wedding trends goes Anything English country house Courteenhall in Northamptonshire was the setting for our ‘anything goes’ weddings shoot by Marney Mai Designs . . . WHAT WAS OUR INSPIRATION? O Photography by Graham Commons of www.bespoke-photos.co.uk ur aim was to Launch the opening of Marney Mai Designs and bring local Northampton businesses together giving them the opportunity to be part of a creative team and kick off 2015 with an alternative spring bridal shoot. We wanted to stand out from the crowd and avoid anything traditional. Courteenhall Estate provided a naturally beautiful, rustic outdoor venue with a relaxed atmosphere. We took indoors outdoors and let our bride and groom roam free across the country estate. We began with a Humanist ceremony and continued the celebrations with a secluded picnic in the gardens. All of the bridal gowns and accessories were a blush pink. We wanted to show brides that a beautiful wedding gown doesn’t have to be ivory. Our groom complimented the bridal attire with a quirky shorts and flat cap combination throwing the traditional suit jacket theory well and truly out of the door. 26 Weddings Magazine COLOUR PALETTE: Melange of pink tones Natural rustic beige Spring 2015 weddings trends Tweet us @Image s Magazine Weddings Magazine Spring 2015 27 wedding trends MOOD Fun, relaxed and free-spirited . . . a million miles away from tradition. We were also drawn to some of Courteenhall’s unique features inside of the house including the alluring staircase with its rare marbled wallpaper and the decadent library, housing an impressive collection of historic books and family portraits, as well as far reaching parkland views from large windows. 28 Weddings Magazine wedding trends THE DETAILS The natural features at Courteenhall made our shoot all the more exciting but we didn’t forget the important extra-special touches, which included: • Thirst-quenching pink cocktails served in mini-milk bottles with candy pink retro straws • Boho intertwining bridal plaits • Customised bridal hanger showcasing blush pink gowns • Wicker hessian, hand-crafted hanging hearts • Exquisite bridal accessories featured in a window lit with sunlight • Alternative bridal footwear THE SPECIAL TOUCHES – A SUMMARY The blush pink bridal gowns, tea dress, braces, flat cap, boho, brightly coloured wellies, rustic items, natural beauty beyond. The Humanist ceremony was set underneath a feature tree on the estate which allowed us to step away from tradition and create a free spirited personal occasion. Hessian fabric created a rustic aisle which featured handmade detailing on each chair. Our couple extended their invitation to their dogs! Our canine friends only added to our “Anything goes” theme.They looked simply gorgeous all dressed up for the occasion in coordinating wedding attire. Our informal picnic reception was like the icing on the cake to end our day of shooting. It truly captured the essence of free spirit and created a real rustic setting for our bride and groom to relax and reflect on their special day watching the sun set on a clement spring evening. Weddings Magazine Spring 2015 29 wedding trends THE VENUE Courteenhall has been scarcely altered since it was built in 1791 and is a beautiful example of a neoclassical English country house. It has been home to the Wake family for all its life. To many, it is unknown and members of the public rarely visit. It is set deep into a private estate and surrounded by more than 100 acres of lush parkland. Immediately surrounding the house are pretty formal gardens and a relaxing water feature. Courteenhall is also home to an internationally renowned arboretum with more than 250 rare species of trees. We selected the venue for its natural beauty, exquisite gardens and parkland and, of course, its exclusivity. We were also fascinated by the fact that it is a privately owned family home and we were made to feel really welcome by owners, Johnny and Anna Wake. The “Anything goes” styling pushed the boundaries of stereotypical bride and groom looks. The collaboration of businesses involved in the shoot created a real buzz and excitement, and left all involved wanting to do it all over again 30 Weddings Magazine Spring 2015 CREDITS CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PLANNER & STYLIST: Sophie Limbert, www.marneymaidesigns.uk VENUE: Courteenhall, www.courteenhall.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHER: Graham Commons, www.bespokephotos.co.uk HAIR: Kelly Weston, www.identitybykellyfisher.com MAKE UP: Keira Miller, www.belle-beautique.com FLORIST: Dawn Robbins-Eales, Floral Arranger Tutor -Northampton County Council Adult Learning BRIDAL GOWNS: House of Mooshki/ Belle and Bunty Fairytale Weddings www. fairytaleweddings.co.uk DOGS: Weddings by Total Pet Services, www.weddingsbytotalpets.co.uk MODELS: Gabriella Willmore/ Walter Ebulubu
© Copyright 2024