Festival Brides

Happy Thursday Guys!

So I am currently on a mission to find my bridesmaid dresses for my 6 very different but equally beautiful bridesmaids (yes 6 – if money wasn’t an issue I’d be having 10 and that’s no lie!) and I love the bridesmaid mix-match style trend that is currently taking the US by storm and is just starting to trickle into the UK.

Tradition dictates that all your bridesmaids should wear the same colour and dress but who are we to follow tradition!? We’re all about the alternative style and mix matching your bridesmaid dresses ticks all the alternative boxes!

Style savvy brides are getting creative and injecting some of their personality into their bridesmaids dresses by mixing different styles, colours, fabrics and accessories to add a more eclectic and personal touch. Some brides are even handing over the reigns to their bridesmaids by giving them the freedom to choose their own dresses! The bride selects the colour then allows her bridesmaids to choose a style of dress that they feel amazing in. This look I love in particular as it really shows off all your bridesmaids personalities and gives your wedding such an individual look, it also looks awesome too as the pictures below show!

One colour, different styles

I love the image below with the mustard colour dresses and the lace tulle belt around the middle of each dress to bring them all together – just lovely!

Photo by Our Labour of Love

Photo by Our Labour of Love

Photo by Katie Neal

Photo by Luisa Brimble

Photo by We Love Pictures

Mix Match Fabrics, Patterns and Style

Photo by Katrina Louise

Photo by Matthew Morgan

Photo by Matthew Morgan

Photo by Kellee Walsh

Photo by Ellie Grover

Photo by Orange Turtle Photography

Photo by Love Me Do Photography

Photo by Jagger PhotographyPhoto by Katie Day Photography

Photo by Katie Day Photography

Photo by Jasmine Star

Photo by Sean Walker

Different colours, same style

Love this look! If you like the idea of having the same dress so your bridesmaids clearly stand out as bridesmaids, but you also like the idea of having something a bit different, then this mix match look is perfect. It’s a great compromise between tradition and alternative as you can have the best of both worlds.

Photo by Brandon Kidd

Photo by Tiffany Arment

Photo by Holland Photo Studio

Different Accessories

Why stop at mix matching dresses when you can do your bridesmaids accessories as well! Mix jewellery, hair pieces, bags, shoes, tights, wellies – it’s your wedding so mix match whatever you want!

Photo by Green Ginger Photography

Photo by o&c photography

I love the idea of choosing a different accessory for each bridesmaid like the bride below. She bought a handful of odds and ends: charms, pearls, chains, elastic, feathers and flowers…….as well as a few “base necklaces,” and then combined these with hand made silk roses and coffee stained tattered tulle and made 3 necklaces, 2 bracelets, and two flower hairpieces. A little something different for each girl.

Photo by Erica Schneider

Photo by Erica Schneider

Because I have 6 very different body shapes and personalities to consider, finding a ‘one dress fits all’ is proving to be a little difficult so mix matching different styles that would suit their individual figures and personalities is perfect! As it’s a festival wedding I have a feeling there’s going to be a huge injection of colour!

If you’re struggling to find bridesmaids dresses then take a look at our post on the amazing Maids To Measure. They are two gorgeous ladies who have a huge talent in dress design and, as every piece is made to measure, you can pick ‘n’ mix different styles and colours that will suit all shapes and personalities. Take a look at their website for more details on all the dress styles they offer – they have a lace one that is AMAZING!

Big Love,

Festival Brides xx

You may remember the travelling bride (Carly) featured in Festival Brides last year.. Check out the post here for a reminder

So Carly and Matthew finally made their way back to their home in Newcastle, Australia. Full of inspiration and ideas from their travels they quickly set to work finalising the last details of their imminent wedding day!!

It’s not exactly festival, more of a frees spirited beach party, but there are some really cool ideas that fellow festival brides could take inspiration from.. Here is a photo dairy of their special day. Enjoy!!!

We love this shot from Carly’s Hen Do.. Very Festival Princess!!!

The girls looked like they had so much fun getting ready together and we love Carly’s cool plait created by her sister Chelsy, who is a fab hairdresser – result!! http://cuttingoutaloud.tumblr.com/

The girls all wore Peter Alexander PJ’s to get ready in!! www.peterelexander.com.au

Carly bought all her bridesmaids some funky jewels from Jenny Packham whilst living in the UK.. The shoes are by Steve Madden- Love the ballet slippers!!!

And what a dress..!! Carly didn’t want anything off the peg so she went on her search for something unique and totally personalised to her. She asked her friend Faye to make her vision become reality.. and what a vision it is!!

Faye also made all the Bridesmaid dresses using fabric from www.tessuti.com.au/locations/surry-hills and www.thefabricstore.com.au. We love the soft metallic tones that create a mix and match vibe!!

The veil that fitted so perfectly around her plait was by Kristi Bonnici http://www.kristibonnici.com.au/ (This is the perfect place to find your festival inspired accessorise – fab feather headpieces and fringed shawls)

Love that all the boys went for a surf before the ceremony!!! What a way to start a day. They wore very cool bow ties which they got off ETSY..too cute boys!!!

The ceremony took place in church at ST Marys Star of the Sea, Newcastle…followed by the reception in a beach club!!

They had an acoustic singer/guitarist and cello player at church and walked down the aisle to Snow Patrol – Run, signed the register to Angus and Julia Stone – Bella and left the church to Foo Fighters – Times like these – Great alternative tunes for some aisle walking!!!

Carly told us her favourite moments: ‘Setting up together – a huge job but very rewarding!! The morning with the girls -trip in the car to the church with Mum and Dad plus the beer was good!!  The ceremony and obviously seeing Matthew made my heart flutter. The speeches – heartfelt and hilarious and lastly the first dance… So basically the whole day was one big special moment!!’

See PART 2 Tomorrow.. for decor, dancing and stationery!! 

Laura and I were browsing one of our favourite wedding mags BRIDES, and we just had to let all our lovely readers know that they are holding a reader event at French Connection on Thursday 5th May 2012 from 6-8pm (held at London Regent Street branch or Manchester Exchange Square.)

Guests on the night can enjoy:

20% discount on all full-priced items / Free goody bag with purchases over £100, packed with gifts from French Connection, Dermalogica, Label.m, Green & Black’s and Jamie Aston Flowers / Face Mapping® skin analysis by Dermalogica / Styling tips from the Brides team / Complimentary bubbly whilst you shop / and the chance to win a £500 shopping spree at French Connection for you and a friend!

Here is our top pick of dresses from French Connection’s latest collection…… a little bit hippy and eclectic with a touch lof luxe!!

We love the Spring/Summer collection, beautiful muted pastel tones and floral embellishment, just perfect for a festival bridesmaid!

The event is free but you need to register online at www.frenchconnection.com/brides. Places are going fast so book yours today x x

Ok, so I’m not talking about your granny’s net curtains here………..Lace is going to be huge next year!! We have seen alot of beautiful lace numbers at press days and wedding shows so if you’re planning your wedding for next year then take note of this trend.

I have already bought my dress, a beautiful Jenny Packham chiffon number, but I do have some regrets about not even trying on a lace dress. So much so that I plan to try a few select styles on before the big day! Who says you have to choose one dress!? Or maybe I’ll just treat my bridesmaids to beautiful muted lace dresses……..cute!!

Lace can be mixed with other trends also. Wood and lace looks beautiful!! Try wrapping lace material around vases, flowers and your wedding cake. Such a delicate, vintage and feminine trend and so DIY for your Festival Wedding.

View our Lace mood board on Pinterest here

Just had to share this beautiful image/idea wth you.. Instead of making your maids stand in a line along with mother of the bride, get them to lay on the floor like woodland fairys – Makes for some lovely alternative wedding shots!! Allow your maids to wear a dress that suits them and maybe match tones and colours to bring the look together. Girls you will be in the grass just like this for one of our wedding shots!! Lets hope its not muddy…