Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Anika & Nelson at Orsett Hall

Two celebrations in one day. After first having a beautiful civil service, both the bride and groom went through the getting ready experience once more to prepare for their second service in the grounds of the hotel. A gorgeous day blessed the couple and their guests and they were able to have their outdoor wedding celebration in the grounds of Orsett Hall under an amazingly beautiful canopy of flowers. After the service the couple enjoyed some time alone for some pictures and then onto the food market which had been set up outside for their guests.

Once the reception part of the day was complete the couple started off the evening festivities with more food, some great speeches and it all ended with a fantastic party.

Anika's hand henna design
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Her bindi goes on
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As chandeliers go this one was amazing, three floors long!
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Jimmy Choo's
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Some more bling
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Nelson gets ready
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Anika's bridal party all together
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The beautiful bride
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The ring exchange during the civil ceremony
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Just time for a few pictures before the second stage begins
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Some of the jewellery worn for the Hindu service
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The outside ceremony space, beautifully decorated
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Anika's Mum helps with some adjustments
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Nelson's best man helps with his second outfit of the day
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One of her bridesmaids awaits
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The service gets under way
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Confetti time
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A classic feel with the bridge and Koi carp
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A different view of the tables set up for the reception
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You've got to love kids at weddings
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Anika's Father kicks off the speeches
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Followed by some other emotional family members
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And now it's time to dance and party
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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Hannah & John celebrate at home

Hannah & John were married in St Nicholas Church in Pyrford but held their reception nearby at Hannah's parents home in a large marquee in the back garden. Hannah got ready at the house which allowed her to oversee all the preparations and made for a really relaxed bridal party. John is from Texas and throughout the day there were little touches of the Anglo American link up.

This was a relaxed, very personal (you cant get much more personal than hosting it at home) and happy wedding celebration that just had a wonderful atmosphere from start to finish.

One of the many beautiful flower arrangements around the house
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Hannah enjoys the make up pampering
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A picture of Hannah & John in old fashioned cowboy gear, very apt.
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Hannah's Mum helps her into the dress
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I like the composition of this one with our bride and the picture behind seemingly linked
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The grooms father gets his button hole.
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The groomsmen and groom share some fun
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One of the lovely bridesmaids awaits the bride
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Our beautiful bride arrives
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You are not allowed to shoot during a wedding at this church (which is always a shame) but I got this shot of the newlyweds after the signing of the register.
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Hannah looking gorgeous
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The happy couple under the archway
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Heading back to the reception
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A lovely moment in the car before they leave
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The marquee set up for the breakfast
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Hannah and her Grandfather enjoy some time together
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It's not often you'd see a view like this from your kitchen window
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Hannah and her very proud Dad
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Singing waiters surprised the guests
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Night time in the marquee
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Time to dance and kiss under a canopy of stars
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Sally Riceman of Stunning Brides

Continuing my series of favourite supplier profiles I was delighted to have the opportunity to chat to the fabulous Sally Riceman of Stunning Brides. Sally is everything you could want in a hair/make up/ beauty specialist. Experienced, super talented, friendly and great fun. It's always a joy when I turn up in the morning at the brides getting ready and Sally is there working her magic.

Tell us a little bit about Stunning Brides.
Having just come back from filming a Bond Movie, I could see how all the extras on the set were watching Halle Berry permanently being attended to by her various hair and make up artistes and I thought there and then…Every woman deserves this kind of attention and service, and what could be better than on her wedding day. But industry trained stylists are so busy taking care of professionals, they often aren’t available to the every day Goddess. So I decided to dedicate a large amount of my working time to bringing my skills to us…the girls at home! Stunning brides was born.

Where do you call home?
Crouch End, north London.

How long have you been doing Bridal Make Up?
When I trained, we covered every style of make up from photographic, tv, fashion, theatre, special effects…rather gory, and of course bridal. So to answer your question, about 20 years.

What inspired you to move into Bridal make up?
It wasn’t the make up but the women that inspired me. Women are so hard on themselves. For me, bridal make up can be anything that she requests, it’s the attention to her needs and leaving her feeling more beautiful and confident than she has ever felt. That’s what’s important. Great way to feel on your wedding day hey?

You work in TV & Fashion as well as bridal, what are the differences and how do you approach each one?
There are obvious technical rules and regs in TV…timing being one of them. I am normally given a brief as to what the show is looking for and off I go. Then its just a matter of keeping the look going, and keep continuity sometimes for days! Fashion is often driven by a brand, a designer or an art director. If I’m really lucky they let me create my own interpretation of their looks and designs. With brides, it’s always about her. She is THE most important client. I always take my time to get to know her and I do this with a trial. After all, I am going to be part of her special day and she has to have every confidence in me.

Do you have a favourite product?
Oooooooh YES…Amazing Cosmetics Concealer from America. It has changed my life. You can only get it on QVC in the UK at the moment. It has the best coverage EVER, it lasts up to 12 hours and it’s waterproof. So you can imagine, it’s perfect for weddings.

What’s been your most memorable wedding and why?

Oh there have been so many Elton, that’s a hard question. I recently did a wedding on Lake Orta in Italy. The service took place right on the waters edge in glorious sunshine and then we all took a boat to the other side of the lake to a stunning Moorish Palace. The wedding was so beautifully simple and the views were quite breathtaking! The bride organised everything. I was so impressed.

You see the brides on the mornings of their big days, what do you do or say to help ease any early morning nerves?

By the morning of the wedding, we’ve done the trial, talked on the phone…always more than once, got a plan, actually a timed schedule of beautifying, we are ready to go. I have been making women beautiful for years, and because I am so confident at what I do, I know that helps the bride to be confident too. So normally on the wedding day, I’m greeted with a great big hug and a “I’m sooooooo excited”! If there’s one thing I can do well (other than hair and make up), it’s relax, reassure and get a girl excited about walking down the aisle.

If you hadn’t been a make up artist what would you have wanted to do?
I always loved singing and performing, and I still have my hand in musical comedy.

What’s the best part about your job?

This is ALWAYS the same answer…Making women feel great!

Does the bridezilla exist and how do you deal with her if she does?
Ahhh I think that is such a harsh term, but I have met with a few very stressed brides to be and their families. Bridezilla comes from when a woman is at her whits end. She will have done a lot of the organising while she has a full time job, running a home and the list goes on. Sometimes weddings can throw up family rows and it can be a very testing time for some people.

A stressed bride needs time, a peaceful environment, a good ear and some kindness. In my job I get told everything and I am used to all the challenges that getting married can bring about. Just talking to someone who knows the ropes and understands can be just what they need.


Through the looking glass where do you see yourself in five years?
I would like to think that I will be able to reach more woman and have an even bigger impact on how they feel, look and live. I am currently writing a TV show based on my knowledge and experience. A real beauty show, where the viewer at home will actually learn some great techniques and useful skills, not only in hair and make up but how to get more from her life. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Three words your friends or family would use to describe you?

Funny, honest and kind.

Favourite place to get away from it all?

Ahhhhhh The Lakes in New England America.

Something that changed your life?
Meeting the love of my life

Finally, what advice would you give any brides reading this on how to get the perfect bridal make up experience?
Take care yourself leading up to the wedding as this can be a stressful time especially if you are busy. Drink loads of water, eat lots of fresh raw fruit and veg and get regular facials and exercise. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and needs lots of care. Suppliments can be good too. Multi vits, Vit C and a good antioxidant to name a few and don’t forget your essential fats. No not Cadbury’s, but raw oils.

Don’t leave it to the last minute to find someone. Always get a trial, and make sure you like them, because you are going to see them on your wedding day.


If you would like to learn more about Stunning Brides or contact Sally to chat about your wedding, you can visit her website at www.stunning-brides.com

Friday, November 06, 2009

Some more lovely feedback

As always after a holiday you have to play catch up, hence not many updates this week but when I received this feedback from one of my recent bride & grooms - Amaleena and Chris, I just had to find time to share:

"Dear Elton - these are absolutely beautiful. Thank you so so much! You've captured the magic and beauty of the venue and of all the emotions relating to our day so sensitively - these are very very special, and we're so glad we chose you!

I am getting so many wonderful comments about your photography from friends and family. Everyone seems to have been particularly struck by the natural beauty and atmosphere of the photographs, and several friends have said that they were so mesmerized that they just had to watch the whole slide show in one sitting (something, I get the impression, that they might not often feel compelled to do when confronted with a few hundred wedding pictures!) I particularly love all the garden shots, especially the ones in the vine, the lavender ones and the ones by the moat. I also like the shots at home and of Chris and his family at the venue before we arrived, where you can see all the excitement and nervousness. And how the whole day unfolds, you've captured (not in a fixed, but a very fluid way) all of the emotion. Thank you so much!".


What a great email to come back to!