Love Notes: The Pacific Weddings Blog

For the Groom: Italian Style

 

Photos: Nathaniel Goldberg

I have followed GQ magazine since my college days, and I still look to them for savvy fashion advice and the latest trends for men. I thought you would appreciate their list of:

5 Reasons Italian Men Always Look Good

1. The Year-Round Bronze
Somehow, they maintain their tans.

2. Suits that Fit
Always a quarter inch of cuff showing, always just the slightest break in their trousers.

3. The Exposed Ankle
In the warmer months, no socks. Ever.

4. Because Less Is More
The best-dressed Italians keep it simple, relying on perfectly tailored pieces made from excellent fabrics.

5. And Because They Care
A little vanity goes a long way. These guys always make the effort.

(Photo Above) Hotel Mediterraneo—Bettoja Hotels
Suit, $1,960, and shirt, $415, by Prada. Tie, $180, by Bottega Veneta. Loafers, $475, by Tod’s. Pocket square by Brunello Cucinelli. Passport cover (in hand) by Asprey. Bag by Tom Ford. Click here for the original story via GQ.

(Below)Piazza della Rotonda
Suit, $1,695; shirt, $575; tie, $160; and tie bar: all by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, $895, by Bally.

Wedding Bouquets & Boutonnieres: An Indelible Impression

While researching a flower story I was reminded of one of our very talented Hawaii wedding florists, Della Peacock, who founded Dellables, a floral design company based in Haiku, Maui. Della's designs are clearly influenced by her serene tropical home. She describes her work as a "creative personal expression, absorbing my natural surroundings and painting my interpretations of ocean, mountain and sky through my floral designs." Originally from San Francisco, Della has lived in Hawaii for 20 years and is particularly adept at combining tropical flowers with more traditional roses and orchids. I love how her bouquets are beautifully constructed with a unique unrestricted quality all their own. Perhaps they reflect the heart of the artist herself—warm and welcoming and at once beautiful! Check out more of the Della's floral portfolio here. (Photos courtesy of Dellables)

For the Groom: Destination Wedding Style

Since the groom's attire is sometimes a bit overlooked in the destination wedding plans, I am dedicating a follow-up post with more stylish alternatives to the standard white shirt and khaki pants. And don't forget your little ring bearer--he should also look back with fond memories of the wedding day. Below, Jake is wearing a white shirt and tie by Ralph Lauren dressed up by a beautiful Hawaiian lei. The dimples complete the ensemble, don't you think?

 

Enter J. Crew for classic good looks that will stand the test of time--who wants to look back on their wedding photos and say, "What was I thinking?!". Here are a few light weight selections that you can personalize with a fabulous custom shirt from a haberdashery like Thomas Pink for true elegance.
(photo above by Chrissy Lambert, below courtesy of J. Crew)

J. Crew recently debuted its men's guide by Max Blagg, What a Man Should Know, featuring 50 essential principles (or minor refinements) for the way men live--a hip gift for your groomsmen.

Destination Wedding Style for the Groom

Here at Pacific Weddings® we edit literally hundreds of photos every week, and I have noticed an emergent trend among destination wedding grooms: khaki pants and a white shirt (Tommy Bahama is the top choice) are quickly becoming the uniform of choice. Here are some fabulous alternatives to give your groom stylish panache (via style.com). Nothing says casual island elegance more than linen. Avoid billowy, pleated linen suits and opt for a slim, modern cut like the one below. The tie will give you an opportunity to "tie in" your wedding color.

Skip the leather flip-flops and go for a lightweight lace-up shoe paired with a summer canvas belt. The off-white Louis Vuitton is my favorite--love the fine stitching--and the grey bucks are fab, too.

Pulling off a white suit is tricky, but according to style.com the key is to "keep it as relaxed and fun as the summer wedding you’re wearing it to is supposed to be." Good advice! Love the loafers sans socks and colorful pocket square that plays off the belt--so chic.

This pale blue  and white whipcord suit (also available in black and white) projects a sophisticated air and an unbelievably low price tag. It bears the subtle seersucker look without the stereotypical Ivy League vibe.

Photos by Ben Watts

Dressing the Man: Formal Wear Past & Present

With last years Emmy craze, "Mad Men" has certainly had it's moment in the sun. The reason you need to be hooked on this show is to take in the fine art of dressing the man. Forget the story line, the wardrobe alone will summon you. There is just something so classic about the 1960's tailored look of menswear. The show's costume designer Janie Bryant is the winner of the 2009 Costume Designers Guild Award for Outstanding Design for a Period/Fantasy TV Series. I love her brief and amazing thought on formal wear: "A real man owns his own tuxedo". (via all plaidout)

This led me to a great segment on the New York Times video series, One in 8 Million, where Michel Kramer-Metraux, "The Wedding Wardrober", shares his expertise as the director of men's formal wear at Saks Fifth Avenue. Really good stuff...watch here.

 

Mr. Kramer-Metraux says the most popular tuxedo that he sells today is the one button peak lapel-- the one tuxedo everybody wore fifty years ago. photos by Todd Heisler

As for the modern day take on men's fashion, I couldn't resist posting this image from the New York Times story on trousers (looks like designers are focusing on the view from behind his season!). So what do you think of men in tight pants, ladies?

photo by Dean Isidro for The New York Times at the Standard, New York

Dressing the Groom: Suits of Color

The black tux may be the go-to piece in wedding attire but after eyeing the Fall 2009 Menswear Collections, you may reconsider color for a formal affair. When it comes to dressing the groom, the palette rarely veers away from black, gray and beige and for the most part, the runways this week were awash in dark, muted tones. But it was these bold slate blue suits that caught our eye! Our favorite looks included an English prep school tux from Band of Outsiders and a clean and polished tailored suit from Calvin Klein Collection. Would you dare don color on your wedding day?

CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION

HUTSON

[Band of Outsiders photo by Don Ashby, Calvin Klein Collection photo by Marcio Madeiravia; via style.com]

Hawaii's Top Ten Adventures for the Groom

With the winter chill right around the bend it shouldn't be difficult to convince your beau to steal away with you to an exotic locale for your wedding. But what if he is the type of guy who favors a hometown affair close to his creature comforts? We're here to help you convince him that a celebration in the Hawaiian Islands will earn him serious outdoor adventure credibility amongst his gents, all the while satisfiying the romantic in you! Here we present our top ten list of activities unique to Hawaii that will excite almost any groom:

1. Hiking on Kauai is essentially unbeatable with ideal weather conditions, gorgeous views and endless diverse terrain from which to choose. Hike east down Kukui Trail into the depths of Waimea Canyon for an epic experience. [Image via Gohawaii.com]

2. Golfing at the two championship courses at Mauna Lani Resort on the Kahala Coast offers a challenging game for novice and professional golf enthusiasts alike. Golf Magazine recently rated the resort "One of the Top Ten Green Resorts" for enviromental stewardship and conservation. [Image of Nike SQ SUMO² 5900 via Men's Vogue]

3. Surfing, (duh!). If you're 'Big Wave Dave' hit up the North Shore (Pipeline on Oahu, Hookipa on Maui). If you feel a bit more comfortable with the 'beginner' or 'novice' title, look past the tourist haven of downtown Waikiki to the shoreline where some of Hawaii's greats have made their mark. 

4. Scuba diving or snorkeling on Molokini, a crescent moon-shaped isle located off Maui's southern coast affords underwater discovery like no other. For the courageous few who dare to swim with the sharks, check out the Hawaii Shark Encounters on Oahu's North Shore.

5. Hunting at Parker Ranch on Hawaii’s Big Island. A recent revival of the Ranch's extensive hunt program means even more guided hunts over thousands of acres of scenic terrain every day of the year for big gamers. [Image via Men's Vogue]

6. Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Hanalei, Kauai. Laird Hamilton made this fitness-friendly watersport an overnight sensation in the islands and it has quickly swept the nation. [Image via Longboardhouse.com]

7. Spend a day deep sea fishing off the Kona Coast on Hawaii's Big Island where the fight for Blue Marlin and Mahi Mahi end in success almost daily.

9. Camping is synonymous with Hawaii and each island offers well-maintained public parks as well as off-the-beaten path spots. Lanai is our pick for beach camping and your wife will certainly appreciate the Four Seasons at Manele Bay within walking distance to your site! Try Hana on Maui for an unmatchable jungle setting.
 
10. For the uninhibited, bike down Maui's dormant volcano, Mt. Haleakala, at sunrise with Maui Mountain Riders for the ride of your life!

Real Men Wear Pink

A destination wedding gives the men in your party a valid reason to forgo formal attire, but the location and time of day for your event will ultimately influence the groom's decision of what to wear. A tropical climate usually calls for a lightweight pale suit or an elegant linen jacket, however, a tux is certainly appropriate for a formal evening event.

If you or your betrothed are a little intimidated by the myriad nuances of men's wedding fashion, seek counsel from the experts. The arbiter of classic American style, Ralph Lauren, offers the RL Style Guide with head-to-toe advice on dressing with timeless elegance. For instance, did you know that the suit coat sleeve should extend just past the wrist when the arm hangs naturally at the side? If a jacket isn't even a consideration, look to Tommy Bahama for laid-back luxe. For the detailed man, try one of my favorites, Thomas Pink, the British haberdashery that will custom tailor both shirt and tie for your event. No matter what he decides, your groom will head to the altar looking his best!