This was the plan. We had a quintessentially English backdrop. I wanted our brides to fit the scene, but all bring something different to the party. So, we went for different decades. 1910, 1920's, 1940's and 1950's. Each bride, though traditional, would aim to capture an era. But this wasn't meant to be a costume play. It was about catching the essence of a bygone time with a contemporary twist on the styling.
I can't begin to praise and thank everyone involved in this enough.
Let's start with the models, Hannah, Hannah, Lauren and Rose. All beautiful in different ways - and got exactly the moody, magaziney look we were after. It is quite unbelievable that they are not professional, just ordinary girls doing something different from the day job. All had the patience of saints, and I felt so ridiculously proud of them.
Julia Jeckell was our make up artist for the day. I searched high and low for someone that mega high standards: someone in the league of TV with masses of experience and genuine flair. I got a bit giddy when I came across Julia's website, as it was poles apart form anything else I'd seen. Note that she has two sites. One is her bridal make up and another for her commercial work. Both are well worth a look! This girl really knows what she's doing, and is lovely with it.
Jam hair salon (0114 2302894) on Oakbrook Road graciously opened their doors on the their day off just to style the girls. Natalie, Kirsty, Alex and Hayley took a model each - and did a wonderful job. They are great at what they do - and more to the point love doing it.
So, to the dresses. The dresses!! I have always loved Freya Bridal. Opposite Endcliffe Park, I have looked adoringly through its window more times than you can shake a stick at. There was no question as to whom I would approach when we got to this bit. And Emma, Freya's owner, was fantastic. She said 'yes' straight away, and totally engaged in what we wanted to achieve. We set too choosing the dresses, and I've got to say it was a huge amount of fun! Freya also provided all the hair accessories for the day.
So, I left the girls behind and disappeared to Whirlowbrook to set the stage. By 12 noon I was starting to get a bit giddy (again!) as I knew they were due to arrive. I just couldn't wait to see them. So much plotting and planning - and finally it was all going to come together. The first one I clapped eyes on, fully kitted out, was Hannah M - our 40's bride. Wow - she looked amazing!!
After seeing Hannah, the first to emerge from the dressing room, I couldn't resist and bolted upstairs to see the rest of them. Julia was applying final touches of lipstick, Emma was pinning the dresses, and all our Jam hairdressers had come along to make sure it was all perfect. And it was! I'll stop waffling now, and let you have a good old look at the results and Shoot Lifestyle's amazing photography.
And so it ended: four models, eight dresses, and one very happy stylist. A million thanks to Jo & Simon of Shoot Lifestyle for their stunning photography and being so fab to work with. Without them none of this would have happened, and I'm so very glad it did.
The End
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