2021, let’s do this! Kicking things off beautifully, today we’ve got an styled shoot that’s sidestepping the traditional, rustic route and has instead chosen a more elegant path, with pretty florals, amber glassware, silk ribbons and candlelight galore.
When photographer Jane heard that one of her couples were having to rearrange their wedding yet again, due to the Covid pandemic, she hatched a plan to make them feel special and cheer them up. She roped the real life couple into modelling for a styled photoshoot, giving them their chance to get all dolled up, play at being the bride and groom and find a way to still have their special 2020 day – even under extremely unusual circumstances! And the best bit? They still have their real wedding to look forward to!
The modern barn backdrop of Oakwood at Ryther was the perfect choice. Lending it’s exposed brick and bare beams to a perfect styled shoot, when in actual fact, thanks to Covid, it’s yet to host a real wedding! We love the way all of our beloved venues and suppliers alike have rallied together, gotten creative with the situation they’ve found themselves in and made lemonade out of the lemons we’ve been handed this year. We couldn’t be prouder.
The soft, natural tones used in the styling of this shoot add a romantic air to the already magical candle lit space, with a banquet style table arrangement taking centre stage and feminine, peachy touches in the floral arrangements and stationery. If pretty but warm and cosy is your vibe, this one’s for you…
And p.s. pop Thursday 10th June in your diaries, as we plan to host an epic Brides Up North Wedding Show at this very venue!
With images by UNVEILED Network Member Jane Beadnell Photography
CONCEPT
The team at Ambience Venue Styling York say: We wanted to create an autumnal reception design that showcased a less traditional autumn feel and more of an elegant vibe. We incorporated a range of textures through the usage of dried flowers and grasses, combined with foliage to soften with a colour palette of warm neutrals, using stone, peach and brown.
Jane had just heard from one of her couples, Lauren and Richard, who had been affected by the pandemic and were having to postpone their wedding date for the second time. Lauren and Richard said that they felt all of the excitement in planning their wedding had been lost and Jane came up with the amazing idea to turn around their feelings of disappointment by inviting them to model for the shoot, giving them the chance to feel special for the day!
LOCATION
The Oakwood at Ryther is a new rural venue with two stunning barns and beautiful outdoor space. The current situation has meant that the venue have been unable to hold any weddings there yet so we wanted to provide inspiration for any couples looking for a modern barn venue. The brickwork and flooring in the ceremony barn pulled out the colour palette in our styling perfectly, and the incredible feature lighting at the venue created a magical backdrop.
STYLING
We opted for a banquet style design, with the focus on the table being all about an abundance of tonal candlelight at varying heights. Pops of peach interspersed throughout added warmth to the nude colour palette. A base layer of wheat coloured table linen and co-ordinating napkins offered texture to compliment the autumnal accessories used – pine cones, miniature pumpkins and dried baby pumpkins. Brown and amber glassware gave a nod towards the elegance that we wanted to draw out in the design.
UNVEILED Network Member Jane at JB Creatives (wearing her stationery hat as well as capturing the day) created beautiful torn edge name places and table menus with autumnal floral design and silk ribbon and hints of gold. We wanted to really accentuate the intimacy of the set up by framing the table, so Dutch Nurseries created a bespoke floral arrangement that featured two arching pillars using mixed foliage, dried grasses, bleached ruscus, roses, lisianthus and protea. Full of texture and volume, the pillars really brought the whole look to life whilst the fairy light curtain against the brickwork provided a magical backdrop.
Model Lauren held a beautiful bouquet featuring a king protea right in the centre of the arrangement, which we all loved! Nikki from Dutch Nurseries gave the bouquet to Lauren after the shoot as a reminder of the day.
Blossom Tree Cake Company made three spectacular wedding cakes especially for the shoot with delicate flower details.
ATTIRE
We opted for a black tie look to reflect the feeling of elegance as opposed to rustic. Lauren wore two gowns from UNVEILED Network Member The Little Pearl Bridal Boutique; Love Affair by Dando London and Stella York 6817.
Jewellery and hair accessories were courtesy of UNVEILED Network Member Sarah Vuong Bridal Jewellery.
BEAUTY
UNVEILED Network Member Chrys Chapman had the honour of making Lauren feel amazing with hair and makeup.
Chrys says: More and more of my brides are asking for a change of style on their big day, so for the shoot I wanted to showcase how we can transform a look in just a few steps. The first look was a nod to Hollywood glamour with a relaxed slant. I wanted to create an undone wave with a glamorous but natural makeup look to compliment the first gown, especially the neckline. I used soft browns and golds on the eyes to tie in with the colour palette of dress, accessories and the rest of the shoot.
For the second look we turned up the volume on the makeup by adding more bronzer and a glossier lip, while I transformed the hair into a soft, modern updo, allowing the long sleeves and higher neckline to be the focus of the look.”
RESULTS
We had a great day getting creative with everyone and it was brilliant to see how much our real couple loved the experience. Lauren left saying it had reignited her passion for planning her own wedding day. She had lost the spark after sadly missing their original wedding date and having to rearrange it twice.
