The Twilight Saga Exclusive: Experts Plan Bella's Wedding

The Twilight Saga Exclusive: Experts Plan Bella's Wedding

While Bella's dream day won't be re-created on the silver screen in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, one thing is for certain—an engagement! We asked the industry's top experts—from famed event planner Preston Bailey, who recently designed Ivanka Trump's wedding, to Reem Acra, who has created glamorous wedding gowns for far too many celebs to list—to give us their ideas for Bella and Edward's pending nuptials. Take a look at the dramatic invitations, gorgeous flowers, stunning gowns and more stylish details they envisioned for the fairytale wedding.

Bella's Engagement Ring

THE INSPIRATION: “Nestled into the black satin, Elizabeth Masen’s ring sparkled in the dim light. The face was a long oval, set with slanting rows of glittering round stones. The band was gold—delicate and narrow. The gold made a fragile web around the diamonds.” — The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

THE EXPERT SAYS: “This old European and rose-cut diamond ring is perfect for Bella because, like her, it has a strength and understated elegance about it. It's feminine with just a slight edginess—a refreshing alternative to a traditional solitaire. That this ring is an antique from the early 1900s connects the wearer to its history, something that would be important to Bella as she connects to that of the family she is marrying into.” — Elizabeth Doyle, owner, doyledoyle.com

The invitations

THE INSPIRATION: "Edward lay next to me and held my hand. 'August thirteenth?' he asked casually after a few minutes of comfortable silence." — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

THE EXPERT SAYS: “This design captures the essence of Bella and Edward: dramatic and passionate with a hint of dark elegance. It incorporates a variety of printing techniques and materials, making it both complicated and harmonious, like their relationship. The color palette symbolizes the chemistry between them: red is passion and a nod to the vampires, while espresso is mysterious and gold represents luxury and elegance. Their relationship is so unique, their invitation had to match!” — Ceci Johnson, founder and creative director, cecinewyork.com 

The decor

THE INSPIRATION: “I was distracted by the profusion of white blossoms that hung in garlands from everything in the room...dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons. But I tore my eyes from the bowery canopy and searched across the rows of satin-draped chairs...until I found him at last, standing before an arch overflowing with more flowers.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: "The passion between Bella and Edward is electrifying; their wedding needed to be just as magical and enthralling. Romance, fantasy and drama—each are key elements in the pair's extraordinary story and warranted creative interpretation filled with magnificent florals, shimmering stars, dreamlike fog and more. The couple's reception called for a change in mood after the ceremony—crystal chandeliers, floral candelabras, and spectacular lighting." — Preston Bailey, event designer, prestonbailey.com 

The Flowers

THE INSPIRATION: "'It smells wonderful!' I assured her—almost intoxicating, but not at all overwhelming... 'Orange blossoms… lilac… and something else—am I right?'” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: “The Twilight series is so classically romantic. I was inspired to create a timeless, whimsical, almost innocent bouquet of white garden roses and freesia that reflects true love in its purest form, with a touch of the darker side of Bella’s desire coming through with hints of deep helleborus.” — Rori Pierpont, creative director, castlepierpont.com

Alice's Bridesmaid Dress

 

THE INSPIRATION: “Alice was back before I had taken two hundred breaths, in a dress that flowed down her slender body like a silvery waterfall.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 

THE EXPERTS SAY: “Alice is the fashionista to Bella’s tomboy, and we pictured Alice choosing a dress that's stylish but not overly so. The one-shoulder is a simple nod to her love of fashion (and a Thread signature!) and the flowing waves of silk chiffon over charmeuse lend the formality required for such a momentous occasion.” — Beth Blake & Melissa Akey, designers, threaddesign.com

Rosalie's Dress

THE INSPIRATION: “Rosalie glided past the bathroom door in a shimmery silver gown with her golden hair piled up in a soft crown on top of her head. She was so beautiful it made me want to cry.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 
THE EXPERTS SAY: “Rosalie stubbornly disapproves of Edward and Bella as a couple from day one, and we saw her choosing a relatively simple gown to display her opposition to the wedding. However, Rosalie is also notoriously proud of her beauty, so we knew she wouldn’t be able to resist adding a few glamorous touches to her ensemble, be it the gorgeous draping of silk crepe at the hip or the elegant shimmer of her crystal belt.” — Beth Blake & Melissa Akey, designers, threaddesign.com

Bella's Wedding Gown

THE INSPIRATION: “My knees shook so badly as [Alice] fastened the long line of pearl buttons up my back that the satin quivered in little wavelets down the floor… The narrow sheath of the shimmering white dress flared out subtly at the train almost like an inverted calla lily.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: "I saw a romantic bias cut ivory gown made of liquid silk charmeuse and antique Alencon lace with covered back buttons that nod to Edward’s Victorian upbringing. It’s a timeless gown that fits Bella’s personality perfectly.” — Reem Acra, designer, reemacra.com

 Something Borrowed, Something Blue

THE INSPIRATION: “Alice...slid both combs into my hair under the edge of the thick braids. ‘That's something old and something blue,’ Alice mused... ‘And your dress is new…‘ She flicked something at me... the filmy white garter landed in my palms. ‘That's mine and I want it back,’ Alice told me.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERTS SAY: “The inspiration for Bella's garter was 'understated pretty meets vintage elegance.' It's a hybrid of Bella and Edward's distinct qualities: Bella is pretty, natural and classic. Edward is sparkling, vintage and captivating.” — Claire Quigley, designer, journelle.com
"I envisioned a piece for Bella that looked like wildflower branches that her grandmother might have worn to her own wedding. We designed wild leaves and had them made in dark blue stones set into blackened silver metal, for an antique feel." — Jennifer Behr, hair accessory designer, jenniferbehr.com

 The Hair

THE INSPIRATION: "‘You can start braiding. I want it intricate. The veil goes here, underneath.’” — Alice, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 

THE EXPERT SAYS: “What is really beautiful about these updos is the romance paired with movement. Also, there's a complexity and duality in texture, much like Bella's own complexity, and the styles have many twists and turns, just like the story.” — Adir Abergel, celebrity hair stylist, fekkai.com

The Wedding Bands

THE INSPIRATION: "I didn’t realize I was crying until it was time to say the blinding words. ‘I do,’ I managed to choke out in a nearly unintelligible whisper... When it was his turn to speak, the words rang clear and victorious. ‘I do,’ he vowed." — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: “Bella’s ring is romantic but unusual; the ornate gold vine design (with 372 white diamonds!) matches her complex personality. Edward’s band is a mixture of gold and hidden rubies, which evoke his secret powers.” — Neil Lane, jewelry designer, neillanejewelry.com

 The Wedding Cake

THE INSPIRATION: “I was blinded by flashbulbs as we held the knife over a spectacular cake—too grand, I thought, for our relatively intimate group of friends and family.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
THE EXPERT SAYS: “We extended the 'spectacular' cake's height by elevating each tier with bands of sugar red roses. The color signifies blood, while the white icing matches the couple's skin. I didn't feel that Bella and Edward would respond to a white-on-white theme, and used chocolate frosting as the sensuous motif—at least mortals respond very strongly to the scent of chocolate!” — Ron Ben-Israel, owner and baker, weddingcakes.com

The Music

THE INSPIRATION: “The music...floated up the stairs along with the fragrance of a million flowers. [It] was familiar, Wagner's traditional march.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: “The songs on my playlist transcend time and enhance the early 1900s aesthetic of their wedding. I chose 'Vampire Heart' by Him for Bella's entrance and 'Walking with a Ghost' by Tegan & Sara for the ceremony, both thoughtful and emotional songs—Wagner's Wedding March embodies this as well. As people enter the reception, it’s important to take time building the energy of the celebration and what would a Twilight playlist be without Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'?!” — DJ M.O.S., celebrity DJ, download his entire playlist at itunes.com

The Gift Box

THE INSPIRATION: “The gift [from the Volturi] was presented in an ornately carved, ancient wooden box inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl, ornamented with a rainbow of gemstones. Alice said the box itself was a priceless treasure, that it would have outshone just about any piece of jewelry besides the one inside it.” — Bella, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS: “The 16th-century Mention et Wagner rectangular casket (valued at $116,500) sides are set with four lapis panels within scrollwork frames, the corners inset with arched niches supporting four angels—two girls holding jewel caskets and two boys holding a necklace of an emerald and two rubies. The four corners are applied with clusters of baroque pearls with translucent green enamel leaves, and some of the amethyst cameos are set with rubies.” — Christie’s, christies.com

 The Gift Necklace

THE INSPIRATION : “The necklace was simple—gold woven into a thick rope of a chain, almost scaled, like a smooth snake that would curl close around the throat. One jewel hung suspended from the rope: a white diamond the size of a golf ball.” — The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

THE EXPERT SAYS : "I love the idea that a diamond that size would be a droplet shape, rather than a round stone. It’s so timeless and also has the undercurrent of something liquid—like a tear or a drop of blood. The heaviness of the chain is almost serpentine. It's a summation of their love story in that sort of elegant yet menacing way a gold snake wrapped around one's neck would feel, but also symbolizes eternity. I think the Volturi would have intended both interpretations for this piece of jewelry." — Anna Sheffield, designer, bingbangnyc.com

The Honeymoon

THE INSPIRATION: “We headed due east into the open ocean... As far as I could remember there wasn’t much east of Brazil… ’This is Isle Esme. A gift from Carlisle—Esme offered to let us borrow it.’… The moon was bright on white sand and, just a few yards away from the house, glistening waves... I was more focused on the absolutely huge white bed in the center of the room, hung with billowy clouds of mosquito netting.” — Bella, with a quote from Edward, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

EXPERT SAYS: "A boat ride away from Brazil’s coastline there is a clutch of subtropical islands that combine jungle backdrops and pristine beaches with plenty of essential honeymoon privacy. If you don’t have the funds to finance your own private island getaway, head further down the coast to replicate your own Edward-and-Bella-style escape. Book one of the four bungalows at secluded seaside retreat Fazenda São Francisco or the breezy eco-shacks of Tauana, which are both backed by virgin forest and fronted by kilometres of white-sand Corumbau shoreline, and offer a taste of wild South Bahia without compromising on contemporary luxury.” — James Lohan, CEO, mrandmrssmith.com 

Source => InStyle