Rangoli bridal hair chain

Rangoli headpiece sketch

I always think of my headpieces as jewellery that you wear in your hair. Why should a necklace only be worn around your neck? Here's a peek at a recent commission that's got me really excited! I know it's going to inspire a whole new collection.

 

Thanks Tara, for letting me share your bespoke headpiece! It was designed to go with the Lita dress by Catherine Deane, (seen below).

After lots of chatting and sketching, we came up with a design that can be woven into Tara's soft up-style. The idea for the beaded chain came from the petal shapes in the skirt. They're so delicate and are trimmed with tiny pearls and antique silver beading. The beaded chain moves in the same way as the fabric. Little details like that, really matter to me! And the beaded flowers pick up on the lace embroidery.

I know that Tara's hairdresser will create an amazing style around her headpiece. I can't wait to see the pics!

Rangoli, beaded bridal chain.

 Lita dress by Catherine Deane

It might also surprise you to hear that I design very few bridal necklaces. Have you ever considered not wearing a necklace for your wedding? Here's my personal thoughts about necklaces and wedding dresses.

• Most dresses are absolutely stunning by themselves. This goes for the most minimal of dresses to ones that are embellished with thousands of sequins and pearls. By not wearing a necklace, people get a chance to really see you in your beautiful dress, without being distracted by a neck-piece.

• Your dress may have a beaded belt or striking, decorative detail. Think of these details as your jewellery, but worn on a different part of the body. Sometimes, adding a necklace to the look is just too much.

The best piece of advice I can give is to just be you - wear what makes you feel happy. I spend lots of time with clients, just listening to how they talk about their own style and what makes them feel comfortable. At the end of the day, I believe that's the most important thing.

Most people who visit me don't have a clear idea of what they're looking for. That's one of my favourite parts of what I do; to offer you lots of advice and show you styles you may never have thought of! I'm always up for a chat about bridal accessories - you can get in touch by email or phone.  Or if you're at the early research stage, check out some of my recent commissions here on the blog.

Credits:
Rangoli website
Rangoli sketch by Aisling Nelson
Photos of Lita dress taken from the Catherine Deane Website.

A stylish, alternative hen party, in Dublin

One thing that I notice from chatting with you ladies, is that the old style hen party is well and truly dead. Maybe it's the new DIY trend, that makes us want to learn something new, while still having fun! A good friend of mine is now offering creative hen parties, from her Dublin studio. Would you like to learn how to decorate your very own vintage style tea-cup?

 

This is an amazing opportunity to be invited into an artists working studio for an afternoon. Ayelet Lalor creates bold sculptures in ceramic and bronze. She is probably best known for her colourful Divas. The idea for the parties  came from her life-long love and collection of unusual tea-cups!

Ayelet Lalor sculptures

"There is something about the act of drinking out of a teacup that is so inherently pleasant; it brings out the Lady in all of us modern, busy, clumpy, contemporary women. I have been collecting teacups for many years, and each teacup reminds me of a different time and place, like a mini set of memories."

Do you know someone who would love to get creative for her hen? Ayelet has great ideas for customising these parties. Her own wedding had a Midsummer Night's theme. Every guest received one of her handmade teacups too! I can personally recommend these parties as I went to one with some friends recently. We sipped Cava and laughed (and learned) a lot. I might look a bit serious in the picture above, right. That's because I was deep in concentration, decorating my masterpiece!

After the party, all pieces will be dried, fired and clear-glazed, and can be collected one week later. The set of vintage cups could make a gorgeous gift for the bride to be! They could even be used as centre-pieces on the wedding day.

To find out more, have a look at the Creative Parties website. You can also keep up to date on the Facebook page. And spread the word if you know someone who is looking for something different to do!

More information:
Contact Ayelet: +353 87 648 5856
Website: AyeletLalor.com

Sunny wedding waves to Siobhan

It's a spectacularly sunny August 8th and one of 'my' brides, Siobhan, is getting married today! I wish herself and Eoin a brilliant day.

 

These pretty hairpins are dotted through Siobhan's hair as I type. After much chatting and sketching, I designed individual pins to go with her Denise Assas gown. The feature of the dress are hand-beaded cap sleeves. Did you know that I have a bit of a sleeve obsession?

Flicking through my V&A book 'Tiaras; A History of Splendour', reminded me of why I love to design jewels for the head. These ladies look like they regularly dress up for dinner. I've a friend who dresses like this on a daily basis! Caroline owns Dirty Fabulous with her sister Kathy. Every day is an 'Opera Day' for her. If you like bejewelled vintage dresses, handbags and headpieces, this is the store for you.

So, how will you wear your wedding accessories again? Here's my advice; make sure you take them out and wear them lots. Vintage style jewels are gorgeous with all sorts of outfits. I recently heard a lovely story from Elaine; she has now loaned her Rangoli comb to three of her close friends for their weddings. That makes me feel so happy! I suppose the other option is to throw a tiara dinner party and invite the girls around?

Image credits:
Taken from Tiaras - A history of splendour by Geoffrey C. Munn

Rangoli fantasies

I'm almost speechless; I have another tab open with the Autumn/Winter collection of Alexander McQueen, on pause. If outrageous wishes were to come true, I would be working for this company; producing the most elaborately decorative body jewels and fashions {happily quaffing espressos to get me through my eighteen hour work days!} Alexander may be dead but his vision sears on.

This is a world of half fantasy, where feminine frills collide with Gothic armour. Listen to the words used to describe the collection; Sharp pressing, multiple folds, quintuple and dégradé pleats, soutache embroidery, triple bulleting, silk and metal thread embroideries, enamelled flowers and more.

This show was only seen by 150 invited guests; three showings with 50 people at each. Imagine receiving a golden ticket to this event?

If you have 5 minutes and 56 seconds to spare, sit back and enter the world of Alexander Mc Queen. Watch how the models glide in and out of the ornate, gilded rooms of the Opéra Comique.  The soundtrack is magical too.

And if you're a total fan, you might like to check out my other Alexander McQueen posts! Hot or not? What do you think?

The Open Door Supper Club

This post is absolutely nothing to do with weddings but everything to do with taking time out for you! If you're planning a wedding, you deserve some relaxing treats.

We all need more adventure in our lives don't we? When is the last time you dined with ten people you didn't know in a mystery house in the centre of Dublin? Recently, Ben and myself went to Aoife's 'Open Door Supper Club'. We had so much fun!

Over on Twitter, Aoife describes herself as a retired archaeologist, turned actor and supper club host. I want a CV like that! This creative lady has a true passion for cooking and combining unusual ingredients. Aoife hosts a monthly supper and tantalises readers of her blog with her upcoming menus.

"Once again the event will happen in my home, a Victorian era house, where you will sit alongside others - some friends, some strangers...strangers who will most likely be your friends by dessert! You will all be connected by the shared experience of going on a 7 course edible adventure ...and generally having a bit of craic."

This menu won me over straight away...

Apéritif

Rhubarb Schnapps on the Rocks

Amouse-Bouches

Sea Salt & Black Sesame Crackers with Dips

Le Start

Char Grilled Flat Breads 

with Aspargus & Cratloe Hill Sheeps Cheese

Palate Cleanser

Lemon Thyme Sorbet

Le Main 

Slow Cooked Commeragh Mountain Lamb Tagine

Le Sweet 

Iles Flottantes -Poached Meringue 

with Foraged Elder Flower Custard 
Goosegog Coulis & Praline

Le Fin

Herb Teas / Espresso

with Surprise Petits Fours

My favourite flavour memories included the rhubarb schnapps, (numero uno!), saffron yoghurt, lemon and thyme sorbet and guacamole with pomegranate jewels.

We got to meet a bunch of friendly and interesting new people. And it was by no means all couples. New courses kept appearing before us! All we had to do was pour ourselves some wine from the ice bucket. Once we got to the coffee and petit fours, Aoife and Shane joined us and we just chatted away like we knew them forever.

Aoife also caters for small private groups. It got me thinking about how great this would be for a mellow hen soiree. From talking to my clients, most would do anything to escape the typical hen antics.

Aoife's next supper club is on 27th July. If you hurry, you might be able to book a place. If not, make sure to follow her blog for details of her next tasty adventure. Aoife also caters for small private groups - imagine getting ten of your besties together for a no particular reason other than catching up and  eating delicious food. No washing up either! I highly recommend it.

 

Thanks for a great night, Aoife and Shane.

Find out more about The Open Door Supper Club on;
Aoife's Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Bridal cap sleeves

I think that shoulders are a gorgeous part of the female body! And I adore sleeves. Delicate or sculptural, transparent or solid. I'm designing for a client who will have ornately beaded sleeves on her dress. Looking through my Pinterest boards, I'm reminded of my ongoing obsession...

 

I made this Instagram video as an ode to the wondrous sleeve!

 

Here are three recent pins - The first is the Clio dress by Rosa Clara. The fringed sleeves must look beautiful when they move. The second dress is by Amanda Garrett, from her 2012 collection. The last dress is by Christos Bridal and is called Meadow.

 

What do you think? Are you a sleeve girl? I use Pinterest to save my inspiration - you can see more of my favourites in my 'Gown Love' album.

Are you looking for hair accessories or jewellery? I'm based in The Design Tower in the Dublin Docklands and I'd love to hear your ideas. For more inspiration, check out some of my recent commissions on my blog or website.

 

Image credits:
Rosa Clara Clio dress via Wedding Inspirasi
Amanda Garrett dress: via Pinterest
Christos Bridal dress, via Pinterest

Video credits:
Image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

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