WHAT ABOUT A TEA TIME WEDDING?

Lay out all the fine china and here comes the bride.  Pictured here are some of the one-off details that make up a high tea wedding.  Teatime is my number one theme for the reason it incorporates some of the most lady-like elements of entertaining, fashion and decor. This polished and sophisticated late afternoon mini-meal over the centuries has become the perfect showcase for delectable little sandwiches and scrumptious petits fours framed by white lace doilies. Once upon a time high tea was celebrated by really enjoying those afternoon hours before sunset, the perfect time for a wedding celebration.  While high tea suggests all the formality of a big wedding it's also perfect for the informal celebration.  You can keep it simple and at the same time elegant serving finger sandwiches, small pastries, tea and champagne, buffet style.  Whether you're planning a large or small wedding I hope these images are an inspiration point for you . . . .
CREDITS
Top Left Photo by Taralynn Lawton//Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum
Top Right Photo via Nooks and Cranies
Second Row Left Tea Service via The Vintage Table //Seond Row Right Photo by Simply Bloom Photography via Style Me Pretty
Tulle Dress by Amy-Jo Tatum//Photo by Taralynn Lawton//Teacup photo via Pinterest
Lady in hat photo by Taralynn Lawton//Pink Macaroons via The Sweet and Saucy Shop

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THE SCARF VEIL MAKES A COMEBACK

 Today's chic started with a casual trend borrowed from the fifties glamorized by Audrey Hepburn—the scarf. As Audrey and fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy showed us, some women can make even a sporty scarf look elegant. I began incorporating them into my collection once I realized they looked hot with so many of the 1950s throwbacks I was creating. Keep in mind they do lend themselves well to quite a few styles. Be imaginative. You can tie a lace scarf like a bandana or go gypsy style with it. Experiment. Create your own look!
The shorter version above works with this more casual look. This is one of my ‘Marilyn’ dresses . . . My 1950s ‘Going Away’ bride is headed for a drive up the coast to that country inn in her crepe halter dress and silk chiffon scarf. A casual as well as elegant look.
Long Scarf-Pictured below: Considered more an option in head wear than veil depending on the length of chiffon or silk gauze used to create it. A 5-yard length wrapped around the head framing the face creates a long band of train that works as an extraordinary veil. Perfect for Mosque weddings.

Below: A 3-yard galloon/scarf of Chantilly lace makes the perfect 20s style cloche-cap style veil to pair up with a vintage lace gown. 

All gowns and veils by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Photo Credits

Header Photo by E Jones Photography

Photo 2: Bride Chic

Photo 3: Pixamage

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ART DECO MEETS CITY MODERN

 There's an interesting story behind this editorial that begs the question: How long could it take to find the right spot to shoot 1930s style gowns? Can you believe 4 years?  That's right, when you want to find a backdrop reflecting all the best of the Art Deco era, it can take awhile.  Kudos to photographer, Jim Vetter who scouted out the perfect canvas for this project at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco.  This is a place I'll sum up in one word---elegant!  Says Jim, "As a photographer, my vision for this shoot was to reflect the reawakened interest in early 20th-Century stylings and set it against the metropolitan backdrop of modern San Francisco.  The Mandarin Oriental was the perfect location; the décor is reminiscent of the Art Deco era while still feeling very current. I've shot Amy-Jo's gowns in the past and just love their classic sophistication. These designs compliment the elegant photographic style, I wanted to bring into this project . . . . "
 For me, creating pieces like these was inspired by Hollywood's golden era when women were finally free of corsets, girdles even bras.  The body-hugging bias-cut that once upon a time was a radical concept, has

become classic.  Each and every fabric and lace in this collection was hand-selected for brides

who want a to add some drama while showing off a fit and toned body on their wedding

day. . . . 

 CREDITS

Photography: Jim Vetter Photography

Gowns: Amy-Jo Tatum

Makeup and Hair: Moderne Beauty

                         Styling and Jewelry: Mary Compagno of Nordstrom mary.j.compagno@nordstrom.com
Flowers: Floral Ornaments

Venue: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, San Francisco
Menswear: Selix San Francisco

Models: Ginger Larsen, Rob Williams and Katie Siu

 

 

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GATSBY'S BRIDE

The majestic backdrop of The San Francisco Theological Seminary paired up with the shooting savoire faire of photographer Samantha Smith proved a winning combo.  All the gowns, head chic and accessories you see here come from Gatsby's Bride, a new capsule collection  showcasing a bygone era when the rich lived in castles, bogeyed to early jazz and wore a lot of lace and silk.  I poured on the lace here bordering  veils, cascading ruffles, sleeves and trains to convey romance and femininity while using softer liquid fabrics that hug and cling to the body.   Designing this collection was a really rewarding project and i simply love the results . . . . 

CREDITS

Photography by Samantha Smith Photography

Gowns and head chic by Amy-Jo Tatum

Hairstylist--Michelle Promyotin of Pins and Curls

Models--Richelle Farley and Rose Pop

Venue--San Francisco Theological Seminary

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AWESOME SHOOTER SERIES

Today you'll find me over on One Wed Blog sharing the images from a recent shoot with the incredibly talented fashion and wedding photographer Taralynn Lawton.  Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taralynn's light-filled images are a real inspiration for capturing both the fashion and bridal aspect.  READ MORE . . . .

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ILLUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

A very happening 2012 trend is the illusion neckline. I for one love the look of sheer necklines and sleeves and am planning on adding a least five more of these dresses to the collection over the next few months.  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 . . .

What's your spin on this? Would you like a sheer and almost naked look to your net top or more opaque like an ice skater would wear . . . .?

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OH LA LA!

How I love organzas, tulle, crinolines and organdy with a mix of laces thrown in for good measure.  Put it all together and you have some really serious Oh La La! happening.  I lucked out recently when I met up with Natalie, the model in this series who has studied ballet all her life.  Put her in my dresses (inspired by the 1950s, Dior, Giselle, La Sylphide, and Swan Lake) and she just seems to float even in still photographs . .

The beauty of the 'Beatrix' Dress above is in the silhouette.  A full circular skirt and layers of tulle give the dress its hourglass shape.  Gardenias add a touch of romanticism and top off the ballerina look . . . .

Above and Below: Feeling frou frou?  The A-lined  'Gigi' Dress in an embroidered organza topped off with a tulle uber-pouf  is the perfect froth for Oh La La! weddings. . .

 

Above: The White Rose Fascinator is just the right head chic to mix up with satin, embroidery, tulle, crinoline and lace.  What beautiful movement . . . .

Below: A ballgown silhouette in embossed file is accented with and embroidered taffeta sash and silk dupioni headpiece . . . . 

 

 
 Above: The look of a traditional bride in a bouffant gown paired up with a hand embroidered belt . . .


Credits:
Photography by Bride Chic 2012
Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

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