Now I’m all for sticking to what you know (tailored jackets, leg lengthening jeans, cute dolly dress with black tights..) but recently I’ve been opening my wardrobe to find that the sea of black, mid-grey, marl-grey and um….charcoal-grey is a little bit….dull. I seem to be reaching for my peach jumper all the time, or the hot pink cardigan I bought in the French Connection sale about two years ago…

Yup. It seems this wife is definitely in need of some colour in her life.

Unfortunately I don’t have the budget (or the shopping time) to go purchase a dozen or so rainbow items so I went on ASOS, picked up a couple of accessories and figured I could wear them with lots of pieces from my existing wardrobe… particularly all that grey.

And my colour choices?

Yellow because it makes me happy and a pale sky blue… because it’s just so pretty.

* Cross Body Bag in yellow £30 and blue patent shoes £50 both at ASOS.

Obviously I won’t be wearing them both at the same time… although I guess you could.

Dirty Hair

I don’t mean as in the great unwashed… or slutty* even, I mean as in that kind of matt-textured messed up just-got-out-of-bed hair that I keep seeing on the catwalk and want for myself.

Well I think I’ve found the products to make it happen, has taken a wee bit of practice but I swear (and this is coming from someone who doesn’t “do” hair) once you get the hang of it you’ll be (ahem) dirty in a jiffy.

* Redken Powder Grip at HQ Hair and Undressing Creme from Space NK

On towel dried hair I apply the undressing creme from root to tip, I use a blob about the size of a 10p piece, I also comb it though with my tangle teaser to get an even spread.

I then tip my head upside down and “rough” blow dry i.e. in any old haphazard way. Once dry I shake out some powder into my palm and distribute evenly, paying particular attention to the roots…don’t forget some in the ends though – it gives that whole beachy bohemian look.

Image credit BHLDN

This kind of textured hair is really great for those of you that fancy an easy breezy up-do, the folks at John Frieda sent me this video which is ace – honestly, take a butchers and let me know what you think, it’s an achievable style that I think would look immense on maids with some kind of delicate hair band action going on.

Fancy Face

I tend to have an everyday make-up look (do most people?) but recently I’ve been getting out some of the many many items I can’t stop myself from buying and actually using them.

And when the BHLDN (the wedding arm of Anthropologie) update email dropped into my inbox (if you don’t already subscribe people you must you MUST) it was cosmetics a go-go with all of their lovely fresh-faced ideas.

The How-to can all be found on the BHLDN website, BHLDN also have great W-day hair-do inspiration too…. The Elfin is my favourite.

Music Pin-UP

I’m no music guru, and God forbid I would ever try and write a trying-to-be-Q-magazine review for you, but I have become a bit obsessed/intrigued by the apparent enigma that is Lana Del-Rey.

Is she really called Lizzy Grant? Is her Dad a multi-millionaire or did she in fact live in a trailer park?

Has she had her lips done….?

Who cares. I think she’s beautiful, and I love her voice – reminds me of Fleetwood Macs Stevie Nicks. The song Video Games is available now and her album “Born To Die” is released on 30th January on iTunes…. I have mine on pre-order.

So you gorgeous lot, any new purchases you want to share?

Anything you might be treating yourself to this weekend….?

I am trying my hardest to stay away from Zara, I’m like a kid in a sweet shop as soon as I step through the door.

Big Experimentation Love

Charlotte xxx

* Could be slightly slutty if worn with smoky eyes and whatnot….

In terms of your wedding I mean the little personal often inexpensive details rather than the fancy schmancey grand gestures. And in terms of every day life I mean exactly the same, the what-might-initially-be-perceived-as-something-small event that has a significant emotional effect or promotes the desire for change.

I didn’t know what I wanted for Christmas, lots of frivolous items (obviously) but when Mr O’Shea asked what I really wanted I just didn’t have an answer. But what I had been moaning on about for a good few months was my increasingly allergic skin and subsequent redness and reactions resulting in a few broken thread veins across my cheeks. Now I know this is nothing particularly awful/unusual to suffer from (so please excuse potential perceived vain-ness) but it had been bothering me none the less, especially as it seemed to be getting increasingly worse.

I had mentioned some time in the Autumn how when I had the time or could justify the treat more than any posh pair of shoes or designer handbag I would love to go and see a specialist in all things face. All these skincare products and lovely make-up items are all very well but they are not going to work to their optimum potential if you have an underlying issue that simply won’t go away with merely a slathering of cream.

I had read about Dr Frances Prenna Jones after reading an article in Elle magazine, apparently she is one of THE people to go to if your mug is mis-behaving itself and I spent some time telling James how maybe one day I would love the opportunity to have a consultation with someone like that.

And that was all I said.

Then come the 25th December as well as some gorgeous stocking fillers I opened this card…..

Yup. Turns out Mr O’Shea had somehow found DR Fix on-line, read all about her and booked an appointment for me for February, I was consumed with gratitude.

In the grand scheme of things your husband essentially booking you an appointment with a dermatologist may not be seen as very romantic (!) but it was one of the nicest gifts I have ever received, as they say – it’s the small things that count. And although it’s not like I don’t already know, it’s things like that that highlight just how suited we are and how much I look forward to the rest of our future together.

In a similar vein and in light of a new year and new beginnings I was chatting to Roz from Hepburn Collection the other day (one half of an immense hair styling duo for anyone that doesn’t already know) and she was saying how she had just read a particularly thought-provoking piece on-line entitled A Letter On My Doorstep -Portraits Are More Than Just Paper that she literally couldn’t stop thinking about, and after reading it myself neither could I.

In the RMW Teams resolutions piece I somehow managed to leave out a really important goal I have for 2012 – and that’s to take more pictures. Lots and LOTS of pictures. Considering I am a girl with five cameras (yes five) I don’t do a whole lot of capturing moments. This piece reminded me to make sure I keep my promises – even the ones I make to myself.

Oh and for no particular reason at all (apart from that fact that I don’t know who could resist the line “Maybe you’re my snowflake” – someone NEEDS to use these lyrics in their Big Day)…here is a section of a track entitled “Wake Me Up” by Ed Sheeran that just makes me smile (you can download the whole thing from iTunes) – turn it up LOUD folks.

Wake Me Up (90 Sec) by Ed Sheeran

So it’s Friday… Hooray! it’s been a fantastic week on the blog (does a little dance and blows kisses to you all) and apart from saying a huge Thank-you for all of your support, comments and general great-ness I wondered if you would be keen to discuss any of the following…

What has been your most thoughtful gift ever?

Anything you have read/seen recently that has really made you take a step back and really really think?

And maybe there are even some of you that are considering giving back this year in a similar vein to RMW’s Vix is with her volunteering to help the elderly..?

Here’s to an amazing January lovelies.

Big Sometimes Small Things Are Pretty Ruddy Huge Love

Charlotte xxx

I’m guessing that today is the first day “back in the office” for the vast majority of you and depending on how much you enjoy your job that means you are either a) fed up that the holiday season is over and considering a career change or b) looking forward to the opportunities and challenges your chosen vocation will bring in 2012.

I’ve never talked about my “day job” (if ever) on RMW as I don’t think it’s particularly relevant to weddings and frankly, when there’s a whole lot of pretty to share and the main aim of these pages is to provide you with some much needed escapism, the last thing you want to be faced with is the monotonous witterings of a part-time bloggers nine to five.

However, if your answer to the above question was A and definitely not B I thought I’d share a few words of wisdom* and for those of you that have ever had a cringe-worthy experience in front of your boss, my own embarassing tale will make you feel that little bit better. Or at the very least give you a laugh…

Adam and I know each other because we work for the same business, a successful software and web design company in the West Midlands that specialise in E-commerce. At the grand old age of twenty five and having been made redundant, I was determined to bag myself a cosmetics buyers position at Boots. I was down to final interview stage when an old family friend passed my CV on to aforementioned software and web design company and trying to be sensible and not swayed by the potential of being able to spend thousands of pounds of someone else’s money on lipstick (I know – what was I thinking?!) I decided to go and meet with the Head of Marketing reference an Account Manager position they had available.

As soon as I walked through the door I knew I was supposed to work there. It was a bit like walking into the W-day venue you eventually pick or the house you buy – there are, when you think about it, lots of reasons that swayed your decision but ultimately it was just because you knew.

This came as a surprise to both my friends and family.

“So let me get this straight – you want to give up your dream job of surrounding yourself with make-up on a daily basis to working in a barn full of blokes and computers?!”

And yes I did. Because here was a company that had been started by a bunch of risk-taking entreprenuers that had an idea, threw their heart and soul into it and were making huge waves in their Industry after just five years of trading. I figured if I was going to learn and progress I may as well join a company that had big plans to evolve – I wanted to join them for the ride.

And Jeez what a ride. I was thrown in at the deep end without so much as a pair of inflatable armbands. I was managing the accounts of some major bank owned organisations and for a while I was way out of my depth, I knew plenty about eyeshadow but practically zero about the internet so I had to learn as much as I could and as fast as I ruddy could, there was a substantial amount of flying by the seat of my floral panties as it were.

I liked my job. Sometimes the travelling was tough (and I’m not talking glamorous first class type travelling here I mean a bumpy BMI flight to Belfast at 6am in the morning). I worked hard. I did well. I had a decent salary and a fancy company car. I worked with some great people. I loved the relaxed wear-what-you-want vibe and the feeling of being appreciated.

Then I planned a wedding. And wrote about it on-line.

And I realised that I really missed being creative and as much as you can be good at something and like it, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be your whole future.

So I founded Rock My Wedding. Didn’t have a scooby how it was going to pan out although I could obviously envisage the potential. Fast forward twelve months and I was basically doing two full time jobs, and what with my ‘regular” role not being regular hours I was teetering on the edge of burn out and not doing either as well as I should.

So I approached my Managing Director with a role within the company that didn’t exist but that I could see they desperately needed. And the best woman for the job? yours truly of course. A kind of PA to the MD, HR administrator/assistant/recruiter hybrid… which at first was met with much bemusement but eventually after some negotiation was accepted. I took a significant pay cut. But did manage to keep the fancy car (if you don’t ask you don’t get right? – that’s my motto anyway.)

It meant I could plan my week better. It meant (at least at first) I could have some kind of social life and spend time with Mr O’Shea. What I didn’t expect was that I would like this job as much as I did – pay cut and all. I was able to be involved in board meetings, find out how a successful technology company was run, what made it a success, the inevitable mistakes that were made and how they were put right. I was able to work along side a team of directors that had made a company go from being worth minus 50p to hundreds of millions of pounds in just under a decade.

I loved the adrenalin rush from having so many things to juggle at once, I loved the pressure and the deadlines and the fact the Marketing department I was located in was like a marginally smaller version of Heathrow – i.e. often a wee bit insane.

And at the beginning this insanity was great, until it um….wasn’t.

There is after all only so many things a person can do at once.

Picture the scene, Bat Out Of Hell is belting out full pelt from the design area speakers which is situated in the room above, the reason I can hear it so clearly is because there is a spiral staircase that goes directly into Marketing – i.e a great big bloody hole almost directly above my head. The graphic designers are going back and forth between both rooms on a fairly regular basis, not using the stairs like most people but the handrail – choosing to do so by sliding down on their backsides. And no, thank the lord I wasn’t responsible for health and safety…. There is also what seems to be a continual stream of people hovering over my desk and I am already late preparing an employment contract for a new Head Of Sales.

Our Finance Director is waiting for said contract, he has already called me twice and is sounding increasingly irate (at least I think he is – who can be sure when you’ve got old school rock music ringing in your ear), I tell him I will just be a few minutes and to head on over to collect.

Our FD (I feel the need to give him a name for the purpose of this tale telling – let’s call him Jeff*) ok so Jeff is standing by the printer awaiting both the employment offer letter and contract to come through, I subsequently pull up the PDF, press print and for what must have only been a nano second, bask in the relief of being able to move on to the next task.

Then I went very hot and very red very quickly.

Me (possibly with high pitched squeaky shriek):Uh Oh Jeff Um…. you don’t need that copy that is just to come off the printer! it has a um…a mistake! just hold fire a minute and I’ll correct it and print a new one right away!

Jeff: Charlotte how many times have I reminded you to proof read? honestly (actually now does look irate) you have had hours to do this already (To be fair I did but as well as the environmental distractions I was also writing a post about the importance of peach…)

Me: Um yes erm very sorry! anyway it’s fine, will be done in just two ticks no need to have a look at that copy! I’ll print this revised version off in a jiffy ….

Too late. Jeff is having a good old read whilst I sink lower and lower behind my screen in the vain hope no-one can see my horrified face.

Jeff: Charlotte O’Shea, have you offered our Head of Sales role to….. Meatloaf?

Me: Um, well yes I may have done, you see they were playing Bat Out Of Hell upstairs whilst I was typing and I may have gotten a little bit confused…

Jeff: (by now looking both irate and somewhat incredulous) You actually wrote “Dear Meatloaf we are pleased to offer you the position of Head of Sales” ….without realising?!

Me: Um… well you never know he might take it, I happen to think it’s a great place to work… (in the face of adversity tell a joke, or um…maybe not)

Jeff: (he is now definitely irate): I think you perhaps need to re-asses your priorites and in future make sure you ALWAYS PROOF READ, OK?

Jeff did eventually see the funny side, as did everyone else in the company. But he did have a point – what were my priorities? and how could I carry on working at such a pace when the result was potentially making tremendously embarrassing balls ups?

This is not the end of this story but as you are already either asleep or not reading anymore through sheer boredom I’ll get to the point for those of you that have stuck around:

January can often to be a crappy month. It’s usually grey and cold, all the festive cheer has been packed up in the loft and you have to get up early in the morning and go to work.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Your job is a huge part of your life, huge. Don’t believe you aren’t capable of doing something else because I bet you can – even if you lack of self belief/can’t see the way forward/your colleagues tell you otherwise (they are probably just jealous anyways.)

Every job has it’s plus points – even if they are difficult to see sometimes, try and focus on those if it’s going to take a bit of time for you to move in a different direction. I’ve had my fair share of mind numbingly dull/motivation crushing roles but when I look back I can see how every single one in some way or another has shaped my goals for the future, even if it’s just to highlight what I shouldn’t be wasting my time on.

Expect the unexpected. Learn as much as you can from every experience and every mistake (yes even accidentally sending a job offer letter to an ageing 80′s rock star….Proof read until your eyes hurt O’Shea!). And whatever you do, don’t treat the appearance of January as a licence for thirty one days of the blues, treat it as an opportunity for a shiny new fresh start full of hope and happiness.

And that’s all I wanted to say.

Would love to hear your tales of career changing, red-face making events in the work place or any ideas you have up your bridal sleeves to do something you love in 2012.

Big Here’s To A REALLY Happy New Year Love

Charlotte xxx

*wisdom – I do not see myself as in any way wise, but I do see myself as just like any of you lovelies and sometimes it’s interesting to share experiences…especially if you can have a good old laugh at yourself

My Marriage.

I had a moment today. We’ve been living in Discovery Bay in Hong Kong for almost a month now, William is a magnet for kindness and I have made a few friends. Life is becoming something that almost resembles normal! I say that because it’s been a hectic year. After we got married I didn’t get a chance to reflect on the wedding because I had Baby O to plan for, then Baby O arrived and we moved house and started to renovate. Which was, what can only be described as, a ball ache. Then when Mr O accepted the job here it was all hands on deck to get the place finished so we could rent it out. My feet didn’t really touch the ground before we left, and I didn’t really get a chance to become good at being a wife. I barely saw Mr O and family time was non existent. I often wondered when we were going to put down roots somewhere and just be a married couple with a young baby, and do things that young marrieds do, like go to the zoo, and have picnics, and relax with family.

Well that time has come, and we find ourselves doing stuff together at the weekends, and I love it. What has this got to do with planning a wedding I hear you ponder? Well I’m getting there, so bear with me.

When Matt came home and told me he had been offered a job abroad, I felt fear. William had just been born, I’d had a tough time with the breastfeeding and my motherly instinct told me I just needed to live in a stable home, get into a good routine of being a mother and a wife, and enjoy having a baby, in my own surroundings. The thought of moving to a country I had never even been to before petrified me. Initially I hope it was something that wouldn’t actually happen. So I went along with it, I could see how the prospect of living abroad filled my husband with immense joy, it was always a dream of his, so there was no way I was going to burst his bubble of hope of living the dream.

In typical Jen style I thought if it’s meant to be, I will get a sign. Something to indicate if it is the right thing to do. One day I got talking to a random french lady in my local coffee shop. William attracted her to come over with her little boy and we got talking about things like labour, and carpel tunnel, and bad backs (like you do).

French lady: “So will you have any more babies do you think?”
Me: “Oh yes I’d love to, quite soon, but we are moving abroad and so I think it’s out of the question until we are home”
French lady: “Pah, no problem, I am from Paris but live in Hong Kong with my husband, we had our son there”
Me: “Erm, did you just say Hong Kong?? SHUT.UP.” (I sounded very like Alan Carr)

She lives in Kowloon, where Mr O’s new job is. And was in that little coffee shop in Hertfordshire visiting her husbands family. He is also called Matthew.

And that was my sign.

I had a similar moment today too, chatting to another random lady whilst feeding William his lunch. She is a midwife, who trained the girl who delivered my little Willy, in Harlow Hospital. What are the fricking chances? I love stuff like this. I think they call it the six degrees of seperation, or perhaps it’s just a coincidence? Whatever it is, it warms my cockles, and put a spring in my step the whole way home. The sun is shining here, my baby is happy and Mr O is doing well in his new job. I made a great decision in following my husband here, it’s clear to me I am on the right path.

So my point is that when your wedding is over, don’t feel blue because this is when the fun really starts. You have the wonderful memory of your wedding to share together, and a whole future ahead of you as husband and wife. Who knows where life will take you, just remember to stick together for better or worse, and know that whenever times feel hard you will come through the other side, stronger and tighter than ever. I know Mr O wouldn’t have held it against me had I decided that coming here wasn’t the right thing to do, but how glad am I that I made the decision to come, and took that risk.

Just look how beautiful it is.

This time two years ago I was stressing about table plans, and guest lists, and how to say ‘no’, now I am a Mrs, and a Mama, and living it up Hong Kong style. I feel incredibly lucky, and immensely grateful.

Lots of love,

Jenny x

Every Christmas I watch Love Actually.

And it’s not just because I have always had a major crush on Andrew Lincoln (and yes I realise in the film his character is a complete berk but that doesn’t stop me from going all girly and ridiculous as soon as he appears on screen…)

It’s because just like the majority of folk I love a good Love story, and there’s nothing like a bit of romance and joy in a Christmas setting to put you in a feel-good mood for all of the forthcoming festivities.

But this post isn’t about the film really (although if you want to read a hilarious write up of it then you need to have a butchers at the review by Bobby Finger on The Hairpin and come back and tell me what you thought – I swear I cried laughing)…it’s about well, appreciating what you’ve got and making the most of the holiday season.

Sexy Sale Nudes

I’ll start with the incredibly shallow shopping bit then.

Sales – is it me or do they start earlier every year?!

And again is it me or do they seem to be increasingly immense?

I received an update email from My Wardrobe and it was Game Over for me and my no-more-treats-until-2012 mantra….

Firstly I was faced with this beautiful Micheal Kors Leather Tote that was HALF PRICE – what’s a girl to do? It was reduced from £284 to £142 and it is one of the loveliest bags I have ever owned.

And now I have a nude bag I quite obviously require a pair of flesh toned shoes to match. These Sam Edelmen mesh courts were reduced from £140 to just £70…..and clearly they are an investment, so versatile!

(You can sense the need for justification for my frivolousness right? – it makes me feel better about being so darn weak)

Lost In Words

Another ace thing about the holidays is actually getting to completely lose myself in a really great book. Now then, I could maybe quote some high brow titles here but then I would be a big ol’ fibber, I do occasionally indulge in a critics choice or something shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize (Room by Emma Donoghue is particularly good) but you know what? having stuffed myself full of sugar and celebration all I want is an easy read and a wee bit of escapism.

I generally really like a bit of Lisa Jewell (although her last few books have been a bit of a disappointment) – my absolute favourite though has got to be Vince and Joy. I don’t think I have actually been rooting for two completely fictitious characters to get together quite as much as I was for this pair. A really really entertaining love story that takes you back to your youth and right into the heart and soul of adulthood.

Marian Keyes is another author I rate, I think she’s incredibly witty and clever. And again not every one of her books is amazing (yes I have read them all) but you can’t beat a bit of Madam Keyes for warming the cockles. Like a great big hug in a mug (did I steal that from a cup-a-soup commercial?……) Anybody Out There is my favourite, not least because it is one of the few books to bring genuine tears to my eyes and really make me appreciate the need to live every moment as best you can.

Yes all that from a piece of so-called Chick Lit….. Who knew?

Making The Most Of Every Moment

As per above, sometimes certain things can make you really take stock of what you’ve actually got and make you appreciate it all the more. My most recent dalliance with events-that-make-you-step-back-and-think was a trip to see my Nana in Wales. Those who read my post Red Dragon may recall she’s not been too well of late but that doesn’t seem to stop her living life to the full and trying to steal my Aunty Kitty’s potted Hyacinth when she wasn’t looking (I swear – I could make a film entitled “Carry On Up The Valley’s” with the shenanigans of my Nana and her ill behaved sisters…)

After informing me that prior to meeting my Grandpa she had hundreds of boyfriends – “I was beautiful Charl, they were ALL after me” (I guess when you’re ninety you might as well tell it as it is…) she went on to look me right in the eye and say:

“Don’t live to have any regrets, appreciate those who care about you and those who you care about, sod all of the rest of the crap“

And that folks is my Nana, telling it exactly how it is.

So this Christmas as well as all the gift giving, the party attending and the general merriment I am going to put myself together a little list of goals for 2012, not resolutions in the traditional sense, more things I have always wanted to do and will do my best to achieve, especially arranging time out to spend with my family and friends – I certainly don’t want any regrets.

So then lovelies, bought anything super sexy in the sales?

Any wise words to share with me and the gorgeous RMW community?

Oh and ok then LET”S TALK ABOUT LOVE ACTUALLY!

Don’t you just love it when the Prime Minister dances to Girls Aloud? and the bit where he has to go round to all the houses in order to find Martine Mccutcheon (what has happened to her by the way apart from advertising weird yoghurts?) and where Bill Nighy’s character decides he wants to spend Xmas with his manager…. and is it me or is Alan Rickman kind of hot?

Answers on a postcard in the comments box below please.

And one final thing – just in case you’re feeling the pressures of W-day planning topped with the prospect of turkey stuffing, underneath all the tinsel and the cake toppers and the perfect invitation font the only thing that really matters is the Love……Actually.

Big My Nana Rocks Love

Charlotte xxx

Perhaps it was because of the Royal nuptials, or the numerous celebrity celebrations (or the fact I run a wedding blog…) but for me 2011 was the year that saying “I do” hit fever pitch and in terms of styling, pretty and personalisation, brides of Great Britain kicked some serious W-day ass.

So first off three cheers for the United Kingdom (and yes I am indeed waving my Union Jack flag and singing God Save The Queen) and secondly, I thought I’d share some of favourite weddings from the past twelve months so we can all reminisce on what a ruddy amazing year 2011 was. Now I say favourites – I have, as you can imagine, lots of favourites so this may not be the only post of this type.

So grab yourself a cup of tea (I am embarking on a trial of Redbush after many of you gorgeous lot recommended I try it on the RMW Facebook page) and completely immerse yourself in a quadruple dose of immense.

Contemporary Cool

The wedding of Laila and Paz by Polly Alexandre, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: There were actual flamingo’s, and one of the coolest cakes on the planet. And the bride looked like a perfect porcelain doll.

The wedding of Steph and Chris by Guy Collier, you can see Part 1 here and part 2 here.

The Love List: There was THAT dress and THOSE shoes and one of the the most beautifully executed themes I have ever seen.

The wedding of Linzi and David, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: That red hair, the stormy skies of Scotland, the fact the bridesmaid wore blue brogues….and there was a super cool turquoise and hot pink scheme.

Rustic Romance

The wedding of Laura and Dave by Murakami Photography, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: There was an abundance of smile making sunshine yellow and more D.I.Y than you will know what to do with….including marshmallows in a draw.

The wedding of Joey and John by Pen Mckinley-Rodgers, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: I have no words. This took romance and rustic to a whole new level for me. I fell in love with every single aspect.

Emily and Pete’s wedding by Dominique Bader , you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: Another show stopping frock, the groom was was also a ten out of ten in the style stakes. And the decor? seeing really is believing.

Vintage-Inspired

The wedding of Lauren and James by Rebecca Honeywell, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: More pretty than you can shake a stick at. And I want Lauren’s hair.

The wedding of Jo and Luke by Julia Boggio, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: The bride wore PEACH. And if you want kitsch group photo’s then this is how it’s done.

The wedding of Lynsey and Barrett by Jo and Simon at Shoot, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: Fabulous fashion, and I mean FABULOUS and a whole host of steal-able ideas, particularly the centrepieces and clever use of soft sorbet shades.

Modern Elegance

The wedding of Sam and Pete by Mister Phill, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: There was some lovely swishy frock action going on as well as achievable decor ideas and many a pretty bloom. Oh and the bride wore a cardigan. Loves.

The wedding of Emily and Jason by Shoot Lifestyle photography, you can see part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: Emily was a true RMW bride and wrote a heartfelt, honest and witty report. Many a RMW reader used her classic yet ingenious W-day ideas for their own big day.

The wedding of Jo and Olli by The Barbers, you can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

The Love List: Purple was big news in 2011 and Olli and Jo did it with aplomb, adding the rich hue to a contemporary monochrome palette. And the portrait images were genius.

So then lovelies, what are your thoughts on weddings in 2011?

Any RMW favourites that you have taken lots of inspiration from?

Any of these you’ve not seen before?

Big Weddings Make My Day Love

Charlotte xxx

Charlotte: As I was saying earlier, sometimes you’ve got to give yourselves a wee break. Be it from wedding planning (hell wedding blogging) house type chores, stressing about Christmas (has anyone bought anything yet?!) or just general every day stuff.

So just for the craic and/or banter I thought we could discuss our first crush… no matter how embarassing.

And yes as it was my idea I guess I need to be the first to share.

Ahem. Mine was Commander William T. Riker off of Star Trek.

And for all you whipper snappers out there (basically anyone under the age of thirty) who don’t have a clue who I’m on about, he was the tall, dark and beardy one from the Next Generation series.

Don’t judge me. MY. MUM. MADE. ME. WATCH. IT.

Image of James (NOT Commander Riker) courtesy of David Jenkins

Anyway, I thought it was uncanny how he and Mr O’Shea look a bit similar (don’t you think?) which just goes to show, maybe we knew what we expected “the one” (at least from an aesthetic perspective) to be like from the age of…eleven.

Commander Riker was my idea of the perfect man because he was so very brave and strong and intelligent. And maybe a bit posh too I think.

Mr O’Shea is also all of these things (except the posh bit).

Oh and just for clarity, I have never EVER asked my husband to dress up in some kind of polyester all in one.

Promise.

Jenny: My youth can be summed up just by telling you who’s poster I had gracing the walls of my bedroom. Joey McIntyre from New Kids on The Block, Fred Savage from The Wonder Years, and Jason Donovan. The latter, my best friend Charlotte (of What Jenny Did – the Brides make up fame here on RMW) and I were so obsessed with we used to go and see him in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as often as our parents could afford.

And don’t even get me started on him in that loincloth….Charlotte had a lifesize poster of him on her wall, which i was LIVID about and stropped over because I didn’t have one. And I am sure we probably even used kiss it, oh the embarrassment!

Landscape image of Matt courtesy of Kim Hawkins

Our crushes meant we new every single word to Joseph. We used to listen to it on tape (because CD’s weren’t around then) and practice it over and over again, because for some reason I’m not sure of now, we probably thought we were cool? (we weren’t!).

Then we were hit with the utter devastating news that Jason Donovan was to be replaced with Philip Schofield THE HORROR!!!

I think there were even tears.

Schofe wasn’t the silver fox he is now, back then – He was just the guy from the broom cupboard with his hand shoved up Gordon the Gophers arse.

Fred Savage from The Wonder Years, I think I used to fancy the character Kevin Arnold more than anything – that cute little smirk he’d pull every five minutes.

Then there was Joey McIntyre from NKOTB. Oh how I used to luurrrrrrve him. That baby face, tall stature, big hands. He was my dreamboat.

So not that disimilar to my current crush, Mr O. Tall, blonde, baby face, blue eyes, big hands…

I married my dreamboat. My lovely Mr O.

Vix: My first proper crush was back in the day of ‘Saved by The Bell’ the beautiful Zack Morris / Mark-Paul Gosselaar. I actually used to record the show I was so in lust over him, I think I can still recall the lyrics of the theme tune too. I was sooooo ridiculously jealous of Kelly – she had everything, including two hunks swooning over her!! ahhh bless me

When Charlotte asked me who my first crush was I immediately thought of one that I’m too embarrassed to mention because it’s just too weird but I’m sure I’m not the only one who had a small crush on a cartoon character???? eeek! please say I’m not the only one!! Not saying which one though – EVER.

Thankfully Malc is no cartoon, he is real life and wonderful and looking at Zack Morris nowadays, there are some similarities – tall, dark and handsome, swoon swoon!

Charlotte: So you gorgeous lot….who was your first crush and why?

And do they look anything like your future husband?

Come on now – don’t be shy!!!

Big Red Faced Love

Team RMW xxx

I very nearly almost wrote a blog post entitled ‘The Wedding I might have had….’. And it would have mostly been about indecision, about how I would have worn a different dress, or had my hair different, or had been braver with my decisions full stop.

This came about shortly after my wedding halo wore off, and I became a wife and expectant mother. (I almost said ‘just a wife’ a la Monica Bing from Friends…).

I decided not to write about the wedding I might have had, and to just come to terms with the choices I made instead. This might sound rather odd to brides to be, but it’s not uncommon to look back and wonder why you had your hair like that, or why didn’t I invite so and so, or why I bothered inviting so and so, and so on. When we arrived at our new home in Hong Kong, one of the first boxes I unpacked contained our wedding album, so I sat down and looked at it for the first time in yonks. I didn’t get much done that day because I found our wedding dvd too, I had myself a bit of a wedding fest!

It’s been 14 months since our big day, and a mere few months after, I looked at our wedding photo’s and thought that I wished I had my hair different. A rather vain thing to worry about certainly, but all I saw was a big, blonde, frizzy mess. But then I had my hair like that because it looks awful up and off my face. I didn’t wear a big fancy head piece because I hate to draw attention to the size of my bonce (it’s massive). So I made peace with my… big blonde frizzy mess. I also feel, as a larger lady, that I was brave to wear a form fitting dress. Not only was I a larger lady on my day, but I was harbouring a 12 week pregnancy, which is evident at certain angles. Perhaps I should have gone for a dress that was more suitable for someone in my condition (if you can call pregnancy such), but then I made peace with this too. I look at my wedding album now, and I see someone who looks happy, glowing, and confident, and when William is big enough to understand I will take great joy in telling him he was in Mummies tummy when she and Daddy got married!

The issues don’t just stop there, there are people that didn’t make it onto the guest list that I wished I had included. I had to make my peace with that too, especially after receiving an email from my long lost half brother enquiring as to how my big day went…. Yes, that awkward moment when you realise your sister is friends with him on Facebook, and he’s seen the images of the wedding he wasn’t invited to. (It’s a long story). Then there are the people I did include on the guest list who let me down. (also, a long story). The fact is, I had total control over who I surrounded myself with on my wedding day, and generally in life, I surround myself with strong, happy, kind people, so that was my wedding day guest list theory, and subsequently I have made peace with that too.

I’ve gone back to the start. And 14 months since our wedding I finally have a big fat in your face wedding canvas hanging on our wall, and every time I see it I feel all the emotions and excitement of our big day come flooding back, and it puts a spring in my step.

If I could do it all again my choices may differ somewhat. I may have a different dress, different venue, different bridesmaid dresses, but that’s down to being continually inspired by all the weddings and styling I see on Rock My Wedding. The most important thing isn’t how visually pleasing things are, but that that you are embarking upon a life of marriage, with someone who is special enough to want to spend your life with. So who cares about frizzy hair, I would have married Mr O wearing a potato sack and flip flops with Mongolian mountain goats milling around if I had to.

Love

Jenny x

P.S I would love to hear from any marrieds if you have had any look-back-and-I-would-change-moments…

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but I like it in mid December where it belongs rather than spilling it’s tinselly guts all over November making me feel all unprepared when I still have nearly 40 days to get everything done.

I understand though that a lot of you guys, as well as preparing for your big day will already be deeply engrossed in your Dec 25 preparations too – and I would hate the super organised peeps amongst you to miss out on this collection of pretty that team RMW have up our Christmas jumper sleeve, so here goes.

For The Home.

Charlotte has been scouring the internet for some Christmas decor bargains, and has struck gold with these modestly priced beauties which are all available from H&M.

1. Table runner. Funky fresh graphics for £7.99
2. Napkin ring. Festive typography at £2.99
3. Cushions. Charlotte exclaimed to me “Why not decorate your sofa?” and at £12.99 it’s hard to find an argument against that notion.
4. Christmas poms. These can go anywhere, but anyone lucky enough to be getting a gift from Charlotte this year may well find a red pom pom attached to the top of it. Great idea for a pound a piece!

For The Tree.

At RMW we are a little bit obsessed with the pantone range of accessories, stationery and homeware, I’m starting to build up quite a collection… and now it seems as though pantone will be invading my festive season too with these xmas balls. I heard on the grapevine that green and silver are going to be big colours this year, so for me that translates to pantone cool grey 10 and pantone 15-5519

For You.

Have you got your Christmas jumper sorted yet? The Christmas jumper is going to be MASSIVE this year and there is a jumper to suit every budget. I have already purchased mine (it was a genius find in TKMAXX) but if I was still in the market for one, i may well be checking the Funky Christmas Jumpers website out… It’s Colin-Firth-tastic.

This year NET-A-PORTER are also getting in on the act with some very exclusive designer offerings.

1. Aubin & Wills. Button shoulder wool fairisle ‘skiing’. £190.00
RMW says “sexy on the slopes – 9 out of 10“

2. Moschino. Penguin motif. £810.00
RMW says “For people who buy forever friends merchandise – 1 out of 10“

3. Jonathan Saunders. Cotton fairisle sweater. £315.00
RMW says “What even is that? – 3 out of 10

4. Jil Sander. Star burst wool jumper. £1035.00
RMW says “Did someones Nan knit this? so bad it’s almost COOL – 5 out of 10“

5. Chinti and Parke. Star motif cashmere Sweater. £350.00
RMW says “Wish upon a Star – 10 out of 10“

6. Markus Lupfer. Sequin reindeer motifs jumper. £300.00
RMW says “Xmas Glitteratti – 8 out of 10“

For Everyone Else…

Have you put your Christmas card list together yet? If you fancy doing something a little bit different this year, why not send you loved ones a card that will certainly stand proud on the mantelpiece.

These hand made cards, dreamt up and created by the very talented paper cutter Tom Gautier-Ollerenshaw are designed to be sent flat packed to your nearest and dearest, who will then have the challenge and reward of building their own christmas tree!

These crafty cards will only be available in very limited quantities and if you would like more information please visit Toms Facebook page or drop her an email.

I hope this afternoon we have given you a few festive idea’s, have you found yourself any Christmas bargains yet?

Make sure you drop us a note and tell us which christmas jumper is your favourite, apparently Father Christmas is an avid reader of Rock My Wedding, so now is your chance to let him know what you’d like to find in your stocking on Christmas morning…

Have a great weekend peeps,

Adam.

And although for the most part your day being controlled by commitments and duties is unavoidable, I have been thinking that it would be beneficial to make a real effort and get bit of “Me” time back, even if it’s just for an hour or so a week. Because I don’t know about you gorgeous lot, but there are occasions where my head is so full of “stuff” I can hardly think, let alone write a decent blog post.

And I bet that there are many of you that would kill for just five minutes to get away from everything W-day….right?

So this afternoon I’m going to share a few things I like to do and I’m going to set a goal for myself to do them ALL before 2012 and I would love it if you could share your favourite “me time” moments too.

Trying Out New Hairstyles

As I’ve probably mentioned before, I’m not very skilled at hair-do’s however, I did used to try new things every now and then, I also find that discovering a “new way to wear it” prevents me from longing for a could-be-dangerous drastic cut….

I found this side braid with plait on A Beautiful Mess blog the other day and I am going to attempt to have a go myself (maybe even for drinks tonight – wish me luck!)

You can see the whole tutorial here lovelies… (and has anyone tried to do a fishtail plait yet?!)

Talking On The Telephone

Yep. Actually talking, rather than just emailing or texting or sending Facebook messages….

What happened to actually hearing someones voice? I’ve missed it. And so lately I’ve been ringing people. Lots of them, friends, family, work collegues…because I’ve missed the sound of laughter. You know?

And just incase Santa is in fact reading RMW I would very much like one of these down my chimney please:

This grey retro number is from The Old Cinema. And if you haven’t visited this (original) vintage home furnishings site yet I strongly suggest you DON’T . And whatever you do don’t EVER sign up for their weekly updates…. it will be credit card suicide.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you people.

Words That Get Under My Skin

As a blogger I guess it’s no great secret that words are my “thing”, I studied both English Literature and English Language for A-level and one of Mr O’Shea’s pet names for me is “book worm” (I like to think this is a term of endearment referencing the fact I am a voracious reader rather than any resemblence I may bear to a type of invertebrate).

Books make me happy. They are my escapism, the foundation of my creativity and without sounding melodramatic, often my one true salvation. When we have confirmed a holiday it’s not the sunshine I look forward to the most, it’s the opportunity to become completely absorbed in really beautifully written prose.

I have many books in my “must read” list. Many. But there are only a handful that I have read more than once, and that for one reason or another I think about for months, sometimes years after I have finished the final chapter.

One of those books is Taming The Beast by Emily Maguire. I picked it up one Sunday afternoon whilst browsing the shelves of Borders purely by chance and have since only lent it to those who I think can handle the topics that are evident throughout, obsession, delusion, abandonment and ultimately the blurred line between lust, love and desire. This is no teenage angst ridden Twilight-esque fairytale, neither is it a Jilly Cooper style romp. Taming The Beast is raw, brutal, unapologetic and one of the most un-putdownable books I have ever had the pleasure of becoming completely and utterly lost in.

Should you fancy a butchers you can purchase Taming The Beast off of Amazon.

And as well as sharing your ideal “me moments” any must-reads would be much appreciated too. I will be making a special trip to the huge city centre Waterstones this weekend in a bid to fulfil my self made promises.

Have a perfect weekend RMWers.

Big I Also Like Wallowing In A Long Hot Bath Love

Charlotte xxx