Jenna and Graeme's Pre-wedding shoot in Brighton

Jenna and Graeme from Buckinghamshire chose sunny (and windy!) Brighton as the backdrop for their pre-wedding shoot.  Pre-wedding and engagement photo shoots are becoming more and more popular.  They absolutely loved theirs and think that there are lots of reasons to make them part of your wedding plans …

1. It’s a great way to get to know and feel totally comfortable with your photographer, before the big day

Our wedding photographer is Phil Bourne, owner of e.motion images. He’s a brilliant photographer but he’s also an old friend of mine, so for me and my hubby to be, it was really important to feel confident and relaxed with Phil … not as mates, but as photographer and bride.

A pre-wedding photo shoot was a brilliant opportunity to do that and we think it worked pretty well!

2. It’s a great way to express yourself and your personality

We love all things vintage and fun … so straight away we knew we’d have a vintage photo shoot. After some thought and chat with Phil, we also knew Brighton would be the best venue for this. Not only was it an excuse to have some fun by the sea, we also knew it would really suit the vintage theme.

I’ve also seen some lovely picnic shoots, beach parties for two, and tea parties used as engagement themes. Some carefully selected props make the pictures stand out too!

3. Photos can be a great way of injecting personal touches in to your wedding day

We’ve used our pictures on our invites, order of service and in other little touches to be revealed on September 1st! (our wedding day!)

4. We’ve also made our own album as a keepsake and some as presents for family and friends, which they love!

The only piece of advice I would give anyone doing a pre-wedding photo shoot is to ‘be prepared’! When we did ours, the weather was absolutely freezing … and as you can see, very, very windy!!!!

To check out Phil’s work, have a look at http://www.e-motionimages.co.uk/or contact him phil@e-motionimages.co.uk

If you would like your wedding or your pre-engagement shoot featured on our website, please email your details to info@clarebeckwithweddings.co.uk and send us a few sample shots to look at.  We especially like to see your unique weddings with lots of special touches as these are most likely to be published.

Turning heads

Now I don't know about you, but if I come across a stray button, or a piece of ribbon or the like, I pop it in my 'button box' (a small plastic airtight food container) which is where it lives untouched...well ...forever. 

But some people have a way with bits and bobs and can create the most inspired pieces from the most unlikely materials.  Which is why I just had to introduce you to Chloe Haywood from Hatastic http://www.hatastic.folksy.com/

Chloe started making hats and fascinators when she couldn't find a hat to go with a vintage cream crepe dress for a very special wedding. She wanted a fascinator, but all she could find were bright and brash designs that were really expensive and looked like everything else on the high street.

I met Chloe a few years back when I worked on her equally creative sister's wedding. She can lovingly craft the most amazing head pieces including bridal veils, hats and fascinators.

Each item is handmade from secondhand, vintage or recycled items.  Her headpieces are unique, so you know that your design is a true one off.  No mass produced stuff here.  Perfect for the bride or wedding guest with an individual style.

Hatastic! has been nominated to be Accessory Designer of the Year at the Finest Fashion Awards in July 2011.  One to watch!

Photo credits: http://www.julietlemon.com/,  http://www.jerileebrownphotography.co.uk/

Spring weddings

At about the time I press 'publish post' on my blog posts from Isobel Kershaw at the NHJ Style Consultancy, I get lots of my blog followers ask: "When's the next one?"  They are beginning to attract a huge following and are a 'must read' for all wedding guests hoping to wow with all the latest trends.

Spring is no exception, and I am pleased to introduce to you Isobel's thoughts for this season.  Here is what she has to say... 

It's the end of February and I can feel Spring in the air.  I have already spotted some blossom which is always a good sign and that means the busy wedding season is just about to kick off.

If you have been invited to a wedding this season, let me inspire you with some On-trend styles which will not only ensure you look fab for that celebration, but will also be versatile to use throughout the season.

Big Blooms

Prints always come to life in spring and just like your garden, you will also see bloom prints in the shops. So don’t shy away from them, embrace them whatever shape of height you are as, there are prints to suit everyone.

How about this very pretty Oasis dress aptly named 'Kew floral shift dress'.  At £65, it ticks all the boxes. Add your own skinny belt and finish off with a cute knit cardi or edgy jacket which will take you from day to dinner.

Nudes

We have seen the 'Nude' trend before; and, if you are a little shy of colour, nudes may be the answer.

You may need to either add a vibrant tone to your accessories with this style or ensure your make-up is colourful. Either way, a spray tan may also be beneficial to avoid the pasty pallor look.

The texture of cream lace of a nude lining ensures this Reiss dress is stunning.

Add this LK Bennett Selina Dusk clutch for an utterly sophisticated look.

Brights

The catwalks have shown the most colourful collections in many years which hopefully reflects the positivity of the current climate. So ditch the black, navy and grey, and jump into colour – you can’t avoid it this season!

This colourful dress from FCUK does everything for you. Its V neck ensures it suits most body shapes, its sleeves mean no need for a cover-up, and the bead detail on the front accessories the dress for you! Fabulous!

That 70s show

 

I love the 70s look.  It’s so much fun and feels so carefree. If the wedding you are going to is not so formal, experiment with the new 70s vibe styles coming into the shops this season.  With wide-legged trousers and even wider brimmed hats, it can still be pulled off elegantly if put together in the right way.

This stylish BIBA print top is a great piece to add to the wardrobe and makes a perfect outfit for a spring summer wedding when dressed up with a white flared trouser such as these beautiful ones from Milly.

Credits:  Our thanks as always go to our beautiful guest blogger, Isobel Kershaw, from the NHJ style consultancy, http://www.nhjstyle.com/

Also http://www.oasis-stores.com/, http://www.reissonline.com/, http://www.frenchconnection.com/, http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/,
http://www.julesb.co.uk/, http://www.lkbennett.com/

1970's bridesmaids

1970s bridesmaids dressed in Biba

My mum sent over this photo of me and my sister as bridesmaids at a 1970s wedding.  Not a fairy dress or pink sash in sight!  Could this have been the start of my fascination with weddings?

If you've got a similar pic of bridesmaids in the 50s, 60s, 70's, 80s or 90s email them over and we'll post a selection of them.

Are you a guest at a Winter wedding?

OMG - it's just 2 degrees outside at the moment - a comparatively warm mini-break from the really, really cold snap of the past few weeks.  The weather forecasters are telling us to prepare for another an arctic blast this week. That’s fine if your winter weekends are pretty free and you can embrace the snow and go sledging, but what do you do if you are invited to a wedding and want to look stylish?

To help you with your winter wedding style woes, I have done what I always do when I need style advice, and called the very lovely and incredibly stylish Isobel Kershaw from the NHJ Style Consultancy. She has these words to stop the onset of style panic...

Isobel says...
“The great thing about a winter wedding is that you don’t rely on the weather and can therefore dress to accommodate it, knowing that it will be cold!

And so with this in mind, here are a few inspiring looks to help you on your way to choosing a stylish outfit as a guest of a winter wedding.

A Church Wedding

Church weddings will be cold and you know that you will be travelling from the church to a reception venue, so how do you dress up warm, but still look like you are at a wedding as opposed to on a skiing holiday?

Fur!

It’s big this season, and fake fur has never looked better.

This faux fur from FCUK will ensure you will stand out in the crowd and it will certainly keep you warm!

Or go for drama with this vibrant red faux fur jacket from M&S.

If you are not into the all over fur look, there are some great coats on the High Street which have fur trims to give that glamorous edge to any outerwear.

The other alternative for a bang on trend winter coat which is dressy enough to go to any event – is the cape! There are lots on the High Street including this one from Reiss with the military shoulder detail.

So with the outerwear sorted, what goes underneath? Here are a few dresses for different body shapes to inspire you.

For the Rhubarb shape, we have a stunning print dress from Karen Millen with long sleeves to keep you warm whilst looking very stylish.

Accessorise with statement earrings colourful opaque tights (red) and platform heels.

For the hourglass, we have a curvy and very sexy dress from LK Bennett.

This is a very versatile dress that can be used after and with the right accessories can be glammed up for a winter wedding. Add a skinny patent belt and sparkly cuff to ensure that you will turn heads! And to add to the appeal, it has been reduced from £195 to £115.

So for all you lovely pears out there, here is the dress for you.

A fabulous navy lace (again so on trend) dress from Whistles. Another feminine dress with sleeves which is so important in the winter. To style it up, I would change the belt for one of a contrast colour in red or cream or even a metallic to make it look more party.

Also accessorise it with colourful tights in orange or a more subdued purple.

And now for the Apples, let me entice you will a dress that will flatter and make you feel gorgeous.



This pretty print dress from Phase Eight will certainly brighten your day with its colourful flower print and is a very flattering with an empire line shape. This dress also doesn’t need too much accessorising as it makes a statement with its print and colour.

And so to finish off with a few more accessory ideas to ensure you individualise your look.

The hat – Many of you may think about wearing the classic style hat for a wedding whether it is winter or summer, but think outside the box and again think fur!

The Cossack hat from Debenhams at £18 will bring a bit of edge to your outfit, but sometimes you need to be brave to carry off such a hat!

Gloves will be needed and if you are wearing the cape, you will need long ones!

These long red gloves from Hobbs will really make a statement and are certainly a nice change from black!

At £69 though, you had better make sure you don’t lose them!

So if you have a winter wedding to prepare for, you may now be a little more inspired by what you are going to choose to wear and with lots of reductions already happening in the shops, you can splash out on a few extra accessories.”

Style tips for...The Mother of the Bride

At a wedding fayre recently, I had the opportunity to talk to quite a few ‘Mothers of the Bride’ who have been looking for advice about what to wear at their daughter’s wedding. With so much choice on the high street, and the new season’s ranges now in stock, I took the opportunity to ask guest blogger Isobel Kershaw from the NHJ Style Consultancy “What should the modern day Mother of the Bride be wearing this Autumn?”
Here are her thoughts...

When it comes to a wedding, the second most important outfit after the bride’s is The Mother of the Bride; however, if you are the Mother of the Groom, I don’t want you to feel that you aren’t important as well!

I’m afraid though as etiquette goes, the Bride’s mother gets first choice in deciding what colour she is going the wear and the Groom’s mother possibly needs to coordinate – they must not be in the same colour and it is advisable not to clash, just for the photo albums sake!

Even though there may be a colour scheme for the bridal party, the mothers do not need to match. They simply need to compliment the bride’s chosen colour scheme and there are some great colours which will sit well with every option - navy and neutrals for instance.

Many Mothers of the Bride often opt for the dress or skirt suit, which after the wedding may not be that flexible. I’ve put together some alternative ideas to inspire you, for a stylish look that can be worn again and again.

1. The dress and jacket, as opposed to the dress suit

The Tina dress @ LK Bennett

This gorgeous dress is beautifully cut for a figure flattering silhouette for all body shapes. Team it with the Greta lace jacket from Coast for a wonderful Autumn/Winter wedding.

Greta Lace Jacket @ Coast

 

 

2. The Skirt and Jacket

Skirts are the most flattering for pear and hourglass shapes as they define the waist whilst covering more shapely thighs. So here are some options for a perfect Mother of the Bride look.

Navy striped skirt@ Reiss

 

This is a really stylish skirt shape from Reiss. Ensure that there is little or no detail at the top of the skirt because you will want to keep your top out to elongate the torso.  Less bulk at the waistband means a slimmer tum!

Navy knit top @ Karen Millen

 

Team it with this beautiful navy knit top with satin trim from Karen Millen for an elegant yet understated look, and go wild with the accessories to dress it up as much as you want. Choose a fabulous pair of shoes and finish with a statement necklace and shimmery wrap.

Hallie shoe by KG

 

Pendant @ Jaeger

 

3. The Trouser Ensemble

 

Many of you may feel more comfortable in trousers and you can still look very glamorous and feminine at the same time. In fact this is the season where trousers are dominating in evening wear and so the options are good.

I would recommend a wide flowing trouser which is softer and can then be teamed with a glam evening top and possibly a jacket depending on the time of the wedding.

Wide-leg trousers @ Jaeger

 

This pair of elegant wide-leg silk linen trousers from Jaeger is not only perfect for a wedding and many occasions beyond, they are also bang on trend as a colour option this season.

Pamela top @ Coast

 

Add a vibrant feminine top called ‘Pamela’ from Coast, and give it that Mother of the Bride touch with an elegant cream jacket from Jaeger and finish off with some statement pearls also from Jaeger.

Cream Jacket @ Jaeger

 

Pearls from Jaeger

 

And finally – we haven’t talked hats yet.  Whilst they may be more common at a church venue, it is always the Mother’s prerogative to wear one. Ensure the brim is no wider than your shoulders and if it is too big, sew in a few darts in the grosgrain trim inside the hat for a perfect fit.

If it is an evening wedding, you may want to opt for a fascinator or jewelled hair piece and remember, you don’t have to match it up with your outfit if you are wearing up to 2 colours.

My Hot Tips for Mother of the Bride looks:


1. Think about the flexibility of the outfit and whether you can wear it after.

2. Try not match up your outfit, especially with your shoes and bag. Contrast for a more current and youthful look.

3. Always buy clothes that suit your body shape and you will feel more confident and more comfortable during the big event.

4. Ensure your shoes are stylish but comfortable.

5. Be adventurous with your accessories to ensure you achieve the right look.

6. And the finishing touches are always important so treat yourself to make-up and hair.

Photo credits:  http://www.lkbennett.com/, http://styleshop.co.uk/, http://karenmillen.com/, http://coast-stores.com/, http://reissonline.com/, http://kurtgeiger.com/

Stunning bridesmaids dresses...from the high street

Gotta tell you about the stunning new season occasionwear by Karen Millen, which is perfect for any glamorous bridesmaid.  We've been a KM fan since they opened their first store in Maidstone, Kent back in 1983 (...think we might be showing our age now!), and it just gets better and better.

This elegant 'limited edition' signature column dress stopped us in our tracks, but there are plenty of others to feast your eyes on.

And then there are the shoes...

Credits: http://www.karenmillen.com/

Honeymoon Wardrobe Essentials

With the wedding season in full swing, and luxurious honeymoons on every bride’s mind, we took the opportunity to ask our guest blogger, top stylist Isobel Kershaw from the NHJ Style Consultancy, what every style-conscious bride should be packing in her suitcase this summer. Here are her top style tips for a honeymoon wardrobe that’s bang up to date:

Isobel says:

Your honeymoon is a wonderful time to relax after the excitement of the wedding with your new husband, and so it is important to look and feel great at all times.

Writing a list of honeymoon essentials is a great way of ensuring you can mix and match your clothes without packing too many! We all have a penchant for packing those ‘maybe’ clothes, and then getting to the airport to find that our luggage is overweight!!

So here is a list of the items you should consider.

1. The swimwear

This is one of the most important pieces to take as you will be wearing your swimwear the majority of the time. The great thing is that it is a very small piece of clothing, so you can take 4-6 options.

If you are a bikini wearer think about intermatching your tops with your bottoms. Go for colour and flattering shapes to suit your body.

Small busted girls should consider wearing swimwear that has padding in the bust or ensuring that the top has alot of fabric to give the illusion of a bigger bust.

Ted Baker Oceano Bikini

 
Bigger busted girls should choose bikinis that are bra sized to ensure the perfect fit.
 
2. Cover-ups

We may think of the sarong as the only cover-up option, or some of you may just don an old t shirt!

This season, however, is very much about the jumpsuit and the maxi dress and so we can bring these options to the beach as well as dress them up for dinner!

Sweaty Betty Kiyoko Jumpsuit

3. Shorts

Trying to find a sexy pair of shorts can be challenging. White denim can look good and there are many options on the street now. If you prefer a longer short opt for a slim fit style to flatter the leg.

4. Tops

Instead of packing your regular boring t shirt, think about a top with interest i.e. that has colour, detail fit and femininity. They should be versatile to go from day to dinner and work with your trouser and skirt options.

Mint Velvet Hydranga Top

5. Footwear

As well as taking the usual flip-flops and comfortable shoes, ensure that you pack at least one pair of sexy heels to complete your evening looks. If you find heels uncomfortable, practise in them before you go!

6. Underwear


This is the time to indulge in some sexy underwear so head off to Selfridges and get yourself a free fitting and some romantic sets to show off to your new husband!

Elle McPherson Spree Set

 
7. Accessories


Accessories are a great way to finish off an outfit as well as changing the look of it, so if you want to repeat an outfit, accessorise it differently.

Top Shop Lace detail belt

And finally, grab yourself a pretty summer bag to carry around all those essentials such as your sunglasses, perfume, suntan lotion and essential summer chic lit.

Ted Baker Poppy Bag with Flip Flops

Elegant, sexy, glamorous, sassy – what’s your style?

It’s always wonderful making new discoveries and I made a really exciting one the other day when I stumbled upon the website for ‘State of Grace’. It’s a bridal destination like no other you will experience in London, with bespoke wedding dress design, styling and personalised hair and make-up all under one roof. The new website is stunning and the bridal imagery really caught my eye, so I just had to go there myself.

Old School Glamour

The private and extremely gorgeous atelier is in London’s vibrant Notting Hill and I was invited there by the very elegant founder and creative design director, Lucia Silver. I also met her lovely head of production, Claire Grey who oversees quality control and the bespoke services for clients.

French Chic

State of Grace is truly unique.

It’s for women who know what they want for their wedding day and can’t find it, or for those who really don’t know where to start and need professional guidance.

Shopping for wedding dresses on the high street can be a daunting task. There is so much choice, and after a day pounding the streets, the dresses can all morph into one leaving you feeling exhausted and confused. And then you’ve got to organise your shoes, accessories, hair, make-up....

In the calm and sumptuous surroundings of State of Grace, you are in the hands of a highly skilled team of experts to help you look the way you want – from head to toe. Lucia told me that when they researched the market, they found that many modern brides don’t want to look like vestal virgins. She says, “Women are getting married later and are often paying for their own weddings – they know their own minds and how they want to look on their big day. Some just need a helping hand to achieve this”.

Innocent

You just have to make an appointment and experience it for yourself. They offer a completely personal service and you honestly feel like you are in someone’s home, among friends who want the very best for you! With the added bonus of being in dreamy surroundings adorned with bespoke jewellery, hats and head pieces, shrugs and evening coats, shoes and bags...

Photo Credits: http://www.thestateofgrace.com/

The perfect wedding outfit

It’s one of life’s lovely moments when you are invited to a friend’s wedding, but what if like some people, you go into a spin about what you should wear. So many people use a wedding as the perfect excuse to buy something new (no, honestly darling, I’ve had it for a while!). It can be an expensive time too, so don’t waste your hard earned cash, have a look at these fantastic tips by Isobel Kershaw from the NHJ Style Consultancy and just know that you’ll look gorgeous!...

There is nothing worse than arriving at a wedding to find that two other guests are wearing the same outfit as you. The problem is usually last minute panic buying and seemingly little choice for wedding outfits; this means we can be prone to looking at the same brands.
However, help can be at hand with your very own stylist – www.nhjstyle.com – who will create a unique ensemble which can then be reinvented for many other occasions. If you haven’t got a stylist on speed dial (tut, tut!) then what are the tips for a perfect outfit?

Tip 1 - It’s all about mixing the brands to ensure you are wearing something unique. The temptation is to hit a department store and buy everything from the same place. Write a list of what you need and then go looking. Check out options first before you buy. Shop assistants will tell you that you look great in everything but they are keen to make a sale. Use your eye and trust your judgement. Pretend you are looking at you – what do you think?

Tip 2 - Ensure that the outfit is flexible for other occasions – Try to avoid the obvious wedding looks of the matching dress with jacket, hat, handbag and shoes. Put together individual pieces which you can separate afterwards and incorporate in your wardrobe. Avoid over fussy prints and resist the temptation to be too flamboyant – leave that to the bride.

COAST GOLD SEQUIN TOP

TED BAKER WHITE TUX JACKET

REISS YELLOW FRILL SKIRT

Tip 3 - Boutiques are a great place to start to find something a little less high street. Again, have a clear idea of what you want and perhaps select a couple of items rather than get everything from the boutique. There will be more individual brands you don’t see on the High street, but only buy something you truly love and feel ‘wow’ in.

Tip 4 - Spend more on the outfit, then accessorise at a lower budget. A gorgeous pair of shoes and a great dress will be worth the expenditure if you select something to wear again and again. Then buy your bag and costume jewellery from a choice of places like Accessorise, Oasis, John Lewis, and Top Shop. Again remember which stores are likely to be the most popular and make sure you mix the brands up.

KAREN MILLEN BRONZE SHOES

Tip 5 - Well chosen accessories will ensure that your outfit looks individual and stylish. Choose a bold statement necklace for a bold colour dress in a different colour. A sequin clutch bag or a glitzy pair of shoes will add sparkle to a simple suit or dress.

ACCESSORISE SNAKE PRINT BAG

TOP SHOP HEART EARRINGS

Tip 6 - Above all – a good manicure and blow dry will finish the look.

Credits: NHJ Style Consultancy, Coast, Karen Millen, Ted Baker, Reiss, Accessorise, Top Shop