Location, Location........Destination

A lot of my brides (current and pervious) have destination weddings that take place in other states/countries. I love to travel and when we began to discuss the location for the ceremony, I get inspiration from hearing where my brides will be traveling to for their big day. After connecting with my brides and doing a bit of research on the location the wedding will take place, I began to imagine the fabrication I will use to create my bride’s gown. If my bride tells me she’s getting married on a beach, I began to picture a soft flowing dress that flows fluidly when she walks down the aisle and standing in front of her husband saying their vows. Each destination wedding requires a different look and feel. 

If you decide to go with a destination wedding there are a few tips that I would like offer: 

• Check the weather- I advise my brides to research the weather around the time they will get married. With every gown that I create, I want my brides to be as comfortable as possible on their special day. It’s important to know how hot or cool the weather will be, because this will also help me in choosing fabrication (I would not want to put you in a heavy brocade in 90 degree weather). 

• Transportation- how will your dress get to you? I ALWAYS advise my brides, if they can, take the dress with them! My two biggest fears are: 1) damage to the dress before the wedding, and 2) the dress NOT arriving to my bride in time for her wedding. I have personally driven gowns to my brides to make sure they receive them. 

• Care- caring for a gown is very important no matter where you get married. If you cannot personally handle your gown, please pick someone you trust to care for it. I always advise my brides to check with their wedding planner or hotel concierge for a steamer or services available in the area. Steaming is an essential part of caring for your gown on your big day. I also advise my brides to have someone with them when they pick up their gowns from the salon so that my staff and I can properly show you how to get into your gown, bustle or attach/remove your train, and any other steps needed. 

For many of my brides, a destination wedding is also a time to squeeze in a bit of a vacation. I encourage you to have fun, see the place you’re visiting and truly enjoy this one-in-a lifetime experience. I’m the type of person who really enjoys my vacation; I love to take in all the culture, sites, and enjoy the different types of food! This is the perfect time to take a mini break from planning your dream wedding and enjoy the beautiful sites other states and countries have to offer.

Spring 2012 Collection

So, I thought I would post a peek at a few of the new gowns from my Spring 2012 Collection. The official look book will be coming within the next few weeks and is being photographed by the wonderful Abi Q, but meanwhile, here is a glimpse...
For this Collection, I thought...destination wedding, and was inspired by beautiful Miami Beach...the ocean, the sand, the sky, as they play and blend with one another.
I wanted the gowns to convey the essence and flow of the water, the hip chic of South Beach style...
I will post some more photos over the next week or please feel free to pay a visit to the Salon and come see them in person! Enjoy...
Alina

Teresa & Brian

When I met Teresa and her mother Ingrid for the first time, I knew that Teresa was going to be a delightful bride to work with. Her search ended when she came to see me and learned that the option to design a truly couture gown was available. Once Teresa heard that, we moved forward with the design of her gown incorporating elements from a vintage one that she had seen.
Teresa's venue was not your typical location. She and Brian are avid travelers, so it was a natural choice to opt for a destination wedding... Costa Rica.
Knowing this, I designed her gown to suit this exotic location with a update to a classic style.
The bias cut crepe back satin gown with chiffon gusset had such a beautiful flow which moved gracefully with her silhouette. The plunging back neckline was framed with a beautiful floral lace applique which carried around to the front.
A perfect gown for a perfect setting...
The wedding, festivities and beautiful location were wonderfully captured by Photographer Tracy Moore.

Congratulations Teresa & Brian!

Tamiyah & An

Tamiyah was referred to me by our mutual friend Orion. He was also a Designer at BCBG when I was designing there. He knew that by working together, we could execute the pefect vision of Tamiyah‘s dress.
The first day Tamiyah and I met, we reviewed her inspiration along with sketch ideas Orion provided. We came to find out that we actually worked at BCBG around that same time and didn't even know it! The world truly is such a small place!
As we progressed on her gown, Tamiyah was always such a pleasure to fit and work with. Her amazing smile was so contagious and she always lit up the salon.




We made her gown from silk hammered satin and silk Georgette, with a delicately enhanced beaded neckline. We incorporated a low back to accentuate her beautiful curvy figure, which, from my understanding, An loved.
Tamiyah and An had their wedding outdoors in Utah in such an amazing setting. The weather Gods were definitely smiling upon them that day! The picturesque mountains and river with all of their incredible colors and majestic beauty were almost overwhelming.
Photographer Jason Liu captured the wedding, the locale, and all of the natural beauty just wonderfully!





Congratulations Tamiyah and An!

Megan & Yaojen

I met Megan back in October of 2009, she came to the Salon with her cousin, who was also her Maid-of-Honor. She was looking for a gown that would highlight the features that her fiance, Yaojen, loved. She also wanted to surprise him with a traditional Hawaiian wedding dance, as they were to be married on the island of Maui. On a side note, Megan is an actual professional hula dancer!






So, as this was a destination wedding, I had to take into account that the gown was going to travel and that part of the gown needed to be detachable to accommodate the wedding dance. So, with the challenges and requirements needed for Megan's gown, I designed a dress along with Megan that was very sexy and elegant. The gown had a rouched bodice with a flowing satin chiffon skirt that was detachable, while the train stayed attached to the dress. As you can see from the photos, Megan wanted a very low back as well as some other details such as beading along the neckline, the straps and a light spray of beading along the entire dress.
The location and amazing wedding was captured by photographers Brian Khang and Aaron Dieppa. Megan and Yaojen look stunning in these photos along with the breath taking back drop!




Congratulations Megan & Yaojen!