Last December, we briefly introduced you to Sarah Winward – a rather talented addition to the local wedding world. Her floral business (with a brand new name), Honey of a Thousand Flowers, recently opened a studio in the 9th & 9th area of Salt Lake City. One more place for you to fall for her luscious designs.

We’ve been lucky enough to have some of her work on display at the boutique over the past couple of weeks, and the response has been a passionate one. Her frequently updated blog showcases her work and her character – both of which are true and beautiful.

Her designs also helped shape a rather popular ballet-inspired styled shoot shot by Yan Photography, which you may have seen on Utah Bride Blog.

If you’re one of the Alta MODA brides that have already fallen for her, well, we’re not surprised.

Read up on two-piece and component wedding dresses in today’s post from Tessa at Salt Lake (and Park City) Bride & Groom.

Things you’ll love about this trend:

• Flexibility
• Personalization
• Ultra-Flattering

Look for this trend, expertly done, by one of your favorite designers, Monique Lhuillier.

If you’re looking for the perfect closed-toe wedding shoe – here you go.

The delicate ruffle detail on the toe adds the perfect amount of style to an elegant, high-heeled shoe.

I am an unapologetic sucker for most anything Karen Millen.  So, when you toss in a ruffles and frills all in one shoe that is so apropos bridal, well, it must be shared.

Frill the Love.

If your head-to-toe bridal look still needs the “toe”, come on in and take a look at our newest floral bridal shoe.

This peep-toe shoe has wide, comfortable straps, a not-too-high heel, and a stay-in-place sling back.  A perfect shoe for your summer wedding.

Today’s post on UtahBrideBlog.com is all about shoes.  Alta MODA may be slighted toward this article (as it came from us), but who doesn’t love shoes?  Really, they can make a bad day better, make an old outfit fantastic, and even become conversations starters.

Go on, take a look.

Karen Millen is, quite likely, my favorite ready to wear line.  I can’t get enough of their great tailoring, statement dresses, and now shoes.

Check out the stylish pair shown below.  The silk crepe de chine would be perfect with a wedding dress!

And, if you’ve been in and seen some of our new gowns that have arrived, you know there are a few styles in particular (and one absolutely amazing Anne Barge) that these shoes would complement.

It’s not bad to buy your shoes before you gown, is it?

Pantone, the leading force in all that is color and all colors, announced that Turquois is the color of the year for 2010.

Now you ask, “How can I interpreter this for my wedding?”  There are your obvious ways: bridesmaids dresses, table linens, groomsmen accents, and so on.

Less conventionally, take the prolific-but-personal trend of colorful wedding shoes and go for turquoise. The coveted red sole is an added bonus. (Our bride Shakay recently sauntered in wearing the gold version…we all melted.)

What about your rehearsal dinner?  Because it can/should be obviously different from your wedding day, toss in this lively hue with your dress.  A flattering shade on most everyone.

You could also think earlier and infuse it in your save the date cards.

For a subtle and sweet gesture, give your attendants a gift of turquoise.  I like Blue Bijou for this bracelet.  Perfect with a  little cocktail frock, or to fancy up your favorite jeans and top.

Do you have more ideas?  Let me know, I’d love to hear about and share them.

Forget fast, this feature might go on as it contains one of my all time favorite couples.

Kim first came into Alta MODA on a Saturday over two years ago.  We had a great time getting to know her, putting her in gowns, and learning all about her fiance and her move from Florida.  The next day, she brought in Sean.  I still remember him pulling up in his big, red truck and feeling a bit intimidated at first.  But I shortly realized his heart was bigger than that truck.

Kim looked great in everything! That’s not an idle compliment, she looked so good it almost made it hard to distinguish “the one”.   But, Sean gets the credit for casually asking about a bridal gown that had caught his eye.  We put her in the magic number from Atelier Aimee and you could almost see an epiphany light glow overhead.  Kim ordered the gown, accompanied by a custom chapel-length veil and silk shoe both from Atelier Aimee, both adorned with the same beaded detail found on her gown.

Though plans changed and modified, Kim and Sean kept a clear vision of their wedding day and were married on the 4th of July at Johnson Mill in Midway, Utah.

If you have read this blog before, recently, ever, you know we adore Mitch of ZumaPhoto, and images like these only add to our fan-club (stalker) like appreciation of the studio.

Their wedding is featured in the latest issue of Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.  Drop in for your copy…just make sure you have time to get lost in the each priceless page.

To Kim and Sean, I can’t thank you enough for your sense-of-humor, style, and for including us in the plans.  You will most definitely be an all-time favorite.

Who doesn’t love a good shoe story…oh, and a story of a perfect pair?

A few months ago I received some emails from the sweet, soon-to-be-engaged Kate asking about a glamorous shoe she found on Rebakah Westover’s blog.  Rebekah (the kind and super-talented photographer) noted that the style came from Alta MODA.  Thus began Kate’s adoration of the shoes; knowing she wanted THAT pair for when she got married.  (It’s a really good shoe!)  We exchanged emails, gown color discussions, and banter, all the while just knowing how great of a gal this bride-to-be must be.

Cut scene to a few weeks ago when we received another email from a romantic man called Josh.  He found the exact same shoe, on the same post, then found us.  Josh knew his girlfriend loved this shoe, so through the same means, contacted us with a charming story of how he wanted to include the shoe in the proposal.  (So, CLEARLY he is one really good man!)

The shoe was ordered, calls made, emails sent.

Then, the real fun began.  We received an email from the now-engaged Kate recounting the story and introducing us to the fact that she and Josh were a pair.  We all got chills from reading the email.  They made us so happy to be a part of this personal, creative, and serendipitous event.

The bride is quite the writer.  You can read, in her own words, the heartfelt proposal story on her blog.

Here’s the great sketch made by the groom-to-be.

Thank you Kate.  Thank you Josh.  We feel honored to be a part of your plans.

Congratulations!