Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

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A Fast Food Adventure

Kat

March 30, 2011

I don't feature a whole load of engagement or couple shoots on the blog, preferring to share all the incredible real weddings I get sent instead. However sometimes, just sometimes, a session stands out so much that I'd be mad not to share it. Remember the bunny suit session I featured recently? Or the awesome wolf-head shoot? (also by Love Me Do Photography) Yeah, things like that are what rock my boat, not vintage picnics and balloons and cupcakes...not that they aren't cute as hell, but I just don't get very excited about shoots styled that way anymore. You see them everywhere and they've kind of been done to death huh? ...and really, let's be honest, what does a shoot like that really tell us about the couple as individuals? Diddly-squat that's what. Anyway mini-rant over (!) I was sent Kim & Matt's photo shoot by the fabulous Carina & Amanda of Love Me Do Photography and lets' be honest, any couple that are happy to dress up as fast food are freakin' awesome in my book. "We wanted to have fun with this," Carina told me. "Both of us felt like we've been seeing a lot of the same images show up in wedding photos; trends and whatnot. We know it's hard to look at other people's wedding photographs and not get influenced by them, but we really wanted to take things as far away from all of that and really go outside the box. We wanted to show that we can make a joke, be ironic, and still be artistic."
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Leah & Peter’s Red + Black Rockabilly Wedding

Kat

March 29, 2011

Leah & Peter had a red & black themed rockabilly wedding. They kept the fact that they had got married earlier in the day a surprise from a lot of their guests but made sure all the most important people were in attendance...including their two (very well dressed!) pugs. "We were never officially engaged (Peter bought my my black pug Ziggy instead of an engagement ring!) we just always knew we would get married and with both of us turning 30 in June 2010 was as good a reason as any," Leah told me. !We never wanted to be the kind of people who let the real reason for getting married to be overshadowed by stressing about table placings etc so we focused on what would make us have a good time at the party and turned the tables so people were leaving with things that we had bought!"
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The Luella’s Boudoir Wedding Fair & My Catwalk Debut!

Kat

March 24, 2011

I almost don't know where to start with writing this post as the whole day is kind of a blur...a fabulous adrenalin-fuelled blur...but a blur none the less. In actual fact, I know you really all just want to see the photos and video (eek!) of me walking the catwalk so shall we just cut to the chase and get straight to it? In actual fact, I know you really all just want to see the photos and video (eek!) of me walking the catwalk so shall we just cut the rambles and get straight onto them? HUGE thanks to Eye Imagine Photos, Eliza Claire Photography & Shell de Mar Photography (check the file names to see who shot which images) for taking these photos for me.
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Lacy & Brandon’s Edgy Wedding

Kat

March 24, 2011

"The first time I met Lacy was over 10 years ago in high school where we became fast friends," photographer Daniel Stark told me. "Unfortunately, she moved before our senior year and we gradually lost touch. When it came time to plan her wedding she walked into a bridal shop that happened to have my business cards. I was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their fun, edgy, rockstar wedding." "Lacy has always been really cool and edgy even in high school. And Brandon couldn't have been a more perfect match for her. They quickly got identical tattoos with their own made up symbol that shows the love for each other. It was even on their wedding cake."
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Behind the Scenes – Preparation for my Catwalk Debut at Luella’s Boudoir Wedding Fair

Kat

March 19, 2011

As many of you now know, on Monday I'll be walking down the catwalk at The Luella's Boudoir Wedding Fair. This week I was invited by Darren Fowler, Creative Director of the fabulous salon Clipso London to come meet him for a hair trial, and by the equally delightful Rachel Atwell, owner of Luella's Boudoir, for a dress fitting (well actually for 5 dress fittings...I found out I'm wearing 5 different outfits! talk about throwing me in at the deep end...) So on Wednesday, I got my little pink haired self on an early train to the city for a day of preening, pampering and for a little bit of freaking out.
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Annette & Chris’ Fancy Dress Victorian Circus Themed Wedding

Kat

March 17, 2011

Annette & Chris had a fancy dress/steampunk themed wedding in Liverpool. The bride wore a corset purchased from Corsets UK and a skirt from MTCoffinzUnderground on Etsy. "My dress wasn't technically a 'dress' as it was a Corset and a separate skirt," the bride told me. "I bought the white and black steel boned corset for around £60 and the skirt, which was described as a 'Victorian Lace Gothic Ball Gown', cost around £100." She also wore Victorian-style black ankle boots which she hired from a fancy dress shop! Chris hired his unique outfit from a fancy dress shop too.
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Alison & Aaron’s Riverside Retreat Wedding

Kat

March 14, 2011

Alison & Aaron's beautiful June wedding was held at Rancho Cicada Retreat in Plymouth, CA. The bride wore a gorgeous blue number by Jessica Hinel Designs and shoes by Seychelles. The Groom arrived to the ceremony by in style - by boat - although the bride only heard about this afterwards. The ceremony took place under a chupah that was originally a bedspread that 13 other couples in Aaron's family have gotten married under which made the whole thing even more special. The service was officiated by Alison's brother and Aaron's cousin and they had their closest family and friends create their own blessings in place of the traditional 7 blessings.
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Offbeat & Alternative Floral Inspiration

Kat

March 10, 2011

"We had the idea for a Rock n Roll themed stylized wedding shoot and one of our former client was perfect for it!" explained photographer Jessica. "MJ is a local tattoo artist and amazing painter. We set up in an apple orchard on a fall day and had a mix of vintage glass, flowers, instruments and an old radio from the 1930's. The shoot was styled by our assistant and partner-in-crime Brooke Biette and flowers were provided by the amazing Judy Bourgeois of Flora Fauna. The bottom of the bouquet even had a record that was melted down to go around it."
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Teresa & Mat’s Colourful & Fun, Vegan Wedding

Kat

March 9, 2011

Teresa & Mat had my favourite style of wedding - colourful, fun and not-too-serious. In fact as soon as I saw these gorgeous images a big fat grin spread across my face and I can't wait to share that feeling with you all too. To keep the day personal, the couple were married in Teresa's parent's back garden. The reception was held at Red Brick Theater, Adel, IA. Teresa wore a dress by Amanda Archer whom she found on Etsy. "I found her a year before our wedding, fell in love with her dresses and I could not wait to ask her to make mine," Teresa explained. "There was one problem, she lived in Portland and we lived in Chicago. Amanda was amazing to work with. She sent me swatches of fabric and took my measurements over email. She made the dress in Portland and I waited anxiously at home. About months before the wedding I received an email from Amanda saying they were relocating to Chicago!! It was such an amazing turn of events. A month before the wedding I went to Amanda's studio and tried my dress on. It fit like a glove. I don't know how she made it just perfect for me without even meeting me, she's just that amazing. I also had Amanda make my birdcage veil, an item I am so glad I went with. I love my husband, but I still have a secret crush on my dress."
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Cazz & Liam’s Comic Book Geekery Wedding

Kat

March 8, 2011

"Everyone said for me to wear white would be the shocking thing" the bride, Cazz, told me. "My dream was to look like a cupcake. A big pink cupcake. It had to be pink, black and with polka dots. My dress was purchased off eBay for $40. It was a used costume from Buddy Holly the musical! One of my lovely maids of honour altered it for me and added my dream large black bow." I think that Cazz's dress might have helped to set the whole theme for her awesome wedding to Liam - a big pink cupcake of a wedding! Cazz wore shoes with cupcakes (and skulls!) on them and as well as a slightly more traditional tiered cake, which was gift, they had...you guessed it...cupcakes!
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Debbie & Jamie’s Tattoo Themed Rockabilly Wedding

Kat

March 7, 2011

Oh Debbie & Jamie how I heart thee! This Belfast couple had their very own rockabilly wedding at Belfast City Hall, followed by a suitability rockin' reception at The Printers Café. "My name is Debbie and I run a vintage nail salon in Belfast called Dazzle Me With Your Tips," the bride emailed me. "In my spare time I sell vintage clothes, accessories and homewares at vintage fairs and arts and crafts markets and also work as a stylist with several photographers. Jamie my now husband is a Maintenance Manager for a cleaning services company and his passions outside of the 9 to 5 are Skating, and BMX and Metal Sculpture. We both love getting inked going to rockabilly nights and festivals and most of all touring around Ireland in our beloved VW camper van Burt with our daughter Ellie." I loved them already.
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Serena & Brent’s Day of the Dead/Hello Kitty Themed Wedding

Kat

March 4, 2011

A Day of the Dead and a Hello Kitty themed wedding?! Could Serena & Brent's wedding be more perfect for Rock n Roll Bride if it tried?! The bad news is that I don't have any further info on the wedding, but they photos were just too awesome to not share and I'm sure you can get some awesome DIY ideas just by looking at what they created. I am literally dying over the Hello Kitty in the bouquet and her Tarina Tarantino jewellery. Classic bridal style?! Screw that!
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Autumn & Kevin’s Romantic Vintage Valentine’s Wedding

Kat

February 28, 2011

Autumn & Kevin were married the day before Valentine's Day so of course their wedding had to be a full on romantic affair. The bride is a self-confessed Valentine's addict and so the theme was not only perfect for the fact that it was a wedding (aww love!) but because it was themed around the celebration she loves so much. The wedding took place at the bride's Mother's house which was not only the ideal setting for their colour scheme of red and white, but made the day a lot easier for Autumn's Grandmother who also lived in the house with her. It was very important to the couple to have her there. Autumn explained, "I wanted to have the wedding at my Mom's because it would be easiest for my Grandma since she lives there too. Plus my Mom's living room is red and white, with wood floors and a fireplace, which was my ideal setting. I knew from the beginning I wanted to have a vintage Valentine's day wedding. It's my favourite holiday and I already had tons of vintage Valentines. After christmas I transform my white retro christmas tree into a Valentines day tree and I wanted to incorporate that. A lot of the other decor was found at craft stores, or hand made by my Mom. We also incorporated a lot of personal items, like my antique cameras, and Kevin's model airplanes that he had built. We featured a wall of photos with us as kids, and as a couple."
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Amy & Manny’s Morocc’ n Roll Backyard Wedding

Kat

February 24, 2011

Amy & Manny were married in the bride's parent's back garden which they decorated themselves in an eclectic and fabulously 'them' style. " I actually didn't really intend for my wedding to be all Rock n Roll, and it turned out that way anyway," explained the bride. "It was kind of Moroccan/Rock n Roll... a Morocc' n Roll style! I think the fact that it was a Rock n Roll wedding without trying... that makes it ROCK N ROLL! Plus the awesome leopard party booth couch, the fact that my Dad plus the groom & all the groomsmen wore chucks..."
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“The Pirate & The Stripper got Married” – Ed & Torie’s Quirky London Wedding

Kat

February 24, 2011

When Ed & Torie's beautiful wedding landed in my inbox last week, I was immediately drawn to the bride's beautiful ensemble - in particular her stunning vintage dress from my favourite girls, Fur Coat No Knickers. The couple were married in November at The Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich, London and Torie was keen to tell me all about their quirky and fabulous wedding day, "On November 20th 2010 I got to marry my best friend, my pirate, Ed. Ed and I met 4 and a half years ago through his workmate / my flatmate at a pirate fancy dress party at our house – hence the nickname. Ed turned up, breathed fire (seriously) and then mysteriously left. As it turned out his appendix had burst and he went home and then to A&E. After recovering we got in touch and the rest, as they say is history."
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The Big Fat Wedding Blogger’s Photo Shoot – The Final Results & Video!

Kat

February 21, 2011

What do you get when you cross 6 wedding bloggers, The Wedding Photographer of the Year, London’s most stylish & gorgeous wedding boutique and a Hasselblad? Why, The Big Fat Wedding Blogger’s Photo Shoot of course! My inspiration for this shoot came from the fact that I had seen a lot of big brands in The States using fashion bloggers to model for and promote their new lines. I loved the idea and thought it could really work for the UK wedding market. After all, wedding blogs are the new wedding magazines right?! I approached Rachel at Wimbledon-based Luella's Boudoir if she’d be up for letting us run wild in her shop and thankfully she loved the idea!
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Rachael’s Downtown Vintage Bridal Shoot

Kat

February 16, 2011

Rachel was married a year ago and fell pregnant right away so wasn't able to do her bridal shoot straight after the wedding. These shots were taken a few months after her baby was born, and just over her 1 year anniversary. "She is in love with vintage, 50's style and we carried this theme into the feel of the shoot," explained photographer Kat. "Between her half-veil, pin-up style curls and 2 vintage dresses, the feel of the session was designed to capture the fun, daring side of their love. Best of all, these photos were used as a gift to her husband for their 1-year honeymoon celebration." "The session was taken near the slums of San Antonio, TX - a perfectly unique side of town full of rebellion that mirrors her personality. Everything about this was designed to stand out and overflow with happiness and joy. We started the photo shoot in a hotel, where she got ready - a hotel appropriately called Hotel Indigo. The hotel has an antique-modern feel to it, it's a gem that stands out in a city filled with commercialized hotels. She was wearing a vintage, 1950's Sak's Fifth Aveneue dress, as well as the original veil, jewellery and flower from her wedding day."
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