What the bridesmaid wore....

Wedding week for the older bridesmaid

 

 

 

 

Being asked to be my dear friend's bridesmaid is such a privilege.  And although I'm fast approaching the dreaded five..O, there is still a sense of wanting to look your best for your friend's special event.

When shopping for something to wear over these last few months, I've become very aware that there is a massive gap in fashion for the woman of a certain, fabulous age.  There is a definite feeling that one is traversing a dangerous path between mutton dressed as lamb, and grabbing that old Osti dress out of my late grandmother's wardrobe.  Osti was an iconic Australian brand in the 1970s that made its way across the ditch to New Zealand.  I suspect the popularity was that these dresses were wash and wear...I mean, who would dare put an iron near the synthetic fabric?  What every happened to Osti?  Who wouldn't want to wear a completely non-breathable fabric in the middle of Sumer?  Hmmm...was it ever fashionable to wear a polyester dress that both statically clung to every part of a woman's body, and endangered the wearer to spontaneously combust if she walked too close to an open flame?  Yet they sell like hot-cakes on E-bay and Trade-me.  So if you find any Osti dresses hiding in your grandmother's wardrobe, grab 'em.  You could be sitting on a polyester goldmine.

Anyhow, I digress.  This blog is more of a lead up to the wedding for me, than about the wedding itself.  That's the bride's story, not mine.  And as she is not into social media, there will be no posting of her or her wedding dress (which is absolutely gorgeous) on any of my sites.  I also asked for the bride's permission before I started writing this blog.

So starting with the Saturday before...the bridal shower.  Something dressy, but as I was co-hosting, something that was also comfortable as I was going to be standing for most of the night.  I also threw my hair up in a bun as the colour was in desperate need of being done, and my hair has the consistency of straw when it is in-between colours (yay for grey!!!).




Dress - Capture from Ezibuy
Shoes - Katie and Me (brought second hand - but brand new with labels)
Necklace - Max Fashions



Tuesday - at home hair dye kit - I love having my hair coloured in a salon, but I don't like paying for that particular experience as my hair is very thick and grows fast (roots require a touch-up every four weeks at the very least).  I have used many products over the years but find that good old Nice and Easy gives me the colour I want for a pretty good price.  However, I am battling to keep the greys covered.



Wednesday - a very busy day with a hair consultation at Mods, manicure and pedicure at Nicola Quinn, then the Wedding Rehearsal.  I went for a casual, comfortable look as we were going to be on our feet all day, and the weather turned from warm to a cold wind later in the day.  I love a cross shoulder bag, and while this one is very casual, it meant I could go "hands free" for the day.  The jandals were thrown in for post-pedicure.



Dress - Emerge from Ezibuy
Denim Jacket - Siren
Black Sandles - Isabella Anselmi
Jandals - no label (hand-me-down from a friend)
Black Bag - Tango
Silver Hoops - unknown (code for I can't remember)

Nicola Quinns

for Pedi and French Polish Manicure (is it ever nice to see someone's foot?)



 But the best bit was the bubbles and nibbles waiting for us in the Hush Lounge.  Photo would have looked better if I had taken it before we started eating....but we were hungry!

Thursday - trip to the gym, then off to my beauty therapist, Carkia from Cariche Beauty.  Brow shape and brow/lash tint.  This will cover me for the wedding on Saturday.  I am also away to a warm climate next week (for two weeks) for work, and will be wearing minimal makeup, so having my brows and lashes done gives my eyes a lift.  I certainly don't like using liners and eyeshadows in high humidity/high temperature environments.

Friday - gym then final prep at my friend's house (they are having an "at home" wedding).  Back to my place with the bride to be for a glass a bubbles and some much deserved relaxation for the both of us.

Saturday - the big day.  We started the morning with a power walk as we both find exercise a great way to settle the nerves.  Back to my place for poached eggs and salmon on toast with Bollinger...nothing better than Bollie for a pre-wedding breakfast.

Off to Mods for our up-dos...

Dress - Demgirl (brought second hand)
Slip - But Different from Frederick Ashley
Shoes - Bellini

Then to Nicki Quinn for our make-up.

Back to my place to get ready.  Mother and sister of-the-bride turned up with some much needed sustenance.  

Time to get ready....

Dress - David Lawrence (brought on-line)
Shoes - Forever New
Earrings - a gift from the bride (chosen by one of her nieces)

 

 

 

 

Essentials - heel caps (as we will be walking across grass) and wine...of course!

Day after the wedding - had plans for a quick session at the gym, however I decided that sleep was probably a lot more beneficial.  Back to the newly "Mr and Mrs" for a post wedding catch-up and opening of the gifts. 

Dress - Grace Hill from Ezibuy
Bolero Cardi - Jacqui E
Shoes - Number 1
Earrings - a gift from the bride (chosen by one of her nieces)



Me - looking a bit worse for wear!

Looking at what clothing I pulled out of my wardrobe for this week, it appears that Ezibuy is my friend.  They have clothing (mostly dresses) that I enjoy wearing.  I feel that being an older bridesmaid does not mean that you have to be frumpy.  It's fun to dress up occasionally, and leave that "active wear" in the drawers for the time-being ("active wear" being code for old sweat pants and t-shirts)

And finally, what a wonderful honour it was to be chosen by my friend to be her bridesmaid.  It was a perfect day for a wonderful couple. 

Things to remember -

• Take a pair of comfortable shoes for the day of the wedding (towards the end of the evening I raided my friend's wardrobe to grab a pair of jandals...the Kiwi name for flip-flops)
• Heel caps made a pair of high heels comfortable by giving more stability to the shoe and adding a level of cushioning.  They also stopped the fabric heels of the shoe from being ruined
• Have a tissue at the ready - thank goodness for the lovely celebrant Jo (www.jomcerlain.nz and jmcerlain@outlook.co.nz)  who had a tissue to hand to me when I got a little teary...okay, it was more like blubbering!  But the vows were so lovely. 
• Have fun, throw yourself into the festivities and enjoy yourself
• And most importantly - be there for the bride - it's her day after all - I was so lucky to be part of the celebration

  

 

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