan Atelier. Rings (left) Alex and Albert gold bands and 22K gold Royale ring with amethyst and diamond; rings (right) Salvatrice garnet and diamond ring, Crowning Glory 22K gold and diamond ring, and Princess garnet and diamond ring, all by Donna Distefano.

  • Crown Jewels

    Crown Jewels

    Dion two-piece wedding look with macrame and soft mesh cape and satin crepe trousers with crystal-encrusted tuxedo stripes, from $3,500, both from Milla Nova. Nikki Pearl Exes Headband by Lelet NY. Ring (left) Elixir of Love 22K gold and ruby ring and rings (right) Albert 22K gold band and Crowning Glory ring with diamonds, both by Donna Distefano.

  • How Do I Love Thee?

    How Do I Love Thee?

    Dion two-piece wedding look with macrame and soft mesh cape and satin crepe trousers with crystal-encrusted tuxedo stripes, from $3,500, both from Milla Nova. Nikki Pearl Exes Headband by Lelet NY. Ring (left) Elixir of Love 22K gold and ruby ring and rings (right) Albert 22K gold band and Crowning Glory ring with diamonds, both by Donna Distefano.

  • Braveheart

    Braveheart

    Sylvia diamond mesh one-shoulder gown, $2,500, by Bronx and Banco. Silver Shadows sterling silver earring with keys and Stardust sterling silver and diamond ring, both by Donna Distefano. Silver mirror Aurora 90 mules by Malone Souliers.

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Wedding Style With An Edge

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25 Ways to Include Your Mom in the Wedding

Your daughter getting married is a major milestone in a mother's life — but all too often, it's hard to determine her place in the wedding plans. Here, find 25 ways to make your mom feel special on the big day.

By: Kristen Klein

Enter Slideshow
  • Announce Your Engagement in Style

    Announce Your Engagement in Style

    Whether your parents knew it was coming or not, finding out that your daughter is officially engaged is a major milestone. Put some extra thought into how you'll announce the news.

    Photo Credit: Toni Lynn Photography

  • Choose a Special Song

    Choose a Special Song

    Is there a song your mom always sang to you as a child? Or a song that always makes you think of her? Surprise her by choosing that tune for her ceremony entrance.

    Photo Credit: Justin Beck Photography

  • Walk Down the Aisle

    Walk Down the Aisle

    Invite your mom to join you and your dad for your walk down the aisle. 

    Photo Credit: Rachel Pearlman Photography

  • Wear Her Veil

    Wear Her Veil

    Borrow your mom's veil, and make sure your photographer captures a photo of her placing it on your head.

    Photo Credit: Emindee Images

  • Something Borrowed

    Something Borrowed

    Wear a piece of your mother's jewelry on your wedding day. Bonus points if she wore that piece on her own wedding day as well. 

    Photo Credit: Unveiled Wedding Photography

  • Wear a Piece of Your Mom’s Gown

    Wear a Piece of Your Mom’s Gown

    Or wrap the stems of your bouquet with the sleeve.

    Photo Credit: Nadia D Photography

  • Wear a Piece of Your Mom

    Wear a Piece of Your Mom's Gown

    You can also turn a piece of lace into a garter.

    Photo courtesy of All The Good Girls Go To Heaven

  • Wear a Piece of Your Mom

    Wear a Piece of Your Mom's Gown

    If your mom is okay with you cutting a piece of her gown (is anyone really ever going to wear it again?), there are so many ways you can incorporate it into your own wedding-day look — like turning a piece into a pendant necklace.

    Photo Credit: Green Grass Gifts/Etsy

  • Give a Gift From the Heart

    Give a Gift From the Heart

    It's tradition to give your parents a present before the wedding, but it doesn't have to be costly. A heartfelt letter can mean more than anything.

    Photo Credit: Eternal Reflections Photography

  • Treat Her to a Pre-Wedding Spa Day

    Treat Her to a Pre-Wedding Spa Day

    Tensions run high during the wedding-planning process. Even the closest mother/daughter duo are likely to have an argument or two. Plan a day where you can melt the stress away together at a spa.  

    Photo Credit: Kip Meyer

  • Give a Toast at the Shower

    Give a Toast at the Shower

    These days, it's more and more common for the mother of the bride to host the bridal shower. Be sure to take a few minutes to thank her for her support.

    Photo Credit: Lori Studios

  • Make Her Gown-Shopping Experience Special, Too

    Make Her Gown-Shopping Experience Special, Too

    Don't let Mom's attire feel like an afterthought! Plan a special day out with just her, instead of trying to find her gown while picking out your own or while shopping with your bridesmaids. 

    Photo Credit: Amy Aiello Photography

  • Take Her Gown Shopping

    Take Her Gown Shopping

    Your mom will be completely honest with you about what looks good (and what doesn't), and there's nothing better than seeing the look on her face when you've found "the one."

    Photo Credit: Photo Love Photography

  • Hit Up Bridal Shows Together

    Hit Up Bridal Shows Together

    Back when Mom got married — in the pre-Internet days — bridal shows were the best way to discover local vendors. Attending shows together will likely serve as a fun bonding experience that'll bring back memories of her own wedding-planning process.

  • Gift a Photo Album

    Gift a Photo Album

    Don't forget to give her some pictures from the big day! Work with your photographer to create a mini parent album.

    Photo courtesy of Something Turquoise

  • Celebrate a Post-Wedding Brunch

    Celebrate a Post-Wedding Brunch

    Extend the celebration by enjoying brunch together the day after the wedding.

    Photo Credit: Inspired By This

  • Use Her Cake Topper

    Use Her Cake Topper

    Vintage cake toppers are back in style; go for the real deal and borrow the topper from your parents' wedding.

    Photo Credit: William Walker Photography

  • Create Meaningful Favors

    Create Meaningful Favors

    Whether you bake something together, handcraft the packaging, or just add tags to pre-made favors, work together with your mom to make it special.

    Photo Credit: Lynette Smith Photography

  • Give Her Your Bouquet

    Give Her Your Bouquet

    Instead of tossing your bouquet, present it to your mom. 

    Photo Credit: Angel Canary Photography

  • Showcase Her Favorite Recipe

    Showcase Her Favorite Recipe

    Is your mom known for her cooking? Have your caterer recreate one of her favorite recipes to serve during the cocktail hour or reception.

    Photo courtesy of Beechwood Inn

  • Play Her Wedding Song

    Play Her Wedding Song

    If she and your father are still married, make sure your DJ plays their wedding song and dedicates it to them.

    Photo Credit: Ira Lippke Studios

  • Mother/Daughter Dance

    Mother/Daughter Dance

    There's the first dance, the father/daughter dance, the mother/son dance… why not add a mother/daughter dance? 

    Photo Credit: Jared Wilson Photography

  • Display Family Wedding Photos

    Display Family Wedding Photos

    Honor your past by putting family wedding photos on display.

    Photo Credit: Kim Fox Photography

  • Multi-Generational Photos

    Multi-Generational Photos

    Gather your mom and your grandma for some photos you'll all treasure.

    Photo Credit: Joshua McCoy Photography

  • Blessing of the Rings

    Blessing of the Rings

    Before you and your new husband exchange rings, invite your mom to say a special blessing to commemorate your marriage.

    Photo Credit: Pinola Photography

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25 Ways to Include Your Mom in the Wedding

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