For the Love of Bettie Paige

April 28, 2010

Toni & Richard had a gothic/burlesque inspired wedding at Prested Hall in Colchester in March of this year. “Our inspiration mainly comes from my admiration of burlesque and my unnerving love of Bettie Paige (who I have recently had tattooed on me)” Toni told me. “Not being much of a girly girl and never one who ‘dreamt of their big day’, I didn’t actually know where to start after the proposal. I like wearing jeans, having a Mohawk and being covered in tattoos and wearing too much make up!”

At first Toni thought she would have to conform to the princess dress/long veil/girly girl kind of wedding however she knew it really wasn’t for her “I’d snarl when I tried on dresses, and with my tattoos hanging out I just knew it wasn’t  right.” Then she found her gorgeous black lace dress, Puerto Rico by Ian Stuart, in a magazine and she was smitten. “It looked like it had been made for me. I have always been a fan of pin-ups and took it from there with the over-all look. I never look girly and love the glamorous 40’s and 50’s so why not just base the whole thing on what me and my husband are about?! People looked at me like I was mental (which isn’t untrue) I wanted a real 40’s feel with a rock n roll edge. We are both metal/punk/rock lovers and thought we would try to incorporate those aspects into the day. We danced to Metallica, even the father/daughter dance was to Guns n Roses.”

Thanks to Toni & Richard  and photographer Peter for sharing their day with us

Credit: Peter Evans Photography
Dress:  Puerto Rico by Ian Stuart, bought from Hilary B in Colchester
Boots: Bespoke Big Day
Hat fascinator/veil: Hats n Stuff
Bridesmaids dresses: Monsoon
Feather centrepieces: JMD Events
Cakes: Carole Greeno (maid of honour’s Mum)
Bouquet: (artificial flowers)  Laura at Blooming Gorgeous