Top of the beautiful sunny morning to you 🙂 What a day already! My little girl is taking a school trip out to the park today and it couldn't be a more beautiful morning for it. Time to get outside methinks whilst I can to savour some of that fresh summer air and warmth.
Surrey based Freelance Makeup Artist Caroleanne Armstrong contacted me recently to tell me about a special photoshoot she had curated, inspired by 1940s vintage. I fell in love with these images instantly, what beautiful colours, what gorgeous dress {pale blue lace, hello!} and what fun! Fabulous inspiration for the Bride seeking to incorporate some 1940s vintage style into her wedding day…
"It occurred to me all at once that not only do I know amazing photographer, Anna Rossell but I had a whole host of other great friends who could all contribute something to a photo shoot.
Anna Rossell, a wedding, lifestyle and destination phototgrapher based also in Surrey is responsible for some really creative shots which took place initially within the boutique and then further along the High St at Retro Bistrot: and sumptuous and elegant French restaurant a run by THE most accommodating and relaxed people I have ever encountered!"
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Anna Rossell
"A few of us who went to school together are forever lusting after the many treasures to be found at Mela Mela Vintage Boutique in Teddington, and thus we thought this a perfect location to host a photoshoot (and good excuse to the the whole place to ourselves!)
We met up very early one Sunday morning – Teddington High Street unusually ripe with parking bays – and put together our various skills and talents to create a vibrant, vintage, fun set of images. We're proud of them for being romantic, feminine, stylish and a little bit fierce….inspired in part by the film "Bridesmaids" and the now very popular Pippa Middleton we wanted to create some images which show that your bridesmaids need not be mediocre…"
"Our very clever and cool hairstylist was Christina Jesell who I met through my own my wedding, when she created vintage hairstyles for all my ladies. Without too much briefing on what we were looking for she managed to swiftly create three bold and glamorous hairstyles without even dropping a heated roller…"
"The Bridesmaids dresses and hair accessories featured are an example of the vast enviable collection Mel and her team have on offer and it was really quite difficult to focus on the task at hand…"
"The wedding dress in the shots was my own original 1940's satin ivory blush which I wore for my wedding in December. It was the perfect style – I bought it through Etsy and had it altered here in Surrey…"
"The beautiful (none too traditional) and striking bouquets and accessories were provided by Gayle Evans of Bloomin' Gayles based in Kent. I am repeatedly bowled over by her imagination and creativity and wonderful enthusiasm for her art.
The bouquets in this shoot are made up of Delphinium, Helanthus, Sedum, Dianthus, Cornflower, Roses and Flowering Artichoke. Gayle likes to feature individual brooches on her bouquets which she collects over time and serve as a lasting souvenir for the bride…"
"The cakes were provided by Charlotte Thoms of CT Cakes (who also happens to be the bridesmaid modelling the lacy dress!) Charlotte provides novelty bespoke cakes and cupcakes for birthdays and weddings and is also based in Surrey…"
"The signature piece from this shoot, however, was the rose petal teardrop fascinator worn by the bride – crafted painstakingly from individual petals, it's quite the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen and a spectacular alternative to a veil…"
"Stylist for the clothing and accessories on the shoot was Grace Hockie and Alexandra Hockie was production queen, time keeper and Starbucks obtainer!"
"Our volunteer models were my sister, Lisa, Charlotte as mentioned above and Marie – a real life bride to be who got some good practise walking about holding up her train!
My own input was of course makeup. My approach to vintage style make up is to try to maintain a softness and not too heavy an application. I didn't need too much alongside their statement hairstyles.
I think it's important to make a nod towards your desired era but still look like yourself.
We are thrilled with the outcome and in keeping with the inspiration for the shoot – if nothing else, we made an amazing team had a great laugh and I'm proud to know so many generous, talented and supportive women…"
Credits
Photography: Anna Rossell
Make Up: Caroleanne Armstrong
Hair: Christina Jesell
Cakes: CT Cakes
Floristry: Blooming Gayles
Locations: Mela Mela + Retro Bistrot
Styling: Grace Hockie
Production: Alexandra Hockie
Models: Lisa Mart, Charlotte Thoms and Marie Hayward
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Thank you Caroleanne for providing the most delightful, colourful vintage inspiration for Love My Dress.
See more 1940's style inspiration here on Love My Dress :) Any of you Brides to be going 40's style?
See more from Anna Rossell on Love My Dress here.
Lots of love all,
Annabel xXx
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