UP AND COMING

Here are a few behind the scenes shots taken by Yours Truly Thursday.  Oh boy! This is a shoot I've been waiting to do for a couple years now finally titled, A Bride and Groom in the City.  And what better way for Natalie and Dave to spend their fifth wedding anniversary than this improvised trek through San Francisco landmarks as bride and groom again.  Natalie has been doing editorials for Bride Chic going on three years now. Having her hubby Dave pose alongside her was her idea and what a concept it was. Once we added photographer, Dominic Colacchio (Of Midsummer Bride fame) into the mix, the improv and element of surprise began big time.  We started our adventure atop the Crocker Galleria Roof Terrace and continued downstairs through the galleria where the Farmer's Market was in full swing.  We all ended up at the magnificent Yerba Buena Gardens, a park South of Market Street.  Pop in a couple weeks from now to see the whole editorial of Natalie and Dave doing San Francisco in style . . . 

Photographer Dominic Colacchio with Natalie and Dave on the Crocker Galleria Roof Garden . . .

One of my fav San Francisco landmarks, The Zeum Carousel at Yerba Buena Gardens

DESTINATIONS

Here are some fresh looks for the backyard or destination wedding.  Set the pace for you and your guy sporting laid-back chic while looking great, staying comfortable. These amazing photos were shot off Dunk Island, in Australia for Bride to Be April 2011 issue.  Images are by fashion talent extraordinaire, Julie Adams.  Shopping info below.

Images courtesy of Bride to be Australia

AUDREYESQUE

Etsy has a way of bringing out the best designers in the wedding industry.  One of my very favs is D' Marie Bridal Couture.  She does gowns celebrating eras as well as the artists and icons who inspired the times.  This one belongs to Audrey.  Audrey who?  I think you already know . . . 

A LITTLE GREEN INSPIRATION

 Can't get enough green in your life?  Check out these incredible inspirations I found on Pinterest.  Its enough to keep me stoked till Fall . . .

GIFTS FROM THE EAST

 Here's a little inspiration I found on Polyvore via Fashion Gone Rogue featuring an editorial from L’Officiel Ukraine .  I love the rose-beige, cream and violet pastels alongside light filled photography that brings out the ultra femme ruffles and ruches, pleats and bows . . .

 

WHAT'S A BRIDE TO DO?

Dustjacket Attic via Pinterest

With so much inspiration coming at you over the net, there's a whole heap of beautiful out there to sift through. One common email I get goes something like this: I found this incredible lace dress online but it has no designer/shopping info.  I decided to have one made but where do I get the lace?/Or fabric?
This happens all the time.  Wedding/fashion/inspiration bloggers post images of something very off-the-charts gorgeous, sans shopping links and/or no links tracing back to it (I'm guilty of this I'm sorry to report). 
The above dress is a perfect case in point.  Exquisite antique-looking lace but tracing back to a designer source even through Pinterest I found hard (Still trying).  Plan B: Making your own version (or having someone else make it) is a great idea because you can add your own touches. If you're DIY savvy you know searching for the right fabric and laces can be an enriching and fun experience for inspiring you on. Thus rejoice!  Online sources for hard to find laces and notions are sprouting up all over the place.  With Martha Stewart and all the Style Me Pretty type Gurus out there introducing the new, new things made out of silky, notions and specialty fabrics, merchants are getting the message they have to offer up their wares if they want to survive these days.   All I can say is thank GOD!  Here are a few of my own personal favs for both online and brick and mortar shopping:

Britex Fabric San Francisco 

Gorgeous silks and laces. This is where you'll find a close cousin to one of the laces in the above picture.  The tulle embroidered lace below is in the store, I snapped this pic last Friday.  If you're in the SF Bay Area stop in and check out this Union Square treasure trove. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MS Schmalberg Flowers

Gorgeous silk flowers perfect for bird cage veils, bustles, and any other project that takes your fancy!

 

Laci's

While their website may be from the Stone Age, the store in Berkeley, California is decidedly vintage, carrying an array of the world's most magnificent laces from everywhere: estate sales, antique collections, buyouts.  Laci's has everything including plugged in sales folks who love vintage design.  Needless to say this place is my favorite hangout for inspiration. 

Exotic Silks

Simply the best place in the world for a collection of silks.

Be sure to join us this week for a new feature on Bride Chic called, Extreme Fabrics where we'll be looking at some traditional as well as novelty laces at Britex of San Francisco. 

LIGHT FILLED AND VINTAGE

 Looking for a new slant on the 20s-30s theme?  Let this light-filled study echoing retro looks inspire you through the weekend. The stellar images here are by photographer Julie Adams for Bride To Be Australia may/june 2011.

 

Dustjacket Attic via Pinterest