INDEPENDENCE DAY WEDDING

Happy 4th and what a surprise I have for you today! Vintage junkie that I am, when this stylized shoot came my way I knew it was just the thing to show off a little patriotic-inspired fashion, food and table decor in honor of our  nation's birthday. The backyard BBQ is the perfect theme for a July 4 or Independence Week wedding.  Justin Alexander's just above the ankle semi-formal dress is jauntily paired up with a small cage veil and red mules.  For me the desert bar is the piece de resistance featuring various sweets in red, white and blue against the backdrop of antique and vintage design elements.  Check out our special guest who made an appearance: McMurtie Farms very own goat!

CREDITS

Photography: Knots and Tots Photography

Event Planner: Crystal Occasions

Catering: Sugar Mama Cookies

Flowers: Cedar Park Florist

Invitations: Pen and Ink Custom Invitations

Dress: Justin Alexander via Debi's Bridals

Makeup Artist: Daviz Fabula

Equipment Rentals: Premiere Party Central

Bakery: Dessert Divas

Venue: McMurtie Farms

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

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YOUR SILHOUETTE

Photo by Henley Photography +
Admit it, this cotton eyelet dress is about as hourglassy as you can get. Whether you go flared or straight up and down, the silhouette you choose is going to be the foundation of your look—the first impression you create once you make your entrance, dance your first dance, cut the cake. The right silhouette creates a positive visual chemistry. Something like a light turned on, illuminating the unique beauty of your female form. There are three basic silhouettes: the sheath, the ball gown and A-line. Within each of these big three derive a few variations deserving closer examination. Read this article . .

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BRIDE MAIL: THE PETITE BRIDE

BrideMail@Bridechic.com
I'm 5' and very small boned. Most gowns I've tried on are for women that are 5'6. This means whenever I get in front of the mirror I'm swimming in the dress. Almost any sleeve, belt, print or lace looks magnified on me. What are my options?

One of the most important things for the vertically challenged to remember is scale. If you're petite and in shape, you can wear just about any gown as long as you scale down to the right proportion. Also thinking vertically (up, up, up) it will be easier to figure out which treatments suit you best. For instance, choose a bodice and neckline that draw the eye up to your decolletage. Here's more to consider.

GO FOR

*A gown with a panel or seam(s) running up the front. The unbroken lines give you height.

*Empire waists like the one at left are one of your best options considering you go floor length. You want to keep that vertical line going.

*A V or U neckline will give the impression of a longer neck.

*A mermaid. If you're slim and petite consider this style. It's fitted like an evening gown up top and has all the bounce and swirl of a ball gown below.
*An A-line like the one pictured below. Think of it as your very own scaled down version of a ballgown.

*Sheath and evening gown silhouettes like the one below. Long and columnar, they will flatter you.

*Choose length over volume in your skirt.

*Sleeves that are long and straight like the ones opposite.

*Best proportion is a floor length gown with a veil or train of the same length.

*If you are wearing a gown with a train and/or veil, keep the length just brushing the ground.

PASS UP:
*Any ball gown. The volume in the skirts will consume you.
*Heavy, elaborate fabrics like brocade or any print or design that is large.
*Wide belts, sashes and cummerbunds interrupt the vertical lines you want to create. If you do wear a sash or belt go thin (1-1 ½ inches) and as close to the shade of your gown as you can get.
*Any design with big puffy sleeves or shoulder pads.
*Any train or veil longer than a sweep.


Gowns by Amy-Jo Tatum

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