Our Bridal Muse - Amy

Creating embellishments is my favorite part of making a brides dress. Developing a unique design for our brides every single time. Amy wanted a bodice detailed with 3D flowers pearls and crystals - Your wish was my command.

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

There are so many, its hard to pick one. I actually loved having our pics taken. It was a little time to ourselves after a very emotional and nerve racking morning. Our photographer was great, we had lots of giggles, the chance to talk about the day so far and spend a bit of time together, I finally felt totally relaxed.

What is your advice to a bride to be?

Just really try to chill and be in the moment. Easier said than done I know. Everyone says how quickly the day goes by but you just can’t comprehend how true that is, blink and its gone.

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

I didn’t have a worry, Sarah made me feel totally at ease. I had gone and bought a dress previously and realized it was not ‘the one’. After a chat with Sarah I felt confident selling it and leaving my ideas for my dream dress with her

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

 I loved the regular fittings and seeing it come together… really felt a part of the dress being made and it kept up the excitement.

The Dream Team

Our suppliers were all amazing. We got married at Coolbawn Quay in Tipperary and the staff there went so out of their way to ensure everything run smoothly and everyone was having a great time. They also did their very best to calm me down and take any extra tasks off my hands, cannot recommend them enough. The food was also out of this world and people are still talking about the lamb 3 months later.

Our photographer Derek - Memento photography had us giggling and feeling relaxed all day. He was also really quick so we didn’t miss much of the reception and had plenty of time with our loved ones. When we received the photographs it brought back the whole day, he caught so many natural moments and that is exactly what we were looking for.

Hair by Joanne, Nenagh. Joanne was so great on the morning of the wedding. Kept everyone calm and managed to please four very different bridesmaids.

Make up  Jane Greely

Videographer  Blat Garcia, Edithouse

Flowers Elizabeth Rose, Nenagh

Band Poplife really did make our day… we had to of them play the ceremony and reception drinks and then the full band on the night. Absolutely loved them and all of our guests commented how great they were.

I loved our fittings too Amy, designing for you was a dream.


A year in pictures

For me pictures speak volumes - I’m a visual girl so what better way to sum up my year.  

Wishing you all a wonderful 2019  

Our Bridal Muse - Fiona

How do you have it all? How can you have a romantic dress and a slinky evening wear style ? How can you incorporate the lovely details you have pinned on your secret Pinterest board ? Todays bridal muse Fiona was exactly like you. She had a dream of what she wanted to wear on her wedding day and I helped her to bring those ideas to life.

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

Myself and my husband walking around the streets of Sorrento (Italy) town with our photographers. By that stage we were more comfortable having our photos taken and most of my nerves had subsided after the ceremony. It was lovely having some time together and having so many passers by congratulate us and compliment me on my dress. I had removed my overskirt for this part of the day so it was easy to walk around in the main slimmer fitting dress and I didn't get overheated at all.

What is your advice for a bride to be?

This is by no means unique advice as I myself had heard it so many times before my actual wedding but it is "enjoy ever second as its over so fast". Also, don't care what anyone thinks, its your day, as you've invested so much time, money and energy planning it, you want to enjoy every moment and have no regrets, for instance if your nervous remind yourself this is what you wanted and enjoy all the attention as you only get one day! Also, enjoy all the lead up to the wedding as much as possible while it lasts, as everyone is so interested and happy for you and your hubby to be!

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

That what I wanted overall wouldn't work, as I would have liked various aspects of different dresses that I had previously tried on but no one dress had it all! Sarah knew exactly what I had in mind when I showed her some photos from my Pinterest board. I had confidence that Sarah would advise on what would work and not work all throughout the design process and at each fitting I might have had a new idea to run by her, and I always worried that I was asking for too much or being too fussy, but Sarah was open to all my ideas along the way and would always say that we can try this and see if it works and if not we can remove that part.

What part of having your dress made was the most fun for you?

Having my own input into my dress was the most exciting as I ended up with exactly what I wanted and was able to merge different styles and end up with something modern, romantic, with vintage aspects and overall unique. I also enjoyed attending the fittings every couple of months with my mam and/or mother in law to be. We would make an afternoon of it and go for lunch somewhere nearby afterwards or a walk on Bull Island. It was exciting being able to share this with them and talk about the progress that had been made with the dress after each appointment.

The Dream Team

Location Sorrento in Italy

Hair and makeup Joanna Falanga www.makeupartistsorrento.com

Photographer Enzo Campitelli

Wedding planner Sorrento Sunland - They were extremely organised and provided visibility from the start on prices unlike a lot of other wedding planners that I had contacted. Sorrento Wedding Planner (@sorrentosunland) • Instagram photos and videos

Dream location and dream wedding thank you so much Fiona for sharing your day with us. It was such a pleasure to work with you and bring your vision alive

Have you got a dress in mind that you want to create for your wedding? This is what I love to do so drop me an email now info@sarahfoycouture.com

Creatives We Love - Noeleen At EF Creative Studios

Make up is another big decision to be made for the big day. You need someone that knows their stuff, that can create your imagined look, but that also compliments your natural features. You just need to take a look at todays creative Noeleen Cunningham’s Instagram feed to see that you would be in safe hands. Today she shares with us her inspiration and work.

Who is your bride?

I think I'll have to say Megan Markle. Since I did Megan's make up 3 years ago, I get a lot of requests for her look. What is not to love about a timeless, elegant and natural look. But truthfully, it's a really difficult question to answer as every bride is unique. I think that's what I love most about bridal makeup, the character and personality of each bride, our partnership to create a look that helps them feel amazing. This is our ethos at EF Creative Studios, tailor making looks that capture a bride's true personality. I also love being involved in one of the most important moments of their lives.

When do you feel most creative?

As a deaf make up artist living in a world without sound, my whole life revolves around my visual sense. Nature, the changes in seasons and the colours of the earth have always inspired me when it comes to creating mood boards. I love bringing this inspiration into my work, I have created signature bridal looks which we will be launching soon.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

At the trial, I always feel a little nervous as I am keen to give my brides exactly what they are looking for. On the big day, I always feel calm and relaxed as myself and my bride know the look we are going for and I just need to ensure that she has the best day ever. The bridal trial is crucial for me, as I can't hear the sound of the bride's voice over the phone I rely on seeing them in person to get a sense of who they really are, allowing me to harness their natural beauty. I love it when brides bring photos or inspiration with them, it is so exciting to watch the spark in their eyes as they describe the look they want.

What do you like to hear from a bride?

I absolutely love it when I'm asked, ''can you do this?'' as they show me a photo or describe a look they want. I love the artistic licence this allows me. No look will be the exact same on two different people and no two people are the exact same so I have the opportunity to use their natural beauty and my makeup skills to create a look that will be unique to each bride.

How did you find your calling?

I have always been extremely creative and enjoyed working with people. Initially I worked in fashion design and child care before finding my true calling of being a makeup artist. I also enjoyed a brief stint of a modelling representing Monaghan in the Rose of Tralee in 2005. I soon realised that I preferred being the artist rather than the canvas. I moved into makeup because I loved the connection with people. I initially worked as a freelance hair and makeup artist, but joined the EF Creative Studios team a couple of years ago. It is so brilliant to be part of an amazing team of creative artists, we learn from each other and push each other to try new products and techniques and be the best artists we could possibly be.

Thank you Noeleen for sharing with us. Want to see more? Check out Noeleen’s instagram feed for your bridal make up inspiration - @noeleenmua or www.efcreativestudios.com

Our Bridal Muse - Claire

This dress has it all - stunning lace , high low hem, separates and a matching lace floral crown. I love that my job is to make a brides vision come through and Claire trusted me with that task. Isn’t she stunning.

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

We got married in No. 5 South Leinster Street at the National Gallery. It was a small wedding with just family and close friends, 28 guests in total. So my best memory is walking into that room with my dad, towards Dermot, surrounded by all the people I love most in the world. The emotion of it all just hit me like a tonne of bricks! It was lovely and I’ll never forget it.

 

What is your advice to a bride to be?

My advice is to make the day as personal to you and your partner as you can. Don’t feel pressure to do things because you are “supposed to” or someone tells you that you “have to”. The only things you really “have to” do are the legal bits! We had a humanist ceremony and our celebrant, Eithne Dempsey, was amazing. Instead of readings during the ceremony, we had each of our dads sing a song which was really special. We included our mammy’s in a sand ceremony. We were lucky to have extremely talented friends to take part, one performing beautiful acoustic guitar and one to take amazing photos. It all felt truly personal to us.

Also, don’t sweat the small stuff! It’s a happy day and everybody is there to celebrate with you. It doesn’t matter if things don’t go exactly to plan, just go with the flow! We had a small reception at the Gallery with some nibbles and drinks before a dinner reservation in Eden Bar and Grill. However the nibbles ran out about an hour before the reservation so we just headed across the road to Lincoln’s Inn and had a drink in there. It was really relaxed and great fun with strangers coming up to congratulate us and offer best wishes.

 

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

My biggest worry was that people would think my dress was odd! I had a few definite ideas about what I wanted – separates, one high-low skirt and two tops, one for the ceremony day and one for the party on the following day. Whether or not they would work together I had no idea. But I could not have been in safer hands with Sarah. Sarah took my disjointed ideas and made them whole, she created a look better than I could have imagined and I couldn’t have been happier with the end result.

What part of the process was most fun for you?

Having your dress made means you are there for every part of it. Getting the sketches at the very beginning, picking the fabrics and lace, and seeing it all come together through each fitting. It was all fun and exciting. And because you are there for each step, you can see earlier on if something works or not. I bought a flower crown to wear on the day and brought it with me to a fitting. As soon as I had it on with the dress, we knew it wasn’t right. Luckily for me, Sarah was able to create a beautiful flower crown that worked perfectly.

 

How relaxed and comfortable does Claire look? One big tip for finding the dress, be sure to be comfortable - you need to wear the dress not the dress wear you.




Creatives We Love - The Wild Bunch

It all started with a panicked search to find a florist for a photoshoot last January. Tina came to the rescue, unfazed by the random ideas I had, she set about creating and transforming - bringing the outdoors in. The Wild Bunch is her company and today we ask her all about her inspiration.

Who is your bride?

Our bride is someone with a strong sense of style and a fairly good idea of the feel they want for their wedding. They aren’t necessarily flower lovers or “inspired by nature” but they are increasingly influenced by trends, especially from Australia and the US, for organic, natural designs, and more dramatic focal points for their wedding; whether a ceremony backdrop, an elaborate entrance, or a large hanging installation over the reception tables. They are open to ideas and are less concerned about formulas or set ways of doing things. They want something different from the norm, designed for that venue, that season, their wedding.

And they are the loveliest! I’ve heard all the stories, but we’ve never had anything even close to a “bridezilla”! (am I allowed say that?!)

When do feel most creative?

The first spark or idea always comes from nature, from the landscape. The shapes, the colours, the “mood” of each season, each month. How dependant that is on the location, the weather. My first aim is always to capture that mood, because it’s that connection to the natural world that stirs something in all of us.

After that, from a lot of places. Any form of art really; paintings, photography, sculpture, interiors, metalwork, textiles. Anything that looks good. Kilkenny’s craft scene is brilliant, and I could spend hours just looking at other people’s work. I like to get a feel for a piece, and then try to figure what makes it feel that way; is it the colour, the lines, the form, the weight or texture? I try to imagine the process; how the piece started in the designer’s head, the dreaming, then the practicalities, the trials and tweaking (in so far as my knowledge of that craft allows!) I find the whole process fascinating. Then I have to quench my sudden desire to become a silversmith, or a furniture maker, or a photographer!

Workshops are an essential way of developing your own style and are my weakness; I’ve been known to blow the budget on workshops! There are so many amazing and inspiring florists in Ireland and in the UK and the opportunity to learn from them is invaluable.

Finally I get involved in any photoshoots I can. It’s a fantastic way to get creative, and there is a real energy when different artists get together, working together and feeding off each other’s ideas.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

Honestly, it’s the best part! I love meeting couples, talking to people, hearing their plans and their stories… and absolutely cherish seeing them again on the day. I delude myself that I’m part of the family (I know how sad that sounds.) It’s just such a fantastic time, so full of emotion and excitement. I love flowers but could never work with them without the “people” part.

Once we’re chatting I find that lots of brides will make a point of telling me that they “don’t know much about flowers” but they don’t need to. They just need to have an idea of the style they want for the day and then we can translate that together, in context of the season and the venue. I tell my brides to send me any photos they‘ve come across and liked; regardless of the flowers or the season or the actual arrangement; just to get an idea of their aesthetic, the style and colours they are drawn to.

Many of our couples live abroad and we don’t get to meet before the day. It’s surprisingly easy to arrange everything by email, exchanging photos and ideas to and fro.

What do you like to hear from a bride? The best question they could ask you?

I love when a bride understands the importance of the season; that when the flowers are part of that bigger picture outside the window, it makes them so much more than when they are in an isolated little wedding “bubble”. That doesn’t mean lists of available or unavailable flowers, it comes back to capturing the “mood” of the season, through colours, textures, form.

But the best thing to hear from a bride is “I trust you”. All of our loveliest work comes about when we have some freedom to design the flowers the way we think best, and freedom on the day to “go with it” and add creative touches. It’s not about me just doing my own thing, it’s entirely based on the bride’s own style, her colours, the season, the venue, but in the best way possible.

How did you find your calling?

The idea came about 12 years ago when we’d just bought our house in Kilkenny. The garden was huge and being slight hippies we were determined to do something productive with it. We’d both been working in horticulture in various guises for some time and when I came across a piece in a gardening magazine about a similar grower-florist in England, it made perfect sense. That winter we ploughed up the whole garden and got planting.

In the first few years there were almost no other grower-florists in Ireland. There was none of the community or support that there is today for newcomers, and we really had to find our own way. On the other hand I suppose we were fairly unique at the time in what we offered; home grown natural, seasonal flowers, and we were surprised by how quickly things took off. We certainly had to learn on our feet in the early years but I think that has stood to us; we've learned to carve our own niche which is so important in an industry that changes all the time.

Want to see more of Tina’s work?

Check out her Instagram account wild_bunch_flowers

Facebook WildBunchWeddingFlowers

Website www.thewildbunch.ie

Our Bridal Muse Laura

When a sparkling personality reaches across an email you just know you are going to have fun creating her wedding dress. A big thank you to Laura for sharing such an intimate day.

What is your best memory of your wedding day? 

My best memory is just that it was so relaxed, intimate, unique and special.  It was just the three of us for the whole day (myself, husband Ronan and our 9 month old baby daughter Heidi)

By having just the three of us, I feel we created a really special memory as a new little family and we have a memory together that nobody else has with us. 

We had a huge celebration party with friends and family the following weekend but the wedding and christening weekend itself was just us and it couldn’t have been more perfect. With social media and great technology, the world has become a world of sharing every single last thing, so I love that we didn’t have to share this day with anyone.  We did share some select photos with some select friends and family the following day though.   

Is there a moment that stands out for you?

One of my favourite moments is that we also christened Heidi during the wedding ceremony and I can’t wait to tell her that when she’s older. It really felt like such a special and unique occasion for the three of us as a new family to have a combined wedding and christening. 

What is your advice to a bride to be?

If it’s not too late already- keep it simple! And be different. People get tired of going to weddings when it’s the same thing over and over. That’s why our friends and family loved how we got married - refreshingly, just by ourselves, and they loved coming to our wedding celebration the following week after because it was just a casual, chilled out, fun house party. 

My advice -  just do the special intimate marriage part by yourselves and soak up the love and connection you have between one another, and then do the celebration with others separately.

This way doesn’t suit everyone but definitely at least consider it. Both my husband and I couldn’t recommend more highly doing it the way we did it.

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

That I wouldn’t like the end product but that it would be too late by then to sort out something else. At least when you go into a shop you know there and then whether you like the end product or not.  Also the reliance on somebody else to create it.  You don’t really have control over the situation and that’s a bit stressful. Especially if it’s all a little last minute!

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

I found it a little difficult because we were keeping the wedding a surprise from everyone so it wasn’t a traditional “going to get my dress made occasion” the way it might usually be. Also I was under heavy time restraints and had a lot of other things going on with building a house and having a baby ... so the wedding planning wasn’t our absolute priority.  I did enjoy going to Sarah’s house and she made it extremely easy for me.  A spin out to her home, a dress fitting and a spin home again.  And I was able to take my baby with me which was very helpful and made things so much easier. I would highly recommend Sarah.  I’ve already recommended her to a number of friends and family

The suppliers

Photographer - Butterfly Photography.  I would HIGHLY recommend Husband and Wife duo Ash and Dan.  They are not only so sound and easy-going but also amazing photographers.  
Ash helped me a lot in the wedding preparations.  She was the witness to the wedding too.  It was actually Ash who gave me Sarah Foy Couture’s contact. It worked just so well for me ! 

Make up - Stephanie Burgess.  She was fantastic and came to the hotel I was staying in to do my make up.  She also came to my house prior to do a trial.  She’s very sound and easy-going too which helped.

Hair - I got my hair done by the amazing Nikki in Chocolate Fringe, Dunshaughlin, near where I live, the day beforehand.  I like the more messy, not perfect look, so I wanted it done the day beforehand. I was extremely happy with my hair and I liked that Nikki didn’t know she was doing my hair for my wedding the next day because I didn’t want a big deal or fuss! I put a fresh flower into it on the morning itself.  


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Our Summer In Pictures

I am back at the computer finally this week after a hectic summer season of creating one of dresses for our one of a kind brides. Finishing August off in style with the arrival of my new baby son Conor. So in between new born cuddles I have some new exciting posts coming this way. First up, my favourite pictures of the summer in studio. 

It was a summer of accessories. Along with our custom made gowns we designed some of the most fun capes, veils, cover ups and our show stopper gold wedding dress. Creating our own embellishments is what makes us unique - it is also my favourite part of the whole process.

To finish of the summer as a finalist at the Wedding Journal Reader Awards and getting the hubby into a tux was an added bonus.

So whats to come in the following months? Well our summer brides are sending in their stunning images so watch this space for more bridal muse interviews and chats with our favourite wedding suppliers.

Ask the designer - what questions have you about choosing your dress? What can you not get your head around? I have a couple of ask the designer pieces coming up on the blog so drop me an email with your dilemma - info@sarahfoycouture.com

Finally, I will share one last picture of my little treasures as you can imagine this was my highlight of the summer


Ethical Bridal Choices

Is it possible to shop ethically for your wedding dress? Is it even something you have thought about? As we start to see customers and designers taking a more thoughtful approach to purchasing and designing, can we shop ethically for our wedding attire? Today I’m giving you some ideas to approach your dress shopping with an ethical eye.

There are bridal designers out there that are paving the way in ethical sustainable bridal wear with out compromising on design . www.sanyuktashrestha.com is one such designer along with Minna http://www.minna.co.uk/ and company’s like reformation https://www.thereformation.com. Although the lovely Little White dress shop stocks sanyuktashrestha gowns you will have to do some research into designer and stockists or travel to the Uk to find your dress

Ask- when starting out on your dress hunt don’t be afraid to ask and research designers you like for information on there ethical practices. The ethical bridal industry is young and you may find it hard to find a 100% perfect company but any move towards a conscious purchase is good in my book.

www.butterflyphotography.ie

Upstyling a wedding dress is a lovely thoughtful and sustainable way to find your dress. A heirloom gown or second hand dress can be reworked and made exclusively yours with the help of a good dress maker or designer. Taking a preloved dress either from a family member or wonderful sites like Once Wed can be the answer to both a budget and style conscious bride

Picking an Irish designer to produce an exclusive dress for you with ethically fabrics and sustainable practice in mind is another very good option for a conscious bridal. You would not only meet your ethical goals but have some input into the style and design you wish to have for your dream dress. Of course that would be a product I would happily undertake here at Sarah Foy Couture. But a quick google check will find you other great Irish designers that would happily help you create your dream dress

http://www.johannakingphotography.com/

My own ethical journey has been sporadic at best on till this last 18 months. Between a house move and the onslaught of children’s toys into the house I turned firstly to a great podcast The Minimalists, which started me on a series journey to change my purchasing habits. Over the last year I have read and watched some great resources that really help me understand more clearly the effect fast fashion is having on the world. Still far from perfect, I have certainly had a big change in my attitude to everything I purchase. That mind set certainly doesn’t change when I think and purchase for my brides. As all of our dresses are designed and made in my home studio they are certainly ethically produced. However, the move to more sustainable fabrics may take a while longer I now have a select of organic silks options for brides to be and on the hunt for new and exciting alternatives for our fabrics.

As other aspects of our business evolve, I hope to continue to think and purchase as ethically as possible from our packaging to stationary. I also firmly believe that supporting other Irish businesses is essential to staying sustainable and ethical within Sarah Foy Couture.

 

Ask The Designer - Cover Ups

You have the most stunning backless creation, had it fitted to perfection. Your hair, make up and accessories that you thought hard about are exactly as you imagined. As you get set to head to your ceremony you realise it’s 2 degrees out side and you are likely to spend the next couple of hours trying to keep the shivering at bay! It is well worth taking a little time to thing about a coverup that will compliment your over all look for the day

Our bride Melissa in a dramatic wool crepe cape

There was a time when your only option was a fur shawl or cashmere wrap, thrown over the shoulder - all perfectly fine but today the options are endless and fun. Brides are making a statement with their cover up, adding their drama to this rather then their dress. So today I give you tips to consider when looking for your cover up

Your need for a cover up will help you decided on what to go for. If it’s warmth you need for those snowy winter weddings then picking a heavier fabric like velvet or wool will keep you cosy. You may need a lighter coverage in the warmer months for church weddings or unpredictable Irish weather - silk chiffon’s and organza are beautifully sheer, light and flow beautifully.

Our Bride Naomi in a Wool Cape creation

Think about the elements of your dress that you wish to highlight or hide for the early part of the day. For example, some brides like to cover the back detail to reveal later at the reception. How would you like it to sit with the dress, completely covering your bodice or just hanging from your shoulders to show off the front detail. Do you want to add a little drama to your simple dress, by adding a train for the ceremony ? These are all really excellent questions to ask before deciding on what will work for you.

As I always say to brides it is about everything working together not just the dress. So it is really important to look at all your elements, accessories, headpiece and veil, make sure your cover up design blends perfectly with your overall look for the day.

Finally don’t be afraid to mix it up. Invest in a beautiful wool cape that you can wear well past the wedding date. A beautiful tailored jacket that can be worn for special occasions. Also colour can really inject something very special into your outfit so don’t shy away from it !

 

 

Our month in pictures - April

We are heading towards brighter, longer days and feeling the energy rising in the studio. New fresh designs along with exciting plans developing this month.

Shot! The amazing talented team from Waterlily Weddings caught this blue beauty at Markree Castle. Can't wait to see all the final pictures from this amazing shoot.

April saw a short much needed break in Royal Lemington Spa. Hanging out with my best girl and checking out the new Hotel De Vin opening today in Shakespeare home, Strafford.

Lots of hand finishing and embellishment this month. Truly my favourite part of creating our dresses. Along with new designs for photoshoots with the most talented wedding suppliers of Ireland in great locations such as Slane Castle and Markree Castle. Watch this space for the pictures to come.

Finally a great photo by Moat Hill Photography who kindly took part in our Creatives at Work series on the blog this month.

Creatives at work - Moat Hill Photography

The importance of capturing moments, snippets of our life, freezing a moment in time really rings through to me. As the year flash’s before my eyes I can’t help feeling that I will miss something if I don’t take care to capture, freeze time and revile in life a little. This brings me to our creative at work Paul from Moat Hill photography. Finding a photographer that will capture the atmosphere, the mood of the day is so important and I think a deeply personal choice. Paul shares with us his inspiration and why he does what he does so well.

Who is your bride?

That is a kind of hard question to answer, like who is your favourite singer or whats your favourite movie.

We never really set out to target a particular type of person. I always feel our work reflects the personality of the person. So if you’re romantic then we’ll read that and your images will have that sort of feel.. if you laugh a lot then lets laugh. I think our work doesn’t impose itself on people rather we try to capture the personality of the people in our work. So when you ask who is our bride.. its everyone and anyone that can trust us to capture their wedding honestly and authentically

When do you feel most creative?

A wedding day is a full on affair. You have to be at 100% every time, you can’t have a bad day or a day feeling off. So gathering inspiration is something that learn as you shoot more and more. Photography has always inspired me and music too.. Fellow photographer friends can push you and compete with you to inspire you. But again its back to the people for me.. the conversations you have, the atmosphere on a wedding day and the people in it all provide the inspiration. The challenge of capturing that and doing the best job for each of our clients is inspirational. So on the day working to capture that is when I feel most inspired in this Job

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

I’ve always enjoyed meeting people and chatting with them. I love to show them our work and hear what they’re about and hopefully find a link or spark so we both know that we’re right for them and they’re right for us.

I think it’s as important that we choose the right people as much as they choose us, to be sure that we all fit and so when we produce what we do it’s what they’re expecting.

Fundamentally we try to keep our style candid and relaxed, how we like it but from time to time a couple might ask if we can do something a little outside or scope and that’s fine with us.

What do you like to hear from a bride?

Can we book... its the biggest compliment we could get.. they like our work, like what we do and want us to be part of one of the biggest days of their lives so far... what more can I tell ya!

How did you find your calling? Get started in your industry?

I’ve always loved music and photography but worked as an Engineer for 12 years. Finally in 2006 I decided that I wanted to go back to college at night and study photography. I loved the film aspect of photography but being a techie sort of person I was really interested in the move to digital that was happening at the time. After 2 years in Griffith College I was asked to shoot a friends wedding. It was nerve wracking but from the start I knew I wanted to shoot it in a very relaxed and candid way. I didn’t really like the idea of setting things up. I never mind doing the family photos and a few portraits, I think they’re important to the couple but always felt the rest of the day should be a flow or narrative of images.

After that I started to get a few more weddings here and there and eventually setup a website and having the background in tech helped.

A year on from that we decided to go full time as things really took off and we haven’t really looked back since. We’ve been doing this now for 10 years and have shot and met hundreds of great people looking forward to many more!

A big thank you to Moat Hill for sharing insights into their business and work. Check out more of their wonderful work and see the passion that is injected into their images.

 

Website : www.mhphoto.ie

Instagram : Moathillphotography

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Moathillphoto/

Twitter : Moathillphoto

Tumblr : moathill.tumblr

Bridal Muse

A simple design with glistening detail created this heavenly one off design for our bridal muse Jillian. Like a lot of our brides Jillian had an idea of what she wanted for her wedding dress. Bringing a dress to life for our brides is why I do what I do - it’s also lots of fun.

Photo By Savo.ie

What is your best memory of your wedding day?

The moment that stands out for me is greeting all our guests after our wedding ceremony. It was a beautiful sunny day and we were able to walk across the courtyard in Tulfarris to the front of the Manor House. We greeted all our family and friends outside there, looking across the lake in the distance. We were both so happy at that moment, as we had just married each other minutes beforehand and it was lovely to take the time to speak to everyone as they entered the Manor House for our wedding reception.

What is your advice to a bride to be?

I think every bride knows that the day goes so quickly, so you really need to savour every moment and cast it all into your memory. Don’t stress about the little things – no one will notice anyway. Just relax and enjoy the day.

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

I didn’t really have any worries about getting my dress made. I knew in my head what I wanted – a champagne or gold coloured dress, with a simple design. I didn’t want anything fussy. I looked in one or two shops and saw nothing, so then I started to look online and there still was very little available. So, I knew very early on that I was going to have to get my dress made. My only concern was to find the right designer. After searching online, I narrowed it down to 2 designers that I liked and as soon as I contacted Sarah, I knew really that she was the right person. I liked her immediately, especially her easy relaxed manner.

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

I loved seeing the progress from one appointment to the next, especially as the dress was nearing completion. I loved that my bridesmaid took photos at each fitting, so I could really see the dress developing. And it was also great to be able to change little things about the design as we were going along.

 

Just look how this fabric catches the light - love it. Thank you Jillian for taking time out to share your thoughts and wedding day with us.

 

Check out Jillian’s dream team

 

Photography:Savo Photography

Hair & Make-Up:Bankz Hair & Beauty, Portlaoise

Venue:Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, Blessington Lakes

Cake:Creative Cakes, Blanchardstown

Bands:Bentley Boys; Craddog

Car Hire:AT&T Chauffeurs

Flowers:Floral Essence, Portlaoise

Stationery:Helen’s Paperie

Our month in pictures - March

Snow days hit the studio this month again but spring is starting to appear day by day. The rails are at busting point in the studio which signals summer wedding season is on the way.

Creatives At Work

Every wedding ceremony I have been to, I have cried and a I’m not a terribly emotional person. But there is something so powerful, so raw about standing up with your soul mate. Talking openly of love and commitment surrounded by friends and family it is what a wedding is all about. So I am delighted to welcome Sandra a spiritualist to our creatives at work series with tips on making the ceremony personal and fun for your big day.

Who is your bride?

My brides are those brides who are 3 to 6 months away from their wedding date. This is the time that they can start to think about their ceremony and the finer detail of their wedding day. It is when all the big items such as the venue, the cake and the dress are selected, booked and secured, that they can start to think about the personalizing their actual wedding day.

It is at this time frame they can now start to think about what elements they wish to include in their ceremony that reflect them as a couple, what family members and friends will be involved in the ceremony and what they will say for their vows to each other.

And it is at this time they have so many questions that start with “What if… and How do I…”

My bride is that bride who wants to see their ceremony central to the celebrations of the day and want to bring ‘themselves’ to the ceremony to share with their guests a little bit about their love story.

My bride is the bride who says ‘I want the ceremony to be meaningful, personal and something we enjoy”

When do feel most inspired?

When I am listening to their story of how they met their partner and what attracted them to one another. I love “Love Stories” and I am inspired to find a way to weave that story throughout the whole ceremony.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

I love the energy of meeting a new bride to be. It holds so much possibility and new ideas. I am energized by the whole process. I know there will be sweet moments, funny moments, tender moments and above all loving moments and I feel so privileged that I am a part of making those moments come together in a coordinated but relaxed way for them on their special day.

What are the best questions a bride could ask you?

There are two best questions they could ask me and a statement they could make to me

1. Can we make it really short to get that part (the ceremony) over and done with so I can get on and enjoy the rest of the day?

To which I answer “yes you can do that if you want but…how about we make your ceremony your “You Tube” wedding moment. You know those clips you have seen of other people’s weddings that made you say “awwwwwwwww” How about we work on the ceremony so your videographer/photographer has the content to give you your “You Tube” wedding moment?

2. What if I forget my vows, or what if I cry during the ceremony and what if I just am an emotional mess  and panic on the day

To which I reply “then you come to my Tick Tock Its Wedding O’Clock workshop” which is a face to face workshop (or get the online programme which will be ready soon) that takes all the worry out of those questions that start with ‘what if’ and “How do I”.  This will not only answer all your “what if” panic questions but it will also demonstrate the ‘How to ..” questions and give you answers to other questions you do not yet know to ask. Most importantly it all happens in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable environment.

3 The statement “I know my wedding day can’t be perfect, nothing is perfect” and I say to that “Actually you can and I as The Wedding Lady can help you make that happen.

I pay attention to detail without losing sight of bigger picture of your big day.

How did you find your calling? Get started in your industry?

I have always been called to work with people in a meaningful way that makes a difference in their lives. Being a member of the Spiritualist Union of Ireland opened the opportunity to become an officiant when they were granted the license to perform legally binding marriages under Spiritual Ceremonies back in 2010.  I came on board as a Solemnizer in August 2011.

Initially I thought the role just played to my strengths.  I have a background in event management, delivering training and project development and those skills came in handy for many elements of being a Solemnizer and consultant. Being confident to speak in public in front of large crowds also was a bonus too.

But then I found I connected with people in a very meaningful way in the role I played on their big day. I could make that part of their day (their ceremony) really special, meaningful and memorable for all of the right reasons.

The Wedding Lady

Thank you Sandra for sharing your insights on the big day and the all important ceremony. The connection we feel with brides and being part of such an important day is why we work in one of the most rewarding industry’s.

 

Check out more about The Wedding Lady

FaceBook – The Wedding Lady @theweddingladyie

(the Tick Tock It’s Wedding O’Clock group is in The Wedding Lady profile)

Twitter – The Wedding Lady@SandraLosty

Website - TheWeddingLady.ie

Bridal Muse

Snow days are finally coming to an end here at HQ. But I had to share our first bridal muse of 2018. A blush and gold dress paired with a herringbone wool cape, beautifully captured at this Canadian wedding - snow included. Creating this dress was fun and exciting, our bride Naomi a pleasure to work with has shared her tips for the big day and having her dress made.

What is your best memory of your wedding day? 

It’s a cliché but the wedding day really is a blur to me, a happy blur, but it goes by so quickly! I really loved our ceremony, it really stands out to me as something really meaningful, it was very tailored to us as a couple and resulted in a lot of laughs from everyone and also lots of tears (but the good kind). My all-time favourite moment of the day though was during the wedding party photos; we had a winter wedding and my shoes were definitely not well suited for the snow! It was so cold on the day but we all had so many laughs outside and just kind of goofed around (complete with a really ill thought out snowball fight, luckily no one’s outfit was ruined) and my new husband had to help me as I slipped and slid all over the snow which resulted in a lot of laughs for us. It was so lovely for us to have a moment of silliness and fun between ourselves, but also with our very closest friends, it was really special.

What is your advice to a bride to be? 

I planned a wedding long distance (living in Ireland and the wedding was in Canada), while working full time, and doing my masters part time- it was a lot, but it is doable! It all worked out because I tried my best to organise my time really well- I scheduled time for planning and doing wedding things whenever I could and that really helped balance everything.

I would also advise to really think about who you ask to be in your bridal party-I kept it to a small group, which is not for everyone of course, but this meant I really had my best girls on the job. I was a fairly laid back bride (or at least I hope I was!) but I needed help sometimes and my bridesmaids were always ready to help out with anything they could, came up with ideas and solutions and were really supportive and involved, that really made the whole process so stress free and even fun.

The last thing I would advise is really remember that this day is about you as a couple, if you want something a bit more non-traditional or different (like I did with my dress, or we did with our ceremony) and people aren’t receptive or happy about your choices, try not to take it to heart. On the day you’ll be happier you went with something that is truly you and the people who didn’t like the ideas you had will completely come around.

What was your biggest worry about getting your dress made?

Before starting the process I wasn’t sure how everything would work out because I wanted something unique, but also something that looked bridal. I was worried that wouldn’t be possible, and that I’d end up with something too far one way or the other which would make me look either too much like someone I’m not, or just way wacky and out there and not like a bride at all. Also, as a “plus size” bride, I really struggled initially to find anything I liked on me in the shops, I was worried the same would be for any dress I got made and that the look which I had in my head would look horrible on me. Happily none of these fears turned out to be true, having an expert there to guide the process and tease out the concepts in my head was an amazing process and the result was fantastic!

What part of the process of having your dress made was most fun for you?

To be honest, I loved every bit of it! Getting the first sketches was so exciting-even though we went a bit different from the initial ideas it was so amazing to see exactly what I had in my head set out on paper. Choosing the fabrics was also amazing because I wanted a dress which was a bit on the non-traditional side and finding this lovely blush colour and the subtle gold lace to go with it was just so amazing, it was exactly what I wanted- still very bridal, but something different as well! Seeing it all come together bit by bit was just so exciting, by the time we were getting near the end I absolutely couldn’t wait to wear it. I got so many compliments on the day, from everyone there and even from friends of friends whom I didn’t even know but who saw photos on Facebook and Instagram! I really loved having something unique which reflected me as a person but which was also really stunning!

A big thank you Naomi for sharing her tips and her wedding day with us. I don’t believe any bride could regret putting their own personality and style into their wedding. It is vital to do what makes you and your partner happy, everything and everyone else comes second - a great way to start married life.

 

Naomi's Dream Team

Photography: Gillian Foster Photography - http://www.gillianfoster.ca/

Hair and Makeup: Bridal Beauty, Niagara-on-the-Lake - http://www.mobilebridalbeauty.com/

Shoes: Irregular Choice - https://www.irregularchoice.com/eu/

Venue: Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario, Canada - http://www.vintage-hotels.com/princeofwales/

Our Month In Picture - February

As snow falls around the country we have come to the end of another month - it was a fast busy one for us here as we make are way towards spring.

Photographer  Aoife O'Sullivan
Makeup and hair @efcreativestudios
 

This is what went on in the studio this month

  • The top pictures are our design in progress for our lovely client Caroline Grace Cassidy. Walking the red carpet of the IFTA'S in a spring yellow creation.
  • February was website refresh time for me in studio. Lots of new images and plans for the website. Image of me at work by the super Johanna King Photography.
  • Spending a wonderful sunny day at Horetown House snapping our new photoshoot with Butterfly Photography.
  • A great interview with Michelle O'Halloran hairstylist graced the blog this month.
  • Feather detail hitting the studio as we finish up our latest dresses.

Creatives At Work

Michelle O'Halloran

 Watching Michelle work her magic is something to marvel, she is a sculptor of hair but manages to transform hair into this effortless but elegant style. I always feel so lucky to have met some of the best people in the wedding industry. True creatives that have only passion for what they do - Michelle is one of these people, a pleasure to work with and to know. 

Who is your bride?
The effortless, chic bride. She prefers the more natural, casual and even ‘messy’ styles on the red carpet.
I love hair that isn’t ‘trying to hard’. It’s got a natural, effortless feel. It’s pretty, soft to the eye and in good condition. Obviously, when it comes to wedding styling, I have to apply techniques that make this type of hair last all day and look fresh in photos from the morning to night.
 
When do you feel most inspired?
Trust is major factor when it comes to being creative. On photoshoots, I am given free reign to be creative, with only a few guidelines and restrictions.
Of course, working with a bridal client is a different process, the more open the client is to suggestions, the more options she will have.  I want my clients to be honest about what suggestions they like and don’t like. It is this collaboration that makes sure the bride leaves the trial happy and satisfied.
 

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?
This question has a couple of answers for me
- Excited and curious! Usually by the time I meet a bride, we have been in touch over email for a number of months. It’s lovely to finally put a face to the name.
- Cautious! Most brides are excited about their hair trial.  However, some are nervous and a little overwhelmed. By the time we meet, there can be a lot of wedding details to juggle.  Getting married is EMOTIONAL. I need to tread lightly to help the bride enjoy the experience. I regularly find, that brides are much more relaxed on their wedding day, than at the trial.
 
What do you like to hear from a bride? 
It is so important that the bride has thought about the hairstyle she wants before meeting me i.e. only the individual bride can know whether she feels most confident with her hair up or down. I like brides to do their research and collect inspiration pictures. A picture speaks a thousand words. Everyone’s definition of ‘soft’ or ‘casual’ is different and I need reference pictures to understand yours.
 
Best questions – Do I have the right haircut for this style? How can I prepare my hair? Most people don’t realise that without the right layering and condition, curls can fall flat more quickly. Wisps and tendrils look better when shorter and texturized (cutting technique). Artificial colour often gives better shine/gloss, than natural hair colour. There is a reason the model in the magazine and the Hollywood star on the red carpet looks so amazing - preparation is key.

How did you find your calling?
Hairstyling started out as a hobby for me. After finishing university, I felt a little lost and unprepared for the working world. I took a leap of faith, changed paths and signed up for a private hairdressing course. I loved it immediately and took to it very naturally. I started out doing photoshoots and met make up artist Emma Farrell (EF Creative Studios). She just kept giving my number out to brides. It was a bit of an accident, that turned out to be the best thing that could have happened!
 

Thank you so much Michelle for sharing your wisdom with us today. Your passion and love of your job shines through.

Check out more of Michelle's Work

http://www.michelleohalloran.com/

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.o.hairstylist

https://www.instagram.com/moh_hairdesign/

Behind the Scenes at Horetown House Photoshoot

A cold brisk February morning, the winter sun high in the sky. We could not have asked for a better day to hijack the picturesque Horetown House. Set in the beautiful countryside of Co. Wexford, this stunning venue was to be our home for the day as we teamed up with Ireland’s most talented vendors to create and explore.

It was an early start for our model Estelle of Prima model agency as Stacy from Making Faces Gorey and Catriona from Headrush set to work creating the first look of the day.

A true artist just needs a blank canvas and imagination. Well Tina from The Wild Bunch is such an artist. Arriving with her trusted ladder and foliage galore she created the most beautiful bouquets , installations and chair decor bringing a very unique feel to the day

Cupcakes and Counting hand delivered their especially designed cake for the shoot. Lending their sharp creative eye to the table set ups

Appleberry press gifted us with a stunning new design to complement our creative shoot. The attention to detail exactly what being the best in the business is all about.

Working with Ashling and Dan from Butterfly photography is always such a pleasure. Capturing the feel and beauty of the day and they seem to always bring sunshine with them!

Niamh and the staff at Horetown House spoiled us. Their love for the venue, the attention to detail and their trust in us to show case their pride and joy. Serving up a wonderful lunch that had us all refreshed and revived for the afternoon shoots.

Organizing these shoots can be hard work but when you gather together such amazing talent it becomes this effortless beautiful thing that always amazes me. We have amazing talented business creatives in this country that work tirelessly to do their best work for both their clients and the self. I just love them