Blog 2: 2 looks, 1 day

When I first met Grace, I remember thinking “this girl is going to be more than a client”, and I sincerely believe we formed a bond of being colorful innovators and became friends who remain so today. We would ‘spill the tea’ at all her fittings, and she was so sweetly invested in ‘when is Jamie getting engaged’.

Before I talk about her look and the wedding, I want to shout out her stylist at Designer Loft Bridal, who is probably one of the most incredible women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside. Her name is Daiana Sanabria, and she is the most precious, kind, empathetic, hardworking, passionate women who make me want to be a better person. She has her own style and truly inspires me with her zest for life and positive attitude. As of this writing, Daiana is engaged to her handsome beau Hugo, and they are set to move to France after their wedding. Although I am so thrilled for her and can’t wait to see her as a bride herself, I would be remised if I didn’t say I would miss getting to see her and work with her every day…

Anyway, back when Grace was still hunting for her dress, Daiana texted me that Grace had returned for a follow-up appointment, and she informed me that Grace had decided to not only buy and customize not one…but TWO of my gowns!!! I remember shrieking like a middle school cheerleader. I couldn’t believe it!

One of my favorite moments was Grace cursing “S***, what do I do? Is this my dress? Do I just buy it? It’s f***ing amazing”…which reminds me:

One of my favorite moments in bridal is when brides slip and cuss when they are excited, usually because they didn’t believe they would find ‘the one’ or imagined they could feel this way. The disbelief meeting reality forces even the most conservative bride to slip up sometimes, and I always blush and giggle for them. It is such a beautiful, genuine moment.

Over the next few months, I became a superfan of Grace and her creativity. She had such a clear vision for how she wanted to look for her big day-from the modern puff sleeves Daiana suggested to the colorful red veil that matched perfectly with her fiery red hair, to the architectural re-work of the strap of her second dress and pairing it with black gloves…she completely embodied Old Hollywood meets Modern rockstar. She paid homage to her Korean culture as well, which was very apparent throughout the wedding details.

I was absolutely floored when the photos from the wedding were published on TheKnot. It was one of those ‘I made it’ moments.

I was so obsessed with every photo as each one was so full of character. Every shot felt like a whole new scene in a movie-from the vintage Los Angeles hotel signs, to the Italian villa feeling of the ceremony, to the reception, which IMHO looked like the iconic space Princess Daiana danced with John Travolta at The White House. It was so brilliantly thought out and beautiful.

I am proud to say that I am not only the designer of both looks for Grace’s big day, that our work was published and the day and traditions were honored so beautifully, but to call her a friend. Congrats to Grace and Steve.

Dresses by Jamie Burke, ‘Brielle’ (second look, no overskirt) and ‘Bridget’ (customized) via Designer Loft Bridal

Photos by: Studio Zwerveling

Stylist: Daiana Sanabria

Veil: Pronovias

https://www.theknot.com/real-weddings/wedding-old-hollywood-glam-the-ebell-of-los-angeles-album?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1tNpM4h-ZHLjj8Cdhv2Q-ASN9DkBZep5F_WRBaWYrLs_Y8ZEi7x0lFr5M_aem_dDHzHuaEnpaEmWSAQ-Sz9w

First blog

–When drama creates an heirloom–

When I first met Olivia, I could tell she had a true eye for creativity and was different. She had fallen in love with two of my designs, but wanted a truly unique pattern and color. I spent weeks searching all over Manhattan trying to find “the one”. When I stumbled across this gold foiled, almost gothic printed fabric, we both knew it was perfect. This 2 in one gown featured an overskirt and matching gold buttons, with a pattern so organic yet ideal for an Autumn wedding. I have to admit, at the time of fabric shopping, I was thinking…’is this girl serious? This is soo specific. What if she hates it?’…and it turns out, she was a huge lesson to me in learning to trust the process. She trusted ME, my talent and team and it forced me to be patient.

It was so special to me that she not only combined two of my gowns, chose fabric without being able to try it on, but that my colleague and best friend Camila Guerrero-a seasoned bridal stylist and expert- was the one that suggested a custom gown to her during her appointment that she’d flown up to NYC for, at Designer Loft Bridal. It just felt really sentimental from start to finish.

She knows who she is, had a vision, and I was soo thrilled she trusted us to create this truly one of a kind look for her wedding in Georgia. When I first saw the photos, my jaw hit the floor. I remember thinking ‘this is HER in a gown. White wouldn’t have made sense’. The way she pulled everything together in her moody, almost spooky, Victorian setting was just absolutely perfect, and I couldn’t have imagined anything more spectacular. Her long auburn locks cascaded over her shoulders in an Old Hollywood wave as a branch-y headpiece similar to the print of the gown complimented her groom’s dark emerald suit perfectly, and the aesthetic of the venue was dimly lit to create a truly picturesque day.

She stayed true to herself and messaged me after she received the dress to say ‘this is an HEIRLOOM’, which made me rethink wedding dresses all together.

Something that withstands the test of time and is truly iconic deserves its own post, and the reason I am choosing this bride and wedding as my first blog post.

Will remember this wedding for years to come. Wishing you and Spencer all the love and laughs forever and ever. XX -JB

Photos by @COURTNEYBUTLER.IMAGES