Help for the bride-to-be at A Soolip Wedding
Brides-to-be who want ideas for that dream wedding might check out A Soolip Wedding on Sunday). The annual event bills itself as “a celebration of inspiration” that draws together “a well-edited collection of L.A.’s unique and most distinctive bridal resources.”
This year’s edition will feature a Monique Lhuillier bridal fashion show along with mini-facials by Kate Somerville aestheticians and tips from hairstylist Yuki Sharoni. Other experts, such as Grace and BLD restaurants’ chef Neal Fraser, will talk about how to make a wedding perfect, from flowers to cake and everything in between.
Wanda Soolip Wen, owner of Soolip Paperie & Press, is the guiding force behind the event, which she founded 11 years ago after fielding queries from brides-to-be asking about the coolest places to exchange vows. Since Soolip Paperie prints custom letterpress invitations on unusual stationary (such as “tree-free” cotton paper), brides and wedding planners surmised that Wen must also know other vendors who offer similar niche bridal services. Wen rustled up like-minded wedding providers, including dressmakers, jewelers, hair stylists, makeup artists, musicians, bakers and caterers and brought them all together for A Soolip Wedding.
The event, which will be at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, includes entertainment as well as information; a complete schedule can be found on A Soolip Wedding’s website. “The process of getting married should be as fun as the wedding itself,” Wen says.
In keeping with today’s environmentally conscious attitudes, a number of the vendors offer locally made, seasonal and sustainable options and ideas. For instance, Wen suggests using living succulents that can be planted, or fruits that can be eaten or donated, instead of cut flowers for table displays. Stray palm fronds left in a yard after a storm can be turned into eye-catching centerpieces grouped in vintage vases. Floral designer Krista Jon Levandofsky, exhibiting at the boutique show, is an expert at transforming natural objects — twigs, palm fronds — into objets d’art.
“Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive,” Wen says. “It’s not about how much money you spend on your flowers or cake but [about] creating an event with all those elements that is meaningful.”
While prospective brides might pare back on more lavish celebrations, austere times also give them more license to break with tradition. “I had a client in her 40s who decided to wear a bright orange dress to her first wedding,” Wen says. “A vintage gown is good for your pocketbook or a great nod to previous generations of a family.” Wen adds that modern brides are opting for red velvet cupcakes or passion fruit curd instead of the traditional tiered cake.
For invitations, Soolip Paperie & Press offers tree-free papers, including some made from remnant cotton rags — from India or the local garment industry— with hand-stitched details or custom dyeing (prices start at $3,000 for 100). Invitations also can be printed on wood veneers using letterpress soy-based inks ($2,500 and up for 100). Soolip can also send out traditional mold-made paper invitations embellished with pressed flowers ($1,800 to $3,000).
For wedding guests, Wen gives tips for standout presents in her coffee-table book, “The Art of Gift Wrapping” (Potter Craft/Random House), which is to be released in April.
210 S. Main St., Los Angeles. (310) 628-9930. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday ($45 entrance fee) https://www.asoolipwedding.com
Opening
Trunkshow LA: Recently opened by Jen Mazur and Jenn Cunningham, this boutique stocks women’s designer duds at end-of-season discount prices. Featured brands at 50% to 90% off include Monrow, Erik Hart, Alexis Lamontagna and Young, Fabulous & Broke. There are also J Brand denims for $60.
2430 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 396-3344. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Spa
Body Bar Friday: Silver Lake spa offers an evening workshop featuring experts on healthy lifestyles, including a life coach, nutritionist and yoga and Pilates instructors. For $40 each, pick a mini-treatment such as a Lotus Moon skin-care facial or signature massage. Complimentary services include brow shaping, meditation sessions, life coaching tips and consultations on yoga, Pilates or cleansing regimens plus organic wine tasting and healthy snacks.
3037 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 663-1533. 6 to 9 p.m.
