Today’s shoot features lots of natural colour and florals, perfectly demonstrating that a wedding planned for one season can easily be shifted into another without compromise or drama. Perfect for the transient post-lockdown times we’re currently living in!
UNVEILED Network Member and Florist Rebecca Walker from The Countryside Florist in Cleveland and her team of talented fellow Teesside suppliers have come together to create the perfect autumn shoot in springtime! That’s right, the ever-altering rules and regulations of the last year have meant that we’re getting the hang of this changing-all-plans-at-the-last-minute thing and there’s no reason at all what was originally planned for autumn/winter couldn’t be beautiful and appropriate for spring/summer too.
With a few minor tweaks and a complementary colour or two, the autumnal deep plum looks unbelievably good alongside more spring-like pastel tones, paired with enchanting candlelight and a three tier watercolour cake. The models look gorgeous, in multiple different styles, giving basically every bride something to lust over, and the refurbished Pinchinthorpe Hall, with its dreamy views of the locally iconic Roseberry Topping, is the perfect backdrop for the shoot.
We’ve been chatting to Rebecca to find out how it all came together as the restrictions were being lifted and how it feels to be back at work.
With images by Emma Marie Photography
CONCEPT
Rebecca says: We first planned the shoot for autumn 2020, as we wanted to put together a group of our favourite industry colleagues to create a showstopping set of images, after such a difficult year for us as an industry we needed to be able to all let our creativity out! But of course, this then had to be postponed. After so many of my clients had to postpone and then change seasons of their planned wedding, it made me think – so many of them have already committed to colours for certain aspects of their day that would be difficult or costly to change. I’m thinking of bridesmaid’s dresses and suits, for example! So I wanted to showcase that you don’t have to panic, and you don’t have to feel that your colour scheme for your big day doesn’t “fit” with the new season you might find your wedding is now in.
By combining small touches of deep, autumnal feeling rich burgundy and plum shades, with a wide assortment of pastel shades, we have brought the colour scheme into a beautiful, bright and spring/summer feel, whilst being able to keep the elements you may not want to change, or can’t change. In this case we kept our table runners and chair sashes as the original deep colour, and the stationery with the hint of rich burgundy too.
LOCATION
With bespoke wedding packages perfect for weddings up to 100 day guests and set in the North Yorkshire Moors, Pinchinthorpe Hall is a venue local to us. It had been closed for a while and has now been refurbished by a fantastic pair of new owners! We went for a look around and fell in love with how they have brought it back to life with a soft colour palette, but maintained the character by keeping all of the dark wood fireplaces. It also has a beautiful view of Roseberry Topping. It fit our theme because it feels like such a blank canvas for people to work with whatever colour scheme they have, and it added such a cosy vibe to the day too.
STYLING
We set the venue up as if it were a proper ceremony and reception that could definitely be achieved by a couple for their big day. It was definitely a flower filled show stopper! We dressed the tables in two different designs, as it is really popular to do a “half and half” mix-and-match setup for guest tables. We focussed on candlelight for half of the tables, provided by Ambience Teesside’s Emma, with some dainty bud vases that I filled with coordinating flowers. Then for the rest of the tables I used our golden footed bowls to create asymmetric, free flowing pieces which ooze class and show the flowers off to their very best. Emma added tealights for that cosy glow.
I love a fireplace in a venue and I think a big floral piece on top really adds a wow factor to a ceremony or reception! So I created a meadow style piece for this to match with the natural vibe of the day and the setting of the venue. Alongside this, the ceremony was dressed with a large asymmetric archway for the loved up couple to say their vows at, and also for excellent photos too!
Stationery wise, UNVEILED Network Member Sarah of Sarah Alexis Stationery worked with our colour scheme of lemons, soft blues, shades of pink, plums and burgundy, to create a collection of stationery pieces which would add to the whole look of the day. From welcome signs to table plan, menu cards to name places tied with delicate silk – the stationery really added another personal touch.
Where the Ribbon Ends created different cakes to show options depending on your numbers for the day. This included a single tiered buttercream design topped with fresh flowers, a tall cake with embellishments and florals, and my personal favourite, a three tier buttercream cake which had been hand painted with watercolour flowers top to bottom.
ATTIRE
Both dresses were Stella York from Joanne Kay Bridal based in Stokesley. Both models tried on a variety of different styles of dress. But each were drawn to the ones they picked, as they felt so comfortable and confident in them. We opted for a completely different style for each bride, to showcase that no matter the style of venue, you can choose a dress that suits YOU! So we went with one more form-fitting, sleek and modern dress, and another flowy, more ethereal style. Both worked perfectly with a grand venue.
Dandy Threads Tailoring, based in Guisborough, offers tailoring from off the peg to custom. For the first male outfit, the cream one, we used a Cavani suit jacket and waistcoat combined with a Marc Darcy navy trouser teamed with a striking burgundy silk tie and hankie by Knightsbridge Ltd.
For our second male outfit we used a smart navy suit by Cavani with a Marc Darcy tweed style waistcoat and accessories.
BEAUTY
Hair was done by Molly at Studio M, based in Skelton and makeup was by Laura Mac, based in Redcar. The style of both the hair and the makeup wasn’t decided until the day! Both Laura and Molly wanted to have a good look at the dress, the flowers and styling, and most importantly the models themselves, to decide on a look that would be the most perfect fit. For our first model, Rebecca, whose dress was sleek and sophisticated, Molly chose an intricate up-do, with volume and curls that oozed hollywood glam. Laura accentuated this with an ever so slightly smokey makeup look and deep nude lip.
For our second model, Hannah, she had lovely short hair with a blunt fringe. As her dress was more flowy, Molly created soft waves and a loose plait, and let the softly sparkling hair piece from Joanne Kay shine. For make up, Laura used warm tones which worked really well alongside Hannah’s rich brown hair.
RESULTS
The shoot was amazing. I personally loved every second, and all of the suppliers have said what a good day it was. There was a buzz about the place that was so good to be a part of. Everyone was just so excited to be back doing what they love, and in such a beautiful venue too. Simon and Joe of Pinchinthorpe Hall kept saying how fantastic it felt to hear laughter and voices in their pride and joy, after their opening date had to keep being pushed back. In all honesty, my personal aim was to be able to let my imagination and creativity run wild, and let the ideas and dreams of designs I have been having over the last year, come to life! We exceeded my expectations and everything looked incredible. I am so proud of the whole team involved.
