INTRODUCING DECADES

Starting February 21 through March, Bride Chic will celebrating decades of the 20th century and what each contributed to bridal fashion. Even if you love the styles of yesteryear but find yourself set on no particular decade we'll show you how to combine several into one look. Most of all, you'll find how easy and fun it is hunting down that dress and all those accessories . . .

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS: The Snow Bride

Here's a sneak peek at the up and coming Snow Bride, an editorial by destination photographer A.K Sandhu who once upon a time modeled for me (see Le Jardin editorial).  Now that she's switched sides of the camera, her numero uno preference is wedding photography.  Last week she took a few of my gowns, wraps and hats up to Lake Tahoe for a snow shoot.  She's really captured the awesome winter wonderland beauty of the Tahoe landscape here. More to come in a few weeks . . .

I HEART YOU WEDDING

Boy do I have a real treat for you this Valentine's Day! For those of you who missed Donna and Matt's I heart you wedding last year, check it out here in all its bright splendor.  I'd like to give the very talented Loic Photography a buzz again for making this medley of images something really special.  I'm grateful to Donna and Matt for inspiring others to step outside the box, especially Donna for wearing my dress so beautifully and adding the red and purple petticoat.  BTW folks, every time I run anything on this wedding I get emails asking, "Where do I find the shoes . . .?"  So I ask you, who else but Vivienne Westwood could do these shoes?

PASTEL GREEN

It's not too early to dream of spring amidst all this winter white snow, is it?  Of all the greens in the spectrum, I adore the hint of mint and barely celedon tones so soothing to the soul . . .Again we have Shana over at SMP Style Circle to thank for putting together these beautiful images.  More goodies on her blog, Baubles and Bubbles . . .

ARTICHOKE HEARTS

An inspiration board featuring one of my fav actresses, Christina Hendricks deserves a whole Saturday.  Add to that the vegan bouquet and we're really zoning in on originality here.  Thanks to Shalini over at SMP Style Circle for making this inspiration possible.  Check out her blog , Chad and Shalini for more ideas.

THE VINEYARD BRIDE

CREDITS

Photography by Silvana Di Franco

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

Makeup and hair by Tanna-Marie

Fabric Flowers by Heather Murdock of The Blue Orchid 

Real Bride, Barbara Schwan

The intimacy of a private vineyard in Northern California added a rustic feel to this winter shoot by the always artistic wedding photographer, Silvana Di Franco.  Believe it or not these gowns were shot last week. While the rest of the country and world experience one of the coldest winters in a decade, here we are basking in 76 degree sunshine in our own isolated little pocket of the globe . . .

Silks, laces and tulle are stepping further outside the traditional box in 2011.  Here a white tulle skirt is paired with an ivory lace blouse reminiscent of 1970's chic.  Above is a fitted sheath in silk dupioni and chiffon . . . .

THE FINE ART OF BUYING A SAMPLE GOWN

 There's a whole slew of scenerios for buying a sample gown: Suppose your wedding is next month and you need that gown now? Or suppose you love the sample but it's just been discontinued? Or else you love the sample but can't afford to special order it? You do realize next season a whole new stock will be arriving? This means your salon needs to get the old out of the way; all those gowns with full skirts just hanging there take up space, or haven't you noticed? While sizes are limited and samples mostly run sizes 6-8-10, the good news is, sample markdowns usually go half off, sometimes less. Some salons have sample sales they advertise a couple times a year while others offer marked down stock continually. Absolutely love that gown you just tried on? Offer to buy it. Yes, that same gown. Ordinarily samples are not for sale but this may be the time they're moving in all those spring confections, especially if it is in less than perfect shape, which, more than a few samples tend to be. 

Now, a word about wear and tear: Before you start bargaining, check out how much or how little that soon-to-be-yours gown has been tried on by others. This means really looking at it inside as well as out. Is it ripped, stained, the hem soiled and need cleaning? While most samples have never left the shop, think of them as used gowns considering how many bodies have been in and out of them. The overall condition of most samples has a lot to do with how the salon takes care of their stock. Still, figure on dry cleaning whether the gown looks like it needs it or not. After a good clean and press it will seem revived both inside and out and take on a new life of its own. So the question is, who pays the cleaning bill? In some cases, the more service oriented the establishment, the more accommodating they'll be. As for alterations, you might save them for when and if you have your gown customized. If you are customizing, any nipping in of the waist or shortening of the hemline might have to wait anyway.

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal