Finished today, for a photo shoot tomorrow

I love designing pieces for styled photo shoots. These accessories aren't designed for anyone in particular, so it's my chance to design with freedom, and really push the boat out with new techniques.

I knew that I wanted a particularly opulent piece for an up and coming styled wedding shoot at a Cheshire period country house, and had been building mood boards of patterns, and mosaics, like those found in the temples my husband and I visited when on an extended honeymoon through India, Nepal, Malaysia and Indonesia some years ago! I also wanted a piece that would catch the light in the same way that those mirrored mosaics do.

Sketching, tracing, placing and hand stitching for the finished piece, was a slow, but magical process, as I watched the design come to life, and I can't wait to share pictures from the styled wedding shoot, with our 'bride' wearing this headpiece.

A wonderful woodland wedding shoot

I love being involved in a styled wedding shoot, especially when all I have to do is turn up on the day, meet lots of nice wedding industry people, and do a few refreshment runs!

So, I was delighted to be asked by Becca, of Knutsford plus size bridal boutique Edith & Winston, to provide some of my Glorious hair accessories for her Heaton House Farm shoot.

I've admired Edith & Winston's product shoots featuring the uber glamorous model, Georgina Horne, for a few months, and am very proud to be a Heaton House Farm recommended supplier, so this shoot was set up to be a joy before I'd even boxed up the accessories.

On the day, the hits just kept coming....

Super talented photographer Stephen McGowan, also turned out to be a good laugh (always a bonus),  make up artist Kerry Baker, was a riot! And models Nancy Whittington-Coates and Nic Pollard were top lasses to talk tattoos and hair pieces with.

The shoot made the most of the beautiful natural environment, including the lush English woodland and breath taking Peak District views that surround Heaton House Farm; complimented by beautiful floral arrangements from Knutsford Bloom and strings of romantic festoon lights from Love Lights the Way

AND we had an owl!!! Can't believe how chilled out Eric the owl was, surrounded by lights, lenses, dresses & models, but he was just like "meh, wedding shoot, medding shoot..."!

I cannot wait to see the final edit for this shoot, but if recent form is anything to go by - Stephen McGowan Photography has just been voted as the 15th best wedding photographer in the UK by Your Perfect Wedding Photographer, whilst a stunning collaboration between Stephen McGowan and Edith & Winston has been featured on the cover of Pretty Pear Bride magazine - the results are going to be well worth waiting for.

A sweet styled wedding shoot

I absolutely love being involved in a styled wedding shoot!

Why? Well, first and foremost there's the fun of the day itself. A lot of planning, Facebook messaging, Pinterest board pinning, supplier contacting, emailing, and phone calling should go into a good styled shoot, so when the day finally comes around it's the chance to meet up with all those people you've been 'talking' to for weeks, and with all hands on deck, spend the day making your plans into reality.

 Then there's the chance to see other professionals at work. This gives me great insight into someone's style, attitude, and the quality of what that they do, meaning that when it comes to recommending my colleagues to couples, I do so with complete confidence.


Then there's the results of everyone's collaborative hard work - the pictures! A good styled shoot usually bears profits for all involved as everyone gets something exciting, interesting, and good to look at, to talk about on social media, on their blogs, and in print.

This Manchester shoot, devised by Chelsea and Victoria, was totally sweet to work on!

I'd already admired Chelsea Shoesmith's photography after one of my brides had used her to capture her day, so was delighted when Chelsea approached me to ask me if I'd be interested in this sweetie themed studio shoot to take place at The Pie Factory studios in Salford Quays. Chelsea was particularly after a confectionary themed bouquet to compliment the sugary sweet make-up and styling for the shoot. It's good to be stretched to do something different, and my Liquorice Allsorts bouquet is certainly that!

The day was full of laughs, high drama (as we got chased by security guards for naively thinking we could take pictures anywhere within the Salford Quays complex without needing to apply for a permit...) and hot chocolate. That and these exciting styled wedding pics, mean that this is a day that will stay with me for a long time, with Chelsea and Victoria being ladies I would love to work with again.

Photography: Chelsea Shoesmith
Hair and Make Up: Victoria Shoesmith
Model: Samantha Gregmar
Bouquet: Glorious Tiaras
Dress: 7th Heaven Bridal
Balloons: Balloon Ur Room
Roller Boots: Roller Jems

Hello! Magazine Hair Inspiration

So I'm pretty certain that I, personally, will never make it on to the pages of Hello! Magazine, but I'm chuffed to pieces to see that my Sofia bridal comb, as styled by the very talented Gemma of Dollface Make Up Studio, has!

Hair by Dollface Make Up Studio
www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk

Under the title: The best wedding hair inspiration on instagram; our Sofia comb makes it into the top 10, dressing up this relaxed, romantic, low bun, as styled by the Dollface team at their Cheshire salon.

This style is the perfect choice for a more informal, pretty, boho bride look, channelling that iconic Kelly Clarkson wedding look.

Dollface Make Up Studio, based in Congleton, Cheshire, are an official stockist of Glorious bridal hair accessories, and can offer bridal hair and make up trials using our accessories to inspire you lovely brides-to-be.

We think it very apt that the Sofia bridal accessory just happens to be named after one of the most glamorous Hello! worthy celebrities of all time, Sofia Loren!

Glorious Tiaras and Dollface Make Up - We do!

It's gives me goosebumps and great happiness to announce a very exciting collaboration between Gemma Lucas of Dollface Hair and Make Up, and myself, offering the Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester bride-to-be an incredibly useful service!

Gemma Lucas - Dollface Make Up
www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk

Heidi Reid - Glorious Tiaras
www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

I first met Gemma in the autumn of 2014 having spotted a few of her make-up related updates on Facebook. I took my then, very sorry eyebrows, to her Cheshire studio for a HD makeover (love the results), and we got to chatting about her bridal hair and make up service.

Gemma is a very experienced make up artist having trained and worked as an Advanced Artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, worked backstage on Britain's Next Top Model, The National Wedding Show, and the Scottish Fashion Awards.

Bridal hair and make up with Dollface
www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk/gallery/bridal/

Our make up, brides,  and hair accessories chat, led us naturally to a problem that many brides-to-be face when trying to choose a style that suits them, and that they love, for their wedding day look. Gemma explained how difficult it is for many of her clients to envisage what their style might look like when teamed with an accessory. A chignon accessorised with a large diamante comb, will look very different teamed with a smaller comb, or with a scattering of crystal hair pins, wrapped with a fluid hair vine, or set off by a pearl laden band. Without those accessories to hand, to play around with during a trial, many of Gemma's brides were struggling to find a style that they were confident enough with to have it replicated on the day of their wedding.

I think you can guess what happened next...!

From here on in, when you book and attend your bridal hair and make up trial with Dollface Make Up Studio, you will be treated to a full 'try on session' with a choice of Glorious bridal hair accessories, as part of your trial. That way you can know for sure whether you suit a cascade of pearls running freely around your fishtail plait, or a glitzy Hollywood glamour comb tucked neatly down the side of your half up do.

Ava side tiara
www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/side-tiara-ava

There will never be any pressure for you to place an order for any of the accessories used during your trial, but of course if you do fall head over heels in love, Gemma will tell you where to find me and my very wonderful HD brows!

If you'd like to book a bridal consultation with Dollface you can contact Gemma at:

www.dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk
info@dollfacemakeupstudio.co.uk
07816 291001
www.facebook.com/dollfacemakeupstudiouk
twitter.com/DollfaceMUp

Dollface Makeup Studio
Mawson Hairdressing 
42 Chesterfate 
Macclesfield
SK116BA

Glorious Tiaras can be found at:

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk
glorioustiaras@gmail.com
07904 301059
www.facebook.com/glorioustiaras
twitter.com/glorioustiaras

Glorious Tiaras
Makers' Place
Heritage Centre
Roe Street
Macclesfield
SK11 6UT

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A KEY PIECE FROM THE GLORIOUS 2015 COLLECTION!

I have some very exciting news for you this wintry November weekend! The Glorious 2015 range of accessories launches in our on-line store today, and with it comes your chance to win your choice of one of the key pieces!

Ava side tiara

http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/side-tiara-ava

This collection of 7, divine bridal accessories, incorporates side tiaras, combs, pins, birdcage veils, hair vines, and bridal cuffs, and are all designed with that old style Hollywood glamour firmly in mind.

Some like the Sofia side tiara, comb, and pins, feature dramatic clusters of crystals that Liz Taylor would have totally rocked, whilst others, like the Seren Birdcage veil, were designed to recreate the stylish, vintage elegance, of Hollywood great Sophia Loren.

Sofia side tiara
http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/tiara-sofia                                

Seren birdcage veil
http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/birdcage-veil-seren

The Seren range features tiny hand stitched and wired stars, that twinkle softly and subtly.

Seren hair vine
http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/bridal-hair-vine-seren 

All pieces are hand crafted by Heidi in her Cheshire studio, and can be adapted through a relaxed and friendly consultation, to suit your specific requirements.

To find out how you can win, head over to our Facebook page now, and follow those simple instructions! 

https://www.facebook.com/GloriousTiaras

Stockists enquiries are very welcome at glorioustiaras@gmail.com

Heidi x

• The winner may choose any accessory from the 2015 collection (Sofia side tiara. Sofia comb. Sofia pin. Ava side tiara. Seren birdcage veil. Seren hair vine. The unnamed crystal band!)
• The accessory will be hand crafted by Glorious designer Heidi Reid, and will have a 3-4 week lead time before delivery. 
• Work on the accessory will begin once the competition winner has notified Glorious Tiaras of their accessory choice. 
• The prize must be claimed before 1st March 2015
• Best accessory name wins! 
• The winner will be chosen by a panel of wedding experts. 
• The competition will close for entries on 7th December 2015
• The winner will be announced on 13th December 2015
• Competition is open to UK residents only

Rocking those Vintage Brooch Bouquets!

Glorious Vintage Brooch Bouquets
in stock at Rocks for Frocks

When exhibiting at wedding fairs I'm often asked if I have 'a shop', the short answer to this question is 'no'. The longer answer is that I'm proud to be a member of a growing army of small business women and designers who work out of a home studio. I have always welcomed visitors by appointment and pull out all the stops to make you feel very, very welcome when you pop by the studio to try on some of our Glorious hair accessories! However, I recognise that a number of my clients need to tie in their wedding shopping with other related stuff, which is why I was delighted when Gail of Rocks for Frocks approached me at an event to discuss stocking our bespoke vintage brooch bouquets at her outlet in Liverpool's The Wedding House.

The Wedding House,
Great Gorge Place, Liverpool

Crystal Vintage Brooch Bouquet
©E&MArts Photography

North West brides, if you haven't been, make time in your busy schedules to pop by The Wedding House! Several floors within this imposing Gothic building offer you the chance to talk to everyone from dress suppliers, cake designers, stationers, photographers and of course, accessory designers. A great starting point for the newly engaged, and the perfect place to tick off those final items on your wedding day 'to do' list.

Our bespoke vintage brooch bouquets are in stock NOW at Rocks for Frocks, 2nd Floor, The Wedding House, 3-4 Great George Place, Liverpool. L1 7AG.

www.theweddinghouse.co.uk/index.html

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/section/bouquets

Glorious bride Hannah & how to order a bespoke bridal headpiece!

It was an utter delight to work with April bride Hannah earlier this year, and the process we went through to reach her completed hair accessory makes the perfect blog piece for brides-to-be unsure of how to approach their accessory buying.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah first got in contact with me on via email, having heard my hair accessories discussed on Capital FM Manchester, by another of my brides-to-be!

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah had a very clear idea of the kind of hair accessory she wanted and helpfully sent me a handful of images from Pinterest (what did we do before Pinterest?), showcasing the look she wanted. We spoke on the phone, and Hannah described her dress; pinpointed that she wanted leaves in her tiara, and that she wanted her accessory to have a 'vintage feel'.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah shared her budget with me, the date of her wedding and when she'd ideally like to take delivery of her hair accessory, and I went away to work up some ideas.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Having shared a number of images of fledgling design styles with Hannah, we settled on the look she liked, featuring crystal navettes, ivory potato pearls, and diamante leaves.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

I kept Hannah posted with the progress of her design, sending her images and giving her the chance to comment and make any last minute changes.

Image © Delicious Photography http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk

Hannah notified me of her tiara's arrival with the wonderful message: 'It's arrived and it's perfect'! Just what every designer wants to hear!

So, why did the process work so well?

• Hannah had a clear idea of the theme she wanted her accessory to compliment.
• She discussed looks and shared ideas she liked.
• She knew how much she wanted to spend and was happy to share her budget with me.
• She was honest about the designs she didn't like, which enabled me to get to the one that she did!
• She allowed plenty of time for the design process to happen, contacting me 8 weeks ahead of her wedding.
• She was lovely!

And I think you'll agree, Hannah looks amazing in her bespoke Audrey tiara!!!

Photography: Delicious Photography, Lancashire http://www.deliciousphotography.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Photography

Audrey Tiara: http://www.glorioustiaras.co.uk/tiara-audrey www.facebook.com/GloriousTiaras

Gothic drama! An alternative styled wedding shoot

It seemed quite right and proper that as award winning photographer Janet Broughton and I, put the final touches to the styling for yesterday's alternative wedding shoot, a flash of lightening cut across the darkened skies over our location at the very opulent, *Frank Matcham designed Buxton Opera House!

This was a fittingly dramatic styled shoot, bringing together wildly original bridal wear from The Couture Company; Edwardian Gothic theatre inspired accessories by Glorious Tiaras; striking hair and make up by Helen Masters MUA; sumptuous cakes by For Goodness Cake; suitably brooding stationery by The Charming Press; and hand crafted shoes to die for, by Frankie Lynn!

Our models for the day, Frankie Lynn, Matt Stobbs and Sarah Tonlin glowered to perfection (when they weren't exploring the merits of Penny Dreadful and Edgar Allan Poe)...

The full shoot, expertly captured by the talented Janet at J Broughton Photography, will be available soon. 

If you're interested in featuring on your blog, or in print, contact: Heidi at glorioustiaras@gmail.com or Janet at jbroughton14@hotmail.co.uk

*Frank Matcham - Edwardian theatre designer also famed for designing the London Palladium, London Coliseum and Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Photography: www.jbroughton.co.uk

Bridal wear: www.the-couture-company.co.uk

Accessories: www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

Hair and Make Up: www.helenmastersmakeup.co.uk

Shoes: www.frankielynnemporium.com

Cakes: www.forgoodnesscake.net

Stationery: thecharmingpress.com

Models: Frankie Lynn - www.frankielynnemporium.com Sarah Tonlin - www.facebook.com/SarahTonin.SaraBellisio Matt Stobbs - www.facebook.com/mattsmodel

Venue: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

How to get the most out of a wedding fair

www.glorioustiaras.co.uk


When planning your wedding, a trip to a wedding fair can offer up really big rewards.

For starters, you'll find a good variety of wedding industry professionals under one roof, meaning that instead of spending several weekends trawling around local bridal shops, wedding accessory suppliers, and cake designers, you can see them all in the space of a few hours. Those exhibitors are also keen to do business on the day, so they'll be competing hard to win your time, attention, and money!

However, wedding fairs, especially the big ones, can seem overwhelming, but follow these essential tips and you'll come home at the end of the day having made a serious dent in your 'to-do' list, made some good savings, and enjoyed a fun day out!

1. Register beforehand Many of the shows charge an entry fee, but if you book your tickets beforehand some offer discounted entry, whilst others waive the fee altogether.
2. See who's exhibiting and take a look at their websites You're a busy person! You don't have time to attend a show that doesn't have exhibitors doing what you want! It also helps to know who you definitely want to make the time to go and see whilst your there.
3. Take a shopping list with you It sounds simple, but it'll help keep you on track in what is a relatively short space of time. Most shows run for 5-6 hrs, and by the time you've stopped for coffee & a peek at the catwalk show...
4. Don't go alone If nothing else you'll need someone to help you carry bags, hold up mirrors whilst you try stuff on, and take pictures on your mobile phone. An extra body is also useful to go and queue at the busier stands and have a giggle with as you go around.
5. Try to get there early Goody bags are chock full of nice giveaways, but shows usually only have a limited number, so grab yours before they run out! You'll also get the pick of the time slots for trying on dresses; having your hair done, hands hennaed, or enjoying a free advice session with an expert wedding planner.
6. Make a note of the catwalk times on the way in The catwalk shows are a unique way of gaining inspiration for your wedding day look. You won't want to miss out on seeing how the pros put things together, and the suppliers of those catwalk outfits will be at your show if you see something you absolutely HAVE to have.
7. Book time slots with exhibitors It will help you to structure your day, and make sure you get to try on that special dress; have your hair styled for free; even get your teeth whitened at a special discount!
8. Ask for discounts It's a bride-to-be's and groom-to-be's market. Exhibitors want to fill their order books before they pack up at the end of the day and are happy to offer discounts to make that happen. Some will advertise 'book today' discounts, but if not it's always worth asking, especially if you're thinking of buying more than one product or service from the exhibitor.
9. Ask questions You've paid your entry, made time to be there, and your business is in demand, so don't go home wishing that you'd asked for references, found out how long something would take to make, or whether you could have it in a different colour/size/quantity.
10. Try things on; ask for samples It's important that you get a real feel for the products on offer. I'm amazed at the number of brides-to-be who visit my show stand with it's mirrors, and comfy place to sit, and still try to get an idea of how a hair accessory will look by just looking at it sat on the table! The uniqueness of a show is that you can look, touch, taste, smell, and try on, so get stuck in!
11. If you like something book it! Remember this is a busy time of year for the wedding industry and the most popular designers, venues and entertainers will book up fast.  It's heart breaking to set your heart on something and then find you can't have it because your chosen supplier just doesn't have availability. Even worse to find out you could have had it if you'd booked it 20 minutes earlier...You'll normally need to put a small deposit down to hold the service, but so worth it to know that your name is now in their diary.
12. Ask if you can pay a deposit or spread payments Many exhibitors are happy to offer you flexible payments arrangements, but you won't know unless you ask.
13. Collect business cards In some cases you will need to 'go away and think about it'. Take a business card or brochure so you've got the exhibitors details, but be sure to make a quick note about why you liked them on the back of the card, you'll pick up a few and it's easy to forget by the time you get them all home, which honeymoon company had the best flights, or which cake maker offered the best customer service.
14. Don't feel you have to share your details Lots of exhibitors will want your email address to send you promotions after the show. Some you'll be keen to receive - a sample sale on that dress you wanted? Yes please! Others you won't - insurance for your day when you've already got a policy sorted? No thanks! Don't be afraid to say no (politely). 
15. Enjoy the freebies! There are often plenty on offer. Free wine tasting, free make-up consultations, free cupcakes, free hair styling, and if you have the time, enter a few of those competitions - you might be the lucky couple that wins a free spa break, and let's face it, you could do with a foot massage after a long day at the wedding shows!

Come and see me exhibiting at the following shows:

Hollin Hall Wedding Fair at Hollin Hall Hotel, Kerridge, Cheshire 3rd April 2016