Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Douglas Hannant

I love that designer Douglas Hannant's bridal collections are created with the eye of a ready-to-wear designer. What I see in his collection is his true aesthetic, unmarred and un-dulled by the bridal industry. His style and viewpoint for this bridal collection is consistent with and easily recognized in his newest Spring, 2010 rtw collection, where you'll see a stunning navy and white floral-patterned variation of the one-shouldered gown in this collection and a breathlessly pretty floral variation of the first dress pictured below, which is my favorite (and my favorite of that Spring 2010 rtw collection).

I see this collection in three parts, which includes the first three dresses pictured (my favorites), the last four dresses pictured and finally, the five dresses pictured in between. What I like most about this collection and the first three dresses pictured, is the use of the bustle, borrowed from the Age of Innocence era. I think the bustle gives these dresses an air of sophisticated historic reference and the exquisite, texturized detailing seen in the second two dresses gives them added back-view interest and glamour.

The second part of this collection (the last four dresses pictured) definitely has a fantasy, fairy princess-y element and there's lots of tulle and full ballgown skirting to go around, not to mention a varied use of texture that includes lace, embroidery, floral appliques and a shimmering fringe-like detail. The interesting aspect of these dresses is the slightly high placement of the waist, which isn't quite a natural or true waist, that lends the silhouette a striking originality. One dress goes one step further with a hippy skirt that could be loosely translated as Elizabethan-looking. I saw the whisperings of this waistline aesthetic in Hannant's Fall 2009 rtw collection, albeit in a much more toned-down way. It disappeared altogether from his Resort and Spring 2010 rtw collections, only to re-appear more fully and fantastically developed in bridal.

What about those five in-between dresses, you ask? Hmmmm...
They're pretty... but for my part, I would rather have seen the further development of the two standout aesthetics of the collection. I'd love to see more variations of the one-shouldered looks or more bustles or more of that lovely textured detailing. But that's just me. I think those are the ones that today's modern sophisticate will want.

Look for more reviews of Fall 2010 collections next week. Y'all have a great weekend!

~Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Real Wedding ~ Joy and Jerry

When our good friends Anne and Bill from Holland Photo Arts sent us Joy and Jerry's Washington, D.C. wedding, they said it was one of the most compelling and spiritual weddings they have ever had the pleasure of documenting. The day began with an intimate Catholic ceremony for the couple's immediate family at Georgetown University's Dahlgren Chapel for which Joy wore a body-hugging knee-length dress with a delicate birdcage veil. She changed into a glamourous floor-length satin Vera Wang gown for their courtyard wedding at the St. Regis Hotel, set with an array of bright floral arrangements designed by Dragonfly. We especially love the tall branches scattered with delicate white orchids extending from the florals for added height and framing. As Joy and Jerry shared a kiss at the close of the ceremony, the Howard University Gospel Choir surprised guests by marching through the rear gates to serenade the happy couple and kick off the celebration! The music-filled reception featured an opera singer and bands Dumpstaphunk and See-I who all performed throughout the evening. Don't miss the reception tables set with low, single-flower arrangements in juicy colors and the couples ultra-luxe Vera Wang inviation suite. For more details, visit the Holland Photo Arts blog for a gander at their three part post of this spectacular event.

Credits:
Photography: Holland Photo Arts. Gown: Vera Wang. Ceremony Venue: Dahlgren Chapel. Reception Venue: St. Regis Hotel. Caterer: St. Regis Hotel. Planner: Jodi Moraru and Associates. Ceremony Entertainment: Howard University Gospel Choir. Reception Entertainment: Dumpstaphunk and See-I. Florist: Dragonfly. Invitation Suite: Vera Wang.

How Do We Thank Thee....

It's Thursday and guess what? You got it... we're truly thankful. Another Thankful Thursday has rolled around and we have so much to be grateful for. We'd like to take this opportunity to give a little shout out and some blog love to all the wonderful peeps who have blogged about Weddings Unveiled during the past couple of weeks. Take a look at this sampling of some of the great posts we've been featured in this week!

We were so thrilled when Lauren and Michael from Lauren Kinsey Photography put together a wonderful post about Weddings Unveiled. We featured one of their weddings just yesterday and they have already put up a sweet post about us. If you haven't seen it already, check out their lovely seaside wedding we featured yesterday : Real Wedding ~ Heather and Tyler.

E Session ~ Sarah and David

We spotted Sarah and David's cool engagement session images on photographer Duston Todd's blog. Sarah had an inspired vision for their engagement session that included a boat and a grassy pasture. With those two things and a few additional props, the resulting images are spectacular. Visit the Duston Todd blog for more fantastic inspiration!

Real Wedding ~ Kelly and Barrett

We always love a little bit of whimsy. Throw in a merry-go-round and we're hooked. With a palette of bright canary yellow and soft charcoal gray, Kelly and Barrett's Florida wedding was magically modern. The couple spoke their vows on the rooftop of The White Room Loft with an extraordinary view of St. Augustine. Their photographer Lindsey Tropf said, "It's so obvious how genuine their love is. You can tell by their beaming smiles that they are truly in love." Curly Willow created bold yellow bouquets for the bridesmaids, providing a splash of lemon-citrusy color against their steel-hued dresses, while the groomsmen wore golden yellow ties and brilliant yellow boutonniers. The whimsical theme wove its way through the reception in the birdcages used throughout the decor and the adorable bride and groom dressed birds on their simple cake. Speaking of cakes, don't miss the iPhone replica groom's cake created by Metro Custom Cakes. For more of Kelly and Barrett's lovely wedding, fly on over to Pure: Photography by Lindsey Tropf and visit her blog!

Credits:
Photography: Pure: Photography by Lindsey Tropf. Gown: Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal. Bridesmaid Gowns: Jim Hjelm. Groom and Groomsmen Suits: MW Tux. Florist: Curly Willow. Jewelry: Marsha LeDuke Designs. Venue: The White Room Loft. Caterer: The White Room Loft. DJ: Charlie Roberts. Cake: Metro Custom Cakes.

Heidi Elnora Trunk Show

Atlanta based designer Heidi Elnora is hosting a trunk show of her latest wedding gown designs this weekend at her Peachtree Street store from November 12th-14th. All attending brides will receive 10% off their wedding gown purchase and will have an opportunity to work one on one with Heidi, who was a designer contestant on Bravo's hit show, Project Runway.

Heidi Elnora Trunk Show
November 12-14th
1545 Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
call 404.903.4263 to book your appointment

Real Wedding ~ Heather and Tyler

It was a breezy day for Heather and Tyler's pretty seaside nuptials in Destin, FL, photographed by Lauren and Michael Kinsey. Simple hydrangea pomanders in crisp white lined the ceremony aisle and natural bamboo draped in soft white fabric created an unobtrusive frame for the ceremony's glittering ocean view. The open air reception coordinated by Shelby Peaden Events was packed with details in a palette of mostly black and white with green and dark brown accents that appears surprisingly neutral against the vibrant orangey-yellow backdrop of the Palazzo del Sol. A center row of round tables draped in dramatic black and white floral linens is flanked on either side by square tables in pristine white. All are sent in arrangements of green and white florals created by Fiore along with lanterns providing a warm candlelit glow. Don't miss their monogram details and dance floor draped in glowing garden lights. For more images and details of Heather and Tyler's lovely day, visit Lauren Kinsey Photography's blog!

Credits: Lauren Kinsey Photography. Venue: Palazzo del Sol. Coordinator: Shelby Peaden Events. Gown: Watters. Bridesmaid Gowns: J. Crew. Makeup: Renee Armour of Two Fishes Artistry. Florist: Fiore. Caterer: Morrison's Catering Division. DJ: A DJ Connection.

Couple Session ~ Nancy Ray and Will

We saw these adorable images of photographer Nancy Ray and her husband Will on The Beautiful Mess blog and had to share them with you. Husband and wife team Candice and Daniel from The Beautiful Mess created these fantastic photographs of fellow photographer Nancy Ray and Will "Just Because". We love Nancy's super-cute floral headband and warm smile and it's nice to see her in front of the camera! Though it's not an e-session, we think this "just because" session holds a lot of inspiration for one. To see more of Nancy Ray and Will's "Just Because" photo shoot visit The Beautiful Mess Blog.

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Vera Wang

It's no secret that Weddings Unveiled has a love affair with Vera Wang. I'm a long-time fan and Vera Wang gowns have repeatedly appeared in our fashion editorials and on our covers. I was especially excited by last season's collection and it appeared in spectacular fashion on the headlining page of our Summer 2009 fashion editorial, on our current Fall 2009 cover and in that same issue's Love Affair, the head-turning fashion editorial we photographed in Georgia.

The new Vera Wang Fall 2010 collection is a further realization of themes visible in the Spring 2010 collection, combined with new elements, some of which we've seen from Vera Wang in recent years. There's an abundance of tulle and lots of asymmetrical draping and flange detailing. Both grosgrain and horsehair bow belts remain a staple part of the collection and again we see an installment in black. There's more of a floral-ish look to the details in this collection and as such, they lend this group of gowns a sweeter look than the Spring 2010 collection. They're still edgy and modern, yet also sweet and pretty. When I look at this collection, I see an idea that has been further developed, as is often the case with any great artist and this is one of my favorite collections of the season.

I think the thing that draws me back time and again to Vera Wang is that she has a unique vision and chooses to see it through. When you see a Vera Wang gown, you know it's a Vera Wang. When I re-visit her look book, it's a welcome change from the sea of collections who seem to have the same required elements, use the same materials and honestly, seem to have the same idea of what a bridal gown is. Maybe this is a harsh way to say it, but a many bridal collections really look a lot alike. It is this repetitive nature of bridal fashion that pushes me to include ready-to-wear in our fashion editorials and look for bridal gowns that aren't so... well... bride-y. I want to show our readers that a bridal gown can be many things and with each new season, I'm always looking for those unique, inspired designs that remain wearable and beautiful. I can always find it with Vera Wang. I'd like to let you know which dresses are my favorites of the collection, but I don't want to give away too much about our upcoming Winter 2010 editorial. With that, I'll leave you with a final thought...

Whenever I dress a model in a Vera Wang gown, they always say the same thing -- that the dress feels amazing to wear and that they feel beautiful in it. Brides choose Vera Wang for the same reason. That really says it all, doesn't it?

~ Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Real Wedding ~ Vanessa and Randy

Vanessa and Randy's stunning ceremony venue, the historic Plymouth Congregational Church, was built in 1897 and provided a fascinating setting for their romantic wedding. Clouds rolled in just before the ceremony adding drama to their spectacular images created by Liga Photography. Vanessa paired her Vera Wang gown with shoes by Oscar de la Renta and vintage-inspired jewelry from the Ever After boutique. The luxe vintage feel wove its way into the event's black, silver and ivory palette in opulent centerpieces set in heirloom-looking silver vases, long formal bridesmaid gowns in black by Badgley Mischka and tons of soft candlelight. The reception was held at the Grove Isle Hotel, where the intimate atmosphere was punctuated by crystal chandeliers and tall arrangements of white lilies and hydrangea, created by florist Sylvia Conde Rodriquez. To see more of Vanessa and Randy's romantic wedding, visit the Liga Photography blog!

Credits:
Photography: Liga Photography. Videography: Artistry Wedding Films. Gown: Vera Wang. Shoes: Oscar de la Renta. Accessories: Ever After. Makeup and Hair: Gloria Pelo. Bridesmaid Gowns: Badgley Mischka. Florist: Sylvia Conde Rodriquez. Linens and Decor: Leyani. Ceremony Venue: Plymouth Congregational Church. Reception Venue: Grove Isle Hotel. Band: Continental Brass Band.

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Tara Keely

If you love a ribbon-belted waist, then you'll find your dream dress in the Tara Keely Fall 2010 collection designed by Edric Woo. You'll find ribbon in a variety of widths around the waistlines of most of the dresses in this collection which is also packed with lots and lots of lace, ruffle tiers and organza overlays. Embellishments range from floral appliques and crystal beading to an entire gown with a floral-patterned texture. Like the Jim Hjelm collection we posted about earlier, this gathering of gowns appears to be designed with every bride in mind and there's a little something for everyone. There's one shorter-hemmed look, but floor-length silhouettes range from figure flattering true-waist A-line shapes to body-hugging mermaid. Sytles range from girlish to glamorous.

~Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Lazaro

Admittedly, the Lazaro collection is definitely my favorite among the JLM Couture family of collections, which also includes Jim Hjelm, Alvina Valenta and Tara Keely. On occasion, I've chosen Lazaro gowns for Weddings Unveiled fashion editorials (a spectacular one appeared in our Fall 2008 editorial, photographed on Cumberland Island in GA!) and at a glance, you easily see that the style and design of the collection is a departure from the others. As expected from Lazaro, this collection is packed with his signature hand-beading and embroidery, often appearing as it has in past collections on tulle. In addition, the collection has an abundance of lace and ribbon belting, and lots and lots of texture combinations, ranging from feathery skirts and airy ruffles, to precise pleats. We've definitely seen a lot of dramatically texturized skirts this season and in seasons past and with that, I find myself drifting away from texture overload. I actually like the less-embellished gowns from this collection and my favorites from bridal are the first two dresses pictured below. Overall, I'm sticking with Jim Hjelm Occasions as the best bridesmaid line from the JLM family, but I the dark gray knee-length dress from Lazaro is very pretty. Though I don't generally like crystal and beading embellishment on bridesmaid looks, this dress is a lovely interpretation of the design of one of my bridal collection picks.

~Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Blush by JLM

The new Blush by JLM is a second line for designer Francesca Pitera, created with a more casual look in mind. I would say that this collection is definitely more casual than the Jim Hjelm line in that there isn't a lot of volume, there's less detailing and there's a shorter style in the mix. However, casual often implies destination or beachy and this collection is not beachy, so-to-speak. The variety of styles ranges from a glamorous, old-Hollywood-style body-skimming selection with a plunging neckline to a sweetly demure gown with a modified empire waist and an airy tulle overlay skirt. There's also a one-shouldered look, which didn't appear in any of the other Jim Hjelm family of collections, but is definitely a trendy look this season. In fact, look for our post later this week on our favorite one-shouldered styles!

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Alvina Valenta

Part of the JLM Couture group, the Alvina Valenta Fall 2010 collection is another abundant with floral details, ranging from small accent pieces to entire bodices covered in a bevy of blooms, not unlike those seen in the Jim Hjelm collection. The deep V halter necklines offer a glamorous look that shows off pretty shoulders, while the ballgowns generally have a sweet, youthful appeal. Standouts among the bridesmaid looks are the body-concious mermaid silhouette in luxe cobalt, the hip-hugging long, black skirt with wide waistband paired with a softly draped top and pretty two-tone halter design with a gathered floral neckline.

~ Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Jim Hjelm Occasions

A long-time go-to collection for pretty, modern bridesmaid dresses, the Jim Hjelm Occasions Fall 2010 bridesmaid collection offered a chic ensemble of looks in brilliant color, luxe fabrics and fashion-forward design. I especially like the deep violet dress pictured first below and the pumpkin-orange dress pictured second. The shoulder-baring, exquisitely pleated neckline of the violet dress is a dramatic, inspiring choice for bridesmaids and the color is just gorgeous. The orange gown is a figure-flattering style that mirrors a bodice design appearing in the Jim Hjelm Bridal Fall 2010 collection but what caught my eye was the comfortable style, voluminous fabric and brilliant color. The cleverly hidden pockets and the sweet floral detail (also seen in the JH bridal collection) add to its prettiness.

~Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Lookbook Fall 2010 ~ Jim Hjelm Bridal

Sweetly feminine floral detailing punctuated the new Fall 2010 Jim Hjelm Bridal collection, the flagship collection from the JLM Couture family of collections, which also includes Alvina Valenta, Lazaro, Tara Keely and the new Blush by JLM collection. Designed by Francesca Pitera, the Jim Hjelm line offers a diverse array of fabrics and styles and seems to be designed with nearly every bride in mind. The pretty floral appliques en masse give the collection a firtatious, youthful overall look, but there are also selections that offer sophisticated glamour or a soft, vintage flair.

~Brooke Thomas
Creative Director, Weddings Unveiled

Real Wedding ~ Jahaira and Jake

Brilliant teal, pristine white and warm gold provided a striking, modern palette for Jahaira and Jake's Florida wedding, sent to us by Kenzie Shores Photography. The bold color added a dramatic flair to the details and decor, punctuated with florals created by Love Story Florist. We especially love the lacquered square columns lining the ceremony aisle in varying heights, topped by milky arrangements of orchids. For more details from Jahaira and Jake's wedding and images from their day after session, visit the Kenzie Shores blog.

Credits:
Photography: Kenzie Shores Photography. Venue: The Palmetto Club. Florist: Love Story Florist. Cake: Cakes Plus.