My Lovely Wedding Blog - Dubai — Dubai's most lovely wedding blog

FRIDAY BEST BITS – 13TH DECEMBER ♥

December 13, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Good morning my darlings

How are you all today? It’s a beautiful day in Dubai, and it’s also my friend Kara’s birthday… so a little shout out to you birthday girl!

This week has flown by, and I am finding myself working until about 9pm every night. I’m working on a big wedding, and with only six days to go until the big day, my ‘to-do’ list is never ending. Yesterday we had a meeting with all the vendors involved, and for the first time in a while, I felt like we were all on the same page and all the pending issues are now being resolved. By the way, when I say working on a big wedding, I mean planning/ styling a wedding of 300 people. It’s a new experience for me, and to be honest I have a new found respect for wedding planners. It really isn’t as easy as one would think. Planning you’re own wedding is totally different to planning a wedding for someone else. Luckily I have Clare Ebbs (wedding planning pro) as side kick on the day! Anyway, enough with my ramblings..

If you missed anything this week here’s my usual weekly roundup.

♥ Love in Downtown Dubai | Gul Photography *click here*

♥ Lovely little tea cups | Wedding inspiration *click here*

♥ Lots of love & a little bit of India *click here*

♥ A sneak peek at our vintage boho shoot *click here*

♥ Ersa Atelier @ Contessa Bridal Boutique *click here*

If you’re getting married this weekend have the best time ever.

Lots of wedding love,

Joelle x

Filed Under: General · Tagged With: Dubai weddings, Friday best bits, Wedding blog

Love in Downtown Dubai | Gul Photography

December 12, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

I love this collection of photos taken by Gul Photography, in Downtown Dubai. It makes a nice change from the classic ‘Dubai wedding photos’ taken on the beach in front of the Burj Al Arab. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Burj Al Arab, and I know that when we all leave this wonderful city, and retire to our home countries, we will cherish our wedding photos taken in front of this Iconic Dubai building. But right now the Burj Khalifa has just won me over… (Thank you Gul)

Downtown Dubai is such a cool place for a photo shoot. Gul has done a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to see more weddings being shot in the Downtown Area. If we can’t have the lush green countryside, and historic manor houses as our our backdrop… then this is the next best thing. Modern, chic and structured.

For more information on Gul Photography please check out his website www.gul-photography.com or give him a call on 0566520983.

Have a lovely Thursday everyone. I’m off to a three hour meeting now… wahooo! (could you sense my sarcasm? lol)

Filed Under: Inspiration, Modern weddings, Photographers · Tagged With: BURJ KHALIFA WEDDING, Dubai weddings, GUL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, UAE Wedding, Wedding Photography

Lovely little teacups | wedding inspiration

December 11, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Pretty little teacups make for one of the most lovely wedding themes around. Perhaps a little too lovely for some brides? If you’re not a ‘girly girl’ then this might not be for you.

Pastel tones and floral prints go perfectly together with teacups and saucers, and freshly baked buttery scones. If I had known that you could hire tea sets, I would of gone something very similar to this for my afternoon gathering of guests. For a wedding of 50-80 people you can hire enough tea sets for every person via Once upon a teatime.

The weather in Dubai is almost perfect, and with so many beautiful outdoor events around the UAE, I feel we should be taking advantage of the cooler afternoons and blue skies. So to make your Wednesday morning, a little bit prettier have a look at this…

Image credits; Image 1; Once upon a time, Roses in cup; Pinterest Cake tier w/ cups; trulyscrumptiousweddings.co.uk Cups w/ eggs; boards.weddingbee.com Groom tag w/ cup; bridalmusings.com Tea cup tower; vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com Gold cup; google.co.uk Hanging cups 1; indulgy.com Hanging cups 2; frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com Table of cups; soyouregettingmarried.com Tea cup w/ plant; thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk

For rental prices and info on Once upon a teatime please check their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TeatimeUAE?fref=ts or email Angie at teatime.uae@gmail.com

Have a lovely Wednesday everyone xx

Filed Under: Inspiration, Themes · Tagged With: Dubai weddings, My Lovely Wedding, ONCE UPON A TEA TIME RENTALS, TEA CUP STYLE

Lots of love & a little bit of India ♥

December 10, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Afternoon my lovelies,

I’m so sorry this post is so late. I’ve had rather stressful morning running errands for my Dad, and sorting out last minute wedding decor for a wedding coming up next week. I have no idea where the day has gone. Anyway….

Today’s lovely couple are Joumana and Yousef… Joumana is the founder of the Yoga Room in JLT, and her husband-to-be is the owner of Fraiche; the Candian inspired bistro just next door. This gorgeous bride-to-be is currently in India on a yoga retreat, and just last week Yousef flew out to join her in paradise. The loved up couple decided to take advantage of their beautiful surroundings and this is what happened…

Maybe I’m just bias because I know the couple, and I’m actually planning their engagement dinner, and their wedding too… but they really are perfect for each other. Joumana’s a laid back hippie type with a huge warm soul, and her lovely fiance Yousef compliments her with his business brain and kind nature.

These photos are amazing, and I’m sure they will treasure them forever. I also want to give a big shout out to photographer Justyna Jaworska for taking such beautiful images.

Back tomorrow my lovelies xx

Filed Under: Engagement shoots, Things I love · Tagged With: Dubai weddings, INDIA ENGAGEMENT SHOOT, photo shoot

A sneak peek at our vintage boho shoot

December 9, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Morning my darlings.

Yesterday’s shoot was incredible. Before I start rambling on I must give a massive shout out to the following people… Wedding Photographer -Maria Sundin, Make-up & hair stylists – Dee & Dal, Dress designers Barbaranne and Jane at Moirai style and Maria at The Farm for letting us invade your venue with wedding loveliness.

The official photos won’t be ready for a week or so, but I thought I’d share with you a few of my phone photos.

My photos are not amazing, but they give you the idea of what to expect next week. I must also add that the bride and groom are actually a married couple. They never had a professional photo shoot, or a big white wedding so it was a blessing for us to create something so magical for them. They were awesome, and despite posing in front of the camera for nearly five hours, they didn’t complain once.

We were going for an organic vintage boho styled shoot, and with a combined team effort we achieved just that.

I’ll be posting an amazing engagement shoot tomorrow morning, which was shot in India! It gave me goose bumps when I saw the photos and I think you will all love it. Big shout out to the lovely bride-to-be Joumana…

Have a lovely day everyone xx

Filed Under: Inspiration, Themes · Tagged With: BOHO WEDDING INSPIRATION, DUBAI WEDDING SHOOT, STYLED SHOOT

Ersa Atelier @ Contessa Bridal Boutique

December 8, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Morning lovelies,

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend? I’m about to dash out to pick up a few last minute things for my styled shoot this afternoon. I’ve been working with wedding photographer Maria Sundin on this shoot for the past few weeks, and with the help of some fabulous vendors we will be creating some gorgeous inspiration images.

I thought I’d start the week off with some wedding dress inspiration. If you’re looking for a wedding dress in Dubai then you must visit Contessa. These gorgeous gowns are by ERSA Atelier, and you can buy your very own at Contessa Boutique in JLT.

These gowns are fully handmade with refined material sourced from France and Italy. The gowns are made in Romania, in a studio using Haute couture techniques. ERSA Atelier dresses never use zippers as the corset is the essential elements of their gowns, that’s why everyone gets a stunning figure with an ERSA gowns. And like we always say “You will never fall in Love with ERSA until you’re part of it” – says Mohammed.

This collection is really beautiful. The use of different fabrics in each gown give these dresses a little edge, and I’m loving the volume that the net creates coming off the models waist line. I have a feeling this collection isn’t for the everyday bride… it’s for the bride who wants to make a statement. #swooning #bridalenvy

To make an appointment at Contessa please email appointment@contessa.ae or call Mohammed on +971-4-3649280

Happy shopping everyone xx

Filed Under: Beauty & Style, Bridal, General, My Lovely Suppliers · Tagged With: BRIDAL GOWNS, CONTESSA DUBAI, WEDDING DRESSES IN DUBAI

FRIDAY BEST BITS – 6TH DECEMBER

December 6, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Hello Lovelies,

It’s Friday and I’m up bright and early, as I have a wedding today yay!! I was up late last night finishing off some tassels and preparing for this mornings set up. I’ll update you early next week with photos and all the juicy details from the big day. I’m going to cut this short today as I have sooo much to do. I’ll be back on Sunday with some DIY wedding inspiration, and some wedding gossip.

If you missed anything this week here’s my usual weekly roundup.

♥I love Nu Skin and I think you will too *click here*

♥ Bridal Glamour – Warda Haute Couture *click here*

♥ December Ramblings *click here*

♥ Ju Redondo’s first Dubai wedding *click here*

♥ Looking for a DJ for your Dubai wedding? *click here*

If you’re getting married this weekend have a wonderful time.

Lots of wedding love,

Joelle x

Filed Under: General · Tagged With: Dubai wedding blog, weekly roundup

I love Nu Skin and I think you will too…

December 5, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

It’s wedding season and every weekend until April brides will be getting hitched all over the UAE. Wedding planners will be rushed off their feet, and brides will be aiming for a slightly thinner waist and flawless glowing skin. From my own experience, I would avoid doing anything to your skin two weeks prior to your wedding day. Last year I had skin problems, which I believe was a result of several fruity facials, unnecessary laser treatment (I had one big stop that would appear once a month and that worried me) and to top it all off I had an overwhelming feeling of stress. For my whole story check out my blog from earlier this year *What I didn’t tell you*

It wasn’t until last May that I discovered Silvia & her magical product ‘Nu Skin’. If I could turn back time and replace 8 sessions of Nu Skin treatments with my fruity facials I would. When I say fruity facials, I’m referring to the sort of facials you find in a spa.. not a skin clinic. Anyway, that’s what I would do. It would of saved me so much time, effort and money too. Silvia offers three treatments for only AED 450, which is what you’re likely to pay for a facial.

Silvia suggests starting the treatments a few months prior to your big day, and having 1-2 sessions per week. Just like going to the gym, you a need a few session to see results. Of course you can jam in a few sessions before the big day and you’ll still get the same lovely glow, but it won’t be as long lasting. I guess it’s a bit like a crash diet? lol. So I recommend starting early to ensure your skin is perfect for your big day.

Have a look at these testimonials… these women only have good things to say And yes, they are probably a little older than the average bride but that really doesn’t matter. I did it and loved it.. so I’m sure you will too.

Investing in your skin is one of the best things you can do as a bride-to-be.

To make an appointment or to find out more, give Silvia a call on 050 6696049 or email her at silvia.slanina@yahoo.com

Happy beautifying everyone.. xx

Filed Under: Beauty & Style, Inspiration · Tagged With: Beauty, BEAUTY TIPS FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY, NU SKIN, WEDDING DAY FACIAL

Bridal Glamour – Warda Haute Couture

December 4, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

I often wonder if I could of pulled off an over-the-top glamorous and luxurious wedding dress? My gut feeling tells me no, but there is no harm in swooning over this new collection, and day dreaming about what could of been.

Young designer Rahil Hesan launched Warda Haute Couture in 2005; the brand presented a unique style of charming, innovative mix of Eastern flare and European simplicity. He soon gained a high profile clientele across the GCC, and showcased at The Bride Show that same year. Over the past few years Rahil Hesan has designed numerous collections, which are sophisticated, and extremly gorgeous. #weddingdressenvy

Warda Haute Couture by Rahil Hesan presents its latest bridal collection aptly titled Marquess. The collection is a juxtaposition of traditional and modern silhouettes. The pieces in this collection are delicately designed with interesting details that make them fashion forward and also easy to wear.

The pieces are well crafted using luxurious silk threads, with satin, tulle and organza. There is something in this collection for every bride, from the traditional bride, to the edgy rebellious bride. Warda bridal pieces are designed to make the bride stand out and be the star of the show. Of course the bride will always be the center of attention on her wedding day, but I’m sure with a dress like this she will be unforgettable.

For more information and appointments please check out http://www.wardahautecouture.com And if any of you lovely brides do invest in one of these fabulous creations by Warda Haute Couture please get in touch… I’d love to feature you and your dress

Filed Under: Beauty & Style, Inspiration · Tagged With: DUABI WEDDINGS, WEDDING DRESS IN DUBAI

December ramblings ♥

December 3, 2013 by Joelle · Leave a Comment

Hello Lovelies,

I thought I’d start today off with a rambling blog. I feel like I need to update you on why I’ve been so busy, and what’s going on behind my computer screen.

First of all, thank you so much for reading my blog. Even after a year and a half, I still can’t believe people actually read what I write, and find it so useful. It gives me instant happiness knowing I’m helping you get married in the UAE. Without you guys I wouldn’t be here.

Growing up. – A new and improved look.

This month I’m making a few changes to My Lovely Wedding. Natalie at Mustard Seed Creative is helping me revamp my current blog layout, and we aim to create something a little cleaner and generally more grown up. This has been a dream of mine for the past six months, so it’s very exciting for me. I’ll also be updating my press page, vendor page and about page too. Come January I will have a fresh new look to start the year off with a bang! – Check out the mood board Natalie created for the new look…

Making things pretty – Styling weddings

This is something that has recently taken off, and I feel like this is my calling. It sounds a bit cheesy, but I feel like this is what I was meant to do all along. Graduating with a degree in Fashion promotion, and working in a variety of creativity, and not so creative jobs, has brought me to where I am today. I’m a wedding blogger and stylist… and this is makes me so very happy.

I love décor, details and of course weddings, so to offer a styling service to brides in need of a little guidance only seemed right. This month I’m working on three very different weddings, followed by a styled photo shoot, and an engagement dinner. I find myself dreaming of flowers and obsessing over my ‘to-do’ list. As long as I keep on top of everything I think I will do just fine. Keep a look out for photos coming soon.

From tomorrow I’m going to start writing my daily blog from my local Starbucks, and It’s not because I have a slight addiction to ‘tall skinny lattes’ but I feel like I get more done when I’m out of the house. I aim to bring you more wedding inspiration and useful ideas to plan your wedding in the UAE.

Thanks again for reading, and like I always say… If you have any questions or need any advice please drop me an email.

Big wedding love,

Joelle xx