Hatmaker, Hatmaker, Make Me a Hat
Sep 8th, 2009 by Kristin
I’d known about this wedding for nearly a year, and hardly anyone was more stressed than I, except perhaps the bride (kidding). Why, you ask? Because it was a very English wedding thrown by a very classy, English family, and my monster noggin does little to accommodate hats (and don’t tell me I don’t look like I have a huge head, because it’s true! I swear it! On top of that, a horse mane full of hair that only accentuates the situation). I don’t know what I thought was going to happen if I didn’t find the perfect headpiece—would I be denied admittance after traveling so far? Still, I didn’t want to test that theory. Fact: I went to every vintage store along Haight Street trying to find the perfect hat or fascinator—I didn’t even care if it matched my dress; I just wanted something, anything, that fit—and nada. So I returned home defeated, at which point my crafty fiance, owner of the sewing machine and hot glue gun in this duo, said, “why don’t I just make you one?” So SVV called his best friend, Danny, who is the most resourceful, helpful and kindest individual I have ever known, and of course he had boxes of peacock, plume, etc. feathers he had collected through the years—why wouldn’t one have a stash of such in his garage?—that were ours for the taking. And thus, Project: Make Kristin a Fascinator was set in motion.
And make me a fascinator he did, with a beautiful peacock feather he trimmed down as the piece de resistance.
A few hours later I returned from my errands to find the final product ready for the wear. Behold, why I’m marrying him:
Isn’t my fascinator just fascinating? And if you’re wondering why he doesn’t have his own Etsy account, you’re not the only one. We’re working on that!
I was afraid I was going to be the only feathered gal at the wedding, but many of the attendees who actually flew over from England had some sort of dead bird on their heads, as well (though none were as elaborate, tall or homemade as mine…boo-yah!). SVV even went as far as to carry my hatbox down to San Diego for me. Isn’t he a gem? (And no, he’s not pissed off here because I made him carry a sunflower hatbox—in fact, he offered to do just that!—but rather completely and totally knackered from our 4:45am wakeup call.)
(Tell me this picture doesn’t remind you of that scene from Dirty Dancing…”I carried a watermelon!”?)
The best weddings are the ones in which you have a whole posse of friends attending. This one was no different. Out of the 60 in attendance, there were seven of us from the Bay Area who flew/drove down for the occasion, and one Jemima who jetted out from Charleston in her “fertile cow” state (her words, not mine)(let’s just say, she’s at the halfway point in her pregnancy and simply looks as if she consumed a big Thanksgiving dinner).
In an effort to respect the bride’s and groom’s wishes, I won’t post any of the actual wedding pics until they’ve had a chance to do so from Down Under. So enjoy these snapshots of us attendees in our wedding wear, and pics and videos of Holly and Sean: The Big Day will be up in the coming weeks. Until then, get distracted by these GQ models instead:
Aren’t they lookers? In the four years, one week I’ve known him, it’s only the second time I’ve seen SVV don a suit—which could explain why we had to look up a tying-a-tie tutorial online (and none of us ladies had the slightest clue how to do so either, for shame). Simon, too, looks like he was born to wear one.
Brody Jenner would totally approve of this photo. Bros 4 Life!
Clearly, we weren’t the only ones who found them HAWT.
Moose must have thought so, too; that’s why she color-coordinated to match him. Hey, if I have to share my beau with someone, I’d like it to be a gal as lovely and charming as this!
Oh yeah, I got a brief shot with him, too. It was difficult to pin him down; the dude was in demand.
The Best Dressed award surely went to Miss Leah…or Daisy Buchanan as she channeled for the day. Even sans Wombat, she was radiant—and even managed to enjoy her night off her motherhood duties. I wish I didn’t have such a mammoth head so I could wear a hat this beautiful!
I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun at a wedding in my life…and this was before the reception even began! I can’t wait to share more once Holly and Sean have done so themselves. Congrats to the lovely pair for finally making a 13-year union “official!”
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That SVV is not only creative, love your fascinator, but extremely handsome in that suit. Well, also in other attire. You look smashing, as does Miss Leah. Looks like a fun time.
Wow, he did a great job! You all look gorgeous. Also, I was so glad to hear you enjoyed the Solamar! You’re right: that rooftop pool is a huge highlight.
How freaking adorable is your almost-husband? Fantastic fascinator! I was making those for a bit around last Christmas, but I never got that elaborate (or TALL!
) with mine. Great work, SVV!
I’m so impressed! Who taught him this stuff?
SO fun! I love weddings with a theme!
I’m impressed! Way to go SVV! It’s beautiful!
Glad you had a great time! I can’t wait to see photos of Holly and Sean!
Oh my goodness! Gorgeous! and the fascinator..dreamy.
GORGEOUS!!! I’m currently in love with peacock feathers. I just got the cutest Havaianas flip-flips. I could have used SVV’s help when I was in Melbourne and the Melbourne Cup was in session.
Is SVV a catch or what?! Love the fun beach pictures!!
When I think English wedding I immediately think of Andy McDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral and her humongous white hate that causes Hugh Grant to fall in love with her. Sigh…
Your fascinator turned out gorgeous!
SVV should dress up more often. Dude cleans up GOOD, as in, looks like he jumped out of a fashion mag. Hawt.
I’ve always wanted to be a Peacock for Halloween. How do you think he would feel being tapped for a more elaborate project…?
So fun! You have one crafty man on your hands, friend! Now, get on the Etsy shop and send us a link….I want to purchase one of my own
Thank you
Teej, my mother taught me the crafty side of things and to be completely unafraid of being artistic while dad learned me in the art of handling tools and utilizing materials at hand. Anything else comes after experimentation and a little bit of luck
I have a GIANT head also and it really breaks my heart. Especially because I have some really darling hats that belonged to my Grandma.
(And, you all look marvelous!)
Have I ever told you that you look really good in blue?
What a fun wedding!
And you definitely have a catch
You guys look great, and those pics look like a lot of fun. Itching to put up the rest of the pics and stories, huh? I can well imagine, and am feeling rather gleeful at the thought of the mental torture you must be going through, as you actually have to hold back.
What a gorgeous dress you wore! I can’t wait to see more photos
That is so awesome! Handmade is the best, and handmade with love? Can’t be beat!
All of you attendees look fantastic!
Awwww…Simon is one of my most favorite dudes (Aside from my husband, of course). LOVE the photos!!
Now I just need to meet you and SVV.
LOVE! You both look hawt!
Ohhhh man, gorgeous. Leah’s hat is slamming. Don’t feel bad, it wouldn’t fit my pumpkin head either. But I’m most jealous of that dress. I guess I could wear it-except that color would wash me out soooo balyd. It would be as if the Invisible Woman was invited to the wedding!
Psyched that you got a GOOD wedding. There is nothing worse than a bad one. Except for maybe a bad baby shower. Ughh…boooooring.
-Sarah
I heart wedding posts.
Waitwaitwait…he knew what a fascinator is? Shit, I can’t even spell it!
But you totally rocked it. Lovely, just lovely!
I just snorted about four times reading that, especially when we got to the giant grade school “smackdown” at the end. Nice. I miss you guys (but not that damned hotel)!