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Top tips to know about Bridesmaids

Inspiration

Top tips to know about Bridesmaids

When it comes to deciding everything to do with bridesmaids, such as who to choose or what they should wear, here’s our top tips on all the questions you may have. 

Who to choose? 

When it comes to choosing who your bridesmaids should be, you should start with family. Ask your sisters and your partners’ sisters first (only if you have close relationships with them). 

Then choose your best friend. In relation to choosing friends in your group, it depends on whether you want a large wedding or not. Prioritise those you have the closest connections with and go from there. 

How many to choose?

Firstly, discuss with your partner whether you want the same number of bridesmaids/groomsmen on both sides or if are you happy with an asymmetrical wedding party. Do you want 10 bridesmaids standing by your side while your partner may only have 4? 

Secondly, is your budget going to support the number of people you are choosing? Do you want quality or quantity? 

Consider personalities 

When choosing who you want in your bridal party, decide what you want or don’t want from them. Do you want a hype team? Or maybe a group of laid-back bridesmaids? 

Whatever you decide, make sure they are there to help and assist you throughout and avoid those who you believe are going to possibly cause drama and be an interference. 

Choosing bridesmaids dresses

There are no rules when choosing your bridesmaids dresses. You can have them all the same or you can have the same colours but different styles or they can all be different. It’s entirely up to you and there are so many options to choose from. 

If your bridesmaids are not happy with the dress you’ve chosen for them, should they even be your bridesmaid? It is your day to shine, not theirs, and if they don’t support your vision of what you want your day to look like, you may have to go back and think if they deserve to be by your side on the day. 

How to ask loved ones to be bridesmaids?

You could straight up ask your chosen bridal party to be by your side on the day if you really wanted to. 

Or you could create a bridesmaid proposal gift as small or extravagant as you like. It could be anything from a handwritten, personalised note or a gift basket of clues for them to figure out. 

Whatever you decide, be happy you have chosen the best of the best to support you on your special day!

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In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

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Categories
Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

The couple kept their wedding a secret from friends and family, eloping at Lower Barns in Cornwall, followed by an intimate celebration on the beach. 

Kayleigh always knew Zoe was the one, and that they would eventually get married. The proposal, although it was put together with so much thought, came at a spontaneous and authentic time. “I created a book of all the things I love about Kayleigh on the website Love Book Online, calling it The Story of Us. I knew I wanted to use it to propose but didn’t know when I’d do it, so would add pages to the book every day on my bus ride home from work. About 11 months and 69 pages later, I finally finished so I started thinking about the setting of my proposal.”

“I’m so bad at keeping surprises a secret from Kayleigh as I get overexcited and end up letting slip, so I knew organising something without giving anything away would be hard. I suggested a breakfast picnic at sunrise on West Wittering beach for my birthday, thinking with it being my birthday, she wouldn’t be suspicious of the extra effort. However, a few days before we were having one of our favourite evenings lounging on the sofa, eating and binge-watching Line of Duty and we were so happy and content that I realised that rather than try and create the perfect moment, this was the perfect moment.” 

“Whilst Kayleigh was getting ready for bed, I put the book and ring under my pillow and waited, trying to hide my excitement and not grin like a Cheshire Cat. Once she got into bed, I told her I’d bought her something and gave her the book. When she finally got to page 67, I started manoeuvring myself onto one knee with the ring in hand. She then turned the final page to a caricature of me asking “Kayleigh, will you marry me?”. Weirdly enough, and without knowing it, I started the book on 1st May 2018 and proposed on 1st May 2019. We were in our little love bubble, curled up on the sofa and I had no idea that I would be engaged by the time I went to sleep!”.

The wedding day started with breakfast brought to the couple’s room by host Janie at Lower Barns. “Neither of us were nervous, we’d kept it a secret for 14 months and were so excited the day was finally here! Our hair stylist and makeup artist then arrived and made us feel like absolute queens. As it was an intimate ceremony, with just the two of us (aside from Paul & Suz – The Twigs witnessing), there were no outside influences which may have caused any stress and the day was very chilled. Once we were married, and after some cream scones and Champagne, the four of us went on a mini road trip around Cornwall looking for places to take photos, ending the day eating burgers and drinking shakes at Hub Box.” 

The couples then arrived at Watergate Bay. “We continued to take photos, not realising it was high tide. We found a spot and started shooting but didn’t anticipate how quickly the tide would come in. For the most part we were stood on a rock so didn’t get too wet but poor Paul & Suz got soaked! As no one knew we were eloping we commissioned a Mrs & Mrs pennant and a vintage number plate saying ‘Happily Hitched’ with the idea of using a photo of them to announce our marriage to our family and friends.” 

“Just do you. It’ll be one of the most special days in your lifetime, which hopefully you’ll only do once, so it should be exactly how you want it to be. When you look back at your photos you want to be reminded of how perfect it was, rather than remember the things you had to compromise on to make others happy.” 

Suppliers: 
Photography: Twigs Branch Photography
Venue: Lower Barns
Flowers: Flourish Studio
Kayleigh’s Skirt: Sweet Caroline
Kayleigh’s Top, Zoe’s Trousers & Zoe’s Corset: Rose Savage Bridal
Makeup: Suzi Winter
Hair Stylist: Hair by Emma C
Rings: Baroque Jewellery 
Pennant: Oxford Pennant
Number Plate: Slates Plates

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Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

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Read More

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Categories
Styled Shoot

Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Shoot

Styled Shoots

Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Shoot

bridgerton-inspired-wedding-ideas-inspiration-gradeur-regal-bouquet-and-bells

Bouquet & Bells together with Tanya from Tanya Flannagan Photography co-coordinated this opulent Bridgerton-inspired styled shoot. As a result of the hit TV series, Bridgerton, the regency wedding theme is on the rise and we wanted to create a shoot to showcase our twist on the trend. It was important to us to pay meticulous details to every element of the shoot, and our aim was to execute the theme in a way that the small details all came together beautifully. The colour scheme was based around pastel colours with particular focus on peaches and pinks with a pop of sky blue. 

The shoot was held at Hawkstone Hall and Gardens, a Grade 1-listed building nestled within the hills of the rolling Shropshire countryside. Their ‘Saloon’ dining room, intimate ceremony room and picturesque outdoor space burst with opulence and grandeur, making them the ideal location. Elizabeth Josh Films produced a stunning short film and captured the day spectacularly.

Surrey-based dressmaker Felicity West Macott provided three handmade gowns for the shoot. A peach gown with bardot neckline and corset back was the start of the show, as Felicity had made it bespoke for the shoot. Other gowns featured a long pink ombré train with bell sleeves, and a floral embroidered jumpsuit. Star and Leaf provided a selection of handmade veils, paired beautifully with a bejewelled headpiece by Six Penny Bride. A pair of kitten heel white lace shoes with pink bows finished the look. The model’s hair was styled by Bella Amore Hair Salon, and the makeup was kept classic by Made up by Cathryn. Diamond drop earrings and beautiful rings were provided by London Victorian Ring Co. The groom wore a grey tail suit from Bill Child Formal Wear paired with light grey slim tie. 

An abundance of florals were provided by Ginger Lily Florist in pink and peach tones with foliage. The bouquet was big and wild in a waterfall style. Wild Meadow Weddings and Ginger Lily collaborated on the table decor, opting for a long banquet style with blue linen from Coloured Linen Hire. A range of gold vases complete with crockery and goblet glassware made the Saloon fit for a regal banquet. Classic stationery by White Orchid Print and Design finished it off beautifully. 

A pale blue four-tier cake with white icing detail in a baroque style was created by Susan from Elizabeth Anna Cake Design. It stood tall on an elegant white cake stand, surrounded by a range of delicious accompaniments including marshmallows, doughnuts, meringues and more, also made by Susan. The real start of the show was Kaiser, a Shire horse fully dressed for the occasion and pulling black open-top carriage courtesy of Huddart Heavy Horses. 

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

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Read More

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Categories
Styled Shoot

Bright and Bold in the Woods

Styled Shoots

Bright and bold in the woods

colourful-wedding-shoot-woodland-weddings-bright-bold-rustic-venue-bouquet-and-bells

We had been desperate to plan a bright & bold shoot for quite some time; something that wasn’t afraid to stand out and push the style boundaries. So, when the opportunity arose to combine our colourful vision with a rustic woodland venue we jumped at it. Cheshire Woodland Weddings’ romantic outdoor ceremony area together with their rustic wooden barn made the perfect location. We handpicked a close-net selection of quality, local suppliers and my vision was brought to life. 

Photographer Jessica O’Shaughessy captured all elements of the shoot perfectly. Her style of photography fell hand-in-hand for a colourful theme and the images beautifully reflected all elements of the day. Hannah from Hannah Williamson Flowers created a killer flower crown for model Jo, paired with a beautiful bouquet. Model Kieran fashioned two different suits, each provided by Groom. One featured a quirky pocket garden; a really unique concept that we just adore! Coloured smoke bombs added even more ‘WOW’ and really stood out against the woodland backdrop. Dainty jam jars with colourful stems continued the theme of bright and bold down the woodland aisle. Colourful heart-shaped confetti was hand thrown and shot out of cannons supplied by Your Confetti. 

Sam created two different hair looks, each very natural and effortless including accessories by Cassie M Bridal Accessories. Kavita from Magic Mirror Bridal Makeup kept Jo’s makeup very soft and gentle with bronze eyeshadow and a neutral pink lip. The looks was darkened and made more evening appropriate for shots in the barn. Hanni from My Funny Valentine supplied two beautiful bridal gowns. The first was Saffron by Evie Young, an a-line gown with beautiful leaf pattern detail. The second was Lansbury by Pronovias, a strapless mermaid gown with beautiful beading and glitz detail. My personal favourite detail were the angel wings. They attached around Jo’s upper arms and effortlessly blew in the wind which just looked so beautiful in the images, and it’s a fantastic alternative to a traditional veil. 

The styling really came to life in the magical rustic barn. A stunning tables cape featured beautiful blooms, placed in a statement gold vase and various glass jars. Coloured tall candles added an element of height to the table along with an element of romance. Vintage crockery supplied by Sweetpea & Ivy was an elegant and quirky alternative that looked gorgeous against the wooden panelling of the barn and dark wash wooden farmhouse table. Individual luxe white menus with rose gold wax seal detail created by Knock Knock Penny Studio finished the look. 

The cake was a real showstopper. Julie from The Red Rose Cake Company together with Hannah worked together to create an elegant but vibrant design. A stunning white three-tier with cascading bright florals sat on a wooden barrel. A mouth-watering grazing table was provided by Cheeky Chilli Events. A cold meat platter, delicate macarons and a selection of local cheeses were just some of the delicious treats that featured. Trust me when I say the macarons were absolutely delicious!

colourful-wedding-shoot-woodland-weddings-bright-bold-rustic-venue-bouquet-and-bells

Suppliers: 
Organiser and concept: Bouquet & Bells
Photography: Jessica O’Shaughessy Photography
Venue: Cheshire Woodland Weddings
Cake: The Red Rose Cake Co
Dresses: My Funny Valentine
Suits: Groom
Hair Stylist: Samantha Gannon Hair
Makeup: Magic Mirror Bridal Makeup
Accessories: Cassie M Bridal Accessories
Flowers: Hannah Williamson Flowers
Stationery: Knock Knock Penny Studio
Graze Table & Desert Table: Cheeky Chilli Events
Vintage Crockery: Sweetpea & Ivy
Confetti: Your Confetti
Models: Jo & Kieran from A Couple of Models

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
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Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.

Categories
Styled Shoot

Release Your Inner Viking

Styled Shoots

Release Your Inner Viking

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

An alternative Viking themed wedding shoot located at Trevor Quarry in North Wales.

Coordinated by Bouquet & Bells with the concept by The Red Rose Cake Company and photography by Twigs Branch Photography. 

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

Bouquet & Bells recently coordinated this organised shoot, and the concept was quite literally dreamt up by Julie from The Red Rose Cake Company. Julie lives near Llangollen and often walks her 4-legged friend among the quarries and hills. She stumbled across this jaw-dropping limestone quarry location and just knew it would be the perfect setting for the Viking theme. 

Bouquet & Bells sourced a close-net team of suppliers and everyone worked extremely hard to bring the theme to life. Props were taken from our own homes including a wooden axe, antique mallet and drinking horn for an authentic look. The overall styling was kept very minimal as we endeavoured to make it appear as if the couple had just eloped together. 


Twigs Branch Photography’s epic creativity and editing style made them perfect photographers for this shoot. The intimacy between Harley & David was captured beautifully and the warm-toned images gave the harsh landscape a softness and elegance. 

Damian created the most breath-taking short film. He used a drone to swoop over the stunning landscape, and had another camera on-foot to capture Harley and David. 

The cake was a striking 4-tier statement with real-leather-look detailing and studs. It was mounted on a rock draped with a reindeer fur throw, finished beautifully with natural foliage and an animal skull. 

Harley wore a full-length v-neck gown in a neutral linen. Her hair was kept very rugged with subtle curls and silver hair beads. David’s hair was placed into a topknot and kept very wild. Both models fashioned black and white tribal face paint with a bold smokey eye and Harley paired it with a rusty red lip. Handpicked jewellery and accessories together with a flower crown added a bit of glam and gave a nod to the more modern-day wedding. David wore a grey tweed suit and a linen shirt to match Harley’s dress. Both finished the look with cool Dr Martens, perfect for climbing the harsh terrain.  

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

Caroline from Flowers at the Dutch Barn used a mix of warm-toned fresh flowers. The bouquet was kept fairly minimal and tied with a deep red velvet ribbon. 

Uniquely Styled, the sister company of Tipi Unique, provided real fur throws and cushions to add a touch of softness to the scene. 

 

Suppliers: 
Planning: Bouquet & Bells
Concept & Cake: The Red Rose Cake Company
Photography: Twigs Branch Photography
Videography: Damian Kelly Media
Flowers: Flowers at the Dutch Barn
Hair & Makeup: Cassie M Bridal
Jewellery & Accessories: Cassie M Bridal Accessories 
Props: Uniquely Styled
Models: Harley & David (Alternatively Wed)

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
flower-power-bouquet-and-bells-wedding-magazine-bridal
Latest news
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Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.