If you didn’t check out our style sheets yesterday then you probably need to – just so you know what the hell is going on.
And if you did? sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
All of the beautiful images are courtesy of the amazingly talented Christian and Erica at Christian Ward Photography.
Jo and Amanda
As there were so many brides (there were six girls people!) we decided to pair them together and concentrate on certain looks and colour schemes for each. First up was the super sexy Amanda and the über elegant Jo whom we kept sleek, chic and understated bar a selection of look-at-me statement headpieces and accessories.
In the main we kept to a palette of grey, ivory and blue with nail polish to match (obviously). Amanda’s fingers were adorned with a cornflower shade by Maybelline whilst Jo was given a matte mid-grey by Barry M.
The lovely and ever smiley Cassandra from Love Your Hair swept Jo’s thick locks into a large ballerina bun, the perfect style to show off details of the gowns and jewels we had in store for her. Amanda on the other hand was all about the chignon and the power lip – a look few can carry off as well as she did.
Talking of lips……
Make-up Artist Chloe McCall: Matte lips are on trend this season so using Revlon Matte lipsticks in pink about it and pink pout (mixed) I created Amanda’s pink lips, I wanted a soft matte pink so this is why I mixed the lipsticks. If you can’t find the colour you’re looking for, there is nothing wrong with creating your own lipstick colour by mixing shades together. My tip is to stay within the same brand and texture of lipstick.
I created a strong eye look on Amanda using liner and lashes. I used eyeshadows from Urban Decay in Toasted and Hustle, these are from the naked pallet, a great bridal eyeshadow pallet. It’s always important to fill the brows in when making a statement on the eyes, I did this by using a product called browzing from Benefit which is a powder and a wax, created for filling in the brows so they still look natural. Make sure you use a hard angle brush when using this product to get the best results.
Amanda’s first gown was a unique silver grey number from The Couture Company paired with a huge floral headpiece from Hope and Grace (honestly it is so immense, and if not realistic head gear for a bride then maybe MOB….?).
Amanda’s second frock was from the new collection by Jim Hjelm supplied by Miss Bush Bridal. Sophisticated and understated, we paired it with a feather vintage-esque fascinator from The Couture Company for a bit of old school glamour.
Last but not least Amanda donned a figure-hugging and contemporary dress by Jesus Peiro from Miss Bush Bridal, she was accessorised with some Armani glasses and a cute acrylic necklace by Tatty Devine (lovely gifts for maids if you are yet to find anything suitable and budget friendly).
Oh and a rolling pin. Only Amanda could work kitchen equipment with such finesse.
Jo’s first dress was a simple yet awesome number by Jesus Peiro from Miss Bush Bridal, they even made us a bespoke charcoal satin sash to give it some extra wow-factor (NB: they can make you one too in a variety of colours should you fancy it).
It has pockets.
They are really quite special.
This was accessorised with the art deco earrings by Stephanie Browne at Liberty in Love (they are a long-term favourite of mine) and then a beautiful polka dotted headpiece by Rosie Willett (she made it especially for us and this shoot – how nice was that?)
Next up was an art deco influenced strapless fishtail by Alan Hannah supplied by Mamfii. We loved the button-up back. We loved the way it fitted Jo like a dream. We loved the fact that you can truss it up for full-on glamourama with pearls (Peter Lang at Liberty in Love) or with a shrug the colour of summer skies (the Minelli at Hope and Grace) and it looks delicious….yet is equally as delectable on its own.
Jo’s final gown was another Alan Hannah supplied by Mamfii – the halter neck collar was supremely flattering and due to the intricate bejeweled detail it was paired with a simple floral-inspired hair comb (the Swan Lake by Stephanie Browne at Liberty in Love) and no other adornments.
Jo’s peepers were strong and flirty whilst her pout was kept natural and glossy:
Make-Up Artist Chloe McCall: With Jo we wanted to create a dramatic smokey eye with nude pink lips – this is a very popular bridal look. To create flawless skin Mac Studio fix fluid mix with Mac face and body foundation was used mainly down the centre of the face and blended outwards. Because the look was all about Jo’s eyes I didn’t want to go too heavy with the blush colour, so Mac blusher in Melba was added to the cheek bones.
Jo has amazing lashes so I just added half lashes to the outer part of the eye. I created the grey eye by using Urban Decay Naked 2 pallet, I used verve all over the eye lid and brow bone then used pistol on the lid and mixed in a hint of Blackout and blended. Gel liner by Mac in Blacktrack was used to line the eyes.
I used Unlimited from the Pro longwear range by Mac on Jo’s Lips. I lined the lips first using No7 lip liner in Nude, this is a great colour and goes with almost everyone’s lip tone.
The original Singer sewing machines are courtesy of Adam’s Mum and the rude mugs courtesy of my Mum (go figure). The distressed table is actually my RMW HQ desk (!) from Bailey’s Home and Garden and the china, teacups, books and pretties are a small selection of RMW Lauren’s very own styling kit.
My Nana Wales supplied Jo with her pink knitting – I’m not sure my Nana had the first clue what she was creating it for exactly but seemed pleased as punch to be involved.
Shirley and Kelly
Whilst I was flicking through Grazia magazine I came across an article on entrepreneurial women, one of which was Lisa Comfort from Sew Over It. Lisa owns a little cafe in London where you can learn how to make clothes and things – perfect for an alternative hen do (more on this later) and…..she makes Betty Draper dresses!
So I dropped her an email and what do you know….a pink gingham Betty number arrives.
When I told the RMW brides it was Kelly who said shotgun first so fairs fair and all that – Tatty Devine also made us a bespoke necklace to match and I found these super cool shades at Topshop.
To fit with Kelly’s retro vibe Cassandra Rizzuto plaited her amazingly long shiny chestnut barnet into a high fishtail with plenty of va-va-volume.
Bridal-wise Kelly wore a gorgeous lace overlay gown by Jim Hjelm at Miss Bush Bridal, fitted her like a glove so it did.
Kelly’s third gown was what will be always be affectionately referred to as “the swimming hat” (aka Tara Keeley style 2012) – that kind of lovely thick material that clings in all of the right places with a fancy floral applique. This was accessorised with the Stephanie Browne “Kelly” (how appropriate) necklace and matching bracelet – it looks as fabulous down your back as it does down the front (well we think so anyway.)
Shirley’s first outfit was a very pretty chiffon cross-over flower print courtesy of high street favourite Zara. I figure that when being the perfect wife one would always wear something garden party-worthy, even to do a spot of vacuuming….. and of course wear it with some spiffy shoe candy – these are Gardenia by Harriet Wilde.
Shirley’s second gown was Suzanne Neville at Miss Bush Bridal, this lace is beyond amazing and the style really suits a petite Miss such as Madame S herself.
Shirley’s peachy nails were another Barry M special and her make-up was kept equally as feminine:
Make-up Artist Chloe McCall: Mac paint pot in bare study was used as a base all over the eye then Estee Lauder French vanilla and taupe single eyeshadows were used over the top. Estee lauder gel liner in “Stay coffee” was used on the top of the lash line and half way on the underneath lash line. By doing this with the liner it creates an open eye effect. Individual lashes were used to give volume.
Doublewear lip liner in rose by Estee Lauder was used to line the outline of the lips then Doublewear rose lipstick used over the top.
The Doublewear range by Estee Lauder is great for wedding make-up as everything stays put, they do foundation, mascara, eye products and lip products in this range.
Last but not least Shirley rocked the “ice cream” (yes we have an ice cream-influenced design as well as a swimming hat) – all frothy frilly bits and one-shoulder wonder. This sweeter than candy floss number was from The Couture Company .
And can we just talk about the florals?!
Jeez. When Karen and Gemma from Passion For Flowers arrived with all of their crates of blooms I thought I had died and gone to hydrangea and peony heaven.
Those coral beauties are REAL people. And I know Karen was sceptical when I suggested we should mix in some daisies but I really think it worked.
And if someone is now going to have this bouquet for W-day you will make this small W-day blogger very VERY happy indeed……make sure you send me a picture (or ten)
Tomorrow we have the ridiculously gorgeous Alex and Celine as well as an RMW styled never-seen-before table scape…
Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and hair comb – from a selection at Liberty In Love
Acrylic necklaces – Tatty Devine
Oversize Ivory Floral Headpiece and Antique Grey Shrug – Hope and Grace
Grey Polka Dot Headpiece – Rosie Willett
Jo and Amanda’s Gowns: Jo: Jesus Peiro at Miss Bush Bridal, Alan Hannah at Mamfii, Amanda: Grey tea-length at The Couture Company, Jim Hjelm at Miss Bush Bridal and Jesus Peiro also at Miss Bush Bridal
Shirley and Kelly’s Gowns: Shirley: Floral at Zara, Suzanne Neville at Miss Bush Bridal ice-cream dream at The Couture Company, Kelly: Gingham at Sew Over It, Jim Hjelm and Tara Keeley at Miss Bush Bridal
Make-up – Chloe McCall assisted by Danielle slater
Hair – Cassandra Rizzuto at Love Your Hair
Styling – Rock My Wedding
Blooms – Passion For Flowers
Stationery – Eva Slade
Mini Cake – Cakes By Krishanthi
Photography – Christian Ward
Oh and the orange hoover? that was off of a man called Bill. Adam and I drove to his “lock-up” in Surrey where he then tried to flog us various items of furniture that were possibly…. dodgy.
We were a bit scared. And I managed to get my new Kurt Geiger heels stuck in a pot hole with a puddle – I then made Adam carry me fireman’s lift style to the car to avoid any other potential fashion disasters.
Who knew the W-day industry could be so…. dangerous?
See you tomorrow for more inspiration then lovelies – and please leave our brides some love in the comments box below.
Big Stepford Love
Charlotte x