Opal Bridal Accessories has officially launched.

Nothing is done before it’s time and this project has always been simmering away in the background until the right moment.

Combining my love for both fashion and millinery, Opal Bridal Accessories was created 2 years ago whilst on a beach in Lisbon. As always I take an age to execute an idea!

The word Opal comes from the From the Latin word Opalus, meaning “precious jewel.” It symbolises faithfulness and confidence.

I chose the name Opal as I feel it’s elegant, timeless, unique (also my birth stone) and I wanted my brand/product to be exactly the same.

The collection will consist of veils, capes and head pieces all hand made with love 💕

Plans are to sell the accessories on the website (coming soon), Etsy shop and my biggest goal, to stock items in at least 1 bridal shop. Big plans, big ideas, so stay tuned for more!

As we are just a few weeks away from a new decade, Pantone have unveiled the new colour of the year Classic Blue.

It’s bright, bold and blue! Whether it be Colbat, Royal or Classic, this is a colour that makes you double take. I wasn’t keen at first, but then I saw it teamed with other colours and shades, then realised I have a blue jacket hung in the wardrobe and I fell in love with it!

Pantone take their inspiration from fashion, art, nature and interior. Already runways are showcasing rich vibrant shades from Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci to Caroline Herrera.

Wedding and Event stylists have already begun piecing together stunning tablescapes, combined with gold flatware, white charger plates and hues of blue. Next year is set to be a bright one and I can’t wait!

Choosing the right veil for your dress is a huge decision and can be overwhelming if you can’t find what you want. Despite being an accessory that is worn for part of the day, you want to ensure what you’ve chosen not only suits you, it needs to compliment your dress and isn’t an afterthought. You want your dress to be the focal point, so it’s important that you find a veil that enhances rather than competes/distracts.

Shape
Depending on the shape or silhouette of your address, you want to figure out what shape will match well. The veil needs to suit your head, face and neckline. I would suggest that when dress shopping, you factor in trying on veils at the same time. This will give you a better idea of what suits you and if a veil is suitable or not. The idea of wearing a veil may sound great, but they aren’t for everyone.

Length
You want the veil to flow well with the dress you’ve chosen, especially if you have opted for a long dress. The most popular length is the finger tip veil as it ends at a natural curve point of the body. Alternatively, if you’re having a bespoke one made, you can be specific as to where you want it to end, depending on your height.

Longer veils are more dramatic and look great in pictures, but come the evening reception, it’s best to remove and store somewhere safely so that they don’t become damaged. Prior to the wedding day, practice walking about in it and make sure your bridesmaids are on hand to fix and adjust when needed.

Colour & Texture
Once the dress has been picked, choosing the right colour for your veil is a must. There are a variety white and ivory shades, depending on the material used for the veil and dress. If you can get a fabric sample of the veil to take with you dress shopping, this would make your selection a little easier.

When trying on, drape the veil over your shoulders to see if your comfortable with the fabric and it’s movement. It’s going to be on for a good part of the day, so you want to be satisfied with your choice.

Despite the weather being all over the place, it’s not been a bad summer! I always feel sad writing my last summer wedding post, but it means I have the next 6 months to squirrel away and work on other projects. Fitting this in alongside my full time job means I’m limited to how much I take on in the year, but I make sure it’s manageable and neither job suffers.

This year has been busy for me with weddings, coordinated 2, attended 2 abroad and an evening reception. I’ve not switched off! I want to say a big thank you to the couples who’s weddings I’ve had the privilege of being part of, the new suppliers I’ve got to know and work with.

So what is in store for me for the rest of the hibernation period? Well I’m still on with my accessories line, which I’ve been saying I’d launch for ages, but Rome wasn’t built in a day! There’s lots involved and I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so it has to be just right!

Bookings for 2020 are coming in and I’ve always got to plan in a holiday or 3!

The summer ended on a high celebrating my cousins wedding in Rhodes (and carrying on the party back in England).Weather and location was perfect and she looked beautiful! A happy occasion with close family and friends. We laughed, cried and laughed some more, but most of all, we made memories.

Where have the last 6 months gone?! We are already half way through the year and my ‘To Do’ list doesn’t seem to have gotten any smaller!
One of my tasks this year was to blog more.......yeah that’s not happened much! So here I am getting back into the swing of it again!
Whilst planning for my next wedding , I’ve been in contact with a few of the suppliers in preparation for the day. One lovely lady has been an absolute gem and found a spare 5 minutes to feature on this months blog.  Sasha is a photographer from Sheffield and already I'm loving her energy so can’t wait to work alongside her! Click on the link below and have a peek at her work.

What is it that you do?
I’m a wedding photographer! I specialise in natural photography - essentially capturing real moments and memories. My style is bright, creamy, dreamy & romantic.

Where did it all begin?
As for my origin story, I was living and working in Japan as a teacher, but realised that my heart was in photography. Determined to make a go of it, I invested my savings into equipment, studied the business-side in spare time at school, and offered free photoshoots to friends in order to build my skill and portfolio. I came back to the UK and for the first couple of years juggled several jobs while trying to establish myself as a full-time wedding photographer. As with any self-employment venture, it was a lot, and it was exhausting. However the consistent graft paid off and snowballed into what it is today. 5 years ago I had 6 wedding bookings for the year. Fast forward to now, I just finished photographing 57 in last year alone.

What makes you different from the crowd?
I think that wedding photography as a career has changed quite significantly in recent years, and I feel like I’m part of a new wave of photographers who care more about romantic documentation than portraiture and structured shots. 

Advice for couples looking to tie the knot
Don’t stress about other people’s opinions, it’s near impossible to please everyone anyway! More importantly, it’s your day, so do what makes you happy.

Hints & Tips
When looking for a wedding photographer, of course price and love for someone’s work are incredibly important. Additionally I think up there on that list of importance should be compatibility. Make sure you and your photographer get along. If you feel like friends at that initial meet up/over the phone, even better. This is someone who will be coming along to almost the entirety of one of the most important days of your life.

Advice for anyone looking to start up their own business in the industry
So many people can take great pictures nowadays, but I think there’s a real art to making your photos your own. Find your own style, make sure you love it, hone it, and stay consistent in working towards your goal.

Plans for the future
The last few years have been amazing. I’ve been inundated with work in the UK, and having dipped my toes into destination wedding photography I’m incredibly excited to be doing more of it! New York & Japan are up & coming and I am so hyped.

sashaleephotography.com/

If you’re looking for ideas on where to go for your Hen weekend, then I suggest you head to the South of a France. Monaco has been on my bucket list for a number of years now I finally found the time and money to go! It all sound very expensive (it is so be prepared), but if done well, you can spend with out hurting your bank balance too much. Situated on the French Riviera, Nice is guaranteed sunshine all year round. From creating your own perfumes, enjoying a thermal spa day, to partying in Cannes, there’s something for all with great transport links throughout the country.

Monaco - 25 minutes by train €8 return
Milan 4hrs by train for €15 return.
Cannes 25 minutes by train
St Tropez 3 hrs by bus

Things to do in Monaco:
Casino Monte Carlo
Monaco Harbour
Old town
Palais du Prince
L Metropole Shopping Centre
Musée Oceangraphique
Hotel de Paris
Café de Paris

TOP TIP - When leaving Nice airport, don’t get a taxi to your hotel! We were less than 15 minutes away and it cost us €41. The train and bus are the most cheapest and easiest ways to get around.

Many are steering away from the ‘traditional’ frock and opting for a more sophisticated look- All hail the jumpsuit !

I do love me a well fitted jumpsuit, as it can be dressed up or down for any occasion. The fact that it has graced the bridal catwalks again 2nd year in a row, means many brides are taking a risk and dressing outside the norm! The jumpsuit is a versatile garment and with the right accessories, can change your look in an instant.

As well as jumpsuits, capes have made a comeback again this time in a variation of styles. From long,short, sequins and feathers, there’s something regal about a cape which I love!

Those that dare to bare, we have the plunging v-neck line. This style isn’t for everyone and depending on your outfit, it may not suit. It’s all about keeping it simple and stylish with a dash of your personality.