A Scottish Real Wedding

Catriona and William got married this year on 28th April at The Dunglass Estate, which is a beautiful venue on the Scottish borders.  The bridal party were able to spend three wonderful days in Dunglass House with their family and friends getting the marquee decorated and ready for the big day.

They had a very romantic humanist ceremony in The Dunglass Collegiate Church with their close family and friends followed by a fantastic reception for all of their extended family and friends in the marquee on the estate.

"It was the best day of my life!" Catriona

Catriona's Top Tips:
1. If you have set a budget always shop with this in mind.
2. Try and have a quiet moment together with a nice glass of champagne.
3. Relax, enjoy it and have and absolutely amazing day!

Venue - Dunglass Estate / Photographer - Joanne Odgers / Hair - Rosemary Martin / Make-up - Laura Kerr, Blusha / Flowers - Roseparks / Dress - Art Couture from Isabella Bridal / Shoes - White Mui Mui shoes  and Christian Louboutin shoes / Tiara - Arianna / Veil- Joyce Jackson from Isabella Bridal / Garter- a gift / Jewellery- bracelet my something borrowed from my grandma / Necklace was from Jon Richard / The bridesmaids gifts were necklaces from Tiffany and co with their initial on a disc.

Wedding Theme A-Z: C is for Candy Stripes

C IS FOR... Candy Stripes.

Classic, wonderfully pretty and utterly delicious... just everything that a Wedding should be! This theme is so now, and for all the right reasons. It gives you a reason to theme every element of your wedding as well as being flexible to a huge range of colours. The only problem with this theme is that there are so many amazing bits out there to buy in candy stripes that it would be hard to know when to stop.

Your guests can be utterly spoilt with such a fantastic excuse to fill your Wedding reception with delicious sweets and treats!

I love the fact that with this theme you can also introduce various different colours, still maintaining the unity of the overall theme. These bridesmaid dresses (as worn by The Saturday's for Una's Wedding!) would be absolutely perfect to incorporate the 'candy' element. With the option to choose just one colour for your bridesmaids or go wild and have one of each.

If the above is just a little too girly for your liking why not go a little wild with the theme. Choose a more 'shocking' palatte to create a really stunning 'wow' factor for your Wedding. I absolutely love these Nail varnish colours from Mavala's new 'Delicious' collection. These six delectable shades conveniently have 'candy names' such as Candy Floss and Lemon Cream. Perfect either as favours for all the female guests or they would look fantastic on each of your bridesmaids. Priced at £4.30 each.

These images are taken from a recent edition of 'Wedding Magazine'.  The stylist for this 'Real Wedding' was Truely Madly Dottie. I thoroughly recommend a peek at her website as she has such amazing style and flair.

Images sourced from: Pastels: Blue invitation / Delicately styled striped cake / Candy stripe garter / Selection of sweets / Paper straws / Pink sweet bags /  Candy stripe invite / Bow detail invitation / Sweet hamper / Coloured twine / Bridesmaid dresses Brights: Paper bags multi / Ribbon

Vintage Wedding Bouquets - you can keep forever!

Whilst flicking through my favourite magazine 'Wedding' the most amazing bouquet caught my eye. An absolute masterpeice made from vintage jewellery, buttons, crystal, glass and pearls!

Debbie Carlisle creates these stunning one-off handmade masterpeices to your absolute specification, working to compliment your gown, theme and personality.  Looking a little further into DC Bouquets I have found that Debbie is very flexible in her creations, she will source all of the materials but will also wire in anything that you would like to add. Sentimental jewellery or buttons from a loved one that can't be with you on the day, 'something blue' or bits and peices from your child hood - you name it. She can also make these items as visible or invisible as you like.

Debbie also designs and makes beautiful accessories and buttonholes, perfect to link the theme across your bridal party. Here are a few of my favourites...

Debbie's prices start at around £120 but a large bouquet (approximately 30cm in length) will work out at about £975. It is certainly a lot more expensive than a floral bouquet, but is it worth that extra spend for something that you can keep forever and pass on through generations? I will leave that question for you to answer.

Interview with Wedding Dress Designer - Martin Charles

I thought an interesting blog series to run would be 'Interview with a Designer' and what better place to start than with the amazing Wedding dress designer, Martin Charles. Martin designed and made my Wedding dress, so holds a very special place in my heart. Here it goes... I hope you enjoy it.

MARTIN CHARLES

My history and training...
I completed a Masters Degree in Women's Wear at the Royal Collage of Art in Kensington. After my graduation I was called and asked if I could send some work for Gianni Versace to view. I was flown out to Milan for an interview and subsequently offered a job as his design assistant. I worked there until his murder when I came back to the UK and started up my own fashion label named 'No Shrinking Violets'. 

I was first inspired to become a designer by/when...
I used to watch old Hollywood movies and was fascinated by the work of the Hollywood designers like Edith Head. The silhouette and structure of the dresses and outfits were a dream. Of course I also fell in love with Christian Dior and the whole image of his designs. I am a sucker for glamour.

I am now inspired by...
I am still inspired by the same things.  Although I do like a bit of 'Bo Ho ethereal chic'.  I am sure I will be totally inspired by the re-make of the Great Gatsby when it is finally released. Again Hollywood glamour!

My dresses appeal to...
Women who know what suits them and know that they can carry it off, they are confident in themselves and the way they look, they like romantic glamour (with a nod to a bygone age), they don’t go for things by halves. If there is a story to tell they will tell it.

My favourite designer is...
I do love the timeless elegance of the Alan Hannah dresses. I appreciate the construction and quality of make in the gowns. Another is Paloma Blanca,  I love the silhouettes as they are always flattering and make the most of a woman’s shape.  Wedding dresses by both of these designers are available at my Boutique in Oundle.

My studio is...
Small but well equipped with everything to hand.  I have everything I need. Good daylight, cutting table, racks of fabrics and trims, my faithful and trusted machine. My boutique is modern without being intimidating. We pride ourselves on our welcome and service.

My best designs/ideas have come from...
Modelling on a stand, working with the fabric to create the 3d shape I am after. This is the way I like to work but it is not always the most efficient. Sometimes I need to flat pattern cut. I enjoy this too it takes me back to technical drawing at school.

Every bride should...
Do some research if she wants something made to measure as it is hard when a bride comes in to see you, someone you have never met before, and knows nothing of her likes and dislikes. Even just some tears from magazines showing the type of style she wants for her wedding really helps to start the ball rolling and give the conversation a starting point. If she is buying a ready made dress she should still research and find examples and/or designers that she likes. 

...........................................................

Martin Charles has a boutique set in an amazing old Chapel in Oundle, Leicestershire. His made to measure prices start from £2,000 to £3,500 and he also stocks boutique samples priced from £1,800 to £2,500.

A Beautiful English Country Real Wedding

Gill and Ian's beautiful English country Wedding was held at the stunning Stapleford Park in Leicestershire. The styling of this wedding is so fantastically classic, using a very neutral palatte that I just absolutely adore. Gill's Wedding dress, by couture dress designer Phillipa Lepley, is just amazing with intricate beaded and sequin detail all over. She was joined by her two very beautiful daughters as bridesmaids, who wore very classic long dresses and looked just amazing.

 

Gill's Top Tips: 

1. Make sure you can get the registrar before you confirm the venue.

2. Have a trial with the hair and make up artists.

3. Leave more time to get ready than you think so you have time for photographs.

Cake - Couture Cakes / Photographer - Stephen Gormley / Flowers - Vaas / Venue - Stapleford Park / Stationary - The Handcrafted Company / Wedding Dress - Phillipa Lepley / Bridesmaid Dresses - The Lace Market Bridal Boutique / Shoes - Benjamin Adams / Make up - Paula Tennant / Hair - Charlotte Wesson