Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Kat

The Pretty Pretty Princess Look

Kat

August 6, 2009

Brady & Carrie got hitched at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco. A retro/vintage affair, Carrie even designed her dress herself and had it made by Atelier Des Modistes, a quint little boutique on Russian Hill. Carrie described the experience of designing her own dress as nerve-wracking but totally worth it. She didn't even get to see what the dress would actually look like until the final week as all the fittings are done with muslin. She painted a wonderful picture when she described the fittings, Families walk by at night after dinner and I remember little girls with their nose pressed to the glass door watching me in my "gown". They had that "pretty pretty princess" look in their eyes. So sweet. Thanks to Jeremy for sharing this gorgeous wedding with us - we hope to see a lit more of his photographic gorgeousness on Rock n Roll Bride soon! Credit: Jeremy Harris Weddings
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A Topsy Turvy, Day Of The Dead, Mexican, Skull Spectacular

Kat

August 5, 2009

I swear sometimes I am overwhelmed by the greatness of the submissions I receive for my little blog. I have many people say to me that I must not sleep due to the amount of blogging I do, but I really only wish I could do more! When I saw Melissa & Phil's wedding I knew I'd be getting these bad boys up asap! The couple went for a 'Day of the Dead', skull and Mexican theme - complete with an awesome brightly coloured skull encrusted cake made by The Bleeding Heart Bakery (plus custom skeleton cake topper from Claylindo.) The couple have matching skull tattoos that they got after only 8 months of dating so there knew it was pretty much the perfect theme for them. When they started to plan their wedding they only had two things they knew they wanted - skulls and tacos! Melissa explains: I heard about a Mexican custom for the newlyweds’ cake to have a skeleton bride and groom perched atop it. This symbolized the couple will not only be together until death, but even after death for all eternity. We liked this concept so much, we extrapolated upon it and made it the theme and focus of our entire wedding. The Dia De Los Muertos theme was a perfect fit! It is a custom that is spiritual, quirky, morbid, and unique – just like us! The couple also incorporated a quirky, retro feel to the day. As Melissa went on to tell me: I wanted a "vintage" feel for the attire, but also knew that I NEEDED to wear a cute top hat. Or I would possibly die. All the maids had pinup-style dresses and hairdos with skull feather fascinators in their hair. I wore a long A-line dress by Maggie Sottero with a custom made top hat from Topsy Turvey Designs, and had a slight steampunk look happening. I tried to make the guys look a teensy bit vintage with their vest and sans-jacket look. And Phil wore a lovely long suit jacket that looked almost pall-bearer-esque and complimented his long hair nicely. A huge Rock n Roll Bride thank you to Melissa & Phil for sharing their day...and a even bigger thank you to every single one of you that takes the time to send your wedding gorgeousness my way! I ♥ you all...
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‘Nobody Can Be Uncheered By A Balloon’

Kat

August 5, 2009

I received the cutest and most excitable submission I have ever had the other day. Josephine Sicad is an girl from Singapore who is just tipping her toes into the world of photography and where better to start that by shoot her and her (then) fiance's engagement shoot (or pre nup as they call it over there.) I'm sure she won't mind but I have to share some of her excitement right here, just so you get the emotion behind the lens: While browsing through your site, I get so giggly to share my own set,too. I happen to be my own photographer (the tripod-remote-timer-way) for my own engagement sessions. Teehee! Which is why I am just giggling to share it,too. My idea was a touch of vintagey and rustic feel to it which I always love love love. We did our photoshoots randomly to places we find great backdrops (the park and some rustic places) here in Singapore and yes, including my own bike. Weeehhh! I wanted it to be simple and yet so FULL of LOVE. We had these shots taken around June, while we just got happily married last July 28 and I am still working on my edits Hahaha. Sadly, I couldn't be my own photographer for my wedding, you know I wish I could. Hahaha But I had amazing friends who helped me capture all the wonderful moments,too as it was just a 9 people wedding in fact. =) I love these for a their cute, playful joy - the experimentation of a new photographer finding her feet is totally alluring. I know there are great things ahead for the delightful Josephine and I can't wait to see more of it! Credit: Josephine Sicad Photography
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Infused.

Kat

August 5, 2009

Gina & Aris' wedding was infused with gorgeous details reflecting their stunning venue - Portland Classical Chinese Garden. I think it does without saying that Gina's Stephanie James Couture dress is ridiculously gorgeous (it's one of those dresses I never tire of seeing!) but I am also loving their adorable flower girl in her oriental inspired outfit + parasol, the origami paper flowers and the cute teeny tiny cupcakes and pink & blue bird cake topper. Thanks to Sean for sending these my way! Credit: Sean Morrison Photo
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Days Gone By

Kat

August 5, 2009

Emma & Chris had their engagement shoot at home with the french bulldog Colby for company. Chris' sister photographed them using film and digital to get these great shots. I have had such a resurgence of love for film photography recently, I am loving reliving days gone by with the gorgeousness of real film photography so these are right up my street. Thanks to Emma & Chris for sending me these gorgoeus shots and I can't wait to see their wedding photographs (which will be captured by the wonderful Katherine O'Brien) Credit: Kelly Lynn James for Williams-Matson
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The Story Of The 75 Cent Dress

Kat

August 4, 2009

I was in love with this wedding as soon as I laid eyes on it, I fell even more head over heels when I found the Bride's adorable vintage fashion blog, but I was completely besotted when I discovered she paid 75...yes 75 Cents for her dress! Tell me more!I hear you cry. Well the gorgeous Solanah explains her little treasure hunt: Tagging along to garage sales with Josh, Amy, and Oliver usually results in Legos and Star Wars picture books. But over a year ago, one stop at a church rummage sale proved an unbelievable find. I got armfuls of vintage goodies like hankies and a Stetson hat for Sam, but while I was waiting for everyone else to finish looking, I thought I'd take a shot at the glum looking clothing rack, full of dresses too new to be vintage, and too old to be interesting. I had passed it about a dozen times, but it looked so pathetic that the effort to stop and browse seemed like a waste of time. In the middle of the rack I came across an awful looking gray garment bag with a torn piece of masking tape stuck to the side that had “Old wedding dress” scribbled in sharpie. So I unzip it a few inches expecting an 80s monstrosity and instead get a preview of beautiful vintage cream lace. Although I had only seen a few inches of it, I grabbed the garment bag, threw it over my shoulder and waddled over to the payment table with everything in my arms, and Stetson on head. It seemed like it would be an old dress, all torn up from age and poor storage, but at least I could salvage the pretty lace for a project, right? The two old men at the payment booth were obviously put up to being at the sale by their wives, and looked as clueless as could be. I dumped everything on the table which they added up, but then came to “Old wedding dress.” “Oh there was no price on that” I said. They looked at it, then squinted at a piece of paper tapped to the table that had price categories listed. “Well…here it says: Dresses, 75 cents.” “75 cents?” “Yeah is that ok? “Um, yeah…” We paid and loaded up the car, with Legos and old stuff, and kept on treasure hunting at other garage sales. A few hours later when I got home I was eager to see more than five inches of this dress. Taking it out of the bag did not reveal the tattered mess I expected but something stunning and flawless. Layers of tulle and lace, rows of covered buttons, and even a matching veil and armlets. But would it fit? I slipped it on, and realized that it must have been somehow made for me 60 years ago, because it fit like a glove. Upon inspection I could not find a single snag in the tulle, or hole in lace. It was perfect. And that is how I got my wedding dress for 75 cents. I am so in love with this couple and I am so excited to be able to share there beeeeautiful wedding with you all! Thank you sooo much to photographers Ben & Alicia for allowing me to share the ♥ (love) Credit: Vorpal Images - Hair & Make Up: Alicia Elfving
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The English Way

Kat

August 4, 2009

In many ways the UK is a very forward thinking, literal place to live. Gay marriage is legal, you can drink at 18 and not attending church every Sunday is generally not frowned upon. However when it comes to wedding legalities, Britain can be a little strict on the rules. You can't, for example, legally marry outdoors. You are only able to wed at an officially consecrated place with an officially appointed person officiating the ceremony. However Lucy and J's dream was to have an outdoor humanist ceremony at Oxon Hoath in Kent, so despite the English weather and the English laws, they did just that (they did of course have to do the legal thing as well.) I am loving the following details about this wedding - Lucy's dress and shrug combo was from Joanne Fleming Design in Brighton, UK and their completely unique rings were designed and made by the couple themselves. Lucy's gorgeous bouquet was from Darling and Wild with the rest of the flowers all being done themselves who visited Covent Garden wholesale flower market to buy the blooms. Their uber cool twist on the traditional boutonnerie were again made by the couple themselves using white peacock feathers, leaves from the grounds of the venue and old buttons are pretty damn gorgeous though right? Ahh England, I still love you.
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Pin Up Vixen

Kat

August 4, 2009

It's nice to break away from all the weddingness sometimes and just spend some time enjoying some non wedding inspiration and Taylor's senior portraits fall smack bang into this category. I'm sure it's pretty obvious why I love these - the colours, the contrast and her gorgeous retro rockabilly style - she has got that pin up thing down to a tee with her fluttering eyelashes and her matt, crimson lips. Can you believe this gal is only 18!? ps I ♥ that egg chair a little too much! Credit: Tinywater Photography
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Vintage Rural

Kat

August 3, 2009

Part three of Caroline Ghetes' modern vintage bridal sessions landed on my online lap this afternoon and it's a corker. This final installment has much more of a country feel - the shed, the field, the horses, the cowboy boots, the rustic, casual florals (made by Caroline herself!) - but that doesn't stop me from having a hell lotta love for them. The model's dress was supplied by etsy seller Lorimarsha (it's the same dress as used in the 'aviation' shoot) and her pink hairpiece was by Chamberry Cherry, who can also be found onEtsy. Clicky here for part one and two... Thanks to Caroline for sharing her newest work with us.
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Retro Italy Wedding

Kat

August 3, 2009

I'm well aware it's very unlike me to blog so little on a Monday but I have been a bit of a busy bee today. Please forgive me and fret not because Janel & Jim's 'retro italian' wedding is here y'all! (I don't know where that 'y'all' came from either) The couple continued to rock their awesome kitch/rockabilly style whist still managing to pull of a pretty damn elegant wedding. The dog was of course there being his cutie-pie self and the styling was second to none. From the vintage vespas (again) to the retro suitcase, from the kinky killer heels to the merrygoround - this wedding is one of pure rock n roll class.
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Equal Love

Kat

August 2, 2009

Yesterday Equal Love protests took place all over Australia for the 5th year running. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart and Canberra all hosted events. Their mission is to change public opinion on gay marriage in their country through education and direct action. Yesterday was a landmark event for them, thousands of people showed up to each venue to witness hundreds of gay and lesbian couples commit their lives to each other in technically illegal ceremonies right in front of these cities' courthouses. Photographer Jessie Broome of J Studios attended the Melbourne event and alongside 4000 others, witnessed 65 couples commit their lives to each other. I personally believe this is a wonderful cause and I fully support the rights of gay couples to marry. I would just like to add that this is not a sponsored post of any kind and that have not been paid to write this article. Jessie sent me the link and I knew I'd have to share it with you all. I feel very strongly that prejudice against gay relationships or marriage is fundamentally wrong and hope though my little blog, I can hopefully highlight this fantastic cause to a few more people. Thans to Jessie for sharing the cause with us and for allowing us to use her images from the event. Credit: J Studios
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Circus Act Of Colour

Kat

August 2, 2009

Rock n Roll Bride sponsor Michelle of Oeil Photography sent me an exclusive peek at her newest photographic creation. A lucid ballet of light, colour and fabulous fashion, these shots just make me want to dress up in a bright yellow 'cage' dress and get my pose on! Models Rene, Lauren (who actually made the yellow cage) and Tara (of Trigger Happy Photo) seriously rocked this shoot - stepping away from any fancy frou frou weddingness in favour of playing along in their very own circus act of colour, experimentation and edgy fashion.
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Elopement Joy

Kat

August 2, 2009

I got sent a great photo session and a sweet sweet story from photographer Heather Kincaid yesterday and I just had to share. About a month ago I received an email from Amanda asking if I was available “for a photo shoot the last week of July.” Kind of a cryptic email… Having already shot their engagement session last year, I knew it wasn’t for that. So I had no clue what she was talking about. In a second email she revealed that she and Viet were planning to get married at the courthouse– just the two of them — and wanted me to come along to document their very intimate wedding day. I was so surprised! They made the decision that after eight years of being together, they didn’t want to wait any longer to be husband and wife and decided that on July 27th, their eight-year anniversary, they would make it official. It would be just the two of them making their commitment and celebrating their love for one another.
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