I wanted to share a behind the scenes look at one of the most important (and thrilling) days of my year - the campaign photo shoot for my latest collection of bridal hair accessories and wedding jewellery.
It is also the culmination of months of work researching, designing and hand-making my pieces - as well as meticulously planning how I want the images of my accessories and jewellery to look, and pulling together a team of creatives who can bring my vision to life.
For this year's collection I wanted the photography to have a soft, ethereal look with a free-spirited modern vibe that would showcase a collection that mixes beautiful natural forms with a clean, pared back modern style that mirrors my designs.
It was a no-brainer to choose photographer Danni Maibaum to shoot the new collection - she's a dream to work with, produces amazing images, and is an experienced commercial photographer and wedding photographer, making her an ideal choice to shoot bridal accessories and jewellery.
We put together a great team who all worked together so well - with gorgeous hair and make-up by Jenn Edwards and Lois Cora and stunning gowns from The White Yard. Our model Lauren Amelia was sensational and such a joy to work with too.
I'm so excited to share all my new designs with you and am gradually uploading all the new images to my website - so keep popping back to see more new pieces over the next few days. I'm about two thirds of the way through adding the many new earring designs I've come up with - and there's also a new category to shop as I've added some matching necklaces for the first time!
I'm going to leave you with a few behind the scenes and sneak peek images for now - and I highly recommend making sure you're signed up to my email newsletter so you'll be the first to know when the full new collection is live!
The Team:
I accessorised Lucy's gorgeous pale ivory gown with my new luxury sustainable white satin hair bow. Its soft yet structural style was the perfect modern romance partner to Lucy's structured Ellis Bridals gown with its hidden mini skirt and soft draping off-the-shoulder sleeves. She's also wearing my Baroque Pearl Earrings - the perfect compliment to her sleek and chic hair bow.
I also styled Lucy in my new baroque pearl hoop earrings in silver - a modern aesthetic with a natural flowing form that mirrored Lucy's satin hair bow and was the perfect finishing touch to her classic yet modern look
The couple's classic modern ivory styling was the perfect foil to the stunning colour pop floral tablescape in shades of red and pink and the modern stationery and signage.
A Sense Of Fun
I love how Lucy and Jack's beautiful images show such a gorgeous connection between the two of them - as well as a sense of fun.
I hope you love this inspirational shoot - and if you fancy seeing more head to Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine who featured our shoot on Valentines Day! I was delighted when features Editor Callum Topazio described my Valentina bow as "The perfect blend of timeless style and sustainable luxury".
Planner, Concept & Styling: @victoriaseithelevents
Photography: @slphotoandfilm slphotoandfilm.co.uk
Venue: Underbank Chapel
Florals: @debrahjflowers
Gown: @rosaria.amore.bridal
Accessories: @debbiecarlisle_
Stationery: @loveflorastudioco_
Desserts: @chessybakery
Makeup: @ebonyomakeup
Hair: @hairbysamanthaashley
Singer: @talulahweddings
Bridal Model: @lucyallxn
Groom Model: @jack.h.richmond
Suit: @groomformal
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I’m absolutely thrilled to be one of three finalists in the Bridal Jewellery Designer category of the UK Weddings & Honeymoons Awards by such a bridal press institution.
I’m also really proud to be shortlisted alongside two other wonderful bridal jewellery designers who, like me, hand-make their designs here in the UK and place a huge emphasis on sustainable and ethical bridal jewellery design and craft.
It's wonderful to see a mainstream bridal magazine championing sustainable handmade British bridal jewellery designers - I think this really shows how focused brides and grooms are on sustainability, provenance, and quality design and craft and I love that such an influential bridal magazine is helping couples to find quality ethical craftspeople to make their jewellery and accessories for such an important day.
The winners in all categories at this prestigious wedding awards will be revealed at a Gala Awards Ceremony at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, in London on February 29 - so I've got some serious thinking to do about my party look, with not much time in which to do it!
To see all the UKWHA finalists go give the Weddings & Honeymoons instagram page a follow or head to the Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine website for lots of wedding inspiration.
]]>Gemma said: "Because my dress was so ornate I was agonising for ages about what to do with my wedding hair accessories. I’d already decided I wanted braids (I was inspired by Wednesday’s hair on the Netflix show!) so I didn’t want to go too OTT with everything else. I also didn’t really want a veil because I didn’t want to cover the back of the dress. I’d already found some cool gold star pearl earrings from Wolf and Moon as well. So - it made sense to just go for simple pearls and I found Debbie’s pieces which were just so beautiful and elegant. I got so many compliments and the hair accessories really helped pull the whole look together into something ‘bridal’."
Gemma added: "It was important to me to support independent designers and it was really helpful to be able to email Debbie to discuss what I wanted and to be able to customise the ribbon and metal colours as well. The dress, rings and earrings were also handmade from UK independent businesses and it’s really nice to support them if you can, especially given how turbulent the wedding industry has been since the pandemic. It’s good to know that they’re high quality, sustainable and that I could wear them again in the future (maybe even pass them down).
I would say - go for it, you’re going to get something really high quality and personal. When I ordered my pearl headband I felt reassured that I would have something special that wouldn’t break or look cheap when it arrived, which is always a worry when ordering online from big suppliers rather than independent ones. I’m happy that I got something classic that I could easily wear again. I got so many compliments and I will cherish my pearl wedding headband and hair pins always!”
Gemma chose a Lucy Can't Dance handmade wedding gown which worked perfectly with her pearl headband. She said: "I’ve never really been an ‘intricate florals’ kind of person and it feels like a lot of wedding gowns have this sort of style. I’ve seen some gorgeous, classic strapless sleeveless dresses with slits but I was worried about being freezing in December. Plus, I love to dance so I wanted something comfortable and a princess dress never felt like it would be for me. Lucy Can’t Dance was actually round the corner from where Martin used to live so I was already aware of the brand but when I saw Lucy’s dresses I was blown away. She is also a UK independent designer, handmakes all the dresses and is also very body inclusive so makes the dress exactly how you want it. I’ve always preferred slightly vintage, geometric Art Deco patterns so when I tried on her Galactic Blue dress it really felt like the one. The slip was a double-lined jersey so it was actually really warm and comfortable. It was also really quick to put on which was helpful when we were running short of time before the ceremony! I also didn’t need any help in the loo either so I wasn’t stressed about wearing it at all. I feel so happy that I found a dress that suits my personality and style so much. I’m hoping to get it shortened so I can wear it again in the future.
We got engaged on 9th December and we really wanted a winter wedding - cosy, fewer hot weather issues, but also better for the budget! We were looking for a venue that had great indoor spaces and a barn style setting and I came across Ufton Court. I was so happy, as I actually went there on a school trip when I was 8 and I loved it then. I didn’t know they did weddings, but they use the VAT-free proceeds from the venue hire to fund their kids educational charity (which also makes it great value). It’s a beautiful original Tudor venue with a barn, manor house and amazing grounds. It’s basically dry hire with free corkage so you can customise everything to how you want it, so we were able to have fireworks, hot chocolate and a log fire plus amazing winter wedding food. We were able to get married exactly a year after our engagement, which was really special. The staff and wedding coordinator were amazing and we couldn’t recommend it enough.
We kept the structure of the day largely quite traditional for a civil ceremony, but we can both be a bit quirky and silly so we wanted some individual touches that felt like us. We both like diving and Martin is a shark documentary producer, so our table place names were different shark types with fun facts about them. I’ve always loved wintery colours like dark emerald green and gold, which made sense for the bridesmaids dresses so it could suit their hair/skin tones as well. So from there we picked dark burnt orange as well, as it's one of Martin’s favourite colours. This allowed me to have some of my favourite flowers in my bouquet (birds of paradise and orchids) which perhaps aren’t usual for a winter wedding, but we kept the arrangements quite rustic to go with the barn setting. Candles went well with the winter theme and the foliage (although there were some very minor fires with the aisle candles… whoops!). We’re also very lucky to have Martin’s brother who is a graphic designer, so we were able to have all our stationery and signs in the same colour scheme and to also look quite modern and original.
We had so many memorable moments - obviously the actually getting married bit and having some time on our own immediately after the ceremony. Having our string quartet play our favourite Radiohead song as we signed the register. Walking down the aisle together to a string version of the Dr Who theme. Our insane confetti walk - it was 40mph winds and it was like a confetti tornado! Amazing speeches including an excruciatingly bad teenage poem that Martin’s brother found! Our first dance to ‘10 Years’ by Dadi Freyr, a Eurovision song we love. But also just having a room full of people that you love is the best feeling ever.
Suppliers:
Photography: Johnny Dent
Dress: Lucy Can't Dance
Hair Accessories: Debbie Carlisle Prue headband and Prudence hair pins
Earrings: Wolf And Moon
Venue: Ufton Court
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If you’re in the North West or North East these events are your perfect opportunity to see and try on from a huge selection of Debbie Carlisle bridal accessories in person, get expert styling advice, and see the quality, care and attention to detail that goes into making every one of my headpieces and earrings.
If you can’t make an event there is plenty of inspiration right here on the Debbie Carlisle website - simply take a look through the online store or browse my blog for lots of advice about choosing a wedding accessory. Alternatively you can get in touch with any questions or take my style quiz for a personalised shopping list from me!
If heading to an event sounds right for you, check out the details below. You can even ask to see specific pieces so get in touch if you have any special requests!
Where: Julia Tasker Bridal Couture, 3 North Terrace, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3AU
When: Sunday January 21, 11am to 3pm.
Do I have to book an appointment: No
Details: An accessories open day for any bride-to-be to pop in from 11am to 3pm. Headpieces and earrings from Debbie Carlisle and veils from Couture Veil. You don’t have to make an appointment or to have purchased your gown from the boutique to attend - and you’ll benefit from Julia’s expert styling advice to ensure you pick the perfect bridal accessories for your look! She's a styling genius so this is a real opportunity not to be missed if you’re in the North West!
Special requests: If you have any specific designs you’d like to see at this event send me your requests now so I can include them in the big box of goodies I’ll be sending to Julia a few days before the weekend.
Special offer: Julia is offering 10% off any orders placed at the event.
Where: The Mowbray, 118 Mowbray St, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8EN
When: Sunday January 21, 11am to 3pm.
Do I have to book an appointment: No - but if you register to come you’ll get a free glass of punch on arrival!
Details: A relaxed Open House event at this amazing historic urban event space with coffee and cakes, cocktails and lunchtime treats from their incredible kitchen and a host of recommended wedding suppliers you can chat to about your plans - including me! I’ll be bringing lots of hair accessories and earrings and this is your chance to try on pieces and hit me with your styling questions - or any questions about me or my work! This isn’t just for brides or grooms - anyone can pop in to sample the Mowbray’s unique vibe and absolutely brilliant food and drink and check out some gorgeous suits, gowns, flowers and jewellery - and lots more, including free mini manicures with bridal nail artist Charlotte - simply DM her via her Instagram to book a slot. (Charlotte does my nails and is brilliant!) You can also grab a ride in a vintage volkswagen to take a visit to The Mowbray’s sister space The Chimney House.
Special requests: If you have any specific designs you’d like to see at this event send me your requests now.
Special offer: I will be offering 10% off any orders placed with me at the event - including some beautiful earrings that would be ideal gifts for Valentines Day, bridesmaids, brides to be or simply for yourself!
Who else will be there:
@charlotte_nailartist (get a free mini mani - drop Charlotte a DM to arrange a time and pick a design!)
@vintagevolksweddings (get a ride between The Mowbray & @thechimney_house )
With huge thanks to Alexandria French Photography for these images taken at a previous Mowbray event.
]]>I don’t know any artist or maker who is ever truly satisfied with what they create. I know this leads to perfectionism and is what has allowed me to make a business out of my creativity, but it also means that I am too often focused on where things haven’t gone as well as I planned or hoped, instead of feeling proud of the successes I have had. And so it was only when I spent the last few days putting together an Instagram recap of my 2023 in business that I realised there even were successes to celebrate. On reflection it turns out 2023 was a really big year of change, growth and development both personally and in terms of my business - I was just too busy working to see it!
The year began with a bang with an early January photoshoot for my Goddess collection of bridal hair accessories, focussed on crowns, tiaras and hairpins. It was a real labour of love to design these pieces and I have been so pleased with their reception as well as with the results of the shoot. In fact the shoot was so good, and so representative of me and my work that I decided to rebrand, using the images as my inspiration!
I also started January by putting down a deposit on a beautiful new studio space in a former steelworks in Sheffield’s historic Little Mesters metalwork district. The new space was more suited to my needs and more welcoming for clients too. I moved into Harland Works in February and have been incredibly happy in my new home this year. This new start gave me an increased focus and determination and in March I signed up for business coaching which has really helped me deal with the overwhelm that comes with running a business!
2023 also saw me work with some extremely talented creatives on a series of collaborative photo shoots with gorgeous results - this is something I want to continue to focus on in 2024. On top of this I’m planning on making photography a bigger part of my creative and work life next year. I have invested in a ‘proper’ camera and some excellent tuition and I hope you’ll be seeing the results of this soon. Photography is such a huge part of showcasing my bridal hair accessories and it feels like a natural next step to learn more about it and hopefully be able to take better images for social media and, I hope, my website! I’ve really been feeling the urge to indulge in new creative hobbies and this will hopefully scratch that itch!
Spring and summer is always my busy sales and making period and I’ve been lucky enough to create some really special bespoke headpieces over the last year. I’ll be sharing some of the processes involved in bespoke work for my 2023 brides on the blog over the next few months. Bespoke designs are such an honour as it takes a little more faith on the part of my clients when they book me to create something they’ve never actually seen! It is also a chance to flex my creative muscles a little more and challenge myself and find new ways of creating so I really love these orders.
In terms of sales, 2023 was definitely the year of the birdcage veil - and judging by recent orders this seems set to continue into 2024. I was also delighted to see that Brides.com have declared ‘sumptuous tiaras’ to be big news for 2024 brides. It’s always nice to discover that your creative impulses are hitting the right notes with the bridal fashion world! I also had another unexpected moment of validation when the Princess of Wales wore a stunning floral tiara to the King’s Coronation in May which had a very similar design to the Mabel design I launched as part of my Goddess Collection in February.
As things started to quieten down in the Autumn I turned my attention to improving my website and was very lucky to work with the brilliant 93ft design company who created a new bespoke website for me. As well as looking incredible and being beautifully easy to navigate it also has some great features to help brides narrow down their bridal hair accessory choices by style, size, colour and budget and it really embodies me and my brand.
I also launched my Style Quiz feature that allows you to take a short online quiz and in return I send you my personalised wedding accessory recommendations for your specific style. I’ve been delighted with the success of this and if you’re struggling to decide on a headpiece I really recommend having a go or simply dropping me an email for some advice.
One of my key business aims is to do everything I can to make my work as sustainable as possible. I’ve long wanted to find a way of using offcuts of jewellery wire and I finally found the perfect way of doing this by designing earrings created from small hand-formed leaves crafted from the smallest pieces of gold or silver plated wire which would usually be thrown away. I love how my focus on sustainability led me to design some completely new accessories and resulted in a new and un-planned product launch in December 2023 - the perfect way to round off 2023!
Of course no round up of the year would be complete without special mention of my brilliant brides who put their faith in me and invite me to be a part of their wedding day. It’s incredible to think how many weddings I have been a small part of over the last 14 years and I never take my incredible clients for granted. So here’s to another year of creating accessories for design-loving brides, developing my business and improving my creative skills - I hope you’ll join me on the ride!
So the lesson I've learned? Plan in regular reviews of your life/work so you can objectively see your achievements and put your progress into perspective. I'm planning to do this on a monthly basis and I think it will really help my creative mindset and avoid the temptation to focus only on areas that I want to improve. Obviously I want to work on these areas but it's so important to remember and celebrate the successes as it is these moments that drive me forward and inspire me to keep designing.
]]>Creating eco-friendly wedding accessories starts with how I do things behind the scenes. Firstly I only make my designs when someone orders them. No excess stock, no waste. My latest earring collection is an eco-friendly approach to design - delicate botanical leafy earrings which I make from small off-cuts of silver and gold plated wire that would otherwise have ended up in the bin. I approached these designs with a 'materials-first' mindset, which meant I limited myself to thinking of a design technique I could use to make these little pieces into something beautiful to be treasured instead of sent to landfill. This led me to come up with the idea of shaping the wire into tiny leaves - and I love the results!
Every bridal accessory I make is intentionally created as a versatile, wearable, and enduring accessory, embodying the tenets of slow fashion. I make my pieces with high-quality materials and lasting techniques to ensure your accessory can be cherished and worn again and again, extending its beauty long after your wedding day.
I’m mindful of the impact of my materials. The crystals and pearls I use are predominantly sustainably produced or naturally sourced. Where I use satin ribbons in my designs they have the luxurious feel and quality you’d expect from satin, but with an eco-friendly twist – they're crafted from recycled bottles. For my bespoke jewellery bouquet designs, I take sustainability a step further by repurposing vintage jewellery, creating timeless heirlooms that echo with stories of the past and the promise of the future.
My eco-friendly ethos extends to every detail, including packaging. My beautifully crafted luxurious branded gift boxes, tissue paper and postal and packing supplies are all recycled or recyclable - and usually both!
With every accessory you buy from this website, a tree is planted to give back to the environment. You can track our impact in real-time through our partnership with Ecologi. At the time of writing, 883 trees have been planted with your help. We’ve also supported the prevention of five tonnes of carbon from being emitted through two verified carbon avoidance projects. We also opt for carbon-neutral shipping whenever possible and choose the most eco-friendly delivery methods where this isn’t an option.
I'm constantly looking for new ways to design, make, package and deliver my pieces and I'm committed to continuing to reduce my impact on the environment. Watch this space for more updates!
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Ayse loved the idea of a versatile headpiece that could take her from day to night with two different looks and so she chose the separate veil and headband option when she ordered Esme, which meant she could change her look throughout the day.
I love how Ayse started her outfit planning by researching her accessories first - as a fashion and textiles designer this meant she could then create her own wedding dress design to fit her chosen pieces. Usually I recommend brides choose their dress first but there are always exceptions to every ‘rule’ when it comes to weddings and the gorgeous results speak for themselves.
We got married in Paris because Paris has a very special meaning for us. We travel a lot and while we were visiting Paris for the first time together, we promised each other to always love each other, at the top of the Eiffel Tower. That's why we wanted our family and friends to witness our love there.
I am a textile and fashion designer and I designed every single detail about the theme, invitations, name tags, menu, program and so on. We chose to use a cold blue colour to have an elegant effect and me and my best friend, who is also a designer, chose to draw some architectural buildings in Paris and then we prepared everything with those drawings.
I never wanted to be a princess bride. I imagined myself as a cool bride and actually I started the research with shoes and accessories first. Then, I designed a wedding gown which is very simple, but not boring. Elegant but not old. And at the end, I looked exactly as I had imagined.
I wanted a headpiece that looked romantic, comfortable and chic. I saw the Esme headpiece at Pinterest first. Of course I fell in love right away! I wanted to have 2 looks with one headpiece to have different options. I took off the birdcage veil during our dinner and that made me feel like I had two different headpieces. I would recommend considering this when you’re choosing a wedding hair accessory. Also I never felt like I was wearing something that I would always have to fix and check. It was like wearing a daily accessory for me. So I can recommend choosing a comfortable headpiece like this.
I am from Turkey and in our culture, we don't have a tradition to throw flower petals on the bride and groom while they are walking on the aisle. But we did this and I felt like I was in a movie at that moment!
Pictures by: @davidignaz
]]>All you need is a simple (and very affordable) wig or hair extension clip that will securely fasten into the finest of hair - and will allow you to create a firm base for your comb’s teeth to slide into - and create a barrier to stop the comb slipping out.
You can easily find these clips on marketplace websites or via hairdressing or wig suppliers - simply search online or ask in store for a ‘wig clip’ or ‘hair extension clip’. Choose a clip that will tone with your hair colour to make it easier to hide it. They also come in a variety of sizes and I have gone for a fairly large one in the video so there’s plenty for the comb to grab on to.
If you can’t find a wig clip you can follow the same steps of pulling the top section of hair away and instead you can gently back comb the hair or add some texturising dust which will give your hair a base with more grip for the comb’s teeth to sink into.
All of my hair combs have metal teeth which can also be held in place with a bobby pin or Kirby grip - you can either push the grip through the looped teeth of my bigger combs, or slide it completely over my smaller slimmer combs. Another option is to tie a small piece of hair with an elastic band and slide some of the comb’s teeth into the tiny ‘ponytail’ section.
You can also use these techniques to hold hairpins in place - and you can see some of these tips and tricks demonstrated here in a separate blog post with video guides.
If you’re concerned that a comb or hairpin might not work in your hair or style do get in touch and I’d be happy to help advise on the best way to wear your chosen style. I can even create different ways of attaching these designs to your hair - such as putting a comb or hairpin design you love onto a headband.
Bridal tradition meets the mysterious unknown with this elegant veiled vampire bride with blood-reddened lips and little exposed vampire teeth that subvert the traditional virginal bride ideal.
Every bride deserves a crown, and this vampire bride is no exception. The Coraline crown glimmers with antique gold shimmering Czech crystals for a rich, regal heirloom look which adds to the sense of strength, history and tradition.
The birdcage veil lends an enigmatic air of mystery to our vampire bride. Based on my bridal ivory mask veil design, I used the same delicate soft French netting to make this custom wedding veil, but this time in black. This beautiful mask veil shrouds our vampire bride’s features while allowing glimpses of the beauty beneath and embodying the essence of a dark, mysterious Gothic romance.
I love how Alex captures the haunting essence of Gothic drama and beauty in these images inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Wouldn't it be amazing to see a real life wedding shot in this stunning non-traditional way? While these images are all about a Gothic Halloween aesthetic, they do show Alex's unerring ability to work with light and shadow and to capture really beautiful portraits - so if you like the look of these be sure to head to her website to see her wedding photography - it's absolutely beautiful!
Whether you’re planning a Gothic wedding or just love the idea of a darker and more moody aesthetic, these vampire bride images are a beautiful example of what can be done to create wedding photographs outside of the traditional light and bright norm. After all, love knows no bounds, and it thrives in the most unexpected places, even in the shadowy depths of a vampire bride's enchanting world!
Vampire Bride Photography Credits
Photography: Alexandria French Photography
Model: Hannah Waine @little_waine
Mask Veil and Coraline Crown: Debbie Carlisle
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I'm so pleased with the new site, which looks and feels wonderful to scroll through, but it's not just a pretty space. There's some pretty special features too - and they're going to make your search for the perfect accessory for your unique bridal style so much easier!
I wanted to create a beautiful online shopping space that is completely bespoke to you - so we added a custom built search feature which means you can shop for accessories according to your individual style - whether that’s boho, botanical, celestial, rustic, modern, classic or vintage - to name just a few of the style options!
Our online shop now features larger zoomable images, allowing you to explore the intricate details of our designs. You can effortlessly examine different colour options by simply hovering over the colour swatch buttons in the main menu or by clicking on them within each product listing.
We've streamlined things for a more straightforward and user-friendly experience with excellent mobile functionality and a beautiful desktop scrolling experience. Our one-step secure checkout system ensures browsing and buying are hassle-free. And you can even set the website to display prices and pay for products in your preferred currency, so you don't need to calculate exchange rates when shopping from outside the UK. Estimating shipping costs for rush orders is now quick and straightforward, while standard postal delivery remains free for all worldwide orders.
We've added lots more testimonials - with pictures - from our wonderful Debbie Carlisle brides, and for the first time, you can share your product reviews. If you've already received your accessory, I really hope you'll leave a review, as this will help future brides make informed choices based on your experiences. Simply head to the product page of your accessory to add your review below the product description and images. Not sure of the name of your headpiece? No problem, simply drop us a quick email, and we'll be able to help. We also love seeing pictures of you in your Debbie Carlisle accessories, so please email your wedding day photos with us - we'd love to add you to our Real Brides gallery!
Our beautiful new online home wouldn't have been possible without the work of some incredibly talented individuals. The website itself was meticulously crafted by Michael and the team at 93ft Design Studio, located in the stunning Mowbray space here in Sheffield. I’m immensely grateful for their expertise, which extends well beyond web development and design - take a look at their website to see more of their incredible design work with some brilliant clients. My heartfelt thanks go to Michael and Eleanor at 93, who instantly understood and embraced my brand vision to create this beautiful place to explore and shop.
I also want to say a huge thank you to the photographers, brides, and other remarkable individuals in the wedding industry whose talent and generosity lie behind the stunning images that grace these virtual pages. A special acknowledgment goes to the huge talent that is Danni from Maytree Photography who shot my last two bridal hair accessory collections and also created the stunning outdoors images you see here. These photos - taken during a midge-filled adventure to the nearby Peak District - feature throughout the re-design, adding a touch of magic to every page they adorn. Take a look at the credits at the end of this post and check out all the suppliers involved in this beautiful collaboration.
I’d also like to thank Alexandria French and Mirl & Co, whose exquisite work is also newly showcased on the website. Most of their images were taken at the aforementioned Mowbray, a unique urban Sheffield events space that I highly recommend checking out if you haven't booked your wedding venue yet.
So all that remains for me to do is to invite you to explore this new space - I hope it gives you as much pleasure it gives me to scroll through the pages - and I hope it leads you on a beautiful journey towards finding the perfect bridal hair accessory for your wedding.Photographs: Maytree Photography
Dresses: Kate Beaumont
Headpiece: Prue by Debbie Carlisle
Flowers: Campbell’s Flowers
Hair and makeup: Lauren Eaton
Model: Lauren Amelia
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Mia was the very first bride to order the modern-chic Esme headband and veil when I launched my Goddess collection earlier this year - and it was the perfect addition to her modern and feminine gown.
There are so many special moments when designing a headpiece - taking the kernel of an idea to the finished product is one, getting to shoot the new design on a model and seeing the results 'for real' for the first time is another - but I’m not sure anything beats seeing a real bride wearing the headpiece you designed and carefully handmade on her wedding day. It’s a little like falling in love with an old flame all over again! Best of all is that every bride is so different they each bring a new dimension to the headpiece you designed which makes it absolutely their own. I think this element of seeing my designs in action is really rather magical.
The Esme headband features an adjustable veil which means it can be worn above or below your mouth - so Mia could wear the veil through her ceremony and reception and still eat and drink!
And if you want to take your Esme veil from day to night I highly recommend Mia’s clever idea of turning the headband around so the veil sits at the back of her head - changing her look up from day to night in the most relaxed-chic way! You can also order Esme as a separate headband and veil so you can wear them independently of each other if you prefer.
The venue was my family home. We decided to have our wedding there as it holds so much sentimental value from me growing up there all my life. We knew we could have an amazing day at a venue nobody else would use!
We loved the idea of Italian weddings but wanted to stay at home so used lots of greenery and olive branches as well as playing on all the nature surrounding us
I chose it at Julia Tasker's beautiful boutique, Julia Tasker Bridal Couture, in Cumbria. The Sassi Holford Phoebe dress. I drove past it in the window and knew I had to try it on. As soon as I tried it on I just knew it was the one!
The most memorable moment had to be our speeches. They were all perfect!
Absolutely! My guests loved how unusual it was and I felt it gave my bridal look a more modern/editorial feel.
I would say absolutely, go for it! My headpiece really elevated my bridal look without being too traditional.
Pictures: Marta D Weddings
Dress: Sassi Holford Phoebe, from Julia Tasker Bridal Couture.
Headpiece: Esme by Debbie Carlisle
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Could you share some details about your venue and why you chose it?
We chose Kingswood because we are both lovers of the sea! We wanted to easily get to the beach on our wedding day to get some shots and run barefoot. A break away during our special day. There is a special quaint little garden at the back of the venue which felt really peaceful. The venue was also not too far from our hometown and was easily accessible to our guests. The venue offered us lovely sea views from the balcony which we took time to appreciate the evening before the wedding and the morning after!
What inspired you to choose your wedding theme?
We were really inspired by the boho style, however, we realised the venue was not completely boho and rustic. We were careful to choose the right decor, dresses, flowers and finishing touches to create the vibe that we wanted. I think, in retrospect, our wedding inspiration was that feeling of freedom and we got to really appreciate and feel that when running along the beach together. For us, in the end, it was about the energy that you and your guests bring to your day.
Tell me about your incredible gowns!
We decided to see Mirka Bridal Couture for an initial consultation. We did not plan on getting made to measure dresses but this was the right decision for us. We were able to pick out the dresses we loved and talk through exactly what we each loved about it. Mirka explained what she could do and how she could alter it to suit our vision. I went for her 2023 new collection Grace with beautiful detachable sleeves and corset. Ula decided on the Skye lace dress with alterations at the front, back, sleeves and underskirt. Ula wanted a deeper v down her back. Mirka customised the dresses perfectly to suit our bodies and our vision. She really captured how we wanted to feel on our special day. As two brides, we were able to see some parts of the others dresses but not the final look. This is what made seeing herself at the ceremony even more emotional. Ula felt elegant and confident. Mirka customised the same lace from her dress onto Ula’s hat to give her look more of an edge. The corset on my gown gave me strong posture and poise, making me feel powerful and sexy.
Are you glad you chose to wear your earrings - and what did your guests think?
Yes! The earrings were so special and I had lots of compliments. I would wear them again with different looks. Perhaps a crisp white shirt and blue jeans or a white suit in future. I am so glad I decided to wear the earrings. They brought some fun to the look. The rose gold features of the handcrafted earrings went perfectly with the nude tones of the corset. It complimented the nude blush makeup and thick shiny curls and veil.
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding ceremony?
The most memorable moment of our day was our ceremony. I carefully sneaked through before Ula and walked down the aisle, holding tears back once I had seen our family and friends were all there to support us and celebrate our love. Ula walked down and I watched her as she walked towards me. She looked like a princess. Her smiling face just brightened the whole moment.
If you could offer advice to other brides contemplating whether to wear a statement pair of earrings what would you say based on your experience?
I always follow an unwritten rule when I am accessorising. If the outfit has a lot of features already, for example, a patterned corset, nude pieces and detachable sleeves, like my gown did, I would opt for more simple accessories. For me, a necklace would have been too distracting against the gown. I tried many different earrings, for example, smaller ones, however I felt it did not compliment the dress as well as statement floral earrings did. I felt bringing the attention up to the face with the statement earrings was the perfect twist and it complimented the dress without being too obvious. I wanted the Grace gown to speak for myself. I would definitely consider the colours/tones of your bridal make up look when choosing earrings as this could highlight your look even more. I also loved that the photographer captured some stunning close up photos of me and Ula embracing. She captured the detail of the earrings in these shots which really added a sense of allure to the whole look and our beach photographs.
Photographs Rebecca Carpenter Photography
Dresses Mirka Bridal
Earrings: Debbie Carlisle
Venue: Kingswood Hotel, Fife, Scotland
Flowers and Decor: Carpe Diem Events
Makeup and Hair: Nadia Doriano and Jodie MaguireThese gold pearl hairpins are ideal for anyone planning a warmer toned or Autumn wedding or who has chosen other accessories in the same metallic hue. Perfect for dotting through an updo you can buy these pins in small mix and match quantities or as a full mixed set of nine which is perfect to create a natural scattered look.
You can even order a coordinating headband in gold - Prue - which works beautifully with the matching gold pearl hair pins. You can wear them all together for the whole day or build your look throughout your day. Alternatively why not wear the headband and gift matching pearl hairpins to your bridesmaids?
These hand-crafted gold pearl pins are the ultimate in bridal luxury. Crafted in my Sheffield studio from the best Austrian crystal pearls, their stunning lustre is unparalleled and their shine will last long after your wedding day, to be worn again and again or handed down to future generations, with a beautiful story to tell.
]]>Planning a fairytale forest wedding? Then I’ve got some gorgeous inspiration for you! With a magical location, the perfect green bridesmaid dresses, a floral bridal gown of dreams and a crown fit for a woodland nymph, this free-spirited wedding at Camp Katur is packed to the rafters with ideas to steal!
Nature-loving bride Amy picked out the perfect crown for her North Yorkshire wedding at Camp Katur during a visit to the Debbie Carlisle studio. The Coraline crown could have been designed just for her - with gold and green crystals which perfectly complemented her hair and the lush forest setting, and hand-carved mother of pearl flowers which mirrored the florals in her dreamy gown from Emily Bridalwear.
I asked Amy to tell me a little bit about her free-spirited fairytale forest wedding - and her advice for brides thinking of wearing a wedding crown. I love what she had to say!
I always dreamed of a woodland wedding. I have quite a hectic brain and when I’m walking in the woods everything just calms down and I feel connected to the earth again. I wanted to find that calm and magic for our ceremony and then joyful dancing - which brings me to Camp Katur. There are not very many woodland venues in the north of England that you can do the legal bit at as well so we had visited a few before we went to Camp Katur and we were immediately swept away with the whole place.
I asked my florist for a Folklore x Lover theme (Taylor Swift eras) we are both Swifties luckily, so that translates to a woodlandly/ferny/rustic vibe mixed with pinks. My dress had a biscotti underlay (blush-ish) so I was always trying to balance the wild/nature side and the girly side.
When the sun decided to come through the trees - it really felt like magic.
Absolutely yes, I was initially nervous to wear my crown/tiara because of my constant trying to balance the girly with the cool but realised that was a stupid worry when I was so in love with my crown. It felt so special and just sparkled all day. I received a lot of compliments throughout the day.
Just do what YOU want to do! It was the cherry on the cake for me and I’m so grateful to Debbie for designing the most perfect crown. It was also very comfortable and kept me looking bridal even when the rest of me was looking a little bedraggled by the end of the evening from all the dancing!
Feeling inspired? Head to my collection of boho bridal hair accessories and find your perfect fairytale forest wedding hair accessory now!
Photos Fly On The Wall Photography
Crown Coraline by Debbie Carlisle
Makeup @heatherwildman_makeup @sarahgraymua
Hair @beckyorwin
Florist @happyrootsfarmuk
Dress Emily Bridalwear
Suits @masterdebonair
Venue Camp Katur
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Pearls have always been popular with brides but a new modern take on a timeless classic means you can rock these traditional bridal hair accessories with a cool bride edge!
From oversized luxury pearl hairpins, combs or statement earrings to delicate botanical hair vines, crowns, tiaras and hairpins made from stunning freshwater pearls, pearl bridal hair accessories are no longer the sole preserve of traditional brides.
Now, you can choose from a wide range of options that cater to your unique style and wedding theme. Whether you're planning a traditional, modern, retro, boho, or completely unique wedding, there's a pearl bridal hair accessory that will perfectly complement your vision.
Aside from their timeless elegance, pearls offer an additional beauty benefit. When worn close to your face, these incredible gems create a natural glow, enhancing your skin's luminosity. Imagine the added radiance as you walk down the aisle, literally glowing thanks too these beautiful accessories.
Create a natural scattered effect with the Prudence luxury sustainable crystal pearl hairpins. These sets of nine pins come in mixed sizes, or in smaller sets of three, allowing you to effortlessly dot them through an updo, plait, or half-up, half-down hairstyle. For a more formal look, try the Perla pearl cluster hair pins, while the May pearl hairpins offer an elegant yet relaxed botanical style which would work in any wedding setting.
The Prue pearl headband combines romantic bridal vibes with a cool contemporary edge. With evenly-spaced luxury sustainable crystal pearls sitting on a gold or silver-plated band, this accessory adds a modern and clean look to any hairstyle. The delicate ribbon ties provide a romantic touch, allowing you to customise your look depending on your outfit and personal style.
For an elegant boho look, consider a pearl hair vine like Rosie, Rosemary, or Small Rosemary. These botanical-inspired designs, handcrafted from gorgeous freshwater pearls, are perfect for rustic, garden, or traditional wedding settings. These versatile wedding hair accessories can be pinned anywhere you like, giving your hairstylist lots of options to create a look that's unique to you. For a truly statement boho look, the Elise wedding veil hair vine is pure perfection - completely unique and an absolute showstopper without being at all overwhelming. I highly recommend this unusual option if you’re a free-spirited bride planning to rock long waves or curls on your wedding day!
Add a touch of modern boho elegance with the Maeve crown - a modern take on the traditional tiara. Its delicate botanical strands and pearls make it a stunning choice for a botanical or outdoors-inspired wedding. The handcrafted flexible strands allow you to adjust the crown's height and volume, creating a unique ethereal look. Pair it with coordinating May hairpins to add to the untamed botanical vine effect.
The Mona luxury pearl comb will add a touch of contemporary cool to your wedding day look, a modern take on the traditional bridal comb to help you create an elegant yet fashion-forward look on your wedding day. This hand-wired pearl clip looks fantastic placed in front of a high ponytail, above the ear, or sitting above a veil for a classic bridal look. Teamed with a long veil, the comb takes on a more traditional feel, added to a short birdcage or duster veil Mona is all about quirky 50s or 60s vintage style. Check out the Artemis and Asteria pearl and star crystal combs for a gorgeous modern celestial look.
Don't overlook the impact of statement bridal earrings. They are a fantastic way to add a contemporary vibe to your look and would be an unusual and budget friendly alternative to a pearl wedding hair accessory. The Mona modern pearl hoop earrings will add some cool bride chic to your look worn alone or they can be teamed with the matching Mona comb to elevate your style or update your look from day to night. Experiment with other hair accessories for a more dramatic look - I love the Mona large pearl hoops with my Angelica ivory padded crystal headband for a gorgeous couture bride look!
Birdcage veils are having a real moment in the wedding world - even featuring in British Vogue’s 2023 wedding accessories trends round-up. These small yet impactful veils have captured the attention of wedding afficionados, becoming a must-have accessory for modern brides seeking to add a touch of chic formality and wearable glamour to their big day.
A birdcage veil is the perfect choice for those who want a stylish and effortlessly elegant bridal look. In this article, we'll explore the versatility of beautiful French netting birdcage veils and inspire you to create a look that is by turns sophisticated, vintage, or fashion-forward. Whether you choose a separate birdcage veil and hair accessory, an integrated veil and headband or simply wear a veil on its own, this is your chance to stamp your personal style on your day.
A quality birdcage veil like those offered on our website will be fine, delicate, and made from the softest French netting - cheap French netting can be hard and scratchy with bigger holes and means your veil won’t sit properly or can even be uncomfortable to wear.
Worn alone, a birdcage veil creates a simple and sophisticated look - one of our most popular designs is a traditional veil design in two different lengths which simply clips into position at the top of your head. You can choose an integrated clip if you plan to wear your headpiece with a headband, or use bobby pins or a bridal comb to hold your veil in place if you prefer. For a more modern high-fashion look, choose our newer sleek and sophisticated mask veil - also available in two lengths which means you can choose whether your veil sits above or below your mouth. A mask veil simply pins into place at each side of your head with the included kirby grips or bobby pins.
Alternatively, you can pair your veil with combs, hairpins, or crystal headdresses to add a touch of vintage or retro glamour to your ensemble. Whether you prefer a simple and sophisticated style or a vintage-inspired glam look, there are lots of accessories to choose from to ensure your adornment aligns with your unique bridal style and vision.
For a more fashion-forward look, combining a birdcage veil with a modern padded headband creates a stylish and contemporary bridal vibe. The most easy to wear option is the Esme headband veil. This beautifully tailored soft ivory birdcage veil is attached to a stunning padded ivory satin headband making it incredibly easy to wear. The adjustable veil can be easily moved so it sits above or below the mouth - allowing you to choose how much of your face you cover on your big day and making it incredibly quick to change your look through your day. The Esme ivory padded headband and birdcage veil offers a simple way to wear this chic modern vintage bridal look without having to worry about how to style your birdcage veil, just carefully lower the whole piece onto your head and you'll be aisle-ready in moments!
And if you prefer this look with a separate birdcage veil so you can remove the veil part way through your day? Choose the 'Separate Veil' option at checkout and you'll receive the plain ivory headband with a separate short veil which you can clip onto your hair beneath the headband then simply lift the headband slightly to remove the veil partway through the day.
For the ultimate in luxe sophistication, pair a birdcage veil with one of our jewellery embellished padded headbands - I recommend choosing the short clip-on birdcage veil and sitting that underneath the headband as pictured with the gold embellished Angelica below. This will ensure the veil doesn’t catch on the jewelled embellishment and creates a beautifully sleek and chic look.
As chic birdcage veils continue to rise in popularity, they offer brides a fashionable and elegant alternative to traditional full-length veils - without the high maintenance of a longer veil. The versatility and wearability of these veils, combined with the beautiful soft French netting material, allows you to create a bridal look that reflects your personal style, whether it's sophisticated, vintage-inspired, or fashion-forward. If you're seeking a bridal look that is effortlessly chic, a birdcage veil might be the perfect choice for you - visit our birdcage veil section to shop now!
Would you like to wear a birdcage veil but need little help to find the perfect shape, size or accessory to pair with it? Get in touch with any questions - or answer my simple Style Quiz and I’ll happily help you out with some suggestions perfectly tailored to your bridal vision.
We are thrilled to announce that we have now added Klarna to our online store so you can spread the cost of buying your bridal hair accessories - with no interest fees!
Whether you dream of wearing a crown, hair vine, veil, or even earrings, Klarna's flexible payment plans mean you can spread the cost of bringing your vision to life over time, making it easier to buy your bridal accessories while staying within your financial comfort zone.
Here's how it works: when you're ready to make a purchase, simply choose Klarna as your payment option during the checkout process. Klarna will provide you with clear information regarding your payment plan, including the amount of each instalment and the dates on which they are due. No hidden fees or surprises—just transparent and convenient payment options tailored to suit your needs.
Not only does Klarna offer payment flexibility, but it also provides a seamless and secure shopping experience, giving you peace of mind while you shop for your special day.
By introducing Klarna as a payment option, we hope to help you to bring your dream bridal vision to life without any unnecessary financial stress - with no interest fees to pay.
So, why wait? Explore our stunning collection of bridal accessories and take advantage of the convenience and flexibility that Klarna offers. Start shopping today and get one step closer to turning your bridal dreams into reality!
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Get your free personalised wedding accessory recommendation for your unique style by taking our simple online quiz now! Simply tick the boxes that apply to you and your answers will be read by our designer and founder Debbie Carlisle who will respond with hand-picked accessory ideas just for you!
The quiz has been designed to quickly assess key style elements that will enable Debbie to work her styling magic and come up with selections specifically for you.
While you don't have to upload images, the more information you can give, the more specific Debbie's recommendations can be! You can upload a maximum of three images which can be anything you like, so if you'd rather send two pictures of hairstyle ideas and none of yourself, that's just fine!
There's plenty of room to add your own message so if there's anything you think Debbie really needs to know about your day or your style, just add it into the box at the end of the quiz.
Debbie will deal with every submission personally, and will usually be back in touch within 1-2 working days of receiving your quiz answers with her selections just for you.
So what are you waiting for? Take the quiz now and discover your bridal style!
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If you're rocking short hair as a bride, it can sometimes feel like a challenge to find the right inspiration for bridal hair accessories. But I’ve got your back! There are plenty of amazing options to beautifully complement your short locks with the perfect wedding accessories - no matter your personal style! And you might be surprised to know you can even wear hair vines, hair pins and combs! Welcome to my guide to accessory ideas for 12 different bridal styles to create the wedding day look of your dreams:
A delicate sparkling comb or small tiara style vine will add a touch of glamour to a soft romantic bridal look – wear a comb with a veil during the day for a touch of traditional sparkle and then wear it alone just above the ear for an elegantly glamorous look at your evening reception.
If you want to create a romantic ethereal bohemian look then a delicate hair vine will soften your look. Hairvines usually attach with a comb or Kirby grips – if you cross two Kirby grips over each other as you pin the vines into place, the small dimples in them create a ‘lock’ which will keep your vine in place even in short hair. Short hair looks absolutely amazing with a Juliet cap veil and can create a strong vintage style or soft bohemian ethereal look, depending on how you accessorise it. I love to pair these veils with symmetrical pieces like my Coralie hairvine or a simple headband which creates a beautifully romantic look.
If you’re planning an outdoors-inspired, rustic or botanical wedding then a simple foliage-themed crown, hairvine or circlet will help finish off your look. I love gold crystal for a more rustic feel - or choose pearls or clear crystals for a more traditional vibe. A circlet or crown is the perfect way to add a touch of flower crown chic to your look – without overwhelming your short hair with real flowers. There’s also the added bonus that a jewelled flower crown won’t wilt when the evening comes!
A fresh flower crown can overwhelm a short hairstyle – but there are lots of ways to wear florals that will complement shorter cuts. A jewelled crown with flower detailing is a more delicate way to wear a flower crown with short hair cuts - I love to see a crown with a crop of short bob and there is the added bonus of it being incredibly easy to wear as you simply lower it into place! One of my favourite designs to wear with short or bobbed hair is my Cherry vine which looks incredible with the fronds just edging onto the face. It’s inspired by Japanese cherry blossom and has the same fresh, romantic delicate style as these gorgeous natural blooms.
A vintage crystal side tiara is a great way to accessorise a prom style tea-length gown or a 1920s or 1930s look and can also be worn with a traditional long veil or a birdcage veil for a more quirky look. It’s also super-easy to wear in short hair and is perfect if you don’t plan to have a hairstylist on hand – you can just pop it on your head and go! A feather side tiara headband with a flash of deco-style crystal embellishment is a really beautiful way to highlight a soft side-parted pixie cut or bob and really creates a romantic deco vibe for a vintage-loving bride.
A birdcage veil looks fabulous with shorter hairstyles and my veils come with a small clip that easily attaches even to short hair making it a cinch to wear, especially if you team it with a headband. You can create lots of different looks with a birdcage veil - from a retro or vintage vibe to cool and quirky style.
A delicate sparkling comb, hair vine or headband in an open design will add a soft touch of romantic glamour to your bridal look.
There are a few ways to add a modern edge to your short hair - a satin padded headband is the ultimate fashion forward modern bride look right now and I also love the idea of wearing statement chandelier earrings with short hair instead of a headpiece for a more modern and unexpected look. And short hair is especially good for showing off a stunning pair of statement modern earrings which you can wear again long after your wedding day.
To add high shine Hollywood style glamour to your look you can’t beat a statement sparkling comb or hair pins set worn above the ear. This classic look is a screen siren staple and is the perfect way to accessorise a red carpet-style gown.
If you have a simple bridal style, a slim and delicate headband will set the bridal tone without overwhelming your look.
Short hair works so well with a statement headpiece so if you’re an accessories kind of girl with a love of sparkle this is a great opportunity to go all out. A headdress on a headband is the easiest way to do this but you could try a hair vine which trails around the head if you’re confident in your hairdresser’s skills!
Hopefully these styling suggestions and photographs have given you lots of inspiration for styling short hair for a wedding – I absolutely love to see a short haired bride rocking a hair accessory and I hope this has shown that you don’t need to grow out your short hair to look absolutely amazing on your wedding day!
If you’re wondering how to keep a hair comb, hairpin or hairvine securely in your short or fine hair - check out this short hair wedding inspiration post for some top tips and tricks!
If you're ready to start shopping these amazing looks visit my curated selection of short hair bridal accessories.
]]>If you’re thinking of wearing a coloured wedding dress on your wedding day, step this way for the ultimate in dopamine dressing inspiration!
The dopamine dressing trend is all about celebrating the positive impact of colour on your mood - and what better excuse for rocking a coloured wedding dress could there be?
A coloured wedding dress can mean anything from bright pinks or blues, subdued tones like gunmetal grey or forest green, or even richer versions of the traditional bridal palette - running the gamut from creams and champagnes to gold, bronze or silver.
Bridal designer Kate Beaumont has long been exploring how colour can be incorporated into bridal styling with her unique coloured gowns - so I was delighted when she invited me to join her by providing accessories for a collaborative shoot to showcase her dresses against a range of colourful backdrops.
Colour on your wedding day is something I have also been exploring for some time too, so this shoot felt like the perfect fit for me! Most of my designs are available in gold and rose gold as well as the more traditional ivory and silver tones, and I’ve even incorporated greens, pinks, white opal and antique gold into my collections. I also offer the option to have bespoke headpieces made using any colour you like - and I really hope this shoot will inspire more brides to choose colour on their wedding day!
When it came to choosing accessories to work with Kate’s incredible gowns the key was to pick pieces that worked tonally, as well as with the cut, fabric and texture of Kate's gowns, our model's hair type and style, and the shooting sets. I also took into account the floral arrangements, shoes, handbag, veil, make-up, and even on-set disco balls!
For the silver disco ball set I chose my labradorite crystal Coraline crown that features silver crystals resembling tiny mirror balls while I paired my Mona statement pearl hoop earrings with Kate's striking and elegant blue gown which I think worked perfectly with the simple lines of the dress and the exquisite Shrimps pearl bag!
I chose a lot of botanical crowns for this shoot because they worked so well with our model’s relaxed waved bob hairstyle, the beautiful Swallows and Damsons florals, and the natural flowing lines of Kate’s gowns.
Clear crystals and metallics are great options for pairing with coloured gowns while I think you can’t go far wrong with pearls for a blue gown. I chose my champagne-toned crowns for the softer coloured gowns and chose a statement rose gold crown to pick out the richness in Kate’s pink gown.
The gorgeous images were shot digitally by Danni from Maytree Photography and she invited Hollie from HM Weddings to capture some analogue pictures which really showcased how different photography choices can change how a coloured wedding dress will look in your wedding photos. Hollie brought along a couple of old-school film cameras to create different effects, which added a softer, more organic feel to those images compared to the brighter looks created by Danni.
The whole shoot was also a brilliant celebration of women and what they can do – our all-female team worked together to bring this shoot to life on International Women’s Day and it was the best way to celebrate!
If you’re thinking of wearing a coloured wedding dress and feel unsure about how to accessorise your look why not get in touch with me for some free advice? You can send me an email to hello@debbiecarlisle.com or visit my contact page - and I’ll happily send you my suggestions for your look! Alternatively why not check out my guide to choosing a wedding hair accessory?
Photographer: Maytree Photography | Analogue photographer: Hollie Cornish | Dresses, concept & styling: Kate Beaumont | Hair and make-up: Jenn Edwards | Headpieces: Debbie Carlisle |Florals: Swallows & Damsons |Shoes: Chie Mihara | Embroidered Veils: Daisy Sheldon | Cape Veil: Helen Martin Veils |Wedding rings: Cathy Sutherland | Earrings: Blue Meadow | Earrings: Debbie Carlisle |Handbag: Shrimps | Silk hair bows: Kate Beaumont | Studio – Portland Works |Model – Nicole at Industry
]]>If you're a fan of the Princess of Wales' Coronation tiara, you'll love the stunning jewelled botanical crowns by bridal hair accessories designer Debbie Carlisle. Debbie's 'Mabel' crown channels the same shape and three-dimensional style as Kate Middleton's modern take on the traditional tiara.
The Princess’ new custom-made Coronation tiara was created by milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen and was a huge surprise to commentators who expected either a traditional tiara or a fresh flower crown. Instead The Princess of Wales stunned with a spectacular sparkling silver modern Coronation tiara with a botanical leafy effect worthy of the most modern botanical-inspired bride.
Handcrafted in small batches in the UK using high-quality navette leaf-shaped luxury high lustre crystals and scattered floral crystals, the ‘Mabel’ crown is Debbie Carlisle’s fashion-forward take on the tiara - a modern boho luxe-inspired diadem that will add incredible glamour and ethereal beauty to your bridal look.
The intricate floral design of the Mabel crown is reminiscent of trailing flowers and bridal lace, giving it a romantic and feminine feel that is perfect for a botanical or garden-inspired wedding theme. Each crystal is carefully wired together by hand using jewellery wire plated in gold, silver or rose gold and luxury crystals in the same precious metal settings.
The Mabel crown is part of Debbie Carlisle’s new ‘Goddess’ collection of botanical crowns, headbands and hairpins fit for a modern day princess - which you can see here.
]]>Planning a botanical wedding? Add a nature-inspired botanical bridal hair accessory to tie your look to your theme!
If you're a nature lover and dream of a wedding surrounded by lush greenery, gorgeous blooms, and natural elements, a botanical wedding theme may be the perfect choice for you. A botanical theme will help you create a calming environment to say your I Do's that celebrates the beauty of nature - and helps you feel relaxed on your special day.
Whether you want to incorporate leafy green hues or delicate floral arrangements, there are plenty of ways to add botanical elements to your wedding - and one of the easiest ways to ensure your bridal look works with this theme is through your hair accessories. A botanical-inspired bridal hair accessory can add a whimsical and romantic element to your bridal look, while also ensuring your style is connected to your botanical theme.
Here are some botanical bridal hair accessory ideas:
Flower crowns: A flower crown is a classic botanical accessory and works especially well for an outdoor or garden wedding. To ensure your headpiece doesn’t wilt or droop during the day - and you have an accessory to treasure long after your wedding is over - a jewelled floral crown like my Mabel or Coraline crown is a stunning long-lasting option. My Maeve or Helena botanical crown will add an ethereal vibe to your look - choose classic bridal pearl, delicate fairytale clear crystal or rustic gold crystal.
Floral or leafy hair vines: A hair vine is a delicate and romantic accessory that adds a touch of botanical beauty to your bridal look. Choose one with small hand-carved mother of pearl flowers or simple pearls like my Daisy, Small Sylvie, Small Rosemary or Katya hair vines look or go for the sparkle with my high lustre crystal hair vines like the Ella, Sybil or Selena hair vines. I love the idea of my Elise botanical hair vine veil for a boho bride.
Leafy or floral hair pins: For a more subtle botanical touch, leafy hair pins are a great option. They're versatile and work well with a range of hairstyles, from loose waves to sleek updos. Check out my Maisie, Sophia, Coralie, May, Saffron and India hair pins.
Botanical headbands: Headbands are a chic and stylish way to add a botanical touch to your bridal look. Choose one featuring delicate flowers or leaves, such as the Etta jewelled floral headband, the India, Katarina, Amy or Anastasia ribbon tie headbands or the Angelica or Effie ivory satin padded headbands.
A floral comb is a versatile accessory that can be used to accentuate a bun or add a touch of botanical charm to a half-up, half-down hairstyle. You can go for a traditional small crystal and pearl comb like my Lucia and Lucille floral combs, or choose from my more whimsical mother of pearl combs like Viola, Imogen and Beth.
When you're choosing a botanical bridal hair accessory, consider the rest of your look, such as your dress, bouquet, and venue. You want your hair accessory to complement your overall theme and not clash with it.
Incorporating a botanical theme into your wedding is a beautiful and timeless way to celebrate the beauty of nature. With the right hair accessory, you can ensure your bridal look creates a whimsical and romantic vibe and works seamlessly with your botanical wedding theme.
To see more bridal hair accessory ideas visit the Debbie Carlisle online store or for more wedding advice for nature-loving free-spirited brides check out my Boho Wedding hair accessory ideas blog post.
]]>In this handy guide I’m going to take you through a few key points to think about when choosing a wedding headband but first, I want to put to rest any fears about uncomfortable pinching cheap headbands. This can be a problem with cheaper designs, especially ones that use bare metal headbands. To counter this I have created three different handcrafted headband styles, all of which are designed to be supremely comfortable to wear:
From boho to classic, rustic to minimal, celestial to statement, wedding crowns are really having their moment right now. But their popularity means it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with choices - so I’ve put together a handy checklist to help you pinpoint your bridal crown style. When choosing a wedding crown it's essential to consider your overall look to ensure your choice will complement your dress, venue and even your hair, so here are my picks for different bridal styles:
Classic or traditional: Choose a crown with a more traditional shape like the Coraline or Mabel crown. The Coraline hand crafted crystal and mother of pearl crown is based on the traditional bridal crown or tiara shape and comes in four colourways so it will suit lots of different styles and colours. It has an elegant design with mother of pearl flower accents and is packed with crystals which range from super-sparkling to more aged tones depending on your individual style. The Mabel crown is a super-sparkling crystal design which comes in three precious metal colourways - gold, rose gold and silver. This is perfect for a glamorous modern bride looking for something truly special with classic, traditional style underpinning this gorgeous floral vine inspired look.
Boho: For bohemian brides who want to wear a crown my top pick would be the Maeve botanical style crown which is hand-wired with crystals or pearls to create a delicate ethereal headpiece. It comes with innovative flexible strands which mean you can easily change the height of the crown and customise it to your own style - so you can choose whether you go big or small with this piece!
Rustic: If you’re planning a rustic wedding I love the idea of the antique gold Helena crown which has a gorgeous dark gold tone that works so well with woodland and barn settings. This simple piece reminds me of delicate twigs and would add a really gorgeous shimmer to a rustic bridal look.
Celestial: If you’re planning a celestial themed wedding I have a couple of ideas up my sleeve for you! For a more delicate look the Orion crown has just the right amount of sparkle and features a light sprinkling of star-shaped luxury high lustre crystals to reference your theme in a subtle way. If you’re planning more of a statement modern celestial vibe I would suggest the Starlet crown, a striking crown packed with star crystals that would suit a more edgy bride looking for an unusual headpiece with some rock star glamour.
Garden or backyard wedding: You can’t go wrong with a flower crown for a garden or backyard wedding and the Isobel floral crown is the perfect way to add flowers to your hair that won’t wilt and can be worn again long after your wedding. This piece features delicate carved mother of pearl flowers teamed with crystals or pearls and is a pretty and delicate crown for a spring or summer bride available in gold or silver colourways.
Minimalist wedding: The champagne Helena crown or clear crystal Maeve crown would be great choices for a minimalist wedding. Helena is a delicate understated crown that won’t overwhelm a minimalist bridal look while the clear crystals used in the Maeve crown make it an incredible choice for a simple bridal look that can look barely-there in some settings, yet sparkle so incredibly in others!
Statement: If you want to make a statement with a crown, choose something with plenty of height or volume - and to really create a dramatic look choose a crown with matching hairpins to extend the look over the top or back of the head. This is an innovative way to style a crown which will amaze your guests and really create a wow-factor look. For a truly statement look I would suggest the Mabel crown teamed with matching Saffron hairpins placed just under the base of the crown so they appear to grow out over the top of the head, or the Maeve crown teamed with the coordinating May hairpins.
Size: As well as considering your bridal style you’ll want to consider the size and shape of your head when choosing a crown. Smaller heads will look great with a more delicate crown like the Small Coraline or Helena while bigger heads can take bigger crowns and extra pieces like matching hairpins such as the Large Coraline or Maeve crowns.
Comfort: Comfort is key and all of the crowns suggested here sit on delicate flexible metal headband bases which are wrapped in ribbon to make them supremely light and comfortable without the risk of digging in or pinching the side of your head. Most of these styles also have customisable elements that allow you to adjust the height and volume of the crown. This flexibility makes it easy to mould the crown into different shapes and styles, depending on your personal preference. This means you can easily experiment with different shapes and heights to find the perfect look for your head shape and hairstyle.
Accessories: When it comes to pairing a wedding crown with other accessories, it's important to strike the right balance. If you're wearing a larger and more intricate crown, you may want to keep your other accessories simple and understated. If your crown is more minimalistic you can play around with bolder accessories to finish off your look.
Hairstyle: A wedding crown can look stunning with hair worn down in loose waves, a half up half down style or in an updo. Talk to your hairstylist about how to incorporate the crown into your chosen hairstyle to create a cohesive and elegant look or have a play with a few different styles at home or at your hair trial once you’ve chosen your crown.
Joy: The final (essential) element is joy - ask yourself the question, ‘does it make my heart sing?’ Choose a wedding crown that you feel comfortable and confident in and excited about wearing and you can feel happy that you are embracing your unique style and creating a bridal look that will make you feel like the best version of yourself as - and that you can look back on with happy memories to last a lifetime.
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Looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding headpiece? I love working with brides to create the perfect hair accessory for their big day and my bespoke service is the ideal option if you want something unique and tailored to your personal style and wedding theme. So, what can you expect from a Debbie Carlisle bespoke bridal hair accessory consultation?
I offer consultations either in person or online (usually via email) so you can choose the option that suits you best. Before our appointment I’ll ask you some questions about your wedding - such as your dress, your hairstyle, and any other details that will help me create the perfect hair accessory for you. I’ll also ask you to let me know which of my designs you like so I can build up a picture of your personal style preference in advance - and be sure that my style is the right fit for you. We’ll also talk through any ideas you might have in advance so I can be well-prepared for our consultation.
During the consultation, I take more time to get to know you, your personal style, and your wedding theme. I'll also show you examples of my work and we can talk about materials and colours to help you get a better idea of what you like.
Once I have a good understanding of your preferences, I'll work with you to create a bespoke design that is unique to you. I'll use my expertise to recommend the best materials and techniques to bring your vision to life, and I'll keep you involved in the process every step of the way. You'll be able to see sketches and/or mockups of your hair accessory, and you'll have the opportunity to provide feedback and make changes as necessary.
Once you're happy with the design, I'll work out a price based on the materials used and the time it will take to create your piece. You can get an idea of my prices by looking at the headpieces in my online store - and you may be surprised to learn that it's possible to have a bespoke piece at little or no extra cost than one of the designs in my existing collections. For example, if you like one of my headpieces and simply want it in a different colour, there is unlikely to be a huge prices difference. And if I already have the colour in stock there may be no extra to pay.
Once I have your go-ahead I will create your bespoke bridal hair accessory by hand in my studio. This is where my skill and attention to detail really shine - I'll use the highest quality materials and techniques to create a piece that is not only beautiful but also durable and comfortable to wear. Bespoke designs may take longer to create than my standard pieces depending on the work involved and whether I have to source new materials so if you're thinking of going bespoke it's a good idea to allow plenty of time.
Finally, your bespoke hair accessory will be shipped to you, beautifully packaged and ready to wear on your wedding day. You'll have a stunning, one-of-a-kind accessory that perfectly complements your dress, your hairstyle, and your personal style, and can be treasured for years to come.
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When it comes to your bridal styling, you don’t have to ‘go big’ to make an impact - small wedding hair accessories can be just as head-turning as a larger headpiece.
From dainty bridal hairpins and sleek slides to detailed wedding hairvines and statement bridal crowns, sparkle can come in all shapes and sizes.
Smaller bridal hair accessories tend to initially appeal to brides who aren’t used to wearing accessories or that want to err on the subtle side of styling. But there can be numerous reasons to choose petite bridal pieces and you’ll find delicate designs for every style of bride!
Read on for my guide to petite headpieces to see if a small hair accessory is right for you.
If you’re not experienced or confident in accessorising your outfits, it’s natural to feel the fear when it comes to your bridal extras. A small hair accessory will bring together and enhance your bridal look without making you feel overly made up or uncomfortable. For the accessory-shy brides out there, I’d suggest a delicate headband or mini hairpins that will add a subtle hint of sparkle without causing overwhelm. Great examples would be my small India wedding hairpins or India bridal hairband, which are both light pieces featuring beautiful crystals and freshwater pearls.
Smaller pieces are often lighter and require less work to hold them in place, so they won’t slip through or weigh down finer tresses for shorter hairstyles. Petite pieces can work equally well with thick and curly hair types too. A bridal hair comb or delicate headband is ideal for short hair and finer locks - and my metal combs can all be gripped into the hair for extra staying power, such as my sparkling Elsa design. Meanwhile, for longer, thicker or wavy strands, a scattering of hairpins, such as my celestial Star or floral Daisy pins, can effortlessly create added interest. A lightweight bridal headband or hairvine, such as my Celine design, is the ultimate small wedding accessory all-rounder. Created using flexible wire, it can be positioned and gripped into place anywhere on the head, or its accompanying ribbon ties can be attached and secured at the back of the head or nape of the neck.
Small hair accessories can be styled to be either subtle or striking. For those wanting to keep it low-key, I’d say to stick to just one piece, such as a fine headband like my Daisy design or a dainty yet detailed hair comb such as Imogen. If, however, you want to increase the impact, double up on the same accessory - so multiple headbands worn in a row, or a pair of combs with one placed on either side of the head. Another alternative to up the small-accessory-ante is to use sets of hairpins to build up your own unique hairpiece or look. My top picks for this would be either the May botanical wedding hairpins, which can be ordered alone for a simple look or worn as a pair or trio for a bolder look, or my Minna floral hairpins, which are available in three different sizes. The final option for a bolder look is to team two different accessory types together, like my Anya headband with matching Anya wedding hairpins.
While no bride wants to be upstaged by their maids, adding a little sparkle to your bridal party’s attire can help luxe-up their look and make them feel extra special. It might be that you choose to go with a large, sparkling hairvine for your main bridal accessory and mirror this within your bridesmaids’ style via tiny twinkling hairpins, such as my Anya pins. Alternatively, if you wanted to perfectly match your bridesquad, you, as the bride, could wear a pair of my statement earrings, like my moon and star Asteria design, while your maids could wear coordinating Asteria hair combs. Better still, these accessories can double up as gorgeous thank you gifts for your leading ladies too.
A modest bridal budget doesn’t mean wedding hair accessories are a complete no go. Small pins and slides often come in under the £100 mark, making them a more affordable option than super detailed wedding headbands and dazzling crowns. Within my collections, you will find items ranging from just £25, with budget-friendly designs, including my pretty Prudence bridal hairpins, contemporary Artemis hair comb and delicate Haillie pins.
As I talked about in my blog post on How To Shop For Your Wedding Hair Accessories, generally, it’s considered best to go for more statement accessories if you're wearing a minimalist wedding dress design and to go for simpler and more delicate accessories if your chosen attire has a lot of detailing or heavy embellishment. So, if you want to leave the talking to your dress, smaller accessories will complement but not compete with your gown. Look to pared-back items like my Amy crystal wedding hairvine, Prue simple pearl headband, and sparkling Saffron hairpins for inspiration.
While most of us are unlikely to head out for Friday night drinks wearing a crystal-adorned wedding headdress, smaller items such as a pearl wedding hair slide or chic bridal earrings can easily be refashioned for occasions beyond your wedding. In my collections, designs such as my Daisy hairpins, Mona wedding hairclip and Beth bridal earrings are gloriously versatile. These wouldn’t look out of place if worn to a bar, restaurant, party or festival.
So, having covered all the plus points of petite wedding pieces, I thought it would be helpful to pinpoint my top small accessory picks for different styles of brides. Question is, which one are you?
Modern Bride - Pearls are having a chic bridal revival right now, making my Mona slide and earrings set the perfect choice for fashionistas.
Vintage Bride - For divine daintiness, my vintage-inspired Luna and hair combs in a variety of colours provide the ideal pop of sparkle to a classic bridal look.
Statement Bride - Stand out with my Astra hairpins and Asteria earrings to project chic cosmic vibes, or wear the Haillie rustic crown for a delicate take on this popular bridal hair accessory trend with a boho feel.
Minimalist Bride - Designed to enhance but not overwhelm, my May hairpin is a simple botanical hairpin and worn alone is a lovely petite accessory. Choose classic bridal pearl or go for clear or gold crystals for a more ethereal vibe.
Classic Bride - Naturally undone but beautifully classic, the glistening Anya wedding headband and matching Anya hairpins are perfect for those wanting a timeless, princessy look.
Cool Bride - It’s celestial vibes all the way for hipster brides with my dreamy luxury high lustre Star crystal headband and hairpins set.
Ethereal Bride - Wonderfully versatile, my Coralie design is a gorgeous floral hairpin that can be worn as a single piece or dot or group a few hairpins through a plait or updo for extra ethereal impact.
Glam Bride - Understated glamour comes in the form of my Lyra hairpin trio set or a chose a single Nova hairpin for a super-sparkling look.
Sophisticated Bride - Go sparkly chic with the gorgeous Thea hairvine, a luxurious creation of leaf effect luxury high lustre navette crystals mixed with pale ivory freshwater pearls and crystal flowers on a delicate hand wired base.
Boho Bride - There are numerous botanical-inspired small wedding hair accessories in my collection that sing with boho beauty. You free-spirited brides will be spoilt for choice by the likes of the Isabella floral headband, mother of pearl and crystal Viola hair comb and beautifully twinkly Haillie hairpins.
Not sure if a small headpiece is for you? Check out my quick-read tips and tricks to find your perfect bridal hair accessory match - or, if you've got more time on your hands check out my full length blog post on how to choose a bridal hair accessory
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Choosing the perfect bridal hair accessory can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can also be a fun and exciting experience. Here are some tips for choosing a bridal hair accessory that are the ideal match for you and your style.
Look for a hair accessory that is well-made and durable, with quality materials with a high-lustre shine with luxury crystals, freshwater or crystal pearls, or hand-beaded details. My headpieces are known for their quality craftsmanship and attention to detail - making them a great choice for a heirloom-quality piece that can be worn long after your wedding day.