Art Deco Inspired Weddings and Interiors

Wow this week has gone quickly!
As well as launching my Zazzle homewares shop on Monday ... I've had lots of design work to do this week. Its getting to that time of year when couples are really starting to think about their stationery for their weddings next year so I've had lots of bespoke enquiries which means lots of designing which is the best bit and really exciting.
One of the orders I've been working on this week has an Art Deco feel with hints of black and gold so I thought I'd share some of my favourite Art Deco inspiration to round the week up ...
I love the Deco period in both weddings and interiors so I've included both here ...

 

credits : www.stylemepretty ; www.pinterest.com ; www.architecturaldigest.com ;

www.domainehome.com

Bespoke Art Deco Movie Poster Style Wedding Table Plan

I've had quite a few enquiries recently about my Bespoke 'Art Deco Film Poster' style table plan.
I'll be working on an order for a December wedding this week and I think it proves ever popular because so many people love the glamour of that era and want to incorporate it into their wedding.
Plus I also hand draw bespoke caricatures of the couple dancing so it really is very personalised to them.
So I though I'd re-share the plan with you for any of you who are thinking about this style for your wedding ... just get in touch by emailing me at info@knotsandkisses.co.uk if you would like to enquire about ordering the plan yourself or visit the website for more options http://knotsandkisses.co.uk

Creating A 1920s Old Hollywood Style Wedding

Today I welcome the lovely Victoria, from Queens & Bowl www.queensandbowl.com , who has written a guest post for me all about the trend towards the 1920s in weddings. If anyone else, like me, is desperate to see the new Great Gatsby movie then this one's for you! If after reading this post you would love to create a 1920s themed wedding for yourself I have a couple of stationery ranges which fit in really well, including my bejewelled range below (http://knotsandkisses.co.uk) ...

Creating 1920’s Old Hollywood Style

The fabulous roaring twenties, where would we be without that dapper gent and flapper girl style?

The decade that welcomed The Great Gatsby, the jazz age and the original Hollywood icons with open arms and tantalised us with style go glorious we’re recreating that look quicker than you can say ‘boat hat’.

With the 1920’s signifying one of the most vibrant, opulent and glamorous eras, many couples find a vintage themed wedding carefully straddles the line between pure luxury, quirky style and allows them the freedom to make that old Hollywood look their own.

Trying to capture that perfect vintage theme can sound tricky, but it’s really quite simple, promise! The 1920’s was defined by fun and freedom and you can let your imagination run riot, just as the 1920’s woman broke out of the corset, you can break out of the mould, there’s room for creativity in the 1920s!

image from http://queensandbowl.com

So where do you start?

Adding a few art deco touches to your day is a fail safe way to capture vintage elegance and with so many gorgeous bridal accessories available, you can make the look work for you. While the bride will no doubt have hours of fun draping herself with pearls and headpieces, the vintage groom is often less catered for. A travesty, no? Getting the grooms men in shopping mode can be challenging enough without the prospect of shopping for style from times bygone...

So in the quest for timeless elegance, here’s a few of my ultimate vintage style tips, minimal effort pieces with maximum old Hollywood glamour.

The Vintage Bride

Whether you have opted for a flapper style gown that oozes 20’s style, or gone for a more modern design, the guaranteed stamp of vintage style will show in your shoes and headpiece. Layering pearls and crystal jewellery screams old Hollywood icon, but adding some art deco accessories will really steal the show.

Vintage style allows for flexibility in your wedding shoes but I just can’t get enough of these Rachel Simpson ‘Emily’ fan detail round toes. From the T bar strap to the two toned white and gold, these capture art deco design perfectly.

Image Credit: http://www.queensandbowl.com/shoes/emily-round-toe-wedding-shoes.html

A tiara is a staple bridal piece for most women on their big day and adding that vintage touch through a beautiful jewelled headpiece or side tiara will instantly give your ensemble vintage glamour. Finishing your bridal hair with an ostrich feather piece will also create that Gatsby look.

Tiffany Feather Side Tiara by Ivory & Co.

Image Credit: http://www.queensandbowl.com/vienna-vintage-style-headband.html 

 

The Vintage Groom

One of the fantastic things about being a vintage groom is the fact that a beautifully cut black suit is timeless. Therefore if you want to opt for a modern tailored suit, the look will still be perfectly vintage with just a few style additions.

During the 1920’s it was common for gentlemen to wear shirts with a detachable collar and cuff to preserve the main body of the shirt. Therefore opting for a shirt a different colour from the collar and cuffs is as authentic as it is stylish. A tin pin is also effortlessly vintage and as bow ties were popular evening wear, the choice of tie or bow is entirely up to you.

The choice of a short suit jacket or tail coat are equally both authentic, in the early 20’s tail coats were popular but became seen as more old fashioned in the late 20’s, either way, both a viable option.

The groom’s shoes can be simple, smart and leather but for that show stopping vintage style, a pair of two tone leather brogues in a bold and neutral colour would be stunning.

I hope navigating the world of vintage style is now a little simpler with a few of my fail safe hints! Have you seen the Knots and Kisses gorgeous ‘Vintage Travel’ and ‘Vintage Cameo’ range by the way? Absolutely perfect for a stunning vintage inspired wedding! (Thanks Victoria!)

Victoria is writing on behalf of Queens and Bowl, an online vintage wedding accessories boutique specialising in shoes, jewellery, tiaras and cover ups.

Art Deco Inspired Table Plan & Wedding Inspiration

Hello!
Last week was such a busy week here at Knots & Kisses! I had two large reception stationery orders going out for July Brides and masses of sample requests.
On friday I shared with you the Art Deco reception stationery I had created based on my Bejewelled range, and today I wanted to share the table plan I had made to match. I'm hoping its going to look really in keeping with the Elegant Art Deco theme of the wedding.

Here are a few ideas for a Art Deco look wedding that I love ... I'm thinking gorgeous jewellery, feathery fans and lots of diamante! My Vintage Cameo & Bejewelled ranges would be perfect for this theme http://www.knotsandkisses.co.uk/

credits : stationery www.knotsandkisses.co.uk ;

www.archibaldphotography.co.uk ; www.bluevelvetvintage.com ;

www.coxandcox.co.uk ; www.my-wedding-concierge.com ; www.notonthehighstreet.com ;

www.vintagebridaljewellery.co.uk 

Art Deco Inspired Reception Stationery

Firstly a little apology for blog posts being so sporadic lately!
Its been pretty mental here at Knots & Kisses lately with lots of huge reception stationery orders to get off to clients in time for their Summer Weddings, loads of samples going out to all of you who have enquired and of course trying to unpack after the move to Devon! Phew!
I'm really hoping that regular scheduled posts get back to normal in July :)

Anyway ... today I wanted to share with you an order of reception stationery which is going out today to a lovely bride getting married in July.
It matches my Bejewelled range of wedding stationery, which can come in either a vintage script font or, as below, with an Art Deco feel.
Hope you like it! If you'd like to see the rest of the Bejewelled range please visit the website http://www.knotsandkisses.co.uk/bejewelled.html

Stunning Glamorous Bridal Photo Shoot!

I've got a very special photo shoot to share with you today which will hopefully give you lots of inspirational ideas for your wedding day!
I first came across the images when the lovely Charlie of House of Istria http://www.houseofistria.co.uk/# posted an image of the hair accessories she'd provided for the shoot on twitter .. and I was absolutely bowled over by them! When I enquired about the photos the lovely Danielle from the White Rose Bridal boutique in the Cotswolds http://www.thewhiterosebridal.co.uk/, who had organised the shoot, got in touch and has let me share with you the photos of this amazing day!

I hope you love them as much as I do!
Here's the full report of the day .. courtesy of Emma, The Wedding Reporter http://theweddingreporter.co.uk/

White Rose Photo Shoot

16th January 2012

"Suzanne Neville, Caroline Castigliano, Stephanie Allin, Ritva Westenius and Johanna Hehir all stared out of the window at the rolling Warwickshire countryside. Hanging tantalising from the curtain rail of a first floor suite at Ettington Park Hotel, the beautiful creations from a selection of leading bridal designers glinted in the blazingly bright winter sunshine.

An explosion of bridal glamour appeared to have covered every surface within the walls of the suite; a table covered in glittering trinkets, a team of hair stylists commandeering the centre of the room and a make up artist working intricately from the light of a window in the corner. Two models sank deep into cushioned armchairs whilst being patiently painted and coiffed into creatures of glamour and style. In the midst of the organised chaos, one woman coordinated the many different facets of the day with an inexhaustible smile.

Having brought the quintessential pieces of bridal couture from her Cotswold boutique The White Rose, Danielle McCabe orbited between photographers setting up shots in the library and models slipping into frocks in the bathroom. With an infectious enthusiasm, she sorted and catalogued accessories, deliberated over steaming the dresses again and laughed excitedly with her crack team of suppliers.
Having launched The White Rose in the latter half of 2011, this ambitious photo shoot positioned the shop at the forefront of bridal retail whilst simultaneously drawing together a collection of talented local suppliers to showcase the finest designers in bridal retail.
Together with fellow local entrepreneur Martin Crean from Mode, the shoot had been created out of a desire to have more personal and glamorous publicity shots of a few key pieces representative of The White Rose. Mood boards for each intended setup curated by Martin and Danielle lay haphazardly across the vast expanse of the four-poster bed, illustrating the vast preparation that had drawn these professionals together.

In addition to the elegant dresses adorning the full-length bay window, a round table in front of the ornate stone fireplace sported the most dazzling of bridal accessories. From Magpie Vintage sparkles to intricately delicate pieces by Hermione Harbutt, a range of head dresses, necklaces, bracelets and earrings all sat waiting patiently to be worn. House of Istria feathers sat cosily alongside glittering crystals and demure pearls; the whole scene looked ripe for a magpie’s picking.
As Martin and his team of stylists transformed one model’s hair into magical waves reminiscent of bygone eras, award-winning make up artist Sophie Everett created a mixture of dramatic and romantic looks, turning the girls into breathtaking sirens. A glass coffee table filled with pins, tongs and products became a makeshift salon beneath clouds of hairspray as the team joked and laughed with warm familiarity.
The elaborately furnished Stour Suite became a hotbox of activity as Spencer and Phil, the photographers from All In The Image, popped their heads around the door to check on progress. With a background in commercial and bridal photography, their experience brought an attentive eye to the shoot, creating immaculate set-ups for each of the five different looks.

Before heading out of the suite for the initial shots of the day, the team crowded around their first muse to perfect her look. As Martin and Sophie put the finishing touches to their work, Danielle quietly buzzed around this newly transformed bride, stringing garlands of beads around her wrist and clasping necklaces to her décolleté to complete the picture.
The heads of hotel patrons and staff turned in enraptured bemusement as pretend brides floated through corridors and down the wrought iron staircase of the historic building. In the oak panelled library looking out on to a ruined medieval chapel, Phil and Spencer waited patiently for the arrival of their subject.
Traipsing towards the first location with an entourage of stylists in tow, the models garnered baffled compliments as they slipped out of warm dressing gowns to reveal clouds of silk organza, exquisite lace and waterfalls of chiffon.
Amidst a tangle of wires and power leads, the Victorian library sported contrasting scenes between an oval table set for conference delegates later in the day and a cornucopia of cameras and lighting paraphernalia ready to shroud each dress in a heavenly glow.
As the flashbulb fired up, Martin and Danielle’s attention split between the real time scene in front of them and the captured images of each moment instantly appearing on a computer screen behind the camera. With an eye for every single crease and fold of fabric, Danielle scrabbled around the feet of the model like an industrious pixie in order to tweak and refine the silhouette of the dress.

Having a specific aesthetic in mind, Martin positioned himself alongside the photographers, offering friendly creative direction to the model and immersing himself so much in the moment that he dashed in and out of shot to demonstrate poses and positions himself. It was with triumphant joy that he observed his visions coming into life as the camera snapped rapidly away.
The early morning sun soon found its way to the highest point in the sky as one model was dismissed in favour of the next. Whilst tripods and light stands found themselves packed up and reassembled in the next location, Sophie and Martin switched between touch-ups on set to reimagining models into their next look back in the suite. A constant relay of stylists ensured that each aspect of the process was diligently overseen.
In front of windows, beneath archways, under loggias and beautiful blue skies, the team positioned their models to suggest a hint of grandeur to the backgrounds of each shot. The models looked exquisite but there was no doubt that the stars of the show were the dresses themselves. Occasionally the accessories made a bid for the limelight but more often offered a supporting role in their sparkly, feathered opulence.
Bald headed men stared out of windows, preferring to observe the joy of the professionals working on the photo shoot than participate in their own middle management conferences. Elderly couples walking round the grounds of the neo-gothic hotel lingered on pathways to watch the magic of the moment unfold before their eyes.

Ettington Park became a playground of glamour, with beautifully styled models posing, posturing and pouting beneath a soundtrack of camera clicks and excited chatter. The turn of a head, the drop of a shoulder, the slightest rotation of the waist all brought life into the dresses, allowing them to speak for themselves on camera.
Bringing with her the unwavering attention of one-on-one consultations that brides can expect from The White Rose, Danielle remained constantly alert to the minutiae of every shot. Tweaking jewellery, rearranging dresses and even clearing the back of shots and engineering the exact fall of shadows with the precise placement of heavy velvet curtains; absolutely nothing escaped her gaze.
As the sunlight marched across the frosty grass throughout the afternoon, it became apparent that Martin and Danielle had assembled an equally fastidious team. Every supplier checked and double-checked their work, picking up on elements that a less experienced eye could easily overlook.
Altering the shade of a lipstick, painting a shot with warm light or precisely repositioning a stray strand of hair, the team became artists; keen to perfect their work using the vast experience and techniques of their respective trades.
Shooting from precariously high positions on rickety chairs and absurdly uncomfortable angles through archways, Phil and Spencer constantly reimagined each shot into different frames in order to have a portfolio of options to select from for each individual look. As the rest of the team looked on they too began seeing each dress in a different light, contributing ideas and lending a collaborative nature to the creation of each scene.

Whether recreating the regal style of Audrey Hepburn gazing out of an originally leaded window or allowing the sensuality of an early 20th-century flapper girl to bask in the late sunshine, each look was immaculately presented. Classic English roses, sensationally sultry starlets and delicately sparkling glamour girls all lent personality to the dresses, allowing them to bask in the attention.
Despite flagging models and pressing time constraints, the whole team maintained the same level of focus as the dusk began to approach as they had begun with when the dawn had only just broken. With sunlight rapidly fading and other events in the hotel soon to supplant their locations, the shoot began to wind towards a wrap.
Danielle, Martin and their glamorous team crowded around a laptop to assess some images from the day as the camera shutter clicked for a final time. From the frothy full skirt of chiffon roses to the ostrich feathers of a vintage-inspired shrug floating upon the breeze, each dress danced before their eyes like a parade of beautiful debutantes, ready to make their debut into the world."

Credits :

Styling – Danielle and Martin

Dresses and Accessories - Danielle, The White Rose Bridal Boutique
Photography – Spencer and Phil, All In The Image
Hair – Martin, Mode Hair
Make Up – Sophie Everett
Flowers – Catherine, Rose and Grace

All dresses and accessories available at The White Rose, dress designers include; Suzanne Neville, Stephanie Allin, Johanna Hehir, Ritva Westenius, Caroline Castigliano and accessories by House of Istria, Magpie Vintage and Hermione Harbutt.

Narrative by Emma, The Wedding Reporter.