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 FINE ART OF CUSTOMIZING A GOWN

Customizing a gown is one way of fusing your individual stamp so that design is all yours!  Take a very simple sheath or A-line, add a detachable train or overskirt and adorn it with embroidered ribbons and handmade florals.  Viola! You have a customized gown.  This isn't the only route to customizing.  You can go for a removable shrug that adds sleeves, a capelet that looks like part of the gown or a lightweight overdress you doff come reception time.  Believe me, your possibilities are endless here. Some brides opt for the most basic gown like I described then take it to the dressmaker or designer to get it personally customized?  And how is customizing your gown different than a custom made gown?  A custom gown is made from scratch, that is, you and the designer working with a pattern and raw cuts of fabric to create it from the ground up.  Customizing a ready-made gown is different.  It involves remodeling and/or embellishing one already put together. It can be store bought, sewn or inherited as long as it’s fairly basic and free of mass adornment.  

 Above: A basic sheath//Below: The same sheath accessorized with a detachable train, hand made flowers and sprigs of ivy . . . .

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CLASSIC TO CUTTING EDGE

How about a little time honored  tradition mixed in there with some of  the most cutting edge looks in bridal fashion?  Our canvas for this editorial is the pastoral Presidio Riding Stables out at Fort Cronkite in San Francisco.  My friend,  Samantha Smith who is a lifestyle and fashion photographer developed this lovely rustic theme.    When we got together to toss around concept, we knew we wanted horses, plenty of countryside and distressed old barns that look like they are about to collapse any minute.  The juxtapose of these elements seems  to accentuate the luxurious fabrics and laces.  What the whole crew who worked this shoot loved most was the incredibly gorgeous the day and how the natural light brought out the best in these pieces.  Kudos to  all who participated in creating this stunning inspiration.

Photography Samantha Smith

 Dresses and veils byAmy-Jo Tatum

Black headpiece by Jeanne Simmons from The Village Flamingo

Hair by Pins and Curls/

Makeup Julianne Chai of Pretty by Julianne

Models: Laura and Clara

 

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SALUTE TO TAFFETA

 
The taffeta bridal gown is a great tradition and still one of the most widely used fabrics for bridal wear. If you've already been doing the salon hop you know its also trendy for bridesmaids and flower girls.  There's no mistaking taffeta:  It has that rustling and screeching sound when it moves and a polished, shiny look and feel.  It's been used for centuries mostly in special occasion wear and is known for its opulent luster.  Trendy once more mostly for full-skirted silhouettes, taffeta is the perfect option if you're wanting to add some elegance and romanticism mixed in with that good old tradition on your wedding day . . . .

All dresses and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum
Photo Credits: Photos 1 and 2 by Lirette Photography
Photo 3: Pixamage
Photo 4: Bride Chic
Photo 5: Samantha Smith Photography

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TAKE THE SHORT CUT AND SKIP THE TRAIN

 I'll agree, dresses with full and spread out trains can be beautiful but aren't every bride-to-be's cup of tea.  The good news is, you can go formal without pulling that train around all day?  So what are your choices if you like a high dress look but want to skip the train?  If the dress you have your heart set on does have a train wear it bustled.  In fact, some brides love the bustling effect  (train tacked up and under like the one below) and prefer to keep that French 'Gigi' look going the whole day rather than letting it flow.  Another option is any formal to-the-floor dress, a full bell skirt  like the one directly below made out of gorg fabric certainly makes up for having train and/or bustling going on .  

Above:  These A-line and sheath silhouettes don't necessarily need a train to be elegant . . . .

 Below: Ballet Length ball gowns (just above the ankles) show off pretty shoes and allow for easy movement .

Dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo Credits

Header Photo: Lirette Photography

Photos 2 and 3: Lirette Photography/Strotz Photography

Photos 4 and 5: Bill Smoot Photography

Photo 6: Dominic Colacchio Photography

Photos 7 and 8: Ryan Chua Photography/Diana Maire Photography

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YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING

. . . . So my mother used to tell me that at least once a day, and yes, she thought a bit of meringue peering out beneath the hem was gauche.  If only she could see the dresses I design now; many are thought out to intentionally have more than a bit of lace or crinoline showing.  I'd say this look is borrowed from 19th Century Can Can dancers and/or 21st Century brides finding a little peek-a-boo with the slip sexy.  I've found though, this tends to be a trend brides particularly zone in on or totally wipe off their radar screen.  How about you?  A little slip peeking out of that silk hem or not . . . .?

 

 Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo Credits

Header Photo by S1 Studio

Photo 2 by Loic Photography
Photos 3 and 4 by Scott Williams Photography
 Photo 5 by Bride Chic 2011

Photo 6 by SE Photography and Imaging

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O! how much more doth beauty beauteous seem

By that sweet ornament which truth doth give.
The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour, which doth in it live.
The canker blooms have full as deep a dye
As the perfumed tincture of the roses,
Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly
When summer's breath their masked buds discloses:
But, for their virtue only is their show,
They live unwoo'd, and unrespected fade;
Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so;
Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made: 
   And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,
   When that shall vade, my verse distills your truth.

--William Shakespeare--Sonnet #54

CREDITS

Photography: Taralynn Lawton

Dresses and headpieces: Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Julie Morgan Hair and Makeup

Models: Oasis and Amber

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