Inspiration Board: Orange Citrus

Creating this board made me realize just how many shades of orange there are and how difficult of a color it is. You see, in searching for it online when you type "orange" you have both the words "orange" as in the color orange and "orange" as in the citrus, which, conveniently is also orange. Phew. 

Anyway, I realized how versatile a color orange really can be. Mix it with dark colors like browns and burgundies and you have a rich warm Fall palette. Mix it with bright hues like hot pink or kelly green and you have a very poppy bright Summer palette. Or, do as I did here and mix it with soft whites and creams to create a subdued look and orange will stand all on it's own.

What do you think?

{invitation, cupcakes, suits, oranges, centerpiece, flowers, mimosas}

CUTTING EDGE CORSETRY

Bibian Blue

Again, Candela_Inlove has turned me on to yet another corsetmaker in sunny Spain, Bibian Blue Her gallery of digital painting photos is magnificent and a truly inspiring variation on the corset . . . .

To view more photos go to Bibian Blue

HEAD CHIC OF THE DAY

Stephanie Williams Photography

Wanted to share this gorgeous headpiece from Batcakes Couture with you today. I'd say the fascinator is that hybrid between hat and veil so many brides are looking for and finding tres chic . . .

Inspiration Board: Lemon

Something very fun and exciting for you all; this week we've declared it FRUIT WEEK! We will post an inspiration board everyday based around a different type of fruit. So, to start us off, we have lemon with a lovely yellow and white collection of images.

Don't you love the fun, light, and summery yellow palette? So bright and cheery!

Thanks for another beautiful board, Ashley!

{lemonade, cake, invitation, shoes, lemons in vase, yellow dress, flowers via Eventfully Yours, tablescape via SD Wedding Insider, bridal dress via Kelly Oshiro Events, clutch, lemons}

So, what do you think?

TRUE BLUE

wedding galore :) by rluvsg on Polyvore.com

For me blue has a medicinal effect of calming and soothing. These have been some of my favorite photos now combined to inspire . . . .

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

July is Vintage month and we're starting our journey into this packed subject early. I'm fortunate to live in San Anselmo, christened by some as the antique capital of California. One of my favorite shopoholic stops here is French Nest, a vintage furnishings and accoutrement's store run by two bright and talented women, Holly Hopper and Silke Solomon. Amid some gorgeous country French style furnishings you'll also find vintage hats, shoes, jewelry and dresses. Once I laid eyes on these actual vintage frocks, I just had to share them with you.

I was taken by the eyelet organdy on this late 1940s gem. I can't find fabric like this and I've been looking allover. The quality is unbelievable and at closer inspection the dressmaking techniques impeccable. Also this dress is totally intact-- no rips, yellowing or stains. The former owner must have packed it away with the utmost care for years.

The dress above is a perfect example of mid-seventies and what traditional bridal wear looked like the years between Trisha Nixon and Lady Di's wedding. We often think of the seventies as funky-funky and it certainly was, but remember bridal wear took a long time to move out of the restricted zone of high collars and long sleeves only and into the realm of high-fashion.

Both these dresses are under $300.00. Given the amount of lace and exquisite fabric, going vintage here would be a real bargain.

If you're lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, stop by French Nest at 500 San Anselmo Avenue in San Anselmo. If you're planning a visit to the area, definitely put this one on your itinerary.

Inspiration Board: Mint Chocolate Chip

Here is another beautiful board Ashley made entitled "Mint Chocolate Chip." With the soft, light green color and warm chocolate tones, I think the title perfectly correlates to the board.

{cake, bride, save the date, present, dishes, bridal party, drapes, meringues, mint julep}

What do you think? Beautiful, no?

Be sure to come back next week for a week full of inspiration.

INSPIRATION!

If you've been following Bride Chic, you know by now June has been dubbed corset month and we've been around the world checking in with all the designers. Wrapping up the topic, I saved some of the best for last. Today we'll meet Joan Shum. Though this Long Beach, California designer doesn't specialize exclusively in corsetry, she certainly has a few stunners in her collection. Inspired by art and costume, she's added these and others to her design repertoire. Below are some of my personal favorites. . . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography

There are several places to view Joan Shum's work. You can go to her website or Etsy Store

Some of the most gorgeous photos and a real 'feel good' place to pick up some unforgettable inspiration is on Stephanie Williams blog.

Wet DJ!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful bride and a fantastically handsome groom. They were to be wed right outside an amazingly glorious castle hotel on the lawn overlooking the ocean. All of the guests were watching as the bride and groom said those words to one another, promising to love each other until the end of times.

As the photographer looked over his shoulder he noticed these huge dark clouds that were heading towards our lovely bride and groom.

The DJ who had his expensive equiptment set up for the ceremony and cocktail hour had stepped inside, as his job was done for about 20 minutes, the rest of the ceremony.

The minister out of the corner of his eye saw the blackness that was invading our glorious nuptials, decided to hurry up the ceremony as to not leave the guests and our lovely bride in groom in the wetness that was about to occur.

The bride and groom kissed, they headed inside the castle hotel the guests followed. The skies opened up, the clouds parted, and a sea of water hit our beautiful ceremony location, just in time for hte guests to be safely inside.

Although our handsome DJ who was inside still thinking the ceremony was progressing, had no idea that his equiptment just recieved a bath.

UH- OH!

The DJ then had to call his company and get them to get him new equiptment... 45 minutes later... 45 minutes without music.

When hiring your vendors make sure they have equiptment available as a back up, make sure they could even have the ability to play music if something was to happen to their equiptment.

You have to be prepared for the worst of the worst at the very least!

Photo: Corbis

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

A dear friend of mine over at Styrous® shot the last two photos here last weekend; it's the newest addition to the 'Dioresque Collection'. Once this 1950s repro slid off the work table, I purposely gave it the vintage name, Debbi. The just-above-the-ankles skirt is three layers of white tulle and the sweetheart bodice is made of an allover Chantilly lace. I think my new signature is definitely satin tie belts adorning the waist. Debbi is actually separates. The bodice can be worn tucked in as shown or as a dropped waist. After the wedding? Wear the bodice with blue jeans if you want. And think of the possibilities you have with the skirt . . . . Pair it with a black halter and you have a spectacular evening ensemble.

Be a Planner: Class Offering

Thrilled to announce that Be a Planner will be offering another certification class in July in Gainesville, Florida. The class will be held July 25-26, 2009 from 8AM-5PM both days at the beautiful Sweetwater Branch Inn. 

This class is a two day course, basically it is a very intense, but enjoyable, two days filled with everything you need to know about planning an event. It is like having a degree in event planning with a major in wedding planning. We feel that you could walk out of the class with enough knowledge to plan and direct a wedding on your own, or for a company without a second thought. And if you are already in the industry it will give you the credentials as well as some of the tricks to the trade including how to work with a difficult client and how to meet and exceed the needs of your current clients.

It is a fun weekend, filled with tons of information that will be super valuable to you whether or not you decide to pursue a career in this industry. We talk about how to handle those simple but unique details to suit even the most extravagant requests, the proper way to cut a wedding cake, how to dress a bride, working with vendors, how to acquire contacts, how to receive referrals, how to work with a client, how to acclimate to new location, how to start a business, and A LOT MORE! This course has been approved through the Department of Education, and we are very excited to bring it back to Gainesville.

So please don't hesitate to contact us at info {at} MasterPieceWeddings {dot} net for more information and to join us in the fun!

MORE CORSET MANIA!

Candy over at Candela_Inlove emailed me a link from this wonderful designer, Maya Hansen. Maya specializes in corsets of all kinds from bridal to tutus to fantasy and her site is definitely worth checking out. . .

Dash for the Dress!

Just wanted to remind you that Gainesville's own Solutions Bridal is hosting their 1st annual Dash for the Dress, a charity bridal sample sale.



The event is to take place on June 27th from 8AM to 12PM and a portion of the proceeds are to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Designer Dresses will be priced anywhere from $99-$699 (dresses that are valued up to $5000)!



And they will also have some bridesmaids and mother of the bride dresses on sale. But the event will be cash only and they are encouraging brides to get there early because dressing rooms will be limited. In additon, there will be a large selection of veils, jewelery, and headpieces!





Brides, if you are still looking for that perfect dress, who knew you could have a designer one fit your budget!? Please contact Solutions Bridal in Gainesville at (352) 367-0070.

SOME LUCKY FLOWER GIRL . . . .

source

Every so often I run across an extraordinary piece. Unfortunately I can't share who did this flower girl dress because I found it on Project Wedding and it's origin is unspecified. It looks like someone took a basic pattern and scattered artificial flower petals with rhinestone centers all over. What do you think? Custom designer or somebody's highly creative grandma who has some serious talent way beyond the 'cutsey' stuff.

Martha Stewart, eat your heart out . . .

My Best Friend's Wedding!!!

My BFF got married last month!!! So, Lauri called me and said here's the deal, Will and I are getting married!!!!



We all kind of knew this was happening eventually, but to hear the words, made it all the more real.



Then reality kicked it, what's my role gonna be?



And then the answer became obvious:

• Wedding Planner (Duh!)


• Matron of Honor (aka, Best Woman)


• Officiant (aka, Hitcher)


• Hair Up-Do'er


• Controller of the Weather


• Cake Baker (although, I delgated this one)

It was so fun! I can't thank Leytham Photography enough, they were amazing to work with! We love you guys and can't wait to work together again soon! (or just hang out)!



Did I mention she got married Memorial Day weekend, the weather was terrible! Like terrible, awful, monsoon like. Luckily, I have a great connection with Mother Nature, and she parted the rain drops for 40 minutes, enough for the ceremony and some pictures afterwards. Perfect!!!



Meet Lauri, my very best friend.

Meet Lauri's new husband Will, and their son Jaxson:

Can't get enough of Jaxson:

Lauri and I, being, well Goofs...

The beach house was across the street from the beach, I love this image, it shows the "Hey, Don't hit us, we are about to be hitched" faces:

The the barefoot wedding:

Okay, but seriously, doesn't her hair look amazing!

Whoooo Hoooo! They are married, now we can play:

Ahhh, oops:

And take some really beautiful romantical pictures:

Then dinner and toasts:

And cake:

A special thanks to KB Kakes for making Lauri's wedding cake so perfect!!!