Save the Date...

Yes I know I am like FULL of excuses but once again our internet has been SHOCKING but fortunately Virgin finally told us some handy tips (yeah basically we had the router in the completely wrong place so we were lucky it worked AT all!) But yes while I have been internetless (apparently its not a word but hey go with it!) I have been thinking up some great ideas for the blog and hopefully they will be some ideas that will help inspire you!
Ok, so when I said I was internetless I did have my phone so was still able to spend time on my latest addiction Pinterest.... I actually do not know what I did before pinterest... it is A-MAZING! But anywho.... I saw some brilliant idea for save the dates and thought I would share them with you guys, these seem to be catching on over here in the UK & I have received 2 so far this year, anyway here are some of my favourites! (I actually had to really limit the number I put on here.... yes there are like 17 but that was my short list!!) I totally wish I had done save the dates (although kinda pointless when we were only engaged for 5months!)

Etiquette - Parents of the groom

So we know what "traditionally" the parents of the brides responsibilities for, so what do the parents of the groom do? The main duties of the parents of the groom include....
1. Plan, host (& pay for) the rehearsal dinner (this is pretty american so if you are english don't even worry about this one!)
2. Write your guest list- check how many people you are able to invite before handing over a 300 people list- remember whose day it is!
3. Call your guests who are late RSVPing - feel free to threaten/ blackmail/ hound these guests until they let you know yes or no!
4.  Turn up look pretty and be happy you haven't had to go through the stress of planning!

My gorgeous in-laws 

My Best Friends Wedding- Mr & Mrs Larsen

Ok so my bestie "Coco" got married over 5 years ago now, but I think her colour scheme was GORGEOUS (her maid of honour was pretty tasty too, if I do say so myself :))so I just had to share some photos with you all. Coco and "Mr Coco" ( Sorry Clyde)  got married in San Diego (in January would you believe) where the sky was azure blue, the grass was greener than green, temple sparkling white and her bridesmaid in hot pink and bright orange! The reception was full of delicious food, a romantic boat trip, a hot chocolate bar and some crazy dance moves. It really was a night to remember for all who attended! So here are a bunch of photos from that fantastic day 5 years and 2 months ago....

Guest Blog - Olivia - .STYLEME.

I am so excited to have Olivia from www.styleme.org.uk to give us a few wedding day beauty tips....

Hi Shiny Happy People!
Summer is on the way and .STYLEME. is busy booking in brides and brushing up skills!
My name is Olivia and i've been hairdressing for soooo long if i tell you it might give away my age,
 i recently decided to push the wedding market as i LOVE creating styles and being part of someone's special day i aim to create bespoke styles and will listen carefully on your input and style for the day, however i am here to advise as well and have at times had to tell brides "That just wont work!"
so what advice can i give you budding wives to be out there??

 
1. Make sure whatever you decide to do with your hair whether you call the professionals in or do it yourself have a trial and time it before the day!
2. If your dress is simple don't go too over the top with the hair (But that's just my advice!)
3. Extensions can completely help to create a style you dream of. Dont be afraid to try them.:)
4.Trust your stylist, if you've had a trial and you liked it don't stress! it will ruin your morning!
5. Make-up: Always prepare your skin beforehand so it has a good base to go on.
6.Eyes or Lips? not both. (By this i mean one can be more dramatic than the other!)
7.A good foundation is essential, make sure it matches your skin tone and doesn't have illuminating ingredients in them. It is not great for photography.
8.keep a mini make up set in a bag with your bridesmaid. You WILL want to powder your nose! and add on some lippy with all the greeting of guests you'll be doing.!
9.Deodrant and Breath Freshener!!!

 AND FINALLY ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR DAY, YOU ARE A PRINCESS AND ABOUT TO START YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

 
Good luck and please get in touch if you would like to inquire about booking a stylist.www.styleme.org.uk.

Etiquette- Father of the Bride

The most famous "father of the bride" I know

So after looking through tonnes of "etiquette" books I found that the Father of the Bride has very few jobs.... unfortunately for him one of his jobs traditionally is the most expensive...

1. Host the wedding- Now a days this doesn't necessarily mean paying for the everything, it is up to the bride, groom and parents to come up with their budget and whose paying for what
2. To walk his daughter down the aisle & "give" his daughter away to her husband- this stands for a father passing on the responsibility for his daughter onto her new husband.
3. To give the first speech of the reception
4. To cut in on the first dance of the bride and groom to dance with his daughter

The father of the bride I love most.....

Real Life Bride to be- Jenna

Ok here is another of our "real life brides to be" this one I know real well as she is my sister! I am her Maid of Honour but thought it would be more exciting to hear about the wedding from her view not mine! 


About us!!

Welcome to the world of Joshua and I!! I’m Jenna, I am 22 years old from Larkfield, Kent. Josh is 21 years old (yes I know he is younger….it runs in the family you cant blame me ☺) and he is from Gloucester. I am working full time at the moment as a Supervisor in a retail store called Superdry. I am hoping to become a make up artist soon and start my own business but for now Superdry pays the bills. Josh is attending Aston University in Birmingham, he is studying Spanish and Maths (CRAZY!! I know). He loves going to the gym with his boys, playing football, especially loves rugby and making me the happiest girl EVER!!

Our Story.

Josh and I officially met New years eve 2007. We had heard and seen glimpses of each other but our eyes and ears had never officially had the pleasure of meeting, but on this night things changed!! Through the years we became the best of friends. To me he was my best friend but to Josh he would describe this time as me being stubborn and not giving us two a chance to date. He tried his hardest to make me realise we would be perfect together but I wouldn’t give in! Years past by and 2009 came around. He called me about his mission call, Canada Toronto East Spanish speaking mission. But still JUST FRIENDS! Basically to cut a long story kinda short, I ended up falling for him a month before he left! We spent the last week inseparable and still to this day I wonder what took me so long. On the Saturday before he left he had organised a farewell at Gadfield Elm Chapel to hang out! That night I will never forget, it was the first time we both told each other that we loved one another and the first time we kissed (it was like out of a fairytale movie, but I will leave that part out!). After an emotional goodbye, we stayed in contact. Emailing every week. After two years past by I was asked to go to the airport for his homecoming, butterflies flew and spun through my stomach. Whilst waiting at the arrivals sweating like no other! Our RM is finally home! And ever since then our love has blossomed!! For my 22nd birthday he surprised me with a trip to Canada for a week in January….ever since people found out about this trip we received non stop comments about Josh proposing out there! And to my delight on the 14th January, Josh got down on one knee in the middle of a 4-way intersection in Dundas Square and made me a the happiest girl again! Since we got home we spend every weekend together! And we couldn’t be more excited about planning the rest of our lives together!! BRING ON 14th JULY 2012 YAYYYYYY!!

Real life brides to be- Hannah

Ok so we have seen real life weddings (& will continue too) and tips and ideas from me, but thought it would be a good idea to follow along with some "real brides-to-be" to hear about their experiences and tips they want to share with all of you! I am really excited to get to know these brides-to-be and first up we have Hannah here is her story:-

About us:
So a little about me and Rob... I am from Edinburgh, Scotland, He is from Cwmbran, Wales. I was at school in America studying Psychology but am taking time out and working, He is studying Neurobiology at Cardiff University. I'm a girly girl and love my fashion, make up, friends and music, He is a guys guy and loves quad biking, his best friend Matt, working out, Chinese food and rugby when Wales are playing! We love One Tree Hill, visiting new places, cheesecake and each other!

• • 
    • • Our Story:
        Rob and I first met at the end of April last year. I had just decided to take time out of school in America and had all these big plans to be single for the next year and travel and work and get rich...but I think it is safe to say - like most things in life - nothing happened according to plan! The day after I got home I begrudgingly agreed to go on a double blind date with one of my friends. Don't get me wrong, even tho my plan was to be single for the year I was still totally up for going on dates..just not blind ones! Having been on more than my fair share of blind dates and knowing how awkward and cringey they can be it is safe to say I wasn't too keen! But I decided despite my past experiences I was gonna have fun on this date and it was an opportunity to make new friends if nothing else!
        When we first met on the date Rob was quite shy - probably because I was not being very shy at all and called him the wrong name right after I asked a second time what his name was again ha! Thankfully he was not too put off by this and we ended up having a lot of fun together that weekend! I didn't have a phone at the time so for the following week we messaged back and forth on good old Facebook until the next weekend when we ended up going to the same event. I guess you could say it was this weekend that changed everything - we had our first kiss and spent the whole weekend getting to know each other better and having fun! About 2 weeks later we were officially an item and on the day of our 9 month 'anniversary' of dating Rob proposed!! We are getting married 30th June 2012 and we are so so excited to share our special day with all the people we love! 

• • 
    
    

*Guest Post- Helen Rose Lifestyle Photography*

I am so excited to have Helen of Helen Rose Lifestyle here to do a little "guest post" for us! I first got too see Helen's work when she shot one of my closest friends weddings (here). Since then I have got to know Helen a bit better and been able to see some of her amazing work! Helen was nice enough to do a little question and answer segment for me and has shared some of her favourite shots!....

1. What made you decide to go into photography?

I have always enjoyed photography and from an early age I particularly remember attempting to fine tune my ‘movement’ photographs whilst on various family driving holidays.

But later in life I was forced to take a break from my degree in Primary Education, as I was diagnosed with CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome/ M.E), and to still feel involved when I would go out socially I would offer to sit and take the photographs! This led to then take a part time AS in photography, initially as a hobby, distraction and form of therapy for me.

I realised how much I loved what I was doing so decided to stay on to complete my A-Level.

With my health as it was, I wanted to change my career path from teaching to pursue a career as a Photographer, as I could then build work up gradually with what I could cope with. We then moved to Derby where I completed a foundation degree in Commercial Photography, and afterwards I opted for a furter ‘top up’ year to do a full BA (Hons) in Commercial Photography in which I graduated with a First Class Honours.

2. How long have you been taking photos?

Since I got my first camera, which was probably at the age of 7/8, but I photographed my first wedding 5 years ago!

3. What are you favourite photos to take?

I love to vary what I do, then I believe I don’t get stale! Like for instance I limit how many Weddings I photograph a year so that I can ensure that I can enjoy what I do and don’t get caught up in monotonous routines (especially in the editing stage), I want to be on form and not rush things also.

I really love to take newborn photographs, as there is nothing more special than a brand new life with all of its tiny individual features. Family photo shoots can also be funny at times! When working with children you just have to go with the flow and not force it too much as otherwise they won’t comply!

I love children and this was one of the reasons I was going to become a Primary School teacher first of all so its great that I can still use these skills and work with children in my current line of work! I am hoping to work on some new ideas with children’s photo shoots this year, so keep checking my website to see what evolves!

4. What are 5 words that describe your photography style?

Light

Fresh

Unique

Bright

Happy

5. Are you a full time photographer? What else do you fill your time with?

I am a full time photographer, wife and mummy to 2 gorgeous little boys. There is never a dull moment for us!

6. What advise would you give couples when searching for a wedding photographer?

I have had many people come to me for baby or family photographs and they then admit

to me that they regret the decision they made in choosing to have an amateur photograph their important day.  Whether it be a relative or friend doing it as a hobby or even a photographer who was doing it for a really cheap price, you do however tend to get what you pay for. In saying this I also appreciate that there are couples who have been happy with a cheaper alternate and they are some of the rarer lucky ones!

Don’t settle!

If you like a photographer then try to go with them as your photographs are the only thing you keep and display in your home for years after the big day so its important you have confidence in whoever is taking your photographs and are happy with the end result.

You cannot change time though so make sure you capture it well!

7. What camera do you use?

Canon 5d mk II – my other little baby!!

8. What do couples get when they hire you?

They get the ‘Helen Rose Lifestyle’ experience! This is in the form of a professional photo-shoot at a location of choice, editing, a certain number of images and a disc of images with a reproduction consent letter (meaning you can print the images any number of times, any size, any time) all for one fixed price.

The only thing you can opt to pay extra for is any additional products such as canvases and photo books but like I say these are an option and to be honest most of my clients choose to get them done else where themselves once they have the disc.

I now also include on the disc a separate file with ‘facebook ready’ photographs in – meaning they are a smaller file size and with my logo on which makes it much easier to upload for friends and family to see.

9. Are you inspired by anyone?

I am always inspired by photographers old and new as well as the world around me – especially when I am on location to photograph at a new place!

Some of my favourite traditional photographers include David Bailey, Richard Avedon, Fay Godwin and Ansel Adams.

Though I am always keen on keeping up with the trends and pinterest is a good place for me to monitor and tag what I like! 

Twitter @helenrosephoto

Facebook