Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Retro

Let’s Get Mad (Men)

Kat

February 6, 2010

Jenn & Gavin won Ambient Studios' 'Engagement Story Your Way' contest with their unique 60's/Mad Men idea which was fueled by their love of the show, and the style of the era. Photographers Larissa & Trevor told me all about it: Both working within the creative industry the idea of a jumping into the character of a 60's Advertising Executive seemed to be a great fit for this couple. They seemed to enjoy every minute of it and we worked to create photos that not only represented the stark, strong personalities represented on Mad Men, but also their affection for each other. (after all, in the end this fabulous couple is getting married!) The Paddock, an amazing little pub in downtown Toronto was our first location and I have to say, these two ROCKED it! The style of the bar, the classic cocktails, the clothes and Jen's fantastic make-up and hair all came together perfectly. We also spent a bit of time in the Financial District to take advantage of the cityscape as a backdrop as well even though it was quite chilly. All in all, I think all elements came together to create a great contemporary twist on a classic look! Thanks to Larissa & Trevor for sharing this fabulous shoot with us Credit: Ambient Studios
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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
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Under the Spotlight – Royal Steamline

Kat

January 27, 2010

Something a little different in Under the Spotlight today. I'd like to introduce you to Aerin & Jeremy of Royal Steamline. They specialise in wedding invites with a gothic/steampunk/retro/vintage vibe and I think you're going to totally dig what they do! I can't wait to get going... Who are you and what do you do? Royal Steamline is Aerin and Jeremy -- a husband-and-wife design team based in Portland, Oregon, USA. We create wedding invitations that have a dark, clockwork or otherwise retro/vintage flavor. Through a subtle and sometimes anachronistic combination of shadows, textures and vintage illustrations, we aim to convey a sense of eras strange and forgotten. Sea monsters mingle next to robotic ravens, and gentlemen scientists have tea with rockabilly rebels. Simply stated, we offer unconventional invitations for unconventional people. Who/what are your biggest influences? Who do you really admire? We primarily create designs that aim to capture a theme or mood. Our influences vary wildly -- from vintage fashion & science journals to odd finds at antique stores. Now, if you mean visual artists that we follow and appreciate, here are a few names off the top of our heads: EMEK, Alex Gross, George Tooker, Gregory Crewdson, Joe Coleman, Irving Norman, Guy Burwell, Wayne Douglas Barlowe, Michael Michael Motorcycle, Toni Frissell, Chris Ware, Guy Colwell, R. Kenton Nelson, and Jeremy could stare at Todd Schorr's "The Spectre of Monster Appeal" for hours. What is the ethos and idea behind your business? We want weddings to be cool. We want to change the way people think about weddings and offer alternatives that speak to their personal tastes. About seven years ago, a number of friends who were getting married began coming to us to design custom invitations since they couldn't find anything that epitomized their rockabilly, goth or other non-traditional wedding themes. So, we started to make invitations that were outside of the normal, plain, anemic styles that we were (and still are) seeing everywhere. More and more couples are insisting that their weddings reflect their personal styles instead of conforming to traditional wedding styles, structures, colors and attitudes. We want to contribute to their big party and help them have the weddings they want. How do you come up with invitation ideas? Often, our designs are sparked from a book or artifact on our shelves like a first edition of H.G. Wells' Star Begotten, an Edwardian glass eye, or Liz McGrath curios. Jeremy's been deep into Victorian pulps and I'm obsessed with mourning buttons and early 20th century advertising and science imagery. We're inspired by the stories of retro technology, old movies, textures of old paper...the look of outdated fonts...some crazy ornate border flourish. The combo of the different worlds usually leads to some interesting aesthetics. What is your most popular design? It seems to change every month, but 10/6 is always up there. I think that's because it's so versatile and has its own interpretation for each couple. Do you offer custom work? Of course! We offer unique "from scratch" custom designs, as well as custom design changes to our readymade invitations. Tell me a little about your favourite invitation you created and why. Hmm…I like Coney Island 1896 because I'm a big fan of old sideshow posters and I've got a soft spot for cephalopods. I think it just looks great printed -- and it really sets an undeniably quirky and fun tone. Jeremy likes Vintage Rock because, well, it's a symbol of vintage rock: Viva Gene Vincent and Wanda Jackson! Do you have any advice for people looking for invitation ideas? Really spend some time and look around for the right invitation for you. Your wedding invitation is a great way for your guests to get a peek at all the fun that's to come. And if you don't see what you're looking for, it never hurts to ask! What has been the highlight of your career so far? Really, just doing this full-time is a blast for us. But if we had to name a single client that we were flattered to work with, it might be Voltaire. We were so honored he chose us to create the invitations for what looked to be an awesome goth wedding. Name a couple of bands/songs that are on your stereo at the moment? Music plays a huge role withregard to who we are and what we do (or, maybe, just how we do it). We actually met when we were both living in San Francisco and our first date was basically one big argument about music (but it was great!). We genuinely enjoy a huge range of music: I grew up loving bands like Bauhaus, Ministry, Joy Division, Clan of Xymox, and The Smiths while J listened to stuff like the Misfits, Neurosis, Hawkwind and Einstürzende Neubauten. These days, we're still all over the place! Recently, shows we've seen include Earth, Stereolab, Marissa Nadler, The Raveonettes, Vagabond Opera, King Khan and BBQ, the Horrors, Thrones, Atlas Sound, the Ghastly Ones…We haven't even mentioned Jeremy's love of early Americana (Harry Smith is a big influence) and my collection of hard bop and sad bastard vinyl. What can we expect from you in 2010? We're always working on new designs and will soon be offering matching programs, table numbers and other wedding accoutrements on our website (currently only available by special request). Also, our New Year's Sale is still going on: we put 5 designs on sales the week of New Year's. To contact Aerin & Jeremy about your wedding invitations, go check out their fabulous and inspirational website and drop them an email to hello@royalsteamline.com If you are a photographer or wedding vendor and are interested in being featured in a future ‘Under the Spotlight’ post then drop me an email for all the info.
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Deluxe Boudoir

Kat

January 26, 2010

The vintage boudoir style is everywhere right now and it really seems to be sparking people's imaginations! I love how different people perceive things in their own unique way... Obviously my recently shoot was miles away in style to this one sent to me the other day by Courtney Wilson, but the brief was the same - to create some stunning boudoir images with a vintage flair. Courtney told me all about her inspiration behind this shoot: There was an image from Destry Rides Again (1939) where Marlene Deitrich is posed oh-so-sensually in her deluxe boudoir. I saw this image and was completely inspired to theme a shoot around it (the black and white shot was my interpretation of the actual image). The model is my sister, Eva, and she was a very willing subject on a rainy day at my home. After ransacking the whole house, we pulled together our favorite vintage accessories and went to town! Eva wore all her own clothes and I styled the shoot myself. her amazing shoes were from Shoegasm in Manhattan. Thanks to Courtney for sharing her vision with us
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Carrie’s Jean Harlow Inspired Bridals

Kat

January 23, 2010

Carrie's wedding day portraits make me so excited I could scream. Isn't she just the most gorgeous Rock n Roll chick ever? "My entire ensemble was inspired by old Hollywood glamor and 1930's black & white films, very Gene Harlow" Carrie told me "My hair and make-up was done by me and I kept it very straight, classic and the make-up reminiscent of the silent era. I grew up watching nothing but silent films, old horror movies and classic film noir. I wanted to appear timeless and not dated, I think I achieved my vision and surpassed even my own expectations." Carrie's gorgeous ruffled dress came from "The Dresser" in downtown Fullerton and was by Pattis, the style was called "Diore". "Originally it was $1850, but I got it on sale for a trunk show promo for 15% off. The dress was made from scratch in Italy. At the time I was shopping for the dress, I had a shaved head. The sales lady then she pulled the dress for me said "The girl with the blonde shaved head and tattoos would look perfect in this dress" the second I tried it on...I knew it was the one." She chose a veil from www.birdcageveils.com which cost her just $59 and her shoes came from "The Dresser" too. The bracelet she wore was an heirloom of her husband's great grandmother and was actually originally a necklace. The gorgeous brooches on the bouquets (supplied by Kari Strand at Lake Elsinore Florist) were from Macy's and old cost about $8 each (reduced from $30!) The bridesmaids also wore dresses from Macy's.
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All that Jazz

Kat

January 22, 2010

This fabulous 1920s Vogue-stylee fashion shoot was sent over to me by Donna & Mark of Archibald Photography and I actually couldn't wait to share them with you! The shoot was commissioned to to photograph the new collection of 20s inspired wedding dresses from Lindsay Fleming called 'All That Jazz'. Lindsay Fleming Couture are award winning bridal designers based in Scotland. Aren't these beautiful!? Thanks to Donna & Mark for sharing these with us today
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Fairy Lights, Scrabble & English Heritage

Kat

January 21, 2010

Ella & Sam's London wedding was such a gorgeously quirky affair that not only I was boiling over with excitement to blog them, but Emily from the ridiculously popular (and in fact one of my personal favourite blogs) Once Wed was too. So we've decided to join forces on this one and to both share our favourite bits of this gloriously English affair. For all the ceremony and portraits head over to Once Wed and I'll handle the beautiful reception details. You might actually recognise Ella from her sister's wedding that I also featured on Rock n Roll Bride a while back - who could forget those wonderful red shoes?! While Tara opted for a bright and colourful summer wedding, Ella & Sam's day was one of enviable vintage glamour and sophistication - with a touch of Rock n Roll of course! I am absolutely crazy for those bridesmaids in sparkly black jackets and the un-corordinated patterned tights, and of Sam's awesome floral shirt and bow tie combo. The wedding which was held in Grenwich, London was one of English Heritage and followed by a secret dinner at Davy's Wine Vaults, decked out with candles and hand-chosen gifts for everyone
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The Vintage Bride

Kat

January 17, 2010

I wanted to share a few images if Caitlin on her wedding day as I think she looked every bit the simple vintage beauty. We had an intimate wedding with the whole family bringing it together from the dress, the caterer and all the details in the house for the reception. I chose the vintage look because it not only totally works with my own personal style, it is a classic look that will never grow old. I didn't want to look back 20 years from now and say "What was I thinking?!" Even now if you look at pictures from the '40's and '50's, you can only say how beautiful and glamorous everyone and everything looked. My dress was something we found in a boutique wedding dress shop in Los Gatos. Actually it turned out to be a better pick for me then the $6500 designer dresses that I originally had wanted! (Mine was only $500!!) Thanks to Caitlin and Jessica for sharing these words and images with us Credit: Jess Epstein Photography
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Cowboys & Indians

Kat

December 1, 2009

I'm pretty sure none of the adjectives flying around my head as I look at these images can do justice to this ridiculously, spectacularly, awesomely, fantastically, edgy and wicked shoot! Alma & David got married in New Orleans and had a cowboys & indians style wedding! The pair actually acted as models in a workshop for 25 photographers who want to learn new techniques and to photograph a couple as cool as they are. I'm sooo excited that photographer Belen sent her shots to me to feature - thanks so much chick! Credit: Gerber + Scarpelli Weddings
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Old Hollywood, Mexican Punk Rock!

Kat

November 30, 2009

Summer & Christopher's wedding took place in July in a cemetery/mausoleum where the bride's mother works at their beautiful 1920's era chapel - certainly made for some awesome shots huh!? Summer told me: "It didn't bother us that the chapel had a mausoleum inside of it. It's not that we were being purposely macabre, but we both have an understanding of the cycle of life, and felt that it would be beautiful, appropriate, and romantic, to have our wedding in a place which encompassed beauty and history. It was also a nice tribute to my mom, who brought me up with the understanding that death is just another part of life"
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Indie Rock

Kat

November 23, 2009

Hello again you gorgeous creatures, I hope you didn't miss me too much this weekend (although I was pretty rubbish at staying away - my phone kept me up to date quite nicely with Twitter and Facebook!) I'm starting this week off with a bang, firstly with the adorably indie Leanne & Nate and their beyond perfect engagement session. Photographer Noa has really been making waves in blog land over the last few months and as always it is my absolute pleasure to share this session that she sent me. As always thanks Noa. You rock my world! People, hold on to your knickers and pop back here in a few hours to find out your three finalists for the Erica Berger Trash the Dress contest. In the words of Dermot O'Leary "They'll need your votes!" (I understand that only makes sense if you're in the UK but oh well!) Credit: FeatherLove Photography
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