Warning today’s chic parisian wedding inspiration shoot will cause severe hunger pangs and sugar cravings.
There has been a lot of talk in wedding land about styled shoots but personally, like any good magazine, I love to kick back and just look at beautiful images. Today’s chic parisian wedding feature is both delicious and lots of fun, conjured up in a bid to provide pretty dessert table ideas to you brides to be.
Anthony Gould Davies from The Fabulous Photography group joined forces with Martin Hobby and a dream team of wedding suppliers to create this mouth watering shoot.
LOOK 1 – PARISIEN OPULENT GLAMOUR
More is more with this bridal look – intricate up do, opulent accessories and embellished gown. Perhaps the biggest scoop of this shoot is that we get a first glimpse at the latest collection from wedding jewellery and accessory favourite Rose and Aster.
Button bouquets like this one by Beau Buttons are a great way to add a vintage twist to your wedding and also make a beautiful keepsake.
How’s this for a pretty hairstyle, dressed with swirling flower chain it is one of my faves of the year so far.
LOOK 2 – SHORT & SWEET
Another beautiful dress from Wilden Bride London here with ruffled bodice and soft skirt making it the perfect contemporary chic bridal statement. I’m also loving this unusual sorbet coloured bouquet by Fearless Florals – orange, pink, green and lilac is definitely a combination I’ll be recommending to my brides.
Hair stylist and make up artist Lisa Alger gave us a tutorial for creating this extravagant up do last week (check it out here) and it is really versatile, dressed with flowers or bows.
DESSERT TABLE
So let’s take a closer look at the sweet treats that Lau from French Made and Sarah from Chateau Macaron slaved in their kitchens to create.
Mmmm macarons a welcome addition to any wedding dessert table in my opinion.
These cute French style patisseries in the most beautiful pastel rainbow colours would be a talking point at any wedding. If your heart desires a chic parisian wedding look think Strawberry Tartlettes, Hand-dusted Macaron towers and gourmet Ispahans, Hand-piped rose icing, Sugar paste cameos and Religieuse Profiteroles oh my!
This macaron and meringue tower is just to die for and you know I love an alternative to the traditional white tiered wedding fruit cake.
And here is a beautiful behind the scenes video by Andrew Dobell, capturing the amazing team at work and being rather naughty too.
That’s all folks, isn’t love sweet. Thank you to all the amazing suppliers involved in this shoot for sharing styling so overwhelmingly delicious and inspiring. Mwah.
The delightful Lisa Alger is back to share more of her expert knowledge with us Bijou girls this week. And I know you’re going to heart it.
Image captured by Martin Hobby of Awesome Wedding Photography
So lets get to it with a chic parisian hairstyle and make up tutorial from this beautiful shoot that I will be sharing with you in full next week.
Image captured by Martin Hobby of Awesome Wedding Photography
CHIC PARISIAN HAIRSTYLE
Image captured by Anthony Gould Davies of The Fabulous Photography Group
Tiffany’s ball bun was created using a florist’s dry oasis wrapped in cling film! Florist’s oasis or polystyrene shapes are used to create many avant garde hairstyles and are fun to experiment with. If you would rather not use an oasis on your big day then one large and one smaller hair donut will create a similar look.
Firstly I made a hole through the oasis and pulled the high ponytail through, just as you would with a hair donut. The hair is smoothed over the ball using lots of hairspray to tame the flyaways and then pinned under the ball.
I accessorised with a sparkling headband here but the hairstyle also works with oodles of flowers as per the first images.
CHIC PARISIAN MAKE UP
I wanted model Lara’s look to be more intense but still fitting to the chic parisien theme of this shoot.
Image captured by Martin Hobby of Awesome Wedding Photography
This was achieved using Revlon‘s eyeshadow palette in Addictive and a bold black line using a gel eyeliner. I also used a set of Salon System Boho lashes to extend the cat eye look I wanted to create.
There will be more from this shoot on the blog next week, it is so pretty parisien you’ll need to read it whilst nibbling on macaroons and sipping champagne.
Check out more of Lisa Alger’s hair styling and make-up artistry at:
Who doesn’t love the humble plait? It is such a versatile look and great for weddings, so today I wanted to take you through a bridesmaid plait tutorial. What I love about this half up, half down style is that it will suit bridesmaids of all ages, young and old.
You can decide if the look works better messy and bohemian or neater and elegant, just adjust the amount of curling to suit your wedding day.
Bridesmaid Plait Tutorial
1. First spritz hair with a heat defence spray and divide into sections. Curl wide pieces of hair using GHD straighteners from the nape of the neck down to the ends. Once curled immediately twist into mini buns and allow to cool. These wide curls give a more laid back and bohemian look but as mentioned you can adjust the tightness of the curls to suit your day.
2. Spray hairspray across the mini buns and then release, using your fingers to comb through the curls. Take your thumbs up from behind your ears to the crown of the head, to gather the hair that will form the plaited section. I’ve created a fishtail plait by dividing the top section of hair and two, then taking a piece of hair (approximately 1cm wide) from the bottom of the left section around to the left and over to join the right section. Alternate from left to right until your fishtail plait is complete and secure with a hair elastic.
3. Loosen the fishtail plait gently.
4. Finally decorate with flower buds to match your chosen bouquet or corsage securing in place using kirby grips.
Voila! I hope you enjoyed this bridesmaid plait tutorial and if you have a request for the next tutorial do get in touch or leave a comment.
May has been a bumper month for new discoveries so I had to share them with you dear readers and give you the chance to win some of them in a beauty giveaway.
1. Fresh faced – the sun’s come out and hot summer days aren’t far behind. This calls for a change up in my beauty routine, out goes the heavy foundation and in comes a multi-tasking Beauty Balm. Having read a few reviews in the beauty press I decided to give the new Decleor Hydrafloral BB cream a go. Firstly it smells divine, just like fresh flowers and glides on more like a gel than a cream (deceptive title) but it gives a really pleasant fresh and light coverage. Admittedly it doesn’t have the same longevity of a foundation despite the 24hr promise but I don’t mind topped up in the afternoon as it makes my skin feel so soft. This is also the first time I’ve bought anything from QVC online as this Decleor Hydrafloral BB cream is exclusive to them, but it’s a revelation and dangerous for my bank balance!
2. Some freshness – seeking even more floral freshness, have you spied the new re-branded Impulse fragrances? Don’t get me wrong I love my perfume but in summer it’s nice to carry something lighter than a big glass bottle, for an on-the-go fragrance boost. I grabbed Romantic Spark and True Love for my Wedding kit bag and have had compliments already so they’re definitely sticking around for the rest of the season. Admittedly the fragrance names sound more like teenage romance novels ‘Tease’, ‘Loving Words’ etc but the scents developed by famed ‘nose’ Ann Gottlieb are really easy to wear.
3. New GHD love – sadly my original GHD straighteners have gone to hair heaven so it’s time for a new kid on the block. When I first bought GHD’s there were only two types available so I was little flabbergasted to see their enormous range online. I’ve gunned for a splash of colour with a set of Mint coloured straighteners from the new GHD Candy Collection. Of course they rock and compared to my last set create perfect curls and waves, as the design is smoother and rounder.
4. Nails like Kate – I love a gel manicure but struggle to make it to the nail salon before they chip and grow out. When I first saw the new Rimmel Salon Pro with Lycra nail polishes I was a little dubious but as they were on promotion I thought I’d give them a go. Hearts. I picked up a pink shade and it’s lasted over 5 days with no chipping and still glossy without a top coat. They just need some more shades in the range now!
5. Snag free – On a recent hen party I won some snag free fabric hair bands (for a naughty poem I’ll have you know). Traumatised by childhood scrunchies, I’ve been using invisible elastics to tie my hair forever so would never have bought these fabric bands. Are you a convert? I’m in love with them and they actually look good too. They are quite expensive compared to elastics but I found a great DIY tutorial online so am going to run up some of my own.
Fancy trying out my new purchases? I’ve got a Bijou goody box packed with Decleor Hydrafloral BB cream, 4 of the new Impulse Fragrances and a Rimmel Salon Pro with Lycra nail polish just for you in this month’s beauty giveaway.
To win simply email: info@thebijoubride.com your name, email address, postal address with the subject heading ‘BEAUTY GIVEAWAY’
If you have any recommendations for my June beauty buy shopping list, please do leave a comment.
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Terms & Conditions
1. To enter you must be a UK resident aged 18yrs and over.
2. No cash alternative will be offered.
3. Your details will not be shared with any third parties.
4. Competition closes midnight Sunday 16th June 2013.
Amidst the fashion furore at Met Gala I spied a penchant for knotted hairstyles and flashes of pink amongst the world’s most stylish. Notably Diane Kruger and Emmy Rossum who I wanted to imitate with this knotted bridal hairstyle tutorial. Luckily I had the multi-talented Lisa Alger from Essex Wedding Beauty (link) to demonstrate how to get the look.
As you can see Lisa clipped in some baby pink extensions but the look would great without them too. Instructions for this knotted bridal hairstyle tutorial as follows: Step One
Brush hair and smooth front section using hair straighteners, smoothing any fly aways as you go.
Step TwoPick up a section of hair top right and split into three pieces as if you were to do a plait. Drop the middle piece, taking the two outer pieces and knot them.
Step Three
Pull the two ends from your knot together to one side and pick up another piece of hair from the left and knot them together.
Step Four
Repeat step three alternating the side you select the pick up piece from (would be right in the next knot and then left) moving around the head from right to left.
Step Five
Double knot the final two pieces of hair at the nape of the neck.
Step Six Secure with a band leaving a ponytail to the one side, wrap a piece of hair around the ponytail to finish the look. Curl lengths of hair in ponytail using either a curling wand or straighteners.
Step Seven
Tidy up top section using grips and smooth with hairspray as necessary.
Step Eight
Finish with a blast of shine spray.
It’s relatively easy so why not give it a go this weekend.
Huge thanks to the lovely Lisa for sharing her expertise, fingers crossed we’ll get her back soon for more tutorials.
How has your week been ladies? I’m spending this weekend at A Most Curious Wedding Fair in London’s Truman Brewery, so sadly missing the opportunity to sport sunglasses. All week I’ve been desperately trying to beat a cold into submission because a streaming eyed, runny nosed chick does not an exhibitor make! This week’s Sunday Loves are all the things that have helped me through the week – natural cold cures, provocative bridal wear and some Agatha Christie.
1. A recommended detoxing way to start the day by drinking a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon sounds like a good way to rid a cold. This is all I’ve been drinking by the bucket load and it has done the trick.
2. ’Provocative’ was the Daily Mail’s verdict so you know it’s going to be good. The debut bridal range by Stone Fox Bride features Jemima Kirke from Girls as well as men in lace wedding dresses and nothing underneath. Bits and bobs on show, you can understand why it would upset the more traditional Daily Mail reader. Joking aside the boho dresses and accessories deserve a visit.
3. Before I hopped over to the States a couple of week’s back I treated myself to a Shellac manicure, it’s pretty amazing. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, this is the gel based nail varnish that comes with a promise not to budge for at least three weeks. Given I’m not the best manicurist and my polished finger tips generally only survive a day, this has been the most exciting discovery.
4. Another element of my cold cure has been going to be early and reading Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple’s Final Cases. Anyone can tell what a big Agatha Christie fan I am, having watched the Poirots and Marples over and over. I’m now going back to the stories in print and even if you aren’t a fan, the books warrant collecting for their covers alone.
5. Carrie Diaries, to be honest I’m not sure it warrants a ‘love’ but it’s perfectly likeable. It doesn’t have an air date in the UK yet but I caught the pilot episode on the plane. It’s not Sex And The City but more Gossip Girl crossed with My So Called Life in style. Worthwhile watching for the spot on 80′s fashion and soundtrack.
Hello ladies, I’m back from partying in Las Vegas. I had an amazing time stateside and even caught a group wedding at The Pop Up Wedding Chapel which was rather surreal. To occupy myself on the plane I bought a heavy pile of magazines and wanted to share some of the make up trends 2013 that I spotted.
1. One to get excited about – the new Art Deco inspired Benefit make up collection will be a stylish addition for your handbag. Sadly we won’t be able to get our hands on it until September (nice tie in with the hotly anticipated The Great Gatsby movie). Make up trends 2013 will no doubt see an influence of all things 1920′s from make up looks to packaging. Keep your eyes peeled on the Benefit website for more info on their Art Deco inspired collection: www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk
2. I’d just got the hang of BB creams (particularly effective on holiday) and now there’s a new letter act in town… CC. CC could stand for clever cream but it is meant to be ‘complexion correcting’. So what’s different? Well CC cream is a little lighter than BB and sits more in the skincare category as with no tint it is more of a primer with added benefits. Those benefits include reducing redness and dark spots as well as plumping the skin and protecting it with SPF. I’m sold. From what I’ve read this CC cream from L’Oreal is one of the best around.
3. Next up on the make up trends 2013 front is another celebrity collaboration with Rihanna designing an exclusive collection for MAC cosmetics. Describing the teaming as ‘a no-brainer’ RiRi’s bringing her penchant for dark lipstick and smokey eyes to our beauty counters. Find out more at: www.maccosmetics.com
4. Whilst magazine flipping I saw a lot about a new trend for ‘foundation nails’, in essence skin tone polish shades. As I’m completely inept at the whole nail art squiggles and patterns I will certainly be adopting this one pronto.
5. And talking of foundation, I’ve got a new favourite Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation. It smells great, fruity and fresh which is unlike any other foundation I’ve tried. Check out the Healthy range at - http://www.bourjois.co.uk/
I love sharing inspirational red carpet bridal hair looks and today I’m thrilled to have Anna Bloomer (Senior Stylist Artistic Team) and Jessica Speechly (Head of Colour) of Errol Douglas’s bridal team telling us how to transfer those styles to the aisle. Selecting three break out looks from this year’s Awards season, Anna and Jessica’s DIY guides mean we can all try them out this weekend. Glamourous friday night hair, here I come.
1. Veronica Lake Inspired Polished Waves
Anna Bloomer, has “loved that return to old school glamour mixed with a few bolder confident cuts – they create a great palette for every bride.” The stand out style of the 2013 red carpet season, spied on everyone from Jessica Chastain to Reese Witherspoon.
Jessica Chastain at the Academy Awards
If you fancy trying the style out here is Anna’s expert guide:
“Prep hair with Moroccan Oil Hydrating Styling Cream to ensure a smooth foundation texture. Tong hair in inch width sections and pin curl to the scalp to keep strength to the curls as the hair cools. Then using a soft bristle/paddle brush loosen the hair out and brush through repeatedly until the hair begins to soften out into a continuous smooth wave. Finish with hairspray and Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray that’ll give that high shine seen on the red carpet. It’s a beautiful classic look”
And when it comes to colour for your free flowing locks, Jessica suggests “Soft sunkissed highlights give enhancement without looking over done. It’s a great way to play or introduce colour without committing.”
2. Short & Sweet Crops
You don’t need to feel pressured to grow your hair for your wedding day, the likes of Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron have proved how versatile short styles can be. Colour expert Jessica explains “It’s important with short hair to not try to add too many colours. A bold solid colour will enhance the cut and the natural movement in short cuts gives the look of highlights and dimension.”
Anna Hathaway at the Golden Globes
3. Retro Up Dos
The last red carpet bridal hair style has been putting the glamour back on the red carpet, messy locks are so last year! Retro up do hair has to be healthy, shiny and impeccably groomed, think Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.
Adele at The Golden Globes
If you fancy rocking a retro style like Adele then follow Anna’s tips:
“Prep wet hair with volumising spray and Moroccan Oil Revitalising Treatment to stop frizz, then using a large round brush blow dry volume and curve into your hair. My top tip is to use a nozzle on your hairdryer as this will give smooth airflow as you’re drying, tightening and smoothing the cuticles to give gorgeous shine. Backcombing is essential for body and strength to your updo which will support veils or tiaras and last all day. Side partings are stunning if you have shorter lengths around the face. Centre and swept back will emphasise your eyes and cheekbones beautifully. The back of such styles can be set into a bun/chignon or twisted vertically into a pleat, then smooth over the backcombed top sections using a soft brush and grip into the back shape to connect the style. Finish with Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray for hold without texture change.”
Huge thanks to our guest experts Anna and Jessica, I’m off to try out the retro look for my friday night hair. If you’d like to book a consultation with the amazing Bridal Team at Errol Douglas:
an adjective: ‘desirable, fashionable, stylish, chic, sought-after, to die for’.
Inspirational Wedding fashion & beauty blog to ensure you strut down the aisle in style. Curated by Stylist Alexandra Merri who offers unique planning & styling services for the creation of unforgettable Weddings. Style tells the world who you are so…
