Black couture wedding gowns have quietly crept into the wedding world, taking a strong hold on what is fashion forward.  Black wedding dresses push the conventional notion of the traditional bride, wrapping the black gown wearer in a cloak of mystery.  There is a sophistication and allure that is incredibly hard to to deny with these stunning black gowns.  They captivate us not  just because they stray so far from the norm, but because they are equally, if not more eloquent, in their design.  Breaking the mold already by being black vs traditional white, designers feel a freedom when creating a black gown, a freedom that does not restrict them and as such, works of art are born.  This shoot puts together 2 stunning & gorgeously polished looks to inspire brides looking to step out from under the white veil.  From the form fitting mermaid gown of a more refined taste to the show piece Marchesa that embodies strength & power, these 2 seductive looks can easily entice the most traditional of brides to break out of the white box.

How To Get That Look…

Marchesa Dress:

• Vintage one-of-a-kind headband / sash from Merci New York, circa 1960s.  Price upon request.
• Vintage chandelier earrings from Merci New York, circa 1950s. Price upon request.
• Classic black python-embossed clutch with Bette Brooch, Merci New York for Madame Mathilde, $225
• Classic Pearl Python Clutch with Bette Brooch, Merci New York for Madame Mathilde, $395

Anna Maier Ulla Maija Dress (mermaid)

Left Wrist:

• Olive Alyn Bangle, Madame Mathilde, $95
• Sapphire Alyn Bangle, Madame Mathilde, $95
• {the gold cuff in the center is from the Merci New York stylist’s kit and unfortunately, no longer for purchase}

Right Wrist:

• Gold Deco-Dence Bracelet $230
• Gold Emma Bangle $55
• Gold Deco Earrings $125
• Gold Deco-Dence Necklace $285

Vendor Love

Location: The Elevated Acre
Model: Ashton Swinford
Stylist: Jacqueline Weppner from Merci New York
Hair & Makeup: Eden Di Bianco
Cake: Sweet Element
Flowers: Sarah Tallman Design
Mermaid Dress: Anna Maier Ulla Maija Spring 2013
Shear Lace Dress: Marchesa Spring 2013
Dresses courtesy of:  Gabriella Bridal New York
Photographer:  Casey Fatchett Photography

Sophisticated beach weddings are not seen as often as I wish they were.  I love what Gilded Lily Events has done to create a world of class using elevated design & simple touches.  From the choice to play with salt water taffy hues to the sea shell garlands, this styled shoot brings a much needed face lift to beach weddings.  There are so many lovely elements that I am confident will inspire all our future beach wedding brides for their very own special shoreline celebration!

What Storyboard Likes…

Elegance & Sophistication Factor- It might make me awful to actually vocalize it, but I really want to stress the awesome factor here, so I need to break a few eggs in the making of this cake.  {That was me prefacing that I swear I am not a mean girl in case you  missed it }  As much as I hate to say it, for whatever reason, I have seen more then my fair share of not so great beach weddings.  I don’t necessarily mean ones that have come across my desk in particular, those overall that I have ever seen.  I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but for whatever reason,  it seems all design logic, all elevated elements of design, all too often go out the window when it comes to beach weddings.  Maybe people think its sand, it needs to be minimal and minimal means so  little there is nothing good there?  I don’t know why it happens,  but it drives me nuts.  Let me be clear folks, there is always room for awesome!  That is pretty much what I appreciate about this styled shoot.  At first glance, it too may seem simple, but that’s truly the point isnt it?   Key elements, perfect colors, placed together swimmingly {sorry I couldn’t help my cheesy self!}  Beautiful full shells, woven place mats, mini sand pails to hold the flagged table numbers {which also capture the feel of blowing in the wind}, strong nautical rope, beach glass, you name it.  All the right elements, placed together in gorgeous beachy harmony.  Don’t hate me guys, but you don’t need to shove wave replicas, shout neon blues, & throw flip flops everywhere for your guests to know that you’re getting married on the shore.  Take a cue for the elevated style & design here, go beach chic!

Built On Sand- I love the bravery here of reception tables on sand!  I will admit to never personally having been to a beach wedding, but I have had a private dinner on the beach.  I really appreciate the choice here of setting the tables along the break line, flirting with trouble but making for some amazing shots too! As well, the choice of chestnut chairs is the perfect compliment to the bone white sand. Frosted chargers & simple stemware work beautifully to take on the nature’s neutral color palette while the injection of salt water taffy infused colors provide that sense of ocean whimsy.  A decor piece that might get slightly overlooked, the woven place mats work as the perfect peace offering uniting the quiet starkness of the sand with the strong organic chestnut chairs.  These tables were built for quiet beauty.

Smart Dress- Our bride & groom could not get more New England upper crust brilliant.  The choice of an ultra feminine & playful Claire Pettibone gown is divine for 2 reasons here.  Firstly the gown gives a slight vintage nod, all the while making our bride look sophisticated as ever.  Secondly, your better off with a lighter more flirty gown for beach weddings.  While you can clearly do whatever you like, I dont suggest dragging a full on ball gown through the sand.  Our groom is equally dress in divine perfection giving the J. Crew catalog a run for its money!  The cut of the suit, along with the playful diagonal striped bow tie, give our man just the right touches to be New England chic!

Vendor Love

Location: Sandy Hook Beach
Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone
Makeup Artist: Artist for Smashbox
Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent
Groom’s Attire: J. Crew
Event Designer: Gilded Lily Events
Invitation Designer: Art, Paper, Scissors Design
Photographer: Christina Lilly Photography

There is a conflict of assumption when viewing a bride in a highly refined, elegant, at times dramatic look…. the Diva.  Yes there are indeed Diva brides, however do understand, Diva is a state of being, an attitude, not dictated by what one wears.  Therefore, can we be glam brides, without giving off the diva vibe???  After leafing through this gorgeous styled shoot, taking place at House of Blues, my answer is hell yes!  The vision of the team assembled was to create progressive modern bridal looks that lean at times to the glam bride side of things.  5 unique looks feature gorgeous gowns from designers Kenneth Pool, Amsale, Paloma Blanca, & Ines de Santo.  The looks range from classically modern & elegant, to the more dramatic.

Julie’s first look is one of strength & femininity.  Wearing Kenneth Pool Ethereal, a draped gown with shirred straps, silver floral embroidery accents on one shoulder and skirt, in this particular case, Julie was styled without the removable halter straps, freeing up her frame, giving her a more dynamic & elegant presentation.  Long pearl strands were used to play up the femininity & flirty roles of this look, while her hair was given a side swept bang into a chignon updo.  The result is a modern bridal look  with a side of spunky attitude & plenty of nods to her girly side!

Taylor embodies two looks, both leaning to the dramatic, firey & passionate side of things.  There are 2 stunning wedding dresses setting the tone for each look.  The first {left above image} is Ines de Santo’s Citrine described as a Strapless Sweetheart dropped waist mermaid gown in antique ivory with three dimensional laser cut rose petals on bodice and under skirt with organza overlay. The over skirt is in antique ivory Italian Silk Taffeta.  In Taylor’s second look {above right image} she is wearing Paloma Blanca 4116, which is a flirty strapless A-line gown with a natural waistline & cascade of ruffles on the floor length skirt.  We’ll touch more on each of the 2 looks in just a bit!

Julie’s next look is all drama & all glam!  Wearing Kenneth Pool Mesmerized, the gown of choice sets a ‘Look At Me’ tone, without going completely over the top.  The choice of jewels go a long way with the look in this particular case.  Utilizing a strong matching statement set of both necklace & earrings, {the set is actually gemstone with some truly lovely colors!} this matching ensemble actually serves to bring the ‘Look At Me’ dress into a more refined & elegant bridal look.  Jewelry of this design naturally lend itself to a more refined elegant look which we typically associate with black tie affairs, giving a sense of power & nobility.  Jewelry is a terrific way to transform & guide a certain bridal look, giving you plenty of room to truly get the feel that your aiming for.

Taylor’s Ines de Santo’s Citrine look screams Opera elegance.  Sure the setting doesn’t  hurt, but I would feel this way regardless.  There is a high level of sophistication & class in this stunning gown {big time props to whoever made sure this fit her like a glove on the shoot!} which hugs & highlights her gorgeous figure.  The design of the gown naturally takes this look into the stratosphere of ball gown swoon.  What I appreciate however, is that the hair & make up here is just enough to match the level of sophistication, but not a touch over, perfectly complimenting the look as a whole.  The result here is a superb Black Tie look that any upper crust would emulate in a heart beat.

Sometimes a bride just wants to be chic & that is simply that.  She wants a dress that will do the talking for her, put right out there the look she is going for, sit back, & let the dress do all the work.  This is the case with Julie’s Kenneth Pool Lucienne gown {above right image}.  This gown is hand-beaded tulle that features a scoop neckline in a strapless tulle sheath style dress adorned with hand beaded crystals.  Paired with a simple set of large pearls, the overall look is that of refined elegance & sophistication.  Though the dress does indeed have a lot of beading, this is one of those gowns that doesn’t scream at you.  This is a gown for a bride looking to be stunning, yet understated.

Who’s says you can’t be dramatic with a side of whimsy, certainly not Lady Gaga!  To change up Taylor’s sophisticated look {fully discussed below}, the team opted for a loosely designed/loosely fitting birdcage veil.  This type of veil is most definitely for the fashion forward bride & must be worn with confidence.  In other words, if you going to go with a statement veil, you MUST own it!  I think they are beyond gorgeous & on the right bride, with the right attitude, nirvana!

So my question for you guys is… which look is your favorite?  Do you lean more toward the fashion forward dramatic brides, or the more reserved elegance?  I must admit my overall favorite look is Julie’s above Ines de Santo gown with the awesome birdcage veil.  There is just something about that look as a whole that captures my attention!

Vendor Love

Hair Stylist: Flawless Hair and Make up
Event Planner: A Day To Remember
Cinema and Video: Imagine Videos
Dress Boutique: Mia Bridal Couture
DJ: Space City Entertainment
Jewelry: Select Jewelers
Event Venue: House of Blues
Photographer: Esvy Photography

Putting together a wedding celebration that honors both halves of the couple’s interest can be a challenge at times.  A large portion of the male population love to golf, love hanging out at the country club, love just about everything related to it.  When it comes time to have their wedding, hosting their event at a country club seems like the natural next step.  The problem is, some ladies are simply  not into country club weddings as there is a bit of a cookie cutter stigma associated with them.  What I love about today’s styled shoot is that it inspires some out of the box creative ways to take a country club wedding & truly elevate it to that luxury modern wedding that you were dreaming of.  The best part, the groom is happy to be in his element & the bride is in a glittery 7th heaven!

What Storyboard Likes…

Tee Time- When having a country club wedding, I say embrace it!  Dont run away from the golf environment or try to ignore it, that simply wont work out for you.  The bridal portrait session, in front of the crystal alter, allows our bride to have fun & embrace the golf mentality, playfully posing with the tools of the trade.  Lighten up & really have fun with it!  Let’s be honest, for bride’s with golf loving grooms, these photos will be something the grooms are sure to covet forever, seeing their girls all dolled up joyfully connecting with their favorite past time!  Whats more, small elements of the game were used, in perfectly restrained amounts, to represent the love of golf.  Golf balls & Tees were used in both the base of the long low centerpiece as well as the shrub spheres on the candle stick bases.  This is a great way to incorporate the environment around you without screaming PGA tour at your guests.

Fashion By The 3′s- The bridal fashion is covet worthy on so many levels.  3 gorgeous looks were shown, appealing to a variety of brides from classic & reserved, fashion forward debutante to modern boho bride.   No matter what your choice of style is, we love that the crew showed us 3 great looks that can flawlessly.  I feel that part of the reason gals fall into the cookie cutter trap is that they feel they have to dress in a certain way and that simply isnt the case.  My favorite look has the boho flair, wearing the lace corseted gown with thin ribbon headpiece.  See my bohemian brides, you can still make your man happy with that country club wedding yet be true to who you are!

Mirror, Mirror- Its a simple piece with big results!  I love love love the mirrors used in place of chargers.  Mirrors reflect everything, even simple things like light, which open and brighten spaces, even spaces that you might not think require it.  Mirrors transport us into a looking glass world, injecting an element of whimsy to any fete!  Its a simple touch, but one I hope to see more of!

Vendor Love

Event Designer: Aisha Thomas Events
Invitations: Royale Amethyst Invitations
Dress Designer: Pixton Bridal
Rentals: AFR Furniture and Event Rentals
Venue: Ballantyne Country Club
Photographer: Jim Merrill Photography

I really appreciate couples who, like me, saw their wedding as an opportunity to have some truly stunning photographic moments, setting up a wonderful world to be photographed within!  Gracie Ge & Kai Shu wanted just that opportunity & took to the stunning property of the Castle Cliff Estates.  Our bride & groom, especially against such a prestigious backdrop, truly convey sophisticated beauty.  I adore that Gracie, rather then opting for a more uptight do, allowed her locks to take on soft finger waves, which gently floated in the wind.  While the inspiration for this shoot was classic elegance, there is a sweet realness & genuine touch to each photograph.  I love the elevated feel, yet graciousness that each moment offers!

Vendor Love

Event Venue: Castle Cliff Estates
Photographer: Sala Photography
Wedding Dress: Sweetheart Strapless Fallie A Line with Appliques Style N9829