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The Editorials: Unvintage Rebellion For Wedding Magazine

May 8th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

The Editorials is a series bringing the offline bridal freelance writing that I do on a monthly basis for numerous glossy magazines (both National and regional) online. This is done both for your benefit (in case you missed the original print articles) and mine, in the vain hope that I’m saving my – often painstakingly crafted in the early hours of the morning – words from their ultimate end of being posh chip paper and recording them for time eternal right here on these swirly silver pages.

Today, I am getting fresh with a piece first published for my regular column in National glossy, Wedding Magazine. Now I love “vintage” styling as much as the next person – after all we just held a beautiful luxury and vintage exhibition at York’s National Railway Museum, didn’t we? – but only when it’s done properly. For a while it felt like everyone was just pulling out the birdcages and calling it “vintage”. So I say – forget the gimmicks, forget the “labels” and embrace a return to classic styling drawing influence from bygone ages. If it’s beautiful, it’s in.

Unvintage Rebellion in Wedding Magazine

I wrote: It’s out with the old and in with the new this season as brides to be are leading the way in a very un-vintage rebellion. Ladies: it seems that bridal styling is having a spring clean!

The chintz is being stripped back to make way for an altogether cooler and more current celebration. In a return to true elegance, a new style leader is emerging: clean lines, considered colour pops and a distinct lack of fuss.

Whilst the most beautiful weddings still draw on influences from bygone eras, today it will be a nod in the right direction rather than a swan dive into the dressing up box. In a thoroughly modern twist, today’s bride is bringing glamour bang up to date.

Phil Drinkwater Photography

Image by Phil Drinkwater

Twee Is Out

Tasteful is in. It’s time to put away the mismatched tea cups and roll out the fine china. Crisp linen and shining silverware make for the best dressed tables in town.

Anneli Marinovich Photography

Image by Anneli Marinovich Photography

Stay True

If you love retro styling, keep it authentic. A few unique antique details will be far more special than a job lot of imitation pieces.

Phil Drinkwater Photography

Image by Phil Drinkwater

Pin Up

Go for a contemporary slick of bright pink on your lips, or a little heavier on the eyes for a refreshing take on bridal beauty.

Anneli Marinovich Photography

Image by Anneli Marinovich Photography

Get Fresh

Your bouquet is a sure fire way to bring a classic look into the 21^st Century. Choose zesty greens, plump succulents or bright wildflowers in similar shades to sharpen up the overall effect and add interest.

No More Matchy Matchy

We may be seeing a return to simpler schemes, but this doesn’t mean that you should revert to the dark days when your chair covers had to match your knickers! Keep your use of colour strictly complimentary.

Melissa Kay Photography

Image by Melissa Kay Photography

This is not a sponsored post

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in Press, UK Wedding Blog, Vintage Wedding | Filed Under | NO COMMENTS yet, click here to start the discussion! »

Rose Gold: A Vintage Inspired Dusky Pink Styled Shoot In The North West

May 2nd, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

Today we join a very talented collective of North West wedding suppliers for a dreamy vintage inspired bridal shoot sent to me by Emilie of Dotmoxee Photography. Be inspired, and let this loveliness get you excited about something very special coming up your way soon North West…

Dotmoxee Photography say: As wedding photographers we’ve always found ourselves flicking through a good home and fashion magazine, reading about the latest wedding trends, and thinking about our next inspiration shoot. We always aim to keep our work up to date, as well as working with like minded suppliers in the North West.

We met Francesca (Cheshire Cat Cake Company) back in November at a wedding fair and where amazed by her talent. Naturally we both liked the idea of collaborating and decided to extend the invitation.

Francesca from The Cheshire Cat Cake Company says: When Emilie (Dotmoxee Photography) approached me to join her in a vintage shoot in Sale, Cheshire, I jumped at the chance. Having great photographs of my work is essential to capture intricate elements of my bespoke designs and also appeal to the modern sophisticated bride.

We agreed to use the gorgeous palette of dusky peach and rich gold colours as our theme and after showing off our mood board we soon had our bridal shop, florist, venue stylist & head pieces on board. Now we just required our model for the day and a make up artist to complete the team.

The biggest challenge was finding a date when everyone was available, but once it was set we were all committed to the shoot. The day itself was gloomy at best (chance of snow, light showers) but with a glimmer of sunshine we took our chances.

As the rain came down Chris Gratin (Beautifully Vintage) worked her magic and styled an area in Pearl Bridal Boutique (Sale). Chris is a real treat to have on a shoot – her enthusiasm counter balanced the poor weather with charm and stunning vintage props.

All the while Make Up Artist Jenny Reddiough was giving our model Bernadette a bridal makeover, the lovely Nicole (Pearl Bridal Boutique) had selected the dress ‘Dulcie’ (by White Rose) from her 2013 collection and with Rachel of Penny Brown providing her wonderful hand made head pieces, Bernadette’s look was complete.

The stunning bouquets were provided by Sale based Laurel Weddings, the colours and button details worked perfectly and complemented the rest of the styling; shoes by Rainbow Club (as part of their lace collection). Francesca took the opportunity to experiment with different techniques. Her use of a tinted, copper leaf gilt with the addition of large ruffle rosettes looked adorable.

For the companion design, she created a double tiered cake swathed in ripples of buttercream, with wired pearl detail , emulating folds of cascading fabric. Finally topping this with an additional tier, again using the copper gilt, and punctuating with a giant, copper edged, single rosette to complete the design.

With one eye on the weather our chance finally came to venture outdoors. Walkden Gardens is one of Sale’s hidden gems and this was our opportunity to make the most of it. Nicole provided Bernadette with a second dress (‘Payton’ by Sweetheart Gowns) and after a quick touch up from Jenny we were on our way.

We all worked together to create an inspiring set of images and hopefully provided you with some insight into each suppliers work.

Little Black Book

Bridal Dresses – Pearl Bridal Boutique

Cake – Cheshire Cat Cake Company

Styling – Beautifully Vintage China Hire & Vintage Accessories

Makeup & Hair – Make Up By Jenny Reddiough

Headpieces – Penny Brown

Flowers – Laurel Weddings

Photography – Dotmoxee Photography

Model – Bernadette

Fancy more beautiful luxury and vintage inspiration? Mark your diaries with the first Brides Up North North West Luxury & Vintage Wedding Exhibition at The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham on Sunday 19th May 2013! VIP Pre-Registration is open now, click here, don’t miss out!

Laurel Weddings is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier but this is not a sponsored post

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in BUN Wedding Exhibition, North West Fair, North West Wedding, Styled Shoot, Vintage Wedding | Filed Under | 1 COMMENT so far, click here to join the discussion! »

Keep Calm & Carry On! An Impromptu Styled Shoot At The National Railway Museum With The Little Bridal Company

April 29th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

If you are a regular reader, you’ll know that just last week we hosted our biggest Yorkshire bridal event to date at the National Railway Museum in York – with almost 1,000 visitors! You can read my excitable recap from the morning after the event by clicking here.

Whilst I was busy organising things behind the scenes and chatting to all you fabulous brides front of house, my friend and Featured Supplier Pete of Peter Boyd Photography was styling up something special with Becky of The Little Bridal Company (another very fabulous Brides Up North sponsor). With some help from fellow exhibitors Love Bouquets and The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company – here are the beautiful results, which should give a sense of just how stunning this venue really is!

And just how lovely are these frocks by The Little Bridal Company?! Brides and bridesmaids, form an orderly queue…

Enjoy, and we hope to see you there next time!

Fancy doing it all again this winter (with even more sparkle!)? Save the date – The Brides Up North Luxury & Vintage Wedding Exhibition at The National Railway Museum, York – Sunday 17th November 2013. I’ll be talking about it lots more nearer the time, but in the meantime exhibitors can contact me for details at contact@bridesupnorth.co.uk

If you can’t wait that long, you need to pop into one of our remaining boutique events this Spring! Some of the regions’ most fabulous exhibitors and venues await….

The Brides Up North Luxury Wedding Exhibition at Thorp Perrow, North Yorkshire – Sunday 12th May 2013

The Brides Up North Luxury & Vintage Wedding Exhibition at The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham – Sunday 19^th May 2013

The Brides Up North Luxury Wedding Exhibition at Rise Hall, East Yorkshire – Sunday 9^th June 2013

Click here to pre-register for all our events. We can’t wait to see you!

Little Black Book

Images – Peter Boyd Photography

Gowns – The Little Bridal Company

Accessories – The Little Bridal Company/ Model’s own

Bouquets – Love Bouquets

Vintage Bus – The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company

Location – National Railway Museum York during the Brides Up North Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition

This was a Brides Up North event

Peter Boyd Photography & The Little Bridal Company are Brides Up North Featured Suppliers

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in BUN Wedding Exhibition, Featured Supplier, Styled Shoot, UK Wedding Blog, Vintage Wedding, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Photography, Yorkshire Wedding, Yorkshire Wedding Fair | Filed Under | 2 COMMENTS so far, click here to join the discussion! »

THIS SUNDAY! – York’s Most Beautiful Bridal Event: The Brides Up North Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition at The National Railway Museum

April 19th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

NRM Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition Spring 2013

Out of office alerts are on! The Brides Up North team are now officially on lockdown preparing for our newest and most exciting event in this Spring’s calendar – our beautiful Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition at National Railway Museum, York.

It’s been a year in the planning, and we are busy putting the finishing touches on what looks set to be a really very special day – think luxury with a vintage twist – coming your way this Sunday from 10am – 5:30pm!

I don’t know what it is, but there seems to be a real buzz of excitement in the air (both on and offline) about this one, and EVERYONE seems to be talking about it. It could be the quirky and stunning venue, the fact that I haven’t shut up about it for months, that they are chatting about it on the radio, or that we’ve got what I consider to be the very finest selection of exhibitors in the area ready and waiting all under one huge roof.

Just don’t miss it. No lie in nor Sunday roast could beat this. If you are tying the knot in Yorkshire, you need to be at this event.

Join Brides Up North and the region’s very finest wedding suppliers in this unique and stunning setting amongst the beautiful vintage trains for York’s most beautiful bridal event this Sunday 21st April 2013.

The Brides Up North Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition

National Railway Museum, York

Sunday 21st April 2013

10am – 5.30pm

FREE ENTRY

This is one absolutely amazing line up! Waiting to greet you will be Rebecca Jane’s Secret Attic, Booth Revolution, Buttercream Cupcakes, Cat Hepple Photography, Cordelia & Co, Couture Cake Design, Curvy Bridal, Damian Hall Photography, Damigella D’onore, Damselle Tiaras, DG Sound & Light, Dirk Van Der Werff, Eyecapture, Firenza Floral Design, Glen Roughead Swing, Gray Events Ltd, Helen Guy, Iain Henderson Designs, Jess Petrie Photography, Joel Skingle Photography, Leafy Couture, Limelight Photobooth Hire, Love Bouquets, Perfectly Practical Parties, Peter Boyd Photography, The Little Bridal Company, Twisted Willow Floristry, Victoria Farr Make Up & Hair Specialist, A Vintage Affair Ltd, White Petal Design, The Candy Stand, Angels Carrying Savage Weapons, Simply Bows & Chair Covers, Millesime Cake Boutique, KM Cakes and Cupcakes, Kayti Lauren Weddings, The Wedding Institute, Tiamo Stationery, LMS Events, Love To Marry, Alison Barrett Millinery, The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company, Love My Dress Blog and more…

As well as getting just a little air time on the blog, Facebook and Twitter feeds, you might hear excitement levels building over on the airwaves of Minster FM and elsewhere online and in the press too. We can’t wait to see you there!

As usual with all of our shows, Brides Up North blog readers are being offered the opportunity to beat the crowds and register for a special little Brides Up North welcome pack (packed with some tiny treats, sugary things and glossy mags), completely free of charge, and while stocks last (we always clear out at every show!). All you need to do is pre-register below and we will save your goodies for you and grant you speedy entry at the desk. Simples.

Fill in your details below, marking “NATIONAL RAILWAY” in the subject line and quoting “VIP”. You can collect your goody bag upon entry to the Luxury Wedding Exhibition. Only the bride need register for larger groups.

You can also email julia@bridesupnorth.co.uk if you do not wish to use the contact form. Goody bags are limited and subject to availability. We operate a first come, first served policy.

Exhibitor enquiries for all Brides Up North events in 2013 – please email contact@bridesupnorth.co.uk – you can also pre-register for all of these events NOW!

National Railway Museum, York – Sunday 21st April 2013

(Luxury & Vintage Grand Wedding Exhibition)

The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham – Sunday 19th May 2013

(Luxury & Vintage Wedding Exhibition – 40 exhibitors)

Rise Hall, East Yorkshire – Sunday 9th June 2013

(Luxury Wedding Exhibition – 40 exhibitors)

Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham – Sunday 8th September 2013

(Super Showcase Grand Wedding Exhibition – 100 exhibitors)

Allerton Castle, North Yorkshire – Sunday 15th September 2013

(Luxury Wedding Exhibition – 40 exhibitors)

Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co Durham – Sunday 29th September 2013

(Bridal Bonanza Grand Wedding Exhibition – 80 exhibitors)

The Mansion, Leeds – Sunday 6th October 2013

(Luxury Wedding Exhibition – 40 exhibitors)

Nostell Priory, Wakefield – Sunday 13th October 2013

(Luxury Wedding Exhibition – 40 exhibitors)

This is a Brides Up North event

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in BUN Wedding Exhibition, UK Wedding Blog, Vintage Wedding, Yorkshire Wedding, Yorkshire Wedding Fair | Filed Under | NO COMMENTS yet, click here to start the discussion! »

Rewind: A Real Wedding In Scotland – Michelle & Jav

April 4th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

SD Photography

Michelle and Jav’s gorgeous Real Wedding in the North of Scotland has got to be one of my favourites to date, mixing up just the right amount of fun and frivolity, beauty and elegance.

I’m impressed by their pretty vintage styling, Michelle’s ability to look flawless when travelling by open topped VW Beetle (does she remind anyone else of a young Elizabeth Taylor?!) and the cool, calm way that all their style choices work together beautifully to exude a sort of old time charm.

With images by SD Photography, this is one for the Pinterest boards ladies.

SD Photography

Michelle says: Jav asked me to marry him at home in June 2012, and our big day was the 18th August 2012. Our venues were Holy Trinity Church & Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, which is in the North of Scotland.

SD Photography

We chose our venue as it had great surroundings and views and looked like a real Scottish palace!

SD Photography

Our wedding colours were ivory, pastels and champagne gold with a little vintage style and a bit of elegance!

SD Photography

My favourite part of the day was walking down the aisle and just the whole of the ceremony actually!

SD Photography

I chose an ivory dress with a full skirt and some sparkle! It was purchased from Bliss Bridal which is in Dundee. The groomsmen wore The Hunting Pride of Scotland tartan kilts (bottle green with a hint of ivory) and these were from Mccalls of Broughty Ferry, near Dundee.

My bridesmaids had champagne knee length prom dresses with ivory underskirts, which were all hand finished by a dressmaker we know.

SD Photography

We travelled in a cool 1970′s ivory beetle with the soft top down from Classic Car Holiday Hire.

SD Photography

Martin’s Ices brought along their vintage ice cream cart with treats for all our guests.

SD Photography

I carried a bouquet of pastel pinks, ivory and lilac coloured David Austin roses by Coachhouse Flowers.

SD Photography

We chose a simple two tier sponge cake which was pale pink with some rose detail (made by the my Uncle).

SD Photography

We used photo keyrings (taken at our engagement shoot several months before) as favours.

SD Photography

In the evening we hired “Dead Man’s Shoes” – a classic/contemporary 5 piece band from Glasgow and my best friend sang our first dance song!

SD Photography

After the wedding we went on honeymoon to Cancun in Mexico!

SD Photography

My top tip for other Brides Up North would be to step back for five minutes together to take everything in and watch your loved ones enjoy your day! Oh, and have a videographer – you wouldn’t believe how much you miss when you watch it back!

SD Photography