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Wedding Preparations & Outfit

Today, I headed off to Warrenton, VA to style a wedding for some dear friends.  They have renovated their entire farm for this event and it’s gorgeous!  Yesterday, I packed up all of the ironstone and silver in my house that could be used as accessories and to hold flowers.  In addition, I brought anything that would look pretty in a vignette.  (The Spiderman water bottle at the bottom left is not included in that!)

I really didn’t realize how many ironstone tureens, pitchers, creamers and bowls, silver champagne buckets, water pitchers, gravy boats, cake plates and cloches I had.  It’s really ridiculous.  Great for staging a wedding, but a little ridiculous.
I can’t wait to show you pictures of how it all turns out.
In the mean time, here’s a full shot of the outfit I’m wearing to the wedding.  I rarely find dresses I like and I grabbed this one…thinking it would look frumpy on me.  It was a little unimpressive on the hanger.  I slid it on in the dressing room and instantly knew it was the one.  I know it’s black, which is not best for a wedding, but I love black clothes and I feel good in them.  AND I won’t be accused of trying to upstage the bride!
The dress is by AB Studio, shoes, necklace and mesh sweater are by Simply Vera – Vera Wang.  All of the clothes were purchased on sale at Kohl’s.  The best part is that the dress is made of jersey cotton, so it’s really comfortable, will wash well and I can wear it to a lot of other occasions.  I know I should probably have a pop of color…  Why can I dress rooms so well and get all tripped up when dressing myself?  Any personal shoppers out there?  Oh well. That’s why I write a home decor/DIY blog and not a fashion blog.
More to come on the farm house chic wedding…

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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56 Responses

  1. Hi Marian,

    What a Lovely Wedding it will be with all of your accessory pieces for flowers and tablescaping. I can't wait to see the pictures of the Farmhouse Chic Wedding. I know your doing this for friends but you could be on to a new sideline for MMS. Sounds like it to me!
    Don't you just love when that happens!!
    All the Best,
    Christine

  2. But how can you resist the things you love? I just picked up three antique cloches at an estate sale…I can't be blamed when they so loudly call my name. They must know your name, too. : )

  3. I am totally the same way – I can dress a home but not myself! I love your outfit, and you should wear it with confidence far into the future. Have a great time at the wedding!

  4. Oh, have fun! I can't wait to see the photos. I know it will all be so beautiful. My friends and family tell me that wedding planning is my calling. I love it. I was recently approached about a full-time Wedding Planner position at an area winery through recommendation from a friend. They just finished the reception hall last month and it is stunning. I love your outfit. I'm with you though. Those lavender shoes I wore to Lucketts were the first pop of color in about 5 years! Have a great time!

  5. Do you travel to Tallahassee, Florida? My daughter is getting married next year and we could use all of your things. Have a great time, Boo

  6. loving the dress Marian! and black is totally fine at weddings these days. 🙂 Im photographing a wedding tomorrow and just got back from target looking for an outfit. i found nothing. I totally forgot about kohls! dang it! oh well… Ill live.

    and I cant WAIT to see your wedding design!!!!

  7. Ooooh fun! Designing a wedding….just what I love. 🙂 It'll be fun to see what you come up with and how it all turns out! 😉 I love the dress too….although my computer makes it look more brown. Either way, gotta love a great find that makes you feel and look awesome!

    Blessings, Gail

  8. wow, you have some of the luckiest friends ever. what is just large corrals of nice stage pieces, is about to be transformed into some of the most luscious tablescapings. i can't wait to see what you compose.
    by the way, if you ever need a piece of kick crazy bottom jewelry, please dial me up. i already "owe" so much as one of your readers.
    wendybakerdesign.com . this is my usual website, but i also have an etsy one too. bendywho.etsy.com.
    seriously, i would be tickled to send you something.
    i hope you have a great time this weekend.
    best, wendy

  9. Weddings are so much fun! I can't wait to see pictures of how it all turned out. I love that dress and the fact that you found it at Kohl's makes it even better–that means it wasn't too pricey. 🙂
    Btw, I'm new to the blog world and came across your blog recently. Of course I'm definitely following you now. 🙂

    Lisa
    thebrittainhouse.blogspot.com

  10. That outfit is gorgeous and you are going to look beautiful in it!

    Loving all your wedding staging pieces, they are simply spectacular. What lucky friends to have you as their wedding stylist!

    Best,

    Kimberly @ TheSterlingCherub
    (Blogger still is not letting me comment via my blog. SO frustrating!)

  11. Is this where we leave comments for the Vintage Skye knob giveaway? So hard to decide… so many beautiful things, but I love the Hotel knobs.

  12. Can't wait to see photos from the wedding. Is it just me? Am I color blind? To me, that dress (which is adorable btw), is brown! Does anyone else see it?

  13. I cannot wait to see what you did in styling the wedding decorations! That is my favorite job ever and I am addicted to new ideas! Strange but the dress is so brown in my computer…looks really comfortable for dancing the night away and so chic! You'll have a great time!

  14. I love the outfit and I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures when you return.

    Have a safe trip!

  15. Spring weddings are always so beautiful! Your beautiful collection will really enhance it. 🙂 When I need some color for an outfit, I love to use a great clutch or purse.

  16. I bet its going to be just amazing!! I can not wait to see the pictures!!! that farm house chic is so popular right now. And you have all the best accessories for pulling that off!

  17. I just walked into your blog and took a look around… beautiful to say the very least! I am HOOKED and so excited to see what you have coming with this wedding- I am one of those wives that's still hooked on everything wedding, even though I am almost one year a MRS.! Keep it coming love!

  18. Miss Mustardseed, by now you probably know that you are one of my FAV blogs. BTW I hope you don't mind, but I am getting ready to highlight your blog on my blog.
    I have found the PERFECT picture frame to duplicate your picture frame blackboard, but I don't know where to purchase the blackboard. I know you are on the way to or already at a wedding, but when you get back can you point me to some blackboard sources. Many thanks! FAYE

  19. Have fun styling the wedding. Who knows? Maybe you'll find a new passion. Love the dress, and yes, it looks brown. Looks comfortable, which is what matters, right? Can't wait to see the pics.

  20. the dress looks brown to me but looks comfy! i am so not a fashionista at all but I do love looking at pretty rooms. Wish I could be good at both, or even one but I am getting there. Someday, lol.

  21. well that wedding will most definitely be stinkin' fabulously decorated – that's for sure!!!
    And your dress… Perfect!!!!! And black is very ok for weddings these days (it looks brown though?). It's a classic and elegant color. You should find a big chunky bracelet with vibrant turquoise to sport with it. Your pop of color. =) Have FUN!!!

  22. Can't wait to see the wedding photos – I know they will be gorgeous. I love your dress, the sweater, and the necklace…all goes so well together, so don't worry! Doesn't matter if the dress is black and you're going to a wedding – black is very "in" and chic for any occasion. You will look mahvelous, dahling. 😉

  23. You can't have too much stuff like that, especially since you are with a church. You can use all that for church weddings, teas, and styling for your magazine articles. You need to branch out to really big silver trays and platters. When they are a bargain, they are Really a bargain, like $1. I am kind of a personal shopper. You like that dress, so order the same dress in teal. The key to dressing well is being prepared. Always have something in each category. I have a black silk shantung pant suit that I have worn over twenty times to either funerals or black tie events. It must be eight years old, but it is still useful. Can't wait to see the photos from the wedding. I am a big fan of Whispering Pines Catalog and they have a rustic wedding blog. Ann

  24. Beautiful outfit! If you want a little something different, try some daity sweet silver sandals. They will go nicely with your mesh sweater and the silver in your necklace. A little tasteful bling that will make a big impact! I love your collection of silver! I have this weird addiction to silver trays and champagne buckets and snatch up well priced ones at yard sales. The trays are great for all kinds of things and the buckets hold flowers, moss balls, branches, whatever so elegantly! Have a great time working on the wedding and please post pics! ~Leena~

  25. Miss Mustard Seed, I love you. You are SO real. Love that. Don't ever lose it.
    Love your outfit too, and the fact that it came from Kohl's! Such a relief that you are "normal" like so many of us.
    Thanks for blogging and let us peek into your world so we don't feel so hopeless in our's.
    Michelle

  26. As a photographer and a fan of your style, I am so excited to see the two combined!!!!!! LOTS of pictures, please!!! Oh, how I wish I was photographing that wedding.

  27. I love it! I'm just like you, I can find a MILLION "old" things to buy, but when that wedding invite arrives in the mail, I am just like the "contestants" on What Not to Wear. The dreaded dress shopping misadventure. I love your dress and accessories. When it feels good, wear it. :@
    Love the preview pics of the wedding.

  28. Oh, I can't wait to see pictures from the wedding! I just attended a friend's daughter's wedding on the familie's farm and it was to die for!!! Best one I had ever been to. The vintage touches were outstanding but they really worked themselves to death! It was so worth it though!! Love your blog!!!

  29. Marian,
    I think this is a perfect outfit for the wedding. It's practical, and you're wearing a white necklace, which is a nod to the bride. The white, incidentally, is your pop of color!
    🙂

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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