So July is here and for us at Anne Veck that means our weekends for the month revolve around weddings! It’s an exciting and busy time as summer is in full swing and the outdoor weddings can begin. In honour of the summer and the wonderful weather we’re taking a look at 4 ways to do a fabulous British wedding this summer (or next). We’ll be looking at 4 wedding styles – one for every week of the month.
To make a wedding unique it should be tailored to your personality, this is your opportunity to show all of your closest family and friends not only who you & your betrothed are as individuals but who you are together. Even if you don’t have the greatest of budgets that’s okay, we’ll be looking at ways to stamp your mark on your wedding through choice of venue, dress, accessories and of course hair!
So keep an eye out for the next 3 releases, pick your fave or even combine elements of all 4 to create something truly unique, only one thing is for sure – this is your one wedding day so don’t compromise!
We will begin with the..
BOHEMIAN BRIDE
Venue
For a truly bohemian bride an outdoor venue is really the only option! You’re a laid back hippy and those pagan influences shouldn’t go unnoticed. A traditional religious ceremony is not for you so maybe you’ll opt for a blessing or an alternative ceremony of some sort – to you it doesn’t really matter because in your eyes you’ll be married to the one you love ! Aw, sweet!
The location doesn’t need to cost the earth to really stand out. Look at hiring the grounds of a venue as opposed to the indoor area, alternatively if you know somebody who owns a field or even just a really big garden this can work nicely!
One thing that you’ll need to make sure of is to hire a generator for electricity because atmospheric music and fairy lights are your best friend in creating a beautiful boho atmosphere! Also surround the venue with candlelight, opt for the battery operated flickering tea-lights to make sure that you aren’t relighting candles all night and also to make sure there’s no risk of fire!
Think pagan – decorate the trees, string wild flowers everywhere, hang chandeliers from tree branches and set up mis-matched tables & chairs outside (with a good old British summer its always wise to have some sort of covering so if you daren’t brave the outdoors in full swing then have the tables set up beneath a gazebo).
Take your indoor furniture outside and accessorising is key to turning an everyday field into a magical fairy lit glade, so do it by dusk and go to town with decorations. Pick up your accessories everywhere; charity shops, flea markets & vintage shops and collect ceramic and glass bottles for flowers.
Hair & Accessories
You’re a free flowing hippy and going by convention, rules, regulations & stricture really isn’t your thing so let your hair be loose! You don’t want to waste hours in a stylists chair so let your hair take on it’s own natural texture and work with it, ask for a loose tendrilly up-do or if you’re blessed with lovely length or volume then let it down.
What you really can’t do without is some serious head candy! Make a statement with a beautiful head piece whether it be fresh flowers placed prettily in an up-do, a wreath around your head or a bohemain crown – the world is your oyster and this is your opportunity to really go all out so don’t hold back and let your creativity go!
Make-up
Make-up should be fresh and youthful, as if you just sprung up out of the forest! Brush your eyebrows and make a fearture of them; they should look full, natural and shaped. If you’re not blessed with naturally thick brows then use powder or pencil to fill them in and go over with a clear brow mascara – brushing them upwards. If you have really poor brows then you could also always go with the stick on versions!
For lashes opt for light mascara or eyelash inserts and use eyeshadow in tones of bronzes and nudes to keep it natural, add a dab of light metallic powder to the inner corners of your eyes to make them seem wide awake and sparkling!
Keep lips nude with a subtle gloss or lipstick in shades of light coral, pinks and peach.
Dress
Ahh the bohemian dress is one of beauty ! Fullness, 10 metre trains, satin and frills are out in favour of silk, beads, lace and elegant, slender lines. The length obviously HAS to be long, straps can be fine, off the shoulder or non existent and the look is always one of effortless & comfortable femininity.
Depending on your level of boho you may go for more of a 70’s hippy vibe by going for a dress with belle sleeves or an off the shoulder number.
*If you’re a bejewelled bohemian of the 1920’s then beading and velvet will be more up your street and this counts for the venue too*
Your hair styling and dress need to tie in well together so take a picture of your dress to your stylist so that they can drawn inspiration from the style. This is especially important if you’ve got a feature on the dress that you would like to enhance such as a low back or plunging neckline.
Shoes
A bohemian bride does not suffer painful high heels! Wear whatever is comfortable and delicate or even go barefoot. There are beautiful foot accessories to be found which decorate your feet from toe to ankle and allow your feet to be free!
If you’re not quite the shoeless type and don’t fancy muddy soles then a simple sandal works wonders – don’t fuss too much over the details, your feet will be covered by the flowing lengths of that beautiful dress. A heel or wedge can also add height for the shorter ladies amongst you, just remember that stilettos and the great outdoors do not work well together!
Flowers
For table decorations you need candles and wild flowers and lots of them! Scout the chairty shops for mis-matched candle holders or ceramics and collect your household glassware such as wine bottles & jam jars. Drip wax over them for decoration and even attach pretty gems and pearls to make them sparkle. Next add your flowers and candles in no particular order and arrange on tables. The more the better! If you can take inspiration from your local area and add this into your flowers then that’s even better, such as thistles if you’re in Scotland or clover in the great British countryside.
Your bouquet should be loosely co-ordinated, there’s a difference between looking quirkiliy mis-matched and just completely dishevelled. Choose a colour scheme such as bright’s or jewel tones and use wild flowers to co-ordinate your own bouquet, with mini versions for the bridesmaids! A nice finishing touch is to use a ribbon or natural texture such as hessian to hold the flowers together.