Demure Design: Jasmine Bridal

Hello all! I apologize for the radio silence last week; a trip out of town combined with a series of technical difficulties (including someone deciding that my new cell phone would have a better home with them…) conspired to derail my posting plans. But I’m back this week, and have a lot of great things to share with you!

Does anyone remember the Barbie Fashion Plates toy from the 70s and 80s (an example)? I had one, and LOVED making different outfits…especially wedding dresses! Well, Jasmine Bridal has the grown-up version. You can pick any one of their top selling dresses, and change the neckline, sleeves and back of the dress to suit your wedding!!

Here’s one of their examples:

And one that I created using their design tool:


Style T842, no alterations (spaghetti straps, low scoop neckline, low v-shaped back)


Style T482 with a square neckline and long sleeves


Style T482 with a boat neck and flared sleeves

Isn’t that fun? They also do custom alterations on other dresses, but it’s nice to be able to see some of the changes you are making and how they would affect the look of the gown, before you get into the “serious design discussion” phase with one of their designers. What dress is your favorite?

Demure Design: Melissa Blackburn

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday…I was in bed all day, fighting the flu (or The Plague, as I assured my husband in my more melodramatic moments). Today it looks like I’m going to remain in the land of the living, so I’ll have a couple of posts to make up for it!!

Did you see this wedding? Well, all of the gorgeous photos of the dress made me curious about the designer. So I did a little bit of research on Melissa Blackburn and she definitely has a new fan!! Here are a few of her custom dress designs:

This dress is definitely one of my favorites:


{Photos by OpieFoto}

I love the Regency feel of the ruffles on this dress:


{Photo via Melissa Blackburn}

She also does other dresses too-here’s one she altered for an engagement shoot:


{Photo by Katherine Loveless}
Melissa has some photos of her work on her website, but many more on her blog. Go check it out!!

Demure Design: Joan Shum

Who says modest dresses have to have puffed sleeves? Adoring this regal dress by Joan Shum, via Poppies & Posies.