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

Rangoli bride Ciara

Ciara, I'll always remember the afternoon you visited my studio with your Mum and sister. I think we laughed for an hour and a half. It was clear that you were not going to stress over your wedding planning. And your sister was so helpful with her advice "You can't look fat in a headpiece"! You really had to be there to fully appreciate Niamh's nugget of wisdom :-)

Do you know what one of the best parts of my job is? It's opening an email or envelope and getting to see how everything turned out on the day. Your kind words are the best reward ever. Here's Ciara to tell us about her wedding to Kevin. Doesn't she look gorgeous?

"Aisling, I just wanted to thank you so much for your beautiful creations that made me feel like a princess the day of the wedding.  I feel like there may have been divine intervention that I Googled Rangoli two years ago. So many of my friends and family were blown away by the hair wire and the earrings and an ex-boyfriend of mine that was at the wedding remarked on the hair wire several times saying how beautiful it was, so even men appreciate your talent! Thanks again for making my day so special and for a fantastic time in your studio in January."

"I think we had the only sunny day in Kerry after weeks of torrential rain so we were so lucky that we could go to the beach after the windmill and then up to the Connor Pass on the way to Dingle.  The photographer Riona is a genius and loves to take different types of pictures, so she convinced me to climb a very high rock across a little stream and sit right in front of a waterfall.  Riona always insists on brides and bridesmaids wearing flip flops for photographs so it made the climbing a bit easier!!

It really was one of the best days of my life and its all the simple little things such as being able to have my my own little touches and our own personality put into the wedding.  I think maybe some couples alienate themselves from their own wedding by getting too stressed out, but Kevin and I really enjoyed all the planning and I can honestly say we made sure we had a sense of humour about the whole thing."

Thank you Ciara - I hope we'll meet again some day for another dose of giggles!

Ciara wore my Rangoli Brooch hairwire and matching pearl and rhinestone drop earrings. Her beautiful flowers were by Best of Buds and photos from Riona MacMonagle.

Photo credits: 
Photographer:Riona MacMonagle
Flowers by Best of Buds

Beaded sash belt

I missed seeing Kate Middleton's dress for the London Olympic Gala Concert but one of my client's didn't! She loved it so much that she asked her dress designer to make her a variation to wear to her upcoming brother's wedding.

This Jenny Packham dress is just gorgeous and I sighed when I first saw it! I've always loved the delicacy and feminine quality of Jenny's designs. Illusion or transparent elements are really popular for 2012 and this sheer lace back is gorgeous. Cap sleeves and fine pleating give lots of contrast and the jewelled sash belt is the perfect finishing touch. And that's without even mentioning the colour!

I was thrilled to be asked to come up with a design for the belt brooch detail. Norma said she wanted to keep a dark pewter base with some rhinestone as well as the zircon Swarovski crystal. I followed the tapered oval shape and came up with a beaded design that will be sewn onto a ribbon sash.

Of course, this dress will not be a replica. Norma's designer wants to give it a few creative twists! The back of her dress will have a scalloped edge opening from the neckline to the waist. Wow!

I was also asked to design a hair accessory. This is the finished design; a dainty jewelled comb to tuck into her soft chignon hairstyle. I think this lady is going to look stunning at her brother's wedding and I can't wait to see some photos.

I always like to share some of my bespoke commissions on my blog so that you can see what's involved in having a piece made. Your imagination is the only limitation. Please get in touch if you would like to visit me and discuss your ideas!

Holidays and anniversaries!

Today is my last day before my holidays! Tomorrow myself and my hubby Ben are flying to Lisbon and travelling around Portugal for a couple of weeks. We'll be celebrating our ten year anniversary and a much longer 'being together' date... romance is definitely in the air!

Before I go, I thought I'd share a commission that I'm currently working on. I am designing a crochet hair-wrap to be worn with a gold Johanna Johnson dress called Satine. The dress is embellished with intricate embroidery which inspired me to sketch these drawings. The main fabric is a pale gold satin, featuring hand-beaded Parisian lace accents and a plunging back. You can see how the fabric in the dress floats and moves in a beautiful way.

Aoife has chosen a soft, half-up hairstyle and wanted something like a decorative ribbon to wear across her hair. Some of my beaded hairwires would have been lovely with this dress but the crochet wrap really brings out the sumptuous embroidery detail.
 

Rangoli sketch of Satine dress by Johanna Johnson

If you don't know already, I am a big fan of gold and this dress allowed me to delve into my collection of topaz and citrine coloured beads. The crochet, beaded vine, was inspired by the lace embroidery on the dress. The beaded vine tapers to one side of the head and will be worn like a hair-band.

Sketch of Rangoli crochet headpiece detail inspired by Johanna Johnson 'Satine' dress

This commission will have to wait until I get back from Portugal to be finished! I'll miss you all but will be back to share some photos and stories in a couple of weeks. If you want to see what inspires me while I'm on holidays, you can follow me on Instagram.

 

The studio will re-open on Monday 10th September. For anyone with an up-coming wedding, I have plenty of pieces available to purchase from stock on my return.

A poolside wedding report!

Esme was the winner of one of my Rangoli competitions a couple of years ago. Recently she got in touch to share some official photos of her wedding. When I asked her if she'd like to write a few words about her day, she obliged by writing them in Ibiza while sunbathing, (celebrating her second anniversary!)

Esme chose soft materials and pearls over sparkle for her warm Vera Wang dress and I loved that! Soft Grecian styling was her inspiration. Her pale gold crochet hair-wrap which was dotted with small pearls and crystals. For me, her look perfectly illustrates 'less is more' elegance.

Esme and Keith

"My experience with Aisling was such a personal intimate experience. Her studio is bright and airy with showcases of designs and jewellery all glistening under the lights. It's like being a child in a sweet shop. Aisling listened to the ideas I had and what I thought suited me. I loved the fact that she made small swatches of ideas for me to visualise before making the final headpiece.

The headpiece complemented my veil and dress perfectly and completed my look. A headpiece really can finish and polish your look as a bride and I only realised this as I tried my one on for the first time."

Esme's bridesmaids wore Anoushka G “Lucinda” maxi dresses in coral colour

"The villa we hired for the wedding looked spectacular on the day; its white walls and vast surroundings with a backdrop of the cliff side looking out to the jewel blue Mediterranean sea, was the perfect setting for an Ibizian wedding. A relaxed vibe was present for the entire day in both the church, where our wedding march song was "All you need is Love", complete with musicians in the pews, the idea taken straight from Love Actually.

I can't recommend getting married abroad and using a wedding planner enough. All the stresses are taken away from you, leaving you and your husband to enjoy your special day."

Esme and Keith leave the church after their wedding

"Thank you so much once again Aisling, my head piece really complemented my dress - I think you are just brilliant at what you do."

Roses in coral and ivory

Thanks to you too, Esme (and Keith), for allowing me to share these beautiful photos and memories. I know that you particularly wanted to recommend your wedding planner and photographer - I've listed their details below. Happy second anniversary to you both!

Supplier details:
Wedding planner in Ibiza - Vicky from Eat Ibiza
Photographer -  Gypsy Westwood

Indian Sapphire - new Rangoli headpieces

So what's happening in the Rangoli studio at the moment?! Apart from looking forward to my Easter hols, I'm designing a range of headpieces that are inspired by the moody shades of blue sapphire.

I'm always pinning pictures of delicate dresses on my wall and they inspire me to create accessories. The image below shows two very different dresses. Words that describe them in my mind are floatiness, fluid lines and delicacy. There is certainly drama in there too.

I can be totally free when I design collections like this. My customer is imaginary and she has given me free reign to design fantastical creations for her!

I love antique sapphire shades combined with silver or rhinestone and often bring them into my bridal designs. I'll keep you posted on these pieces - I'm hoping to do a photo-shoot with them soon.

Enjoy the long weekend and I'll see you when I get back! If you'd like to see some of my recent bespoke commissions, you can look through my blog archives. And if you're thinking of including a hint of blue in your accessories, I'd love to hear your ideas!