Tuesday, April 28, 2015

PEACH BLUSH

I can't think of a more on trend pair of colors to do my little show and tell than those beautiful peach and blush tones we're seeing everywhere in wedding fashion.  Never am I one to tire of this gentle citrus so complimentary to to blonds and redheads with that Celtic coloring. These women seem to sport blush like its a second skin . . .. . . .Oh yes, brunettes can take peach and apricot blush on a whole different spin, warming it up as they go . 
CREDITS
Photo 1: The SABRINA Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Strotz Photography via The Ceremony Magazine Shoot
Photos 2 and 3: Photo by KT Merry Photography via Style Me Pretty//Peach Cocktails via The Revel Blog
Photos 5 and 6: The VALERIE Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Diana Maire Photography from The Country Chic Shoot// Floral photo by Jose Villa via Tumblr       
Photos 7 and 8: Peach Wedding Cake via Pinterest///Peach Roses via Luna and Chloe Weddings
Photos 10 and 11:Cupcakes via Tumblr/Cake by Cloudberry Bakery photo by Lisa O'Dwyer via 100-Layer Cake

Monday, April 27, 2015

CHIC OF THE WEEK

Yards and yards of incredible laces! From The Forever Boho Collection, meet ANGELIQUE . Light, airy and romantic, this dress is a swirl of white tulle and Chantilly laces.  The skirt is asymmetrically tiered in a border of lace falling into a sweep train in the back.  Lined in silk Haboati, the bodice has pearl straps and a silk satin tie belt.  You'll find my signature tiny buttons down the back


Photos by Grace Kathryn Photography (Last two photos by Bride Chic)
Hair and Makeup by Julie Morgan

Venue: Kenwood Inn and Spa

Thursday, April 23, 2015

THE FITTING

 
These images were taken by photographer, Joy Strotz in my studio one day when we were preparing for a shoot.  So nicely shot, I thought I'd share my many years of observance a little of what a bride to be goes through that first fit appointment.  As a rule most are experiencing a lot of emotions--all happy and good--and the dress is a symbol of everything she's feeling.  Even the most practical bride melts when she sees herself for the first time in the dress she knows is going to be hers . . . .
  These dresses are from The Bouffant Collection and mostly in taffetas and satins, ideal fabrics for those styles Jackie, Grace and Audrey made so chic.  Bouffant is based on a bell shaped or petal skirt that poufs at the hips via pleats or gathers (usually pleats).  Also you'll find the fitted sheath style--as snug up top in the bodice as it is at the hemline-- a perfect candidate for heavier luxe fabrics that hold shape well.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I thought this  image would be the perfect posting for my own wedding anniversary today.  That's right, Ed and I have shared nineteen very happy and incredible years together.  Both confessed this morning we don't know what we would have done without each other.  No this isn't us in the hauntingly beautiful picture above--these are models from the Love Stories Shoot, the shooter unknown.  The official photographer on this project was one of my faves to work with, Jim Vetter.  Since he claims he didn't capture this gem, I'm guessing one of the other wedding pros created it via cell phone.  Interesting!  Especially knowing whenever I post it anywhere it's shared and repinned like crazy. . . .

Monday, April 20, 2015

ELOPEMENT AND CIVIL CEREMONY CHIC

Not everyone opts for that big ole celebration.  In fact some couples prefer the ease of making short and sweet work of tying the knot.  Even elopements have taken on a new chapter, concentrating more on the intimacy of the couple spending their nuptials away rather than 'running away'. Because small and civil  ceremonies usually take place weekdays when government offices are open chances are you'll be in a street length or above the ankle dress--probably white or some shade thereof (but it doesn't have to be). Going with a simpler ceremony means dressing yourself differently than the traditional bride.  Think bridal touches but abbreviated. For the sake of practicality go for the veil but a shorter one.  And by all means check out hats and headpieces--they are easier to manage.  A great example are the dresses below--formal enough to say 'bride' but not an overdose with the accessorizing  . . . .
CREDITS
Photo 1: The MARISOL Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Stephanie Williams  from The Vintage and Rustic Shoot
Photos 2 and 3//fascinator and headpieces by Batcakes Couture//Photos by Stephanie Williams from The Vintage and Rustic Shoot
Photo 4: Picture Hat by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Stephanie Williams from The Vintage and Rustic Shoot
Photos 5 and 6: The MIRA Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum and headpiece by Batcakes Couture//Photos by Stephanie Williams from The Vintage and Rustic Shoot
Photo 7: The GEORGETTE Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Jim Vetter Photography from The Love Stories Shoot
Photos 8 and 9: The TATIANA Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum// Photo by Jim Vetter Photography from The Love Stories Shoot

Friday, April 17, 2015

BLING!

Bride Chic ran a styled shoot awhile back called, La Boheme Bride. Behind the scenes at The Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco I teamed up with Joanna Sirak of Novia Blanca . She offers some elegant traditional as well as vintage-styled bling. The jeweled hair combs here are my personal faves--they compliment those Golden Age of Hollywood gowns I love so much.  All these pieces are versatile though moving easily from one era to another.  Even the modernista bride will love and wear these. . . . .

CREDITS
Photography by Erica Garlieb Photography
Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum
Hair and Makeup by Bun Bun Bridal Lab
Jewelry by Novia Blanca    

Thursday, April 16, 2015

CHIC OF THE WEEK


For the bride who is romantic at heart, this dress can go storybook chic or Dioresque easily. You're not going to believe this but The Rose of Sharon Dress has been in my collection for about 15 years (see the oldies here and here).  That's right--when something's a classic it can endure the years.  Though this is still the same strapless sheath with a full tulle over skirt that hooks on and off, I've made some modifications over the years in adornments and fabric.  The original design was a sheath made out of dupioni silk and the overskirt had tiny little roses dappled all over it.  The newer version was created especially for The Bouffant Collection so the fabric for the sheath is more of a medium weight taffeta.  The over skirt is yards of tulle sans the scattered teeny flowers. A cluster of silk roses, ivy and an embroidered taffeta sash ornament the back skirt.  I love both versions.
Designing Rose of Sharon was pure joy because it has so much drama going on.  It starts out simple enough with a silk taffeta strapless sheath (think Grace, Audrey and Jackie)  Add yards and multi- layers of tulle over skirt and this dress goes ultra romantic!  The bodice is fully boned and the back has covered buttons.   So many small details make this dress a work of art  . . . . .
 Photos by Shona Nystrom of Studio 7Teen

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

AWESOME SHOOTER SERIES: ADRIA LEA PHOTOGRAPHY

Today's post has to be the best example of how the bridal portrait has evolved into an art form? You can imagine my awe once I found all the boho-chic waiting in the inbox.  Fort Worth, Texas, shooterAdria Lea has pulled out all the stops in this visual story of a bride and her horse--both decked out and festooned in fresh florals.  How this story unfolds Adria tells us, "My husband's family has some beautiful land out in McKinney, Texas with horses and I've been dying to get a bride out there for some shots with them.  Alison, owner of Southern Belle Lash is the model here in the photos.  Her style is bohemian to the core and I knew she would be perfect for the job.  She's also hoping to be planning her very own wedding within the year.  Domonie of Wild Rose Events did an incredible job working with our stubborn horse to get the gorgeous flowers on her mane.  The floral bouquet and halo were more than I could have imagined . . . . . .
CREDITS