RMW SPRING NEWS

SPRING NEWSLETTER APRIL 2016

Meet super cool couple

JULIET & JAMES

as they walk the streets of London

looking fierce and fabulous.

REAL WEDDINGS |

GO BOLD OR GO HOME | EIGHT REAL BRIDE BEAUTY LOOKS

Discover Rock My Style, our lifestyle sister blog for a daily dose of interiors, fashion and beauty.

CONTENTS REAL WEDDING: JULIET AND JAMES

7

TEN OF THE BEST: BRIDAL BOUQUETS

27

REAL WEDDING: JESS AND CHRIS

35

TIME TO ENGAGE: STORIES

55

BEAUTY DIY: BEACHY BOHO WAVES

61

ASK THE EXPERT: JODIE HAZLEWOOD

67

REAL WEDDING: JEN AND SCOTT

71

BRIDAL BEAUTY: EIGHT AMAZING LOOKS

91

DIY meets leather jacket heaven

from sweet peas to peonies

paper boats and vintage frocks

wonderful engagement tales Welcome to the new-look RMW Newsletter!

If you’re a new subscriber, thank you for joining in the fun.

Keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on your inbox for an email letting you know whether you’ve won the Liberty in Love & John Lewis vouchers!

If you’re a loyal reader, we really hope you enjoy the changes. We wanted to bring you never-seen before real weddings that will be on these pages long before they hit the blog, and lots of fabulous features that will help you to plan your big day.

This issue is all about hair and beauty - make sure you check out the top tips from our fave MUA Jodie, there are some great recommendations!

The newsletter is now a mini magazine and will be hitting your inbox four times a year, but as always, we’d love to hear your feedback so do get in touch (fern@rockmywedding.co.uk) if there’s anything you’d really like to see.

Happy Planning lovely ones xxx

as easy as curl, brush, spritz, go

get all the insider beauty tips for your day

navy blue and blush beautifulness

and how you can acheive them

BEAUTY DIY: BOLDLY GO go bold or go home

101

And for your happily ever after, visit Rock My Family for a daily dose of family life from team Rock My Ltd.

5

&

juliet

james

CRATE BREWERY, HACKNEY WICK

7

“I wanted my dress and my bridesmaids’ dresses to be both

MODERN AND ELEGANT.

I originally found the Daughter’s of Simone ‘Jude’ dress through In

nstagram.�

9

11

“For flowers we took an

early morning trip

to New Covent Garden flower market w

with the father of the bride and two bridesmaids.�

13

Styling was very much a DIY job by both families and friends. Especially our brilliant parents who foraged for greenery - at homes in Cornwall and London - to hang around the venue.

Not to forget one of the wedding reception’s main men, the lighting and sound guy, Doug Copppell, who does lighting for some of the biggest festivals in the UK. His brief was to get us all dancing like a proper Everyone who helped was up until warehouse party and he came back to past midnight the night before the us with his plan to create a mini Secret wedding setting the tables, tying up the Garden Party in the Brew Shed; and he greenery or filling vases with flowers. didn’t disappoint.

15

“Be true to yourselves as a

COUPLE. Make the event fit your personalities.�

17

“We wanted to keep things simple, DIY, and inexp

We achieved th

pensive and to include as many people locally as possible.

his, from the venue to the caterers to the cake makers.

Almost everything at the wedding was made by locals!�

19

“For us, we made all decisions

together and involved as many people we knew as possible;

local makers, talented friends and LOVING FAMILY.�

PHOTOGRAPHY | Jo Bongard BRIDAL GOWN | Daughters of Simone BRIDESMAID DRESSES| Urban Outfitters GROOM | Beggars Run VENUE | Crate Brewery STATIONERY | Telegramme paper co.

TRANSPORT | Alpha Bus Co

23

25

TEN OF THE BEST BEAUTIFUL SPRING BOUQUETS

27

LEAH & MIKE > SEE MORE

FIONA & DAN > SEE MORE

GABIJA & GEORGE > SEE MORE

SHENAY & DAN > SEE MORE

ALI & VERITY > SEE MORE

JENNIE & JAMES > SEE MORE

DEBRA & PAUL > SEE MORE

KIRSTY & JON > SEE MORE

CHLOE & JO > SEE MORE

LAURA & SIMON > SEE MORE

FOR MORE FLOWER INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION SEE OUR GUIDE TO FLOWERS HERE

29

Suppliers with our seal of approval!

The Love Lust List is a hand picked wedding supplier directory covering the whole of the UK and popular international wedding destinations.

www.thelovelustlist.co.uk 31

33

&

jess

chris

A MEADOW MARQUEE

35

“The second dress I tried on was a 1930s Nottingham Lace, floor len which I chose.

IT FITTED PERFECTLY and needed no alterations, so felt like it was mea

ngth dress

ant to be.�

- Jess

39

“One day I was out helping my friend Sam buy some cloth in a massive fabric warehouse in Hackney – when I spotted this blue poppy tooth check roll under a massive pile of offcuts.”

- Chris

“We chose to get married in the village Chris grew up in.

THIS MEANT THAT WE COULD GET MARRIED IN THE PRETTY OLD C

and then all the congregation could walk back through the

CHURCH IN THE VILLAGE

beautiful fields to Chris’ parents͛ back garden.”

43

We wanted to go for quite a relaxed, retro village fete feel, as neither of us are great with overly formal things. We did all the decoration ourselves and our friends (including our lovely photographer who was so helpful) joined in. There was quite a last minute rush the night before. We wanted lots of colour, so purposefully didn’t set a colour theme.

A quick way to do this was loads of huge colourful balloons. Chris created a contraption to string them high up inside the marquee. We had plain wooden chairs and hay bales to give it a dressed down look.

Jessica’s cousin, who is a textiles designer made

metres of beautiful handmade bunting, which brought it all together visually. In one corner of the marquee we made photo bunting including pictures of us together, pictures of each of us growing up, and pictures from friends͛and family and ancestors’͛ weddings – this made a lovely talking point! Outside of the marquee was some more bunting borrowed from friends, fairy lights in the trees and guests͛ tents everywhere... Giving a sort of camping holiday or mini festival vibe. Chris’͛dad had made the garden look so lovely that it didn’t need much decoration.

“We live on a little narrow bo mast with each guests nam

Chris’ mum had gro They were

oat so for our place settings we decided to have paper boats with a me on.

own some of our favourite flowers – like sunflowers and cornflowers. e displayed in the centre of each of our tables.�

49

PHOTOGRAPHY | Tim Dunk BRIDAL GOWN | Elizabeth Avey BRIDESMAIDS | Theresa Andrews SHOES | Rachel Simpson FLORIST | Pickalily flowers VENUE | McNaughton Marquees

51

53

time to engage A COLLECTION OF PROPOSAL STORIES In association with De Beers PHOTOGRAPHY | Anna Clarke

55

WHITNEY & CHRIS

SHANADE & MATTHEW

Our family has Scottish roots and every New Year we carry out the Scottish tradition of the first footing. This is where traditionally, the first person to enter the household on New Years Day brings with them good fortune for the coming year. They also traditionally bring with them gifts; ‘wood for the fire, bread for the table and whisky to warm the cockles of your heart’. My father has always been the ‘stranger’ that knocks on the door at the stroke of midnight, but this particular year he was in Canada so Chris had asked if he could first-foot instead.

The proposal was truly beautiful. Matthew had a couple of days off work and said he was going to visit his mother, but secretly he had arranged a 4am trip to New Covent Garden flower market the following morning. He camped out at a friends house before setting off at dawn. He proceeded to buy all the cream and pink roses in the market and quickly became known amongst the traders as “the fella buying all the vendella”. Matthew then arranged countless bouquets that filled our entire flat!

Being of Scottish descent himself I didn’t think anything of it at the time. When midnight came and Chris knocked on the door Mum opened it, but he was nowhere to be seen…I peered round the door and saw my lovely man on one knee surrounded by fairy lights with wood, bread and bottle of whisky in hand. It took me a moment to cotton onto what was happening (I believe I even asked him what he was doing on one knee!) then he recited the lines of the first footing, promising to always bring wood for my fire, food for my table and whisky to warm the cockles of my heart if I in return would do him the honour of being his wife.

It was the most magical moment, surrounded by my whooping and hollering family, who were all as teary as I was, we toasted that New Year and the new chapter of our lives with copious amounts of bubbles and some very over-excited family.

I literally had no idea what he was planning when he picked me up from work that evening. That night he wined and dinned me and when we finally went home, his brother and sister had secretly been flat sitting and moments before we arrived home they lit countless candles and popped vintage champagne on ice. On opening the door I was blown away, especially when he presented me with the most incredible vintage diamond ring!

CARLY & JUSTIN

CHIARA & OLIVER

It was May bank holiday and Justin was insistent on us going for dinner, even though I had been up since 5am doing a car boot sale with my Mum! We went to one of our favourite restaurants in Putney.

When I woke up one morning and found a card on my bedroom mirror saying, ‘meet me tonight under the London Eye’, I guessed that by the end of the day I might just have an engagement ring on my finger!

On leaving, Justin again was insistent on us going for a walk (I just wanted to go home!!!)

Little did I know (if I had I would have worn a better outfit) that nearly 4 years after he asked me to be his girlfriend on a random street near Brick Lane, he was about to ask me to be his wife. It was so him, so us, and so yes!

When I met Oliver at the London Eye, he told me we were revisiting all the places we went on our first few dates, which started off with a romantic stroll along London’s Southbank. After a few pit stops at various bars and dinner at Champagne and Fromage, we made our way through St James’ Park. As we reached one of the bridges, he told me to close my eyes and I thought to myself – this is it. But instead of putting a ring on my finger, he put a blindfold over my eyes and made me walk for 5 minutes in darkness! When we finally arrived at our destination, he removed the blindfold and we were standing outside Westminster Abbey, in the same spot I’d camped three years previous for the Royal Wedding (it’s true I’m a massive Royalist).

He’d prepared a champagne picnic then presented me with an album full of little notes and letters we’d written to each other over the years, pictures of when we first met, dates and holidays we’d been on…it was incredibly touching and it wasn’t long before I was blubbing!

When I got to the last page, he stood up, got down on two knees (the one knee proposal isn’t a tradition in Italy and he obviously didn’t know the correct protocol!), presented me with the most beautiful solitaire diamond ring, and asked me to be his wife.

59

beachy boho waves THAT YOU CAN DO ON YOURSELF! PHOTOGRAPHY | Anna Clarke MAKE-UP | Jodie Hazlewood

YOU WILL NEED Curling Irons | Sectioning clip | Hairspray | Your fingers

61

Firstly Prep the hair with something that will protect it from the heat and give it a little bit of shape and body, like Bumble & Bumble Prep. Section the hair from behind the ears straight across and fasten with a sectioning clip.

On Lolly’s hair, Jodie used the Babyliss Waving Wand. It creates a whole range of modern type waves and is so easy to use. Starting nearest your face take 1.5 inch sections and wind the hair around the wand pointing it vertically to the floor leaving the ends free.

Hold for 15-20 seconds and release. Repeat around the head alternating the direction you wind each section. Spritz with hairspray, like James Brown’s Effortless Hold. Release the top section and repeat. I always try and make sure the two front sections are curling away from the face as I think it’s more flattering.

Using your fingers as a wide toothed comb drag through the curls to completely soften and dishevel them.

Spray VO5 Give me texture spray (this is a genius product – a cross between a salt spray and dry shampoo) through the lengths to give your hair shape and texture.

If you fancy a slightly more “done” look you can pull a little section away from your face and pin with kirby grips.

63

65

ASK THE BEAUTY EXPERT EVERYTHING YOU COULD WANT TO KNOW FROM BEAUTY AND MAKE-UP EXPERT JODIE HAZLEWOOD

1. What is the most frequently used product in your make up bags for Bridal beauty?

3. What is your favourite product for getting a radiant glow on your wedding day?

My Nars Eye primer - my main concern is that the makeup lasts all day but still looks natural.

I love mixing my own light reflective primer for each bride which includes a regular moisturiser, a Vichy serum, Mac strobe cream and few other secret ingredients. Really work this into the skin before applying any other makeup.

2. Do you approach Bridal hair & beauty differently to other occasions? If so, why?

No in the sense that I still want it to look completely beautiful, modern and soft. But yes that I use products that are longwear and hard wearing and will look good under any light condition.

4. Favourite all time lip product for Brides?

Clarins Rouge Eclat in Woodrose suits almost everyone and is such a romantic and pretty shade!

5. Are there any things you’d advise Brides to do in the run up to the big day to prep their skin and hair?

All the boring stuff: regular hair trims, lots and lots of water, a couple of facials, as much

sleep as you can and a diet full of oily fish and green vegetables will help your skin glow.

6. Matte vs gloss - skin, lips and eyes - what’s better for photographs?

8. Staying power…how do you make sure your hair & make up looks fabulous all day?

With makeup, like most things it’s all about balance.

I always like the centre of the face to be matte, but you can add glow and gloss on the tops of the cheekbones and other high points. Eyes and lips are down to personal preference.

I use light layers of primers, tinted moisturisers and then a more heavy duty concealer on areas that need it building it slowly to get the coverage needed. I use the Kiko setting spray right at end and always use the Nars eye primer.

Making sure the skin is prepped and moisturised also helps the makeup last.

7. Are there any products we should know about that look great on your face in photographs?

If your skin needs a little help, Estee Lauder double wear foundation really well buffed in looks incredible on camera.

Hourglass Ambient light highlighting powder makes you look candlelit!

9. Best way to deal with a bad hair day/skin day on the morning of your wedding?

Leave enough time so that you can start again if you’re really not happy with your hair. If you have a breakout try not to touch it and let your makeup artist work on covering it.

67

Before you leave for the ceremony check your makeup in every light and angle in case you need to re-blend any areas.

Use more powder than you think as shine can make you look flustered on camera.

Don’t forget your décolletage and shoulders; it’s nice to add a highlighting powder to these areas.

RELAX AND ENJOY IT!

Once you see your husband to be and friends and family you’ll forget all about your hair and makeup!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Touch Photography

69

&

JEN

SCOTT MILLBRIDGE COURT

71

“We went with NAVY BLUE AN

This worked really well a

ND BLUSH PINK

with touches of gold.

and felt wintry enough without going for a more stereotypical winter wedding day.�

“MILLBRIDGE COURT

sells itself really.

The atmosphere, the rooms, the food and the staff are all better then we could have ever asked for.

Finding them was a

real dream come true!”

75

77

We had lots of DIY aspects to the day as I created all the table centres and decorations for the day. I would say the welcome pallet was my favourite creation, and probably one of the easiest as well. I would say to any

potential Bride that Ebay and Etsy can get you everything you’ve been looking for if you’re willing to be a bit creative. I’m also now making creations for weddings, if anyone would like to contact me I am happy to help!

79

My dress offered that romantic rustic feel I was going for although it was obviously not a wintry dress!

Emma adjusted the skirt for me so I could have a bronze underlay on the top and an ivory on the bottom to give it that extra wedding feel without removing the detail of the lace.

Longacres florist is local to us and were excellent in offering the flexibility we wanted. Being a winter wedding we focused more on candles and lights so had minimal flowers. In fact apart from the bouquets and button holes the only arrangement we had was created by my Nana.

Healys were fantastic. The suits were fantastic quality Elaine from Longacres completely understood what and being a local company we were very keen to support. I was going for and all for a very reasonable cost.

81

“I walked down the aisle to ‘REAL LOVE’

by Tom Odell.

It was played by our wonderful pianist Richard.

It really did add the magical touch to the moment!”

83

Scott and I both used to work with Richard and I had always kept an eye on the work him and Sonia did. I knew that should we ever get married then there was no question who our photographers would be as they manage to capture the natural moments of the day so perfectly.

They exceeded way beyond our expectations through all stages of the Wedding. We absolutely love our photos and will carry on recommending them to anyone who will listen.

85

PHOTOGRAPHY | R S Brown Photography BRIDAL GOWN | Emma Louise Design SHOES | Ted Baker FLORIST | Longacres VENUE | Millbridge Court GROOM | Healy

87

89

eight BRIDAL BEAUTY LOOKS THAT WE ADORE AND HOW TO ACHEIVE THEM

91

AU NATUREL

ROSY CHEEKED

EYES | MAC Pro Longwear Eyeshadow, Linger Softly

EYES | Max Factor False Lash Effect

CHEEKS | Lancome Healthy Glow Blurring Powder Blusher

CHEEKS | Benefit Benetint Liquid Blusher

LIPS | MAC Lipstick, Creme Cup

LIPS | MAC Lipstick, Ruby Woo

PHOTOGRAPHY | Stefano Santucci

PHOTOGRAPHY | Gather And Tides

BARELY BOHO EYES | Shiseido Eyebrow Styling Compact, Dark Brown CHEEKS | MAC Powder Blush, Buff LIPS | Illamasqua Skin Base No. 6 PHOTOGRAPHY | Harrera Images 93

HOLLYWOOD GLAM EYES | MAC Liquid Eyeliner, Boot Black CHEEKS | Daniel Sander Watercolour Fluid Blusher, Angel LIPS | NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, New Lover PHOTOGRAPHY | On Love And Photography

THE SMOKEY EYE EYES | Charlotte Tilbury Palette, The Rock Chick CHEEKS | Bourjois Creme Blush, Rose Tender LIPS | MAC Lipstick Creme Cup PHOTOGRAPHY | Chris Barber

95

THE VINTAGE VIXEN EYES | Charlotte Tilbury Palette, The Rock Chick CHEEKS | NARS Blush, Unlawful LIPS | MAC Lipstick, Creme Cup PHOTOGRAPHY | On Love And Photography

LI

60’S STARLET

DEWY DAMSEL

EYES | NARS Kohl Eyeliner, Rich Black

EYES | Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadow, Burnt Sugar

CHEEKS | MAC Powder Blush, Pinch O’Peach

CHEEKS | Bourjois Creme Blush, Rose Tender

IPS | MAC Ellie Goulding Creme Sheen Lipstick, Only You

LIPS | NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, New Lover

PHOTOGRAPHY | Richard Skins

PHOTOGRAPHY | Barefoot Brunettes 97

99

BOLDLY GO GO BOLD OR GO HOME PHOTOGRAPHY | Anna Clarke MAKE-UP | Jodie Hazlewood

YOU WILL NEED Lipstick brush | Selection of amazing bright lippies | Tissue | Your best pout

101

Prep lips with a lip conditioner or balm. I recommend the Body Shop Lip Conditioner or Lucas Paw Paw treatment. Massage it into the lips with a cotton bud to give them a light exfoliation Blot off any excess with a tissue.

Always use a lip brush for stronger colours. Always take your time applying bolder lipstick, tracing the outside of the lips first then filling in with the brush.

When using more pigmented opaque lipsticks, apply a fine layer with a brush, blot back with a tissue and then repeat this 3 times. If it really needs to be long wearing then I use a single layer of tissue and press loose translucent powder over the tissue with a brush and then repeat twice. Don’t be afraid to blend a couple of colours together to create your perfect shade like we did for Lauren, just use the back of your hand and mix together with your brush.

RECOMMENDATIONS

BY TERRY | NARS| COLLECTION 2000 | MUA

103

MEET OUR

LOOK NO FURTHER FOR THE U

SPONSORS

UK’S TOP WEDDING SUPPLIERS

105

IF YOU’D LIKE TO JOIN THIS FABULOUS LIST OF SUPPLIERS THEN DROP US AN EMAIL AT

advertising@rockmywedding.co.uk FOR AN ADPACK.

107

ROCK MY WEDDING SPRING 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY | Marianne Chua

FLORIST | Jay Archer

STYLIST | Curious Fair