New Buffalo Bride Photoshoot was Published!

We're over the moon!  Our bridal accessories and veils were featured in the Buffalo Spree Magazine today!  I was a graphic design intern for the Buffalo Spree magazine almost 10 years ago and now one of our photo shoot collaborations was published in the magazine!  I love when life comes full circle.  

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Bridal Market 2013

Photo courtesy of The Knot

BHLDN trunk show at Terrain in Westport, Connecticut

The bridal runways this year are full of gorgeous dresses with 50′s and 60′s Mad Men inspiration and 20′s flapper style (with anticipation of the new Great Gatsby movie). Sheer straps, elaborate beading, and ruffles are taking over the runways.  If you're interested in vintage inspired accessories check out our shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Food Art

 

Tonight's dinner is...sushi!

Shoe Dialogue

 

 

 

 
Artwork Created by Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

Shoes are very personal. Actors often use shoes as a prop to begin building a new character.  These shoes were designed by my mom.  They're constructed of wire and paper pulp.   

"Rose shoes represent the main character expressing both softness in the pinks, beige and leaf green stripes of ribbon. She also reveals a hint of sharpness and danger from her wire armature. This contemplative woman is not weak or helpless. By creating shoes placed within an environment I eliminate the figure in this vignette." 

- Carol

"The viewer is invited to reflect on a moment in the characters life." - Carol

To see more of her work click here www.carolannricerafferty.com 

Our hearts go out to everyone in Boston.  A huge thank you should be extended to all law enforcement for everything they do everyday!

Roger Ebert

Good Morning!

I've been so busy between my full time job and my side business Rice Rafferty.  I didn't get a chance to write about how truly saddened I am about Roger Ebert's death.  Roger's memory will live on in all of us.  Life is too short.  We have to enjoy every little minute. 

“I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try." - Roger Ebert

Have a great day! 

Love

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. 

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Bohemian Bride

One of my favorite bridal looks right now is pairing a short wedding dress with a long veil.  This look pictured here is very Gatsby inspired with the lace embellishments in the dress and the 1920s style Juliet Cap Bridal Veil.  It's so confident and high fashion.  This shoot is featuring our Bohemian Juliet Cap Veil.  At Rice Rafferty our goal is to make your wedding dreams come true.  We special in custom designs, so if there's something on our site that we don't have feel free to send us a message.

Men's Wear : Get Dressed
Makeup: The Makeup Parlour - Stephanie Signorelli
Hair : Elizabeth Dugan Freelance Hairstylist and Makeup Artist
Accessories : Rice Rafferty Couture Accessories
Florist : Woyshner's Flower Shop
Photography : City Lights Studio Photography 
Women's Wear : made by anatomy 
Location : Buffalo NY

Made For You With Love

Special delivery to Val ♥ We put as much thought and care into our packaging as we do our accessory designs. This is one of our hand painted gold boxes with our Green Gold Copper Earrings.

Each of our accessories/art pieces is designed with conceptual meaning in our materials and aesthetic. Inspired by copper's healing properties - healing the mind and body based on the metal's energy conducting properties.

While research into the antioxidant properties of copper is quite recent, healing properties have long been attributed to copper in folk medicine and holistic studies. Copper is absorbed through the skin, so it might help those deficient in copper. Jewelry is a way of taking in the small amount of the mineral needed. The healing properties of copper, in the form of bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings, can allow a minimal amount of the mineral into the body without overwhelming it. Some wearers of copper jewelry find it relieves the symptoms of arthritis and circulation problems.

Visit our shop Rice Rafferty Couture Accessories!

Gatsby Inspired Wedding

We've been so busy in our studio!  Hope everyone had a great holiday!  Here is a custom made garter for one of our brides.  She wanted to incorporate her grandmother's vintage pin in her garter (don't you just LOVE how thoughtful she is?!).  We created a vintage inspired design with lace and tulle.  The bride's wedding was very gatsby inspired (which is a huge trend this year with the excitement of The Great Gatsby wedding coming out this summer).  The garter could be used after the wedding twisted and pinned on a jacket or use bobby pins and style it in your hair.  

For the brides headpiece she chose a flapper style headband that we made with feathers, beads, and a floral element.  She was married at the Hotel at the Lafayette.  See pictures below from her wedding.  Isn't she gorgeous?! Her dress was custom designed at Made by Anatomy.  Ali is amazing!

If you're interested in accessories like the garter and headband below or anything else vintage inspired email us at info@ricerafferty.com or visit our website www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Ways to incorporate a Gatsby/flapper 1920's theme to your wedding:

- headband veil or juliet cap style (headbands on bridesmaids would be so fun!)

- beaded gown with lots of romantic details - sheath, tea length, tighter fitting gowns

- lace details

- embellished and elegant, but functional

- vintage car

- reception in a historic location

- jazz music

- photo booth with 1920s props and accessories

- use an art deco style font for the invitation, table numbers, escort cards, welcome sign, etc

Do you have any other fun Gatsby ideas for a wedding?  I would love to hear your thoughts!