THE HIGH TEA WEDDING

THE HIGH TEA WEDDING

Imagine picture hats paired up with short white gloves.  Add lace doilies under floral tea cups, sliver tea pots with peonies mixed in with blush roses. Lay out all the fine china and here comes the bride donning a vintage lace tea gown circa 1920.  These 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 . . . .

 

 

Tip: If you search thrift shops and flea markets, you'll find every kind of tea cup and pot you can imagine.  Go ahead and mix up patterns.  These days you can lay out a whole potpourri of diverse designs.
Tip: Use 9-12-inch wide cuts of lace as runners to decorate a table before you lay down china and food laden platters ....

Photos 1-4: Tea Pots by The Chic Little Shop; The Alexandria Chemise--photo by Scott Photo; Tulle picture hat by Amy-Jo Tatum/photo by Stephanie Williams Photography;
China Teapots via Jennelise Rose
Photos 5-11: The Margaret Gown; (6&7) Pastel tea cups by The Vintage Table; The Jayne Gown/photo by Lirette Photography; Peonies and Silver via Pinterest; Pink Macaroons by The Sweet and Saucy Shop; Pink Tea Cup via Nooks and Crannies
Photos 12-17: Pink Macaroons via Style Me Pretty; Teapots by The Vintage Table; The Emma Gown; Tiffany Blue Tea Cups by The Vintage Table; Place Setting and Silver platter of appetizers by The Vintage Table
Photos 18-22: The Cabbage Rose Picture Hat/photo by Ron Greystar; Tea cups by The Vintage Table
The Nouveau Lace Picture Hat; The Chantilly Lace Cap Veil; Tea Cups by The Vintage Table

Imagine picture hats paired up with short white gloves.  Add lace doilies under floral tea cups, sliver tea pots with peonies mixed in with blush roses. Lay out all the fine china and here comes the bride donning a vintage lace tea gown circa 1920.  These 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 . . . .

 

 

Tip: If you search thrift shops and flea markets, you'll find every kind of tea cup and pot you can imagine.  Go ahead and mix up patterns.  These days you can lay out a whole potpourri of diverse designs.
Tip: Use 9-12-inch wide cuts of lace as runners to decorate a table before you lay down china and food laden platters ....

Photos 1-4: Tea Pots by The Chic Little Shop; The Alexandria Chemise--photo by Scott Photo; Tulle picture hat by Amy-Jo Tatum/photo by Stephanie Williams Photography;
China Teapots via Jennelise Rose
Photos 5-11: The Margaret Gown; (6&7) Pastel tea cups by The Vintage Table; The Jayne Gown/photo by Lirette Photography; Peonies and Silver via Pinterest; Pink Macaroons by The Sweet and Saucy Shop; Pink Tea Cup via Nooks and Crannies
Photos 12-17: Pink Macaroons via Style Me Pretty; Teapots by The Vintage Table; The Emma Gown; Tiffany Blue Tea Cups by The Vintage Table; Place Setting and Silver platter of appetizers by The Vintage Table
Photos 18-22: The Cabbage Rose Picture Hat/photo by Ron Greystar; Tea cups by The Vintage Table
The Nouveau Lace Picture Hat; The Chantilly Lace Cap Veil; Tea Cups by The Vintage Table

NEW TREND: THE SHEER OVER BODICE

NEW TREND: THE SHEER OVER BODICE

Stephanie Allin

Want to really look like a traditional bride? Try the strapless with an over bodice.  This look is a hark back to the the 1950s when sheer organza or lace was worn up top for coverage (in church you couldn't bare anything back then).  Another blast from the past is the return of the removable bodice: A modest look for the ceremony and unbutton the front or back and you have a formal strapless for party time.  These sheer geniuses are from the collections of designers Stephanie Allin and Augusta Jones.  All are breathtakingly classic and the epitome of sheer elegance . . . 

 

Images by Stephanie Allin

Augusta Jones

Augusta Jones

Stephanie Allin

Want to really look like a traditional bride? Try the strapless with an over bodice.  This look is a hark back to the the 1950s when sheer organza or lace was worn up top for coverage (in church you couldn't bare anything back then).  Another blast from the past is the return of the removable bodice: A modest look for the ceremony and unbutton the front or back and you have a formal strapless for party time.  These sheer geniuses are from the collections of designers Stephanie Allin and Augusta Jones.  All are breathtakingly classic and the epitome of sheer elegance . . . 

 

Images by Stephanie Allin

Augusta Jones

Augusta Jones

CALIFORNIA RANCH CHIC

CALIFORNIA RANCH CHIC

Being from California naturally I love ranch style, a kind of loose and casual mix of rustic juxtaposed with the antique elegance found in old missions and vineyards of Southern California.  When photographer Shannon Stellmacher and makeup artist Julie Morgan headed down to Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, three of the dresses in my collection went with them for this stylized shoot.  Here's the result of what happens on a perfectly sunny April day when nature meets the finest parts of architecture and art . 

CREDITS

                                                                       Photography by Shannon Stellmacher

Dresses and head chic by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup and Hair by Julie Morgan

Venue: Sunstone Winery

Being from California naturally I love ranch style, a kind of loose and casual mix of rustic juxtaposed with the antique elegance found in old missions and vineyards of Southern California.  When photographer Shannon Stellmacher and makeup artist Julie Morgan headed down to Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, three of the dresses in my collection went with them for this stylized shoot.  Here's the result of what happens on a perfectly sunny April day when nature meets the finest parts of architecture and art . 

CREDITS

                                                                       Photography by Shannon Stellmacher

Dresses and head chic by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Makeup and Hair by Julie Morgan

Venue: Sunstone Winery

DYNAMIC DUOS: Pairing Up Bouquet and Gown

DYNAMIC DUOS: Pairing Up Bouquet and Gown

I think certain flowers have a particular significance for each of us. Finding an inspiration point and blending that idea with your dress is just the beginning of working one or a few colors into an overall theme. Size and proportion are something else to consider. Some of us like the idea of carrying a huge burst of three to four different kinds of flowers in an arrangement while someone else goes for the simplicity of a small nosegay.   Since flowers are a seasonal thing--tulips in spring, mums in the fall, your dress is probably going to reflect that too.  Above and below are perfect examples of adding a little spring chic: bursts of baby's breath combined with lace and tulle . . . 

Dominic Colacchio Photography

The daisy shouts youth and whimsy.  For flower children, daisies were the official posy of the beat generation symbolizing The Summer of Love . . . The above bride is carrying a small bouquet as well as wearing daisies around her floppy-brimmed sisal hat . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Above: Ranunculas and anemones are a beautiful combo with this embroidered organza dress.  The pop of purple and lavender are the perfect choice to jazz up a summer wedding . . .
Below: Pink and tangerine dahlias go with this blush dress of Chantilly lace and tulle . . .

Lirette Photography

What could be prettier for fall than a white eyelet dress and bouquet of wheat?  I love the field theme here and how it all melds together . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Photos by Rob Martel

Pine, ivy and baby roses mix with heavyweight taffeta for an elegant  winter wedding. 

All dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Bouquet Credits

Stephanie Williams photos: JL Design

Title Photo: Victoria's Florals and Events

I think certain flowers have a particular significance for each of us. Finding an inspiration point and blending that idea with your dress is just the beginning of working one or a few colors into an overall theme. Size and proportion are something else to consider. Some of us like the idea of carrying a huge burst of three to four different kinds of flowers in an arrangement while someone else goes for the simplicity of a small nosegay.   Since flowers are a seasonal thing--tulips in spring, mums in the fall, your dress is probably going to reflect that too.  Above and below are perfect examples of adding a little spring chic: bursts of baby's breath combined with lace and tulle . . . 

Dominic Colacchio Photography

The daisy shouts youth and whimsy.  For flower children, daisies were the official posy of the beat generation symbolizing The Summer of Love . . . The above bride is carrying a small bouquet as well as wearing daisies around her floppy-brimmed sisal hat . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Above: Ranunculas and anemones are a beautiful combo with this embroidered organza dress.  The pop of purple and lavender are the perfect choice to jazz up a summer wedding . . .
Below: Pink and tangerine dahlias go with this blush dress of Chantilly lace and tulle . . .

Lirette Photography

What could be prettier for fall than a white eyelet dress and bouquet of wheat?  I love the field theme here and how it all melds together . . .

Stephanie Williams Photography

Photos by Rob Martel

Pine, ivy and baby roses mix with heavyweight taffeta for an elegant  winter wedding. 

All dresses by Amy-Jo Tatum

Bouquet Credits

Stephanie Williams photos: JL Design

Title Photo: Victoria's Florals and Events

PREVIEW OF COMMING ATTRACTIONS

PREVIEW OF COMMING ATTRACTIONS

 

 Not only do I have a new creation for you to look at, I've developed a whole concept around this design.  Meet GIGI, the newest addition to Dioresque's 2011 capsule collection, called Oh La La!  Inspired by Paris, the 50s, The Belle Epoch and a little bit of Toulouse-Lautrec thrown in, all creations you'll be seeing in Oh La La are about pouf, frills and spun tulle.  GIGI is an A-line out of an ivory embroidered organza with a shot of ruffled lace underneath.

 This little silk, lace and point esprit fascinator is featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  It's the perfect compliment to organza and lace . . .

A long row of buttons graces the back of this dress.  GIGI is actually an off shoot of this sketch for FIFI (in the works) showing a sweetheart neckline and matching shrug.  Can't wait to show off that one . . .

 

 Not only do I have a new creation for you to look at, I've developed a whole concept around this design.  Meet GIGI, the newest addition to Dioresque's 2011 capsule collection, called Oh La La!  Inspired by Paris, the 50s, The Belle Epoch and a little bit of Toulouse-Lautrec thrown in, all creations you'll be seeing in Oh La La are about pouf, frills and spun tulle.  GIGI is an A-line out of an ivory embroidered organza with a shot of ruffled lace underneath.

 This little silk, lace and point esprit fascinator is featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  It's the perfect compliment to organza and lace . . .

A long row of buttons graces the back of this dress.  GIGI is actually an off shoot of this sketch for FIFI (in the works) showing a sweetheart neckline and matching shrug.  Can't wait to show off that one . . .