'Style Pearls of Wisdom' - Part 4

This week, our 'Style Pearls of Wisdom' series focuses on a glamorous look, designed to really bring you to the centre of the party.

We have selected a beautiful 1930's style dress in stunning reflective silver, complemented with a Classic Ostrich Feather Shoulder Wrap available from The Vintage Swallow.

A combination that truly epitomises panache and debonair, to add the finishing touches to the already alluring style, the model wears Extravagant Beauty Side Tiara, Vintage Heiress Earrings and Pearl Heirloom Cuff available from Glitzy Secrets.

Stood atop the bridge, our model portrays a Juliet seeking her Romeo, a romantic vision of pure elegance and sophistication.

As with our previous selections, the cut of the dress is versatile enough to adapt well to the majority of body shapes, and the style will really add sparkle to your occasion. It exudes confidence, and will perfectly recreate the suave glamour of ‘30s High Society, with a contemporary feel to it. 

Once again, Black Pearl Weddings would like to thank 

Make Up Artist - Maisie Palmer

Hair stylist - Emma White

Joint Creative Directors - Kelle Parker & Wioletta Godun

Visit our blog page next week for the next in our 'style pearls of wisdom' series. Below is a preview of what is to come.

'Style Pearls of Wisdom' (Part 3)

The third instalment of 'Style Pearls of Wisdom', is here at last, and this time we are choosing Ivory for our third selection.

Our gorgeous model this time wears a classic ivory lace dress, with a bold grey flower. Stylistically, the intricately detailed lace is simple, and draws attention perfectly to any accessories worn with it.

Complemented with the divine Extravagant Beauty Side Tiara from Glitzy Secrets , the sublime Art Deco Black Pearl Set, from The Vintage Swallow and completed with delicate ruffled lace gloves.

This graceful ensemble is timeless, showing just understated dress can be coupled up with the ideal jewellery to create a perfectly coordinated outfit and inimitably elegant style.

This cut of the dress is such that it could suit the majority of body types, and the colour can be combined with bold colour, refined jewellery or equally a minimalistic combination.

Our most sincere thanks once again to:

Make Up Artist - Maisie Palmer

Hair stylist - Emma White

Joint Creative Directors - Kelle Parker & Wioletta Godun

Keep following for the next episode in our 'style pearls of wisdom' series. Below is a preview of the next instalment.

Meet The Make -Up Artist Behind 'Style Pearls of Wisdom'.

For our recent styled photo-shoots, shown in our 'Style Pearls of Wisdom' series, we enlisted the services of hugely talented up and coming Make Up Stylist Maisie Palmer. At just 18 years old, she shows incredible prowess and initiative, able to style make up worthy of the most prestigious events or cutting edge fashion. As well as being excited to see where Maisie's career takes her, we are thrilled to have had her on board and will be sure to work together in the future.

Here, Maisie tells us about herself and shares some invaluable advice from a professional perspective.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself ?

I am an 18 year old Make-up Artist from South East London. From the age of 14 I began teaching myself the application of make-up and discovered I had a huge passion for it and decided that this was my future career. I gained an Distinction in Fashion and Photographic make-up at the London College of Beauty Therapy in April and have proceeded to work make-up jobs ever since then.

Please tell us about the make-up you used in the recent 'Style Pearls of Wisdom' shoot?

The make-up style that was chosen for the shoot was based around the glitz and glamour of the 1920's, the make-up I used had to reflect that time period and the make-up women would wear back then. It was all about the smoky dark eyes, dark lips and rouged cheeks (which makes you think of what the girls wore on The only way is Essex)  but in a flattering way.  A quick tip to anyone wishing to recreate the 1920's make-up, start with the eyes first and then the foundation after, it makes it easier to clean up !

What advice would you give a bride on bridal make-up ?

The advice I'd give to a bride to be who is planning her make-up is to think  about what you would be most comfortable wearing on your big day. If you are a natural girl, its best not to go over board with bright red lips or a purple smoky eye ( unless you really want to ) but then again if you are used to being seen with bolder make-up and that is what you're comfortable with, then you  don't  have to feel the need to wear just the bare minimum. Bridal make-up doesn't have to be the standard neutral barely there make-up if you don't want it to , it should make you feel like yourself on your best day !

Do you have any tips on bridal make up that you could share ?

 Useful tips for wedding day make-up is :

* Use products that are long wearing and waterproof as it will be an emotional day and you don't want to look like a panda within a few hours !
* Use products with no SPF in as the SPF can create a white flashback on your wedding photographs, which isn't very flattering, unless you're a ghost !
*Pick a foundation that you know matches your skin colour and tone, if you are doing your own make-up on the day it is best to visit a make-up counter of your choice so they can match you to the correct colour of foundation.
* Practice in advance ! Whether you are booking a make-up artist or doing it alone, it is always best to have a trial of your make-up and test it out by taking some photos. It saves you from any last minute disasters on the day !

Maisie can be contacted on 07794357609 or at email maisie.beth95@gmail.com

'style pearls of wisdom'. (Part 2)

Black Pearl Weddings are delighted to present the next segment of our blog series 'Style Pearls of Wisdom', again sharing style inspirations in the vein of our Style of the Year.

Following our selection last week, this week we have decided that Black is still very much, and will continue always to be, elegance itself.

This week our beautiful model wears the sophisticated black 1920’s Charleston Flapper dress, with delightful flower design set on monochrome.

This style sits perfectly with the re-emergence of Black and White themed weddings, a trend promising to heavily influence next season (see our Black Lace and Bows blog from September 2013)

Our beautiful model complements the garment with an adornment of breath-taking vintage jewellery, starting from the top with the 1920's Flapper Headband from The Vintage Swallow, followed by the Exquisite Charm Necklace, and finally the Pearl Heirloom Cuff from Glitzy Secrets, all set off with delicate black lace gloves.

This magnificent attire embodies the sophistication of the Art Deco era, creating a style straight from the Silver Screen.

The splendid jewellery coupled up with the dress  are a certainty for class and glamour, and are a formidable combination to create a creative vision of loveliness perfect for the all-important wedding reception.

This dress is cut in order to suit the majority of body types, and can really look exceptional when worn by women of any age. It is perfect to match really dazzling and bold jewellery; Black Pearl Weddings love the attention grabbing style this apparel garners.

Black Pearl Weddings would again like to take the chance to extend our most sincere thanks to:

Make Up Artist - Maisie Palmer

Hair stylist - Emma White

Joint Creative Directors - Kelle Parker & Wioletta Godun

Stay tuned for the next episode in our series, for more 'style pearls of wisdom'. See below for a preview of what's to follow

'Style Pearls of Wisdom' - Part One

Black Pearl Weddings are proud to introduce our newest blog series 'Style Pearls of Wisdom', providing inspiration for style like no other, to really see out 2013 in our Style of the Year.

So as party season gathers momentum, sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of our photo shoots, whereby we have sourced and coordinated some truly elegant styles.

Firstly, we have the beautiful 1920's style flapper dress in a gorgeous white/cream, embellished with exquisite, intricate bead & sequin design and black pearls, complete with sumptuous vintage jewellery.

The beauty above wears the garment with the classic ostrich feather wrap and vintage headpiece from The Vintage Swallow, to really capture the Golden Age of Hollywood style; and the splendid Art Deco Pearl Set also from The Vintage Swallow  - a highly sought after, truly exceptional manufacturer of bespoke vintage wedding jewellery -  really adds the perfect, glamorous finishing touches.

This truly stunning frock really shows the vision of the Jazz Age era, replete with extravagant design, and looks divine on our superb models.

Coupled up with the magnificent Swan Lake Headpiece, courtesy of the unique Glitzy Secrets, designers of elegant custom made vintage jewellery, this stunner demonstrates the perfect ensemble to recreate a classic 1920's High Society style.

The dazzling accessories complement the black pearl embellished design of this gorgeous gown, to create an absolutely inimitable outfit for weddings or parties, that will truly make you stand out as the belle of the ball.

As you can see the dress is cut in such a way as to compliment all body types, and will suit women of all ages. It is a superb canvass to accessorize however you desire, and as you can see, Black Pearl Weddings felt the vintage flair was the perfect partner.

If you are interested in purchasing this garment, we currently have an extremely limited supply, so contact us as soon as you can to be sure to have your very own.

Black Pearl Weddings would like to take the chance to extend our most sincere thanks to:

Make Up Artist - Maisie Palmer

Hair stylist - Emma White

Images & Editing - Dale Jay Photography

Joint Creative Directors - Kelle Parker & Wioletta Godun

Stay tuned for the next episode in our series, for more 'style pearls of wisdom'. see below for a preview of what's to follow

Divine Destinations (Part Two)

In this second instalment of the search for the ultimate wedding destination, Black Pearl Weddings are taking our attention over to the exotic continent of Asia; specifically, we are focusing on a special location inside the beautiful country of India – the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Travelage

Situated Agra, Uttar Pradesh, this marble wonder is classed as a World Heritage site. A collaboration of traditional Mughal style and Persian architecture, the Taj Mahal dates back to the 1630’s, built in tribute to the memory of the then emperor Shah Jahan beloved wife died. A symbol of absolute love, the Taj Mahal is truly a romantic location, echoing a message of devotion through the centuries, for the whole world to see.

Moving from India across to Thailand, Black Pearl Weddings now find our focus on a much more recent construction, the inimitable Wat Rong Khun. Known outside of Thailand as the “White Temple”, construction actually began in the late 1990’s and is estimated to take another 90 years until the vision is completely realised! However, even at this stage, there are few architectural equivalents of this awe-inspiring temple. You could even become a part of history by having a ceremony here…

Wallsforpc

Moving South-East Black Pearl Weddings are now contemplating an Antipodean venue. Home to some of the greatest shows on earth, stylish design, and surrounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbour, this venue could comfortably house a ceremony of any size. Additionally, sourcing live music would probably not take too much effort!

Themes and designs would look truly incredible with this building as your canvas.

Target australia

Our penultimate selection here truly embodies the heart of mystique and extravagance. Spanning the corners of both Asia and Africa, it is truly one of the most amazing places on the globe. Home to the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Great Pyramid of Giza, among a number of other splendours, it is of course, Egypt.

As opposed to our previous selections, Black Pearl Weddings would suggest that this could be a breath taking location for an outdoor ceremony. We feel that the ultimate backdrop to your day would be the mysterious sphinx, alongside the 3 pyramids outside of Cairo. Assuming you can take the heat, this could be a ceremony fit for a pharaoh, in a setting that has truly stood the test of time, spanning over 5 millennia.

Top Travel Lists

Drawing our blog search to a close, Black Pearl Weddings have selected two places we feel are jointly suited to housing a truly romantic outdoor occasion. The first is the Maldives, a small republic located in the Indian Ocean.  Coupled up white sands and crystal blue ocean, with tropical palms and magical underwater restaurants, with views of oceanic life passing by, the Maldives would certainly set the mood for a relaxing and loving honeymoon like no other.

Telegraph

Maldives

And finally, in contrast to the previous selection, we look at Iceland. With volcanic springs, the indulgent blue lagoon, and one of nature’s greatest phenomena, the Northern Lights, Iceland truly has an array of gorgeous features to suit your special day. 

Next Trip Tourism

Divine Destinations

With the winter almost upon us, Black Pearl Weddings felt this is the perfect time to explore some of the most beautiful locations around the globe, each capable of playing home to a wedding like no other.

Firstly, we chose probably the ultimate fairy-tale castle, a building that has been inspiration for nearly a century and a half for artists, film makers, authors, and a huge array of other creative talent, including non-other than Disney, in their seminal animation, Sleeping Beauty. It is, of course, Neuschwanstein Castle.

Built by King Ludwig, throughout the 1870’s 1880’s and even the 1890’s as a redevelopment of the previous castle that had played home to generations of his family since the middle ages, this spectacular palace situated in Bavaria, at the edge of the Alpine foothills and overlooking the huge Forggensee reservoir.

Interestingly, the Palace design was born not just from romantic architectural styles of the period, but also out of reverence for the mighty works of stalwart composer Richard Wagner, with much of the décor depicting scenes from a range of the legendary opera’s Wagner gave us.

Truly spectacular, Neuschwanstein Castle is a Palace like no other, and looks magical in winter. The interior boasts some of the finest style of any period.

Wallposters

Secondly, we are selecting Bran Castle, a landmark with a unique historical significance. Dating as far back as 1212 originally, this Romanian castle may well appeal to those who wish to indulge in a little gothic twist.

Located in the unmistakable Romanian territory of Transylvania, this castle is closely linked to Vlad III and is considered among many as the inspiration for the home of the iconic fictional character, Count Dracula.

With a stunning panorama encompassing the Carpathian mountains, and a rich regional tapestry dating back to the days of ancient Rome and the conquests undertaken to create the longest lasting empire in history, there is no shortage of inspiration, and this could serve as the ultimate location for a wedding in late autumn, with magical atmosphere like nowhere else.

Castle Vaniadungeon

Moving across to sunnier climes, Black Pearl Weddings next choice pays homage to traditional church weddings, yet on an entirely new level. The Patriarchal cathedral that is St Marks Basilica is located in one of the most romantic places on earth, non-other than the inimitable Venice.

A central location within the intricate canal system that famously runs throughout the entire city, St Marks Basilica is considered one of the most important structures from the medieval Byzantine style employed by the later Roman Empire, and was erected in the 11th Century. 

Bestourism

What could be more exquisite that taking a Gondola ride through the music filled waterways en route to your special day, before marrying in one of the most incredible buildings on earth, and then indulging in the famous cuisine and wine of Italy? At Black Pearl Weddings, we are hard pressed to think of anything.

Staying in one of the most historical and splendid places on the globe, there is of course one other location that could be considered a worthy contender for the most special place of all. Home to the man considered in Christianity as the closest to God, interior design from the greatest of the high renaissance artistes – Michaelangelo, and the heart of the Vatican, this could only be the Sistine Chapel.

Misterriggs

And where else could boast such a range of sights, activities, and fine living, than Rome? Again, Black Pearl Weddings feel that this could well be the ultimate destination for a wedding.

But we will continue our search and share with you our findings in blog posts to come…