If donning a long white dress isn't your thing – or if you're getting hitched with minimal time and planning – a unique off-the-rack evening frock from fashion's coolest summer collections is just the thing for your big day.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Renata Kaveh
1. FLOUNCE FACTOR
Chalk this look up to the current reign of Spain in style: Flamenco-inspired fashion is a major trend for the spring/summer season, and Rosie Assoulin's cascade of ruffles looks especially dramatic.
Rosie Assoulin dress, $4,795 (U.S.) through www.fivestoryny.com. Necklace, $325 through www.rebekahprice.com. Oscar de la Renta earrings, $625 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Sandals, $575 through www.stuartweitzman.ca.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Renata Kaveh
2. PERFECT PAIR
The flowing toga is re-imagined as a goddess-worthy gown by Parisian brand Paule Ka, with pops of green and yellow to liven up its romantic pastel hue. When worn with floral-embellished sandals – and a flash of leg – it suggests your first dance will be one of many.
On him (worn throughout): Samuelsohn jacket, $1,645, Canali shirt, $295, Prada shoes, $780, Pantherella socks, $55, Lanvin bow tie, $155 at Harry Rosen ( www.harryrosen.com). Theory pants, $245 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com).
On her: dress, $1,660 (U.S.) through www.pauleka.com. Paul Andrew sandals, $1,195 (U.S.) through www.modaoperandi.com. Tiara, $2,440 through www.saintlaurent.com. Vintage ring, price on request through www.caroletanenbaum.com.
Photographed crossing Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Renata Kaveh
3. SHEER DESIRE
This peek-a-boo gown is the perfect way to flirt with your partner as you walk down the aisle. An electric yellow slip is tempered by stripes and sheer paneling on this standout frock by London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic.
Roksanda dress, $2,925 (U.S.) through www.modaoperandi.com. Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, $265 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Vintage earrings, price on request through www.caroletanenbaum.com.
Photographed in the pool at Oasis at Gold Spike (www.oasisatgoldspike.com).
Renata Kaveh
4. RISE & SHINE
One shouldn't be turned off by a short hemline at a wedding – after all, women in the 1960s were often seen in miniskirts, even en route to the chapel. For today's bride-on-the-go-go, Mikhael Kale's dress balances its barely there bottom with elegant, long sleeves.
Dress, $2,495 through www.mikhaelkale.com. Lulu Frost necklace, $490 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Vintage earrings, price on request through www.caroletanenbaum.com. Roksanda boots, $1,395 through www.modaoperandi.com.
Photographed on the Rivea patio atop the Delano Las Vegas hotel (www.delanolasvegas.com).
Renata Kaveh
5. FULL COLOUR
Make monochromatic dressing pop with a colour-blocked accessory. Anna Sui's retro-inspired tulle cocktail dress is in perfect harmony with Paul Andrew's satin pumps that boast a statement yellow heel.
Dress, $1,116 (U.S.) at Anna Sui in New York (212-941-8406). Sandals, $795 (U.S.) through
www.paulandrew.com. Tiara, $1,830 through www.saintlaurent.com. Vintage earrings, price on request through www.caroletanenbaum.com. Ring, $140 through www.rebekahprice.com.
Simone Rocha dress, $2,825 (U.S.) through www.doverstreetmarket.com. Necklace, similar styles available at J.Crew (www.jcrew.com). Sandals, $850 (U.S.) through www.rogervivier.com. Vintage earrings, price upon request through www.caroletanenbaum.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Renata Kaveh
THREE WAYS TO GET HITCHED IN LAS VEGAS
Though the tradition may be spontaneously stumbling into a retro chapel, Vegas's marriage options have diversified. Whether you're looking for something luxe, indie or kitschy, here's how to walk down the aisle in 2016
GO FOR GOLD
The Delano Las Vegas is a Miami-inspired retreat at the top of the strip and shares many of its hotel amenities with neighbouring Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino – including its wedding program. Wedding packages, overseen by a team of coordinators that have helped earn the complex nuptial accolades from The Knot and Las Vegas Bride magazine, include a range of venues. Choose between a sandy ceremony on Mandalay Bay Beach or an intimate underwater do in a glass tunnel at the Shark Reef attraction – extras include floral bouquets and photography, and reception venues range from luxurious suites to a private ballroom. For more information, visit www.mandalaybay.com.
INSIDE THE BOX
Anchoring a $350-million (U.S.) redevelopment of Downtown Las Vegas, Container Park is a complex of restaurants, shops and recreation space built out of shipping crates. One of them houses the Lucky Little Chapel, which in true Las Vegas style, offers one-stop shopping for lovey-dovey couples with an indie twist. Ranging in price from $99 to $999 (U.S.), packages can be enhanced with gown and suit rentals (if you're more of a tuxedo T-shirt kind of guy or gal those are available, too, for $30). Wedding selfies in front of the giant, fire-breathing praying mantis sculpture imported from Burning Man are, however, gratis. For more information, visit www.luckylittlechapel.com.
GOING TO THE CHAPEL
"Joan Collins, Michael Jordan were married here," reads the sign outside A Little White Wedding Chapel, which also announces its 24-hour drive-up window. Presumably the vampy actress and basketball star were not married to each other at the iconic location – fitted out with plastic topiaries and a vintage pink Cadillac – but surely more peculiar pairings have been made legal here. Overseen by "the wedding queen of the west," Charolette Richards, since the 1950s, the site offers five charmingly over-the-top chapel spaces and, if you'd like to stick with tradition, an Elvis to serenade you as you say, "I do." For more information, visit www.alittlewhitechapel.com.
Photography by Renata Kaveh
PHOTO SHOOT CREDITS
Makeup and hair by Robert Weir for M.A.C Cosmetics/
judyinc.com. Models: Izi and Connor at Elmer Olsen Model Management (www.elmerolsenmodels.com). Airfare, accommodations and additional support were provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Delano Las Vegas. Neither approved nor reviewed this article prior to publication. For more information on planning a trip to Las Vegas, visit www.lasvegas.com.