Good morning, dreamers!

My goodness are you guys gonna love today’s post. So, if you caught up with yesterday’s post about our (super gorgeous) visit to A Most Curious Wedding Fair, you might’ve noticed a few dreamy pieces floating around the bridal catwalk that you’ve not seen before…

Remember that show-stopping feather bell sleeved gown?

The long sleeved lace mini, paired up with that incredible feather bomber jacket?

Well, that’d be the brand-spanking new collection from Velvet Johnstone, Moonage Dream.

Her second bridal collection, Moonage Dream previewed at Most Curious, and today we have the truly magical privilege of launching the collection and giving YOU the first ever look at her jaw-droppingly gorgeous lookbook!

OH. YES. MAMA.

Now, that’s enough of me chatting… Magic like this needs no introduction!

How did you get into bridal fashion?

It was a very natural and magical journey, around the time I got married in 2013.

My work has always had a modern, dreamy and nostalgic romance to it, which I guess is why people started to ask me to design their wedding dresses.

The year I got married I made five dresses, plus my own and loved every second of it! I guess that’s when I started to think that maybe bridal was for me!

When I discovered Most Curious Wedding Fair it felt like the stars had aligned and I knew I was exactly where i needed to be with Velvet Johnstone. Becky, Cat and Sara (the creators of Most Curious) have been super supportive from day one and really helped me to believe I could make the transition over to bridal design. For that I’m beyond grateful.

I showcased a bridal edit with them, curating pieces from previous collections that were perfect for bridal fashion and launched my debut bridal collection at Most Curious the following year, winning the Rock and Roll bridalNEXT! Award which felt magic!

Bridal fashion is so inspiring at the moment… Well it’s the brides really! There’s a new found fresh approach to everything and i’m so excited to be a part of it.

Who is a Velvet Johnstone Bride?

A Velvet Johnstone bride is always really cool in one sense or another…

She wants to feel incredible, expressing her true self comfortably and confidently.

She’s looking for something a little different and enjoys the relaxed and unconventional vibe of Velvet Johnstone.

She sounds like our kind of bride! Now, tell us about your new collection, Moonage Daydream, what’s the inspiration behind it?

My collections are always inspired by many different things: random thoughts, daydreams, memories, music, people, all mixed together to create a little bit of magic.

Moonage Daydream was inspired particularly by my best friends, the memory of my Mam’s wedding dress, angels, the universe, and not least a sense of utter loss, yet massive inspiration when David bowie passed, the humbling impact the moon has on me, true love and, of course, glitter freckles!

We are in LOVE with the fabrics you’ve used, can you tell us a little more about them?

Thank you! I am a very tactile person so the fabrics and textures are really key to my work and can often lead the design.

I love layering different weights of silk and embroidered tulles. The movement from the feather georgette blew my mind; it looks like an entourage of angels!

If you had to choose a bridal ensemble (the works: dress, jacket, veil… Everything!) from the collection as your favourite, what would it be and why?

My absolute fave is the Issy Stardust mini paired with a Lemurian Queen crystal crown by Jill Urwin and a set of Cha Cha shoes by Joanne Stoker.

Have a look…

This is the piece designed in memory of my Mam’s wedding dress.

It doesn’t especially look like it, it’s more about a vibe and feeling of how it would be today. It made me cry when I was sewing it and numerous times since (in a good way!) so it’s safe to say it holds a very large part of my heart. I believe the crystal crown has the power to connect us through the stars to distant ones and promotes a sense of oneness and the shoes, well I wore them on my own wedding day, and I love them!!

But then, if we’re talking about an entire ensemble I’d go for the lace Dalia mini & lace train skirt teamed with the Moon Child feather bomber and crystal Goddess head piece by Jill Urwin.

I love the drama of how many looks can be achieved from layering and delayering!

See for yourself…

But then, if I wanted to strip it back a little for a super cool laid back vibe, I’d go with the Reesie gown and cut out capeline hat by Ann Marie Faulkner.

Check it out…

…Oh or, of course, the Moonage Daydream mini!

I’d wear it just as it is, with bare feet!

I mean, just look…

What?!

…You’re allowed more than one wedding dress these days, right?!

Hell yeah you are! And of course, the song that best represents the collection?

Moonage Daydream – David Bowie.

(insert heart emoji here)

What’s the best piece of advice you can give a bride when it comes to searching for that perfect wedding outfit?

Follow your heart.

Go for what feels right to you. Something that makes you feel stunning, amazing, comfortable, confident and totally you; the best possible you.

Try on as much or as little as you need, stay true to yourself rather than conforming to something you think you should be wearing!

It is absolutely all about you X

Finally, what is your life quote or mantra?

Dream with your eyes wide open…

Just amazing.
The moment I saw this collection at Most Curious I fell in love, it’s unapologetically free. Such movement, such feeling in every detail…

The collection will land on Velvet Johnstone’s website in the very near future, and until then, she’s taking enquires via info@velvetjohnstone.com and appointments are open!

The Line Up

Photographer: Leoni Blue Photography

Model: Olivia Ancell

Hair & Makeup: Sian Duke

Location: She’s Lost Control

Oh hey, gorgeous people!

Ok, so I’d be the first to admit that I’ve not always been a huge advocate of pink…

Then 2016 happened. Pink got one hella cool makeover. And now I can’t get enough.

Tones of blush are just everywhere right now, from delicate barely-there blush, to hints of pale pink in amongst an oh-so-trendy botanical setting, to warmer coral undertones for summer or the über cool soft matte translucent blush trend.

To put it lightly, we’re besotted. So when the gorgeous blush Astilbe flowers started appearing in their masses on our Pinterest feed (which I think might be my favourite bloom for 2016!), we just had to create this mood board for you…

The Barely there Blush

It’s delicate, it’s sheer and it’s barely blush.

With just a hint of that heavenly shade, it’s perfect for a subtle, shimmering eye look, embellished flowing bridesmaid dresses, the sweetest of desserts and most feminine of lace gowns…

In Amongst the Botanical

Pair the delicate pink of Astilbe up with another of 2016’s biggest trends, the Botanical, for a beautiful contrast that speaks to the heart of any outdoors girl.

A hand-clutched bouquet of the Astilbe set in amongst the highlands, an elegant glasshouse adorned with pale pinks and deep greens, or an aisle-side arrangement of these small feathery blooms alongside bold leaves… The Astilbe flower may seem small and subtle, but it has such power in it’s beauty, it can’t help but draw the eye…

An Undertone of Warmth

Perfect for the Summer, the Astilbe flower welcomes warm undertones with open arms, it’s a surprisingly flexible bloom!

Pair with golden flower vessels for a table piece, or style alongside warm tonal variations of blush: a coral macrame chandelier, or the soft texture of a feathered jacket. Or, try a gentle contrast with yellow shades for a bright, fresh feel…

The Soft Matte

My absolute favourite way to embrace pink in 2016; it’s feminine, yes, but in a ridiculously cool, understated kinda way.

When choosing materials, be inspired by the Astilbe’s soft, feather-like texture, choosing velvet finish nude nails, a smooth blush buttercream cake, or pink suede shoes, and take a cue from the bloom’s perfectly subtle colouration, opting for translucents to create a gentle, blurred effect…

And sigh…

I think it’s official, pink (done right!) might be my new favourite colour!

Peace + Love,

Clare XO

Boy, oh boy, do we have a feast for your eyes this morning!

Eeeeeeeek!

Good morning guys, I hope you’re well and having a rad week, but I’m sure if you’re anything like us, you’re probably a little envious of the sunny, musical and all-round awesome Coachella shenanigans that are permeating all our social media feeds right now!

I mean… Come on! Heart eyes. Everywhere.

So we thought it only right that those gorgeously bohemian, perfectly divine festival vibes inspire today’s mood board! We’re gonna be talking wedding style (Bride, Groom and Bridesmaids… The Works!) inspired by the Coachella’s artists and ‘street’ style, decor trends that translate beautifully from festival to wedding, and (of course!) all-American fun festival food!

Let’s get straight into it shall we?!

Decor: Sunset Colours

Hands down. This is our favourite trend from Coachella this year.

Now, normally, you know me, I’m a muted, neutral palette kinda gal, but there is just something about a festival that makes me ADORE colour and pretty much just wanna splash it all over myself, and Coachella has given me all those feels this week!

Embracing a rainbow palette throughout the festival, Coachella’s inspiring us to be a little freer with our wedding colour schemes… Don’t be scared to use colour, and plenty of it, especially you Summer brides.

From funfetti cakes, to colourful dress embellishments, bursts of colour are right on trend and we are just LOVING it.

Groom Style: Bold Florals

Just like his mama, when it comes to style stakes, it’s fair to say Brooklyn Beckham is one to watch. Donning an outfit that GQ have coined ‘Manly Florals […] What you should wear all summer long’

…And I mean, who are we to disagree! These bold floral shirts are another welcome burst of colour and originality to the wedding scene, that we (along with Jared Leto + Harry Styles) are pretty stoked about.

Keep colours on the more masculine side, opting for oversized floral prints and a casual vibe (think rolled up or short sleeves, sans tie or bow tie!) to nail this chilled grooms wear look.

Decor: Botanical Vibes

Guys, this trend ain’t going nowhere.

We’ve spoken about our love for all things botanical for 2016 and 2017 weddings, and Coachella have just solidified this love affair for us yet again.

For real though, we’re pretty much in a committed relationship with our plants.

If you’re looking for the most on-trend, festival inspired way to style your venue, bring the outside in.

From an abundance of indoor plants to adorn your reception, to botanical print stationery… It’s all so ridiculously cool and laid back – we LOVE.

Style: Sheer Luxe + Dusty Blue

Two trends to take note of here:

First up: the ongoing prevalence of sheer ensembles. They’re getting even more luxurious and sophisticated and we just cannot get enough! The bridal gown by Australian designer, Georgia Young, below, is just LIFE.

Second up: that beautifully dusty shade of blue. Pantone’s 2016 colour, Serenity, really has permeated the world of fashion this year and we are head over heels for it as a wedding colour scheme. Check out our Pinterest board, The Blues, for all our favourite ways to incorporate this heavenly shade.

Bridal Style: Wide Leg Jumpsuits

It’s no secret that we LOVE a jumpsuit for 2016 (did you see our faves in last Friday’s lifestyle post?) and the Coachella festival goers are pretty hot on them too.

With laid back loose leg styles proving hugely popular, they’re the perfectly chilled out bridal ensemble all you it-girls have been waiting for.

Chic, original and so comfortable it makes me so happy I could cry a little, the bridal jumpsuit is finally (hurrah!) becoming a thing! And we, for one, wholeheartedly support!

Decor: Signs of Love

Huge letters as decor is a big trend right now, and has been for a good year or so, but Coachella has given it their own new, festival spin and we’re totally on board!

What’s new?

Sparkle

Don’t hold back on your letter adornments! Coachella went big on colour and sparkle, and we’re thinking bold colours, fun textures and interactive letters (see the below donut-adorned ‘YUM’ sign!) are a totally rad variation on this theme!

Love Language

Moving away from his ‘n her’s names, signage is speaking the language of love. ‘Besame Mucho’ translates roughly to ‘kiss me a lot’ or ‘kiss me again and again’… Super cute right? Write your love letters in another language, or take a song lyric or even a vow… Speak love!

Bigger + Better

Subtle isn’t really a thing this year for festival weddings! Big, bold and brash; have fun with your signage!

Bridal Style: Cut out Cool

A pretty out-there trend for brides-to-be, but nonetheless one we’re totally game for!

Coachella saw the beautiful Aluna George sport a very cut-out, almost bandage style ensemble for her performance and I gotta say, we’re in love!

Fashion-forward bridal designers, Houghton NYC, have been embracing this cut-out trend in full force for their Spring 2017 collection, as has the incredible Suzanne Harwrard with her Riley dress.

Blurring the lines between edgy fashion and romantic peeps of skin, this style is perfect for the unique modern bride.

Bridal Style: Impact Jewels

I did warn you, there ain’t much subtle in the festival wedding world right now!

But who needs subtle when you could be donning this utterly stunning, gypsy-esque statement necklace?!

Whether you choose to rock this look for your entire wedding day, or amp up your look for the evening reception, huge impact collars and earrings are a huge trend in both the festival and bridal fashion worlds right now!

Trends: Long live the Polaroid

Who doesn’t love a polaroid though, really?!

Well, Coachella certainly do, and so do we! So grab your self one of those adorable polaroid cameras and whether it’s snapping memories at your hen party, hanging shots of you and your beau as decor or creating a super cute polaroid style Save the Date, it’s right on trend and it screams festival fun.

Now, seriously, who’s buying me a polaroid camera…?

Bridal Style: Forever Fringing

Of course, it wouldn’t be Coachella if Rihanna didn’t step out a statement piece that made us all coo!

And this year, she gave us all the feels with that insanely cool fringed jacket.

SWOON.

The girl just gets it. Every time.

So of course, I scouted out a couple of our favourite fringed gowns so y’all can rock this painfully cool look for your wedding. The first gown below, by Barcelona’s, Yolan Cris, is probably my all-time favourite for 2016! So freakin’ rad.

Bridesmaid Style: All White Errthang

Yes indeed! Call in your girl gang, each adorn yourselves in a gorgeous, crisp white gown that perfectly reflects your different personalities and then rock the all-white trend for your entire wedding day.

Yes it’s controversial, (‘Really, shouldn’t the bride be the only one in white?!’), but we like to break those rules and it just looks too awesome not to!

From Daughters of Simone, to Grace Loves Lace… The white-on-white-on-white palette continues to be a big deal.

Trends: Fun Festival Food

And of course, what is a festival without a whole host of incredible, boundary pushing street food to delight your senses?!

This year, Coachella’s seen a couple of predominant trends in the food realm, namely:

All-American

We’re talking burgers bursting with flavour, loaded Mexican tacos, summer favourite snow cones… It’s all SO good and this American style grub would make a seriously fun, and perhaps unexpected wedding catering choice!

Fun Filled

Neon ice cream sandwiches sprinkled with rainbow cereal, insanely pigmented cocktails, trays upon trays of donuts (Good LAWD the e numbers!)… Who said your wedding food had to be gourmet?! Have some fun, indulge your inner child, I mean, what are your guests more likely to remember, the delicately poached salmon with just a hint of dill, or the entire wall of donuts unveiled at 10pm simply for s**ts and giggles?!

Hints of Healthy

Ok, so admittedly this one might not seem like it fits alongside the above two suggestions, but Coachella’s seen hints of healthier street food sneaking on into the scene… You’ll find kale in those loaded tacos, cones of fresh fruit, coconut water being sipped straight from the nut… Wholesome food’s a huge trend that works beautifully for weddings too, it’s all about what you as a couple are into!

Bridal Style: 70s Crochet

And finally, we had to give a nod to Kendall’s pretty sweet Coachella outfit… Not only is her statement necklace inspiring us in a big way, and of course her glitter parting is totally gorgeous too, but can we just take a moment for that 70s inspired crochet dress… Seriously bohemian-cool. Own it, girl.

We are head over heels for crochet dresses for the ultimate laid-back, beach babe bride.

Whether it’s an entire dress or just a hint of crochet on a dropped shoulder gown, it just speaks to our boho-loving hearts.

And there you have it, our round up of Coachella trends for 2016!

As you might expect (it’s kinda in the name, hey?) we LOVE looking to festivals for wedding inspiration.

Why? Because festivals are about expression, they’re a safe haven that encourages freer thinking, carefree fashion and a whole lot of fun…

When you visit a festival, you make the experience for yourself, you choose the music you want to hear, the new foods you want to try, the way you style yourself, and that’s exactly what we believe a wedding should be – an expression of you!

Have an awesome day guys, I hope it’s sunny where you are!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Good morning, you guys, and happy Friday!

We’re kickin’ off today with a whole host of awesome little ways to make this bank holiday weekend a good one! From Queen B’s new visual album, to our favourite new snack box, delivered right to your door and filled with wholesome, healthy goodies!  We’re shopping for summer swimwear you’ll actually look forward to wearing and seeking out British beaches so good, you’d swear you were abroad!

But first, let’s chat beauty (you didn’t think I could get through a post without mentioning makeup, did yah?!) and let’s talk conscious beauty…

One: Cruelty Free Beauty

We all love a bit of beauty, or in my case a whole LOAD of beauty, right?!

But do we ever consider what these products are actually made of? Or how they’re tested?

Well my friends, I gotta tell ya’ Cruelty Free is the new black and it’s never been cooler to be a conscious consumer, so when I stumbled upon awesome beauty blogger, Cruelty Free Kitty, I may have let out a little squeal of joy!

If you’re looking to completely cleanse your makeup collection of all products tested on animals, then check out her incredible (and pretty thorough!) Ultimate Guide, which also identifies specifically vegan products within each cruelty free brand. It’s been my bed time reading (no joke!) for the past week; totally awesome!

Or you could check out her Favourite Cruelty Free Products of 2015, which includes brilliant cruelty free brands such as Becca Cosmetics (oh hey, best highlighter on the market!), the always awesome Too Faced cosmetics (their Better Than Sex mascara, I die!) and of course Milani (remember that cult fave blusher I mentioned back in Feb?)

Gorgeous makeup. No cruelty. It’s simple!

Two: We are the Berliebers

Yup, Berliebers.

(Can’t believe I just wrote that)

We’re talking Berber rugs!

Both Laura and I are next-level addicted to these traditionally hand-woven rugs, crafted by the Berber people of North Africa.

They’re understated and wonderfully flexible in their design, making them the perfect choice for your lounge / bedroom / office… Well, just about anywhere, really!

We have been LUH-VING this one by Rockett St George, and this one by Mink Interiors.

Three: Beach, PLEASE

Who knew that Britain had such wonderful beaches?

I mean, look at the photo below…

…I’m sorry did someone fly me to Greece while I was sleeping?! Oh no, that’d be Scotland. SCOTLAND!

Achmelvich, in Wester Ross on the west coast of Scotland, to be precise! (I see you frantically Googling ‘beach that looks like Greece in Scotland’!)

Check out these lists by The Telegraph and Buzz Feed and get yo’ booty down to those UK sands this bank holiday!

Four: The Earlybird

Guys. The love I feel for this brand is REAL.

It’s healthy snackin’ like you’ve never seen before; meet Earlybird Snacks.

For a mere £4.95 per box, you get a whole host of individually packaged, nutritionally rich and ridiculously convenient snacks (including a cute little flavoured teabag!) delivered to your front door every week!

Totally customisable to your dietary preferences and you can give feedback on each snack to shape your future box choices, we are head over heels for Earlybird.

Oh, and FYI, their Flat Pack Brownie snack? Heaven. Sheer, unadulterated HEAVEN.

Five: Hey good lookin’

…Whaaaaatcha got cookin’?

Well, this month, it’s been mainly from the Hemsley + Hemsley cook book!

I was gifted this gorgeous, wholesome recipe book and I gotta tell yah, my beau and I have been pretty darn impressed.

This girl power sister duo are taking the food industry by storm, describing themselves as:

‘…home cooks and food lovers with a passion for wellness and delicious, nutrient-dense food. Our cooking is all about creating natural, satisfying and easy to digest meals that make you feel vibrant, strong and healthy; recipes that are full of flavour and goodness and free from gluten, grains and refined sugar. We believe in the nourishing power of real food and that eating well can be easy, affordable and enjoyable for everyone.’

On point right? ENJOY!

Six: #barcelonabridalweek

As a bridal-fashion-obsessed wedding blogger, what do you do when your schedule just won’t allow for that trip to Barcelona’s Bridal Fashion Week?

You stalk the internet. Like a hawk!

If you’re looking for boundary-pushing, astoundingly beautiful bridal wear inspiration, get yourself on Instagram and get stalking the #barcelonabridalweek hashtag… I promise you won’t be disappointed!

With incredible designers like Yolan Cris (one of our FAVES) and the ever-incredible Naeem Khan stealing the show, if you don’t do anything else this weekend (no judgement, I plan on being a lazy-ass too!) make sure you check this out!

Seven: Holiday Ready

…Because it may not be anywhere near warm enough yet here in the UK, but a girl’s gotta be sunshine ready at the drop of a hat when the weather does decide to turn!

Or, hey, you might be lucky enough to be heading abroad sometime soon! *mutters envious thoughts to self*

There is an abundance of gorgeous swimwear hitting the stores this season, fits for every shape and size, designs for every taste and prices for every budget.

Here’s some of our faves (click to shop!)

Eight: Take me to the Treetops

So, I don’t know about you, but my beau and I are pretty big woodland fans. We got married in one, we love walking our hound through them and we’re lucky enough to be heading back to the gorgeous woodland setting of Cosy Under Canvas this month (remember that Minimoon blog post I wrote, swooning over them?).

And it got me to thinking about other woodland experiences we’d love and, on my internet travels, I stumbled upon this…

…I mean. WOW.

Right?! This incredible treehouse is an Airbnb listing in Atlanta, USA, and boy do we wanna visit! Can you imagine waking up to that tree top view?

Surely this is the stuff that dreams are made on?

And just incase you’ve fallen in love but can’t quite make it to the US this year, check out these UK listings at Canopies and Stars.

We’re in love!

Nine: Now watching/listening/worshipping

That’s right. It’s all we’ve listened to this week.

Because, QUEEN.

Just in case you’ve had your head under a rock this week, Beyoncé surprise-released her 6th album last Saturday. Taking the form of a succession of astounding music videos, linked by poetry by Somali-British poet, Warsan Shire, the album includes collaborations with Jack White, Diplo, James Blake, Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd and eclectically moves into rock, country and jazz in places.

With lyrics like “women don’t quit on themselves” the album has a strong Feminist undercurrent, and demonstrates Bey’s increasing desire to express her political views.

In a world where a lot of popular music isn’t really saying a lot, Lemonade is hugely inspiring (and just all kinds of badass!).

You can get the album, complete with the hour long film on iTunes now, or you can listen to the album for free on Annie Mac’s Lemonade Listening Party.

Ten: Becca’s Cult Primer

And finally. Spring is for dewy skin.

It’s for that no-makeup makeup look. For that ‘glowing from within’ vibe.

And our current favourite (cruelty-free and vegan, of course) product for achieving such a fresh look?

Becca Cosmetic’s Backlight Priming Filter.

Suitable for all skin types, you can apply this primer under foundation, as a stand alone product to enhance your skin’s natural glow, or mix up a little cocktail: a pump of this with your normal pump of foundation on the back of your hand before applying for a super-quick dewy fix.

Let’s hear how it works from the masters themselves:

Ultra-subtle, ‘soft focus’ pigments blur the visibility of imperfections – refracting and diffusing light to lend skin a flawless, lit-from-within look – like somebody inside your head just switched a lamp on (and who doesn’t want that?). With a featherweight texture, this melts into skin – blending seamlessly to create an enviably smooth and dewy canvas – while antioxidant vitamin E and tightening liquorice extract combine to brighten, firm and ward against free radical-attack. The ultimate first step in your make up ritual, this is essentially a photographic filter in a bottle.

…And no-one got harmed in the making of it! We are ride-or-die for this gorgeous product.

Becca, you’re ticking all our boxes!

Go ahead and treat yo’self this bank holiday! You’ve certainly worked hard enough for it!

Whether it’s shopping for a new badass swimsuit for that upcoming trip, or a going on a little beauty splurge, or maybe just a little free ear candy courtesy of Annie Mac, however you enjoy your long weekend, have a good one y’all and we’ll see you on the flip side!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Good morning, gorgeous people!

I have been so excited to share today’s post with, I can’t even begin! Today, we’re sharing our favourite twenty bridal dresses (and jumpsuits!) for under £700. Why am I so excited about this post? Well, my own wedding dress was from a high street store and cost just £30, so I guess something about this resonates with me!

Of course, every bride is different, for some the most important part is their gown, so a significant part of the budget is dedicated to that cause, and man alive do we get that! But for others, either the overall budget won’t allow, or, when it comes down to it (and this was totally me!) having the woodland venue of your dreams far exceeded the importance of the dress!

Whatever your reason for wanting to spend a little less on the dress, there’s no reason to believe that you can’t still look like a million dollars in your bridal outfit; people fell over when I told them where my gown was from and how little it cost! So whether your budget’s £50 or £699, we’ve got some incredible pieces to share with you today from across the globe!

Are you ready to have your mind blown?! As always, click the images to shop the dresses!

One: The Zara – £49.99

Our most budget friendly option by far, this Zara gown is all kinds of gorgeous!

(Side note: I may be a little biased, as my wedding dress was also from Zara!)

But with that delicate crochet trim, the ‘cold shoulder’ neckline and the relaxed, buttoned length of the dress, it ticks a whole load of 2016 trend boxes and is perfect for the laid-back festival bride!

At just under £50, there’ll be plenty of budget left to add a slip underneath and have the dress fitted to you perfectly too! Just take the gown along to a recommended seamstress who’s accustomed to working with wedding gowns and have a clear picture of how you’d like it to look: the fullness of the skirt, the fit at the waist etc.

I had an amazing seamstress work on my £30 gown, adding an extra layer of silk fabric under the skirt to reduce the sheerness and adjusting the bust so it fitted my more petite frame perfectly. For just an extra £70, her changes really made it feel like a wedding gown… I’d highly recommend!

Two: The Ivy Mountain – £210

We’ve been long-time lovers of American boho brand, Jen’s Pirate Booty, so when we discovered that the wonderful ASOS were stocking this GORGEOUS Ivy Mountain gown, we had to share it with you!

Designer Jen Rossi channels her Malibu roots into her free-spirited, bohemian line, the result is a Venice beach-ready collection, carefully crafted from local textiles and artisan techniques; heavy on the crochet and oh-so easy on the eye!

We love the Ivy Mountain’s chilled out boat neckline paired with its low v-cut back. Its drop waist and elegantly slim cut lined skirt makes this the perfect choice for carefree boho bride.

Three: The Waterfall Jumpsuit – £120

Oh ASOS, you never fail to wow us!

The online favourite brand released their first bridal line in 2015 and, good LAWD, were we impressed! Designer, Vanessa Spence, says of the line: 

Our designers have trawled vintage archives to find a bridal outfit for every customer type and considered the different types of weddings. The ASOS bridal collection offers traditional dresses, but also more alternative pieces like the caped jumpsuit and separates… Perfect for the modern bride. We were inspired by our customer, which is the same approach we take with everything we do. We considered the different girls from glam bride, debutante bride, beach bride, Vegas bride… To make her feel her very best on her wedding day.

…Girl, you cannot afford to miss out on these pieces, and a little birdy told me that their new bridal line for 2016 is very much on the horizon, so be sure to keep your ear to the ground for that!

We adore the plunge neckline and angel sleeves of this super wide-leg bridal jumpsuit. It’s ethereal, while remaining modern… We love that!

Four: The Delicate Lace + Pearl – £250

And just incase that wasn’t enough goodness from ASOS, we’ve included one more of their incredible own-brand bridal gowns.

Delicate mesh with a vintage-inspired design and faux-pearl detailing make this sweet gown a beautiful choice, especially for such an affordable price!

Five: The Boho Bella – £156

Y’all might already know this, but here at FBrides we are all kinds of in love with Australian brand, Spell and the Gypsy Collective.

Their editorials? I die!

Now, Spell do of course have a bridal specific line, but if that’s a little out of reach budget-wise their wealth of gorgeous white dresses make the perfect alternatives!

The Boho Bella is a striking backless springtime luxe lace dress, featuring gently frilled shoulders for a little extra statement. The perfect garden party dress with its sweet casual pockets, it will take you seamlessly into the evening.

Think Woodstock at its best.

Six: The Isla Bonita – £151

Another divine piece from Spell, the Isla Bonita is hands down the only dress you need to consider if you’re having a beach wedding, and at that price? Are you kiddin!? You could have two and get one drenched in a stunning photoshoot in the sea!

A gorgeous white sun dress with intricate, vintage inspired embroidered detailing, the Isla Bonita features a raised hem at the front and cascading rear. 

Seven: The Canyon Moon Duster – £182

And our last piece from Spell (it took A LOT of restraint to say that! #thestruggleisreal) the Canyon Moon isn’t strictly a dress in it’s own right, but this wildly romantic duster that can sit on it’s own as a vintage inspired ‘wedding night’ peignoir (wear it over bridal intimates on your wedding night) or be worn as a duster over your wedding gown once the ambience of your evening sets in. The duster is made from a vintage inspired mesh-lace that is original to Spell.

The elegantly versatile duster can be tied under the bust to create a plunging deep V neckline (a striking dress in own right!), or worn open over any creamy white lace skirt to complete an elegant and modern bohemian bride look.

Currently this piece is out of stock (yes, it’s that good!) but more stock is due to land in mid-late May 2016, so hold tight!

Oh and just another little FYI, if you’re in no particular rush to buy your dress, Spell have been dropping some insanely gorgeous hints about their new 2016 bridal line via their instagram recently, so keep your eyes on their feed this month!

Because this gown, I mean…

Eight: The Enchanted Forest – £288

As with Spell, the ever-wonderful Free People have an incredible bride-specific line, but so many of their fashion collection dresses would make incredible wedding gowns also, should you need a more affordable alternative! 

This ethereal maxi dress was MADE for enchanted evenings. We are totally besotted with it!

In a beautiful sheer chiffon, the Enchanted Forest features floral appliqué detailing, bead accents and a super femme ruffle hem. A square neckline, statement sleeves and a low back with delicate button closures make it a show-stopping piece, totally bride-worthy!

Nine: The Gianna – £228

Another killer piece from Free People, you’re sure to steal the scene in the beautiful (and kinda badass!) Gianna dress.

A floral lace bodice, with a delicate–while-striking scalloped hem and V-neckline, the Gianna is for the bold bride, or would make a totally bomb change for evening reception paired with un-done hair and minimal makeup.

Sexy. A. F.

Ten: The Octavia – £450

Our final piece from Free People just SCREAMS Coachella (see more wedding inpsiration from ‘chella 2016 here!).

Made in LA, this romantic gown features a feminine V-neckline, button-down silhouette, and sheer lace inserts throughout…

We are all kinds of obsessed.

Eleven: The Carmine Maxi – £223

So, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to this gown (assuming it hasn’t already rocked your world, of course!), this is For Love and Lemon’s new Carmine Maxi and it has completed our lives. Period. 

The brand describe it:

Infatuation comes easy with its smooth rayon crepe fabric and crochet lace. The nude tulle paneling and darling buttons down the centre front makes this dress impossible to not fall in love with.

…And we couldn’t agree more!

Twelve: The Carmine Mini – £201

And just in case budget will allow for both, why not pick up the equally stunning Carmine Mini from For Love and Lemons while you’re there too?! It’d made the perfect change for an evening of dancing, while maintaining a fluidity and sense of unity with your ceremony gown. 

As the designers put it:

The Carmine Mini Dress makes it a breeze to unapologetically shine with a plunging neckline and carefully designed crochet trimming. Style with your favourite choker for a chic, yet sassy you.

Thirteen: The Lace Separates – £370

WELL. When British brand, Needle and Thread, released their 2015 bridal collection, we swooned hard, so when they pre-released images of their super affordable, hella gorgeous ’16 line, you better believe we were on board!

Available this month, our favourite ensemble, totalling at just £370, is their Victorian lace top (£200) and lace tulle skirt (£170).

Fourteen: The Deconstructed Lace – £650

…Of course, you knew I wouldn’t be able to resist sharing more of Needle and Thread’s new collection with you, right?!

One of our higher priced gowns, but worth every. single. penny. We can’t help but envisage their deconstructed lace gown floating elegantly through a meadow and into a beautiful woodland on a summer’s day…

Dreamy.

Fifteen: The Jersey + Floral Ensemble – £565

…And because I just couldn’t help myself, here’s our final pick from Needle and Thread’s soon-to-launch 2016 bridal line.

Their stunning iridescent floral maxi skirt (£450) paired with their heritage jersey top (£115), to created a unique and painfully cool bridal separates look. 

Sixteen: The Eva – £650

Edgy London label, Self Portrait, released their debut bridal collection just recently and boy they did not disappoint. Progressive while super pretty, the brand’s founder, Han Chong, was inspired by the rock’n’roll styles of Bianca Jagger and Pattie Boyd, who challenged conventional dress codes:

The pieces in my bridal debut are not your typical gowns – they were created for the untraditional bride.

…Sounds like something we can definitely get one board with! Chong continues:

I felt there was a gap in the market for cool, understated gowns that still had the ability to feel feminine and timeless.

So let’s kick things off with the Eva: this floor length wedding gown has an open back and a silk skirt that cascades into a modest train. The sleeves and back bodice in a geometric guipure are unlined, giving an element of transparency, while the waist is accentuated with a wide waistband panel.

Hearts. For. Eyes.

Seventeen: The Pleated Skirt – £650

Continuing with the astoundingly gorgeous bridal gowns of Self Portrait, this long sleeved full length wedding gown with pleated skirt and organza pussybow detail is just incredible.

The bodice is in a daisy guipure lace, fitted to the waist with a silk grosgrain ribbon, and the pleated skirt gives a slim, long line which cascades down to a subtle train. 

We are just head over heels for the beautiful motion of that pleated skirt. So original.

Eighteen: The Bardot – £500

And finally from Self Portrait, if names are anything to go by, this one’s SURELY a winner… 

The lace trimmed Bardot dress has a divine draped, trapeze silhouette. Featuring a dropped shoulder with a wide lace trim at the neckline (which we ADORE), with the main dress draped with a light gather from this seam, it’s easy-going elegance personified.

Nineteen: The Francesca + Capelet – £450

Ok, so I’ll make no secret of this: we are OBSESSED with US brand, Reformation.

They believe in fashion-forward style, amazing quality and, above all else, responsibly sourced, sustainably created garments. 

Who doesn’t want a slice of that?!  

We love this pairing from their bridal collection, the Francesca gown (£335) described as:

If you’re not really the marrying type but have found yourself in a “wedding situation”, the Francesca Dress can help. This is a floor length wrap dress with a v neckline.

…Paired with their sweet capelet (£115) to create a truly stunning layered ensemble for an awesome price!

Twenty: The Romanica – £294

And finally, I chose this last dress from Reformation, for many of the same reasons that I chose the first; to inspire you to think outside of the ‘bridal wear’ box a little and encourage you to be bold when choosing your wedding outfit.

The striking Romanica gown is actually a bridesmaid’s dress.

I know right!? Shock. Horror.

But really, who the hell is to say that this wouldn’t make the most awesome statement bridal gown!?

We love the two tone wrap design, and for the bride who’s failing to choose between a coloured gown or the conventional white, it ticks both boxes.

We love.

So, brides-to-be!

Whether you read this post ’cause you’ve found yourself in a bit of a pinch when it comes to dress budget, or whether you simply don’t want to invest thousands in your bridal gown, I hope we’ve captured your imagination and given you the courage to see the potential for bridal gorgeousness in some more unlikely places!

Do drop us a comment below if you’ve bought a high street gown, we’d love to hear where you found ‘The One’!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Gooood morning babes!
Prepare to be slapped in the face with a big ol’ smack of colour this morning!

(I mean that in the best way possible?!)

In the midst of all this sunshine we were having (ergh where’s it gone?!) our minds took a wander to the tropics and we collated 4 incredible colour ways to inspire your summer, tropical themed wedding! From the über cool ‘Muted Jungle’, to the traditionally tropical ‘Beachy Bright’, with a little kick of crisp white minimalism and a pretty pastel theme too, whatever colour scheme you’re looking to work with, we can guarantee a tropic look to suit!

So! Slide into your sandals, pack your sunnies and pop a flower in your hair, ’cause we’re off to the tropics…

Muted Jungle

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is my personal favourite tropical colour way.

Inspired by the original washed-out illustrated covers of Rudyard Kipling’s novel, The Jungle Book, this palette has a vintage, aged feel that is achingly cool.

Tropical greens are given a warm, khaki undertone, set against backdrops of neutral sand and bone. While the introduction of cooler tones, a pale sky blue or inky navy, offset the natural shades beautifully.

How to create this theme at your wedding

• Place oversized vintage botanical or anatomical (like the butterflies below) prints around your venue to decorate
• Vintage prints for groomsmen’s shirts, or sweet, short bridesmaid dresses are a super fun way to incorporate this theme
• Paint tropical leaves a shade of creamy bone for contrast
• Give stationery an antique jungle postcard theme

Beachy Brights

When someone says ‘Tropical Wedding’, I’d bet 9 times out of 10 this is the colour way people imagine.

And with good reason!

With its playful motifs, super summery vibes and bursts of bright colour; what’s not to love?! Big emerald green leaves meet flashes of canary yellow, while flamingo pink, shades of citrus and Aegean blue all smash together to create a vivid explosion.

How to create this theme at your wedding

• We’re loving the trend for sweet little ornamental birds, be it as part of an exotic flower crown or as a striking centre piece
• Take that flamingo motif and run with it! Cake toppers, stationery design… Hell, you could even line you aisle with them!
• Pineapples as photo props. Need I say any more?!
• When it comes to flowers, the bigger and the brighter, the better

Pacific Pastel

Tropical takes a chic turn when usual the bright flamingo pink is substituted with a very pale hue.

Pair the giant deep green leaves with tonal variations of this more muted pink to produce a very ‘grown-up’ version of this theme. Clean lines, with the occasional addition of a pale turquoise make for a sophisticated, yet very laid-back interpretation of the tropics.

How to create this theme at your wedding

• Introduce pale pinks with the use of large spherical balloons
• Mix and match bridal separates, combining clean cut, modern tropical printed pieces with pastel skirts or accessories
• Pale blush coloured cocktails adorned with fruit – um yes please!
• Create contrast with bouquet of statement oversized exotic flowers, but in unexpected pastel shades and surrounded with eucalyptus for a softer texture and shape

Minimal Palm

And finally – for you minimal brides who thought this post wasn’t for you – here’s our minimal take on the Tropics.

You’re gonna love it!

Taking inspiration from the crisp, fresh coconut, this simple, 3 colour palette is striking, elegant and effortlessly cool. Deep emerald greens are met by flashes of pure white, all rounded off with the earthy texture of bamboo.

Uh. I’m in love!

How to create this theme at your wedding

• Keep it simple – clean white crockery contrasts beautifully with a wooden table and tropical leaf decor
• Serve up fresh coconut, or coconut water to take this colour way back to its roots
• And entire ceremony backdrop constructed from huge deep green leaves… I’m sold
• Add hints of bamboo into your venue decor, woven bowls, lanterns… It’ll add warmth to the palette

4 ways. All seriously different. All transporting us to somewhere exotic.

…And sigh!

Tell us, are you having a tropical themed wedding? How are you planning to bring some exotic sunshine to the UK? Or are you having a tropical destination wedding?! We wanna hear! Do drop us a comment below!

And in the meantime, we’ll see you back here tomorrow for a special Girl Power edition of 10 Ways to Make Life Lovely!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

If ever there was a brand that encapsulates the free spirit of a woman then it is Free People. We have been huge fans of this powerful, bohemian and feminine brand ever since they launched in the UK in 2012. 4 years on, their fabulous FP Ever After Bridal Range continues to gain in popularity and has earned them a well deserved place in the UK bridal market. They have firmly asserted themselves as a cult fashion focused bridal label that is offering something current, young, diverse, sassy and free spirited to UK brides.

To celebrate the 1 year anniversary of launching FP Ever After, they have added 12 new styles to their collection and we are sharing some of them with you here today.

Free Spirited Brides, be prepared to be wowed.

FP Ever After – 1 Year On….

Free People’s beloved FP Ever After celebrates its 1 year anniversary with an all-new assortment of dresses. Shot by Graham Dunn, the photos capture the ultimate vintage inspired wedding with a range of styles fit for the bride who celebrates her individuality and is looking for her once-in-a-lifetime dress. 12 new styles will be included in the collection featuring notable designers Stone Cold Fox, Odylyne, Spell, and Gwen Jones x Free People. From romantic silhouettes, lacey details, and unique shapes there is sure to be a piece to feel beautiful in walking down the aisle.

For more information on the gorgeous FP Ever After Collection, please visit Free People’s website.

The Line Up

Photography: Graham Dunn
Bridal Range: FP Ever After
Model: Anna Trosko
Hair & Makeup: Karolina Bernat

Aaaand it’s finally Friday!

I don’t know about you guys, but I am on my third coffee and my second chocolate brownie today and the weekend cannot come quick enough! To get this weekend off to a killer start, we thought it’d be ace to share some of our favourite bridal designers, set to rock 2016.

From France to Tel Aviv, from dark ethereal to kooky feminine, we’ve got a designer for every kind of festival bride and so without any further ado (because I am literally champing the bit to get started!) let’s kick things off with potentially my new favourite bridal designer, like, ever…

French Cool: Donatelle Godart

Ok, so y’all know that in some other life I was Parisienne, or at least, I hope I was! It therefore probably doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that we’re starting our little bridal style journey in France, with Donatelle Godart.

I was absolutely captivated when I first saw the shots from her lookbook: hazy, dreamy, natural and just effortlessly cool… An exact reflection of her dresses.

You’ll find poetic shapes, inspired by the likes of Jane Birkin, in fluid silk and lace. They’re fresh, feminine and just everything an it-girl boho bride could want in her gown.

I mean, just take me there.

I can’t even begin to choose a favourite, although ‘A Clear Midnight’ and ‘Song at Sunset’ are STRONG contenders, but, let’s be real here, they’re all strong contenders!

Bohemian Elegance: Lihi Hod

Our next stop is Israel, where designer Lihi Hod (who’s worked with Dior and John Galliano, just, yah know, FYI!) has had our jaws on the floor since the moment we laid eyes on her 2016 collection.

From the ultimate in long-sleeved backless elegance, to short numbers with playfully feathered skirts, Lihi’s collection is ticking all our boho boxes (feathered, backless, embellished, cropped tops… They’re all there!) but with a timeless and super feminine vibe that we really dig.

Lihi’s gowns just speak a language entirely of their own.

No addition adornments needed and you could skip the fancy updo if you’d rather leave your tresses au naturale and you’d still look an absolute goddess in a Lihi gown!

Dark & Ethereal: Odylene the Ceremony

We discovered this incredible brand in the latter part of 2015 and were simply blown away. I’ll let them tell you about their Romantics Collection, as they do it oh-so well!

“With an ethereal and free-spirited approach to bridal, the first collection is simply called: The Romantics Collection. Each of the dresses embody the deep emotion, sensibility and beauty of the life and art from the 1800’s. Our collections tie in the feelings of the traditional foundations of marriage to the exotic and unfamiliar, while harnessing the power of the imagination to envision and to escape. The ethereal element is ever present in each style with a twist of romance and deep appreciation of all the delicate moments of the ceremony.  

We have a simple mission. To create a dream like state in reality of the strong expectations that you may have on one of the most special days of your life. We believe there are so many literal details of the day you say ‘I do.’ There are so many aspects of your wedding day that are bold and bright and in your face. We want to focus on the undertones of everything else. The undertones that are there but are more part of the senses that come to you in a memory in the way a butterfly lands on a flower. The ceremony is curated for the bride that understands that the standards are meant to be pushed, and the limits should feel endless. Nothing is more spiritual that the day you stand before everyone and ‘I do.’ We want to share in that part of your world and bring out the ethereal moments that exist. In our ethereal sphere there lies no reasoning, no typicality, no explanations, no realism, no comparisons, nothing ordinary, and no normalcy. Our mission is to help you leave all of those things behind.”

Inspired, aren’t they?

Just everything about this incredible brand resonates with us, from the Ceremony’s ethos to the dreamy designs themselves, they’re a full embodiment of the free-spirited and that’s something we can really get on board with!

Kooky & Feminine: Maison Floret

Taking a return flight back to France to meet this über fun bridal brand, Maison Floret.

Now if you’re looking for something totally alternative, something you’ve never seen another bride wear, without losing that ‘bridal’ feel or going too far out, Maison Floret is the brand you’ve been dreaming of!

With plenty of top and skirt combinations (although don’t expect to find all crop tops) this brand oozes casual chic. You’ll find delicate ruffles of chiffon on a dropped waist gown, exquisite little knits (à la Olivia Palermo) paired with slender skirts and the occasional stand out piece, like that incredible wool cape!

J’adore!

It’s alternative, but, in true French girl style, it’s beautifully underplayed. Maison Floret, you have our hearts!

High End Folk: Yolan Cris

Ohhh my. We have been LOV-ING Barcelona’s bridal brand, Yolan Cris, for quite some time now, but when they released they 2016 Boho Folk line everything stopped.

Replying to emails, sipping my coffee, maybe even my heart for a moment! EVERYTHING stopped!

With their 70s inspired silhouettes, luxuriously sheer materials and major folksy vibes, Yolan Cris are making dreams come true with this collection.

It’s just the perfect blend of bohemian character and luxe style.

The silhouettes these guys create are just magic.

They’re daring and elusive with a clean modern edge, while still expressing the relaxed bohemian depth we know and love!

Ooph, Yolan Cris! Y’all are inspiring!

American It-Girl: Houghton NYC

Our next stop is NYC.

I mean, of course, we had to take a stop there, and for none other than the ultimate it-girl brand, Houghton.

If you’re looking for edgy, SUPER fresh bridal designs that are pushing boundaries and challenging tradition (hell, they’re throwing tradition straight out the window!) while remaining super chill about it all and looking hella gorgeous, Houghton is the brand for you guys!

My personal fave has always been their Galina gown, (below) and I don’t think that’s about to change, but these guys are constantly creating the most incredible new shapes, employing materials you wouldn’t expect (the fringing, OH the fringing!) and just stepping outside of that ‘bridal’ box.

Show stoppers, aren’t they?!

Like, Houghton create gowns that go down in history, guys!

Delicate Goddess: Mira Zwilinger

Staying in the US for our final designer, Mira Zwilinger‘s 2016 Stardust collection is delivering on the fantasy gown front for all you dreamers out there.

This is fairytale at its absolute finest.

It’s sparkle, it’s elaborate, it’s glittering and celestial. In her words, “it’s a celebration of divine femininity”.

The stuff dreams are made on, no?!

So, that concludes our 2016 Bridal Designers to watch! I mean, hear me right here, there’s nothing at all definite about this list, these guys are just a handful of all the incredible designers we know/love/enjoy, but their collections have pressed some very specific buttons for us so far this year, so we just had to share!

Which bridal designers have you guys been loving? Do you have a favourite collection or bridal look for 2016 already? Let us know in the comments below – we love hearing what you guys think!

In the meantime, have a beaut weekend and we’ll see you on the flip side.

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Morning, gorgeous brides-to-be!

If you’re a daring bride, looking for something completely unique, then boy-oh-boy do we have a treat in store for you today! Here at Festival Brides we’re long-time admirers of bridal designer, Petite Lumiere. With her incredible, groundbreaking collections, it’s no wonder Petite Lumiere has been making brides happy across the globe, from Canada to Europe, to Australia!

So we’ve been catching up with Anna, and not only is she here showcasing one of her brand new collections for 2016, PURE, but she’s also most generously offering our readers 15% off all wedding purchases from her website, simply quote the code FESTIVAL offer ends 11th March 2016.

Without any further ado, be prepared to swoon, to be wowed and to coo like you’ve never cooed before; let’s talk PURE…

Tell us a little about yourself, it’s been a while, I’m sure some of our newly engaged brides would love to meet you!

As far back as I can remember I’ve always been drawing and painting, being raised in a family where everybody works with their hands.

I was especially inspired by my mother, who sewed and knitted unique and beautiful things, and I got from her my meticulous attention to detail.

I especially love to embroider with pearls and beads, using the total-look approach, so that the dresses and bridal accessories look like one complete composition, complementing each other.

How was 2015 for you? What’s new with Petite Lumiere?

2015 was quite an amazing year, as I’ve had an opportunity to work with most wonderful brides around the globe.

It was also a very creative year. Inspired by my lovely customers, I’ve designed two new collections for 2016: the “Music Room” and “PURE”.

What was your 2015 anthem, the one song you fell in love with for the year?

2015 was all about rediscovering the classics. Janis Joplin definitely was my fave, particularly “As good as you’ve been to this world”.

So tell us more about the new collection, what was the inspiration?

For the “PURE” collection I’ve drawn inspiration from the sophisticated geometric silhouettes of the late Sixties as well as the daring, feminine and boho chic looks of the Seventies.

Special attention was given to developing cuts which will be comfortable to wear yet glamorous and flattering on women of all different shapes. I achieved this by using A-shaped silhouettes, high waisted designs and gorgeous plunging backs for a touch of drama.

I love designing with longevity in mind, so some of the designs are ‘2 in 1’ convertible, enabling the brides to change the look from day to night, and even to recycle the pieces by wearing them on their honeymoon.

If you could choose three words to describe the collection, what would they be?

Daring, sophisticated and chic.

Tell us about the fabrics you chose for this line…

This line is all about ethereal, comfortable to wear fabrics- silk chiffon, silk satin, crepe and oh-so gorgeous guipure and Venice lace elements

Do you have a personal favourite piece from the new collection?

My favourite design would be Veruschka, for the daring modern bride who’s looking to create an utterly stylish and ‘smart’ day-to-night look.

What are Brides saying about Petite Lumiere?

Everything was perfect from start to finish! Excellent communication with seller – immediate response and very fast delivery. The dress was gorgeous, perfect fit, beautifully made, with the highest quality materials! Thank you so much, Anna! – JASNA

WOW oh WOW! This is so beautifully made. Extremely delicate and ethereal and lovely. SO incredibly BREATH-TAKING in person! I will be proud and honoured to wear such an exquisite piece for my wedding day. – CLAUDIA

I have never seen more beautiful, classic but unique, and luxurious hair jewellery. This headpiece is beyond gorgeous, and Anna was quick to respond and impeccable to work with in creating the custom jewellery for my wedding. Thank you so much Anna! – LAURA

I mean…

We’re just dumfounded (in a totally awesome way!) by the PURE collection! So bold, so adventurous, yet so elegant and timeless at the same time.

Peace + Love

Clare XO

 Morning, guys!

And happy Hump Day to you! Can y’all even believe it’s the 2nd of March already?! Nah, me neither! Talking of dates, how are you guys fixed for April 9th?

…You’re free? Awesome! Well, you’ll find us at Manchester’s brand new Indie Wedding Fair, and if you’re in the area (and when say ‘area’ I mean, if you’re within a 300 mile radius! Ha!) you should totally head on over, it’s gonna be such a sick day!

All hosted under 5 giant hat tipis at the Ashton Hall Equestrian Centre, there will be wedding suppliers GALORE (including Festival Bride’s buddies over at Old Bear Films!), delicious food, great music and, wait for it… GOODIE BAGS (my not-so-inner child is squealing with excitement!) Get your Early Bird ticket here (at a mere £4) guys!

All coordinated by super-woman and bride-to-be herself, Ellie of Soft Touch Events, let’s get to know her and her rad event a little better shall we?

Tell us a little about yourself…

I’m Ellie, director of my very own little business (Soft Touch Events) and I founded and curate the Indie Wedding Fair. Whilst I wholeheartedly admit I’m a bit of a wedding obsessive, I tend to seek out (and love to style) particularly beautiful ones that are totally unique, have tonnes of detail and personality, are a bit quirky and most definitely are a reflection of the couple getting married!

I’m super passionate about small business and excellent service, I’m very creative, love a bit of crafting, a total magpie (and subsequently own a huge collection of antique, vintage, retro and rustic memorabilia which I hire out). I live near Sheffield with my handsome beau and our beautiful, 2 year old daughter (she really is the cutest!), but I’m often over in Manchester, from whence we’ve recently moved.

If you had a chance to go to any music festival, which one would it be?

I’ve fortunately been to quite a few stonkers, including Glastonbury, Leeds, T in the Park, Freeze (I also love the mountains) and Bestival.

Now I’m a (little!) bit older, I quite fancy some of the lower key ones, like Wilderness, Kendal Calling or something that celebrates up and coming talented new indie artists.

It’d be good to take our little’ un to something next year (we obviously have noooo money this year, as we are getting hitched!) …But I hope she will grow to love festivals as much as her dad and I do!

What made you decide to create the Indie Wedding Fair?

From being 14 (it was acceptable in the 90s, kids…) I worked in an independent bridal shop and florists in my local village, which I absolutely loved. I subsequently larked off to university, graduated, then worked in events and marketing in the education sector, supplementing this with stints in the corporate and private hospitality industries both in the UK and abroad.

It was only when I came to plan my own wedding, feeling uninspired by many of the ‘traditional’ wedding fairs that I noticed a big fat void for rustic, bohemian and festival-inspired couples looking for wedding inspiration, in a truly fitting environment. I was also inspired to create something that didn’t put smaller indie businesses under massive financial pressures to attend an event to show what they can do.

I promptly set out to create this quite different and unique fair (which takes place a month before my own wedding, in fact! Good job I like a challenge, really…)

I genuinely think there is a place for this kind of event, and to repeat and grow it in the future, really would be ace. I’ve had an absolute beano putting it together.

Creating an event from scratch, with just a paddock to play with, allows me to demonstrate to people that you can create something unique and fun with a bit of imagination. And if you are engaged, but don’t have the imagination or creative skills but you know you want something a little less ordinary- you’ll meet people at this fair who can give you some belting ideas!

Tell us a little bit more about the Indie Wedding fair…

It is going to be brilliant, and I’m so excited to invite y’all (my excitement is turning me into an enthusiastic American, clearly).

It is held in five giant interlinked Tipis (by the amazing Tipi Unique!) on a farm in Sale, just south of Manchester and there are loads of awesome suppliers on board! We will have around 50 in total, with no more than three in any particular ‘category’.

It should be an informal, but beautiful environment, full of creative suppliers offering relevant ideas, products, services and skills. It’s not hard sell pushy-pushy (obviously we’d all be delighted to get bookings, it would be silly not to want that!) but the vibe is just a bit more relaxed, welcoming and lower key.

What do our brides-to-be need to know? Who’s going to be there?

So many awesome people! I am genuinely so proud of our line-up.

First up, I am really excited about the food (I’m not gonna lie, I’m writing this whilst pretty hungry!) Proper pies and mash from a converted horsebox, stonebaked pizzas and sample canapes from Top Table and freshly ground coffee from the Bean Rover. YUM! And cake, of course to top it off! #winning.

Then there’s an array of brilliant, passionate suppliers…

The Photographers… Hannah Dornford-May, Zoie Carter Ingham and Project Valentine

The Videographers… Old Bear Films, Arcadia and Fraggell Productions

A Wine and Prosecco importer… Da Vin Wines

A Flower Grower… Carol’s Garden

The Florists… Diddibox and Sweetpea & Thyme

The Venues… Wellbeing Farm and Ashton Hall Farm

The Cake Makers… Clarie’s Cake Boutique and Purple Butterfly Creations

The Stationers… Deannamic Designs, Rodo Creative and To & From

A Screen Printer… One69A

A Specialist lighting supplier… Not Just Lights

A Couture Gown Designer… Erica Stacey

The Transport… Great White Occasions and a beautiful split screen VW

The Musicians… Felix M-B, The Notes, Nat O’Brien band are all confirmed and a couple of cheeky ones to add!

A Photobooth… Captcha

An Ice Cream Trike… Love My Trike

…Not to mention Glenda the vintage caravan-come-beauty parlour, celebrants, event planners, stylists and prop hire, Frame your Day streaming, PA and stage hire AND an independent travel consultant; it’s bursting with talent! I have a few more in the pipeline to round up and confirm too, but hopefully this should give the gist of how ace it is looking already!

How can our couples get involved?

They can go to the website and buy their early bird tickets now, which are a mere £4. Tickets are available through Eventbrite’s secure payment handling facility.

There will be goodie bags, free magazines, sample canapes and of course, they’ll have a lovely day out connecting with some absolutely awesome suppliers in beautiful, giant tipis just a stone’s throw from Manchester.

We are also applying for a temporary event licence so there will be a bar, too! Woop!

What’s your best piece of advice for couples who’re planning their wedding?

Have an honest chat with each other and establish what’s important to you both for your wedding and do remember it’s your wedding… So do it your way! You can’t please everyone all the time (so you may as well please yourselves, first and foremost!).

Remember what it’s all about: making a commitment to the person you love most in the world, not about the size of your budget or remortgaging your house to create a Kardashian- rivalling spectacle of an event.

Play it cool, trig.

Finally, what’s your life quote/motto?

That’s a tricky one… I had written something a bit rude, but then thought about it being immortalised in blog form and my ‘rational mum head’ took over and removed it!

I’d say be fair, don’t take liberties, enjoy life, and just be nice to people (unless they’re being a dick, then that’s their problem and to rise above it shows greater strength of character on your part!).

Most of us larking about in the wedding industry, creating beautiful events and memories of a lovely day live a pretty fortunate existence in an environment that’s filled with happy people planning fabulous celebrations, so we should be very grateful for that. Remembering the bigger picture is important too!

Don’t get swept away in the fairy tale; because marriage (and life!) is no fairytale… but you may just get your happy ending!

Eeee! We are just so excited! Come join us; it’s gonna be inspiring, informative, and just straight up ballin’!

And if you spot me over at the Old Bear Films stand with my beau, please come and say hi, I’d love to meet you!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Ahhhh, good times! Good times!

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I paid A Most Curious Wedding Fair a visit at London’s Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.

The sheer brilliance that is Most Curious’ director, Becky Hoh-Hale, and her team of talented creatives truly nailed it (again) this year, with a collective of chic, original and super cool suppliers, designers and artists…

Did I swoon much?

You’re damn right I swooned!

You know when you go to a wedding fair and, as you’d anticipate, there’s some stuff you love, some stuff you’re kinda on the fence about and some stuff you just gotta pass on by…

Well, lemme tell yah: that was most certainly NOT the case at Most Curious!

From the moment I walked up the stairs into their effortlessly cool venue, ’til the moment I finally left (some 5 hour later!) everything looked good. Like, REAL good.

So, what’s the deal?

For those of you new to the scene, Most Curious is ‘THE wedding show for the style savvy couple’. Becky and her team aim to create a space full of style-led ideas, avoiding any labels (vintage, alternative, designer… You know the kind!) they work hard to keep it simple and, in doing so, completely freeing for the engaged couple.

No stereotypes. No traditions (unless you want them!). No limitations.

Put simply, when it comes to your wedding, nothing is set in stone, and the vibe at Most Curious really personifies that; anything’s possible.

…Now, you know me, I LOVE a bit of bridal fashion, and nothing says free-spirited more than a bridal outfit that breaks all the rules, and my goodness, did the Most Curious Catwalk do just that! Check it out, and keep your eyes peeled for one of our all-time favourite pieces, the pressed flower Meadow veil by the totally divine Ann Marie Faulkner…

Song: Brother – Matt Corby (available to download here)

This year saw two catwalks at Most Curious…

BOHO LUXE MEETS BOHO MINIMAL: ’70s vibes meet simple shapes and a floral, painterly feel’

…and later in the afternoon…

HEROES: ‘In homage to one of the greatest coolest and creative forces the world has ever known, we go Bowie Bridal, just for one day’

You can see all the incredible designers featured in the catwalk listed right here as well as the amazing floral design by Parragon and hair and makeup by Portraits.

Photo c/o the super lovely Amanda of Doris Loves Lights! She was my super star all day, guarding my ridiculously heavy bag whiles I went off galavanting! MWAH!

But wait!

Heaven forbid I lead you to believe that it was all about the bridal dresses and jumpsuits though, my gosh no!

So, without any further a-do, here’s a few more candid shots (from my loyal, hard-working little iPhone!) to give you a taster of what it’s all about! I’ll link the images to their companies where possible (if my memory will allow!), so simply click an image if you see something you like, but if y’all wanna see a full list of the London Fair’s suppliers featured in the shots, click here to have a read!

From the incredible paper-born decor of Things by Laura, to the delicate colour-dipped hanging vases of UBYME, not to mention the awesome styling power of Sorrel & Steve, every corner I turned there was another mind-blowing decor installation to behold!

I also fell head over heels for beautiful pallet furniture of Gas & Air (super customisable furniture hire that’s just PERFECT for an outdoor wedding) and of course I had to mention the lovely gals from Patchwork and incredible online solution to all your gift list worries (need funding for your hen party? Or how about a neat way for your guests to contribute towards your house savings? No problem!)

Remember that time I met bridal designer, Kevin Muscat and he stole a little piece of my heart? 

Meanwhile, the photographers were, of course, out in force, with the most incredible stands to showcase their unbelievable talent!

I had the pleasure of meeting FBrides fave, Ed Godden, as well as the lovely Paola de Paola and how could I not mention the amazing VintageBooth.Me (sister company of lovely photographer, Lee Garland) and a new discovery for us, the awesome concept of Boxless Booths!

One of the biggest ‘wow’ moments for me at the fair were the incredible floral displays.

Some of the UK’s most talented florists had styled their blooms to the nines and, make no mistake, they were absolutely gorgeous.

I fell pretty hard for the incredibly atmospheric flowers of the Wild Fox, the utterly dreamy headpieces of Sophie and Luna (thanks for the gorgeous pressed-flower confetti!), then there were One Flew Over’s flowers ‘by Girls Who Like Good Flowers’ (the eucalyptus in their arrangement had me with hearts for eyes) and of course the stunning (and I mean stunning) hand picked blooms of the Electric Daisy Flower Farm…

SWOON.

Just amazing…

If you missed it this year, be sure to get your sweet little hiney down there in 2017, and if London doesn’t work for you, make sure you check out their Norwich show too!

In the mean time, keep your eyes on A Most Curious’ Instagram feed to hear all about their exciting projects – there’s MUCH inspiration to be had!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Good morning, dreamers!

My goodness are you guys gonna love today’s post. So, if you caught up with yesterday’s post about our (super gorgeous) visit to A Most Curious Wedding Fair, you might’ve noticed a few dreamy pieces floating around the bridal catwalk that you’ve not seen before…

Remember that show-stopping feather bell sleeved gown?

The long sleeved lace mini, paired up with that incredible feather bomber jacket?

Well, that’d be the brand-spanking new collection from Velvet Johnstone, Moonage Dream.

Her second bridal collection, Moonage Dream previewed at Most Curious, and today we have the truly magical privilege of launching the collection and giving YOU the first ever look at her jaw-droppingly gorgeous lookbook!

OH. YES. MAMA.

Now, that’s enough of me chatting… Magic like this needs no introduction!

How did you get into bridal fashion?

It was a very natural and magical journey, around the time I got married in 2013.

My work has always had a modern, dreamy and nostalgic romance to it, which I guess is why people started to ask me to design their wedding dresses.

The year I got married I made five dresses, plus my own and loved every second of it! I guess that’s when I started to think that maybe bridal was for me!

When I discovered Most Curious Wedding Fair it felt like the stars had aligned and I knew I was exactly where i needed to be with Velvet Johnstone. Becky, Cat and Sara (the creators of Most Curious) have been super supportive from day one and really helped me to believe I could make the transition over to bridal design. For that I’m beyond grateful.

I showcased a bridal edit with them, curating pieces from previous collections that were perfect for bridal fashion and launched my debut bridal collection at Most Curious the following year, winning the Rock and Roll bridalNEXT! Award which felt magic!

Bridal fashion is so inspiring at the moment… Well it’s the brides really! There’s a new found fresh approach to everything and i’m so excited to be a part of it.

Who is a Velvet Johnstone Bride?

A Velvet Johnstone bride is always really cool in one sense or another…

She wants to feel incredible, expressing her true self comfortably and confidently.

She’s looking for something a little different and enjoys the relaxed and unconventional vibe of Velvet Johnstone.

She sounds like our kind of bride! Now, tell us about your new collection, Moonage Daydream, what’s the inspiration behind it?

My collections are always inspired by many different things: random thoughts, daydreams, memories, music, people, all mixed together to create a little bit of magic.

Moonage Daydream was inspired particularly by my best friends, the memory of my Mam’s wedding dress, angels, the universe, and not least a sense of utter loss, yet massive inspiration when David bowie passed, the humbling impact the moon has on me, true love and, of course, glitter freckles!

We are in LOVE with the fabrics you’ve used, can you tell us a little more about them?

Thank you! I am a very tactile person so the fabrics and textures are really key to my work and can often lead the design.

I love layering different weights of silk and embroidered tulles. The movement from the feather georgette blew my mind; it looks like an entourage of angels!

If you had to choose a bridal ensemble (the works: dress, jacket, veil… Everything!) from the collection as your favourite, what would it be and why?

My absolute fave is the Issy Stardust mini paired with a Lemurian Queen crystal crown by Jill Urwin and a set of Cha Cha shoes by Joanne Stoker.

Have a look…

This is the piece designed in memory of my Mam’s wedding dress.

It doesn’t especially look like it, it’s more about a vibe and feeling of how it would be today. It made me cry when I was sewing it and numerous times since (in a good way!) so it’s safe to say it holds a very large part of my heart. I believe the crystal crown has the power to connect us through the stars to distant ones and promotes a sense of oneness and the shoes, well I wore them on my own wedding day, and I love them!!

But then, if we’re talking about an entire ensemble I’d go for the lace Dalia mini & lace train skirt teamed with the Moon Child feather bomber and crystal Goddess head piece by Jill Urwin.

I love the drama of how many looks can be achieved from layering and delayering!

See for yourself…

But then, if I wanted to strip it back a little for a super cool laid back vibe, I’d go with the Reesie gown and cut out capeline hat by Ann Marie Faulkner.

Check it out…

…Oh or, of course, the Moonage Daydream mini!

I’d wear it just as it is, with bare feet!

I mean, just look…

What?!

…You’re allowed more than one wedding dress these days, right?!

Hell yeah you are! And of course, the song that best represents the collection?

Moonage Daydream – David Bowie.

(insert heart emoji here)

What’s the best piece of advice you can give a bride when it comes to searching for that perfect wedding outfit?

Follow your heart.

Go for what feels right to you. Something that makes you feel stunning, amazing, comfortable, confident and totally you; the best possible you.

Try on as much or as little as you need, stay true to yourself rather than conforming to something you think you should be wearing!

It is absolutely all about you X

Finally, what is your life quote or mantra?

Dream with your eyes wide open…

Just amazing.
The moment I saw this collection at Most Curious I fell in love, it’s unapologetically free. Such movement, such feeling in every detail…

The collection will land on Velvet Johnstone’s website in the very near future, and until then, she’s taking enquires via info@velvetjohnstone.com and appointments are open!

The Line Up

Photographer: Leoni Blue Photography

Model: Olivia Ancell

Hair & Makeup: Sian Duke

Location: She’s Lost Control

Oh hey, gorgeous people!

Ok, so I’d be the first to admit that I’ve not always been a huge advocate of pink…

Then 2016 happened. Pink got one hella cool makeover. And now I can’t get enough.

Tones of blush are just everywhere right now, from delicate barely-there blush, to hints of pale pink in amongst an oh-so-trendy botanical setting, to warmer coral undertones for summer or the über cool soft matte translucent blush trend.

To put it lightly, we’re besotted. So when the gorgeous blush Astilbe flowers started appearing in their masses on our Pinterest feed (which I think might be my favourite bloom for 2016!), we just had to create this mood board for you…

The Barely there Blush

It’s delicate, it’s sheer and it’s barely blush.

With just a hint of that heavenly shade, it’s perfect for a subtle, shimmering eye look, embellished flowing bridesmaid dresses, the sweetest of desserts and most feminine of lace gowns…

In Amongst the Botanical

Pair the delicate pink of Astilbe up with another of 2016’s biggest trends, the Botanical, for a beautiful contrast that speaks to the heart of any outdoors girl.

A hand-clutched bouquet of the Astilbe set in amongst the highlands, an elegant glasshouse adorned with pale pinks and deep greens, or an aisle-side arrangement of these small feathery blooms alongside bold leaves… The Astilbe flower may seem small and subtle, but it has such power in it’s beauty, it can’t help but draw the eye…

An Undertone of Warmth

Perfect for the Summer, the Astilbe flower welcomes warm undertones with open arms, it’s a surprisingly flexible bloom!

Pair with golden flower vessels for a table piece, or style alongside warm tonal variations of blush: a coral macrame chandelier, or the soft texture of a feathered jacket. Or, try a gentle contrast with yellow shades for a bright, fresh feel…

The Soft Matte

My absolute favourite way to embrace pink in 2016; it’s feminine, yes, but in a ridiculously cool, understated kinda way.

When choosing materials, be inspired by the Astilbe’s soft, feather-like texture, choosing velvet finish nude nails, a smooth blush buttercream cake, or pink suede shoes, and take a cue from the bloom’s perfectly subtle colouration, opting for translucents to create a gentle, blurred effect…

And sigh…

I think it’s official, pink (done right!) might be my new favourite colour!

Peace + Love,

Clare XO

Boy, oh boy, do we have a feast for your eyes this morning!

Eeeeeeeek!

Good morning guys, I hope you’re well and having a rad week, but I’m sure if you’re anything like us, you’re probably a little envious of the sunny, musical and all-round awesome Coachella shenanigans that are permeating all our social media feeds right now!

I mean… Come on! Heart eyes. Everywhere.

So we thought it only right that those gorgeously bohemian, perfectly divine festival vibes inspire today’s mood board! We’re gonna be talking wedding style (Bride, Groom and Bridesmaids… The Works!) inspired by the Coachella’s artists and ‘street’ style, decor trends that translate beautifully from festival to wedding, and (of course!) all-American fun festival food!

Let’s get straight into it shall we?!

Decor: Sunset Colours

Hands down. This is our favourite trend from Coachella this year.

Now, normally, you know me, I’m a muted, neutral palette kinda gal, but there is just something about a festival that makes me ADORE colour and pretty much just wanna splash it all over myself, and Coachella has given me all those feels this week!

Embracing a rainbow palette throughout the festival, Coachella’s inspiring us to be a little freer with our wedding colour schemes… Don’t be scared to use colour, and plenty of it, especially you Summer brides.

From funfetti cakes, to colourful dress embellishments, bursts of colour are right on trend and we are just LOVING it.

Groom Style: Bold Florals

Just like his mama, when it comes to style stakes, it’s fair to say Brooklyn Beckham is one to watch. Donning an outfit that GQ have coined ‘Manly Florals […] What you should wear all summer long’

…And I mean, who are we to disagree! These bold floral shirts are another welcome burst of colour and originality to the wedding scene, that we (along with Jared Leto + Harry Styles) are pretty stoked about.

Keep colours on the more masculine side, opting for oversized floral prints and a casual vibe (think rolled up or short sleeves, sans tie or bow tie!) to nail this chilled grooms wear look.

Decor: Botanical Vibes

Guys, this trend ain’t going nowhere.

We’ve spoken about our love for all things botanical for 2016 and 2017 weddings, and Coachella have just solidified this love affair for us yet again.

For real though, we’re pretty much in a committed relationship with our plants.

If you’re looking for the most on-trend, festival inspired way to style your venue, bring the outside in.

From an abundance of indoor plants to adorn your reception, to botanical print stationery… It’s all so ridiculously cool and laid back – we LOVE.

Style: Sheer Luxe + Dusty Blue

Two trends to take note of here:

First up: the ongoing prevalence of sheer ensembles. They’re getting even more luxurious and sophisticated and we just cannot get enough! The bridal gown by Australian designer, Georgia Young, below, is just LIFE.

Second up: that beautifully dusty shade of blue. Pantone’s 2016 colour, Serenity, really has permeated the world of fashion this year and we are head over heels for it as a wedding colour scheme. Check out our Pinterest board, The Blues, for all our favourite ways to incorporate this heavenly shade.

Bridal Style: Wide Leg Jumpsuits

It’s no secret that we LOVE a jumpsuit for 2016 (did you see our faves in last Friday’s lifestyle post?) and the Coachella festival goers are pretty hot on them too.

With laid back loose leg styles proving hugely popular, they’re the perfectly chilled out bridal ensemble all you it-girls have been waiting for.

Chic, original and so comfortable it makes me so happy I could cry a little, the bridal jumpsuit is finally (hurrah!) becoming a thing! And we, for one, wholeheartedly support!

Decor: Signs of Love

Huge letters as decor is a big trend right now, and has been for a good year or so, but Coachella has given it their own new, festival spin and we’re totally on board!

What’s new?

Sparkle

Don’t hold back on your letter adornments! Coachella went big on colour and sparkle, and we’re thinking bold colours, fun textures and interactive letters (see the below donut-adorned ‘YUM’ sign!) are a totally rad variation on this theme!

Love Language

Moving away from his ‘n her’s names, signage is speaking the language of love. ‘Besame Mucho’ translates roughly to ‘kiss me a lot’ or ‘kiss me again and again’… Super cute right? Write your love letters in another language, or take a song lyric or even a vow… Speak love!

Bigger + Better

Subtle isn’t really a thing this year for festival weddings! Big, bold and brash; have fun with your signage!

Bridal Style: Cut out Cool

A pretty out-there trend for brides-to-be, but nonetheless one we’re totally game for!

Coachella saw the beautiful Aluna George sport a very cut-out, almost bandage style ensemble for her performance and I gotta say, we’re in love!

Fashion-forward bridal designers, Houghton NYC, have been embracing this cut-out trend in full force for their Spring 2017 collection, as has the incredible Suzanne Harwrard with her Riley dress.

Blurring the lines between edgy fashion and romantic peeps of skin, this style is perfect for the unique modern bride.

Bridal Style: Impact Jewels

I did warn you, there ain’t much subtle in the festival wedding world right now!

But who needs subtle when you could be donning this utterly stunning, gypsy-esque statement necklace?!

Whether you choose to rock this look for your entire wedding day, or amp up your look for the evening reception, huge impact collars and earrings are a huge trend in both the festival and bridal fashion worlds right now!

Trends: Long live the Polaroid

Who doesn’t love a polaroid though, really?!

Well, Coachella certainly do, and so do we! So grab your self one of those adorable polaroid cameras and whether it’s snapping memories at your hen party, hanging shots of you and your beau as decor or creating a super cute polaroid style Save the Date, it’s right on trend and it screams festival fun.

Now, seriously, who’s buying me a polaroid camera…?

Bridal Style: Forever Fringing

Of course, it wouldn’t be Coachella if Rihanna didn’t step out a statement piece that made us all coo!

And this year, she gave us all the feels with that insanely cool fringed jacket.

SWOON.

The girl just gets it. Every time.

So of course, I scouted out a couple of our favourite fringed gowns so y’all can rock this painfully cool look for your wedding. The first gown below, by Barcelona’s, Yolan Cris, is probably my all-time favourite for 2016! So freakin’ rad.

Bridesmaid Style: All White Errthang

Yes indeed! Call in your girl gang, each adorn yourselves in a gorgeous, crisp white gown that perfectly reflects your different personalities and then rock the all-white trend for your entire wedding day.

Yes it’s controversial, (‘Really, shouldn’t the bride be the only one in white?!’), but we like to break those rules and it just looks too awesome not to!

From Daughters of Simone, to Grace Loves Lace… The white-on-white-on-white palette continues to be a big deal.

Trends: Fun Festival Food

And of course, what is a festival without a whole host of incredible, boundary pushing street food to delight your senses?!

This year, Coachella’s seen a couple of predominant trends in the food realm, namely:

All-American

We’re talking burgers bursting with flavour, loaded Mexican tacos, summer favourite snow cones… It’s all SO good and this American style grub would make a seriously fun, and perhaps unexpected wedding catering choice!

Fun Filled

Neon ice cream sandwiches sprinkled with rainbow cereal, insanely pigmented cocktails, trays upon trays of donuts (Good LAWD the e numbers!)… Who said your wedding food had to be gourmet?! Have some fun, indulge your inner child, I mean, what are your guests more likely to remember, the delicately poached salmon with just a hint of dill, or the entire wall of donuts unveiled at 10pm simply for s**ts and giggles?!

Hints of Healthy

Ok, so admittedly this one might not seem like it fits alongside the above two suggestions, but Coachella’s seen hints of healthier street food sneaking on into the scene… You’ll find kale in those loaded tacos, cones of fresh fruit, coconut water being sipped straight from the nut… Wholesome food’s a huge trend that works beautifully for weddings too, it’s all about what you as a couple are into!

Bridal Style: 70s Crochet

And finally, we had to give a nod to Kendall’s pretty sweet Coachella outfit… Not only is her statement necklace inspiring us in a big way, and of course her glitter parting is totally gorgeous too, but can we just take a moment for that 70s inspired crochet dress… Seriously bohemian-cool. Own it, girl.

We are head over heels for crochet dresses for the ultimate laid-back, beach babe bride.

Whether it’s an entire dress or just a hint of crochet on a dropped shoulder gown, it just speaks to our boho-loving hearts.

And there you have it, our round up of Coachella trends for 2016!

As you might expect (it’s kinda in the name, hey?) we LOVE looking to festivals for wedding inspiration.

Why? Because festivals are about expression, they’re a safe haven that encourages freer thinking, carefree fashion and a whole lot of fun…

When you visit a festival, you make the experience for yourself, you choose the music you want to hear, the new foods you want to try, the way you style yourself, and that’s exactly what we believe a wedding should be – an expression of you!

Have an awesome day guys, I hope it’s sunny where you are!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Good morning, you guys, and happy Friday!

We’re kickin’ off today with a whole host of awesome little ways to make this bank holiday weekend a good one! From Queen B’s new visual album, to our favourite new snack box, delivered right to your door and filled with wholesome, healthy goodies!  We’re shopping for summer swimwear you’ll actually look forward to wearing and seeking out British beaches so good, you’d swear you were abroad!

But first, let’s chat beauty (you didn’t think I could get through a post without mentioning makeup, did yah?!) and let’s talk conscious beauty…

One: Cruelty Free Beauty

We all love a bit of beauty, or in my case a whole LOAD of beauty, right?!

But do we ever consider what these products are actually made of? Or how they’re tested?

Well my friends, I gotta tell ya’ Cruelty Free is the new black and it’s never been cooler to be a conscious consumer, so when I stumbled upon awesome beauty blogger, Cruelty Free Kitty, I may have let out a little squeal of joy!

If you’re looking to completely cleanse your makeup collection of all products tested on animals, then check out her incredible (and pretty thorough!) Ultimate Guide, which also identifies specifically vegan products within each cruelty free brand. It’s been my bed time reading (no joke!) for the past week; totally awesome!

Or you could check out her Favourite Cruelty Free Products of 2015, which includes brilliant cruelty free brands such as Becca Cosmetics (oh hey, best highlighter on the market!), the always awesome Too Faced cosmetics (their Better Than Sex mascara, I die!) and of course Milani (remember that cult fave blusher I mentioned back in Feb?)

Gorgeous makeup. No cruelty. It’s simple!

Two: We are the Berliebers

Yup, Berliebers.

(Can’t believe I just wrote that)

We’re talking Berber rugs!

Both Laura and I are next-level addicted to these traditionally hand-woven rugs, crafted by the Berber people of North Africa.

They’re understated and wonderfully flexible in their design, making them the perfect choice for your lounge / bedroom / office… Well, just about anywhere, really!

We have been LUH-VING this one by Rockett St George, and this one by Mink Interiors.

Three: Beach, PLEASE

Who knew that Britain had such wonderful beaches?

I mean, look at the photo below…

…I’m sorry did someone fly me to Greece while I was sleeping?! Oh no, that’d be Scotland. SCOTLAND!

Achmelvich, in Wester Ross on the west coast of Scotland, to be precise! (I see you frantically Googling ‘beach that looks like Greece in Scotland’!)

Check out these lists by The Telegraph and Buzz Feed and get yo’ booty down to those UK sands this bank holiday!

Four: The Earlybird

Guys. The love I feel for this brand is REAL.

It’s healthy snackin’ like you’ve never seen before; meet Earlybird Snacks.

For a mere £4.95 per box, you get a whole host of individually packaged, nutritionally rich and ridiculously convenient snacks (including a cute little flavoured teabag!) delivered to your front door every week!

Totally customisable to your dietary preferences and you can give feedback on each snack to shape your future box choices, we are head over heels for Earlybird.

Oh, and FYI, their Flat Pack Brownie snack? Heaven. Sheer, unadulterated HEAVEN.

Five: Hey good lookin’

…Whaaaaatcha got cookin’?

Well, this month, it’s been mainly from the Hemsley + Hemsley cook book!

I was gifted this gorgeous, wholesome recipe book and I gotta tell yah, my beau and I have been pretty darn impressed.

This girl power sister duo are taking the food industry by storm, describing themselves as:

‘…home cooks and food lovers with a passion for wellness and delicious, nutrient-dense food. Our cooking is all about creating natural, satisfying and easy to digest meals that make you feel vibrant, strong and healthy; recipes that are full of flavour and goodness and free from gluten, grains and refined sugar. We believe in the nourishing power of real food and that eating well can be easy, affordable and enjoyable for everyone.’

On point right? ENJOY!

Six: #barcelonabridalweek

As a bridal-fashion-obsessed wedding blogger, what do you do when your schedule just won’t allow for that trip to Barcelona’s Bridal Fashion Week?

You stalk the internet. Like a hawk!

If you’re looking for boundary-pushing, astoundingly beautiful bridal wear inspiration, get yourself on Instagram and get stalking the #barcelonabridalweek hashtag… I promise you won’t be disappointed!

With incredible designers like Yolan Cris (one of our FAVES) and the ever-incredible Naeem Khan stealing the show, if you don’t do anything else this weekend (no judgement, I plan on being a lazy-ass too!) make sure you check this out!

Seven: Holiday Ready

…Because it may not be anywhere near warm enough yet here in the UK, but a girl’s gotta be sunshine ready at the drop of a hat when the weather does decide to turn!

Or, hey, you might be lucky enough to be heading abroad sometime soon! *mutters envious thoughts to self*

There is an abundance of gorgeous swimwear hitting the stores this season, fits for every shape and size, designs for every taste and prices for every budget.

Here’s some of our faves (click to shop!)

Eight: Take me to the Treetops

So, I don’t know about you, but my beau and I are pretty big woodland fans. We got married in one, we love walking our hound through them and we’re lucky enough to be heading back to the gorgeous woodland setting of Cosy Under Canvas this month (remember that Minimoon blog post I wrote, swooning over them?).

And it got me to thinking about other woodland experiences we’d love and, on my internet travels, I stumbled upon this…

…I mean. WOW.

Right?! This incredible treehouse is an Airbnb listing in Atlanta, USA, and boy do we wanna visit! Can you imagine waking up to that tree top view?

Surely this is the stuff that dreams are made on?

And just incase you’ve fallen in love but can’t quite make it to the US this year, check out these UK listings at Canopies and Stars.

We’re in love!

Nine: Now watching/listening/worshipping

That’s right. It’s all we’ve listened to this week.

Because, QUEEN.

Just in case you’ve had your head under a rock this week, Beyoncé surprise-released her 6th album last Saturday. Taking the form of a succession of astounding music videos, linked by poetry by Somali-British poet, Warsan Shire, the album includes collaborations with Jack White, Diplo, James Blake, Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd and eclectically moves into rock, country and jazz in places.

With lyrics like “women don’t quit on themselves” the album has a strong Feminist undercurrent, and demonstrates Bey’s increasing desire to express her political views.

In a world where a lot of popular music isn’t really saying a lot, Lemonade is hugely inspiring (and just all kinds of badass!).

You can get the album, complete with the hour long film on iTunes now, or you can listen to the album for free on Annie Mac’s Lemonade Listening Party.

Ten: Becca’s Cult Primer

And finally. Spring is for dewy skin.

It’s for that no-makeup makeup look. For that ‘glowing from within’ vibe.

And our current favourite (cruelty-free and vegan, of course) product for achieving such a fresh look?

Becca Cosmetic’s Backlight Priming Filter.

Suitable for all skin types, you can apply this primer under foundation, as a stand alone product to enhance your skin’s natural glow, or mix up a little cocktail: a pump of this with your normal pump of foundation on the back of your hand before applying for a super-quick dewy fix.

Let’s hear how it works from the masters themselves:

Ultra-subtle, ‘soft focus’ pigments blur the visibility of imperfections – refracting and diffusing light to lend skin a flawless, lit-from-within look – like somebody inside your head just switched a lamp on (and who doesn’t want that?). With a featherweight texture, this melts into skin – blending seamlessly to create an enviably smooth and dewy canvas – while antioxidant vitamin E and tightening liquorice extract combine to brighten, firm and ward against free radical-attack. The ultimate first step in your make up ritual, this is essentially a photographic filter in a bottle.

…And no-one got harmed in the making of it! We are ride-or-die for this gorgeous product.

Becca, you’re ticking all our boxes!

Go ahead and treat yo’self this bank holiday! You’ve certainly worked hard enough for it!

Whether it’s shopping for a new badass swimsuit for that upcoming trip, or a going on a little beauty splurge, or maybe just a little free ear candy courtesy of Annie Mac, however you enjoy your long weekend, have a good one y’all and we’ll see you on the flip side!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

Good morning, gorgeous people!

I have been so excited to share today’s post with, I can’t even begin! Today, we’re sharing our favourite twenty bridal dresses (and jumpsuits!) for under £700. Why am I so excited about this post? Well, my own wedding dress was from a high street store and cost just £30, so I guess something about this resonates with me!

Of course, every bride is different, for some the most important part is their gown, so a significant part of the budget is dedicated to that cause, and man alive do we get that! But for others, either the overall budget won’t allow, or, when it comes down to it (and this was totally me!) having the woodland venue of your dreams far exceeded the importance of the dress!

Whatever your reason for wanting to spend a little less on the dress, there’s no reason to believe that you can’t still look like a million dollars in your bridal outfit; people fell over when I told them where my gown was from and how little it cost! So whether your budget’s £50 or £699, we’ve got some incredible pieces to share with you today from across the globe!

Are you ready to have your mind blown?! As always, click the images to shop the dresses!

One: The Zara – £49.99

Our most budget friendly option by far, this Zara gown is all kinds of gorgeous!

(Side note: I may be a little biased, as my wedding dress was also from Zara!)

But with that delicate crochet trim, the ‘cold shoulder’ neckline and the relaxed, buttoned length of the dress, it ticks a whole load of 2016 trend boxes and is perfect for the laid-back festival bride!

At just under £50, there’ll be plenty of budget left to add a slip underneath and have the dress fitted to you perfectly too! Just take the gown along to a recommended seamstress who’s accustomed to working with wedding gowns and have a clear picture of how you’d like it to look: the fullness of the skirt, the fit at the waist etc.

I had an amazing seamstress work on my £30 gown, adding an extra layer of silk fabric under the skirt to reduce the sheerness and adjusting the bust so it fitted my more petite frame perfectly. For just an extra £70, her changes really made it feel like a wedding gown… I’d highly recommend!

Two: The Ivy Mountain – £210

We’ve been long-time lovers of American boho brand, Jen’s Pirate Booty, so when we discovered that the wonderful ASOS were stocking this GORGEOUS Ivy Mountain gown, we had to share it with you!

Designer Jen Rossi channels her Malibu roots into her free-spirited, bohemian line, the result is a Venice beach-ready collection, carefully crafted from local textiles and artisan techniques; heavy on the crochet and oh-so easy on the eye!

We love the Ivy Mountain’s chilled out boat neckline paired with its low v-cut back. Its drop waist and elegantly slim cut lined skirt makes this the perfect choice for carefree boho bride.

Three: The Waterfall Jumpsuit – £120

Oh ASOS, you never fail to wow us!

The online favourite brand released their first bridal line in 2015 and, good LAWD, were we impressed! Designer, Vanessa Spence, says of the line: 

Our designers have trawled vintage archives to find a bridal outfit for every customer type and considered the different types of weddings. The ASOS bridal collection offers traditional dresses, but also more alternative pieces like the caped jumpsuit and separates… Perfect for the modern bride. We were inspired by our customer, which is the same approach we take with everything we do. We considered the different girls from glam bride, debutante bride, beach bride, Vegas bride… To make her feel her very best on her wedding day.

…Girl, you cannot afford to miss out on these pieces, and a little birdy told me that their new bridal line for 2016 is very much on the horizon, so be sure to keep your ear to the ground for that!

We adore the plunge neckline and angel sleeves of this super wide-leg bridal jumpsuit. It’s ethereal, while remaining modern… We love that!

Four: The Delicate Lace + Pearl – £250

And just incase that wasn’t enough goodness from ASOS, we’ve included one more of their incredible own-brand bridal gowns.

Delicate mesh with a vintage-inspired design and faux-pearl detailing make this sweet gown a beautiful choice, especially for such an affordable price!

Five: The Boho Bella – £156

Y’all might already know this, but here at FBrides we are all kinds of in love with Australian brand, Spell and the Gypsy Collective.

Their editorials? I die!

Now, Spell do of course have a bridal specific line, but if that’s a little out of reach budget-wise their wealth of gorgeous white dresses make the perfect alternatives!

The Boho Bella is a striking backless springtime luxe lace dress, featuring gently frilled shoulders for a little extra statement. The perfect garden party dress with its sweet casual pockets, it will take you seamlessly into the evening.

Think Woodstock at its best.

Six: The Isla Bonita – £151

Another divine piece from Spell, the Isla Bonita is hands down the only dress you need to consider if you’re having a beach wedding, and at that price? Are you kiddin!? You could have two and get one drenched in a stunning photoshoot in the sea!

A gorgeous white sun dress with intricate, vintage inspired embroidered detailing, the Isla Bonita features a raised hem at the front and cascading rear. 

Seven: The Canyon Moon Duster – £182

And our last piece from Spell (it took A LOT of restraint to say that! #thestruggleisreal) the Canyon Moon isn’t strictly a dress in it’s own right, but this wildly romantic duster that can sit on it’s own as a vintage inspired ‘wedding night’ peignoir (wear it over bridal intimates on your wedding night) or be worn as a duster over your wedding gown once the ambience of your evening sets in. The duster is made from a vintage inspired mesh-lace that is original to Spell.

The elegantly versatile duster can be tied under the bust to create a plunging deep V neckline (a striking dress in own right!), or worn open over any creamy white lace skirt to complete an elegant and modern bohemian bride look.

Currently this piece is out of stock (yes, it’s that good!) but more stock is due to land in mid-late May 2016, so hold tight!

Oh and just another little FYI, if you’re in no particular rush to buy your dress, Spell have been dropping some insanely gorgeous hints about their new 2016 bridal line via their instagram recently, so keep your eyes on their feed this month!

Because this gown, I mean…

Eight: The Enchanted Forest – £288

As with Spell, the ever-wonderful Free People have an incredible bride-specific line, but so many of their fashion collection dresses would make incredible wedding gowns also, should you need a more affordable alternative! 

This ethereal maxi dress was MADE for enchanted evenings. We are totally besotted with it!

In a beautiful sheer chiffon, the Enchanted Forest features floral appliqué detailing, bead accents and a super femme ruffle hem. A square neckline, statement sleeves and a low back with delicate button closures make it a show-stopping piece, totally bride-worthy!

Nine: The Gianna – £228

Another killer piece from Free People, you’re sure to steal the scene in the beautiful (and kinda badass!) Gianna dress.

A floral lace bodice, with a delicate–while-striking scalloped hem and V-neckline, the Gianna is for the bold bride, or would make a totally bomb change for evening reception paired with un-done hair and minimal makeup.

Sexy. A. F.

Ten: The Octavia – £450

Our final piece from Free People just SCREAMS Coachella (see more wedding inpsiration from ‘chella 2016 here!).

Made in LA, this romantic gown features a feminine V-neckline, button-down silhouette, and sheer lace inserts throughout…

We are all kinds of obsessed.

Eleven: The Carmine Maxi – £223

So, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to this gown (assuming it hasn’t already rocked your world, of course!), this is For Love and Lemon’s new Carmine Maxi and it has completed our lives. Period. 

The brand describe it:

Infatuation comes easy with its smooth rayon crepe fabric and crochet lace. The nude tulle paneling and darling buttons down the centre front makes this dress impossible to not fall in love with.

…And we couldn’t agree more!

Twelve: The Carmine Mini – £201

And just in case budget will allow for both, why not pick up the equally stunning Carmine Mini from For Love and Lemons while you’re there too?! It’d made the perfect change for an evening of dancing, while maintaining a fluidity and sense of unity with your ceremony gown. 

As the designers put it:

The Carmine Mini Dress makes it a breeze to unapologetically shine with a plunging neckline and carefully designed crochet trimming. Style with your favourite choker for a chic, yet sassy you.

Thirteen: The Lace Separates – £370

WELL. When British brand, Needle and Thread, released their 2015 bridal collection, we swooned hard, so when they pre-released images of their super affordable, hella gorgeous ’16 line, you better believe we were on board!

Available this month, our favourite ensemble, totalling at just £370, is their Victorian lace top (£200) and lace tulle skirt (£170).

Fourteen: The Deconstructed Lace – £650

…Of course, you knew I wouldn’t be able to resist sharing more of Needle and Thread’s new collection with you, right?!

One of our higher priced gowns, but worth every. single. penny. We can’t help but envisage their deconstructed lace gown floating elegantly through a meadow and into a beautiful woodland on a summer’s day…

Dreamy.

Fifteen: The Jersey + Floral Ensemble – £565

…And because I just couldn’t help myself, here’s our final pick from Needle and Thread’s soon-to-launch 2016 bridal line.

Their stunning iridescent floral maxi skirt (£450) paired with their heritage jersey top (£115), to created a unique and painfully cool bridal separates look. 

Sixteen: The Eva – £650

Edgy London label, Self Portrait, released their debut bridal collection just recently and boy they did not disappoint. Progressive while super pretty, the brand’s founder, Han Chong, was inspired by the rock’n’roll styles of Bianca Jagger and Pattie Boyd, who challenged conventional dress codes:

The pieces in my bridal debut are not your typical gowns – they were created for the untraditional bride.

…Sounds like something we can definitely get one board with! Chong continues:

I felt there was a gap in the market for cool, understated gowns that still had the ability to feel feminine and timeless.

So let’s kick things off with the Eva: this floor length wedding gown has an open back and a silk skirt that cascades into a modest train. The sleeves and back bodice in a geometric guipure are unlined, giving an element of transparency, while the waist is accentuated with a wide waistband panel.

Hearts. For. Eyes.

Seventeen: The Pleated Skirt – £650

Continuing with the astoundingly gorgeous bridal gowns of Self Portrait, this long sleeved full length wedding gown with pleated skirt and organza pussybow detail is just incredible.

The bodice is in a daisy guipure lace, fitted to the waist with a silk grosgrain ribbon, and the pleated skirt gives a slim, long line which cascades down to a subtle train. 

We are just head over heels for the beautiful motion of that pleated skirt. So original.

Eighteen: The Bardot – £500

And finally from Self Portrait, if names are anything to go by, this one’s SURELY a winner… 

The lace trimmed Bardot dress has a divine draped, trapeze silhouette. Featuring a dropped shoulder with a wide lace trim at the neckline (which we ADORE), with the main dress draped with a light gather from this seam, it’s easy-going elegance personified.

Nineteen: The Francesca + Capelet – £450

Ok, so I’ll make no secret of this: we are OBSESSED with US brand, Reformation.

They believe in fashion-forward style, amazing quality and, above all else, responsibly sourced, sustainably created garments. 

Who doesn’t want a slice of that?!  

We love this pairing from their bridal collection, the Francesca gown (£335) described as:

If you’re not really the marrying type but have found yourself in a “wedding situation”, the Francesca Dress can help. This is a floor length wrap dress with a v neckline.

…Paired with their sweet capelet (£115) to create a truly stunning layered ensemble for an awesome price!

Twenty: The Romanica – £294

And finally, I chose this last dress from Reformation, for many of the same reasons that I chose the first; to inspire you to think outside of the ‘bridal wear’ box a little and encourage you to be bold when choosing your wedding outfit.

The striking Romanica gown is actually a bridesmaid’s dress.

I know right!? Shock. Horror.

But really, who the hell is to say that this wouldn’t make the most awesome statement bridal gown!?

We love the two tone wrap design, and for the bride who’s failing to choose between a coloured gown or the conventional white, it ticks both boxes.

We love.

So, brides-to-be!

Whether you read this post ’cause you’ve found yourself in a bit of a pinch when it comes to dress budget, or whether you simply don’t want to invest thousands in your bridal gown, I hope we’ve captured your imagination and given you the courage to see the potential for bridal gorgeousness in some more unlikely places!

Do drop us a comment below if you’ve bought a high street gown, we’d love to hear where you found ‘The One’!

Peace + Love

Clare XO

If ever there was a brand that encapsulates the free spirit of a woman then it is Free People. We have been huge fans of this powerful, bohemian and feminine brand ever since they launched in the UK in 2012. 4 years on, their fabulous FP Ever After Bridal Range continues to gain in popularity and has earned them a well deserved place in the UK bridal market. They have firmly asserted themselves as a cult fashion focused bridal label that is offering something current, young, diverse, sassy and free spirited to UK brides.

To celebrate the 1 year anniversary of launching FP Ever After, they have added 12 new styles to their collection and we are sharing some of them with you here today.

Free Spirited Brides, be prepared to be wowed.

FP Ever After – 1 Year On….

Free People’s beloved FP Ever After celebrates its 1 year anniversary with an all-new assortment of dresses. Shot by Graham Dunn, the photos capture the ultimate vintage inspired wedding with a range of styles fit for the bride who celebrates her individuality and is looking for her once-in-a-lifetime dress. 12 new styles will be included in the collection featuring notable designers Stone Cold Fox, Odylyne, Spell, and Gwen Jones x Free People. From romantic silhouettes, lacey details, and unique shapes there is sure to be a piece to feel beautiful in walking down the aisle.

For more information on the gorgeous FP Ever After Collection, please visit Free People’s website.

The Line Up

Photography: Graham Dunn
Bridal Range: FP Ever After
Model: Anna Trosko
Hair & Makeup: Karolina Bernat

Have you been dreaming of wearing Grace Loves Lace on your wedding day but have been concerned about ordering a dress online that you haven’t tried on? Well my lovely Festival Brides, we have the answers to your prayers! Grace Loves Lace are coming to the UK for a one off Concierge event and you can book an exclusive appointment to try on as many of their dresses as you like! This is such a unique and rare opportunity to see if their dresses are as beautiful on you as they are online (which I am sure they will be!)

Appointments are going fast so what are you waiting for!? Read on to find out more details or click on the image above to book your place.

A Touch of Australian Boho Class In London….

Australia’s leading unique bridal label Grace Loves Lace are bringing their premium Concierge service to London. This will be the brand’s second visit to the UK following their successful first Trunk Show held in August 2015. Due to popular demand, the brand will hold their exclusive Concierge event in Clerkenwell from August 23rd to September 4th.

The Grace Loves Lace Global Concierge is an exclusive, appointment only event acting as a pop up showroom, held in highly coveted and styled venues around the world. As an online only company, with the exception of their exclusive showroom spaces on in Australia, and Los Angeles, the GLL Concierge is the brand’s way of allowing brides to experience GLL in person whilst maintaining their signature service.

Grace Loves Lace Founder Megan Ziems describes the Concierge Service as something different.

“Our Concierge Service isn’t just an ordinary Trunk Show, we want to create a luxurious, intimate event, giving brides-to-be an opportunity to experience what our GLL Showrooms are all about. We get how crucial finding that gown is, so we want to make it effortless, stress-free and most importantly, fun!”

Working alongside renowned London event stylist Knot and Pop, with interior inspiration from West Elm, the label will transform the studio space to match the quintessential Grace Loves Lace aesthetic. Meeting with over 230 brides to showcase their unique designs and exquisite French laces, the brand is excited to meet women who share such similar taste in fashion.

Ziems said British and European girls love the timeless and nontraditional styles as much as the Australian girls do.

“We receive so many enquiries from the UK and surrounding countries everyday with brides asking when we will return to London, so when we had to decide where to hold our next international Concierge, London was our first choice.”

“The European woman is chic, effortlessly elegant and a little bit edgy; they’re the perfect match for GLL,” explains Ziems.

Established in 2010, Grace Loves Lace are renowned for creating effortlessly unique, luxurious designs for the modern woman. Proudly designed and handmade in Australia, using the most exquisite laces and sandwashed silks from across Europe. All of the unique lace patterns and textures are handmade using leaver looms and century old techniques in their Australian studio. The chic designs have been seen on ‘it’ girls including Margot Robbie and Millie Mackintosh.

All styles are currently available for purchase online at http://graceloveslace.com.au. Brides in the UK and Europe can apply for an exclusive appointment via the website. The appointment includes a one-on-one styling session, complimentary champagne and a gift bag, featuring items curated by the GLL Founder.

Don’t forget, we have an extensive supplier list for wedding dresses take a look here

We have something a bit different to share with your lovely eyes this morning. Cool, chic and modern bridal boutique, The Wild Heart, are celebrating their first birthday since launching in 2015 and have shared a very honest account of their first year in business with us. They address the struggles they have faced with balancing home life with work, the tribulations of working in a very competitive industry, and the set backs they had to try and push an idea into a reality. Most importantly, they talk about how much they have grown and learnt in their first year. The direction for their bridal boutique is now clear and the designers they stock are testimony to that with the likes of Karen Willis Holmes, Charlotte Balbier, Katya Katya Shehurina and Hayley Paige Bridesmaids.

If you are still searching for your wedding dress or bridesmaid dress then this is a post you should most definitely read. Not only do Alex and Nicole, the lovely ladies behind Wild Heart Bridal, share the amazing new designers they are now proud to showcase, they also share their passion to create a bridal boutique that stands out from a crowd and their desire to help you find that one very special dress.

Look out for their amazing offer of 10% Off all of their wedding dresses and bridal accessories and the details of the La Poesie and Marquise Bridal trunk shows. Details are at the end of the post!

Over to Alex and Nicole….

Our first year and beyond….

With October just around the corner it’s hard to believe The Wild Heart has almost been open for a year. In someways it feels like we’ve always been here, juggling school runs and childcare with running a busy bridal boutique is just a way of life now. It’s not always easy but so far we’ve managed to make things work between ourselves without too much stress and can look back over the past year proud of how far we’ve come. But in other ways we still feel very new. Brides are discovering us all the time both through our advertising and online promotion and also by walking past our (slightly hidden) little shop on Rochester High Street. And so now as our first birthday approaches we wanted to look back on what we’ve learnt and how far we’ve come in a year since “The Wild Heart’ was just a doodled logo on a scrap of paper and two women with an idea for a shop that just might be pretty great…

Back in March 2015 we had an idea of the kind of wedding dress styles we loved and brands that were doing new things in the industry but absolutely no idea how to bring them to our boutique, which still had no fixed address or anything to make it ‘real’. With only words explaining who we were and who The Wild Heart would potentially, we didn’t get a lot back. We met with designers and were surprised at how welcoming and ready to hear our basic ideas they were, having both had experience in the sometimes cold fashion industry, this wasn’t the kind of reception we were expecting and we were both pleasantly surprised. After a successful day of pouring over beautiful gowns and positive discussions with Karen Willis Holmes, Charlotte Balbier and Katya Katya Shehurina, we felt confident we had provisionally secured 3 amazing brands that would all work well in our boutique. Each very different and each offering something unique for our Wild Heart brides and, at the time, not available anywhere else in Kent. This was something that was very important to us in the early days, a USP of sorts, and we held onto this when searching for our final brand. After a lot of discussions we decided Elizabeth Dye would complete our quartet of designers, offering fresh and modern gowns, perfect for the destination brides we hoped to attract.

The brides we tend to attract now are looking for something a step away from the norm. And we love that.

With our premises secured we were finally ready to pick our collections which wasn’t as tough a task as we predicted. We both adopt a similar frame of mind when picking dresses. We think about the kind of bride who would wear the dress, the venue, the location in the world, the body shape and also – more simply – we buy what we love. These tactics have mostly served us well but looking back over the past year we can now see that the dresses that haven’t done as well are the ones we don’t LOVE. Maybe it’s simply a case that when originally choosing these dresses we strayed away from our vision as a boutique? We have tried to stretch ourselves too far in some cases and appeal to too many brides when really we need to stick to what we know. You can’t please everyone and that saying is very true when you set out to create a bridal brand that is moving away from the traditional image of a ‘Bride’. Yes traditional bridal gowns do still exist, they are beautiful, well made and suit many brides and weddings but the brides we tend to attract now, as opposed to a year ago, are looking for something a step away from the norm. And we love that.

A Collection for Wild Brides….

We are constantly reassessing our collection, adding new pieces and things we think our Wild Brides will love. Since our second buying season we have added Charlotte Balbier Separates, Hayley Paige Bridesmaids, Florence Shoes, Joma Jewellery and Katie Loxton for cute gifts and our latest announcement, which we couldn’t be more excited about, is that we are the newest stockist of the Blush by Hayley Paige collection.  We have been looking for a fifth brand for some time and Hayley Paige seemed to work on many levels. A young new York based designer creating a mixed collection of princess bridal gowns with sass to Soft lace and chiffon flowing backless boho gowns. Hayley Paige is a really big deal in the US and her popularity is growing in the UK with brides who are looking for a feminine modern bridal look.

One of the main things we have learnt this year is to be more confident in ourselves. Our confidence has grown with each bride that has found her dress with us, it’s a reassurance that we have picked dresses that brides will love and with the support of our designers we have taken risks and invested more in new and exciting products.

Having Confidence….

One of the main things we have learnt this year is to be more confident in ourselves, we set out a year ago with an idea of how we hoped things would go and a lot of determination to make it happen but it’s pretty scary opening up a new boutique in an industry that you’ve not really explored before. Our confidence has grown with each bride that has found her dress with us, it’s a reassurance that we have picked dresses that brides will love and with the support of our designers we have taken risks and invested more in new and exciting products.  We are confident to ask our designers to make changes to certain gowns to make them exclusive. We listen to what our brides want and have started creating our own range of veils and accessories. With our brides in mind we are constantly evolving our brand. We don’t want to get static and we want to keep offering the best experience to our brides. If we continue to pick great dresses that fit in here at Wild Heart, and also offer everyone who walks through our doors an experience they won’t forget, then things can only get better! One year down and we’re learning every day and it’s so exciting that the designers we love are now approaching us, understanding our vision and the type of boutique we are building.

10% Off At Wild Heart Bridal….

To celebrate our first birthday we will be offering 10% off all gowns, shoes and accessories from 4th -8th October and we will have the La Poesie Trunk Show with us this week. Other exciting dates for your diary are 8th – 29th November for the amazing Marquise Bridal Trunk Show and in the new year the Blush by Hayley Paige trunk show will be here on the 28th and 29th January. These dates are definitely not to be missed! We have limited availability so please call now to secure your appointment.

Big thank you to Nicole and Alex for sharing this great account of their first year in business. Here’s to many more years growing your beautiful bridal boutique!

Big Wedding Dress Love,

Laura xx

Morning, beautiful people! I could not be any more excited to be sharing this post with you today. When the opportunity arose earlier in the year for us to create a styled shoot with astoundingly talented photographer, James Frost, we knew we wanted to bring to life something original and boundary pushing for the bridal scene. I hope you’ll agree that, with the help of some of the wedding industry’s finest artists designers and creators, we unearthed a little bit of magic in this editorial.

An earthy woman; a pillar of strength and security, she steeped in heritage.

Clio

A playful woman; she’s sensual and feminine, yet possesses a fierce energy.

Hebe

A wild woman; she’s full of life and youth, but there’s wisdom and experience behind her eyes.

The Shoot’s Story

Contrary to my original plan, the ever-inspiring, James Frost, encouraged me to tell the full story behind The Sisters editorial, and with good reason.

You see, the shoot was originally orientated around the south coast of England, with a Siren theme pervading the portrayal of the women. The original vision was set against windy cliffs and rugged shoreline in late Spring, giving the women a wild feel, and the shoot an impressively raw landscape.

Alas, that setting was not to be; the universe had other plans, and I’m so grateful it did. Upon changing our setting at the very last moment to our incredible Woodland in Kent, the shoot really came to life. As James will mention in a moment, these changes induced an increased sense of spontaneity and, with an enchantingly pared back setting, our team created absolute magic.

So, with all that divulged, now seems like the best moment to give the hugest, heartfelt thanks to everyone that was involved in the shoot; to James: for your incredible talent and input into this shoot, to Old Bear Films: for capturing the beauty of these women so honestly, to the ladies of Portraits Bridal: you were an absolute pleasure to work alongside, The Wild Fox: thank you for a stunning series of bouquets, to the dress designers and boutique suppliers: your gowns are a constant source of inspiration, to AM Faulkner: what a dream it was to work collaborate with you, to our jaw-droppingly beautiful MOT models: you are nothing short of goddesses, and to the wonderful people at our Woodland & Field Shelter in Kent: it was truly our privilege to explore your magical space.

And of course, to my partner in crime, Festival Brides founder, Laura. Without whom I would never have had this opportunity and who brought this shoot to life; your ideas, your support and your energy are invaluable to me. Thank you.

Introducing James Frost…

What attracted you to this shoot initially?

What were some of your favourite aspects of the shoot and how did you interpret those ideas into your shots?

Do you have a favourite shot?

The Film

We asked our longtime loves, Old Bear Films, to capture the shoot for us, and boy did they nail the brief!

We asked for atmospheric framing, for a portrayal of strength and flowing movement, a sense of each individual identity, but also of sisterhood among the women… And Old Bear delivered all this and more.

Here’s what their main videographer, Jack, had to say about the shoot:

This was such an inspiring brief. To be given the luxury of time to capture each of these carefully crafted bridal looks in all their glory was really such a pleasure. I focused on framing the shots to really emphasise the subject; the depth of her expression against the soft muted backdrop of the log cabin, or her powerful stance on the hillside of the Kent Downs.

The music choice for the film ‘Modibo Chante à la Maison’ by Lessazo was Clare’s choice, and together it really aided us in visualising the film: its raw, stripped-back feel unites with the natural setting, allowing the viewer to focus on the women. The picked strings of the acoustic guitar also pair perfectly with the slow-mo vibe we went for with this film; every subtle movement becomes alluring and it gives it that captivating atmosphere, like you’re pausing a moment in time.

Take a moment to enjoy…

And now, I do believe it’s time we delved into the detail of our triad of beautiful women…

Look One: Gaia

Gaia was the first character that came to my mind when conceptualising this shoot. Centered around the incredible bridal head wrap we collaborated with AM Faulkner to create, this look is inspired by African heritage. Gaia embraces her roots, she is strong through her ability to show herself love and is an inspiration to her sisters.

A confident female, Gaia is daring and bold both in character and appearance. As soon as we saw Betsie Dsane’s portfolio, we knew she’d be the perfect model for this character. Her strong bone structure, maturity, dark warm eyes and elegant demeanor gave her the earthy while goddess-like poise we were looking for.

The Dress

Words by Portraits Bridal 

In terms of hair, the aim was to create a gorgeous, statuesque, silhouette. Hair was very minimalist and just pulled out at the front to soften the look. The important part of this look was getting the head wrap position right, keeping the bulk of the underneath matte material at the top, front of her head, helping to elongate and exaggerate her natural head and body shape.

The main focal point of the strong Gaia character was her flawless, super glowy skin (YSL Touch Eclat Foundation) with highlighted cheekbones (MAC Stobe cream), soft brows (Anastasia Beverley Hills) and a bold deep matte burgundy lip (Bobby Brown Cheek and Lip Colour in Cherry Chocolate).

The Bouquet

Words by The Wild Fox

Look Two: Clio

Clio is all kitten. She embodies the playful, sensual facet of women. Clio is willful: she knows what she wants from life and she knows how she’s gonna get it too. A natural, doe-eyed beauty, she’s all sass and she unashamed of her sensuality.

Flirtatiously feminine, this look naturally evolved with a fun nostalgic 90’s twist; Clio’s got a fun, self-assured approach to style that she readily and fully embraces, much like her approach to life.

The Dress

Accessories

Words by Portraits Bridal

We chose a carefree hairstyle to compliment the Clio character’s flirtatious neck choker. With this in mind, we created two loose messy braids with non distinguished partings. Avoiding products that are to sticky as it can be hard to braid the hair, so product free is best or a small amount of coconut oil on the tips of fingers works well. To modernise the look we aged the braids by pulling them out as far as they could go and rubbed them with the palms of our hands to make them look a day or so. Partings were created roughly with hands rather than a comb and we took a carefree approach to the overall style. Finish the look using Kevin Murphy Session Spray.

To compliment this flirtatious natural beauty, make-up was kept very natural (Armani Silk Luminaire Foundation) with emphasis on creating long fluffy doe eye lashes (Eyelure Individual Pro-Lash Extensions). A flush of dewey colour to the cheeks maintained the natural look (Bobby Brown Lip and Cheek Colour in Pale Pink and Calyspo Coral).
 

The Bouquet

Look Three: Hebe

This look was inspired by my all-time favourite muse, Bambi Northwood Blythe. Hebe possesses a youthful face, with glowing bronzed skin, but there’s a wildness in her soul and a wisdom in her eyes. She’s a spirited woman, tamed into a luxurious gown that’s as intricate and bewitching as she is.

Hebe’s undone; her hair’s natural and unkept, it flies in the wind. She chases freedom, born a wanderer. Her partner won’t tame her, he’ll run alongside her.

The Dress

Hair & Make-Up

Words by Portraits Bridal

This look is wild, sexy and overtly feminine. We are still totally in love with centre partings at the moment and went with this to compliment the Hebe look, keeping our model’s thick and slightly wavy natural texture. We kept hair super clean and shiny at the root and tucked it behind the ears to make this look fierce and bold, but a little quirky at the same time. This is also great if showing off a statement pair of earrings!

To create the sleek root on our model’s hair we went through in small sections and straightened approximately two inches at the root only, then used a small amount of gel pump hairspray (Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine) to add a some hold and shine. The ends of her hair were left natural, using fingers we twisted and sprayed with with a light hairspray (Bumble and Bumble). Ensure the hairspray you use isn’t overly sticky and never spray too close to the hair as you will end up with hard patches, a light mist is always best.

Bouquet

The Line Up

Concept & Coordination: Clare of Festival Brides
Styling: Clare assisted by Laura of Festival Brides
Photography: James Frost
Venue: Woodland & Field Shelter in Kent & The Kent Downs
Videography: Old Bear Films
Hair & Make-Up: Portraits Bridal
Flowers: The Wild Fox
Dresses: Houghton NYC (from The Lover’s Bride), Odylyne the Ceremony (from LA Bespoke) & Yolan Cris
Bridal Head Wrap: Bespoke Creation by AM Faulkner
Accessories: ASOS & Tarin Thomas (courtesy of LA Bespoke)
Models: Betsie Dsane, Christina Colson & Lillie Bernie of MOT Models