Style Serendipity

Whimsical Styled Editorial…Featured on Once Wed with Brumley and Wells

Ciara — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:30:49 +0000

It’s no secret that one of my biggest inspirations in the styling world is Joy Thigpen, (afterall, I flew halfway around the world to attend her workshop!) Her work and the breathtakingly beautiful content that she and Emily curate on Once Wed, have brought me immense pleasure over the last few years and nudged me to dream big. Creating this shoot in Killruddery House with the absolutely wonderful Jacob and Annie of Brumley and Wells was the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and seeing it come to life on Once Wed is a bit of a dream come true. You can see the full feature here, but they captured so much loveliness I couldn’t resist sharing my favourites. Stay tuned for part 2 later in the week. In the mean time keep yourself amused with the dream team that I was so lucky to work with and who brought it to life. I couldn’t recommend this bunch of creatives any more if I tried. Massive thanks to Lauren, The Informal Florist, Upstyle Junkie, Annette O’ Brien and Little White Dress. Trust me you’re going to want these ladies to be part of your big day!

Elegance and Botanicals at Ballyfin…Featured on Ruffled!

Ciara — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:15:35 +0000

Seeing my styling published never loses its thrill! I was delighted to discover the editorial that I had the pleasure of creating for Confetti Magazine is featured on Ruffled today. I regularly used Ruffled as inspiration for my own wedding and it’s a wonderful source of wedding ideas with hint of vintage glamour. Beautifully captured by Paula O’Hara, I was inspired by the elegance on Ballyfin Demesne and Edwardian botanicals. I hadn’t realised I was also channelling a Great Gatsby-esque vibe! Perfect timing for the opening of the film perhaps?! Is anyone going to it this weekend? Looking forward to getting my style fix!

New York Bridal Fashion Week 2014… Five of the Best!

Ciara — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:49:51 +0000

With New York Bridal Fashion Week at a close for another year, there’s a whole myriad of new collections to explore and lust after. From lacy peplum skirts, to frothy sleeves and hints of embellishments, many of last years hottest trends have been carried forward for another season. Instead of sharing each individual collection I’ve decided to give you a glimpse of five of my favourite creations. Which one do you love best?

If you’re a regular reader of Style Serendipity, it will come as no surprise that I was won over by Claire Pettibone’s latest collection. With her signature exquisite details which included silk charmeuse, ribbons, beading and vintage lace, this peplum gown is the epitome of pretty. The show stopping embellishment at the back is the perfect way to wow the crowd while you are exchanging your vows! See more of the collection here.

The words Marchesa and glamour more often than not go hand and hand together, and while I was a bit disappointed with certain aspects of the Spring 2014 collection, this short delicate lace gown certainly won me over. With it’s one shoulder silhouette and elegant lace it would be the perfect choice of a sophisticated yet pretty city wedding. Check out the rest of the collection here.

Oh Jenny Packham, you never fail to make my heart beat that little bit quicker! While I could have picked any number of stunning gowns from this years collection, this cascading dress with sequin details is the perfect balance between sparkle and elegance. You’ll definitely want to see more here!

A slightly more traditional choice but none less elegant is this strapless lace gown from Oscar de la Renta. I had a brief love affair with an Oscar de la Renta gown while shopping for my own wedding dress in Chicago, I could never have afforded it but I still have a soft spot for the designer since that afternoon! The organza lace embroidery brings a contemporary edge to an otherwise classic gown and I love how the drop veil completes the entire look. Check out more loveliness here!

Last but not least, I can never resist a bit of classic english chic with just the right hint of fashion from Temperley London. Again I fell in love with more than one dress is this collection but the simplicity of the gown above with the softness of the neckline and sleeves was a favourite. You can see the full collection in all is glory here! Enjoy!

Elegant Bridal Boudoir…. by Alicia Swedenborg and Jannie Baltzer

Ciara — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:30:29 +0000

Boudoir photography isn’t an easy medium to master, but when it’s a shoot that features luxurious headpieces by Jannie Baltzer and is captured through the dreamy eye of Alicia Swedenborg you just can’t go wrong. Carefully hand crafted in Copenhagen, Jannie’s pieces are inspired by French Bohemian influences, Art Deco extravagance and Hollywood glamour. Using lace, chiffon and silk she creates accessories perfect for a style icon bride, and ships her work worldwide via her website so be sure to browse the full collection. I have the pleasure of featuring some of Jannie’s pieces in an upcoming styled shoot but for now you’ll just have to enjoy this beautiful shoot by Alicia Swedenborg. A fellow Scandinavian, Alicia is originally from Stockholm but is now based in New York and available for destination weddings worldwide. You can enjoy more of her beautiful work here!

Image Credits: Alicia Swedenborg

Japanese Gardens Engagement… by Brosnan Photographic

Ciara — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:30:41 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me the wealth of beautiful places to be discovered here in Ireland. I had the pleasure of performing with an orchestra at the Japanese Gardens in Kildare many years ago, but this beautiful engagement shoot from Christina of Brosnan Photographic has me planning a return trip asap! Created in the early 1900′s these gardens are acclaimed as the finest in Europe (who would have thought!) and served as the perfect backdrop to Sheila and Noel’s images. Captured on a snowy winters day, I love the pops of red and dreamy shades of cream beautifully brought to life on film. You can see more of Christina’s gorgeous work in her blog! Enjoy all the prettiness and have a wonderful weekend whatever you have planned!

Image Credits: Brosnan Photographic

Alder Manor Wedding…by Bryce Covey

Ciara — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:31:40 +0000

Sometimes a bride and grooms personal style is infused so perfectly into their wedding day that it just takes your breath away! Becka and Donovan’s sublime New York celebration has elegance and beauty written all over it and as owner of chic Brooklyn store Modern Anthology it’s clear style is a regular event for them! Taking place in Alder Manor, a magical rambling estate which is slowly being restored by an Irish Cultural Organisation, their wedding is a wonderful example of simple glamour. From the elaborate Jenny Packham Eden gown to the neutral shades of the bridesmaids and simple accents of greenery, I couldn’t love this wedding any more if I tried. Originally appearing on Once Wed, Bryce Covey’s perfect interpretation of the day was too beautiful not to share again, so I hope you love it as much as I do!

Image Credits: Bryce Covey

Our Wedding in France…Two Years On!

Ciara — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 08:30:03 +0000

Hope you don’t mind that I delayed Friday’s post until now, but I thought in honour of the 27th of April, I would make an exception for today’s special anniversary. On a warm spring day in France two years ago, Rian and I exchanged vows in the vineyard of Domaine Gayda outside Carcassonne in the South of France, starting the adventure of a lifetime. While my love affair with beautiful weddings is stronger than ever, it can never compare to the fun, laughter and love that I’ve shared with Rian since creating this new world together as husband and wife. If you think your wedding day is going to be magical (and it is!) just wait until you see what happens when the wedding day is over…trust me that’s when the fun really starts! Rian, thanks for being the best partner in crime a girl could ever wish for, here’s to many many more blissful years ahead! I’ve gathered a few of my favourites from the day beautifully captured by our photographer extraordinaire Christina Brosnan, but if you’d like to see more head on over here.

Sneak Peek…Editorial Shoot in Killruddery Estate

Ciara — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:33:56 +0000

I am itching to be able to reveal this shoot in full that I had the pleasure of styling with Brumley and Wells in February. But for now a teaser shot will have to do! As you can see I had an amazing team helping to bring the vision to life with dresses from Little White Dress, florals by The Informal Florist, hair by Upstyle Junkie and makeup by Annette O’Brien and modelled by the gorgeous Lauren. I can’t wait to share the rest of the prettiness that everyone captured, watch this space for more soon!

Wild and Lush Wedding Bouquets in Ireland….Your Thoughts?

Ciara — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:36:25 +0000

Happy Monday lovely ladies (and gents!), hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I’m in the throes of planning an exciting upcoming editorial with Anne-Marie Bouchard and get to spend the morning picking out stunning dresses to showcase (it’s a tough life I know!). While organising this particular editorial, I’ve been pondering wedding flower styles a lot and would love to get thoughts and feedback from you brides to be and talented florists out there. Personally I’m a big fan of the style bouquet that is full, loose and romantic with lots of different kinds of flowers and loose asymmetrical shapes. However I’ve seen very few examples of this style at weddings in Ireland and I’m curious why that is? Is it that it’s just not your cup of tea (I was an all peony bouquet girl so totally love the one flower structured look too) or is it that these style flowers are very tricky to source here and possibly more expensive? Florists I’d love to hear from you from this point of view! Enjoy the examples below and feel free to comment here or on facebook and twitter!

Dutch Still Life Inspired Workshop…by Jen Huang Photography

Ciara — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:58:52 +0000

If there was ever a photographer who’s work consistently takes my breath away, it’s Jen Huang. So I’m really delighted to be able to share today’s outrageously gorgeous inspiration, captured at a recent workshop in Santa Barbara. You might remember the stunning manor wedding I had the pleasure of sharing a couple of weeks ago? Well the talented lady behind that shoot, Laura Murray, also happens to be a bombshell and modelled with her other half in front of the camera on this occasion! Inspired by still life masterpieces from the 18th century, Jen Huang channelled the grace and poise of the era punctuated with rich jewel blooms and a farm fresh feast to create a set of images that I’m sure Laura (and all the workshop attendee’s) will treasure for a long time to come. Jen might be heading to this side of the world to offer a workshop at some point in the near future so be sure to keep an eye on her blog for upcoming announcements and lots more dreamy inspiration!