Monday, August 27, 2018

THE CUSTOMIZED WEDDING DRESS

How is customizing a wedding dress different than a custom made?  A custom wedding dress is made from scratch, that is, you and the designer working with a pattern and raw cuts of fabric to create it from the ground up.  Customizing a ready-made dress is different.  It involves remodeling and/or embellishing one already put together. It can be store bought, sewn or inherited as long as it’s fairly basic and free of mass adornment.  Customizing a wedding dress is one way of fusing your individual stamp so that design is all yours.  Take a very simple sheath or A-line, add a detachable train or overskirt and adorn it with embroidered ribbons and handmade florals.  Viola! You have a customized gown.  This isn't the only route to customizing.  You can go for a removable shrug that adds sleeves, a capelet that looks like part of the gown or a lightweight overdress you doff come reception time.  Believe me, your possibilities are endless here. Some brides opt for the most basic gown like I described then take it to the dressmaker or designer to get it personally customized.  
THE EMBELLISHMENTS AND ALL THOSE DESIGN DETAILS
Finding how to integrate all the design details you want isn’t all that difficult.  If you’re going through one of those decision dilemmas just log onto Etsy and shop for ideas.  Their designers have developed some of the most beautiful accessory and design attachments beyond anything you’ll ever run across in any salon or boutique.  On Etsy you’ll find boleros, shoulder swags, lace collars, detachable over skirts, blouses, garlands of flowers and just about anything your mind can conjure

   Dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture Photo 1 by Pixamage//Photos 2-4 by Studio 7Teen

Friday, August 24, 2018

A WATERFALL ELOPEMENT

 I absolutely love elopements!  They're intimate and all about you as a couple relating to each other.  This one captured by South Carolina based photographer, Jessica Drew of Jessica Drew Photography is full of incredibly romantic images against the backdrop of Horseshoe Falls in South Carolina--a scenic and historical landmark of the South.  These images speak for themselves and tell a story about two people in love, celebrating nups their way . . . .







Photographer: Jessica Drew Photography//Invitation Designer: Brighter Beauty Design//Bakery: Sugar On Top Cakes//Beauty: Bare Bones Beauty & Photography//Other Location:Horseshoe Falls//
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

ZONING IN ON ALL THE DETAILS


Don't you just go swoon over all those belts, bows, sashes, trims and ribbons you see gracing bridal wear lately? We call them details and they are what make your dress your dress. Thanks to all you brides out there daring to go your own way, designers are free to really experiment. By way of ribbons, trims, and sashes, we artists have introduced color and different textures into the mix. The above gown is sashed in back with embroidered, beaded tan and beige taffeta ribbon that works its way down a detachable train. Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum from The Bouffant Collection//Photo by Strotz Photography 
Above:Touches of the spectrum here. Blues and peaches merge to make up a tie-belt cinching the waist of a full skirt . . .The Aurora Dress from The Dioresque Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by J Dragon Images
Above: The best example of a self-belt (means made out of the same fabric as the dress). Georgette linen and striped ribbon combine to make up this belt punctuated with a fabric rose. The Marisol Dress from The Dioresque Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum//Below: Another self-belt, this one made of eyelet.  The Gretel Dress from The Forever Boho Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo Stephanie Williams Photography
Above: Embroidered taffeta ribbon acts as a belt and is repeated in the train with added adornments of hand-rolled florals.  The Opal Dress from The Bouffant Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum

Monday, August 20, 2018

THE CAGE

 Cage veils fall in the category of the shorter ‘fashionista' veil that has gained so much popularity the past few years they've almost become the norm. I've always thought there's something chic, even edgy about a bride sporting a wisp of nose veil over her eyes. A little history lesson here-- Vera Wang reinvented the look for short pouf veils pairing them up with very formal gowns a few years back. Whether she wanted to show off the extraordinary back details of her gowns or usher in a new look, who can tell?  I only know the juxtaposition this duo created worked.  A few years later the cage was resurrected mostly by indie designers dabbling in vintage.
Brides say the best thing about wearing a shorter veil is, they don’t have to do any adjusting in that switch from the solemnity of ceremony to big time partying hearty. Short veils are also easy to maneuver around in and stay put whether you’re exchanging vowels, cutting cake or dancing,
As you can see by taking a look at these images--there's more than one way to don a cage.  Cages are a lot like hairdos; they sometimes need to be adjusted with hairpins and lots of patience to get the precise look you want and this is where your hairdresser can be a Godsend.  Cages are typically made out of either tulle, the standard lightweight bridal veiling, or, netting—wider and crisper, offering a more structured and high fashion look 
photos 1-6 by Sweet Light Studios//Photos 7-8 By Bill Smoot//Photos 9-10 by Scott Williams Photography

Thursday, August 16, 2018

THE ANTIQUE LOOK

Getting that look of antiquity probably means you're going to be wearing some form of lace on your wedding day perhaps a vintage cut or something reminiscent of decades past.  Weddings and lace are synonymous, go hand in hand and the right lace can really help you get to the level of vintage chic you're wanting to create.  From the most casual shabby side of chic to vintage elan, below are some inspirations worth checking out
CLOCKWISE: Photo 1:  Pearl Hsieh Photography- The BELINDA Corset by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture///Photo 2: Cotton laces via Pinterest///Photos 3 and 4:  Left-An array of cotton laces via Pinterest ///Right--Schiffli Laces via Etsy///Photos 5 and 6: The Andreesia Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture///Photo 7: Couture Laces via Tumblr///Photos 8 and 9: Dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture--Left-The ARIELLE Dress///Right-The CALLIOPE Dress///Photo 10: The CELESTE Dress by Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture///Photo 11: 3-D Organza Lace via Tumblr///Photo 12: Chantilly Laces via Marijkevanooijen///Photo 13: Dresses from The Forever Boho Collection by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture//Photo 15: The PICCALINA Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture///Photo 16: Lace Trims via Pinterest

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

A FARM WEDDING

 Farm weddings have a certain rustic charm.  This one, shot by Rebecca Reynolds of Rebecca Marie Photography at Stonewall Farm in Berthoud, Colorado is truly inspiring.  It's an absolutely gorgeous spot spread over 20 acres of mountain ranchlands.  What the florist and event planner brought to this styled shoot was fabulous shots of color in the way of florals and decor--reds and pinks fused with orangey beiges adding a certain elan to this rustic chic.





Photographer: RebeccaMarie Photography//
Floral Designer: Atmosphere Floral Design//Bridesmaid Dresses: Dora Grace Bridal//Event Designer: Isabelle Kline Designs//Hair Stylist: kim j beauty//Event Venue: Stonewall Farm//