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.

DREAMING IN WHITE

When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,

For all the day they view things unrespected;

But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,

And, darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.

Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright—

How would thy shadow’s form happy show

to the clear day with thy much clearer light,

When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so?

How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made

By looking on thee in the living day,

 

When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade

Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay?

 

 

All days are nights to see till I see thee,

And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

       Sonnet 43

--William Shakespeare--

Gowns and headpieces by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

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 A-LINE

Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum

The hourglass wasn’t Christian Dior’s only reinvention. His A-line hit big in 1955 and stayed with us. An A-line cut is a more modified form of hourglass, bringing with it refinement and understatement. Fitted through the bodice, the A-line can have a slight to moderate flair in the skirt. Dubbed by fashionistas as “The Deb Dress” it’s been one of the most popular silhouettes for the reason it flatters just about every figure type. This just happens to be one of my fav pieces from the Green Chic Collection, available on Etsy . . .

SO YOU WANT TO BE A BOHO BRIDE . . .

 Sweet Light Studios

Defined, Boho is a fashion look borrowing from the peasant, early bohemian and hippie looks of the sixties. Boho can be earthy and ethereal all at once, with gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy. Hitting its zenith in 2004-5, The Knot was categorizing Boho as a bridal style as early as 2000. Later actress Sienna Miller and Kate Moss brought the trend to the forefront. For me actresses like Carol Kane and Julie Delpy are naturals for this look too.

Photos by Sweet Light Studios

By the spring of 2005 Boho was all over New York and London. Prevalent in just about every High Street store, those donning this chic were dubbed "Siennas". If Dior's 'New Look of 1947' was a reinvention of elements from the Antebellum period, it seems Boho is 'Summer of Love' reborn.

 Photo by John Truong

Photos by Sweet Light Studios

 Photos by Ron Greystar

So what does Boho have in common with bridal? Just take a look at the pictures directly above. Boho is an over-the-top romantic look and if weddings are anything they are just that. If you're into celebrating with a lot of green--both real and the eco-conscious kind, really think about this look if you haven't already incorporated some part of it into your wedding style.

Sweet Light Studios

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

Meet 'Madelyn' the newest addition to the Dioresque collection. I set out to create this dress as a near perfect hourglass as I could get.  The bodice is made up of Chantilly lace under shirred tulle atop a tea-dyed tulle gathered skirt. And of course, loads of volume underneath.  Because this dress has an ecru underlining, there's a cast of pink, and beige undertones.  The waist is cinched with a gray satin tie belt.  

The back closure is a tape of hooks and eyes (dyed to match), a bit outside the box from the traditional row of buttons down the back . . . .

POUFS AND CAGES

Smoot Photo
 Once reserved  for the informal wedding, short veils are not only chic for the most casual civil ceremony, we've been seeing them at many ultra-formal weddings lately.  This is partly because poufs and cages can be elegant and easy to wear all at once--no lugging around that excess tulle come reception time.  Also when brides first started sporting them a couple years back, they were a new and different statement away from the traditional veil..  Believe me, I had a ball designing these small confections of net and tulle and they're some of my all time favs . . .

 Scott Williams

Header photo: The bubble cage of Russian netting, still popular this year with the more modernistic bride wanting to add some edge to her look.  Directly above: The floral cage, a favorite of vintage brides everywhere.

I'd call the petal veil above a cage as long as the blusher is pulled over the face. Ivory tulle with  florals dappled  front and back . . .

Above: Three hand rolled silk dupioni roses and a nose veil of Russian net.  Below: A pouf of gold netting,  for the diva bride

Make up by Pretty Girl

Above: Chanel-inspired white jeweled shantung bow with eye veil. Below:  A large gardenia wrapped in Russian net.

Scott Williams

Another vintage gem, 'Two Roses'  matches up easily with any lace or dress belonging to the ages

All head wear and gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal