CONCEPT TO CREATION: ELIN'S GOWN

Erika Gerdemark Photography

This is the first post of a new series where you can follow me as we look at several gowns made from start to finish. We'll kick it off by looking at Elin's gown from our initial consultation to the excitement of her wedding day. It made me so happy to see Elin married in such an enchanted setting in a gown of my creation. The back drop of the rustic old Kalmar castle in Sweden seemed a perfect match for the vintage chic of the 'Mira' Gown she chose.

We started from this sketch planning the ballerina length skirt out of six yards of silk chiffon over a full crinoline underskirt. This Chantilly lace was chosen in ivory for the bodice

Elin's gown was fashioned out of yards of fragile ivory silk chiffon and delicate lace. While most custom gowns crafted by a designer take anywhere from four to six months to complete, Elin needed her gown in two months. Despite the time crunch, we still had enough room for collaboration with decisions regarding fabric, silhouette and style. This was, as most custom gowns are: typically 80-90% handmade. Hand made means machines do some work like the side seams, cross seams, etc. There are however stitches on these one-of-a-kind gowns only expert handwork can touch in order to produce that exquisite finish

With a great deal of hand work, the bodice here is nearly complete. With all linings and boning in place, buttonhole looping has been added to the center back as silk covered buttons are sewn on.







Bodice and skirt have been joined before adding the crinoline underskirt



Voila! Elin's gown is complete with the addition of a separate underskirt and tie belt.

Elin in her gown. Doesn't she look stunning?

Erika Gerdemark Photography

Erika Gerdemark Photography

THE LIGHTWEIGHTS: A CLOSER LOOK AT SHEER FABRICS

Stephanie Williams Photography

What could be more feminine on a bride than lightweight, sheer fabrics. They have an airy, wispy look and feel that sets a light tone. While we're looking towards Winter, I know a lot of you are contemplating Spring 2010 weddings. Take a look at some of these gowns.

Digital She/Sweet Light Studios
Embossed silk chiffon gown with silk gauze train.

Chiffon-Lightweight and transparent, the delicacy of this fabric makes it best for billowing sleeves, cowl draped necklines, ruffles, ruched bodices and long, airy trains. See-through dresses worn over slips can be made of chiffon. Full skirts in chiffon are ethereal and can be layered.

























Ron Greystar Photography
Lace and chiffon gown with detachable organza train dappled with rose petals

Organza-Shown above and below, organza is a light, springy and transparent fabric. Once considered suitable only for summer, organza is now year-round and widely used in gowns requiring full skirts, A-lines, trains, veils, drapes and overlays.

Stephanie Williams Photography
All over embroidered chiffon dress with full skirt

Ron Greystar Photography
Tulle-Fine mesh netting with hexagonal pattern that comes in silk or nylon. Tulle is standard material for bridal veils. Also used in bouffant skirts like the one pictured above, proffering that ballerina look Vera Wang popularized a few years back. While the big tulle skirt is classic, edgier versions of late suggest special effects like draping, rouching and pick-up treatments over more modified skirt silhouettes. Not to be overlooked for trains done in layers.

All gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Plus Size Wedding Dress

Plus Size Wedding Dress

Choosing the best plus size for your the best wedding, you must selective plus size wedding dress for your wedding in your life because wedding is one time in your life

Pink Wedding Dress

Pink Wedding Dress

Pink Wedding Dress

Finding your favorite pink wedding dress to the best your wedding dress

KRISTA AND JEREMY: A DAY IN MONTEREY

Photography

Chyna Darner

Gown
Amy Kuschel

Venue

The Old Whaling Station

Catering
The Grapes of Wrath

Florist

Tempels of Carmel

I've been waiting to run this piece for a long time. Chyna Darner is a photographer whose work follows that flow of photojournalistic style I love so much. She caught Krista and Jeremy's marina wedding story so beautifully with her keen eye for detail . When I first saw these images, I was blown away by the simplicity of Krista's gown by Amy Kuschel. Also the sense of fun shown through this whole wedding is an inspiration . . .

All photos copyright by Chyna Darner Photography

HAIR RAISING IDEAS

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Want to wear your hair up on your wedding day but don't want that same up-do look of every other bride? Check out a little bit of Sunday hair raising chic. A floral in the top image along with relaxed curls pull this look together. Below, braids are back and never looked better . . . .

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MOOD SWING

Strawberry Ice Cream by Grant-Riley Weddings featuring Celine

Found this on Grant-Riley Weddings and fell in love with the color combos. Brown and pink work together to set a calming mood for me most probably for the reason that these colors invoke the taste of chocolate and parfait. Add the champagne and you really have a sweet treat awaiting . . .

UNCOVERING GREAT THINGS

A vintage touchstone, Timeless Vixen has some of the best 1950s chic around. Yes, they do carry other eras--1870s to the 1970s--definitely worth checking out. All their pieces are the real deal which means genuine retro finds from the ages. They've gathered the most unique collection I've ever set eyes on. Collectors as well as private clients are wowed by their finds which include cocktail, bridal, lingerie and suits and day wear. All these gowns would be bridal stunners, surprisingly affordable . . .