White Pumpkin Events

STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAPHY BY M HARRIS STUDIOS

Despite having no previous experience in event or wedding planning, Amanda Smith took a leap and utilized her background in design to make something other than the “cold and warm mail” that she had been creating for 10 years as part of her work for non-profits. Instead, she turned her creative force to weddings, launching White Pumpkin in 2009. “I didn't really know where to start,” she recalls. “As I was finding my way, I worked in a busy flower shop in Springfield, Virginia. The four years I spent there taught me a great deal about flowers as well as all of the work that goes into designing and coordinating the logistics, delivery and setup of an event.”

More than a decade later, White Pumpkin has become a successful event consultancy and Smith has realized her passion. “I love working with couples and their families. They're so excited and nervous and that kind of energy is infectious and wonderful to be around,” she says. “With so much going on and so much to do, it can be incredibly challenging, but this is something that I've built and that makes me very proud.”

As much as the wedding industry—and weddings themselves—have changed, Smith sees the fundamentals still in place. “Regardless of what it looks like, all the same parts are there,” she notes. “Two people that love each other, the families, the ceremony, the reception. Of course, we go through different trends of flowers and decor. And I do feel that the planning time frame is getting shorter. But I stay on top of things by looking to my vendors to educate me on what is new in their specialty. I’m also part of an industry networking group, AWP, where they hold meetings with educational components.”

ARE TUXEDOS THE NEW BRIDAL GOWN?

THE SARAH SLAPER STORY

story by liesel schmidt photography by petronello photography

Since their advent, wedding gowns have gone through countless transformations, everything from relatively simple affairs to elaborate creations that literally take people’s breaths away with their unexpected beauty, glamour or elegance. In recent years, however, there has been a shift to the avant garde, welcoming everything from multicolored gowns to jumpsuits on a walk down the aisle. But gaining some of the greatest attention has been the bridal tux, worn by brides with a very unique sense of style and a desire to stand out and be different.

Naturally, it takes finding the right designer to create a bridal tux worthy of the most important day in a woman’s life. Bespoke clothier, Tom James, has shifted their specialization in creating quality menswear to focus more on women’s clothing and accessories—making them the ideal maker of tuxedos to suit the needs of a woman on her wedding day. “For years, we specialized in men’s business wear, smart casual and formal wear,” says Wardrobe Consultant Sarah Slaper, who has been with the company since 2011. “Not anymore. We have always served women, as well, but never in the way in which they deserved. I am proud to say that, as of 2019, we rolled out a brand-new women’s line, including a variety of fabrics and styles as well as accessories, which allows us to serve our female clientele better than ever.”

Boasting more than 100 offices worldwide, Tom James does not operate any physical stores, but rather reaches its clients through the symbiotic workings of those offices and through their website. “We come to you!” says Slaper. “No more ordering online, hoping things fit or dealing with returning garments that don’t, no carving out time from your family schedule, no driving in traffic or parking in busy parking lots. What you receive from Tom James is a service-minded personal relationship with a company that creates an American-made garment of quality and exceptional fit.”

The impetus for the bridal tux was more than just a jump into the fray to offer something that no one else did. “A client of mine brought me a picture from some awards show she’d seen and said, ‘I want this!’ The rest is history,” Slaper recalls.

The rise of women’s tuxes—and their subsequent presence in the bridal world—is, in Slaper’s estimation, largely due to the media. “Honestly, I think that seeing celebrities rock tuxedos in beautiful satins, silks and velvets—no matter their gender—has inspired men and women alike to jump outside of their comfort zone and try something new,” she posits. “Plus, there’s something incredibly appealing about the thought of wearing a beautifully-tailored tuxedo that is comfortable but also badass and completely unique.”

Unique. Therein lies the greatest power of the bridal tuxedo. In a world where brides do their utmost to stand out from the crowd, a tux can be the answer to the question—with the added bonus of being, as Slaper

THERE’S SOMETHING INCREDIBLY APPEALING ABOUT THE THOUGHT OF WEARING A BEAUTIFULLY-TAILORED TUXEDO THAT IS COMFORTABLE BUT ALSO BADASS AND COMPLETELY UNIQUE.

notes, “badass.” That said, Slaper does not see them completely overshadowing the traditional gown as ceremony wear for brides, but rather as pre-event attire for rehearsals or engagement parties, or even as a wardrobe change for receptions.

“To me, the history is what makes these pieces so great,” she says. “But in making them for women, it’s the choices! We have silks inspired by masquerade balls of the past, velvets in a rainbow of colors, sparkles that make for outstanding party jackets and you can’t forget the styling options. I’m a sucker for a red bottom or a Valentino. Both shoes can give a simple black satin tuxedo a bit of feminine edge. I have loads of clients that prefer more of a loafer style flat such as a Ferragamo or, for a mix of feminine and masculine energy, a loafer or lace up from Angela Scott.”

Much like bridal gowns, tuxes require planning. “I suggest you allow yourself about 12 weeks from your initial consultation so that the creation of your garment is not rushed,” Slaper advises. “At our first meeting, we pick out fabrics, get your measurements and place your order. In about eight weeks, we do your first fitting. I am very picky about the fit because you’re my walking billboard. From there, I’ll make some nips and tucks and deliver your final garment in about two to three weeks after your initial first fitting.”