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.

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.”

Amy Jo Tatum’s design career started some twenty years back when she did a three-year stint as a bridal fabrics buyer. After that she opened Bridal Alternatives, a custom design studio and ever since has been working with brides who want that extraordinary one-of-a-kind dress on their wedding day.

Her best work has stemmed from translating the trends of fashion history into contemporary bridal fashion. 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.”