KID CHIC: OLIVIA KATE

Imagine a parade of pretty little girls processing their way through a garden in delicate and colorful tulles. Although this line-up doesn’t fit the typical wedding, the ‘little girl’ trend is different and delightful. For those of you considering a ‘wee chic’ wedding, designer Olivia Kate offers some fantastic kid couture. With layers of tulle and hand spun roses, your flower girl can have the kind of fairy tale dressing that absolutely meshes with reality . . . 

DYNAMIC DUOS: Pairing Up Bouquet and Gown

I think certain flowers have a particular significance for each of us. Finding an inspiration point and blending that idea with your dress is just the beginning of working one or a few colors into an overall theme. Size and proportion are something else to consider. Some of us like the idea of carrying a huge burst of three to four different kinds of flowers in an arrangement while someone else goes for the simplicity of a small nosegay.   Since flowers are a seasonal thing--tulips in spring, mums in the fall, your dress is probably going to reflect that too.  Above and below are perfect examples of adding a little spring chic: bursts of baby's breath combined with lace and tulle . . . 

Dominic Colacchio Photography

The daisy shouts youth and whimsy.  For flower children, daisies were the official posy of the beat generation symbolizing The Summer of Love . . . The above bride is carrying a small bouquet as well as wearing daisies around her floppy-brimmed sisal hat . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Above: Ranunculas and anemones are a beautiful combo with this embroidered organza dress.  The pop of purple and lavender are the perfect choice to jazz up a summer wedding . . .
Below: Pink and tangerine dahlias go with this blush dress of Chantilly lace and tulle . . .

Lirette Photography

What could be prettier for fall than a white eyelet dress and bouquet of wheat?  I love the field theme here and how it all melds together . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Photos by Rob Martel

Pine, ivy and baby roses mix with heavyweight taffeta for an elegant  winter wedding. 

All dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Bouquet Credits

Stephanie Williams photos: JL Design

Title Photo: Victoria's Florals and Events

MORE FROM THE VINEYARD

 Back on December 13, we featured some awesome images from The Vineyard Bride, a stylized shoot at the beautiful Annadel Estate Winery  in Sonoma.  Over the New Years holiday, photographer Shannon Stellmacher came up with some more 'How Gorgeous Are These?' pics from that fabulous shoot.  I'm a true lover of black and white photography and the first two remind me of a Howard Hawks film from the 1930s--stunning beyond belief.  Our wonderful model is Lori Dorfman and makeup and hair done by Julie Morgan whose work continues to enhance and beautify everyone she touches . . .

Special thanks to Be-Jeweled for showcasing the gorg jewelry of designer Anne Koplick and Nancy Ann Flowers.

SHOES GOING HUED

Loic Photography

It all started with that red sash. My client Donna (above) wanted to experiment with picking up some color. How about you? Are your shoes going to be in hue? Believe me, even brides all dressed in white from veil to hem are opting for green, blue, red or yellow shoes under their gown. Actually I'm not certain this is a passing trend so much as tradition broken. White pumps and sandals with white gowns will always be with us. Now though, so will any shoe in any color that works under your gown . . .

source

source

source

source

source

source

IT'S ALL AN ILLUSION

Vue Design

xtabayvintage

Another happening 2012 trend is the illusion neckline.  Popularized in the 1950s this style allowed modesty as well as showing some skin, albeit opaque but sexy and demure.  These days illusion is found in a few varieties of sheer fabric: tulle, power netting, organza and chiffon to name a few.  Designers are using softer and stretchier fibers for the max in comfort . . .

Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

LACE: A BRAND NEW SPIN ON AN OLD TRADITION

 
Here's a sneak peak at a little something for the 2012 Bride.  Not only are the traditional laces still inspiring, check out above and below.  These are separates from Alberta Ferretti's knit and cotton laces, definitely on the cutting edge. For the eco-conscious bride who wants to find a better alternative for her bridal ensemble than storing it in a box under her bed, any of these could easily be reworn post-wedding.

source

THE WEDDING DRESS

 I've been wanting this book for so long you can imagine how jazzed I was Christmas morning when I found it under the tree.  From 1700 onward, The Wedding Dress by Edwina Ehrman is a pictoral history of what brides have worn and why.  I'm still perusing through it over these holidays and so far would reccommend it to any bride-to-be.  In addition, anyone into fashion history will find this coffee table gem chock full of gorg photos a real boon . . . .