Whether you’re a blushing bride-to-be, or a glamour seeking wedding guest, the recent launch of the Joanie Clothing wedding range is music to any vintage loving girl’s ears. As I was invited to take part in Joanie Clothing’s wedding photoshoot to celebrate their new edit, I thought I’d bring you along by sharing my behind the scenes diary.

JOANIE CLOTHING WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT

9am – The day of Joanie’s Wedding Photoshoot (a nice day for a white wedding)

I’m now thirty minutes late, at a standstill, somewhere on the outskirts of Manchester, clutching my steering wheel and willing the cars in front of me to oblige me. It’s cold and I’m starting to become anxious. Looking to my right, I see I’m passing Salford Lads’ Club. The Smith’s ‘Ask’ immediately pops into my head, and loops itself into my subconscious,[pullquote width=”300″ float=”left”] “Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you’d like to.”[/pullquote]

I knew featuring in Joanie’s wedding photoshoot would push me out of my comfort zone, (I’ve never been modelesque by any stretch of the imagination) but I also knew I’d be in safe hands with the team at Joanie Clothing. Could I feature in a wedding photoshoot? Turns out the answer was yes. Yes, I could.

10am

I’m striding past Manchester’s Ardwick Green, feeling the chill in the air and trying to calm a kaleidoscope of butterflies as they thrash inside my stomach. The wonderful vintage charm of Tanzaro House greets me, distracts me from my thoughts, until I arrive at the hub of the Joanie Wedding Photoshoot to find the team from The Vintage Beauty Parlour already hard at work.

My fellow blogger models, Sade, Em, Karen and Chyaz, are already chatting away, smiling, at ease. Before there’s time to say hello, Joanie’s Social Media Specialist, Christine, makes me a stonking cup of coffee and shows me around Tanzaro’s ‘oh so Instagram’ whitewashed studio space. I’m instantly drawn to the accessories table. Pride of place are a range of items from the Rock N Roll Bride x Crown and Glory collection. I’m instantly drawn to the sweetheart circle veil, edged in love hearts it’s even more beautiful in real life and up close than Pinterest gives it credit.

10.30am

Bethany and Aimee, from The Vintage Beauty Parlour, have completed  their vintage looks on Sade, our bride for the day, and Em, fellow bridesmaid. With their hair intentionally in rollers, make up on fleek, it’s time to start the shoot! Mark, from Tanzaro Creative, has been set the task of capturing the ‘getting ready’ stage of a wedding. Sade and Em chatter away, whilst it’s my turn for hair and make up.

11am

[pullquote width=”300″ float=”left”] My hair is enjoying a 50 Shades moment, being tweaked, teased and pulled into submission, [/pullquote]

but I’m wondering if I’ll suit the heavy make up that’s being applied to my face with care. Sure, I wear make up… daily. A dash of concealer, a bit of mascara, blusher, oh and eyeliner if I’m feeling fancy. There’s a lot of make up being placed on my face and no mirrors to see the transformation. When my look is complete, I barely recognise myself.

12pm

It’s time to get changed! I’m shown my rail where an array of Joanie dresses are waiting. Ladies in red, Ria, Dita, Audrina and Natalia, are on standby but it’s Uma’s time to shine. Literally. Rose gold and adorned in sequins, I love it. I spy Sade, Em, Chyaz and Karen, a vision in a colour palette of delicate pink, white and gold. The scene is set. We’re each set a task: I’m helping to zip the bride’s dress. Snap, snap, snap, I capture a glimpse of the raw images. They’re striking.

1pm

Over lunch, I got a chance to chat with Em, Sade, Chyaz but mainly Karen, from A Vintage Little Lady. Like me, Karen is also petite but unlike me, Karen gets to write about weddings as part of her day job. Dream job or what? Karen had flown over to Manchester from Dublin to take part in Joanie’s wedding photoshoot, now that’s dedication. Over lunch, we relaxed, updated our social media channels and before we knew it, it was time to change again!

2pm

My lipstick has been switched to a vibrant red hue, a lip line drawn to emphasis my thin lips. My skin has yet more foundation applied and my eyes are even darker. Yes, this is a night time look. It’s now the turn of Ria, Joanie’s flirty red floral prom dress turned bridesmaid dress. We’re handed gorgeous blooms from Venus Flowers. I mean, just look at Sade’s bridal bouquet. It’s made me look at roses in a different way. 

3pm

Just like at a wedding, we’ve all eased into the moment and it’s time for the celebrations. Even our photograph Mark is cracking jokes. I love this photo featuring Joanie’s Audrina lace dress. Whilst it mightn’t be the most flattering shot, it’s captured a moment perfectly. In the afternoon, I was next to Em who, on the two occasions we’ve met, has made me laugh with her wonderful sense of humour and warm personality.

4pm

It’s almost time to wrap up the shoot, but not before Dita got her moment too. Of all the dresses, I was convinced that this dress was not going to suit me. I’m 5 foot 2, on a good day, but it turned out to be just right and, who would have guessed, my favourite dress of all! What you can’t see is its huge selling point- the oversized, beautiful bow on the back of the dress.

5pm

And, it’s a wrap! One day, many picture perfect dresses, even more laughs.It’s time to change back into my ordinary, boring clothes and head home.

Thanks to Team Joanie for  taking such good care of me and the opportunity to not only play dress up, but to spend time with wonderful, inspiring women from the blogosphere.

Credits: Photography by Tanzaro Creative | Dresses by Joanie Clothing | Hair and makeup by The Vintage Beauty Parlour | Hair accessories and bridal headwear by Crown and Glory X Rock n Roll Bride | Flowers by Venus Flowers | Wedding cake by Time For Sweetpea