Inspired by Jane + Matt’s wedding venue at the Van Noy Mansion in Kansas City, today’s featured couple decided to theme their entire wedding as a vintage, 1920s affair. Complete with ostrich feathers, pearl strands and an old fashioned speakeasy cocktail hour, guests were encouraged to dress with some 1920s flair – I love that! And what better designer to really capture the art deco vibe of this intimate day than with a Claire Pettibone wedding gown called ‘Yolanda’. As Jane describes, ‘I only went to one wedding dress store, tried on about 8 dresses, and bought my dress the next day. I never had any “dress regret” and absolutely loved wearing it on my wedding day.’ So good!
Jane + Matt | May 25, 2013 | Van Noy Mansion, Kansas City, Missouri
The Ceremony
Our wedding was May 25, 2013 at the Van Noy Mansion in Kansas City, Missouri; it’s a historic mansion dating back to the 1920s. Once we found the venue, we decided to have a 1920s theme for our wedding to play off the venue (little did we know at the time how trendy the 1920s would end up being this year!). We had about 40 guests, and our ceremony was very intimate and personal; we wrote our own vows and even a poem.
The Reception
Our colors were eggplant, lilac, ivory, and silver. The reception tables were each named after a famous woman from the 1920s (e.g., Josephine Baker, Zelda Fitzgerald), and each table had a black and white photo of the star in an antique-style frame. We had a “speakeasy”, in which we served classic cocktails like the Aviation, Mary Pickford, and Bee’s Knees, and our seated dinner tables were decorated with giant white ostrich feathers and pearl strands. Our DJ played fun period music like Cab Calloway, and we had dancing. Guests were encouraged to dress with a bit of 1920s flair, and they really participated.
Jane’s Dress Search
I bought the dress before we decided on the 1920s theme, but fortunately it had a enough of a vintage feel to work with the theme. I definitely had a look and designer in mind: vintage and Claire Pettibone. I tried on some other dresses, but ultimately fell in love with a beautiful lace gown by Claire Pettibone. I only went to one wedding dress store, tried on about 8 dresses, and bought my dress the next day. I never had any “dress regret” and absolutely loved wearing it on my wedding day.
How Jane Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Beautiful, Elegant, Romantic
Why Jane Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
There are a few reasons that I decided to sell my dress. First, I am never going to wear it again, and I don’t see the point in having it sit in my closet so that I can look at it every now and then – that’s what I have photos for. Second, the wedding was expensive and I’d like offset that a bit if I can. And third, Claire Pettibone is an expensive designer who at full price is out of reach for many brides; if I can pass the dress along to another bride that loves Claire’s whimsical, romantic style, then I think that is absolutely wonderful.
