A Very Special Vintage Inspired Maternity Bridal Shoot...

In March last year, I found myself early pregnant. Excited. Thrilled. Scared to death. And frankly, dying to share my news with someone.

As I was browsing through my Twitter Feed one morning, I noticed a message from London based Vintage Wedding Planner Tiffany Grant Riley "Tell me something about yourself...". With not much else to do, I replied... "I'm pregnant!". What the heck I thought. Time to let the cat out of the bag.

A swift private Twitter message (A 'DM' to those in the know) followed from Tiffany... "you are? So am I!!!". Well that makes three of us I thought, as I also considered the fact that the lovely Vicky Rowe, owner of Vintage Teasets and Clara Bows had also just shared some special news with me. Three of us 'wedding ladies' pregnant - and all due within 2 weeks of each other. Not that that's quite how it worked out in the end, but that's another story :)

Of course, it was a photo-opportunity not to be missed and before long, we had been asked by Photographer Emily Quinton if she could captures us and our growing bumps together on camera.

The shoot was originally pitched so to have a little fun - but in the end, it turned into something way more meaningful. By the time the very hot and sunny day came round in July last year, Emily had announced that she was 8 weeks pregnant and our hair stylist Sally Riceman was also 21 weeks pregnant. Furthermore, the majority of accessories/items were lent to us from women working in the bridal industry who already had children. It felt a bit like being part of a special sorority, and it quickly became evident to us all that we were doing something beautiful, and positive to help promote the work of self employed women in business (particularly the wedding industry), not least inspire and convince Pregnant Brides that they can dress up and look gorgeous on their wedding day. This was a bit of a personal mission of mine, since discovering that the number of pregnant Brides in the UK has soared in recent years.

I have been a little nervous about sharing these photographs with you - I'm not an out and out 'hey, look at me!' kind of girl, but you know what? I love these images, and I hope you do too...

The Blogger...

Of course, we didn't take ourselves too seriously at all in this photoshoot. The whole idea was to have fun and hopefully inspire one or two others with the outcome!

Unlike my first pregnancy, this one was very tough - there were several major scares, numerous hospital visits and overnight stays and a premature baby. It was not a pregnancy I felt great in at any part - I think I was 'blooming' for probably all of a day. Most of the time I felt pretty bad, and yet, the wonderful Emily Quinton has somehow made me look so much better...

I just loved this beautiful 'Savona' maternity bridal gown by Tiffany Rose, it was such a comfortable fit and so very flattering. It's difficult when you are carrying such a huge bump around with you to feel anywhere near fabulous, but on this day, I truly did.

My headpiece was by HT Headwear and I also sported some sparkle by Magpie Vintage.

These gorgeous 'Save The Date' cards were designed for each of us expectant ladies by the lovely Brown Betty Stationery {my little lady actually arrived a whole month early in September!}

My little girl Leanora Rose arrived just over 7 weeks after this photograph was taken...

TIffany had the wonderful idea of photographing us each holding an image of when we were but tiny babies ourselves.

My Mummy and me when I was a baby {thank you Mum for taking the time to find these lovely photographs for our photoshoot}...

The dress I was christened in...

Me, with me :) ....

The Vintage Wedding Planner...

This photoshoot cemented a very special friendship for me, with the beautiful Tiffany Grant-Riley. God I love that woman! She is kind-heated, funny, cheeky, and what a creative talent - an unbelievably talented Vintage Wedding Planner...

Is she not just incredibly beautiful?

Tiffany wore the Clementine Long Dress by Tiffany Rose and a vintage necklace and headpiece by Magpie Vintage. Flowers by Miss Pickering...

The Vintage Teaset Hire and Wedding Styling Professional...

Meet Vicky Rowe, the beautiful and talented owner of Vintage Teasets. Vicky is a vintage china collecting obsessive and huge fan of the 1920s. In fact, Vicky's 1920's inspired wedding was one of the very first I featured on the Love My Dress Wedding Blog. What Vicky doesn't know about the art-deco era isn't worth knowing.

Vicky wore wore the Long Ayla Silk Bridal Gown by Tiffany Rose, and a beautiful feather headpiece that Vicky designed by herself - you must see Vicky's 'Clara Bows' website for an exquisite collection of 1920's style hats and fascinators. Flowers by Miss Pickering...

The Details...

The beautiful vintage props and vintage china were provided by Vicky Rowe of Vintage Teasets - who was of course also modelling a beautiful bump! ;)

Accessories were provided by Magpie Vintage...

Flowers were provided by the legendary (in my books anyway) Miss Pickering...

The most delicious cakes in the world (I know, I ate about 10 of them), which had been delicately decorated with little baby motifs were provided by Charlotte Gamble of Restoration Cake. Tiffany and I met Charlotte the day prior to collect the cakes and have a spot of lunch in London. What a fabulous and inspiring woman she is! Everyone should try a Restoration Cake...