Wednesday, November 26, 2014

SALUTE TO THE THANKSGIVING BRIDE

Here are a few of my Fall faves from collections past and present!  Like the Macy's parade come every 4th Thursday in November, it's become an annual thing here--my posting about the Thanksgiving wedding and the many details and touches that go with.  I actually love the idea of getting married on Thanksgiving Day. The days before as well as the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after are times family are all gathered.  And that's the bonus of a Thanksgiving wedding--the guests and menu are all pretty much assembled.  If you want a cozy wedding with just family go ahead and opt for Thanksgiving Day.  Extend that invite beyond family and your wedding might conflict with most of your invited guest's family dinners.  Overall, a turkey dinner with all the fixings for the bride and groom and family gathered is a great way to combine your nups with that great family tradition.

Above: What could be more symbolic of Thanksgiving than the harvest?  This bouquet of wheat by JL Designs says it all//Photos by Stephanie Williams Photography from the Vintage and Rustic Shoot//Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum///Below: Kudos to Emily Garland and Holly Sanneman of Diamantin Events for conjuring up this combo of  Pumpkin custard upon a beautifully set table //Photos by Diana Maire Photography from The Country Chic Shoot


Below: Another incredible Autumn bouquet --this one of Maple and yellow roses.  Veiled, this traditional bride is wearing a lace blouse and taffeta sheath.  Photo by Pixamage from the Veiled  Shoot//Dress and veil by Amy-Jo Tatum
 Fall for fall glam all around!  The Eva Dress in silk dupioni paired up with the Gwenyth fascinator by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by John T Photography from the Art Meets Fashion Shoot//

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

ON A CLOUD OF TULLE

 Last week I counted up the many dresses, hats, veils and headpieces in my collection made of tulle and have come to the conclusion I must really, really, really love it. Mere wisps or yards and yards of the stuff, this-- the absolute sheerest of all fabrics--is ethereal to the touch and just so gosh darn gorgeous.  Brides love it in everything from one layered veils to gathered skirts in many yards. If you look closely tulle is even more versatile and can be used to create some awesome special effects on bodices, sleeves and gauntlets . . . .
A storybook classic is the full tulle skirt with a long train.  Both versions above are a ballgown silhouette evoking the corps de ballet kind of romanticism of wedding dress skirts in all their glory . . . Photo 1: The Sabrina Dress//Strotz Photography////Photo 2: The Rose of Sharon Dress///Studio 7Teen Photography
The Angelique Dress--Asymmetrical tiers of white tulle bordered with Chantilly lace.  Again, the long train and tulle is perfect for it.  Photo by Grace Kathryn Photography
The Beatrix Dress--A ballet length circular skirt of layers of ivory tulle.  The combo of the bias cut and softness of the tulle make this dress move beautifully . . .Photo by Diana Maire Photography
  
 The Yolanda  Dress--Up close and personal, shirred tulle over Chantilly lace makes for a beautiful bodice treatment.  Photo by John T Photography
Shirred tulle here creates removable gauntlet sleeves with soft blue and gray undertones. The tulle skirt has dappled rose petals.  The Rochelle Dress//Photo by Lirette Photography

 Not just for skirts and bodices, tulle is widely used for making headpieces and veils.  Above is a one thing I adore designing and making--a headpiece of ivory tulle fashioned into a head pouf//Photo by Jim Vetter Photography
 Above: A one layer drop veil bordered in Chantilly lace and a long pouf veil tacked to the back of a bun. Below: Tulle covered picture hat dappled with hand rolled silk florals.  Photos by Pixamage

Top Photo The Madelyn Dress///Photo
All dresses and headwear by Amy-Jo Tatum

Monday, November 24, 2014

MEAGAN AND ASHTON'S GATSBY WEDDING

If the venue here looks familiar, it is.  Last year in we ran a styled shoot showcasing the Jazz Age Bride at The Ballroom on Church Street in Orlando, Florida .  Fast forward and we have a real, live wedding that took place there also featuring a Gatsby theme.  Captured so beautifully by photographer Regina Hyman, she had this to say about shooting this very special wedding, "Meagan and Ashton's wedding took place at the historical Ballroom at Church Street Station of Orlando.  They had an incredibly classy wedding with the theme  of the Great Gatsby.  All the guests came dressed to the theme and the night was absolutely perfect."
I'm especially loving the soft mauvey and grey blinged bridesmaids dresses and how the whole Art Nouveau backdrop combines with this beautiful wedding . . . .

CREDITS
Photographer:  Regina Hyman Photography//Reception Venue: Puff 'n Stuff Events and Catering//Photo Booth Equipment:Fun Fotos Photo Booth//Bakery:Jilly Cakes//Equipment Rentals: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals//Event Planner:Sweet Pea Brides//DJ: Soundwave Entertainment Systems//Floral Designer: Windermere Flowers and Gifts//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Friday, November 21, 2014

FEATURED ON SMITTEN . . . .

Today you'll find me over on Smitten Magazine Blog where I'm absolutely loving the wide open and vast prettiness of Asti Vineyard in Sonoma County, California. A big thanks to Petaluma based  photographer Nathan Larimer for conjuring up and capturing this project with such skill.  Working alongside top notch vendors like J29 Events and Kat Louis, I have to say this collaboration has been an inspiration to all of us READ MORE . . . .
 Photographer: Nathan Larimer | Event Designer: j29 events | Floral Design: Rhapsody Floral Design | Rental Furniture: Encore Events Rentals | Venue: Asti Winery | Bride’s Dress: Amy-Jo Tatum | Makeup Artist: Kat Louis Makeup Artist | Cake Baker: Boujie Baking |Invitations & Stationery: Just My Type Letterpress

Thursday, November 20, 2014

WINTERIZING WITH STYLE

A few choice inspirations to leave you with over the weekend.  Winter is already upon us in certain parts of the country.  Celebrate it with these gems that will not only get you through the chill but make almost any season bride to be out there long for the cold . . . .Above: Love the can easily go wintery head wreath and corsages.  Dress by Belle and Bunty via One Fab Day. Directly Below: Winterizing a sleeveless dress with a fur stole and gloves will keep the chill off.  Carousel Vintage Clothing and Neat Old Stuff via Belle Gardens Blog
 
A dress of beige velvet and winter white fur--perfect for cold climes via Star Bridal ///  Winterize yourself head and shoulders with a cable knit sweater wrap and fur hat via Style Me Pretty///Your best winter accessory may just be your bouquet.  Love this one with accents of pine cones and sprigs of Juniper via Want That Wedding 
A lovely winter headpiece via Ruffled Blog
 great way to keep hands warm and hold your bouquet via Pinterest///Add a wreath of baby's breath--a very wintery touch via Style Me Pretty
And of course the winter white jacket--what could be more winter bride than that? via Borrowed and Blue

Monday, November 17, 2014

SALUTE TO THE BLOUSON

Light and airy with a diva/goddess feel the blouson is one of the most comfortable and easy to wear silhouettes out there.  Back around 1978 this waistline resurrected and we all went bananas over it along with Saturday Night Fever, cherry lip gloss and waiting in line at Studio 54. Back then I liked the blouson because it was such an easy fit for someone learning to sew.  This throwback was actually a foundation for my latest designs found below.  I'm wondering though if we'll ever embrace the blouson it as intensely as we did back in 1978.


 All gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum