It is no secret that we are loving a bit of yellow at Rock My Wedding at present, so when we heard details of the Miss Bush Bridal fashion premiere, styled shoot and catwalk show we were unsure what to get most excited about.
Was it the promise of an exclusive peek at the new range from New York based Bridal Designers JLM Couture? Or the fact that this NYC inspired fashion decor and design extravaganza was to take its colour inspiration from one of New York City’s most bold and striking visual icons…
The Shoot
And so the Miss Bush Bridal Trunk Show, brain child of boutique owner Emma Meek, kicked off with a super stylised shoot in the afternoon. Thus providing you lucky people out in blogland a first chance to see the new JLM Couture range, presented here by a Park Avenue princess, a Tribeca girl and a New York City ‘boy’.
Emma Meek: When thinking through the plans for the JLM Couture weekend the New York theme would not leave my head. I have been obsessing about little else for months. The first decision I came with was to hire a New York taxi to park outside the shop. Short of making a giant Statue of Liberty I could think of no more iconic image of New York than a chequer cab.
It’s an interesting twist to cast a girl as the groom. It hints toward a side of the city that perhaps not everyone would see. There is a nod toward the suited and booted Wall Street but here the genders are being played with, perhaps also with references to the sexual ambiguity of Studio 54.
There is of course an undeniable reference to civil partnership. The Miss Bush Bridal shoot is not afraid to address issues of modern life and yet avoids the pitfalls of either being ham fisted or treading on eggshells.
This really was a beautiful shoot, the photography by Juliet McKee assisted by Debbie Gagliano Withers is stunning – all of the floral details in that full on Boho crown of flowers are just leaping out of the screen at me.
And what would make a more American finale to this super sized feast of pretty than an Airstream motorhome.
Route 66 is calling me.
The Models Jade (boho flower bride), Jeni (the groom) and Ellie
The Dresses Jade | Tara Keely Style 2052. Ellie | Jim Hejlm Blush Style 1156 at JLM Couture
Caridan H&M
Yellow Sash Miss Bush Bridal
Menswear Hugh Harris
Hat ASOS
Brogue Ankle Boots Office
Photography Juliet McKee Photography
Styling Miss Bush Bridal
Dresses JLM Couture
Flowers Bloomingayles
Taxi RR Elite
Hair Sharon Roberts
Make-up Carolanne Armstrong
The Show
It struck me that Emma Meek from Miss Bush Bridal had put her yankee doodle everything into the mornings styled shoot and in doing so had set the bar too high for the rest of the day’s activities to be able to compete.
I was so wrong.
Just like a bottomless coffee from Central Perk – Emma kept delivering the good stuff.
Rock My Wedding arrived at the Miss Bush Bridal boutique, Surrey in the early springtime evening to find the NYC taxi from the shoot parked brashly outside, hinting not-too-subtly at what lay in store for us inside.
The modestly proportioned boutique had been totally transformed into a Mecca of NYC inspired wedding decor, design, florals and general pretty.
A dress created by Javier Salvador from By Appointment Only, made out of a single copy of The New York Times was not only a centrepiece but also a masterpiece and certainly one of the many worthy talking points of the evening.
Emma placed her vision in the safe hands of stylist Lisa Baker from Just Bespoke.
Emma Meek: Lisa took my Park Avenue princess and Greenwich Village girl concepts and delivered themed rooms – based on the 5th Avenue and Tribeca areas of New York. One very sleek and pastel the other a more ‘in your face’ interpretation of the black/yellow grey theme.
The catwalk show promised to be the highlight of the evening and this was certainly the case. Perhaps with the cocktail bar provided by Shaken And Stirred coming a very close second.
The JLM Couture range, with it’s New York heritage makes it instantly desirable, and with a pricing point between £1500 and £2000 the range is aspirational but not completely beyond the reach of us mere mortals.
Emma Meek: Provenance – the source of dress production – has become increasingly important to my customers. Whilst Chinese production is fantastic particularly for beaded dresses, delivery times are slowing and there is a tendency for many dresses to look the same. JLM’s New York design and production has kept their collections and looks in step with A list labels like Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta. Their designs reflect the glamour of NYC and the inspirational wedding styling seen on US style blogs.
After some discussion, Charlotte and I agreed that our favourite dress from the range was Tara Keely 2210. Firstly, Charlotte was like a child at Christmas as the model approached us and she spotted a flash of yellow shoe through the slightly transparent layers of tulle.
The deal was sealed for both of us and first place firmly awarded when later we learnt that the tulle aspect of the dress was completely removable, transforming the gown into a slinky dress suitable for dancing the night away without the risk of being stepped upon.
Emma Meek: Miss Bush have been stocking JLM Couture since last July. Initially the plan was to buy bridesmaids dresses from their Lazaro and Alvina Valenta ranges but my head was turned by the Blush and Tara Keely wedding dress collections too.
The range really is worth experiencing yourself – as Emma has said these dresses really do evoke the style and appeal that you would normally associate with the designer US brands, so it’s really good to know that dresses of this quality, and the same stateside heritage are available in the UK at a more modest price point.
Yep, there we are, with our good friends Miranda and Peta from You And Your Wedding. Perfectly sandwiched between the sweet table and the bar. I can heartily recommend the Manhattan by the way… Check me out, I am so Sex And The City.
As well as dress eye candy – the Miss Bush Bridal Trunk Show has delivered tons of city chic themed inspiration, I am a particular fan of all the laser cut stationery that was created by the aptly named Cutture. Not to mention the skill and imagination that went into creating the seriously cool florals.
Emma worked closely with Gayle from bloomingayles to achieve her vision and Gayle totally blooming nailed it. If you like her floral style you may want to check out Gayle’s inspiration board for the event over on Pinterest.
Venue Miss Bush Bridal
Styling Just Bespoke
Photography Juliet McKee Photography
Music Matt Maurice Event Music
Cocktails Shaken & Stirred
Flowers Bloomingayles
Cake Janet Mohapi-Banks
Sweet Buffet Creative Candi
Stationery Astrid Mueller (Tribeca Tablescape and Cake topper)
Stationery Cutture (5th Avenue Tablescape)
Catwalk Hair and Make-up In Parlour
Pinwheel bouquet Ribbons & Tulle and Faerie Wishes
Cookies and Cupcakes Naughty but Yummy
Music Matt Maurice Event Music
Lighting, draping, carpet and chairs Stressfree Hire
Teacups Idyllic Days
So, which is your favourite Dress from this new collection? Do share your thoughts in our comments box… Maybe it’s the one made out of paper?
That could be a whole new trend actually – although I get the feeling that it may be more suited to the climate stateside. In New York you might just be able to rock the paper frock. In the UK there is always that danger of looking like a soggy bag of chips…
Thanks To Emma Meek from Miss Bush Bridal for giving Rock My Wedding an exclusive look at the JLM Couture range and for generally being the hostess with the mostess.
Adam.
that paper dress is certainly cool, i imagine the fear of rain might put off some brides though
looking fab as always guys and i love the yellow and black colour scheme!
I’m so gutted I couldn’t make it – it looks like a brilliant event! Loving the Tara Keeley 2012 gown, that’s my fave, especially with the big black bow. The the styling is fab too and loving Gayles flowers.
Twas a rather lovely evening.
Thank you!
Ok so I would never have thought of black and yellow as a scheme before but it looks amazing here! that New York laser stationery is some of the best I’ve seen too (too late to change absolutely everything I have planned for my wedding?!)
Wow, it all looks amazing! Such fab inspiration.
FYI Miss Bush Bridal is by far the best bridal boutique I came across in my search for my dress, we had a lovely chat about RMW singing its praises
)
Stunning images, beautiful styling, gorgeous dresses, make up hair & a yellow cab, this really has everything – love it!
I have yellow shoes
I don’t have a dress that transforms into a different dress though?! I obviously need one!
Love all of the flower arrangements and of course the yellow! X
Thanks for the feedback – we had fun getting obsessed with NYC. Thanks for the praise – am really pleased you enjoyed yourself! x
Loving the yellow theme! Makes a refreshing change from the usual colours. I bought some cute shoes for my niece the other days and they come in yellow – perfect for a little flower girl! http://tworedtrees.co.uk/product/167/buttercup-yellow-cotton-shoes-with-cute-daisy-detail–size-3-6-months
@Sarah – Black and Yellow all the way! – or of course you could soften it ever so slightly with a grey and yellow theme. And yes the Cutture Stationery, as true New Yorkers would say is the bomb.
@Maddy – your £10.00 cheque from Emma is in the post
@Louise – the dress really does go through a transformation – check out this link to JLM and click on the alternative views.
Another yellow fan here! the shoot is gorgeous and I am very tempted to buy a yellow cardigan for evening..
Anyone know where I can borrow a New York taxi as a prop?
Well hellooooooo Tara Keeley 2210. What a ruddy gorgeous creation!
I am loving this shoot/coolection/trunk show! *goes outside to pick yellow blooms for a headpiece*
@Faye – do it do it dot! The Bush Bridal cab came from RR Elite
@MrA-to-be – I don’t blame you, it’s the perfect day for it. And yep – that Tara Keeley 2210 dress frocking rocks… Can I get away with that?
That McKee is a good photography egg, love the photography and the paper pimp in me loves the newspaper dress. It all looks stunning!
I just wanted to add my 2p’s worth.
I was seriously impressed by this event. As you can imagine we get invited to a lot and there is no way on earth we could attend them all, plus if we do make the effort to galavant half way across the UK we want to make sure it is worthwhile from a reader perspective too – as in, there has to be content that will inspire you.
Who wants to see a zillion pictures of Adam and I quaffing cocktails with X, Y and Z? you want to see the PRETTY – and this has it by the bucketload.
Not only was the fashion different/new to the UK but the styling really was contemporary, unique and accessible. Who knew yellow and black could look so feminine?
The atmosphere was lovely too – very friendly and intimate without being stuffy.
And although I am sadly no longer a planning bride Miss Bush Bridal really was a boutique that I would love to visit with my best girls.
Charlotte xxx
I love this, there are so many elements I would steal for my own wedding design..if I wasn’t already married, like.
Aces.
Xx
Looking at blogs for inspiration for my friends wedding. WOW is all I can say. What a fab idea with the NY theme and yet so classy.
Oh MAN, where do I start with my lists of love here. Well, I love the brunette bride’s flowers in her hair from the shoot and her yellow cardy and I love the flowers on the table and the table plan – immense! And I love the biscuits but they’re making me feel hungry.
Summary: love.
Stunning stuff.
Just back from a weekend in NYC myself, and there is inspiration everywhere in that city!
Yellow cardy lovers – it was a mere £7.99 from H&M – you could get one for all your bridesmaids! So pleased to have great feedback – the team were amazing! x
@ Joanne – great point… If you got invited to an NYC themed wedding you may well have reservations on how classy the event was going to be. I think Emma Meek, Just Bespoke and all the suppliers used in today’s shoot/event have shown how it can be done just perfectly.
Adam.
Oooooh, I have been soooo desperate to see this shoot/event! I bought my Jim Hjelm Blush wedding dress from Emma at Miss Bush Bridal in November. Two weeks to go til wedding day number one and I cannot wait to wear it! The quality of the heavy lace is simply amazing, and it’s a sort of sexy and glam look that feels very New York, that I completely fell in love with and was like nothing else I had seen. Emma was a star. When I told her I had a week to buy a wedding dress before I had to fly back to Argentina, where I live (location of wedding number one), she didn’t bat an eyelid, just started pulling out amazing dresses for me to try. Thanks to her incredible good taste, it took me about twenty minutes to find The One. I can’t recommend her and her boutique highly enough. Look how fricking cool she is!
Thanks for sharing this amazing event, it has made me so smiley about my dress on a very stressy day of last minute prep!!
You have to love a bit of yellow & black (and signature Miss Bush colours, no!?). Really well put together both the shoot and the event, so modern and fun – just wish I’d been there to soak it up! Rather fond of the tulle dresses too… Well done Miss Bush et al!
Emma Meek- my bridal idol! Looks so fab!
also.. um, hello to the 2 in 1 dress.. just looked it up! That is pretty fabulous.
Lovely Helen – I am so looking forward to your wedding photos with the most romantic story attached (Charlotte and Adam ought to fight me for blogging rights.)
Charley Beard – stop having birthdays that coincide with my parties!
Luci – shucks – thanks xxx
Cracking photos – the girls look amazing, love love love the yellow. Its great how it looks bright and airy and edgy at the same time.
It should have been no surprise to me, having worked with the Miss Bush team before, that Friday night was going to be nothing short of inspired. And yet, as we hurtled down to Ripley I certainly had reservations about how a pretty little 16th century boutique would be transformed into a sophisticated catwalk akin to a NY fashion house.
I shouldn’t have worried; it was actually amazing. Emma had applied the same rigour to imagining the event as she does to ensuring that every single bride who walks through Miss Bush’s door gets sublime service and access to jaw-droppingly good frocks. The work of Lisa and Gayle utterly transformed the Bush into an NY playground of beautifully styled and scented proportions.
And now that I’ve seen the images from the photo shoot in addition to those wonderful gowns sashaying through the catwalk, I am totally smitten.
Blown away. Such an amazing collaboration, truly inspirational. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous, such attention to deal, I need to re read a few times to take in everything!
Utterly gorgeous!! Loving the colours together and the photos.
Thank you so much Adam and Charlotte for sharing this special day and the resulting images with your readers. Such a brilliant team effort, and the results speak for themselves. I hope your real brides will get plenty of ideas!
What an amazing team! Beautiful styling and photography. The shots with the cab are amazing and the yellow really pops out at you. Beautiful!
Beautiful shoot. Loving the NYC theme, feels like home!
This is probably the only yellow/black/white inspiration shoot I’ve actually liked – I’m not sure if its the quality or that I’m easily won over by attractive women in suits.
I can only repeat what Emma and Juliet have already said – thank you to Adam and Charlotte for sharing the event with your readers. It was a massive team effort and it is so rewarding to see the images and all of the lovely comments. Hope everyone enjoys it!
I’m so sad I missed what was certainly an awesome event! Emma’s creative vision and the talent of everyone involved is so inspiring! I LOVE the theme, and how all the little details come together. Huge credit for using a female groom too. Stunning images by Juliet as always, well done to a fab team xo
Love love love the styling and the colour palette is just gorgeous. Well done Lisa and the rest of the team! x
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Everything about the shoot, catwalk show and cocktail party is so classy, stylish and funky! So much inspiration from some amazing wedding suppliers! What a treat for real brides to feast on!
It all looks so perfectly stunning, I’m just sad I couldn’t be there to experience it! xxx
Can I just say being the florist for this event how much I LOVE Emma and the Miss Bush girls…Ladies if you haven’t got your frock yet there’s no other place to go! I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else. Emma is an absolute fountain of knowledge and there are such an unbounded modicum of other reasons that I adore her so. She is a creative mind that I feel so akin to and this event although pushed me to my limits of sanity, was an absolute joy to be a part of. Yellow is the way to go ladies
Thank you Charlotte and Adam for featuring it I’m ever so proud! xx
Thank you for the credit – it was a beautiful, stylish and creative event to be involved with and the attention to detail by Emma and her team was second to none. The dresses, amazing fresh flower hair decorations, tablescapes, bouquets and posies, pom poms, catwalk display, calligraphy, stationery, furniture and lighting all featured the signature colours of yellow, grey and black. Music followed the theme with every single track featuring New York – no mean feat for Matt Maurice. Cocktails were all New York themed and the New York taxi was the icing on the cake!
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