#Bridalmusings – A real bride’s advice.

Posted on August 9, 2016 by IOWBrides

So when all is said and done what would your advice be to those brides in the middle of planning? So many worries go through my head that I take huge comfort from reading the newly wedded brides tips and advice. And I’m more than happy to share this with you….

Advice from Joey

So we got married Thursday and it was the best day of my life!
Absolutely amazing! Can’t fault a single thing – the weather was lush, we got married outside and the whole day was simply perfect. But if I learned anything from being a bride that I can pass on to any brides to be, it would be this….

1.forget the fancy undies, wear comfortable undercrackers, no matter how grannyish they are you can always change into your sexy lingerie later! Take it from someone who spent £20 on a pair of bridal undies that spent the entire day with a permanent wedgie- wedgies in a bridal gown is a logistical nightmare! (and I’ve suffered for it since – ouch!)

2. Just let any issues go, anything that goes wrong, shrug it off and get yourself a drink and your dancing feet ready!

3. Be an idiot and have fun with your bridesmaids- the photos will be brilliant and the memories even better. Don’t be head struck on being glamorous and classy all day… give yourself some time the relax and be you and have lots of laughs!

4. Money – Don’t cancel anything before the big day based on money if you can help it, we nearly did and would have regretted it. You will find the money somehow and it’ll be worth every penny.

5. Don’t be frightened of having children as guests at your wedding, just have plenty of things to keep them occupied instead. We had over 20 kids at ours and so we made up a play area with toys, tents and lots of games, we had a magician who not only did tricks for the adults but put a show on for them too and even the adults loved it. The kids added to the fun of it all and at no point were they a nightmare.

Good luck ladies and gents! Enjoy!!
13978296_1592328634393495_1977523698_o The lovely Mr and Mrs Groves!
If you’d like to join in on the advice, then please drop me a message via IOWBrides Fb page

*magician Huxley Magic

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Bridal Musings: How we chose our photographer

Posted on June 29, 2016 by IOWBrides

Bridal musings: How we chose our photographer.

Picking a photographer can be super easy or a little like keeping your head afloat. The Island has some fab talent and it can be a little daunting on who to choose. So here is how I broke down that conundrum.

Off the bat I said to Lee photography is up there on the wants list, so we agreed on how much we were willing to spend. Photography to me is super important and I wanted the right person to do the job, there are so many styles out there there’s edgy and raw, There’s candid and subtle, there’s formal and classic the list really does go on and those I’ve mentioned also tend to be a mixture also, I think we fall into the subtle and somewhat classic, we want images where the poses aren’t to forced I’m not the biggest fan of everyone standing in a line but that’s my personal preference so take my likes as just that “my likes” I love the photos where the only way it was captured was if the photographer was right next you, but you’re so in the moment and they just know how to sneak in and out again without being seen, I call these ninja photographers!

So how did we decide? Well we drew up a list and spent hours looking over their works and sent email’s off asking for quotes (photographers tend to get booked quickly so get asking as soon as you can) and we then spent more hours looking over their Facebook pages, their websites and other areas of their social media, we looked over their reviews, these can set your mind at rest seeing what past couples have said – do your homework.

We wanted a photographer who would make us all feel comfortable, but not in your face. It started to get clearer in what we wanted as we kept going back to the persons work and the fog started to lift and we became more confident with who we were going to go for. Once we got the quotations naturally some were removed and that’s totally fine, if they don’t fall into your budget that’s a ok that’s just how things go, doesn’t mean any less of the photographer you do go for – yes you can barter with a photographer and many can work to what you have in mind, but don’t feel bad about saying no and continuing the search, its about being truly comfortable and sticking with what you want to pay.

So we were down to three…. And all prices were on par with one another but we just kept coming back to one, and you know what? they shared this image and I said to Lee that’s it, that’s out photographer, the image was simple it was classic and it was subtle everything that we wanted.

He’s all booked in and deposit is paid! We’ll be meeting up soon to do our pre wedding shoot which should be fun! These shoots can help with breaking the ice. I talk more once we’ve done our and hopefully I’ll have that post for another day! Our photographer is the very talented Oscar May: the Occasion We can not wait!

So my top 5 tips

1. Decide on a budget.

2. Draw up a list of possible photographers and who you thinks style works for you.

3. Get in contact ASAP – I can’t stress enough that its never to soon to get asking and booking. Find out if their costings work for you or not and if they are available for your chosen date.

4. Do your homework – chat with past brides, ask for full images not just the ones that made it online, others costs – travel, look over if food needs to be provided etc.

5.Experience is very helpful, someone who has a few weddings under their belt can help make the day run extra smoothly, but I will say this -don’t overlook the new photographers who are wanting to get there footing in the wedding industry just do your homework. there are some bargains to be had!

Till next time!
Sharon

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A Chat with Dornellie

Posted on June 6, 2016 by IOWBrides

On Saturday i hopped on a bus and made my way over to have a good old catch up with Karen Robb Of Dornellie – The Bridal Studio, recently she has set about offering a consultation service, and I got a taster of what you can expect. Now its not something you’d really think about having, there’s not much to trying on dresses – you just try them on right? … well not so much, not in my case anyway as a bride to be myself i have to say its not as simple as I thought, granted for those you who know what they want and they can pick and carry on, that’s great! for me I’ve had my struggles – body image being one of them, thinking I know what suits me hasn’t come as easy as i thought it would.

so making my way into the Aladdin’s cave that is the studio where beautiful dresses hang, detailed veils and head pieces for all style and the room where all of the magic happens! Karen told me how she’d like to use her experience to help brides.

Her passion is clear to see, she wants no bride to be disappointed in her dress, she wants to help as much as she can, and with the rise of cheap dresses sometimes you end up paying more to get it sorted, just recently I went to one discounted wedding branch and although I’m no dress maker I could tell they lacked quality something I don’t think you should ever scrimp on.

***Wedding Dress Advice Consultations***

As a result of the numerous messages and responses to my advice on wedding dress shopping I will be launching new consultation appointments in July for a bride plus her one trusted friend/family member to come along and receive an hour and a half of advice, tips and a personal guide to buying the perfect wedding dress.

I will cover all the things to avoid or embrace in any bridal boutique and give you a personal template of the style of dress best suited to you.

I will also give suggestions on the best accessories and point you in the right direction for any other wedding day service you are looking for.

Appointments will be limited and first come first served.
I will cover all the things to avoid or embrace in any bridal boutique and give you a personal template of the style of dress best suited to you.

£30 to ensure you have the tools to make the perfect decision, enjoy your wedding dress shopping and hopefully not have any nightmare ‘wobbles’ about your dress.

Any sales made will receive a discount of the £30 and I will be putting together a goody bag too with information and maybe a few surprises!!

Please let me know if this is of interest and make your booking for July.

Good luck to all brides shopping for that dream gown but please know I am here to help.

Karen xx”

And you know, it is worth it, I left there with more hope that I will the find dress for me. It’s overwhelming, but it need not to be. If you can I’d highly suggest you go for a chat!

Till next time
Sharon

*Image Kat Forsyth

Bridal fashion for Fall 2016 /Spring 2017

Posted on June 1, 2016 by IOWBrides

Some absolutely fabulous dresses seen on the catwalk for fall 2016 and spring 2017!
Florals were seen pretty much across the board with designers, shimmer and sparkle as always, a mixture of soft and dramatic cuts for the dresses. Separates looking set to be staying which is great. Using colour too seems to be a firm favourite Carolina, charlotte and Nikola all have dress with with blush tones. My favourite has to be the star gown by Jenny Packham!

I know wonder how these gowns will trickle down into out local bridal stores. very excitingas a bride to be!!

Hope you enjoy just a few of my firm favourites

Oscar De La Renta

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Charlotte Balbie
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Jenny Peckham

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Carolina Herrera
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Nikola Faetanni

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15 Questions to ask when venue viewing …

Posted on May 24, 2016 by IOWBrides

I’ve totally skipped over making this post, It is one I should have posted about sooner, for me picking my venue was pretty simple and it was the only venue we actually visited, having had the site and group i have a little more info than your average bride to be, so for the entirely new to the world of planning and not sure of what to ask, here’s some questions to ask at your venue viewing, Venue hunting can be a bag full of mixed emotions, Will it work, will it be what we want, will it hold all the family,friends and aunt Marys singing group… weddings everyone wants to be there!

So thanks to the little Isle Of Wight Brides fb group i hope this helps.

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Sharon Loves

Posted on May 6, 2016 by IOWBrides

The sun is shinning its warm and well its just lovely, Hopefully it stays for those weddings at the weekend.

I’m back with my “loves”

page Asos have been doing such a great job with their bridal stuff! and I’m just loving the “Confetti Queen” P’j’s £20… having something nice to get ready in is big business and i think these would be very photogenic!

Next up, The “Original” milestone cards £16.50 at Not on the highstreet, you may have seen them for babies – first step, tooth etc. but these are for the wedding! A fab little novelty gift for the newly engaged bride to be.

OPI have just bought out their “Alice Through The Looking Glass” (Out in cinemas May 27th) collection and i realy love the gold shimmery one “A Mirror Escape” £12.50

And last but by no means least this fabulous Rock’n’roll brides for Crown and Glory “heart with bird cage veil” £40

Happy Friday lovelies!
Sharon

Sharon Loves

Posted on April 1, 2016 by IOWBrides

Happy Friday and happy April lovelies! So here’s my finds for the week!

First up I found this ever so lovely floral print wrap dress, this was on the “Guest” section of the bridal collection on ASOS (£55) Perfect for those Spring garden weddings!

Big big fan of the words being used for cake toppers the sparkler the better! Sophia Victoria Joy Ltd (£23)

sharonloves

I’m a little in love with this book “fortune telling for brides” it would make a lovely engagement gift. full of little snippet of meanings on flowers, dates and all sorts of wedding related things! BeGolden.co.uk (£12)

And Finally! A little something for the skin, Liz Earle always brings out a fab limited edition cleanser and i know how popular they are, well the latest is “Rose & Cedrat” they describe it as “romantic, bright, energising and fresh” perfect!! (£20.75)

A touch of boudoir

Posted on March 30, 2016 by IOWBrides

Afternoon Readers,

I hope I find you all well and rested after the long weekend.

Today I’m bringing something a little different to the site, I was contacted by Jason Mark Harris – A fab island photographer who has big popularity in his wedding work both here on the island and as far flung as Australia, It’s great to see an islander flying far! – about his new venture Frisson.

“Frisson” is a raw and artful boudoir shoot for you ladies who want to take a moment to feel empowered. We’re strong and far too often we are lead to believe one thing or another about what we are supposed to be.

These images are like nothing I’ve come across, no bright lights, no forced poses; and those that these ladies do strike, are soft and easy. Now many may not admit it but I appreciate the lines of the female form, the dips of the collar bones, the curve of the waist and hair that tumbles across the face. Theres no hair dresser or make up artist just your natual beauty shinning through.

While not aimed to those looking for “bridal” undie shoots, I do think this could make for a lovely intimate gift for your Mr, the images come in stunning wooden boxes – one being made from Maple, handmade and locally sourced. You could add some other extras to finish it off perfectly, his favourite tipple, a tumbler or anything you know he’ll like.

If you’re interested in booking a session, then get in contact with Jason to find out more.

Tuesday Shoesday! #Wedding

Posted on March 22, 2016 by IOWBrides

Good Morning Lovely readers,

The sun is shining and all feels well. So here’s a new addition to the postings #Tuesdayshoesday this is very popular on other blogs and social media outlets, so I thought I give it a whirl and naturally I’ll be looking shoes for weddings. I hope you like them!

shoestues 1. Sparkle, peep toes and bows!! how lovely are these!! Miss KG “Gabrielle” (currently £69)

2. More sparkle and bows! these cuties are by Irregular choice, a very popular option in terms of a wedding shoe, “Nick of Time” (£79.99)

3. I’m definitely loving the details on shoes, no more bows but heart motifs! These delightful shoes are by Charlotte Mills “Andrea” (£230)

4. Something a little simpler but still has that shimmer. Rainbow Club “Kelis “ (£85)

Sharon
xXx

A Year since our engagement.

Posted on March 21, 2016 by IOWBrides

I really can’t believe it has been a year since my wonderful Mr proposed. That morning is still so vivid and the emotions just as fresh.

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So where are we a year on? If I talk to anyone about planning I will say get to thinking about your date, as once you have that everything else tends to fall in line. Our date had been in my mind for a long while before getting engaged, we’d met back in early September of 2006 and I knew there and then that this person would become someone important, so I wanted to have that as our wedding date which I was in luck for – well just about. So with our chosen date it was time for the venue, this Island has so many wonderful places to choose from, we had two possible venue themes in mind, something near the sea or something with lots of open space. It would be the later that won, in late May the Mr and I went for our first (and only) venue viewing, within the first few seconds of arriving I just turned to Lee and said “I think this is it” and he was in agreement. Chatting with the event’s organiser and her showing us round we felt 100% ready to book there and then. And so we did.

fe2a7e3123e2e789765f85356b164ae3-tile Next was up the photographer, my goodness we have just as many wonderful photographers as we have venues, we didn’t hang about and seeing how quickly they get booked up I didn’t want to delay! Now Every time ours blog their latest wedding I get a little more excited about them capturing our big day. 6d8b109558b2af032e245b2d857771df-tile
So with the big three chosen within months there was a little breathing space, not sure if other brides experienced that feeling of “I need to book all the things NOW!” but I certainly did/do.

*Image credit – Mandy Meadows Photography

For the rest of 2015 I just enjoyed being engaged, but that raring to go came back, so earlier this year I finally decided on who I wanted for flowers and then cake – it’s not been easy as there is just so much to choose from. I’m really looking forward to working with them and seeing what they/we can come up with!

As I sit typing we’ve no dresses for me and the girls, the gents have no suits and I’ve no solid idea of what the end result will be, although Pinterest really is a big help, but we’ll get there! – Just 1 Year and 5 months to go!!

Til next time!
Sharon xXx