Our blog is really quite busy with lots of you popping in to read the latest news (thank you!). With several new posts a week now it’s a hive of activity and we have exciting plans ahead for more feature like content too. So to make it easy to see what’s been happening and catch up on posts you might have missed the monthly round-ups are going to change a little.

There will be quick links to all that month’s blog posts in one place. And a little list of things that have made me smile this month; because, well, life can be hard sometimes and it’s good to remember that there’s lots to be grateful for.

So, off we go with January…

Things you might have missed:

Mike & Suzanne’s wedding at Fawsley Hall

A lovely testimonial from Gavin & Michelle and another from Ian & Kristy

Paul & Karen’s winter wedding at Luton Hoo

Christmas at Rushton Hall

Tim & Vicky’s vintage wedding at Kelmarsh Hall

Featured in Image Magazine

A bridal fashion shoot at Holdenby House

A preview of Lee & Lucy’s wedding at Stoke Rochford Hall

Featured on Sarah Haywood’s ‘Ultimate Wedding Planning App’

Northampton wedding band DFunk

A hair collection photo shoot for Toni Creative

Things that made me smile:

My birthday ♥ Presents ♥ Birthday cake ♥ Family Sunday dinners ♥ Making new friends ♥ New ballet classes ♥ A blissful facial ♥ Burning candles ♥ Dreaming of a new kitchen ♥ Making lots of lists for the year ahead ♥ Long phone chats with Mum ♥ Heather getting engaged in Eastenders ♥ The girls at Courtyard Bridal Boutique on BBC2′s The Fixer ♥ Costa Coffee Flat White & Tiffin ♥ Central heating ♥ My cosy bed ♥ Getting someone in to clean the oven (best. move. ever.) ♥ Not having to defrost the car to get to work ♥ Being treated to Yo Sushi ♥ Shopping with hubs ♥ My Union Jack Irregular Choice shoes ♥ Tulips ♥ The new facebook timeline (ooh controversial!) ♥

Share your thoughts:

We love to hear from our readers so do feel free to leave a comment below. I’d especially love to know what your favourite blog posts were this month. Then we can plan more posts that we know you’ll enjoy. And more importantly, what made you smile?

à bientôt x

Toni Creative is the hair and make-up talent behind our bridal fashion shoots and we work together on weddings too. So it was really interesting to work on a brief from Toni for some of her own work – a hair collection for entry into Colour Zoom 2011, a major global competition run by hair product company Goldwell. The photos were under wraps until the judging had taken place and the winners announced, and then things got really busy here in the peak of summer wedding season, so we’re only just able to share.

The 2011 theme for the competition was ‘Play Strong’. We had to work to a very strict creative brief and within very specific competition guidelines but had lots of fun. We created a set of equestrian inspired images and Toni chose the one above for us to retouch to the highest standards. That meant every stray hair being removed, curves smoothed, eye shadow blended, lipstick built up, eyebrows tidied etc etc… it took hours. And after what seemed like an eternity we heard she won UK Finalist in the Partner category. Go Toni!

We shot a variety of images using different outfits and props. The finished image had to be all about the hair but there’s no reason you can’t have a bit of fun time when all the work is done! Here’s a couple of other favourites processed with a slightly different look (but not to within an inch of their life!) …

We’re busy planning with Toni now for her 2012 entry. The theme is ‘fascinature’ – think surreal shapes and vibrant colours that clash naturally in the wild. Wish us luck!

This blog post (and it’s writer’s awesome chair dancing) is sponsored by ‘Car Wash’, streaming as I write via DFunk’s website.

We do all sorts of photography here at Sarah Vivienne. Weddings are our speciality (how we love them so) but we like to do other things too. I don’t normally share much of that work here but I thought this might be particularly interesting for those of you planning weddings. But mostly because I love the splash of colour.

One question we get asked a lot by our clients is whether we know of any good bands. Now, we’re quite hard to impress here, it has to be said! But DFUnk cut the mustard for us. They’re true professionals and know how to rock a party. You don’t have to pay them extra to sing in tune either! I had the pleasure of photographing them at a corporate dinner we were asked to photograph ‘behind the scenes’ style for catering company Wyatt James and would definitely recommend you get in touch with them.

Some photos of them in action. You might need your sunglasses …

It’s fair to say that we’re twitter addicts here at Sarah Vivienne Photography. We may have used it to procrastinate rather too much but we’ve made some great contacts and it’s opened a whole new world of opportunities. One late night of twittering through mind numbing TV led to us having our wedding photography used for Sarah Haywood Wedding Design’s ‘Ultimate Wedding Planning App’.

Sarah Haywood is one of the world’s top wedding planners and best-selling author of The Wedding Bible. Sarah put a call out on twitter asking for high quality photos of ‘glamorous details’ at weddings. Photos of shoes, cakes, flowers and such like. There’s no shortage of those here so we got in touch and after sifting through lots of submissions Sarah chose some of our work to feature in the app. Happy days.

The app has incredible functionality. You can plan, manage amd keep track of everything for your wedding with it. My favourite feature is being able to create a guest list, manage RSVPs and organise the table plan – directly with your phone contact list.

Some of the pages our wedding photography features on…

You can download the app from iTunes. Just search for Sarah Haywood. I wish it (and iPhones) had been available when hubs and I planned our wedding. It would have saved me from the ‘folder of fun’!

We go ga-ga for pretty things here so were very excited to work with Holdenby House on this photo shoot which is featured in the current issue of Image Magazine.

The thing that strikes us most about Holdenby House is its history so a concept with a period feel seemed fitting. Vintage is still a big trend in weddings but to put a fresh approach on it we decided to go back further in time to the Regency era; the time of Jane Austen’s famous novels.

No other era is as romantic as the Regency period which, in literature at least, was all about romance, refinement, lace, rosebuds, fine floral china, afternoon tea and strolls in the gardens of grand country houses. So very Holdenby.

We didn’t want to recreate the past in the styling; it was more about celebrating the era in a modern way. So we took elements of the period such as soft, feminine dresses; the use of traditional wild flowers and lots of romantic dusky pink.

The writing desk and all the old books in the Library were perfect to bring a literary feel to these pictures of George.

We had a bit of fun with a genuine period equestrian outfit which was loaned from a private collection. Very Mr Darcy! The suit in the second image is from Panters.

All the stationery was created by Edward and Emma. The text of the invitation is written as if it were a section from a novel. The envelope lining is designed as the pages of a book. And a personalised wax seal sets the period drama tone perfectly.

Holdenby House isn’t your typical commercial country-house venue; it’s a much loved family home and so has a very warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We’ve enjoyed some lovely chats on this comfy sofa…

Abby is wearing ‘Callie’ by Jenny Packham, from Fairytale Weddings. The cap sleeves are very ‘Regency’ and the fabric and sequin detail are delicate but sooo stylish.

No self-respecting lady of the Regency era would be seen at an important event without a bonnet and tightly pinned curls. So curls were a must but hair and make-up maestro Toni Creative styled Abby’s hair with a more modern edge by keeping the curls loose and pinning them off Abby’s face. Then we brought back a traditional element with delicate fresh flowers pinned into the hair.

The Dining Room, which is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies, photographs very dramatically with the rich wood panelling, warm lighting, paintings and silk wall covering…

This dress is ‘Flora’ by Enzoani from Fairytale Weddings. The look is very fitting of the time but without being old-fashioned. The tulle layers on the dress have a very soft, romantic feel and the jacket adds a more modern edge.

A Regency themed wedding breakfast will be right at home in the Ballroom, which is used for  dinner and evening entertainment. The light just floods in through those big windows which look out to miles of countryside.

Abby is wearing ‘Jewel’ by Suzanne Neville from The Bridal Gallery Finedon. It has lots of gorgeous sparkle on the bodice and layer upon layer of tulle.

Small delicate posies have become popular since the Royal Wedding of William and Catherine. Julie Anna Flowers gave this one a romantic, just picked from the garden feel by using a variety of traditional, wild flowers and foliage such as roses, lavender, rosemary and wax flower.

The Regency era was a very glamorous period in the history of food so Portfolio Events styled the desserts with that in mind; both in the design and the presentation on vintage crockery. These scrummy looking desserts use ingredients that would have been available back in the early 1800s, such as lavender shortbread, strawberries, rhubarb and trifle. Even the colours fitted with our theme!

We went understated but glamorous for the table centres. A more polished, elegant version of vintage. Romantic candlelight is a must!

Edward & Emma proved that table stationery can be beautiful as well as practical. The bookmark placenames use an excerpt from an Austen novel and would double as a lovely keepsake for your guests. And then the table names have been presented in classic cream frames for a pretty alternative to the more often seen metal holders.

I love how gentlemanly this photo of George in the Entrance Hall feels. A tall top hat is a must and perfect for mysterious Mr Darcy style portraits!

As always you can see more photos from this shoot on my facebook page

Thank you to Abby and to George, my wonderful and patient models, who look utterly beautiful. They’re not pros by the way. And to everyone credited below who worked so so SO hard to make this shoot happen.

♥ Location: Holdenby House
♥ Dresses & accessories: Fairytale Weddings and The Bridal Gallery Finedon
♥ Groomsmen’s outfits: Suit from Panters and the equestrian items from a private collection
♥ Hair and make-up: Toni Creative
♥ Flowers: Julie Anna Flowers
♥ Catering: Portfolio Events
♥ Stationery: Edward & Emma

More photos from this shoot coming soon!

Winter weddings, with the cold and their low light, are a real challenge but we love them. Tim and Vicky’s elegant vintage style wedding was no exception.

One of my favourite moments of the day is seeing and photographing the Bride’s dress. Vicky’s was lace and a stunning shade which really suited her colouring. And of course the shoes. Of which Vicky had two pairs; one for the day and another more glittering pair of Jimmy Choos for the evening. Love love love.

The moments just before the Bride arrive are fleeting but there’s so much nervous anticipation, lip gloss checking and button-hole straightening to capture…

One of my favourite photos to capture (Vicar allowing) is the Groom as the Bride walks down the aisle. This one of Tim as everyone turns to see Vicky entering is one of my favourites…

Two very different points of view in the church: wide atmospheric photos at the back and intimacy at the front…

So full of smiles as they leave church…

The reception was at Kelmarsh Hall; one of our favourite venues for wedding photography in Northampton …

The thing I love most about winter is the cold but bright sunny days; which is just the kind of day that Tim and Vicky had for their December wedding. I must have been grinning like the Cheshire Cat with the beautiful, golden, setting sunlight that we had during the Bride and Groom photo session. Even bare winter gardens can look amazing!

The staircase is iconic Kelmarsh and photos here are a must (well, I think so anyway!). Lately I’ve been really inspired by the swirls of the rails and reflections in the mirror.

The Great Hall looked really pretty decorated for Christmas and made a beautifully cosy setting for the drinks reception. The very talented Paul Martyn sang and played sax. And there was a vintage typewriter for guests to type messages for the couple as an alternative to a guest book.

It was just a bit too cold to be outside for the family photos but the Saloon makes a really elegant backdrop.

There was a very festive, magical feel in the Great Hall as night fell and the speeches were made. The front of the fireplace with logs crackling was the perfect spot for a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Then it was into the Ballroom for a vintage style English afternoon tea. The table plan was particularly unusual being a row of mismatched ornate gold frames, draped with beads. The table numbers followed the same style. Absolutely loved that idea.

Delicate pearls and buttons on the tables…

Cake stand centre-pieces with green & cream flowers and lots of dainty (and very yummy looking) cakes…

Everything was served on mismatched vintage china…

And the cake was made by a friend of the family…

Paul Martyn got the party started in style. I really look forward to weddings where Paul is singing; he creates such a great atmosphere…

We had the best time photographing Tim & Vicky’s wedding. A huge thank you to both of you for choosing us as your wedding photographers and for being so lovely to work with. Thank you also to all your family and friends for making us feel so welcome.

Do leave some love for Tim and Vicky in the comments below. They (and we!) will love you forever!

Enjoy more photos from this wedding on my facebook page

Tim & Vicky’s family and friends can see the full set of wedding photos in their web gallery. You’ll need the password from Tim or Vicky.

♥ Ceremony: St Peter & St Paul church, Great Bowden, Market Harborough
♥ Reception: Kelmarsh Hall
♥ Vicky’s dress: Brides of Wellingborough
♥ Groomsmen’s outfits: Brides of Wellingborough
♥ Reception stylist, flowers & vintage china: Eve Lily
♥ Car: Peterborough Wedding Cars
♥ Entertainment: Paul Martyn
♥ Cake: Family friend
♥ Catering: Emerson & Wests

Rushton Hall is one of those wedding venues that looks good in all seasons, in all weathers. But December is a particularly special time making it popular for Christmas weddings and lots of other festive events. As recommended photographers to Rushton Hall they asked us to create a collection of photos that they could use to promote Christmas at the hotel. We couldn’t have felt more festive photographing all that glitter and prettiness to the sound of fires crackling and carols playing.

You’re always sure of a warm welcome…

I fell in love with these darling little reindeer decorations…

I’ve always wanted to live in a house big enough to have a Christmas tree in every room. I think photographing the ones at Rushton Hall might be the closest I get…

All of the fireplaces had gorgeous, glittering garlands…

Cosy lighting in the Dining Room…

Magical gold…

And how cute are these? Adorable gingerbread men and fun stockings on each bedroom door…

The Drawing Room looking as elegant as ever. This was the last room I photographed and the golds really twinkled as it the night drew in…

Sigh. Only 346 days to go…

Paul and Karen chose the magnificent Luton Hoo for their wedding. It was particularly special being Paul’s birthday too (a big one!). So there’s little risk of him forgetting their anniversary!

Lots of big name movies have been filmed here. Everything from Bond to the currently screening War Horse. But perhaps most fittingly it was the reception venue for Wedding No. 2 (Bernard & Lydia) in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. So it comes with a certain seal of approval!

It was a relatively short day of coverage for us, starting just before the ceremony as Paul waited nervously with their guests…

I love this picture of Paul’s Mum having some fresh lippy applied!

Karen’s Bridesmaids leading the way…

The ring exchange is always good for some fun expressions…

Awwww…

The architecture and decor of Luton Hoo is stunning. The sweeping marble staircase, statues and plasterwork make great backdrops …

The fireplaces were decorated beautifully for Christmas and I loved all the books in the drinks reception room…

It was pretty much dark by the time the ceremony ended but I wanted a strong directional light to give the reception photos a rich winter look. So these are all lit with off-camera flash. I love the flexibility this gives…

My flash is in the bookcase creating the starburst for this one! Just love the sparkly, rich, wintery feel. It feels warm and cold at the same time. And the Bridesmaids in the middle just finish it off …

We had such a lovely time working with Paul & Karen. Thank you both for choosing us to photograph your wedding!

Please do leave some love for Paul and Karen in the comments below. They (and we!) will love you forever!

Paul & Karen’s family and friends can see the full set of wedding photos in their web gallery. You’ll need the password from Paul & Karen.