5 Surprising Facts About Vintage Wedding Traditions

Weddings have always been events steeped in tradition. While we borrow many of our current traditions from vintage norms, there are some wedding trends that have surprising origins.

The Garter Toss

In the modern era, the tossing of the garter is a fun and flirtatious event that takes place at the wedding reception. In the past, however, newly married couples were required to show “proof” that they consummated their marriage. Family and friends of the groom would take the garter off of the bride to show everyone that the deed had indeed been done. Eventually, this led to the groom throwing the garter to these “witnesses, ” thus ending the more barbaric method of them removing it themselves. 

The Wedding Veil 

Veils today are a beautiful and stylish vintage wedding accessory.Historically, the wedding veil was mostly symbolic. The veil was a way to symbolize the purity and untouched nature of a virgin bride. Similarly, superstitious religions believed that a veil being worn over a bride’s face shielded her from evil spirits that could be hanging around on the wedding day. 

The Wedding Dress

Sarah Jessica Parker wore a Vintage Bird  (via New York Vintage) in  her hair in    the wedding scene for the Sex & The City film

Nothing is more symbolic of a wedding than a beautiful white dress.Bridal gowns were not always white, however. In the past, women simply wore their nicest dress to get married in, and often these items weren’t white. When Queen Victoria wore a white dress at her wedding in 1840, everything changed. Suddenly, fashionable women wanted to mimicthe look of the beautiful queen on her wedding day, which started the long-standing tradition of wearing a white dress.

The Wedding Shoe

Wedding shoes are mostly seen as statement accessories in the modern day. In vintage weddings, however, the wedding shoe was a much more important item. Brides would wear coins in their shoes as they walked down the aisle, and the act was meant to bring prosperity and happiness to the newly married couple. It’s even been said at vintage weddings that the bride would throw her shoe at the end of the night instead of a bouquet. 

The Bridesmaids Dress

Up until the 1860s, bridesmaids were meant to wear dresses that looked similar to the dress that the bride wore to confuse evil spirits and make it difficult for them to identify the bride. In 1865, however, a wedding etiquette book informed the upper class that bridesmaids shouldn’t detract from the bride’s beauty and should act instead as a beautifully colored backdrop for pictures. Thus began the tradition of bridesmaids wearing a dressin a carefully chosen color picked by the bride. 

Alterre Shoes Accessories

Innovative shoe brand Alterre ensures you can go from day-to-night, funky-to-fancy and cute-to-chic in  no time. It all began with the genius idea to create shoes that interchangeable straps. In  a modest mood? There's a strap for that. In  party mode? There's a strap for that. Their latest addition to their repertoire, interchangeable accessories to adorn any shoe - no matter the brand! With the ability to be worn on any shoe with a 1/4" strap, these shoe accessories are sure to elevate your look and shoes in the blink of an eye.

To learn more, see more and to shop for Alterre Shoes and Accessories, click here.

Big Thanks to BrandBacker for making this possible.

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M

The Man Who Loves To Hurt Himself

The Man Who Loves to Hurt Himself is a riveting documentary narrated by musician and entertainer, Steve Austin. Austin speaks to the power of music and lyrics. Gritty in aesthetic, raw in emotion, the audience beats witness to Austin’s life revelations, where a wild and tumultuous past helps to bring him peace and balance later in life, shaping him as a family man and legendary creative in the music industry.

The film, directed by Anthony Short, proved successful in the festival circuit and is set to be available later this week, on August 28 on all VOD/Digital platforms.

To learn more, see more and to view The Man Who Loves to Hurt Himself, click here.

Official trailer for the film for inclusion consideration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvsyT0RonD4&t=5s

Teaser trailer for the film for inclusion consideration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q9ZM8AGsxE

Itunes Pre-Order Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-man-who-loves-to-hurt-himself/id1418886619Target Pre-oder links: DVD: http://bit.ly/2K8U5Uh & BD: http://bit.ly/2OwerdR

Barnes & Noble pre-order links: DVD: http://bit.ly/2vgxUWM  & BD: http://bit.ly/2OpCtah

Big Thanks to Annie over at Cinematic Red for allowing us to preview this film and for making this feature possible!

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M

Red Light Press Preview

Bella Dahl

Mou

 

Tai Jewelry

Nirvana

Line and Dot

Nalho

Body Language Sportswear & Sthenos Activewear

Catherine Gee

From furry boots to beach worthy hats, no matter the season, no matter the occasion, Red Light PR has it all. Their recent press preview displayed their diverse client list, jam-packed with only the trendiest and coolest brands. 

Big Thanks to Jen, Matt and the entire team over at Red Light PR for inviting us to this preview and for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Desert35 x Shaming My Red Lips

When a perfumer pens a book, your senses are awakened. Desert35 launched their latest collection of scents in conjunction with their founder, Sharon Farsijani's book release. Shaming My Red Lips is a memoir of her interesting and incredible life. Each new scent correlates with a chapter from the book, and on a bigger scale, a chapter of her life. The luxury fragrance collection provides the emotional backings and celebrates the female spirits for one of this summer's must-read books, which, excitingly enough, is also en route to becoming a movie. 

To learn more, see more and to purchase Desert35 perfumes, click here.

Big Thanks to Sydney Masters of Masters-Mallory Communications for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

With a new season on the horizon and new animation, the TMNT are back and better than ever. Set to launch in  stores this October, Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles products range from action figures to bedding and prove that the iconic TMNT institution is still here to stay.  

To learn more, see more and to shop for TMNT products, click here.

Big Thanks to Talia over at Nickelodeon for inviting us to this exclusive event and for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

The Art Lovers Quotation Book

Who doesn't love a great quote and great art? The Art Lovers Quotation Book is a beautiful collection of quotes, juxtaposed with some of the most noteworthy pieces of art. Meaningful, inspirational and just plain fun, this book is perfect for anyone that values art and creativity in their life.

To learn more, see more and to purchase The Art Lovers Quotation Book, click here.

Big Thanks to Holly, Andrew, Ryan  and the rest of the team over at Heatherleigh Press for making this feature possible.

xx.

M

Drink Bai

Join the "Beveloution." Drink Bai. For all of us that enjoy a flavorful drink in  drink in our cup, Bai goes above and beyond to ensure superior taste in the form of superior ingredients. Without the help of artificial sweeteners, every Bai beverage is made up of all-natural infused with antioxidants to ensure every refreshing sip is not only delicious, but healthy.  

To learn more, see more and to purchase Bai beverages, click here.

Big Thanks to Hannah over at Bai for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Spaghetti Headz

Not entirely sure how it is mid-August already...Back-To-School ads have already begun to surface and school is just around the corner. Forget your back-to-school haircut, Spaghetti Headz are the hot new hair accessory to make you the coolest kid on the block. Colorful, spunky spirals with special charms for any occasion, fun for children and adults alike.  

To learn more, see more and to shop for Spaghetti Headz, click here.

Big Thanks to Sana of Eff Creative for making this feature possible!

xx.

M 

1920s Headband, Headpiece, and Hair Accessory Styles

1920s Headband, Headpiece, and Hair Accessory Styles

Accessories were all the rage in the 1920s. Specifically, hair accessories rose to popularity and became must-have items for flappers everywhere. The Roaring Twenties was a time when women were comfortable expressing their individual and cutting-edge sense of style, and the perfect hair accessories played a huge part in the stylish and sophisticated looks that dominated during the Jazz Age. 

These fashion forward hair accessorieswere a must-have for flappers and helped create their signature sense of style. 

Gatsby Hairpieces

A Gatsby Hairpiece is an iconic 1920s accessory. Worn slightly farther down the forehead than typical headbands, these glittering hairpieces encircled the head and had almost a crown-like appearance that is iconic and often associated with this era. While sometimes they were jeweled bands with subtle sparkle, other times they featured feathers or medallions to make a more substantial statement. 

Turban Headbands

Turban Headbands were also incredibly popular accessories during the 1920s and even retained their popularity during subsequent decades. These accessories were usually made from a lux fabric like velvet or silk and featured a signature twist in the front that mimicked the look of turbans worn in exotic lands. More often than not they included jewels, brooches, or feathers for added opulence. These 1920s accessories were the only ones considered elegant enough to accent evening gowns, and were often worn to upscale events. 

Cloche Hats

The Cloche Hatis another iconic accessory from the 1920s. These bell-shaped items had a slight brim and were very fitted to the head. Their style was meant to both mimic and enhance the stylish bobs and cropped hair styles that were in vogue during this decade. Both functional and fashionable, the cloche hat was an exceptional piece of outerwear that women everywhere had to have during the Roaring Twenties. Some feature an upturned brim, others include accessories to make them stand out even more. Either way, the cloche was a cute and famously fashion forward accessory during this era. 

Fascinators

Fascinatorswere another elegant 1920s hair accessory. These hairpieces consisted of a small hat dotted with flowers, feathers, ribbons, or other extravagant accessories. During this era, they typically included birdcage veils for an ultra-elegant look that was appropriate for evening wear. Accessories iconic during this era, they perfectly exemplify the lavish and statement-making style that was popular in both clothing and accessories during the 1920s. 

365 Ideas to Enjoy Your Life Today

A self proclaimed "Traveller" and "Wordsmith," Author Rosie Bell certainly knows how to live life and write. Her book 365 Ideas to Enjoy Your Life Today literary has a year's worth of inspirational ideas on how to appreciate and love the life you live. Her words provide the tools to think positive, find happiness and create pure joy in your world. A must-read for a mood-boost.

To read your eBook copy, click here.

Big Thanks to Author Rosie Bell for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Mia Melon

Windproof, waterproof, weather proof. Mia Melon is outerwear that checks off every requirement to be considered both functional and fashionable. With at least one founder having a history as a pioneer of the snowboarding industry, the brand has surely dedicated their time researching and developing fabric technologies to ensure that the functionality of every piece in  their collection is above par. Pushing the limits with more fashion driven pieces than other outerwear brands, Mia Melon will ensure you are able to brave the elements while being in  your most fashionable element.  

To learn more, see more and to shop for Mia Melon pieces, click here.

Big Thanks to Angie Mathews for making this feature possible.

xx.

M

Factory Fall 2018 Preview

DROMe

asos

Happy Socks

Factory PR not only pumps out amazing brands, but then pumps out amazing events to showcase them.

To learn more and see more brands that Factory PR works with, click here.

Big Thanks to Megan over at Factory PR for inviting us to this exclusive event and for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Mamma Chia

The movie of Summer 2018 might be Mamma Mia (2), but the health brand of the season is definitely  Mamma Chia. No matter the season, Mamma Chia products are sure to be your main squeeze. Each delicious product is chock-full-of chia seeds, whose health benefits have proven to be numerous. Tasty and good for you, this organic, plant-based superfood brand not only offers enjoyable food, but they also support local farms and promote healthy food systems.     

To learn more, see more and to shop for Mamma Chia products, click here.

Big Thanks to Juliet of Mamma Chia for making this feature possible!

xx.

M 

Hot Head

Be a Hot Head for all of the right reasons. Hot Head hair tools take advantage of Thermal Hair Care to completely hydrate and bring your hair to life. Filled with microwaveable  heat-producing flax seeds, Hot Head caps are easy to use and enable you to perform salon quality deep conditioning treatment in the comfort of your own home. Use the conditioner of your choice and choose a fashionable, funky cap, because no matter the product or the pattern, these caps will leave your hair salon-grad healthy.

To learn more, see more and to purchase Hot Head products, click here.

Big Thanks to Reva at Milan Media Group for making this feature possible!

xx.

M

Where To Buy Prom Dresses and Gowns

Beautiful Blue Hues are in style, and OKDress has many to choose from!

Say "OK" to the dress! There is no reason not to at OKDress, a website based out of the UK that offers dresses for every occasion. There is no way in the world that one would say "no" or not be able to find a dress on this site, no matter their taste! 

OKDress is truly a premier place for all of your dress shopping needs! There are short dresses, there are long dresses, there are tea-length dress, there are classic cut dresses and cutout dresses. There are dresses for every body type and every mood! Fancy a cute ballerina style cocktail dress? There is plenty to choose from. Prefer a floor length elegant gown? Again, there are plenty to choose from. No matter your color preference, there are options from the entire color wheel and color spectrum. No matter your age, there is certainly something for you, too. 

With Back-To-School on the horizon, you very well may be thinking ahead about your prom dress. Prom proves to be one of the most important events in a young person's life, and having the right dress for the prom is very important. Prom photos are ones that many cherish for their whole lives, a night that will be remembered and the dress plays a large role at the event.  This site will offer every best trends of the year for sure. It will not disappoint you. So, whether it be special Prom Dresses as discussed above, a gown for a wedding or something gorgeous for a black tie event, this website offers  what feels like endless possibilities and is a one-stop-shop for any dress-shopping-journey.

To learn more, see more and shop for dresses at OKDress, click here.

Big Thanks to Rainbow over at OKDress for making this feature possible!

Fraver by Design

Fraver by Design: Five Decades of Theater Poster Art from Broadway, Off Broadway, and Beyond is an absolute delight for any Broadway Buff. An exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to become the theater world's most celebrated advertisement artist. Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo is responsible for more than 250 Broadway, Off-Broadway and various other shows' posters and this book is the very first compilation of his works. Any patron of the theater, or art in general, will appreciate each page of this publication, which feature a plethora of familiar pieces as well as unpublished works. 

To learn more, see more and to purchase this book, click here.

Big Thanks to Meghan over at Schiffer Publishing for making this feature possible!

xx.

M