Flipping through (yes, again) the 2010 issue of Utah Bride and Groom, I once again fell head-over-heels for these glam images from Heidi Uhl in the Dressing Up section of the magazine.  If you have an issue, go take another look, you’ll concur.

The Rosa Clara gown featured in the editorial is a personal favorite.  The cut is modern and clean, and the fabric is soft and unique. You’ll have to feel it to truly understand.  (Consider that an invitation.)  Here, Heidi and the stylists show three clever takes on the same wedding dress.

Do you have a favorite?  Is one favorite really enough?

All images artfully crafted by Heidi Uhl and lovingly nabbed from UtahBrideandGroom.com

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.

“An open hand is always full”, is an aspirational quote I heard last week.  You can also effortlessly replace “hand” with “heart”.  That being said, the organization Wish Upon A Wedding will make your hands and hearts full.

If you’re looking for a way of giving back as you plan your special day, or if you’re a creator of weddings, consider this organization that grants the wish of a wedding to men and women facing life-threatening illness.  This wonderful group reaches out to couples across the nation to make sure that their desire for love and commitment and a wedding is not overshadowed by their medical struggles.

WUW:: Rehanna + Christian from bliss productions on Vimeo.

So struck by the selfless joy of this group, Alta MODA is committed to donating to deserving couples working with Wish Upon A Wedding.  If you have a way to support or contribute to this loving group, please open your hands, as what you give will surely return.

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!)

Weddings are magical.  They captivate people who are not even involved with one.  If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re (in one way or another) smitten by them, too.  Although I haven’t been in the industry as long as some of the impressive professionals out there, I felt I had a comfortable grasp of it all.  But, just the other day, I was struck by a new found adoration and fascination toward floral designers.  The way they can find you (a bride) and bring your personality to life through blooms.  How they strive to match their work to your cake to your colors to your gown to your location…even to your groom.  And though their work is sometimes one of the smaller physical items at your event, it’s these arrangements, these artistic bundles of flora, that carry a lot of visual and emotional impact.

If you’ll let me tell you from where this new love came, I must start with Audrey at Studio Stems.  Yes, I have admired her work for years, and she’s clearly at the front of the pack, but recently hearing her caringly (almost possessively) describer her brides and her effort for them awakened and educated me.  It let me know there is so much diversity from the orchid bride to the peony bride.  It let me know that the seemingly simple foundation of an arrangement (such as a vase) can build a better and more brilliant display.  And It let me see her passion for breaking the mould for each and every new bride.

Floral designers are a sometimes overlooked part of the early planning process, but as my eyes open to how they can piece your theme together and translate your vision, I am now a cheerleader for this branch of personalized talent.

How lucky are you that Utah has a wealth of innovative floral designers?!

All images lovingly swiped from studiostems.com

Being that I live, eat, and breathe weddings, it’s hard for me to go anywhere and not take notice of weddings happening all around.

Recently, while walking the streets of London, I ran into the following (entirely British) festivities:

A double-decker wedding bus:

A white wedding taxi:

And a bride in St. James Park:

Love in London.  Brilliant!

Thinking about what to pack on your much deserved honeymoon get-a-way?

Here are a few must-have essentials:

Pashmina

It let’s you cuddle up on that long flight, it’s a make-shift sarong at the beach, a pick-nick blanket in wine country, and a wrap on cool nights.

Water Bottle

Reduce, reuse, and refill often!  Stay hydrated in the sun, on your hike, or hitting the local markets…not to mention that flight.

Shoulder pack

Maybe not the most au courant of hand bags, but top lines like Gucci, Coach, and Louis Vuitton craft several wearable, sleek shoulder bags.  Perfect for on the go.

Passport Case

Travelling abroad?  Why not give your passport an updated, new home.  I love cases like these.  Try local lux stop Tabula Rasa for an impressive selection.

Happy Travells.

A long-time favorite of Alta MODA brides, Model Novias debuted their 2011 collection this afternoon in Barcelona.  Have I mentioned how much I love Spain? Spanish fashion? Spanish passion?  Well, this collection embodied all of these love-worthy things.

Model Novias has sent us some of the most unique and creative modest wedding dresses of all time.  What a pleasure it was to see some of this local inspiration saunter down the catwalk.  (I think we are finally getting under their skin.)

Hosiery was hot at Model Novias.  I also loved the long braided plaits.

Maybe Barcelona can be my new home…

As per my past posts, you know I am inspired by all things Spanish.  Maybe it was our late Spring that made me long for a more sun-kissed glow, but the Catalan cultural capitol does not disappoint.

Tonight was the Rosa Clara fashion show.  I have never seen a production quite like this!  I am still on cloud 9, ivory silk dancing in my head…I think I’ll have to take a siesta to recuperate.

Until I come down, enjoy a few shots from the 2011 Rosa Clara wedding dress collection:

Big trends here: Watteau trains, black details, boat-necks,  and flowing chiffons.

The jet lag is already worth it.

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.