Bridal Hair Top Tips - 1950's Vintage with Harriet Bartley

Guest Blogger - Harriet Bartley

Back at the beginning of the year you may remember seeing a fantastic Monochrome photo shoot created by a group of Ice the Cake members.  If you missed it you can click here to see some of the images from the day. 

The Hairstylist on the day - Harriet Bartley has kindly put together some of her top tips on how to recreate your own Vintage hair style... what a fab start to week it's over to Harriet.

I was asked to style a photo shoot, the brief was Vintage.  I hadn't met the two models before so wasn't sure what to expect.  Both the girls, Shelly & Chloe had lovely hair and had washed their hair the day before.  Freshly washed hair is too flyaway for photo shoots, a few flyaway hairs could spoil a fab shot.

Firstly I damped down the hair with a water spray and blow dried strong hold mouse into the hair getting plenty of lift at the roots for maximum body for both the girls.  I curled with two sizes of large tongs. 

Shelly's longer hair was held with clips as I went to give the 'set' time to form strong curls which would become lovely smooth shiny waves.  

Chloe's hair is shorter and perfect for heated rollers and looked great on camera too.  Heated rollers are great, as you can put them in quickly and carry on with makeup/dressing whilst the hair is setting.  Least effort...max style!

I brushed Shelly's hair lightly to enhance the big waves, any hairspray needs to be applied before hair accessories as spray dulls diamante.  Chloe's hair was back brushed to give a fuller 50's Elizabeth Taylor look.

 

For a photo shoot its always good to start with firmer looks and brush out, restyle as you go with looser styles.  It's better than having to re-tong later in the day.  

To recreate a Vintage look you need, tongs, heated rollers, pin curl clips, kirby clips & hairspray and a good Boar bristle brush, made from natural fibers the best for smoothing out your hairstyle. 

The styles held all day, the models were fabulous.

 

Contact:  Harriet Bartley

Location: Aylesbury and surrounding area
Telephone: 07817 485888
Email: harrietbartley@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.mobile-hairstyling.co.uk

Credits:  

Photography: Frank Millar Photography

Hair Accessories:  Princess Conchetta

Make Up:  Feel Beautiful

Wedding Dress: Bicester Bridal 

Bridesmaid Dress: Frockalicious

Flowers:  Signature Flowers by Emma Newman

Happy Daddie's Day!

Many become Fathers but it takes someone special to be a Dad!...

My blog today wouldn't be complete without wishing my Dad a very Happy Fathers Day!  My Dad does so much for us (I'm one of three) and those who know him are only too aware that he is probably one of the most selfless people you are likely to meet.  If you need help, advice, a man who can fix pretty much anything (although his name isn't Bob) or nowadays a rockin' around the dance floor he's your man!  

So today I'm taking the day off to spend the day with Mr ITC - he suggested going out for dinner but I said you do that on Mother's day to give the mum a day off cooking... so what shall I give him a day without?  The TV Remote?!  Lol,  but seriously he is such a star and ITC wouldn't be where it is now without him and the support he gives me every day.  So I hope the kids can refrain from fighting for 24 hours... or even just 24 minutes!

Finally, two extra special gentlemen both of whom I hope have a wonderful day... 

My Grandad

My Pop

Whether you are a Dad, Stepdad, Grandad, a wonderfully supportive Uncle or other well deserving male I would just like to wish you a fantastic Fathers Day! xx

Ice the Cake members create the Perfect Recipe

Ice the Cake has evolved rapidly since it's launch in April 2011 and I have been very focused on bringing dedicated Wedding industry professionals together.  Obviously first and foremost to ensure that those planning their wedding have a choice of great suppliers to assist them with their perfect day.  But also behind the scenes for suppliers to be able to network, support each other in business and even start working together.

Over the past year I have tried to organise an event a month across the country for network members to meet up with each other. The majority have been closer to home whilst I have been finding my feet, however, I had a wonderful time last Summer up in Scotland and more recently traveling up to Durham.  At the end of June I am visiting Manchester and I am very excited about meeting up with everyone!  

The format so far has been everyone generally chatting and getting to know each other which has been wonderful, but as the network is growing, I am very focused on members developing their working relationships to enable them to confidently recommend each other, and work together.  I feel the best way to do this is to have focused one-to-one meetings but these can take time to arrange.

In May this year I organised a massive photo shoot at Worton Park in Oxfordshire which involved just under 40 wedding suppliers and I am delighted that the first of the themed shoots was blogged yesterday on Under the Vintage Veil (Thank You Sara!).  During a 'rest' period, a group of us were sitting by the lovely outdoor swimming pool and we were chatting about our networking evenings and one of the members suggested 'Speed Networking'.  I am always looking for new ideas and after some careful consideration I decided to trial it at the next networking night, which happened to be at The Three Locks Golf Club, in Milton Keynes.

Photography Credit:  Jay Mountford Photography

Prior to everyone arriving I had advised that I had a surprise in store for them, but that was as much as anyone really knew, so when they arrived and they saw the pens and paper laid out on the tables there were lots of jokes about there being a test or quiz.  

I think when I first told everyone were going to be 'Speed Networking' there was a mixture of excitement and apprehension but I am so pleased we gave it a go because it has turned out to be brilliant.  It was inspiring to see people who have been chatting for ages finding out even more new things about each other and their businesses and I feel it really is a great concept that we will now be running at future networking nights so thank you Kathryn for the idea!  

Unfortunately in amongst all the planning I forgot to take my camera but luckily Zoe from Jazzle Designs was on hand with her's and kindly took some 'action' shots for me...

Sweetness & Delight Celebration Cakes & Seber Weddings & Events

Sheena & Paula Shepherd - Artist & Kathryn Deeley Wedding Stationer

Cakes by Shelly & Hanamai

Charms by Joanna & Imitation Band

Bluemark Entertainment & Frank Millar Photography

The Three Locks Golf Club (you may spot me in the corner with my stop watch!)

Please find some feedback from those who attended below:

"I thought the speed networking was a great idea as well as a lot of fun! Believe it or not, I am actually quite shy and I am inclined to stay with people I know when in this kind of situation. This gave us all the opportunity to chat with other suppliers that perhaps we didn’t know quite so well! I learnt quite a lot about other businesses and how they are run. I also was able to get some good ideas from the other suppliers about PR and marketing! As a musician, I am a complete novice when it comes to the world of business – we were never taught any of this in music college! All our studies were focused on our instruments!  Networking with other suppliers is just what I need so I can learn the skills to enable me to run Ariella Strings successfully!  Thanks Sue!" - Ariella Strings

"The networking night was masses of fun, I learnt more about my fellow suppliers in a few minutes than I did from just chatting before, I highly recommend it as a great format for more evenings." - Charms by Joanna

"Tuesday nights speed networking was really fun, I enjoyed talking to suppliers I knew and ones that I hadn't met before.  It was really interesting to find out what everyone was doing in their business, and any ideas they had that you could be involved with or help them with suppliers they were trying to find.  The main thing I gained from Tuesday was talking to everyone and getting to know them, I am a little shy when I don't know people and wouldn't necessarily have spoken to everyone there that evening.. Im really happy that I could speak to everyone so when the next networking comes along I would pop over to everyone and see how there ideas are coming along and build on supplier relationships with them." - Kathryn Deeley Wedding Stationery

"What a fabulous idea! Each 5 minute chat gave me a snapshot of what my fellow members do and showed just how much we all love the wedding industry. It also enabled me to share my business visions and learn to communicate these in a very effective way. I've come away with more industry friends as a result!" - Seber Weddings & Events

"I really enjoyed the speed networking night, at first when I arrived and saw pens and paper I thought oh no, I don't do writing or spelling, but it all turned out OK in the end. I got to meet other suppliers that I know I would not have talked to. I would have just mixed with the group I know, you know stay in your comfort zone, so well done Sue (well Kathryn really) for taking me out of that and can't wait for the next one." - Frank Millar Photography

The next event will be on the 28th June in Manchester.  If you would like to join us or for more information about membership please visit our website.

Have a great weekend xx

Admin or Housework? - Ariella Strings - Day 4

Guest Blogger - Ariella Strings

Today has been busy – normal school run this morning – well not actually “normal”! I drove our daughter to school instead of walking as it was bucketing out of the heavens at 8.30am in Milton Keynes. 

Credit:  James Corbett Photography

When I got back I was up to my eyeballs in admin so I plonked myself at the laptop (again!) and sorted out some musician booking letters… actually admin is preferable to the alternative - housework!  I have had a couple of Brides making changes to their bookings, so amended some contracts and sent out revised booking letters to the musicians.  One Bride would like to book us for longer – actually another Bride wants to book us for longer too, which is great news! 

We have had 5 enquiries today – 4 of these dates we are already booked.  I so hate to turn people away… I feel like I am letting them down.

 

Credit:  James Corbett Photography

We have had 2 more confirmations, so another couple of contracts to get posted out – one is another wedding for next year! That is 5 in total now!  I love how these Brides are so organised! We have had a few enquiries for 2014 and only last week I had an enquiry for 2015!

Credit:  Frank Millar Photography

Something funny happened yesterday… I contacted a lady who had enquired about a month ago just to check whether she wanted to pursue the booking. She replied to me saying she had already booked us and had sent back her booking form... Well, a state of panic set in – ACTION STATIONS I really thought I had lost the plot! I searched and searched through all of my emails etc and I just couldn’t find any reference to this at all!! I emailed her back apologising for my lack of organisation and she sent me a copy of the email confirming the booking……………….IT WAS FOR A DIFFERENT QUARTET!

Special Offer:

10% off our normal booking fees if readers mention Ice The Cake.

Contact Ariella Strings NOW!

Location: Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire
Telephone: 01908 309783
Email: cheryl@ariellastrings.co.uk
Website: www.ariellastrings.co.uk

Lambs, Owls, Giraffes... who will be your most original Wedding Guest? Ariella Strings - Day 3

Guest Blogger – Ariella Strings

Wendy Grant Photography

Animals are not usually something one would associate with a string group!  We have, however, played at weddings where animals have been part of the celebrations. There are quite a few weddings where we see dove releases during the drinks receptions, but we just love it when the Bride and Groom have organized something a little bit different......

Photography Credit:  John McHale Xpressions Studio

A lovely example was a couple of years ago at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire where we are preferred suppliers.  We were playing in the courtyard for the drinks reception and all of a sudden there was a hive of activity in the centre of the lawn.  Apparently the Bride absolutely adored lambs and the Groom had organized 2 little lambs to be brought in as a surprise!  One little boy and one little girl each with the appropriate colour ribbon. How cute? How romantic?  It really made the Bride's day and she sat and fed both of them with a bottle.

The second brush with wildlife was last year at Woburn Sculpture Gallery.  This was actually as part of the ceremony… we got to the part where the best man produces the rings but this time the best man didn't have them - 2 beautiful white barn owls swooped from the very back of the Hall with the rings attached to them.  It was actually very moving and I must admit to getting my tissues out.  What a beautiful touch to the ceremony - and a complete surprise to all the guests! The only people who knew about it were the couple, the registrars, the photographers and the Sculpture Gallery of course.

Our most recent experience with animals was at a recent wedding at Fawsley Hall.  The couple walked down the aisle together, closely followed by their two collie dogs who were carrying the rings! The dogs were gorgeous and very well behaved each sporting a very sparkly collar.

I wonder what this year's weddings have in store for us?  We look forward to finding out!

Jay Mountford Photography

Jay Mountford Photography

Jay Mountford Photography

Frank Millar Photography captured at Danby Castle

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Wendy Grant Photography

Gentle Visions Photography

Gentle Visions Photography

Gentle Visions Photography

Gentle Visions Photography

Pho2U!

So the question is... would you have your four legged or winged friend at your wedding? and if so, which animal would you choose?

Contact Ariella Strings NOW!

Location: Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire
Telephone: 01908 309783
Email: cheryl@ariellastrings.co.uk
Website: www.ariellastrings.co.uk