Hey hey! Happy Wednesday all!

A few months ago I decided that I was going to do my own make up for the wedding. Ever since then, every single person has said to me, ‘Wow – you’re brave!’ and I have been very puzzled. Don’t get me wrong – having your make up done is fabulous (I had it for my hen) – but I really wanted the fun of going and buying all new products!

I LOVE make up. I really do. I love nothing better than buying all new little boxes and cases and looking at them all nice and shiny. I actually get excited when I get up in the morning and have a new product to try!

So I knew that I was going to take my time over this. And I have!

I have visited A LOT of make up counters. I have saved up to buy all below – I realise a lot of this isn’t cheap – but it has worked out the same cost as a good make up artist and I get to keep all the product. Also – there are a lot of good cheaper alternatives to the below out there – I’m just a bit of a make up junkie.

So with out further ado – here is my final selection! My look is ‘A better version of me’ – a simple, boho – glowing look, with pink cheeks and lips and simple eyes.

Base

If you spend money anywhere – this is where it should be!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – a good primer is essential to keep your base on and keep make up long lasting.  This one is a must – my friend Shells recommended it and it makes your skin really soft!

NARS  Sheer Glow Foundation in Light 2 Mont Blanc – I worship at the alter of NARS.  They are ideal for  precision colour matching – this foundation gives you a lovely dewy glow.

NARS Loose Powder in Flesh – use a small amount around your T-zone (the shiny bit of your forehead and nose) – to keep away the shine

NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna – for a ‘day after a day in the sun’ glow

Dior Glowing Colour Blush in Rose Dragee (829) – A pretty blush pink which makes you look like you have  just run through a meadow of joy!

Dior Skin Ultra Shimmering All Over Face Powder in Rose Diamond – A highlighting powder with a slight shimmer which will give you killer cheekbones and a glow like Sienna’s

Eyes

MAC Select Moisturecover NW20 – dot this below and in the corner of your eyes to eliminate dark circles and lighten your eye

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre – sweep this across your whole lid with your fingers and finish with a dusting of loose powder – it will make your eye make up stay on all day!

MAC Pigment Colour Powder in Nude – MAC is the ultimate place for eye colour.  I am going for nude eyes – this shimmery powder is all I need to give me a little sparkle.  Also good as a highlighter just below the brow.

MAC Paint Pot in Quite Natural – I am using this as an eyeliner below my lower lashes and a thin line on my upper lids – note girls – this is WATERPROOF – waterproof eyeliners hardly ever exist – this is your answer!

Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara – the ultimate waterproof mascara – I didn’t even think of another.

Lips

Dior Contour Crayon in Candy Rose – this is a very pretty pink liner – line around your lips and then colour in the whole lip for lippie staying power!

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Rose Show – A gorgeous sparkly pink that makes you look like you have just eaten raspberries! Mmmmmm…

So there you go – my  big day make up bag.

Hope it has been a help – remember all these products come in a multitude of shades so you can pick the one to best suit you!

Love

Emma xxxx

Hello Tuesday!

So, as any of you who read our blog regularly will know, last weekend was my hen night!
And what a night it was! It was in fact, so darn fabulous that I am going to have to spit it up into different parts to write about it!

The whole day was a surprise, so I didn’t have a clue what was going on, only that the theme was vintage – and we could dress in any era from the 1920s – 1950s.

So, after staying at my MOH Alex’s house the night before and watching SATC DVDs with champagne, me, Alex and two of my other bridesmaids Cazza and Rachael had breakfast together and then got ready. Where upon I was told not to put any make up on.

Er…. come again? This is after all my big night? No make up – are you crazy?

I was assured it was all for a good reason, and I was taken off by Cazza for my first surprise of the day – a make over at MAC! Woooooh hoooo!

Now, when we walked into Morleys in Brixton all done up in our 1940s gear, the staff at MAC got very excited indeed – they all loved it and were all coming over giving advice on what look the make up artist should go for!

My make up artist was called Lesley and she was fabulous (as you can see from the pictures). She talked me through everything she was doing and showed me all the products. If you would like to book Lesley at MAC in Brixton call 0207 274 6246 or alternatively she is available on a free lance basis – if you would like a home visit (including bridal make up – drop us a line at info@electricwedding.co.uk and we will pass it on!

My make up session was a present from all my hens, but if you would like one, they are very reasonable and it is redeemable against product. I choose; MAC Lip Liner in Cherry, MAC false eyelashes (corner tips only) MAC Powder Blush in Desert Rose.

And ta-da! The finished result!

And I am wearing Dress – £35 Pearl Lowe for Peacocks, Hat £10  Traffic People, Pearls – my grandma’s

So my very fabulous make over was complete – I was suitabley 1940’s looking – and then Cazza and Alex took me to the next part of the day….

Hurrah – stay tuned to see what we did next!

Love

Emma

Many of you probably think I’m slow on the uptake, but I’m so impressed I need to share this!

Well here’s a great brand of cosmetics which are not only gorgeous for any Bride but suitable for vegans & delicious for the rest of us!!

Korres
“Korres natural products is a Greek company with roots in the first Homeopathic Pharmacy of Athens. The first Korres product was an aromatic herbal syrup with honey and aniseed, a recipe inspired by “rakomelon”, a warming spirit-with-honey concoction, which George Korres’ grandfather used to favour in his hometown on the island of Naxos.”

Fabulously Greek! Here’s a few of my favourites…
Perfect for a wedding in the sun!

Watermelon Face Cream SPF 30 (23,80 Euros)

Ideal for Photosensitive Complexions
Dermatologically Tested
Paraben Free
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts
Non Comedogenic
Water Resistant

Wild Rose Face Serum (41 Euros)

Brightening & line smoothing.. wonderful!

Dermatologically Tested
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts

Not to mention it smells devine! They all do!!

Yogart Cooling Gel (20,90 Euros)

Dermatologically Tested
Paraben Free
Mineral Oil Free
Silicone Free
Propylene Glycol Free
Ethanolamine Free
Enriched with Active Plant Extracts
Non Comedogenic
With Real Edible Yoghurt- YES. Edible!!!

So, where can you find them across the UK??
Korres Store : Buchanan Galleries, Unit 1 Level 2 (L2) 220 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2FF
Korres Store : Ocean Terminal, Ground Floor, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ
Harvey Nichols: Beyond Beauty Dept.: Knightsbridge London, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, Bristol Tel.: 020 7584 0011
Liberty: Beauty Hall, Regent St. London Tel.: 020 7734 1234
John Lewis: Selected John Lewis stores and Peter Jones Tel.: 020 7730 3434
Heal’s: All stores except for Brighton Tel: 020 7636 1666
Oliver Bonas: Selected Oliver Bonas stores Tel.: 0208 974 1200
World Duty Free: Heathrow Airport Terminals 1

Lushous.
Charlotte x

Hey wedding chicksters

We are turning up the heat at Electric Wedding today!

I am very excited today to tell you about a fab new website that we have recently found out about.

We never promised to be conventional on this site, and we think this takes pre – wedding photography in a whole new direction!

A few weeks ago, while researching another post, I was put into contact with the lovely lovely Julie Lovegrove, (by the equally lovely Janey Butler from Sweet Days and Roses).  Julie told me about her new website – Reveal Portraits.

I had a look at some of Julie’s work, and I thought it was absolutely fabulous.

Julie specialises in Boudoir photography and the art of the reveal.

I have long been a fan of vintage pin up photography, Dita Von Teese being a prime example – and I have never seen a photographer until now until does it so well.

You can choose exactly how much you want to reveal.

You can opt for the reveal less shoot (think beautiful evening gowns or a classy man’s shirt), the reveal more (think tasteful underwear shots), and even reveal all (seriously classy  photographs).

Julie even does beautiful bump shots for pregnant women.

The pictures would make a beautiful secret present for you husband to be, not to mention the fact that you can look back at the pictures one day and go ‘wow – I looked like that!’

Julie and her team of hair and make up artists put you completely at ease during your shoot, and will make you feel a million dollars.

Julie has photographed over 350 weddings, and knows how to make a girl look good – you will be in safe hands!

I have been so inspired by Julie’s idea that I have been looking at lovely vintage pin up photography all week!

How fab would it be to look like this?

You can contact Julie here.

There is a £50 off introductory offer for any bookings received before the end of July.

Phew, is any one else hot in here?

Love

Emma xxx

Morning!

With such a positive response to the men’s products we bought to you last month, here’s more!
Firstly, some men’s products for your consideration as voted in the 10 best by the Daily Mail. Whatever you might think of the source… my man tried each for a week so we could get his verdict!
He wants to look good too.

LAB Series MAX LS Age-less Face Cream

“This intense perker-upper freshens and revives weathered skin to give it a youthful glow. Low on stickiness, high on radiance.”
Price: £45 for 50ml
Labseriesformen.co.uk

Rob’s verdict; light product but not keen on the texture its a bit like a gel but smelt great. I noticed a change in my skin after a week. It was smoother for sure.

Molton Brown Skin-firm Hydrator

“A little goes a long way with this lightweight, discreet-smelling hydrating cream. It’s easily absorbed and leaves skin feeling smooth”
Price: £35 for 50ml
Moltonbrown.co.uk

Rob’s Verdict; I have been using this for a week now & I like the lightweight of this product. My skin feels more hydrated.
Really nice product. I am a keen fan of Molton Brown so its good to know they are catering for a variety of men’s needs.
Not sure if I look younger yet!

And for the ladies.

I have recently been using L’Occitane Shea Butter Shampoo/ Shea Butter conditioner, as recommended by my fabulous friend, Miss Adams.

I’m really loving the glossy thick feel to my hair.
Its even tamed some frizz!
Ok, it comes at a price, but well worth it for your wedding hair prep!
For discount codes, click here.

Another good’un for the Brides!

This next one might not be super dooper fabulous, but is worth a mention becasue its keeping my hands ‘wedding-photo-fabulous’.
They may look wrinkly. but not a dry patch or flake in sight!

Thanks to Vaseline Healthy Hands & Nails; softening..

Think we should try a fab product you recommend?

Flick flick
Charlotte x

Flowers, caterers, wine testing, dress fittings, table cloths bands… its a never ending circus! You have so many decisons to make & its just not always easy to juggle life, work, love & weddings.
In these stressful times we need to seek some solace, a bit of down time to re-coop without spending a fortune!
I have a few simple things you can try to help you keep calm.
After all, you don’t want extra wrinkles, increased frown lines or red cheeks to cure…

Camomile tea.
An oldie but a goodie!

Its believed to;

*Boost the immune system & fight colds
*Relieves muscle spasms & inflamation
*Calms nerves & settles the stomach

Well, it works for me! I have Lipton Camomile.
Its lovely & if you get the flip lip box, they have the silky pyramid bags! But I get those from France or online.

Jasmine & Mint Oils

Jo Malone has recently launched a new fragrance collection of Jasmine & Mint. They do a gorgeous bath oil for £38. A bit more pricy than a cup of tea, but when you consider the cost per use & the value, it all evens out…
They also do a body cream, body wash & candle in this range. We like some choice.

Jasmine Tea

I drink this at work if I’m not hankering for an Earl Grey! The smell & taste is great. Its really very relaxing too. Depending which brand you choose, they are caffeine free & mine is Green Tea Jasmine. I can also highly reccomend having it as loose tea. Although you might prefer to have that when you are out unless you can borrow your nana’s tea pot & strainer! Its not your everyday kitchen equipment…

Read a book
There’s nothing like total escapism to help you relax. I know, I know, I too barely have time to pop to the loo in the day- or evening for that matter, but when I do, I’m glad! Seriously though, reading is a great way to steal some moments for yourself. If its a good book, you will be greatful of the break

I am reading Steig Larrson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” not only am I really into the book, but there are 2 sequels so I don’t have to think about what to read next!!

I also find a yoga class a great release! Any excercise is a good way to relax especially when afterwards you feel even better about yourself. In the lovely long summer evenings, a long walk can be the perfect way to relax. Go with your man, he’ll appreciate it too. Leave the wedding chat at home maybe?!

Any other tips you’d like to share? Leave us a comment. All B2Bs need your help!

Now, I am off to get Emma all of the above…

Chilled.
Charlotte xx

There are soooo many things I LOVE about weddings! But one of my favourite things is fascinators!
Maybe its the secret glamour-puss inside, but these pieces-of-fabulous really make an outift. I only wish we could wear them more often!
They are also the perfect hair accessory for the Bride as shown by Louise..

On this Wednesday morning, I will be trapsing through the West End (critiquing food displays in fabulous department stores…) whilst you enjoy a bit of hair-dress-up!

Unusually, I’d rather be indoors today, like many of you are, as its going to be tropical again in town!

I hope you enjoy these finds & they prove useful for you!
Hover your mouse over the image for all the details…

These are very SATC. From Glitz4Girls.com
They have 183 different variants & styles of fascinators on their site!


Lovely.

I love these from Accessorize!

Bit of a Vintage look for you…

Here’s some of my faves from fascinatorstore.co.uk


Like them?

I had to share these too from Debenhams! This is where I buy many of my wedding accessories. They have a good Bridal range too that you can check out.

These are stunning…


I have the spotty feather one above!

And a few little extras for you to see…

Found anything fabulous for us to feature? Send us a pic! We’d love to meet you!

Charlotte xx

I read an article in the Mail online recently (their showbiz column is the best breakfast time reading around!), about a model who had been airbrushed on the cover of Health magazine to make her look  heavier.  Apparently the model had lost so much weight between the initial casting and the shoot, that they had to add inches to her through the photo shopping process to avoid her looking to thin!

The information came to light during a debate over the size zero row, an ongoing issue in the modelling world.

Since I have become engaged, I have probably purchased three times my body weight in wedding magazines, and I have to say, that compared to most fashion magazines I read, the models used in wedding magazines look slightly more real than most (when I say slightly, I mean – at least their ribs aren’t protruding through their dresses. Lets face it, they are still pretty much a vision of unattainable perfection).

This however, has not stopped me from feeling compelled to make myself into a whole new person just for my big day.  With so many things thrown at us – diets, perfect skin, perfect hair, teeth whitening, body wraps, detox’s, facials – the pressure on us brides to look photo perfect for our big day is absolutely ENOURMOUS.  My facebook profile page alone has become a target for every wedding diet plan advert in town! (As I realise that these adverts are targeted at a certain demographic, it had led me to conclude that they assume every engaged girl on facebook is interested in starting some form of weight loss plan).

Indeed, the first thing I did when I got engaged was go on a diet.  I nearly killed myself in the gym (I still am!) because I have convinced myself that I have bingo wings.  Has it worked? Maybe, although no one would ever notice apart from me.  I didn’t have any treats for 3 months and I was pretty miserable.  I was in danger of becoming so hungry that I would be walking down the aisle randomly biting into the guest’s arms, hallucinagenicly mistaking them for cheese and pickle baguettes.

I have now reached the conclusion that yes, exercise is good and eating healthy is very important but as long as you do these two things, your size is was it is.  I am supposed to be this size. I will never be super skinny (it’s easy to write this now, but wait until my next attack of the bridal body blues – then it aint so easy!).

The second thing I did was go out and buy myself a £95 pot of face cream.  This cream is well known and adored by celebrities the world over.  Fresh off a long haul flight, I stared at my haggard reflection and lathered on the cream, expecting to suddenly transform into a Cheryl Cole style glowing vision.

It gave me the worst dry skin I had ever had.

4 weeks later, I switched back to my trusty Olay beauty cream – £4.99? Love it.

My point in all of this is that – yes it’s nice to buy beautiful make up and treat ourselves to a nice moisturiser.  Yes its lovely to go to spa days as a treat,  yes its lovely to eat healthily and its essential to partake in a bit of exercise a few of times a week (yoga? I’m its biggest fan. I am in fact training to become a teacher…)

BUT

At the end of the day, when you walk down the aisle you will look more beautiful than you ever have before, and that’s because you happiness will shine through.

So brides, lets give ourselves a break.  The best beauty treatment you can ever have, where people will give you the most compliments, is a smile.  And you don’t get a smile from eating lettuce 3 times a day do you?

Bring on the cake (and the cheese board… I can’t wait for mine!)

Love

Emma xxx

PS What is your view on Bridal Boot Camps? A quick win or a week of torture? Charlotte and I are currently researching this topic and want to hear your views!

Hello Thursday!

It’s a very exciting day for here at Electric Wedding as we give a big shout out to our first sponsor – Sophie Laslett Photography.

Electric Wedding is all about our own personal journey up the aisle.  We are working with Sophie on very good authority – Sophie is particularly special to me because she is doing the photography at my own wedding! Yay!

Last December I spent a whole evening (whilst watching the X Factor final haha) researching photographers. This was probably the thing I had the strictest criteria on, because I had a really specific idea of what I wanted.  I wanted someone who steered away from cheesy shots and captured a more natural range of shots that were very non posed.  I spent AGES looking.  The main problem I had with a lot of the ones I liked was that they were either ridiculously too expensive, or they wouldn’t come to Norwich.

I was in despair… and then I found Sophie.

We asked Sophie to tell us a bit about herself and her photography…

‘I have always been passionate about photography and from a very young age was never without a camera to hand. My dream right from the beginning was to become an artist or professional photographer, and I studied at the Norwich Arts school for two years before gaining a 1st class honors degree in Art Photography from Nottingham Trent University

After university I took any opportunity I could to build up my photographic portfolio, and tried to balance my love of photography with the reality of needing to earn money! I got the opportunity to work for free as a stills photographer on a couple of films and entered these as part of a portfolio into the Times Newspaper Young Photographer of the Year competition. I was fortunate enough to win the Young Photographer of the Year award and this proved to be the turning point in my photographic career (read more about it here).  The prize was a very nice digital camera and 6 months working as a Times photographer… getting paid to take pictures!

6 months ended up turning into 6 years.. and in that time I moved away from news photography to focus more on features and portrait photography for the Times. I covered a range of events and portraits including some Hollywood ‘A list stars’ such as Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey and Angelina Jolie (insert some pics here). Some of the celebrities were very friendly.. others were less so!

Whilst living in London I also built up a client base focusing on the Arts and Charities:  including the Arts Council, Shelter, Christies and The Roundhouse. During this time I was also asked by friends to take pictures of their weddings. I was a bit terrified at first, but ended up really loving wedding photography! Rather than trying to adopt the traditional style of many wedding photographers (lots of line up shots and people looking rather uncomfortable!!) I focused on capturing the life, energy, colour and love at these weddings.

In early 2009 I was heavily pregnant and found the hustle and bustle of London life, jumping on and off buses & trains with a couple of cameras, studio lights etc,  was getting too much. We decided that some good healthy Norfolk air was needed so moved back to my home town of Norwich. This is where we have decided to settle and I am now building up my photography business here. I still work for the Times newspaper on local jobs but my main focus now is on portrait work (especially natural light) and weddings around Norwich, Norfolk and the East of England’

As soon as we met Sophie (me, Matt plus about 12 members of our family all crammed into a tiny coffee shop) we knew we had made the right choice.  It also turned out that Matt went to school with Sophie’s sister – which slightly infuriated me as I had spent two days trawling through google! Thanks darling!

We are thrilled and proud to be giving Sophie a big shout out and introducing her to you all.

We hope you like some of the tasters we have given during this post, some of these weddings are so lovely we will do features on each one over the coming weeks!

Awwwww…..

Ever since Jennifer Aniston was Rachel, I have always loved her and her girl next door shiny hair! And when her and Brad broke up? Always on team Jen!

So no suprise that for my wedding hair I have been inspired by this piccie (Jen at Oscars a couple of years ago).  I love the luxury boho plait!

I am very lucky as my hairdresser who I have been visiting since I was 17, has agreed to take a day off work and come all the way from the Midlands to Norwich to do my hair! I feel like J-Lo with my entourage (Of course he is invited to the wedding as well)!

Thought I would just do a little post to show you as I can’t wait to be Jen for the day (I hope her yoga arms get thrown in as part of the deal)…

Love

Emma xxxx