Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Kat

Tiffany & Brandon – Embracing the Fun

Kat

March 16, 2011

"We wanted to get pictures that captured our personalities," bride-to-be Tiffany told me. "We began calling around photographers in Orlando and almost all of the photographers that I loved were way over budget. I was very upset, and had to come up with a plan. Since I was a student photographer at one point of my life, I loved having models/couples/babies doing photos for my portfolio, and I usually didn’t charge as much as professionals. So, I posted advertisements at the local art schools and craigslist looking for a student photographer who would like to do our wedding. I received an email from Nick Suivski, student at the University of Central Florida and savior of my wedding."
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Briana & George’s Antique Wedding

Kat

March 15, 2011

"I like to question everything, so if something at a wedding doesn't have a specific purpose it was out," began the bride Briana. "We didn't have a guestbook, or a garter toss, or a bouquet, or a cake, or a chicken dance...My husband and I both love vintage stuff. We're both silly, dumpster-diving artist types. We would have just eloped, because the idea of a wedding seemed both superfluous and expensive, but we both love a good party! It was a compromise. If I had more than 4 months to plan it and lived in town, I would have handmade everything myself and incorporated tons of quirky details...but it was perfect just the way it was."
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Anna Lee & Jeremy’s Vintage-Inspired DIY Wedding

Kat

March 15, 2011

Anna Lee & Jeremy were engaged and married within 3 1/2 months. After Anna Lee moved away to teach in Rwanda, the couple realised they couldn't live without each other and set a wedding date before she'd even come back. Even though they we're technically already engaged, when Anna Lee returned after 10 months, Jeremy proposed properly and did so in the car park of their favourite restaurant because he couldn't wait one second longer! Anna Lee told me all about their vintage-inspired DIY wedding. "I think I would describe our wedding as DIY vintage and it wouldn’t have been possible to put together a wedding on a budget in 3 months without the help of my awesome family and friends. The only "vendors" we hired were the DJ and photographer. I hit up every craft store, thrift shop, and dollar store in the area. My Mom, sister, and I made everything: the invitations and programs, bridesmaid’s bouquets, boutonnieres, and decorations. I created the mothers wrist corsages out of fabric hair pieces from Forever21. The only flowers used were babies breath, purchased from a local grocery store. Instead of large floral arrangements at the reception, I bought manzanita branches online, spray painted them black, and attached tissue paper flowers and moss. A local landscaping nursery let us borrow two small trees we set up inside to soften the reception hall area. We saved a ton of money on flowers this way!"
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Alison & Aaron’s Riverside Retreat Wedding

Kat

March 14, 2011

Alison & Aaron's beautiful June wedding was held at Rancho Cicada Retreat in Plymouth, CA. The bride wore a gorgeous blue number by Jessica Hinel Designs and shoes by Seychelles. The Groom arrived to the ceremony by in style - by boat - although the bride only heard about this afterwards. The ceremony took place under a chupah that was originally a bedspread that 13 other couples in Aaron's family have gotten married under which made the whole thing even more special. The service was officiated by Alison's brother and Aaron's cousin and they had their closest family and friends create their own blessings in place of the traditional 7 blessings.
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Glen & Cristina’s “Year of the Rabbit” Engagement Shoot

Kat

March 14, 2011

Glen & Cristina had a Alice in Wonderland-inspired engagement shoot...but one with a difference! Photographer Jomel Gregorio explains, "Glen & Cristina's wedding date falls in the "year of the Rabbit" in the Chinese calendar February 20,2011. They were thinking of a concept on how they incorporate a rabbit/bunny into their engagement. Cristina likes the Alice in wonderland movie, so that's how they come up with the idea. We sat down together and did the brainstorming for the shoot. The couple didn't want to literally copy the characters of the movie so used them as inspiration. It was quite challenging for me and Omar (who came up with the concept and design) but so much fun!"
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WIN Tickets For You & Your Bridesmaids to The Luella’s Boudoir Wedding Fair (To See Me Strut My Stuff on the Catwalk) + A Little Sneak Peek of My ‘Beloved’ Session with Gareth

Kat

March 14, 2011

Yeah...longest post title ever! As many of you already know, I have been invited to make my catwalk debut at the Luella's Boudoir Wedding Fair on Monday 21st March 2011 and to celebrate this, Luella's would like to give away five VIP tickets to one very lucky Rock n Roll Bride reader and her bridesmaids to attend the show (to support me!)
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Help Dress My Skinny Groom!

Kat

March 12, 2011

Hi Kat, I've followed your blog since I got engaged in October and after a week of commiserating on the subject, I have to reach out for help. I am making my gown and all my bridesmaid's gowns, but we are in a dilemma when it comes to my fiance. The wedding is at a summer camp (very bohemian) and there is to be no hint of tuxedo attire let alone renting anything, and at (skinny) 6', 145lbs, tattooed, long haired, we are really coming up short with finding anything his size, style, and not 'traditional' that he would actually be interested in looking at. Do you know of any unique suit shops or websites (not Urban Outfitters) that could help point us in the right direction? Or should we just start scouring thrift shops? Our wedding is in 8 months. Thank you so much for any help you can give! Rebeka & Alan www.alanandbeka.com
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A Vintage Camera-Inspired Shoot

Kat

March 11, 2011

Photographer Tiffany Wayne and wedding blogger Brenda of Brenda's Wedding Blog got together to set up a beautiful vintage camera themed shoot to celebrate their love of all things vintage, photography and weddings! I am honoured that they've chosen Rock n Roll Bride to share their beautiful work! The colour scheme for this shoot was peach, brown, black and cream and featured many DIY projects in order to provide some DIY wedding inspiration. Tiffany and Brenda both got stuck into various DIY projects including the camera chocolate mold dessert favours (such a cute idea!), the floral arrangements - (they picked wild flowers from the side of the road), the cupcake film sleeves(they used real film to create cupcake holders), the candy bar bags that read “A Picture Perfect Ending - Sweet Dreams”, the roll of film for guests to take away (tied with charm “To Love and to Cherish”) and the veil created from tulle and a feather, purchased from a local fabric store.
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RIP Photography Friday

Kat

March 11, 2011

I have an admission to make...I SUCK at Photography Friday. Like seriously suck. I let these posts slip a little at the begining of the year and now I've realised it's been 6 weeks since I posted anything! I love my Canon and it's really handy to have but let's be honest, a) I'm no pro photographer - hence I keep getting frustrated that my photos are rubbish and b) my life really isn't that exciting and I actually don't know what to take photos of!
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Thursday Treats – 10th March 2011 + Winners of the Twinkie Chan Giveaway Announced!

Kat

March 10, 2011

I'm starting this weeks post with TWO exciting announcements. First off, the winners of the adorable Twinkie Chan cupcake garlands are... Huge congrats ladies! You should receive an email asking for your shipping info soon and then Twinkie will send them out to you. Talking of contests, don't forget that I'm currently hosting a free wedding photography competition with Xanthe Roxburgh - who doesn't want free wedding photographs?!
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Millet & Hendrick’s Hand Picked, DIY Wedding

Kat

March 10, 2011

Millet & Hendrick's wedding was held at Sonya's Garden Country Bed & Breakfast, Tagaytay City, Philippines. With a sister who's a wedding planner and events stylist, the bride (who is a fashion stylist herself!) was certainly in good hands when it came to creating the perfect day for her and her fiancé. "I followed my instincts and searched all the details," the bride told me when I asked for her main inspiration. "We didn't spend much, but the overall effect was satisfactory to me and my husband. The guests went wild when they were advised that they can take home the centrepieces!"
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Offbeat & Alternative Floral Inspiration

Kat

March 10, 2011

"We had the idea for a Rock n Roll themed stylized wedding shoot and one of our former client was perfect for it!" explained photographer Jessica. "MJ is a local tattoo artist and amazing painter. We set up in an apple orchard on a fall day and had a mix of vintage glass, flowers, instruments and an old radio from the 1930's. The shoot was styled by our assistant and partner-in-crime Brooke Biette and flowers were provided by the amazing Judy Bourgeois of Flora Fauna. The bottom of the bouquet even had a record that was melted down to go around it."
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Teresa & Mat’s Colourful & Fun, Vegan Wedding

Kat

March 9, 2011

Teresa & Mat had my favourite style of wedding - colourful, fun and not-too-serious. In fact as soon as I saw these gorgeous images a big fat grin spread across my face and I can't wait to share that feeling with you all too. To keep the day personal, the couple were married in Teresa's parent's back garden. The reception was held at Red Brick Theater, Adel, IA. Teresa wore a dress by Amanda Archer whom she found on Etsy. "I found her a year before our wedding, fell in love with her dresses and I could not wait to ask her to make mine," Teresa explained. "There was one problem, she lived in Portland and we lived in Chicago. Amanda was amazing to work with. She sent me swatches of fabric and took my measurements over email. She made the dress in Portland and I waited anxiously at home. About months before the wedding I received an email from Amanda saying they were relocating to Chicago!! It was such an amazing turn of events. A month before the wedding I went to Amanda's studio and tried my dress on. It fit like a glove. I don't know how she made it just perfect for me without even meeting me, she's just that amazing. I also had Amanda make my birdcage veil, an item I am so glad I went with. I love my husband, but I still have a secret crush on my dress."
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Anthony & Stephanie’s Sydney Harbour Wedding

Kat

March 9, 2011

Anthony & Stephanie were married in November in Sydney and had the wonderful and exceptionally talented Jonas Peterson to shoot their wedding. When Jonas emailed me to let me know he had a new wedding to share with me he didn't have to ask me twice if I wanted to blog it or not! Regular readers will know I am a big (massive, enormousness) fan of Jonas and his work so it's an absolute pleasure to feature this gorgeous wedding on these here pages. The ceremony took place at St Peter Chanel ("oh yes I had a designer's name in the title of MY church HA" laughed the bride) in Woolwich, Australia. After the ceremony the guests were treated to a boat ride across the Sydney harbour to Aqua Dining - a restaurant with the quintessential Sydney view - for the reception.
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Amber & Jeff’s Candy Land Wedding

Kat

March 9, 2011

Amber & Jeff were married in Crest Theatre and so their wedding had a pretty theatrical theme! "It has always been a dream of mine to get married at the Crest Theatre and have been going there since I was a kid and my comedy troupe used to perform there so it's always been close to my heart!" Amber told me. " I also have been part of a horror film summer festival for about 10 years and had some of my creative friends from there get involved; such as making the candy shop, the MC is a stand up comedienne friend, I really wanted to get all my creative friends involved!" A lot of the wedding was DIY and the Mother of the bride in particular really got stuck in - she made all the decorations, the decopauged suitcase, the vintage wedding cake toppers and the candy displays. Amber also had a friend who made her candy flower bouquet by melting down different sweets into the shapes of flowers - something she had always dreamed about having.
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Song & Dony’s Mythical Creatures Wedding

Kat

March 8, 2011

Song & Dony were married in October at The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Their wedding had an unusual 'mythical creatures' theme which the couple told me all about. "The wedding theme was mythical creatures as two mythical creatures to decide mate for life. Song made all the invitations, ring pillow, mythical creature themed decorations, tissue paper pom poms and mythical creature brooches that were for wedding parties."
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Cazz & Liam’s Comic Book Geekery Wedding

Kat

March 8, 2011

"Everyone said for me to wear white would be the shocking thing" the bride, Cazz, told me. "My dream was to look like a cupcake. A big pink cupcake. It had to be pink, black and with polka dots. My dress was purchased off eBay for $40. It was a used costume from Buddy Holly the musical! One of my lovely maids of honour altered it for me and added my dream large black bow." I think that Cazz's dress might have helped to set the whole theme for her awesome wedding to Liam - a big pink cupcake of a wedding! Cazz wore shoes with cupcakes (and skulls!) on them and as well as a slightly more traditional tiered cake, which was gift, they had...you guessed it...cupcakes!
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