The Alta Moda Bridal BlogA brides guide to the dress and the rest

Head Over Heels: Modern Bows

03/5/10 - By: Hilary - Topics: , - No Comments

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?

Huesday: The Year of Turquoise

01/19/10 - By: Hilary - Topics: , , , - 2 Comments

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.

Maids in Turquoise

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.)

The red sole is that added touch of luxury

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.

Part of the Men's line, Matinique, new ad campaign

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

save the date cards in turquoise

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.

turquoise bracelet as a bridesmaid gift

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

Fast Feature: Kim and Sean

01/6/10 - By: Hilary - Topics: , , , , - 1 Comment

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 & Sean

At Johnson Mill

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.

Atelier Aimee gown and shoes

Getting ready

Kim in 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.

riding up on her horse

A wonderful wedding on the 4th of July

Alta MODA bride Kim

featured magazine wedding

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.

Photos by ZumaPhoto

firewroks!

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.

utah bride and groom

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.

The Perfect Pair

01/5/10 - By: Hilary - Topics: , - 5 Comments

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 email, gown color discussions, and banter, all the while just knowing how great of a gal this bride-to-be must be.

couture-wedding-shoes-utah

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 though 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.

Valeninte Shoe by Grazia

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.

proposal-story

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

Congratulations!


Head Over Heels: Sophie Gittins

12/6/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: - No Comments

It must be confessed up front that this line isn’t even remotely “bridal”, but I am so smitten by it, I thought it best to share my enthusiam for shoe designer Sophie Gittins.

Some of my favorites are highlighted below, with the first commanding most of my attention.

Sophie Gittins shoes

designer-shoes

shoes-designer

lcae-up-designer-shoesNow, who wants shoes for Christmas?

Head Over Heels: Modern Floral

11/16/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: - No Comments

Karen Millen is a ready-to-wear favorite of mine.  Great lines, wonderful proportion, unique elements.  Their shoes are no exception.

I love this floral applique, peep-toe pair. A steal at only $225.

floral-wedding-shoe-utah

Head Over Heels: Honey

10/31/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: - 1 Comment

Brian Atwood never holds back.  This high gloss silver pair, named ‘Honey’, would make the perfect accessory to complete your wedding ensemble.

wedding-shoes-brian-atwood


Head Over Heels: Bows and Toes

10/11/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: , , , - 1 Comment

Usually, my Head Over Heels posts focus on just the shoes, but Pepper’s hot image of Alta MODA bride Sarah nudged me to call attention to the photography, too.

utah-wedding-shoes

This splendid pair are in-store at Alta MODA and feature a grosgrain bow across the woven toe.

Spend some time on Pepper’s blog to see a full account of this bride’s sensational Salt Lake City shoot.

Head Over Heels: Bows

09/12/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: , - No Comments

Tailored bows, peep toes, and a wider, stacked heel make this shoe versatile and wearable.  Perfect for an outdoor wedding (where stilettos would sink in) or just dancing the night away.  Designed by Grace and available at Alta MODA.

stacked-heel-wedding

Autumn Orange

09/8/09 - By: Hilary - Topics: , , , - No Comments

Orange and I haven’t always gotten along.  But lately, maybe because it’s all but fall, it has proven the point and made a fashionable edge in weddings.

Here are a few notable orange wedding details:

utah-oragne-inspiration

Photo credits: maids, cake, centerpiece, invitations, combshoe, flowers.



Alto Moda Bridal