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Jamie and Kirstie
Posted on March 8, 2010
Jamie and Kirstie had their pre-wedding shoot last Sunday. Kirstie was keen for snow for the shoot but as I set off from home I wasn’t very hopeful. However, when I arrived at their chosen location I realised I need not have worried.
More to follow.
Interview with designer dressmaker, Mette Baillie
Posted on February 1, 2010
This month award-winning Mette Baillie of Edinburgh-based Freja Designer Dressmaking tells us all about her business, and has a special offer for McBeth Photography customers:
1. You’ve been designing wedding gowns for ten years. What changes have you seen in that time?
I feel people are becoming more adventurous and individual. When you look at wedding pictures from 15 years ago you can say exactly what year they got married; there was one style with a few variations for that year, or couple of years. Today, it’s much more individual. Brides take inspiration from different historical periods, or another theme to influence their wedding dress, and they try to get this theme to tie in with the whole wedding.
2. How would you describe your designs?
I try to get to know the bride and her ideas about her wedding, and then I try to understand how she feels about her body. I always think it is my most important job to make the best dress for that bride, not for any bride that season. My designs also depends on what fabric the bride likes … I love to mix heavy, light, floaty with stiff, see-through with opaque … all of this is what gives my dresses a lot of detail, rather than a lot of added on extras. A lot of people don’t quite understand the service we offer till they have tried it as it is such a different way of buying clothes. When I make a dress for you, you are part of the process of developing the garment, from using fairtrade silks to getting it to fit to the last millimetre. It is very different to when you buy a wedding dress or bridesmaid dress or mother of the bride outfit in the shops. Hardly any companies have production in the UK any longer, so you may want to consider the fact that your wedding garments could be made in a sweat shop in the Far East. I obviously feel it is both the most environmentally-friendly and the most conscientious choice for the modern bride.
3. What is the price range of your wedding gowns?
My dresses come in a lot of different price ranges, because I work with such individual styles. I have made a lovely simple linen dress for a beach wedding, so that would never be very pricey. However the average price for a wedding dress is probably around £1500.
4. What is the most important advice you can you give brides when selecting their wedding dress?
Use the information you have from every-day dressing e.g. if you do not like to have your arms uncovered, do not chose strapless. If you have a special need for certain underwear, then that should be taken into consideration. Other than that I think it is important that you make the most of your figure as it is. If you have bigger hips, try and have some detail on your upper body to draw the eyes to your best features. And then celebrate your best features, don’t get hung up about what you would like to change about yourself.
5. Have you ever designed for anyone famous?
I have a lot of famous people on my books, more so as regular clients, but I have confidentiality agreement with those people!
6. Please tell us a little about yourself, your background and how you developed your business.
I trained as a fashion designer in Denmark. My degree is in haute couture, so it’s about making one of each garment rather than thousands of each style. I worked for a small fashion house in Copenhagen after my graduation and then I worked as a pattern cutter for Marks & Spencer ladies wear. This was when I decided I wanted to set up my own business, making individually tailored designs. I set up ten years ago, which was part-time in the beginning and I was working from home. It was a challenging time … I worked a lot of hours and I had dresses stored all over my tiny flat. Then I got premises in 164 Dundas Street in Edinburgh, and soon the business grew. I now have three employees. We make a lot of wedding dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses, mother of the bride and groom outfits.
7. You recently won the 2009 VOWS award for bridal dress design. Please tell us about your award.
I won the VOWS 2009 and it was a great achievement. We are by far the smallest company in the category, but this means we can keep very close contact to the bride and the whole bridal party and I think that has helped. The VOWS goes into so many aspects of the business, such as concern for the environment, the staff, and the general procedures of having a dress made. However most of all, it is about the service we give to the brides, and the brides of 2009 said we were the best. So it is a great honour that they all took the time out to fill in the form and say that.
8. Do you have any interesting anecdotes from your years as a wedding dress designer?
I have a lovely story from a wedding in 2009 where I had promised to come and help the whole bridal party get ready on the day. When everyone else had gone to the church, I was left with the bride and her father and it started to rain heavily. It was pretty stressful to help the bride into the car without getting her covered in mud, but we managed it and the car drove off. Then I turned around and saw that her flowers were still sitting on the front step! So I jumped in the car and drove very fast to the church, parked badly and ran up the path. I reached the church door just as the bride was about to walk in, and I passed her the flowers. The gratitude in her face was worth it all. She had a wonderful day, and it was lovely to have participated in making it so special.
Next Steps
In addition to wedding attire, Mette designs evening dresses, formal suits, holiday wardrobes etc. Want to know more? Mette can be contacted on 0131 556 5407 or by emailing enquiries@freja-fashion.co.uk or visit her website at www.freja-fashion.co.uk. Appointments can be made to visit Mette’s workshop at 164 Dundas Street, Edinburgh.
Special Offer!
Place your order with Mette before 1st March 2010 to receive a 10% discount! You will need to quote McBeth Photography.
Wedding Shows Spring 2010
Posted on January 22, 2010
We had a fun day at the Bollywood Asian Wedding Show on 17th January. The Show was held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa in Edinburgh and included wonderful food, fashion shows and Bollywood dancing. We had a great day meeting lots of new people. As one of Scotland’s finest hotels, the Sheraton provided an impressive setting for the Show. If you’d like to discuss the possibilities of this venue for your wedding, contact their Events Department.
Our next wedding event is Thee Wedding Show, which will take place on 20th and 21st March at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. We’ll have sample albums for you to view and we’ll be running a special offer for Show visitors, so pop the date in your diary now.
First Wedding of 2010
Posted on January 17, 2010
Just back from London where I was covering the wedding of Rich and Eve. The weather was terrible but the day and the occasion was just fantastic. The ceremony took place in the stunning (though very dark) St James the Less church after which the guests boarded a river boat for a trip up the Thames for the reception at the beautiful Fulham Palace.
The whole day was great fun and both Eve & Rich were a joy to photograph. We wish them a very happy and long life together.
Below is an image from their pre wedding shoot. Will hopefully show some shots from the wedding once they have had a chance to see them.
Asian Wedding Show, 17th January 2010
Posted on January 15, 2010
Come along to the Asian Wedding Show Scotland this Sunday, 17th January. We’ll be exhibiting at the beautiful Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh. Entry to the Show is free and the day will include:
- Fabulous fashion shows
- Dance shows with international Bollywood dancers
- Entry into a prize draw
- Food and refreshments.
Come along for a chat about our wedding photography service and to see our sample albums. We’ll also be launching a wedding photography special offer to Show visitors. Looking forward to seeing you!
Snowy Borders
Posted on January 3, 2010
I managed to get out in the snow today with something other than a camera-phone. What with Christmas and all, there just hasn’t been time. Seems we have had snow here every day for about two weeks and the novelty is starting to wear off. I had to clear more than a foot of the stuff off the roof of my car.
Anyway, I took a spin up to a place nearby called Scott’s View. It was apparently Sir Walter Scott’s favourite view of the Borders countryside and shows the splendid Eildon Hills.
Thanks & Happy New Year
Posted on December 31, 2009
2009 has been a busy year for McBeth Photography and we would like to thank all the people who have helped us grow. Special thanks goes to all the lovely couples who chose us to capture their weddings. It was most definitely my pleasure.
My favourite shot of 2009 isn’t from a wedding; it isn’t even a photograph I was paid to take. It’s this one.
It’s a photograph of the moment my life changed forever, my little darling Esme at about 5 minutes old. So special thanks must also go to my beautiful wife Jess for giving me a daughter and who without her hard work and amazing organisational skills McBeth Photography would not exist.
Happy New Year everyone xxx.
Last Shoot of 2009
Posted on December 31, 2009
Tuesday brought me the last photoshoot of the noughties. It was the engagement shoot of Matteo and Sarah in the wonderful surroundings of Sarah’s family farm in the Borders. It was a bitterly cold day but beautiful with ice and snow all around. Matteo and Sarah are getting married in the summer and I am hoping the weather will be at least a bit warmer that day.
Win Neal’s Yard Remedies products worth £50!
Posted on December 28, 2009
Fancy winning a set of Neal’s Yard Remedies products, such as the wonderfully scented Geranium and Orange hand lotion? We have a basket of these organic products worth £50 to give away.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is complete our survey about your priorities when looking for a wedding photographer. We’re interested to hear from people who have already booked their photographer as well as those who haven’t decided yet. Click here to take survey and to read the terms and conditions of the draw. More information about Neal’s Yard Remedies products is available here.
Interview with Corrine Smith of Corrine Smith Design
Posted on December 18, 2009
This month VOWS award winner Corrine Smith of Corrine Smith Design answers our questions about her couture bridal accessories business.
1) Corrine, what are the current looks for bridal accessories?
As well as providing my current collection of accessories I love to create bespoke designs for my brides based on their own ideas. This year I have seen an increase in demand for vintage inspired accessories which I absolutely love. Birdcage veils are also making a comeback, and I have designed quite a few in recent moths with a modern twist. One of the current trends in bridal gowns seems to be one-shoulder designs, which look fabulous with an asymmetrical hairband or tiara set to the opposite side. Of course there will always be a huge demand for the traditional style tiara which will never go out of fashion, and which many brides favour.
2) What is the most important advice you can you give brides when selecting jewellery to suit their bridal attire?
When choosing your accessories, it is helpful to consider the following:
Bridal Gown Neckline: V-neck and sweetheart necklines lend themselves well to pendants and drop style necklaces. While most necklace styles will compliment a strapless dress, it is best to avoid chokers and very ornate necklaces if the bodice of your dress is heavily beaded or if you are having a very detailed statement headpiece.
Detailing: Consider the beading and/or embroidery detail on your dress. It is possible to have this incorporated into your accessories.
Face shape: Round shaped faces are complimented by high tiaras or tiaras that come to a point at the centre, thus giving the illusion of height. Long faces are more suited to tiaras that have less height or perhaps a headband style. Most style tiaras will suit if you have an oval shaped face.
Hairstyle: It is also important to consider your hairstyle when choosing a tiara. Most tiara styles are suitable for a high up-do or hair half-up half-down where there is plenty of volume to the hair. Shallow tiaras and headbands are more suitable for hair down or very sleek hairstyles. Side tiaras, combs and hairpins will work with most hairstyles.
Having said all of this, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the accessories that you have chosen for your big day. My idea of the perfect outfit is that onlookers will say “you look beautiful” rather that “that’s a gorgeous dress” or “that’s a really sparkly tiara”. In my opinion it is important to get the balance ‘just right’. I am always happy to offer advice to any brides who are unsure which accessories will compliment their wedding gown.
3) For someone looking for unique, individual pieces, please talk us through the process of creating bespoke accessories.
If brides are within travelling distance to Kilmarnock I would suggest contacting me to arrange a personal consultation, however brides from further afield have worked through the process with me via e-mail and phone. I do find that it really helps if I can meet with my brides or speak with them personally to get to know them and get a feel for their individual style and likes/dislikes.
In the first instance I like to have a detailed look at the wedding gown and idea of hairstyle, as the dress style and detailing can have a huge impact on the type of accessories that are suitable.
I will then work with the bride’s ideas and help to create the perfect accessories taking into account all of the styling advice detailed above. I will provide sketches if required, and there is no time limit on the process as my aim is to provide each and every bride with the perfect accessories that she will cherish for a lifetime.
4) Please tell us a little about yourself, your background and your business.
On leaving school I studied European business law at university and went on to have a career in the civil service, although I always had an underlying passion for all things related to craft and design. After struggling to find reasonably priced quality accessories for my own wedding in 2002, I decided to have a go at designing some pieces myself, I found that this was something I thoroughly enjoyed and after encouraging comments from friends and family (and a few orders for bits and pieces) I decided to make a go of it as a hobby. Increasing demand for my designs allowed me to establish the business a couple of years later. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength, attracting clients from all over the UK and worldwide. Throughout this process I also became a proud mum, and at times the challenges of motherhood and running a successful business can be interesting to say the least!! However my passion and commitment to my business has ensured that despite my other responsibilities I have never compromised on the quality of my products or service.
5) How does it feel to be a VOWS award winner for the second time?
Given that I am a sole trader, running every aspect of the business myself I am extremely proud and delighted to have won the VOWS award for Bridal Accessories 2 years running. I feel that this is a testament to my commitment to ensuring each and every one of my brides feels special on her big day. The VOWS awards are designed to recognise outstanding levels of customer service throughout Scotland’s wedding industry, and are voted for by brides and grooms all over the country. To be recognised for providing an excellent level of customer service makes all that I do worthwhile and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my brides who voted for me to make this happen.
Want to know more? You can order accessories online at http://www.corrinesmith.com/ or visit Corrine’s home studio in Kilmarnock to browse and try accessories in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Contact Corrine on 07789 558555 or by emailing info@corrinesmith.co.uk.
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