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1920′s 1930′s Vintage Chic Wedding Shoot
When Susie from Vintage Chic asked if Darby & Joan would like to be involved with a vintage styled photo shoot, it took me all of three seconds to say yes please. The idea behind the shoot was to help promote the fast approaching Vintage Chic Wedding Fair at The Centenial Centre in Birmingham on 22nd April.
Susie was keen to work with suppliers who would be exhibiting at this fair, so a few weeks ago we met up with Luxe Bridal, The Red Cake Company, Liezl Croft Photography, Cheryl Williams and Emily Hall.
We had a lot of fun producing these images and hope that is reflected here.
We were hoping to capture the femininity, elegance and glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. Our our brief from Susie that we were to smile, smile, smile…which was pretty easy for Ulle & I as we had such a giggle during the day.
Becky & Shelley from Luxe Bridal arrived laden down with a selection of the most beautiful original vintage wedding gowns, and the trickiest part of the day was deciding who was to wear which dress as we both fell in love with all of them.Cherished Vintage Bridal Accessories supplied the stunningly gorgeous headpieces.
Susie had chosen The Botanical Gardens in Birmingham as the venue because it offered us a gorgeous art-deco backdrop and it’s architecture, colours and gardens perfectly suited the theme of the shoot.
The light fittings, the wooden panelling, the stage area, the light streaming into the room all made for a series of stunning shots. 
While we were being made up and having our hair curled Liezl, from Liezl Croft Photography had plenty of time to decide on which parts of the building to use.
She time to take some lovely shots of our props which I am thrilled with.
Emily Hall was the make up artist on the day and did a fantastic job in transforming us into glamourous, authentic looking vintage brides. Our hair was styled byCheryl Williams and she really was superb.
Both ladies were on hand throughout the shoot to do touch-ups, swap head pieces and change looks.
And the cakes! These were supplied by The Red Cake Company and they really were stunning.
I had decided to take lots of silverware, crystal, faux fur and lace as styling props for the day. I wanted to try and capture the glamour and opulence of the roaring Twenties.
One of the highlights for me of the day was discovering a piano tucked away in a corner, finding a nice chap and asking if we could use it as a prop. Of course he said, where would you like me to move it too… one of my mottos is “always ask, because you never know…” so when I said I would like it lifting onto the stage area I was pleasantly surprised that he agreed! Watching four burly men trying to lift the piano onto a stage that was three foot high was like a sketch from Only Fools and Horses! But bless them, they managed it, so thanks guys! I suspect the piano is still there…
I hope you enjoy this post as much as we all enjoyed putting it all together.
Spreading the vintage love…
Morning peeps! Like most girls, I hoard jewellery, never having enough and always on the look out for pieces that I love so much I don’t want to take off. I do have a budget mind you, and its rare that I will spend more than £50, so to find Shu & Me has made my search easier. Happy days!!
Lucy Bannister is the creative force behind this gorgeous little company and she is also a fashion advisor at Canopy in Derby, which is bursting with labels like Acne, American Vintage, Twenty 8 Twelve…
We caught up with Lucy and this is what she had to say about the new love in her life.
“I’m a total Magpie, lover of all things Vintage and 100% fashion junkie and this is me trying to make a success of my Vintage/Trend inspired little costume jewellery brand! Shu & Me Vintage inspired jewellery is made up of vintage/ trend inspired pieces. I like to go with the tag line that “One girl’s trash is another girl’s treasure” – because I handmake unique necklaces and bracelets that have been put together using recycled pieces of unwanted, broken or inherited costume/ antique jewellery that have gone on to be revived to make something beautiful and wearable that isn’t mass produced.
Every item is different and exclusive to the person wearing it. I like to think that each necklace and bracelet tells a different story. I try to make every singe item totally different to the next as a result there are some pieces that are real statement makers, some more subtle and discreet but all 100% unique.
Currently the jewellery can be found to buy on my etsy shop- www.etsy.com/shop/shuandme or there is also a selection on sale in Canopy on Sadlergate in Derby.
If however there is something specific a customer would like I am more than happy to discuss this with them and attempt to make the perfect piece for them.
I am planning a launch party which will take place on 2nd May, anyone interested is welcome to come along to Bar 5 from 7pm, I will be selling jewellery on the night and there will also be some live music from sister act ‘Daughters of Davis’, lots of cake and a few cheeky cocktails- what more could you want?!”
You can all thank me later…
Twitter: @shuandme Facebook page: www.facebook.com/shuandme
What on earth is a pyclet…?
I have to say that I had no idea until a pretty special new business opened in Derby recently…they are a griddle cake that looks a little like a flat crumpet and I have to tell you, one is never enough!
They are indigenous to Derbyshire and were a popular snack at Derby marketplace until the 1970′s. After 40 years of absence they are back on the local menu – thanks to friends Mark and Martin who have resurrected and re-invented them from an old bakery where pyclets originated from, in Derby’s city center, their company is called…Derby Pyclet.
Happy days for the boys becuase the love of the pyclet has been such that they have just opened a stall in the Derby Victorian Guildhall, and at the risk of blowing their trumpet a little too much, it is pretty fabulous!
Pearch on their super comfy stools, try the special homemade breakfast, their granola with soft fruit poached each day with beautiful organic yoghurt, or their home made
An afternoon of tea, cake & fundraising…
March 2012 is Ovarian Cancer awareness month and The Eve Appeal are asking their supporters to Make Time for Tea and to organise a traditional tea party.
Funding and awareness of ovarian cancer remains low and we were keen to get involved.
We wanted to support this charity and organised our own vintage tea party which took place on Friday. 35 gorgeous ladies arrived, laden with a donation, gossip and bags of enthusiasm.
We held the party at Darby & Joan HQ (my house!) and for a couple of hours the room sounded like a wine bar, without the wine. It was just brilliant. We had a small raffle, with prizes donated by Tineke, us, Boots & Timeless Couture.
Lemon drizzle, cupcakes, shortbread, chocolate sponge, victoria sponge, flap jacks, rocky road, brownies, cookies, banana and chocolate loaf…the table was groaning under the weight!
And speaking of weight – no one was watching theirs thankfully!
Becky from Butterworth Photography came along and took these gorgeous photos to capture the afternoon perfectly. Thanks so much Becky – you rock!
We raised around £130 with the addition of gift aid, so we are chuffed to pieces with that – not bad for a couple of hours of eating cake, drinking tea and nattering.
Thank you all ladies for coming along, for supporting us and the charity. A special thanks to Sally, Jay, Sarah & Stacey – what would I do without you.
