Supplier Spotlight - Eric O'Hickey, Bridal Hair

This week's supplier spotlight is my good friend Eric O'Hickey. Eric and I have worked on a number of projects together, not only is he a genius with few hair pins and a can of hairspray but he is also a riot to have around. The perfect addition to any wedding morning. If you like what you see drop him a line on 087 613 6759 or at ericjlohickey@gmail.com.

What brought you to the world of hair?

Thats actually a funny story, I was in art college and coming to my finals I didnt really know what to do with myself, I wanted to study fashion but couldn't find a course in Ireland that I liked, at the same time my cousin had started training as a hairdresser and while out for her birthday I asked her how she was getting on an she said great and that I should do it that I'd love it so I said ok and that was it! I was always interested in hair as it was a vital part of fashion, so it gave me a chance to stay in the industry I loved but along a different path.

What is your favourite bridal look at the minute?

My favorite bridal look at the minute has to be the 1930's Veronica Lake peekaboo wave hairstyle, its so simple and looks effortless, teamed with either a sparkly slide or a birdcage headpiece or even a full veil its always a showstopper.

What products can you not live without?

Dry shampoo is definatly a must have in my kit, it can help create volume on limp hair an sort out an product build up or oils in the hair,

What should a bride have in her bag before leaving for the ceremony?
SPARE PINS!!!! I always make sure to give a handfull to the bride and bridesmaids, just incase, alot can happen between the house and the church!!

What trends do you think will be popular with this year’s brides?

Its hard to know what will be this years "in thing" because all brides are different but I do find alot of people are going for the "done but undone' style, which is almost like a boho upstyle, they like their hair to look natural,as if they just swept it up with 2 pins. although sometimes this look can take longer to create.

Any hair care tips for brides in the run up to their big day?
I would always say get your hair cut as little as possible but also be realistic, extensions can be clipped or pinned in to match your own hair an no one will ever know.

What do you like to do on your day off?

Day off?? hmmmm sounds vaguely familiar.

Sweets or savoury?

Sweets!! I love cake, deserts, I always think a good desert can make up for an awful dinner but hey thats just me.

Top Wedding Tips 28 - Dinner

"Do you always get fed at weddings?" - it's a question I get asked more than you'd think.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It's no problem either way.

However I do always discuss with my couples beforehand what they want to do at dinner time. It saves any awkwardness on the day. So may sure you discuss with your Photographer and Videographer beforehand whether they are being fed or not.

Top Wedding Tips 27 - Time

I've talked about scheduling before but now I'm going to talk about time.

Give your photographer time to get all the shots you want. Realistically they're not going to get all the photos of everyone in  your family if you only allocate a half hour for photos.

Give your photographer at least an hour for formal photos and couples portraits. All going well you'll be back to join the party in no time.

Supplier Spotlight - Jill Blanc Designs

Jill has a computer degree (which hasn’t been used in 8 years!?!). She's Irish, from Waterford City, went to college and met her husband in Dublin City University and settled in Naas, Co. Kildare. She two beautiful kooky daughters. She's partial to an over-the-top hair accessory She believes there is beauty in symmetry. She goes through a crazy amount of false eyelashes because she likes to wear two pairs at a time. She really hates having to wear glasses. She could quite happily live in a TK MAXX store.

She is also a super talented stationary designer and was kind enough to take some time out to talk to me about her work. More over on her website here.

Straw Flags & Tags - Photo by Lucy Takes Photos 

What brought you to the world of design?

I suppose I’ve always been a little bit creative, loved art in school, loved painting, drawing and sewing but doing my degree in IT I didn’t get much of a chance to continue with it. So when I started working in the real world, it was surprising that I always seemed to fall in to the web design/graphic design roles despite being hired as a software engineer – I guess my employers saw that arty side of me. So being allowed to learn on job, I taught myself how to use various graphic design programs by trial and error {this was before tutorials on YouTube – God, I feel old!}. So I suppose you could say I am self-taught. Then after I got married I left fulltime employment, and had two daughters, Cara and Abby, but kept sewing and making wedding stationery for friends and it just progressed from there.

Steampunk Invitation - Photo by Chemistry Photography

What is your favourite design trend at the minute?

I’ve never been one for anything understated, so I have to say I still absolutely love the vintage trend that has been around for the last few years. In my book, more is more.

Ramona&Paul

What products can you not live without?

Microsoft Word – This might sound a tad blasphemous to graphic designers out there but I do most of design work in Word! *ducks*
GIMP {GNU Image Manipulation Program} –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIMP - think free Adobe Photoshop
Sissix Big Shot – for all your fabulous die-cutting needs
Pritt Stick – yer only man for sticking

Favour Tags

What advice would you give to a bride when planning her big day?

Don’t try to please everyone, it’s impossible, and you will only stress yourself out and end up annoyed and unhappy– be true to yourself and it will all turn out amazing! {from my own wedding experience!}

Flower girl Flag

What trends do you think will be popular with this year’s weddings?

From my correspondence with brides, popular colours this year are coral, peach and grey. Brides are definitely getting more adventurous which is just fabulous! Really inspirational!

Candy Stripe - photo by Dennigan Photography

What do you like to do on your day off?

Day off?!? LOL  When I do decide to take some time out from making stationery, housework, and children, I really love getting dolled up to the nines and going for a cocktail somewhere special.

Dessert Table Signage

Sweets or savoury?
Sweets OF COURSE!!

L: Perry Cake Bunting R: Woodland Photoshoot - Photo by Dennigan Photography

Top Wedding Tips 26 - Cameras

This is a pretty popular topic at the moment. Guests and their cameras during the ceremony. Yes everyone wants to get the shot but bare in mind your photographer NEEDS to get the shot. I can't count on my hands how many times someone has stepped out in to the aisle to take a photo while I was crouched down to get my shot running a very important photograph.

If at all possible advice people not to bring cameras to the ceremony because it could mean you don't get the shots you want. Many people put a blanket ban on cameras and photos at their wedding advising guests to just enjoy every moment.

Top Wedding Tips 25 - Couples Portraits

If I can give you one piece of advice, leave the family back at the hotel. Don't bring an entourage with you to get your photos taken. By all means bring your bridal party, you can have the bridal parties photos taken and then take some time alone to have your personal couples portraits taken. Believe me you won't regret it, who wants Aunty Brid staring at you while your getting cosy with your beau?!

Top Wedding Tips 24 - Preparation

Preparation is key in the run up to your wedding. It is so important to be organised on the day. Especially when it comes to things like jewellery, shoes, underwear etc.

Ideally, all these things should be laid out and to hand for yourself and for your photographer when they arrive. Your photographer will automatically ask for:

Your shoes
Your jewellery
Your perfume
Your dress
Your underwear
The rings
Bridesmaids dress
Bridesmaids shoes
Any Bridesmaids gifts
Your flowers
Any accessories you plan to wear on the day

If these are close at hand it saves your time and theirs on the morning of the wedding.

Top Wedding Tips 23 - Arriving at the Ceremony

It's not a race between your driver and photographer. Idealy your photographer should be there to photograph you as you arrive but trust me it's a mad dash from the brides home to the church for the photographer so tell your driver to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Also if it's not lashing rain, ask the driver to roll down your window, this makes for some stunning photographs.

Top Wedding Tips 22 - Fake Tan

I've been putting off this post for a while now.

I know, you're Irish, most of us are pastey white but from a photography point of view fake tan is a no-no. If it's not done well, your hands and feet will be different colour to the rest of your body, it may rub off on your dress if you sweat a bit on the day. The main reason is, unless your hubby to be is going to indulge in fake tanning the colour difference between the two of you will be the first thing you see in the photos. It also casts an orange tone in your photos which is nigh on impossible to get rid of.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Top Wedding Tip 21 - Getting Dressed

It's the moment you've waited for your whole life, you're getting in to the dress. Allocate time for this. It's is a brides prerogative to be late so don't rush it. Your photographer will want to capture this moment for you and some of the best images of you and your bridesmaids will be at this point. Take your time and don't rush. Most importantly, don't close the door on your photographer.

Tip 16 - Socks

This ones for the guys. More and more often I'm seeing the guys embrace style more often on their wedding day. It's great. However, time and time again they forget about the socks. Be they novelty or brightly coloured consider the socks for the grooms party. They make for some fun imagery and believe it or not relaxes the guys as there is something else to focus on.

Tip 15 - Getting Ready

As much as possible on the  morning of your wedding have your hair and makeup done whilst sitting in the window. Not only will it make sure your makeup is as natural looking as possible but it will make for some stunning photographs.

Tip 14 - Smile

This is a bonus tip because I was talking to someone about it and I knew I'd forget about it before next week. (Also I didn't blog last week)

On your wedding day, don't forget to smile. Yes I know it can be a stressful time running up to the wedding but on the day what's done is done. So just relax and enjoy the day. No one wants to look like a crabby Mary in their wedding photos now do they?

Tip 13 - Food

I'm not talking about the big meal, I'm talking about food for yourself and your other half. Think about it. You'll probably be too nervous to eat on the morning before the ceremony and it's a long time til 6pm when dinner is served. A good tip is to have some bottled water and a sandwich or two in the back of the car for you to munch on the way to getting your photos taken. You'd be surprised what it can do for your mood.

Ciara and Jerome from Waterford and Galway respectively where surprised when Ciara's mam had placed county coloured sandwiches in the back of the car for them how cute!

Tip 12 - Confetti

Ok first off check with your ceremony venue if you are allowed confetti of any kind. There are so many different types. From bubbles to petals, rice to glitter. Think outside the box. Make sure your guests know when to throw it so they all throw at the same time. It will l ook amazing in your photographs. Click here for some fun confetti alternatives.

Tip 11 - Engagement Shoot

Engagement shoots are still relatively new to the Irish market but I can not recommend them highly enough. They mean that you can get used to your photographer, being in front of the camera and if you make it personal to both of you, you can have a little fun with it.

AND if that's not enough, I'm running a special offer of €120 for an engagement shoot in a location of your choice. Offer available til the end of march.

Tip 10 - Umbrellas

I can not stress this enough. If you are getting married in Ireland there is a good chance that it's going to rain. Don't let it run your day. Embrace it. If you plan ahead a pick out some cute bridal party brollies they will become a feature of the day and most importantly your photos. I have 6 large black umbrellas in the boot of my car at all times (and a blue and white stripey one for all you Deise heads) but black isn't for everyone. There are some super cute brollies out there so get creative.

One Fab Day have more advice for all you brides to be on the subject of Brollys over on their blog. Click here to visit.

Tip 9 - Wedding Stationary

Make sure to send your photographer an invite to your wedding or have it available on the morning of the wedding so they can photograph it and document it in context of the day. With this in mind, all your stationary should fit in with the theme of your wedding.

Katie's Tips - Tip 7 Group Photos

This is something most couples forget about in the run up to the big day. Take time to inform anyone who is needed for the group photos that they will be in them. Chose a location and make sure everyone knows where to be and why. If you can assign someone to round up these people on the day it will make the whole thing run much smoother. 

Katie's Tips - Tip 6 Light

Ok so you've asked your photographer to come to photograph you and your bridesmaids getting ready. Brilliant. Next step is to make sure where you're getting ready has plenty of natural light, This will ensure that you get stunning preparation shots that you will cherish for days to come.