I MISS YOU ALL ....

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HELLO all my wonderful and loyal readers.  You may have noticed I haven't been blogging or out and about visiting other blogs for about two weeks now.  A killer case of Bronchitis is working it's way through my system and this is the first day I can finally sit up in bed and write, answer emails, etc.  All I can say is I've never felt this sick in my life and thank God for the love of a fabulous husband which, ultimately this blog is all about  . . ..

TAFFETA: Timeless and Trendy

Did you know many of the great style icons wore taffeta on their wedding day? Grace Kelly did and so did Jackie Bouvier before she became Mrs.John F. Kennedy.  All I can say is the taffeta bridal gown is a great tradition.  Taffeta is still one of the most widely used fabrics for bridal wear. If you've already been doing the salon hop you know its also very much in for bridesmaids and flower girls.  There's no mistaking taffeta:  It has that rustling and screeching sound when it moves and a polished, shiny look and feel.  It's been used for centuries mostly in special occasion wear and is known for its opulant luster.  Trendy once more mostly for full-skirted silhouettes, taffeta is the perfect option if you're wanting to add some elegance and romanticism mixed in with that good old tradition on your wedding day . . . .

 All gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

Header Photo from Behind the Scenes of the Ceremony Magazine Shoot

Photos 2 and 3 by Lirette Photography 

THE LITTLE WHITE DRESS PHENOMENON

 Here are a few of my own versions of the LWD.  While some bridal designers claim these pieces are great for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and as a reception option not to mention wearing it again after the big day, I can see these pieces  'workin it 'at the more informal or city hall wedding.  But wait! I have to add another event they're great for to the list: they make wonderful anniversary dresses.  Pictured above is Natalie who recently celebrated her fifth in a LWD  I made up in embroidered linen.  We did a photo shoot for Bride Chic in downtown San Francisco with Natalie and her hubby, Dave.  What better way to spend an anniversary than recreating all those memories of being a bride and groom . . . .? 

 Here Natalie is head to knees in tulle with the perfect touch for a city wedding--short white gloves . . .

 
The POLLY Dress is a short and sassy taffeta with contrasting black tulle underskirts.  Great for an after the wedding spring cocktail party . . .

Another spring option--Taffeta and embroidered organza make for this lovely short Little White Dress

All dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Header Photos and Photos 2and 3 by Dominic Colacchio Photography

Photo 4 by Samantha Smith Photography

Photos 5 and 6 copyright Bride Chic

GEISHA

Back in November we ran the post, Kimono Inspired featuring many of the incredible creations of Japanese designer, Yumi Katsura. This Asian/Geisha inspiration shoot that made it's way into my inbox was dreamed up by photographer Pam Jones of Paris Mountain Photography who is Japanese and had several 100 year old kimonos tucked away in a box. Her stylist Kelley Garner put together this themed and styled shoot to juxtapose the Geisha/Asian theme with her HMU artists high fashion style!! Top it off with an amazing Asian Cake and Floral design and viola! Geisha Inspired High Fashion Styled shoot!

    In a nutshell the kimono is a traditional robe of Japanese dress.  Once worn daily by everyone in Japan from babies, geishas and samurai warriors--these days the majority of the Japanese reserve kimono dress for wedding and tea ceremonies.  And did you know I consider the beautiful obi (sash) the most stunning part of the kimono because it acts like a bustle?

CREDITS

Photographer:  Paris Mountain Photography//Event Venue:Bella Terra Weddings//Stylist: Kelly Garner
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

SASHES, BELTS, BOWS AND ALL THOSE ADORNMENTS

Don't you just go swoon over all those belts, bows, sashes, trims and ribbons you see gracing bridal wear lately? 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 a different textures into the mix . The above gown is sashed in back with with embroidered, beaded tan and beige taffeta ribbon that works it's 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

GREAT DESIGNERS THEN AND NOW

 LANVIN THEN (1920S) AND NOW

Top Photo via The Fashion Examiner///Directly Above Photo: Via Wedding Inspirasi

       DIOR THEN (1950s) AND NOW 

Top Photo via  Ritournelle/Directly Above Photo via Dress Luxe

CHANEL THEN (1920s) AND NOW

 1920s Chanel Wedding Dress via Becky Sharpe UK//Photo Directly Above via Wedding Inspirasi

How do the top design houses of Paris keep their signature look going long after founders like Dior, Chanel and Lanvin have passed on?   Pioneers (and now Icons), all three of the above mentioned have become a brand with head designers like Lagerfeld and Galliano (jfired) carrying on the tradition.  Dior is synonomous with reinventing the ball gown and puntuating a women's figure into a perfect hourglass; Chanel, slim silhouettes in easy going jersey silks that are comfortable.  Lanvin is still putting out feminine styles that carry a hint of early 1920s, the era when her designs became all the rage.  You be the judge here: How has  the look of each designer changed in the past seventy years? Or has it?

WORKIN THE HAT AND VEIL TOGETHER

One of the questions a bride often asks is, “Can I wear a hat and veil all at once . . . together?” In other words, can you have the best of both?   Check out the above photo. Of course.  Wearing a hat by itself is one option you have.  But choosing to wear a hat doesn’t necessarily mean having to ditch the veil entirely.  Realize any length of tulle veiling can be attached to the crown, back or inside of almost any hat.  And hats acting as headpieces—even big ones—look stunning.  So the answer is yes.  Wear both.
    The most important thing to remember is, there’s a hat match for every face, body and gown style.  In your search, you might find the perfect hat right off; you might have to try on many.  And once you find the right one, you'll look back at your reflection . . . and you'll know its the right one.

Above: Pillbox hats with attached veilings.  In the header photo, Natalie is wearing a full two-layer cathedral veil; directly above a wisp of Frech netting acts as a veil.  Below/Brooke is wearing a turban under a long, tulle veil.  A word about turbans:  you can add one to just about any gown and it will rock ethnic-vintage, definitely setting the stage for an original you as bride. 

Hats, veils and gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Header photo by Rob Martel Photography

Photo 2: Henley Photography

Photo 3: Copyright 2012 Bride Chic

ASHLEY AND RAY'S CONNECTICUT WEDDING

 
I have a real treat for you today.  It's always special when shooter Carla Ten Eyck gets behind the lens.  Today's palette of pastel pinks, grey and a few rustic textures thrown in for good measure is simply off the charts.  I'm especially loving the focus on kids of just about every age in this wedding--they're absolute cherubs.  Here's what Carla had to say about this incredible couple, "Ashley and Ray are the epitome of what I hope all my clients are: energetic, emotive and just head over heels in love. We can talk for hours, and I feel like a part of their family! Maybe photographing Ashley’s sister Jessica’s wedding a few years back broke me into the family a bit…! From Jessica’s wedding, I just was one of them. It was a given that I was going to be there for Ashley and Ray’s big day, and man I was counting down the days! Their families are so warm, so welcoming and I felt so safe and held and just good when I was around them!"

         

CREDITS

Photographer:  Carla Ten Eyck Photography//Cake Designer: A Little Imagination Cakes//Dress Store: Bancroft Bridals//Professional:Carla Ten Eyck Photography//Floral Designer: Datura: a Modern Garden//Cinema and Video:Jim Altieri's Vintage Cinema//DJ: Party Pro DJ//Invitation Designer: Wedding Paper Divas (Stationary Goods - Invites RSVPs etc.)//Reception Venue: The Riverview//Submitted via Two Bright Lights