Bells

April 2018

ELOPEMENTS The New Norm?

A Preview of BHLDN’s Designer Collection

Spring Bridal Trends for 2019

Wedding Day Beauty Secrets

What's Inside...

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A letter from our Editor-in-Chief Spring Bridal Trends

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6

The Bells Beauty Edit

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A sneak peek of the new BHLDN designer collection

12 Has eloping become the new normal? BELLS investigates.

On the Cover: Gown by Rue De Seine Bridal Photo: Pinterest

Editors Corner To my lovely BELLS Brides,

Welcome to our April 2018 edition!

Spring happens to be my favorite season I love watching new life bloom, and to see people emerge from their winter hibernation (which I’m sure all of you are in the process of as you read this note).

The start of this month brought us to New York Bridal Fashion Week, where designers showed their Spring 2019 collections (and did not disappoint). Some of our favorite trends are highlighted in this edition, so if you’re here in search of the perfect ensemble, this is the jackpot. I dare you to be bold in your choices: think outside the box, play with color, and embrace textures.

At BELLS, we don’t push values or concepts — we’re inspired by love, and embrace it in all forms. Within these pages, there’s an exploration of how and why traditional wedding schemes have shifted. In an age driven by oversharing on social media, a lack of patience, and the #MeToo movement, it seems as though millenials are scrapping a large number of common practices when saying “I do.”

BELLS is here to guide you through the process of planning a celebration of your unity, whether it’s an intimate cermony on a mountaintop or a roaring party with a 200+ guest list. There is endless inspiration throughout these pages - my hope is that you take it and run.

Cheers!

Paris Adams, Editor-in-Chief

Spring 2019 Bridal Trends

By Paris Adams

A BELLS Bride knows to never let her personal style be compromised by traditional perceptions of how a bride should dress. When choosing what to wear while at the altar, let yourself be guided by what feels the most fun and natural to you. But if you’re still having trouble, we’ve compiled a guide to some of our favorite alternative trends.

Celestial Adornments For spring, take inspiration from the night sky by incorporating celestial accents throughout your wedding day beauty, hair, and fashion. Gowns with intricate constellation embroidery or beaded clusters which trickle downwards are key in this trend. Simpler gowns pair well with veils featuring gilded star accents or crystal and pearl embellishments. When incorporating the trend into your beauty look, go for glittery eyes and a loose, wispy updo.

Pictured: The Orion Dress from Willowby

by Watters, $1,995.

Something Blues

Photo courtesy of Leanne Marshall

Photo: Pinterest

Blush is finally taking its departure from the bridal circuit, and in its place comes cool tones of blues and lavender. Many gowns shown on the spring 2019 bridal runways featured accents of these colors through whimsical embroidery or layers of silk tulle.

Pictured: Wedding gown by Leanne Marshall from her Spring 2019 collection.

GoUndercover

Wear thePants

Photo: Mike Colon for Brides

Capes and capelets can be tossed over your shoulders for drama and mystique, and add regency to your wedding day fashion. Some are adorned with pearls and crystals, and others feature sleek tailoring and rich fabrics. For some, pairing a cape with their gown can take the place of a traditional veil, but capes can also be a great add-on piece for photographs and receptions. Pictured: a wedding gown and cape by Berta, from their Spring 2019 runway collection.

Pant suits, sets, and separates —oh my!— are a major trend, and they’re here to stay. This seasons take on the trend featured finely tailored separates and jumpsuits in tones of ivory, some embellished with crystals and pearls, others featuring removable overskirts and trains. Not only is a tailored jumpsuit comfortable, the variety of silhouettes are made to be flattering on every woman. Opting for pants is practical and chic, and in the era of #MeToo, wearing pants at the altar feels right. Pictured: a two-piece set by Lela Rose, from their Spring 2019 bridal collection.

Photo: Taylor Jewell for Brides

By Paris Adams

Spirit Fingers

Hands play a much larger role in weddings than people give credit for, so your nails should stand out. Break away from the typical French manicure and instead opt for statement making polish. If you’re planning on keeping the rest of your makeup subdued, have fun with color. Choose a polish to emphasize the color scheme, or a specific flower in your bouquet.

Deeper tones of grey or slate blue show up well in photography, yet they don’t overpower, which makes them a great option over tropical shades. For a fun and modern take on a traditional French manicure, go with geometric nail art in neutral shades. Drop a subtle hint by keeping the design on the ring fingers only, and have your nail artist add glitter or an embellishment to it.

terest

rest Photo: Pinte

Your tresses are just as important as the rest of your wedding day beauty, why not let them stand out? Use your locks as a canvas for unique details on your special day, and have fun with combs, halos, and crowns. Whether it’s in addition to or in lieu of a veil, hair accessories serve as an additional touch which add intrigue and sparkle. Weaving a delicate vine of beads and gems through a loose braid adds romance, and dainty halos or celestial themed hair pins bring an ethereal touch. For something more natural, ask your florist to craft a hairpiece for you out of leftover flowers and greenery. These pieces can be found online at BHLDN. com, custom made by a jeweler or florist, or passed down as your something borrowed.

est Pinter Photo:

The Mane Event

The Glow

Give a WinQ

Eyelash extensions are the clear choice for brides who want a natural, nofuss makeup look, and WinQ Lash Bar in Boston can give you exactly that.

Upon arrival, you’re matched with a professional stylist and given a private room. Each set is customized to your specific needs, which you and your stylist determine together. The application process takes around 1-2 hours, and once it’s started you’re free to lie down, relax, and let your mind wander.

Once applied, the extensions won’t budge or smudge the way false lashes or mascara do, and they’ll last throughout the busy weekend (and beyond). To book an appointment, call 617-505-5358.

Photo: Pin

[BELLS Beauty Edit]

Floral & Event Design Across New England Based in Cambridge, MA hello@stillflowers.com (617) 575-9145

THE DESIGNER COLLECTIVE Ready-to-wear bridal brand BHLDN has launched an exclusive collection of designer gowns.

By Paris Adams

Model: Whitney Talsma Styling: Emily Desisto Photos: Sam Green

Anthropologie’s popular bridal brand

BHLDN (pronounced beholden), has recently launched its limited edition capsule, The Designer Collective.

The collective features an expertly curated collection of eighteen gowns by celebrated bridal designers Liz Martinez, Johanna Johnson, Costarellos, Theia, Daughters of Simone, and Rime Arodaky.

Each gown was carefully selected to capture the essence of the BHLDN bride, with vintage inspired details, bohemian lace, romantic layers of tulle and effortless silhouettes.

BHLDN is known for its non-traditional selection of gowns, which all fall within a lower price range, making it a great option for brides on a budget. However, The Designer Collective comes at a higher cost than

BHLDN’s usual selection, with gowns ranging from $1,800-$4,000.

Brides looking to get their hands on one of these gowns have two options: 1. Book an appointment at one of the traveling trunk shows, which will be held throghout the Summer in BHLDN’s across the country.

2. Order the gown online, and have no fear with BHLDN’s generous 30 day return policy.

The Designer Collective is available for pre-prder now online, and trunk shows will begin early May. Appointments can be booked online through BHLDN or by calling the location directly.

On Whitney: The Kerry Gown by Johanna Johnson. $2,580 at BHLDN.com.

COLLECTIVE

THE DE-

On Whitney: The Sondrin Gown by Liz Martinez. $3,950 at BHLDN.com.

On Whitney: The Shaw Gown by Costarellos. $2,235 at BHLDN.com.

Eloping: the New Normal?

A look into why millennials choose to elope, and how they do it.

By Paris Adams

On March 2 2018, Claire and Wei Luo jump excitedly inside of Cambridge City Hall.

They land and exhale a sigh of relief, because they have just been married. No fuss, no extravagant costs - only their love. Photos by Rachel Leiner.

A nor’easter has hit Boston— hard. It’s early March, and winds are gusting well over 50 miles per hour.

About four inches of rain will fall during the three day storm. Yet on this raw, blustery Friday (March 2, 2018), Claire Vargas and Weijian Luo are happily ascending the steps of Cambridge City Hall, where they have chosen to elope. They don’t mind the freezing rain; Claire is wearing open toe sandals, Wei left without his raincoat. All the young couple can focus on is how in a little over 30 minutes, they will be Mr. and Mrs. Luo. And, after all, rain on your wedding day is meant to bring good luck. Imagine what a monstrous nor’easter will bring.

Claire and Weijian—Wei for short—Luo are a millennial couple, both age 23. Claire is from a small town in Ohio, and Wei is from Shenzhen, China.

They met in college, at the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, and became engaged in August of 2017 in the middle of their move to Boston. Claire quickly began wedding planning, and yet somewhere along the way the couple decided to join ranks with many more millennial couples, ditching the wedding to

simply elope. Their celebration of marriage is still set for May 26 2018, except now they can relax.

Elopements were once considered a taboo: a rebellion against family or, perhaps, a rushed decision fueled by alcohol, unexpected pregnancies. Now, in 2018, the millennial generation has once again flipped the switch on traditional standards within society. Elopements have become a common practice for young couples like the Luo’s, due to factors such as cost, timeliness, and of course: the power of sharing through social media. But it may also have something to do with the far more relaxed attitude many millennials exude. So why exactly are elopements so popular nowadays?

First, we must define the term elopement, and acknowledge how its meaning has evolved. To elope technically means to escape, and what one is escaping from (or to), is up to interpretation. A quick Google search for “elope” yields the result: “run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent.” Yet Merriam-Webster’s website says, “Elope appears to have become shorthand for ‘small des-

tination wedding,’ ‘wedding that is not financially to eloping is, Mrs. Luo simply said, “It really takes insane,’ or ‘wedding that allows us to not invite all out all these stressful equations, and it’s just you and the people we would rather not invite.’ This certainly the person you want to marry— that’s it.” With less differs from the ‘disapproving parents and sudden witnesses and little to no attention paid to details, a questionable decisions’ sense of the word.” Modern private elopement takes the pressure away. Mrs. Luo day elopements have become a way for couples to esfound wedding planning to be more stress than excape the stresses of planning a wedding, and celebrate pected, saying, “You know, initially we were planning their love in a more intimate way. Now, let us delve just a really small, intimate wedding [I thought] that into the three main reasons millennials are eloping. it would be really simple. Like okay: flowers, food, The Money venue, that I could do it myself. But there’s a lot

The choice to elope is more to it than that. Even if you largely in part due to how much “It really takes out have a smaller headcount, it’s a wedding can cost. “Weddings still the same amount of work.” all these stressful In terms of intimacy, elopements are too expensive. I think it’s criminal how expensive everyallow for a more romantic and equations, thing is,” said Mrs. Luo. In an private moment between bride and it’s just you and and groom. Due to their priannual study conducted by The Knot, a survey of 13,000 people the person you want vate nature, eloping can provide married in 2017 determined the peace of mind to couples who to marry— that’s national average cost of a wedwould otherwise feel uncomfortding to be over $33,000 (excludable in front of a large audience. it.” ing the honeymoon). For New “I loved the private aspect of the England weddings, this number elopement. I felt like there was pushes closer to an average of $50,000. Money is no pressure and I wasn’t scared in any way of saying spent on the venue, food, decorations, and activities the wrong thing. It was so calm and organized… I for guests. To contrast, the average cost for a marriage also don’t care as much [about her May wedding] licence and a ceremony held in a local City Hall is anymore, which is really freeing because I loved the $200, covering the cost of the marriage license and fact that Wei and I had this intimate moment togeththe appointment for the ceremony. However, eloping er. It just felt right, I loved it,” said Mrs. Luo. From a does not mean you have to go to a courthouse or a planning standpoint, by eloping couples can drop the drive-through in Las Vegas. Destination elopements stresses of spending, arranging guest lists, and aimhave become increasingly popular, and play a role in ing to make guests happy. “Couples wanting to elope the particular hype behind eloping. In an article from don’t want the pressure of larger groups. They prefer The New York Times, Brook Foster writes, “Many of to spend quality time with just themselves or a small, today’s couples are planning their elopements more intimate ceremony with 10 or less people,” said Sam closely than ever, some plotting secret ceremonies Green, a stylist for BHLDN Weddings. several months in advance and spending $15,000 or Impatience in the Age of Oversharing more for their dream weddings — without a hundred For couples who can’t bear to wait (and let’s of their closest family and friends.” This number is face it, the millennial generation is impatient), still far less than a traditional wedding, and allows eloping allows for married life to begin whenever for a couple to customize when and how they are they please. “Why elope? Because couples can do it married. “You can do what I did too, you can get a on their terms and when they want. Versus having to pretty dress, you can get flowers and a photographer. save money to afford an event-style wedding, which You can document it and have it be beautiful and the would then put off the idea of getting hitched anvision you want, just so scaled down,” said Mrs. Luo. other 12-18 months as well,” said Kristin Spencer, Scaling back on typical wedding splurges also allows an editorial wedding photographer. Social media and couples to save and splurge in other ways, whether the millennial generation’s ultimate need to share it’s a longer honeymoon or their first house together. has also given way to the rise in elopements. “They The Ease search for stunning exotic backdrops for their cerWhen asked what she believed the biggest positive emonies, shop in secret for the perfect dress, hire

florists to arrange a Pinterest-worthy bouquet, hire photographers, even order specialty cakes. But in lieu of the invitations, friends learn about the wedding afterward in a cheeky Facebook or Instagram post, a photo announcing, ‘We Eloped,’” writes Foster.

Photographers who can capture a unique shot in a beautiful destination have the ability to trap mindless scrollers in search of the perfect post. “I truly think that Instagram and photography has played a huge role in that, and the fact that our generation is so eager to share things,” said Mrs. Luo. This eagerness to share is what pushes couples to do things on their own time, and not let anyone or anything get in their way. “I think most people just don’t want to deal with it. Like, invites and all these little surface details.

Most people nowadays are not willing to do it… as a bride myself I have no time, its exhausting. It’s like, I just want to marry you,” said Mrs. Luo.

With elopements, there will always be the chance a couples decision will offend family members and friends. It can be hard for some to understand why they weren’t warned or even invited, however with proper communication many couples can avoid these issues. Proper communication is key, whether it is before or after the elopement. “I was lucky, I had zero pushback in any way. I think though - well it was kind of a two part thing. One, everything was

booked and deposits were paid for. Two, I do want to bring my friends and family into it. I still want to have that moment with them,” said Mrs. Luo. The Luo’s wedding in May will be the first time the couple exchanges personalized vows, and the rest will be a celebration of their love. If there are signs an elopement will offend people, be prepared with well-structured responses.

When asked if there was ever a time during planning she thought “screw it, let’s elope” Mrs. Luo said, “Yeah, that’s exactly why we did it! What had happened was that I booked everyone, and I was just feeling so stressed out. What really initiated it was finding an officiant. I was like, I don’t know who’s gonna marry us, I don’t know how any of this works. And I was feeling really overwhelmed with all these decisions.” Finally they had enough, and Claire began her search for a toned-down version of her official wedding gown. A photographer friend was contacted to get the perfect shots (Claire herself is an Instagram fiend) and the boquet was taken care of by her co-worker, who just so happens to be a floral designer. On Friday March 2, 2018. Claire and Wei were wed in an intimate ceremony. There was no fuss, no frills, only love and heavy rain.

How to Elope in Six Steps

1

Pick a destination

City Hall? A state park? At the top of a mountain?

Determine your ideal locale with your significant other, then do some research on permits, cost, and weather patterns.

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Find a dress

Need it by next week? BHLDN gowns ship within 5-7 business days and also offers overnight shipping, plus free returns so you can try at home!

Lock down a photographer Someone who can fully capture your moment through pictures. Photographers book up quickly, so once you have a destination set, start your search.

4 5

Write your vows

It’s just the two of you and the officiant, so pour your heart out. Speak meaningfully, and be as loud or soft as you please.

Prepare for rebuttal

Certain family members may come towards you with questions. Be prepared to respond in a stern yet respectful manner to assure them no harm was meant.

6

Relax

No big budget! No seating charts or color swatches! Take a deep breath, and congratulations on becoming Mrs. _____________