Hope in France

I never know where to begin.  

There are so many details.  

I feel that to start the story is too overwhelming. 

I will attempt.

Hope came to Utah for a dress.  It involved a convertible Mustang Upgrade from the rental company.  Her great friend.  And staying in Park City.  They both had to work while here and Hope had fittings.  But from my view it looked like a pretty nice girl weekend in the end. 

I really got a kick out of these two.  There is always something extra from my out of town brides.  It is an intense time.  I am overwhelmed by all that needs to get done in such a short amount of time.  The bride and her onterage end up being my entertainment for that time.  

So thanks for the conversation. 

Fast forward to yesterday morning.  That means Monday.  The day after an episode of Downton Abbey.  I woke all yucky from a cold.  The Husband got the kids off to the bus.    Once the house was quiet, I started reading.  It is a silly book that deals with the whole Jane Austin time period.  Finished it, which is pretty crazy for me.  I am not a "read in the morning" type of person.  I think I was quite under the weather.  Look, now I sound like them. 

Anyway, when I got up finally, I checked my email.  I had a gift from Hope.  It was a bit eery to  go through these right after a good session with Downton Abbey and the book I finished.  I felt like I was living the dream.  Vicariously, of course, through a brides photos.  You get the idea, though.  

Oh, quick detail, Hope and Kevin married in France.  

Not only did they choose the most picturesque location, they chose a photographer, Sebastien Boudot, to beautifully capture the intimate celebration.     

What is it about these images that are so compelling?  

Sans the Thai finger food pictured later, 

don't all of these images belong in a BBC Masterpiece Classic series?   

Isn't this the sweetest thing?

It rained.  Which makes it seem more authentic.   

  The perfect little moment.  

Utah Bride and Groom

The Utah Bride and Groom magazine just came out.  It is a beautiful magazine and this time I was able to see some of my work on the pages.  There is just something really cool to see your work in print.  

Last year, on a very hot summer day, the boys and I headed to Phelps Berry Farm in Payson, Utah.  We were joining a group of talented women to participate in a creative shoot.  Lindsey,  of Green Apple Photography spearheaded the event.  The flowers were imagined and created by Honey of a Thousand Flowers.  Stationary, detailed and made by October Ink.  The on sight makeup and hair was done by Vintage Rouge.  

It was a surreal day, because there were massive forest fires throughout our area.  We were going to change the location, but everywhere else had been smoked out as well.  In the end, we all traveled there and miraculously, there was no smoke.  It was a fun time for me.  I just had to sit back and relax.  I had already made the dress, which was my part.  I might have tweaked the dress a few times.  But otherwise, enjoyed good company and eating the pound cake after the shoot.  

Lindsey's husband made all of the pound cake and it was amazing.  Let's hear it for awesome and supportive husbands.  

Mari, the model, was so fun to work with.  She is a new mother, so during dress fittings we had a sweet little guy in a car seat sleeping or talking to us in his cute little way.  It is interesting to work on a gown that is not to be used as a wedding gown for anyone.  It was pretty care free and fast.   

Creative Garden Shoot with Eliza

So good to see you.... it has been a while. 

We haven't had internet for so very long.  I will try to play catch up and post a few pictures. 

I will start with a colorful garden shoot arranged by Mollie Openshaw and Amanda Schelin.

I am amazed by the colors, oversize flowers, great images, and the hair and makeup that is overly cool.  Thanks, ladies, for letting me in on this shoot.  Thank you, Eliza, for dawning your dress for another day.  You looked great!

Concept by Mollie and Amanda
Photography:  Mikki Platt
Floral and design:  Amanda of Branches Floral Design
Invitations and graphics:  Mollie of Polka Dots ans Daisies
Cake:  Julie from Layers
Flower girl dress:  Persnickety
Hair and makeup:  Flavia from Versa Artistry

 This dress was documented earlier while in the building process.  It is a nod to Christian Dior's New look.  I had a great time using crazy amounts of boning to build the under structure.  It was a challenge and I loved it. 

 Can I say I love this flower necklace.  So bright and beautiful. 

 Such a sweet girl in a sweet dress.  Made by Persnickety.

Can't get enough of the turquoise color!

The Butterflies

I have a sweet story about one of my brides that she is letting me share. 

First off, I just got a kick out of Randi.  She would look at me and just start laughing.  She thought my intense scrutiny of the gown was funny.  I do admit that I get a bit obsessed and don't relax until I know I can "make it work".  I especially do that when it is an out of town bride.  I have to conquer the thing in a very short amount of time.  And these dresses can throw a whole lot at a person. 

Well Randi was great and I am very happy for her and her family.  She gains two very cute and very independent girls with the marriage.  I loved the sharing of ideas from everyone but especially loved that her 13 year old "new" daughter took part in the process whole heartily.  Our world is better off because of young women like these!

Okay, so here is the story I promised.  Randi's mom passed away a while ago.  Randi wanted to include some part of her mom in the whole celebration, so she had the idea to have butterflies on the dress.  Her mom really loved butterflies and that motif fit perfectly.  So we made butterflies, lots and lots of them.  They cover much of the skirt of the dress.  It was a sweet way to honor her mom.  

Randi came out to Utah twice to have the dress made.  During the break, I talked to my sister in law about the sweet token of the butterflies.  My sister in law was taken back by that because she just had an aunt pass away and her uncle has been noticing butterflies around him just when he needed it.  I guess a white one hung out with him for over an hour at his wife's grave site at the very beginning.  He knew this was the way his wife was helping him though the unimaginably tough time. 

When Randi came back for her second visit, I told her about this story.  She also had that type of feeling about butterflies.  They also stood for her mother's presence in her life. 

The day after Randi's wedding, she sent me some photos.  There is one with at least two butterflies on her bouquet.  Of course I teared up a bit and most likely I had goose bumps.  What a great and sweet thing to occur.  It was the indication that Randi's mom was able to be there when her daughter wed.  I am such a believer in the things not seen.  I love that sweet and simple things can happen to people that show love.  Randi deserves the world in my opinion.  She was such a happy and positive person, but positive in the non-sappy way. 

I am wishing the best for her and her new family! 

I do know this blog is most likely un-followable and a bit quirky.  I wish I could express my thoughts more clearly, but it is tough sometimes.  Have a great night, and may we all recognize the butterflies in our lives. 

Audrey, Chiffon, and the sleeves

Isn't this such a simply beautiful image? 

Another great studio shot by Miyo Strong for Busath. 

I don't know how much to say about these brides.  One thing about Audrey, she is just as the image captured her.  Calm, cool, and collected.  A quick example, when she tried the finished dress she repeated, "I am so excited about this,"  in the most dead pan way.  I laughed, because she was so sincere but her tone was so even.  I am lucky she vocalized her feelings, otherwise, I would not have known. 

Audrey spent time in India teaching kids and working in a leprosy colony.  Isn't that just amazing?  I have so much respect for these brides and what they are accomplishing.  I do believe women are doing more than when I was in college.  It is encouraging and empowering. 

Thanks Audrey, Happy Wedding!

Audrey's sneak peak

Today I feel like a real dressmaker.

Scott always asks me how it is going.  I usually can't say. 

I usually don't know how the dress fares.  Today I did. 

What a great moment to look down at it and become so happy. 

I even feel official because I like how the stitching looks on the back of the beaded sleeve.

 I have such a respect for the beautiful beading I see in Burgdorf Goodman or one of the museum exhibits I am lucky enough to see.  After these sleeves, my respect has grown EVER SO MUCH.  How do they do it????  I am determined to find out.... someday. 

Thanks Audrey, wishing you a happy wedding!