Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Kat

A Sunday Kind of Love: Looking Forward

Kat

September 2, 2012

On Friday Gareth & I packed up the car (again!) and drove down to Brighton (again!) for another School of Rock blogging workshop. The event was fabulous, my class were ace, and the whole thing left me with a warm n fuzzy feeling inside. As we drove away that night (slightly topped up with the celebratory after-workshop-wines - don't worry Gareth was driving!) I turned to him and gushed away about how incredibly blessed I feel. Like, how is this my life? As someone who tentatively dipped her little toe into the blogosphere all those years ago, I can't quite believe that people now line up to come and hear me speak about my journey. Like seriously... this is nutso. Even Darren Rowse of Problogger is singing my praises. Yeah no big deal or anything...
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‘Musikasalan’ – The Story of Two Weddings & Wedding Tattoos: Rob & Kit

Kat

September 1, 2012

Are any of you considering getting tattoos to commemorate your marriage? Well Rob & Kit not only did it, but they had their wedding photographer, John Nicolay, come along to take photographs of the event. Oh it's like all my favourite things rolled into one - I LOVE this idea. The couple's relationship and wedding plans were anything but standard - they actually had two weddings! - as Rob explained, "We met in September 2007 as office mates but we never really spoke to each other. Our first conversation lasted for 30 seconds and we only spoke a total of 5 words combined. I simply complimented the comic book that she was reading. Then in December I finally confessed my feelings for her but she told me she didn't want to be in a relationship. Gutted. But I was persistent. I wrote a poem for her daily for the next 4 months. In March 2008 she finally cracked and agreed to be my girlfriend but quickly after she had to leave the country to work in Qatar. We maintained a long distance relationship 5000 miles apart by writing each other daily emails.
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A Simple, Sweet & Contemporary Wedding: Emma & Charlie

Kat

August 31, 2012

Emma & Charlie were hitched in style at The Crown Hotel in Dorset. Although their day didn't end up as they first imagined it might, it was totally perfect. "Our wedding was completely different to what we first had in mind," Emma wrote. "We nearly got married in a church but instead had a civil ceremony, and I originally pictured myself in a short vintage dress but instead fell in love with a long, floaty contemporary one. But I think it turned out so much better."
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A Farm Wedding with Fancy Dress, Fun & Frolics: Lauren & Matt

Kat

August 31, 2012

Lauren & Matt's started their wedding planning knowing exactly what they wanted: something relaxed, stress-free and fun. They were lucky enough to have a friend whose parents own a farm, so everything else really stemmed from that. Lauren told me all about it. "As soon as we got engaged we knew how we wanted our wedding to be, we just didn't know how to do it! The first and most important thing was to find a photographer. Being a enthusiastic photographer myself, I spent weeks searching for one that she liked, we finally came across Sassy of Assassynation and sent an excited email straight away. She immediately told us to phone her for a chat as we hadn't set a date yet, but when she told us she only had 2 Saturdays free in the 3 months that we were looking at we booked her there and then! Everything else was then planned around her."
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Thursday Treats: 30th August 2012 – Being a Sellout Never Felt So Good…

Kat

August 30, 2012

So it seems like I've started every Treats post recently with "wow what a week!" so sorry but... wow what a week! On Sunday night we sold the last Blogcademy space... yes that's right the very first Blogcademy sold out in under 7 days. Gala, Nubby & I are literally on cloud 9. We're so incredibly thrilled with the enthusiastic response we've received. We can't wait to meet everyone that's signed up and talk about our very favourite subject for two whole days. For those of you that weren't able to get booked in, fret not because we have options for you! Firstly, our Scholarship programme where one deserving guy or gal to win a free ticket to the event. All you have to do is make a short video telling us (or showing us) why you think you should win. We've had a few people say they're too shy to be in a video... well hell, be creative! Think outside the box, come up with something crazy. We want you to dazzle us!
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An Art Deco Plaza Cinema Wedding: John & Aggie

Kat

August 30, 2012

Doesn't John & Aggie's wedding looks like it's stepped right out of the 1920s? I don't think I've ever seen an era executed quite so well in a real wedding of late. I am in awe! The wedding was held at the The Plaza Super Cinema & Variety Theatre in Stockport. The original art deco architecture and features remain which made it the perfect venue for their day. "Our venue was excellent value as the entire cinema including tea rooms can be hired for only £700", explained the bride. "Their three course meal started at only £15 per head too. Plus it was great to support such a wonderful art deco gem that has been lovingly restored!"
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Image Use, Correct Crediting & The Minefield that is Image Copyright for Bloggers

Kat

August 29, 2012

I'm not sure why, but I'm feeling very reflective this week. Maybe it's because in prepping for The Blogcademy (which sold out within a week by the way - wooo!) I've been thinking about what I knew and, more importantly, didn't know when I started blogging. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. On one hand I'm sure every decision, journey and mistake I made got me to exactly where I am today, but on the other hand muddling along and hoping I was doing things right was a tough way to learn!
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An After Show Party Themed Rock n Roll Wedding: Brett & Vicky

Kat

August 29, 2012

Brett & Vicky planned their Rock n Roll wedding for just £3,000. Yes, this pair crafted and saved their way to the perfect alternative music themed day for less than some brides spend on their dress! The couple were married in July in Darlington. "To look at our wedding you might say it was very obviously 'Rock n Roll', what with the rock music themed stuff everywhere, but to us our wedding was just us", explained Vicky. "It was the easiest and best party we have pulled off as we have some fabulous parties for any occasions! Our day was awesome, very laid back... it just went so fast! Brett was fabulous in front of the camera and Jade, our wedding photographer, made him feel so at ease. I love him so much for doing the photos, and love Jade for capturing my heart in the shots!"
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An East London Wedding with an Industrial Vibe: Bianca & Paul

Kat

August 28, 2012

I often daydream about what our wedding would be like if we were to do it now (embarrassing admission alert!) and I think I've hit the daydream wedding jackpot with Bianca & Paul. The industrial vibe of their Shoreditch venue is just perfect perfect perrrfect. The space in question is Village Underground, an "evolving project building an international platform for creativity and culture" as the website describes it. SWOON.
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An Independence Day Picnic Wedding: Sarah & Mike

Kat

August 27, 2012

Sarah & Mike were married on the weekend after Independence Day. They wanted a relaxed wedding that was a celebration, and one that all their family and friends would enjoy. "I would describe our wedding theme as a 'rural, homemade, Independence Day picnic'," began the bride. "We first looked at historic mansions in the area but quickly realized they would be out of our price range and we wouldn’t have much flexibility customizing our wedding. They would pick the DJ, and we’d have to select a meal from their menu for example. Then, when driving home from Baltimore one night, we drove past a park in Carroll County that was covered with beautiful flowers and several 18th century buildings, including a working gristmill. We stopped and walked around and discussed how perfect this place would be to get married and we decided to look into it. Luckily, they did allow weddings and after all the quotes we had from the mansions we were shocked at how affordable this place was!"
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A Trailer Trash Bridal Shoot with a Vintage Airstream

Kat

August 25, 2012

"Ever since I spent time travelling from Nashville to San Francisco last Autumn, I've benn obsessed with wanting to recreate vintage Americana!" wrote stylist Lynsey Le Keux. "This summer I had the pleasure of making it happen. I got together with some serious wedding industry talent including Sassy of Assassynation and Jo of The Couture Company. Our theme was 'trailer trash chic' which basically meant coney neck beers, dust-caked American cars, sweat smudged make up and broad blue skies. The aim was to portray unique bridal beauty against a backdrop of pure gritty trash... We wanted to inspire bridal styling outside of tradition and show our customers that they don't have to follow convention to rock a wedding - bridal beauty is subjective and one thing all the collaborators agreed on was how much we loved customers who did things their way."
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An Intimate Ohio Wedding: Ashley & Jon

Kat

August 24, 2012

"Jon & I were married on a scorching hot day (temperatures just shy of 100F!) in September of last year in Columbus, Ohio", wrote Ashley. "This was the culmination of a year and a half of UK to USA long distance relationshipping! We met while living and teaching ESL in South Korea 3 years ago, and after 8 months of dating while there decided to keep trying even as we returned to our respective continents. After Korea, I started a master's degree course in Ohio while Jon returned to Brighton and found a job. The year and a half apart was tough but we kept the love alive with lots and lots of Skyping and daily gchats. We got engaged when Jon surprised me by secretly flying to Ohio (an impressive collaboration between himself and one of my best friends/roommate) on February 13th, 2011 with a vintage ring he'd bought at an antique shop in the Brighton Lanes. I was absolutely shocked, believe me!"
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A Colourful Festival Wedding at Ridge Farm: Layla & Dan

Kat

August 24, 2012

Layla & Daniel were married in Rusper, Sussex in St Mary Magdalene's Church, followed by a festival style wedding at Ridge Farm. I've featured weddings at this iconic wedding venue before - why so iconic you ask? Well the farm has a recording studio where Oasis, Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody was written here!) Roxy Music, Thin Lizzie, Black Sabbath and many many others have recorded albums! AHHHMAZING. "The wedding was all personalised by me & Dan", wrote Layla, "including the wine glasses, the moustaches & lips, the heart decor, the table plan & numbers, the 'LOVE' sign and the bunting. We had a two-day wedding. From the start we knew we didn’t want everything to be over with in just one day! Ridge Farm was the PERFECT venue as we were able to hire it exclusively from Friday to Monday which meant our parents, brothers & sisters, bridesmaids and best men could share the whole time with us. We also had some friends of ours camping on the grounds. Friday was set-up day, with everyone mucking in; Saturday was the wedding; and on Sunday we had about 100 of our guests returning for a Hog Roast, DJ’s and dancing till the wee hours!"
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Thursday Treats: 23rd August 2012 – The Blogcademy Update & Other Yumminess

Kat

August 23, 2012

Well that was an insane experience. Insane is a good way, but still erring on the side of needing to be committed. So on Monday Gala, Nubby & I unleashed our collective baby on to the world. And we held our breath. We weren't sure how it would go down. We hoped people would be excited and that we'd sell a few spaces but oh boy, I think it's safe to say that none of us expected the reaction that we got. The first space was sold within an hour... then the second... then the third... Within 24 hours we'd sold half the available spaces. Someone from Australia booked in and is flying over especially... then one from the UK... then one from Belgium. OH MY GOD. I'm so pleased to report that we've been blown away by the response so far. We still have a few spaces available so be sure to check out The Blogcademy site for more info. Also, don't forget about our scholarship programme! We're offering one free space to a deserving blogger. For more info on how to enter for your chance to win, head over to the site as well.
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Running a Business with a Full Time Job

Kat

August 22, 2012

Some of you may already be aware of my story. I've written about it many times before. Gareth has even shared his side of my journey from full time shopping TV producer to full time wedding blogger. While, looking back it may all seem very idealistic and easy, it was far from it. Trying to kick start a business whilst holding down a full time job is hard. There were times when I didn't sleep. There were times when I cried. There were times when I was constantly sick.
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A Retro Americana Wedding: Ralph & Carly

Kat

August 22, 2012

Ralph & Carly love all things Americana and retro and so the theme for their wedding was easy to decide on. They wanted to incorporate the feeling of driving through America in an open top car - something they love to do in real life. Ralph had even proposed on a road trip through Arizona, one of their favourite places in the USA. "We love Americana and we feel that there is a big difference between what is retro and what is vintage", Carly explained. "We wanted our wedding to be all things that we love. We love nothing more than booking a flight and a car in the US and then exploring, although sometimes we end up in very peculiar places and cannot wait for daylight to arrive so that we can head out! For the most part though it's the way that we have discovered some of our favourite places. Each table was named after a hotel or motel that we have stayed in on our trips, there have been many others but these had the coolest signs."
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