HOW TO CUSTOMIZE A 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.  

Above: A basic sheath in the image to the right is unadorned except for a wide sash added to the waist. Image on the left shows the same sheath with a detachable over skirt converting the dress into a ball gown. Next image has a detachable train with handmade flowers and leaves of ivy embellishing the sash//Photo by Strotz Photography //Header photo by Lirette Photography

A GLOSSARY OF VEILS BY FABRIC

Did you know not all veils are made of tulle?  Gorgeous, yes, tulle aka illusion is the most widely used material designers go for when creating the look that tops you off on your wedding day.  Looking into  the varied weights take into mind most veiling materials are light and either drape or have that lightweight loft that poufs on certain veils

 NYLON OR POLY TULLE-The most common, try to find the best quality Nylon you can.  The true test is finding a netting with a softer hand, .Tulle is great for pouf, gathered at the crown and layered veils.  Ditto blushers that cover the face and are pulled back for the all important kiss and post ceremony.  By special order through Amy-Jo Tatum

SILK TULLE--A very delicate and fragile fabric, this is the top of the line veiling used by royal princesses and couture brides the world over.  Though available in different blends of Poly Silk to 100% silk, you're going to pay the difference for the added silk factor here.  Not as much loft as regular tulle makes this a great candidate for Cathedral and longer length veils.  Again I need to reiterate--very delicate stuff here . . . . By special order through Amy-Jo Tatum

 ENGLISH NET-- Either made of Poly or pure cotton, English netting is used in many of the full skirts on wedding dresses.  More drape and opaqueness than tulle it is an ideal fiber for mantillas and single layer veils.  The Ivory Lace Mantilla Veil above a single layer bordered in  Chantilly lace.

 SILK GAUZE OR CHIFFON- Go for single layer veils in gauze or chiffon. The reason is most chiffons are opaque and the yardage has a certain drape and spread to it that's ideal for longer veils like the beauty above that is tacked to the back of the bride's hair . . . .By special order through Amy-Jo Tatum

 LACE--Seriously, let's look at some lace.  Did you know that between the motifs and floral patterns of lace lies a soft netting base like that of tulle?  An allover lace veil will work as either a mantilla or a wrap of lace fashioned into a type of cloche veil like the one above as long as it is fairly light weight.  By special order through Amy-Jo Tatum

FRENCH AND RUSSIAN NETTING--Both have larger holes producing a wider netting but French netting is softer to the touch. Pictured above is Russian netting which is a stiffer version.  I used it for The Bubble Veil because I wanted to add that high fashion drama to this wedding look. Though used mostly for shortie veils, I've seen it pieced in length to create longer versions
(only comes 9 and 18" wide)

SWISS DOT AND POINT D'ESPRIT-Netting that is usually soft and wide with dots on it.  Swiss Dot can be netting, chiffon or organza.  Above is a Point d'esprit pouf veil adorned with a handmade  silk rose.  Very Couture.  By special order through Amy-Jo Tatum

CREDITS

Photo 1:Jim Vetter Photography

Photo 2 and 3: Pixamage

Photo 4: im Vetter Photography Photos 5 and 6: Pixamage

Photo 7: Smoot Photo

Photo 8: Scott Photography
Photo 9: S1 Studios

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELOPEMENT

If you've been reading along here for any amount of time you know how much I absolutely love elopements,.  There's something so special and romantic about two people going off to a far away place to share vows,  Today's styled shoot is all about elopement, captured by Colorado-based shooter, Mia Minoletti of Emmy Cube Photography.  Says Mia about this shoot: "We had so much fun creating this styled elopement, for the more traditional bride who still values the intimacy of an elopement. Perfect for the fall or winter bride, this elopement takes place at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado. Beautiful pheasant feathers adorn the bride's bouquet only to be upstaged by her beautiful sleeved gown!"

 

Photographer:  Emmy Cube Photography//Other Location:Boulder, Colorado//Floral Designer:Fluorescence Flowers //Hair Stylist: Janae Smith Studio//Beauty: Vain Hippie Beauty//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

TREND WATCH: THE BUSTIER

Call it what you will: Bustier, corset, corselette--strapless, fitted, bodices have found a place in the bridal fashion arena the past few years.  Borrowing from a few genres like steam punk, 1950s couture, and costume design, these pieces go well with long flowing skirts in sumptuous fabrics and lend a romantic feel to your wedding day look.  Here are a few of my own jewels I loved crafting . . . .

Top Photo: The BELINDA Corset created out of antique laces

Photo 2: The LORENA Corset and skirt in white taffeta

Photo 3: Natalie's Corset in duchesse satin

CHIC OF THE WEEK

 This creation called, ODETTE sports some extraordinary details, thanks to a shirred tulle bodice over cuts of delicate Chantilly lace.  Check out the full skirt--cut on the bias donning yards of silks and tulle.  Handmade silk florals adorn both the shoulder and waist.  This dress can go the casual route as in woodsy wedding as well as all out formal with the right accessories. . . . .

Photography by Taralynn Lawton

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup: Pretty by Julianne

Hair by Justina Downs of Intertwine Hair Design

WHAT MAKES A VINTAGE BRIDE LOOK VINTAGE?

In this case certainly not age but that could be one factor.  Looking vintage on your wedding day means you're zeroing in on some chic borrowed from the ages. No they don't have to be authentic, ie; real jewels or head wear but can be.  With all us designers creating such great replicas of bygone eras it's just a matter of finding the right fabrics and accessories to bring out and play up a vintage look. Directly above and below are great examples of using lace to recall a certain decade.  These dresses are dripping in lace evocative of The Downton Abbey era

 Above: Nothing glams up a look like the use of gloves.  Long opera length go beautifully with evening gown styles of the thirties.  While the shorties shown here go particularly well with the 50s-60s, they would jazz up styles of earlier 20th Century chic as well  Below: Topping it all off with head wear can really nail an era,  Below is a medley of images perfect for a bride who loves the 1940s

All Dresses and Head Wear by Amy-Jo Tatum

Top Photos: The Missy Dress and Emma Dress 

A TUESDAY SHOES DAY

It all started with a red sash. My client Donna (above) wanted to experiment with picking up some color. How about you? Are your shoes going to be in hue? Believe me, even brides all dressed in white from veil to hem are opting for green, blue, red or yellow shoes under their gown. Actually I'm not certain this is a passing trend so much as tradition broken. White pumps and sandals with white gowns will always be with us. Now though, so will any shoe in any color that works under your gown . . .

Top Photo: Vivienne Westwood//Photo by Loic

Photo 2: BHLDN

Photos 3 and 4: Christian Louboutin via Mod Wedding

Photo 5: Sergio Rossi :via Bride Chic

Photo 6: Spool No. 72

STYLED SHOOT AT ARROYO GRANDE

What a gorgeous shoot this is captured by SoCAL based photographer, Mariela Campbell.  Here's a photographer who has done some incredible styled shoots as well as wedding and engagement sessions.  This is what she had to say about putting this series together,"Inspirations for a French theme came from our amazing planner and designer, who's own heritage derives from her mother's French lineage.  Creating the setting: Our gorgeous couple are real and their chemistry was undeniable and exuding with love and laughter."

 

   

Photographer:  Mariela Campbell Photo and Cinema//Floral Designer:Blissful Blossoms//Reception Venue: Heritage Estates//Dress Designer: Hope Stanley Bridal Stylist//Dress Designer:Jim Hjelm//Dress Store: Mary Me Bridal//Event Planner: Memory Making Events//Caterer: Slo Coast Catering//Submitted via Two Bright Lights