Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Wedding Veils

Marriage is the most beatify moment in our lives. Even a bride who meneteskan tears because they do not hold the power of feeling happy.

Today, veils serve no other purpose than to make you feel beautiful. Of course, it also adds to the wedding's romance: the magical moment of the bride lifting her veil for her first kiss often inspires tears.

Here are some things to remember as you survey your options:

A blusher is a short veil that's worn over the face, then flipped back when it's time for the groom to kiss the bride. It's usually sewn to a longer veil, or a hat. The fly-away veil just brushes across your shoulders, while the elbow veil (as the name implies) falls in the middle of your arm, approximately 25 inches. The most popular veil, however, is the fingertip. It's composed of several layers that reach up to the hands.

Because of the return of vintage dresses some types of veils are regaining popularity. There's the waterfall veil, held in place by a headband, and often made with several layers of tulle. Other options are the mantilla (a Spanish veil that's draped over the head, usually with a lace border) and a ballet (which kisses the ankles).

When choosing a veil, consider your height. If you're very petite (under 5'4") a very long veil will overwhelm your frame. Stick to an elbow veil. If you're over 5'7" you can wear a fingertip veil, which look gorgeous on your statuesque body. Also look at the detail of your dress. Your veil should lead the eye to the focal point, such as embroidery or lace.



By : Phie

Choose the Perfect Bridal Veil




One of the things that may be you need to complement your wedding dress is Vail. Some argued that without the Vail, that have less in their marriage. Selection forms, materials and models should also be your wedding dress so beautiful to be seen more perfect.

Veils can be made in a number of standard lengths, including shoulder, waist, fingertip, mid-calf, floor, chapel, and cathedral length. Fingertip is the most popular option because it is very easy to wear for the entire wedding, including the reception. Many brides, though, love a veil that is as long as the train of their gown, and there are several ways to handle such a veil after the ceremony. Some brides will simply remove the veil, keeping only their headpiece on for the reception. This is a fine option, but often women just feel like less of a bride without a veil. For those brides, other options include having the veil bustled to the gown (especially if the veil and gown have matching lace) or gracefully draping the veil over one arm (often seen during the receiving line). Oftentimes, a bride will simply order a second, shorter veil or use her blusher (if she wore one) as a veil after the ceremony.

It used to be that a blusher was de rigueur, but many modern brides will skip the blusher unless it is customary in their religious tradition. Don't be too quick to dismiss the blusher, though. One man I knew was watching a movie with a wedding scene, and kept asking why the bride was not wearing a veil. Well, she was wearing a veil, a very long one, but she did not have a blusher over her face. To this man, and many others, the blusher is what really says "veil". If that is what your groom expects to see when you walk down the aisle, you don't want to disappoint him.

Once you have made the basic decisions about your veil, you can get into all of the exciting details. Most veils are tulle, but silk chiffon or organza are also available. Veils can be one entire piece of Belgian lace (these exquisite veils become family heirlooms), embroidered, trimmed in Alençon lace, finished with ribbons, satin bias trim, or beaded. A great way to bring your whole look together is to select a veil that will coordinate with your handcrafted bridal jewelry (or vice-versa). Swarovksi crystals and tiny beads look spectacular stitched along the edge of a veil. They also give the veil a good weight so that it will not be too flyaway.

Another way that veils are embellished is to bead a lace border with pearls and crystals. This is a rich and classic look which is often done using the same lace appliqué as on the bride's gown. To compliment this special type of veil, choose handcrafted bridal jewelry with the same crystals and pearls that were used on the veil. Simple, timeless earrings and necklaces are the perfect accent pieces to give the bridal ensemble a complete and polished look.


Veils are very fragile, so it pays to be cautious when handling them. If you must take your veil to a hair trial, keep the tulle inside the plastic bag, and pull the comb from the top of the bag for your stylist to practice putting in your hairdo. The last thing you need is for your beautiful veil to get snagged on something in the salon or stepped on by your hairdresser!

One more tip on caring for your veil: if your veil features a ribbon or satin bias trim, ask the bridal salon to carefully iron the edge after the veil has been steamed. It sounds minor, but it makes an incredible difference in how your veil hangs. After all, your veil is your crowning glory - you want it to look perfect on your wedding day. For many women, it is only once they put on their veil that they truly feel like a bride.


By : Phie

Sunday, August 2, 2009

After the Rain: Photo shoot

I'm so excited to share with you some images from our latest photo shoot for San Diego Style Weddings Magazine. I thought we would give a behind the scenes look at some of our inspiration, concepting and some of the fun details that went into this tablescape.

Inspiration can come from all different places. Sometimes it comes from the simplest of places. For this photoshoot...it all began with the plate. I loved the whimsy and woodsy feel of it and the sweet small French title of "Apres la pluie", which translated means "After the Rain". It immediately conjured up images of walking through the woods on a spring day with galoshes and an umbrella in hand. Dew left damp on the mossy green forest floor scattered with toadstools, mushrooms and delicate creatures.


With each Amorology wedding we look to find the symbolisms in what we create and the deeper meaning behind the design. I love that moment after a rainfall when you step outside and the sun has begun to shine and the grass is still wet and sparkly and everything looks a little cleaner and brighter than usual. Even the flowers seem more alive!
I too see marriage being the beginning of something new, as beautiful as the earth after rain, living and breathing with life, hope, and possibility. There is growth and beauty that follows the rain or trials in our life. I set out to recreate that feeling and knew I needed just the right people to help bring the idea to life.

I of course started with Twigg Botanicals.


I knew that I had wanted to use a vintage umbrella from Bella Umbrella somehow in the design but was having a difficult time coming up with a way to really showcase it on the table. This is where 2 minds are definitely better than one! My mom, Robin Mathis, and the owner and artist of Twigg, created a base to secure the umbrella. This also allowed us to hang glass crystals from it that made it look like it was dripping with raindrops of different sizes. We then wrapped the base in a large skin of tree trunk that we hunted down to give it that woodsy feel.

We went for something simple and charming with the flowers in keeping with concept, using maiden hair fern in abundance along with phaleonopsis orchids, billy balls and red anemones. How perfect were the shower head pods that Twigg used too? Just too hard to resist with the concept. :)


I also enlisted Jenn Clark of Pin Cushion Princess....my all time favorite seamstress! One thing I love about Jenn is that when I tell her one of my crazy ideas, like how I would love to add snails to the table...and everyone else thinks I'm crazy, she actually gets me and goes with it. The result was one of my favorite details of the table! I adored the charming fabric snails, made of vintage fabrics that found their place among the moss and ferns.
The custom faux bois woodsy napkins that we had made also brought in another tree trunk element.
Red and white polka dot galoshes mirrored the toadstools and served as an added element filled with maiden hair fern.

We created mini garden cloches that sat at each place setting and they were so cute! They were made up of roses, billy balls, feverfew daisies and a mini toadstool, to be taken home and nurtured with some tender loving care.


The fabric snails also found their way on to the chair backs tied with bark, moss and feverfew daisies. I love love loved how the little snail couple faced each other and seemed to be in love themselves.
The menus were darling made by Karisa of Pretty Handsome Paper. I knew I had wanted to play with a fun menu that matched our forest concept...portabello mushrooms, escargot..ya know? ...the result was nothing short of Karisa magic! It was beautiful and organic! I really loved the way it came together with Karisa's special touch that she always puts on anything she ever does! Take a look at the lovely invitations by her as well below!! So cute. Many Thanks Karisa!!


I had the pleasure of working with my long time friend John Schnack of Schnack Studios on this project. It was such a treat to learn that he was going to be our photographer that day! Still impressed as I have always been by his talent! Thanks John for capturing all the little details!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

New Trends Spring Wedding




Wedding season is just around the corner! Spring buzzes with hot new nuptial trends: fresh wedding colors, new ways to walk down the aisle, and truly unique wedding favors. Whether you're in the midst of planning your own wedding or you'll be attending a wedding as a guest, expect to see these seven wedding trends.

1. Black is back and bigger than ever. The hottest new color for spring isn't a color at all. Black wedding dresses were a trend way back in 2007. For the 2009 wedding season, black will partner with white for a super-chic European look (think Paris). Don't paint the town black (too depressing) - use it as an accent color in bouquets and table linens.

2. Country chic weddings. Been to a wedding lately? Don't wear heels; wear cowboy boots! Budget-conscious brides have been getting down on the farm. Why? Renting out a farm costs a lot less than renting out a ballroom and the scenery can be just as romantic. Picture the bride and groom going off on a hay ride and guests drinking warm apple cider. There's no limit to creativity with a country chic wedding: Have a Hawaiian-style barbecue, vineyard soiree, or winter wonderland wedding, sleigh ride and all. An untouched landscape means you can have whatever wedding you imagine.

3. Damask prints. This wedding season, you'll see more damask. It's an eye-catching, vintage-style print with intricate vines and flowers. You've probably seen it before on your Grandma's old couch. If you want to give your wedding that Old World ambiance, use damask accents. Black damask (remember, black is hot right now) over white makes a lovely and contrastive print for your table linens.

4. New ways to walk down the aisle. Many brides and grooms are walking down the aisle together, rather than having the father escort his daughter. It's the newest wedding craze and perfect for non-traditional brides or brides with blended families. Other new walk-down-the-aisle trends include the bride walking down the aisle by herself, having both parents accompany the bride, or the bride walking down the aisle with her mother. The only rule: It's up to the bride!

5. Something blue. Aqua blue paired with white or chocolate and navy paired with yellow, pink, or white are the season's hottest color combos. From wedding invitations down to blue-box wedding favors, every bride seems to be a true-blue bride this season.

6. The return of the wedding minidress. Super-short wedding dresses are all the rage this spring. The words "miniskirt-wedding dress," conjure images of that infamous frock in Guns N Roses November Rain video, but the 2009 mini wedding dress thankfully doesn't resemble that at all. It's a chic dramatic dress that nicely pairs with ankle-tied sandals.

7. Cherry blossoms in full bloom. Cherry blossoms are popping up everywhere in the spring 2009 wedding season. You'll see more Asian-inspired wedding favors, such as candles and silk fans and of course, cherry blossoms in the bride's bouquet and centerpieces. Cherry blossoms liven up the color scheme with a hint of pastel pink and add a special touch to your special day.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?7-New-Spring-Wedding-Trends&id=2309308

An Elegant Evening Wedding Dress

An evening wedding is not the same as an afternoon wedding, only held a few hours later. The nighttime hours hold a sense of drama and sophistication that set them apart from the tamer daylight hours. The whole feel and style of an evening wedding is more upscale, more chic, and above all more elegant. Everything from the attire to the décor to the food should reflect this shift in attitude as day becomes night.

As everyone knows, the bride is the focal point at a wedding, and it is really her gown that sets the tone for the entire affair. The first thing to decide is how formal you would like your wedding to be. If it will begin at 6pm or later, you can opt for a black tie wedding, which is the height of graciousness and style. If black tie feels a bit too stuffy for you, opt for a chic and elegant tone instead, with the men wearing modern cut suits and ties.

For a black tie wedding, the bride should choose a gown with a strong presence and a lot of impact. There is almost nothing that will feel too dressy. Feel free to experiment with details such as long trains, heavily embellished bodices, and tons of dazzling crystals and beads. The bride at a black tie wedding can also get away with a fairly ornate set of bridal jewelry, including everything from bold necklaces to dramatic drop earrings to sparkling crystal wedding bracelets. If you have decided against black tie for your evening wedding, go for a really striking and glamorous gown, such as a slinky silk sheath adorned with long drop earrings and several crystal wedding bracelets stacked together for more impact.


The décor at your wedding will definitely create the ambiance, and for an evening wedding, the must-have element is an abundance of candlelight. Imagine a dimly lit room set aglow with the flicker of hundreds of candles. The mood will be one of pure romance (not to mention, nothing is more flattering than candlelight). Choose elegant and sophisticated flowers for your centerpieces, like orchids or lilies. The floral displays should lean towards the dramatic for an evening affair. You may also want to rent some glittering crystal chandeliers to integrate into your tablescapes for the most elegance.

Evening weddings also call for food that is geared towards a sophisticated palette. Think about serving appetizers in high fashion ways, such as shots of soup or little bites served on porcelain spoons. For the main course, nothing is more chic than lobster or fresh seafood. You also cannot go wrong with the combination of caviar and an ice cold vodka fountain. This is a wonderful addition to an adults-only evening reception.

Nighttime weddings are a lot of fun, and planning them can be really enjoyable. Think about the special and unique details that you can include to make your wedding the height of elegance and style. The sophistication of an evening wedding makes for a memorable evening that your guests will not soon forget.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Elegant-Evening-Wedding&id=2637806

Pretty Pattern Bridesmaid Dress

Your bridesmaid dresses will be a big part of the look of your wedding. Although solid colors have always been the most popular choice, there is nothing to say that you have to play it safe when it comes to the dresses that your attendants will wear. These are some ideas on pretty patterned bridesmaid dresses that are perfect for any wedding style.

It might seem like a print would only work on bridesmaid dresses for an informal wedding, but this is definitely not the case. For a black tie wedding, a stunning look for your bridesmaids would be a floor length gown in a pewter color with a black brocade design. To make it even more luxurious, look for a dress that is created with the design in cut velvet or devoré - yum! Add bridesmaid jewelry sets created from jet black crystals or lustrous pewter colored pearls for the perfect finishing touch.

Prints for daytime weddings can really run the gamut from sophisticated to playful to country. On the more elegant side would be a toile done in a limited color palette. This is a classic print that works best on simple cuts, like strapless A-line gowns. You can use a toile bridesmaid dress in almost any setting, indoors or outdoors. It is even possible to order toile that is designed in themes that fit in with your wedding (such as scenes of Nantucket). Sets of pearl bridesmaid jewelry will top off this timeless dress beautifully.

Of course, floral prints are always lovely, and you will have many great options for your attendants' dresses. One of the most original is to choose simple dresses made from Liberty print fabric. This iconic small floral is printed on a soft cotton fabric that would be wonderful for an informal wedding in a garden. Wedge espadrilles would look fantastic for the bridesmaids' shoes with a Liberty print dress.

If you prefer a more bold floral print, check out some of the large scale graphic florals that are in style this season. They are often done in a high contrast palette, such as cream and black. This design looks particularly great when it "grows" up from the hem of the dress and gets more sparse at the top. Not only will the dresses have great visual interest, but they will not be too bold by your bridesmaids' faces.

Stripes are a fresh idea for bridesmaid dresses at any time of the year. They can be done in so many ways. A crisp blue and white stripe looks nautical and classic, perfect for a wedding by the ocean. Add some flair with shoes or jewelry in a bright color like lemon or cherry red. If you are looking ahead to a winter wedding, stripes can be rich and elegant when done in deeper tones such as aubergine and chocolate in a full length gown.

When you are thinking about patterned bridesmaid dresses, one other design to consider is plaid. Plaid can be used for an entire dress, or as a sash on a solid color. You can use a red tartan for a Christmas wedding, a bright madras for a summer afternoon, or even a menswear inspired houndstooth print for something totally unexpected.

Be open to interesting prints and designs when you start shopping for your bridesmaid dresses. The right pattern can make their dresses so much livelier than a basic solid color. And if you choose well, your bridesmaids may even be able to wear their pretty patterned dresses again in the future.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Pretty-Patterned-Bridesmaid-Dresses&id=2117408

Cream and Black Wedding Invitations

Most people don't think of black when they think about weddings, but black is one of the main colors this year. Especially popular is the combination of "butter and black" better known as cream and black. For evening or formal weddings, nothing is more elegant than simple black invitations especially when they are embellished or ribboned to match your colors. From the moment they arrive, these invitations set the tone and help you create the feel you want. Here are a few design suggestions to consider when choosing your invitation.

1. Printable Black Pocket Folders: When choosing printable pocket folders you accomplish two goals in one, you can choose the style of invitation you want and save almost 50% of the cost by printing them yourselves. Most internet sites allow you to choose from a variety of ribbon colors to accent your pocket folder and here is where you can be very creative. You can go with a cream and black motif so that the pocket folder is black and the card stock, RSVP cards and ribbons are cream, or you can vary the ribbon color to burnt sienna, purple, gold, silver, or any other color that reflects your style and imagination.

2. Printable Black Layered Invitations: If you are on a limited budget or want a simpler invitation, or are using this for the many other wedding related events that require invitations, the layered style is for you. Here the background is a black card and the cream invitation card is attached to it giving a "layered" look. There are many designs to choose from here, you can have the invitation card attached by a colored ribbon of your choice or you can "sash' the invitation card around the middle with a ribbon of your choice or you can embellish the ribbon with beads or jewels. And as these are print it yourself kits, you again can save 50% or more. You can also use this style of invitations to compliment the pocket folder. So, for example, you may use the pocket folders for your wedding invitations and the layered invitations for the Bride and Groom Shower, or Rehearsal Dinner invites.

3. Printable Black Bordered Invitations: Let's say you only want a hint of black, then the bordered invitation is the one to look for. Here you can choose from a simple white or cream card with a black border, or a layered invitation where the invitation card is large enough that only a small border of the black background card is showing. These can serve equally well as the main wedding invitation or as rehearsal dinner or shower invites. And they also give you the same great savings.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Elegant-Cream-and-Black-Wedding-Invitations&id=1891817