The Inspirations: Choccywoccydoodah’s Christine Taylor

Kat

April 18, 2012

Do you dream in chocolate? Then, surely you must be aware of the unequaled talented that is Choccywoccydoodah. Famous world-over for their creations in confection I am a huge fan, and even more-so now I've got to know the team behind the yummy personally. I'm was seriously excited to speak to Creative Director Christine Taylor as part of this series, and when you read through our chat below I just know you're going to fall in love with her too.

A Vintage-Inspired Walled Garden Wedding: Carina & Chris

Kat

April 18, 2012

Carina & Chris chose The Walled Garden at Cowdray, West Sussex as the venue to host their March wedding. "It was a fantastic venue where we were really able to personalise for our day," the bride told me. "They were very relaxed and the venue's informal spaces were perfect for us and our guests." "We spent the last year since getting engaged planning all of the details of the day", she continued. "We spent our weekends rummaging in charity shops collecting china and glassware. We spent a long time making all of the bunting, menus, paper flags and lots of other items ourselves and needed someone to make it all look pretty on the day so that I could relax and enjoy getting ready! For this we worked with Lucy at Love Lane Vintage. We met her at the venue and she worked closely with our plans and our items, as well as my many sketches to style the venue! We also hired her vintage china teacups and cake stands to style the table and serve our mini afternoon tea – in place of canapés – for the drinks reception! The macaroons and mini scones looked stunning, as did the piles of teacups and teapots for guests to use!"

Buy or Sell a Pre-Loved Wedding Dress with Still White

Kat

April 17, 2012

After their 2010 wedding, Australian husband & wife team Bruno & Ingrid started Still White. Ingrid decided she didn't just want her wedding dress to sit in the back of her closet forever so she looked into selling it online. Then, after not having much luck finding an Australian pre-loved wedding dress website they decided to set up their own. The Australian site has come on in leaps ans bounds over the past 24 months with the site helping brides saving an amazing $320,000 AUD (£215,000 GBP) so far!

An Eclectic London Wedding: Kate & Jon

Kat

April 17, 2012

Kate & Jon were married in March in London. After a ceremony in Battersea Arts Centre they headed to Balham Bowls Club for their eclectically decorated reception. "The most important thing for us when planning the wedding was that it should consist of things that we normally like to do - reception in the sort of pub we would normally drink in, the style of dresses both I and the bridesmaids would normally wear (although a bit nicer of course!), the sort of food we would normally eat," Kate told me. "This was also reflected in the ceremony, with a reading from Captain Corellis Mandolin (one of my favourite books) and everyone singing along to 'Sunshine of my life' by Stevie Wonder rather than a more traditional song. Also, our first dance was 'You never can tell' from Pulp Fiction - a favourite film of Jon's. It was important to us that it was in London, which is where we and the vast majority of our friends and family live. Like most of the couples on Rock n Roll Bride, we didn't concern ourselves with what was expected of us traditionally and instead thought of it more like we were just planning a big party!"

Undercover Bride: The Wedding Dress Boutique

Kat

April 16, 2012

So Roo and I came up with a new blog series idea...she's going undercover. Many wedding blogs who review the places they visit only write about the good stuff - the glittering service, the elegant decor and the impeccable attention to detail...but you know we're not like other wedding blogs. Sure, when the service is good we'll be telling you about it, but similarly when it's shocking, we ain't holding back! And judging by Roo's experience on her first assignment it's going to be a very interesting series indeed!

Desperate Housewife: A Personal Project by Joanna Brown

Kat

April 16, 2012

I love wedding photographer Joanna Brown. LOVE. I'm always blown away by the weddings she submits to me, and I'm thrilled to feature her work on these pages whenever I can. So imagine by unadulterated joy when she asked me if I'd be willing to model for a personal project she was working on.

A Sunday Kind of Love: Anastasia Radevich’s Lost Civilizations Shoe Collection

Kat

April 15, 2012

If you're a shoe fetishist like me then you're about to die over what I have to show you. Did you ever think an underwater world could be resurrected into shoe-form? Well, behold - the Lost Civilizations Shoe Collection from Anastasia Radevich.

DIY Tutorial: Twine Wrapped Letters

Kat

April 14, 2012

Hi there fellow RocknRollers! Some of you may already know me from www.cabinetsofcuriosity.co.uk but for those that don't, I thought I'd share some pearls of wisdom with you. My name is Holly and my business Cabinets of Curiosity which specialises in eclectic, event styling including handmade stationery & decorations. Kat featured my own wedding which took place last October and there were a lot of people asking about the twine wrapped letters on my guest book table. So, I thought I'd make a little tutorial for those of you out there who would like to have a go! If you would like some initials or lettering for your big day but don't have the creative fingers, please email my site with your requirements! Big thanks to Kat and thanks for looking!

An Adventure Shoot: Kirsta & Alec

Kat

April 13, 2012

The eagle-eyed amongst you might recognise Kirsta & Alec from their amazing Mexican Art wedding that I featured in February. Well they're back, today with their amazing post-wedding shoot...and Krista has new (omgsoawesome) pale blue/grey hair!

How to Write a Press Release That Will Actually Get You Featured: A Guest Post by Debbie Carlisle

Kat

April 13, 2012

Before I entered the heady world of the wedding industry I worked for nearly two decades (gulp) as a journalist. I worked as a reporter and then news editor on regional weekly and daily newspapers and also wrote health and beauty features for a glossy magazine – all of which means I have spent a frightening proportion of my life reading press releases. Press releases are a great way of sending information and news about your company, product or service to journalists and bloggers quickly and easily. While it is no substitute for face-to-face meetings, a well-written press release backed up by strong images is a godsend to busy journalists who don’t have time for countless meetings and networking events and can just cut and paste your copy into a last-minute gap on a page. On the other hand, a poorly-written or presented press release can do more damage than good, leaving the recipient tearing their hair out, reaching for the delete button or, in the very worst cases, blacklisting the sender for being rude and stalker-ish (no really…)

A ‘Circus Freaks’ Styled Shoot

Kat

April 13, 2012

This shoot, arranged by wedding photographer Beth of True Love Photo was originally planned to be shot outside. However due to unforeseen rain (boo) the shoot was moved into a studio. However I have to say I love the results (yey!) and the studio backdrops and lighting add a whole new and slightly mystical dimension to the images.

Thursday Treats: 12th April 2012 – Partying at Choccywoccydoodah & Our 4 Year Marrieversary!

Kat

April 12, 2012

After being really poorly last weekend and spending pretty much all of my birthday and Easter feeling sorry for myself, I was back with a vengeance this week and ready to party! It's been a busy old week in Rock n Roll Bride-land to say the least! Yesterday I went to see the lovely Elbie to get myself re-pinked before heading to the writers and bloggers party hosted by the fabulous Choccywoccydoodah at their brand new central London store.

A DIY & Foodie Wedding: Kathryn & James

Kat

April 12, 2012

Kathryn & James' wedding is one of those beautiful events that just prove to me that the details, the fluff and the stresses of making your wedding 'cool' just don't matter. Simple personal touches, friends, family, laughter and love are what make the world go round - why should it be any different for wedding? I fell in love with this couple as soon as I saw the first photo in their wedding set. The love that oozes from these two is palpable and I'm seriously honoured and thrilled to share that love with you all today.

A Day of the Dead Shoot for Madeleine Bride

Kat

April 12, 2012

I have a feeling this is another one of those bridal shoots that you're going to either love or hate. Me? Well I love it! Pushing the boundaries of bridal fashion and taking influences from things that inspire you outside of the wedding world excites me greatly. It's shoots like this, set up by millinery & headpiece designer Madeleine of Madeleine Bride, that reinvigorate my love of the alternative and remind me that yes, it's not for everyone, but oh boy is it exciting to see something different!

A DIY Church Hall Wedding: Zoe & Richard

Kat

April 11, 2012

Sometimes I see a wedding and I literally can't wait to learn more about it and (hopefully if the photographer and couple agree) write it up to share it with you lot too. Luckily for me, in this instance both parties were more than thrilled to share this wedding with us today, particularly because newlyweds Zoe & Richard found wedding photographer Joanna Millington on this very wedding blog. Hurrah! Their DIY, family-central wedding was held at Christ Church in St Albans. "When we were first engaged I asked Richard if he knew where he wanted to get married," Zoe explained. "He said he didn’t want to get married anywhere but Christ Church St Albans. It was my childhood church on the estate where I grew up and where Richard and I went to school. We knew it wasn’t exactly the idyllic wedding venue – a flat-roofed, slightly tired and drab looking carpeted church with very green curtains – but it was home. We had our reception in the same place. Luckily they had just built a shiny new hall attached to the old church building, which was very handy. No one (apart from us) had to venture out into the rain!"

The Inspirations: Tattooist Mike Harris

Kat

April 11, 2012

I always loved sleeve tattoos on women, so when I finally got up the courage to get one done myself I really did my research to get the very best artist I could. Mike, and the London studio he was working in at the time, was recommended to me by a heavily inked friend when I said I was looking for a cartoony, colourful and fun design - nothing to serious, just like me I guess! After spending 18 hours together I got to know Mike pretty well. I was surprised to find out he was so young but this along made me respect him even more. He is incredibly talented, devoted to his career and seriously inspirational. The perfect candidate for this week's Inspirations interview if you ask me!

The Secret Glamour of Hollywood: A Styled Shoot for Alexandra King’s 2012 Bridal Collection

Kat

April 11, 2012

Secret Hollywood glamour was the inspiration for this shoot, set up to promote the new range of wedding dresses from British designer Alexandra King. "The shoot was originally based on the morning after the Oscars, a hazy, sun kissed feel with the soft prettiness of the dresses against the cold concrete and run down beach," Alexandra told me. "As if an Oscar/wedding party traveled down to the beach in Lost Boys and here was the morning after. The shoot then developed to two more locations. To shoot the look book, we found a village hall which had the perfect school play feel to it with a velvet curtained stage and lighting that gave the models the appearance of being a puppet show.The abandoned 1960s caravan images gave a trashy contrast against the dresses again and I love the way some of the images have a romantic gypsy feel to them."

WIN One of Five Free Trash the Dress Bridal Shoots with Photographic Blonde

Kat

Photographic Blonde

April 10, 2012

Don't worry you don't literally have to trash your dress (well unless you want to!) to enter this contest with wedding photographer Photographic Blonde! Photographer Emily would like the opportunity to shoot some kick ass Rock n Roll Brides and what could be a better way to do that then to ask you lot if you'd like to model for her? Not only will you have a great day but you'll have some really fun and unique photographs to keep forever.

Husband & Wife Teams and How to Make them Work

Kat

April 10, 2012

Last week I revieved the following email from Green Room reader Kristi, "I would love to see a post about husband & wife teams (or working with your spouse/partner etc) but in a super honest way. I feel like all the husband & wife teams out there only talk about the good and not the real challenges. I myself have always hated the phrase 'husband & wife team' because it makes it sound like we were matching jogging suits and finish each other's sentences. When that is totally not us. We are more likely to argue about the shot one of us missed or the one of us choosing to many of our own photos etc. Please can you help?! P.S Viva la Rock n Roll Bride! Well Kristi that's what I'm here for - and we all know I'm going to be as super honest as possible! As one half of an accidental husband & wife team (the initial plan for Rock n Roll Bride was never for us to work together) there have been lot of steep learning curves that we've had to navigate along the way. We've had to make changes to how we live and work, mostly without any forward planning (I'm sure 'proper' business people are shuddering right now) but I do think we somehow have made it work. Like with anything business-related I think it's very easy to look at other husband & wife combos and think they've got it made, when of course, deep down, we all know they're only sharing the good stuff and keeping the real nitty gritty and blazing rows under wraps. It's certainly not all high fives and long lunches in our house, but there are a few conscious decisions and changes that we've made along the way, all of which have made a huge difference to our work/life balance.

An Alabama Cave Wedding: Melissa & Greg

Kat

April 10, 2012

Yes you did read that correctly - Melissa & Greg got married in a cave (and instantly went into my 'coolest ever wedding venue' mental checklist). "Greg and I picked up the love of spelunking (caving) during our 4 ½ year relationship and wanted to show our families what we found so beautiful about underground," Melissa explained when I asked them about their unusual choice. "The ceremony felt very romantic; low lighting, candles everywhere, glowing stalactites and the silhouettes of the people who love us the most. My stepfather Mark became ordained and performed our ceremony. It was very special to have him be such a huge part of my wedding since my father refused to attend for his own personal reasons. One of the more emotional moments of the day was when I danced with my stepfather. I hate crying but there was no holding back my ugly crying face! Greg walked me down the aisle, which was a perfect way to begin our marriage. I was much less nervous than I would have been otherwise. We broke a few traditions that I used to think were important, but now I understand exactly what a wedding is all about; it’s about man and wife and everything else is too insignificant to worry about."