Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Hair

Ashley & Hunter’s Brightly Coloured Wedding

Kat

February 19, 2010

Ashley & Hunter's wedding had me smitten as soon as I saw it. They went for a fun fair theme with brightly coloured and fun pinwheels, noise makers, rock candy, pumpkins and a BBQ from Buz n Neds Barbecue. This pair both have a self-confessed obsession with shoes so Ashley wore an amazing pair from Betsey Johnson with a Marylin Monroe portrait on the sole and Hunter wore red, black and white high top Vans that matched their brightly colored wedding...the bridesmaids even wore red pumps to match. Ashley dress and veil were XX and teamed it with an amazing antique brooch which she found at Ant Hill Antiques in Carytown in Richmond, Va. Their flowers were vibrant and sunny to match the theme and the bridesmaids all wore their own purple mis-matched dresses.
Read more...

Urban, Girtty, Hearts & Love

Kat

February 19, 2010

Emma & Mattias' urban & gritty engagement session in Hackney Wick (the East End of London) have inspired me no end. I not only love the rough 'n ready, graffiti style shots (which are fast becoming a bit of a McNeil signature) but the wonderful heart shots send my heart a-flutter. I asked David how this images came about and he told me that as they were wondering down the street, looking for locations, they came across a hall where a Valentines night was being set up. They asked nicely if they would use their heart covered wall as a backdrop and the lovely people said yes. Aren't the results fabulous? Another photographic win for my friend David I feel! Thanks to David for sending these over today Credit: David McNeil
Read more...

Winter Warmers & DIY to Die For

Kat

January 30, 2010

This brand spanking new wedding was sent to me by the fabulous Andana Lima. I fell in love with bride's beehive, her faux fur coat and all the DIY projects involved in making their day elegant and personal. The DIY projects behind this wedding included the bouquet made out of black and white fabric, the boutonnieres for the groomsman and mother of the bride, the monograms, the wishbook and all the centerpieces and table decorations. Courtney also added her own beads to underneath her shoes. Thanks to the ever delightful Andana for sharing this weith us. I'm sure you'll agree that it's fabulous indeed Credit: Andana Lima Photography
Read more...

Thursday Treats – 07th Jan 2010

Kat

January 7, 2010

Hello my dears and welcome to the first Thursday Treats of the new decade! Just as big, just as inspiring and just as fit to bursting with links and fun a-plenty. Let's crack on shall we? ♥ 2010 may only be in it's infancy, but it has so far been a very exciting year for Rock n Roll Bride! Not only was I featured in Cosmopolitan Bride, but I was lucky enough to be asked to model for the infamous Julia Boggio and her Vintage Boudoir series. I braved the snow yesterday and headed up to her Wimbledon studios for a day of fabulous retro hair & make up, styling to die for and to pose and pout my little ass off. I can not wait to share all the details and the photographs, but for now, why not check out my sneak peak shots that I took of (some!) of my outfits with my new favourite toy.
Read more...

The Original Tattooed Brides

Kat

December 24, 2009

The original tattooed bride photographers, Allebachsent me these this morning and I had to get them up right away. What could be better to gaze at right before Christmas that tattooed beauties looking shaaweeet!? The images came from a 'shoot out' in Philadelphia, where a bunch of photographers gets together and shoot the same situation together to learn from each other and generally get some kick ass imagery themselves... So the Philly Photog Shootouthappened. In case you haven't heard a Photog shootout is an event where photographers meet, photograph models and learn from each other. Anyway Rob "Ninja" Nicholson contacted me because he wanted to get a punk rock bridal theme going and needed a few more models. So I reached out to the most amazing couples in the world (my clients) and got a few responses. Jess an amazing bride (and rollergirl) married earlier this year was one of the first to respond. Patty DeCasere (my old punk rock band's drummer's former band's singer's wife - got it?) did an amazing job giving Jess a mohawk. Another friend Alicia from the 20s flapper shoot we did at the historic Stotesbury Mansion handled the costume design (available for wardrobe at belle_morte66@yahoo.com) Robyn & John an engaged couple took a day and drove up from Annapolis and found the inner model in them. Really they just acted like themselves and everyone got great photos. Erin Proud (wedding planner of Lori & Kevin's Eastern State Penitentiary wedding) channeled her inner anger and teenage angst for the shoot, along with an amazing wedding photographer turned model, Leslie Gilbert. Despite shooting photos in what felt like subzero conditions in Center City Philadelphia, everyone seemed to be having a great time, networking and learning. Thanks to Mike for sending me this little Xmas gift! Credit: Allebach Photography
Read more...

And so we Danced

Kat

December 22, 2009

How exactly am I supposed to find the world to accurately describe these images and do them justice? I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge. The gothic glamour, the sense of feeling you get from these is just..well...amazing. The images certainly do all the talking here. They tell their own story. Photographer Annie told me: The idea for this shoot wasa real mix of rock n' roll and art. We incorporated Tom Petty's song, "Last Dance with Mary Jane" into a photo shoot with 2 agency models (Mirela Paraganglija, and Nima Nezhad) and a fantastic bridal gown designer. We shot it as though it was Mary Jane's wedding day/last dance...as though it was her final send off. Models: Nima Nezhad & Mirela Paraganlija Wardrobe Stylist: Lim Utariat. Makeup: Julianne Chai Bridal Gown designer:Kate Cheung Thanks to Annie & Benjamin for not only shooting such awesomeness but for sharing it with us today. I am so excited to see more from you in future. Epic.
Read more...

Red Heels & Wheat Bouquets

Kat

December 13, 2009

I featured Mary's killer bridal session earlier this year - the aviators, gun and cigar really did it for me - so as always I've been eagerly awaiting for her wedding to Opie and I'm certainly not disappointed. I'm so exited that photographer Jenna wanted to share these with us: On her big day Mary not only rocked finger waves (vintage chic oh lala), a consignment shop wedding dress, a DIY wheat bouquet and red heels, but she and her beloved, Opie, had a wedding pie instead of wedding cake, saw each other before the ceremony (yay!), gave homemade truffles to their guests (and their photographer as well, which doubles their coolness factor in my book), and served hamburgers as their wedding dinner. Thanks to the every sweet, lovely and cool Jenna for sharing these today
Read more...

Sugar & Spice

Kat

October 15, 2009

Well people, hold on to your hats and prepare yourself for another bumper day of Rock n Roll goodness. Did something magical happen overnight or something? I have received a ridiculous number of amazing photo sessions and weddings this morning - I just hope I can bring them all to you soon! Starting off today is this gorgeous 'sugar and spice' rockabilly couple. She's a ballerina, he's a total petrol head (I think in America you call them 'gear heads'? - whatever, he is nuts about cars!) Cassy & Kelly headed to pier 39 in San Francisco with photographer Marin Kristine to get these amazing carousel/carnival/fun fair shots. The couple will be having a pin up style wedding in just 2 weeks and boy am I excited to see the results! Thanks to the lovely Marin for sending these over. Credit: Marin Kristine Photography
Read more...

Multi-Coloured Tresses

Kat

August 12, 2009

My life as a blogger is a pretty damn busy one. I'm not just saying this for effect, but I get sent so much amazing stuff to post everyday that I almost can't keep up! The next post of this early Wednesday morning ( have no clue why I'm up so early, I even drank a whole bottle of wine last night) belongs to one of my brand spanking new sponsors, Stacy Able. As soon as I saw this set I knew she not only had to send it to me for posting but she had to make it the image for her new sponsor link. The multicoloured tresses, the splattered paint, the cute dog...oh yeah baby my sponsors are the bestest. Credit: Stacy Able
Read more...

The Pretty Pretty Princess Look

Kat

August 6, 2009

Brady & Carrie got hitched at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco. A retro/vintage affair, Carrie even designed her dress herself and had it made by Atelier Des Modistes, a quint little boutique on Russian Hill. Carrie described the experience of designing her own dress as nerve-wracking but totally worth it. She didn't even get to see what the dress would actually look like until the final week as all the fittings are done with muslin. She painted a wonderful picture when she described the fittings, Families walk by at night after dinner and I remember little girls with their nose pressed to the glass door watching me in my "gown". They had that "pretty pretty princess" look in their eyes. So sweet. Thanks to Jeremy for sharing this gorgeous wedding with us - we hope to see a lit more of his photographic gorgeousness on Rock n Roll Bride soon! Credit: Jeremy Harris Weddings
Read more...

Offbeat Bride

Kat

July 30, 2009

Ron & Tessa got married at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City and I am crazy about their gorgeous offbeat wedding! The room they tied the knot in was called The Cabaret Room which dates back to the 1920's but is now used to host rock concerts. This pretty much perfectly reflected their vintage, rock n roll day! Tessa found a taffeta-free alternative vintage style dress by Allure Bridal and Ron wore a bowler hat and spectator shoes along with a vest and pocket watch, all of which added to their theme. The couple decided an over floral wedding was not for them and instead chose to incorporate feathers wherever they could. Although Tessa chose to take a walk down their beaten aisle carrying a traditional bouquet and Ron wore a boutonniere, they completely skipped the floral centrepieces, opting instead for a vast array of gorgeous ostrich plumes in teal and black to match their colour scheme. Tessa also wore a gorgeous feather hairpiece which she bought from Etsy seller YJdesign, and finally one of my favourite touches, the feather theme was rounded off by the cute bird cake topper made by Etsy seller cornflakegirl. Thanks to Tessa & Ron for sharing their gorgeous day with us!
Read more...

When She Used To Rock n Roll

Kat

July 20, 2009

Kirsten & Josh’s wedding not only had a fun, retro feel, but they really went all out with their 1950’s diner theme. I am crazy in love with the Brides entire outfit - from her Dorothy ruby slippers to her cute polka dot dress made by her Mother and friend Marnie Rogers, who designs clothes for Wintersun. The gorgeous Bridesmaid had a rockabilly style to them - especially their amazing hairdos! For the reception, the couple went all out for a 50's diner theme, where they designed and made everything themselves. The centrepieces were giant lolly jars and each table had a different type of old school lolly, which was the name of the table ("Sweethearts" "Milk bottles" "Ice creams" "Jelly beans" etc) The place cards were black & white candy striped lolly bags with everyone's names on them, each painstakingly tied with little red ribbons. The placemats were old records that they picked up in an op shop and they had little gifts for everyone on the table - mini erasers in the shape of burgers, fries, hotdogs and donuts, plus vintage metal wind up toys. Each table also had a diner style spring loaded napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers and tomato and mustard bottles. Then best of all, for dinner they served burgers, hotdogs, pizza and fries. I bet their guests were thrilled - no boring wedding food for them! The celebrations continued into the night with the couple having their first dance to 'I remember the Bride when she used to Rock n Roll' by the Stray Cats, finishing the night by swaying along to 'Earth Angel'. Thanks to the Groom's Mother Rhonda for sending me this wedding and to the couple for putting together all the awesome info for you all.
Read more...