"An actor of astonishing power and magisterial presence on stage and screen; away from it, a humble, engaging, and truly likeable person. For any writer, it was an honour just to hear him speak one's words."
Lines that I wrote for my website on hearing of the actor's unexpected death earlier this year, and I make no apology for taking the opportunity to expand on them now.
My first meeting with Ian Richardson was at the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in March of 2001. It's an imposing building in the middle of a block close to the Shaftesbury Theatre. BBC Films had taken one of the upstairs rooms for the table read of my
Murder Rooms episode; not exactly a rehearsal, but a readthrough of the material and an opportunity for everyone to meet the people they'll be working with for the next few weeks. For the writer, a readthrough has an extra father-of-the-bride kind of significance, because it's the moment when the script moves out of your hands and into the hands of others.
(In theory, at least. In practice you tend to get sent away with a notebook filled with last-minute changes to implement.)
Murder Rooms was a series of feature-length films for television. The series was created by David Pirie, essentially a continuation from a one-off drama that he'd written around the relationship between the young Arthur Conan Doyle and his Edinburgh teacher and mentor, Joseph Bell. I thought it was an exceptional series idea in classic BBC style, and I was happy to be on board. The concept was a blend of fact, fiction and metafiction - Bell wasn't Sherlock Holmes but had provided Doyle with some elements for his fictional creation, and now here was the fictional Bell, playing a Holmesian role.
I always look forward to readthroughs. There are few happier sights than an actor with a job, and at a readthrough you get a room full of them. And if you're really lucky, there's cake. This time around, though, I was slightly nervous. Ian Richardson was playing the role of Joseph Bell and was a big name in anybody's book - an old-school, highly-regarded professional who would, I can imagine, have been equally at home on a bill with Henry Irving or Beerbohm Tree as on a modern film set. I'd first been impressed by the offhanded authority of his Bill Haydon in Arthur Hopcraft's adaptation of
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; the air of dignity and acceptance with which he dabbed blood from his nose after a rough interrogation struck me as an acting masterclass all in itself.
I suppose that what I'm saying is, I felt a bit excited and a bit intimidated.
I needn't have worried. He arrived without ceremony, and demanded no special attention. The most magnetic actor on the screen was the most diffident man in the room. During a break I went over and introduced myself. Usually at this point I'd thank a performer for taking on a role, but in this case he wasn't joining my project - I was joining his. Dave Pirie had created a winning format and Charlie Edwards was a dashing Conan Doyle, but Ian's was the name and the presence that gave our show its stature and credibility.
In this case I think I just babbled a bit. I introduced my daughter, who had a small part as a circus girl with a line and a song; Ian's son Miles, who was busy with RSC duties and hadn't been able to make the readthrough, would be opening our film as the explorer Everard Im Thurn. I mentioned a short documentary I'd recently seen on BBC3, in which Ian took a walk up Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and reminisced about his youth in the city. "Oh, that thing," he said. "I've no idea why, but they do keep showing it."
The next time we met was on location at the old American University in Bushey, a complex of redbrick buildings that's been used in movies from Lucky Jim to Harry Potter. The frontage was our Southsea museum, the yards around the back housed our wintering circus troupe, and inside the dining hall the art department had erected a fairground marquee for interior cover. This time Ian was mostly in character and in costume, and cut a genuinely commanding figure. He'd played Sherlock Holmes onscreen, but his Joseph Bell was a distinctly different creation; sharp and intelligent, but with a warmth unique to the character.
As we talked between setups, I realised that his research for the part went way beyond the page. He lent me a book on Bell, which I read and returned, and some photocopies of his research which I was to keep for future reference. None of us doubted that this was a series of continuing potential.
The film, directed with grace and precision by Simon Langton and with a marvellous turn by John Sessions as Bell's colleague William Rutherford, gave me more of a sense of satisfaction than almost anything else in my CV. The series as a whole was a success with both the critics and the audience.
So naturally, it was cancelled. A second set of stories was planned, but the plug was pulled before they were commissioned.
But hey. I got to meet Ian Richardson.
Who wouldn't want to look at more photos of polka dotted shoes??
Look closely at the details. I've never seen anything like this before! The acrylic table was filled with rose petals and glassware, silverware, and china were set on top of little acrylic cubes to hold them off of the roses. While the glassware and plates were certainly different than your standard hotel ballroom ware, check out the silverware. It's ergonomically designed with that loopy bent handle:
I really liked the trailing flowers off the corners of the table and the funky clear acrylic stools:
Multiflor's centerpiece was simple but beautiful. The orchids and candles draw your eye to the center even though there is a flurry of floral activity down on the table:
What do you think of this creative tablescape? Would you ever have anything this trendy at your wedding or would you steer more traditional? Tell us in the comments and you can win 2 tickets to the Washington Bridal Showcase!
I was reading a cute blog posting from Mackenzie over at Something Old, Something New where she talked about a random mishap on her wedding day. Appropriately entitled 'Happy Accidents,' the post is more about maintaining a sense of character and uniqueness at your wedding. To learn more about Mackenzie just check out her invitation company, KenzieKate, and also her interview at the Blue Orchid Blog.
I really love the beautiful pintuck overlay and the thick silver-edged square plates. Did you notice the height of this table? Check out those legs on the barstool-style chivari chairs:
This design would be ideal for a winter wedding or even for a summertime wedding if you add some bright colors to the centerpiece and use an accent napkin in a bold hue. Even those chair pads could be swapped and instantly transform this cool wintry wedding theme into a spacey, clean, hip, and modern event. What do you like best about this tabletop?
Wahoo!
I thought this article was kind of cute, about a group of friends who don their bridal gowns once a year just for the heck of it. See the full article here!
The table was designed by the folks over at Creative Parties: 
Select Event Rentals supplied all the 'basics' like the linens, china, and cutesy ballerina chair toppers: 
Finally, Galleria Florist provided a magnificent centerpiece complete with submerged roses, curly willow, and crystals strung from sheer pink ribbon:
Even though this team didn't win the competition, I think they did a really great job tying in the 'pretty in pink' and 'ballerina' themes. It's just so dainty and perfect for a bridal tea, shower, or a fantasy princess wedding.
Need an easy way to get your bridal party coordinated? Try Ann Taylor's Celebrations line! They just released the latest season and this year's designs are particularly flattering. The nice thing is that you can pick a color and let your bridesmaids choose their own style, size, and order it themselves online. Easy as pie!
Paired with some adorable little heels:
They have bridal gowns too! I like this one:
And a perfect lace bolero jacket for modesty at your Catholic ceremony or for warmth during your winter wedding:
They also have a lot of great things on sale right now (can you say....shoes for $30?) so check it out sooner than later!
Laura & Jeysson's wedding video is up! Check out the link here. I also have a cute photo of Laura and her flower girls, from Ruben Photography:
Blue Sky Films is one of the best wedding film companies in DC! If you don't think you need a wedding video, please check out their website first. Their samples will just blow you away. Plus, Martin and his crew are simply a joy to work with (professional, nice, helpful, friendly, responsive... need I go on?).
While cruising Something Old, Something New, I came across a great favor website that carries these cute damask favor tins:
They even have these favor tags to match:
Sometimes finding details to tie together a wedding or party can be difficult, but AccentTheParty.com makes it easy. Check out their blog for even more party ideas!
It's that time of year again! Time for the Washington Bridal Showcase. This year's show (and January's) will be held at the Dulles Expo Center since the Patriot Center is undergoing renovations. That's actually a good thing, despite the further drive for some, because they can feature more vendors, show the limousines inside, have a bigger stage, and....host a tabletop competition!
And some helpful tips if you're a rookie:
If you want FREE admission to the show, comment below and I'll pick a lucky winner to get two free tickets! Of course you have to promise to stop by our booth and say hello but I swear we don't bite.
Can you see the photographer in this one?
Tamara was the definition of a "DIY Bride". From the programs to the favor boxes, to menus and a candy buffet, everything was done with precision. 
The colors of the day were turquoise and orange, and the paper lanterns were a very vibrant touch to the sunroom/dance floor. DJ Kemcee kept the guests on the dance floor all night.
All of the vendors did a fabulous job - Cakes by Tracey, Gateway Florists, Len Spoden Photography, Pineapple Alley caterers, and MRM Designs, Inc (makeup). You can see a few more photos on Len's blog!
I'm so happy to have worked with Tamara and Russ, and I can proudly say that the entire day was smooth sailing, thanks to my wonderful assistants, Mallory and Kischa.
I went onto Amazon's French site to source a link for the DVD of Bertrand Tavernier's brilliant police thriller L.627 for inclusion in a forthcoming post, and here's one of the books that came up amongst the site's featured home-page recommendations.
The What Junebug Loves! blog recently posted ideas for using your bridal bouquet as a centerpiece. I think these ideas are beautiful and ideal for a bride on a budget or even just someone who doesn't want to waste flowers. If you already have a centerpiece plan these would look great on the guestbook table, favor table, placecard table, or as decoration around your venue. Even bridesmaids bouquets can be used in these scenarios:
Check local thrift stores for glass cake plates and vases to display the bouquets. Tying long ribbon around the stems adds a little more 'flair' to each arrangement.
What do you think? Would you wear a hooded gown or cape?
