Love My Dress Wedding Blog - A UK Wedding Blog

Chez Bec Wedding Accessories ~ 15% Discount for Readers Until 1 July 2011...

Chez Bec is offering a 15% discount to all Love My Dress readers on all orders placed before midnight on Friday 1st July. Simply quote the promotion code " LMD11" at the checkout. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

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Good morning! How are my lovely readers this morning? I took a bit of a break from my beloved wedding blog this weekend to spend time with my family and focus on some longer term plans for Love My Dress.  And what a beautiful weekend it was! It both rained and shone down hard with glorious sun.  My little girl won two little trophies for her dancing, we played frisbee in the park and Beyonce rocked the stage at Glasto {did you SEE those pins?}.  So, I return to my blogging duties this week with a fresh and focused mind.

My regular readers will know that back in March this year, I handed in my notice to my job of almost ten years, to pursue my dream of becoming a full time Wedding Blogger and Freelance Writer. I have to admit, it is something that took a HUGE amount of hard work and courage, but I have never looked back and it is truly the best thing I ever did. My life is enriched in so many more ways now because of it, not least because I now have a  new set of amazing friends - many of them have also turned their backs on long term careers to follow their dreams - all confident, hard working poeple.  Brave risk takers.  People happy to share their experiences and support with others. They include Rebecca Doyle, who now runs her own company 'Chez Bec' designing and selling a treasure trove of beautiful wedding accessories...

"Five and a half years ago I quit my job as a Corporate Finance Lawyer in the City of London to follow my dream of running my own jewellery business.I’m happy to say that I have never looked back.

It’s been a tough journey full of ups and downs to get my business to where it is now but, other than having my twins, it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Claudine Hartzel

   

"My head never stops buzzing with new designs and ideas for new creations for my brides. I love my job and get up in the morning raring to get to work. Now not many people can say that in this world can they?!"

I know exactly how Rebecca feels.  I too now leap out of bed every day with a spring in my step - I can't wait to get on with writing my latest blog piece and sharing my latest find with my readers.  It is a hugely privileged position to be in, and perhaps that is partly why the hard, hard work that goes on behind the scenes never truly tires us. 

Rebecca may not realise this but she is one of those people who spurred me on as I neared the end of my former career as a Principal Administrator, to take the plunge - to dive in deep and be that everything would work out - a 'leap of faith' if you will.

What a gorgeous back necklace...

Hermione Harbutt ~ Beautiful, Handcrafted Couture Wedding Accessories for the Discerning Bride...

Hiyaaaa :) How you doing this sunny day? Is it sunny where you are? It sure as heck is here and I've not had any chance yet to go outside and enjoy any of it!  Been working hard on the blog you see :)

I would like to introduce you to a new friend of mine today, Hermione Harbutt.  Such a lovely name isn't it?   Bristol based Hermione Harbutt designs and handcrafts beautiful couture wedding accessories for the discerning bride...

"I am hugely passionate about what I do and love creating gorgeous jewellery and headdresses that makes each and every one of my lovely brides feel ultra-glamorous and special. There is no better feeling in the world than receiving a thank-you letter and photo of one of my brides wearing her Hermione Harbutt accessories, looking radiant and happy on her wedding day - it is the fuel to my inspiration and hard work!

I aim to create designs with a difference that are luxurious and unique. Every piece is individually handcrafted from the finest materials of pearls, Swarovski crystals and gemstones: no faux pearls or plastic. I strive to create truly beautiful designs that will be treasured as heirlooms of the future. I work very closely with all of my brides and I provide a very personal service..."

Love My Dress^TM UK Wedding Blog - Imagery Supplied by Hermione Harbutt

Win a Jo Barnes Vintage Statement Headpiece...

 

** This competition is now closed.

The winner will be announced on the blog  w/c 20 December 2010 **

As we near the end of November, we are also coming to the end of my totally marvellous 1st Birthday Giveaway month! I know! But don't worry, I've been keeping two or three more fabulous goody giveaways up my sleeve for the end of the month - including the biggest of them all!!! But you'll have to wait until Tuesday for that :)

How about today, I offer you another beautiful vintage style headpiece? The 'Grace' headpiece, by Jo Barnes Vintage, to be exact; £200 worth of, gorgeous, glamorous giveaway loveliness.

I love Designer Jo Barnes, she was one of the very first contacts I made when I first started out blogging.  You can see Jo's wedding on Love My Dress here and here - and view all my Jo Barnes related features here.  Jo has very kindly donated this exquisite headpiece, to be won by one of my lucky readers.  And what a lovely early Christmas present that would make! :) 

And it isn't just the weding industry that is taking note of this very talented lady - Jo Barnes Vintage also appeared in the September issue of Vogue Magazine this year...

"I believe that accessories are a very important part of a brides outfit, its wonderful to be able to help Brides to be pick the perfect accessory, adding the all important finishing touches to compliment their beautiful gown.

I rummage far and wide for wonderful vintage jewellery and source beautiful pieces from all over the world..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Jo Barnes Vintage

Win A £160 Flo & Percy Mad Hatter Hair Comb...

 

** This competition is now closed.

The winner will be announced on the blog during December ** 

Hi Everyone, did you see my sneaky peek tease of a photograph in yesterday afternoon's post, which indicated that I have some gorgeous Flo & Percy goodies to giveaway? Well the time has come!

The supremely very lovely Kirstie over at Flo & Percy has donated two boxes of gorgeous goodies for me to give away to Love My Dress Readers towards our 'Great November Giveaway' to celebrate Love My Dress turning one year old! Thank you Kirstie!

Now, I'm keeping one of the little boxes aside, as it is going towards a much bigger prize that I will be giving away to one lucky reader who completes my 2010 Reader Survey (which I'll be launching in the next week or so).  But this afternoon lovely people, I'd like to give away this beautfiul 'Mad Hatter' hair comb - an amazing diamante rose on a pearl embellished comb, valued at £160.

This stunning and sparkly piece of hair jewellery forms part of 'The Wonderland Collection', described as "A myriad of exciting statement pieces with elegant jewellery to mix and match".   Each piece is handmade to order and this piece has been made especially for our Birthday Giveaway....

Queen For A Day, the Marie Antoinette Way...

Regular fans of the Rock n Roll Bride Wedding blog, will almost certainly have seen the fabulously glamorous 'Rock n Revolution' photoshoot, that featured wedding blogger Kat Williams flaunting her stuff around the streets of Paris in a stunning array of Marie Antoinette style garb - which included four fabulous frocks from the latest Ian Stuart Bridal collection, 'Revolution Rocks!' and a stunning aray of vintage style jewellery and accessories.

This fabulously audacious photoshoot was the brainchild of the eponymous Rock n Roll Bride Wedding Blogger Kat Williams and her long-term Photographer friend and colleague {and Love My Dress favourite!}, David McNeil - both of whom were accompanied by a team of top wedding industry professionals, including Stylist Penny Merricks of Tigerlily Weddings, Photographer Shell De Mar, Hair Stylist Cassandra Rizzuto and Make Up Artist Alison Cameron.

With over 300 blog-worthy photographs to choose from, Kat asked if I'd be kind enough to feature some of the images for her. And of course, I was delighted to oblige :)  Why?? Because I absolutely LOVE what the team have created; an ostentatious display of Marie Antoinette vintage style wedding glamour and gorgeousness.  And isn't vintage glamour and gorgeousness just exactly what Love My Dress is all about?

I adore the bespoke, handmade crown that was supplied by Flo and Percy for the shoot.  I wore Flo and Percy on my wedding day - I can't tell you what beautiful quality their products are...

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, David McNeil

Yarwood White Wedding Jewellery ~ Advice from the Experts...

Having been an admirer for quite some time now, I thought it was about time I featured the lovely Yarwood White on the Love My Dress Wedding Blog.

Clare Yarwood-White is the designer and owner of Yarwood-White, wedding jewellery specialists...
 
"We design for confident, modern women who have a strong sense of personal style and want an individual approach to accessorizing their wedding dress.  They want to look and feel special, but still be recognizable as themselves; just a more polished, glamorous version.

We have a wide range of designs within our collections but they are designed with popular dresses and styles in mind.  For example, our delicate vintage style jewellery works beautifully with the slim fitting, lace dresses that are so fashionable at the moment, and our bolder, diamante designs are fabulous with glamorous, red-carpet style gowns..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog ~ Imagery Copyright (c) 2010, Yarwood White

Passionate About Vintage ~ Limited Edition and One-Off Vintage Bridal Jewellery...

I am extra specially proud today to be extending a very warm welcome to new Love My Dress Wedding Blog sponsor,  'Passionate About Vintage'.

The creation of the very lovely Natalie Leon - Passionate About Vintage specialise in the creation of beautiful one-off and limited edition bridal jewellery pieces, crafted from Natalie’s very extensive personal collection of Vintage beads and components sourced from around the world, many pieces of which are over 50 years old.  Natalie also sources the most exquistie original vintage handbags from 1920-1950.

"I am passionate about vintage, it’s as simple as that really, any and all vintage I don’t discriminate. Anything from Victoriana to the 1950’s makes my heart race. I wander around car boot fairs looking for cut glass, vintage teacups; old leather bound books and rhinestone jewellery. 

I started collecting vintage beads, buttons and sequins at a young age, I have been visiting antique fairs with my parents for as long as I can remember and probably before I could walk. They have always encouraged my creativity and shared my passion for all things period..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Natalie Leon, Passionate About Vintage

Fletcher & Grace Vintage Inspired Sparkle ~ 20% off all orders & Free Shipping...

{Details of how to claim your 20% discount are provided at the end of this feature.
Free delivery provided on all orders.  Offer ends midnight on Tuesday 5 October}

I love all things glamorous and vintage and gorgeous {shift your glance upwards see! It says so in the page banner at the very top of the screen!) And that's why I adore writing for Love My Dress - because I get to learn about so many fabulous brands that create such pretty gorgoeus things!

And so I was pretty darn smitten when I received an email last week from Fletcher and Grace - designers of the most beautiful, sparkly, vintage inspired jewels. 

The inspiration behind this collection of very elegant and sparkly adornments is the elegant 'Ms Grace'. Graceful by name and graceful by nature, Ms Grace is described by Fletcher and Grace as "...the sparkle at the party, pretty in killer heels and not afraid to wear tulle.  She's the girl who wears lipstick to the corner store, dresses to thrill and is captivated by beautiful things.  She adores accessorizing with all things vintage, dressing up and having her hair done, crystal chandeliers and dinner parties, castles and candles, strawberries and champagne..."

Oh Ms Grace, how I long to have you as a real friend!  I simply adore this 1950's style photo-shoot that captures the essence of this elegant and very graceful muse...

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Thomas Gallane Photography