Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Kat

Under the Spotlight – Razvan Horeanga

Kat

February 3, 2010

Credit: Razvan Photography Today's Under the Spotlight victim is a guy I've been lucky enough to know (as in online-know) for a long time now. Razvan Horeanga first contacted me waaaay back sometime last year, when Rock n Roll Bride was merely a teeny tiny speck on the blogging map, and asked if I wanted to feature some of his gorgeous photography. Lucky for me (and you!) Razvan has never failed to share wonderful work with me and I'm really chuffed that I'm able to share a little bit more about him with you today. OK on with the show.... Who are you and what do you do? I am Razvan, a wedding photographer passionate about getting the most amazing pictures for my couples on their wedding day. I am very grateful that my passion became a big part of who I am. I havea very supportive wife and a cute cat. Where are you based and what cities/countries are you available to for work in? I am in Columbus, OH. I love to travel. I’ve been to a dozen of countries and I am up for any destination. Who/what are your biggest influences? Who do you really admire? I would lie if I would say I did not follow other wedding photographers’ work in the beginning. It’s good to see what others are doing, but I think too much influence limits the creative process. I prefer to find my influences in movies, documentaries. Sometime, I would find myself absorbed in some European movie. “Il postino” is a great movie, and it depicts love in such a poetic vision. What or who made you get into photography? I always liked to take pictures of almost everything. I started reading about photography, got into some photography internet groups, bought many books about photography and I would then take pictures applying what I’ve learned. Photographing people is just an extraordinary experience and totally different. How would you describe your photography? It’s about people. Beautiful people in love and their story. And I am photojournalist. I just let everything happen and I will capture it with my camera. What do you love about weddings? On a wedding day, you have to be aware of everything that is happening because there is no second chance as a photographer. I like to be under pressure and it’s rewarding to have your work appreciated by the couple, their families and their friends. I love to see everything that was envisioned by the couple for their wedding come together, see their happiness, the joy of their families and everything in between. I am there to make sure that the couple will never forget this experience by telling their story in pictures. What has been the highlight of your career as a wedding photographer so far? It never gets old: getting to see the look of happiness of the couple when I give them the pictures. What role have wedding blogs played in promoting you and your work so far? Kat, you’re doing an amazing job at keeping the couples connected to the reality of weddings by promoting photographers’ work and the work of other vendors. Wedding blogs are different from the traditional advertising and it’s great because you get to see the feedback in an instant. Do you have any advice for budding photographers out there who want to get into weddings? Just keep learning, make sure you know the inside and out of your camera before you start shooting a wedding, have backup equipment and know your light. What can we expect from you in 2010? You haven’t seen anything yet! All my couples are gorgeous and I have some pretty cool ideas and techniques I want to try out this year. Thanks to Razvan for taking the time to share his ass-kicking photography with us. For more information about Razvan Horeanga and to see even more examples of is brilliance, head over to his website. You can contact Razvan by phone on 347) 949-8155 or by email to hello@razvanphotography.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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Under the Spotlight – I Do Cake Toppers

Kat

February 2, 2010

Have you been looking for that perfect cake topper? One that's funky, cool, original and suits you down to a tee? Well my dears I have the answer! I'm sure you've all heard of custom cake toppers before, but I think the ones by I Do Cake Toppers are by far the best yet. You simply send a photograph of you and your beau with your order and Christina will make a custom cake topper which is a perfect reflection of you. You can even add accessories and details to suit - for example tattoos, flowers to match the ones you'll be holding, wacky hair dos (I'd be in that category then) or signature props (I'm loving the dude reading the paper on the loo!) Go check out the gallery of past examples and you won't be short of inspiration. I am also totally crazy about her super kawaii 'Originals' series. How can anybody not fall in love with the adorable milk & cookie or coffee & doughnut set?!
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Latex, Tattoos, Piercings & Fancy Dress Make a FABULOUS UK Wedding!

Kat

February 2, 2010

I've got a funny feeling you're going to go just as crazy about these as I did. Words can not even describe really can they? Danny & Louise's amazing alternative, British (oh yes this couple is English woooo) wedding was all about the style. Louise's stunning latex dress was made by Jane Doe Latex. This part certainly didn't care about what was 'expected' of their wedding, not only are the pair clearly ones to play by the rules (Louise is a piercer and micro-dermal specialist and Danny is a tattooist. They are both heavily modded, both having split tongues, facial tattoos and multiple piercings) but the wedding meal after the ceremony was a trip to MacDonald's eaten at their house! Their evening reception and buffet was held at at our local rock bar, Sanctuary and was fancy dress, hence the grooms rather fetching nurses outfit! Seriously guys, put your eyes back in their sockets right now and enjoy! Thanks to Donna for sharing this AMAZING wedding with us
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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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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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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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Winter Warmers & DIY to Die For

Kat

January 30, 2010

This brand spanking new wedding was sent to me by the fabulous Andana Lima. I fell in love with bride's beehive, her faux fur coat and all the DIY projects involved in making their day elegant and personal. The DIY projects behind this wedding included the bouquet made out of black and white fabric, the boutonnieres for the groomsman and mother of the bride, the monograms, the wishbook and all the centerpieces and table decorations. Courtney also added her own beads to underneath her shoes. Thanks to the ever delightful Andana for sharing this weith us. I'm sure you'll agree that it's fabulous indeed Credit: Andana Lima Photography
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Under the Spotlight – CandySnaps Weddings

Kat

January 29, 2010

Who are you and what do you do? I’m Caroline Weiss, the photographer behind CandySnaps Weddings. I’m originally from Germany but have been living in the UK for the last 12 years I am a reportage wedding photographer, which means that I blend in unobtrusively and record a couples special day rather than direct it. I will take care of the mainly always required group shots too, but I won’t take my couples away for 2h for a photo session. I believe that there is no need for set up images and that the best pictures are always of the bride and groom enjoying themselves with their friends and family. It also means that they will look back at their photos and remember their special day how it really happened. I’m one of the few Scottish photographers who have been selected as member of the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) Where are you based and what cities/countries are you available to for work in? I am based in Glasgow Scotland but am happy to travel anywhere in the UK and Europe, or in fact anywhere you will take me. Who/what are your biggest influences? Who do you really admire? Oh my…. There are sooooooooooo many wonderful photographers out there. One of my favourites has to be Robert Frank. I just love photographers who ‘play’ with photography. Black and White images always excite me – they just have such an amazing atmosphere about them and I always think that everyone looks like a film star in b/w. What or who made you get into photography? Photography and the idea that you can capture those precious moments has fascinated me for a long time. I think moving to London when I was 19 really inspired me to become a photographer. It’s such an amazing colourful and vivid place with so many different people… I worked as an assistant with a lovely photographer called Simon Denton who really inspired me to go and study photography and take my passion for photography further. What do you love about weddings? I love being part of a couple’s happiest day of their life… I LOVE a good party and I get really excited when you can just feel the love between two people and it’s my honour to capture this with my photography ( I always get a wee tear in my eye at every wedding ceremony and am the one who laughs the loudest at a good Best man speech)… It’s great meeting couples, who stick to fingers up to wedding traditions and just do their thing and have a really individual wedding not following any rules. I love the excitement on their faces when I show them their wedding photos, when I get a hug and tears of joy because they love my work so much. That is the thing I love most about my job making my clients happy! What do you hate about weddings? I wouldn’t say I hate anything about weddings, but I’m not particularly thrilled by very traditional weddings. Thankfully, I am not photographing many of them. Tell me a little about your favourite wedding ever and why? (include pix if you want) ARGH, I can’t decide,…. I think there might be 2 wedding so far that really stood out for me. One was a very small intimate affaire. The couple got married at the registry office and then went on to a wonderful restaurant. They are both really into their cycling so instead of having a wedding car, they cycled with a tandem from the registry office to the restaurant. Oh what fun. And it was a complete surprise. Their friends organized the tandem for them and decorated it with a cute ‘just married’ sign. The looks on their faces when they saw the tandem was just brilliant. The other wedding was much bigger and set in a family garden. It was a super hot day in May and the couple were just sooooo much fun to work with. Super relaxed. They held their speeches outside in the garden and it was just an amazing party with lots of wonderful people. The bride wore bright red heels and bounced on the trampoline with about 10 kids in her £3000 wedding gown. Very cool! What advice would you have for couple’s on the wedding photographer hunt? What is a sign of a good/bad wedding photographer? First thing to think about is what you want from your wedding photography, as there are many different styles available. Ask your venue if there is someone they would recommend or your friends who are already married might be raving about their photographer. If wedding photography is really important to you, make sure you book your photographer as far in advance as possible. The popular photographers get booked out a year or more in advance! When a company has more than one photographer make sure you meet and see the work of the person who will take your photos. I personally think that it is important that you like the person who photographs your wedding so you feel relaxed in front of their camera. A good photographer will show you samples of full day weddings they have shot so you get a feel what your photos will be like. I would also recommend that you don’t book your favourite photographer because they are over your budget. Your wedding photos will be what is left after the wedding. The photos will be your memories and that is priceless. And last but not least, trust your instincts! I always compare choosing your wedding photographer with choosing your new house - you often know as soon as you walk through the door that this is the one. What has been the highlight of your career as a wedding photographer so far? Having my work published in leading Scottish Bridal Magazines. Being selected as member of the prestigious WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) and collaborating with Scotland’s finest hair and make-up artists Leigh Ferguson and Ainslie Currie to offer my clients a complete hair, make-up and photography package for their special day. What role (if at all) have wedding blogs played in promoting you and your work so far? This is the first time that I’m promoting myself on a blog and I’m really excited about it as rocknroll bride is fantastic and being features will be a great way to make myself known to the kind of clients I like to attract. I’ve been looking everywhere for a blog like this in the UK and am thrilled that Kat likes my photography and is happy to have me on board! So all you lovely brides get in touch – I’d love to hear about your wedding plans. Do you have any advice for budding photographers out there who want to get into weddings? I would say to them that wedding photography is very different to studio based work. In the studio you are in control of everything. The lighting, the background etc. With wedding photography you get rain, bright sunshine, dark venues… You just have to adapt to whatever is thrown at you. But if you find the idea of that exciting rather than nervewrecking, give it a go. I am just utterly in love with photographing weddings and can only highly recommend it. Anything else you’d like to add or info about yourself that you’d like me to include? And other questions you would like to include? One thing I would like to mention are my beautifully handmade wedding albums. I don’t use storybook albums but am working with a Japanese bookbinder who lives in Munich who makes these to my clients specifications. There are lots of different colours (bookcloths) and patterns (Japanese paper) available and they are just so different to what other photographers offer. I will attach a few photos for you to choose from. I don’t really like the story book albums because I think they are a fashion trend and in 10 years time they look outdated and will fall apart. I wanted to give my clients something no one else has. A totally unique album for every totally unique wedding, that will last forever and can be handed down to their children and grandchildren. The albums also contain ‘real’ photographic prints, so the photos aren’t printed onto the page like they are in the story books. Please include a number of your favourite images that I can use in the post. There is no set amount and I will choose which ones I think will suit the post the most. Thanks for taking part! If you could also please include a photograph of yourself for use in the post that would be fantastic!
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All Shook Up

Kat

January 29, 2010

Jessica & Ronnie's kitsch Elvis themed wedding was just too damn Rock n Roll to ignore. Stand by for all the juice... First and foremost I would like to just say Kat your blog was definitely a huge source of inspiration through all of my wedding planning! Your excitement for all things wedding is so fantastic to read that even after our big day, I still take a looksey to check out all of the great wedding photography you find! Thanks for doing what you do! It was pretty wild when Tom asked us if he could send you some of our photos, I said "of course I know Rock n Roll Bride, that sounds great!" I totally thought wanting to get married in red was going to have to make me spend a bazillion dollars that we didn't have on getting one made, but I randomly found it at David's Bridal. It was a bridesmaids dress for only $160!! I just had them take off the spaghetti straps that it came with because I thought it gave a more vintage feel to it. My husby's outfit cost more than mine with his special Wingtip Shoes costing almost as much as my dress but it was so worth it because man did he look hot in them! Our wedding consisted of a weekend gathering in San Luis Obispo at The Madonna Inn, which is filled with everything gold and gaudy, its such an amazing place with every room holding a different theme, I really recommend it to all for at least a one night stay! We started the weekend off Friday night bowling with friends and family at Pismo Bowl just right down the road. We wanted our wedding to be for us to spend as much time as we could with everyone and just party, so we had an early afternoon wedding in "The Gay 90's Room" upon the stage, while making our separate entrances, my fiancee's song was "I'm Your Man" by Leonard Cohen, and mine to "You Can Never Hold Back Spring" by Tom Waits, then we had our officiant "50's Young Elvis" (no disrespect intended to older Vegas Elvis, but we just love classic Elvis) who made his entrance by singing "I Got Stung" up the aisle as all of our guests just laughed and clapped along. It was truly a great moment seeing everyone have so much fun with him! Elvis officiated the wedding with fun and singing but also such sincerity about love and how to make it last. Our I do's went something like, "Do you promise to never step on his Blue Suede Shoes?" and "Do you promise to never leave her All Shook Up at the Heartbreak Hotel and Love her Tender?" After the ceremony Elvis handed us the infamous Vegas Elvis Glasses and sang us out to "Burning Love". We of course had to have Elvis' "Fame & Fortune" as our First Dance, hopefully by now your seeing that we're not creepy just HUGE Elvis fans. At the reception each table centerpiece was a different record sleeve from our collection of singers that we love like Johnny Cash, Wanda Jackson, Roy Orbison, B.B King, David Bowie, Elton John and many others, then for the placement cards we had "Mr & Mrs So & So are partying at Elton John's table" and so on. It was such a cheap money saving way to do centerpieces! I totally recommend it! To continue with the theme we had little record napkins that had "Rock & Roll" on them from Party City for next to nothing. For party favors we had our immediate family members and bridal party dedicate songs to us that reminded them of us, and the two of us dedicated songs to each other too, which we made into a CD for all to take home. Everyone came up with such great songs that it made a great compilation that we listen to all the time! We finished off the reception and despite the sprinkles of rain outside, we all headed up to the pool & spa and partied in our bathing suits till the pool closed! Such an awesome day to finally start a new chapter with my best friend in such a fun way and to share it with all of our loved ones that came near and far for a little mini vacation! I definitely recommend all couples to just try and have as much fun with the planning as possible, and don't worry about having to stick to the norm of late afternoon weddings with dinner & dancing, do whatever your heart desires and have an all day long of festivities to enjoy it even longer, because it goes by so fast! Thanks to Tom and of course Jessica & Ronnie for sharing their top tappin' wedding with us
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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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Thursday Treats – 28th Jan 2010

Kat

January 28, 2010

First of all I have to start by saying O.M.G how awesome is this image sent to me by Kirsty Mitchell (and yes the bow was really that big) If you haven't seen her work before then go check out her Flickr - amazing doesn't even cover it! The make up was done by Elbie Van Eeden and I just loooove it. So what else has been going on? Well I've been frantically trying to get on top of all this bloggy goodness plus writing magazine articles (not that I'm complaining!) plus looking forward to the designer wedding show. On that note, thanks to everyone who entered the contest to win 2 free tickets. The winner are (dum dum duuuuuum)
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Tasteful, Elegant & Edgy Boudoir

Kat

January 28, 2010

Prompted by my own soiree into the art as well as the fiery debate on the issue on Eastside Bride, I've been thinking about boudoir shoots a lot recently. So, it was almost certainly meant to be that I laid eyes on these perfect examples of tasteful boudoir on Kiss the Groom. Elegant, classy, edgy, ethereal and sexy all at the same time. Yes, I am definitely pro-boudoir...just as long as it's done right. Thanks to Elizabeth for allowing me to share these with you Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography / Kiss the Groom
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Vintage Wedding Heaven

Kat

January 28, 2010

I have quite literally died and gone to vintage wedding heaven. This is one of those shoots, that as soon as I saw just one little sneak peak, I emailed the photographer right. that. second to demand to be able to feature them! The ever lovely Lisa of Ophelia Photography was of course more than willing to allow me to have my way with these, and boy am I excited to share. All you lovers of vintage fare are going to go just gaga. Perched on top of stone angel in a Vintage Wedding Gown and a crown of baby pink flowers, Corrie is slipping, almost falling. But that doesn’t compromise her poise; she tries a funny face (very Audrey Hepburn)surprise and a cool couture profile as she lengthens her leg just so. I hold my breath and click my camera following her lead, she is pure magic. When I purchased a Vintage Wedding Gown from GT Antiquesin Port Alberni BC, a few months ago I was instantly overwhelmed with visions of ethereal, romantic, and beautiful images. I conceptualized a beautiful young women who belonged in another world, from a distant time. I knew that the gown would fit perfectly on one of my favourite muses Miss Corrie Flint. Corrie is the type of model that truly evokes a character, and she is not afraid to “go there” and take risks. It is always such an amazing experience to photograph her. Thanks to Lisa for sharing these with us....oooh oooh oooooh don't you just LOVE them!?
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