As we jump into the new year many of you are newly engaged and just starting to dream up ideas and inspiration for your wedding day in 2012. To help launch the search for your personal style and vision I thought it would be helpful to share some tips and advice from one of my favorite clients from 2011. I remember the minute I first met Meghan Graper in my office in NYC--she was such a breath of fresh air. Her sense of style was strong and her vision was clear for what she wanted her wedding to look like. Meghan showed up in my office for our first meeting with her insanely talented brother Will Graper who just happened to be her style guru for looking amazing and flawless on her wedding day. Meghan's marriage to Keith, now her wonderful husband, took place on May 14, 2011. The ceremony was held at St Luke in the Fields followed by the reception at The Bowery Hotel in NYC.
Meghan is currently a Director in High Grade Corporate Syndication at Barclays Capital in NYC. She confessed to living vicariously through Will as there isn't much room for fashion in finance. She's the second oldest of six children and grew up in Sarasota, Florida. Meghan moved to NYC in 200 after graduating from Duke University with an Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy/Media Studies and a Film and Video Certification.
Will is a fashion stylist and brand consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Sarasota, Florida, William has been a contributing editor for various publications including VOGUE Russia, Marie Claire, V Magazine and most recently Citizen K with actress Diane Kruger. Look out for William's latest editorial in the February issue of Marie Claire.
In addition his editorial work, William works closely with fashion designers like Rad Hourani to develop upcoming collections and style shows for NY and Paris Fashion Week. For more information and to see William's portfolio, please visit www.williamgraper.com.
Meghan says, "As I broached the overriding questions and thought about setting the tone for all of the limitless details, with Will's guidance, I gave a lot of consideration to finding my own personality in my style choices....with a focus of remaining genuine with every decision."
I couldn't help but think Meghan had the most invaluable and unique resource right there by her side with an accomplished stylist as her brother. What a dream relationship for planning your wedding! It was certainly a fabulous and fun journey getting to know this dynamic duo. Here are some of Will and Meghan's personal tips for looking and feeling your best on your wedding day.
Will's advice for pulling together the perfect look...
- "Got your eye on that Oscar de la Renta bridal couture but simply can't afford it? Skip the bridal salons that always charge more for a "wedding" dress and hit up other sections of the department store. Check out Oscar's main line of ready-to-wear for a classic white dress that the designer does so well year round."
Meghan's advice for feeling and looking great as a bride...
- "Allow yourself the luxury of time--- there tends to be a lot of pressure to pick a date and to start nailing down details, but until I knew what I wanted from a more macro vantage point, I considered any wild idea that popped in to my head."
I will share more of Will's super chis style advice in the near future but for now enjoy these beautiful images from the wedding day! Meghan was (of course) so beautiful, chic and totally stylish. Will was there for every minute of every photo making sure the details were perfection!
All Photos by Brian Dorsey Studios.