WESTERN WEDDING CHIC

Vera Wang

Nope, you don't have to live in Montana to have a Big Sky celebration the likes of any of these images. Any country setting will do. When I lived in upstate New York, bluegrass was a big attraction and here in California there are plenty of ranch lands to kick up your heels and wing ding it country style.

Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija

These photos are from an editorial on Brides.com called Western Union. Amazing how pritnear any dress when properly accessorized can look cowgirl chic, even Vera Wang. If you're curious to see the ultimate in western wedding wear check out a designer named Martin McCrea. Yee haaaaa!

Claire Pettibone
Below left: Edgardo Bonilla

Right: Junko Yoshioka

FRENCH LAVENDER

Being a highly visual person these inspirations really put me in a spring mood.  So many shades of purple and cream in food, fashion and plants . .  Thanks Naomi Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for putting this board together . . .You'll find more chic like this on her blog.

A BRIDE AND THE CITY

For me the backdrop of a ccityscape conjures weekday weddings and alternatives to the big white traditional gown.  City Hall nuptials usually happen quickly with a celebration somewhere nearby--a restaurant, club or private home.  This means a bride has all the chic touches that say wedding only abbreviated.  Hems are usually ankle or tea length, veils either short or some hybrid of hat/veil combo . . .   

An ankle length, scoop necked silk jersey dress and wide-brimmed horse hair hat.   

White Chantilly all over  lace dress with a two layer tulle elbow veil edged in satin . . .

And the bride wore a shocking pink moire double breasted sleeveless jacket and skirt.  Pink jeweled buttons adorn the front . . . 

An elegant silhouette in casual fabric: Sabrina neck white linen dress . . . a great look for the bride who is more at ease going casual.

LOVE JUNE

 Looking for a new way to go green on your wedding day?  I found these gems by Love June on Etsy.  Love June is known for long, slim silhouettes in beautifully draped crepes and chameauses.  They also use every inch of fabric via a no waste production system for every garment made so, as they put it, "none of that pretty material ends up in the garbage!"
All gowns and garments are made to order. which means you get a brand new cut not the sample.  You can also customize.  Their  lead time at present is about is 3-4 weeks for single dresses, 4-6 weeks for multiple dress orders.

ENCHANTED EARTH

For me earth and spring are synonymous, symbolizing rebirth and the anticipation of looking forward . . .

You can make quite a statement by adding  real ivy and flowers to your gown and headpiece.  Here we've woven in real and silk combinations.  Below Hana is wearing the Magnolia wreath of silk florals mixed in with sprigs of real ivy.  The neckline of her gown is framed in variegated ivy as smaller pieces are dappled all over the tulle skirt.

Make up by Zoe King/Hair by Kao Vey Saephanh /Photos by Bride Chic

If you're intrigued with the idea of adding real flowers, leaves or ivy to your gown you can do one of two things: Have a florist do it or get with someone who's handy with a needle.  Sewing live foliage onto a gown isn't rocket science.   If you (or someone else) can bead, you can sew leaves  Just be sure to dry out the leaves/flowers/ivy a couple days before so as not to soil the silk.  Also you want to add all the pieces a couple nights before the wedding . . .

Libby's upsweep was done by master hair stylist Kao Vey Saephanh  of the JonVey Salon in San Francisco.  Three large pieces of ivy placed in a bun complimenting  a taffeta sheath (The Flora Gown).  The organza train is caught up in the back by an arrangement of roses and dappled all over in rose petals . . .

Make up by Necia Whitmore/Hair by Kao Vey Saephanh/Photo by Bride Chic

If you're having a spring themed wedding look for fabrics like chiffon, silk gauze, organza and crepe--all lightweight in look and feel. You can even get that diaphanous, transparent look with some lightweight cottons like voile, lawn and Swiss cotton eyelet. There are so many new weaves out lately, they're worth checking out.

A last word her about flowers.  I love big bunches of Baby's Breath; they sing spring and go great with light and airy gowns.  You can also carry a bunch of your favorite wild flowers or a bouquet of your favorite leaves..

WEST MEETS EAST

 Make up by Necia Whitmore//Hair by Kao Vey Saephanh/

Every so often I get to work with some really remarkable people.  Makeup artist Necia Whitmore is one of my favs.  We met on a recent shoot followed by the Grand opening of JonVey Salon where she's now ensconsed.  With her recent move west she's brought the uptown NYC look with her.  An extentsive background working in film and media, Necia's brought out the best on faces like, Kiera Sedgwick, and Elisabeth Rohm.  Now two times zones away from the buzz of NYC you'll find her in the newly opened

JonVey Salon in downtown San Francisco. Here, in a tony loft setting she specializes in bridal and event makeup, providing makeovers for the bride and her entourage. 

Above: Necia working on location

Also a licensed esthetician, Whitmore goes deep below the surface offering skin care and a wide range of beauty techniques including skin analysis, deep cleansing, moisturizing, and specialized facial treatments to condition the bride's skin for the right make up on her wedding day.

 Makeup by Necia Whitmore

 Hair by Kao Veey Saephanh

 Prior to the wedding day Whitmore encourages the bride to come in for a trial make up session where together both work closely developing the right wedding day look. Says Whitmore, "I'm here to help women be more beautiful, to bring out their beauty in fun, new ways. I want them to look fabulous, more beautiful than ever."    Wedding day packages include either salon or on site visits with added hairstyling figured in upon request.   Whitmore's move to the Bay Area doesn't limit her to Northern California weddings and events. If you want to book her throughout the US or internationally she is available for travel. Necia Whitmore is available by appointment only via Necia Whitmore.com and Kao Vey Salon  

ring 917-239-2615

PREVIEW OF COMMING ATTRACTIONS

 

 Not only do I have a new creation for you to look at, I've developed a whole concept around this design.  Meet GIGI, the newest addition to Dioresque's 2011 capsule collection, called Oh La La!  Inspired by Paris, the 50s, The Belle Epoch and a little bit of Toulouse-Lautrec thrown in, all creations you'll be seeing in Oh La La are about pouf, frills and spun tulle.  GIGI is an A-line out of an ivory embroidered organza with a shot of ruffled lace underneath.

 This little silk, lace and point esprit fascinator is featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  It's the perfect compliment to organza and lace . . .

A long row of buttons graces the back of this dress.  GIGI is actually an off shoot of this sketch for FIFI (in the works) showing a sweetheart neckline and matching shrug.  Can't wait to show off that one . . .