Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

DIY

Tamar & Jon’s “Hot Mess” Wedding

Kat

October 26, 2010

"Jon & I met in New York City, live in LA, and had our wedding in Toronto - where he grew up and I went to grad school," Tamah, the bride, began. "Our overall vision for the wedding was that it would be urban, comfortable, fun, and very "us". We love music and vintage stuff, so we definitely had some of that style infused but there are so many other weddings out there that are more "vintage" than ours. We're Rock 'n Roll and unique because instead of trying to unnaturally contort ourselves and our wedding into a neat little category, we accepted the fact that we're "all over the place" and went with it. That meant having some traditional elements - a chuppah, wedding party, sit-down dinner, and bouquet toss - with other details that had special meaning to us regardless on whether or not it conformed to a wedding norm." "If there was one thing I was adamant about, it was taking the subway to the wedding (I'm a transportation planner) and making it easy for our guests to our wedding using transit. So we picked a space right in the city that was only a couple of blocks from a busy subway station; even if it would be the only time in our lives that we "should" take a limo. Both Jon & I wore "flair" on our backpacks throughout high school and college so we designed some of our own for the wedding with the Toronto & NY skylines. There were video monitors throughout the venue, which are usually used for wedding slideshows. Feeling awkward about our faces being broadcast throughout the night, we instead screened Andy Warhol's "Screen Tests", which are beautiful and intriguing."
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Jim & Katy’s DIY-Fabulous Whimsical Beach Themed Wedding

Kat

October 25, 2010

I hosted a very special offer from Willow Tree Photography a while ago for free wedding photography to any lucky 2010 couples who maybe hadn't planned to, or couldn't afford a professional photographer. While I got a bit of stick on certain photography forums (apparently I was encouraging newbie photographers to undercut the market...well, anyone who read the post I published on Saturday will know this is certainly not the case!) I am over the moon that through running this very special offer I, and photographer Kathryn, were able to offer some awesome couples without the budget to spend on photography, the chance to have professional wedding photographs.
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Rachael & Tony’s Land of Make Believe Wedding

Kat

October 22, 2010

"The theme of our wedding was inspired by us being big kids and my love for make-believe, colour & Alice In Wonderland," Rachael & Tony told me. "The garden (which was right next to the reception - which was held at Brett's Wharf on Kingsford Smith Drive Hamilton, Brisbane) was filled with toadstools, moss and over-sized cartoon style colourful flowers. We had 'floating' windows and a door hanging in the entrance with a 'Welcome' sign on wood tied in a tree."
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Hitchfest 2010 – Bowie Bride & The Rock n Roll Wedding of the Year!

Kat

October 21, 2010

In the words of the lady herself, I am so titstastically excited to share Britt & Mike's wedding with you today. I have literally been on the edge of my seat since July in eager anticipation of seeing their wedding photographs. Most of you will already know Britt, the kick ass, controversial and Rock n Roll heavy-weight behind the the Bowie Bride blog. Words really can't express how awesome this chick is and how much I totally adore her and her killer blog.
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Scott & Ashley’s Incredible DIY Picnic Party Wedding

Kat

October 19, 2010

I loved Scott & Ashley's wedding as soon as I saw it...and I loved it (and them!) even more once I got chatting to the bride and their photographer Jeremy Lawson about all the amazing little details of their day. "Our inspiration came from our love of the vintage," the bride began. "We listen to records at the house, shop for clothes at retro themed consignment stores, and stay glued to TCM. We sort of envisioned a party that looked like a party scene we saw years ago in the movie Mona Lisa Smile combined with the famous barefoot dancing scene from Big Fish in the town of Spectre. We wanted that easy, happy, homemade, and colorful party for our closest friends and family."
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Juliana & Tiago Small & Intimate Brazilian Wedding

Kat

October 19, 2010

Brazilian born Juliana & Tiago met online and wed a year and a half later. They married at sunset in a small and intimate ceremony. The couple were keen to keep the day personal to them and not to succumb to the expectation of the large and lavish wedding that a customary in Brazil. "We got married in a small town, it was a mini wedding, during sunset, " the bride told me. "We decided to not make everything big, like it's usual here, and everything very romantic, but with a vintage touch. In the ceremony we played The Who, Beach Boys, Beatles and She & Him. The reception had the same spirit, a lot of songs to make everyone dance, from 60's to 80's."
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A Sparkly, Opulent & Extravagant Marie Antoinette Themed Rock n Roll Wedding

Kat

October 15, 2010

I'm afraid there's no Photography Friday today and all the photography was done by other people this week! However not only do I know you'll forgive me when you see this amazing wedding I'm putting in it it's place, but you will also all be pleased to here that I'm going to be blogging the full Paris photo shoot on Monday! Danielle & Ed's wedding should certainly help you to get into that Marie Antoinette vibe. I knew I'd love their wedding as soon as I saw their engagement session (which I featured in July) With a penchant for crystals, skulls, fashion & shoes (!) this pair really couldn't have anything but a ridiculously opulent and extravagant Rock n Roll wedding. Prepare you have your breath taken away
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Julie & Chris Sweet ‘n Simple Philadelphia Wedding

Kat

October 15, 2010

Julie & Chris got married on a hot and sunny rooftop in Philadelphia city centre. They handed their guests colourful parasols to keep them cool which they got from their local Chinatown. Following their intimate ceremony they hired out the second floor of their favourite restaurant Noble which they decorated with DIY flower arrangements, sweet treats and vintage style postcards. The bride wore Dolce & Gabbana and the Groom
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Joan & Tim’s Musical English Country Garden Wedding

Kat

October 14, 2010

Oh I have yet another fabulous British wedding for you to le swoon over today. Joan & Tim's English country garden theme was sure as hell given a Rock n Roll twist with the infusion of some seriously rad and personal touches. Not least of all, Joan's incredible dress (actually a corset, skirt, bustle & train) from designer Jane Bourvis. It was all Vintage Couture. Jane was actually the designer behind Carrie Bradshaw's famous 'green seafoam ballerina dress' that she wore in the final episode of Sex and the City (photo here) "Her shop is a wedding wonderland with vintage dresses and corsets dangling above you so you don't know where to look at first," Joan explained. "It was the first dress I tried on and within 5 minutes I knew that I wanted it."
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A Homemade Dress, A Rock Concert & A Kissing Booth!

Kat

October 12, 2010

There are just some couples that you can only describe as utterly cute, and Lindsey & Noah are certainly that! They chose The Sons of Hermann Hall, a historical building in downtown Dallas, TX as their venue because it is one of their favourite places to go and see live music. Lindsey wore an unusual and fabulous dress, designed and made by her Mother. For the ceremony, the dress was full-length but for the party, the some of the bottom tiers were removed to create this cute, short and sassy number (seriously, love this idea!) "I looked at the big bridal stores and couldn't find anything that fit my personality," Lindsey told me. "My Mom showed up at my house one day and revealed that she had been working on a dress for me that she was just making for fun. I tried desperately to think of ways to let her down easy, thinking that there was no way that I could get married in a dress my Mom made. However, I tried it on and I absolutely loved it. It had the ruffle, the charm and just the right fit. She actually made the dress out of eyelet dust ruffles that she got in the home furnishing section of a department store! I can't even put into words how special it was to walk down the aisle wearing a dress handmade with love just for me by my Mother. She instinctively knew exactly what I wanted for my wedding day. I was forced to wear flats because three days before the wedding I tripped on the sidewalk while going to get our marriage license and banged up both of my feet. I couldn't cram my swollen feet into my cute yellow wedges I had planned to wear, but a pair of fabulous blue flats from Target saved the day."
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DIY Victorian Nouveau + Rock n Roll Bride Interviewed!

Kat

October 8, 2010

I saw red tulle, I saw black feathers and I was smitten. Photographer Shannon Grant set up this wonderfully Rock n Roll shoot with Mary & Matt to showcase some fun DIY styling with a Victorian Nouveau edge. "The bride's outfit was a DIY affair with a custom made tulle skirt, a black silk dupioni flower sash and different colored ostrich hair feathers," she explained. "The bouquet included feathers throughout as well. The groom wore black Chucks and had red accents to mirror the bride. We went out into downtown Plymouth MA and had some fun with the photoshoot!"
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Louisa & Rob’s Music & Car Festival Wedding

Kat

October 7, 2010

"We knew our wedding was going to be slightly different but I guess thats what you get when you try to incorporate cars, music and food, emphasising the feasting and dancing with friends and family rather than the actual ceremony" began bride Louisa. "We both have an affinity with old cars, cars that have been around a while and have a tale to tell so we had no problem finding a wedding car - I had the perfect excuse to use my hotrod, a 1928 Model A Ford. Not wanting to leave his cars out of the fun, Rob decided we should include a mini car show where he and our friends could park up their old cars and in some cases, their beds for the night."
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Elise & Nick’s Laid Back, Homespun & Festival Style Wedding…With a Piano in the Woods!

Kat

October 6, 2010

"Is that a piano...in the woods?!" I asked photographer Emma Case, a stunned look on my face. When the affirmative came back I literally let out a little squeal of exhilaration that I was going to get to share Elise & Nick's wedding with you. Unbelievably, as the couple went with Emma to have their portraits done they came across this unusual yet fabulous prop just sat there. Now I know Miss Emma Case very well and I can just imagine the expletives of excitement that would have come out of her mouth when she laid eyes on that!
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Leigh & Aaron’s Beer & Bike Themed Bash

Kat

October 6, 2010

"We live in a South Philly row home with a garage that houses our bicycles and Aaron's home-brewing equipment in lieu of a car," bride Leigh began. "We knew as soon as we were engaged that we'd ride our tandem bike, acquired from craigslist a few years back, into our reception entrance. We kept the bike theme going with a tandem bike cake topper, a Ketubah that was designed for us especially by Chris Soria, and hotel gift bags and DIY thank you notes with tandem bike stamps."
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Emma & Morgan’s Wonderfully Sustainable & Crafty Welsh Wedding

Kat

October 5, 2010

Emma & Morgan's Welsh wedding has really put a smile on my face today. Everything about the day was personal, was sustainable and was perfect for them. The couple got married at The Hive and Ice Cream parlour in Aberaeron. They actually had two ceremonies through the course for the day. Firstly a smaller and more personal ceremony at The Hive, joined by just close family and friends. Then, once they got to the reception, they had a second ceremony amongst all 120 of friends. Their DIY heavy reception was held in a marquee in "Charlie's Field" that looked out across New Quay Harbour, Wales - the exact spot that Morgan had proposed!
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Free Wedding Photography Contest Winners – Jamie & Neil’s DIY, Campfire Wedding

Kat

October 4, 2010

Oh I am EXCITED...like, seriously jump up and down and eat a big cream cake-excited about sharing Jamie & Neil's wedding with you today. Why the extra enthusiasm you ask? Well Jamie & Neil were the lucky couple who won the contest for free wedding photography that I organised alongside the the fabulous Kat Braman back in January (you can see their entry here) The couple got married in style on September 18th at the YMCA's Camp Pendalouanin Holton, MI, a place that holds very special significance for the bride. "The whole wedding weekend from Rehearsal on Friday through Sunday morning took place at the Muskegon YMCA's Camp Pendalouan," Jamie explained to me. "Camp Pendalouan has a special place in my heart as I attended girl scout camp there as a child. The ceremony took place at the scenic Boyden Chapel situated on Big Blue Lake and the reception was held in Nikana Lodge. The evening was concluded by a roaring bonfire that could be "seen from space" at the Council Ring of the Great Bear fire circle. The camp setting was just perfect for us since love outdoor adventures. It also gave us extra time to spend with our guests that were able to spend the night in the bunks!"
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