"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways......."

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old grief's, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861)

London Bridal Designer Sale

This weekend, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November 2010, the London Bridal Designer Sale will be holding a designer sample sale with up to 70% off over 1000 designer wedding dresses. Designers include Amanda Wakeley, Amy Michelson, Anna Christina, Caroline Castigliano and many more.

To take advantage of the sale visit the Bridal Designer Sale website to confirm a time slot. The tickets are free.

A Royal Wedding

Image source: Guardian.co.uk

We're all very excited to hear the wonderful news that Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement today. It makes a nice change for the news to be dominated by a something to celebrate. A statement from Clarence House reads:

The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton. The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course. Prince William and Miss Middleton became engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya. Prince William has informed The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father. Following the marriage, the couple will live in north Wales, where Prince William will continue to serve with the Royal Air Force.

Ahead of the planned wedding in 2010, I am sure everyone will be speculating on all aspects of the wedding especially the style and designer of the dress. I look forward to hearing more about the wedding as and when the details are announced.

Image source: cbsnews.com

Particularly touching was the fact that Prince William gave Kate his mother's engagement ring. During he interview Prince William said giving Kate his mothers engagement ring was "my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement". To hear more about the ring and the proposal see the exert from their first interview below.

Jon Freeman Weddings

Today I am pleased to introduce Jon Freeman from Jon Freeman Weddings. Jon has recently returned to London from Los Angeles where, for seventeen years, he worked for newspapers and magazines. From portraits of Hollywood stars to fashion and reportage he has worked in thirty countries for publications like the Sunday Times, Marie Claire, Guardian, Telegraph, You Magazine, New York Times, Paris Match and National Geographic.

Here is what Jon had to say........

What first interested you in photography?
I've never done, or wanted to do anything else. After leaving school I got a job in a news agency in the South West developing and printing black and white pictures. From there I worked my way up to photographer working for national newspapers and magazines. Then in the early 90's I moved to LA, California, and spent fifteen very happy years there. During that time I worked in thirty countries for every one from the Sunday Times to National Geographic. After meeting my partner in LA I moved home to London.

What was your inspiration for setting up your business?
After moving back to the UK with my partner (and two dogs) the kind of traveling just was not practical anymore. A few years ago I photographed a friend's wedding as a favour and found that it was great fun and very satisfying. I was very happy with the images, and more importantly so were the Bride and Groom! As a result I decided to set up a wedding photography business.

What do you consider to be your USP?
I think my background in news and magazine photography. While in LA I did a lot of celebrity studio and location shoots with people like Sylvester Stallone which was incredibly highly pressured. You learn to produce quality pictures very, very fast with minimum fuss. That translates well to weddings where, if you are not careful, the photographer can disrupt the day rather than enhance it.

How would you describe your photographic style?
A combination of photojournalism - catching great moments as they happen and beautiful portraits often using portable studio lighting. Flexibility is very important as well. Couples often have a strong idea of what they want and it is my job to give them exactly that. The whole day should be great fun and my role is to capture that.

What are the current wedding photography trends?
Elegant informality would describe it quite well. More ceremonies are taking place in interesting location like castles or private clubs with receptions that are most like great themed parties than traditional "speech and dinner" affairs. It's difficult to identify a trend except to say that the family line ups that used to dominate wedding photography look very old fashioned.

What are your top three tips to a bride and groom choosing a photographer?
First make sure that they are a competent professional. Check out the quality of pictures on the website. You do get what you pay for to a certain degree and there are some people who "do weddings" as a part time thing to make some extra money. Photographing a wedding well isn't easy and experience counts.

Do you like their style? Each photographer is different and if you like the examples on their website then that's a good start. Call and have a chat and arrange a meeting to discuss exactly what you want.

And most importantly don't trust a "keen amateur photographer" relative to do it!

Describe the best wedding you've ever worked on?
The most fun I had last year was photographing a wedding in the tiny village in North Devon where I grew up. I actually went to primary school with the groom many years ago. He is from a large local farming family and instead of limousines and Rolls Royces everyone arrived at the church in flower strewn trailers pulled by a parade of immaculately restored vintage tractors. The reception was at a local village hall and the whole thing was perfect. A great bunch of people having a fantastic time in their own very personal way. It was very "Darling Buds of May" and proved that the best weddings are what works for each couple.

I photographed elaborate weddings in stately homes and hugely expensive hotels last year but enjoyed that one the most.

Which celebrity (past or present) wedding would you love to work on and why?
I've been fortunate enough to work with Hollywood stars and my favourite was Paul Newman - ridiculously good looking, down to earth and with a wicked sense of humour - a great combination.

To find out more information visit Jon Freeman Weddings.

Corinthians 13: 1-13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Purple Reign

A sophisticated and elegant colour, also said to be Cleopatra's favourite, purple brings a real feel of royalty to any wedding day. Merge deep purples with a hint of silver or go for monocromatic magic mixing different shades of purple for a stunning look.

For this mood board I have contrasted rich purple with a crisp white to create a fashionable look for a glamorous and modern winter wedding.

Photo credits:
Table setting - Confetti
Bridal party - True Bride
Cake - Martha Stewart
Bouquet - Wedding Flowers
Chair covers - Real Life Photos
Winter wonderland room - Jessica Claire
Bridesmaid dress - Vera Wang
Shoes - Elizabeth Anne Designs
Feather head dress - Renee Pawele Bride
Guest book - Pretty Wild

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo

Have you ever dreamed of having a fairy tale wedding with a dress to match? If so your dream may have just started to come true. Designer Alfred Angelo has teamed up with Disney to create a line of Disney Princess wedding dresses.

The collection is inspired by seven of the most iconic Disney princesses of all time: Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Cinderella and Tiana. Check out the designs below:

The dresses will be available in the US in Alfred Angelo Signature stores and selected Alfred Angelo wholesale Partner Bridal Boutiques in 2011.