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A Hardcore Wedding at a Private Residence: Jacob & Janelle

September 27, 2011 in Wedding | 13 comments

Jacob & Janelle were married at a private residence in Provincetown, MA. The groom being a singer in the punk/hardcore/metal band Converge, this was always going to be a bad ass wedding and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

The couple were keen to create a wedding that had ‘them’ stamped all over it and so provides all the visual direction for the decor themselves. this included The vintage test tube rack idea to hold flowers. “This was something we knew we wanted to use from our own home,” they explained. “The glass bottle used as center pieces on the tables were all found objects from our own backyard. We have been renovating our home for a number of years, and it’s been a huge part of our lives during that time.”

“Since they were all found during that process, it meant a lot to us to include them. The beakers were provided by the people at Mad Props, Boston. Everything was artfully assembled by Andrea Black for Ramblin’Rose. We executed everything ourselves with the help of friends and family”

Of course the music and entertainment was really important to this couple so instead of entrusting it to a “potential horriblesitcom-esque DJ disaster” (their words haha!) they compiled the playlist themselves. “We spent a few days and assembled a variety of playlists for certain times during the evening,” they continued. “It was an eclectic mix, but not too obscure.”

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‘Rock n Riot’ – Behind the Scenes Photos and Video

June 9, 2011 in My Shoots, Video | 15 comments

First of all, a big load of love to everyone who took the time to comment, tweet, facebook or email me about the ‘Rock n Riot’ shoot yesterday. As ever I have been blown away with your love and support. I’m thrilled with the results but I always have to go one step further huh? So today I have the behind the scenes shots from Emma Case and video awesomeness from Pete Smyth & Simon Clarke to share.

But that’s not all, the styling genius that is the Ava team have also kindly popped by to explain a bit more about how they executed this epic (this word keeps cropping up in relation to this shoot…but seriously, I don’t think anything else could describe it as well!) styled shoot.

Amy Grzegorzek, one third of Ava Event Styling explains, “When we’re given such an out there brief as the punk riot, it’s important to do our historical research first. It’s a big part of our styling process and something we relish, working out which are the key elements of a particular era is like cherry picking from a giant visual cake! Punk was such a massive part of changing peoples opinions not only on how we looked but how we look at each other. It had its biggest impact in the 1970′s but it opened the floodgates for the diversity in fashion we enjoy today. For Ava this meant we could push the boundaries, using products and props not normally associated with weddings. Safety pin table confetti, taxidermy and a black skull & cross bone wedding cake… Not your normal day in the registry office!”

“Even the neon food colouring used for the cupcakes had to be imported from the U.S. and they were decorated to complement the tattoo theme of the day. A feature of our work is the level of detail we strive to achieve, from the the huge scale personalised graffiti wall down to the pink sticks in the cake pops. It’s this kind of attention to detail that pulls together such an avant garde theme.”

“The flowers used were a mixture of English garden classics and structural tropicals put together more for there textural clashes rather than prettiness. We love to challenge the preconceived ideas in all areas and break from the norm. We are really lucky to be surrounded by like minded independent business owners wanting to do something different. Clare at The Wedding Club let us have free reign to select from their incredible dress collection and was keen to get less well known designers showcased. We even used a dress from a final year fashion student Hannah Wilkins-Webb, it’s important to us to encourage new creative talents. Terry Terry jewellery stepped right up to the mark too with his stunning funky range punk inspired bling.”

Pretty awesome hey? Man, I love these guys – they make me look good! Enjoy, and don’t forget to watch the video below (and have a little dance) it rocks.

I also procrastinated a bit this morning and made this…just cos…

create an avatar

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‘Rock n Riot’ – A Punk Themed Styled Shoot… The Final Results!

June 8, 2011 in My Shoots | 75 comments

That time has come again when I have to put into words a day of so much epicness that it’s hard to know even where to begin. My latest big photo shoot was the brainchild of myself and florist Amy Grzegorzek of Little A in Birmingham. We first met at the Designer Vintage Bridal Fair in February and after seeing her beautiful vintage-inspired table settings, we got talking about working on a collaboration. She told me how she was about to launch Ava Event Styling, alongside Amanda of Bonne Fête and Vickie of The Boutique Baking Company, so a shoot like this would really be the very best way to enter the scene with a bang!

“I’d love to do something really mental one day, shake things up a bit” Amy told me. “Yeah…like a punk themed wedding?” I asked. Amy’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning and I’m pretty sure she let out a little squeal. “Yes! OMG yes, can we do it?!” …well put it this way, she didn’t have to ask me twice.

After the show Amy and I emailed regularly with ideas on how to bring this theme together. It was important to us that the punk vibe was authentic – none of this fancy modern or ‘faux’ punk themeing. We we really wanted to go all out to try and do this the best way possible and to get some real trailblazers on board. Genuine vintage pieces from the 1970’s were to be paired with wedding dresses, taxidermy, a rock band and Patti Bell in tow. I was literally chomping at the bit to get started and when 18th May finally rolled around I leapt out of bed at 8am eager to get my punk on.

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The Location

The shoot was held at The BOXXED warehouse in Birmingham, a venue used for parties and gigs. The walls are covered in incredible graffiti by Hoakser (who’s a bit of a Birmingham legend) so it really did provide the perfect raw backdrop to host our shoot ideas. I arrived with Emma, Pete & Elbie and as I was getting my bag from the car I heard a little squeal from Emma, who had gone in before me.“Oh my God Kat…come in here NOW and see this!” And this is what a saw. Incredible huh? To say I was nervous after seeing all the work that had gone into my very own custom Rock n Roll Bride graffiti background would pretty much be the understatement of the century. It all suddenly felt very…well…epic.

The Styling

Amy, Vickie and Amanda all run their own wedding businesses (credited below) but they have just joined forces to create Ava Event Styling, a boutique wedding styling company. They are the perfect team and all bring their own unique expertise into the threesome. They worked SO HARD to pull everything for the shoot together and they created some utterly beautiful (and tasty!) treats for us to play with. Tomorrow, I’ll be blogging the behind the scenes pictures and video so be sure to pop by at midday to read more about what exactly went into all these details.

The Photographer & Videographer

When the punk theme was decided, Amy and I got chatting about which photographer to ask to shoot. To me, Steve Gerrard was the obvious choice. A real life Rock Star photographer, Steve is as comfortable in a mosh pit shooting Metallica as he is rocking a wedding reception. I was so excited when he agreed to work with us because I just LOVE this guy and it goes without saying that his work is incredible. His photographic style couldn’t have been more perfect for the punk aestectic we were going for.

My bestie Emma Case and her husband Pete also tagged along for the day. Emma shot the behind the scenes images and Pete helped out videographer Simon to film us doing stupid stuff… (you’ll see both tomorrow!)

Emma also provided the most vital role of the day which was to make me laugh/scream/and generally not lose the plot on this mental 11 hour shoot.

Hair & Make Up

Who else could I have asked but Elbie Van Eeden? I love her and her work more than life itself. I first met Elbie when I asked her if she’d like to work with me on the ‘Mad Hatter Bride’ shoot and I haven’t looked back since. We’ve worked together on numerous shoots and projects since then and she is my faaaavourite hair and make up artist ever. Fact. She is so creative it’s unreal and we really did go to town with the punk theme.

We researched punk hair and make up styles in the run up to the shot, but we were keen to bring the ideas up to date and…erm…wearable. OK maybe we didn’t quite achieve that one, but how could I say no to blue or black lips?! And a Pink Mohawk with purple and glitter stars sprayed on the side of my head? Come on, that was too awesome to say no to!

Please will someone rock one of these mental looks for their wedding day? I’d die to see those photos.

Patti Bell

When Amy and I first brainstormed the shoot ideas, she mentioned that she knew a ‘punk legend’ and wouldn’t it be amazing if we could get her on board? In actual fact I don’t think ‘legend’ even covers it! Patti is an incredible woman. In the 1970’s she hung out with Sid Vicious and The Sex Pistols, and these days she is still as punk rock as ever. Even though she’s a pensioner (I know, you wouldn’t believe it!) every Sunday she gets up at 3am to take the bus to The Electric ballroom, in Camden to sell her awesome hats, jackets and accessories. Not only was I super excited to meet her, but she kindly let us borrow many of her items for the shoot. I was obsessed with the tartan and union jack jackets, and the hats were by far some of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Authentic punk rock doesn’t get better than this.

The Band

The idea for the final shot of the day was a ‘last supper’ – i.e. the most punk rock wedding party ever! Patti Bell guest modelled as the ‘Mother of the Bride’ alongside myself, Elbie (her new blue barnet made her the perfect ‘bridesmaid’) and local band, Guile. I loved this shot because it really brings together the wonderful styling and showcase the whole shoot idea it brilliantly – plus is was super fun to have some other models in there with me!

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I’m writing this at 7am so putting my thoughts and everything I want to say into cohesive prose is pretty difficult right now… but in all honestly, there really is no way my simple words can express my gratitude to everyone who worked so hard on creating such a BAD ASS project. You are all rock stars. I was blown away by everyone’s hard work and dedication to creating something so unique and creative. I just hope my mug did all the hard work justice!

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the behind the scenes images and video, and some more details on the props and styling from the Ava Event Styling team. Be sure to pop back at midday to get even more Rock n Riot in your life.

On Monday I’ll also be posting something a little new and exciting related to the shoot. Would you be interested in getting your hands on some of your very own Rock n Riot memorabilia? Well come back early next week for your opportunity to get your hands on some of these images for realz…Rock n Riot in print? Something that you can actually hold in your hands and show off to your friends? Yes please!

♥  ♥  ♥

Outfit Credits:

Look 1 – Blue Lips

Dress: Pronovias
Belt: Stylist’s Own
Hat/Veil: Sharper Millinery
Bracelet: Terry Terry
Blue Lip Gloss:  OCC Make Up

Look 2 – Union Jack Jacket

Dress: Arisa Fukumoto
Union Jack Jacket/Customised Blazer: Patti Bell
Shoes: Iron Fist
Hats:  Patti Bell

Look 3 – Fur Stole

Dress:  Pronovias
Fur Stole: (Vintage) Top Banana, Birmingham
Jewellery: Terry Terry

Look 4 – Lady Gaga

Skirt: Hannah Wilkins-Webb (final year student at the University of Central England)
Leather Jacket: Stylist’s Own
Leggings: Stylist’s Own
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins
Jewellery: Terry Terry

Look 5 – Feathered Bride

Dress: Arisa Fukumoto
Jewellery: Terry Terry
Tights: Vintage
Feather Wrap: (worn as feather Mohawk) Patti Bell
Black Lipstick: OCC Make Up
Boots: Superdry

And to close the night, we did this…

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Lisa & Alex’s San Francisco Honeymoon Shoot

April 27, 2011 in British Brides, Wedding Day/Day After Shoot | 14 comments

Photographer Lisa Jane shot the photo booth at the Rock n Roll Bride party so I’ve been chatting to he online for quite a while ago. Lisa married Alex in Vegas in March (and yes I will be blogging their wedding report and photographs by the fabulous Steep Street Photography soon I promise!) and they went to San Francisco for their Honeymoon.

“Alex and I have been together nearly 14 years and when we decided to have our honeymoon in San Francisco, it was like a dream come true,” Lisa told me. “We have talked about San Francisco for years and we where both so excited to explore the city.  When I started to think about our holiday, I realised we would come away with a million photographs of San Francisco and Alex but none of the two of us together and I started to get upset.  It was to be our wedding and honeymoon of our dreams but there would be no photos of us to show how much fun we had together…so the search began to find a photographer who could capture us on our honeymoon. Thanks to a recommendation from another photographer, we stumbled across Nirav and when we looked at his work together, Alex and I where smitten (the only other time this has happened with a photographer was with our wedding photographer.) What also sweetened the deal, was then when we started emailing Nirav, we discovered we all loved the same music and it felt like we where old friends when we finally met.”

“The day itself was so much fun. We had lunch chatting about music and photography then the shooting began. Nirav made us feel so comfortable and we where so wrapped up in each other and enjoying the ‘we just got married feeling’ the shoot itself just flew by. We nick named Nirav ‘the ninja’ as one moment he would be right in front of us and the next minute he had vanished and was taking photos from a completely different angle. We lost site of him a few times and suddenly he would be right behind us, snapping away. When we got the photos through, I cried. It brought back all the memories from out honeymoon and he captured us perfectly. These photos are a true representation of us as a couple, silly, always making each other laugh, best friends and hopelessly in love.  Also note, I am wearing my wedding and engagement ring on the wrong hand as we had both got tattooed a few days before and one of my tattoos was a heart on my ring finger! It was still swollen on the day so I couldn’t wear my rings on the correct hand.”

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Teresa & Mat’s Colourful & Fun, Vegan Wedding

March 9, 2011 in Wedding | 11 comments

Teresa & Mat had my favourite style of wedding – colourful, fun and not-too-serious. In fact as soon as I saw these gorgeous images a big fat grin spread across my face and I can’t wait to share that feeling with you all too.

To keep the day personal, the couple were married in Teresa’s parent’s back garden. The reception was held at Red Brick Theater, Adel, IA.

Teresa wore a dress by Amanda Archer whom  she found on Etsy. “I found her a year before our wedding, fell in love with her dresses and I could not wait to ask her to make mine,” Teresa explained. “There was one problem, she lived in Portland and we lived in Chicago. Amanda was amazing to work with. She sent me swatches of fabric and took my measurements over email. She made the dress in Portland and I waited anxiously at home.”

“About months before the wedding I received an email from Amanda saying they were relocating to Chicago!! It was such an amazing turn of events. A month before the wedding I went to Amanda’s studio and tried my dress on. It fit like a glove. I don’t know how she made it just perfect for me without even meeting me, she’s just that amazing. I also had Amanda make my birdcage veil, an item I am so glad I went with. I love my husband, but I still have a secret crush on my dress.”

With her perfect dress Teresa wore flat, yellow, vegan shoes from BCBG and a veil, also made by Amanda Archer.

“Our wedding was complete vegan. We come from a background of animal rights and so do most of our friends. We found is completely necessary for our wedding to be vegan. Displaying our love for one another is a commitment we hold deeply, but so showing our respect for non-human animals. My dress and my husbands suit where made without the use of animal materials. Our bridesmaids and groomsmen all wore vegan attire as well. Our wedding cake, cupcakes, and root beer floats were all vegan. The soy Ice Cream for our wedding came from Chicago Soy Dairy!”

“Mat and I actually met through music,” the bride told me. “We met one night after an Earth Crisis show. I mean how much more vegan straight edge can you get then that. When it came to our wedding we wanted it to reflect who we are and who our friends are. We encouraged people to show off their tattoos and bring ipods full of their favorite songs. Picking out music for our wedding was probably the hardest part. It had to be just right and represent us as a couple. We hired a four string quartet and bought them sheet music, so they could play songs we loved such as; Baby Elephant Walk (ha!), All of My Love by Led Zeppelin, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison, and the opening song to my all time favorite hardcore CD; Reflections by Trial.”

“It was not just the music that made our wedding different. The people we wanted to be in the wedding and help out with the wedding had to hold our beliefs. We asked our good friend Carey to marry us, a vegan straight edge icon (She may hate me for putting that.) We hired Matt Miller and Reagan Powell to photograph our wedding. We chose Matt because we felt his style best represent our outlook on life. We wanted unique photos that also showed what a beautiful and amazing day it was.”

“Is there anything else you would like to add?” I asked…”CANNONBALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” she replied.

Haha I love it!

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