Looking through the camera's lens, former photographer Stephanie Kennedy once captured for posterity the joyful smiles of brides in their "I do" designs. The fruitless search for her own wedding ceremony silhouette convinced the creative Californian to step away from her wedding photography studio and into a new career as a fashion designer as began her new life with the man she loves. Partners in business as they are in life, the couple married their two first names together and Stephanie James Couture was born.
Arriving at the Huntington Beach boutique, the checkerboard floor hints at the Alice In Wonderland adventure retro romantics embark upon as they stroll among the store's vintage-influenced visions. Offering a wide range of bridal attire, full length gowns such as Evelynn, a champagne-tone salute to Hollywood's glamour goddesses and Stella, a lace-accented number, offer nuances of the 1930's, while '40's-style suits, with their flirty skirts and jaunty jackets, are looks worthy of silver screen luminary Lauren Bacall. Tea-length dresses offer the ultimate in femininity, with the playful petticoats of the Audry and the flared skirt of the Lucille providing a fantasy of the 1950's.
The following video clip features an interview with designer Stephanie Kennedy, proprietor of Stephanie James Couture. To find a wedding dress as unique as your upcoming union:
This video, narrated by Sally Grigsby, the owner of Belle Bridal, answers some common questions brides have when trying on gowns such as:
• does it matter what type of undergarments you wear?
• does it matter what hairstyle you wear?
• should you wear makeup?
• are these gowns sized differently than my usual clothes?
Your friends have stood by you through thick and thin, and now you've asked them to stand by your side in the role of bridesmaids on the most important day of your life. When shopping for attire that will please all of your attendants, keep the following in mind:
1) Involve your bridesmaids in the selection process. Flip through bridal magazines, research online wedding sites and have an all girls afternoon browsing through local bridal salons.
2) Consider the style of your wedding dress when choosing silhouettes for your attendants. Although today many brides opt for the flexibility of multiple styles in order to flatter the physiques of various members of the wedding party, all the dresses should complement the bride's wedding gown without drawing attention away from the woman of the hour.
3) Color is a major factor when choosing the look of bridesmaids' dresses. Brides can select a shade that coincides with the season, or a hue that highlights a wedding theme.
4) Focus on a fabric that will be comfortable for your friends. Although velvet adds a regal touch to any occasion, remember that your bridesmaids will melt in such heavy material in a wedding held in the summer months or at a locale that is not climate controlled. By the same token, chiffon gives an air of innocence to any dress, but the gossamer fabric would offer little warmth for a bridesmaid at a winter wedding.
5) Once your decision has been made, order all of your bridesmaids dresses at the same time to guarantee that the same material will be used for all the garments.
Learn more about choosing your bridesmaids' dresses in the following video clip:
Traditional bridal attire isn't your cup of tea? Try these individualistic "I do" dress ideas on for size:
1) Two-piece -- Figure-flattering corset tops offer a hint of historical romance to two-piece ensembles.
2) Suits-- For the bride who wants a wedding day look that is an extension of of her daily style, tying the knot in trousers is a fashionable option. Pantsuits are a popular choice for a bride's second walk down the aisle.
3) Evening Wear-- Many frocks fashioned for a fancy night out on the town can also be worn for nuptials.
4) Color-- White isn't right for every bride, so why not get hitched in a hue that complements your complexion? The changing seasons can also be an inspiration when choosing the proper wedding dress palette. Pastel pink and baby blue add a touch of innocence to spring and summer ceremonies, while rich reds and other jewel tones will "pop" against a winter of fall background.
5) Vintage-- Perfect for retro romantics, brides can step back in time when walking down the aisle in a second-hand bridal silhouette.
6) Beach-- A destination "I do" on the sand calls for relaxed raiments. A sarong can create an exotic ambiance, while bold brides can opt for a body-baring bikini.
The following video takes you step by step through the choices listed above:
All wedding veils add an ethereal element to a woman's bridal attire, perhaps none more so than the angel cut veil. Like fluttering wings, the celestial silhouette features undulating sides which ripple down to a soft point. While the angel cut can be worn in a variety of lengths. brides should keep in mind that this style is constructed of a single layer in order to retain its desired dramatic shape.
A sister style to the angel cut, a cascade veil is constructed with a more voluminous, subtle edge when contrasted with the point of the previous style. The two equally flattering looks are compared in the following VeilShop.com clip:
Canadian-based designer Nina Duong sent a variety of versatile visions down the runway as representatives of her 2008 bridal attire collection. For women favoring contemporary silhouettes, the couturier created a flirty knee-length frock featuring dark lace accents at the waist for dramatic impact. The silk sheen of a v-neck design offers an homage to old Hollywood, while a striking black ballgown would bring a bit of Gothic glamor to the individualist saying "I do".
Pronovias and Annette Carey Wedding Dress Collections
From gatherings of lace to fluttering ruffles, all the trademarks of timeless romance are incorporated into Pronovias wedding dresses. Having framed the physiques of such high profile brides as Penny Lancaster (the wife of rocker Rod Stewart) and model Ariadne Artiles, the latest collection from the Barcelona- based fashion empire floats down the aisle in the following WeddingTV video, followed by the latest offerings from Annette Carey.
Concocting regal creations, designer Annette Carey's atelier is fittingly housed on Queen Elizabeth Street in London. Hearkening back to the glamour of yesterday's silver screen goddesses, models parade down the catwalk in an array of sculpted bodices and streamlined silk silhouettes. (The flower girl seen on the runway in this segment wears a dress by Sassi Holford, a name which recently caught the fashion world's attention when Autumn Kelly, the bride of Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, walked down the aisle of Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel in a Sassi Holford original.)
Symbolizing the fulfillment of a dream, many brides opt to walk down the aisle in a silhouette imbued with an heirloom quality-- a garment for generations to come. Although her designs range from flirtatious mini-frocks for a casual destination "I do" to fairy tale ballgowns fashioned with cascading trains, each couture creation from designer Romona Keveza offers elegance for the ages.
In the following Brides.com clip, the Canadian-born designer debuts her spring 2009 bridal collection. From this runway production, it is easy to see why so many stars, including Desperate Housewives' Dana Delany, country crooner Sara Evans, supermodel Iman and Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart have all conquered the red carpet is gowns tagged with the Romona Keveza label.
The rustle of a trumpet skirt heralds the bride who walks down the aisle in an Alvina Valenta wedding dress. A trademark of the bridal attire brand's designer Victoria McMillan, the couturier's body-conscious creations for the spring 2009 season have blossomed with the addition of a new silhouette-- the soft-curved A. In the following Brides.com clip, the designer who fashioned reality TV star Adrianne Curry's wedding day frock shows off "I do" garments with a sense of grandeur:
Over the years the name Oscar de la Renta has become synonymous with sophistication, and it comes as no surprise that such high profile personalities as Katherine Heigl, Katie (Lee) Joel, the wife of Piano Man Billy Joel, and First Daughter Jenna Bush have chosen the fashion icon's creations for their I do's. Since launching his premiere wedding wear collection for the public in 2006, the designer has offered brides a selection of silhouettes which run the gamut from fairytale ballgowns to practical pantsuits. Although their styles may vary, a refined elegance is the harmonizing thread which marries all of de la Renta's bridal collections together.
Since launching her line of bridal attire in 1997, Reem Acra has fast become one of the top wedding wear designers to the stars, having created "I do" designs for Marcia Cross, Melissa Joan Hart, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Julie Chen and Star Jones, among others. For her latest collection, the fashion maven added a touch of whimsy to her work, and while the garments pay homage both to past eras and past Reem Acra wedding dresses, the silhouettes feature a soupcon of modernity with the inclusion of a popular current trend, color.
In the following Brides.com clip, Reem Acra displays her Spring 2009 collection:
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