HEADPIECE, VEIL (OR BOTH)

Since Chelsea Clinton's wedding, the long tulle veil is suddenly in the spot light once again. There are brides like Chelsea who choose to wear a veil without a headpiece and brides who wear headpieces, ditching the veil altogether.  But what about the bride above?  She's wearing my 'Oralie' headpiece with the  cathedral veil.  The point is, you can do whatever you want as long as you feel beautiful.  A few tips on matching veils to headpieces:

The headpiece: headpiece, gown and veil should all work in tandem. Modern gowns go with beaded hair combs, tiaras and any hat with a veil. A more traditional gown will look great with a Juliet cap, a bow, wreath, hair comb. The ultra-formal gown shouts out for a tiara of Swarovski crystal.  Consider also a hat, Juliet cap (classic) or  mantilla.

The veil: No rules any more about legnth of veil dictated by formality of ceremony.  That means you can wear a Juliet cap with a waltz length veil, a pillbox with a very long cathedral veil.  Just remember to keep everything in balance. If you're tiny maybe the huge hat with your veil is going to be a bit much.  Scale down. . .

DAISY AND THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER . . .

From the Vintage Green Collection, Daisy will make yet another comeback Spring of 2011.  Because the last days of summer here in Northern California can be warm ones, this 100% imported cotton dress is spot on for a garden or vineyard wedding. Versatile, Daisy can be accessorized to the hilt and really Diored up or go casual as an easy and chic silhouette--made of cotton and lined in cotton. The straw hat accented with daisies is a new addition to the hat collection which can be found on the Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal site under Head Chic.

Shoe Bling

Still looking for something blue? Here ya go! For $5.00 you will have a cute little photo op for your shoes! This Los Angeles based company carries an entire line of bling - from T-shirts to flip flops!  From Classy Bride:

But, if you don't want to spend $5.00 and you want to DIY....here is a great tutorial I found on the web!

NOSTALGIA

Autumn is just about here when pastels mix beautifully with berries and dried branches. The touches of vintage jewelry here are so inspiring and get us thinking about all those small touches that add so much to a wedding.  Thank you again Naomi at Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for inspiring us with all these combinations of texture and color . . .

Hope is the thing...

Hello Friends! We are back in sunny, southern California...just in time to remind you all that the August giveaway will be ending in a few days! I have spent some time looking at Lisa Leonard's site today. She designed a new necklace...will you choose it if you are the winner? Hope is the thing...

Inspired by a simple feather  found on the beach and a sweet emily dickinson quote. The words read, "hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul". The quote is written in Lisa's handwriting and transferred to the sterling silver pendant. Both sterling charms are strung on sterling chain and sweetened with a cream, freshwater pearl. Stunning and so meaningful!

TIMELESS

For me Tiffany blue is so classy.  Here, most everything pictured says, "Breakfast at . . . " right down to the mini pound cakes. Once again we have the very talented planner, Naomi V. Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs to thank for such gorgeousness.

INSPIRATION FRIDAY

source
Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words.  They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning. 


 ~Lydia M. Child

THE CHAPEAU VEIL

Hybrids like these are becoming popular and by hybrids I mean combos between hat and veil. These pieces show the sheer genius of the uber-talented French designer, Catherine Alhinc who is a master of the use of materials and elements of design. Tip of the day: To carry these off in the best light your dress or ensemble should be streamlined and free of mass adornment.

FALL FORWARD

Lirette Photography

Fall is a time to be savored and enjoyed to the fullest.  It's actually my busiest time of year and; yes, June is a big buzz and all but here on the West Coast  late summer and fall weddings have always been chic primarily because of the gorgeous weather.  And all those vineyards in the Napa Valley--large and small-- make such great wedding spots in the fall.  Here are a few gowns I came up with, perfect for the relaxed atmosphere of a vineyard or farm wedding . . . .  

 Jeff Hoang

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

Embossed silk chiffon sheath silhouette with silk gauze wrap with small silk rosettes dappled allover.

Smoot Photo

 ivory chiffon and Chantilly lace pair up here for this empire-style gown with a square neckline.

 

 This allover Chantilly lace halter dress with a bouffant skirt pairs up nicely with the Venise lace bordered picture hat.

All gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

Cake Love

We spent the day in our nations capital today! It was a beautiful, COOL day! We played tourist until it was time to get serious. If you call tasting delicious confections serious! I sure do. I read a review about a cupcake/bakery called Cake Love and I knew I could not leave the city without trying them! Hey, I needed to test out the goods before blogging about them! Cake Love sums up the name perfectly because I am in love! It was hard to decide what to try because they all looked and sounded amazing. This is what we ended up sampling:

Homemade raspberry puree flavors this CakeLove classic, fluffy raspberry buttercream. This was our daughters choice - because it was pink! She ate it right up!

Chocolate cupcakes dipped in decadent chocolate ganache, topped with peanut butter buttercream, accented with chocolate, caramel and sprinkled with candied peanuts. Not to be missed! This was the hubby's choice! It was a good one. Reminded me of a Snickers candy bar....but it still didn't compare to my choice which was....

Designed for our 44th President; each vanilla cupcake is topped with vanilla buttercream, scratch made caramel and a light sprinkle of sea salt. OH-MY-GOSH. This was/is my dream cupcake. Seriously. The mixture of the caramel and salt. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

A classic vanilla butter pound cake bursts with vanilla buttercream and fresh, sugared strawberries. A CakeLove favorite that's heartily endorsed by Mom (and me)! Wow. This was seriously amazing!

Cake Love offers wedding cakes if you don't want to go the cupcake route. Their approach to cakes is: simple is better. Let your guests "ooh and aah" over the flavor not the decoration. And, in this case, they have it right! If you live in the area (lucky!) you must try them...if you are visiting this is a must stop location and if you won't be in the area but are excited and must get some lovin' well you can order pound cakes, cookies, brownies and scones online for delivery and I would bet all are just as amazing and delicious as their cakes and cupcakes!! 

Finally, let me share some fun links from their site: The calendar! Important if you are local and want to do cake tastings (which are posted already for September!), Cookbooks; United Cakes of America - heck yeah I bought mine and I can't wait to try out some recipes! The blog! Get updates and happenings from the founder of Cake Love and finally if you have an iphone you can download the free app - I got mine before I left the Love Cafe!

THE BEST OF EUROPEAN COUTURE

Johanne Riss

Lately a few European designers have gone vintage with their designs, harking back to 1930s, 40s, 50s even 60s inspirations.  All these gems have my utmost attention . . .

Catherine Alhinc

White Night

Suzanne Ermann

KLOKLIKLO

POUFS AND CAGES

Smoot Photo
 Once reserved  for the informal wedding, short veils are not only chic for the most casual civil ceremony, we've been seeing them at many ultra-formal weddings lately.  This is partly because poufs and cages can be elegant and easy to wear all at once--no lugging around that excess tulle come reception time.  Also when brides first started sporting them a couple years back, they were a new and different statement away from the traditional veil..  Believe me, I had a ball designing these small confections of net and tulle and they're some of my all time favs . . .

 Scott Williams

Header photo: The bubble cage of Russian netting, still popular this year with the more modernistic bride wanting to add some edge to her look.  Directly above: The floral cage, a favorite of vintage brides everywhere.

I'd call the petal veil above a cage as long as the blusher is pulled over the face. Ivory tulle with  florals dappled  front and back . . .

Above: Three hand rolled silk dupioni roses and a nose veil of Russian net.  Below: A pouf of gold netting,  for the diva bride

Make up by Pretty Girl

Above: Chanel-inspired white jeweled shantung bow with eye veil. Below:  A large gardenia wrapped in Russian net.

Scott Williams

Another vintage gem, 'Two Roses'  matches up easily with any lace or dress belonging to the ages

All head wear and gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

SOMETHING NEW

1. 

Sometimes all you need is a touch.  Check out the hair florals with a whisper of plume--the perfect answer to the veil or not to veil question.  Just a little bling on the arm and all you'll need is a touch of Coco, that elegant fragrance so perfect for the fashion conscious bride . . . 

YELLOW AND GRAY

What a gorgeous combination for coloring your wedding pretty.  Yellow and shades of grey paint such a lovely picture. A big thank you to Helena over at SMP Style Circle for doing such an awesome job of inspiring us today . . .

Crimson and Clover - Baltimore, MD

Still blogging to you from Baltimore, MD! I just can't seem to get myself back to Southern California (well, not entirely true...my stay here ends, sadly, on the 26th!). I have been posting about some amazing wedding vendors on the east coast while I have been here (The Tiny Kitchen cupcakes, Antrim 1844 Inn, and Patio Day Spa) and today I wanted to tell you all about Crimson and Clover! Owner, Amy Epstein opened Crimson & Clover in 2003 and has since gone from a small neighborhood flower shop to one of Baltimore's most sought after wedding florists! Check out these favorite photos to see why!!

Every where I look in Maryland you see GREEN! Must be all those rain showers we have been getting...or I am just use to the crazy jungle of Los Angeles. Beautiful greens will always remind me of my stay here though!

I am completely in love with the table arrangements at this wedding! What a unique use of these large flowers! Gorgeous don't you think?

Another favorite was this set. An audible "Awww" actually came out when I saw the pretty wreath!!

Hmmm...Orange and Pink....I have mentioned before that these are favorite wedding colors of mine - right? Guess that is why this gorgeous picture jumped out at me!

Love Love Love these flowers! The vibrant colors against white and green....ahhh! So pretty!!

PLANNING A WINTER WEDDING DURING BASEBALL SEASON

Astrid Ritmeester

Okay, so winter's not here just yet but I haven't forgotten all you December and Janurary brides out there as I hope for my beloved Yankees to make the play-offs this season. Brides looking toward a winter wedding might do best finding a dress with sleeves  Believe it or not there are some designers out there offering gowns with mid to long length sleeve variations.  In addition, heavier fabrics like brocade and satin are elegant and help to keep you warm.

Els Hillenius

 I'd say the hardest part of being a winter bride is getting to and from your various destinations gracefully without freezing to death.  The good news is, you don't have to shiver when there are so many chic wraps and cover-ups out there to be had. You can even go strapless or sleeveless as long as you're in a coat or cape.  

John Coenen

Els Hillenius

Do invest in some warm accessories like a fur or faux fur capelet. Opera length gloves are a great substitute for sleeves and uber-chic. Going to and from your ceremony and reception is a cinch if you have a pair of white boots with which to traipse through snow. And don't forget your head. A fur hat or hoodie could be just the right touch to top off your snow princess look and keep your ears from frosting over.

Sassi Holford

SALUTE TO CHRISTIAN DIOR

Christian Dior revolutionized fashion in 1947 with his “New Look”, a 180 turn out of the gray days of fashion following WWII.  Once restrictions lifted on fabric post war, Dior had the freedom to introduce the hourglass silhouette, showing off a cinched waist atop skirts flowing in yards of silks and layers of crinoline. Recently this defined  waist has made a come back and brides are loving it.

 A ball gown can be as romantic a confection as those seen in the corps de ballet, flowing in swirls of white tulle like the gowns above  Thus, sweeping skirts equal sweeping entrances especially awesome on brides who know how to work their strut.



Chantilly lace under shirred tulle makes for a delicate and gossamer look on this bodice.  The waist is cinched with a gray satin belt over  yards of tulle skirt

More Chantilly lace, tulle and shirring, this dress has the added gauntlets.  White rose petals are dappled over the full skirt . . . 

Ivory lace and charmeuse evening gown silhouette has a lace cummerbund and added lace side drape.The pancake hat with tulle veil is one of the signatures of Doir era head wear

Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Make-up by Pretty Girl Make up