Welcome to Rebecca Symonds seasonal fashion blog. Rebecca is locally born and bred and runs a business called Rebecca’s Room Knitting where you can buy handmade knitwear. She has been sewing since her mother would trust her with sharp objects and this started an interest in fashion at a young age. Locally educated, Rebecca studied at University College of the Arts in Farnham, however, in her early thirties she suffered a stroke and woke up paralysed down one side, unable to talk. As part of her rehabilitation she took up knitting and hasn’t stopped click-clacking since! She gets her inspiration from looking at people in the street, long country walks with her dog and the necessity of keeping warm whilst living in a cold rural cottage!
We didn’t have a white Christmas and the weather in Guildford has certainly felt far from the norm this winter. I don’t remember needing to dress in armpit high waders as if I was going fly-fishing when I worked in The Friary Centre! My heart goes out to everyone affected by the unusual course of the River Wey this year.
I’m not convinced we’ve got away without seeing any of the ‘white stuff’ in a cold snap this winter, but the birds here in the woods certainly seem to. The dawn chorus has been kicking off earlier and louder each day. Snowdrops are bobbing their tiny white heads in the breeze and the daffodils are just starting to burst open their sunshine-yellow trumpets. So a girl’s day-dreams naturally turn to Spring Weddings! The romance, fresh-start and new promises fit in perfectly with the renewed energy of this time of year.
Of course one (if not THE) main feature of the wedding is the bride’s dress. In fact, everything is planned around it, your hair, what bridesmaids wear, the general theme of the day – formal or informal. Brides are making a move away from trying to create a timeless, classic look (an almost impossible task – fashion sneaks in everywhere you know!) and are instead opting for a day that best represents them as a couple. The brides I talk to have a developed a strong sense of personal style and have spent many a weekend or bank holidays making their homes their own. These girls know their own minds and are not going to be told what to wear or do… so let your personality shine through. When in doubt, ‘bring it [the idea] back to me’ should be your mantra. Everything should relate to you personally as a couple.
A major trend for bridal gowns in 2014 is a bit more covered-up compared to the strapless gowns that have been so popular in recent years (partly due to Miss Middleton). This is great news if you are not so confident about your arms. Also very practical if you are having a spring wedding! A freezing cold bride does not make great photos – blue and shivering is never a good look. I’ve created a warm premium acrylic/wool blend off-white capelet as a unique and locally hand-crafted option to keep you stylishly warmer on your big day (pictured above and can be bought HERE). It fastens with one pre-loved button (something old) so it’s quick and easy to remove and put back on as you wish, without disturbing your hair or make-up.
Now I just have to pick up my ‘other-half’, Farmer Dave, from the floor – he seems to have fainted at the sight of me looking at wedding pages!
Rebecca Symonds