Rock n Roll Bride - The ultimate guide for alternative brides

British Brides

Laundrette Lovers

Kat

June 10, 2010

I've always loved laundrette photo sessions so when Brighton photographer Joanna Brown sent me this set I couldn't wait to share it... "I have been living in quirky Kemptown in Brighton for some time and have always had my eye on the Laundrette round the corner thinking it would be perfect location for a shoot" Joanna told me. "I have always thought that there is something quite lovely and romantic about laundrettes; the sound of the machines quietly whirling that combined with complete strangers just hanging out sharing a really mundane chore. So I have been patiently waiting for my opportunity to arrive and hey presto a lovely couple got in touch and I could not quite believe it. Laura and Rikki met whilst studying at Bath University and had seen each other around the campus; at the bar, in the library and also spied each other at the local laundrette; after sometime Rikki finally asked Laura out and the rest is history. They are simply an adorable couple who have a great sense of humour, Rikki even took Laura on one of their first dates to a Laundrette (how romantic). We had a hoot at the Laundrette (I think some of the regulars thought we were balmy) especially when Laura lay on the floor for one of the shots; hey it is Brighton though anything goes!"
Read more...

A Bout De Souffle – A Cinematic Engagement

Kat

June 3, 2010

Shalma & Leo were lucky enough to find their photographer David through a feature on Rock n Roll Bride so as soon as the excited bride emailed me to tell me that they'd chosen David I was already looking forward to seeing what he would come up with for their engagement session. Over the past few years David has truly become the one to watch when it comes to his pre-wedding shoots. He's always pushing the boundaries and never fails to impress with his unique eye for detail. Shalma & Leo wanted to go for a film noir, classic film and super stylised shoot and in an unusual departure from his usual hyper colourful style, David decided process this entire shoot into black & white to fit in perfectly with this theme. "This couple are into their photography big time" David said "but they’re also in their classic films and wanted to have a pre-wedding shoot that referenced one of their favourites, A Bout De Souffle. This was a french film where the characters mostly smoke and drink coffee a lot - so we tried to recreate the streets of Paris in Richmond!"
Read more...

Pure (Feather) Love

Kat

June 2, 2010

Emma Case is my home-girl. I love her. She is a massive (and I mean crazy massive, like totally obsessed) fan of Featherlove Photography so when she found out that Noa was over in London in April, she jumped at the chance to do an engagement shoot with her fiance Pete. As soon as Emma told me of her plans I immediately 'bagsied' the images for featuring as I knew, even without seeing a single frame or knowing the premise of the shoot that they would be awesome...and boy how right I was! I asked Emma this morning if there was anything she wanted me to add to this post and she simply replied "The only thing I would like to add is a big fat thank you to Pete. I cannot begin to explain how supportive he has been over the past six months. I love him with all my heart and he's so friggin' hot in these pictures it's unreal!!" So much cuteness. Now hurry up and get married you guys. I'm waiting for my invite in the post damnit!
Read more...

Sue & Shonagh Whimsical & Wonderful Wedding – A Touching Tribute

Kat

June 1, 2010

Sue & Shonagh actually got married in May 2008, however following the sad passing of Sue's Mum Hilary to Cancer just recently, with the full co-operation of the couple, both myself and photographer Caroline thought it would be a fitting tribute to share their whimsical and wonderful wedding with you today. Sue (in the tartan dress) and Shonagh (in the blue dress) were neighbours of Caroline and as soon as she heard the couple we getting married she jumped at the chance to photograph it. Another friend, who also lived in the same building, Vonny Mullock, made both the brides' dresses. Sue got ready in their flat and Shonagh got married in Vonny's flat. The couple met on the landing between when they were both ready and headed out together to get married.
Read more...

Rustic Retro with a Diy Charm

Kat

May 25, 2010

Fanni & Ben got married in April at Cripps Barn in Gloucestershire. Bored by the usual wedding stuff they found in magazines and at wedding shows, the pair turned to the internet for inspiration and luckily for them stumbled upon not only Rock n Roll Bride but a plethora of amazing ideas via some awesome American wedding blogs. "Back at the drawing board, I found myself scanning an array of American wedding blogs. All of which featured jaw-droppingly gorgeous weddings that looked amazing but had little or no information about weddings in the UK, and then I stumbled across your site!" Fanni told me "From that day on, Rock n Roll Bride truly was a breath of fresh air for me from everything else I had seen out there previously. Your site was reassuring that we didn't have to be confined to the norm or do things a certain way because it was tradition. Our wedding was our day, our way. We wanted our guests to have the best time and not be left thinking that they were just at....'another textbook wedding.' So, with much planning and evenings spent beavering away we managed to pull it all together."
Read more...

City Chic Fashionista Wedding

Kat

May 19, 2010

Lee & Rose got married in Liverpool in a super duper stylish way. Rose's outfit is literally off-the-hook! Have you ever seen a bride look so damn funky? Plus (and you're going to love this) it is all from the British high street! Be sure to check out the full list of where each item was found after the photographic goodness. I am just mad about those tights... "There was no real theme as such, but the sort of couple we are means that we wanted something relaxed, informal and fun" Lee , the groom, told me "We wanted a simple wedding, we wanted to wear the outfits we wanted, we wanted to pay for everything ourselves, and more importantly, we wanted our friends and family to come and have a good time, not feel like they had to behave in a manner they normally wouldn't, i.e. no strict seating arrangements, not worrying about which knife to use to cut the bread roll, etc. We're not show-offs, and we're not millionaires, and we have our own sense of style, so we couldn't see the point in all this so-called 'traditional' excess that means the marriage starts off with £30,000 worth of debt! It just wouldn't be us.”
Read more...

Night of the Living Wed

Kat

May 17, 2010

This ghoulish, retro horror themed wedding may not be everybodys cup of tea but I can't help but be a little over-excited about it. So. Much. Originality! Photographer Al, who has just been shortlisted for 'Tattoo Photographer of the Year' was keen to tell me all about Ash and Michelle Ghoulmore's (oh yes!) friday the 13th wedding. The couple run retro rebels store and the horror-themed clothing company Kreepsville 666 so their wedding was always going to be a spooky special. 'Ghoulmore' actually is Ash's surname and they pretty much live Halloween everyday, so it was fitting to pick a horror / b-movie inspired Wedding theme. "This meant I had to light the formals in a slightly different way to ensure I got that punchy highly saturated contrasty feel that fits with the mood" photographer Al told me. "This was the first time I've seen a smoke machine used during the ceremony! The archway was decorated with skulls and light like a stage. As you can see form the photos the cake was a skull and all the attendees got to take home a set of cast-silver effect fangs to say 'fangs for coming' [groan]. Zombina and the Skeletones provided the live music for the reception, again fitting the horror-rockabilly theme."
Read more...

Vintage Lace & Rock n Roll

Kat

May 14, 2010

Check out Ursula & Chris' fantastically cool wedding. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw her Claire Pettibone dress (I wrote about these dresses a while back beacause they are called the 'rock n roll bride' collection!) Oh holy black tulle! "'I fell in love with my 'Midnight' gown from Claire Pettibone's rock and roll bride range the moment I tried it on. The mix of vintage style, beautiful beading, delicate embroidery and edgy black train make it a very special dress. I just loved the way my long veil looked against the slightly gothic black train. Breathtaking!" Ursula explained.
Read more...

Gorgeous, Heavily Tattooed Bride at Warwick Castle

Kat

May 11, 2010

There is no other way to describe this Warwick Castle shoot than kick ass. Is photographer Steve Gerrard fo' real? I can't get over how much I adore these and how much I want to be this bride! "I’m one of the castle’s recommended wedding photographers" Steve explained "so when I asked the lovely Katie Hill at the castle about doing the shoot, she was more than helpful, even allowing us to shoot long after the public had to leave the venue." Steve was helped along by local vendors The Bridal Boutique who donated a dress and The Blossom Tree who helped out with the flowers. Steve wanted to shoot two different sides of the bridal story so he found Steph, a classic English rose (you can see her session here)and Laura - the gorgeous, heavily tattooed chicka you see below. Rock-the-hell-on!
Read more...

Ooh La La Oscar De La Renta!

Kat

May 4, 2010

Before I share this wedding I want to let out a little 'squeeeeal' of excitement over bride Sian's Oscar De La Renta number. I actually remember coming across this dress last year sometime on a blog somewhere and being pretty much floored by it's beauty. So when photographer David shared his images from Sian & Dave's London Zoo wedding from Saturday I knew I knew that dress...and I fell in love all over again. Not only that but teamed with the Vivienne Westwood shoes (which I love and have a pair of myself) and it's a match made in Rock n Roll heaven!
Read more...

Amazing Andaz

Kat

May 3, 2010

Prepare yourself for a super duper bumper post people. Sometimes I'm afraid I can't help but go mad on the number of images I share on a wedding as beautiful (and as beautifully captured) as Sam & Adam's. The couple got married at The uber stylish Andaz Hotel in London. With Sam & Adam both being fashion designers (as well as a lot of their guests too!) the wedding was sure to be a ridiculously stylish affair. Sam looks gorgeous in her Marchesa gown and I am pretty much crazy about those Nicholas Kirkwood heels! Adam wore a suit from Dunhill.
Read more...

A Dress of Blue & Jimmy Choo

Kat

April 29, 2010

I've got a bonus post for you today, simply because I couldn't help myself and wanted to blog this right away! Amanda and Walé got married in Cornwall, Polhawn Fort to be specific which overlooks a dramatic bay. Amanda wore a completely gorgeous bright blue Roland Mouret dress with pewter Jimmy Choo wedges (swoon.) The bouquet was a structural arrangement of Calla lilies and she clipped some pretty little butterflies in her hair. Her ring was the ‘crystal haze’ ring by Stephen Webster and Wale’s ring was from Sarah Sheridan.
Read more...

For the Love of Bettie Paige

Kat

April 28, 2010

Toni & Richard had a gothic/burlesque inspired wedding at Prested Hall in Colchester in March of this year. "Our inspiration mainly comes from my admiration of burlesque and my unnerving love of Bettie Page (who I have recently had tattooed on me)" Toni told me. "Not being much of a girly girl and never one who 'dreamt of their big day', I didn't actually know where to start after the proposal. I like wearing jeans, having a Mohawk and being covered in tattoos and wearing too much make up!"
Read more...

Mick Jagger, Glastonbury & English Fish ‘n Chips

Kat

April 27, 2010

This could quite possibly be the most emotionally charged ceremony I've ever seen! So. Much. Love. The intimate wedding (only 15 guests) took place at The Kings Road Registry Office and was followed by some good old fashioned English fish n’ chips. Quite apart from all this awesome, the couple, Fox & Cassie, are actually very cool themselves. Fox has made a record, written a book and played at Glastonbury and he was desperate to get married at the same venue as his hero Mick Jagger.
Read more...

High Rocks

Kat

April 22, 2010

When I featured Nadia & Damien's London engagement session back in January I just knew their wedding would be a beaut' and these images sent over by the lovely Eliza Claire certainly haven't disappointed. The pair got married at The High Rocks Hotel in Tunbridge Wells which proved a pictureqesue venue with dramatic 'high rocks' outside. These acted as the perfect backdrop for some stunning portraits. Nadia looked every bit the glamorous bride in her XX dress which not only has a belt and lace over-lay but had pockets. Yes! stylish and quirky!
Read more...

A Little Bit of Rock n Roll Magic

Kat

April 21, 2010

I've got another Luella's Boudoir-related post for you now (can to tell I'm excited about tonight?!) Becci & Mark's wedding is a pretty special one, for more reason than one. Not only did the pair find their photographer David McNeil through Rock n Roll Bride, but Becci also found and discovered the amazing vintage jewellery experts, Magpie Vintage. Who wouldn't fall in love with their amazing designs after all!? As a DIY bride (Becci's made her own dress from an original 1930's pattern as well as her flowers and all the decor and details for their wedding) unfortunately the jewellery pieces she fell in love with were slightly out of her price range. However with a little bit of Rock n Roll Bride magic I was able to pull a few strings for her and the lovely ladies at Magpie Vintage were kind enough to lend her the gorgeous headband and necklace you see her wearing! How amazing is that?!
Read more...