A Punk Rock Kinda Day

Kat

April 23, 2010

The majority of the weddings and photo shoots I feature are sent to be by photographers or recently married couples, however occasionally I'll come across a session so damn cool that I have to email the photographer right away and demand to feature it! This was one of those sessions. I'd followed William Massey's work through a group on flickr for a while now yet it was only now that I really stood up and took notice. Philip & Anela were one of those couples that I instantly knew would suit Rock n Roll Bride to a tee - punky, retro, vintage, quirky, cool...they suited all these words that I overuse everyday on my blog.

Simple Pleasures

Kat

April 20, 2010

The simple pleasure of Frances & Brant's Olympia, WA engagement session at home makes me happieee. Perfectly personal, intimate and natural. What's not to love?

Elegant & Classy 1930s Inspired Boudoir Sesh

Kat

April 19, 2010

I don't feature a whole lot of boudoir on Rock n Roll Bride, not because I don't like it or approve or anything like that (hell, I did one!) But it's quite rare that I get sent boudoir submissions that have a Rock n Roll edge. A lot of what floats around the internet is all sexy, see-through underwear, airbrushed to perfection, lying on a messed up bed...page 3 inspired...you catch my drift. Anyway, when this session from Jessica Zais landed on my desk I saw none of that. Courtney showed up to her boudoir session ready to go with two vintage swimsuits (the black one belonged to her grandmother and was actually a lifeguard uniform - sexy!) The result is a classic, 1930's elegance that I just can't get enough of.

Oh I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside

Kat

April 17, 2010

Whenever the sun shines in London about 80% of the population speculate going to the beach and Brighton is usually the first port of call. It's quirky, it's quaint, it's nostalgic, it's hilariously British and it has a killer night life! So when it came for Charlie & Ross to have their 'Cherish the Dress' wedding shoot, where better to descend then this wonderful beach location!? The couple actually got married in December so they thought the juxtapositionof having some lovely, warming, outdoor shots would be absolutely perfecto.

London Chic

Kat

April 9, 2010

There is something so endearing and glamorous about a Central London wedding. I fell in love with Lia & Gerard's portraits and soon as I saw them - which just proves how fab photographer Chloe Browne is as the couple only allowed 5 minutes for photographs. They didn't want any family formals either! The whole day was really laid back, relaxed and chilled with a great party atmosphere. "I was so excited to photograph Lia & Gerald at the Haymarket Hotel in London for their wedding in March" Chloe told me. "They were my first couple who weren't keen on spending time on portraits, so I had to persuade them gently to come outside with me for a few minutes. It was still freezing cold, but I managed to convince them to spend 3 minutes with me outside on the street-I really wanted their photos to reflect that they got married in Central London. We then dipped downstairs to the pool room for a couple of photos before I let them get back to the party. Their style was so timeless, I wanted to have a few frames that felt like they were from the Rat Pack era-I hope the black and whites have that kind of feel. They were so cool to photograph-I loved every one of our five minutes!"

What a Small World…

Kat

April 8, 2010

I love a shoot with a great story behind it...especially when it revolves around people I know! When bride-to-be Laura checked in on Rock n Roll Bride a few months ago she fell in love with the work of UK photographer, David McNeil. She promptly contacted him to arrange an engagement shoot in Brighton. Her fiance Nick and her turned up on the morning of the shoot, only to discover that unbeknownst to both of the boys, they already knew each other! David and Nick actually used to work together long before David tried his hand at wedding photography and Nick got engaged...but wait the tale gets stranger because when David sent me these images it turns out I used to work with Nick too! What a small world...

Carnival Love

Kat

April 6, 2010

Hayley & Brett's funfair/carnival themed love shoot makes me feel all playful. Gotta love a couple who can have a blast together! Together for a little over 2 years, this pair found comfort in each other through some difficult times at the beginning of their relationship. They decided to do their pre-wedding shoot at a carnival to symbolize their fun personalities and has a celebration of their love for one another. Her dress is vintage which she found at a thrift store and their flowers were done by Mignonne Handmade.

Thursday Treats – 1st April 2010

Kat

April 1, 2010

It's that time of the week again...hold onto your knickers girls! As always this week has been epic and the internet has been fit to bursting with all this bloggy goodness. I can't wait for you to read it all. So, go get a cup of coffee and some kind of sweet treat and enjoy some procrastination time...

British Boudoir

Kat

March 31, 2010

This fabulous Boudoir/Pin up style shoot was set up by British photographer Shaneen Rosewarne Cox. "My Make up artist is fabulous at creating that seductive, lashtastic pin up look" She told me "She also styled the models hair and I loved how the retro bouncy curls turned out. Accessories are all mine and are mostly props from the studio. The STUNNING blue Manolo Blahnik shoes are actually my "something blue" from my own wedding day. All in all it was a really fun day full of bucks fizz, pearls, blue shoes and vogue magazine!! A perfect way to spend a Sunday in my opinion. "

Under the Spotlight – Newell Jones & Jones Photography

Kat

March 24, 2010

Anna & Aaron of Newell Jones & Jones Photography are one of those photographic teams you'll come back to time after time. As soon as I discovered them I scoured their website almost religiously, impatient to see what they were all about. The Denver-based pair's style is quintessentially Rock n Roll - fresh with a vintage, ethereal, nostalgic, organic, soft and dreamlike feel - subtle in its execution but dramatic when seen as a whole. I adore the photographs timeless feel, which will keep your memories alive for a lifetime.

Under the Spotlight – S8 Films

Kat

March 22, 2010

When I received the initial email from Roland of S8 Films I was blown away. Not only did I instantly adore their work but I was delighted to discover they are London based (in fact right around the corner from my soon-to-be-part-time 'day' job!) The Super 8 format has been growing in popularity over the last few years. From it's grainy texture to it's raw, 'real' appeal, it's easy to see why brides all over the world have fallen in love with it. In fact if we had made the decision to have a wedding film made, I know Super 8 would have been the way we'd done it.

500 Days of Summer

Kat

March 22, 2010

Inspired by the movie, Aaron and Kassee's engagement shoot had that perfect retro, kooky and quirky feel. The pair even went to some of the iconic locations in the film including Angels Knoll park and Los Angeles Union Station.

Classic Vintage with a Twist of Awesome

Kat

March 21, 2010

I am really starting to fall head over heels in love with Matt Johnson Photography...and I'm not afraid to admit it! His images are subtle, unobtrusive and captures beautiful weddings with all the justice they deserve. Elodie & Greg's wedding was one I fell in love with as soon as I saw the first frame. Her amazing vintage-inspired outfit, jewellery and so-now white lace gloves make me smile with glee and his rad groom style puts every other groom to shame! The no-jacket/waistcoat look is totally Rock n Roll and looks way-too-cool when matched with his boys in braces. The details of this wedding are to die for - from the birdcages, the white heart motif, the retro 'admissions' sign, the outdoor chandelier. Awesome.

A Vintage, Rustic and Uber Chic Yorkshire Wedding

Kat

March 21, 2010

One of the greatest things about my job as a blogging maestro is all the wonderful people I get to meet...and it's even better when we get to meet in real life! The delightful Emma Case is down in London for a few weeks and so emailed me and suggested we meet up go out for Sushi. Now, those that know me will be well aware that I'm not one to say no to Sushi! We met up last Tuesday and immediately hit it off, talking non-stop about wedding planning, photography, blogging, husbands, proposals, flowers, music...you know the drill! I was particularly excited to hear about some fabulous weddings she's shot over the past few weeks and lucky for you I got first dibs on sharing them all with you (score!)

Channelling Steve McQueen

Kat

March 17, 2010

When Christina & Mitch turned up to their engagement session with their beloved '68 Corvette in tow, photographer Clayton Austin was instantly inspired and channeled Steve McQueen as the idea behind the shoot. As a little bit of a petrol head myself, I can totally relate to how Clayton described the day.

Perfect Picnic Wedding

Kat

March 14, 2010

Sarah & Kevin's darling backyard wedding took place in a friend's back garden in Arlington, Texas. The vintage-inspired theme with robin egg blue touches made for the perfect, personal picnic wedding. The day was styled by Revolution Garden and several of the wedding accessories (including the invitation, all hair accessories, the sign-in painting, and the decorated hat box) were hand-made by them as well. The whimsical bouquets made of all off-white and vanilla flowers and the boutonnieres were created by The T Shop. The bridesmaids wore dresses from Anthropologie and the bride's dress was put together with thrift store shopping including Buffalo Exchange.

White Album Wedding Chapel

Kat

March 13, 2010

Norma & David's wedding was all about the individual retro touches. In love with the art deco vibe of the 1920s and 30s, the pair used this as their inspiration - choosing to be inspired by and go with the flow of the theme rather than being restricted by it. "We wanted a vintage feel, as I am in love with art deco, 20's and 30's music/style/art/film" Norma told me. "As an artist the visual 'flow' was more important to me than being "matchy matchy", or sicking to a theme. We like an eclectic look and things with character...we were hoping to create an elegant, whimsical, romantic, sensual feel."

Incredible

Kat

Art of Her

March 12, 2010

We had been planning this shoot for months but just needed the right two people to do it" the guys told me. "As you can see, Adam and Mary were perfect for the shoot. We actually had the wedding dress made for Mary by a local seamstress for $100 (including the cost of the fabric). So, we loaded up and headed to Denison, TX. Our plan was to shoot at the Old Dennison Hotel, but when we got there we found some other amazing places to shoot as well. The town is so weird. It seems like it once was a booming little town (like in the early part of the 1900's), but then as it started to crumble, no one ever fixed it or tore down the old buildings; instead they just built all these modern structures around it. It just feels kind of forgotten, but it was really perfect for our shoot. One of the places we shot was this adorable little 50's diner and malt shop complete with old gas pumps, a juke box, and checkered floors! It's called Peggy Sue's 50's Diner and Ice Cream Parlor. As for the Denison hotel... Supposedly, this hotel burned in 1929 and when it did all of the people who were in it were killed in the fire. I have to say, it was a very creepy. Kind of reminded me of The Shining. Some of the rooms have been remodeled, but many of the rooms are still as they were after the fire. The owner was so sweet to let us use one of the rooms to do the shoot. As you can see in the pictures, the walls are black from the fire and what little furniture that was in the room was definitely old. The cat in some of the picture is an old cat with a glass eye who jumped up on the window sill just in time to be in this series of pictures. Mary was amazing. She has never modeled before but she knew how to position her body and we think she perfectly pulled off the vintage look we were going for (especially considering it was 25 degrees all day and she didn't have a whole lot covering her. All of the clothes (including the furry jacket) and jewelry (with the exception of the wedding dress), we brought from my mom's awesome little boutique called funky at heart boutique (which is in side her gift store called Cheerful Heart Gifts). We always use stuff from her store for our concept shoots! It really goes perfectly with our style. Adam actually brought his own clothes for the shoot. In fact, that's how he dresses on a daily basis. It's almost like they were born in the wrong era. They totally rocked this look...I think because it is a pretty good representation of who they are on a daily basis. I just don't think we could have found better people to do this. As for our inspiration for this shoot... I really wanted to do a shoot that I felt best represented who we are as photographers. I had seen a picture in a magazine one time and loved it and wanted to do something like it but with our own twist on it (hence, the amazing balloon picture that resulted). We basically built the whole shoot around this 30's-40's theme (with the added set from the diner which we just had to do when we found the place). I really love the glamorous look of that era and we really wanted to capture that in this shoot.

Faux Fur Retro Chic

Kat

March 12, 2010

Fashion designer Kelly & her fiance, Martin's engagement is a total joy of faux fur, retro chic! Their amazing-sounding Halloween themed wedding will be taking place in October this year and after Kelly told me she's not only making her bridesmaid dresses but her own wedding dress I was literally already chomping at the bit to see the results! In this, their engagement session, Kelly looks amazing in her red tights, vintage faux fur coat (from a Salvation Army store) and headband (a gift from her future Mother in law.) Congratulations guys!

Thursday Treats – 4th March 2010

Kat

March 4, 2010

♥ Snowy vintage wedding style ♥ Doze magazine is full of gorgeous photography - and turn to page 62 - 77 to see the amazing wonderland feature by Kirsty Mitchell ♥ Jane & Warrick's beautiful, personal cliff top ceremony ♥ Vivien of Holloway = swoon ♥ I love tattoo tuesday ♥ Gorgeous blonde ♥ Why is my clutter not so effortlessly chic? ♥ Katherine O'Brien always shoots the most perfect vintage brides ♥ Together we are beautiful ♥ Amazing whimsical, Santa Monica vintage wedding