Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

Etsy

Quirky, British Fare

Kat

March 2, 2010

The couple chose The Hop Farm as their venue because, in their own words, "it had a certain britishness to it and being both born and bred in Kent we grew up with the iconic images of the oast houses and it just felt comforting and homely to have them as a back drop to the wedding." They didn't really have one theme per-say but they just came up with/borrowed ideas from many areas that inspired them. In fact the only stipulation they put throughout the whole of the process of planning their wedding was that they wanted to get as many people as they liked together to have a really good party, and the actual ceremony and marriage was just a small part of that.
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Eco Touches for this Snowy British Wedding

Kat

February 5, 2010

You know I'm usually all about the rock chicks, but there is just something about a quirky, DIY, eco, British wedding that I just can't resist...and that fact that the bride wore Vivienne's (I have them in yellow)...well I'm sold! Photographer Mark told me the whole story: Marie and Karl chose the personal, DIY approach to ensure their wedding reflected their eco-conscious principles, where possible, combined with their love of elegant, vintage styles, nature and music! The day was based in two venues in the Northern English Forest of Bowland on a snowy day in late December. The invite package contained screen printed and hand stamped bunting on recycled card and a button badge! The couple also set up a website was to encourage electronic RSVPs. Marie’s uncle’s 70’s cream ford galaxy 500 was the chariot of choice which delivered the pair to the organic farm for their reception- a gorgeous 17thcentury barn with heated floors and wood burning stove. Guests were greeted with mulled wine, hot vimto and the bride’s own homemade spiced biscuits served in an array of mis-matching vintage tea cups and saucers. Most of the deco was Marie’s own DIY effort -table centres were constructed on slabs of fallen pine/oak trees with arrangements of flowers she picked and dried over the year, vintage glass medicine bottles (car boot sales) and potted herbs in painted pots/vintage clay pots. Soy candles were arranged in charity shop finds- sherry glasses as votives and old glass jars covered in 1920s musical manuscript. Bunting was made by Gregg McDonald using off-cuts from the bridesmaid’s dresses (fabric from a brilliant mill in Bradford called Bombay Stores). Marie hand made some paper birds to sit on the edge of champagne glasses as place names and napkin rings were a ring of two-tone ribbon finished with a button. Karl designed and made “cootie catchers” which were placed on the dining tables featuring a selection of the couple’s favourite lyrics for entertainment between the courses of soup, pie and home-made cup cakes (courtesy of Marie’s mum and auntie)! The couple had been secretly attending swing jive dance lessons to surprise their guests and performed their first dance to Ray Scott’s red hot R n’ B number ‘Silk, Satin n Lace’. Later in the evening Karl’s band, including grooms men, ‘Super Johnny K and the Bang Bangs’ played a short set of vintage psyche n surf rock tunes. Marie teamed a stunner of a dress with her Vivienne Westwood shoes. She chose Daven by Pronovias and wore upcycled hair accessories ( from dress cut-offs and old sparkly bits) from Rebeccastone on Etsy and earrings which she also found on Etsy. Her bridesmaids wore dresses by Raouli. Karl wore a 1960's suit which he found on Ebay and a printed tie & hankerchief from Liberty. Thanks to photographer Mark and Marie & Karl for sharing this beeeautiful day with us
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Thursday Treats – 4th Feb 2010

Kat

February 4, 2010

It's my favourite time of the week again and I'm always ready for a little treat aren't you? To stay with, I had to share yet another image by Kirsty Mitchell at the top of this post (she's got the top spot for a second week running now) as this simply is my favourite image I've seen all week. She sent it over to me a few days ago and it's well...just too damn wonderful for words isn't it?! In fact all her photography is really - simply breathtaking...Thanks Kirsty! ♥ I heart this engagement ring made out of a block of wood. So damn sweet ♥ Inspired by: wedding gloves ♥ Red dress lovely - le swoon ♥ Anna Sui's apartment ♥ The Ruche spring catalogue is really really lovely ♥ Stylish and fun Cubu pre-nup session ♥ Life is too f***ing short! ♥ Message on a cookie ♥ More fabulous invitations courtesy of Ilovelolliblog
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Amy & Jay and Their Way too Awesome New York Wedding Day

Kat

February 4, 2010

I may well be stating the obvious here, but Amy & Jay's wedding is freakin' awesome. Hell to the yeah...I love to blog this stuff! We were married on 01/02/10 in Brooklyn, NY. We really love our neighborhood and wanted to keep it local, allowing our guests to fully experience the day in Williamsburg Brooklyn. We had our ceremony and three course vegan meal at a place called Monkey Town. As a wedding gift, one of our best friends/dancer/aerialist/choreographer, Sarah Wollschlager, did an aerial performance to Etta James' "At Last," which contributed to the uniqueness and beauty of our ceremony. Our officiant, from the Brooklyn Society of Ethical Culture, Tasha Paley, also made the ceremony even more personal- she brought laughter to our guests and made several of us shed a tear while reading an excerpt from "The Little Prince." We then had the reception at Trophy Bar, which included an open bar, dancing, vegan cupcakes, and a photobooth. For the photobooth, two of our best friends created a caution tape backdrop and set up a wireless remote, allowing the guests to get ready and pose! As far as vegan cupcakes in NYC go, Babycakes is the absolute best...we were so relieved that all of the non-vegan guests really loved them! They also made us a 6" cake, where we put our super cute monster cake toppers, created by Leslie Levins. It was absolutely an incredible day and it wouldn't have been what it was without our amazing friends! Amy had two dresses - the ceremony dress was found on Ebay and was a similar design to Maggie Sottero's Rasharna dress, which she loved but when she saw the less-fussy Ebay version she was sold! Her reception dress was from Betsey Johnson's Spring 2008 collection. She carried a felt bouquet by Jennifer Rae of Ribbons n Bows Boutique (who she discovered through Rock n Roll Bride!) Wanna see more? Check out their slideshow! Oh...and their wedding invitation video is too damn cool for words (check it out after the jump...)
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Under the Spotlight – ErinLeighHeart & Bridal Bliss Designs

Kat

January 12, 2010

I have two amazing Etsy stores to share with you today. They are run by sisters Erin & Jane and both have some seriously great things to offer us Rock n Roll Brides. Erin Leigh Heart's speciality is the Convertible Satin Jersey Wrap Dresses - one dress that can be worn in a variety of different ways! It is perfect for everyday casual wear but can be dressed up as an awesome night-out outfit and could certainly be used as a bridesmaid's dress. How great would your bridesmaids look in the same dress but all different colours? Or in the same colour but each dress set up in a different style? "I try to keep the dresses affordable and I also offer wholesale discounts for 4 or more dresses purchased of the same colour...for bridesmaid dresses and retail shops" Erin told me. "The dresses are made from HEAVY MicroFiber Jersey Satin and the fabric has a slight sheen. 94% Polyester 6% Spandex for the perfect fit" You may recognise some of Bridal Bliss Designs' dresses from weddings I've previously featured on Rock n Roll Bride! "I specialize in custom design reproduction" Jane tells me "My goal is to help the bride get her dream designer dress with custom changes at a much lower price tag than retail stores provide. The bridal shop I worked at for the past 6 years recently went out of business for lack of work so I opened up my own Etsy store to continue my passion on my own terms."
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Sweet Tooth

Kat

December 2, 2009

I actually featured newbie photographer Shannon McLaughlin's own wedding waaaay back in February - many of you may recognise her as Mrs Candy Corn from Wedding Bee. Well, like many of us recent brides, the thought of giving up all things wedding once she'd tied the knot was too much to bear so she decided to venture into wedding photography herself...and oh how pleased we are that she did! She has only had her professional camera for a little over a month and look how awesome she is already! The recently engaged Veronika & Bryan acted as models for this shoot. Veronika owns her own vintage shop called Sweet Tooth Vintage through the fabulous Etsy so she had lots of amazing outfits to wear. I am also loving the various props and locations used for this shoot - an environmental centre in Philadelphia, the couple's own home (including their insane number of pets!) and a cuuuute tandem bike! A Huge Rock n Roll thank you ro Shannon for sharing her work and this amazing couple. I am so excited to see more of her in future! ps go check out her blog - it's super duper cute! Credit: Shannon McLaughlin (soon to be Fromage Photography)
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Thursday Treats – 19th Nov 2009

Kat

November 19, 2009

Oooh what a set of tasty treats I have for you this week. As ever, I have been blown away with the joy that blog land and the internet has spread this week. First off an extra special mention to Naz of Oliver Rue who sent me a little delight in the post in the form of some 'rockstar' magnets and the most adorable handmade card which is now adoring my fridge. I can not express how happy this package made me. I was having a really stressful day and getting home to a parcel wrapped in leopard print really made my week! {lookie!}
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Glam-o-rama

Kat

November 14, 2009

Burle & Martin had a creole glamorama wedding at The Metro Hotel. Their vintage New Orleans theme was culminated with a plethora of fishnets, feathers, masks, beads and Fluevog shoes. One of my favourite details has got to be the cupcake bouquet by Cookies by Kin...hello - how awesome!!? Burle's dress was by Venus Bridal and her veil was found at Etsy. She chose to get ready at a fabulous Du Jour Boutique , an eclectic store where she regularly buys funky clothes, accessories and hats - and the zebra wallpaper definitely made for some amazing shots! Thanks to Libby for sharing this funky day with us
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The Most Beautiful Wedding Ever

Kat

November 10, 2009

Stand by, hold onto your hats and behold the post of a million photos! Coined by photographer Noa as The Most Beautiful Wedding Ever (and yes, I pretty much agree!) Zola & Derick's wedding pretty much lives up to the hype left by their adorable engagement session shot at their home earlier this year. ps Zola's vintage dress makes me want to cry it's so beautiful... Thank you SO much to Noa for sending these over to me as soon as she'd edited them, as always, I am truly honoured Credit: Featherlove Photography
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Sleepy Hollow(een) Wedding

Kat

November 6, 2009

I don't get to feature enough gothic style weddings so when Carmel & Drynn's rustic yet opulent gothic affair landed on my desk I jumped at the chance to share these. The Bride told me... I found my dress at Gothic Wedding Dresses and our flowers were done by Punch Portland. The inspiration for our theme was based on Tim Burton-esque Sleepy Hollow, classic Victorian but with a dark feel. We are kind of "darker" individuals so we wanted that reflected but wanted to do it in a classy tasteful way. We didn't want to scare our guests too much! We picked Drynn's hat up at a vintage store the feather piece & my headpieces were done by Cricket Quills. Thanks to Carmel & Drynn for sharing their day with us
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♥ Toccata White Orchid Bolero Winner ♥

Kat

November 4, 2009

Credit: Gia Canali Photography It is my absolute pleasure to announce that the winner of the Toccata White Orchid bolero contest is...(dum dum duuuum....) Racheal My wedding is 3 weeks away and THIS is the EXACT item I’ve been looking for to complete my Mad-Men-meets-Indie-bride look {pearls, lace, feathers, and touches of leopard print}. Stunning! WAY over budget already {or else I would have the White Orchid Delux wedding dress I’ve been eyeing for an eternity}, so I’d be forever grateful to be gifted such a mindblowingly spectacular piece, but rest assured, I WILL have either the angelique or the white orchid bolero on my wedding day! Congratulations Rachael, I am already eagerly waiting to be sent your wedding photographs after the day! Michi from Toccata will be in contact with you to get your colour choice, size and shipping address soon!
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Thursday Treats – 22nd Oct 2009

Kat

October 22, 2009

Wooo it's one of my favourite posts of the week, where I get to share some tasty Thursday Treats with you all. I hope you enjoy this little morsel of blog land fabulousness. Mmmm morsel... ♥ Way too adorable MWAH kissing salt & pepper mills. These are crying out to be used as cake toppers. Please please please somebody buy one! ♥ Halloween is a-coming. Blog land has be full to bursting with spooky inspiration. I'm loving this gothic bride post from Bride Chic, this Mercury Glass and Whimsy inspiration board from Snippet & Ink, Haute Hallowedding ideas from ILoveLolliblog and JoMyGoodness showing us that even Martha Stewart has little bit of goth inside her. ♥ 5 ways to know if your blog is on the right track- all hail to Problogger and their infinite wisdom! ♥ Want to live like Edward Scissorhands? Yes please - especially if I can have that bed, that lamp and that gorgeous pink chair. ♥ Ruffles are most definitely 'in'. Le swoon. ♥ All hail Princess Lasertron and her impending world domination. Loving this cake she inspired! ♥ I love Etsy, but I may just love Regretsy a little bit more. The Large Mounted Bearded White Tiger Head with Swarovski Crystal Encrusted Features is by far my favourite! ♥ Gothic inspired gorgeousness...I want this dress please! See, more ruffles... ♥ Being married is awesome ♥ Natalia Vodianova wearing Nina Ricci for Vogue. Can I have this dress too please? ♥ UK Brides pay attention! The Living TV show Four Weddings is looking for couples who are getting married between now and March to participate in their new series. If you fancy being on the telly then drop Meg an email. Be sure to mention Rock n Roll Bride when you contact her. ♥ Don't forget that you have until Sunday 25th October to get your entries in for the free wedding photography contest - open to all – WORLDWIDE wooooo! ♥ And I can't thank everyone who has mentioned Rock n Roll Bride this week enough. If you do write a little blog post that you'd like me to see and link back to, then please send it my way... Megan Welker Duston Todd Red Lips Bride Broke Ass Bride Hot Pink Brides Wedding Cabaret Erica Berger Steve Gerrard The Bowie Bride Marianne Taylor
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I Saw a Shooting Star on my Wedding Night

Kat

October 15, 2009

Do you remember Anna & Ryan's Old Fashioned Love Affair wedding? Well, Mysi & Craig, the photographers of that soiree sent me their very own wedding - they got hitched a few weeks after! Mysi & Craig got married at a lodge in the middle of nowhere, near her parent's house in Illinois. They made a lot of the details - throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the DIY! They created their own programs to look like newspapers and got their invites printed onto handkerchiefs, the design of which was by the amazing etsy artist Heather Jenny.
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A Blue-tiful Mess

Kat

October 10, 2009

As soon as I laid eyes on this beautiful bride in her STUNNING blue dress I knew I had to share and after speaking to Chloe herself and getting all the hot gossip and details from the day, well I couldn't resist but to post these immediately. Take it away Chloe... We got married at Junior Ranks Mess on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and didn't actually have a theme - I am far too eclectic to pick a just one and definitely even less likely to find one my hubby would have agreed with! I basically chose everything I liked and knew it wouldn't match but it would make sense to everyone who knew Kevin & I, because we are both such open and free people. We chose blue as a color but did not limit it to any particular shade or tone, and the result was a beautiful mess of all colors of blue imaginable - it was a huge hit with the wedding party and guests and took so much stress out of planning (who wants to have to order swatches?) Decor was came to under $100 - I hand folded 200 tissue pompoms to hang, hand folded 300 paper cherry blossoms for bouquets, centrepieces and ceremony decor and Kevin hung 300 blue and white balloons. Even the candles and vases were dollar store and I don't have any leftover because people went crazy for them and brought them all home! We did everything possible it seems to drive my traditional in laws crazy - we asked for money instead of gifts, we served hor d'hoeuves instead of a dinner, I had a bridesman, I designed a dress to showcase my ink when my father in law suggested I get a turtleneck gown to hide them (seriously!) Oh, and Kevin insisted on rocking the ceremony and marched in there to Sweet Child O Mine by VitaminStringQuartet, and we rocked right out of there to Dance,Dance by VitaminStringQuartet. I tried on traditional gowns but looked like I was playing dress up, so in the end I ordered my dream dress - I saw it on Project Runway season 1 years back and said "that will be my dress" (the white dress). I found a great seamstress on etsy AtelierTami in Greece, who made it for $120! It was exactly what I wanted - plain. I have enough skin decoration and planned on accessorizing on top of that! I got my blue, reception dress from Sarah Seven also on etsy. I had a beautiful birdcage veil made by another etsy artisan, 5eizen and got my shoes from Betsey Johnson (Vixen) but I added the shoe ruffles myself which I made. and Kevin bought his outfit at a skateboarding shop for under $100. My bridesmaids/men chose their own outfits, I told them blue and white and something you will wear again. I wanted them to look like themselves, since I chose them because I love them as they are. I want to give a shout out to all these amazing etsy sellers that I used: White Gown by AtelierTami Blue, reception dress by Sarah Seven Birdcage Veil by 5eizen Gloves by Creonodo Shrug by LolaShowGirl Bouquet by YandeBridal Corsages, Boutonnieres and pompoms by CocoCupcakes Earrings by SweetLobe Thanks to the lovely Chloe & Kevin for sharing their blue-tiful (!) day with us! Credit: Flickr (photographed by a friend of the couple)
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A Day Dreamy, Whimsical Picnic Wedding

Kat

October 7, 2009

Jenna & Michael had a fabulously quirky, kiiky and personally rockin' wedding two weeks ago and the every lovely Love Me Do photography were there to capture the entire thing. The couple put a lot of work into the day with DIY projects a-plenty. "We wanted our wedding to be very classic looking, but still have a whimsical picnic, day dreamy kind of day feeling” the couple explained and they certainly acheived this goal with ideas such as the wishing tree - handmade bird silhouettes pinned into flocks and hung from the branches - which was used instead of a guestbook and the funky chocolate mouschases that certainly made for some great pictures and were provided by Pink, White, Brown. Jenna looked the perfect rock n roll bride in her Alvina Valenta dress and hairpeice from Liaison on Etsy. The bridesmaids dresses were the stunning Vivien Leigh dress by Siri in which they all looks quite the rockabilly princesses! Like these images? Well if you are about to book your wedding photographer then STOP. Hold on a few days and wait until I launch my next contest on Monday... I am terrible at keeping secrets it would seem but it may just be my best ever. Eeek...My lips are sealed. Thanks to Carina & Amanda as always for the gorgeousness and to Jenna & Mike for all the wonderful details. Credit: Love Me Do Photography
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Bowled Away

Kat

September 22, 2009

Jessica & Nik had a completely KICK ASS (and that had to be in capitals because I am literally shouting that as I write!) wedding at Northbowl in Philadelphia. The couple, who love all things rockabilly, kitsch and retro - certainly put all of themselves into their freakin' awesome day. This is one of those weddings that is certainly going to do the rounds of Blog-Land so I am honoured that Amanda & Carina have elected Rock n Roll Bride to be the first blog to share them! As artists (Jessica a graphic designer and printmaker and Nik an illustrator) they were certainly the perfect pair to pull off such a stylish gathering. Jessica even made the adorable fawn cake topper to accompany the cupcakes (supplied by Brown Betty) herself! For the frames they scoured TJ Maxx (TKMaxx if you're in the UK like me!) and Michael'sand spray painted them themselves Jessica's dress was from Vivien of Holloway, she made her own red shrug (swoon!) and her hair piece was from House of Telsa on Etsy. Nik wore a suit from J Crew and a wicked tie from Cyberoptix TieLab. These two certainly are doing it for the girls. What a fantastic day! Thanks, as ever to the faaaaabulous Amanda & Carina for sending me the images and info. Love you guys! ps If the photos below aren't enough for you, then be sure to go check out Love Me Do's flickr - super yum! Credit: Love Me Do Photography
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Bow Tied

Kat

September 21, 2009

I have been hoping to post this wedding for what feels like forever and fiiiinally I am able to share the gorgeousness that is these images taken at Bowden Johnson House Thomson, Ga. Devan's dress was by Mori Lee and her veil was handmade and bought from Etsy....but my favourite bit? Well Tripp and the dog in their bow ties of course! A huge thanks to Ellie for working with me on this feature! Be sure to check out her blog for the couple's equally wicked engagements!
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