Forrrrre Your Rehearsal

Alright, please excuse the ridiculously cliche title of this post, I thought it was cute.... because I am corny like that!

If you are trying to change things up for your rehearsal dinner, why not tee off for a round of mini golf? Your guests will enjoy the casual atmosphere and you take relief some stress prior to your wedding day!

You can also combine a BBQ meal, your favorite food, or maybe a big ole' comfort food buffett.

Bridesmaids vs. Groomsmen is always a fun rilvary! Girls vs. Boys?

Have fun with it, make it your own - and you will never be disappointed!

Bowling Rehearsal Dinner!

Yesterday we talked about a Rock Band Rehersal, another fun idea for your rehearsal dinner could be a bowling alley! Treat  your guests to Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Beer, Nacho's, and all of the bowling they can handle!

Talk about fun times! Everyone loves to let loose and bowl, even if you stink, like me!

So when you are considering what to do for your rehearsal dinner, think of fun past times - things the whole family can enjoy!

PINK THINK

A little imagination goes a long way. Such is the pairing of custom design on the stunning Natalie Angela who saw this cloud of soft pink organza in her mind and went on the hunt for a pattern and fabric. The 1957 Butterick pattern below was her inspiration point. I love these vintage patterns and buy them often just to check out the dart and seam lines of the day (yes, they were slightly different back then).

The 'Pink Photos' as I call them were taken by San Francisco photographer, John Carmen whose work captures a scope of real and true detail.

Yes, the styles in the pattern below remind me of something worn by January Jones on Mad Men, my favorite show.

Rockin' Rehearsal Dinner!

Question: Who says your rehearsal dinner has to be a stuffy event, with pomp and circumstance?



Answer: No one!



Why not have a HUGE Rock Band Rehearsal, cater in some BBQ, or your favorite foods - have two Rock Band set ups, and you are good to go! I have to tell you from experience, Rock Band is so much fun! And really, anyone can do it! Because, frankly, if I can, you can!



Here are some pictures from our Rock Band Party...

{Everyone really gets into the spirit}

{I am usually the drummer, but someone thought it was a good idea to hand me the mic}

{Sissy (aka Roxie) Rockin' it Out!}

I know these pictures seem silly, but really, your rehearsal should be a reflextion of you, and if you can let loose alittle bit before the big day, then Rock it Out!

PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: ELISA CICINELLI

Check out the stunning and touching work of San Francisco Bay Area photographer Elisa Cicinelli. Here she has photographed Caroline and Chris who chose to have their destination wedding at the beautiful Harvest Inn in Napa Valley. 'I just love the wink Caroline gave Chris during our shoot' says Elisa.

DETAILS Ceremony: St. Helena Catholic Church, Deborah Fradelizio, Coordinator

Reception: Harvest Inn, St. Helena, CA, Shana Goldberg Event Planners: A Savvy Event, Emarie & Kelly Ceremony Music: Benny Be Music, Ben Brussel Band: Ever Music Group, Steven Emerson Florist: Calistoga Florist, Michael Thomas Cake: Torino Baking, Julie Durkee Caterer: Alex’s Catering, Rolando Mafnus Hair & Make Up: Maria O’Reilly

BLACK AND BLUE

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GREAT GOWNS FOR THE BITCH IN YOUR LIFE

If I had more time this is what I'd be doing believe it or not--designing dresses for my little 6 pound 3 ounce bitch. She already has a bridal gown (custom designed by me of course) but no fiancee in sight. These dresses from The Doggie Clothesline might just fit her and I'm contemplating the pink. If you're a small dog lover like I am, Doggie Clothesline is a candy store and you're the proverbial kid. Check out their day time dresses with matching sun hats. They're adorable . . .

Piccalina does go out nights so the gold is definately a possibility. Which do you like . . .?

Friday Fun Pic!

This picture makes me smile, and I though we should start Friday off right... these are my nieces, Peyton and Sydney!

They are getting so big!

I almost wish I had a wedding coming up (personally) so I could have the worlds cutest Flower Girls!!!

YOUR GOWN: 5 WAYS TO GO GREEN

Adele Wechsler

Have you any idea the impact the production of clothing and textiles has had on the environment? Welll check this out: In the UK alone according to 2006 statistics, clothing and textiles contributed in producing up to two million tons of waste, 3.1 million tons of CO2 and 70 million tons of waste water. Whoah! Time for a reality check: Have we become so used to fast food, fast technology and now fast fashion that we've created a manufacturing monster like this? No wonder designers are turning to sustainable fabrics and labor friendly alternatives to produce their creations. Welcoming it as an opportunity rather than limitation is making for some incredible designs as well as global partnerships. Going Green can mean many things . . . . READ MORE . . . . .

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Lace and cotton Georgette. Combined they make a luscious combination. The 'Mira' dress is part of the Dioresque series, a capsule collection of dresses redolent of the 1950s era. A halter top in Chantilly lace sits atop a full gathered skirt.

This dress could easily go semi-formal or less formal depending on accessories. A fingertip veil paired up with gloves would put it into the former category while fascinators, hats and cage veils the latter. Here, the model is going somewhere in-between and looks like she might be opting for a restaurant or small garden wedding.

If you want to see more gowns like this check out my site http://www.amyjotatum.com/. Also, if you want to place an order or simply talk about this gown call me 415.258.8204. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Life List!

At the end of the night, well, the begining of the end of the night, of Let's Eat Cake! - WOW! What a sentence that is! {You can probably sense the relief and stress on my face}

I realized that although Kerry Vincent and I had spent alot of time together, we hadn't taken a picture together!

So this is one of my favoritest moments! Although, I am exhausted, but fulfilled all at the same time!

{Look at all those people!!!}

{The Crowd's of People waiting to get into Let's Eat Cake!}

{Guests contimplating on how much to bid on the silent auction items}

{Bidding on the Silent Auction Items}

There wil be one more post on Let's Eat Cake! to announce the final total being donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, coming in the next few days, so be on the look out!

THE GOLDEN BRIDE

For Krivonja - by Pinky Aurora on Polyvore.com

Did you Seeeee?

Every Friday, the incredibly brilliant Liene Stevens from Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner does a series highlighting a Wedding Consultant, and last Friday as I was scrolling through my Google Reader... I saw my picture!



I am honored to have been featured on The Smart Planner, so many of my favorite wedding planners have been featured, nad I feel blessed to be in a series with women {and men} that I respect so greatly!

Thanks Liene for featuring us!



Check it out!

Chandellier of Cranes

I am so excited about this project! The Wedding Co is doing something amazing! They are setting out to make a Chandellier of Origami Cranes! And for a great cause, for every crane you make they will donate $0.50 to cancer research!!!

They are looking to collect for than 5,000 cranes!

Now if you don't know how to make an Origami Crane, here is a quick tutorial on how-to....

Here's how YOU can participate and help contribute to the chandelier project:





1. Fold an origami crane(s) and mail it to us at:, make it your own, sign it, design it, write your name on it, the sky is the limit! Then mail it to:



The Wedding Co.

Attn: Crane Chandelier Project

110 Givins Street

Toronto, ON, Canada

M6J 2X9





If you are a blogger:

1. Link to "Send a Crane" -  and we will mail you a crane kit which includes a pre-folded crane and an instruction card describing the project. Sign your crane an engaged couple and return it to The Wedding Co.



2. Spread the word - visit The Wedding Co. website to watch the chandelier take flight.



Have Fun!

A GLOSSARY OF SILKS

When it comes to bridal wear, silks rule. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, around 2500 B.C. the Chinese discovered and developed the process of weaving it into fabric. China is still the largest producer and exporter of 80% of the world’s silks. Most silk weaves are luxe, opulent and suggest a certain formality ideal for the bridal gown. Tightly woven silks like duchesse satin have a luster and are ideal for structured silhouettes, whereas loosely woven silks like charmeuse and crepe lend themselves to drapery. Choosing the right silk depends on the style of your gown in addition to time of day of day and year your wedding takes place.

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SILK WEAVES

Brocade-Pictured below. Heavyweight fabric used in structured silhouettes. The elaborate patterns of this fabric are created by mixing muted and glossy yarns in matching (sometimes contrasting) colors. Most bridal gowns made out of brocade have a surface design of florals though I once saw a gown with some interesting geometric patterns. Brocade molds perfectly in sheath and A-line silhouettes. A fall/winter fabric, brocade is an excellent option for bridal suits.

Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo by Ron Greystar

Charmeuse (aka crepe-backed satin)-Lightest weight of all the satins. This fabric has a glossy finish that clings and drapes the body beautifully. No other fabric evokes the image of the white, bias-cut evening gown quite like charmeuse. Works best in evening gown and slip dress styles.

Chiffon-Lightweight and transparent, the delicacy of this fabric makes it best for billowing sleeves, cowl draped necklines, ruffles, ruched bodices and long, airy trains. See-through dresses worn over slips can be made of chiffon. Full skirts in chiffon are ethereal and can be layered. Be careful if you’re planning on dressing your bridesmaids in full skirts of pastel chiffon. Unless you have a stylistic eye they could come off like they’re auditioning for The Lawrence Welk Show.

Crepe (aka crepe de chine)-Lightweight and drapey, the crinkled surface is achieved by a hard-twisted yarn process. To get a sense of what crepe is like, look at the subjects of any Maxfield Parish painting. Though it’s available in wool, cotton and rayon, silk reigns the favorite due to its incredible swathe and drape effect. Like charmeuse, crepe is another 1930s Hollywood glam fabric and a natural for the bias cut evening gown. Can likewise look great in a shirtwaist and chemise style.

Damask-Lighter weight than brocade, damask is a jacquard fabric with woven designs thorough out. Best for structured silhouettes.

Duchesse Satin-Medium weight satin with a glossy finish. A staple of traditional bridal wear, it has versatility whereas it works for strait as well as full silhouettes.

Dupioni-Made from thick uneven yarns rolled from double cocoons. Has irregular slubbing and lustrous texture. Ideal for fuller silhouettes yet I have used this continually in sheath and modified A-lines with excellent results.

Faille-Medium to heavy weight, cross-ribbed fabric with a tight weave. Works best in structured silhouettes like the one pictured above.

Gauze-Lightest weight transparent fabric. Since it’s lighter than chiffon it has an airy quality perfect for light trains, veils and scarves.

Georgette-Pictured below. Lightweight and sheer fabric made from twisted yarns. Somewhere between chiffon and crepe, it has a crinkly appearance surface.

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

The gown above was painstakingly made of silk gauze, a fabric ordinarily so delicate it can only be used for trains and drapes as on the gown below.

Henley Photography

Georgette-Lightweight and sheer fabric made from twisted yarns. Somewhere between chiffon and crepe, it has a crinkly appearance surface.

Marquisette-Very light mesh fabric. Drapes like chiffon and georgette. A very hard fabric to find.

Mikado-Medium weight twill weave with beautiful luster. Ideal for both A-lines and full skirts. Used by more and more designers in recent years, brides love the surface sheen of this fabric..

Moire-A treatment of watermarking given to fabric, leaving an undulating, watery finish. Most moiré is either faille or taffeta.

Organza-Light, springy and transparent fabric. Once considered suitable only for summer, organza is now year-round and widely used in gowns requiring full skirts, A-lines, trains, veils, drapes and overlays.

Peau de Soie-Pictured below. Heavier-weight satin with dull finish. Structures well in either straight or full silhouettes. Ideal for tailored gowns and suits.

Giuseppe Papini

Pongee-Raw silk with a wild, natural feel. Typically comes in a natural tan shade. Once standard for men’s suit lining, pongee is the ideal lining for gown bodices wherever inner structure is needed. Though pongee can be the perfect lining choice, it shouldn’t be overlooked for shirtwaists, chemise styles and relaxed A-lines like the trapeze. Good option for the wedding party, especially the little ones.

Satin-faced Organza-Another trendy fabric, it has the spring of regular organza and the luster of a satiny finish. Ideal for full A-line skirts.

Shantung-Rough, plain weave with irregular slubbing. Another ideal lining fabric depending on the weight. Silk as well as synthetic versions of shantung are often used for attendants.

Taffeta- Stiff, crisp, lightweight cross-rib weave. Taffeta can have either a slight luster or muted finish. It can be shaped, adding volume without bulk and weight, making it an ideal choice for A-lines and ball gowns. Nice in a sheath silhouette providing it has some kind train preferably of the same fabric with some degree of fullness.



Tulle-Pictured below. Fine mesh netting with hexagonal pattern that comes in silk or nylon. Tulle is standard material for bridal veils. Also used in bouffant skirts like the one pictured below, proffering that ballerina look Vera Wang popularized a few years back. While the big tulle skirt is classic, edgier versions of late suggest special effects like draping, rouching and pick-up treatments over more modified skirt silhouettes. Not to be overlooked for trains done in layers.

Ron Greystar Photography

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

Henley Photography

Velvet- Heavy-weight, napped fabric. Perfect for the winter bridal suit. The cut velvet pictured above works well in any season.

Ring Around Your Finger

Last month I received an email from Superior Wedding Rings, introducing me Palladium Wedding Rings. Honestly, I had never heard of Palladium before, so I had to do some research. And the stuff is nice!



It's soft and pretty, the color is beautiful! Superior Wedding Rings sent us some samples and all of us are oooohing and ahhhhhing over them! I even made my husband try it on so that I could see it on his hand, and it looked mighty fine!!!



So when you are considering your wedding rings, and can't decide if you want White Gold or Titanium or Platnium, why not go Palladium? The quality of the rings at Superior Wedding Rings is amazing!



They also sell Titanium, Platnium and White Gold - so your choices are endless! And the rings are amazing!!!



Be on the lookout for a Wedding Ring Giveaway soon!!! Sponsored by Superior Wedding Rings!!!

STALKING THE LOOKBOOKS:JESUS PEIRO

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Spanish designer Jesus Peiro creates magnificent gowns with the most flattering lines. The fabrics he uses are exquisite and techniques so expertly done. Not here, but on his site, in the 09 collection, look for something we haven't seen in awhile--high collars and sleeves.

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I have to say these gowns are photographed in a way that accentuates the beauty of the fabrics and highlights embellishments like head pieces and hairdressing. The result is fashion and art meet to make for a very moving experience . . .

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