Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Petticoats & Pistols » Weddings http://petticoatsandpistols.com Romancing The West Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carolyn Brown and One Hot Cowboy Wedding http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:05:56 +0000 Guest Blogger http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=31221 Thank you for inviting me back to your blog site for a visit. One Hot Cowboy Wedding hit the book stores last week and I’m so excited. It’s the fourth book in the Spikes & Spurs series and there are three more on the docket behind it. So keep your cowboy hats and your boots on—there are more sexy cowboys and sassy women on the way. One Hot Cowboy Wedding is Ace and Jasmine’s story. They’ve been best friends for well over a year so it’s understandable when he comes into her café, Chicken Fried, with a hang-dog look on his handsome face that she’s worried. Turns out that there’s a clause in his grandfather’s will that has just surfaced which says that he must be married within a year of taking over the Double Deuce ranch and stayed married for a year or else the whole ranch…cows, bulls, equipment, land, barns and house goes to his worthless cousin. He’s got a week to find a wife and it’s looking like a damn near impossible mission because he doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Jasmine, being the good friend that she is and running from any kind of commitment anyway, says that she’ll marry him. Of course it will be a secret that no one will ever know and in a year, they’ll go to the divorce lawyer and end it quietly. No problem! Now what does a fake bride need for a fake wedding? They have to convince the lawyers and Ace’s scumbag cousin that it’s a real marriage so Jasmine chooses a cute little white dress that she’s never worn before. She attaches a veil to a white western hat and packs her white western boots for the trip. Everything is in order since Ace is picking up a set of cheap wedding rings at the Wal-Mart store on the way. The wedding chapel will provide all the rest so the bride is ready! What happens in Vegas, and all that, right? You got it! It stands true that it won’t leave Vegas and will be their secret right up until the time that the wedding kiss has happened and they are legally married. Then they find out that they’ve won a weekend honeymoon because they were the 5000th couple to get married in Cupid’s Wedding Chapel. And it is broadcast on national television on the ten o’clock news that night! Oops! Secret is out and phones are ringing. Both mothers are suddenly up to their eyeballs making preparations for a “real” wedding because everyone knows that a Vegas wedding in a chapel can’t be one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed legal. So now Jasmine finds out that what she needed to get married in Vegas and what she needs for a Texas sized wedding is two very different things. She must have a designer dress and her mother intends to bring a back up dress of her choosing if Jasmine picks out something to plain and cheap looking. She has to have at least eight bridesmaids because Ace will have to use all six of his brothers and his two best friends, Rye and Wil, as groomsmen. And there has to be a meeting of minds about their dresses, shoes, jewelry and their bouquets. There has to be a rehearsal dinner and motel rooms and an enormous reception after the wedding and it all has to be planned in one month’s time. The difference in a Vegas wedding to Texas wedding is about to drive her and Ace both crazy but what is she to do? Upset her mother who has had her heart set on a big fancy wedding for her daughter since the day she was born? Or put a stop to the whole thing? The answer is in One Hot Cowboy Wedding. What I think a bride needs for a cowboy wedding is just what Jasmine had when she went to Vegas. She needs a dress that makes her feel pretty; whether it’s long or short, from the second hand shop or a fancy designer, makes no difference. She needs a pair of boots because there will be some two-steppin’ at the reception or in the bedroom after the wedding. And a cowboy hat to hold a puff of illusion. But the most important thing a girl needs for a cowboy wedding, big or small, Vegas or Texas, is a cowboy who loves her, promises to be faithful forever and thinks he’s the one getting the prize. Anything more than that is what you want; not what you need. If you were planning a cowboy wedding what would you need? I’ll be looking forward to your answers. I’ll be away from the computer about two hours this evening because at 7:00 CST, my granddaughter, Kela Rhae, will be getting married at the Arbuckle Wedding Chapel and I’m going to go see just exactly what she’s doing for her cowboy wedding.  

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING BY CAROLYN BROWN – IN STORES APRIL 2012

A marriage made in Vegas... Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King. Can't possibly last… Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...

And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

  Miss Carolyn is giving away 2 copies of One Hot Cowboy Wedding to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information, please visit www.CarolynLBrown.com.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/04/07/carolyn-brown-and-one-hot-cowboy-wedding/feed/ 38 Brides of the West: Something Old, Something New http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=30469 That’s the theme for the upcoming Love Inspired Historical spring wedding anthology, Brides of the West.  It won’t be out until April, but my author copies arrived in a nice big box. Time for a giveaway!  Leave a comment and I’ll toss your name in the Stetson--a white one to honor weddings.  Sometime tonight I’ll pull out two names and post the winners. I’m delighted to be sharing the antho with two wonderful LIH authors, Janet Dean and Pamela Nissen. Here’s our back cover copy: Josie’s Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for. Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends’ wedding, can she open her heart again. Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry--until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it’s Jeb’s chance to show Lydia that now is the time for wedding dreams to come true. Now here’s an excerpt from Josie’s Wedding Dress. It’s taken from the middle of the first scene. We’re in a church cemetery and in Ty’s point of view as he faces the woman he left at the altar…

 EXCERPT

The buggy halted, then creaked as the female climbed down. With his neck bent, Ty listened to the squeak of the gate as she opened it. He tried to follow her movements, but the grass muted her steps. He listened for the rustle of her skirt but heard nothing. Frozen and alert, he thought of the years he’d waited in a prison cell. He’d learned to be patient. He could be patient now. He wouldn’t budge until the woman went on her way. He thought of the graves he’d seen. Was she visiting the small one that belonged to a child? A newer one with a name he didn’t recognize? A rose-like fragrance drifted on the air, becoming stronger as the woman approached. Josie liked fancy soaps. She also liked roses. A soft gasp confirmed his deepest fear. This woman knew him. This woman was Josie. “Ty? is that you?” He turned enough to see the hem of her skirt. It took him back to the day before the wedding and the banter about “something borrowed, something blue.” She’d whispered in his ear about a blue garter, and he’d loved her more than ever. Now he looked up slowly, taking in the hard line of her mouth. Gone was the cheerful girl who’d teased him with mischievous smiles. In her place he saw a woman burdened by life. Her eyes were still turquoise and her chestnut hair gleamed under a straw bonnet, but she’d lost her sparkle. Ty had come home for this very moment, yet he felt unprepared as he matched her gaze. Instead of the words he’d practiced, he stared into her eyes, feasting on the past until he found his tongue. “Hello, Josie,” he said in a drawl. “I’m hoping we can talk.”

 Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  For fun, let's share our favorite wedding memories.  What made you smile or laugh?  Or do you tear up like I do?  My favorite part of any wedding is when the bride and groom exchange their vows.    

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2012/02/22/brides-of-the-west-something-old-something-new/feed/ 34 On Being a MOB… http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:33:28 +0000 Winnie Griggs http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25309 ...Mother Of the Bride that is.  On Saturday (two days ago when this post goes live) my oldest daughter got married.  She is the first of my four children to take this step and it was a very emotional day for me.  In fact, I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence, but I’m still too wrapped up in the occasion to produce an intelligible post for you, so instead, I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.   Oh, and because this is such a very special occasion, I’d like to share a little touch of  the joy I feel by offering one visitor today a choice of any of my books, currrent or back list.
 
 
[caption id="attachment_25313" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Proud parents with bride. (As you can tell from my flushed face it was a HOT July afternoon)"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Bride and bridesmaids - who just happen to be my other two lovely daughters"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and flower girl"][/caption]  
[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="The bride and groom (my handsome new son-in-law) cutting the cake"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="My husband and our two younger daughters"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="My son and his girlfriend"][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_25326" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="Me and my beautiful daughter near the end of the reception"][/caption]]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/25/on-being-a-mob/feed/ 43 Clothes To Get Hitched In http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:35 +0000 Linda Broday http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=25174 Last month I went with a friend to the Texas Tech Museum in Lubbock. The newspaper had advertised that they were displaying their extensive collection of old wedding dresses and I couldn't wait to see them. They certainly didn't disappoint. I learned that the museum keeps a ton of things in their basement and take pride in bringing them up to display for the public periodically. Since they have so many wedding dresses, they only bring up a certain amount at a time.  Starting in August these on display now will go back to the basement and a whole new group will come up.  I think they said they have enough to last until June of 2012. Just think how many dresses comprise their collection. The ones I'm showing today were just a few of what my friend and I saw. The first two were surprisingly made of plaid material. I'd never heard of plaid being used for wedding dresses so I was amazed. For those who don't know......white wasn't worn until Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Prior to that, the dresses had to be functional since they were worn many many times after the wedding.

This one looks like it could've been worn by a prairie lady.

The dresses were in all colors. Here's a bright red one that might've been worn in a winter wedding.

This one was Civil War era. Just imagine having to sew all these buttons on!

These last two that I'll show you today came later toward the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Notice that the last one is looking more like the wedding dress we know today.

Over time, some of these dresses became quite worn so the museum experts had to do some extensive renovation. They had a video showing the process of placing another piece of fabric underneath the worn place and carefully stitching it to the dress. I really enjoyed seeing what all goes on behind the scenes.

Dresses in this display were fashioned from fabrics of brocade, velvet, cotton, satin, and silk. The brocade ones looked very heavy and reminded us of the dress Scarlet O'Hara made from her deep emerald drapes.

Can you imagine getting married in dresses like these?

 

]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/07/19/clothes-to-get-hitched-in/feed/ 42 Wedding Memories http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/06/09/wedding-memories/ http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/06/09/wedding-memories/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:00:05 +0000 Victoria Bylin http://petticoatsandpistols.com/?p=24392 My youngest son is getting married on Saturday!  I couldn’t be happier for Dave and Whitney, my new daughter-in-law. It’s our second wedding in eight months. My oldest son and his wife tied the knot in October. In honor of both brides, I thought I’d talk about family wedding memories. My husband and I had a whirlwind courtship back in 1980.  We’d been acquaintances in high school and later became friends. He rode up to my house on a big red motorcycle one evening, suggested a movie and off we went to see the first Star Trek movie.  Four months later we got married in a very small ceremony in my parents’ living room. I wasn’t the girl who always dreamed of a big wedding.  In fact, Mike and I planned to elope until my dad said, “I think your mother would like to see you get married.”  Well, my mom said, “You’re getting married here? I thought you were eloping?” She liked the idea of eloping  just fine. It was my dad who wanted to see the big moment and he did.  Short and sweet. Family. A wedding breakfast, where I found out my husband of 45 minutes didn’t like quiche.  Thirty-one years later, we’re going strong and he hasn’t had quiche since. My parents' wedding in 1954 was much more traditional My mom wore a beautiful white dress with a sweetheart neckline, lots of lace and a veil. Her bridesmaids wore shades of aqua, ballerina length dresses and cute little hats. The best picture, I think, is “the kiss.”  No wonder my folks were together for 42 years!  A lot of love was there from the beginning. So was faith and a willingness to talk, talk, talk things through. My mom’s wedding dress got worn again in 1993. When my brother and future sister-in-law got engaged, she had trouble finding just the right dress.  My mom’s gown fit her perfectly. Not only did she wear the dress, she and John got married on my parent’s 39th wedding anniversary. My oldest son was the ring bearer. He looked great in a tux! He looked even better on his own wedding day,which leads us to . . . The most recent wedding is my oldest son and his wife.  Awesome day!  They got married at Woodlawn Plantation in Alexandria, Virginia.  String quartet. Delicious food. Lovely flowers. Gorgeous pictures. Best of all, family got to celebrate with them.

So those are my wedding memories. What are yours?  Of maybe you have a favorite wedding scene in a book?  I’d love to hear about them.

I’ll be in and out today . . . The wedding ramp-up is starting.  Can’t wait for Saturday!  P.S.  Sorry not to have family pictures . . . I don’t have the older ones on the computer, and the newer ones are on the old computer which isn't here today.  They were on this computer until I had a virus a few months ago.  They’re safe, just not easily accessible.]]> http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2011/06/09/wedding-memories/feed/ 21