welcome home {Dublin and Brum}

So we did another two workshops! One at our office in the Custard Factory and one in the beautiful city of Dublin!  It feels quite a while ago now but having said that.. looking over the images from all the homies that came and shared.. again.. I feel so bloody thankful that we get to do them and how the little bubble of Welcome Home always seems to feel so special..

So first up.. Dublin.. we headed over with the lovely Lee and Dawn from Shutterbox Films and with a day to chill.. pretty much ate our way around the city.  We enjoyed the most amazing Bento Box from ukiyo (you have to go there) and then later that night we had the most beautiful 3 course dinner at our workshop venue.. Fallon&Byrne.. (you have to go there too!).. see I told you we ate a lot.  

The following day we headed back to Fallon & Byrne to meet a new bunch of homies.. and what an amazing bunch.  We laughed a lot, maybe cried a little bit, had the best lunch provided by Fallon & Bryne (including the biggest sandwiches you've ever seen - so big Dawn called them 'events') and then had the absolute pleasure of photographing the gorgeous Kate and Brian for the afternoon.  After the workshop we all then headed to a Mexican for the best tapas and to catch up with the lovely ladies from One Fab Day.  Add a cooked breakfast the following morning and we had truly eaten our way through Dublin.. and as you might have guessed.. we loved every single minute of it.  I'm actually embaressed to say that I'd never been over to Ireland before.. and this is definitely going to be my first trip of many..

So first up.. our amazing friends/partners in crime, Shutterbox Films made us another friggin' amazing little film of our Dublin workshop.. honestly.. these guys blow us away every single time.  It was so nice as this time I said to Lee to just play.. there was no agenda as we'd filmed other workshops before so he was free to be creative.. and this is what this pair do best.. give them your wedding.. your event.. give them the reigns and just watch the magic.. :)  We can never thank these guys enough and we have an absolute ball with them every time..

I also want to say a huge thank you to all that helped us out for both these workshops.. we couldn't have done it without you guys!!

Shutterbox Films, Fotofafa, Folio Albums, Everybody Smile, HipHip, Fallon & Bryne, One Fab Day, Century Studios,  Kate and Brian, Adam and Lizzie.. we love you guys!

Here's some images of the gorgeous Kate and Brian followed by some images of the day from some of the homies..

A big thank you to Christina Brosnan and Brideen for the following images..

The following week we were back and cosy in our office and had another 14 new homies join the ever-growing group!  This was our second workshop at the office and it was quite a squish but the group were fantastic.. completely opening up, sharing ideas.. giving so much inspite of their much bigger audience.  We also had the gorgeous Adam aka Mr Rock My Wedding and his beautiful lady Lizzie model for us which was bloody lovely.  Adam hadn't had a couple shoot before so it was so so nice to be able to give them the experience and also some photos of them together.. they totally nailed it and were an absolute pleasure to shoot.Again.. (I feel like a bit of a broken record) but every time we do another workshop I'm blown away.  When I first looked at what I wanted to talk about I never realised just how important it was to me.  I've learnt so much about myself.. about my style.. about what is truly important to me as a photographer and to me as a person.  I have learnt something from each homie that comes and shares their story and with each workshop I go away feeling more positive, more inspired, more creative and more determined about this wonderful journey we're on..Here's some of my images of Adam and Lizzie followed by a selection of images of the day from some of the homies.. :)

A big thanks to Paul Stott and Binky Nixon for the below images.. 

We now have over 70 homies and have had our first 'Welcome Break' last week where 30 of us went glamping and danced our socks off.  The Facebook group is a huge melting pot of advice, support and laughs and by coming on this workshop every single one of them has made a pledge... to nurture and invest in this family we have created but also to nurture and invest in themselves.. to look at their 'home', whatever, wherever or whoever that might be.. and to be honest and open about their journey. It just doesn't get much better... 

EWE

What are you all doing this Sunday??  Come see us!! We're going to be at the Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza in Birmingham from 11am until 4pm!!


EWE is the UK's most unusual wedding fair filled with unique wedding suppliers who like to do things a little differently.. think Back to the Future wedding cakes.. tattooed wedding dresses.. batman shoes.. :)

We'll be there.. Shutterbox Films are gonna be there.. The Couture Company, Veronica Dearly, AVA Styling, Chris Barber..  AND Pete's band The Rebel Party Band!!  We can't wait.. and we have been planning something a little special when it comes to our stand.. hee hee.. let's just say.. we're picking a part of it up from one of our very special couples today.. yey!

So if you fancy it.. come and hang out.. I have a feeling it's gonna be a good day!

sutton vintage fair...

We had the most wonderful Sunday off a few weeks ago.. a lie in followed by a good old mooch around Sutton Vintage and Arts Fair with Lee and Dawn from Shutterbox Films. This is my absolute favourite way of spending any time off.. a fair or a car boot.. or a charity shop.. :)  The fair filled Sutton Town hall, stalls brimming with vintage goodness and refreshments in the form of tea and cake provided by the gorgeous Boutique Baking Company.

I came away with the cutest eiderdown, the best floral dress ever for £20 (photo of said dress is below) and the best set of stag coasters from the uber talented Jessica Lennox. The girl is a genius and I'm in love with every single thing. Mugs, plates, coasters, prints.. all with beautiful stags, owls, foxes all over them.. I'm definitely going back for more..

 

custard (wedding) factory..

Instagram taken by The Kilbs

So I don't think I officially said anything really about our office move.  It was just after the burglary back in March and we had been looking in to moving out of the (sit in your pyjamas all day) office at home.. but having all our stuff nicked gave us an even more important reason to have a secure, not connected to home, work space.  We also had the nicest people to share it with.  We met Shutterbox films (aka Lee and Dawn) back in January at a wedding (Pete will correct me here as he met Lee a few times before).. and we instantly fell in love with them.  Same sense of humour, same interests, music.. it was meant to be.. .. and now we share an office space.. and we LOVE it!

We moved in to the Custard Factory in Birmingham, a huge collection of artist spaces in the old Bird's factory in Digbeth and I can happily say that it's the best decision we've ever made.  We have a cool space that we look forward to coming to everyday, I have to be dressed with make-up on to work there, it's sociable, I can shut the door on it and go home, we have a super nintendo and can play Mario at lunchtimes, I have a designated place for all my office stuff, I actually have a decent size desk that actually fits my computer on, Pete gets to sit opposite me instead of at the kitchen table.. it's generally a whole lot better.. and sat here at my desk it really feels like this little business that we started in my Mum's spare room is actually getting somewhere and that's a really nice feeling..

We also thinking of changing it from the Custard Factory to the Wedding Factory as we have some lovely neighbours that include.. Steve Gerrard Photography, The Couture Company and from today.. the delectable Rock My Wedding!! Aghhhh we're taking over!!!! So if you find yourselves in Birmingham for any reason.. pop in for a brew... oh and a lap of Mario Kart..

our view..

..from our new office and we couldn't be happier...

sisters...

Oh my... I loved this shoot.
Abi, Jo.. have the most wonderful time at Uni and your big sis will always be here if you need me... (alright I'm not technically their big sis but I couldn't be prouder of the pair of them)...