Gail Gardner Blog

Looking forward to working alongside Capezio today for a photo shoot for their new catalogue due out in January.  Think its going to be a long day.  Photos to follow.

Well, busy is one word describe my past 10 days.  For a change I swapped wonderful weddings with early starts for backstage at the theatre with very very late nights.  What fun it has been and what a contrast in hair and makeup!  Great fun though and I look forward to working backstage at Grease the Musical in Chelmsford next April but back to weddings now and I think Christmas is coming!  I can feel it in the air and in the excitement of my lovely brides who are counting the days down to their weddings.  I will be travelling a bit over the next couple of months to work with brides who are a little further away but its always very exciting.  For the remainder of November and all of December I have lots of trials and weddings too.  January and February is appearing to be a far busier month for me than usual so 2014 is looking to be a busy year for weddings.  Congratulations to Michelle, Emma, Gill, Kayleigh and Lee on all your recent weddings this month.  Here are some photos, with more to follow soon.

I am so pleased to learn that I have become an official FINALIST for my Professional Wedding Hair and Makeup in Essex with the Essex Wedding Awards.  Very pleased and a little proud today.

Professional Hair and Makeup

I can feel Christmas coming!  I have had quite a few enquiries this week for Christmas weddings!   I love Christmas!  It has to be my all time favourite time of year, maybe its because its my birthday on Christmas Eve so I celebrate for two days.  It may also be something to do with having four children and I get caught up in all the excitement.  I love weddings at Christmas.  Candles replace Flowers, Christmas trees are up twinkling…….and everyone is so excited and happy.  Roll on Christmas!  Gail x

I spent all day Sunday absorbing the wonderful atmosphere of Salon Live in London.  I loved watching all the different people in the Hairdressing world walking around with wild wonderful and wacky hairstyles.  Some had hairdryers incorporated into their hair.  There were plaits, weaves, extensions all on show.  This year was definitely a year for extensions.  I lost count how many stands there were but I visited them all!  I also sat and enjoyed Patrick Cameron, my hair idol, create the most amazing hairstyles.  I left there totally inspired and itching for my next bride to be to walk through my doors.  I managed to catch up with Patrick Cameron, who trained me at Wella Studio, all those years ago and he still creates the most glamourous hairstyles and he still completely inspires me.  Patrick made it quite clear that the trend at the moment is sexy sassy hair.  Nothing too tight, just loose and romantic.  These styles are always so beautiful and enjoyable to create.   Here I am with Patrick Cameron.

Another busy weekend working with a gorgeous bride and her bridal party.  Sophie stayed at Channels Cottage, Channels Country Golf Club on the morning of her wedding so she could get ready comfortably with her bridesmaids and family.  It was such a beautiful relaxed morning and everyone enjoyed watching eachother transforming into beautiful princesses for Sophies wedding day.  Sophie married at Crondon Park and she had the most beautiful warm and sunny day, unbelievable for October.  It really was a lovely morning and everyone looked beautiful and the atmosphere was so lovely and tranquil with an undercurrent of excitement too.  Congratulations Sophie I hope you had an absolutely perfect day.  Gail x

Spent the morning with a wonderful family.  Ria, the bride had her cousins as bridesmaids.  I carried out all the hair today for the bridal party.  Here are some photos of my morning with them today.

Firstly thank you to all you lovely brides to be that came to visit me yesterday at the Hylands House Wedding Fayre, some of whom I have already met and some that are getting married around Essex this year, next year, 2015 and 2016!!!  Very organised brides!   I had great pleasure meeting you all and discussing all your future hair and makeup requirements along with all your concerns regarding length and volume, I think we covered everything yesterday!!

I have a busy week ahead with trials and weddings and some rather early morning starts too so I will be getting plenty of early nights this week.

I am counting down the days to the Salon International Hair Show which is an annual event which takes place in London in October.  I have secured my seminar place with Patrick Cameron, who is the most inspiring hair dresser of all time.  I will be getting many fresh ideas and keeping ahead of whats out now so keep an eye out for my blog in two weeks where I will be uploading all the fancy over the top hairstyles I see at this salon show.

Here are photos of hairstyles I created on two girls at the Hylands House Exhibition yesterday (Sunday).

Looking forward to tomorrows Wedding Fayre at Hylands House!   It is one of my favourite venues of all time as I also married there 14 years ago this month.   Cant wait so do pop along and say hello if you are planning on visiting the show.  Gail x

Its been another busy week with trials and weddings in Essex.  I have brides getting married at Mary Green Manor, Gosfield Hall, Crondon Park and Newland Hall.  Yesterday Rebecca was married at Leez Priory.  Such a beautiful day with lots of sunshine too.  I am exhibiting at Hylands House Wedding Fayre Exhibition this Sunday so do pop along and say hello if you are visiting this Sunday.  I am getting very booked up for 2014 so please do not leave it too late to secure your wedding day.  I will be uploading some new brides here soon so keep an eye on my website and facebook page.  Gailx

Another busy week of wedding trials and wedding days.  Thankfully my brides have managed to avoid the poor weather due to early wedding times etc.  I have a very hectic week ahead with more trials for weddings taking place at Gosfield Hall, Leez Priory, Newland Hall, Pontlands Park and the Reid Rooms.  I also have weddings taking place this week at Gosfield Hall, Leez Priory and Newland Hall.   I do have this coming Sunday off so I look forward to a deserved day of rest.  If you are considering having your hair and makeup carried out for your wedding day, why not pop along to Hylands House Wedding Exhibition on 29 September as I will be exhibiting some of my work and you can get to meet me too.  Admission is free if you register with www.theweddinguide.co.uk/hylandshouse or alternatively you will have to pay on the door.  Here are a couple of photos of some of my work this week, until I receive professional photos from my brides.  See you soon!  Gail x

Wow, what a busy Summer!  Most of my beautiful Brides have had wonderful sunshine on their wedding days.  It has been a month since I have written but I put this down to August being extremely busy as it is my ‘teacher’ season where all the teachers have their trials and their weddings, during the school summer holidays.  Just a quick Congratulations to all my lovely brides and a huge Good Luck to all my brides to be over this coming weekend and the next couple of weeks.  I celebrate my own wedding anniversary next week, 14 years happily married!  Cannot believe where the years have gone but each year, my wedding anniversary is so very special and I still feel a little of the magic of our wedding day, at Hylands House.

I have been a frequent visitor at Leez Priory, Crondon Park, The Ivy Hotel, Maidens Barn, Newland Hall, Down Hall Country Hotel, Mulberry House and Pontlands Park over the past few weeks.  All such beautiful venues.  I have worked with my usual favourite and very talented photographers, namely Simon Carr, Gavin Woollard and Neil Bailey.  All, I would thoroughly recommend you check out if you have not yet booked your photographer.  My favourite florists will always be Simply Wedding Flowers (www.simplyweddingflowers.co.uk) or Poppies.  Very talented indeed!  Here are a few photos of my recent brides. Gail

Another week of weddings and trials.  Met with some beautiful brides who have all been so lucky with this wonderful weather.  Congratulations to all my recent brides and to all the brides to be who have trials over the past two weeks and are all due to be married soon.  Here are some photos of brides and bridesmaids I have met over the last week or so.

Sorry it has been a while since I updated my blog but I have been quite busy with trials and also preparing beautiful brides and prom girls for their special day.  I have also been busy with my family life.  I have four children who each have very busy lives so I am a taxi in amongst all my other duties.  I have also enjoyed all the sports days and end of year shows and events too.  I have been very busy working at all the usual venues and its been nice to catch up with all the wonderful photographers and florists too.  Particular congratulations to lovely Stephanie who married on Sunday at Leez Priory.  It was a pleasure to meet with you and your lovely family again.  I hope your day was extra special and that you have a very happy life together with your new husband.  Also, Good Luck to all my beautiful brides getting married this week.  Here are a few photos of my recent lovely ladies…