Real Wedding: Something Old & Something New

Vintage-inspired glamour and Old World charm - what more could we ask for! 

Our real bride Paige took her New Orleans wedding to a new level of elegance, and back to another time.

Dressed in a stunning ensemble reminiscent of the turn of the century, Paige walked down the aisle of the breathtaking Marigny Opera House. Her beautiful dress by Sarah Seven glowed against the moody color palette of garnet and plum, while gold details that glittered the banquet hall heightened all the glitz! 

Our friend and ever-talented photographer Lauren Kinsey captured all the beauty.

Paige's Juliet cap veil we made with lace from her mother's antique wedding gown was a real showstopper

We love working one-on-one with our brides, and when Paige got in touch with us to design her wedding veil, we couldn't wait to get started! Bringing the past to life while creating something new is a design challenge we've been dreaming of.

We designed a custom Juliet silk tulle cap veil with an applique lace train, using the most gorgeous antique French lace cut from her mother's wedding gown, which was more than 25 years old. Since it was stored for so long, the wear and tear of the delicate lace was more than just beginning to show. We carefully analyzed the lace on the garment and pondered how to bring the fragile fabric back to its original state. 

The old lace developed a yellowish patina of age that we restored by professionally washing. Then we painstakingly removed each lace piece from the gown and restored the motifs by trimming each one by hand. 

Finally we were ready for the fun part: designing the veil!

Already familiar with the lace motifs from the restoring process, we spent the next days draping, arranging, and pinning the lace to find the best way to showcase its antique beauty. 

Each piece of lace was hand-cut and sewn to silk tulle, creating a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

In the studio working on Paige's veil

It was an incredible experience to design this wedding veil for Paige. We're simply delighted she was able to wear this heirloom piece that's been passed down in the family, to her very own wedding.

It means so much to us that we were able to make something so dear to her heart a part of her big day.

Xo,

Anita

Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Cinematography: Nathan Willis Wedding Films | Coordination: Down Annie Lane | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Reformation | Catering: Dat's Good Food | Invitations and Calligraphy: Written Word Calligraphy | Men's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Fine Arts Ensemble | Bridal Veil: Girl & A Serious Dream | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Marigny Opera House | Event Styling and Floral: Mitchell Willis Events | Linens:La Tavola Fine Linen Rental | Napkins: Backyard Printing | Reception Band: Jimmy Maxwell | Rentals:Party Rentals Delivered | Ribbon: Silk & Willow | Second Line Band: Kinfolk Brass Band

Behind The Scenes: BHLDN + Girl & a Serious Dream

We're still in awe over our dream collaboration with BHLDN, and are excited to share all the details from behind the scenes...

After our Swan Queen blush lace robe launched at Anthropologie last Spring, we were invited to Philly to visit the URBN offices and meet with buyers for BHLDN Bridal: Anthro's sister store. 

 

All our favorite brands are headquartered on this amazing campus, where the offices were built from a renovated Navy shipyard. 



Each building on campus exclusively houses the URBN brands. BHLDN being with Anthropologie.

The design of the campus completely reflects URBN's vintage-inspired style; beautifully blending old and new, just like what you find inside Anthropologie stores! We wandered the grounds in awe of the aesthetic, the atmosphere, and the people.

Free People Building

Interior of the Anthropologie Building

Art Installation inside the Anthropologie Building

Here, with Alexa Egeck: lingerie and accessories buyer for BHLDN

The BHLDN offices were filled with lace, tulle & lots of sparkle, and the energy throughout their space was magical. Getting a behind the scenes look of their moodboards, and seeing the team hand-picking the newest samples was heaven! You could tell that everyone genuinely loved being there.

Our meeting with the amazing ladies at the BHLDN offices was wonderful. We fell in love with the culture even more, and were beyond excited to join BHLDN. 

Soon after our meeting we were given the good news. Our Elizabeth lace robe was picked up for BHLDN's Bridal lingerie shop!

BHLDN's space

 Named the Araminta lace robe, this oh-so-sweet lace robe is the perfect piece to pair with bridal lingerie, and to slip on while getting ready on your wedding day. Get yours on BHLDN now.

It's been such an amazing experience working with both Anthro & BHLDN, and we're beyond excited for everything that's in the works.

Thank you to everyone at BHLDN and our amazing G&SD team. Another big thank you goes out to my husband for all his help behind the scenes.

xo,

Anita

Delicate Bridal Boudoir from Jose Villa

We instantly fell in love with this delicate bridal boudoir session by the ever-talented Jose Villa published on Once wed.

The luminous lighting adds a soft, ethereal glow around Allison, and beautifully captures the tender moments a bride has to herself before stepping into her gown.

Our real bride Allison wore our Swan Queen Lace robe lined in nude silk for this intimate bridal session. Paired with a lovely nude lace lingerie set and her wedding veil, every image captures all the excitement and anticipation a bride feels the morning of her wedding.

The minimal styling allows the focus to be on Allison, highlighting her natural beauty and featuring all the sweet and sultry moments of a classic boudoir session.

All shot on film, every gorgeous detail is transformed into a work of art.

Dreamy bridal boudoir is one of our current obsessions, and this getting-ready story is one we just can't get enough of...

See more of this gorgeous boudoir session on Once wed.

Photography: Jose Villa | Hair & Makeup: Mar of Team Hair & Makeup

Happy Father's Day to all Dads + Daughters!

My Dad taught my siblings and I discipline, hard work, and above all, to be true to ourselves...Oh, and math...lots and lots of math! Not only is he a Mathematician, but an Engineer and University Professor as well, so as you can imagine, I had a lot to live up to! 

 I can always count on him to find beauty in the little things.With his love and support guiding me through all of life's adventures, I've always been able to dive in and work fearlessly toward my goals. 

 He walked me down the aisle, and will always be by my side. 

 Happy Father's Day to all Dads + Daughters! 

  
Girl&aSeriousDream real bride and her dad - Photo: Nadia Meli

 Love, 

 Anita

Anthropologie + Girl & a Serious Dream Lingerie: A Dream Collaboration

Before I even dreamed of starting G&SD, I've loved Anthropologie...

Simply walking into one of their stores and browsing the beautiful array of designers made me swoon, as I hold URBN brands very close to my heart. The way they convey vintage-inspired fashion and culture through their brands and catalogs has always stuck with me, and of course, shopping with them is always such a treat!

And so working with them now is a dream come true! I used to daydream that our products would be in their stores one day. So to say that working with Anthro is one of the most exciting ventures I've taken on is quite an understatement!

I was head over heels when Anthro got in touch with us and said they were interested in our designs! It was a lightning fast process from beginning to end, but seeing our pieces released through Anthropologie was completely worth it!

We came up with a special edition of our Swan Queen lace robe in the loveliest shade of blush pink. Made from a custom blush Chantilly lace, produced exclusively for us, with delicate scalloped edges, French seams, and a silk sash tie.

A bundle of blush robes sitting pretty in our #girlandaseriousdreamstudio before heading to the new anthropologie stores and website.

   

Check it out here

In addition to carrying our blush lace robe on anthropologie.com, they also just reopened the doors to their large format stores and lifestyle experience with two newly remodeled locations in Newport Beach and Portland.

Not only is our Swan Queen design available in-store, but our friend Taryn Grey recently photographed the Newport Beach grand opening and was able to snap some pics of the store for us!

The store is literally something out of a dream!

Every vignette and display is so stunningly designed. And don't get me started on the lingerie wall....I'm in awe!

Our blush Swan Queen lace robe showcased in Anthropologie intimates section in Newport Beach, California 

Anthropologie's new venture in creating destination retail spaces, with coffee shops, nail salons and blow dry bars along with new luxury brands makes for such an exciting space and immerses all visitors into the Anthropologie experience.

We are so excited to be a featured brand and hope they continue to open more large format stores nationwide.

Our blush Swan Queen lace robe showcased in Anthropologie Newport Beach, California

Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Anthro, and our amazing team at G&SD for making this all possible. Everyone in the team worked so hard to make these beautiful pieces, and I'm so very thankful! A big thank you to my husband too, for all his help behind the scenes.

It's a dream come true to be part of Anthropologie! Xo, Anita

Stay tuned for more...

Shop Girl&aseriousdream at anthropologie

Trunk show: Solutions Bridal in Orlando, FL - May 13-15th

Be sure to visit Solutions Bridal, our Orlando stockist, for our Girl&aSeriousDream trunk show next weekend: May 13-15th! 

Come see and experience our collection of handmade bridal robes, couture veils, French lace bridal cover ups, silk kimonos, and so much more.

I'll be there in person getting to know brides and offering advice to help find their dream wedding day attire.

Contact Solutions Bridal to schedule an appointment here. 

See you next week in Orlando, FL! 

Xoxo, Anita

Photos: Michelle March

Happy Mother‘s Day!

Mom’s have been through it all...

Like a mom, there is only one.

I always think of my mom as an elegant and hardworking woman

who always inspires me to keep going towards where I want to be. 

She always has the best advice,

and she supports me unconditionally.

During my wedding day, she had that big smile

that never fails to calm me and makes me understand

how important it is to enjoy the moment and have fun!

Thank you mom, 

Happy Mother‘s Day! 

Xo, Anita

www.girlwithaseriousdream.com

First image: Maloman studios

Second image: Miki and Sonja