Go Glorious Makes the Front Page

A little while ago I had a call from Abbi at Save the Date Magazine to ask if they could use a Go Glorious image for their front page (well, my styling, and the brilliant Shoot's photography).  Of course, I said 'yes' straight away! If you fancy a peep, and a browse through this great magazine, pop over to http://savethedatemagazine.co.uk/magazine/

Rustic Wedding Style with Antique Charm

If natural textures and wayward heady blooms are your style, take a look at some of these ideas for a rustic styled wedding table.

I used the most gorgeous distressed miniature easel to display a combined table number and menu. I love the font, and the sepia ink - it all adds to that age old charm.  I've kept all the items on this table rough in texture.   The aging urn, stone candlestick, antique bronze candle holders, place names made of heart shaped bark, and buff favours boxes tied with ribbon and twine. 

Texture is a wonderful thing, and all these natural tones are fired into life with the additional of sprawling and vibrant country florals.  Just take a look at these! The colours are utterly wonderful. Catherine of Petalis has chosen colour opposites - luscious apricots and soft ivory studded with the purple tones of grape hyacinth.  The addition of seed heads ties it all in with the rustic theme. I just don't know how she does it, but Catherine effortlessly selects which flowers  will epitomise 'the look'.

I finished off by adding a set shell pink and gold vintage china. I don't know what you think - but for me this is one of the prettiest tables ever...!

Stancliffe Hall Wedding Fair, Matlock, Derbyshire

Saturday 9th April was the D-Day - a prestigious wedding fair at Stancliffe Hall.  I had been looking forward to this gem for I don't know how long.  Anyway - I had a table to dress...aaargh! Just the one? Which style to pick??  It nearly killed me! Anyway, as luck would have it, I was given a second table for brochures etc.  Not one to miss a trick, I thought, 'Aha! I can squeeze in a sneaky extra place setting here!'  As I'd agonised over what to choose, I heaved a sigh of relief that I could now show two styles. I plumped for an exquisitely pretty springtime Vintage (quelle surprise!), and a beautifully classic English setting (so very appropriate for Stancliffe).

I have to thank Catherine of Petalis for her gorgeous flowers.  I wanted  vintage china sprouting with the prettiest spring blooms - and that's exactly what I got.  I loved this table. As the sun and the earliest of the season's flowers shone outside, I had my own seasonal oasis right there.  Have a look at these...

Click and zoom on the image below to have a good look at the postmark on the tag.  This has been personalised with the bride and groom's name, wedding date and venue. It's soooo cute!  If you want one, or anything like it, Go Glorious is the place to come.  I've expanded into wedding graphics, because I absolutely know that the best weddings are those with extra special, personal touches.

Variations in height always make an centre piece particularly eye catching. Stacking teacups allows you great flexibility to create that. A teapot, a jug and two teacup towers stuffed to the hilt with the prettiest flowers.  Add scatter buttons and some miniature antique candles... does it get much lovelier than this??

So, I loved, loved loved this - but I also adore the elegance of English stately perfection.  Using a neutral palette, pearls and crystal, I created a formal, sophisticated setting.  Here are a few detail shots. Which would you go for?

Who said favours have to come in boxes?  They don't!  How gorgeous is this crystal perfume bottle, perfectly perched on a mirrored coaster?  I know I'm biased, but is this not divine?  Break the mold, if only on the top table, and surprise your guests with something really special!

 Table numbers with a twist. Just that little bit quirky, but maintaining a definite classic look...

The silver champagne cork salt and pepper pots below are one of my absolute favourite items.  Having seen ugly perspex versions on otherwise beautiful wedding tables, I took it upon myself to offer brides a  stunning alternative.  It may not be something you'd immediately think of, but believe me, these are worth having!

Well, thanks again to Stancliffe, as I had a wonderful time creating these tables.  And there's always more up my sleeve - so bring on next time!

The new, the fabulous...Stancliffe Hall!

Now this really is a sight for sore eyes.  Stancliffe Hall has got to be one of the most exquisite venues in the country. I really mean that...this is exclusive with a capital 'E'!  And no, you haven't seen it before, because it's brand spangling new.  Stancliffe Hall  opens its doors for the first time in April 2011, and is a wedding jewel for Derbyshire.  And yes, you can see it for yourself as they are hosting a Wedding Exhibition on Saturday April 9th.  To register and obtain your tickets, go to www.stancliffehall.eventbrite.com   Or, to peruse their website and whet your appetite, check out http://www.stancliffehall.co.uk/
Now, lucky old me has had the pleasure of being involved with the launch of this stunning venue.  Back in January, I was asked to dress it for a photo shoot - the pictures from which would be used in their promotional literature.
I opted for a classic look - as this certainly is a classic venue.  I stuck to a pale, neutral palette, lifted with the lustre of pearls and sparkle of crystal.  It looked so gorgeous! Our bride for the day, Charlotte, was beautiful, and the whole thing worked like a dream.  That supposedly elusive sun shone yet again...how lucky am I?! 

So, time to feast your eyes on this little lot...

What a delight! Don't forget, you can obtain tickets by registering at www.stancliffehall.eventbrite.com ...it would be a crime to miss out on this one!

Rock On!!! Seal of Approval for Sheffield Venue Styling

Good heavens, how exciting...little old Go Glorious has got itself on Rock My Wedding!  The Old Country Roses Decadence shoot seems to be much liked - eek! :)

http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/decadence-inspired-by-old-country-roses/

Whirlowbrook Hall Sheffield, Wedding Photoshoot Part 2

Now it's time to brace yourself for the fashion shoot...

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