Dress of the Week

Short and sassy...

Jasmine 2011 Spring Bridal Collection

Real Wedding: Jaimee and Steve

Good morning! I have a sweet wedding to share with you all today from Jessica Hill Photography. One of my favorite parts of this wedding is the location: Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge. A magical setting up in the Cascade Mountain range full of tradition and enchantment. It's just breathtaking. Another reason why I love this couple, they created their wedding rings in a foundry! I just can't get enough of all the personalized touches brides and grooms come up with--this one is truly one-of-a-kind!

Thank you to Jessica for capturing this beautiful celebration and congrats to Jaimee and Steve and their new life together! Be sure to check out the vendor listing at the end of the post--it's a great list of some wonderful vendors here in Portland!

Location: Timberline Lodge, http://www.timberlinelodge.com/weddings/ (that's Oregon's Mt. Hood in the background!)

Makeup: Austie Eckley, http://www.austieeckley.com/

Flowers: Blum In Design, http://www.blumfloraldesign.com/

Videography: Shields Films, http://www.shieldsfilms.com/

Reception Music: Bad Mitten Orchestre, http://www.myspace.com/badmittenmusic

Firedancers: Flamebuoyant, http://www.flamebuoyant.com/

Photo Booth: The Original Photo Booth, http://www.theoriginalphotobooth.com/

A SALUTE TO THREE GREAT DESIGNERS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

I wanted to share with you those big three designers who influenced my own creating over the past few seasons. Their imprint is on just about everything we see in the clothing arts. Here it is, my own version of each designer . . . .

Jewelry by Studiolo

CHRISTIAN DIOR

Christian Dior revolutionized fashion in 1947 with his “New Look”, a 180 turn out of the gray days of fashion following WWII. Once restrictions lifted on fabric post war, Dior had the freedom to introduce the hourglass silhouette, showing off a cinched waist atop skirts flowing in yards of silks and layers of crinoline. Recently this defined waist has made a come back and brides are loving it.

COCO CHANEL

The great Mademoiselle Chanel spanned several eras of changing fashion. Her most notable signatures are close fitting cloche style hats, halters, separates, jerseys and strands of many different pearl necklaces all worn at once. Until her retirement in 1939, she was the probably the world's most influential designer. She made a comeback in the 1950s ushering in her most enduring contribution to fashion, The Chanel suit still popular today.
I see the Chanel bride of today much like Mademoiselle herself. Casual and classy, sophisticated and quirky. Above all stylish. The bride above is in separates: a Chantilly lace halter paired up with a long shantung skirt with a sweep train. All her accessories are inspired by Chanel.

Photos by John Truong and Stuart Lirette

CHRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA

Balenciaga was one of a handful of couturiers who could actually design, cut, and sew his own designs. A designer's designer, his minimalist creations were so well crafted they resembled sculptures and were considered the optimal of haute couture circa 1950s and 1960s. Balenciaga would have stayed in Madrid designing for the Spanish aristocracy but the Spanish Civil War forced him to Paris where post war he did some of his most innovative work (see what hanging with a bunch of Paris designers can inspire?).

All gowns and headpeices available though Amy-Jo Tatum

Fall Wedding Inspiration

It finally looks like fall outside. My porch was full of leaves this morning.

There's no better way to start a perfect fall week than with a perfect fall wedding inspiration.

These cozy images full of pine cones, autumn colors and apple pie were styled by Jessica Solane of Love Bird Style and captured by Souder Photography.

Images via Style Me Pretty

Bridal Hairstyles

Good morning! It's hard to get back into the swing of things after a long, lazy Thanksgiving week! It was so nice to have my hubbie home and spend time with our families!

I love these modern bridal hairstyles, especially the faux bob above. Those beautiful curls are just at the right spot for a bride wearing a bird cage or flyaway veil!

{images: Olivia Graham for Instyle}

Wedding Decorations (Photo Gallery)

A popular theme for fiancées and fiancés is maintaining the wedding style or design in weddings, and it can be managed with the help of unique wedding reception decorations, decor and design of the tables.

Planning a wedding is a fun for the fiancées and fiancés-to-be. There are many things that needs to be done to beautify for the wedding as a means to make the festive occasion perfect. One important thing that needs to be tended to with any wedding is that of wedding decorations. From common to complicated, there are a couple of wedding decoration styles to fit every taste imaginable.

Wedding Candles Make the Feel of Romance in your big day

There’s something about candlelight which makes it eternally romantic. Besides, candles are dirt cheap, and you’ll probably be able to get them even cheaper if you buy in bulk. These candles can come in any scent, style or color. Whether the ceremony is taking place during the day or night, candles add much to the special occasion. Not only can the bride and groom choose their favorite colors for the candles but they can also be able to get the candles and candleholders personalized with their wedding day information.

Wedding Hearts and Bells

Nothing says wedding more so than decorations consisting of wedding hearts and bells. These things come in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes and materials. If somebody is looking to decorate the aisles and pews at the church for the ceremony or looking for beautiful wedding table decorations for the wedding reception, there is so much to find from when it comes to wedding hearts and bells. For church decorations, try to place 3-D paper wedding bells on the end of each pew to give the church an extra wedding look.

Wedding Theme Place Card Holders

For those brides and grooms who are having assigned seating at their wedding reception tables, wedding theme place card holders are a great way to decorate the table. There is a great number of wedding theme place card holders available where individuals can choose to advertise the name of the guests or the number of the table. Some examples of these holders include fiancée and fiancé figurines, silver wedding bells and gold heart place card holders. This is a wonderful wedding reception table decoration sure to delight all who attend the special event.

Floral Centerpieces

Another highly looked for after wedding decoration piece is the floral centerpiece. Flowers look great anywhere at a wedding ceremony or reception but if somebody is looking to find the perfect touch for the center of their tables, a floral centerpiece will definitely do this. These centerpieces can be low or high, full or modest. It depends on the tastes and budget of the couple who is planning to get merried. A great touch to floral centerpieces is to choose wedding colours as the main floral colour scheme. For cheap floral centrepieces choose flowers which are in season to keep costs down. If you are planning your wedding in advance, why not grow your own flowers?

There is a great number of ways in which a bride and groom can make their wedding that much more special and one way is to go all out when it comes to choosing the perfect wedding decorations for the big day.

Tables decorated with very extraordinary wedding centerpieces.