Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Engagement

Crazy, Mismatched & Colourful

Kat

February 26, 2010

Remember this stunning film noir style shoot that I featured back in May? Well the couple Sami & Katherine are now getting married and who better to shoot their engagements (and upcoming wedding of course) than there friend Emily Porter? "Sami's socks are always crazy and mismatched and he shares my love of short doses of things - TV shows instead of movies, short stories instead of novels. He loves jazz. And probably once every few months he'll message me asking for my photoshop "expertise" in making some crazy graphic for a tshirt. Once it was Sarah Palin's face superimposed on a daisy. Most recently he asked me to photoshop a cape onto a picture of Ronald Reagan on a horse." "Their apartment is full of bookcases. Some of them are filled entirely with books on learning different languages because Katherine's brain must always be taking in new information. She studies for fun. Katherine speaks with a thick New York accent and every time I visit her I get treated to the most wonderful of facial masks." Thanks to Emily for sharing this fun, colourful shoot with us Credit: Emily Porter
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The Cutest Rock n Roll Picnic

Kat

February 20, 2010

Yes, yes yes this post is heeeuge. Photographer Shannon sent me a little sneaky peak of Josiah & Dana's engagement session and I swooned as soon as I saw the shot with the silver glittery curtain behind them...but then I saw the coffee shop they started in, the photo booth shots and the cutest Rock n Roll picnic ever and I was smitten. "This couple is sooooooooooooo cool." Shannon told me. "Like, truly, I went away from the session thinking "Man, I have to start being cooler" because they were literally too cool. Oh, and they have great style."
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Urban, Girtty, Hearts & Love

Kat

February 19, 2010

Emma & Mattias' urban & gritty engagement session in Hackney Wick (the East End of London) have inspired me no end. I not only love the rough 'n ready, graffiti style shots (which are fast becoming a bit of a McNeil signature) but the wonderful heart shots send my heart a-flutter. I asked David how this images came about and he told me that as they were wondering down the street, looking for locations, they came across a hall where a Valentines night was being set up. They asked nicely if they would use their heart covered wall as a backdrop and the lovely people said yes. Aren't the results fabulous? Another photographic win for my friend David I feel! Thanks to David for sending these over today Credit: David McNeil
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Neon Boneyard, Tattooed Rockstars

Kat

February 7, 2010

Lindsey & Nate chose Vegas' Neon Boneyard as the location for their radical engagement session and from Lindsey's excitable email it sounds like their wedding is going to be off-the-hook too We’ve decided it’ll be very US—off the cuff, a little startling, but still have those moments where you’d feel the need to sigh at the sheer romance of it all. It’d be a whirlwind of crazy drinking and bringing family and friends together and looking FABULOUS and MOST OF ALL, having the best day of our life. Three of us at work started wedding planning at the same time and while they talked about chapel ceremonies and formal dinners they scoffed at my EMPHASIS on an open bar, chucks for the groomsmen, and the very mention that my maid of honor (my gay younger sister) would be in a tux rather than a dress --BLASPHEMY!!! I have no doubt in my mind though that my wedding and our great pics to always remember it by, will blow both of theirs outta the water. Nate and I chose to do our engagement photos here in Vegas at a venue I fell in love with on Chelsea’s page: the Neon Boneyard, where all the old Vegas signs are kept. It’s bright but rundown and captures Vegas perfectly and will be a great contrast to the relaxed Fall wedding (10/10/10 is XXX in roman numerals as Chelsea pointed out to us. SCANDALOUS, I love it!) we have planned at a Texas Vineyard. The pictures are being used for my Save the Date magnets, and shhh no one knows this yet, but the peacock headpiece will be a recurring hint for guests. The invitations will each be tied with a feather, and then the wedding has been based around the bright colors of the peacock mixed with the deep browns of fall. I guess I’m still somewhat of a traditional girl, and every bride needs something blue right? Thanks to Chelsea, Lindsey & Nate for sharing
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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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Hell Yeah Balloons are Punk Rock

Kat

February 2, 2010

Anthony & Shealyn were actually not engaged at the time the session took place. However, just a week after the shoot they realized that they just could not live without each other and got engaged! Photographer Sheri told me all about the day: Other than specifying that they'd like incorporate purple balloons (which Anthony brought to Shealyn on their first date) we were left to our own creative devices. I was inspired by their edgy style and chose backdrops that would make them pop. I like the contrast of their hard, black style against the softness of the beach and the lightheartedness of the balloons. We walked back to their apartment and they suggested hopping into the pool... mind you this was early January and cold even by San Diego standards. Thanks to Sheri for sharing these shoot with us...and I have to say I totally love Shealyn's dress which actually came from the Miley Cyrus/Max Azria for Wal-Mart! Rock n Roll indeedy. Credit: Tangerine Tree Photography
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Enviable Vintage-Cool

Kat

January 31, 2010

A cute couple, both us glasses and fabulous fashion with that enviable vintage-cool vibe (the green dress was Amanda's grandmother's) rocking it with records and just generally hanging out...I just ...yeah, you know I love it. Amanda & David hopped around different locations throughout the East Side of Milwaukee for their engagement shoot. All of the places they visited had significance to their first date, the first stop being a record store. On their first date, David bought a record "for himself," which a few months later he gave to Amanda as a gift. She holds it in one of the photos. They also stopped at Comet Cafe, which was where they had lunch together for the first time. They even brought their own favourite coffee cups for the shoot. Thanks to Miranda & Adam of Capturing Your Day for sharing this shoot Credit: Capturing Your Day
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On the Southbank

Kat

January 29, 2010

I was lucky enough to feature photographer Jodie Chapman in my Under the Spotlight series this week...and now I'm lucky enough to be the blog that she selected to showcase her newest engagement shoot which took place on the Southbank of the River Thames in London. Jodie knew this shoot would be perfect for Rock n Roll Bride and that I'd go crazy for the old books, the London Underground map, the old telephone boxes (does anyone use telephone boxes anymore?!) and the London buses, as well as the various quintessentially London locations such as The Tate Modern (which, even though it's a horrific 1970's building, she still made look awesome!) Thanks to Jodie for sharing these with us Credit: Jodie Chapman Photographer
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