ROBIN'S EGG BLUE

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I found this stunning board on Beautifully Ever After, a site full of some real unique inspirations. Love the powdery blue/Sophia Coppola-does-Marie-Antoinette colors here, very soothing.

HOW TO GO GREEN WITHOUT LOOKING TATTERED

Natural Bridals

These haute couture gowns by Morgan Boszilkov of Natural Bridals are eco-friendly and 5% of all profits go to environmental causes.

Okay so there's nothing wrong with the tattered look. Issey Miyake was an innovator with it and his ripped apart chic still carries an almost haunting beauty thirty years hence. But have you noticed whenever a designer adds some green to a bridal collection, the gowns sometimes . . . well . . . all look a bit tattered and Miyakesque? So where do you start if you're seriously pondering green-friendly alternatives on your wedding day and still want to look like a bride? It's a loaded question so we'll begin with what makes for an eco-friendly fiber.

1. Production of fabric follows fair trade practices (read: no prison contracted or sweat-shop labor involved)

2. Free or low on chemicals and pesticides

3. Eco-conscious land management practices

4. Sustainable farming

5. Animal friendly practices

Natural Bridals

Going Green usually (though not always) can mean wearing a dress in natural fibers: organic cotton, wool, linen, silk, and of course, hemp. New fibers coming out even have bamboo, milk and soy in them. It helps to have a knowledge of the natural dying process and thinking through what impact toxic dyes might have on the environment. Here are a few questions worth asking: Is that silk I love really its natural color? If it is tinted, was it done with non-toxic dye? Is that snow white silk taffeta chlorined? And was that cotton grown free of pesticides? 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. Have we become so used to fast food, fast technology and now fast fashion that we've created a manufacturing Goliath like this? Many designers have wised up lately reserving a portion of their collection for eco-conscious designs (moi included). Some are even using sustainable fabrics only, making sure they were produced under humane conditions at fair market wages. Although I've been getting some great press lately about offering green-friendly alternatives in my collection, I'm not as exclusively green as I’d like to be. One day we will all be green; till then here's what you could look for when buying green or having a green gown designed:

Natural Bridals


Natural Bridals


1.) Look for sustainable fabric. Custom and eco-friendly designers can source just about any sustainable fabric a client wants. I've been using the best supplier for twenty-some years. Dharma's been around and bright green since way back when hippies were popular.

2.) Good designers aren't afraid to experiment with new and unusual fabrics. Keep an open mind.

3.) Look for a designer unafraid of making necessary changes. Starting now and next season I plan on replacing most of the crinoline underskirts with 100% cotton organdy. Most designers are making similar changes.

4.) I’m discovering certain fabrics like bamboo/cotton have just the right under structure to make great linings and feel good against the skin. Plus, little beknownst to most, bamboo has anti-bacterial properties which contribute to controlling body odors.

5.) Lately I've been studying up on upcycled fabrics. I’m fascinated by the new interest so many of my clients have in upcycling. Upcycling is a trendy term for reusing garments or fabrics that already exist. Last season a client brought me an exquisite antique tablecloth and asked me to fashion her wedding gown out of it. I was awestruck. First by the cloth. It was an allover and rare Cluny Lace. Ten years ago this would have been considered by most as ‘chintzing it’ on your wedding day whereas these days it is not only applauded but even considered a sentimental gesture—in my client’s case—the tablecloth was lovingly left to her by her great-grandmother.

When it comes to bridal wear, there's still nothing like silk. Certain weaves and finishes go in and out of style over the years but overall silk rules. Some designers are switching suppliers and looking toward Europe where silks are also manufactured. Italian silks are the apex right now and quite expensive. Though primarily woven by robots, no human or animal is working under hazardous conditions. Factory windows aren't left gaping in sub-tropical climates and insects are not getting squished between the slubs of fabric. Fabrics these days come in the same flavors as your favorite beans, plants and dairy products. Just learned my agent personally travels to China and makes sure the workers operate in a well maintained, healthy and safe environment, are treated with respect, paid fairly and have health insurance, sick and maternity leave benefits, etc. That made me feel pretty good. Another thing I want to reiterate here when going green is to keep an open mind, it is an entirely different concept than the consumerism we were born into and one we need to explore and take seriously in order to reverse some of the damage we've done to our planet. . .

Wedding Video: The Bloopers

Since we were on a roll with wedding videos this week, we figured why end it there? So, to conclude our week of films, here is one of our favorite wedding blooper clips.

Have you seen it? Hilarious, right?

HE CHIC: THE HISTORY OF MEN'S FORMAL WEAR

I've devoted so much time and energy to women's bridal fashion, it's time to address the grooms. Men's formal wear is as fascinating a subject as the men who set it's trends. While women's design has always set fashion, men's dress set the standard. That's right. Your fiance's tie still dictates the formality of your wedding or lack thereof. Black or white tie determines just how formal an affair you're going to have. And though men's formal wear has been restricted to black, white and shades of gray for the better part of two hundred years, lately all that's changing. Like brides, grooms are breaking the traditional ticket to the once regulated arena of formal wear adding accents via pocket silks, tie, and even shoes. At present companies like Selix are even offering renditions of vintage zoot suits and other alternative dressing options for the groom. READ AND SEE MORE IMAGES . . . .

THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES

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When it comes to florals and adding subtle color to the bridal gown, Atelier Aimee is trump. No, not all these photos are Aimee but certainly in the spirit of. If you're considering a ball gown or A-line, incorporating florals, laces and lightweight transparent fabrics into your bridal look, visit the Atelier Aimee site for more inspirations . . . .

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Wedding Series: Budget Chic - Part II of III

On Tuesday of last week, Part II of the Budget Chic Wedding Series aired on TV20. This time Melissa discussed reducing your food cost, custom and DIY invitations, and budget decor.

To see what Melissa had to say about it and her strategic ideas on how to keep your guests happy and your budget met, you can check out Part II here.

HOW GREEN WAS MY WEDDING?

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Wedding Series: Budget Chic - Part I of III

Thrilled to announce that our very own fabulous Melissa DiStefano, Owner and Lead Planner of MasterPiece Weddings, was asked to be on TV20 last week. 

Her interview made up three parts of their week on Budget Chic Weddings. Part I can be viewed here and discusses cutting your guest list, faux cakes, reducing your floral budget, and limiting your bar options.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Ever wondered what my designs look like in living color? Wonder no more. I'm reinitiating my evening and gala collection where you can also find some great bridesmaid alternatives. Keep a look out in the coming weeks and months as I'll be adding more chic in delectable colors . . .

This red chiffon one shouldered gown has three tiers of ruffles and a matching lace shawl. Model Natalie Angela is sporting the shawl as a veil in the top photo. Photos by Elevenorchids Photography, makeup by Christine Chan.

In Honor

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Rather than a normal post today, we would like to take a moment to thank all the men and women who have given and those who continue to dedicate their lives to our military.

Wishing you all a happy Memorial Day and hoping that you will find time today to appreciate those around you as well as all those who have fought for your freedom.

EYE CANDY

Wondering how you're going to carry around those essentials like lipstick and compact on your wedding day? I have several answers for you, all in the form of visual eye candy. Talk about a critical case of chic, check out Etsy seller Lee Ann Kline's studio. These feathery handbags are so original and vintage all at once. You can see many more (yes, there are many more) by going to her site.

UNCONVENTIONAL BRIDE

Unconventional Bride by Ana B. featuring Donna Karan dresses

CELEBRATING GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS

Titled 'Sunshine Bride' (above) and 'Bridal Elegance' (below), Divine Images Studios edited this this stunning head shot of model Natalie Angela during one of my fit shoots a couple months back. Awesome!

And out-of-state photographer, Coopy, worked some other world magic on the above image.

Vineyard Inspiration

Ashley, our new intern at MasterPiece Weddings this summer, just put together her very first inspiration board. On her own, she picked out "vineyard wedding" as her inspiration and threw this together.

Honestly, I could not be more impressed. It is almost hard to believe this is her first board!

Doesn't it just scream sophistication and glamour? I think it's perfect.

{Sources: bride, flowers, grapes, invitation, corks, bottles, table, bridesmaid, cake}

What do you think?

ACCESSORIZING YOUR WEDDING GOWN

Happy Birhday Jasna2 :) by Minni featuring Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes

I'm loving Polyvore for the simple reason, I drop by often to get inspiration. When I need a fresh set of young eyes I call upon those Poly-muses to show me something new. I'm never disappointed. Since the site is mostly about accessorizing, you'll find ideas on getting the right look for your wedding day way beyond anything you ever dreamed. For starters, the rule of thumb when choosing your accessories is, the simpler the gown, the more ornate the accessories can be. Likewise the more ornate the gown, the simpler the accessories. Hats, veils, fascinators, shoes, belts, gloves and bling all fall into the range of trimmings that can compliment your overall look. READ AND SEE MORE IMAGES . . . . . .

Kaycee and Ley: The Pro Pics - Part II of II

Now for Part II of Kaycee and Ley's beautiful wedding. Kaycee and Ley had a blast before their ceremony and have plenty of fabulous photos to prove it. Seriously, what better way to loosen up and have fun on your big day?

Stunning photos by Gina Leigh Photography.

Love this one! How happy does Kaycee look!?

Apparently they wore the groom and groomsmen out!

Gorgeous cake by KB Kakes.

Seriously, how ridiculously cute are these girls?

...and a final farewell from the MasterPiece Weddings Team...

(in case you cannnot tell, we are blowing bubbles...)