Friday, March 27, 2009

Perfect Wedding Online

Photobucket

A week or so back I said it had been an interesting February and today I can let you know why that was. Perfect Wedding magazine who regularly feature my weddings in their real life weddings section of the magazine have just released their new website.

It is a lovely interactive and useful site for brides to be and I really do recommend visiting. Not least because I am delighted to say I am featured within the site on the ask the experts section. I have my own blog on the site where I will be writing articles on wedding photography and other things I come across that brides to be might be interested in.

It is a fantastic complement that Perfect Wedding are featuring my views and opinions on their website which means that now you'll have two blogs to check up on me with. The first article you'll find on the Perfect Wedding blog is all about Trash the Dress sessions.

You can find my blog by clicking here or by going directly to the Perfect Weddings Website and clicking on the Ask the Experts Section link. I'll also put a permanent link in the side bar and from my main website too.

To say I'm thrilled would be an understatement.

(below are a couple of screenshots of the pages I show up on)

Photobucket
Photobucket

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tania Stephenson-Oliver of TSO Bridal Beauty

As a photographer I am often asked for recommendations for other wedding suppliers, so I thought I'd take that a step further on my blog and start doing some profiles on some of my favourites. To make this more interesting and not just a here's a link to a make up artist etc, I've done a short interview with each supplier to try and give you a feel of the person behind the business and what makes them tick and why I enjoy working with them and recommend them to my clients.

So first up is the wonderful Tania Stephenson-Oliver of TSO Bridal Beauty. I've worked with Tania at lots of weddings now and her skill, approach and results are just beautiful.
Photobucket

Tell us a little bit about TSO Bridal Beauty.
Its a personal make up service for the bride and her bridal party.

Where do you call home?

Carshalton, Surrey

How long have you been doing Bridal Make Up?

Bridal Beauty was launched January 2005.

What inspired you to move into Bridal make up?
After the birth of my 2 gorgeous daughters, working long hours in TV studios and sometimes away on location filming was no longer practical. Working on weddings was a perfect way of still doing a job I love and trained to do and to maintain a balanced family life.

Who's the most famous person you've made up?

I worked on the Big Breakfast(c4) when Zoe Ball and Keith Chegwin presented. So every day famous people would be in the studio. Too many to list....

What's your favourite product?

Any Bobbi Brown product, especially her gel-eyeliners, (brilliant staying power) Lancome's Hypnose waterproof mascara (a must for weddings) Laura mercier foundation primer ( your make up lasts all day).

How many weddings do you average a year?

35 plus

What's been your most memorable wedding and why?
Very difficult question to answer. When you work at weddings, they are all so special, individual and unique. Usually the weddings where the bride has been very organized and researched good professional people it glides through a very happy calm morning.

When you see the bride on the morning of their big day, what you do and say which will help ease any early morning nerves?
It's important for me to have built a rapport with the bride. Pre wedding day, I would have met the bride and spent time familiarising myself with regards to what she would like on her big day. So come the wedding day, she has 100% trust and confidence in me that she is going to look amazing. Once you have gained that rapport with someone you can have a very calming influence on them. Just be there and make sure the bride has every thing she needs.

If you hadn't been a make up artist what would you have wanted to be?

A singer, but I haven't got a very good voice. I enjoy watching X factor and living the dream......

What's the best part about your job?
The transformation of somebody. Not only on their beauty but their confidence....being part of someones special day and receiving heart felt thank you cards and e-mails from the bride. Very rewarding. Ohh and being offered Champagne every time I go to work!

Does the bridezilla exist and how do you deal with her if she does?
No, Bridezilla does not exist. My experience of a bride losing it on the morning is when someone lets her down. Ie a car does not show, people turning up late etc... How disappointing. Weddings have to be perfect.

Through the looking glass where do you see yourself in five years?
Probably running a wedding make up agency. Supplying similar minded and trained make up artists to weddings.

Three words your friends or family would use to describe you?
A Multi-tasker, Friendly, Reliable.

Best piece of advice you've received?
Spend good money on a good haircut and always write thank you notes....

Favourite place to get away from it all?
Balifscourt Hotel and Spa in Climping, Sussex. Pure bliss.

Something that changed your life?

Becoming a mother

Finally, what advice would you give any brides reading this on how to get the perfect bridal make up experience?

You will remember your wedding day for the rest of your life. Find someone you really like, and enjoy having around. Find someone who will really pamper you and make you look and feel amazing using really good professional products. You just don't know how you will feel on your wedding morning. I've seen the most organized brides turn in to bags of nerves. Someone with a calming, organized persona will be priceless on your wedding morning.

If you'd like to contact Tania you can visit her website at
TSO Bridal Beauty or call 0208 395 1462

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Party Time

Photobucket
A little unusual for me to post a people shot on a wedding preview post but then this was an unusual wedding for me. As such I was part two of a weekend long celebration for the lovely Lamiece and Abubakar and was lucky enough to be photographing their post wedding party on Sunday at The Regent Banqueting Suite in London. This picture sums up the atmosphere of the night for me perfectly (Lamiece our bride is on the left).

Their parties full story will follow shortly.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Rachel & Nick wed in Oxford

It's been an interesting month with lots of different things going on that I'll hopefully be able to tell you about very soon. In the meantime though I have the beautiful wedding of Rachel and Nick to update you on. Married on Valentines day in Oxford, the lovely couple spent the day celebrating with family and friends at St Peter's Church in Middleton Stoney and The Tythe Barn in Bicester. As to be expected it was a cold day, still with some snow on the ground but the winter light was beautiful and a perfect compliment to this romantic couples wedding.

Back detail of the beautiful dress
Photobucket
I had to include this one to show the pain you brides sometimes put yourself through all in the name of beauty
Photobucket
All worth it though
Photobucket
Nice little detail
Photobucket
The time is near
Photobucket
Nick looking every inch the groom
Photobucket
Rachel arrives
Photobucket
Their first kiss
Photobucket
The cute pageboy
Photobucket
A bit of time alone outside the church
Photobucket
Lovely light streamed through narrow windows at the barn
Photobucket
A butterfly theme carried on throughout the reception
Photobucket
There was a lovely ruined building with this archway near the barn which was ideal for some lovely romantic pictures
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Interesting water feature
Photobucket
Two of the lovely bridesmaids wrapped up warm
Photobucket
Cameras at the ready
Photobucket
A quiet moment alone before the meal
Photobucket
The meal gets underway
Photobucket
And now we dance
Photobucket
I love this shot of the family dancing with the newlyweds
Photobucket