SHOP TALK: Alternative Wedding Dresses
One thing that sets Ivory + Beau apart from other southern bridal stores is our aestetic. While we love lace wedding dresses, that are romantic and oh so sweet, we also love an alternative bride. We want to provide brides with lot's of options, and show them just because you don't want a traditional wedding dress doesn't mean you can't feel like a bride! We have two amazing trunk shows this week perfect for the alternative bride: Minkmaids + Claire la Faye.
Minkmaids was founded in 2009 by a lady named Amanda who loves all things sparkly and weddings. A newlywed herself, she hand makes each of her gowns in her Milwaukee studio. She makes gowns that might not be your "typical" wedding dress, and are for the fun and fearless bride. Her wedding dress was gold sequined, and oh so gorgeous!
Claire La Faye has a bridal icon for me (Adrienna) for years. Her looks are daring, one of a kind, and handmade with love in Portland, Oregon. From black couture gowns, to hand painted masterpieces, her gowns are the perfect mix of fun and romantic.
Something Blue: One of the hottest trends right now is blue. It's not just about adding something blue in small touches, but in your gown! Soft blues, like ice blue and baby blue, are flattering on many skin tones, and look stunning in photos. In the 1800's blue was a common dress color, since it represented purity, and we are glad it's making a comeback! Both Minkmaids and Claire la Faye are masters at colored wedding dresses. Sarah by Minkmaids is an ice blue silk charmeuse gown, with a low back, and bias cut to show off your curves. If you prefer something more dramatic, then we suggest Swan Song by Claire la Faye. This gown features layer upon layer of tulle, with silk organza and alencon lace throughout. It's truly a gown for a princess who wants to break the rules.
Ombre: Ever since Gwen Stefani rocked a Christian Dior ombre wedding dress, I have been obsessed with this trend. Her gown was perfectly rocker chic, perfectly stylish, and perfectly Gwen. She showed brides you can dare to add color on your wedding day, and still look like a blushing bride. Both Minkmaids + Claire la Faye have dip-dyed gowns, that came come in a variety of colors to fit your color palate!
Gold: All that shimmers is gold. And that can apply to your wedding dress! From an all over gold shimmer gown by Minkmaids, to a touch of gold metallic lace in Clare la Faye, the options are endless! We love paring all gold gowns with simple bridesmaids dresses, either in a neutral, or a deep color, in order for you to stand out. Have your girls wear some gold accessories to tie in with your look, and you have a fun, sparkly combination!
Separates: One of the easiest ways to change up your wedding look are separates. You can either wear a crop top that shows your stomach, with a long flowing skirt, or you can have your bodice tucked into the skirt so it looks more like a single gown. Separates allow you to change up your look in between ceremony and reception. You can change out your top or skirt to create a completely different look! Claire la Faye has some great options, like her corset tops that come in a variety of colors, as well as solid and printed skirts. So many great combo's! Our favorite has to be her hand painted skirt with a daring black strapless top. It's one part edgy rocker, one part feminine romance.
Floral: My personal favorite? Floral. I dream of wearing a hand painted floral gown, and when I tried on In Bloom my Claire, my heart skipped a beat. It's truly a work of art, with yards of hand painted silk, no two are alike. It's a one of a kind gown, for a one of a kind bride. And I mean, who can pass up floral print?!
