Tag Archives: bridesmaids

Alexis and Gary  Especially Amy 2010-288

Real Wedding * Alexis & Gary, Loch Lomond, Scotland.

I couldn’t resist but post this gorgeous wedding that took place in Loch Lomond, Scotland – The photos are stunning, the scenery breathtaking, and the happy couple seem to be having a brilliant day . Whats more Alexis, the bride, is a hair stylist and make up artist that I have known for a while, having featured her work a year or so ago on Little Miss Wedding (Wedding hair and Make up London).
Wedding photographer, Amy Murrell, who also happens to be a good friend of Alexis’s, took the photos at the wedding – she too is someone that I’ve featured earlier on in the year, with her lovely photos of Dan & Vicky’s Kew Gardens wedding.
Alexis with the hairdresser
Alexis’s make up and hair was done by Pamper and Polish. Lesley had a tall order in doing my hair and make-up as we share the same profession. In the end she got it spot on for me and I applaud her patience as I was even trying to control the proceedings on the wedding day! What a brave lady…..
Look at that amazing wedding dress in the photos below – it was from PAN PAN in Edinburgh and the designer was Lusan Mandongus (fab choice – I love his work), a Cambodian designer who uses amazingly rich fabrics. My dress made me feel beautiful, it was my dream dress.
Wedding Flowers and Dresses
The florist, Endrick Blooms, created wrist corsages for the bridesmaids which were a mini version of Alexis’ bouquet. Her bouquet included huge lime green hydrangea, berries, thistles, freesia and lots of bright pinks, blues and purples. The boys wore thistles and heather in their button holes. My mum passed away over 10 yrs ago and it was going to be hard for me on the wedding day. My husband sent me a bouquet charm of which he put a lovely picture of her in. This was a really emotional moment for me and the girls with even the hairdresser crying as I opened the box. It ment my mum was within my fingers all day, the most special touch! What a thoughtful husband you have Alexis (you can see the little bouquet charm in the top photo above)
Bride getting ready with Bridesmaids
The theme was classic black and white, sort of art deco inspired, but because Alexis also wanted colour she had the bridesmaids in jewel colours with with black netting and heels drawing them together. The dresses were mostly from Debut at Debenhams and one was from Lightinthebox.com
Bride and BridesmaidThe head piece was bought on Etsy,(an online site where people can sell their handmade goodies), from Miami and originally came on a head band with a bird cage veil. “Due to worrying about crying and not being able to get to my eyes to wipe the tears, I took it all off and had it altered to be worn on its own. I thought it looked very 20′s. I love art deco which my engagement ring was inspired by”
Bride shots outside with bridesmaids
Alexis tells me her wedding highlights
* Doing a reading to each other about marrying your best friend with the loch gently lapping beside us.
* The sun sending a strobe of light onto the water as we signed the register (a little wink from my mum I think)
* The organ not working and the guests singing really loudly and out of tune to compensate! Hilarious and very touching.
* The touches unique to our wedding was that it was on the banks of Loch Lomond in an open gazebo, we told our guests woollies and wellies were necessary and there were a selection of wellies, flip flops and golf shoes on display.
* A vintage inspired theme of black and white and our guests provided the colour in their clothes.
* Cake stands with black and white tea lights and pearl bracelets on the bottom adorned the top table with crystal candle holders and black candles.
* Huge black storm candles on the table centres and the table plan was a black canvas with little washing lines of mini luggage tags attached by wooden pegs which we didn’t realise the guests would take off the plan and wear! A great way for them to know everyone’s names and one very bare table plan!
* Little jam jars with black ribbon bows and tea lights, decorated the window ledges and lit the way to the lodges outside that our guests were sharing.
* We had a few scottish touches such as haggis and a cieldh.
* My synopsis would be that the wedding was lots of fun, laughter and that even guests didn’t want to end so proceeded to sing after dj ended to keep us on the dancefloor making it a magical day where we felt very loved!

Bride and Groom
I asked Amy, the photographer, what the best thing was about photographing the wedding
“Photographing Alexis and Gary’s wedding was an absolute pleasure. Alexis and I knew each other quite well before the wedding day, as we’ve worked together on other peoples weddings. As a result, she felt totally completely comfortable about me taking her photo which was brilliant, and it really shows in the photos.
Getting married outside is always a bit risky, especially in October – in Scotland! But Alexis and Gary had their hearts set on it, and I have to say it was just gorgeous. The wind whistled a bit, but it just added to the excitement and celebrations, and of course the photos!”

cake and detail And Alexis and Gary were clearly over the moon with their photos, “I would love to say aswell that Amy is the most talented photographer, she was calm and fun and very unobstrusive whilst capturing all the key moments that tell the story of our day. Her photos were the first thing we looked at as soon as we landed from honeymoon and we laughed and cried as we re lived every moment again! I can safely say the best investment we made. It was an honour to have her at our wedding..”
To be sure to check out Alexis’ website, Hair and Beauty on the Big Day, if you are looking for hair stylist and or make up artist in London or the surrounding area – she does come highly recommended. Also Amy Murrell,the photographer, on Especially Amy Wedding Photography London, where you can view more of her work and information on booking her for your wedding. Thanks ladies for sharing these fab photos with me …..Oh and Alexis you looked amazing…. .
PS If you are looking to get married in Loch Lomond, check out this site, Weddings at Loch Lomond, which aims to offer advice on finding local wedding suppliers in the area.

Bridesmaids Laughing

Gorgeous Photo from Cheshire Wedding Photographer…

Isn’t this photo gorgeous? I was sent it by wedding photographer, Jessica Tweedale, from a recent wedding that she photographed. A brilliant moment captured on film…
Bridesmaids Laughing Jessica is a young photographer based in Cheshire, who was a finalist in Nixon's Young Fashion Photographer of the Year (2005). “My photography isn’t traditional. I hate posed photographs (They aren’t real.) and so my work is mostly candid, moment-stealing shots. I love my work, it is all I do and think about. It’s my life. I’m very passionate about my job, always shed a tear during the ceremony and have become close friends with almost all of my couples. I find it so important to get to know them well before their big day – how else could I possibly capture their personalities without knowing them? I have the honor to share the biggest day of their life with them, I want them to be comfortable and completely at ease on their big day. I’m there to help. We arent above sewing a dropped hem, helping lace up their dress or even walking the dog in the morning… I just want my new friend’s wedding to be as special as they always dreamt it to be.”
I was going to refer to her as ‘aspiring’ photographer, but that is clearly not the right word, as this young lady has photographed at least 2 weddings a month during the last year and is already nearly fully booked for up for 2011-2012 – Go girl! I think that ‘young’ and ‘talented’ is a more worthy description. If you are Cheshire bound and looking for a wedding photographer then be sure to check out Jessica’s website for portfolio and more info,
Sherbet Jax. Click here to look at lots of other real weddings on LMW.

James & Anouska End of the night

Real Wedding * James & Anouska, Taplow, Buckinghamshire

James and Anouska got married in the Spring in Denham Church. Their reception was held at Hedsor House in Taplow, a beautiful house in Buckinghamshire dating backing to 1166. These days, the house is used more for weddings, private events and filming. A scene from the Golden Compass with Nicole Kidman was filmed there according to James, the groom (who I might add is a budding photographer himself).James and Anouska Wedding DetailAnouska’s dress was by Lusan Mandongus (yes v.cool had my eye on their dresses for a long time), the headpiece by award winning jewellery designer, Magpie Vintage, and the bridesmaids dresses are from Coast.Bride and BridesmaidsThese photos of the couple just married are stunning, so romantic. They make me dream of getting married all over again (to my husband obviously!!) In fact this was the exact thing I was talking about last night with fellow wedding bloggers – since we’ve been blogging and found out about all these amazing suppliers and seen all this wonderful wedding inspiration we all want to do it all over again! And that baby, just had to make a little space for that photo…just MarriedFood and DecorI don’t know what it is but I LOVE that photo of the chair, its a quiet moment of calm before the party starts! The bride and groom met in New York so there were lots of little touches to remind everyone of that – the table names (such as Brooklyn Bridge in the photo below) and also the ‘living’ Statue of Liberty that they had to greet their guests!Food and Table Place Food was provided by Melissa Webb and looks incredible. After dinner guests danced the night way to a 7 piece funk band called Funk Federation. James and Anouska are a stunning couple and I just love these wedding photos, such a happy day and lovely little touches. Amazing work from photographer Stuart Bebb – I definitely want to feature some more of your weddings on LMW. James & Anouska End of the night I asked James the best bit about the wedding…“The best moment is easy, wait over, marrying Anouska and becoming Mr and Mrs Ruane” Click here if you want to have a look at other real life weddings on LMW there are some lovely submissions from some great photographers!
What do you think guys? – which is your favourite photo?- I’ve got a few…….

easter egg favours

Real Life Easter Wedding * Hannah and Stephen, Halifax

Collage of Wedding PhotosI can’t remember how, but I came across wedding photographer Sam Clayton a while ago and loved her work so asked if I could feature her on LMW. This is the first of two beautiful weddings that she sent me – Hannah & Stephen’s wedding on Easter Saturday, 3rd April 2010.

Although both living in the East Midlands, Hannah & Stephen held their wedding near Halifax. They had their ceremony at St Matthew’s church in Lightcliffe just up the road from Stephen’s parents house after which they headed over to Stephen’s sister’s house where the reception was held in a marquee in the fabulous garden.bride and bridesmaidbride and flowergirlsHannah got ready with her 2 bridesmaids in a little cottage in the garden, renovated specifcially for the wedding. Her Ian Stewart dress was stunning & the bridesmaids dresses had a grecian feel to them which were worn with flat gladiator style sandals. Don’t those flowergirls look so cute in their little dresses (I think that they might be from Monsoon as I saw something very similar last time I was in there)
Because it was Easter Saturday, Hannah had lots of ‘easter’ touches in the table decorations – Little bird eggs nesting at the bottom of floral displays & chocolate egg favours.
easter egg favoursfloral table decorationsflowers in hanging vasesThe top table had completely different decorations than all the other tables, pretty floral displays of roses and tea lights in silver sparkly pots. And don’t you just love the chocolate cupcakes in butterfly cases??chocolate cupcakes in butterfly casesThe views from the road outside the venue were amazing and Sam managed to get some lovely photos there, as well as using different parts of the large garden. Friends & family had spent many weekends leading up to the wedding helping to get the garden in order.bride and groom kissingbride and groom landscape shot
I asked Sam what she particularly enjoyed about shooting Hannah and Stephen’s wedding…
“I remember that the weather forecast for the day was not good, yet we ended up with a lovely day, perfect for dramatic photos across the valley. I absolutely loved Hannah’s huge bow on the back of her dress. A great detail to photograph, providing interest on the back of her dress and I just love bows!”

If like me you have fallen in love with some of these photos then make sure that you check out her site Sam Clayton Photography and her blog where you can see more piccies and find out more info about hiring her for your wedding.

Don’t you just love the dresses, the big bow on Hannah’s dress, the bridesmaids and the flowergirls all look gorgeous don’t they?

Bumble bee necklace by Alex Monroe

Alex Monroe – The Bumble Bee Necklace

A while ago I was looking for a little jewellery present (for my husband to give me for my birthday) and asked my friends on twitter for some recommendations – well I got loads, but my favourite suggestion from Polkadots and Bloom was Alex Monroe and I just fell in love with the bumblebee necklace.
Bumble bee necklace by Alex Monroe
Little did I know that hubbie had ordered it, in silver, and it arrived the day before my best friend’s wedding (when I was the bridesmaid). I have to say that I have never had so many compliments about a single item of clothing or jewellery so clearly its not just me that loves the work of Alex Monroe. This is me in action wearing my necklace (with little Cocolicious my baby!) More photos from that wedding to follow when I get the professional pics through but isn’t the necklace just gorgeous?? Would be a great pressie for maid of honour or bridesmaids.
Emmie bridesmaid wearing Alex Monroe
Who are your favourite jewellery designers? Are you feeling the love for Alex Monroe too?

neil-hanson-photography-love-my-dress-04

Post Wedding Shoots with Neil Hanson

I stumbled across Neil Hanson, when I was searching for LoveMyDress which is a popular UK bridal blog (you must check it out she writes beautifully and always features fantastic suppliers) LoveMyDress is also the name of Neil Hanson’s post wedding shoot package – its all about arty, fun pictures after the special day – I love this one!

* What do you particularly like about photographing the post wedding shoot, Lovemydress?
A number of things I guess….
It’s great to work again with previous clients one to one and also get to know new couples as well, its a lot of fun doing the session and I get a real buzz out of creating a “wow” image. Sometimes its the location, sometimes I shoot in Infra Red to create a surrealistic look, sometimes it’s the off-camera lighting I use to give the look I want to achieve. Some of these elements are restricted often at Weddings due to the time contsraints or other factors. I like to creating unusual images or building a shoot around a particular theme, I have one coming up in early May where the Bride just loves Bluebells so I am currently researching a few sites to do a bluebells themed shoot.

* Does it tend to be brides that you have photographed at the wedding?
Normally, but it doesn’t have to be!
The whole concept is it’s just another chance to wear the dress again and get some “arty” fashion style shots in the dress again, no time constraints, very relaxed.
It doesn’t have to be that I have previously covered their Weddings, I am happy to shoot any bride as its a totally separate / different experience. It also can be done in any dress, I have previously done “Gothic” shoots and also have an enquiry at the moment for someone who wants to wear their lovely bridesmaid dress again and do a shoot.

* What are the costs for a bride that is wanting to do something like this?
There are a lot of options, at the moment I cover a lot of bases with my packages and will probably whittle these down soon.
They range from £299 – £625. Anyone interested should contact me and I can send them a pdf which includes all the info and costings

* Is all your work in Oxfordshire and surrounding area?
Mostly Oxfordshire, however I am happy to travel and cover down to Cornwall as I have family there. I also have a booking for Kent this year as well

I have also added some Wedding photos for you:
* The surprised cyclist – always makes me smile looking at his reaction
* Through the flowers bridge shot – From a Wedding at the astonishingly beautiful Trebah Gardens in Cornwall. The couple and most of the guests flew in from Sydney Australia to have the Wedding here, you can see more shots here from this beautiful Cornish wedding
* The Bridesmaids shoes – just loved the over sized confetti they used at this Wedding

Well I know Trebah Gardens I used to go on holiday there and its absolutely beautiful – how amazing to get to photograph a wedding there. For more info look at LoveMyDress with Neil Hanson, or have a look at his site, Nordic Pics where there are many more photos from weddings that he has worked on. Oh and I will leave you with my favourite picture that he sent me…