Light-hearted & Personal

Kat

April 14, 2010

I love a quirky London wedding just as much as the next person so I whooped with joy when Connie & Jonny's was send my way. "We wanted to bring all our friends and family together for a massive party to celebrate us getting hitched" the bride began. "We kept certain traditions - getting everyone to sit down and have a big feed, and speeches etc, but we weren't keen on all the flowery formal bits, so to keep things lighthearted and personal we had the lovely ukelele band. We put our friends and family on a routemaster bus back to the reception (at Lena Restaurant, 66 Great Eastern St, London) Amazing food, great party space downstairs with loads of champagne. A friend drove my dad and I to the town hall in his VW camper van, and took Jonny and I (with music booming, a healthy supply of champagne) back to the reception (we drove back via regent’s park and stopped off in the sunshine to take it all in). Not really up for flowery delicate invites, we got Hanway print centre to print us some bright orange postcards. Jonny’s dad made the wedding cake and my mom and friends organised the flowers."

Outdoorsy Autumn Diy Wedding

Kat

April 9, 2010

Summer & Frank got married exactly a year after their first date. The wedding had an Autumn theme and was held at a local park. Their reception was at one of their favourite hang outs - Fatty's in Astoria. "I started looking for parks in our area where we could also hold the reception." Summer told me. "We're both very casual and outdoorsy, so we didn't want anything formal--we wanted the focus to be more on the happiness of the day. The cost for renting local parks is a shocking fraction of more formal venues, too, and you can bring in your own catering, which gives you more options for food. I'm a vegetarian, so that was important."

Thursday Treats – 1st April 2010

Kat

April 1, 2010

It's that time of the week again...hold onto your knickers girls! As always this week has been epic and the internet has been fit to bursting with all this bloggy goodness. I can't wait for you to read it all. So, go get a cup of coffee and some kind of sweet treat and enjoy some procrastination time...

Creativity Running Wild

Kat

March 31, 2010

I have to be honest, I've been gagging to share Aubrey & Marshall's wedding ever since photographer's Stacie & Geoffrey (you may remember them from their own - way too damn cool wedding) sent me a sneak peek...not only because of how rad this wedding actually is, but because I have secretly been harboring a photographic crush on Lang Photographers (I'm probably their biggest Twitter stalker!) Aubrey & Marshall diy-ed their whole wedding with very little budget - they just let their creativity run wild! Everything from the origami to the curtain, from the invitation to the pinwheels was constructed and created by the pair and I am dying over here! Oh tell me your love it as much as I do...

Thursday Treats – 25th March 2010

Kat

March 25, 2010

Check 'em out - my favourite links from all the corners of blog land over the past 7 days... I have to say, I've certainly been getting around this week - not only was I featured in the Daily Express, but new photography website, The Photography Parlour, interviewed me for their brand spanking new 'Marketing Monday' feature.

Sew Magazine – April 2010

Kat

March 18, 2010

When I told people I was going to be featured in this month's Sew Magazine (out in shops tomorrow), the usual reaction I got was a screwed up face and a look of confusion. "Sew magazine? but you don't sew!" Well no my dears I don't but I've always wished I was a bit more crafty and if we were to plan our wedding again, I know I'd be making some terrible attempts at diy-ing the lot. However after receiving my shiny new copy in the post this morning, I have to say I feel positively converted. I'm seriously not just sayingthis (because I'm in it!) but this April issue, a Special Occasions Special, is literally fit to bursting with fabulous wedding diy and craft ideas. From making cute little stitched thank you 'cards' out of mismatched fabric, to making your own dress - from adorable fascinator ideas and even a tutorial foryour own veil (and we all know how expensive a cathedral veil is to buy - ouch!) - this magazine would be an absolute god send to any bride lacking inspiration in the do-it-yourself department.

With a Little Help From Our Friends…{Part 2}

Kat

March 17, 2010

As daylight broke, Anita, Alan and their guests rose for the exciting day that lay ahead of them. Anita put on her dress, designed especially for her by a local dress makers had her hair & make up done by her Aunt and picked up her flowers all donated by friends. After getting ready the whole party headed to the wedding tent, built by her Uncles, to begin the rest of their lives together. What a celebration!

Doing it Their Own Way

Kat

March 12, 2010

The pair employed no wedding vendors (except photographer Amber Hughes) for their wedding. They did the whole thing themselves and did it in style to boot! No expensive venue (they got married at home and had their wedding day shoot at Seawall) no over-priced outfit (Magalie wore a dress from BCBG, boots from Chooka with a flower in her hair from H&M.) The flowers were purchased in bulk from different florists in town and the couple put them together themselves. The tissue paper pom-poms were from a Martha Stewart tutorial. They pulled all the food and drinks together themselves and Magalie did her own hair and makeup.

Rustic Diy Details

Kat

March 10, 2010

I was blown away by Carla & Neetling's South African wedding, in particular the phenomenal DIYvintagey, natural details and her beautiful dress. Carla and her Mum did most of the wedding themselves and loved personalising all the details.

Charming Chinese Fusion

Kat

March 4, 2010

The majority of submissions that land in Rock n Roll Bride's inbox are from photographers. which is great because I get to sample all the best, innovative and inspiring new photography and Rock n Roll weddings out there. However there is something very special about receiving an excitable email from a recently married couple, bursting to tell me all about their wedding. I got an email just like this only yesterday and Sally & Sam's charming vintage/Chinese fusion wedding was only made better by the fabulous running commentary from the bride.

Chic, Intimate, Library Wedding

Kat

February 25, 2010

I am literally dying over Steve and Caitlin's personal, intimate wedding. The wedding took place at The Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst, Illinois, which at one point, used to be the Elmhurst Library. Steve & Caitlin drew from this (and their love of books) for some of the detail themes. They made library catalogue cards as their escort cards and each table was named after a different book. They had old photos of their families going back generations scattered throughout the mansion, and also had a room full of antique games for guests to play. They decided to save money was by creating their own bouquets and they actually used fake flowers! Caitlin's dress was from J.Crew and the bridesmaids each chose their own black dress.

Anthropologie & Rustic Farm Elegance with a Rock n Roll Twist

Kat

February 15, 2010

Oh squeeeeal! I'm not sure I can say anything more intellectual about Luke & Charis' wedding, in fact I think only 'squeeeal' will cover it. So. Much. Awesome! "This couple was married in a barn at Sharon Rose Farm in Greenville SC" photographer Anna told me "The bride is a hair stylist, the groom is a drummer - so the music and the style was fabulous and original. I thought what was so rock n roll about this wedding was that the bride made surprise stick-on tattoos to replicate her new husband's favorite tattoo on his arm, and all the guests had a mini tattoos during the reception just like the groom!" Charis wore a dress from David's Bridal and she asked her bridesmaids to simply pick their own black dress. When Charis and her bridesmaids walked into the venue someone said, "It looks like an anthropologie catalogue just walked in!" The ceremony and reception were held in a beautiful red renovated horse barn. It was such a nice mix of rustic farm, elegant chandeliers and vintage flare. There were mason jars with wild flowers, and baskets of peanuts on cocktail tables as guests mingled and sipped lemonade before the entering the barn. An old typewriter was used as a to write notes to the bride and groom, and a sweet bird cage to put them in. Just sit back and enjoy these - I know you will! Thanks to Anna for sharing this amazing wedding with us Credit: Anna Naphtali Photography

Art Deco Galore

Kat

February 13, 2010

After swooning over all the vintage gorgeousness at The Designer Wedding show yesterday (full blog post including photographs and links to my favourite exhibitors soon!) when the awesome Ian Johnson sent me this art deco wedding I jumped at the chance to feature it asap! Thanks to Ian for sharing these with us. LOVE!

Surprise! Phoebe & Teraaka’s Family Central UK Wedding

Kat

February 11, 2010

Save the… Cupcakes

Kat

February 11, 2010

Carnival Crazy

Kat

February 7, 2010

Dina & Gary's 1920's vaudeville carnival themed wedding makes me wanna squeal. I wish wish wish we'd done something as fabulous as this when we got hitched. The wedding took place at Asbury Park, New Jersey and the pair really went to town with their theme - from popcorn and candy for the guests, a sideshow performance, goldfish in bowls... in fact everything you might expect to find at a carnival! Dina wore a custom dress (made by a friend) and wore jewellery and carried a candy bouquet made by another friend Melissa Heid. Just. Wow. Thanks to Brandi for sharing this awesome day with us. Woooo!

Eco Touches for this Snowy British Wedding

Kat

February 5, 2010

You know I'm usually all about the rock chicks, but there is just something about a quirky, DIY, eco, British wedding that I just can't resist...and that fact that the bride wore Vivienne's (I have them in yellow)...well I'm sold! Photographer Mark told me the whole story: Marie and Karl chose the personal, DIY approach to ensure their wedding reflected their eco-conscious principles, where possible, combined with their love of elegant, vintage styles, nature and music! The day was based in two venues in the Northern English Forest of Bowland on a snowy day in late December. The invite package contained screen printed and hand stamped bunting on recycled card and a button badge! The couple also set up a website was to encourage electronic RSVPs. Marie’s uncle’s 70’s cream ford galaxy 500 was the chariot of choice which delivered the pair to the organic farm for their reception- a gorgeous 17thcentury barn with heated floors and wood burning stove. Guests were greeted with mulled wine, hot vimto and the bride’s own homemade spiced biscuits served in an array of mis-matching vintage tea cups and saucers. Most of the deco was Marie’s own DIY effort -table centres were constructed on slabs of fallen pine/oak trees with arrangements of flowers she picked and dried over the year, vintage glass medicine bottles (car boot sales) and potted herbs in painted pots/vintage clay pots. Soy candles were arranged in charity shop finds- sherry glasses as votives and old glass jars covered in 1920s musical manuscript. Bunting was made by Gregg McDonald using off-cuts from the bridesmaid’s dresses (fabric from a brilliant mill in Bradford called Bombay Stores). Marie hand made some paper birds to sit on the edge of champagne glasses as place names and napkin rings were a ring of two-tone ribbon finished with a button. Karl designed and made “cootie catchers” which were placed on the dining tables featuring a selection of the couple’s favourite lyrics for entertainment between the courses of soup, pie and home-made cup cakes (courtesy of Marie’s mum and auntie)! The couple had been secretly attending swing jive dance lessons to surprise their guests and performed their first dance to Ray Scott’s red hot R n’ B number ‘Silk, Satin n Lace’. Later in the evening Karl’s band, including grooms men, ‘Super Johnny K and the Bang Bangs’ played a short set of vintage psyche n surf rock tunes. Marie teamed a stunner of a dress with her Vivienne Westwood shoes. She chose Daven by Pronovias and wore upcycled hair accessories ( from dress cut-offs and old sparkly bits) from Rebeccastone on Etsy and earrings which she also found on Etsy. Her bridesmaids wore dresses by Raouli. Karl wore a 1960's suit which he found on Ebay and a printed tie & hankerchief from Liberty. Thanks to photographer Mark and Marie & Karl for sharing this beeeautiful day with us

Valentine’s Love Letter

Kat

February 1, 2010

This beautiful Valentine's day/love letter themed shoot was sent to me by Alice Huand I'm afriad I couldn't wait until February 14th to share it with you. The shoot was put together for Fantasy Floral Designs. Amanda Heer is the original creator of the vintage brooch bouquet and for this shoot she created another keepsake bouquet called "Love Letter". The 'flowers' were made from vintage diaries and included photographs of loved ones to add another personal touch. The invitations in this shoot were provided by Papeterie Store. Thanks to Alice & Amanda for sending this over. I know people are going to go nuts for this! Credit: Alice Hu Photography

Laid Back Love & Laughter

Kat

January 31, 2010

This beautifully simple backyard wedding makes me long for lazy, summer afternoons once again. Rachel had her dress handmade for her by family members and Kelly rocked it in his pinstripes. The whole day was one of laid back love and laughter. Thanks Eric!

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