Think of it--florals in your hair. They pair up so nicely with simple gown silhouettes adding a tropical feel, A-lines and ball gowns with a touch of the romantic. There are three kinds of florals: Fresh, artificial and hand-rolled fabric flowers. All are beautiful choices. Fresh can be ordered through your florist possibly echoing some of those in your bouquet. Artificial flowers are typically silk, some so well made they look like they were just picked out of the garden. Hand-rolled flowers are made out of fabric like dupioni, organza or shantung, sometimes in the same fabric as your gown. These have a real haute couture look and are usually attached to a barrette or spongy wire-wrap. You’ll need the help of a hairdresser incorporating fresh flowers into your hair. Artificial ones sometimes come with an attached comb. If not, you’ll need help anchoring these in. Some hairstylists will even weave poufs of netting through the flowers, creating a real high-fashion look. Below are some of my fave pics from shoots with top hair designers . . . .
Above: A loose chignon and happening trend by hairstylist Julie Morgan accented with a pale yellow silk rose
Looking for a bit of Boho? Wreaths can be so romantic and conjure images of wood nymphs and angels. You can use silk or fresh florals. For the latter, florists can put these together. My personal faves are made of English and dried roses and Baby's Breath . . . .
Above: Silk florals attached to a bun by hairstylist Dana Faulkner add some haute chic with a touch of romanticism . . . .Below: A white silk rose with a swathe of netting is attached to a chignon by hairstylist Crystal Saville
The five photos below detail some of the innovative work of of hair artist and designer Kathi Rothkop of Salon Glam in Novato, California. For her, heads and hair are the perfect canvas for creating . . . .
I'd like to take this Wednesday time to tell you all about a great wedding blog to which I'll be contributing called, Wedding Row California. First off I love the Wedding Row Network (how else could I write for them?). WR Network is a collection of regional online blogs including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky and now California. In addition the network includes Smitten Magazine. If you're a bride to be I know you're familiar with this e-glossy look book packed with all those gorg images of what's above the curve in bridal fashion and decor.
Today you'll find me over there on Wedding Row California talking all about hats. Wedding hats that is. I thought I'd start from the top and work my way down explaining all the fine points of wedding couture. The picture above is one of my all time favorites: a cute little cocktail hat perched on the head with just a sprig of netting for veil. Love this look and want to ditch the long, white veil for a hat? READ MORE . . . . .
This wedding is an absolute study in swoonworthy. When I first laid eyes on Candice's dress my jaw dropped. Now here's the real kicker: I learned she designed it herself! Can you believe it? Photographer Jacilyn M shot Candice and Patrick's eclectic and eco-friendly wedding in Missoula, Montana. Their ceremony took place in the gorgeous St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the reception followed at the Stensrud Event Center downtown
"This wedding was so unique from any other wedding I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of" says Jacilyn. "I couldn’t love it anymore than I did! Candice and Patrick are SO perfect together, it’s undeniable. I woke up on Saturday STOKED because their day was FINALLY here. I came home Saturday night and wanted to cry cause the day was over. So, Candice and Patrick if you could do this
at least every other year, at the least. That would pretty much make my life . . . ."
This was one wedding full of color, laughter and lots of love. Candice and Patrick definitely tripped the light fantastic, dancing the night away. The reception location was surrounded by a railroad and unique buildings making it an ideal area for shooting pictures . . . .
Last week we ran Day Dreamer, a stylized shoot by photographer Claudia McDade. Today I have another treat for you, this time around an editorial shot in London for the Atlanta based designer, Taylor Clarke Bridal. This stunning work is infused with old world charm paired with the modern twist of casual chic in the groom's attire. As always, Claudia's work delivers the ultimate in swoonworthy . . . . .
Location: The Hill Garden, London
Dresses: Taylor Clarke Bridal
Makeup by Justyna Ilcuzuk
Stylist: Megan Odgers
Models: Victoria Emsile and Luca Moscato
You may have known this shop on Etsy as
Boring Sidney, creator of beautifully crafted vintage hats with that unmistakable twist on theatrics. News is, Boring's bridal and special occasion section has moved over to it's very own and new Etsy space, called,
Belle Millinery for easier shopping and tons of the same inspiration only in white . . ..
When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,
For all the day they view things unrespected;
But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,
And, darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.
Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright—
How would thy shadow’s form happy show
to the clear day with thy much clearer light,
When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so?
How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made
By looking on thee in the living day,
When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay?
All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.
Sonnet 43
Nope, you don't have to live in Montana to have a Big Sky celebration the likes of any of these images. Any country setting will do. When I lived in upstate New York, bluegrass was a big attraction and here in California there are plenty of ranch lands to kick up your heels and wing ding it country style.
These photos are from an editorial on
Brides.com called Western Union. Amazing how
pritnear any dress when properly accessorized can look cowgirl chic, even Vera Wang. If you're curious to see the ultimate in western wedding wear check out a designer named
Martin McCrea. Yee haaaaa!
Being a highly visual person these inspirations really put me in a spring mood. So many shades of purple and cream in food, fashion and plants . . Thanks Naomi Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for putting this board together . . .You'll find more chic like this on her blog.
For me the backdrop of a ccityscape conjures weekday weddings and alternatives to the big white traditional gown. City Hall nuptials usually happen quickly with a celebration somewhere nearby--a restaurant, club or private home. This means a bride has all the chic touches that say wedding only abbreviated. Hems are usually ankle or tea length, veils either short or some hybrid of hat/veil combo . . .
An ankle length, scoop necked silk jersey dress and wide-brimmed horse hair hat.
White Chantilly all over lace dress with a two layer tulle elbow veil edged in satin . . .
And the bride wore a shocking pink moire double breasted sleeveless jacket and skirt. Pink jeweled buttons adorn the front . . .
An elegant silhouette in casual fabric: Sabrina neck white linen dress . . . a great look for the bride who is more at
Looking for a new way to go green on your wedding day? I found these gems by Love June on Etsy. Love June is known for long, slim silhouettes in beautifully draped crepes and chameauses. They also use every inch of fabric via a no waste production system for every garment made so, as they put it, "none of that pretty material ends up in the garbage!"
All gowns and garments are made to order. which means you get a brand new cut not the sample. You can also customize. Their lead time at present is about is 3-4 weeks for single dresses, 4-6 weeks for multiple dress orders.
For me earth and spring are synonymous, symbolizing rebirth and the anticipation of looking forward . . .
You can make quite a statement by adding real ivy and flowers to your gown and headpiece. Here we've woven in real and silk combinations. Below Hana is wearing the Magnolia wreath of silk florals mixed in with sprigs of real ivy. The neckline of her gown is framed in variegated ivy as smaller pieces are dappled all over the tulle skirt.
If you're intrigued with the idea of adding real flowers, leaves or ivy to your gown you can do one of two things: Have a florist do it or get with someone who's handy with a needle. Sewing live foliage onto a gown isn't rocket science. If you (or someone else) can bead, you can sew leaves Just be sure to dry out the leaves/flowers/ivy a couple days before so as not to soil the silk. Also you want to add all the pieces a couple nights before the wedding . . .
Libby's upsweep was done by master hair stylist Kao Vey Saephanh of the JonVey Salon in San Francisco. Three large pieces of ivy placed in a bun complimenting a taffeta sheath (The Flora Gown). The organza train is caught up in the back by an arrangement of roses and dappled all over in rose petals . . .
If you're having a spring themed wedding look for fabrics like chiffon, silk gauze, organza and crepe--all lightweight in look and feel. You can even get that diaphanous, transparent look with some lightweight cottons like voile, lawn and Swiss cotton eyelet. There are so many new weaves out lately, they're worth checking out.
A last word her about flowers. I love big bunches of Baby's Breath; they sing spring and go great with light and airy gowns. You can also carry a bunch of your favorite wild flowers or a bouquet of your favorite leaves..
Every so often I get to work with some really remarkable people. Makeup artist Necia Whitmore is one of my favs. We met on a recent shoot followed by the Grand opening of JonVey Salon where she's now ensconsed. With her recent move west she's brought the uptown NYC look with her. An extentsive background working in film and media, Necia's brought out the best on faces like, Kiera Sedgwick, and Elisabeth Rohm. Now two times zones away from the buzz of NYC you'll find her in the newly opened
JonVey Salon in downtown San Francisco. Here, in a tony loft setting she specializes in bridal and event makeup, providing makeovers for the bride and her entourage.
Above: Necia working on location
Also a licensed esthetician, Whitmore goes deep below the surface offering skin care and a wide range of beauty techniques including skin analysis, deep cleansing, moisturizing, and specialized facial treatments to condition the bride's skin for the right make up on her wedding day.
Prior to the wedding day Whitmore encourages the bride to come in for a trial make up session where together both work closely developing the right wedding day look. Says Whitmore,
"I'm here to help women be more beautiful, to bring out their beauty in fun, new ways. I want them to look fabulous, more beautiful than ever." Wedding day packages include either salon or on site visits with added hairstyling figured in upon request. Whitmore's move to the Bay Area doesn't limit her to Northern California weddings and events. If you want to book her throughout the US or internationally she is available for travel. Necia Whitmore is available by appointment only via
Necia Whitmore.com and
Kao Vey Salon
ring 917-239-2615
Not only do I have a new creation for you to look at, I've developed a whole concept around this design. Meet GIGI, the newest addition to Dioresque's 2011 capsule collection, called Oh La La! Inspired by Paris, the 50s, The Belle Epoch and a little bit of Toulouse-Lautrec thrown in, all creations you'll be seeing in Oh La La are about pouf, frills and spun tulle. GIGI is an A-line out of an ivory embroidered organza with a shot of ruffled lace underneath.
This little silk, lace and point esprit fascinator is featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. It's the perfect compliment to organza and lace . . .
A long row of buttons graces the back of this dress. GIGI is actually an off shoot of this sketch for FIFI (in the works) showing a sweetheart neckline and matching shrug. Can't wait to show off that one . . .
Every so often I find one of my brides featured on SMP Style Circle's Inspiration boards. The dress on the lower right with the red and purple slip underneath was Donna's unique touch to my APRIL dress from the 2009 Dioresque Collection. Don'tcha just love her Vivienne Westwood shoes? We have Mfrezza over at SMP Style Circle to thank for this swell board gone Rockabilly chic . . .
Enjoy this spot on blending of the rustic and elegant touches . . . a cake wrapped in a diamond brooch, a bouquet of just picked cotton . . .a tattered dress of the most exquisite silk . . .Thank you to Tuyet over at SMP Style Circle for this beautifully juxtaposed inspiration.
Tulle and just about any kind of silk are a magnificent combination. This dupioni sheath is swathed in a removable tulle over skirt . . . .
The headpiece echoes the bodice as three dupioni hand rolled florals are topped with French netting . . . .
Hats whipped in tulle are confections of beauty and go great with lightweight silks like these here. Above the sheath is draped in dupioni and chiffon; below is a Silk/linen Georgette with a full crin underneath . . .
Lace, chiffon and satin are all combine here with a small tulle headpiece . . .
photos copyrightt 2009 Bride Chic
Once upon a time in the 1950s, this is what the cover of Bride's looked like. Okay so not all Eisenhower-era brides looked like cake toppers. True, we may not have ODed on so many bridal magazines back then but there's no lack of originality here as this bride has shucked her veil for a pleated organza hat echoing the pleating on her magnificent dress. . . . .
In the 50's you still went to the department store to get your gown (and everything else). Salons were inside department stores and every big one like Lord and Taylor or Macy's had one. BTW: There were no real 'big name' designers in bridal back then save Priscilla Kidder in Boston and a few other manufacturers, only store labels. If you were a designer, the store hired you to do custom work or you manufactured for the store or store(s). How times have changed.
Exploring more crocheted laces, check these out. Reminiscent of the 1970s era, a crocheted star accented with a diamond gives the headpiece below a bit of jaunt!
source
Looking for alternatives for your wedding dress perchance? This one is so outside the box chic especially paired up with the succulent bouquet . . .
From
BHLDN--Above: Hand-cut silk blooms set atop airy tulle.
Below: Undeniably bohemian, Tracy Reese's floor-length crocheted lace design is dotted with globe buttons and encircled by grosgrain at the waist; a keyhole nape makes for dramatic exits—simply tuck a wildflower behind your ear for maximum effect.
We talked a few days back about bridal fashion of the seventies era. While the world was exploding politically and socially, bridal fashion stayed pretty much restricted and traditional. One exception was Tricia Nixon. In June of 1971 when she walked down the aisle of The Rose Garden on her father's arm, little did the world realize just how she'd revolutionize bridal fashion. Though traditionally turned out in a gown dappled in Alencon lace, Tricia donned bare arms on her wedding day, something not done at ultra-formal weddings back then. Though she did have on a pair of lace gauntlets to replace gloves, the press dubbed her Priscilla of Boston look, 'capped sleeved'. Priscilla, the Grand Dame of bridal design circa 1940s-80s outfitted a couple presidential daughters--Tricia's sister Julie as well as Lucy Baines Johnson. While the 1950s-60s ushered in a era when even top designers were using the new and improved synthetics in their collections, Priscilla of Boston stayed with the delicate English silk nettings and imported laces that were the trademark of the Boston bridal house's look.
As beautiful as the gown was though, Priscilla of Boston never duplicated it and even, in an era of social unrest and experimentation, the conventional bridal market wouldn't embrace bare arms til nearly a decade later. Personally, I think the design itself is a tour de force of fine elegance and truly timeless. With a change of accessories, this gown could be worn today and not look one bit dated. . . .
Princess Anne has always been something of a paradox to the fashion press.
These images bring back memories of the day Anne's engagement to marry Captain Mark Phillips was announced. When her pictures hit Vogue in 1973, we no longer thought of her as the lopsided looking daughter of Elizabeth and Phillip but a woman of unusual beauty way ahead of her time. Albiet her wedding dress by Margaret Baker was the standard and ho-hum by today's standards but on video at her Westminster Abby Wedding, the satin moves beautifully and the detail is magnificent. Above is the engagement photo with fiance Captain Mark Phillips. Check out the dress by Zandra Rhodes in embossed organza . . . the real breakthrough in the peasant-look and to me, timeless. The portrait right is circa early 70s with a headband I know any one of us would wear today.
It was with apprehension Ranier and Grace of Monoco gave blessings to their daughter Caroline and Phillipe Junot in 1978. The 21-year old was besotted with the French playboy 17 years her senior and campagained to the very end to marry him. One of the most gorgeous mannequins to hype fashion, both her civil ceremony and religious ceremony dresses were made by Marc Bohan then head honch of the House of Dior. The embroidered organza is stunning. The marrige lasted about two years and ended in divorce . . .
A little spring preview thanks Naomi Goodman who made up this yummy board so sweet we can taste it. An inspiring wedding and event planner, her blog, Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs is where you'll find more great inspiration . . .
Take a look at some of these stunning mauvey and golden images put together by Sarah over at SMP Style Circle. Any chance to turn you on and tune you into her Green Dandelion Blog makes me very happy. I'd call it a hub for some of the best posts on flowers and environmentally friendly wedding and event design. She also has an eye for the best that's out there beyond the bouquet . . .
The BEATRIX dress is a 2011 addition to the Dioresque Collection. With a bodice of embroidered organza, the full underskirt and five layers of tulle skirt are cut on the bias with the top layer gathered. The waist is cinched by a silk satin ribbon belt accented by a row of white silk hydrangeas. This dress goes great with the TRILBY fascinator out of embroidered organza and Venise lace. Available through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal
Because I create so many out of the ordinary gowns I love mature brides. Let's define maturity. Our bride is probably over forty, has kids of her own and is marrying for the second or third time. Ditto her groom so neither are likely to be obsessed by all the details of the traditional bash. Important though is a meaningful celebration and one very special dress that isn't layered in yards of lace and ruffles. Here are a few from my collection I thought would go nicely for second time around brides in a more intimate setting . . .
Crepe backed satin halter gown with lace drape and antique buttons . . .
Cut velvet crepe sheath with beaded headband
All over Chantilly lace halter dress with horsehair picture hat
Silk dupion sheath with a gauze sash and hand rolled floral has both a past as well as contemporary feeling to it.
Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal/ejones photography
White crepe halter dress with a full bias-cut circular skirt., perfect for the get away wedding . . .
Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal/ejones photography
Chemise style beaded lace gown
Here are some of the most memorable and extravagant gowns to hit the runways in the last ten years. Created by top designers the world over, some really flash. Above is a gown by Lebanese designer Toni Yaacoub.
Silk and satin specialty by Christian Lacroix
Ballet inspired tutu created by the Japanese designer Yumi Katsura
Yumi Katsura may have designed the most expensive dress in bridal history adorned with green diamonds of 8.8 carats and 502 diamonds 5 carats estimated at 1 billion yen (8.3 million USD).
A wedding cage by Portuguese designer Fatima Lopes.
A wedding dress designer Kuwaiti Adiba
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