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Blog entries from January 2012
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Irish Designer Week: Edel Ramberg Millinery
By Amy Croffey
Edel Ramberg Designs is an Irish label based in Galway, specialising in hats and headpieces.
Edel started to make bespoke bridal headpieces a few months after she was approached by a bride who was looking for an alternative to a veil.
“My headpieces are another option for people who don't feel that the traditional veil suits their dress or personality,” says Edel. “The bridal headpiece is something unique to them that they often help me to design and can wear again and again!”
Edel’s collections are all ready-to-wear headpieces but her bridal range needs to be pre-ordered. She has a range of samples and shapes in her studio and creates a bridal pieces using the client’s head, face and dress for inspiration.
Pillbox
“If a dress is quite vintage in style I work from there or if something is very fitted and 'Jackie-O' in cut we may try a pillbox base. It’s always down to the mood the dress creates,” she adds.
She would describe her designs as individual and sculptural, she is not into “fussy” pieces with loads of feathers and veiling.
“I would rather stay true to my style and keep things clean and chic. I like to embellish with quality materials, such as Swarovski and lace, rather than a mix of feathers and beads. It’s more about elegance and quality for me, rather than overkill," says Edel.
For wedding guests her collections are typically bought by women ranging in ages 30-60. Her bridal customers are typically in their twenties to early thirties and are looking for something special, unique and something that will compliment their face, shape and dress.
Overall look
“My clients are usually ladies who know their style and are keen to create something to finish off their overall look,” says Edel.
Edel’s advice to brides-to-be who are trying to find the ‘perfect’ style for their wedding day is to never bring too many people shopping for the veil or headpiece.
“I have seen brides in tears over varied opinions. You have to wear it on the day so you have to love it,” she says. “You should also be 100% sure about the piece, as it is something that will be in your wedding album for years. You need to be sure it doesn't hide too much of your face and that it highlights all your best features!”
Images by Richie StokesEdel believes it is always great to buy Irish but especially so with bridal fashion.
“It’s fantastic to get the support of Irish women as weddings are such a big tradition here. One bridal headpiece can often lead to several ladies getting in touch for their big day, which is great for any business as the knock-on effect can mean recommendations for local salons, make-up artists etc,” she says.
Edel admits the choice is not always there when trying to source certain products so people are often forced to look outside of Ireland for selections and price. However, she thinks now more than ever people can personally get in touch with designers to see what other options are available to them.
Materials for headpieces are mostly manufactured in the Czech Republic, France or other parts of Europe but rather than going to these suppliers directly for a small order, Edel tries to source from suppliers here.“I always feel it’s better to support a small local supplier rather than buying from elsewhere paying VAT and in some cases exchange rates,” she adds.
Email Edel Ramberg at [email protected] or call 00 353 86 837 6084.
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The Goddess Room - Vintage at the Cutting Edge of Fashion
By Karen Birney
As you have probably gathered already, we are HUGE fans of all that is true vintage and are known to pine over the intricate embroidery, lavish laces, striking structures and the delicate beading of often one-off, hand-made, pre-70s pieces. We are also aware that the words 'vintage' and 'couture' are a tad overused when it comes to bridal fashion and style (two very different concepts.) Except, unmistakably, when it comes to The Goddess Room.
"The aim of the Goddess Room," says owner Marie Therese Duggan, "is to seek out stylish, classic, one-off vintage wedding gowns for the contemporary bride at a reasonable price. The quality of the fabrics, usually silks satins and laces are exquisite and of far superior quality than those available to most brides today...I love the workmanship and craft displayed in each and every gown."
If the thoughts of 20s Chanel is a little intimidating to some fair weathered fashionistas, remember that vintage couture is not just for the ultra-fashionable. “Any bride can find a dress to suit them,” says Marie. “Vintage clothing is a winner for all body shapes because the clothes were made to flatter the female form, it was the first and most essential job a garment had to do.”
If you fall in love with a gown that doesn’t hug you in all the right places however, don’t fret, Marie offers a couture service and designs to your personal specifications.
Prices for gowns at The Goddess Room range from €350 to €3,500.
The Goddess Room's latest video Vintage at the Cutting Edge of Fashion showcases their latest evening, bridal and day wear. Check it out below.
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Love
Love is real, real is love,
Love is feeling, feeling love,
Love is wanting to be loved.
Love is touch, touch is love,
Love is reaching, reaching love,
Love is asking to be loved.
Love is you,
You and me,
Love is knowing,
We can be.Love is free, free is love,
Love is living, living love,
Love is needing to be loved.Love - John Lennon
Image by Moat Hill Photography
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10 Hairstyles We Love!
Our favourite bridal hairstyles for 2012! Not every bridal updo needs to be secured into a single bun, your hairstylist could make a unique knot, a chignon or add some vintage accessories or fresh flowers to match your wedding theme!
Wearing your hair down with loose curls creates a look of 1940s glamour. Add A hair pin or veil to keeps this loose, flowy look from hiding your face.
Clockwise from left: Sandra Crosbie | The Powder Room Girls - Make-up by Dawn Ryan | HairMob.ie
L: Brown Sugar | R: Sian Sharkey
Annie Mulligan at Profile Hair Design
L: HairMob.ie | R: Sian SharkeyRelated Content:
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Wedding Customs and Superstitions
Wedding Customs and Superstitions
By Amy Croffey
Since it's Friday the 13th today, tradition says it’s bad luck to get married, so we put together some more Irish wedding traditions for couples. Some of you may stick religiously to these superstitions, others won’t bat an eyelid at them, and many might follow them ‘just in case’, whatever you decide, here are the customs that we believe are either most noteworthy or bizarre:
Blue - Wearing something blue is considered to represent purity and fidelity.
Bonfires - In some parts of the west of Ireland, neighbours light bonfires outside their homes to wish the bride and groom good luck on their wedding day. Neighbours and friends will stand at the fire and wave to the couple as they pass to their reception.
Cat - If you feed a cat out of an old shoe, your wedding day will be a happy one.
Confetti - Throwing rice or confetti as the couple leaves the church is meant to bestow fertility on them.
Dress - It is unlucky to try on your whole outfit (dress, shoes, veil, the lot!) and look in a full length mirror before your wedding day, but if you leave off a shoe or a hairpin you can fend off the bad luck. Phew!
Earrings - The earrings you wear on your wedding day will bring you luck and happiness for evermore.
Groom - The groom should pay everything with an odd sum of money on his wedding day, or else bad luck ensues.
Rain - If it rains on the wedding day, the bride will cry all of her married life.
Ring - If the bride has to assist the groom when he is putting the ring on her finger it means he will be ruled by her in the future. (Get him a smaller ring ladies!)
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe - The something old should be from a happily married woman, the borrowed should be an object of gold and the sixpence should be worn in the heel of the left shoe as a symbol of wealth.
Sun - It is believed that if the sun shines on the bride on her wedding day, it will bring good luck to the couple and their children will be beautiful.
Surnames - It is unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers.
Veil - It's good luck to get a happily married woman to put your veil on, but bad luck to put it on yourself.
If you are anything like us, you’ll probably take many of these customs with a pinch of salt, so instead of using these customs, make your own for your wedding day.
We got most of these superstitions from the ladies on the WOL Forums, if you know of anymore wedding customs, superstitions or traditions from Ireland, or anywhere around the world, leave us a comment below!
Shoe image by Studio 33 all other images by Elizabeth Messina.
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Colour Palette: Yellow & Grey
Grey and yellow is a wedding colour theme that you'll be seeing a lot more of in 2012! It's fresh, modern and chic and is particularly perfect for a spring and summer wedding. This palette works well with almost any location and is easy to achieve using variations of yellows, greys and silvers.
| Bow tie: Handmade by Emy on Etsy €28 | Dress with brooches: Jose Villa | Bunting: Stitch in Netka on Etsy €26 | Shoe: Louboutins | Cake and macaroon images: Jose Villa | Dress: M&S | Couple in a field: Leila Brewster | Grey bridesmaid: Jennifer Eileen | Necklace: Monsoon €39 |
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First Look Wedding Photos
By Amy Croffey
It’s an age old tradition that the bride and groom should not set eyes on each other before the wedding because it will result in tremendous bad luck - of course. But many couples, mostly in America, have put aside this superstition and have opted instead for the ‘first look’ photo.
This option gives the couple time before the ceremony, fuss and hullabaloo, to meet and spend some quality time together. It’s also a great chance to get some really beautiful images of the bride and groom and their reactions to each other.
Completing a ‘first look’ shoot will enable the couple to get most of the wedding images out of the way before their day begins meaning they can spend more time enjoying the wedding and their guests.
An umbrella and a flat cap - wedding fabulous - by Clayton Austin Photography
A beautiful aerial view of a first look meeting by Love is a Big Deal Photography
We love this quirky take on the first look image between a father and daughter by Bend the Light Photography
Another cute take on this trend is for the bride and/ or groom to wear a blindfold by Bethany Belle Photography.
Other options include concealing the bride or groom behind a door or a curtain. They can choose to either reveal themselves afterwards or not, but it really makes for some great images. Image by D Coleman Photography
We also just simply adore the images of the bride or groom waiting patiently for their other halves. Excitement, nervousness, eagerness and love exude from this photo by W. Scott Chester Photography.
If you’re a bride, who has always dreamt of an ‘Aisle Reveal’ (the minute the groom gets to see his beautiful bride from the top of the altar) then worry not because this tradition is even getting bigger with many couples hiring a second photographer to capture the reaction of both the bride and the groom.
However you plan to see your true love first the first time on your wedding it’s going to be beautiful, no matter what.
Here is what the ladies on the WeddingsOnline Forums think about the 'First Look' craze!
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You get Vaseline*! Win the Vaseline Essential Moisturiser Collection
As we head into January we may be feeling a little battered after the winter months. We find ourselves this week making promises to run three miles every morning before work, or to put a halt to the snacking, or to swap our morning coffee for prune juice. Which is all well and good, and we'll be all the better for it (even just 'til we pack it in in two weeks time), but while we're cleansing, toning and strengthening the inside, we might well think about the outside. My mother always nags me about taking better care of my skin (or I'll regret it, she says, menacingly) and so I've decided to take heed and start developing a little moisturiser habit for myself, and I think with money in mind, I'll be hitting the high street for my fix.
One lucky lady won't need to venture outside to get hers however as this week we have the Vaseline Essential Collection to give away. The essential range includes: Essential Moisture, Aloe Fresh and Cocoa Radiant. Aloe Fresh is the lightest-feeling body lotion of the three, it smells like cucumber and summer and leaves skin feeling fresh and revitalised. Essential Moisture, containing nourishing oat extract, leaves skin feeling soft and non greasy and is perfect for last minute moisturising before leaving the house. Cocoa Radiant is the perfect winter moisturiser. It has a rich texture and leaves skin with a radiant, luxurious glow and smells yummy!
To win this collection just answer the following question:
What top piece of beauty advice did your mother (or aunty or big sister) give you?
Leave your answer in a comment under this blog post, using your WeddingsOnline USER NAME. And sure, wouldn't ya like us on Facebook (or follow us on Twitter) while your around?!
T&Cs: Competition is open to residents of Ireland only. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. You must be a registered WeddingsOnline user to enter. Competition ends at 2pm Friday 13th January. Winner will be chosen at random and that decision is final. No cash alternative.
*We can't get this out of our heads
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Bronze Age -Metallic Wedding Inspiration
Take a trip back to the Bronze Age and create a metallic bronze and gold leaf palette for your wedding decor.
Metallic provides the perfect amount of glamour and edge to a very classic style, but as with most bold colour, prints, or fabrics, don't overdo it! Treat your metallics like you would animal prints; a little goes a long way. Also, as with animal prints, it's okay to mix two or three colours. Try a palette of gold, silver and bronze (a nod to this year's Olympics, if you are the sporty type?!), using off white or cream as your anchor.
Credits: Gold Bauble Chandelier by JeanPelle.com via Crafties | Bride image by Jasmine Star | Vintage Initials Invitation by Finer Details | Champagne Glasses image via StyleMePretty | Table Setting by Little Flower Shop | Cake image via OneWed | Eye Palette by Bobbi Brown | Shoes by Badgely Mischka, image by Tec Petaja | Brooch Bouquet via The Wedding Party Studio | Skirt, Asos.com | Metallic Cake image via Belle the Magazine |
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Top Five Backless Wedding Dresses for 2012!
If you're looking for a wedding dress that's a bit different, a bit wow, a bit out there and very on-trend for 2012, consider a backless gown! Perfect for the bride who wants a show-stopper and who is not afraid of showing off some skin.
If it all seems a bit daunting, try a dress with sleeves or with a lace back for some extra cover. Whatever style you choose, you are sure to turn heads in the glamourous gown! Compiled by Amy Croffey
Claire Pettibone available from Myrtle Ivory
Jenny Packham available from Memories - The Bridal Boutique in Dublin and Cork
Jim Hjelm available from La boda bridal, Tracy Bridal, Marie McElheron Bridal Designer
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