Chelsea Clinton & the Idea File

The wedding of seemingly all speculation happens this weekend, that of Chelsea Clinton to Marc Mezvinsky. Of course we understand the buzz, she is not only a high profile daughter but a remarkable, accomplished and polished woman in her own right, marrying the son of a former Congressman. How will future brides watch and absorb the wedding details? With an eye on the gown, the food, the wedding party dresses and the details for their own nuptials, the Idea File.With a gown by "certain" designer Vera Wang and location in the idyllic Rhinebeck, there are without a doubt clippable photos and sketches to be had.

The Idea File is kept by almost all brides (and their Mom's!) and should be. Our own bride, Danielle, has kept an Idea File for years now. We love to look at these books rich with not only ideas but dreams, they are not only a great springboard but a source for brides, their families and wedding planners to determine exactly what will capture the spirit of a wedding couple and how to best execute perhaps unformed bits and pieces into wedding reality.

If you don't have an Idea File, we urge you to start one or keep fresh and current the one you do have. A three ring binder is ideal and you don't have to have one especially designed or "tabbed" for the purpose. Tuck into the binder a few manila separators with pockets to add things like paperwork that needs to be inserted onto pages in your binder as well as loose clippings by category. A calendar section up front is very important to keep track of special dates like fittings and tastings along with any payments due to vendors. Each vendor (once chosen) should have their own section.

What if you are in the "gathering phase" of your Idea File? Keep sections for flowers, photography, wedding gown, grooms tuxedo, wedding party attire, reception venues, food/menus, music, cakes, shoes (which deserves its' own category, no?), and wedding details which may be as broad as color schemes or as specific as welcome bags for out of town guests. Your file can contain as many categories as you need to express your dreams.

                                                                   photo Vera Wang

The photo above is such an example. It's been said that Chelsea Clinton will wear something simple and elegant by Vera Wang------- assuredly not off the rack but magnificently custom and we can't wait to see it! The gown above is one of our favorites from the Vera Wang Fall 2010 collection, resplendent in organza and tulle and "crisped" with horsehair giving that wonderful structural almost origami look.

One of the most amazing things is the speed with which "knock off" designers copy garments worn by the famous among us. No doubt this wedding gown will have lookalikes hit the shelves of bridal shops with shocking speed. Not being ones that totally take to this practice, we know for a fact that you can take photos of your inspiration garment, blend that with other details you love and come up with a gown that gives a nod to the original but it still totally yours.

Once you have a few photos/ideas in your binder, you might notice a trend. Are you drawn to gowns such as the one above? Simple but interesting? Or are you a fan of looser and more romantic gowns? More or less fabric? White or off white?

Don't forget to have a general tab----- things like current fashion styles that you love (for example the one shouldered look so popular right now, or jewelry styles seen on stars that you love). Remember, to stay motivated to keep your Idea File going. The trick is then to go over everything (neatly organized of course!) and see your own personal trends, loves/hates, and how everything can work together. This can be a daunting task and frequently a good wedding planner can help bring a fresh eye to the process and offer valuable suggestions.

The fun can be in the process as well------ watching your ideas evolve, or even morph into things you didn't start out as your top picks. Enjoy the process, keep current, remember your wedding is once in a lifetime and the planning should bring enormous pleasure. You may find that after the last wedding toast has been given you are still in the habit of the Idea File for home decor------ or something else. I've personally kept a file for home dec for many, many years and find that it is fun not only to pull ideas for my own home but to see the things that I filed early on. Those "what was I thinking" giggles are always rich!

Now, about the Clinton wedding! Surely we are not alone in waiting with baited breath for those first photographs of a stunning bride, a handsome groom and surely a father of the bride that will have lots and lots of  tears!