COLORED CRINOLINE

This is something I have seen here and there on other photographers’ and/or wedding blogs, but have never had the chance of working with myself.  I WANT THE CHANCE.  There are so many cool ways to make photos pop when this neat idea is put to work.  Brides: do this!  Use your main wedding color or your wedding accent color.  It could be so fun, and it’s definitely unique!

copyright becky novacek photography

Here is a “Colored Crinoline how-to” that was just recently posted on Hot Pink Brides.

Of course, Offbeat Bride has a variety of posts that show photos of this!

Here is Offbeat Bride’s article on how to do this.  It’s a little more in depth– with pictures of each step.

It doesn’t have to be a short dress.  I have seen plenty of standard length, more traditional dresses, with just this wonderful pop of color underneath.  I am seriously dying to shoot a wedding where the bride does this!  Who’s going to be my bride?!  You have tips & inspiration, so doing it should be a cinch.

Just picture the pink one above on a sweet cake like this:

Name + Esty Shop:
Abigail Halpin :: http://missavocado.etsy.com

Where are you located?
Southern Maine, near the ocean

How long have you been making the toppers?
I started making the toppers in 2008, following a few months of trial and error prototyping.

When did you open your Etsy shop?
I opened my Etsy Shop Summer of 2005. I was still in school at the time and had just taken up crocheting, so was looking for a venue to peddle my wares. As time went on though, I switched the focus of my shop to art.

Where did you get the idea to make the toppers the way you do?
I’d read an article about a wedding that used a vintage paper wedding cake topper to decorate cupcakes with and was really inspired. I went hunting down vintage toppers online and decided to try designing my own version. I was intrigued by the idea that it was relatively flat and would be easy to store after the wedding.

How many colors/styles do you offer?
Each year I’ve designed a different style. In 2008 I’d designed one that had a 1930’s feel, this past year I featured toppers that were more in keeping with the bright colors of the ’50’s and did offer color customization for brides with this option. For 2010, I’ve just started sketching ideas.

How much time does it takes to make each topper:
Initially I draw the topper, scan and then digitally color. Once printed, I create the crepe paper background, add glitter, a veil and other embellishments, then cut out each bride and groom. Not including the illustration time, I’d estimate each topper takes about an hour to assemble, plus drying and pressing time.

Advice on planning a unique wedding:
Be true to yourself! I helped my sister with her wedding a few years back and everything from the boutonnieres to the dress was made by a family member. It was a lot of work (and definitely not for everyone), but the wedding fit my sister and brother-in-law to a “t.”

And here is a lovely cake idea for the fushia topper:

And for the green:

That last cake is stunning.  Wow.  I love it.

As a little “goodie” to our readers, Abigail is offering free shipping for one cake topper to the first person who orders and mentions our blog post!  So head to her Etsy Shop and order one!  I hope I see some of these lovelies at our 2010 weddings!  Thanks, Abigail, for sharing your sweet toppers and advice with us : )

All cake photos copyright theknot.com

I am deathly ill today. I’v been under the weather for awhile, but it’s awful right now.  Hopefully I will recover soon.  *Please don’t let it be the swine* That said, I’m going to bed.  At 9:18 pm.  Anyone who knows me knows this hasn’t happened since I was in grade school.

Apparently one image was featured a week or so ago for a post about a Jessica McClintock dress (Amber’s dress!)