Wedding Gown...A Re-Design - for Pauline

What a lovely WEDDING GOWN...is there a wedding in someone's future? There have been some things taking place recently. Here are photos of the gown, the front, with the train showing underneath it and then just the train, by itself.  CLUE:  It is NOT mine.  What do I mean? Over the weekend, Pauline (our silent dinner hostess) let us know that she had indeed found someone special, someone she wanted...
to spend her life with...his name is ALBERT. They met some time ago, in a window display at Macy's. They lost touch, but recently Albert had seen Pauline on his owner's computer...while she was viewing our blog. Imagine that. Next thing, Albert is asking for Pauline's "base" in marriage. Here is PAULINE!!! She is so excited about the upcoming nuptials.

She was all a-tither, trying to figure out what she would do for a dress, since what she was wearing would never do. I suggested that she allow me, a former owner of a Bridal business, to re-design the beautiful Wedding Gown we purchased last weekend, into a gown just for her. She was elated at the thought. So, what was once the bottom of the gown, became the bodice of the new gown. Although armless, Pauline has sleeves that float beautifully. She always wanted a crinoline, and that is exactly what the skirt of her gown is.

The off-the-shoulder sleeve cap, loaded with roses, is her headpiece. There is no train and it is not even missed on this gorgeous gown. As I fit the gown on Pauline, she and I conversed and imagined who had worn this wedding gown before. We were envisioning a Princess...a Commoner...a young girl and then............then we found a name in the hem of the gown. It was Marie Ann Hermann. In doing some checking on this woman...we found that Marie Ann had gotten married at a young age of 18 to a man she was head over heels in love with. When they moved to Michigan a few years later...Marie Ann decided to let the gown go to someone else who would it enjoy it as much as she had. How wonderful is that? *Dabbing eyes* Here is PAULINE in all her beautifulness...in her gown...just days before the special occasion.

Below...you will meet ALBERT. Don't they make a beautiful couple?

Ohhhhhhhhhh...shhhhhhhh...the wedding march is beginning. The vows are gorgeous. "To have and hold still forever...to stand next to each other always". Cake and Punch were served after the private wedding. Pauline and Albert will honeymoon in Medina, Ohio...and plan to Move into their New Residence when they return home.  We wish them both well and thank them for all the help they were while they lived here.

And this is Albert!

Congratulations to Pauline & Albert!

My Son's Wedding

Stephen's Wedding to Lindsey - June 26, 2010
It was the most gorgeous wedding I have EVER been to.  Stephen takes after me, in being a gracious and elegant Host and his wedding was no different.  He spent a great deal of time planning EVERY detail of every aspect of the entire weekend...from where we would dine before our massages on Friday...to the Rehearsal Dinner...to the Wedding Cake...and the Place Cards for Dinner, he spared no time, hard work or CA$H.  Everyone was amazed at everything he thought of...he basically made Lindsey's Wedding Dreams come true.  I am sooooooooooo proud of him.  One other thing...
he prepared the entire Wedding Ceremony, including the readings, what the officiant would say...the music and singer...and the VOWS he said to Lindsey.

The weekend's events began with our arrival

at the INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL in downtown Milwaukee on Thursday.  We had a lovely King-size room overlooking downtown.  After unpacking and getting settled in, we went down to the Hotel Restaurant and had an awesome dinner.  We walked around the huge hotel complex and then went back to our room.  We fell asleep early that night.

Friday arrived (which was to be rainy)...and it was sunny and warm.  Our main things going on that day were lunch with Stephen, Lindsey and Lynda (Lindsey's mom).  We went to BRAVO for our lunch and then it was off to NEROLI'S for a massage, manicure and pedicure.  What a treat!!!

After going back to the Hotel and changing clothes, we went to the Wedding Rehearsal...at VILLA TERRACE, a lovely mansion on the lakefront.  Then...we all went to dinner...24 of us.  We ate at ZARLETTI...a northern Italian Restaurant.  The waiter and waitress brought out platter after platter of appetizers, antipasto, pasta, chicken, vegetables, salad and dessert.  The food was absolutely out-of-this-world fantastic!!  And the service matched.  They poured wine all through dinner.  Tom and I will definitely be going back there...the next time we're in Milwaukee!!

Saturday, when we awoke, we saw MORE sunshine ~ when rain had been predicted!  The entire day was sunny to party sunny.

The wedding was at 11:00AM. We arrived early, so that I could TIE the men's Raspberry Dotted Bow-Ties.  Nope, Stephen wanted bow-ties to match the girls dresses (imagine that) and there were no clip-ons in that color.  Lucky thing is I learned to tie bow-ties when I worked for a Formal Wear Shop years earlier.  A quick on-line refresher and I was good to go.  And...of course, I tied Stephen's Black Bow-Tie too.

As most weddings, this one began a little late...but it was well worth the wait.  A string quartet played before...and during the wedding, a woman sang the Wedding Song.  The Bride's Attendants were so pretty in their Raspberry colored dresses and silver, rhinstone studded shoes.

 And the BRIDE...

She was stunning!  Lindsey was the prettiest Bride ever.  As you can see in the picture above, she is a tall blonde...and wore a designed and made-for-her gown.  It was lovely.  She was lovely. They got married high on the Bluff overlooking Lake Michigan...

Mom, Bride, Groom & Tom

  The Bride & Groom right after the wedding - what a gorgeous couple!

Stephen was stunningly handsome, standing next to Lindsey in his tuxedo.   The Bride & Groom - and their Wedding Party went off to have photos taken and here are just a few of them.

Stephen selected the wedding cake, which had Raspberry filling (with actual whole raspberries in it)...and had it designed in layers to resemble Lindsey's Dress.  He definitely thought of everything!!

The wedding reception was a few hours later, back at our Hotel downtown.  The Reception room was gorgeous, as we got a quick peek.  There were bars and hors d'oeuvres in the area surrounding the Grand Salon, which was closed until just before dinner.

All in all...the Wedding and Reception went off without a "hitch"...and was so beautiful.

I couldn't be more proud of my son, who is 40 (now 42)...and all the hard work he put into this wedding...and how he LOVES Lindsey.

Stephen's father-in-law said to me at the end of the evening..."Our entire family is in love with your son.  He's wonderful!"  Now, to me...that is really something, coming from the Bride's dad. We wish them a long and happy life together.

Wedding, Homes & Leopard

Hi, I'm Jan and I've been blogging for about 5 years and in November, 2012 I began this Blog - The Comfort of a Safe Place.  Perhaps you will remember me from Jan & Tom's Place, Rose Haven or Always Designing.  I really am enjoying this Blog.

Some of the things I love doing in my spare time are - crocheting, sewing, jewelry design, cooking and baking (trying out new recipes)...
Pinning and Pinterest, Designing my Blog and helping others with their Blogs, Interior Design work and caring for our Pups.  Please, check my Navigation Bar up at the top, under my Banner, I have some important features there, that you may want to check out - and yes, they do sometimes change!


Now, I'd like to share a few of my Favorite Posts on my Blog, so you can get to know me and see what I'm all about.  One of my all time favorite posts and one that is near and dear to my ♥ is of my oldest son, Stephen and his wedding to Lindsey.  They make a beautiful couple.


After much work on Stephen's part,
They married in June of 2010 in Wisconsin. 

You can see their Dream Wedding post, HERE.

I love going on Home Tours and touring the DeVilbiss Mansion  in Toledo, Ohio was no exception.   At the time, Mr CSP and I were looking  into fulfilling our dream of being B&B Owners.  Although this Mansion needed considerable work, at the price it was listed, it would have been an incredible value.  Take a look for yourself HERE.   

I LOVE Leopard Print and I share that passion on Pinterest!