Adorable Finds: Coloured Shoes

Having looked at Coloured Shoes at real weddings here are some that are in the shops now in all the colours of the rainbow…

Rainbow shoes from New Look

Red Suede Tassel Boots by Dune via oli.co.uk

Orange Platform Sandals from Kurt Geiger

Gold Sandals from Dune

Green Sequin Shoes from Kurt Geiger

Sky Blue Frill Shoe from Top Shop

Blue Patent Shoes by Vivienne Westwood via Browns Fashion

Pink Metallic Ballet pumps by Mui Mui via mytheresa.com

Purple Bow Platform shoes from Miss Selfridge

And check out this great wedding where the bride wore these fabulous Lady Dragon Heart Vivienne Westwood Shoes.

UKAWP at the National Wedding Show

Next weekend is the National Wedding Show (October 2-4th at Earls Court, London) and for the first time the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP) who promote professionalism in the wedding planning industry, will be exhibiting. Both Full and Associate members like me will be available throughout the show to talk to couples about the many benefits and of hiring a wedding planner to help you plan your wedding. With a range of services available from full planning to on the day co-ordination, what was once considered the exclusive use of the rich and famous is now an affordable option for most brides.

There are a variety of planners out there that all offer their own unique approach to wedding planning and will cater for a range of budgets and styles. So whether you are after a very traditional wedding, incorporating your cultural heritage or something a little bit more individual there will be a planner out there for you.

There are many benefits to hiring a wedding planner, we can save you time, money and stress so you can sit back and enjoy your wedding.

Bernadette Chapman from the UKAWP posted these reasons for considering hiring a wedding planner on the UKAWP blog.

We save you valuable time, taking on the less enjoyable aspects of planning, leaving you the fun parts
We know what’s hot, new and what works in the wedding world
We ensure you get the best value for your budget
We can match our tried and trusted suppliers to your exact needs
We give sound, non emotional advice for family dilemmas and etiquette queries
We offer meticulous attention to detail
We do not take over or implement our ideas; it’s your wedding, always.

So if you’re at the Wedding Show next weekend do stop by the UKAWP stand for a chat about all things wedding related, I’ll be there Saturday afternoon.

Fashion Inspiration: Shrugs & Boleros

Today is the first day of autumn and although the sun is shining there is a definite chill in the air. The most popular wedding dresses are strapless or sleeveless and if like me you feel the chill you might want to consider a little extra cover up.

Also worth bearing in mind if you are marrying in a church, especially an Orthodox one is that you may have to cover up your shoulders so it’s worth checking with your officiate what their policy is.

Sarah is getting married in a Greek Orthodox church next September where you do have to cover up your shoulders; we’re off to look at wedding dresses in a few weeks, here ‘s some inspiration for you.

Credits: Beaded long sleeve short jacket here, photo by Centric Photography via Rock’n’Roll Bride
Vintage Bride here, photos by Josh Goleman via Rock’n’Roll Bride
Grey Ruffled bolero here by Kate Towers, photo by Love Me Do Photography via Rock’n’Roll Bride
White Sequin Jacket here, photo by Alexandre Weddings via Rock’n’Roll Bride
Dress in Window here by Joanne Fleming Design photo by David M McNeil via Rock’n’Roll Bride
Green brocade Bolero here, photo by Jessica Johnston via Style Me Pretty

Always Advice: Multi Cultural Weddings

Britain today has a wonderful mix of cultures from across the globe and it is becoming ever more common for couples to come together from different cultural backgrounds and faiths; bringing a wonderfully unique look and feel to a wedding full of personal touches from each side.

Sometimes the differences in couples cultures may be not be considered, particularly when caught up in the euphoria of romance. However, when planning a wedding it is worth taking the time to decide which cultural influences are important to you as a couple and will have the most meaning both at the ceremony and reception afterwards.

At first it may appear that the cultures are very diverse and although it seems simple it is far too often overlooked that just talking to each other’s families can provide an insight into the different traditions and allow you to discover the common ground. You can then take the best of both worlds and create a wedding unique to you as a couple, whilst keeping everyone happy.

As you learn more about each other’s traditions and have an understanding of their origins you can make informed decisions about what you would like to do for you wedding. There will need to be a willingness to compromise on certain aspects as you decide what is important but try to keep a fair balance so that one side of the family does not feel they have to give up more than the other which could breed resentment during the wedding preparations and potentially lead to consequences lasting beyond the wedding day.

If the two cultures are very different then it is worth considering having two ceremonies that best reflect the traditions and religious faiths of the happy couple. If you go for only one type of ceremony which is heavily influenced by one side’s faith then you should consider incorporating aspects of the other culture’s traditions in other areas of the day, such as the choice of colours, stationery, favours and evening entertainment.

It is also important to make all parties aware of the different cultural traditions you have decided to follow before the wedding. If you have decided against a particular tradition that you know an older relative feels is important talk to them about if beforehand, explain your reasons and discuss if there are suitable alternatives. If they are forewarned there are less likely to be repercussions on the day. It is also worth explaining the traditions you are planning to follow to your guests beforehand, perhaps with a note in the invitations, so they know what to expect and will not be offended by something or even laugh at an inappropriate moment.

Multi cultural relationships which embrace both cultures can offer a wealth of opportunities to create a memorable wedding; with influences drawn from different values and beliefs the wedding day experience is enhanced for all attendees giving them an insight into the life you have chosen to lead together. Drawing on different influences can also revitalise and reenergise a ceremony for a modern generation that embraces multi-cultural alliances. Your wedding day is one to be treasured for the rest of your life; with the right approach your multi cultural heritage can be an integral part of what makes the day unique to you both.

Photos courtesy of Marianne Taylor

Always Loves: Coloured Shoes

If there’s one thing that’s sure to get a girl all excited it’s beautiful shoes …and what could be better then shoe shopping for your wedding?

Well why restrict yourself to matching the colour of your shoes to the colour of your dress, I say have fun, express yourself, buy the shoes you want… whatever the colour…


…or style, don’t restrict yourself to formal shoes … how about comfy ballet pumps, converse trainers, flip flops, DM’s…




The world is your oyster when it comes to shoe shopping...and with shoes like these you'll be sure to wear them again after the wedding.

Shoe Collage 1: Red/white shoes here Photo by James Christianson via Green Wedding Shoes; Yellow shoes here photo by Linda Chaja via Green Wedding Shoes; Yellow courts here photo by Jonathan Canlas via Green Wedding Shoes; Purple sandals here photo by Olivia Leigh via EAD. Red sandals here photo by Elizabeth Messina via Snippet & Ink, Green shoes here photo by Leigh Millar Photography via EAD ; Orange Shoes here photo by Mark Brooke Photographers via Green Wedding Shoes

Shoe Collage 2: Blue Satin Ballet Pumps, here photo by Ashley O’Dell via Rock’n’Roll Bride, Red Flip flops here, photo by Allison Garrett via Snippet & Ink; Converse bridal party here, photo by Leo DJ Photography, Blue DM Boots here, photo by Jennifer Williams Photography, via Rock’n’Roll Bride; Red Bow Shoe-boots here, photo by Clane Gessel Photography via Rock’n’Roll Bride; Multi-coloured courts here, photo by The Last Forty Percent Photography via Rock’n’Roll Bride

Adorable Finds: Slate & Yellow

Here are some wedding related adorable finds inspired by last week’s Colour Inspiration: Slate and Yellow.

A selection of dresses for your Bridesmaids from Monsoon

Would look great with yellow bouquets.

Designer silk tie by Victoria Richards from Patrick McMurray

Reiss have a great selection of Grey suits (photo via ASOS)


Yellow Peony flower from Etsy shop EmicBridal

Yellow Satin Origami Sling backs by Oscar De La Renta via Net-a-Porter

(…ok if you follow the link you’ll see they’re not actually available anymore but I think they’re fab and would go perfectly, so think of these as inspiration...)

Invitations from Chartula

And finally I love this cake by Ron Ben-Israel a US cake artist, photo taken by Nola from

Oh So Beautiful Paper on a recent trip to New York; you can see more of her visit to his studio here.

Love Poetry: Love Is

'Love Is' by Adrien Henri

Love is feeling cold in the back of vans
Love is a fanclub with only two fans
Love is walking holding painstained hands
Love is

Love is fish and chips on winter nights
Love is blankets full of string delights
Love is when you don’t put out the light
Love is

Love is the presents in the Christmas shops
Love is when you’re feeling Top of the Pops
Love is what happens when the music stops
Love is

Love is white panties lying all forlorn
Love is a pink nightdress still slightly warm
Love is when you have to leave at dawn
Love is

Love is you and love is me
Love is a prison and love is free
Love’s what’s there when you’re away from me
Love is…

Sneak Peak: Halfpenny London

While I was a costumier at the BBC I had the pleasure of working with some great costume designers and stylists, including Kate Halfpenny, who has an impressive CV styling pop promos, high profile adverts and stars such as Kate Moss, Erin O’Conner and Emilia Fox. She also designs a beautiful range of couture and reworked vintage wedding dresses and bespoke jewellery for her own company Halfpenny London.

This week I visited Kate on the location of the photo shoot for her new collection of wedding dresses. Once again the model was Kate’s good friend Emilia Fox, who Kate has styled for over 5 years having also designed two wedding dresses for her big day. Should you wish to know more about Kate’s background, check out her biography written by Emilia.

The location for the shoot was The Perch in Camberwell, a converted pub; it is available for location shoots and private event hire. With an eclectic mix of vintage and modern furniture and wall coverings it served as the perfect backdrop to Kate’s wedding dresses.

Here are some shots of the rooms...





And here's a sneak peak of some of the details from the day...

As soon as the new photos are out I will post some here but in the meantime do visit the Halfpenny London website where you can see Emilia Fox modeling the current collection and learn about the bespoke wedding dress service that Kate offers.

All photos by Always Andri

Colour Inspiration: Slate & Yellow

Grey Suit here, Photo by Bella Grace Studios via Green Wedding Shoes

Room interior, here from BNOdesign via Design Crisis

Wedding Couple here photo by Two Fishes Artistry via Style Me Pretty

Lemons, here, photo by Karen Mordchai via Sunday Suppers

Silver Satin shoes, here, photo by Holland Photo Arts via Style Me Pretty

Guest Wishes Cards here, photo by Aaron Delesie’s design by Lisa at Oh How Charming! via Style Me Pretty

Mad Men via AMC TV

Two Calla Lilies on Pink by Georgia O’Keeffe