Happy New Year!

so here is what i am wearing to my fabulous New Years party tonight....well, of course if money was not an issue and i had somewhere fabulous to wear it :) ...this gorgeous understated, yet sexy cream silk mini dress from RM by Roland Mouret, paired with these fabulous Roberto Cavalli chain 4.5 inch heels, with a touch of sparkle on my ears from these Kenneth Jay Lane crystal embellished earrings.

i hope you all have a wonderful New Years and wish you all the best in the coming new decade!! i am so thankful to have you all as readers of Weddings Fresh and couldn't be more honored to share with you my obsessions and thoughts throughout these last couple of years! may you be blessed as much as i am!

love you all,
--dani

HYDRANGEAS AND SATIN

Looking forward to Spring this year? It's all about new beginnings. With a little help from the wonderful tools over at SMP, I've put together a medley of tones found in the Aurora Borealis range I just couldn't resist ringing in the New Year with. Happy 2010!

Credits: Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture; Shoes by Kate Spade

NEW LAUNCH!

As editor of Bride Chic I can't tell you how excited I am about this new launch! For those of you following Bride Chic, The Blog, The Zine is a hand-picked assortment of features focusing on all the best of the blog and Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture combined. That's right, if you love those fashion editorials you can catch three at a time on the Zine. In addition will be a few postings from some of my favorite sites out there. And for those of you just stumbling upon Bride Chic for the first time, we're all about wedding fashion starting with the gown and moving on to Mom dresses, bridesmaids, guests, kids, as well as rehearsal and shower options. An entirely new feature for the blog as well as Zine will be 'Access', a spotlight on all accessories bridal from tiara to shoes. And if you love top notch photography stick around. All the newest, off-the-charts fashion and wedding artists gather on Bride Chic, The Zine . . . .

Cover shot by Stephanie Williams Photography

Pastry Girl Cakes

good morning! any of you spring or summer brides? here are some fabulous cakes from Pastry Girl Cakes that are ideal for such a beautiful affair. and chocolate lovers are in luck these days as dark, decadent chocolate cakes are all the rage this year! the one at the bottom of the post is a sweet example of this trend. thank you, Alissa for sharing your wonderful work!

COCKTAIL CHIC

click to enlarge

Here's something festive to ring in the New Year. Check out this cocktail-chic little gem from
Max Chaoul's, 'I Love You 2010' Collection. A real dazzler, don't you think?

Promise Me Chocolate

{source}

good morning! i hope you all were blessed this Christmas because I know we were!
if any of you are looking for a glamorous addition to your tablescape--one that doesn't reach over to the desperate, and sometimes, tacky side of "bling"--then check out these handcrafted chocolates made by Promise Me Chocolate!! designed to look like fabulous gemstones and rings, these fine chocolates are almost too good to eat--almost :) and if you grab a nice little ring box like the one above, and you've got yourself the perfect parting gift for your wedding guests!
ladies, seriously, what could better??

GOWN VERSUS DRESS

Sweetlight Studios

Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture
Stephanie Williams Photography


Okay, so . . . is there really a difference between a wedding gown and a wedding dress? I mean you hear designers and savvy merchandisers referring to what you wear on your big day as either gown or dress. So which is it?

Defined, gowns are anything to the floor and definitely ones with trains and/or extensions are considered super gown-worthy. For me the gown at its quintessential best is 'Harlowesque' lean-lined and clingy, something Hollywood designers borrowed for evening wear from sexy nightgowns back in the 1930s (hence comes the gown). The dress on the other hand can be any silhouette--even a ballgown--as long as it's ankle length or above. A good example of ballgown silhouette as dress is in the second image directly above. BTW my favorite length and silhouette for bridal wear right now is Ballerina, just above the ankles and very full . . .

INSPIRATION SUNDAY

Azac Clothing Company

O Mistress mine, where are you roaming?
O, stay and hear; your true love's coming,
That can sing both high and low:
Trip no further, pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lovers meeting,
Every wise man's son doth know.
What is love? 'Tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What's to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies not plenty;
Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth's a stuff will not endure.


--William Shakespeare--

VIVA LA BELLE EPOQUE!

The gown here fits perfectly into the Belle Epoque theme. Titled, 'Evening in Paris', the gown is by Elie Saab; veil and flower headpiece by Dolce & Gabbana; rings by Dior Fine Jewelry.
Credits: The Independent Online, Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Four Seasons Magazine, Weddings in France-Belle Epoque Restaurant

Special thanks to

Lauren Kolalski of SMP Style Circle who created this lovely board . . . 

Ivy D. / Wandering Bohemian

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

WINTER BRIDES

David Shorey

Enjoy this array of winter wedding gowns and off the charts accessorizing ideas shot by some of the finest photographers in the world. If you're on the hunt for that wintery fashion twist for your wedding or Christmas Day, keep browsing . . . . . .

Vicious Dolls

winterwolfstudios.com
Jamie Cochran

DG Studios

SerdarDesign

Guest Post: Merci New York!

Hello, I’m Jacqueline from Merci New York and I’m thrilled to guest post on Weddings Fresh today. Dani has asked me to share some holiday inspiration with you, and though aqua and red has trended for quite some time, I just adore its versatility.

{Row 1: holiday centerpieces from Lyndsey Hamilton Events, landscape via We Heart It, typewriter {on sale!} on Classic Bride} {Row 2: Rasperry macaroons via Canelle et Vanille, portrait Denise Grunstein via Wedding Nouveau,Gift tags seen on Once Wed} {Row 3: mantle of the lovely Miss Pickles Press, pastry-twined invites at Once Wed, floral arrangements at the home of bash eco events} {Row 4: A tablescape from Hostess with The Mostess, festive cake by The Cake Studio}

During the holidays, crisp turquoise works wonderfully against cranberry red, imparting a bit of mid-century nostalgia into, well, everyone’s favorite season to be nostalgic. Instantly, the winter chill is lifted and we feel warm, cozied and content… Yet if we fast-forward halfway into the New Year, the same palette is once again relative-- Cranberry brightens to coral, turquoise transitions to a lighter sky… and the effect of contrast remains simply stunning. Vibrant red and cool blue are truly a universal pairing for any season.

Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for a wonderful 2010!

make sure you all check out Merci New York today as i am guest posting over there with some gown and decor holiday inspiration as well! i hope you all have a Merry Christmas and i will see you next week!!

--dani

HEADLINES

Hats on heads

In celebration of Christmas, this hat and veil combo by Hats on Heads looks a little Dickensian. The Venise lace application combined with small silk roses is has a real one of a kind
chic.

Winter Weddings: Altura Studio

good morning! i have some wonderful real wedding collages from Portland's Altura Studio--there is no greater place to have a winter white wedding than on Mt. Hood at the famous Timberline Lodge. Thank you, Altura Studio for sharing these breathtaking moments--you can see more here!

MORE WINTER CHIC

Rosy Garbo

Winter brings so many opportunities. Did you realize adding a jacket or needed accessory like a belt can improve the look of your gown? These additions can also be put to use after the wedding. The feathered coat would totally rock with a pair of jeans.

Anna Ceruti

Jenny Packham

party time!

it's all about asymmetric lines and the mini this season--so reveal those shoulders, show little leg and bare your best assets this season!









{TIBI, thread social, temperley london, t-bags, rachel gilbert, fendi, catherine malandrino, valentino--all from net-a-porter}

A LITTLE MONDAY INSPIRATION

Credits: lepapierstudio (2), brides.com, marthastewart (2), "LOS CABOS" by Dolly Couture

In the midst of all the holiday hoopla, stop a moment and glean a bit of inspiration from this array of images I found on Style Circle. The decorative accents like a spray of berries, miniature pine cones embellished with needles are simple and elegant touches. If you have all the right materials handy, you can decorate a package or table top in a few minutes. The dress is a total dazzler from Dolly Couture lending itself beautifully to holiday chicness . . .

THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING

click to enlarge

Love to say I dreamed up this array of holiday cheer myself but I lifted it off one of my favorite sites, The Perfect Palette. They ran this about a month back and if you missed out on it, now's your chance to share this winter wedding with all the ice- white beauty of falling snowflakes and bare tree branches, candy canes and hot cocoa.

VINTAGE BOUDOIR

Credits: Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair (2), Showtime

You might just find you love vintage-chc lingerie as much as you do retro fashion and bridal. What women wear underneath it all changes with the eras of course. These Vargas-like images go from WWII pin-up to mid sixties funk. Reminiscent of boudoir photography--those shots you have done in a session with a photographer specializing in this niche--this is a gift you could give your groom pre or post wedding. For some, a present like this to their beloved is the equivalent of sitting for a bridal portrait (sans the gown of course). If you're contemplating boudoir photography have fun deciding which era or mood will be yours. Here are a few tips to ensure a successful portrait session.

1. Bring underthings in which you feel sexy and beautiful: Bras, panties, corsets, stockings, garter belts, tank tops, sports jerseys & even the man’s business shirt complete with homberg. All are trendy.

2. Bring accessories and props for each of your outfits. You know what I mean by props: flowers, feathers, parasols, gilded hand-held mirrors. And of course those sexy shoes. What's a girl to do without those high heels?

3. If you are recreating an era, do study up on the lingerie, hair and make up of that era.

4. Find a great photographer. Here are the few greats I have had experience with through my clients who will deliver more than you ever thought possible. . . . Check out their sites where you can glean some knowledge and inspiration. Albeit, they are scattered far and wide around the world though best at their craft . . .

Critsey Rowe Couture Boudoir

Erika Gerdemark

Gown Friday!

good morning! here is Vera Wang's fall 2010 collection--black ribbons, elegant yet tattered skirts and "uber poufs" perfectly wrapped to tie in the waistlines make for a stunning collection. beautiful! enjoy your weekend!