J. CREW AND YOUR BRIDESMAIDS

Steer your maids this direction and they'll love you for it. J. Crew is always right on with the most flattering lines and styles. Each dress here complete with accessories runs under $300.00.

Silk chiffon twist-tank dress

Fitted and floaty in lightweight silk chiffon with a delicate crinkled texture. Sleeveless silhouette. Fitted bodice with knot detail at center, A-line skirt. On-seam pockets. Back zip. Fully lined. Falls to knee. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.

Crystal thornbush earrings
$75.00 item 19519

Inspired by the grandeur of 60's Czech glass pieces, our designer crafted this dramatic statement earring—streamlined with bold glass stones in open-set castings for maximum luminosity. dark gold ox-plated, hand-casted brass. Omega clips with surgical steel posts. Import. Length: 2 3/4".

Silk tricotine Robin short dress

A very graceful party dress in midweight silk tricotine, a fabric we chose for its subtle lustre and lovely drape. This dress features a flattering cowlneck with an A-line skirt that falls to the knee. Sleeveless. Side zip. Fully lined. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.

Antique gold manor bracelet
$68.00 item 19501
A stunning bracelet with lots of fullness and movement—thanks to dozens of dangly, various-size resin beads (each hand painted in metallic hues to evoke an antique glass effect). 12K shiny, textured gold-plated double oval ring brass chain. Signature spring clasp closure. Import. Length: 7 1/2".

Duchess stone bracelet
A great statement bracelet (we love it layered, too). Chunky hand-cut square glass stones—each hand-set in a four-prong setting— hand assembled on a dark gold ox-plated, hand-casted brass chain. Signature spring clasp closure. Import. Length: 7 1/2".

A PERFECT FIND

In my travels around the blogsphere I found this beauty posted by The Wedding Nut. She, Cathrin, also featured my Cabbage Rose picture hat last week. Cathrin found the above image on Martha Stewart . It is designed by the very talented Suzanne Millinary Couture in NYC. She's the hat and head wear designer all the toney editors go to when they need something really chic. This stunner is a hybrid of veil and hat. God, when its done right its right on.

FALL SNEEK PEAK

CLICK TO ENLARGE
This gorgeous array of yellows comes off that site that guides us all to inspiration, The Perfect Palette. Specially designed with a Spring/Summer wedding in mind, you can actually incorporate all these colors into that Fall beach or vineyard wedding as well. Look closely and you'll find the colors combined are Lime, white and shades of yellow that encompass, maze, gold and lemon. The muse here is out basking in the sunshine . . .

THE MANTILLA

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Ron Greystar Photography

Recently a client came to me wanting a mantilla not because she was getting married but going through the ritual of converting to Catholicism. Once she walked into my studio with the just purchased imported laces and we discussed her design in greater depth, I realized this is one headpiece that evolved from a remarkable history worth posting about.

The mantilla originated in the warmer climates of Spain circa 1700. Lace versions were chic through the 17th and 18th centuries and you can find them in portraits by Velazquez and Goya. By the 19th century, Queen Isabel II encouraged wearing the mantilla. However, after her death the fashion for wearing them died down and by 1900 mantillas were the head chic reserved only for special events like Holy week, weddings and funerals.

Defined, the mantilla is usually cut on a circle of lace or tulle and bordered with lace trim around the edges. The traditional mantilla, originating as the Spanish mantilla, is oval shaped and worn at the top of the head, held onto the head with pins or attached to a head piece.

source
Here's a great example of a classic mantilla. This is one headpiece that always seems to be a hot item with the royals. Princess Mary chose a mantilla veil when she married Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2004.

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There are a few ways of wearing a mantilla. Because this veil lacks density, you can fold it over into a layer and tack it to the back of a bun. You can also literally drop it atop your head and wear it over the face or further back with or without a headpiece. Plastic or metal combs sewn to the center can secure the veil in place. How about an alternative to a traditional mantilla? Try a mock mantilla veil, which has low dense gathers and is cut into one or two tiers. Lace is then added to the edges. A cascading mantilla is another option and has a top layer worn over the face. For a really extraordinary effect, Alencon, Chantilly or Venise lace can be hand beaded.


Iris D Bridal
A cathedral length veil tacked to the back of a bun. The extension of this veil acts as a train for a truly royal procession.

Pronovias
. . . Worn over the face . . .


Pronovias

Phillipa Lepley

FLOWER GIRL POWER

Here's one of my top picks for designers of flower girl dresses. Shelly George has an extensive range of fabric and color options hard to find elsewhere. I love the way fabrics like tulle, organzas and soft taffetas are used here to bunt skirts, layer and accent. Here it is in her own words: "I wanted the focus of this dress to really be on these adorable little grosgrain bows floating on the tulle, so everything else is very simple. A jewel neck, sleeveless arms and a gathered sash with no bow". --Shelley George--

STALKING THE LOOK BOOKS: STEPHEN JONES

Browsing (okay, stalking) Brides UK never dissapoints. When it comes to hats Stephen Jones has a real edge on the contemporary but with just a little more.

Hat-Wearing Tips From Stephen Jones

The world-class milliner gives expert view on how to wear hats, whether you're a guest or the bride. Above: On bridal headpieces: “It’s very important that what you wear goes with the dress. So if you are wearing something which is a little bit more tailored obviously a hat is probably going to be better than a full-on veil.”

On making a statement: "I have just been working on Dior Couture, and some of the big dresses that they have been doing, we put a big hat with too. A big dress with an equally extravagant hat looks incredibly romantic, really sweet."

On bridal headpieces: “Most people automatically think of having a tiara or a veil, and while that does look gorgeous I think a big hat is great as it is quite striking and so unexpected!”

On his favorite bridal look: “I think Princess Margaret looked amazing when she got married in a sculptural white dress which she looked fantastic in! I have to say my mum too – she got married during the war wearing a borrowed dress. Nobody had any money she couldn’t afford to have a dress – a dress had to do twenty weddings. And she has always been really embarrassed by it but I think she looked great in it!”

All images courtesy of Brides UK

HAIR CHIC FOR FALL WEDDINGS

photo by digital She/ Sweet Light Studios
A few ideas here to get you excited about Fall hair. Chic and dramatic, all the make up and hair styling here was were done by the very talented Bay Area artist, Christal Saville. Christal is one of Northern California's primo Makeup artists and Hair stylists choice for agencies such as Look, Stars, Ford, and JE Models. Christal enjoys doing weddings as much as she does editorials. Her most recent work deals with being a professional makeup instructor at the Makeup Institute of San Francisco, CA. Her specialties are bridal, photography and air-brush makeup. She's traveled and taught state-of-the-art makeup application at Hair and Skin Conventions across the country.

Len Cook

KG Photography (Photographer)
Christal Saville
Hair Stylist

Laura Tillinghast Photo (Photographer)
Artistry By Christal (Makeup Artist)
Milz (Model)

An editorial on Christal's work along with the best of my headpieces is on the Fashion Watch Bridal Editorial coming soon to my sidebar. Here's a sneek peek.