Amy-Jo Tatum 2011 Bridal Collection

Born in New Jersey and raised in The San Francisco Bay Area, Amy began her design career with a degree in retailing, and a three-year stint as a bridal fabrics buyer. Here, she honed her talents in putting fabrics together for designers and boutique owners who were regular clients. In 1984 she moved on to open Bridal Alternatives, a small design studio where most of her projects were devoted to custom bridal.

Years later she is still dedicated to serving brides. Based on her esteem for Hollywood chic and fine-tuned dressmaking skills, a design philosophy evolved that has to do with seeing fabrics drape well and mold to the skin like sculpture. “A wedding gown should be comfortable and beautifully lined so the woman wears it like a second skin . . . the whole component moving with her as if it is part of her body.”