A St Patrick's Day to remember

I few St Patrick's Day's ago a young couple got engaged and then a few years later their daughter choose St Patrick's Day for her wedding day with her fiancé. What can be more romantic?

The bride came to me , it doesn't seem that long ago with a clear idea of what she wanted to wear on her special day. She knew the shape and style and theme. Gold and sparkle were to be that touch of magic that would lift a classic ivory wedding dress to that something special for a special sparkling bridetobe.

So as I explained in my last blog and again this time we started with a lining in the shape that the bride was clear on and I started some beadwork samples for our notion for the detailing. After trying on a belt of mine in the studio we knew that something like it worked in the brides favourite gold colour was a definite detail.

The dress starting to take shape in the fabric, 

the belt a few different shapes being worked through

 and the idea of long sleeves being considered.

A few more pins to improve the fit in all the right places.

Pearls on the sleeve "V" to correspond with the pearls in the belt.

Add caption

The dress and belt ready for The Big day

Headdress, shoes and belt all made to match.

The beautiful Bride and her dad arriving at the Church.

 Veil in place ready for the walk down the aisle.

Fabulous flowers by Marie Cafolla

The magnificent Montalto Carriage Rooms

MBE Chef Simon Dougan from Yellow Door Deli making sure everything is perfect.

The starter! I managed to photo it but then I was just too happy eating to stop and photo,

 not surprised by his much deserved award.

The Happy Couple who just smiled and smiled all day and night.

The cake was by Lois from Buttercup Bakery.

Ideas for 2016

We have just had the National Wedding Show and the first  Bridal Show in London with all the ideas and forecasts from the bridal designers and manufacturers for next year. 

 It means we can stay ahead of the game as most bridal shops can only order now and wait for many months before they can show you what is to come. We have that infomation now to use now.

 There is a suggestion that brides will be going for a bit more colour.There are some beautiful blush and pastel colours emerging onto the bridal market and lace will continue to feature strongly, although there is a progression to beaded lace dresses and sequinned dresses that offer a bit of shimmer. Dresses with sleeves, shoulder straps or a capped sleeve are strong and brides are liking dresses that offer the ability to change their ‘look’ from day to evening. For example a bride may wear shrug or detachable shoulder straps with her dress for the wedding service and daytime, and then remove to add a crystaled belt or sash for an evening ‘look’.

There is a softness with lots of tulle layers and soft skirts, even two piece outfits and still lots of belts.

Simple but effective.

 Hand painted wedding dresses.

 Grandeur and elegance.

New year & new ideas

Photos from a weekend at Mount Stewart, Temple of the Winds.

It's been a great weekend,what with Valentine's Day, meeting and photographing CC Harriett from Mode of London in one of my dresses, watching the excitement at the Sochi Olympics and London Fashion Week along with having the opportunity to take part in the Wedding Day  at the National Trust's Mount Stewart in the Temple of the Winds. 

More inspiration for brides

More inspiration

Here is some more inspiration for brides for 2014. This amazing shape is for a bride with confidence in her figure.
The delicate bead work  is all over the bodice of the dress, with the ability to sparkle in the sunshine or when the lights go on, defines every curve of the brides feminine shape.

The cala lilies compliment the shape of the dress.

Or what about this for elegance and romance. A delicate feature at the waist to show off a tiny waist and the detailing over the shoulders and on the bust line to frame the head and shoulders which will be in nearly every photo on "The day"

Ideas for brides to be in 2014

More ideas for 2014 brides

Long elegant sleeves with areas that you see through and areas of delicate work.
Personally I like long sleeves rather than 3/4 sleeves as then tend to elongate the whole design and look in a picture or photo. Some how when you look at a photo or yourself in a mirror when you shorten the sleeve and hold your flowers, your arms look stumpy and out of proportion.

Big Skirts seem to be coming back into popularity, even a layered effect.

Bespoke bride

Bespoke embroidery

There are not enough hours to my days, I just wish I knew how to make more. However I had to make time to share these with you.

A relaxed and happy Bride on the way to the church with her Dad.

This is a photo of the Bride enjoying her "Big Day" sitting amongst the bluebells.
The embroidery on her dress had a Scottish theme with Rennie Mackintosh style roses and the Scottish thistle and even more personal were hidden the couple initials.

 The back of the dress echoed the theme down to the embroidered buttons which held the train in place.

The Happy couple enjoying their surroundings and the sunshine of the day.

 Mum, Dad, Bride and bridemaids' all looking very smart in their outfits supplied by us. Thank you to them for letting me be there to capture these memories.

 It was the most beautiful day for a wonderful occasion and the lucky umbrella seemed to work!

 I am delighted to have been able to share these photos with you and I am not sure if it was this couples friends and family but that weekend my blog had 71 hits in one day, so thank you for taking the time to catch up with my news.

The bride doing what she does best enjoying herself, laughing,smiling and posing in her bespoke dress.