McBride Wedding Photographs

Hot Hot Hot

This was my first ever wedding on my own.  I had been an assistant before, but this was the first with me in full responsibility.  Fortunately the bride was one of my closest friends, Claire Wilson, a work colleague at ITV, and I had met her groom Ben McBride on a couple of occasions previously and he was lovely.

The ceremony and reception was held at one venue, a Village Hotel in Nottingham.  Claire’s sister, Nicola Wilson, is a wedding co-ordinator for the chain so they were in excellent hands.  The hen party was also arranged by Nicola at a Village Hotel near Manchester and we had a riot that day also.

The weather was staggering, in fact it was the hottest day of the year.  Poor Claire in her gorgeous Maggie Sottero ‘Riley’ dress, suffered the swealtering heat without losing her ‘cool’ or huge smile all day.

We took the bride and groom to a nature reserve that was just around the corner, for their intimate newlywed shots, and returned to the hotel for group shots.  We nailed the majority of the group shots on time but there were additional’s that were not on the list that sneaked in, so we had to break for dinner.  Valuable lesson learnt, group photo’s and alcohol to not mix, it took an age and the light changed dramatically.  That being said, the couple were happy as we were accommodating additional requests on the shoot, and ultimately their happiness was the priority.

The result were some really energetic, fun looking pictures, which is exactly who Claire is.  I cannot thank Claire enough for allowing me to do my first ever solo project for her special day, and her and Ben have both become fond friends of Rob and I.

The McBride’s were recently blessed with the arrival of a baby daughter Amelia Grace, a gorgeous tiny raven beauty, so congratulations to them.


Album Selection

Clare x

Liam Frost new video 'Good Things Are Coming Our Way'

Good Friday was for me a day with my Mum sorting wedding budgets and to do lists, Rob however was busying himself in Stockport at the Garrick Theatre as 1stAD to Duck Duck Moose and Son's Stu Gillies on the production of Liam Frost's new music video.  The single is due to be released 3rd May, but you can watch the video on youtube right now!

The video was filmed in one continuous shot using new technology Red Cameras, don't ask me what they do, I just have it on good authority for those in the know, that they are quite fantastic.  You will see Rob's short clad legs climbing a step ladder, but this is not about him, it is a big fat well done to Stu and his partner Joe.  Let's wish them huge success, may it go supersonic for them, and of course to Liam too.

Clare x

Graphic/Web Design - Year 1

This was a Graphic Design module, the item we were to design was a website.  I had just started working on my friend's site so this was a perfect project for me.

Portfolio at Uni, will get it up on here as soon as I get it back!

Final Mark: 82 = First

Wedding Websites

 My Wedding Website (pictured)

One of the first things I did after becoming betrothed, was to create our wedding website.

Aside from a small number of our wedding party, the guests are all online.  Everything I do is online, until recently I paid for my dance lessons online, I order my groceries from Tesco.com, my clothes from fashion websites, my hosiery from Sockshop.co.uk, music iTunes, DVD’s Play.com, books Amazon.com, flowers Interflora.com or bunches.com, hair products HQHair.com, the list is endless but I think you probably get the picture.

Anytime I need to check for information I use the internet, checking my bank balance, looking for directions, opening times and so on.

So, where best to allow our guests to obtain all information regarding the big day?  Of course, the traditional invitation pack, with all the directions printed, the menus, the RSVP card, the gist list etc.  Well much as this is lovely, I have 400 guests to invite and I’m not only an eco-sympathiser, I am also a spendaphobic.  And if truth be told, once I have stuck the save the date card to the notice board in the kitchen, I will lose all the other information, the vital postcode, dress code, gift list etc.  It is not intentional or sloppy, I am just very busy, like most people living in 2010.  

With a website people have always got a source to check upon, at any time from almost anywhere, without the embarrassment of guests putting an emergency call into the wedding party en-route (usually running late) to the ceremony. I have been so specific with details that I do not think I have missed anything of any importance (please feel free to correct me here).

Not all electronic invitations are successful, often emails can filter into spam, facebook group invites often go unnoticed (so guilt of that also) and the arrival of the printed or handwritten hand crafted or professionally produced card through the letterbox is terribly exciting.  So we made a compromise.  

Vistaprint offer an incredible service at very reasonable rates.  The Holland based company has a vast array of designs, or you can create your own design, as we did.  They will print your image in most formats.  We selected postcards for invitations to the full ceremony and party and business cards for evening invitations.  The quality is very good and the turnaround is excellent.

The invitations direct guests to the website for all information, with downloads available to print for those who feel secure holding a document.  And for those without access to a computer there is my telephone number printed, and they can request an information pack to be posted.

Guests leave comments, make enquiries and R.S.V.P via the website.  These all come to me electronically, allowing me to process in my efficient, slightly obsessive little way.

The design reflects the event, I wanted guests to get a feeling for the occasion from the outset.  I chose the colour theme for the site, green for the grass in the field, white for the tent, and we carried that through to the invitations and even the wedding party dress.

Designs, themes and schemes vary from wedding to wedding as they do from project to project.  

Those who desire a more romantic feel may want flowers or scrolls, others may want their site to reflect their own personalities or tastes so I would incorporate their specifications and tailor it to them.

If my designs are not to your taste, there are many web design companies who would create a bespoke package for you.  I have a number of contacts with graphic designers and animation specialists that I could refer on.  Feel free to enquire email: clarewaterfall@googlemail.com or twitter.com/clarewaterfall

Clare x

Wedding Suppliers

Wedding List to date…

Had an exciting appointment yesterday at Hyndburn Council office, the registrar for Rossendale, a lovely warm lady, took all our details to give notice of our intention to marry. The notice will be posted at Preston Town Hall, and so long as no-one has any legal objection we will be issued with authority to marry.

That being sorted we were able to book the legal marriage bit at Bury Register Office. We will marry on the Monday following the Humanist ceremony at my parents. We chose Bury as this was where Rob’s parents Chris and Bernard married, we plan to stage a photograph to do an homage of their wedding photo, we are sentimental old souls.

So lots of plans have been created and some fulfilled, although the venue is far from ready, and I only have one more school holiday left before breaking for summer, yikes.

I’d like to share some wonderful resources and suppliers that have helped inspire me and realise my vision.

www.rocknrollbride.com awesome inspiration for all things wedding, but also for some brain and soul food, look at all the gorgeous pictures, cakes, clothes, jewellery, flowers and locations from some of the world's most creative people and amazing places.

Vivienne of Holloway Tabatha introduced me to this fabulous designer, gorgeous swing dresses, sarongs and bombshell get up and cute accessories.

Betsey Johnson ooooooh shoes! Also accessories, undies, jewellery and handbags

Iron Fist if I was not a fan of shoes before, I certainly am now, quite possibly some of the most exciting shoes I have ever seen, other than those on Jem and the Holograms or the Misfits

I cannot show my wedding dress at this stage but I can say that it is designed by the fabulous Maggie Sottero, a design I fell in love with when searching for Mrs McBride's dress. The lovely Lynne at Maria Modes in Macclesfield is sourcing mine!

I came across Deborah Boyle's work accidentally by flicking through a friend's facebook pics, Deborah had painted Chris and Fran's wedding portrait. When you see the picture I think you'll agree she is a most talented woman!

Mmmmmmmm cake...... The beautiful Amy D from CC Cakes will be creating our special cake. CC Cakes have been supplying wedding cakes to the Royal Family since 1963 and I have sampled Amy's talents at many a Queen/ Crilly event so I know we are in good hands.

Other suppliers to date are the ever dependable Vista Print for the stationary and signage, Marshall Ward who supplied the Teatro bridesmaid dresses and Debenhams designers for the flower girls dresses (although I got them from ebay!!)

The Crazy Hog have been super efficient dealing with my enquiry right from the initial email putting feelers out. They are supplying a hog roast for wedding breakfast, ‘yum yum pigs bum’, and back, and belly.

The exact chairs I was looking for were available for hire. The chairs are for the blessing and general seating, these have been ordered with Dale Event Hire.

Ring, let's not forget the ring, I found my wedding ring at Green & Benz in Manchester, I am not a fan of fussy jewelry but wanted something other than the standard band, the selection here is great.

And finally as mentioned in a previous post, there are more ideas and lovely things to fawn over at weddingobsession.com

There will be much more to come in the forthcoming weeks. I plan to have it nailed by the end of May so I can spend June concentrating on my bridal beauty regime with the help of beauty therapist and good friend Claire Gill at Kaya in Ramsbottom Tel: 01706 825009, the wonderful half woman half machine Stacey Elder who will be whipping me into shape.

Next on the agenda, portable gas ovens for heating the evening bounty and cutting cloth triangles for the bunting, at 700ft long, this is going to take some time.

Clare x