Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Kat

Sarah & Matt’s Red & Black, Gothic Wedding

Kat

November 8, 2010

Gloomy and grey weather doesn't have to spell disaster for your wedding day - and in actual fact I think the darker atmosphere and evening-only event worked perfectly for Sarah & Matt's gothic-inspired wedding! The wedding took place at Riverlife, an outdoor activity centre in Brisbane which also has a number of gorgeous venues, perfect for a wedding! The evening event started with pre-ceremony drinks and canapes for the guests. "We’ve been told that our absence at the start really added to the atmosphere, especially with our DIY decorations adorning the venue," said Sarah when I asked about their idea behind this. "Neither of us were at the venue when the event started. We arrived after the guests had an hour of canapes. While the guests were awaiting our arrival, the decorations served as a talking point, and since they could see that we’d gone to so much effort on the tables, it added to their anticipation to see our outfits and everything else that was to follow."
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A 1970’s Woodstock Inspired Shoot

Kat

November 8, 2010

This 1970's Woodstock inspired shoot took place on Hampstead Heath, London. The shoot was set up by wedding planner & stylist, Mary Herrington of Forever & Ever Events. She and photographer Caro Hutchings wanted to create a shoot to show how you can easily create a beautiful look with vintage and reclaimed items that won't break the bank. "Finding inspiration in the ‘70s doesn’t mean that you have to stick with the original dress form the ‘70s or be literal about it; rather, you can take a vintage dress or theme and modernize it," Mary told me. "For example, the most amazing part of the dress was the tiered back – we took away the billowy elbows and the high neck, which really allowed you to highlight the back of the dress as the focal point."
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A Sunday Kind of Love – The New Vivienne Westwood/Melissa Shoe Range

Kat

November 7, 2010

Anyone that knows me at all, will be well aware that I'm having a bit of a love affair with Vivienne Westwood...it's more of a lifetime commitment actually, but when she launches new ranges like this my love is rekindled just a little bit more! This week I was casually browsing the online store when I saw these babies. Oh My Lord. A new Vivienne/Melissa shoe range? Be still my beating heart! They are not available until the end of November (mean teases!) but I think I know what's going to be on my Christmas list this year...
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Sarah & Jonathan’s Hipster London Wedding

Kat

November 6, 2010

Sarah & Jonathan found the perfect photographer to capture their modern London wedding though Rock n Roll Bride so I was over the moon when Annamarie Stepney asked if I'd like to feature their wedding! The couple chose to have their wedding in their local borough of Islington, North London as they both felt it was very important to support their local businesses and friends. "The fact the venue and all suppliers were local in Angel was very important to us and this is why we chose them. Jonathan's business and our lives in Islington are important and it was all about a sense of community. We also wanted a relaxed inclusive wedding, but not casual. We involved as many people as we could with 18 ushers and bridesmaids altogether, four readers and roles for everyone individually. We have been together for 9 years and have many great friends together who we wanted to be very involved."
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Best of Blogs – Issue 14 ~ Jasmine Star

Kat

November 5, 2010

I couldn't believe it when Jasmine Star first emailed me. I got a little bit fan-girly and squealed down the phone to my friend a little bit. So needless to say when it came to writing this month's Best of Blogs article there was only one lady I wanted to write about. I am literally honoured to have her on these pages with me. The woman is such and inspiration and I heart her. A lot. My virtual love affair with Jasmine Star began this summer when I watched a video recording of a seminar she’d held which was called ‘The importance of branding and its vitality in the wedding industry.’ After watching it, the way I viewed by own brand and business was literally changed forever. A dramatic admission maybe, but that’s how motivating her one-hour teaser video was: I ended up blogging about it, and I thoroughly recommend that you take a look.
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Thursday Treats – 4th November 2010 (+ Rock n Roll Bride Stars in a French Music Video!)

Kat

November 4, 2010

So November hits and the whole nation gets the flu virus, that's the rule right? Yeah well me too. Boooo! In between coughing, sneezing and Gareth telling me to get the hell off the computer and 'rest', I have still managed to secure some pretty delightful treats for you all this week. Yey me! I hope you're not poorly sick too...but if you are, may this selection of tasty morsels nurse you back to full recovery...
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James & Kassie’s “Earthy-Vintage” Wedding

Kat

November 4, 2010

James & Kassie got married at Casa Blanca on Brushy Creek, Texas in an "earthy-vintage" themed wedding. The couple chose their venue because they felt it completely reflected the vibe they wanted for their day. "The outside ceremony site, decks for guests to hang out, trees everywhere…..it was just perfect," began the bride. " The venue allowed for simple accents and decorations, which was just what I wanted. The colors were bright and happy, however allowed for that earthy theme to mix right in. Down our aisle I had 1 ½ - 2ft tree trunks set along each side, with simple vintage bottles and daisy’s just to add the earthy-vintage flare. Our archway was designed with lilies and shells, with vines and curly willow, which added that perfect backdrop for our quick ceremony."
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Jessica & Forbes’ Retro Rockabilly Brighton Wedding

Kat

November 3, 2010

Brighton was the location for Jessica & Forbes' rockabilly wedding this summer. They chose May 1st as their date as it was Jessica's late Grandmother's birthday and having it on this day was their way of inviting her to the wedding. All the guests were invited to dress up in their finest retro get-up," Absolutely everyone joined in," the bride told me, "We were so convincing a hotel guest asked if we were a convention!"
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Lola’s Bad ASS, Punk Rock Bridals

Kat

November 3, 2010

Lola's bridal shoot revolved around the amazing skirt she wore. It was originally an 80's wedding dress that was found on sale at GoodWill for just $10! "Kayrene Kelley, artist and Leather Worker for Leather Girl Kelley, chopped off the top of the dress, dyed it gray, added some pickups and sent it to Arizona for us to work with," stylist Alexandra told me. "It was truly perfect because a full wedding dress would have been just too pretty for the gritty, Rock n Roll vision I was going for. Kayrene Kelley also sent us some wonderful leather goodies such as cuffs, a corset and a belt. From there, I styled Lola with all of her own clothes and accessories. A lace black bra, white tank top, gray tank top, gloves, earrings, layered necklaces, another corset and Lola's very own motorcycle vest were swapped in and out to take this bride through all of her different moods - some more feminine and some more casual. We kept the shoes simple and classic by using mostly black shoes owned by Lola."
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Rom & Will’s DIY, Humanist, 1970’s Vintage Wedding

Kat

November 2, 2010

You might recognise the gorgeous Rom & Will as I featured their engagement session back in August. I knew their wedding would be awesome as soon as I saw those shots so you can imagine my excitement when I got an email from photographer Steve Gerrard asking if I'd like to feature their wedding that took place a few weeks ago in Somerset. The couple had two ceremonies - a legal ceremony at Hestercombe Gardens, followed the next day by a humanist ceremony and reception at Huntstile Organic Farm (a humanist ceremony isn't legal in England at present.) Rom wore a different dress for each part of their day. For the civil service she wore an original 70s Ossie Clark dress which she had hunted high and low for. She finally found in a treasure trove of a shop called Hope & Harlequin in Brighton. "The owner Lou has original vintage dresses and she also makes bespoke vintage replicas," Rom explained. "With this is also wore Gold cork platforms by Miu Miu and a vintage garland headband from The Vintage Wedding Dress Company."
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Rock n Roll Bride : WEDDING Magazine Columnist – Mix & Match

Kat

November 2, 2010

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you some very exciting news! A few months ago I was offered a regular column in one of the UK's biggest bridal magazines, WEDDING. Catherine, the editor, asked me to inject a bit of Rock n Roll into the magazine and to share with their readers some new Rock n Roll wedding trends. My pleasure! You lot make my job easy with your fabulous and unique ideas! Words can't express how excited I was to hear a thud as the magazine, featuring my first column, landed on my doormat this morning. How bright, colourful and fabulous does my article look? Double page spread too!
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Mia & Matt’s Super Kitsch, Super Gorgeous 1960’s Wedding

Kat

November 1, 2010

I think I possibly have one of the cutest weddings ever to round of today's posts. When I first laid eyes on Mia & Matthew's 60's inspired wedding, I kid you not, I literally squealed with delight. How happy do these photos make you feel?! I KNOW! Adore... The wedding took place in Devon at St Gregory's RC Church in Kingskerswell. The reception then followed at Colehayes Park in Bovey Tracey, a Georgian House in beautiful grounds. As soon as the couple got engaged they knew their wedding would have a 60's theme. Mia is obsessed with everything from this era and even had her dress made by a friend to an authentic 1960's dress pattern. Mia explained, "I'm obsessed with vintage so it had to be that way! I also wore a floral headband of golden coloured alstroemeria which was made by our florist, gold t-bar sandals which I found in the Miss KG by Kurt Geiger. I wore yellow plastic daisy earrings from Spitalfields Market, a silver engraved locket which Matt gave me on the morning of our wedding and an amazing wedding cartoon bracelet which I bought from Da Da Dreams on Etsy. My sister also gave me a lovely bluebird bracelet and matching garter on the morning of the wedding, which she'd had handmade for me. They're amazing! In the evening I changed into a 1960s lace mini dress with cape which I found on Ebay and borrowed a vintage faux fur cape from my sister."
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Alice in Weddingland ~ The Hunt for the Perfect Photographer

Kat

November 1, 2010

It's time for post number two (well three if you count our impromptu trip to the Designer Wedding Show last month) in the series that is proving to be quite a hit with you lot! This month Alice went on the hunt for the perfect photographer to document her wedding... When I sat down and wrote my wedding wish-list, getting a top-notch wedding photographer was right up there. Think what you will, a good photographer was even higher up on my list of priorities then a wedding dress! I figure a dress lasts a day, but the photographs are the memories that will be shared with friends and family alike, and will last forever. In my eyes a securing the photographer of your dreams is the best wedding investment a bride can make…but where to begin? If you google ‘wedding photographer Brighton’ you are given hundreds of results, but I found this list to be pretty useless as I really didn’t know what I was looking for. What are the merits of negotiating a copy-write-free deal on your images? Reportage or traditional style? Ten minutes in and I was freaking out; finding the photographer for me seemed like an impossible task. Then I came across rocknrollbride.com!
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