Life & Style: June Weddings

By Leslie Linsley

Contributing Writer

(June 8, 2015) June is typically wedding month on Nantucket. There might be 10-20 weddings taking place over any given weekend in the spring and fall on the island. When I’m in Key West we go to Smather’s Beach. On Saturdays there is one wedding after another so we have a front-row seat. I like a beach wedding because it’s usually casual and intimate with not too many people. On Nantucket a beach wedding in June can be “iffy” with the weather, although it sure is tempting. Hedging your bet with a tent is a good idea.

For many years I’ve been creating découpage glass plates with the wedding invitation. I custom-design each one using cutout prints of botanicals that reflect the bridal bouquet or the flowers that will be on the tables at the wedding. Invariably the flowers will be either blue or white hydrangeas, garden roses and peonies. When you have a winning combination it’s hard to beat it. Sometimes the wedding will have a combination of wildflowers in a variety of colors, but not so frequently on Nantucket. Off-island weddings are more varied in flower choices.

photo: formal dresses

I recently read an article that said vintage flower bouquets inspired by the series “Downton Abbey” are suddenly in vogue. This would include tea roses and baby’s breath. Judging by my recent orders I notice that when two men marry they seem to lean toward calla lilies. Maybe because they’re not so feminine – or a I missing the phallic symbology – not sure on that one. Anyone want to comment? Another creative idea is to use pieces of the mother’s wedding gown to wrap the stems of the bouquets. I guess if you’re not going to wear your mother’s dress, for whatever reason, this is a nice way to include it in the ceremony. Did you know that orchids are the best for beach weddings because they are most durable in sun and heat.

One wedding planner I met with said that gray is becoming a popular wedding color. I guess it certainly goes with our “grey lady” theme.

Here are some awesome wedding cost facts:

• Did you know that when Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married in 1981, the royal wedding cost $110 million. When Prince William and Kate Middleton married the flowers alone cost $800,000, the wedding cake $80,000 and the total bill was a mere $34 million, less than half his parents’. Chelsea Clinton’s wedding cost $5 million. The air-conditioned tents alone cost $600,000!

• And finally, George Clooney gave Amal Alamuddin a seven-carat yellow diamond ring that cost $750,000. Well heck, you can’t even buy a house on Nantucket for that!

Now back to reality.

• You’re dancing away and someone steps on your gown. It rips, leaving you in a panic. Safety pins to the rescue. It may seem tacky (pardon the pun) but you might consider placing several safety pins into the underside of your gown “just in case”.

• Spills happen. The Association of Wedding Gowns (Honest, this is for real!) suggests leaving it alone. If it’s a wine stain in an obvious place spot clean with club soda. They say not to use water on silk or rayon because you could be left with a permanent spot.

• Here’s a biggie: Wear the shoes you’ve chose, around the house a lot before the big day. Make sure they are comfortable. You’ll be on your feet for most of the day.

These photos of wedding plates and table settings might inspire you for your own wedding.