The Expert Files {All About Veils}

When I first started wedding planning, I was pretty adamant I wouldn't dare wear a veil on our wedding day. Yet the minute I placed one on my little head I was instantly smitten; and for a while contemplated buying the veil first, and then the dress second since I first found this stunner of a mantilla. Then I ended up buying a different veil a year before our wedding only to return it to buy a cathedral weeks before the big day, then last minute exchanged it for the lace-trimmed fingertip veil you've all seen in my photos. Sigh. It's official I love veils. And with that I am extremely excited to welcome the gorgeous (yeah that's her above, be jealous) and talented Tessa Kim to the blog to spill anything and everything veil-related. Read on for more, below!

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{Tell me about you and your business} I created my business when I was planning my own DIY 2009 August wedding to my lovely husband Choon. I really just fell into it though when I was looking for the perfect birdcage veil and fascinator and was not having any luck. I'm a crafty person so I started making a few different styles of veils and flowers fascinators which brought me to etsy since I had many more veils than I actually needed and I thought I would put them up for sale; just to see what would happen. They sold out the next day and from there I kept creating more and then slowly expanded the styles and options of my veils. I now carry a huge selection of birdcage veils, bridal veils, flower facinators, feather hair combs, head bands and dress sashes. All my headpieces and veils are hand dyed/painted and the headpieces are also hand cut/shaped with a vintage millinery iron. I also like to incorporate vintage millinery aspects to all of my pieces for a unique look.

{Should a bride pick her gown based off a veil or vice versa?} I think it depends on the individual bride. For myself, I knew I wanted to wear a birdcage veil no matter what so I made sure to find a dress that complimented that style. Although since there are so many types of veils and materials that can be used I believe you can always find a complimenting veil for any dress.

{Traditionally, what's the meaning behind a veil?} There are a few different meanings behind the classic bridal veil although it depends on who you ask. Some people believe that it was meant to represent the innocence of the bride, some believe that it is used to shield the beauty of the bride before the groom married her and others believe that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before exchanging vows. There are unlimited styles of veils like a birdcage, blusher, mantilla, flyaway and a traditional chapel, cathedral, fingertip, and elbow veil, that all offer different looks to compliment different gowns and weddings.

{What alternatives are there for brides who want a less traditional bridal look?} There are so many options for brides today who do not want to go the traditional route. A few of the choices would be a floral headpiece, a bridal hat, a tulle and veiling puff, a mini veil, a feather hair comb, a simple headband,  bridal hair pins, a simple rhinestone brooch comb, a decorative comb, even a decorative piece of lace. Right now I am in love with one of my newest floral headpieces "Grace." It's a double flower fascinator that is cream, blush and ivory in colour. It also has vintage millinery leaves from the 1940s which I just adore. 

{What trends are you predicting this summer and fall, and what do you believe will forever remain timeless?} I believe you will start to see a lot more colour being incorporated into bridal headpieces. I also believe the statement pieces will still be popular although complimented with smaller and more dainty hair combs. And it never goes out of style to be yourself and not always go with the trends. Make sure to be comfortable with the style of accessories you choose and truly love them :)

Thanks so much, Tessa for stopping by the blog! And all of you can check out Tessa's website and shop for more information, items and goodness. Top photos by Deyla Huss and product photos by Candice Benjamin.

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The LWD

Just as chic as its black counterpart and equally as alluring and versatile, I have to admit I am completely obsessed with the prettiest of Little White Dresses. While I'm not sure I could have ever completely skipped a traditional wedding gown in place for a shorter, sassier version, I was in fact a two-dress bride - and immediately following our first dance changed in this little number below. A girl's gotta somehow shake what her Mama gave her! The lovely lace detailing and scalloped edges seriously gave me butterflies when I first found it online and the stark whiteness of it looked stellar against my tan when I wore it on our honeymoon. But the best, most coolest part of this little gem was scoring it for $75.00 at Lulus. Excuse me while I try to bust out my inner fashionista here...

I have to say I am pro-LWD. What about you?

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Handcrafted Accessories by Tasteful Tatters

Remember this dreamy engagement session I featured back in December? Turns out not only is the bride-to-be an absolutely adorable and talented photographer but she runs her own little shoppe full of the most darling accessories. Tasteful Tatters debuted in 2009 and since then has been nothing short of successful and fabulous. When Emilee contacted me about potentially running a Tasteful Tatters ad on Hey Gorg how could I resist? Between the hairbands, necklaces and headpieces, I've been having the toughest of times deciding on what piece to grab from her Etsy shoppe. Then Emilee shared with me, a sneak peak of some new designs set to hit her shoppe later this year and it was official; I want them all! I may have just the perfect little summer frock that I could wear with the above necklace.

Make sure to be on the look out for the huge launch party in early March to kick off the new Tasteful Tatters spring/summer line (which will include the items shown in these photos and so much more) and their brand spanking new website. Emilee is also launching a full bridal collection with some pretty ethereal and dreamy pieces so make sure you don't miss any of the prettiness coming your way (I've seen the photos and I can promise you it'll be worth the wait). Did I mention Emilee is getting married too?  There's so much more to see! P.S. A huge thank you to talented Margaret Jacobsen for providing the fabulous images! You can view more of her work here!

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