PICTURE PERFECT

Once upon a time the posed bridal portrait was a pretty standard procedure. About a month before the wedding, if a bride had her gown, she (no groom) posed in a studio setting. In the days before independent bridal salons, department stores like B. Altman and Bergdorf Goodman had in-house salons. They also offered in-house photographers that specialized in taking 'The Bridal Portrait' These days bridal photography has moved into the realm of the art shot, thanks to the digital age and photographers who practice their craft as an art form. Spanish photographer Alfonso Vidal-Quadras has fashioned six bridal portraits reminiscent of early cinema. Got a theme even a little left of center? Then find your best artist and go for it. The talent out there is amazing and you'll be expanding their repertoire for creation by offering some unique input.

Images courtesy of Web Novias

FOREVER PLAID

All month I've been reminding you winter is coming. Eureka! I've finally found a designer who has actually worked wool tartans into bridal wear with some real edge. For years I've been in awe of Scotsmen in kilts and the flair they have at using plaids to go formal. Until Joyce Young, the typical evening garb for a lady accompanying her tartan-clad Scot was a tartan skirt and lace blouse with corresponding tartan shawl or wrap tied over the shoulder. Not a bad look but hardly the grand entrance makers below. Will you get a load of these gowns? Tartan godets. Tartan trains and insets. Joyce is an incredible designer who pairs up these wools with the richness of shantung and taffeta. Her shops are in Glasgow, Gretna Green and London and now she's online with her own TV spots. 'Touch of Tartan' is only one collection she offers as she has a whole range of traditional as well as destination gowns to choose from. In her own words-- "A Tartan themed wedding is spectacular. Scots girls worldwide can get married making a real statement with a wedding dress which teams up with the groom's kilt from the Touch of Tartan Collection. Add in coordinating bridesmaids and mothers and the complete wedding party will be totally and uniquely Scottish. Actually you don’t even have to be Scottish – it’s a great look and most people can find a Scottish connection somewhere in their family tree – or just make one up !!Visit “Touch of Tartan” on www.bystorm.co.uk to see our couture dresses for weddings, evenings,mothers of the bride and all special occasions. Each outfit is individually made-to-measure from a wide choice of tartans. --"

Joyce Young Collections

Tartan Spirit Couture

Modern Classics

Weddings Abroad

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE AN OUTSIDE THE BOX BRIDE?

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photo Elevenorchids
Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum

*You wear a gown in red with three tiers of ruffles and a matching lace veil. You carry a fan instead of flowers and marry on a hillside overlooking miles of vineyards.

*You wear an ankle-length ballet dress with a wreath of flowers around your head. You marry in the forest while a flutist plays, Afternoon of a Fawn.

RS Couture

You wear a long bouffant lace gown with fresh flowers in your hair instead of a veil. You’ve driven up the coast to a B&B just to get married in the garden there.*

*You wear an ivory crocheted lace mini dress and very long antique lace veil. Your wedding is in a country chapel and you carry your grandmother’s Bible instead of flowers.

*You wear a vintage gown from the 1930s with white gloves and a cocktail hat. The ceremony and reception are in an art gallery doing a David Hockney retrospective.

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*Your gown is pink satin. You elope.

*You wear a double-breasted white suit with a wide brimmed felt hat and carry a single red rose. After you and your groom leave city hall you celebrate with four friends at a local restaurant.

*You wear an antique lace tea gown with a mantilla and carry three roses you picked out of your friend’s garden. And your friend’s hosting your wedding with high tea and sandwiches served on sterling silver and Haviland china.

*You wear a street-length A-line dress in all over Chantilly lace with a bird-cage veil. You and your groom board the ferry and after it takes off you have your nuptials on board. Your reception is on the other side of the bay once you dock.

*You wear an ivory suede sheath under a black leather jacket. Your veil is a long scarf. After tying the knot in a city park, you and your groom take off on his Harley. You don’t know where you’re going for your honeymoon yet.

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RETRO REPRO

A couple weeks back we explored going with real deal vintage on your wedding day. If you love the silhouettes of yesteryear consider retro reproduction versus the time involved in hunting down an actual vintage dress in your size. Defined, vintage fashion is anything over 20-25 years-old. While using a pattern and recreating a vintage look isn't wearing an actual gown that has survived the ages, you will be replicating as close a look as you can get. And because women back in your grandma's day dressed up and much of what they wore was sewn, golden oldies like these are still available through companies like So Vintage , a treasure trove of 20th century patterns--most spanning the post war boom of weddings, babies and a fully stocked sewing room. For me these have been the muses and backbone of all my collections. Yes, the patterns are one-of-a-kind which means one size only but they have an online resource with instructions on how to size a pattern up or down (convenient for your designer or dressmaker).

Going for a custom made dress is the equivalent of getting the silhouette, fabric and fit you want all at once. And you're not confined to using only wedding dress patterns. Try whatever pattern suits you in the particular fabric you want. Plus, there are plenty of resources for vintage patterns online. If you do decide to have your dress made have your designer or dressmaker construct a muslin first. That's a cloth pattern of the actual wedding dress where all the fine tuning and fitting is done before ever cutting into the actual fabric. That way once you do take the actual cut, all the bugs have been worked out three dimensionally and there are no big surprises.

Patterns available through So Vintage Bridal and So Vintage Gowns

NEW LOOKS FROM SPOSE DI GIO

di Gio has to be one of my favorite designer lines after the big three: Dior, Chanel and Valentino. I fell in love with di Gio back in the 1990s when I bought my first Vogue Sposa Magazine. Clients who read Sposa and happened upon this clean-lined collection, often wanted to incorporate some element from a di Gio gown into their own design. Today I still give the Sposa di Gio line A+ for purity of line and fabrication. Founded in 1975 by the di Capitani sisters of Italy, their look has always been consistent, contemporary and realistic for today’s bride. You'll usually find one exquisite detail on every piece . . . enough to accentuate but never overpower the wearer. They are truly a great inspiration to the world of bridal fashion . . .

For a more comprehensive look at di Gio's collection, check out their website. If you're a bride living in the US you can find out more about Le Sposa di Gio through Joan Gilbert Bride in San Francisco.

Photos courtesy of Vogue Italy

INSPIRATION SUNDAY

Celadon organza twist-front gown with blush hand-cut rosette hem, jeweled star corsage and lavender grosgrain ribbon sash, price upon request, by Vera Wang, verawangonweddings.com.


Blue ombre crocodile trapezoid clutch, $1,300, by Nancy Gonzalez, saksfifthavenue.com.
Blue Baubles
Gold and lapis bead necklaces, $4,500 and $6,500, both by Katy Briscoe, 713-662-9886.

Posh Plumage
Beaded peacock feather in champagne, $13, from Jim Marvin, 337-258-5252.

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THIS FRAGRANCE?

Elizabeth Arden
I can't think of a better fragrance for a bride on her wedding day. Light and fresh, Blue Grass has been around since 1936 and is fused with notes of lavender, clove, orange blossom and nutmeg. However, you won't find it atop the Elizabeth Arden counter. Arden has brought out too many edgy fragrances with higher price tags, so this stock is kept under the counter and asked for mostly by women of the World War II Generation. Blue Grass was launched in 1936 by Elizabeth Arden, her advisors skeptic the equestrian name hinting at her passion for breeding racehorses sounded a little too, Old Kentucky Home to work wiith the new fragrance. Fortunately, Blue Grass was a success for Arden, lifting her out of financial crisis as she went on to reign supreme with it in the fragrance market for the next twenty five years. So loved in our household when I was growing up, we all referred to this beautiful concoction as, 'Horse Perfume'. It remains my favorite of all time and I crave Blue Grass like I sometimes crave chocolate or certain foods. For me it's right up there with examining and touching a genuine Dior original or reading Steinbeck.

WINTER WHITES

Embroidered V-neck bodice and organza skirt with veils of forming a small train

Bodice encrusted with Swarovski crystals for the empire cut dress with organza skirt on Fourreau satin. Floral headdress

Dress with embroidered bodice and skirt flouncy satin overlay

Sequined short dress with organza ruffles and adorned with multiple strap.

Mermaid gown embroidered with pleated skirt.

Entirely fitting dress trimmed with pleated skirt open front. Orecchiini Carlo Pignatelli.

All photos courtesy Vogue Sposa

Gowns by Carlo Pignatelli

FANTASIA: FANTASY GOWNS AND FABRICS

Beaded gazar and tulle dress, by Demetrios. Patent-leather flower Alice band with veil Jennifer Behr Bridal at Jenny Packham


What's your fantasy dress like? I'll bet it's some concoction of organza, tulle and bling. The gowns here are the ultimate in wedding day dressing-- so big and out there, perfect for crossing over the threshold . . . .

Silk-satin corset with tulle skirt and silk-flower detail, from The Couture Gallery

Silk-duchesse satin bodice and tulle skirt and silk cape by Phillipa Lepley


Vera Wang, spring/summer 2009

Collette Dinnigan spring/summer '09

archesa

Marchesa

GLOVE CHIC

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ShopCurious - ShopCurious - Long gloves - gold boucle
$54 - shopcurious.com

This time of year weddings go a little more formal as gloves do help warm up hands and arms. Whether crocheted shorties or long, opera length lending that aspect of drama—gloves are glamorous and really tie a bridal look together. Luckily there are no rules anymore about what sort of gloves you have to wear with your gown. You can go with the classic white and ivory or jazz up your look with any length, color, texture, even pattern as you can see below. Just as some brides are showing some pizazz wearing different color shoes with their gown, glove color is an option you have as well. Go ahead, be adventuresome!

All Saints Womens Alawa Pearl Gloves
$74 - allsaints.com


short lace gloves bridal - Gloves
$62 - corneliajames.com

TRES BELLE CHIC

New discovery! Belle, The Magazine. Follow some great editorial every month, showing brides how to plan the the biggest day of their lives.

Here's more of what you'll find

• The latest in bridal and quinceañera fashion •

Event pages, featuring local Brides and Quinces •

The best in event planning and design •

English /Spanish magazine reaching El Paso TX, Las Cruces and Mesilla NM, Cd. Juárez and Chihuahua Mexico.

In this issue you'll find some tips of how to pose for your wedding pictures from an expert model and advice on how to get your body ready from one of the best personal trainers in town.

Photography Yolanda Diaz, Hair and Make-up Fascino, Model Liz Kranz Miss Teen New Mexico USA 2007

2010 TREND: THE COCKTAIL WEDDING DRESS

Giuseppe Papini

Planning an After Five Soiree is one way to have a briefer and more intimate event than the traditional all day wedding planned months ahead. Cocktail hour weddings offer an elegant, affordable alternative. Think about it: fewer guests, a shorter hemline and less cake and champagne can sometimes be more.Small weddings are on the rise, especially for the couple with limited time and money issues. Some couples feel more at ease celebrating their nuptials as evening approaches with a few close friends and family present. The dresses featured here are all cocktail length. With some imaginative head chic and accessorizing you'll have your look.

di Egò by Valentini

Suzanne Ermann

The cocktail dress is perfect for this wedding of the same name. Defined, its street-length and typically made out of exquisite fabric or has special detailing. Though cocktail hour dressing can go either semi-formal or informal, the later doesn’t imply casual. It simply means you can go with elegant street-length attire; a higher hemline is acceptable and your groom,(again following your lead) can skip the de riguer white or black tie if he chooses, getting into a raw silk or linen suit instead. On the other hand, remember, while attire for the cocktail reception is elegant, its never max formal. Think of cocktail dressing as anything from a chic mini to a fitted floor-length sheath. The fabric can be luxe. The photo above is a good case in point.

Elisabetta Polignano

Peter Langner

Franco Donut in organza and chiffon. Photos by Clé Maraini.

Department stores and boutiques may be the best route to go for the shorter formal. Almost any white dress has potential as long as it works with your accessories, fits within the scene and theme of your wedding and you absolutely love it. Also, if you’re not into wearing white on your wedding day, boutiques and department stores might be your best option. Some stores work closely with up and coming specialty designers. With a little imagination and the help of professionals, you might be able to put some stunning looks together. Also a great option if you don’t want to wait 4-6 months for your gown.


Photos courtesy Vogue Italy

FRENCH GARDEN VINTAGE

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Joy comes to us as a bride
The first rains burst into bloom
Nightingales strike up a dance in our neighborhood
Elegant water nymphs bring songs
Thoughts turn into gold
And gold all conversation
Poets and girls
Learn kisses by heart
Someone arrives at the festival out of breath
It is time with his flute.

--George Sarandaris--

JUST LISTED ON ETSY

Smoot Photography

The bubble cage just went up in the Etsy shop this week. Veils that fall above the shoulder line like this one are incredibly practical--no hauling around extra length or changing into a shorter version after the ceremony. Shorter styles tend to look structured, more hybrid of headpiece and veil combined. This look is great for fashionistas and can really be paired up with almost any gown.

WATCHING YOUR BACK

Once you make it down the aisle and stand alongside your groom, all your guests will be looking at you from the back, anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour depending on the length ceremony. Also consider the reception; this is where guests get glimpses of you from all perspectives, including the back of your dress, train and veil. All are significant to the overall picture you create. Here are a few really off the charts looks for creating, WOW! once you turn around.

Above Left: tulle backed mermaid by Juliet. Photos by Clé Maraini.
Above Right: Crossed by deep décolleté horizontally. Beba by Mariage. Photos by Luke Tombolini for Showbit.

Elisabeth B.

THE COATDRESS

Winter is almost here. Coatdresses and coat & dress ensembles are an option many brides overlook simply because the concept is just now being reintroduced by a few savvy designers. A coatdress is just that: a lighter weight coat (street or floor length); and can be single or double-breasted. Then there's the coat & dress ensemble. Defined, this is a coat with a dress out of matching fabric underneath it. In the 60s, these were popular mostly for formal occasions. If you like the idea of a fitted coat, you could wear one for your ceremony—long or short—over a corresponding sheath. After the ceremony the coat could be removed so you could move freely throughout the reception.

Carolina Herrera


di Gio

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Paule Ka

Darling Bride

Jacquard Dress Coat
$101 - oli.co.uk

Designers offering coatdresses and coat and dress ensembles

Carolina Herrera

Spose di Gio

Darling Bride

Paule Ka

oli.co.uk

BAGS IN BLOOM

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Photos courtesy Vogue Italy

Aka kissing balls, some of these bags in bloom look like small and rounded bouquets; others take on the shape of a handbag or clutch. Kissing balls and bloom bags are an alternative to baskets of flowers or the scattering of rose petals. Many churches and venues have banned the dropping of petals due to liability issues as well as carpets getting stained.
Kissing Balls can be carried up the aisle then hung from the ceiling, a chandelier or placed in a vase come reception time. During the holidays, mistletoe can be added for a festive touch. Typically a florist can concoct a pomander or purse of real flowers depending what is in season. Craftspeople though are introducing some creative alternatives on the real thing, adding anything from berries to feathers, plumes, pine cones and jewels. To check out some real off the charts kissing ball chic, follow the links to these Etsy sellers:


Pretty Things
Blissful Moments

Vintage Champagne

Divine Lioness

Timeless Florals

Lovely Gifts

TREND 2010: THE DROP VEIL

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Hot look for 2010: the drop veil. Add to that the exquisite hair-bling underneath it all and you've got one stunner look going. . . Yes, drop veils are exactly as you see here, actually dropped onto the head in a single layer of tulle or lace, sometimes bordered with lace or ribbon. Generally, more ornamental gowns look best with simple veils, like one layer of tulle whereas all over lace veils or ones edged with wide borders require a simple gown with little adornment. Your dress might have some exquisite back details you want to show off. If this is the case select a try a layer of tulle like that shown in the images here— in a dropped style that doesn’t fall in creases and folds across your back. Tulle is the best fabric for this; it’s transparent enough without being so opaque to fog detail.

THE DAWN OF THE SHORT FORMAL

When it comes to 1950s retro and bridal, these dresses from Posh Girl Vintage are the real deal. Owning a dress like this means you have something that's made it through the ages. And what an awesome era it was. Most dresses circa the age of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are stunning and follow very flattering lines. By mid-fifties tea length was the standard in day dress. The short formal became chic during this time and as a result we have a wealth of memorable bridal dresses like these surviving this era.

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PARIS

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First row: dress by Vera Wang on SMP’s Look Book / metro picture via Bloom Grow Love second row: Chanel bottle via Vogue / eiffel tower and bow pic photographed by Rodney Smith/ tux via GQ third row: lace glove via Wildfox / flowers via Artfool


Style Me Pretty has some of the most creative and inspiring inspirition boards that are definately worth checking out. The mood of this one is Paris and everything that says fashion fabulous . . .

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

MTcoffinzUnderground

Every year I've been posting a Halloween Bride. 2009 brings us this ensemble for the bride heavily into Goth . . .of course not everyone embraces this genre of fashion which makes it all the more original . . .

SHARING THE CHIC

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I just had to share this medley of ultra femme images a client sent me a couple days back. It hails from In Style Weddings and acted as the inspiration point from which she wanted to begin the design process. Thanks Rachel for passing on your own muse to so many other brides out there . . .

WINTER CHIC

When asked by You and Your Wedding Magazine, what designer Sassi Holford would be doing if she weren't in the wedding industry, she replied, 'I would be unemployed!'Personally I think she'd do magnificent wherever she decided to work. Feast if you will on these gowns by the awesome Sassi perfect for chillier climates. This British designer remains one of my favorite creators of chic . . .

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STALKING THE LOOK BOOKS: DANIELA GRISTINA

Daniela Gristina's gowns are green, almost casual and hint at far away places in time and culture. Ethnic in feel , you'll find flowing, feminine lines. The fabrics are all natural cottons and linens, light organza, chiffon and silk gauze.

Photos courtesy of Vogue Sposa

VIONET INSPIRED

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Pioneer of the bias cut, Madeleine Vionet, once said, '"When a woman smiles, her dress must also smile" . Translated I think madamoiselle may have meant, a woman is happiest wearing her gown like a second skin. Long before the development of knits, the bias cut was used for body-hugging silhouettes like the Vionet original above. It all started back in the 1920s when the Parisian couturier developed a technique utilizing the true cross grain of fabric rather than straight grain lines of weft or warp of the fabric. Vionnet used fabrics like crêpe and charmeuse; These were novel to women's wear in the 1920s and 30s. She also ordered fabrics two yards wider than the 19-36"norm for the time so that she could work out draping and layout techniques. As a result gowns and dresses moved beautifully when cut on the bias. Vionnet's trademark: styles that cling to and move with the wearer. Examples: Bias cut gowns with cowl necklines, the handkerchief dress of the 1920s, and halter top. By 1930, Hollywood designers took advantage of Vionet's bias cut and made it into a real trend via moving pictures. Today the bias cut gown is a classic option for brides.

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Madeleine Vionet in her studio circa 1920
With tulle overlay by Blumarine


Greco-Roman in inspiration, by Rosa Clara.




From Elie Saab



V-shaped neckline by Manuel Mota for Pronovias.