Sunday, 13 May 2012

We heart Lisa and Alex's stunning day! x


For my first post back,  I present to you the truly most beautiful and perfect of weddings:
london-weMarianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 56dding-photography-creative-reportage-photojournalist-preston-court-1

On 19th August 2011, Lisa married Alex in the stunning setting of Preston Court in Kent and the day was captured by the talented Marianne Taylor.

I can honestly say that although there have been dresses, flowers, details I have seen since our wedding which I would have really loved at ours, this is the first wedding which I have been jealous of a wedding in its entirety- everything was so amazingly executed and, oh my, the details!!!...
See what I mean....
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 52 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 54 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 51  
Boden PR manager Lisa chose a floral embroidered gown by Olivia Couture accessorised with a tulle veil.  For a sweet and personal way to do her 'something blue', Lisa's maiden name initials and date of marriage were embroidered inside the dress which she was helped into by her sister (and yes, they are twins!)...
london-weddinMarianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 49g-photography-creative-reportage-photojournalist-preston-court-28 (1) Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 48 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 47

london-wMarianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 53edding-photography-creative-reportage-photojournalist-preston-court-10 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 46 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 45  
Guests arrived on a vintage routemaster to the most gorgeous of settings:
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 54  
I can't help but gush over the many, many details that Lisa and Alex included in their day- the flowers flagging the aisle, the order of service, paper pompoms... I could go on...
The colour scheme, theme (English country fete/circus) and all details complimented each other perfectly.
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 44 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 42 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 41  
I think that my favourite part of their day is that Lisa and Alex were married outside, and on a small island accessed by a pale duck-egg blue bridge.
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 39 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 36 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 35 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 34  
The happy couple! x
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 33 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 32 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 30  
After the ceremony guests were treated to champagne, Pimms and homemade lemonade all decorated with stripy straws and ribboned swizzle sticks. So pretty!
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 29 londMarianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 28on-wedding-photography-creative-reportage-photojournalist-preston-court-95 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 27  
Whilst the bride's bow shoes were antique gold, the bridesmaids wore complimenting strappy t-bars in vintage pink with pewter sequins.  Their poseys were simple (but very chic) bunches of hyndrangeas which again worked to compliment the vintage pinks and lilac's of Lisa's bouquet.
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 26 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 25  
It certainly helps that Lisa and Alex are a pretty gorgeous couple too! x
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 23 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 22  
The reception space is truly worthy of a post on it's own...

Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 20  
The 17th century Kentish Barn at Preston Court provided a dramatically theatrical and stunning backdrop to the wedding breakfast.  The barn houses some of the beautiful collection of Victorian steam fairground paraphernalia that was collected by the ancestors of Preston Court..
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 18 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 17 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 16 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 15  
Personal details were what made this day so special and unique...
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 9 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 8  
and the part that I really am most jealous of?..
...the steam carousel which is a permanent resident of Preston Court!
I was desperate to hire a carousel or the flying chair ride for our day but just couldn't afford it.
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 1 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 2  
what a great way for guests to have fun and keep them entertained!
Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 3 Marianne Taylor- Lisa and Alex 19
Congratulations to Lisa and Alex on their day!  It really was truly stunning and v beautiful- I'd quite like to get married again now.. Mr A?...pretty please?...

x

all above photographs by Marianne Taylor Photography
bridal gown: Olivia Couture
Bridesmaids dresses: Reiss
Grooms outfit: Reiss

Saturday, 4 February 2012

we heart these bridesmaids dresses from Boden. x

I know that I might be ever so slightly biased, but I'm so excited about the latest range of Boden party dresses.  They're perfect wedding attire whether you're a guest or a bridesmaid and priced pretty reasonably for the quality and detail..


This beautiful cream broderie shift dress is my 'on-a-budget' bridal option.  I would definitely consider this at a registry ceremony.
Boden broderie dress 2
I think the whole world has had a slight Zooey Deschanel obsession of late, me included (I've had a Zooey-inspired fringe cut in!) and the below dress reminds me of the one she wore in 500 Days Of Summer, right down to the pale blue shade.
Boden vintage silk dress 500 days
Do you agree?  It also comes in this rose colour:
Boden vintage silk dress
If you're a fan of the ruched front detailing but minus the sleeves, then I think this below dress is perfect:
I actually spotted an extremely similar version in D&G on Bond Street which had a cream grosgrain sash.  This would be my personal choice for summer wedding bridesmaids- it can be worn with straps or without...
Boden silk flutter dress 1
and it comes in orchid pink and this fresh leaf green:
Boden silk flutter dress colours
My absolute favourite is this 50s floral print prom dress...
I don't have any weddings to go to this year (sadly- can someone I know please sort that out?!) otherwise this would have been perfect!  I also think it's a very pretty option for bridesmaids in an English country wedding...
Boden fifties party dress
And for an evening 'do' this navy sequin dress could be great to dance the night away in...
It's not so over the top that you would upstage the bride, but there's just enough dazzling 'wow' about it that you'd turn heads!  It's a little on the expensive side but I think that this is a wardrobe staple.  It could work now with tights, on a summers evening and later in the year for those Christmas parties- costs per wear means that it's actually pretty reasonable!  And as it's from Boden's Limited range you'll be less likely to find anyone else wearing the same!
Boden showstopping dress

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

we heart some new years sample sales! x

It's a new year and there's some fab new sample sales on the horizon! Put these in your diaries girls!

gorgeous designer gowns from £900 as well as accessories- too good to miss

from this Saturday to 20th January
10am-6pm
at:
48 Fulham Road,
London, SW3 6HH
020 7590 9771

*****************************************************

The Royal bridal designer is selling her samples at up to 75% off!

from this Saturday to 21st January
Mon & Thurs - Sat 10am-6pm
Tues & Wed 12pm-8pm
at:
74 Fulham Road
London, SW3 6HH
020 7584 1532

*****************************************************

elegant gowns from just £500- this is one to run to!

from this Saturday to 21st January
10am-7pm
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (so call ahead..)
at:
11 Beauchamp Place, 1st Fl.
London, SW3 1NQ
020 7584 8322

*****************************************************

this really is the grande dame of all bridal stores so it's best to be there at least an hour early- believe me, there'll be a queue!
And especially with up to 70% off labels such as Oscar de la Renta!


Sunday 22nd January
11am-5pm
at:
12 Hinde St.
London, W1U 3BE
020 7514 0056