Why You Should be Hated: A Guest Post by Chris Barber

Kat

June 22, 2012

Perhaps supported by some kind of celebrity culture, but it seems to be widely accepted that in order to be deemed as 'successful' in mainstream society you have to be liked by as many people as possible. You have to have a certain number of 'likes' on your facebook page. You need as many followers as possible on twitter and your most recent blog post is only as strong as the number of comments that sit at the bottom of it. While this is not all together wrong, I'd like to start thinking about the other side of the coin for a minute.

A Carefree Vienna Wedding Planned in a Single Afternoon: Marijana & Haris

Kat

June 22, 2012

This simple and intimate wedding in Vienna may not be full of DIY details or a crazy theme, but that doesn't make it any less Rock n Roll. Marijana & Haris are what make this wedding awesome - and the fact that they did their day, their way! A simple civil ceremony followed by a cafe reception was the name of the game, as the bride explained, "There was no particular theme to the wedding. We wanted to keep it small and low key and as non-weddingy as possible. We actually managed to plan the whole thing in one afternoon. There was to be no cake, no flowers and no centerpieces."

Thursday Treats: 21st June 2012 – Is Time Speeding Up or What?

Kat

June 21, 2012

Do you ever feel like you're running towards something that's moving away from you at a frustratingly alarming pace? Well that's me this week month year. I'm not exactly sure what age it is that time suddenly starts speeding the hell up but recently I can't believe how quickly it's going. There is SO MUCH to do and seemingly so little time! Like that magazine... and the workshops... and the green room posts... and the magazine columns... and some crazy arse 'omg-I-can't-believe-I-actually-got-asked-to-do-this' top secret projects.

A Zombie Apocalypse Engagement Shoot: Nicola & Simon

Kat

Rebecca L Weddings

June 21, 2012

Hold on one second... Now I know I always say that I have the coolest readers but OMG I SERIOUSLY HAVE THE COOLEST READERS! I have four words that will prove it to you too... Zombie. Apocalypse. Engagement. Shoot. God, yes...

Something Borrowed, Something Roo: The Rings

Kat

June 21, 2012

So Roo's been a busy bee for the past few months. Not only has she been planning her wedding but she's been up to her cute little eyeballs (can eyeballs be cute? I think hers can!) studying for Uni exams and turning in coursework. So she's had a little break from writing for the blog recently but I'm pleased to report that she's back! And as she's now on her summer break, wedding planning is ramping up full throttle as will be the blog posts. HURRAH. Over to you sweet cheeks...

A Hackney Vintage Mash Up: Aimee & Lee

Kat

June 20, 2012

Aimee & Lee were married in April at the Hackney Council Chambers. The wedding had an effortlessly cool, East London vibe with vintage elements throughout. "We both really love Hackney and wanted to get married in the borough as we brought our first home here and its where we first met", the bride told me. "We picked the council chamber because of its art deco features and also it is a circular room so it felt really intimate and we loved the idea of being surrounded in a circle by all our family and friends."

The Inspirations: Elbie Van Eeden

Kat

June 20, 2012

"Elbie has no concept of what is real, and what is make-believe", wrote photographer Kirsty Mitchell in 2009. "She lives in la-la-land, and likes to spend her money on gardening wire and lipsticks. She spends her days ruining people’s hair because she is constantly emailing me about fairies and monsters, and leaves broken make up all over the place. She will stain your carpets with blue face paint and glue, and says 'happiness' a lot, and gets very excited about sparkly stuff." So apart from the ruining people's hair bit, this couldn't be more spot on about my friend Elbie. After stalking her work online for months, I finally plucked up the courage to email her to ask if she'd be available to work with me on a shoot. Luckily she agreed and we've been the best of friends ever since. Elbie is my go to girl for anything hair and make up related. With every shoot I do, Elbie is the first MUA I want to book. And after disastrous (and erm... expensive) hair dying results from Toni & Guy, Elbie has become my hair care saviour - regularly emailing me the next stage in my 'lets-get-Kat's-hair-healthy-again' regime.

Are Babies the Next Logical Step?

Kat

June 20, 2012

choose to be in a room with a load of them. In fact at my parent's Jubilee party which was frequented by rather a lot of screeching neighbourhood rugrats, I spent then entire time cowered in the corner staring at my lap/my glass of champagne/the dry sausage rolls and hoping none of them would try to talk to me. It's ironic really, I'm pretty outgoing with adults, but anyone under 12 and I don't know what to do. I guess I'm scared I'll make them cry... or I'll accidentally drop the f-bomb and scar them for life or something.

WIN Free Wedding Photography with Lisa Jane Photography

Kat

June 19, 2012

I am a huge fan of Lisa Jane Photography. She has such a unique eye and her attention to detail really comes through in her images. I love the way she captures emotion in a genuine and intimate way, and that she's not afraid to show real, unapologetic love. She is also bloomin' fantastic at capturing all the little details of a wedding - the stationery, the flowers, your quirky centrpiece ideas. So as you can imagine I was thrilled when she asked if I'd host a contest for her, and I was even more excited when she told me she wanted to give away a full wedding package! If you are getting married before the end of 2013 and you haven't got your photographer sorted yet, then today is your lucky day!

Spending Habits of the Newly Engaged & How Couples Choose Their Wedding Suppliers: Market Research from Splendid Communications & Brides Magazine

Kat

June 19, 2012

A couple of wedding media outlets have conducted some pretty awesome market research over the past few months. These included the amazing Liene of Splendid Communications and Brides Magazine (US). Both interviewed thousands engaged and newly married couples and with their permission I'm sharing some of their findings today. From Liene's results, I found the factors couples consider when booking their wedding suppliers particularly interesting (click to enlarge each image).

A Stylish East London Wedding: Charlotte & Jonathan

Kat

June 19, 2012

When the bride is an in-demand fashion stylist you just know the wedding is going to be incredible right? Well Charlotte & Jonathan certainly put their own stamp on their day, with Charlotte's expert knowledge and uber cool credentials coming in pretty darn handy for all the pretty bits.

The Bridal Shop Experience & How to Come Out Alive…

Kat

June 18, 2012

I was blown away by the response to the article I published on Weight Loss and Weddings a few weeks ago. Thank you to every single one of you who was brave enough to leave a comment sharing your own experiences. Even though the post has been up for a little while the tweets, emails and blog comments are still pouring in for it. I never really know how topics like that will go down so it means a lot that you guys put yourselves out there like that. You are all so amazing. There was one resounding message that came from the comments, and one I didn't anticipate. It was your concerns or bad experiences with bridal shops and your worries with finding a wedding dress you loved (and that fitted/complimented your figure/make you look beautiful). The crazy thing was that these concerns were not even limited to those of you who identified yourselves as overweight. It seemed that nearly all of you, no matter what your shape or size, had concerns or stories to tell about the dreaded bridal shop experience.

A Boho & Rock n Roll Fusion Wedding: Ioan & Anona

Kat

June 18, 2012

The Welsh wedding of Ioan & Anona was planned with everyone in mind - themselves, their friends and their families. It was important to them that their wedding would be an enjoyable day for everyone in attendance. "On one hand we wanted quite a traditional wedding that would keep the parents happy but also one that both our friends and ourselves would feel bore our own individual stamp," the groom told me. "I play guitar in a hardcore punk / rock band and am obsessed with old 70s riff heavy rock and classic album art so I was really keen to ramp up those kind of aesthetics. Anona’s mother was quite keen on a 'spring flower' theme and whilst initially I worried those two influences would clash spectacularly I think in the end it all came together and balanced each other nicely."

A Sunday Kind of Love: Happy Father’s Day

Kat

June 17, 2012

Well I couldn't let today pass without a nod to those Daddy's of ours could I? And as I'm a terrible daughter who didn't so much as get her Dad a card (I know, I know...but I did give him a bottle of absinthe from Prague so I hope I'm forgiven) I thought today I'd use the blog to celebrate all Dad's everywhere...

A DIY Vineyard Wedding: Christopher & Kerrie

Kat

June 16, 2012

For their vineyard wedding, Christopher & Kerrie wanted something kitsch, warm and welcoming but without being restricted by a particular theme. "We put in all the elements that were 'us' that blended well and looked good together", the bride told me. "I would say our wedding theme, if anything, was 'uniquely us'. We are young romantics, whimsical, mismatched and a bit scruffy, we are lazy Sunday afternoon tea on a patchwork quilt in the sun and piece of cake to take home with you."

A Simply Stunning Engagement: Justin & Alanna

Kat

June 15, 2012

Engagement shoots can get a little cray cray. Props, expensive outfits and mental locations, while all lovely, are not what makes a good one. To me, a cute couple being themselves and showing their love their way is what matters. Dear Justin & Alanna, you did this amazingly!

Personal Posts – How Much Is Too Much?: A Guest Post by Sara Doron of Under the Vintage Veil

Kat

June 15, 2012

Hello, my name is Sara (that's me on the right) and I’m a share-a-holic. Confused? Let me explain. I’d say the majority of wedding businesses have blogs – and as wonderful an engagement tool as they can be, they can also be a little bit dangerous – and I’ll explain why. Let me preface this by saying that, as a blogger, I am a strong believer in sharing parts of your personality, your quirks, your likes and dislikes and your major life events with your readers. Being a human being is what distinguishes a blogger from a magazine. Unlike with a magazine, where readers buy a copy once a month, but are outsiders looking in on an experience, with a blog, people get to know you, follow your journey and interact with you, even come to care about you.

An Oxfordshire Tipi Wedding: Saskia & Paul

Kat

June 15, 2012

Weddings don't have to be detail heavy or complicated to be Rock n Roll - Saskia & Paul's stunning Oxfordshire tipi wedding proves it! The Swedish tipi was erected in Paul's father's back garden, the bride had no bridesmaids and the groom had no groomsmen. For this couple, ticking things of the proverbial wedding list was of no regard - what mattered was them, their love and celebrating with their friends and family.

Thursday Treats: 14th June 2012 – Pleeeease Vote for me?!

Kat

June 14, 2012

I'm not one to beg but... Who am I kidding? Yes I am! But why the begging today you ask? Well last week I had a rather exciting letter through my door informing me that I'd be nominated for a Perfect Wedding Award! Now I know awards are not the be all and end all... but hell, I'm not gonna lie, I really want a shiny trophy to put on my mantelpiece! To vote for me and a plethora of other UK suppliers in the awards, simply click the button below. Voting is opening until 6th August 2012 and the winners will be announced in the magazine out on 5th September... Plus there's even a fancy awards dinner...and I like dinner...and awards... (OK promise I'll shut up now!)

Pastel Colours for a 1950s Inspired Wedding: Emily & James

Kat

June 14, 2012

As soon as I laid eyes on Emily's incredible silver embellished 1950s inspired wedding dress I was smitten. What an utterly gorgeous bride and a completely beautiful wedding. I couldn't wait to get it on these digital pages of mine! The couple were married at Edes House, Chichester and had their reception at the groom's father's house in Bosham. "We wanted our wedding day to completely reflect James and I", Emily told me. "This was something we kept in mind during the whole process, as I think it is easy to lose sight of what and who weddings are for, when you are surrounded by so many people in the wedding industry telling you that you absolutely need this and definitely need that. 
We both adore the 1950s and the pastel shades, and I really feel like these things were very present in the whole day. We also chose from the beginning which things would be the most important to us - these ended up being the food/drink for James and the flowers for me. We chose a catering company who were very local and produced the most delicious food. We hand picked each of the types of alcohol we chose, with Arundel Ales coming from Sussex and the cider coming from Appledram which is just around the corner from the reception."