DRESS OF THE WEEK

A couple weeks back I did a post on One Wed all about two piece and separates dressing.  Take a trip around the wedding blogs and you'll find two piece bridal gowns trending big time.  PHAEDRA is a top and skirt made out of tea dyed tulle over blush taffeta with Chantilly lace appliques placed underneath the tulle both on the skirt and bodice.  The uber romantic look was inspired by the Edwardian tea gown women used to wear at a particular time of day pre and post WWI.  Incorporating lace and soft flowing fabrics, even as late as the 1930s these gems showed up in movies where ladies sported a grand as well as genteel lifestyle. Those oldie movies featuring dresses like this were some of the best inspirations in my creating something like this . . . .

This is a custom piece.  Any inquiries contact  Amy-Jo Tatum bridechic@rocketmail.com  415.258.8204

EMBRACING YOUR INNER BOHO

As you can see by our header photo we're allover the bohemian look here on Bride Chic.  These images in today's post by Shannon Stellmacher are swoon-worthy and then some.  Defined, Boho is a fashion look borrowing from the peasant, early bohemian and hippie looks of the sixties. Boho can be earthy and ethereal all at once, with gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy. 
So what does Boho have in common with bridal?  Boho is an over-the-top romantic look and if weddings are anything they are just that.  My take on Boho dressing hints at the woman child within us all and a celebration of all that's feminine . . . .  

Gowns and head chic by Amy-Jo Tatum///Makeup and hair by Julie Morgan

BOWS, RIBBONS AND BELTS

The art of customizing a dress begins with all those accents you know as bows, ribbons and belts.  It's amazing how the thinnest to widest ribbon can add so much (or little) to your dress.  Yes, combined those notions can play a big part in the adornments department. They can add real style and versatility to a dress whether tied front or back, at the waist and/or in the case of some of these designs, placed just about anywhere .  .  .

Above: A polka dot belt with a striped bow accentuated by a daisy echoed on the brim of the hat finishes off the Tatanya Dress of yards of soft white  tulle./// Photo by Dominic Colacchio Photography// Below: The Lila Dress.  More yards of soft white tulle belted at the waist with a gray satin ribbon

 Below: Contrasting ribbon tie belt cinched with a white polka dot daisy.  Photo by Samantha Smith Photography

Above: The Musetta Dress-Organza bows on the arm and an embroidered gold passementrie belt added to give the skirt that peasant look.  Below:  The April Dress--Stripped organza bows on the shoulder and a gray satin belt at the waist compliment the allover embroidered organza//Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

   Above and Below: Wide embroidered taffeta ribbon fashioned into belts, borders and sashes.Below photos by Shona Nystrom of Studio 7teen//Above--The Opal Dress/Below--The Rose of Sharon Dress

                    Below--A large silk taffeta bow with french netting make a beautiful headpiece

Header Photo by Strotz Photography

Dresses and head pieces by Amy-Jo Tatum

STEPHANOTIS: THE FLOWER FOR NOW AND FOREVER

Tiny clusters of flowers in the shape of stars with a pearl in the middle.  Stephanotis does indeed seem the traditional, now and forever bridal flower not only for bouquets but hairstylists and clothing designers are incorporating them into wearables. The Victorians put Stephanotis up there as the end all be all for a happy marriage.  Check out almost any mid-Century wedding photograph and Stephanotis is most likely somewhere in the bride's bouquet. Fast forward sixty some years and they are still traditional --still beloved. Just how would you use this little flower to brighten up your special day . . . .?

 CREDITS

Header Photo by Strotz Photography from The Ceremony Magazine Shoot//Bouquet by Ingela Floral Design

Photo 2: Dress by Yumi Katsura

Photos 2 and 3: Boutonniere via Colin Cowie Weddings

Photos 4-7: Henley Photography//Hair by Salon Glam//Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photos 8-9: Bouquet via Little Miss Wedding//Boutonniere via Lillie's Flower Blog

AWESOME SHOOTERS SERIES

For me the coming of Spring means soft pastels, florals and sheer fabrics in abundance.  These pictures captured so beautifully by Retrospect Images  tell the story of the fusion of  pastels and delicate textures. This one of a kind headpiece and ring are made of succulents by  Three Sisters Flowers and Events.  Simply stunning!

A DAY AT THE ASTI WINERY

Today I have something special I've been waiting to share for a long time.  Awhile back a few phenom and talented wedding professionals met up for a styled shoot at Asti Winery in Cloverdale, California.  Below is a look at what can come from a collaborative brainstorm of ideas!  For me, the beauty of this shoot has to be the fusion of rustic and refined-- fine china on top of an incredibly set distressed wood table. Or our bride and groom sporting haute chic in a field of wildflowers. Big congrats go out to Petaluma based photographer, Nathan Larimer of Winter Tree Studios  for capturing this one of a kind set of images.  His work in wedding photography is a fusion of shooting with the eye of a fine artist as well as photojournalist.

Now, about some of the awesome pros who contributed time and talent to this project. Shauna Karver of J29 Events has to be one of the best of the best when it comes to creating beautiful weddings.   The oranges that blend into soft pinks here are mixed with pretty textures of plants and fabric, setting the tone for each stage of our visual story.  Thanks too to Kat Louis for creating such harmony with hair and makeup and a bit of styling thrown into the mix.

 

CREDITS

 Photographer: Nathan Larimer of Winter Tree Studios | 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 and Stationery: Just My Type Letterpress