Rubbish rain?

July 30th, 2010

As I write this it is pouring down with rain. Like rivers-running-down-the-street rain. And, it is July. That’s one of the most annoying things about planning a wedding in this country… you just can’t rely on the weather. True, you can’t really ever rely on the weather anywhere but the odds of rubbish weather in this country seems to be a lot higher than most. Because it pours in July.

But worry not! I have seen some amazing images of shots taken in the rain so it doesn’t have to ruin your photography, often it can even add interest. Instead, turn the rainy weather to your advantage and introduce a prop: an umbrella!

Beautiful brollies

At this point, if you’re imagining hideous huge umbrellas emblazoned with logos, then that’s not the kind I mean. I’ve found some really pretty brollies that would look lovely keeping your gorgeous gown from getting all soggy. Take a look at some of the extensive collection of brollies at Brollies Galore:

Umbrellas

The brollies above would suit lots of different weddings. I’m thinking the top frilly numbers will suit pretty much all weddings, the black and white and striped brollies would suit a contemporary or Parisian-styled affair, the florals are perfect for a vintage wedding or a very English tea-and-cake-type wedding and the last suggest an Indian summer theme to me! There are hundreds on the website though and they also have plain umbrellas in a range of colours so there’s sure to be one to match your wedding day design.

Pretty parasols

Brollies Galore have some pretty parasols too:

Parasols

Excellent if the sun is shining. However, this is Britain so maybe have that back-up umbrella also… just in case.

Debs

Vendor Details:
Brollies Galore website
Contact Brollies Galore
Phone: 0845 602 3712

Tags:
Posted in Vendors | 3 Comments »

A list of gifts

July 29th, 2010

The gift list is often one of much debate in wedding world. Is it bad to ask for gifts? But if you don’t ask do you risk getting lots of items you don’t want when people feel obliged to give anyway? Can you ask for money and, if so, how can you possibly phrase that politely? Is there perhaps an alternative that you haven’t even thought of?

Personally, I think the thought of asking for gifts would make me feel a bit cheeky. Although it has pretty much become a given that guests at weddings buy gifts I do still believe it would be nicer if this wasn’t the case. That brides and grooms were genuinely touched and surprised to get a gift lovingly hand-picked for them rather than wait for guests to buy all the items on a list they’ve compiled.

On the other hand, the majority of guests do want to buy gifts and perhaps you’re making it easier on them by giving them a list to pick from!

The choice to include a gift list with the invites, or instead to leave a message with the parents for those that insist on buying a gift, is a personal one but either way I thought I’d try and come up with 10 ideas for the list, some obvious, some perhaps not so obvious…

1. Homeware store

One of the most common routes to go down is setting up a gift list with a shop such as John Lewis or Debenhams. This is great for the few couples that haven’t lived together for that long (or at all!) prior to their marriage and still need the essential homewares these types of shops offer. As you have a gift list to fill, however, you could well end up putting those unnecesary, use-once-and-then-put-in-a-dark-cupboard-never-to-see-the-light-of-day-again type objects on just for the sake of filling it up. I’d have to have a good think about whether I really needed all those homewares before going down this route! If you decide you want such items but would rather pick from different stores then services such as Presentwise and The Gift List Company allow you to do this.

2. Honeymoon

If your house has everything it needs and you’d rather treat yourself to a luxury holiday then asking guests to contribute to the honeymoon would mean your first trip as a newly married couple could be an amazing one! Companies such as Turquoise allow guests to either contribute cash to your honeymoon or select from experiences pre-determined by the couple, such as a massage or quad-biking!

3. Money

Perhaps the hardest to ask for! Most tend to go with a cheeky poem such as this:
Because at first we lived in sin
We’ve got the sheets and a rubbish bin
A gift from you would be swell
But we’d prefer a donation to our Wishing Well!
If this still makes you feel uncomfortable I’d leave this one to the parents to deal with! If there is no mention of a gift list most guests will ask them and they could just casually suggest the money option.

4. Art

Companies such as Scotland Art and Artery Gallery offer gift lists that allow guests to contribute to a piece of artwork of your choice. I rather like this idea as it is just one item so no chance of it cluttering up the house! Pick a statement painting and it can have pride of place in your home as a reminder of your special day and all the loved ones you shared it with.

5. Charity

Another great idea and one I wrote about in this post on Oxfam Unwrapped. If you really don’t want for anything but want your guests to feel satisfied that they gave you a gift then this is the way to do it. Lots of charities, such as Cancer Research and the NSPCC offer options to set up an online page where guests can contribute. Alternatively, pick any charity of your choice and put a note with your invites stating that contributions are welcome for you to pass on to your chosen charity. The chance to help others long after your special day is definitely a great idea for your wedding gifts.

6. Interior design

If you want to create the perfect home for your newly married life but need some help, then companies such as Beyond Weddings are perfect. Set up by Chelsea Bidwill there are 3 services all involving a visit from Chelsea to give her an idea of your home and what design elements will enhance it. Lists can feature decorative items to buy or interior work such as reupholstering chairs, fitting a carpet or renovating the bathroom. You could ask for money and put it towards something like this but this way you get an interior specialist’s help and I think many guests like to know what they’ve bought you. Alternatively if you’re happy designing your house yourself and would just like help with the DIY costs, vouchers for a hardware store such as B&Q would come in handy.

7. Gardening

If your house is just the way you want it but the garden’s looking a bit shabby then get a garden makeover for your gift! The Wedding Garden Company offer lists that allow you to choose garden items yourself or alternatively they can visit you to discuss a few ideas or even a full garden redesign. And if you can’t decide between homewares, interior design or sprucing up your garden then a company such as Bottom Drawer is for you as they allow you to put anything on your list!

8. Wine

For wine drinkers why not have enough to fill a cellar waiting for you on return from your honeymoon? Those at The Wine Wedding List can help you compile ideas for wines from all over the world and at different price levels to suit different guests’ budgets. A nice touch is that every bottle bought is hand labelled with the guest’s name that bought it for you so you can drunkenly thank them after you’ve enjoyed it!

9. Books

The last two are my favourite ideas as, to me, they are what gifts should be about: they allow the guest the freedom to choose themselves and a chance for them to be creative, a great combo! I absolutely love books. So much so that one day I dream of a library in my house like the one in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast with the ladder to access all the many books! This list is simple, ask the guest to buy you their favourite book, fiction or non-fiction. This way you’ll end up with a really unusual and interesting collection of books that will remind you of your guests and most likely offer up reading oppportunities you’d never have explored otherwise. You could take this one step further by including with your invites a sticker for them to include in the front of their book allowing them to add their name and a message for you.

10. Romance

The most creative option! Ask guests to contribute to your romance. Leaving it quite open means they can have fun deciding in what way they want to do that. Whether they choose tickets for the theatre, a voucher for a meal out, a set of gorgeous candles for the home or a book of love poems you’ll hopefully get a whole bunch of weird and wonderful gifts out of this one!

Gift

Awesome image courtesy of Jen Chan

If anybody can think of alternatives to the usual gift lists then please let me know. I’d love to hear your ideas!

Debs

Tags:
Posted in Advice | No Comments »

Belle Amour asks… Eliza Claire

July 28th, 2010

Very happy to bring you another interview today. This one with fab photographer Eliza Claire. Some of you may have seen Eliza’s work recently in the amazing Rock n’ Romance shoot with Kat of Rock n’ Roll Bride. If you have you’ll already know she’s a skilled photographer. Here are more gorgeous examples of her work along with interesting info about the lady behind the lens…

The interview

Introduction:
I’m Eliza and I specialise in contemporary, fun wedding photography. I was a bride myself just 5 years ago, and I remember the process well, so I try to be more than just a photographer, but also a friend and a listening ear to my couples. I’ve been told that I’m a calming influence on brides… I don’t know, I just love the whole day, and encourage my brides to enjoy it as they won’t get another wedding day!

Location:
I am currently based on the Kent/London border, but I’m moving to Berkshire next week. I cover weddings throughout the UK though.

When and how did you fall in love with photography?
I think I inherited a family love of photographs. Growing up, we had ancient family photos all over the house. I used to get my friends to pose for me, snapping away on my Canon AE-1 (which was my dad’s before it was mine, and is the same age as me. I still have it.). During my university years, I completely stopped taking photos but then, when my children were born, I started to take more photos again. I started a Photo a Day project on Flickr in 2008, and my love really grew from there.

Have you had any formal training?
I’m completely self taught. I’m a bit of a geek though, so the first thing I did was learn the details of how my camera works. I’d love to do some workshops next year though.

How would you describe your photography style?
I’ve been told it’s a bit quirky. It’s hard for me to see a style, as I just take photos the only way I know how. I like to make people look beautiful, and I like to mix reportage with creative portraiture.

Eliza Claire

What inspires your work?
I’m inspired by love. Shooting a couple who are so in love is just the best experience. I got married in 2005, and being a wedding photographer, I get to relive that excitement every time I shoot a wedding!
I love looking at other photographers’ work, especially people like Kyle Hepp whose style I adore, and Ryan Brenizer who captures the most amazing reception party images.

When did you first shoot a wedding?
August 2008, I was invited to second shoot for a local photographer (a friend of a friend) at a huge wedding in Sussex. I loved it! I think I started to build my website that night!

Where in the UK are you based and how far would you travel to shoot a wedding?
I’m based in the South East, and I love to travel. I love driving and I’ve shot weddings all over the UK, as well as a destination wedding in Italy last year, which was an amazing experience.

Eliza Claire

How many weddings do you shoot per year?
I aim to shoot between 30 and 35 weddings per year. I want to be able to concentrate solely on weddings, and as all of my packages come with a pre-wedding shoot, this keeps me incredibly busy!

What has been the best wedding you’ve captured so far, and why?
It’s so hard to choose just one. I’ve been lucky in that I’ve honestly loved every single couple I’ve worked with. It’s very important to me to feel that connection with my bride and grooms, as I will be spending the majority of their day with them. My favourite one is always the next one on the calendar! I look forward to wedding days so much!

What would be your idea of a dream wedding to photograph?
Something that reflects the couple’s personality, something a little different that means that they’re super-excited about their day. This is a great time in the wedding industry, there’s so much choice out there that weddings are becoming so much more than they were even 5 years ago. I just love capturing their emotions on the day, and the joy and happiness of their guests.

Eliza Claire

Has anything gone wrong when shooting a wedding? And if so, how did you cope with it?
Touch wood, nothing has gone wrong for me yet. My background is in IT Security (told you I’m a geek!) and so I’m ultra-careful about backing up images, swapping cards regularly, using two cameras and a multitude of lenses, so if anything went wrong, I am prepared.

What camera(s) do you use for photographing weddings?
I love my Nikon D700, it’s my third baby! I also have a Fuji S5 Pro.

And your favourite lenses?
For versatility, my 24-70mm, but my most beautiful portraits come from my 50 1.4.

Do you use any lighting equipment?
I have an SB800 and an SB900 which I use on occasion, but I prefer natural light wherever possible.

What advice would you give to wannabe wedding photographers?
Don’t do it unless you truly love it! And be prepared to spend more time in front of your computer than you do in front of your camera, the business side takes a lot of work.

Eliza Claire

What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
I got a thank you card recently that made me cry, it was so lovely. That’s the stuff that really counts. Although, I must admit, the publicity from my Rock n’ Romance shoot with Kat (Rock n’ Roll Bride) made me feel quite proud of how far I’ve come since starting the business.

Out of all the photographs you have ever taken, which is your favourite and why?
I have so many of my family that mean a lot to me, but professionally I think it’s probably this one because I think it captures a moment when, for them, the whole world disappeared except for each other – as every first dance should be.

Damien & Nadia’s first dance:

Eliza Claire Favourite

If you could capture anybody or anything on camera what would it be?
I wish I had a photo of my children in the moments following their births. I have one of my daughter, Ysella, when she was about 15 mins old, taken on my phone, but we forgot the decent camera both times!

Just so we can find out a bit more about the person behind the lens, could you tell me 5 things you like that are completely unrelated to photography?

  • Skiing, I love skiing and it’s been too long since I last went.
  • Going to the cinema – I love the escapism. I’ll watch anything, except westerns.
  • Potato. Mashed, fried, roast, in fact I’ve yet to find a potato I’ve not liked.
  • Music. It changes my mood completely, and I can’t imagine life without music.
  • Friends. Nothing beats a night out with a group of girlfriends.

And 5 things you dislike?

  • Rudeness.
  • I’m a grammar pedant, but I try not to be.
  • Cacti. They give me nightmares. I know, it’s odd. I visited a Cactus garden in the Nevada desert to try to beat this fear, but it hasn’t worked.
  • Dishonesty.
  • 5am. I only wish my kids felt the same.

Eliza Claire

What are your aspirations for the future, in photography or otherwise?
To keep getting better, to keep loving it. I’m so excited about my move to Bucks, about what this new chapter in my life will bring. Mostly, my aspirations are simple: to make my little boy and baby girl happy and proud.

Debs & Eliza

Photographer Details:
Eliza Claire Photography website
Eliza’s blog
Contact Eliza
Phone: 01474 871342
Mobile: 07976 656112

Posted in Belle Amour asks..., Photographers | 2 Comments »

I love this luggage

July 27th, 2010

So the wedding’s over and it’s time to embark on your honeymoon. As probably one of the best holidays you’ll ever have wouldn’t it be lovely if you could have every last little detail just perfect?

Well that’s why I’m bringing you gorgeous vintage-style luggage today. Luggage that’s worthy of joining you on the most important of holidays! Each hand-crafted piece by Streamline Luggage comes with a combination lock and the larger cases feature discreet trolley wheels. But regardless of all the practicalities these cases are just so lovely looking (they’d have to be, how else could I be excited about luggage?!) Take a look at some examples of the new range launching in August:

Streamline Luggage new collection

Due to this new launch, Streamline Luggage are selling off existing stock with up to a huge 40% off. So if you like any of the examples below I suggest you try and snap them up quickly before they go!

Streamline Luggage old collection

Not only do these look really good, it’d also make it much easier at the luggage carousel as you wouldn’t have to work out which of the many, very-similar, suitcases was yours! My only worry would be that someone would steal it right off the carousel because they look that good!

Debs

Vendor Details:
Streamline Luggage website
Contact Streamline Luggage
Phone: +353-1-4295006

Posted in Honeymoons, Vendors | 2 Comments »

TK Maxx Wedding Bloggers’ Challenge

July 26th, 2010

I was surprised and excited when an email landed in my inbox asking me to take part in the TK Maxx Wedding Bloggers’ Challenge: to accessorise one dress to create a wedding guest outfit suitable for 5 different types of wedding.

I was surprised for two reasons: one, it amazed me that a big company even knew of my blog and wanted me to take part! And two, because I would never call myself fashionable! I’ve always been the type that if it looks nice on me and it suits the event I’m going to then I’ll wear it regardless of if it’s ‘fashionable’ or not.

I’m not the type that can only wear an outfit once and has a whole new wardrobe with each passing trend, I just can’t afford it!

So I was a little nervous about accepting the challenge as it is something I’ve never done before. But then I thought about the challenge and realised that most wedding guests wouldn’t be amazing fashionistas either. They’d be like me just wanting to wear something that looked nice and that when wearing it wouldnt feel out of place at the event they were invited to. And so I think (hope) that’s what I achieved. All of the looks I created I would wear and believe suit the event they were created for. Fashion is subjective though so I’m sure not everybody would want to wear these outfits. I just hope, either way, you enjoy looking at what I came up with!

Black tie

This was probably the hardest as, being a girl born and bred in Blackburn, I don’t get invited to many any Black Tie events! Also, as I’d decided on a grey theme for my city outfit, I knew I had to differentiate them somehow. And so it came down to adding the glitz and glamour that I believe you’d find at a black tie event!

Black-tie

Alternative

Perhaps I’m stereotyping, but say alternative to me and I instantly think of rock chick, and that generally leads me on to black. So that’s what I chose to go with here. The dress is rather pretty for the rock look but I think with some fun accessories and by echoing the coral in the so-cool shoes it becomes a pretty original, or alternative, look:

Alternative

Country

My first thought about the country look was ‘cowboy boots won’t go with that dress!’ as I had visions of full on farm affairs with muddy fields where boots or wellies would be needed. Then I realised that a country wedding could just as easily be a lovely garden party and so I went with a pretty, romantic, summery look:

Country

City

I struggled with thinking of what colours would go with a white and coral polka-dot dress and so stuck to metallics and neutral colours: black, white and grey. To make this look differ from the Black Tie outfit I picked less glitz and went for pieces that were very contemporary with a statement piece of jewellery to add to the modern look:

City

Beach

This is probably my favourite look as I’d love the chance to go to a beach wedding wearing a pretty dress and comfortable flats shoes! I thought the sandals were a necessity for the beach but have picked gold to keep them dressy enough for a wedding (rubber flip flops just wouldn’t have cut it!):

Beach

There you have it! It wasn’t the easiest challenge as not only did I have to find items I thought went with the dress but I also wanted them on a white background to be able to arrange them how I did! It was fun though and something I may try again, just with dresses and themes I’ve picked myself to make it easier!

Thanks to TK Maxx for asking me to take part and, for those of you wanting to see what the other bloggers picked for their dresses, go check out the challenge on the TK Maxx Facebook page!

Debs

P.S. If the items are still available I’ve linked directly to them. If the link takes you to the store home page then that item has sold out or been discontinued.

Vendor Details:
TK Maxx website
TK Maxx Facebook page

Tags:
Posted in Inspiration | No Comments »

« Older Entries