If the darling taffeta ball gown shown below is any indication of the goodness to come this weekend (which, it is), you’ll not want to miss the Jorge Manuel trunk show that starts tomorrow.

Jorge’s gowns are, as I like to say, not for the faint of heart.  They are for the bride that is kind of alright being in the spotlight.  The bride that not only understands new style, but has a flirtatious eye toward fashion.  This might be you.  But, you’ll have to come in to find out for sure.

Give us a call to set your appointment – 801.531.1215 But, be warned, there is no going back.

What are your plans for next weekend?  Did you save the date as previously mentioned?  Either way, make time to join us at our Jorge Manuel trunk show on July 16th and 17th.

Jorge’s gowns (and, yes, I say that like I know him…) are contemporary, clean, dramatic, and definitely sexy. Oh, to be able to wear such a masterpiece on your wedding day. Oh, wait, you can!

Leave it to a Miami designer to heat-up your summer.

Is it hot in here…?

If you don’t have plans this Friday night, you do now.  If you do have plans this Friday night that don’t involve the 30 Strangers exhibit, cancel them. You get where I’m going.

Justin Hackworth’s annual 30 Strangers exhibit and fundraiser kicks-off tomorrow night, July 2nd, and Alta MODA could not be more honored to be a sponsor.

If you’re thinking. “But, I don’t have anyone to go with”, look for me, and we’ll be gallery guests together.  Or, better yet, look for Justin and his wife, Amy – friendliest people I know.

26 West Center Street, Provo, Utah

See you there.

This is a bridal blog, right?  So, it’s ok to talk about love here.  Well, the love today goes out to Jorge Manuel (sigh…).  While in Chicago last October, rapidly scanning all the fanciful displays at bridal market, I was stopped in my tracks by the delightful sight of tempting top-stitching.  I looked up to see the logo of and sharply dressed man that was Jorge Manuel Garcia.  I knew those dresses had to make a home in Utah.

You wont be surprised then (but perhaps delighted) that Alta MODA is happily hosting a trunk show for Jorge Manuel next month.  Kindly save July 16th and 17th as the weekend you find your wedding dress.  His latest collection will grace the racks for a few dreamy days.  Need more proof of his talent?  My friend Pepper Nix was sitting right next to him at his NYC fashion show.  Ask her; she’ll concur.

Love at first and last sight.

There is so much joy out there in weddings.  As a professional that gets to work with brides every day, let me say what an honor it is be a part of one of the biggest days in a woman’s life.  It is an honor I take very seriously.  And though the recent seminar I attended happened to be held juxtaposed to a turquoise sea and powder-soft white sand beaches, it didn’t keep me from working hard.  I promise!

Travelling with Utah Bride and Groom editor Tessa Woolf gave me an insight as to how the Utah publishing scene adores the brides in the Beehive State.  Tessa is a sharp, young mind with vision and appreciation for the local community.  And, after being stuck with me as a roommate, I now know she is an incredibly patient person as well.  Thanks, Tessa!

Me and Tessa making the photo rounds at the opening night beach party.

It’s not just good enough to have a photo op with Sylvia Weinstock, but to hear her speak of her decades of joy in working with brides.  She shared many pearls of wisdom, but this was one, in response to the several knock-off attempts at her cakes, was one of my favorites, “If you’re happy with the knock-off, go for it, but I want the real diamond.”  Sylvia is, indeed, a gem.

Me with Sylvia…yes, I am an amazon.  But, in character, she dwarfs me.  (She even told me stand up straight.)

Then you meet someone like Lara Casey.  She was gracious enough to let me nervously introduce myself as we sat next to each other on the flight.  But, even better, was listening to all the creativity and success she exudes.  All of the new trends, vendors and styles her refined eye identifies and displays through Southern Weddings simply amaze me.

Lara Casey having a chat with event designer extraordinaire Todd Fiscus.  Love him!

Alta MODA is lucky to work with so many of you brides in Salt Lake City and around.  You were endlessly deified and lovingly shared with some of the best in weddings.

Thanks for checking in…now back to work I go helping brides find the dress of their dreams.  (I love my job!)

Often, you hear the phrase “you can wear it again” associated with bridesmaids dresses, but today, I am happy to tell you it now applies to your wedding dress.

Discovered via UtahBrideandGroom.com’s post, The Sky Lodge in Park City, Utah is hosting The Bridal Party on June 5th.  Past brides and maids are encourage to once again get in wedding regalia and get together for a night of champagne and socializing.

Come on.  You know you want to.

A few times each year, Alta MODA transforms the boutique into an after-hours party for some of our favorite Utah wedding vendors and local Salt Lake business owners.

Fresh from our trip to Barcelona Bridal Week, last night’s theme was Spanish influenced.  Our guests shared a Tapas menu, relaxed to Flamenco music, and sipped Sangria.

The Tapas menu was provided by Brown Brother Catering.

Janelle, Kyong of my favorite clothing store, Koo De Ker, Hilary, and Kate

Erin Kate and Amy Lashelle.

The gorgeous floral arrangement was delivered to us by Every Blooming Thing.  Sumptuous.

Amanda, Hilary and Mara of LMG Events.

Diane and Martin of Yan Photo with Audrey of Studio Stems.

Thanks to all of our friends and colleagues who joined us last night.  You make our brides happy with every wedding you create!

Last month, you let us take you to New York with the Alta MODA staff.  This month, join us on a journey to Spain.

Ah, Spain…there are few places I love as much as Barcelona.  Love doesn’t even being to explain it; home does.  From the first time I stepped onto Catalan soil, it instantly felt like home.  The people, the architecture, and maybe as importantly, the fashion.  So, Justin and I will take on the task of attending bridal week in the Catalan capitol next week.  (Is my job really “work”?)

So many great artists of the recent eras hailed from Spain: Miro, Dali, Picaso, Gaudi.  Art seems to be in the water, the air, and fortunately for you brides out there, in their gowns.  Justin and I are on the hunt for new Spanish gowns to bring back to Utah.  Maybe not literally in our suitcases (that space is reserved for my spree in the Gothic Quarter), but soon.

Check back next week for images from Rosa Clara’s runway show, Model Novia’s catwalk presentation, and for photos and inspiration from all sorts of Spanish bridal goodness.  (sigh…) Until then, I wanted to share with you one of our recent modest dresses from Model Novias.  Isn’t she pretty?

It really is a tough job, but for you, I’ll do my best.

Our love for Augusta Jones, which we keep it no secret, seems to grow each season.  As such, we are very excited for our trunk show next weekend, May 14th and 15th.  They’ll be debuting their 2011 collection that we just saw at market.

If any of you readers have tried on an Augusta Jones gown, you’ll know why brides in Utah (and beyond) have fallen in love with them.  Yes, they’re pretty.  Yes, the fabrics are fantastic.  But, like a woman, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.  The fit of their couture wedding dresses is ultra-flattering.

You can give us a call at 801.531.1215 to schedule your appointment for the trunk show.  Come on in, we’d love to see you there.

Sometimes you just get lucky!  Justin and I have such luck in the valuable and energetic relationships we have with many of the staff, students, and professors from the Fashion Institute at SLCC.

One of their instructors invited me and Justin to take part in evaluating the end-of-the-year portfolios crafted by the talented design students.

It was humbling to see the intricate fashion illustrations and dynamic designs from the participants.  Salt Lake seems to have talent to spare.

Good luck to all of the students completing the program.  Remember us when you hit the big time.