Cake- Sweet Cakes
Culinary- Kneaders
Design- Forevermore Events
Dress- Lauren James Bridal
Floral- Bloomers
Hair and Makeup- Jaclyn Lamoreaux
Head Piece- L Madsen Design
Jewelry- Bella Donna Boutique
Photography- Gideon Photography
Props- Main St Antiques
Stationery- Kortney Eggertz Design
Venue- Seven Wives Inn
Video- NP Films
By Katie Ellis
If you’re looking for the freshest and hippest wedding, you might want to draw inspiration from the turn-of-the century and we’re not talking about Y2K. It may seem a bit ironic that one of the latest trends in wedding themes actually dates back to the period from 1890-1910. These are the same years when the Wright brothers took to the friendly skies in the first powered airplane, when Susan B. Anthony led the way for a woman’s right to vote, and when Utah was admitted as the 45th state in the country.
These two decades were also known as the birthplace for an international style of art and architecture called Art Nouveau, which is French for “new art.” And this idea of “new art” has been made new again as inspiration for the weddings of today.
Ethereal Atmosphere
To understand the style of Art Nouveau, you must look to mother earth as much of the architecture, jewelry, and fashion were inspired by nature. Buildings were constructed in asymmetrical shapes with arches and decorative surfaces covered with curved, plant-like designs.
First, consider your wedding venue. Try selecting a location that will provide that ethereal and light feeling. Outdoor spaces might provide the best marriage of nature and function for your own marriage.
Enchanted Attire
During the turn of the 20th century, skirts belled out and flowed like blossoming flowers. For your wedding gown, pick the mermaid style, one that gently flares out around your knee like the shape of a calla lily. As for the bodice, try to find something embroidered with soft and subtle buds.
Also popular were ornate jeweled headdresses and headbands that came down over the forehead and resembled soft vines circling the crown. You can choose a flowing veil with soft lines or forego the veil altogether and select a jeweled headpiece covered in curved floral shapes to provide that enchanted feeling.
For other accessories and jewelry, you might need to take a field trip to an area Indian reservation. In the early 1900s, gemstones like turquoise, opal and other semi precious stones found in the earth’s crust created the focal point for pendants, earrings and bracelets. Gemstones will also allow you to create a subtle pop of color for your wedding day look.
Elegant Artistry
Glass was a popular artistic medium during the Art Nouveau period. Many artists found tremendous expression through their use of stained glass. To translate this artistic style to your modern day wedding, you might want to consider trying a stained glass effect on your cake. Just a warning though, with such elegant artistry sculpted in fondant and painted in food coloring, it might be too pretty to eat.
Art was often two dimensional in the Art Nouveau movement. Advertisements, posters, labels, and magazines were painted, drawn, and even printed. Your invitations are a great starting point for incorporating this style. Simply do a web search on Art Nouveau fonts and you will begin to understand the sweeping lines and feminine features of the letters.
You may even go as far as having an artist render a painting of you and your fiancé that resembles the advertisements from this era. The artwork could then be displayed at your reception or featured in your wedding invitation.
The most important thing to remember in creating an Art Nouveau inspired wedding is harmony. A pleasing and coordinated arrangement of all your wedding details will allow your guests to journey back to a simpler time where nature and life came together to create a peaceful, serene and beautiful atmosphere.
