Ask The Designer - Cover Ups

May 23, 2018 Sarah Foy

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.

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 !

Creatives At Work

March 20, 2018 Sarah Foy

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.

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

Creatives At Work

February 19, 2018 Sarah Foy

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/

Timeless pieces, handcrafted with passion.

December 8, 2017 Sarah Foy

I have been very lucky to have inherited some beautiful jewellry from my great grand mother - a seamstress and my own much loved nana. Two simple rings, beautifully crafted pieces that I cherish dearly. I have come to see them as part of my history, something to pass to my daughter that will tell her a story, connecting her with these amazing women.

Captured by Paul from Moat Hill Photography

Somewhere in those first hazy months of new mother hood a spark of an idea came. I dreamt of designing a collection of very special pieces. Garments that would become heirlooms. Irish designed and crafted, that would be worn again and again. Wearing them would bring back memories of a special day, a moment in time to be cherished.

This spark grew into my first accessories collection. I have designed accessories for my brides over the years but this gave me the opportunity to explore new ideas and create something to treasure. These statement pieces are designed to complete a brides wedding look whether to highlight their dress or add the finishing detail. But also to be worn again and again.

So it may have taken longer then expected - thank you baby Niamh for keeping me busy. But 2 years later I finally launched the first of my accessory collections. Each piece will be made to order through our online shop, hand crafted with passion and loved well past the wedding day.