Autumnal, Rustic Wedding Shoot

How time has flown – it has been 12  months since we did this shoot and somehow I never wrote a blog post about it.

If you are planning a wedding for next autumn, than this one is for you. Get pinning girls!!

The shoot took place at the stunning Georgian manor house which is home to Hannah from Unforgettable Vintage Bridal Gowns.  The top floor houses their studio where you can lose an afternoon in this treasure trove, trying on their vintage and antique gowns, dresses and jewelery.  Its not just for brides, they have a huge selection of frocks for parties and “just because you can’t live without them dresses…”

Lucy Stendall was our photographer, she is awesome, gorgeous, funny and just generally brilliant.  She specialises in “taking photographs of good old fashioned sweet love.”

We were a bit excited that Sanni Sorma came from Paris to work her magic with hair and makeup.  She also does the best make up tutorials on YouTube and is a fountain of knowledge for girly glamour.

The cakes were made by Daisy Cupcakes and were divine.

We wanted a seasonal, rustic and shoot and  the warm  colour palette worked so well against the orchard and the garden.  Rich Edwardian china, paired with vintage crystal and silver added glamour to the tables and sat perfectly with the simple flower arragements where we used berries, greenery and crabapples picked from the garden that morning – roses added to the relaxed, easy styling.

I stole some oak chairs from the dining room, added some old mirrors and masses of romantic  lace.

The dresses were to die for, just beautiful.

What can I say about our model, Ayo – a star is born. 

Watch this space for another shoot with the same girls – we had such a great weekend and I hope you find some inspiration from our photographs.  Who knows, maybe one day there will be a couple who hires all of us to work on their wedding together!

 

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Fabulous Fabulous Places Event

The clock is ticking – it is 1.52am on Friday morning and I am still baking in preparation for the Fabulous Places Summer Market. 

Have a read of the blog on the Save the Date website here about the event http://www.savethedatemagazine.co.uk/2012/07/summer-food-gift-market-by-fabulous-places/

Hope to see you there.

x

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The Vintage Chic Wedding Fair…

I love working with Cathy & Susie from Vintage Chic Wedding Fair, their relaxed & feminine style is perfect for what Darby & Joan offer.  Their 6th wedding fair was held last Sunday at The Centennial Centre in Birmingham.  I have to say that I was exhausted when my alarm went off at six that morning as the previous day had been manically busy & the last thing I felt like doing was packing the car up again & driving for an hour.  My aching feet, sore knees from wearing heels all day (I must be getting old!) & slightly fuzzy head all disappeared when I arrived at the venue.  Wedding fairs are such light hearted, happy events & I had a fantastic day sharing stories with exhibitors & talking with brides & their families.

 

 

It was great to see many familiar faces as a few of the exhibitors have shown with the company before, Meeni, Whimsical Wishes, Passion for Flowers, Cotton & Crumbs & Vintage Twee  were amongst the gorgeous companies showcasing their inspirational services & products. 

 

 

For the first time, I am Staggered were exhibiting.  I can’t imagine that many (or any!) men will be reading this blog, but for you brides who are, tell your man about this website & service.  Invaluable, funny & relevant advice for grooms-to-be.

The overall feel of all of Vintage Chic wedding fairs has always been to offer brides ”vintage with a modern twist” inspiration & ideas.  This is just our cup of tea.

The Centennial Centre was the largest venue the company had used & it was a big hit with everyone.  It was light, bright & airy & it was transformed once the exhibitors got to work with their gorgeous styling ideas.  Everyone had worked hard to promote the fair & as the doors opened at 11am, there was a steady stream of brides, grooms & their families.  Yey!!

There were demonstrations throughout the day, Le Keux Events & Sarah Russell were busy with hair & make up, Fishee Designs brought along a brilliant photo-booth with props, My Craftea Day got crafty, My Dance Birmingham showed us all how to do the balloon dance (well worth seeing!).  As always, Simon Partridge was there during the day singing, ensuring a mellow, relaxed & happy atmosphere.

If you missed attending the fair then you really did miss out as it was just fab.

 Looking forward to the next one!  xx

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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.

 

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Vintage Chic Wedding Fairs…

Good morning!  I have to say that I am still on a bit of a high after yesterday.  Susie from Vintage Chic Wedding Fairs got together a handful of glam ladies for a 1920′s/1930′s themed wedding shoot.  Darby & Joan were already styling the day and providing props but she was short of a model, so I graciously stepped in and spent the day being pampered and fawned over…it was tough, but I got through it!  Hope to have some images to share in the next couple of weeks.

Vintage Chic hold wedding fairs across the Midlands and their next extravaganza is on Sunday 22nd April at The Centenial Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

I am a huge fan of this company, vintage with a modern twist is how they describe their events and they bring together the  finest selection of vintage and chic suppliers.  You don’t have to be dreaming of a vintage styled wedding to visit, any bride will find some gorgeous inspiration from the florists, stationers, photographers, cake makers & hire companies.  If you are a stylish bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride (or groom) then you are sure to find something unique and special here. 

If you are a veteran of the standard wedding fairs and think you have seen it all before, then I can promise that you will be blown away by a Vintage Chic Wedding Fair.  I took my husband along to the first one I attended (as a visitor) and even he loved it!  And that is praise indeed.  Darby & Joan will be exhibiting there in April and I cannot wait.  I hope to see some of you there.

We have three tickets to give away for their fair in Edgbaston…all you have to do enter is pop by our Facebook page, “like” our page and email us your name, our email address is karen@darbyandjoanvintage.co.uk.  We will choose a name at random on 2nd April, so you will have plenty of time to receive your tickets.

All images provided by Theresa Furey Photography http://theresafureyphotography.co.uk/

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Corsets & Cake

“Our aim is the same for every client we meet – to create the most stunning, beautiful ‘total’ look- that captures the moment in time that is your wedding day but remains timeless in your mind for ever”.  That sums up the passion that Astra and Rachel have for their wedding company – Timeless Couture.

They offer beautiful bespoke pieces for the whole wedding party, from the foundation garments to the jewellery.

Timeless Couture dresses combine vintage inspired details with modern contemporary shapes – they really do have the most exquisite eye for detail and I feel confident in saying that they offer a unique service.

The girls were invited to join Not on The Highstreet after they were spotted during a Save the Date wedding show at the Roundhouse in Derby. This was a huge compliment and a real thrill as there are literally hundreds of companies who would love love love to be involved with such an amazingly successful and respected organisation. To be handpicked by them is, well, a big deal!

 

They were organising a photoshoot to showcase their beautiful corsets for Not on The Highstreet and asked Darby & Joan provide the props and to work with them on styling. 

It was named the Timeless Vintage tea party.  Photographs – Yvonne Lishman,  Styling and vintage props - Darby & Joan,  Flowers - Tineke, Cakes –  The pink Cake Box, Make up – Emma Wardman

Here are some of the photos.  Just gorgeous.

 

You will be able to meet Astra and Rachel and to swoon over their gorgeousness at the National Wedding Show at the NEC during 23rd, 24th and 25th March.

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Save the Date Wedding Fair…

Sore feet from wearing too high shoes, voice hoarse from talking all day, exhausted from an early start…but over the moon with how today went at the save the date wedding fair with a difference! 

Darby & Joan caught up with wedding suppliers we regularly work alongside, met some inspirational new companies & people & spent the day talking to brides to be & their families about their impending weddings.  Lydia & Abbi from Save the Date really know how to put an event together; catwalk shows, interactive displays, live music, outdoor entertainment, fabulous catering – all housed at The Roundhouse, one of the most impressive buildings in the county. 

We were showcasing our vintage china & vintage accessories together with promoting our Afternoon Tea Party events (we had a cake trolley filled with cupcakes, scones, rocky road & chocolate dipped strawberries..not much left at the end of the day!)  

We were so so excited about the event, fingers & everything else crossed that we  are able to work with some of the brides we met on their wedding or help with their hen parties.  (We have already had one provisional booking from the day, which is amazing, that is my kind of bride!!)

 

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1940′s Inspired Photo Shoot…

Hello there! I had such a fab day yesterday over in Sheffield together with a group of super talented wedding industry people, including  Sweet Words Stationery, Tattered Rose & Chloe Adlington.  What a nice way to spend a Monday, surrounded by gorgeous girls & vintage loveliness. Cannot wait to see the photographs as they promise to be stunning…but here is a sneaky peak.

  

 

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Here it is – our long awaited new website!

We are so so excited to welcome you to our new website - and can breathe again now it is ready.  Many of you have been asking why it is taking so long (!) but hopefully now it is here, you will appreciate why it wasn’t put together in a couple of  weeks!  Our passion is vintage china & we hope that visitors looking for vintage chic inspiration for their vintage wedding, garden tea party, christening or vintage styled hen party will find something to hire from our English vintage collection.    read more about our new website...

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