I've always loved blue, it was probably my favourite colour growing up. When Bridal Hair by Jennie and Laura Jane Photography approached me about a shoot concept 'Something Old, Something Borrowed and Something Blue', an ethical shoot they were planning, I jumped at the chance to be involved. Laura and Jennie wanted me to bring together elements that had already planned and add a splash of creative styling.
SHOOT DESIGN
I began by looking at the decisions that they had already made and finding out what the key elements they wanted to showcase and focus. We talked through how they wanted the shoot to look and feel and talked about the areas of the venue they wanted to use to stage. I went on to create an inspirational Pinterest board for the shoot to check that I had captured Jennie and Laura's vision. Next I created a shoot look book, colour palette and concept board to share with the other suppliers. This is much the same process as the 'Wedding Styling Inspiration Service' that I currently offer couples. It is perfect for those couples who have an idea on what they want, but aren't sure how to put everything together in a cohesive wedding design. Click to find out more about this service.
THE LOOK
Laura photographs using natural light, her photos are light and airy and very pretty. Jennie loves to create whimsical boho wedding hair and loves to show how two wedding looks can be used throughout the day. I knew these elements would be important to include, as well as the focus for the shoot, which was to inspire couples in ways to make their day more ethical and eco friendly. I've wanted to work on a wedding shoot at Apron Hall for over a year, having supplied to weddings there in the past. I love the different elements of the building and the stunning architecture and grounds. Weddings at any season look great in this venue however, in spring there are the most beautiful blossom trees in flower in the grounds, which makes spring wedding photography very fun!
THE STYLING
On the day of the shoot, the beautiful 'New Barn' function room and the 'Cow Shed' were filled with natural light so we set about styling both the arch and cake table display. I suggested we set up the arch to frame the windows at the far end of the New Barn and the tiered luxury wedding cake, that had been designed by The Honey Bee Wedding Cake Company to compliment the colour palette and props against the gorgeous brickwork in the Cow Shed. Placing it here really worked to make the blue and white textured cake stand out. The colours in the cake contrasted so beautifully with the deep brickwork.
The Stock Florist team set about creating a foam free floral arrangement on their portable copper arch which we purposed during the shoot as a ceremony arch, backdrop for the couple shots and to decorate behind the sweetheart table. Lauren and I had great fun using drapes and runners that I had hand dyed in the shoot colour palette and my elegant gold twin hoop cake stand on a repurposed dressing table that I had up-cycled using a deep blue chalk paint and new brass hardware, to create the most show-stopping cake set up.
WEDDING TIP
Re-using decor throughout your day is a great idea to get the best use out of your wedding props, reduce waste and create more creative styled areas around your venue. A word of warning though, take care to plan the logistics. Talk to your suppliers and venues about moving items and check if it will be possible. Explain where and when you'd like them to be moved, you may find your florist would prefer to move their own arrangements, some will be more than happy for your groomsmen or the venue to do this. For larger items that may be a two person lift or may need to be partially disassembled, this makes things more complicated and I'd recommend you don't leave up up to family and friends or your venue.
You may like to employ an on the day wedding styling team to manage the repurposing of decor for you. Yes, it will cost you to appoint them to be there on the day, but you'll save on not having to pay for extra flowers and the post wedding waste will be greatly reduced.
Laura and Jennie had sourced a beautiful homemade ethical wedding gown made in natural materials by Indie Bride. The dress is called Harlow dress. I mirrored the elements of the dress in the décor; styling soft, elegant and very subtle geometric elements together with artisan props, stationery and layered fabrics in different hues. The result is a contemporary yet classic spring wedding with a pretty colour palette with deep contrasting hues. I used the dessert table in place of a traditional ceremony table. It works well as a stand alone piece and in contrast to the red brick wall is very striking. I used cotton drapes in paler tones to tie in the pale blue colour of the hydrangea in the floral free arrangement created by Stock Florist. My signature floor standing contoured lanterns were used to add that luxe element and atmospheric lighting that we all love during romantic wedding ceremonies.
I am delighted with what we created and how the elements came together. Wedding styling is great fun but also time consuming on the morning of the wedding and disassembling everything the next day. You need a lot of time to set up styled areas in your venue and it can be tiring lifting and shifting all the décor items and a little messy too; so it isn't practical or ideal, for brides or grooms or family and friends to be doing this on the morning of the wedding.
If you'd like a trusted person or a team of professionals to manage the set up and styling of your wedding decor at your chosen venue, please drop me an email on victoria@partysquared.co.uk so we can discuss what you need and how we can help.
Head to my Instagram feed to see my styling portfolio or visit my website to view the items in my hire collection.
I'd be happy to help to 'Make Your Celebration Beautiful'
Happy wedding planing!
Victoria
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The Shoot Team
Venue | Apton Hall
Photographer | Laura Jane Photography
Stylist & Props | Party Squared
Hair stylist | Bridal Hair by Jennie
MUA | Katie Poole MUA
Videography | Pursey Productions
Flowers | Stock Florist
Stationery | Leigh Calligraphy
Dress | Indie Bride
Veil | Sash and Veil
Rings | Smoke and Ash
Hairpieces | Hey Jules Bridal
Grooms wear | Dapper Chaps
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