The Mod Bow Birdcage Veil

 

Lately I've been inspired by all things 60s.  I've been researching a lot about the Kennedy's and Marilyn Monroe.  Our new veil provides simple elegance for the modern bride. Ivory mod bow sits on top of millinery netting blusher creating a soft and romantic touch.

* Wear as blusher for ceremony and simply push back the front and pin with bobby pins to make it a fun pouf for your reception

* millinery netting blusher (measuring about 7 inches)

* Made in USA

All designs are handmade; each item is unique wearable art. The inspiration for this piece was old hollywood - flappers, vintage, elegance, glamor.

***Please contact us if you would like a custom veil. *** Allow 2 weeks to make

For more items look at our shoppe:
http://ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com

How to Get Started Planning Your Wedding

Wedding planning can be SO overwhelming.  I'm very visual, so I created mood boards and collected images that inspired me.  I recommend not looking around too much (that's what I did and I would get frustrated with too many choices).  Stick with your gut and try to look at your wedding in retrospect.  I would regret it if I didn't include _______ in my wedding.  I attached a mood board that I used for my Spring wedding.  I designed the wedding invitation and chose flowers that would coordinate with the white, ivory, pink, green, and gray color palette.  You can add in other colors here and there as well.  When weddings have a color scheme that consists of ONLY two colors it reminds me of school mascots (my mom pointed this out to me and that's all I can think of when I see it now).  Good luck on your wedding planning journey.  Check back for more inspiration!

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Hurricanes, Art Shows, and Photo Shoots, OH MY!

"If you want something done ask a busy person."  I guess the saying is true!

What an action packed week.  We lost electricity a week ago due to Hurricane Sandy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was effected by the storm.  I tried to use my nervous energy towards something productive during the storm, so I started making boutineers, veils, and floral elements for a bouquet.  I went to my mom's art opening friday night at the C.G. Jung Center in Buffalo and we had a buffalo bridal photo shoot on Sunday with City Lights Photography, Made by Anatomy, Elizabeth Dugan Hairstyling and The Makeup Parlour.  I've been so busy, but it has been a good busy!  It was a delight to work with such talented women yesterday.  I can't wait to see the photos from the shoot!  Below I have some pics of my mom's art show and behind the scenes pics of the photo shoot.

 

 

 

 Here are some of Carol Ann Rice Rafferty's pieces from her latest solo exhibition.  The theme of the show was healing.

www.carolannricerafferty.com

 

 

 

 

 We made a romantic ivory fabric flower feather bouquet, fabric lace boutineers, and a large flower adornment.  We were inspired by the array of styles for new brides who want a unique look.  We designed juliet cap veils, headbands, adornments, and birdcage veils. 

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Top 10 Wedding Movies

When planning your wedding look for inspiration that will make your day extra special.  Months before my wedding I felt compelled to research as much as I could.  I had only attended maybe five or six weddings before, so I couldn't remember any of the details like what was the song the bride walked down the aisle to, or what type of style dancing did the bride and groom choose for their first dance.  Even though movies are a bit exaggerated they can provide some great resources and it's also a great way to relax a little bit and laugh at how overwhelming the process of wedding planning can be.

What are some of your favorite wedding movies?  Mine are:

My top 10 Best Wedding Movies

10. Father of the Bride (1991) - a total tear jerker - this has been a favorite of mine since I first saw it when I was 8 years old

9. My Best Friend's Wedding - Really fun songs - i added the song "What the world needs now is love sweet love" to my wedding playlist after I saw this movie

8. Bride Wars - LOVE the dresses and hairstyles in this movie, plus watching these two BFFs fight will help you keep your bridezilla in check

7. My Big Fat Greek Wedding - This movie reflects how different families can be...especially when it comes to how they perceive their wedding day regardless of your ethnic background too.  EVERY family has different traditions

6. The Wedding Singer - Great music inspiration that will get your guests on the dance floor.  Who doesn't love 80's music?

5. The Wedding Planner - I can never watch this movie enough.  Jennfier Lopez plays such a sweet lady you can't help to cheer her on.  Helps you to see maybe you should splurge and get that Wedding Planner, so your day will be flawless...just make sure to keep her far away from your man :-)

4. Wedding Crashers - one of the funniest wedding movies ever

3. The Five Year Engagement - This movie is so hilarious and shows how stressful wedding planning can be these days.  Also, we agree that a five year engagement just means trouble.

2. Bridesmaids -Very funny movie to help you lighten up about all the wedding planning.  I'd love these ladies as my bridesmaids! 

1. Runaway Bride - Just don't get any ideas here!

For custom bridal accessories check out our page!
www.ricerafferty.com

Pink Wedding

Did you see Jessica Biel's pink wedding dress? Yay or Nay? We give her props for uniqueness!

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Designing the Signature Textile

I'm so excited to start working on a signature textile pattern for the jewelry company where I work.  I immediately went to Pinterst (the best site ever) for inspiration.  I researched all the great fashion textiles by Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Michael Kors, then I began gathering some wallpaper designs from Farrow & Ball.  A signature textile helps to compliment the brand.  The trick is to make it interesting, but simple. 

www.ricerafferty.com

Amber Tamblyn Wedding

Amber Tamblyn, from the hit show Joan of Arcadia (one of my personal favorites), just got married the other.  Amber went for a more rustic bohemian affair.  She arrived in a canoe and she and her father walked down the aisle barefoot.  In honor of the fall foliage, she rocked a yellow vintage inspired dress and yellow hair adornment.  Very unconventional indeed, but I give her props for staying true to her personal style.

Did you love or hate the look?

Every Desk Needs some Bling

What desk is complete without a little bling?  I totally believe in feng shei.  Sometimes I get a bit busy and my desk gets cluttered.  Anytime I get a minute I try to reorganize and create visually pleasing little compositions.  We spend so many hours during the week at our desk we might as well enjoy it, right?!  Here I have the latest rhinestone and pearl necklace design by an FIT student who won our competition at work,  an antique mirror, my favorite magazines Real Simply and Martha Stewart Weddings, some hand designed print packaging from a candy bar wrapper, vase full of pearls and orchids.  I like to surround myself with pretty things and things that will help inspire my designs.

What does your desk look like?

www.ricerafferty.com

Glowbys Fiberoptic Lights

At Rice Rafferty, we love experimenting with new materials and concepts.  For the Runway 3.0 Fashion show for Buffalo State College Carol Ann Rice Rafferty designed a line of clothing/accessories based on theme of technology.  She wanted a futuristic look with a romantic twist.  She wanted to add lights to our accessories (tutus, gaitors, etc), but we didn't want the models to have heavy battery packs strapped to their backs.  We discovered the Glowbys Fiberoptic Lights on the Save on Crafts website.  They offer a variety of colors and you can simply clip them on your clothing or your hair.  Save on Crafts now features us on their site!  It's a great resource for wedding supplies.

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/glowbys4.html
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Me and My Beautiful Bridesmaids

 

The days are getting colder and I'm getting into hibernation mode.  I've been making homemade chicken noodle soups and chocolate chip cookies (my favorite).  I've also been enjoying being inside more and doing more design work.  I've slowly been retouching all of my wedding photographs.  This was taken in Buffalo, NY, on the porch of the Marcy Casino, next to Hoyt Lake.  The birdcage veil was handmade by me and my mom (Rice Rafferty) and we made the headbands for the bridesmaids as gifts.  We also made the flower rhinestone pin on my dress from an antique pin from my grandmother.  I wanted a vintage style wedding with a modern twist.

Bridesmaids

Pearl Stud Earring, Ralph Lauren

Pearl Bracelet, CAROLEE

Headbands, Rice Rafferty

Shoes, Nina Shoes

Dresses, David's Bridal

Bride

Bridal Veil and Headbands, Rice Rafferty

Earring, CAROLEE

Dress, Mori Lee (it's also convertible)

Flowers - Maureen's Buffalo Wholesale Florist

Hairstyles - SALON SALON

Photo by Dave Wahl

www.ricerafferty.com