‘Botanical beauty with an underlying industrial edge, set in an over-grown Orangery. Scientific glass wear juxtaposed against luscious green walls of foliage and organic natural growth. Oversized florals, demi-naked stacked cakes and wine coloured foods, deep back dresses all make for some punchy bridal inspiration.’

Stradsett Hall in Norfolk hosts the most gorgeous orangery, with greenery scaling the walls. I was so excited to use this as the backdrop to this shoot, blown away by all the glass walls, natural light and terracotta tiled floors. I’ve been really into all the lush green pins on Pinterest too and seems green is the only way to go with naturally enhanced venues packed with seasonal blooms and foliage – plus this can really help cut costs on floristry. Win win.

The aesthetic of mixing overgrown foliage with more delicate soft cotton heads, feathery ferns in our mini glass medicine bottles on a bed of moss created by Flower 30. Sharon used Snowberry, Moss, Birch bark pieces, Steel grass, leather leaves and asparagus fern. Our log blocks and brass candle sticks we’re then dotted through among cotton stems, Allium, Hellebores, Amaranthus and Rosemary.

The bouquet by Flower 30 was oversized and beyond breathtaking. Bold and brave florals have our heart and can’t wait to see more of this coming through with bouquets. I especially loved the mix of large plan leaves and colourful deep red tails of Amaranthus. Twigs of plums, asparagus ferns and leather leaves were also worked into this. White fluffy cotton heads are a welcome new texture.

The juxtaposition of industrial and Scientific pieces against the raw botanical space gave the shoot a modern twist with our period pieces. From cylinders of glass and science room stands and equipment bearing stems and foliage to old dark wooden library card drawers filled with curious bottles.

Anna our gorgeous model, wore Katrine Morgensen’s dresses so effortlessly. With a plunging V back shape and slinky, figure fitting silhouette for the first dress. Draped and tucked back fabric details and rolled roses, even our dress was botanical! Finished with a pretty little lace trim and made with 100% ivory sand washed silk.

Kirsty at Zany Boutique worked a truly earthy feel on hair, Taking Anna’s hair from a bob and transforming it to give it more flow and versatility, using clip in real hair extensions. Kirsty created soft flowing curls with a little oil keeping the shine. Fishtail plaits were worked into to each side of Anna’s hair then tousled them to give them a more worn look, and entwined them all together at the back. Finished with foliage on top of the plaits to give an alternative to the much loved flower crown.

Ezme Isgate our MUA created a beautiful matte base set with luminous pressed powder and then added a simple rose blush to the apples of the cheeks. A latte coloured eye shadow was applied all over the lid – Finished with luxurious lashes and a pale pink lip butter.

Wholesome, rich colours were used on the foods provided by Stradsett Hall. Speckled quails eggs and cucumber sandwiches brought classic quirk to the table. Casually presented chocolate and hazelnut biscotti biscuits and rose and pistachio meringues were served on wooden slices. A rustic fig and blackberry tart added colour amongst our green table along with Blackberry and black cherry macaroons and white highlights of coconut cupcakes. We created a ladder dessert stand; stacking the desserts up on the steps for a new way to display treats.

Buns of Fun created a demi-naked vanilla sponge stack that was lavished with a delicious milk and vanilla-pod seeded buttercream. For a decadent feel Buns’ tumbled sliced whole fresh figs on top, seasonal autumnal juicy blackberries and fragrant passion fruit, adding aromatic Rosemary stems and Passiflora vines to decorate.

Mimolo added some luxe with her stationery with botanical hand illustrated invitations with sketches of a wreath design with berries and cow parsley. A matching envelope with crisp calligraphy looked so good together. Simple escort cards were strung across our textural well-worn green door with little snippets of green ivy heads and leaves pegged on.

For the second look, Katrine Morgensens Grace dress with the most delicate lace overlay detail and covered button back. It was decorated with gorgeous glass beads and paneling of lace added into the trumpet skirt.
Kirsty added style dust to the hair giving more lift and volume. This gave more of a raw, undone look with a little iridescence from the shimmery dust. A loose fishtail braid was worked through Anna’s hair, draping it over her shoulder, and finished off by tousling the hair and adding more foliage and white berries. Anna wore a bright copper hairband with delicate 3d floral detail by Melissa Morgan Designs. Ezme added black gel liner winging it out at the outer eye and a touch of gold glitter liner to in inner eye. 
This look was completed with a deep berry plum on the lips for a brave bridal look.

A second bouquet by Flower 30 was green and glorious. Foliage freshly picked, loose and textural . Fuss free but still as striking in a deep forest green shade.

Our soft white festoon lights were strung across the tall steps and into the green back wall for the final part for the shoot with little glass bottles on the steps along with White wire lamp shades with jars of cotton heads for an eclectic back drop.

Amy Lewin Photography photographed the shoot so perfectly, so natural and subtle in her approach. A huge thanks to all the wonderful suppliers who helped my vision for the shoot come to life, such exciting, passionate wedding pro’s.

Thanks also go out to Sara of Burnette’s Boards blog for sharing this with your readers at the start of the year and to Perfect Wedding Magazine for putting this in print – Out now! Cue big smiley face from us…

SUPER SUPPLIERS:

Photographer – Amy Lewin http://www.amylewinphotography.com
Styling and Props – The Little Lending Company http://thelittlelendingcompany.com
Venue and Food – Stradsett Hall http://www.stradsett.com
Model – Anna https://www.facebook.com/annakonst
Hair – Kirsty Jones-Hanford at Zany Boutique http://instagram.com/zanyboutique
Make-up – Ezme Isgate MUA http://www.ezmeisgatemakeupartistry.com
Dresses – Katherine Morgensen: http://www.katrinemogensen.com
Bridal Accessories – Melissa Morgan Designs http://melissamorgandesigns.blogspot.co.uk
Cake – Buns of Fun http://bunsoffun.vpweb.co.uk
Flowers – Flower 30 http://www.flower30.co.uk
Stationery – Mimolo http://www.mimolo.co.uk