Summer's Blaze of Colour
Back at the start of the summer, I had a burning desire to organise an editorial shoot. I was feeling particularly inspired about the summer months ahead and felt eager to play with colour and create some new shades for the summer weddings ahead. I felt particularly drawn to vibrant and zesty colours and knew that I needed to give great consideration to the venue of the shoot to ensure that the colour palette would complement the design aesthetic and vice versa. The White Barn was an easy choice with its unique Texas-style white washed walls and barn ceiling. I reached out to my long-time wedding photography friend, Jennifer Jane Photography whose work and imagery I admire greatly. I knew her light filled approach would be perfect to capture the true essence of the concept I had in mind.
The Inspiration
The Silk Studio cultivates its dyes by using natural dye matter to produce a wide array of colours. Inspired by the dye matter and the colours produced, this editorial incorporate lots of natural colour in not only the form of silks, but all other elements of the styling from the stationery to the cake. There is an abundance and significant focus on flowers and texture which have been incorporated into the design at every opportunity. By being set in a predominantly white setting, this has allowed the colours to speak for themselves. This summer shoot exudes vibrance, colour and life! In nature, there is no set colour palette. This concept is kept in mind for this shoot, which is why the colour palette is so large and diverse. Similarly, the design features lots of unstructured looks and imperfections. Large, bouncy and unstructured floral displays, bridal hair which is unstructured and free flowing, silks showing pigmentations from natural dying and so on.
The Team
Once the venue and photographer had been selected, I called upon another good industry friend, Georgiana of Posh and Cake for the cake. I really wanted to try something different but also wanted to allow Georgiana the creative freedom to interpret the brief herself. We both agreed on deconstructed tiers making up three separate cakes. Georgiana's sugar skills were shown with her beautiful sugar fruits and flowers. The cakes each adorned a Silk Studio ribbon and were presented on a white vintage style dresser provided by The White Barn with draping textiles hand dyed by The Silk Studio.
For some time I have been a follower of Katy of Olive and Millicent on social media and have admired her work. I reached out to her after spending hours trying to source a UK based, luxury wedding stationer who had a pre-existing suite which featured the zesty colour palette I was after. I simply couldn't find anyone so when Katy told me she would come up with a bespoke suite just for our editorial shoot, I was amazed. Katy certainly delivered with a hand illustrated venue sketch, water coloured envelope inserts and a choice of coloured card inserts. The stationery was simply stunning.
No wedding Flatlay is complete without a velvet ring box and Mint and Willow kindly allowed us to borrow one of theirs in their gorgeous golden yellow.
The bar at The White Barn is a real focal point of the venue so I wanted to really emphasis this by adding barware and decoration. These drink toppers were the perfect addition by Thirty Three PX.
The wonderful Sam of Sparks Film captured the entire day on video for us to watch back and enjoy. He even did a behind the scenes video of the suppliers setting up!
Heidi and her team at The Embroidered Napkin Company embroidered custom napkins on coral cotton for extra colour and detail for the table.
The Fine and Dandy Club provided us with a bespoke, made to measure suit for our male model. We really wanted to embrace colour and do something a little outside of the ordinary! The coral waistcoat was just that.
The wonderful Bethan of A basket full of blooms is a local florist based in the City of Bath, just a few miles away from us here in Frome. Bethan completely understood the brief and provided whimsical, loose floral arrangements largely made up of her own produce from her garden. We love the sustainability factor here.
High end boutique, Carina Baverstock Couture kindly allowed us to borrow one of their incredible gowns worn by the beautiful Hilary. The dress was paired with bridal accessories by Rachel Sokhal and Hilary was made up on the day by makeup artist Justine K Mua and hair stylist, Cindy Beddard Bridal Hair. Hilary wore designer shoes by Di Hassall which also featured a 'something blue' - one of our dusty blue ribbons.
Featured
To view the feature on Coco Weddings Venues click here.
