As you gorgeous lot know Rebecca and I are still fairly new to this blogging lark. Sometimes we have these big ideas and they don’t quite come to fruition. Sometimes we actually create something and just don’t really get around to utilising the functionality. Surfers Paradise is a case in point. It my little ( often ditzy) blonde head it was always supposed to be a place where we could share amazing things from around the web – great links to super cool weddings and fabulous fashion to name but a few.

You see one of my favourite blog posts on a Friday going YEARS back was the U.S.A blog Snippet and Ink’s Happy Weekend.

I genuinely looked forward to my Saturday/Sunday fix of loveliness and general eye candy.

The thing is, these type of web “round-up” posts are ten a penny on blogs now if I’m honest – everyone is at it – so you can’t help but think “what’s the point? How can I make RMW’s version different?”

And that’s why it’s kind of come to a grinding halt.

Until now that is.

You see I would really like some help please lovelies

Firstly I need a name for this post ( it will become a semi-regular if you like it) and ideas for the kind of stuff you would like to see.

I’m thinking weddings ( blo*dy obviously you would hope), amazing offers that we stumble across, general fancy schmancy from across the pond, what’s hot in the shops, bits of gossip, hot topics of general news/discussion and just general….. randomness?…… I guess.

In the main the content will be sourced by yours truly but Rebecca, Adam and Jenny will be sending me little bits and pieces that they think is worth a butchers too.

And of course we want YOURS – if you see something on the world wide web that would be worthwhile sharing with our readers then drop me an email at charlotte@rockmywedding.co.uk.

So folks, here is the kind of thing I am talking about:

Are you obsessed with Marilyn Monroe? Jenny and I certainly are and this is what we spent the whole of Friday looking at. She is the ultimate glamour icon.

Is your hair fine, flat and lack lustre? well not anymore people…..rub some volume into your barnet and you will emerge all bed-head and sexy like.

Can’t begin to tell you how much the pretty paper in this Seattle W-day makes me swoon. The Bride and Groom are particularly beautiful too.

Cool Britannia shoes. And they’re in the SALE!!!!

The prettiest flowers in various random glassware. I love.

This might be one of the coolest weddings I have ever seen in my life. I idolise Max Wagner. And you’ve just got to love this couples unique style. Don’t forget to check out the song list they chose for W-day, ’tis uber amazing.

Fan of Kate Moss? Fan of Mario Testino? Well then folks you had better head on over to the Saatchi Gallery to see the exhibition “Kate Who?”

Talking of Miss Mossy, the new limited edition collection is at Top Shop. Someone somewhere NEEDS to buy this dress. And did I mention I would adore to see a maid in navy frills?

You know we love the boys at Staggered and I really REALLY love this particularly gorgeous story……if you love it too then leave them a comment

Fancy joining us on these blue polka dot pages? Well we want you to be our next Jenny, really we do. So many great entries already but we want MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

RMW Reader and blogger Fliss wants a Monique Lhuillier and so do we. Dreamy.

In fact – you can see a particularly beautiful Lhuillier gown in this little piece of Big Day perfection. I’m talking hair perfection……shoe perfection……..floral perfection……the list is endless. Go pay a visit people.

If you haven’t discovered it yet you really need to check out Rebecca and I’s favourite home store Grahame and Green. I am a huge fan of their bud vases.

Oh My Actual God. Ms Tiffany and Mr Apple get together – a match made in geek chic W-day heaven!!!!!

Been to have a nosey at Undress recently? Well if you like wedding dresses and you like them at discounted prices then you really need to go have a look see. There is a whole heap of designer bargains on offer.

So then……

What do you think?

A nice mix?

Not enough of something?

Too much of something else?

Do let me know

Big Surfy Love

Charlotte xxx

A little while back I received an email from the uber talented photographer Rupert Whitley, born and raised in England Rupert finally settled in the US in 1999 and has since shot weddings all over the world.

As a result of Rupert’s submission I spent a long time on his blog – his weddings are A.mazing. As of course is his ability to capture every significant moment and every vibrant hue.

Although there were a ton of Rock My Wedding potential candidates the particular affair that I have chosen to post today has one of the RMW teams current favourite colour scheme choices for W-day… yellow. Not to mention some to-die-for shoe candy.

So if as we move into May it’s still looking all a bit miserable and grey out of the window take a few minutes to look at your computer screen instead.

This is where the sunshine’s at people.

Matt and Melinda were married on a Friday in July 2009 at Belle Mer in Newport.

Enjoy.

A Peep Toe Bow

Ah…the shoes! They ended up being a gift from my husband. I wanted a pop of color, something that I could wear again and something fabulous! I had seen them while perusing the internet and fell in love. He hunted them down for me and surprised me with them. They were skyscraper peep toe 4’’ bright yellow Christian Louboutin with a bow.

Bridal Bling And Buttons

I bought my dress at Carmen Fashions, a bridal store in my hometown of Fall River, MA. My dress was a Jasmine Couture gown (Style #T135). I realized it was the one when my mom finally cried. We had gone to a bunch of different stores and tried on lots of dresses.

I was looking for something that was form-fitting and not too puffy. I didn’t want anything too heavy since we were getting married in July and it tends to be hot. It had just enough “bling” and I fell in love with all the buttons in the back of the gown.

A Sharp Black Suit

The Groomsmen wore Executive suits from Jos. We decided to buy instead of rent because every man needs a great black suit. We chipped in half the cost of each suit and gave each Groomsmen their lime green ties, pocket squares and cuff links to match the bridesmaid dresses.

Matt wore the same Executive suit from Jos that our Groomsman wore. To make him stand out a little bit he wore a bright yellow tie, pocket square and cuff links to match the yellow that was in my bridal bouquet.

Lemon And Lime

The Bridesmaids wore J.Crew The strapless, knee length dresses made of silk taffeta in a color called light citron. To describe the color it was like a lemony-lime color which fit our color scheme of bright yellow and lime green perfectly.

International Superstar

Our photographer was Rupert Whitely He was born and raised in England and now resides in the states. He’s done weddings all over the states and abroad including New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and the UK so I guess that makes him an international superstar photographer!

His photojournalistic style of capturing moments that aren’t posed was what we were looking for. We knew upon our initial consultation that he was the right person for the day and we were so excited to hear that he was open for our wedding day! He was great company to have- he was very calming, funny and had a great eye for capturing our day. Our bridal party can be a handful and he was great with everyone. Our guests also raved about him and continue to this day.

Floral Fancy

The amazing flowers were all done by Lisa and Allie at Floras by Alisa out of Barrington, RI. My bouquet was a white hydrangea base, with pops of bright yellow Posey Calla Lilies, White Cymbidium Orchids with yellow throats, bright green Hypericum berries and White Asiatic lilies. The stems were wrapped in a white satin ribbon with pearl pins up the back and my grandmother’s rosary beads were wrapped around the base of bouquet as well. I was very close to my grandmother and she had passed away some time ago.

The rosary was something she prayed with every day and was a great way to have her there with me for the day.

The altar arrangements were set up on high pedestals and were overflowing with a fluffy arrangement of white hydrangea, bright yellow roses, Belles of Ireland, and Kermit mums with some greenery at the base. There were lime green ribbons trailing and a white starfish submerged in the glass container.

Our dads wore a single white Calla Lily and the moms wore pin on corsages of calla lilies and stephanotis.

Unique Chic

Our wedding day took place on our 7 year anniversary of dating. It incorporated our love of the ocean and beach and was filled with bright colors like yellow, lime green and aqua. It was a lot of fun, bright and full of love. After dating for so long it was nice to have everyone who had been a big part of our relationship all in one place to help us celebrate.

My piece of advice to future brides is to not forget what the day is really about- family, friends and truly committing yourself to someone you love. The planning process can only be as stressful as you let it be. Talk to your future spouse and ask for input, the day should be about the two of you, take some time to just be engaged before you start the planning, ask for advice and help from your family and friends and just enjoy it- you only get to do it once in your life.

The First Dance

Our first dance was to “Stay with you” by John Legend. We were married on our 7 year anniversary of dating so we had been together for quite some time and with that had helped each other thru a lot of life’s heartaches-moving to different states, taking on new job opportunities, losing loved ones and friendships.

The chorus of the song really stood out to us:

Oh I’ll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I’ll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we’ll be alright
I will stay with you
Everything will be fine
And I will stay with you
Through the end of time
I will stay with you

Have we brightened up your day?

Even just a little?

Hope so.

With a big thanks to Rupert Whitley and Matt and Melinda for sharing this amazing wedding.

Big Let The Sun Shine down on you gorgeous lot this bank holiday weekend Love

Charlotte xxx

Rhode Island in the U.S of A baby.

So here we are in Surfers Paradise, one of the shiny new sub-sections we added to the RMW menu bar launched in February.

“And what exactly is it??” I hear you gorgeous lot ask…

Well it’s a place we can share all the lovely stuff The RMW team find around the web from anywhere in the world – from Real Wedding eye candy to beautiful blogs we think are definitely worth a butchers.

And to begin our adventure I have a spectacular W-day affair all the way from Rhode Island in the U.S.A. I had admired the photographer Charlotte Jenks Lewis’s work for some time having seen her featured in various publications.

And you know what my philosophy is – if you don’t ask you certainly don’t get.

So we asked.

And we got.

A delicious piece of Big Day perfection with one of THE most prettiest colour palettes I have ever seen….We may be in the UK here girls but believe me – there are PLENTY of inspirational ideas to steal.

Becky and Ian were married at Astor’s Beechwood Mansion in Newport in an outdoor ceremony over looking the deep blue sea on a sunshine filled day…

Dreamy.

We love it. Hope you do to.

See – told you I was crazy about these blue and grey/lilac shades of pretty, it’s like the RMW blog colour palette!

A few Bride/W-Day details for you all:

DRESS: Monique Lhuillier
MAIDS: Vera Wang
SHOES: Christian Louboutin

The beautiful bride Becky is a magazine editor and has worked for both Marie Claire and CosmoGirl, Becky took a lot of style inspiration from Marie Antoinette and even designed the cake herself to be in keeping with the reception room decor….

Fancy Schmancy.

With a BIG thank you to Charlotte Jenks Lewis for sharing these beautiful images.

Go check out Charlotte’s blog for tons more inspiration.

Big American Love

Charlotte xxx

Let’s not beat around the bush here people, I’m guessing from all of your positive responses to our Beauty not Beast section that there are some SERIOUS cosmetic addicts out there.

And if you are one and you don’t know about this already be prepared to become addicted in the worst possible way to a make-up website that completely rocks my world.

www.makeupalley.com

In brief ( believe me I could witter on about it lovingly for hours) it is a place for like-minded lipstick queens to discuss beauty products openly, honestly and rate everything from price to performance to packaging.

Need you NEVER make a mistake by purchasing that $$$$$$ supposed “wonder cream” (that does precisely jack) ever again.

You can look at items by brand, by type ( blusher/foundation/moisturiser etc) by how new they are – by what is the best bargain…..

Seriously the list is endless.

And how could you ever get better feedback than from real life users? Some lovely ladies even upload close up photo’s of themselves “before” and “after” application as it were.

Utter genius.

My personal favourite is the “MUA Top Picks” – click on this section and you will see only the absolutely highest rated products. Brilliant fun if you are planning a trip to one of the many counters of glossy dreams and want to make sure you indulge in something that really works.

Here I selected the MUA top picks for MAC, there is an eyeshadow that rated 4.8 out of 5 overall by 48 testers. That must be some pretty darn fabulous eye candy.

Now of course you will find a few pieces of loveliness ( in your opinion) that don’t necessarily rate especially highly with the general public BUT this website for the most part will provide you with not only a great resource for finding super duper make-up greatness but also a way to avoid wasting your hard earned dollar on rubbish.

Promise.

If you are already a fan then PLEASE let me know, I could chat MUA all day.

And if not already a convert……but from this post I have inadvertently made you spend the entire day on the interweb……..

Sincerest Apologies.

Erm…..NOT

Lots of lipsticky powdery Love

Charlotte xxx

I am not by any means new to the wonder that is blog land and what with the creation of RMW I am constantly trawling the world wide web seeking out inspiration and exciting unique ideas to share with you all.

There is one blog in particular however that until now I have pretty much kept to myself.

Selfish?

Probably.

About time everyone else knows about it?

Possibly.

The most beautiful blog I have ever come across?

Definitely.

Last week while on skype to no other than Lady Luxe herself I whispered my delicious secret for the first time, Madam Luxe subsequently spent the entire evening pouring over what is the cleverest, simplest and down right heart-string pulling thing of loveliness ever witnessed…. the LeLoveimage blog.

I don’t really know who is responsible for it or how it came about, what I do know is that there are daily poems, words of wisdom and stunning images all about well…..love.

And its just so darn beautiful.

And addictive.

I’ve collected a few of my absolute favourite postings from the last week or so for you to admire….

LeLoveimage blog, I heart you.

The shopping list of love:

The Love Map:

Romeo and Juliet:

Love is:

LeLoveImage blog is now added to the official list of blogs we like ( a lot)

Charlotte xxx

P.s Remember Jennifer Ramos of Made by Girl fame? Well she gave us a lovely thank you for blogging about her gorgeous work here on The Facts of Wife – take a look ….A Thank You