Aberystwyth to Vegas via Tipperary!

Annemarie and Paul were married on 12th July 2012. But this love story began 14 years ago in Aberystwyth! I'm thrilled that both Annemarie and Paul are here to tell us more about their beautiful day. Let's begin with how they met.

 

We met... We lived in the same hall of residence (Ceredigion Hall) in University of Wales Aberystwyth. It was an old rickety building on the seafront but it was full of character, fun and love.

Paul's proposal... Well after 14 years together, you could say we rushed into it! I had planned a Romantic Christmas Day proposal, but we were snowed in so I had to delay it until New Years Eve and had to simplify it somewhat by pretending I was too ill to go out and celebrate NYE with our friends. I did it the old fashioned way on bended knee at the stroke of midnight in front of the Fireworks on TV! The good old Moet came in handy. After leaving me on one knee for about ten minutes thinking I was joking, Annie finally stopped laughing and said “Yes” Happy days!

We were married in St.Helena’s Church in The Nire Valley. The church is up in the mountains and is surrounded by amazing scenery, which gave us the opportunity to have spectacular scenic photos taken. The church is not an easy find and there is no phone reception there but luckily all our guests made it there in one piece!

We also had a 2nd wedding ceremony in Las Vegas, which was conducted by Elvis. Pól’s other best man Jamie and his partner Mel who couldn’t attend our first wedding, attended this one and made it all the more memorable!

Wedding photographer: The very talented Shane O’Neill- Aspect Photography. The minute we saw Shane’s work we knew that we had to have him as our photographer. He has an eye for the absolute unimaginable. Shane was a joy to work with and was also a superb wedding organiser!  Shane recommended the very artistic Rodolphe from Best Day Productions; we absolutely loved his quirky video style and his use of the old super 8."

For my wedding day Marie Hiickey created the most amazing hairstyle that I or anyone else had ever seen. How Marie managed to intertwine my beautiful hair piece through the plaits is mystifying and only serves to demonstrate how talented herself and Aisling are. Even nearly a year later people are still talking about how fantastic my hair and hair piece were. Aisling and Marie are exceptionally talented and their creations are works of art.

Our ceremony was emotional and enhanced by the wonderful music from the Scarlet String Quartet. The reception was amazing and great fun. The Opera Singing Waiters provided If you'd like to find out more about Annmarie's hairstyle and 'Cascade' headpiece, you can read the interview with Marie Hickey. As always, I'd love to discuss any jewellery or headpiece ideas you might have! great entertainment for everyone after the meal. They put on such a great act that one of my uncles to this day still thinks that the Raheen House waiters are extremely talented opera singers!

We chose our venue, Raheen House Clonmel, because it was near home and had a lovely country feel. This old country house has fabulous grounds, quirky rooms and the most accommodating managers and staff, We loved the country house theme and always wanted to have sunflowers as our wedding flowers.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen....The amazingly gorgeous Dervla Mulcahy (with baby Chloe in tow!), Mollie Hughes and Deirdre Coyne. Steve Hudson and Fintan Lawlor. We couldn’t have asked for better bridesmaids and grooms-men - they were amazingly brilliant, helpful and so much fun.

The contraversial Allstars provided the jazz band when people arrived at the venue and they were the main band that got everyone dancing the night away. Dave the lead singer even dedicated his own song Sunburst from his other band Picturehouse to us!It was an amazing day and night and one neither of us will ever forget.

And what better way to end this story than to have a look at Annmarie and Paul's vintage Super 8mm wedding video by Rodolphe from Best Day Productions. Featuring converse runners, kaleidoscope trees and much laughing and kisses. Shane and Rodolphe have each captured their own unique take of the day.

A huge thanks to Paul and Annmarie for telling us their memories from the day. Thanks for all the kind words too; I know I say this a lot but this makes my job so rewarding!

We can go dancing from best day productions on Vimeo.

If you'd like to find out more about Annmarie's hairstyle and 'Cascade' headpiece, you can read the interview with Marie Hickey. As always, I'd love to discuss any jewellery or headpiece ideas you might have!

Credits:
Wedding reception: Raheen House Clonmel, Co.Tipperary.
Make-up: Kate-Rose Crean
Hair: Bridal Hair by Marie Hickey
Bridal Accessories:  Jewellery and hair accessories by Aisling Nelson at Rangoli Photographer: Shane O’Neill from Aspect Photography
Cinematographer: Rodolphe from Best Day Productions

Bridal hair-stylist Marie Hickey

I have so much lined up to share with you from Annemarie' wedding. Magical photos by Shane O'Neil + a cool video by Best Day Productions. But before Annemarie tells us her memories from the day, I wanted to chat with Marie Hickey who created this hairstyle for her.

When headpiece designers and hairdressers work together, amazing things happen. Honestly; that's worth saying twice! It's a crazy form of collaboration because we work separately. I always ask to see photos of hair trials and the style really influences the designs I create. Other times, my design will be the starting point for the hairdresser. I like to think that we inspire each other.

I've called this new design 'Cascade' and I can't think of a better word to describe Marie's hairstyle; asymmetric side braids and interlocking looping locks!

This is the first in a series of interviews with my favourite hairdressers; let's meet Marie Hickey -

Marie, I love your gorgeous boho hairstlyes. And it's fun when the two of us work together with women to create a look that they love. Tell us a bit about how you got into hairstyling for weddings and what you love about it.

I absolutely love weddings! It is such an honour to be part of someone’s wedding day, a day that they will never forget (for better or worse!!) . I have always loved tying hair up and weddings were the perfect opportunity to do what I love best. A bride generally always goes more glamorous on their wedding day and it is great to be part of this makeover.

When Ann-Marie came to visit you, did she have a clear idea of how she's like to wear her hair? What sort of things did you talk to her about when you first met up for her hair trial?

When Anne-Marie came to see me for her hair trial we had a look at her dress and discussed the ideas that she liked. Once I saw her dress and got a feel for her look I knew she had to get in touch with you! I had styled another bride with a similar look and I knew Anne Marie would love the look and we personalised it to suit her. When I showed her a photo of your head piece she loved it straight away and we knew the look was perfect for her.

What I love about this hairstyle is that it looks so natural. I'm guessing it takes a lot of work to make it look so unstructured?!

When a bride goes for a natural look I think you always have to make it a little different so no other guest will have her look. While the look is natural it has to be creative and unique. I do spend the full morning with the bride so I have plenty of time to work on each style.

Another thing I love about your hairstyles is the asymmetry. I think it adds a little drama when the style is not perfectly centered! It probably means that every time you create a style like this, that it'll be slightly different?

I love that every style is different. Everybody has different hair types and textures and head shapes so it has to be a hairstyle that compliments the brides overall look. No two brides are the same so no two hairstyles should be the same.

Do you have one good tip for women choosing a hairstyle for their wedding day?

"Always bring a photo of your dress with you for your trial as this does dictate certain styles. Also be open to other options rather than veils as you can create such an individual look with head pieces as with Ann –Marie’s. Go with a look that you are comfortable with but do go that extra bit different to make the overall look amazing."

Thanks Marie - I hope we'll continue to collaborate from Dublin to Tipperary!

Check back to read Annemarie and Paul's wedding story, coming soon. If this hairstyle is 'talking to you', make sure you get in touch with Marie. You'll find all of her details on her website; Bridal hair by Marie. Marie was also the 2013 Weddings Online Hairstylist of the Year.

Photo credit:
Detail of photo by Shane O'Neil from Aspect Photogrpahy

Joanne (the twirling bride) marries Mark!

How cool is this image? I saw this photo on Dave Mc Clelland's Facebook page and commented on it... that was before I discovered that this was Joanne; one of my lovely brides. I raced over to Dave's blog to read his epic description of the day. It's quite a feat to create words that are as good as the images. This guy can tell a story in more than one way.

OK girls, how many of you would like to have a twirly whirly pic of you in your dress? I think this should be the new standard. We need a 360° of our dress surely?

So, spinning for our pleasure today is Joanne! As her photographer Dave says "If I had to sum up Joanne in one word it would be Happy". Joanne, I had so much fun when you visited my studio with your friend AnnMarie (who is also seen twirling below!) And I'm thrilled that you're here to tell us about your brilliant wedding day. Congratulations to yourself and Mark.

"Mark proposed to me the night we moved into our new house as I was sitting on the couch watching Coronation Street! Not many people might think that's romantic but for me it was the perfect proposal as it was just the two of us, I would have been mortified with a big public proposal in a restaurant so he knows me well!

When the wedding planning started, we didn't have to take too long choosing a venue as we had been to Killashee House in Naas for a friend's wedding a few years ago and loved everything about it. The hotel also has a gorgeous civil ceremony room so everything worked out great with our plans!"

"I first called to Aisling about six months before the wedding with my bridesmaid AnneMarie. I was a bit apprehensive as I'm completely clueless when it comes to things like hairpieces and I wasn't even 100% sure of the hairstyle I wanted! There was no need to worry though as within 10 minutes of being in Aisling's beautiful studio, she had my hair styled in the shape I was thinking (I wasn't much help as all I said was a "side bun type thing"!) and loads of different haircomb options.

We chose a gorgeous pearl and rhinestone haircomb which I ended up wearing with a birdcage veil, it was great as I could take the veil off later in the night and still had the haircomb to wear. Aisling also made a lovely pearl bracelet for me which I know I'll wear many times in the future!"

"My favourite moment of the day was our "first look" where I met Mark in the bridal suite before the ceremony. It was quite emotional seeing each other all dressed up and there were a couple of tears! This was a nice chance for a few minutes together before all the madness and I think if I had to give any piece of advice to brides and grooms it would be to make sure you have some moments alone throughout the day to remember why you're both there!"

"Our wedding day turned out to be quite a relaxed and really fun day. We both stayed in the hotel the night before with some of our friends and family so we didn't have to get up early or travel anywhere that morning. We were getting ready in two separate rooms and my morning really was stress-free with hair and makeup by Sinead at The Hair Mob and Claire Noonan, no need to worry with those two in charge!"

"Our photographer David McClelland was so easy to have around and we have amazing photos to look back on that captured our day so well. We met when I was bridesmaid for AnneMarie a couple of years ago and loved his informal reportage style. As our ceremony wasn't until 3.30pm there was plenty of time for getting ready and lots of friends and family calling to the room for a glass of bubbly!"

"The whole day was a blur of emotion, laughter, fun and dancing. It's crazy because it's the only day that nearly everyone you know will be in one room so it's quite overwhelming that they're all there for you!"

Joanne, thanks for telling us all about your day. If it was a quarter as good as your photos, it must have been an epic day! I highly recommend that you all now visit David Mc Clelland's blog to see loads more fantastic photos and hear his side of the story.

Thanks to each and every one of you who share memories of your day with me and my readers. You can read more Rangoli bride stories here on the blog.

Credits:
Photography: David Mc Clelland
Jewellery and headpiece: Aisling from Rangoli
Hair: Sinead Gaffney with The Hair Mob
Makeup: Claire Noonan
Cremony and Reception Venue: Killashee House Hotel

Baring all for love!

Last weekend, I went to the Hugh Lane Gallery and fell in love with the Harry Clarke stained glass windows again. This time, I took the time to read up on the poem that inspired them... I wasn't expecting it to be so risqué!

 

The Eve of Saint Agnes was written by John keats on 1819. The poem is inspired by an ancient tradition where young maidens would fast and go to bed early on 20th January and hope to dream of their future husbands. In the poem, Madeleine had been forbidden by her father, Lord Maurice, to marry Porphyro who was a sworn family enemy.

"Keats based his poem on the superstition that a girl could see her future husband in a dream if she performed certain rites on the eve of St. Agnes; that is she would go to bed without any supper, undress herself so that she was completely naked and lie on her bed with her hands under the pillow and looking up to the heavens and not to look behind. Then the proposed husband would appear in her dream, kiss her, and feast with her." via Wikipedia.

Brave Porphyro makes his way to the castle and with the help of a maid, is led to Madeleines's room. After spying her preparing for bed, he prepares a feast of rare delicasies! When she wakes up, he declares his undying love for her and promises her a life together over the southern moors. They escape the castle past the party revelers. I suspect there were a few grisly deaths along the way but the girl gets the guy which is the main thing!

The poem describes how there were 'a thousand guests' at the castle party. There was a marine theme to the costumes and many are decorated with peacock feathers, sea shells and pearls. There are even some seaweed-like head dresses. Harry Clarke loved to go to the Aran Islands. He was inspired by nature and loved to sketch jellyfish, shellfish and seaweed as well as butterflies, dragonflies and flowers.

There's a magical feeling when you stand in this small, darkened room and see how the colours light up the space. It's a similar magic to all the dressing up we do for weddings! Decorating our heads and bodies with sumptuous fabrics and jewels. I love being part of that magic too.

Out of the box

I like to think of my jewels as precious, but not so precious that they are worn once and wrapped (however lovingly) in a box. I firmly believe that life is for living and savings should be for holidays or pensions!

Every time someone buys a piece for me, I quiz them on how they are going to wear it again. And I often get a similar reaction; 'Oh, I didn't think about it like that.' All I do is ask them to visualise the jewellery or headpiece with a completely different outfit. Generally, it won't be a floor length formal gown. My designs tend to look really good with simple, well cut dresses. Save the decorative details for your accessories.

I didn't have to give this advice to Cliodhna though; she loves to dress up on a daily basis and only owns a single pair of jeans. So impressive! She got in touch though, to tell me that she'd prefer to have her wedding comb on a hairband.

She was going to a wedding and had chosen a divine creation from Dirty Fabulous. The lace dress combined a blush/apricot with taupe underlay and bow. 'V' fabulous as my sister would say!

So here is the 'new' headpiece which Cliodhna loves; she tells me she'll be wearing it every weekend. That's what I like to hear.

You can read about Cliodhna's wedding as well as the bridesmaids hairpin I designed for her sister.

Do you plan to wear your bridal accessories again or have I got you thinking if you're already married? Leave me a comment below or on my Facebook page. I'd love to hear from you.

Rangoli bride Norah

I fall head over heels with hairstyles as much as wedding dresses - they are the starting point for all of my designs. So, when Norah showed me this one, I was so inspired and couldn't wait to play hairdresser with my big can of Elnett hairspray!

Norah visited my studio with her Mum and wanted something really delicate to dress her hair. We had lots of fun trying on different designs. This combination seemed to suit the hairstyle perfectly; a curved rhinestone comb and a scattering of 'Wildflower' hairpins.

"Thank you so much again - myself and Mum just had the best experience going into your studio. I knew exactly what I wanted in my head and you listened and showed us exactly what I was looking for. The slides were perfect!" Norah

Norah - you look stunning and I really appreciate you sharing your photos and for saying such lovely things about me. I'm so glad you enjoyed your experience. That makes me happy too!

Norah wore my 'Wildflower' pearl hairpins and a limited edition rhinestone comb. View my portfolio of designs or have a look at some recent bespoke designs

Photo credit:
Photography by Michael Crean Photography

An Irish themed bridal shoot

I've been dying to share some photos from a recent shoot I did with The Wedding Crew. The theme celebrated The Gathering; so we all dug deep to come up with our own take on what is to be Irish. I wanted to capture that ethereal Irish beauty and soft understated elegance.

Days like this allow me to meet other creative designers and I always come away buzzing with ideas. And I like being able to recommend these talented people to you.

This was my favourite photo from the day. January, (what a beautiful name) captures everything for me that reflects Irish beauty; porcelain skin, delicate features and a mane of gorgeous auburn hair. I designed this new piece especially for this shoot - it combines multi strands of gold crochet dotted with pearl and blue topaz drops. The headpiece continues in a single strand which is woven into the back of the hair. Lorraine Browne created all of the pretty hairstyles.

January and Jordan braved the extreme cold, to model in the sheerest of outfits. We had to wrap them in blankets in between shots!

Sarah Foy designed the dresses. I particularly loved this peach, chiffon-layered design with the tiniest hand-stitched beading trims. January wears a matching gold crochet bracelet with pearl drops. Jordan is the perfect foil in his 'Pennys' attire!

The second headpiece I designed is the 'Gold Lace' headwrap. It can be worn as a wide hairband, or across the forehead as you see here. I'm a big fan of transparent fabrics and this headpiece allows you to see either the skin or hair through the lattice design.

I had already met Claire from The Informal florist and her business name sums up my favourite kind of flowers - ones that look like they've just been plucked from nature and lovingly 'bunched' together! Although in reality, there is much more to it than that, I know. Claire's blog is filled with wild posies and stories about her love of flowers.

And finally, two fairly new businesses that are offering something different - Little Birds Bake made a whole dessert table filled with sweet bites. The coconut cupcakes were a new flavour sensation for me. Dusty Boy Designs are a stationery company run by make-up artist Kate Rose Crean and her husband Justin. Their designs combine vintage and contemporary elements with lots of fun lettering.

The trio that make up The Wedding Crew were busily working away behind the scenes to co-ordinate and capture all of the story. Lorraine Browne styled all the hair, Naomh Kirwan did the make-up and Paul Kelly was the photographer. Thanks for asking me to be involved in this project - it was a fun day working with all of you!

Here's the low-down on all these great businesses - lots of talent for you to choose from;

    The Wedding Crew

    Photographer: Paul Kelly | Studio3
    Photographers Assistant: Feena Kavanagh
    Location: Boyne Hill House

    Hair: Lorraine Browne
    Make Up: Naomh Kirwan
    Bridal Gowns:  Sarah Foy

    Jewellery: Rangoli
    Flowers: The Informal Florist
    Cakes: little birds bake
    Stationery: Dusty Boy Designs
    Models: January and Jordan from Morgan the Agency